Unexpected Encounter (Singleton) (13 page)

“Oh, Mister Rule Maker, let’s bend some of those rules.” She lifted herself up, rubbing against his erection. “Ummmm… Need you.”

“Yes.” Driscoll held her as he took them to the side near the clothing. He let her go and got his jeans, taking out a condom.

Lila took it from him and she clenched her inner walls, eager for him to take her. He sat on the side of the pool and she put the protection on then he slid back into the water before he turned her, pressing her against the side of the pool. He hitched her leg up before thrusting into her.

“Harder. Again.” She rocked to meet his thrust.

Driscoll lowered his head kissing her, and Lila held on.

Chapter Six

Lila moved to her left to get a better view. She held back a moan as she stared at Driscoll’s ass as he bent over.

“Go deeper, baby,” she muttered. “Damn,” she said as Kennan blocked her view.

“A nice view,” a sultry alto said next to her.

“Uh-huh.” Lila didn’t glance away, wanting another glimpse of Driscoll’s ass.

“You didn’t even look at me. I bet you don’t even know who I am.”

“From your voice with that lyrical accent, you’re one of the Lockes.” Lila waved her hand. “Now hush, I’m watching the football game.”

“Drooling is more like it,” Bella said.

“Yeah she is.” The first woman laughed.

“You all are messing with my ogling,” Lila said.

“Jules, I think Lila is actually checking out the men. Why ever would she do that?” Bella teased.

When Bella called the nickname Lila realized the first woman was Julianne Locke—Bella’s cousin.

“Because she is a smart woman who is appreciating the fine specimen of manliness she came with.” Julianne moaned. “God, Kennan is muscular. How long do we need to stay at this thing again?”

“Horny women.” Bella laughed then she gasped. “Shoot, Morgan just took off his shirt. I wonder if he needs me to blot off the sweat from his skin.”

“What are you all doing?” Regina spoke toward Lila’s left.

Kennan shifted out of the way saying something. Lila hummed at the sight of Driscoll’s butt.

“Observing the football game,” Bella said.

“Ogling the men,” Lila replied simultaneously.

Driscoll snapped the ball to Kennan and his team worked to keep possession. Kennan threw the ball.

“Ahhh… Good idea.” Regina whistled. “Damn, look at Spence jump for that ball. Go, honey, go,” she screamed then whispered, “See how he is cradling the ball in his arms and holding it with his fingers? He has the touch. He has some magical hands. Knows just how to use them effectively. Yes, indeed he does.”

“TMI,” Julianne said, “I don’t need to know about your sex life.”

“Is Reggie sharing her sex life again?” someone asked.

As more of the women joined them, Lila listened as they bantered back and forth about the men playing the football game. On the field the men played on, oblivious to her and the others ogling them as they did a scrimmage. Driscoll suddenly looked toward them then he stood, putting his hands on his hips. He said something to the men, but he was too far away for her to hear. The men headed toward them. As Driscoll came closer, Lila smiled as she again read his T-shirt.

Love is just a chemical imbalance that you can control if you have the right mindset.
The depiction of a woman holding a heart chasing behind the man that accompanied the words was cheeky.

“I see Driscoll is wearing one of his latest T-shirts.” Regina chuckled.

“Yeah. They finally came in. A few of us chipped in and had them made in different colors, as Stuart suggested,” Bella said.

“Did Morgan make the other T-shirt?”

“Not yet. After the concert he did ask Dakota to start coming up with a design and layout for it.”

“What T-shirt?” Lila asked.

“First I have to put it in context,” Bella said then quickly explained how the T-shirt came about when she and Morgan had been on the outs and he’d come to reconcile. “Then Morgan countered what Driscoll said by telling him he’d make up another shirt for when Driscoll did fall in love.”

“What is the shirt supposed to say?” Lila stared at Driscoll.

“’No one can control love even when they think their mindset is more powerful. I’m in love and I embrace the chemical imbalance’,” Bella said.

“Ahh… You’re telling her about the T-shirt that I will never have to wear,” Driscoll smirked. “My mindset is too strong. Now for the reason we came over here. Are you all by chance ogling us?” Driscoll stopped before her.

“Yep.” She winked. “You have a really good ass.”

