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Prin found her office manager out on the enclosed porch late the next afternoon. Nica looked to be hard at work making notes on a file open before her on the table. Still, she fixed her boss with a winning smile when Prin took the deck sofa flanking her chair.
“Well you look like you had a pretty wonderful time last night,” Prin wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter.
“And I obviously have you and Miss Sama to thank for that,” Nica’s winning smile adopted a knowing gleam.
“Not so fast,” Prin responded with an airy wave, even as her blue eyes sparkled with muted mischief. “Don’t go giving us all the credit so soon. My cousin didn’t need much convincing to be here.”
“Well thank you anyway,” Nica tacked on a regal bow of her head.
“So,” Prin took a look at the paperwork cluttering the round glass table. “Please don’t tell me you’ve spent the day working?”
“Just last minute stuff I didn’t want hanging over my head.”
“So you can focus on other things, you mean?”
Nica laughed and Prin joined in soon after.
“Do you guys ever feel guilty for pushing so many women at Gib?”
Prin responded at first, with an eye roll. “It might surprise you to know we push very few women at Gib. They find their way to him all on their own.”
Smiling, Nica kept her eyes on the pages she held. “I’m sure they do,” she sighed.
“He’s an amazing guy, Nica,” Prin rolled her eyes again. “Course, I’m biased and I’ll totally deny saying this if you tell him, but he really is.”
“I believe it.” To herself, Nica admitted that Gibson Taylor certainly behaved as though he had no clue about how amazing he was. The fact only made him more amazing.
“So, tell me, what’s on tap for you guys ‘til it’s time to head into Richmond tomorrow? We’re trying to head out around five.”
“Oh um,” making a face, Nica began to shuffle the file contents into place. “Actually, that’s why I’m spending today working. Gib asked me to come with him to Leeds-see the town.” Still looking uncomfortable, she met Prin’s eyes. “He asked me to get dressed for the party at his place. We um...we’re going together.”
“Well, well, well,” Prin’s eyes widened in happy surprise. “Well, well, well,” she repeated.
“Calm down, okay? There’s nothing to get overwhelmed about. I’ll be gone after the holidays, remember?”
“I remember. How do you feel about that?”
“Well, what’s there to feel? I mean...I barely know Gib-he...barely knows me.”
“And yet you’re going to take off your clothes at his house?”
Laughter exploded between the women. Nica seemed stunned by her loss of control, but continued to laugh.
“Seriously though, he is a sheriff. I’m sure I’ll be safe. I mean...I just feel like your cousin is-that the title is more than a badge and a uniform and the power that goes with it.”
“Sounds like you’ve already gotten to know him pretty well,” Prin observed.
“Well that part was easy to see-to me anyway. It says his ways are probably authentic. Which also means I’m probably the wrong woman for him. I’m uh-I don’t think I’m the kind of woman a man like him would find suitable...for the long term.”
“You know, you were sounding quite smart until that comment,” Prin scolded. “Which tells me you’ve still got a lot to learn about Sheriff Gibson Anthony Taylor.”
“Well...” Nica finished collecting the files and hugged them to her chest. “I’ve just got his middle name, so that’s one less thing.”
More laughter followed as the women made their way from the porch.
***
“Hey Tee, Mercuri said you were up here. I misplaced an earring back-do you have any extra you can spare?”
Without looking up from her phone, Tee favored Bear with an absent wave toward the dresser. “Check the jewelry bag,” she said.
“Thanks!” Bear wasted no time plucking the shimmery blue bag from the dresser once she spotted it. “I had a bag full of them-must’ve left them on the dresser at home,” she explained while tugging the zipper. “I have a great pair of bangles I want to wear with that dress tomorrow night and-”
Bear’s fingers stilled on the bag and shortly after, a shriek escaped her lips. “Forget the bangles,” she murmured and turned with a pair of small, ruby crusted hoops in hand.
“Girl please tell me you aren’t wearing these and don’t mind if I do?”
Tee’s eyes remained on her phone.
“Tee?”
“Oh, you’re welcome Bear.”
Frowning now, Bear set aside the earrings and joined Tee in the room’s reading alcove. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Her high ponytail swung madly as she shook her head in anguish. “Something’s up with you and Mercuri, isn’t it? You guys have been way too quiet.”
“No, Bear, we're fine. Everything’s fine,” Tee managed a soothing look that didn’t quite mask her troubled gaze.
“May I have the truth now?” Bear pressed.
“I told you, we-” Tee closed her eyes, then opened her mouth to try again but no sound emerged. Instead of talking, she wound up crying.
“Tee...” Horrified and concerned, Bear abandoned her chair in the alcove to join Tee in the one she occupied. There was plenty of room. Bear drew her friend close to hug and rock her slowly. “Honey, tell me. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Mercuri he-he doesn’t want to have kids with me.”
