Love Came Back (a Pyro-Princess Design and Style novel Book 1) (16 page)

I left out the bitch part because I know Konner would go ‘50 Shades’ thermo-nuclear on the sitch. Did not need more stress than what I was feeling right now. Christian Grey had nothing on a Navy SEAL. I can
so
tell you that right now.

“Shit, Sidda. It’s not safe. Why don’t you go with the girls and I’ll go check it out. I’ll call Nathan and have him meet me there.”

“No, Konner. That store is a macular part of my life. I am going. You’re not the boss of me.”

I didn’t like going either, but if some sonuvabitch, namely Mike, was able to get in my store and mess things up, I was so going psycho on someone. Or start balling my eyes out. That was so not an option. Not right now. I’d ball out my eyes in private if something happened. I can so keep in all that pain.
Right. Keep telling yourself that.

“We’re going too. We stick together. Like glue, Siddaleigh. Like ticks. Tick tight, baby-cakes,” Mags never said my whole name unless she was ready to charge head on like a bull.

“Yeah!”

The other girls chimed in as well. I didn’t want them hurt, but I felt a wonderment build in my heart for their fierce loyalty to stand behind me.

“No. Go home, Brianne, girls, this has nothing to do with any of you.”

“Konner, we’ve all become good friends. We stick together in times of hardship. This might be one of them times. I’ll call Nate, tell him to meet us there and then we’ll figure out a plan of action then.”

I never thought I’d hear sweet little Brianne take charge before. If I wasn’t so worried about the condition of my store, I’d high-five her.

“
Arrrg! Fuck!
Alright, let’s get this show on the road. Siddaleigh, Bri, you two with me. Ladies, follow us in one vehicle, I’ll have someone come check out the other cars to make sure nothing is wrong with them. Just gimme a sec to check these first.”

While Brianne was making the call to Konner’s friend, Konner went over my mustang and Magdalene’s Tahoe. He checked under the hood and underneath the body to make sure nothing was tampered with.

Looking satisfied that everything was in order, we got in the cars and took off to the store.

26

I’m Affianced? What?

..::Siddaleigh::..

It took us twenty minutes to get there and when we did, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a line of smoke coming out of the end entrance where my store was located.

No. No, no, no, no
. This couldn’t be happening to me. When we got in the lot the Houston Fire Department was already taking out the flames and it was surrounded by the HPD.

I heard Konner call out my name as I flew out the door. I raced to the nearest police officer.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you need to back away.”

“That’s my store on fire, officer. I have every right to be here.”

“How did you know that?” The officer immediately became suspicious and called over another cop.

“Get in touch with Detective Hindrons. He’s working on my case. I’ve been getting threatening letters. This might have something to do with it.”

Konner put his hand to the small of my back for the support I so desperately needed.

That’s when he whispered, “Who is the Detective? And why didn’t you tell me any of this, this morning
anamchara
?”

I looked up at him and had to roll my eyes.

“You said you would take care of it. I didn’t want you to get side tracked by the police.”

He humpfed and shook his aggravation off with a low chuckle.

“Remember what I told you this morning,
álainn
. Tonight. After we take care of all this.” He whispered into my ear as a hand wandered down my backside for a quick squeeze then rested once more on the small of my back.

I saw a Ford F-150 practically fish-tail into the parking lot next to my Mustang and a tall man jogged over to us. He was a few inches taller than Konner’s six-three frame.

“You must be Nathan?”

“Yeah, where’s Brianne?’

His voice was frantic and the sudden concern on his face was fascinating but when he looked at me, he covered it up quickly with a blank expression.

“Right here, Nate. I’m okay.” Brianne climbed out of the car and began to walk over towards us.

“What are you even doing here? Konner should have told you to go home.”

Before Konner could cut in, Brianne held up her hand to warn Konner off.

“Listen, buster, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you are not the boss of me. Never was, never is, and never will be, so why don’t you just reel it in, you asshat,” turning my way she said, “I’ll be over by the girls Sidda.”

