Courted by Karma (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod) (17 page)

‘
Holy Hannah, did Jack and Reggie really think I dressed like this in the morning by choice?’

Luke stood next to Jack with his arms crossed and didn’t betray any emotion, but his mouth kicked up briefly after Crookie’s complaints on the state of his road. He cut a glance my way that I couldn’t read, but answered evenly, “Yeah, sorry about that. The lane’s worse than usual.”

I guess the bright side was that Crooks had inadvertently outed Mike. When Mike started another conversation about changes in Northfield since he’s lived here, I took the opportunity to walk over to Reg’s side.

Gently relieving the white bags from Reggie’s unresisting hands, I whispered, “Do not say a word, my brother.”

He grinned. “Anna says to call her ASAP.”

I nodded
. “I will.” Inside, I’m rolling my eyes that Reg and Anna are together three whole nights and already talking as a singular organism.

Whistling, Reg looked me up and down. “Wow Junior, that’s some kind of cool outfit. The hat really says, “I’m a weird chick” and the dirty, bare feet screams Appalachia.”

I nodded down towards my hand holding the bakery goodies. Reggie’s eyes followed and he laughed at seeing my extended middle finger.

“Hey, I didn’t say anything about your stalking Luke.”

From long years of practice, I ignored Reg and went to the truck to grab the backpack sitting on the running board. I peeked Luke’s way. His eyes were on me and he wasn’t smiling, but his face was only semi-cruel and his eyes were hooded. This was another look I loved and I shivered at what it promised.

He came over to me, and I took my turn looking him up and down. You’d never know by his appearance that he hadn’t slept a wink last night. Luke’s jacket, jeans, and boots
were spotless, his black hair looked great, and his green eyes were bright and clear. Plus, there was that vitality, war-god vibe going on.

‘Perfect. He
is a god from Mars and I am a mess from Appalachia.’
I sighed heavily.

“Sounds like you had quite a night last night, Anabel.”

Smiling wanly, I agreed, “Thanks to you, I sure did. And long? Whew!” I lowered my voice, “Did I ever tell you it was my first co-ed shower this morning?”

Luke
was momentarily diverted. “You’re serious? No, I had no idea.” Black brows meeting over glinting eyes, he continued slowly, “I’m beginning to understand there are many things you haven’t told me.”

I
stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Here’s an idea. One of these days we’ll have to compare secrets over a beer.” I smiled. “Or should we make that a keg?”

Luke smiled, mouthing the words “smart ass” while running a finger down my cheek. “Did you like it?”

“I loved it.” I grinned crookedly, “How I wish we could go do it again right now. I’m a dirty girl from Appalachia, according to Reg.”

“Strange words coming from a brother, but you are a dirty girl, aren’t you?” Luke
was giving me the eyebrow, the nose, and the cruel lips while his voice was low and teasing.

Giggling, I tilt
ed my head towards Crookie and said with chagrin, “I’m still dirty, but not so much your local secret anymore, sorry.”

Luke lifted a shoulder. “Hear me complaining?”

Since we were already outed by Crookie, I was about to drag him inside and put all that arrogant confidence to good use when Jack sauntered up.

“Luke, got a minute?” Jack didn’t look at me.

“Sure, Chief. What’s up?”

Jack canted his head, indicating Luke should step to the side with him for a privat
e
tête
-à-
tête.

I felt my blood start to boil. Due to good manners, I haven’t had my coffee yet. My blood sugar
was dangerously low after my fun last night, and after my parking lot “Come to Jesus” with the ex-communicated cousin. I was in no mood to be disrespected, yet again, by my two most favorite men on this damn, blasted planet.

My third favorite man came over. “Hey Junior, you look like you could spit nails—what’s your problem?” Not waiting for my reply, Reg motioned over his shoulder and said with a grin, “We’re going to breakfast as soon as Mike gets a shirt on. Wanna come?”

“No!” I snapped, glaring at my stupid brother at the same time Luke grinned dangerously and said, “Sounds good.”