“Oh Tee...but, honey that-that’s silly-crazy even. The guy worships you. He’d jump in front of a bus if you asked him to.”
Tee sniffled. “I don’t need him to jump in front of a bus-only to have a baby with me.”
“Sweetie, could it be he just isn’t ready? I mean, when you think about how much he, Pope, Rutger and Slayte had to deal with in their own childhoods-how much we’ve all had to deal with...it makes sense he’d be spooked about having his own.”
“That’s not it,” Tee swiped at her tears angrily. “He’s not spooked about having a kid, he’s spooked about having a kid with me.”
“Tee? I-what do you mean-”
“He doesn’t think I’m woman enough.”
“Tee!” Bear held herself back from laughing out her friend’s name in admonishment. “Honey you had to misunderstand-”
Tee was already shaking her head in denial. “He basically told me that if being pregnant wore Lu down, then what chance did I have.” She dissolved into another wave of sobbing.
Bear drew her closer, desperately trying to soothe. “Deep down you know that’s not true, Hon. Having a baby with you would be the ultimate for him. I think he’s just...scared, maybe? You’re the most important thing in his world. Losing you would kill him.”
Tee stiffened and pushed out of Bear’s hold. “Why do you all think I can’t-”
“Wait a minute-that’s not what I’m saying. That’s not what any of us are saying. Tee, come on. Do you even know what the dangers are? Because Lu and Rutger sure didn’t know what the hell to expect when they got pregnant with Reina. You know how nervous he was every time Lu moved.” Bear nudged Tee’s shoulder then. “It’s in a guy’s nature to worry over that stuff, you know? They don’t understand it and can’t control it, so...”
“So you’d just accept Pope telling you that having a baby was beyond your capability?”
Bear stiffened in reaction to the challenging probe. “We haven’t really discussed it yet-”
“But could you accept it if he felt that way?”
“Well hell Tee, I don’t know, but I think I’d appreciate him being concerned-”
“Bullshit.”
“Tee-”
“You’d want to kick his ass for thinking you couldn’t handle having a child.”
“You can’t want to kick Mercuri’s ass for caring, girl.”
Tee waved off the words. “You just don’t get it. You don’t get what it’s like to be underestimated on sight.”
Impatience sparked hotly in Bear’s mocha eyes then. “Are you serious right now?”
Immediately recognizing her slip, Tee raised both hands. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Berrill Clayton understood very well what it felt like to be underestimated on sight. The woman had, after all, triumphed over the many naysayers who had doubted a black woman’s ability to own and operate a gun ranch. Bear Arms was now internationally known and respected. The road to that accomplishment hadn’t been quickly or easily traveled.
“Bear, I’ve been underestimated-unseen my entire life- long before I decided to open a business no one thought I should.”
“Tee,” the words pierced Bear’s heart.
“Outside of Miss Sama, who may be an inch shorter than me, I doubt there’s anyone in this house who knows how it feels to have people look at you and see weakness.” She spread her hands, let them fall to her lap in a helpless fashion. “I guess I just didn’t expect the man I love to be one of those people.”
“Oh, Tee-”
“Bear please? I just-I kinda need to be by myself for a minute, okay?”
Bear didn’t like it, but after waiting a beat she leaned close to put a quick kiss to Tee’s cheek. Emotions wrecked by her friend’s distress, she left the room at a brisk walk. Once she’d quietly closed the door behind her, Pope stepped from a shadowy corner to watch his wife make her way down the hall.
***
“Sheriff.”
Nica watched as Gib moved to shake hands with the tall, lean man who greeted him in the diner where they’d just ordered cake and coffee. She took note of the way he half rose from his chair in the manner customary for a gentleman when a lady approached.
“Eddie, Jeannie,” Gib acknowledged the couple. “Thought you’d be halfway to Texas by now,” he said.
The man chuckled. “Jeannie’s got some last minute papers for me to sign, then I’ll be on my way.”
Gib nodded, then looked at Nica and smiled. “Nica Sloane, this is our town judge Edward Pennington and his assistant Jean Dupont,” he said.
Pennington touched a finger to the brim of his gray gallon-sized cowboy hat while Nica shook hands with him and then his assistant. “Are you new to our fine town, Ms. Sloane?” he asked.
“I am,” she said with a smile. “I actually work for Gib’s cousin Prin in California.”
“Why don’t you join us?” Gib offered. “We just ordered some of Patricia’s peppermint coffee,” he added.
“Sounds like a treat, Sheriff, but I’m gonna have to decline,” genuine disappointment was reflected in the judge’s voice and expression. “Gotta hit the road asap if I plan to make it in time for my flight,” he looked Nica’s way again. “California, you say? Well I hope the Sheriff here is doing all he can to encourage you to return to our quiet community. Treatin’ you to a taste of Patricia’s peppermint coffee is a good start. Ain’t nothin’ finer.”