“Okay,” we watched her storm off, and I turned back to see Nathan’s glare drilling holes in Brianne’s back.

“Don’t you think you should try a little bit better tact Nate? Jeez, now she’s gonna give you,
and me because I’m your friend
, the stink eye until she calms down.”

Nathan just watched as Brianne stopped by the other girls, and I noticed a longing in his eyes that I knew was going to erupt sometime in the future. I knew because Konner would look at me like that sometimes and it made me wonder why Brianne hasn’t figured out Nate loves her. Or if
he
realizes. O’well, that’s for another time. My present was turning up in smoke. Literally.

Waiting around for the detective to get here wasn’t what I really wanted to do. I just wanted to go home, get in bed, and forget I was seeing what I’m seeing right now. My baby. The store that I began. All of it, down the drain or up in smoke. Who knows if the insurance company will take this? This definitely was no accident. It was a nightmare. My worst nightmare come back to haunt me.

Looking over at the girls, I saw Nathan stride over and hover by Brianne, who was ignoring him the best she could. The others looked haggard. Probably thinking they would have to start looking for new jobs.
I
would probably have to look for a job, too. This was not something I could afford again. This was not happening. After all the hard work me, the girls here, and my closest friends put into this. Heartbreaking. Utterly, freaking, heartbreaking.

No way is this happening. God, I’m even repeating myself. What am I going to do? I didn’t want to lose the girls.

“Siddaleigh Mare, look a’me, love.”

I didn’t want to see the concern of Konner’s' face. If I start crying, it’s going to turn into sobs and then I will eventually break down and totally have a mental freak out. I couldn’t bring myself to look in his eyes.

“
Banphrionsa
. Don’t worry about anything. Don’t let this get you down. I’m right here. I won’t let this sonuvabitch ruin all that you’ve worked for. Look at me,
ceann beag
.”

Don’t look. Do. Not. Look!

Instead of looking at him, I threw myself into his embrace and held on tight. Silent tears trailed down and fell onto his shirt. My body shook as I tried to keep the sobs that so wanted to be let free, inside. I clutched the back of his shirt tightly with my fists. Doing my best to keep it together.

“I will fix everything. I promise you,
mo féin
.”

“How Konner? How can you possibly fix this?” I gestured over to the burning remains of my well beloved store.

I felt the tension seep out of his body and by his thickening accent, he was more relaxed.

“Don’t you worry ‘bout that now, love. You’ll see. Everything will be right as rain for you.” His words were blending. Crooning me into a deep exhaustion I felt seep within my body.

“Whatever you say, Konner.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah, Konner, I promise.”

♥

..::Konner::..

Snuggling Siddaleigh tighter into my embrace, I thought of all that needed to be done in order to secure her dreams. I had plenty of time off. I knew many construction and real estate companies that would be willing to help her and mainly me, out. If my father didn’t have any empty property already. Over the course of my military career, I’ve made and saved a lot of money. Not even including the trust my grandparents gave me upon my thirtieth birthday. My cousin Lucan and I were the only boys with the O’Brian name so they wanted to make sure we didn’t have to want for anything. Including a nice little chateau in Ireland, for me. Maybe after all this, I would take her there. Something to cleanse and heal her from all her pain.

I would make this right for her. For her and the group of girls that she made hers. Therefore, they were my responsibility as well. They looked as if their dreams were losing hope as well.

“Excuse me, Ms. Carrington?”

A man in his mid to late thirties walked over to us with a severe frown on his face. Assuming this was the detective Sidda was talking about; I only nodded in a way of greeting and sheltered her closer to me as we met half way.

“Hey Mac.”

Mac? She knew this man on a first name basis? I didn’t know how I felt about that. After what she told me, I didn’t think they had any kind of romantic affair, but my body felt on edge all of a sudden. Besides, he was older than me. No way was there a romantic past. I knew I was being illogical, I knew she hadn’t been with anyone except the myself and the creep-douche, so I don’t know why I’m getting jealous. I felt it rise slowly inside me.

