Sweetwater: The Kihn (The Sweet Series) (20 page)

“Okay,” I whisper.

I feel people’s eyes on us as Lucas stands, moving back to stand by Max. From the corner of my eye, I see Diane staring at me. Emma Rae, on Diane’s other side, leans forward to check me out too.

“Who’d you punch?” Emma Rae asks, whispering for once.

“Bobbi?” Diane whispers.

“No. Nick,” I whisper back, still looking straight ahead.

The meeting is short. We mainly talk about the training schedule, which will start tomorrow. Afterward, Diane, Emma Rae, and I sit with Jake, Sawyer, and Sam, waiting for everyone to clear out. No one says a word, but there are several glances our way. Lucas and Max wait with us too.

“What’s going on?” Jake exclaims after Sam shuts the doors behind the last person.

I take a deep breath. I’m not sure how he’ll take this latest drama.

“Nick tried to kidnap Sofie,” Lucas calmly states.

“What?” the others exclaim as one.

“Sofie? What happened?” Jake asks again.

I scowl at him, my temper showing. “Lucas just told you!”

“Nick wouldn’t do that,” he scoffs. At my narrowed gaze, he adds, “Not to you.”

I stand. My voice is calm; I know all this will hurt him since Nick is his best friend. “Nick called and convinced me to talk to him for a few minutes before the meeting. He said he was leaving town. He grabbed me and was trying to get me into his truck when Lucas and Max came to my rescue.” I notice the distress in Jake’s eyes, and I want to comfort him, make this easier in some way.

“He had a rope on the floorboard,” Max informs. “And some duct tape.”

This just makes me mad all over again. “He talked about us working things out. He—he’s delusional, Jake. He thinks we’re going to get back together!”

“What happened to your hand?” Jake asks, gruffly. I don’t say anything, not wanting to upset him further.

“She punched Nick,” Max says. I may be wrong, but he almost sounds… pleased. When I glance toward Max, I catch Lucas’ grin.

Sawyer responds with a not-so-polite word as he heads toward the door with Sam right behind him.

“He’s gone,” Lucas announces.

“Gone?” Sawyer growls.

“I sent him to finish what I’d previously instructed him to do,” Lucas answers.

I turn to Diane and Emma Rae. “Are y’all ready to go?”

“Sofie, let’s add more ice to that bag first,” Lucas states firmly.

“I’ll help her,” Jake utters. “Thanks.” I go to the kitchen with Jake as he refills the ice bag. He holds my hand, gently moving my fingers and watching my face. “Hurt?”

“Like a bitch!” I reply.

I hear Lucas’ quiet laughter. Jake chuckles too. The others watch Jake and me through the large, pass-through window in the wall between the kitchen and the main room.

Sawyer asks, “Sofie, did you do it right?”

Lucas laughs out loud, and I spy Max’s grin.

On the way home, Diane and Emma Rae grill m
e.

“Sofie, there’s been more action around here since you came home,” Emma Rae comments.

“Thanks,” I say, sarcastically.

Diane giggles. Jake is livid when he arrives home. He’s called Nick, and I know their friendship might not survive. He also voices his opinion about Ben
not
finding out about my near kidnapping. I wholeheartedly agree.

Climbing into bed at a decent hour feels good, and right before I drift off to sleep, the phone rings. I fumble, trying to locate it in the dark.

“Sofie.” My heart rate escalates. I like the way he says my name, deep and a little breathless. “How is your hand?”

“I’m continuing the ice, and I popped a Tylenol.”

“I’m not sure you can participate in training tomorrow, but I still want you there.”

When I don’t say anything, out of irritation at him for being so bossy, Lucas gives a soft laugh, which honestly sends shivers down my spine and goose bumps across my skin.

“I should have brought you home with me,” he murmurs. Memories from the night before come rushing back. I bite my lip and squirm down in the bed. “If only to keep you out of trouble.” I can hear the laughter in his voice.

“Good night,” I grouch. As I roll over to hang up, I hear him laugh, and I think he says, “Soon, slugger.”

The next morning dawns cold and sunny. My hand is in fair shape. Getting the ice on it right away helped. I know I’m lucky I didn’t break it.

I have a good feeling as I drive off to work. I think—it’s going to be a good day. That just goes to show you optimism can sometimes turn around and bite you in the ass.

Bobbi meets me as I walk into Murphy’s. She’s positively spewing venom. “You bitch! Playing your whoring games! Jerking Nick around and causing trouble between him and Lucas!”

I glance around. Everyone in the dining room and the store area has stopped what they’re doing to listen to Bobbi’s tirade.

Emma Rae comes to the front. “Shut up, Bobbi!”

“Bobbi, let’s go to the back and talk about this,” I suggest in what I think is a reasonable voice. Murphy won’t appreciate a scene in front of customers.

“Why, because you’re afraid everyone here will find out what a whore you are? Nick broke up with you because you screwed around on him.”

