Onyx
“Lee, dig up anything on Ackers?”
Through the kitchen window, I watch Jose and Joey walk the horses from the stables to the field. Kate is sitting at the island, her phone on speaker so we can both listen in.
“Other than he’s elusive? I interviewed Gordon Chen yesterday and he claims he’s never met whoever is behind Pegasus GLAN, but I have my doubts on whether he’s being truthful. The man is hard to read. I did drop Ackers’s name to see if that would trigger a response, but he denied knowing the name. I was able to set up an interview with Brian Haley, the trainer, for this afternoon. He was willing to talk about his success working with both Arion’s Moon and Pure Delight. We’ll see what comes out of that.”
“Are you meeting him at Grandview?” I hear Mitch ask.
“No. He’s apparently in Lexington today. We’re meeting at Carson’s downtown.”
Janey left for Russell Springs yesterday afternoon already, and Mitch went into the office to pack up some surveillance equipment he’s going to drive out there today.
At this point, Jacob has everyone on this case, and the building anticipation is tangible. Hamish and I are supposed to leave early tomorrow morning to get to Russell Springs by nine thirty, which is when we’re supposed to meet the veterinarian Hamish organized.
This morning he picked up the trailer to have the tires replaced that were apparently getting worn. He wanted to make sure transporting Arion’s Moon would be as safe as possible. Protecting his friend’s investment, is what he said. Yet another thing to appreciate in the man.
“Onyx, how do you see this going down? What’s the plan?” Jacob inquires.
“No real plan, other than to try and confirm Wheeler is there and, if possible, get an introduction. I have some ideas on how to draw him out, but I’ll have to let circumstances guide me. If he’s not there, I’ll see what information I can glean from his staff, and I’ll try to get into the main lodge.”
“You are not to take any unnecessary risks.”
I roll my eyes at Kate.
“Jacob, are you questioning my abilities?”
It’s silent for a moment. Good, I hope he’s thinking carefully about what comes out of his mouth next.
“This isn’t about trust, Onyx,” he comes back with.
“Oh good, because I was about to ask why you gave me this job in the first place.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Can I ask you something? I’m assuming you don’t want any of us hurt at any time. Did you tell Janey not to take unnecessary risks? Or anyone else for that matter?”
I’m not sure why but he’s rubbing me the wrong way today. Perhaps I want him to admit he’s singling me out, or maybe I’m secretly hoping he’ll acknowledge I mean something more to him than just an employee.
All I know is, I’m frustrated.
The silence that follows drags on long enough for me to start regretting my outburst in front of everyone.
“Forget I said anything,” I blurt out. “I’ll be careful. I’m sorry, I need to go, I’ve got a call coming in.”
I grab my silent phone, shoot Kate a warning glare, and walk out the back door.
So much for me being the steady one, the balanced one. I must sound like I’m losing my shit. If I don’t get a grip, Jacob will have cause for concern.
I walk up to the fence where Buck is grazing the longer grass around the posts. Curious, he lifts his head and nudges the front of my shirt. The moment I lift my hand to stroke his soft nose, Murdoch comes trotting up, jealous of the attention.
“They’re taking to you.”
I turn to find Joey walking up. She’s carrying an armful of hay and tosses it over the fence.
“I’m not so sure,” I comment, watching the horses dive for the treat. “They may have just seen you coming.” I tilt my head slightly. “How are you making out? First day and all that?”
“Still getting my feet wet. You have a beautiful property here though,” the fresh-faced brunette compliments.
I feel like a virtual giant next to the five-foot-nothing woman.
“Yeah.” I glance around at the views before turning back to her. “I really lucked out.”
“I actually wanted to thank you for offering your guesthouse, but I’m quite used to sharing living space with men. It kinda comes with the territory. Plus, I grew up with four brothers.”
“Wow, I can’t even imagine what that must’ve been like. Still, I’d like to make sure you have your own bed and bathroom. The contractor should be here on Monday to start the work.”
Joey grins. “I appreciate that. Especially the bathroom part.”
She heads back for the barn and I turn toward the house where I see Kate hanging over the deck railing.
When I’m within range she calls out, “Feel better?”
I decide not to grace that with a response until she follows me into the kitchen.
“Much, thank you. Okay, what did I miss?”
“Nothing. Jacob wrapped it up lickety-split after you walked out. I think you rattled his cage,” Kate suggests.
