She looked up at him, but she didn't reply.
9
RIKKI watched the door close behind Lev and her heart began beating normally once again. She hadn't realized that she'd been barely breathing. Lev had pressed a kiss into the center of her palm and for one moment she'd felt it--physically felt it--deep inside her most feminine core. Her womb had reacted with a clasping gasp of shock, and the bundle of nerve endings felt raw and sensitive. She had been unable to think clearly after that brief touch of his mouth on her. She felt raw and needy and so empty inside.
Sex with Daniel had been, at best, rote. She didn't believe she could really enjoy it because she didn't like close contact, but he was good to her and she cared for him. It made sense that they could dive together and make a good living. Daniel was content to have quick sex as long as she was available to him, and because he was the first and only person she'd felt affection--even love--for, she wanted the relationship. They made sense.
Lev made no sense. None. And it was terrifying to feel the sensations he produced in her, yet she craved his touch now. Craved the way he made her feel both in her head and in her body. His kisses were extraordinary, reaching inside of her and melting her until her entire body flowed against him like water.
Blythe's car distracted her from her thoughts. Her stomach tightened. What in the world was she going to say? Guilt was sharp and edgy, a knife cutting her open. She didn't lie to Blythe--not ever. Not even when she wanted to. She knew Blythe would never approve of Lev, and she wouldn't understand about not taking him straight to the authorities. Blythe believed in the law; she'd never seen what false accusations could do to a person.
Rikki sat up straighter and pushed at her glasses to make certain they were firmly in place. She would not betray Blythe by lying. But Lev ...
Blythe got out of her sporty little Spider and walked up to Rikki slowly. "Are you all right?" She took off her glasses to study Rikki's face.
Rikki was certain guilt was stamped there. Color rose in spite of her determination not to allow it. She shrugged. "Yes." That, at least, wasn't a lie.
Blythe dropped into the chair Lev had vacated, and for a moment Rikki was afraid the warmth of the seat would give him away. She would have noticed and she was certain Lev would have as well, but Blythe was too busy inspecting her. "You don't look sick."
Rikki shook her head.
"You missed a diving day this week. On Thursday, the weather was perfect, the sea was calm and you didn't go. You always go."
"Too many boats out there." Again she felt relief, she was still telling the absolute truth. She hadn't wanted to share her sea with so many and it was dangerous. A boat could get too close and cut her hose.
"Honey. Talk to me. You've had the soup for two months and suddenly you're buying more. And Inez said you were in this morning and needed groceries. She asked if you were putting on a dinner party. I know you better than that. What's going on?"
There it was, the direct question she'd been dreading. She sat in silence, her mind working fast, discarding ideas as soon as they popped into her brain.
It's all right, Rikki, I'll handle it. Lev's voice slid into her mind and she turned, knowing exactly what he was doing.
He pushed open the screen door and stepped out. He looked tough and dangerous, his jeans riding low on his hips and his shirt stretched taut across his broad chest. It was impossible to miss the defined muscles rippling beneath the material. He looked gorgeous to Rikki.
Blythe stood up and backed up a couple of steps, her eyes wide with shock. Lev smiled at her and offered his hand.
"I'm Levi Hammond," he announced. Make certain you use Levi instead of Lev, he cautioned Rikki.
Blythe reluctantly shook his hand, all the while looking at Rikki. She couldn't have failed to notice his bare feet or the intimate way he brushed his hand through Rikki's hair before toeing a chair close to her and straddling it.
"Blythe Daniels," Blythe muttered, and raised her eyebrow expectantly toward Rikki as she took her seat, a determined, almost alarmed, look on her face.
"I'm hoping for the tender job on Rikki's boat," Lev announced.
Rikki choked. She glared at him.
I'm telling the truth.
He sounded so innocent. She kept her face averted from Blythe. Damn the man. She could already see what was going to happen. He was going to use Blythe to manipulate her into letting him aboard her boat.
