Nauti Intentions (18 page)

bringing her up.

Zeke pushed the note into a plastic bag, secured it, and dated and signed it before shaking his head and moving to the door.

Natches stayed. He turned, glared at Alex’s neck, and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Don’t start, Natches,†he warned him. “I’m not in a bul shit mood right now.â€

“That’s my sister you’re jacking around with,†Natches accused him.

“Yeah, and it’s my sister one of you was jacking around with last year,†he bit out.

“Not me,†Natches argued.

“Yeah, wel , one of you is just as bad as the other.†Alex sighed in irritation. “Get the fuck off my back. Nothing you say is going to change a

damned thing.â€

“She’s going to try to leave,†Natches told him warily then. “I know her. She thinks I don’t, because I let that bastard send her away.

But I know her, Alex. She’s going to try to leave, thinking it wil protect us.â€

“She’l change her mind.†Alex moved through the living room, pacing it off.

He could feel something teasing at him here. How the hel had someone gotten into the apartment without activating the alarm? There were no hidden

doors. There was no other way in. Al the windows were secure. They’d checked the closets, checked the wal s themselves. Nothing.

“And what makes you think she’l change her mind?†Natches retorted. “That fucking hickey on your neck?â€

Alex stopped and turned his head slowly. He stared back at Natches, feeling the itch under his skin, the need to loose the pent-up violence raging

through him.

“Keep pushing me.â€

There was no “or else.†They both knew the “or else.†They could fight it out, but it wouldn’t change a damned thing.

“Hel ,†Natches muttered.

They heard Dawg and Rowdy coming with Janey and that wailing cat. Hadn’t Alex fed that little monster earlier?

Janey stepped into the apartment, ignoring the tension between her brother and Alex as Fat Cat jumped out of her arms and ran to his missing bowl.

“Bowl’s on the porch.†Alex looked at Dawg.

Dawg stepped outside, retrieved the empty dish, and set it down. Fat Cat smacked him, claws bared.

“Little bastard,†Dawg growled. Then he snarled at the cat.

Janey picked up the bowl and moved to the fridge, where she fil ed it with the fresh hamburger she kept on hand for the cat.

She stayed silent. Fed the cat and fil ed his water bowl before turning and moving through the kitchen. She turned the corner and headed for her bedroom.

“Janey.†Natches fol owed her to the hal . “We need to talk a minute.â€

“I have to change clothes.†She shook her head, keeping her back to him. “I’l be out in a little while.â€

She closed the bedroom door and leaned her back against it, drawing in a shuddering breath. She could feel the sobs building in her chest and she

hated it. Hated it. She hated crying, she hated the sense of helplessness it fil ed her with, and she hated trying, trying so hard to play the perfect little girl

and never succeeding.

Shaking her head, she pushed Alex’s coat from her shoulders and tossed it over the bottom of her bed. The heels and stockings came off next.

Then the skirt and top. She only distantly realized she had forgotten to put her panties back on.

In the bathroom she showered, scrubbed the makeup from her face, and lathered her hair. She had to go shopping tomorrow, she decided. If being the

good girl didn’t work, then screw them al , she’d be who she wanted to be. She was tired of hiding. Sick to her back teeth of being protected.

Drying off, she moved back into her bedroom, and drew on the long cotton pants she used to sleep in. She hated those, too. The T-shirt. Tomorrow, she

was buying gowns. Silky gowns. Sexy gowns. It didn’t matter if anyone else saw them. She would see them.

Running her fingers through her hair, she left her bedroom, rather expecting her apartment to be cleared of Mackays. It wasn’t. Ray and Maria were

there as wel now, Kel y, Chaya, Crista, and a concerned Faisal.

Faisal had moved into an apartment in town with a few other boys that the Mackays had taken under their wings over the years. The other boys were

preparing Faisal for col ege. The incredibly bright, energetic young boy Natches and Crista had arranged to have brought out of the Iraq desert didn’t

look any happier than the Mackays did.

“Aren’t you guys sick yet of dragging your pregnant wives out over nothing?†She threw Dawg and Natches a disgusted look.