“Maybe I should apologize.”
I pull my phone from my pocket but Kate stops me.
“Don’t. Sometimes guys need to sit on it for a while.”
Maybe, or maybe I should lead by example and get over this weird, virtual connection I have with Jacob. It’s not healthy for either of us.
Mitch picked Kate up an hour or so ago. He was going to drop her off at home, pack himself a bag, and head out to Russell Springs to meet up with Janey.
Restless, I’ve been putzing around in the kitchen, cooking enough food for a couple of days, and getting my head right at the same time.
By the time Hamish gets back with the trailer, I am resolved to be open to possibilities.
“Everything go all right?” I ask, opening the door for him.
“Yup. Trailer’s good to go, I just came back to drop it off. Before I go, I’m going to ask Joey to bring at least Buck inside tonight, since he’s coming with us.”
“You’re leaving?”
I’m trying not to let disappointment show, but I’d really hoped he’d at least stay for dinner.
“I should probably head home; we’ve got an early day tomorrow.”
He hangs his head a little, avoiding my eyes.
I shrug. “It just seems a little silly leaving now, only to be back here at the crack of dawn. You’re welcome to crash here.”
Now he looks at me from under his eyebrows.
“Did you forget you have Joey in your guesthouse?”
I shake my head.
“No, but there are extra bedrooms and bathrooms on that side of the house. We wouldn’t have to get in each other’s way.”
I lose a bit of my nerve when Hamish doesn’t say anything, but stares at me intently.
“You know, it was just an idea. Of course you don’t have anything with you. Never mind.”
“Actually…” He lowers his eyes and seems to stare at his boots. “I always have a change of clothes in my gym bag in the truck.”
I bite my cheek to keep from smiling.
Jacob
I must be out of my mind.
Or I will be, after spending the night here.
She threw me for a loop with her invitation. Talk about having a carrot dangled in front of your face. The house smelled amazing—she’d clearly been cooking—and there was something about the way she looked at me. I resisted the temptation and turned her down at first but, like an idiot, I folded like a wet suit, after she gave me an easy out.
“Let me guess, you’ll be late again tonight?”
Christ, Bernie.
It’s a good thing I love that woman.
“I won’t be home at all,” I share.
“Well, I’ll be…it’s about time.”
Now she sounds absolutely giddy.
“Nothing, Bernie. We have to hit the road early tomorrow morning, so it makes sense I crash here.”
“Okay, sure,” she returns.
Her inflection makes it clear she’s not buying it.
“Not sure what time I’ll be home tomorrow but it’ll likely be late.”
“Don’t rush home on my account,” she chirps.
“Night, Bernie.”
Ending the call, I grab my gym bag from the truck and head back inside.
I don’t see her in the living room or kitchen, but there is light coming from one of the rooms off to my left. When I walk into the guest room, I find her making the bed.
She’s struggling to get a fitted sheet on the mattress and doesn’t seem to hear me coming in. I set my bag down and walk up to the bed to help her.
She startles and promptly lets go of the corner she was trying to stretch over the mattress.
“Oh my God. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Sorry, I thought I’d give you a hand,” I tell her, quickly adding, “Or better yet, I can take over. No need for you to do that.”
“That’s okay. If you could just hold on to that corner, it keeps slipping off.”
“Sure.”
This is a first. It’s been a while since I’ve made a bed, and I’ve definitely never made a bed with a woman. It’s strangely intimate. Or perhaps that’s only because I’m doing it with Rajani, and this is coming uncomfortably close to one of my frequent fantasies.
Between us it takes no time at all to make the bed, and it teaches me something about her I didn’t know. She’s meticulous, making sure to brush out every crease.
“There are clean towels in the bathroom and I left a new toothbrush on the counter.”
“Thanks. I appreciate all this.”
She suddenly doesn’t seem to know what to do with her hands, and nervously shoves them in her pockets. There’s something about seeing the normally calm and contained woman unsettled and vulnerable. It makes me grateful for the bed between us, otherwise I might not be able to resist taking her in my arms.
“Right. I should get back to the kitchen. Dinner should be done in half an hour. There’s beer in the fridge, help yourself.” She’s backing out of the room as she talks. “Whenever you’re ready.”
She almost backs into the door and, at the last minute, swings around and slips down the hallway.
I hit the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and sitting on the edge of the bed check my email. Killing time in hopes it’ll diffuse some of the pull I feel, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.