The women complimented the various men. The men laughed and shook their heads.

“I figured you all were.” Driscoll looked at the men who were with him then at Lila. “Instead of sitting on the sidelines, how about a friendly game? We promise to be gentle seeing as you are the softer sex.”

The men with him nodded. Lila narrowed her eyes then glanced at the women at either side of her and saw they had done the same. She focused on Driscoll and the other men, smiling sweetly.

“Thanks. Let’s play.”

“Good.” Driscoll gave her the ball. “We’ll even give you the handicap of going first. Pick your players and come out when you are ready.”

“How generous of you.” She took the ball.

The men retreated to the field. They quickly picked the players. Those not going onto the field as well as those going into the game milled around.

“We’re gonna wipe the field with them.” Regina hissed.

The others made sounds of agreement.

“Damn right.” Bella cracked her knuckles.

“They will learn the power of women.” Irene smiled and the coldness of it made Lila make a mental note to never get on her bad side.

“I love teaching people to eat humble pie. I make it so well.” Aida’s grin was fierce.

“Let’s do this.” Julianne put out her hand.

They all put their hands in, even those not playing.

“No mercy,” Lila said.

They broke on those words then headed to the field. Men and women not in the game lined up on either side of the field.

“What’s going on?” a woman asked.

“Ma Locke, they are playing male against female,” a child said.

“Oh, boy. We’re gonna need ice and lots of bandages,” she said then yelled, “Don’t hurt them too bad, ladies.”

“No promises, Ma,” Julianne called back.

The others who were also related to Julianne replied to her mom as aunt, while those not family by blood echoed the no promises. The men laughed and Lila took her place as quarterback. The others lined up around her. Julianne bent down, holding the ball. Lila readied herself and when Julianne snapped the ball, she ran back and threw it. Regina headed down the field at full force along with Bella. Lila ran toward them, noticing Irene and Aida as well as the other women on the team tackling the men, keeping them from Regina or Bella. Regina jumped, catching the ball then tucking it in close and continuing her trek down field. The crowd roared, egging her on as she ran. Lila frowned as she saw Driscoll closing in and she picked up her speed. She leaped and tackled him from the back. Driscoll grunted as he went down under her. Lila rose, brushing off her clothing. Driscoll rolled over, staring up at her with surprise on his face.

“Whoops.” She shrugged. “I forgot we are the softer sex.” She stuck out her tongue then ran toward the rest of her team.

Regina dodged one of the Locke men then kept going. Bella shouldered them out of the way then flexed her arms.

“Softer sex my ass.” She ran after Regina keeping any of the opposing team at bay.

Regina crossed the line and lifted the ball.

“Touchdown,” Lila screamed, jumping up and down then racing to her team.

They converged with Regina and laughed.

“It’s just one score,” Driscoll called.

Lila lifted her head then glared at him. “Ladies, we have a game to win.”

“Grab the rubbing alcohol too,” Julianne’s mother yelled. “There are going to be some sore folks when this game is done.”

Lila got in place with her team. She bared her teeth at Driscoll. He laughed and winked.

* * * *

Hours later, Lila sighed as Driscoll rubbed her aching feet. “You’re the reason I hurt.”

“Ditto, babe.” Driscoll groaned as he tried to get comfortable.

Around them, the moaning and groaning of the players filled the air. Lila chuckled hysterically. The others joined her. When they calmed, Lila reached out and rubbed Driscoll’s shoulders. He shifted closer on the blanket they shared.

“Right there,” he whimpered.

“We should have kept going until someone won,” Regina groused.

“You better not say that too loud before my mom comes and yells at us again,” Julianne said.

“Jules, your mom is awesome. She never even raised her voice and had almost everyone quaking in fear and rushing off the field. I wanna do that when I grow up.” Lila snickered.

“Laugh now, but you’ve never seen the wrath of my mother.” Julianne shuddered. “She’s a force all her own. We know when she speaks to listen.”

“If we hadn’t, we’d need to call ambulances to haul our old asses to the hospital,” Spencer whimpered. “Reggie, please rub my lower back.”

“Speak for yourself, boyo,” Stuart said. “I’m not old. Hey, why am I the one rubbing you”—he glanced at Irene then Aida—“and you? I ache too.” He pouted.