Pennington touched the brim of his hat again. “It was a real pleasure Ms. Sloane.”
“Same,” Nica returned the sentiment while shaking hands again with the judge and his assistant.
“Gib.” Pennington added in farewell.
Gib watched the couple take a table on the other side of the diner and sighed. “By afternoon, it’ll be all over town that we’re engaged.”
Nica laughed. “So your family aren’t the only ones who want to marry you off?”
“‘Fraid not,” Gib laughed too. “They mean well-to an extent.”
“An extent?” Nica inquired playfully.
“A wife,” Gib explained, “Family? Means I’ll settle, stay put.”
“I see,” she nodded. “So no choosing West Coast over East Coast for you, huh?”
“Depends.”
“On?”
“On whether I need to go there to get what I want.”
Nica blinked, forcing herself not to read too much into that. The moment was interrupted when their waitress arrived with the orders.
“Thanks Audrey,” Gib said to the smiling blonde.
“Get y’all anything else, Sheriff?”
“Nica?”
“No,” her eyes sparkled as she took in the inviting spread. “This looks wonderful,” she said.
“I think we’re good for now Audrey, thanks.”
Audrey left them with another beaming smile before she set off to see to her other customers.
“You are in for a treat,” Gib professed. “Have you ever had peppermint coffee?”
“I’ve only ever heard of the tea,” Nica said.
“I’m not a big fan of flavored stuff,” Gib confided. “Not a big coffee drinker either, but this stuff’s got me a little addicted.”
As black was her preference when it came to coffee, Nica added none of the cream and sugar provided on the booth sill along the frosted windows. She took a sip and allowed the flavor to blossom on her tongue. She smiled. “Wow.”
“I know, right?” Gib was on his second sip of the minty brew.
Nica watched him set aside the cup and slice off a generous corner from the gingerbread cake he’d requested. He was gearing up for another morsel when he saw she hadn’t touched the Angel food she’d ordered.
“I’ll be helping myself to that if you don’t eat up soon.”
“You know, you really don’t strike me as a guy who’d be happy with small town life- peppermint coffee and cozy diners where everyone knows your name.”
Gib’s brow quirked over the observation. “Disappointed?” he taunted.
“No,” her reply was immediate. “Intrigued, impressed, but definitely not disappointed.”
Gib leaned back from his food. “So no second thoughts about being here with me? Getting dressed at my place?”
“No...unless you’re saying I shouldn’t take your word that I’ll be safe.”
“You’ll be safe.”
Her eyes narrowed as lighthearted suspicion took hold. “Why do I get the feeling that my version of safe, is different from yours?”
Gib only shrugged, grinning while he focused on the contents of his mug. “Finish your cake,” he said.
~~~
Leeds, Virginia was an upscale town located about 45 minutes outside Richmond. Its small town quaintness was made more distinct given the time of year. With snow blanketing the landscape and festive decor in every shop window and resident yard, the place was a veritable wonderland.
After leaving the diner, Gib took Nica for a walk around town. The outing included a meet and greet with Gib’s fellow Leedsters as well as a brief tour of the Sheriff’s department. There, Gib was subjected to over 20 minutes of watching his male officers gush and fawn over Nica.
Next, it was off to the sprawling remote community Gib had called home since his first term as Sheriff.
“I see why your family wants to marry you off-it’s a scandal to let a house this big be used by one person,” Nica’s eyes were wide as she took in the striking two story brick Georgian. The house occupied its own private road and was hidden amid a forest of pines and poplars. On a snowy 3 acre lawn, the house was made more striking by the Christmas wreaths adorning the wide front door and every window. Even the tall lampposts in the front yard were adorned in the style of giant candy canes.
“Gib it-it’s beautiful,” Nica was a little breathless.
“Yeah, it is,” Gib’s eyes shifted to Nica.
“I can see why you’d never want to leave,” her attention was still on the house.
Gib pulled the dark GMC to a stop and walked around; once he’d exited, to assist Nica from the passenger seat. He went to lean against the hood of the SUV, arms folded across his chest while he observed his home.
“It took a while for the place to grow on me,” he said.
“Wow...and I thought Prin was teasing when she said she was the smart one.”
Her words made Gib chuckle as his cousin came to mind. “She wishes,” he chided and shook his head until a measure of seriousness resumed.
“Fresh out of the academy though,” he mused, “all I wanted was to be in the thick of the action. Now...well now, I could have my pick of nearly any post I want.”
Nica joined Gib at the SUV hood. “Is that because of what happened at your aunt’s and uncle’s place last year?”
“Not completely, but yeah...yeah a lot more offers rolled in after that,” he said.
Nica ignored the tiny sting of tears at the corner of her eye. “Guess all our lives changed after last year,” her tone was quiet as if she were speaking to herself.
