Chapter Sixty
Finally, family members started to trickle home. Aralyn caught Cam’s eyes and motioned to him to go outside with her, onto the front porch.
He stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her in a hug from behind. “That was a damn risky stunt you pulled, Duke.”
Aralyn chuckled and leaned back, relaxing against him. “Who would have thought one old man would be so hard to kick the crap out of? I forgot how much time convicts tend to spend working out.”
“You had us terrified. Still looking for the adrenaline rush, I take it.”
“I knew I could get in easier than a team of Feds,” she said, shrugging. “But I am sorry if I scared you. I really didn’t expect things to go the way they did; it was supposed to be strictly recon. And it wasn’t planned. It just…happened.” She turned to face him, and they both became very aware of the fact that there were only a couple of inches between them, and his arms around were her were suspiciously close to an embrace. She tried to ignore the headrush at being so close to him again.
“You’re not a Fed or a cop, Aralyn,” he said gently. “What if we hadn’t figured it out?”
“I called Dad,” she said with a touch of sullenness. “What else could I do? She’s my cousin, Cam. She’s the closest thing to a sister I have and she’s my best friend. Luke was distraught; they were hitting dead ends and couldn’t risk terrifying a community full of geriatrics. I had to do something. I went to scout it out, and then I called Dad once I was sure she was there.”
“Do you have any concept how my heart stopped when we realized where you were?” he demanded. “Or the look on Bo’s face when your call was cut off after we heard McQuade’s voice?”
Aralyn chuckled and tapped his nose with her finger. “If I didn’t know better, Kent, I’d think you were really worried.”
Cam sighed, tilting her head up so he could look into her eyes. “Duke, you just don’t get it, do you?” he murmured.
“I know, my renegade wanna-be cop days are over,” she tried to laugh but her heart was pounding at the intensity from his eyes and the nearness of his body. She wanted to kiss him so badly. “Dad made that abundantly clear.”
“Duke, I’m so in love with you I can’t see straight,” he whispered. “No one else can come close to what I feel for you, so for once, just be quiet and go with the moment,” he murmured, resting his forehead against hers, not wanting to touch her face and aggravate her injuries. Her beautiful face sported a black and swollen eye, several small cuts and her lip was swollen.
Aralyn, tired of wasting time, took the moment further. Slipping her hand around the back of his head, she pulled him to her, laying her lips against his. Heat flushed through her as he didn’t hesitate, but pulled her against him. Her arms went around his neck as their lips and tongues met, and then she was drowning in heat as the fire inside of her unfurled.
Cam’s heart soared, the blood rushing to his head as he drank her in, the feel, the taste of her lips. His heart racing, the blood pounding in his ears as he breathed in her scent, his hands burying themselves in her silky curls. It had been so long since he held her, kissed her, he wanted the moment to last forever.
The soft moan that escaped her made him forget who might be watching as she pressed herself up against him, wanting more. He almost stumbled, but she stepped back against the frame of the porch, pulling him with her so that the beam supported them.
He was drowning in her as she clung to him, her quiet moan driving him to press against her as close as he could.
Reluctantly, he pulled away, leaving them both panting, bodies tight against each, and turned on. He didn’t dare move, his pants were so tight against him, it was painful.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“I can’t,” he murmured. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers again. “I can’t.”
“Don’t you want me?” she asked, disappointed. His body said he did. The kiss said he did. “I—I thought you did. You just said…”
He couldn’t stand the look of despair at rejection in her eyes. “I do, Aralyn,” he said quietly. “But in addition to the fact I don’t want to give your spying, underage brothers a peep show, I can’t because…I’m still…still…”
She studied his eyes and then a cold mask of expressionless slipped across her beautiful face.
“You’re still with Ellen.”
He nodded miserably.
Aralyn pulled out of his embrace, forcing herself to move several feet away when what she really wanted was to tear his clothes his off. “Why did you let me kiss you when you have a girlfriend? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
His blue eyes were sad as they looked at her. “I had intended to tell you but it never came up tonight and then you took off. I never imagined you’d kiss me. You’re the one that I love, and I miss you so much. I’ve tried to break up with her so many times, but there are…complications. Serious complications, Aralyn.”