Her mouth tightened. "I told you, I don't need a tender." The moment the words left her mouth she knew she'd made a major mistake. If she'd just kept her mouth closed, Blythe would be concentrating on Lev's dangerous look, not on whether she needed someone watching over her out at sea. And that was exactly how Blythe saw it. She knew nothing about urchin diving, but she wanted someone on board checking on Rikki's safety. And Lev looked like the kind of man who could handle things.
"Of course you need a tender," Blythe objected, falling neatly into Lev's trap. "I've told you so for a long time. It's just much safer with someone up top looking out for you."
Behind the dark glasses Rikki rolled her eyes. Although she'd offered on the day of the wedding to go to sea with her, prior to that, Blythe had refused to even go out in the boat after the first time when she'd been so sick. The water had been calm the day Rikki had taken her out, but Blythe had been terrified. She was certain a great white was going to come up under the boat and take a big chunk out of it, or a giant squid would rise up and wrap its tentacles around the boat, dragging it beneath the sea. Now that the word was out that a methane gas bubble was suspected in the sinking of the yacht, Blythe had one more thing to worry about.
"I don't want to have to go rescuing some amateur," she muttered.
"I know how to dive," Lev asserted.
"Tenders stay in the boat."
"Which I have every intention of doing." He managed to look pious.
"Where did you meet?" Blythe asked, looking from one to the other.
"Out at sea," Lev said. "And we were sort of thrown together in the harbor. She was diving alone and I'm out of work. I know my way around a boat, so I was hoping it might work out for both of us."
He spoke in an easy, casual tone. Believable. Even Rikki believed him. How had he gone from scary, gun-toting killer man to cuddly puppy in five seconds? He was sprawled out, his face in the shadows of the porch, which somehow softened his edged features. He looked open and honest, although still tough and strong, which would appeal to Blythe. She would want someone tending the boat who appeared to be able to pull a whale out of the ocean. She didn't understand sea urchin diving and what the very real risks were.
Rikki took off her glasses and pinned him with her darkest stare.
Blythe nudged her. "Stop trying to intimidate him."
"If he was on my boat, he'd be intimidated," Rikki muttered.
"Are you Rikki's neighbor?" Lev asked, all chatty.
Rikki clenched her teeth together as she pushed her glasses back on her nose. She should have known he could pull out the charm. He was a chameleon, and she was beginning to get a sense of how lethal he could be. Blythe wasn't a woman who could be snowed easily, and while she couldn't say Lev was lying, he certainly was misleading, acting like a docile goldfish when he was a really a shark.
Suddenly his head went up alertly. "Someone's coming."
Rikki turned to look at the road, but she didn't see any dust to indicate anyone was traveling on it. She waited a few heartbeats, and sure enough, a small cloud of debris shot into the air. Lev stood up--not exactly stood up, more like flowed to his feet, a graceful, fluid motion, more like a dancer than a big man.
"Would you like coffee, Blythe? Cream? Sugar?"
Blythe looked shocked. Rikki never let anyone in the house. It had taken her months to get Rikki to allow her to go into the kitchen, and there was Levi making himself at home.
Rikki glared at him again. I know exactly what you're doing. And she did. His little show of gallantry earned him two things. Blythe woul
d see he was at home in Rikki's house, and it would get him inside where he was not only out of sight but he could shoot someone he considered a threat.
I knew you were a smart girl when you wanted to throw me back into the sea. He was laughing at her even as he took Blythe's order for both cream and sugar in her coffee. Let the inquisition begin.
She sat up straighter. She hadn't considered that. The moment he went into the kitchen, she was going to be interrogated like there was no tomorrow. Squirming, she realized there was no way out. She simply handed him her coffee cup in surrender. "No sugar or cream."
He gave her a cocky smile. "I knew that."
Of course he did. He was observant. She sent him another dagger-cutting stare, but he just grinned as he closed the screen after him.
"Oh my gosh." Blythe caught her hand and leaned into her. "He is so hot. Where did you find him?"
"I pulled him out of the sea and decided to keep him." Rikki's answer was strictly honest.
Blythe burst out laughing. "I'd keep him too. So he really wants to work with you?"
