Risky Pleasures (8 page)

“Stop worrying. It will be fine,” Archer said.

“Okay,” she breathed, hugging him.

The sound of the doorbell made her pull away. “I’ll get the door. Check the coals for the grill.”

Delicia left him outside. She walked to the door, running her hand over her sundress of various shades of orange, before opening it.

“Hey, Lis. Thanks for having us. This is Deiter Schneider.”

From his name alone she assumed he had to be German. Delicia stared at the gorgeous man with her sister. He appeared to be over six feet. Just like her brothers. Deiter was well muscled with tanned skin, blue-grey eyes and an amazing white smile. His blondish-brown hair was a little shaggy but still close to his head. A dark blue button down shirt open at the collar hugged his chest and the sleeves ended just above his elbows leaving the rest of his muscular arms bare. She struggled not to look lower. His name niggled at her memory.

“Deiter? Are you the one who Tarak talks about in his emails? Who moved here a few months ago when he did? Working at the university or something?” Delicia asked.

“Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you, Delicia. Tarak and Arissa have told me so much about you,” Deiter said.

“Lis, please.” She shook his hand and studied him, wondering why Arissa wanted her to meet him.

“Honey. Go on through the kitchen and take the steaks to Archer. Introduce yourself.”

Delicia eyes widened at the ‘honey’.

“Okay.” Deiter kissed Arissa then left.

Delicia stared after him as he walked away. His black slacks hugged a fine looking ass.

“No ogling my man.” A hand smacked her on the arm.

Delicia continued to look as she replied, “I can’t help it. He is fine. Not as fine as Archer, but damn, that is one sexy piece of man. What is with all of us getting such fine men? Katiya with Warwick. Now you and Deiter. How do you know him anyway?”

 She returned her attention to her sister. Arissa had a rueful smile on her face. It piqued her curiosity. “Rissa.”

“We met on my cruise a while ago.”

“It must have been strange to meet him that way. Tarak talked about him often enough, but none of us met him,” Delicia said.

“I didn’t know who he was until I moved to McKingley.”

“What?” Delicia could tell there was a story.

“I’ll fill you in another time. Let’s go out to join the men.”

“You better tell me everything later,” Delicia said as they walked towards the kitchen.

“I will.”

She paused and put her hand on her sister’s arm, stopping her before they entered the kitchen.

“Is it serious, Arissa?”

“Very. He asked me to marry him and I said yes.” Arissa raised her left hand.

Delicia gasped and pulled it down so she could see the engagement ring on her finger. The starburst pattern amethyst was offset by four rows of diamonds on each side and had a band of braided white gold.

“Oh my God. That is a beautiful ring. Does the rest of the family know? I’m so happy for you.” Delicia hugged her.

“Thanks. Told Mom and Dad. I wanted you to be the first of the siblings to know. Well, Tarak knows since Deiter showed him the ring before asking me. And Deyon, since we’re living in one of her apartments until we get a place of our own.” Arissa returned her embrace.

Delicia squeezed her tighter. Arissa and she had been inseparable until she’d moved. Being the youngest, Delicia usually went to Arissa—who was the closest to her in age—when she had problems. She still did, in a fashion, by email when Arissa had been in Chicago. But when she needed someone closer she’d gone to Deyon, whose blunt attitude helped her immensely. At the thought, she realised she hadn’t spoken to Deyon in a bit, which wasn’t normal. No matter how busy they were, they kept in touch. Even if it was simply Deyon calling and leaving her a rude message on her machine for not calling her.

“Haven’t heard from Deyon for a bit. I have to call her.”

“Oh yeah, she mentioned she called a few times. Last time she left you a message and got no return call,” Arissa said.

“She did?”

“Yep. Left it on your machine.” Arissa nodded.

Frowning, Delicia walked over to the table under the phone. She checked the answering machine—it didn’t seem to be broken. “My machine seems fine.”

“Sometimes they mess up. Maybe you need to get voicemail instead.”

“Maybe,” Delicia replied.

Perhaps it had been when she’d been with Archer. But if so, why hadn’t she got the message?

“The other times she left a message with Justin.”

“With Justin? What was he doing in my house and answering my phone? I kicked him out,” Delicia said.

“You did? Why?”