“Obviously she fulfills something for you,” Aralyn said coldly, turning her back to him. Son-of-a-bitch! All those months of thinking, waiting, wondering, and finally deciding to go for it…and he wasn’t free. You’re a damn fool, Aralyn Duke, she thought angrily. This is what happens when you hem and haw and put off making a decision! How arrogant are you, thinking he’s just waiting around for you? Of course he’s moved on!
“No. I only went out with her to dull the pain of losing you, Aralyn. But I didn’t realize she had bigger problems than we knew in high school. She’s not just possessive or obsessed, Aralyn, she’s…emotionally disturbed. I have tried to break up with her, numerous times. But the last few times, she’s picked up a knife and tried to slit her wrists.”
Aralyn’s eyes widened as she turned back to face him. “Is she serious?”
“Yes. That’s why I can’t just walk away, as much as I want to. Every time I try to leave her, it gets worse. She doesn’t have a safety net.”
“Is she getting any kind of help?”
“I’ve tried talking to her parents about but they don’t want to listen. Dean thinks she does it to get my attention, that’s she just obsessed with me. But I can’t just…I can’t just leave knowing that she could really kill herself because of me. She claims she was seeing a psychiatrist at one point but she stopped. I’ve been trying to get her back to it but…I can’t just walk away from her. If she really killed herself because I left her…I don’t know that I could handle that.”
“So you’re letting her hold you hostage emotionally,” Aralyn crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m going to do it, Aralyn. I will break up with her. I want to be with you more than anything, but until tonight, I thought there was no chance. If you had ever given me one inkling of a chance that we could get back together, I’d have found a way. And I will. I will find a way.”
She shook her head. “Cam, I can’t be the reason you break up with her. Especially when she’s holding some kind of emotional blackmail over you. You need to want to breakup with her.”
“I do, Duke. I've wanted to for months. I just…haven’t. It’s just been easier in some respects to deal with her this way,” he said miserably.
Aralyn gave him a sad smile, holding back her tears and feeling her heart break again. “Thank you, Cam, for being here for my family, especially tonight. But I think you should go now.”
Cam just stared at her, hating the look of pain on her face and hating himself for causing it. “Aralyn—”
She shook her head. “Obviously the timing still isn’t right.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Cam said. “Aralyn, I couldn’t stand being without you, so I tried to replace you. But I couldn’t. I don’t want to be with Ellen, but without even the hope of you, I took the easier way. But I’m done. I’m well and truly done with her. I swear.”
Aralyn bit her lip. “Let’s talk about this later,” she said quietly. “Maybe in a couple of weeks. And once you’re free.”
Cam swallowed. “I’ll tell Dean it’s time to go.”
He went back inside, and Aralyn felt her legs weaken. Silently, she wiped the tears from her eyes.
***
Tim leaned over to finish his nightly stretching before he crawled into bed. One of his siblings had been in the shower they shared, so he had hopped into his parents’ shower for a quick a scrub down, letting the heat soothe his sore muscles. If he had been sure it was Jesse, he would have flushed a toilet to make the water run cold, just for kicks. But he wouldn’t do that to Dana, and he wasn’t sure which sibling was in the other shower. But his body was protesting the twenty hours on a bike with little sleep, and the emotional night following Aralyn’s rescue stunt, and finally feeling like his father truly accepted him had pushed him into full overload. All he wanted now was his bed.
His room door opened, startling him, and he saw only the female feet with hot pink toes, two silver toes rings and slender ankles. His eyes traveled upwards, and he smiled when he saw the short, flimsy robe that clung to a very feminine body in wet patches. He knew well the cleavage on display, and sure enough, his eyes rested on the lovely face of his ex-girlfriend, Lyris. Evidently it had not been either sibling in the shower. He was suddenly doubly glad he had not played his prank.
“Hi,” he said with a broad smile. There had been so much hulabaloo once Bo returned with Aralyn that they hadn’t had much time together. Truthfully, they hadn’t been alone together at all, all night.
“Enjoying the view?” she asked, amused, as she shut the door behind her.
“Very much so.” He kept smiling.
“I think your parents forgot to tell you I’ve been staying in here.”
“No problem, I can take the couch. But can an old friend get a real hug, now that the whole family isn’t watching?”