Rikki scowled at her, her most fierce scowl, usually reserved for anyone but Blythe. "For me, not with me. Let's just keep that totally straight. I'm captain. And he's a lowly tender." Her palm throbbed, a dull ache that swiftly turned into an itch somewhere else. She pressed her hand against her leg tightly, trying to dull the sensation.
I accept the position of lowly tender. I'm good with that title.
"He looks like a man who would be helpful on a boat, Rikki," Blythe said.
Rikki growled aloud. "I'm a solitary diver, Blythe." The car was in sight now and Rikki recognized it as belonging to Judith. Both Judith and Airiana were inside. Rikki groaned and covered her face.
"What is this, Blythe?"
"An intervention."
"You have got to be kidding me! Because I bought groceries?"
"You haven't bought anything but peanut butter and bread in four years."
Rikki was indignant. "I buy coffee and broccoli and sugar for you."
"We were going to talk about nutrition. You can't just eat peanut butter all the time, and since you showed an interest in food, we thought this was a good time to talk to you."
Rikki glared at her. "Levi showed an interest in food." See, I remembered.
That's my woman.
"I guessed that after I saw him, but you shopped for soup a couple of days ago, which means he's been here for a while."
Rikki tightened her mouth and refused to speak. Brace yourself. I think they're planning to show up en masse. And when they get going, they're relentless. Last time they came, they insisted I start eating broccoli. It was really annoying. She wasn't touching the "my woman" comment for anything.
He laughed softly in her mind, sharing his amusement over her obvious disgust of anything green and her cowardice. As I want actual food, I'm going to be on their side, he warned.
She growled deep in her throat, warning him of dire consequences. You do and I'll retaliate. Every time you shower the water is suddenly going to go ice-cold.
Judith and Airiana walked up the paved walkway, Airiana looking up at the sky and Judith clearly drawn to the colorful flowers. Rikki found herself relaxing a little as she always did when her sisters showed up. She loved just watching them. In their own ways, they were as different as she was. And they accepted her. It didn't matter to them that she didn't like them going into the house. They might not understand, but if it was important to her, it was important to them. She loved feeling their acceptance.
Maybe that was what appealed to her about Lev. Her peculiarities didn't seem to bother him at all. She smiled at the newest arrivals and indicated chairs. "As long as we're not talking about food, groceries or anything green, I'm glad to see you."
Judith burst out laughing and bent to brush a kiss on top of Rikki's head. She was nearly as tall as Blythe. With her long legs, slender figure and exotic looks, she could have been a model.
Rikki tried to glare. "You ratted me out."
Judith looked unrepentant. "I had no choice. Blythe subjected me to her ..." She whirled her hands around, her long fashionable nails glinting dark red in the sunlight. "That look she gives us when she will get her way. In any case, it was Airiana who blurted out that you'd gone grocery shopping."
Blythe laughed. "You all remember my evil eye when you're thinking of withholding information. Actually Inez called me, worried, so I already knew."
Airiana, a small, fragile-looking woman of twenty-five with natural platinum hair and huge blue eyes, flashed a small grin at Rikki. "I was feeling so guilty."
"I'm sure you were," Rikki said drolly.
Airiana started to sink into the chair Lev had vacated. Blythe caught her arm, shaking her head. "That chair's taken." She leaned forward with a conspiratorial air. "By a man," she added, lowering her voice. "A very hot man. He's in Rikki's house."
Judith and Airiana gasped in unison.
"You let someone into your house? A man?" Judith said, clearly shocked. "I'm going to go see." She started toward the screen.
"No!" Panic welled up. Judith couldn't go into the house with Lev. Not two people. Not together. It was bad enough that Lev was in there, but not someone Rikki loved, not Judith. Rikki shook her head adamantly, barely able to breathe. "You have to stay out here where I know you're safe." She blurted out the order, her heart hammering so loud she could hear a roar in her head.
Judith immediately held up her hands and halted in mid step. "I won't, honey."
Calm down, lyubimaya, just breathe. There is no fire. There is no one close other than your sisters. I would know if an enemy was near. I won't let anything happen to you.
I'm not worried about me! She was emphatic. I don't want anything happening to my sisters. She hesitated. Or you. What's taking so long with the coffee?