I glared at him next and he gazed back coolly. I cringed inside at the thought of this Master Blaster interrogator sitting with Mike, the little troublemaker. This
was so not a match made in Anabel-heaven.

Then Jack chuckled again, for an all-time record breaker of twice in five minutes. I transferred my glare to his snickering face.

Looking at the three men surrounding me, it was tempting to wipe all their faces with the muddy snow at the curb. I needed some alone time in the worst way. I was never around so many people this early in the morning and it was taking its toll on my sunshiny nature.

I pushed back Crookie’s hat and snarled, “I’m out of here. You damn men have fun talking about man things while you eat your man-sized breakfasts! I hope you don’t choke on them!

Jack’s face was deadpan while he opened a piece of gum and Reggie’s smile dropped in confusion, but Luke’s grin was wide.

He excused himself and took my backpack. Holding my arm, Luke walked with me to Bel’s front door. I growled a goodbye to Mike and Crookie as we passed them. They stopped their conversation about oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico long enough to say their goodbye’s. Mike’s face was stony watching Luke at my side, and Luke was giving Mike the war-god once over.

I blew out in exasperation and thought,
‘Geez Louise, please get me out of here! Besides, who in the heck has a hangover and voluntarily chooses to talk about oil rigs at eight in the morning?’

Crookie reminded me that he
was stopping at the grocery store for Thanksgiving provisions after breakfast. I hadn’t forgotten, but nodded my thanks. He then anxiously started patting his coat pockets for the grocery list and went a little frantic when he didn’t find it immediately. When it was located safe and sound, Crookie’s eyes closed and he exhaled loudly in relief with a big grin.

I shook my head. Except for getting slapped by Svettie, throwing the boot at her, and whaling on Candy, three rather masculine things when I paused to think about it, I have spent the entire last twelve hours around men. I need
ed to be alone with my coffee, and then I needed to talk to some women.

Luke walked into the lobby with me and deposited the backpack near the apartment door. I unlocked that door, but Luke stopped me from going upstairs by pulling me with him to the bench against the wall. He sat us down and pulled off my hat.

“I don’t want to end our great night this way, Anabel. Help me understand what set you off out there just now.” Luke smoothed back my tangled mass of hair and nuzzled in my neck. My tenseness ebbed at his touch. “Have I created a monster and you want me to stay here with you for another shower, is that it?” He murmured in my ear, “Are you going to start
begging
me again?”

Pushing back his wide shoulders, I looked him in the eye, “Do you really want to know?”

He nodded solemnly, intent eyes sparkling. “God help me, but I do.”

I was chuckling at Luke’s answer when Reggie stuck his head in the door.

‘Luke, we’re leaving. Meet us down the street at Goodbye Blue Monday’s.” He cracked a sly smile at the sight of me on Luke’s lap. “Well, well, will you look at the lovebirds?”

“Fuckbirds
,” I corrected.

“Jesus Bel, you’re so romantic!” Reggie exclaimed in disgust and quickly closed the door behind him.

I turned to Luke. “Well, what set me off is your lover boy, Chief Jack Banner.” Luke’s crack of laughter echoed in the lobby. “Seriously, it totally blows that he’s probably going to tell you details of Aunt Lily and Cheryl Crookston’s police investigation.” I was dispirited and my voice went glum. “I hate that he won’t include me, too.”

Luke’s lips twisted wryly. “I know you do, Princess.” His arms held me closer. “You know he’s old school and thinks he’s protecting you, right?”

“Too damn bad. That tired excuse just isn’t good enough anymore.” I cupped Luke’s cheeks. I needed him to understand me on this, not patronize me. “Luke, would I have died on Sunday if I had relied on all you men and not my own instincts? I’m not saying I don’t appreciate being protected or watched over, but dammit, I do not want to be dismissed or circumvented! I need to be able to trust you guys.”

“I know
,” Luke repeated quietly. “I’ve been meaning to apologize for my part in that cluster fuck.”