“He was acting the ass about Archer. But why was he in my house?”

“Does he have keys? If he does, you need to change the locks. He’s always given me the creeps.” Arissa sounded concerned.

“He d—” Delicia thought about it and cursed. “Damn, he does. I gave them to him to pick up something for Aunty, but never got them back. That was months ago.” Delicia frowned, thinking of when she had come home with Archer the first time and Justin had been there. She wondered if he had been coming into her house that long.

“I’ll have the locks changed and sign up for voicemail.”

“I think you should tell Leo. If Justin has been coming here without you knowing, it’s a problem,” Arissa aid.

“No. It is fine. No big deal. I’ll change the locks and it will be fine. Please don’t tell Leo, you know how he is.” She gripped Arissa’s arm.

“Fine. If you promise to do it tomorrow.”

“I will.” Delicia glanced out of the bay windows to the back patio. “And no word to Archer either.”

“Is it serious, Lis?” Arissa echoed her earlier words.

“I’m hoping it will be,” Delicia replied.

“I’m here if you need me.”

“I know.” She hugged Arissa.

They walked out and joined the men. As the dinner progressed, Delicia watched the comfortable teasing and loving glances between Arissa and Deiter. She wanted that with Archer. Delicia observed him as he laughed and talked with Arissa and Deiter. He was such a sexy man. And she wanted him for herself.

“That was delicious, Archer. I’ve never had homemade vanilla ice cream in mango sauce before. What do you make it with?” Arissa’s comment brought her attention back to the conversation.

“It’s made with—”

She didn’t listen as they discussed the variations of the recipes. Delicia studied Deiter—he had a smile on his face. Deiter looked at her and leaned closer.

“She has a thing for food,” he whispered.

“She does. Even as a kid.” Delicia snickered.

“Tell me about it?” Deiter sounded curious.

Delicia filled him in on the misadventures of their family and food. Deiter chuckled and interjected in parts asking questions. Before she knew it, she was telling him about her job.

“Let me wash up,” Arissa said.

“I’ll join you. You all wrap up the extra food. Archer, make sure you give some to Deiter for them to take home.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Archer winked then kissed her softly.

He walked away to the plates and bowls by the grill. Deiter stood, kissing Arissa, then went to join him. She and Arissa cleared off the table before taking the plates into the house. Arissa filled the sink and started to wash. She rinsed the dishes then put them on the drainer. Deiter and Archer brought in the rest of the dishes and placed them on the counter by them.

“Here’s the food for your sister.” He touched her back.

“Thanks. Go watch some TV or something till we’re done.”

“Okay. Come on, Deiter, we’re being banished to the living room so they can talk about us,” Archer said.

“Behave, you.” Delicia snapped a towel at him.

Archer dodged, laughing as he left the room. Deiter followed him out. She and Arissa watched for a while.

“I like seeing how you are with Archer. You all look happy.”

“You do too.” Delicia said.

“I am. Took some to get there, but it is worth it. Remember that, Delicia. No matter what,” Arissa said.

“I will.” Delicia was silent for a while then said, “I like Deiter. He knows how to get people talking and is a good listener.”

“He is. I love him, Lis. I really do.” There was a lot of emotion in her voice.

“I’m glad. And I can see he loves you too. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle. Have you set a date yet?”

“Not yet. We’re still enjoying being engaged,” Arissa said.

“Once the rest of the family finds out, that’ll change,” Delicia warned.

“Mom and the aunts love Warwick being so into the wedding. It’s driving Katiya batty. They’re too busy planning Katiya’s wedding to think about mine. Thank God.”

“Please, you know the aunts love…heck…live for the planning and execution of a wedding.”

“Oh, God. You’re right. Maybe we don’t have to tell them.” Arissa mused.

“Mom probably already called them. They’re lulling you into a false sense of security.”

“Shit. Maybe I’ll elope.”

“Nope. They’ll never forgive you if you do. The wedding is a better alternative.”

“Probably.” Arissa sounded forlorn.

“Buck up. It won’t be so bad.”

“I hope you say that when it is your turn.” Arissa glanced towards the empty doorway. “Which might not be too much longer.”

“I don’t know where we are going. We’re just letting it happen.” Delicia ducked her head.