Rikki found that she could breathe easier, that her strange connection to Lev steadied her.
I'm just holding back for a minute or two to let the others arrive. They're coming up the drive. Their energy feels happy and affectionate, but I prefer to be certain.
Rikki glanced up the drive. Sure enough, there was a small but telling cloud of dust. How did he do that? "If we keep meeting like this, we're going to need more chairs." She got up, vacating hers so her other two sisters would have a place to sit. She perched on the railing, leaning her back against a post, leaving Lev to bring out a chair or sit in the hammock swing.
Lexi Thompson jumped out from the passenger side of Lissa Piner's bright red convertible. Lexi waved madly, her wild mass of auburn hair flying around as she leapt up and down. She looked like a little pixie with her large green eyes and her pale oval face. Rikki adored her. Lexi, at twenty-three, was the youngest of all of them. She'd had the worst life any of them could imagine, yet she remained an upbeat, positive person, one Rikki looked up to. She'd manage to make peace with herself after meeting Lexi.
"I'm here for the defense, Rikki," Lexi called. "I've totally got your back."
Rikki had to laugh. Of course she could count on the little rebel. "Way to go. Sit next to Blythe and every time she mentions vegetables, kick her."
"Lexi's the one growing the vegetables," Lissa reminded and stepped out of her convertible.
Rikki couldn't help but admire her. Bright red hair, deep blue eyes, she had curves and a small waist. Rikki was skinny and she didn't have a waist like that. Lissa was the resident martial arts practitioner and her body was a tribute to her abilities. She also was a carpenter and welder. She excelled at blowing glass and showed many of her glass and metal pieces in Judith's store.
"I do eat your broccoli, Lexi," Rikki said as piously as she could manage.
"And I love you for it," Lexi blew her a kiss.
Blythe waited until both women were seated before she dropped the bombshell. "Rikki's got a man."
Five heads turned to stare at her. Rikki lifted an eyebrow and pushed her glasses firmly on her nose, trying to look nonchalant
.
"In the house," Judith hissed. "She won't let me in to see him."
"He's not on display," Rikki defended.
"I want to see," Lexi insisted.
Lissa looked at Blythe. "You met him?" There was suspicion in her voice. "Who is this man and how did he get into Rikki's life? Rikki doesn't just pick up men."
Rikki sent Lissa her most ferocious frown. "I certainly am capable of picking up men."
I wouldn't be saying that where I can hear you.
You have nothing whatsoever to do with it.
Maybe not yet, but I will.
A thousand butterflies took wing in her stomach. She wasn't touching that statement. He sounded far too confident and his killer kisses might have given him reason to believe he might have a say in her life, but it wasn't true. No one, no one, told her what to do.
She could hear her sisters talking around her, but their voices had faded into the background. Her mind was filled with Lev. His laughter was low and amused and all too male. He cut off abruptly, pulling out of her head. For a moment she was dizzy and nauseated. She breathed deep to allow the feeling to pass when it suddenly occurred to her that it was Lev who was sick and dizzy. He wasn't hiding in the house--well, maybe he was because he was inclined to be paranoid, but he hadn't been able to stand more than fifteen or twenty minutes at a time. He'd been up and even cooked breakfast. He must have been resting and trying to hide it from her.
She brushed her hand over her face, hardly able to breathe. She wasn't the kind of woman to take care of sick people. She just wasn't. He needed to have a doctor, or Lexi, look at him. She started to move, when the sudden hush of chatter warned her and she turned to see him standing in the doorway. Her heart jolted at the sight of him. Tall. Masculine. The two-weeks' growth of beard hiding his stubborn jaw. His eyes were deep blue, just like the sea. It was difficult, looking at the obvious muscle, to think of him as being sick or dizzy. He looked too strong, too invincible.
Judith made a single sound, drawing her attention. Judith had gone pale and she turned her head to look at Airiana. The two women exchanged a look of fear. Lexi, Blythe and Lissa flashed bright smiles. Rikki's stomach tightened into knots.
"I shouldn't have had you getting coffee, Levi." She jumped up and took the cups to her sisters. "Levi hit his head pretty hard the other day and he needs care."