“Because you were part of the idiots that called us the softer sex.” Irene glared at him. “Now get this shoulder.”

“That was Driscoll.” Stuart rolled his eyes.

“But you agreed.” Aida pushed her elbow into his side. “Hey, don’t stop.”

“So anyone up for volleyball?” Morgan laughed.

They pelted him with whatever was handy. He laughed and ducked behind Bella. She moved and slapped him on the arm.

“Idiot.” She kissed him then shoved him. “I’m gonna need some Epsom salts later.”

Everyone echoed her sentiment.

“But you gotta admit it was fun,” Kennan said.

They all agreed before starting to talk about the game.

Lila leaned against Driscoll then whispered, “When I tackled you, there was this shocked look on your face. I wish I had thought to get a picture.”

“That was a spectacular tackle. I’m feeling it all now.” Driscoll hugged her. He stared at her then stiffened. “I’ll be damned, I’m gonna need another T-shirt.”

“What?”

“I—”

Her cell dinned and Lila pulled it out and read the screen. A few others’ cells also sounded and Lila glanced around. She figured the grim expressions on their faces matched hers.

She turned to Driscoll. “I’ve got to go.”

“It’s bad.”

“I don’t know—”

“From your face and the others as well, you’re all being called in. It’s bad.” He pulled her to him and whispered against her ear, “Be safe. Take my car, I’ll get a ride with Irene or Aida. Come by later when you’re done.”

“It’ll be late—”

“That doesn’t matter. Come.” He pulled the keys out of his pocket and pressed them into her palm.

Lila accepted them then kissed him softly and stood. Driscoll joined her and she touched his arm before heading off. As she left, others were saying bye too and they joined her as she went across the field. She glanced back at Driscoll and remembered that he hadn’t answered her question about what he meant about needing another T-shirt. She would have to find out later.

* * * *

Lila trudged tiredly up the steps to the bedroom in the semi-dark. She moved down the hall, feeling each and every ache from earlier when she had played football. With the flat of her hand, she pushed the partially open door then closed it behind her. She padded over to the bed, staring down at Driscoll asleep. The moonlight filtered through the blinds, casting him in shadows. He turned over and the light highlighted his relaxed features.

The case she had been called in for had indeed been bad. She’d crossed paths with Spencer, Morgan and Kennan as she’d worked to retrieve the bodies that had to be taken to her lab for identification. She was used to dealing with death, but in cases like this fire—senseless, deliberate murder—it hit her hard. Lila turned away and went to the adjoining bathroom, closing the door before she turned on the light so she wouldn’t wake Driscoll. For now, she pushed the images of the bodies out of her mind and instead focused on getting clean. She stripped before putting her hair under a shower cap and grabbing a washcloth. After she got into the enclosed shower, she turned the knobs and moaned as water fell from the multiple showerheads. She braced her hands on the wall, rolling her shoulders.

The slight breeze on her back made her look toward the door. Driscoll stood framed in the shower opening. She held out her hand and he stepped in, sliding his into hers. Turning back to her original position, she brought his hand to between her breasts. Driscoll pressed against her back then rested his chin on her shoulder.

“What do you need?”

“I thought of not coming here. After what I saw tonight, I knew I wouldn’t be in a good mood.” She sighed then laid her head back on his shoulder. “But when I started to drive, all I could think of was that I needed you.” Lila closed her eyes. “I need to not think of the ten autopsies I have to start working on tomorrow.”

“Ten? Why do you have to do so many?”

“Last count there were over sixty dead, and they were still pulling bodies out of the building.” Lila turned her face into him. “There will be more. I’ll have to pull people from my other stations to help. We need to identify the bodies so we can let people know the fate of their loved ones. Some went to the hospital but were so badly burned they had to be identified through dental records.” She sighed. “I was right, I’m not good company. I should have just gone home.”

“No.” He hugged her. “Always come to me. I don’t give a shit about your mood not being good. I want you to promise me, no matter what, you will come to me when you need me.”

She turned in his arms and stared into his eyes. The familiar deep blue gaze was somber and his concern was plain to see.

She cupped his face and said softly, “Thank you.”