Arissa didn’t say anything else. They finished cleaning the kitchen and headed to the living room. Delicia snuggled against Archer and Arissa sat in Deiter’s lap. They watched TV and chatted. After they left, Delicia got ready for bed. The sound of Archer in the bathroom reached her. She wondered what it would be like to have him as her husband.

* * * *

Days later, she waited for Archer in his living room as he got ready for their excursion. Delicia couldn’t get the thought out of her mind. The sound of the doorbell broke the silence.

“Delicia. Get that for me,” Archer called from the bedroom.

“Okay.” She went to the door and opened it. She spotted Archer’s father first. “Hey, Mr Bennett, Archer is in the back.”

“I’ve told you to call me Todd, Lis.”

She chuckled at the familiar words.

“Why are you acting so familiar with the maid, Todd?” An imperious voice demanded.

Delicia turned her attention to the woman who came up the stairs behind Archer’s dad. She looked as haughty as she sounded. Within a second, Delicia knew who she was looking at.

“Get Archer and be quick about it. Tell him his mother and his wife are here.”

Delicia stiffened, glancing at the woman who joined Archer’s parents. From Archer’s brief mention of her, she had expected someone who looked malicious or uncaring. This woman was not only innocent looking but devastatingly gorgeous. She was a Nordic blonde with cornflower blue eyes. The woman raised one slender hand and pushed her hair out of her face. A small, warm grin curled her lips.

“Delicia, who is it?” Archer’s voice came towards them.

She turned to face him as he came into view. “Your mother and wife.”

Chapter Six

Archer glanced at her sharply, sure he hadn’t heard her right. Then he looked at the people framed in the doorway. His dad looked amused. The two women with him were opposites. Although he hadn’t seen her in a long time, he knew the woman with the haughty look had to be his mother. She had his eyes and a similar facial structure. The blonde on the other hand was a stranger. The woman smiled tremulously then pushed her hair over one ear and ran her hand down the tresses, worrying the edges. At the movement, realisation dawned.

No, that cannot be Lacy.

“No greeting for your mother and wife?” Victoria’s voice was patently false.

“Ex,” he snapped.

“Ex.” A voice he remembered so well said simultaneously with his.

Son of a bitch, it is her
. Archer studied the woman who looked nothing like the Lacy Donavon he had married or seen all those years ago when his son had died. The wild child he had married—the drunk—was gone. Or at least it looked like that externally. The soft curls of her ice blonde hair framed a face that seemed more ethereal. The cornflower blue eyes were guileless and open.

“Our bags are in the car,” Victoria said.

Archer looked at her. “And they’ll be there when you go to the hotel.”

“I’m not staying in a hotel. Have the maid take our bags to our room,” Victoria said.

Archer looked at her in disbelief, then at Delicia. “Did she just call you the maid?”

“She did. Twice already. Once more and I won’t be responsible for what I do.” Delicia smiled fiercely.

“Archer, why are you letting this woman speak about me this way? She’s just a maid.” Victoria’s voice dripped with insolence.

“And that’s it,” Delicia said.

Archer shifted in front of Delicia, saying, “I’ve got this.” He faced his mother.

“Vicky, stop showing your ass. This is Archer’s girlfriend Delicia. Now say sorry to the nice young woman and act your age.” His father’s voice was steely.

“Victoria,” she snapped, smoothing down the front of her blouse then said to him, “Archer, this cannot possibly be your girlfriend. I’ve brought Lacy with me.”

He moved beside Delicia and put his hand around her waist. “This is my girlfriend Delicia Wright.”

“Wright!” Her venom was even more pronounced.

“Yes. Now you can take yourself off to a hotel,” he said gleefully.

“Now, Archer, I was just taken by surprise. Nice to meet you, Delicia,” she gushed.

Her falseness sickened him. Archer turned his back on her, leading Delicia into the hall. Delicia was stiff.

“I’m sorry, Delicia. Let me deal with her and we can go to the Caves.”

“Maybe you need some time to deal with that—” She stopped.

“Witch.” He helped out. “No. Just go back to the bedroom and I’ll get rid of them. Please.”

Delicia stared at him then nodded. “Okay. If you need me call. I’ll kick her in the shin for you.”

“I might take you up on it later.” Archer chuckled.

Delicia raised her face. They kissed gently.