She gave him a gentle smile and walked to him, hugging him. He wrapped his arms around here, enjoying the feeling of her soft curves against him and the thin fabric of her robe did little to keep the heat of her body from his. But God, how he missed her. He could smell her shampoo and body wash, that light, floral fragrance that drove him wild.
“Keep it in your pants, Mangan,” she said lightly.
Damn, his body was already betraying him, and since he was only wearing his boxers, it was obvious.
“I can’t help it. You look incredibly sexy.”
She chuckled. “Uh huh. And how many hearts have you left broken around campus?”
“None.” That was the truth. He might get in their pants, but none got into his heart. Quick and dirty fun was all, and he made that clear to them. He never gave them hope for anything more.
He rested his cheek against hers, nuzzling her ear, then her neck. He could feel her resolve weaken, as well as her stance, and kept his arms firmly around her, rubbing her back.
“Tim,” she murmured, without conviction.
Lyris knew she needed to stop this before it went further. It had been easy to ignore the hurt of their past earlier that evening, while Tiffany and then Aralyn were in danger. She had known when she came in from the city with Daisy that she would run into Tim. But now, here they were alone. In his room. Just like old times. Except they weren’t a couple.
“Say the word,” he whispered, his lips tickling her ear as he kissed it lightly. “Tell me to stop and I will. I’ll sleep on the sofa downstairs.”
Lyris knew he would break her heart again. He was too sexual, he couldn’t be faithful when they were apart. But she wanted him. She was already damp with desire, and seeing that toned and tanned body of his in almost all of its glory when she walked in from her shower…
“Your call,” he murmured, his lips grazing over her neck.
His voice sent warmth through her to the core, turning her knees to jelly and she turned her head to look at him, her light green eyes staring into his deep green eyes. Without a word, she pulled away, walked to the door, and put her hand on the doorknob.
Tim’s spirit fell, crushed, and his heart ached. She didn’t want him after all. He had hurt her too badly with their breakup and she was rejecting him. It was understandable, but he still loved her.
He would take the sofa downstairs, he thought. She could have his room. At least the sheets would have her scent in the morning.
Instead of leaving, she locked the door, and turned back to him. With a slow smile, he held out his hand and she came to him, wrapping her arms around him as he pulled her up against him.
“Hi,” he murmured.
“Hi,” she whispered, looking up into his green eyes. She never could resist them, she thought.
He traced her jaw with his finger, studying her for a moment.
“Lyr, I—”
“Shhh,” she put one finger on his lips. “No talking.”
***
Dan Mangan didn’t know what time it was by the time he and Daisy reached their room. Tiffany was in the hospital recovering, Luke and Honey were with her, Aralyn was home with her parents, Tim was home, and McQuade was in jail.
Daisy stopped abruptly in the hallway. “Sugar, I forgot to tell Tim that Lyris has been using his room!”
Dan glanced at the shut door and chuckled. “Daisy, I’m pretty sure they figured it out by now.”
She glanced at the door, “Oh, right.” Then her big emerald eyes widened. “Oh.”
Dan opened the door to their room and slipped one arm around his wife’s waist, drawing her inside, and shutting the door firmly behind them. “Forget the kids for tonight. They’re adults,” he said. “It’s time to focus on us for a while.”
Daisy beamed at her husband and drew him close to her.
***
Aralyn Duke lay in her bed. Next to her, on top of the covers, was her youngest brother, Sean. At twelve, he was too old to sleep with her, but it was easier this way. Her abrupt leaving had traumatized him deeply, and he needed to be near her right now to be calm, and reassured that she was home for good. Dixie, the large Malamute, took up a large quantity of the bed, keeping watch over them both.
But Aralyn didn’t sleep. Tiffany was safe, and that was the most important thing. Luke had called from the hospital. She would be okay, but her core temperature was too low and she was severely dehydrated. Luke asked everyone to stay away until at least morning, so she could rest.
Which led her thoughts to Cam. He had really come through for her family through this, which made her love him all the more. Why hadn’t she realized he might be still be with Ellen? Because of your ego, you idiot, she thought.