“Shut up, Bobbi!” Emma Rae tells her again.

“You played him last night. Calling, having him meet you, and when the guy you’re screwin’ now caught you, you turned everything around and let Nick take the fall.”

“Bobbi, you stupid bitch!” Emma Rae practically shouts. “Nick tried to kidnap Sofie!”

“You’re as much of a liar as she is,” Bobbi spits out.

“Bobbi,” I say calmly, “I don’t know what Nick told you but—”

“He didn’t tell me anything. I
saw
everything!”

Okay. I
am
pissed now, and I don’t care whether I show it. “You didn’t think of trying to stop him? Did you even consider going for help when Nick grabbed me and tried to force me into his truck?”

“What did you do, Bobbi?” Emma Rae asks her. “Did you stand and watch lover boy try to kidnap Sofie?”

Bobbi glances around. Every person in Murphy’s waits for her answer.

“Bobbi,” Murphy says quietly after coming out of his office.

“It’s your fault!” Bobbi yells, pointing at me. “You’re the reason all these horrible things are happening! Those monsters came here because of you!”

“Bobbi, come back here now!” Murphy orders, his voice stern and not so quiet.

I turn around, wanting to go right back out the door. Lucas stands there, and he’s heard everything. He also witnesses the panic in my eyes. “Emma Rae,” he says, “Sofie’s going out for some fresh air.”

“That’s a good idea.” I notice her concern.

Lucas firmly takes my arm and leads me around the building to his Hummer. He opens the passenger-side door. “Get in,” he orders firmly. I take immediate issue with his tone. “I said, get in.” His voice holds a deadly calm, and I glimpse his hard eyes. I don’t understand why he’s mad, but I can’t handle another scene, so I climb in. He shuts the door before stepping around to the other side.

I look at him as he climbs in and closes the door. “Why are you mad?” I ask
softly.

He faces me. “I’m not mad—I’m frustrated as hell. I want to help you, and you won’t let me.”

We sit for several minutes in silence. I keep replaying what just happened inside Murphy’s.

“I’ve been patient with you
, Sofie.” I flinch when he speaks. His voice is hard. “But I think you’d better tell me what you know—now.”

I’m on the verge of tears. What if it is my fault the Kihn are here? When Bobbi said that, she didn’t realize how often I’ve had the same fears. Why did they pick my dreams to invade?

“Damn it, Sofie!” Lucas brings his fist down on the steering wheel, making me jump. That does it. The floodgates open. The last person I want to cry in front of is Lucas Santiago.

He sighs before reaching over and pulling me to his lap.
That
stops my crying. I have a flashback to the night of Dawn and Eli’s party. Lucas pulled me onto his lap that night too. I’d done my best not to think too much about the connection we shared that night. I say connection because I know, without a doubt, he also felt what passed between us. When I struggle to pull away, he holds me tighter.

“Relax,” he orders, cuddling me against his chest. And I do. I’m glad the windows are a dark tint. I think he kisses the top of my head. “Sofie, I thought I showed you, you could trust me.” For some reason, this makes me cry again. “Shhh. You don’t have to tell me now, but you are going to—soon.”

He reaches into the console and pulls out some tissues. I blow my nose—embarrassing while sitting on his lap—and wipe my eyes. He discreetly looks out his window.

“You know you can trust me,” he murmurs when I’m finished. He strokes the side of my face with his knuckles and then gently takes my hurt hand. “I’ve had you in my bed twice and didn’t touch you, which wasn’t easy, I might add.”

“Ha, ha,” I mumble as I move back to my seat. I remove my ponytail tie and comb my hair with the fingers of my good hand, conscious of him watching me. Lucas reaches over and flips the visor down so I have a mirror. “Thanks,” I say softly. I pull my hair back up and smooth the skin around my eyes. I’m glad I’m n
ot wearing eye makeup. The raccoon look is not good on me.

I close the visor. “I’ve got to go back in.” I pull the door handle and he quickly reaches over, stopping me.

“Don’t forget, I want you at training this evening even though you can’t participate. The other women need to see you there since this is their first time, and they’ll be nervous.”

I answer without looking at him. “Yes, sir! May I go now?”

He continues to hold my arm. “Yes, you may,” he says at last, with laughter in his voice.

I feel his eyes on me as I walk back.

By the time I get home, my hand is throbbing. I pop a Tylenol and tie an ice bag around it with a dishtowel, hoping it will stay while I fix supper. Thankfully, Jake calls from town to find out what kind of pizza I want.

Lying on the couch, I turn on the television and channel surf, keeping the sound muted. Once the pain eases, I get into the shower and then blow dry my hair. Diane calls to ask what I’m going to wear, which makes me smile. Diane is the only one of the three of us who obsesses on a daily basis about what to wear.