Sidda made her greeting barely audible and sympathy showed in Hindrons face as they began going over the events of the evening again.

“I think the best thing for you to do is get the report from the officer, claim it to your insurance and see about what can be done as far as damages go for your merchandise. I think your ex is the likely unsub. I’ll look into his sentence and see what’s happening on that end. If he’s somehow made parole, I think you can assume this is his handy work. They should have actually called you if he was released though.”

“Parole? But how-

Sidda just looked around in a daze so I knew it was time to take over. At least somewhat.

“I think so as well. I also have people who are looking into this, as well. I’m Konner O’Brian, Navy SEAL, Siddaleigh’s' fiancé.”

That
certainly got her attention.

“What?”

With a grin on my face, I looked down at her, winked and faced the detective with a stone cold expression.

“Your people? I don’t need some military hoo-ha getting into my case.”

♥

..::Siddaleigh::..

The look at Konner’s’ face as Mac told him to back off would have scared a lesser man. Knowing Mackenzie Hindrons since the last time Mikhail had ruined my life, made this a little easier to bear. That and the fact that he grew up where I did, too. So our family knew each other, kind of.

And WTF? My fiancé? Where did this guy get off his crazy train at? Shouldn’t I have been asked a certain question first? Oh. My. God. What the ever living hell? He is so going to be hurt. By lil’ ole me. Lovable jerkasaurous that he is.

“Mac, it’s ok. Konner won’t do anything to get himself arrested. He just wants to get whoever is behind this. With Mikhail’s super rich family, anything is possible, I guess. If this is him, this won’t be the last I hear of him. First the letters. Now this? I can’t.”

I looked off somewhere else because if I had to keep looking at the disaster in front of me or at the sympathetic looks from both men, I was going to freak-the-eff-out.

“Siddaleigh, you know he can’t get to you without getting through me first,” lowering his voice, Konner whispered into my ear, “I will kill him if he comes within breathing distance of you. Let me take care of this,
anamchara
.”

I was just glad Mac couldn’t hear what Konner was whispering into my ear but with my sudden wide-eyed look, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

It was a promise. A solid vow that I knew he would take to the grave. I knew he meant every word. Looking up into his deep green eyes, I could see the hard determination and will to make this better for me, burning bright and forceful in his eyes. Knowing this, was a sweet relief for me. I let him take the reins, and he expertly put me directly behind him.

He’d kill for me. How can I accept that knowledge without feeling any guilt?

27

You Melt Me with Your Words

..::Siddaleigh::..

“Sidda, it’s on me. Don’t even burden yourself, love,” I guess Konner saw my guilt ridden expression. I took a quiet moment, then nodded my acceptance.

“Okay, Konner.”

I turned back towards Mac and asked him, “Can I go home now? What else do I need to do? Because looking at this fire is starting to kill me inside.”

Mac glanced at the fire and more sympathy showed on his face. I could tell he was going to try to empathize with me when he turned and noticed the small crowd surrounding my car. Following his gaze, I noticed his eyes landed on Callie and a flush stole over his cheeks. It quickly turned back to his cop-face as he looked back at me.

“Who is that, Sidda? The little short one?”

“She’s a manager at my shop. Callie. Do you know her?”

“No, I don’t think so. She just looks familiar to me. Yes, we’re done here. Just get your report to claim and tomorrow you can give me a call. I’ll let you know when you need to come and inspect all the damage.”

The first part of his sentence was said so quickly, I could tell he was lying. But I so wasn’t worried about that right now. He was such a good guy, justice was so deeply ingrained inside him. Why he would lie I don’t know, but I saw the hungry look in his eyes as he looked upon Callie as if she was a cupcake ready to be devoured.

Mac took one last blazing look at Callie and practically stomped away.