“You’re something to us, Janey,†Chaya spoke up, her hand resting on the smal mound of her bel y as she sat on Natches’s lap in one of

the kitchen chairs.

“You’re family,†Crista finished for her.

She, too, was pregnant, about a month further along than Chaya was.

“Besides, we can’t let the boys have al the fun.†Kel y, Rowdy’s wife, grinned from where she sat on his lap. “Otherwise, they might

get spoiled.â€

Janey bit back a retort. Opening the fridge, she pul ed out the wine, poured herself a glass, and pushed the cork back into the bottle. She left it sitting

out as she turned and faced the crowd.

She wasn’t used to this. It was too much. And there was Alex, doing nothing, not a damned thing, to hide that bite on his neck as he leaned against

the wal and watched her.

“It’s after eleven,†she told al of them. “Nearly my bedtime.†She gave them a false, bright smile. “I’m sure it’s nearly yours

as wel .â€

She didn’t want to deal with hours of placating the worry and concern she saw in everyone’s eyes. She just wanted them to go away.

“Natches and I are going to stay al night, Janey,†Chaya decided. “We’re worried.â€

Janey inhaled, then lifted the wine. She took a long sip, staring at Chaya and Natches over the rim of the glass. Her brother’s face was calm, but

his eyes raged.

“I thought that was Alex’s job?†She looked at Alex. A mocking half smile tilted his lips.

“Not tonight,†Natches told her, his voice even.

Janey shook her head. “Fine, the two of you can stay and I’l get a hotel room. Not a problem.â€

Natches dropped his head back on the chair and closed his eyes as Chaya patted his knee.

“Janey, please . . .†Chaya began to protest.

“It’s his apartment. It’s in his name.†She shrugged. “It’s not a problem. I’l also be posting ads this week for a manager for

the restaurant. I’m thinking about going back to col ege.â€

Strangely, Natches looked back at Alex. Alex stiffened, his eyes narrowing.

“Sudden decision, isn’t it?†Alex asked.

“Not real y.†Janey shrugged. “I need a break . . .â€

“Bul shit.â€

Alex’s voice was careful y control ed, his gaze flat and hard.

She sipped at her wine again, her gaze locked with his.

“I’l find another manager before I go, but I’l be leaving within a few weeks.â€

Ray, Maria, Rowdy, Kel y, Dawg, and Crista rose from their seats as Alex’s jaw tensed and Faisal watched the Mackays worriedly.

“Yeah, time for us to leave.†Dawg stretched and wrapped his arm around his wife before heading for the door. The others fol owed. Chaya and

Natches stayed in place.

“Come here and give us a hug, Janey,†Dawg commanded.

“I, too, wil leave.†Faisal watched Natches in concern. “But I do not like the thought of Janey leaving this town, Natches.â€

Janey hugged Dawg as she listened to Natches and Faisal talking. She hugged Ray and took his kiss on the cheek, and Maria’s. Kel y’s hug

was tight and hard, and Rowdy kissed her hair with a whispered “Nice try.â€

Crista smiled and hugged her, then Dawg wrapped her in his arms, lifted her against him, and almost made a tear fal with his muttered “Don’t

leave us. We love ya, ya know?â€

“I know, Dawg,†she whispered back. “Col ege cal s, though.â€

He chuckled at that. “You wish.â€

Faisal stood before her then, his dark face and gleaming black eyes concerned. “I would not enjoy losing the aunt I have come to admire as I

admire you,†he told her.

“You’re a hel of a nephew, Faisal,†she assured him with a quick smile. “Get back home. I’m sure you have classes tomorrow.â€

She closed the door behind him, then moved back to her wine.

“I’l go pack my bag.†She finished her wine. “I’l cal a cab from the bedroom.â€

Chaya stood from Natches’s lap and curled into the corner of the couch as Natches lifted his head and stared back at Janey.

“Running away again?â€

“Shut up, Natches,†Alex said calmly. “Take your wife and go home.â€

Natches turned and gave him a long, level look. Alex missed it; his gaze didn’t leave Janey’s.