A hot tear slid from her eye and down her nose. She was so stupid, to think that Cam had just been sitting around, waiting for her to get her head out of her ass. While she was hiding out in the woods, hanging out at dojos, and making up her mind, he was screwing Ellen.
Of all the women in this town, why her? And what was this about her being disturbed? Sure, she had been a bitch in high school and obsessed with Cam, but suicidal?
Another tear escaped. No more tears, Aralyn decided. She was stronger than this. There were plenty of other men out there. If she wanted a guy, she’d go out and meet someone. She didn’t need stupid Cam Kent and his stupid sense of honor and his stupid wonderful strong arms and his stupid fantastic kisses tht got her all hot and bothered. She’d just find someone else. Stupid Cam Kent could shove off!
***
Bo Duke sat on the edge of the bed he shared with his wife, removing his tie and throwing it on the nearby chair. His shirt followed. He was exhausted, and the night wasn’t over. Trixie was due for a meltdown.
The girls were home and safe. McQuade was in jail. But the last hour had been rough. Sean had reacted violently to his sister’s return, and it taken all of them to calm him down. Aralyn leaving had really upset her youngest brother, and he had been lashing out during her absence. While it seemed to have fueled his speech development, it had also fueled his anger.
Sean had actually started throwing books at Aralyn, and the twins were trying to to restrain him when Bo arrived, and was able to subdue his youngest son without hurting him. Dixie got in Sean’s face and barked at him, until the boy stopped yelling, causing him to burst into tears. Dixie licked his face until Sean became submissive enough that Bo cautiously released him, and Sean went to Aralyn, hugging her and crying. Sean wouldn’t let her go, and had finally fallen asleep laying next to her on her bed, with Dixie, like they had when she returned from her cross country trip months before. The devastated look on Aralyn’s face when she realized the impact her leaving had had on her kid brother broke Bo’s heart.
But the house was quiet now, as Bo undressed, and waited for Trixie. She was quiet when she joined him, and he waited for her to get comfortable, before he began to knead her back. For the first time in months, he could feel her back muscles actually loosening up. They’d handle Sean’s problems like they always did, together.
Tiffany was safe and Aralyn was home, and right now, that was all that mattered. Their girls were home and going to be okay. Her family was back together, and they could deal with whatever came next. They always did.
Trixie leaned back against Bo and he wrapped his arms around her. “She’s finally home,” Trixie murmured.
“Yep,” Bo kissed the top of her head.
“Was I too hard on her?”
Bo snorted. “No. I was too easy on her. You should have seen her face down McQuade, Trix. It was like watching you all over again, back in the day. The fire, the determination, the fury. It was like I went back in time and you were a Marshal again. If I hadn’t been scared out of my mind, it would have been even more impressive.”
“She’s different.”
“We all are, sweetheart. It’s been a rough few months.” He kissed the area behind her ear, and started to make his way down her neck. Bo needed to distract her tonight, needed to take away some of her worry. He needed to head off the meltdown because he wasn’t sure that he had the strength for it tonight. Bo had been stretched to his limits tonight and he needed to relax and recharge before he could be strong for his wife again.
“Do you think she’ll run again?”
“She gave me her word me she wouldn’t.”
Trixie turned to face him. “How can we trust her, Bo?”
Bo looked his wife in the eye. “Because I will chain her butt to that bed if need be to keep her here and she knows it. She won’t run, Trix. She promised me.”
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Trixie exhaled. “She’s actually home.”
“Which means, Mrs. Duke, it’s time to celebrate,” Bo leered at her, and for the first time since Aralyn had left town, Trixie Duke laughed as Bo began to kiss her neck.
***
“Lyr—” Tim said sleepily, as he cuddled up to her, much, much later. So much I want to tell you and I don’t know how, starting with I’m sorry I’m such a douche when it comes to relationships, and why I have so much trouble telling you that I love you.
“Shhh,” she said. “No talking. Go to sleep.”
Tim was pretty sure there was a “my love” in there, but within seconds, he was sound asleep.
Meet the cast in full & see the family tree!
***
Author’s Notes
- A huge yeee-haa to Ronda, my lovely editor who helps keep me on track!
- Tiffany is safe, Aralyn is home but this story arc isn't over yet!
- Word Count, 3,509 (yellow star version)
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