“Let’s go, Konner.”

“Sidda, can you try to eat something? I know this is heart wrenching, babe. Try not to let it get to you. It’s what that sick fuck wants, Siddaleigh. I promise that all this?” Konner points towards the fire and smoke. “This will be taken care of. Let’s go eat. Relax; table this situation until the AM. We’ll tell the girls to not worry. And have them come by your place tomorrow, okay? We will discuss our next move then.”

I knew Konner. I know he figured he knew what was best and I didn’t really want to think about any of this anymore tonight.

“Yeah, let’s eat.” I shrugged off my anger, and anguish and we walked back towards the group by the cars.

I will not let these girls down. They were my family; I cared for them like I did my own sisters. Blood or not, I would not fail them.

♥

..::Konner::..

After eating, I knew and felt Sidda was all but depleting before my eyes. I needed to take her back home and into bed. Get all this off her mind for just a little while.

Walking into Sidda’s condo, I noticed how her shoulders drooped. I knew she was about to melt in her sadness. I was not about to let her think about any of that.

“Siddaleigh, you remember this morning? Are you still gonna thank me, love?”

“I don’t know, Konner.
Fiancé
? What’s up with that bullshit?”

Seeing the subtle fire building inside her with anger, and I knew exactly how to put that out. Instead of getting agitated about her cursing at me, it made my dick come to life, full-mast. God, love this stubborn ass woman. My woman.

“Well, Sidda, you seemed to just get catatonic out there. And the fact of the matter is, I love you. You love me. I know it’s not an ideal proposal but there will never be another woman for me. You’re it.
Tá tú mianach
, Sidda.
Is tú mo ghrá
. I love you. Always, Siddaleigh Mare.”

♥

..::Siddaleigh::..

It still bothered me that he deliberately named himself my fiancé. Without even asking me! Romantically! This wasn’t
ideal
? Cue my 'what the eff' face. Who says that? I could do nothing but sigh in frustration. I at least wanted a confession of everlasting love, something!

“Konner Patrick O’Brian,” saying his middle name definitely got his attention because he shot me a stern, ‘did you really just middle name me’ face, “yes, I said your middle name and don’t look at me like that. You didn’t even ask me! I might be it for you, buddy but,-“

Interrupting me, Konner closed in on me and said, “I’m it for you as well. Admit it, woman.”

I made a cutting motion with my hand. He was going to hear what I had to say before he tried anything else.

“Shut it. I’m talking.
You
are listening. Yes, dear God, you are it for me too. That doesn’t mean you have to say that to a complete stranger. Who probably thinks you’re crazy. You acted like an asshat, Konner. Oh yeah, I am so calling you that.”

I said that when he looked at me, rolling his eyes and crossed arms. Which made his powerful pectorals flex. He just stared at me with an amused and lustful expression. Anytime I saw his muscles bunch and flex made me want to caress them. Konner knew this, and did this to just distract me.

“Konner! Don’t even think about it.”

The man had the audacity to chuckle at me. He can get so frustrating.

“Siddaleigh, what did we discuss this morning?”

He put his hands on my hips and pulled me so close that all parts of him were touching all parts of me.

“A lot of things, Konner.”

Rubbing my backside with his rough callused hands was making me hot. He rubbed, kneaded, then rubbed me some more when I felt my panties getting damp with need. He was trying to distract me! Damnable man! If he thought…oh God, he makes me get so aroused. I wanted to just eat him up.

“Don’t what, Siddaleigh? The threats we’ll discuss in the A.M. It doesna matter if he’s out or still locked up. We know it’s your ex anyways, so I don’t have to look far. Just far enough to find him. I meant you, thanking me.” His eyes were burning me where I was standing.

Konner took one of my hands from his bicep and dragged it down to touch his thickening erection. Stroking my palm over his rigid member, he gave me a salaciously carnal look that sent tingles through my body straight to my womb. He slid his hand around the nape of my neck, and pulled me up to meet his mouth.