“Hel .†Natches pushed himself from the chair and looked at Chaya. “You ready, honey?â€

“Not real y,†Chaya said calmly. “I don’t like how the two of you are railroading her. I think I’l stick around and play referee.â€

“Thank you, Chaya.†Janey smiled tightly. “But I know how to fight my own battles when someone’s not holding the threat of a gun to my

brother’s head.â€

Natches tightened, the reference hard to miss. Yeah, Dayle had made certain she understood exactly what stepping out of line meant.

“You should have told me he was threatening you with me,†he growled.

She shrugged. “My bad.â€

“Your bad?†He blinked back at her, anger glittering in his eyes. “What the hel is up with you?â€

“Me.†She stared back at him, her lips firm, her gaze steady as she breathed heavily. “I’m tired of this, Natches. This isn’t my home.

No matter how much I want it to be, it’s not going to happen. Now’s a damned good time to accept that.â€

“Hel , Natches,†Alex drawled. “I final y met a Mackay that knows how to quit. Now, here’s one for the record books. Congratulations.â€

His gaze never wavered from her.

“Looks that way, doesn’t it?†she retorted cool y. “You can leave, too, by the way. I don’t think your services are required anymore.â€

“My services?†His brows arched. “Wel now, ain’t that too bad. But we can discuss that little particular after your brother leaves.†His

gaze moved to Natches then. “Or not. Al according to how pissed off he wants to get tonight, I guess.â€

Chaya rose from the couch. “Yes, time for us to leave, honey.†She caught Natches’s hand as he glowered at Alex. “Now, Natches.â€

“We’re going to discuss this,†he warned Alex.

“Uh-huh. Add it to the rest of the subjects you’ve warned me we’re going to discuss. I’m sure I’l get around to it later.â€

Janey watched, forcing back the trembling in her hands, feeling it settle in her stomach as her brother and sister-in-law left. Slowly. Natches was angry,

but for once he was reining that anger in. That didn’t bode wel for her. Alex didn’t move from where he leaned against the wal . His head tilted, his

gaze growing curious as the door closed, and he reached out and slid the locks home.

“I asked you to leave as wel ,†she told him, keeping her voice low, the quiver out of it.

“You sure did.†He nodded his head slowly.

“Then why are you stil standing here?â€

“Because my dick’s stil hard,†he answered her. “You made some pretty heavy promises tonight, Janey.†He straightened slowly.

“We’l see to those first. Then we’l discuss that insanity you just spouted about going back to California.â€

A shiver raced up her spine as he took a step toward her.

“I changed my mind about the supposed promises.†She tried to sneer. “Sorry, Alex. Go find blondie; I’m sure she’l take care of that

hard-on for you.â€

He smiled. And that smile sent a nervous reaction shuddering through her so hard that this time, her hands did tremble. Her pussy quivered. Her clit

became so hard, so sensitive, she swore the rasp of her panties was going to cause her to come as the reaction punched into her womb.

He looked wild. Sexy. Dangerous.

“Doesn’t work that way,†he growled. “Oh, baby, not even in your wildest dreams does it work that way.â€

His arm snaked around her waist, jerked her to him. His hand cupped her neck, holding her in place. “Now I’l just show you exactly how it does

work.â€

TEN

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Alex couldn’t explain, even to himself, why the hel the thought of her leaving, running, affected him like it did. It made him crazy, made him wild. Made

him determined to show her exactly why she wasn’t walking away from Somerset, or from him.

He’d warned her he was hard, warned her he wouldn’t be an easy lover, yet when his lips came down on hers, he found himself pul ing back,

holding back, more eager for the heat and seductive pleasure than the wild, hard clash of pure lust.

There was something about her smal , fragile body that made him feel bigger, stronger than he was. Something about the strength of her hunger that

fil ed him with a sense of awareness, of the primitive possessiveness that he had been fighting for years.

Janey was different. There was something so special, so intrinsical y unique, about her, that he knew she would never recede into the back of his

memories as every other woman had.

Janey would always demand his attention. Without design, without even trying; if she was near, she would always enchant his senses.

A terrifying thought for a man who had ensured that no woman ever chained his soul. If he had enough sense left inside him to think.

The moment his lips touched hers, there was no thought. There was nothing but Janey. Her lips opening beneath his, wild and hungry as her arms curled