We sat in silence. He’s taking me seriously and I
was a little stunned.

Yes, I
was an emotional, sometimes unreasonable, sometimes illogical female. But most of the time I was not. I’ll match my brain and wits against any man out there. Luke called it correctly the other day, though. My missing link was that I lacked training. I was now determined to double my training effort to learn self defense. I was also going to train with weapons.

I
was sexually crazed over a man that lived his life routinely in a dangerous zone. A world that I only vaguely perceived really existed until this past week—and that mainly from TV shows and books. My own world has collided with danger and it was only by sheer luck we all escaped unscathed. I’ll be better prepared in the future. Bad things happen all the time to good people, not to mention a weird-o magnet like me.

“Well…” I replied encouragingly.

“Well what?”

I shook his shoulders, “Well, go ahead and apologize!”

“Okay, Anabel. You have a valid point.” He raised a black brow. “What are you proposing we do about it?”

‘
He got it!’

The word “we”
was music to my ears. My Dark Knight’s idea of an apology could use some work but luckily, I don’t like my men groveling.

Putting my arms around Luke’s neck, I held him close. I breathed in his scent and said in his ear, “I am so happy. Thanks for talking to me about this.” I felt his hand stroking down the back of my head and smoothing my hair past my shoulders. I kissed his ear. “I propose three things.”

Luke kissed my cheek. “Let’s hear it.”

I rubbed my cheek against his rougher one, “One. I start training immediately in self-defense and weapons. Do you know anybody I can work with around here? I’m thinking private lessons. I’ve got a big learning curve since I’m not very tough or strong. I want someone who will work me hard.”

Luke choked a little, but only said, “Yeah, me. I’ll train you. We’ll start this weekend.”

Amazed, I exclaimed, “That’s fantastic! I never even thought of you!”

He frowned. “Why the hell not?”

I frowned. “Huh. Be damned if know. Conflict of interest?”

I hurriedly kissed him. His tongue was still a little salty, too. This man was good enough to eat. The desire to start begging was fast approaching.

Sitting back, I caught my breath. “Two. We try collaborating on anything going on around here we each need to know about. I know! Let’s call it the Pact of Power!” I pumped my fist in the air.

After a beat, Luke replied, “Sounds more like the Trail of Terror, but I’m willing to try collaborating.” He was unbuttoning my trench coat.

I leaned in for another salty dog kiss and it started going wild. I felt my coat slide off my shoulders and Luke’s warm hands slide up the back of my T
-shirt.

“Three,” I murmured against his mouth while arching into his warm hands that ha
d traveled across my rib cage and up to cup my bare breasts. “When Jack tells you things, let him know you are sharing with me for my own good. He’ll get we’ve formed a Pact.” Ignoring his snort, I pondered this third suggestion. “Hmm, I understand you can’t tell me everything he may discuss with you, so I have an amendment to this third one. I’ll give you my trust, and you’ll give me your word that you’ll give me the info you think I need to be given, so that I can give my protection to the people that I give a shit about. Deal?”

Luke’s thumbs paused on my nipples. My hands
were inside his jacket and rubbing his chest, too. I shimmied to get his attention back where it belonged, but the stubborn man took his time, as always.

He bent his head and started kissing me again. His stroking tongue, with little nips and licks,
were causing wonderful tingles and pings in my Cerebral Cortex Central. This area has recently relocated from my head. It has moved down a few floors and now occupied the space between my legs.

I’d almost forgotten my third proposal was still on the table when Luke answered.

“I’ll think about the last one,” he temporized.

I
was down with Luke needing to think it over before giving his word. Once given, I knew he’d keep it.

“In the meantime, let’s talk about your braless state.”

“Fair enough, let me know when you’ve decided about the third one.” I laughed and scooted off his lap. “In the meantime, my braless state needs no discussion. I do have work that needs doing and you,” I added hopefully, “have to go home to Svettie and John?”