By the time Jake gets home, I’m dressed in black stretchy jeans and a black tank top, which I’ve paired with a lightweight black jacket, and my black boots. Since I’m only observing, I don’t think it matters what I wear, but I smile when I look in the mirror. I’m wearing Lucas’ favorite color. Come to think of it, his men dress mostly in black too. I wonder if he’ll notice. I wonder why I care.
Okay, stop this, Reece!

When we stop outside the gates, the guard instructs us to hang a right where the driveway forks and park outside the arena building. We pull in and Lucas is across the parking lot talking to someone in a black Porsche. I can’t tell if it’s a man or woman, but I sense Lucas’ eyes on me as I get out of the truck. I look in his direction, and he smiles.

We’re early, but I see a few faces from the community, including several family members. I wave at Sawyer and Sam. More women have shown for the training session than men and they’re already interacting with the trainers. The arena has a section of stadium seating, and I sit halfway up to get a good view of everything.

When Lucas enters
, one of his men calls to him. I see him hold up a finger in a wait gesture. He searches for me and heads my way. He has on a pair of black fatigue-type pants and a black short-sleeve T-shirt. He is still unshaven, and the way he looks and moves makes a strange yearning come over me. I lick my dry lips. I remember telling him that looking at him made me feel funny. I also think about his reply. I look away as he hurries up the steps to where I sit.

When I glance back, he flashes me a knee-knocking grin and sits beside me. “You look beautiful,” he says. “You smell good too. Sweet.” I make a noise that makes him laugh. His warm breath fans across my cheek, making my stomach muscles clench. “I’m glad you came.”

“Well... just following orders.” I turn my gaze to the arena. He laughs out loud, causing several of his men to glance up.

My face grows warm. I always seem to blush around this man. I sit in silence, watching the action, nervous from his proximity. “Where’s Jake?” I finally ask.

“He and Max are out back. We moved the archery training outside.” He stares at me. I return his gaze, which makes my stomach swarm with acrobatic butterflies. How can one man be so ridiculously handsome? It isn’t only his looks, either. The whole package is to die for. I’m just not in the market for death by broken heart.
Am I?
Why can’t I stay away from him then? That is the million-dollar question.

“What?” I ask at his continued scrutiny.

He gently picks up my hand, assessing. I bite my lip as my heart rate quickens. “You observe tonight,” he says in his deep voice, “and by tomorrow, you should be able to join in.” Tilting his head down, he raises my hand to his mouth. His gaze catches mine as he peers up from under his lashes. The intense heat in those eyes makes my breath catch. He places his mouth on the back of my hand and gently sucks. I whimper softly, and he lets me pull my hand away.

A corner of his mouth lifts. “You stay here.” He holds my gaze and raises his eyebrow, reminding me of the last time he said that to me. My eyes follow him to the arena floor as he moves with a graceful ease. I realize I’m holding my breath and tell myself to breathe. He turns and meets my gaze dead on. He smiles an I-know-you’re-watching-me smile. I quickly look away.
He is so full of himself!

The activities below compel me to watch, and I can’t wait to be down there. I laugh when I see Andy instructing Diane at the rock-climbing area.

Finally warm enough, I stand, take my jacket off, and hang it on the seat back. Turning, I discover, to my embarrassment, I’ve caught the attention of several of the men around the arena. I glance toward Lucas. He’s watching me as he stands talking to a couple of his men. I flush and sit down.

After about an hour, he joins me again. I’ve been trying to keep my eyes off him, which proves to be a losing battle. “How about something to drink?” he asks with a sly grin.

“That... sounds good.” My breathy voice reflects my reaction to watching him stalk across the arena. His eyes held mine the whole way, a predator moving in on his prey. It uncomfortably reminded me of the night at the Shotgun Shack.

He holds his hand out, and I hesitate before giving him mine. He gently pulls me to my feet and changes his hold from hand to wrist. His fingers are on my pulse point, causing my heart rate to escalate. He peers down into my eyes with a smug smile. I glance away, knowing I am totally out of my element with him.

We go down the steps and follow the outer wall to a break room.
There are tables and chairs, a large refrigerator, a section of cabinets, and a sink. Lucas shows me the door to a bathroom, which, like the break area and the rest of the building, is clean as a pin.

When I rejoin him, he opens the door of the refrigerator. “We have beer, soft drinks, and bottled water. What’s your poison?”

I can’t help but giggle. “A water, please.”

“Water,” he repeats with a smile. He hands the bottle to me and sits at one of the tables.

I remain standing, looking at the photos on the wall, all from local areas. The bridge across the river at the county line, Dennis Burke’s round barn, and a really pretty shot of Old Soldier Cemetery. When I turn, I catch him checking me out.

“What?” I ask, looking down at myself, wondering what is amiss.

“Your hair looks longer the way you’re wearing it.” I sit across from him and pick up my water, feeling self-conscious with him staring. “So, you chose not to curl it?” He watches me.

“No, my hair curls on its own.”