Funny, I thought my scars could be a shield for me to hide behind but, as it turns out, after our initial meeting, Raj doesn’t seem to see them anymore. It doesn’t appear to matter whether I’m hiding behind a distorted voice on the phone, or a disfigured face, somehow, she feels the draw.
And now I’m hiding in the bedroom.
This is ridiculous.
I get to my feet, shove my phone in my pocket, and walk out of the bedroom.
She’s stirring something at the stove and turns her head when I approach.
“Whatever that is, it smells amazing.”
“Butter chicken, aloo gobi, and I’m just stirring the vegetable biryani.”
She turns her attention back to the pan.
“That sounds like a lot of food,” I observe.
“I had some time this afternoon, and it keeps well. Some of these dishes are pretty labor intensive so I make it worth my while and cook for a few meals.” She flashes me a smile. “I’m about to dish out. Why don’t you grab yourself a drink?”
I pull open the fridge and find a few bottles of a nice lager in the door.
“Can I get you something?”
“I’ll have one of the ciders.” She leans over and points at the top shelf. “Behind the eggs.”
I set our drinks on the island and go in search of a glass for the cider, opening cupboards.
“Glasses are in here,” she says, pointing at the one beside her. “And could you grab spoons and forks from the drawer in the island?”
I grab a glass from the cupboard, and find the cutlery where she indicated. I’m suddenly aware how domestic this scene is. It should feel awkward, but it doesn’t. It feels comfortable.
“Island or table?” I ask.
“Table.”
I move the drinks, pour her cider, and place the cutlery where I think it belongs.
“Sit,” she orders, walking up with two steaming plates.
She slides one in front of me.
“Eat.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I dig in with fervor and the flavors explode in my mouth. This time it seems I’m the one unable to hold back the moans and groans.
Rajani is grinning when I take a sip of my beer and look over at her.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“Don’t be. It’s flattering to the cook.”
“This really is amazing,” I compliment her, shoving another bite in my mouth. “Bernie spoils me but this is fantastic.”
First, I feel a distinct drop in temperature at the table, before I realize what I let slip.
“Bernie is my landlady,” I quickly explain, sticking as close to the truth as I can. “She likes to cook for me, and since I’m hopeless in the kitchen, I don’t object.”
When she smiles, I know I pulled it off.
“Lucky guy.”
“I know it, and even if I didn’t, Bernie would not let me forget it.”
That leads me to recount a few safe anecdotes while we eat, illustrating the kind of person Bernice is.
“You care for her,” Raj observes as she shoves her empty plate aside.
“I do. She mothers me, it’s nice. Haven’t had a lot of that. She makes me laugh too.”
It’s too fucking easy to talk to her. If I don’t watch it, I’ll blow everything. I can’t afford to.
For a moment she looks like she may probe me on my comment, but she goes a different route.
“Your landlady sounds like a card.”
“She is,” I agree.
I escaped that one as well, for now. Knowing Raj, she won’t let it go. At some point she’ll circle back to it.
Then I get to my feet and collect our dishes, carrying them to the sink, where I quickly rinse them. When I turn around, I almost run into Rajani who is carrying our empties.
“Sorry, the recycling is in the cupboard under the sink.”
I step aside so she can get in there, but that’s as far as I move. As she straightens, I put a hand on her shoulder.
Her eyes lock on mine and I watch as her pupils dilate. Slowly her hand comes up to rest on my chest.
With my other hand I cup the side of her face.
“Stop me.”
She shakes her head and presses herself against me.
I’m not sure what is driving me, but if this is all going to blow up in my face, I’ll take this one memory.
Her lips are soft under mine, yielding when I slick my tongue along the seam. I love her mouth; sweet and rich with a hint of spice. For a few moments I lose myself in the kiss. I file everything to memory: her taste, the silk of her hair brushing my hand, her curves, the soft moans, and her fingers clutching my shirt.
It wouldn’t take much to move this from the kitchen to the couch or a bedroom, but I can’t do that to her. She deserves to know who she’s sharing herself with.
With almost superhuman strength, I release her mouth and take a step back. I brush my thumb over her swollen lips and take in her flushed color.
Gorgeous.
“Thank you,” I whisper before walking out of the kitchen.
I look over my shoulder when I’m across the living room. She’s still standing in the same spot, a somewhat confused look on her face.
“Night, Onyx. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”