Konner swept his tongue against my lips. Wanting and begging me to open them. Asking for my surrender to his desperate kisses. So I did.

Our tongues danced and mated. I kissed him like my life depended on it. At this moment, I felt it did. I knew I’d never find anything like Konner in this life or the next. He took me to places I’ve never been and wanted to explore. Only with him, of course. I was still mad, but oh Lord Almighty, the things he did to me.

“Go down on me, love. I want to feel your sweet, hot mouth loving all over my dick.”

Sweet Jesus
. I flushed with excitement.
God, I love how he talked so dirty to me
. Konner could be so gentle with words one minute and hit me like a rock through a window with the hot, dirty and so delicious in the next.

“Okay.”

I didn’t know what else I should say. I never felt this way with Mikhail. Going down on
him
felt like an obligation, a chore. It was something I hated to do. With Konner, I just knew, would be so much…
more
. It would be as hot as his words. Speaking dirty and sexy to me was something still so new. A slight flush spread across my face, and I knew, years from now, anytime he spoke erotic words to me, I would react just the same. I loved it.

He already had his jacket off and his shirt unbuttoned at the collar. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Just the look of him was so damn hot. The feel of the muscles flexing on his forearms and the tattoo resting there. The black faded tattoo was of a cross with an American flag tied in the front with a scroll of a few names on it. I’d have to remember to ask him about it later.

For now, his kisses fell from my lips to my neck, then to my bare shoulder. I finished unbuttoning his dress shirt and pulled it off his tone and tanned skin. I drifted my hands towards the button on his dress blue trousers to undo them. Who knew they looked so good? Then I began working on his suit pants. Stifling back a soft giggle, I had to slowly run the pant zipper down over his turgid penis so it wouldn’t snag on anything…fragile.

“It’s not exactly funny when you laugh at unzipping my pants
mo chroí
. What’s so funny, love?”

I couldn’t keep it in any longer. A small laugh escaped my lips before looking up into his burning green eyes. That’s when I got brave.

I shoved my hand into his pants and gripped his hard length through his Calvin Klein boxer briefs.
So. Effing. Hot.

“Sorry. I didn’t want to rip your zipper down as I really wanted to. I didn’t want to catch the zipper on anything, you know, sensitive. I didn’t want to replay Ben Stiller’s scene in ‘Something about Mary’. I definitely have plans for this. You really should have worn those jeans with all those button. I love those buttons.”

I looked him in the eyes as I went down to my knees. I pulled his dress pants down to his ankles where he stepped out and just kicked them to the side.

He caressed a calloused thumb over my bottom lip. Then, clasping my chin gently, he brought his brief covered erection towards my face and caressed himself. It was one of the hottest moments of my life. I could sense the scent of laundry soap, and Konner himself. He smelled like a dream. I could feel his hard-on flex on my face and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Siddaleigh. What did I say about laughing when my pants are down?”

I said in a burst of joyous laughter, “Sorry! I just can’t help it. This is one of the hottest moments of my life and I’m so happy. Oh, Konner. I love you.”

“Oh, okay. So you laugh when you’re happy and excited. I can live with that, babe. Just as long as you keep all that excitement just for me. I love you, Siddaleigh. Trust me, seeing you exactly where you are, where I dreamed you’d be someday, is the hottest moment of my life.”

He was torturing me. I felt a small wet spot where the tip of the head lay and I felt bold enough to suck through the fabric before letting go.

“Konner, please? Can I take them off now?”

His lust filled gaze settled on me and there was no smile, just deep lascivious want.

“Take them off me, Sidda. Wrap those pretty pink lips around me and suck me in deep.”

I swear I had the offensive barrier stripped from him and licked my lips at the sight waiting for me.

Oh. My. Jesus.

Being up close and personal to his hard-on, he was stacked. Not in an angry veiny stacked kind of way, but thick and big enough I knew I would forever be satisfied.