At first, Gib only nodded. As her words took hold, the need to speak mounted. “Is it getting easier to deal with what happened?” he asked.
Nica felt strangely calm when she replied. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over finding Aviva there.”
“Yeah,” his jaw clenched following the acknowledgement. “Well, Lord willing, the info I gave Pope on Grant Zubin’s fools will help round up the rest responsible.”
Nica struggled to nod then, the nervous movement coming across as more agitated than reassured.
The muscle continued its wild dance along Gib’s jaw and he knew his anger lay close to the surface. There was anger over what had happened to the innocent woman in his cousin’s employ, but more than that-anger over how it grieved the woman at his side.
How had she gotten under his skin so fast? Sure, she was a stunner- perhaps the most stunning woman he’d ever seen, but to the extent that she’d affected him the way she had? To himself, he could admit that all he wanted was time-a lot of time-with her in his bed.
He had wanted that. He still did, but it was all the rest he wanted from her that was keeping him in check...so far.
He noticed her shudder and knew it had nothing to do with the chill. Still, he nudged her elbow with his and tilted his head toward the house. “Go on to the porch. I’ll get your stuff from the back,” he said.
Nica’s feet felt like lead, but she did as instructed.
Zubin’s fools, her mind replayed the phrase over again. How much of the past was sure to come calling if they were found? It was as she’d told her old friend Myrna Terry, they had a problem. More than one, Nica thought. Her life had been blessedly uneventful over the last several years. Admittedly, she’d had second thoughts about staying on too long with Prin given the company she and her best friends kept.
Mercuri Nikolaides, Pope Apostolou, Rutger Eliades and Slayte Miltiades however, were nothing like the others she’d known in their organization. Sadly, the time with Prin had certainly dulled her senses to the fact that monsters of the GAN were still highly active. It was only a matter of time before she was face to face with her own personal demons once again. That possibility was yet another reminder that a woman like her had no business with a man like Gibson Taylor.
He was approaching the porch then with her garment bag in hand. He made quick work of unlocking the front door and waving her inside. Nica felt all her worries fade as she moved into his home. The place was as much of a wonderland inside as it was outside.
Her steps, less leaden now, still felt weighted as she tugged free of her black ski jacket. Dazedly, she walked through the airy living room that flowed out from the entryway.
There was an openness about the space and she was nicely surprised by the color scheme of warm shades with the occasional splashes of royal blues and muted reds. A cheery warmth exuded instead of the chilly starkness she had expected to find in the home of a single man. Much of that cozy feel may’ve been owed to the place being so dynamically decorated for the holidays. Still, Nica believed the feeling of welcome was truly owed to the man who resided there.
Still taking in her fill of the room, Nica set her jacket to a sofa. Her eyes settled on Gib who leaned against a far wall and studied her as intently as she studied his home.
“I’m sorry, let me get that,” hastily she made her way toward him, her hands extended toward the garment bag.
“You’re my guest,” he coolly angled the bag out of her reach.
Acknowledging her perceived misstep, she let her hands fall to her sides. “Sorry,” she said.
A sharp frown shadowed Gib’s face then. “Why do you do that?” he asked.
Confused, Nica only studied him without remarking.
“You’re always apologizing. Why?”
“Oh! I’m-” Nica caught herself mere seconds before issuing yet another apology. Quickly, she spread her hands as though mystified. “Way I was raised, I guess.”
Temper cooling, Gib nodded. “Guess I can’t find fault in that,” he said.
“Hmph, I can,” Nica chose not to explain the cryptic comment though it seemed clear that Gib expected her to.
“Let me show you where you can get dressed later,” he said instead.
She followed him through the living room that smelled pleasantly of the pine needles she guessed had to be coming from the skyscraper of a tree in the corner of the room.
Nica marveled as much over the home’s upper level as she did its lower. The same cozy elegance was apparent and echoed with greetings of the season.
“Whoa...do you ever entertain here?”
“Not on purpose.”
She laughed and the reaction prompted Gib to do the same.
“I use it for work stuff, mostly,” he explained. “It’s the chosen spot for staff meetings, retreats and such.”
“Well it’d be the perfect place for a holiday party or...any kind of party.”
Gib’s steps slowed on the broad second floor landing and he seemed to consider her words. “You could be right. Only one problem there, though,” he scanned the high ceilings and sighed. “I’d need a ton of help pullin’ that off.”
“You shouldn’t have a problem with that, should you? You seem to have women at your beck and call.”
“Beck and call, huh? Let’s see...” he smiled thoughtfully. “My mother, grandmother, aunties, cousins-a few cousins. I’ve never been a fan of Prin’s style.”
Nica laughed over the playful dig at her boss. “So that’s what? One out of a hundred women-not a bad average.”
“No...” Gib sighed anew. “No, I guess not.”
Their trek around the house continued and soon Gib was showing Nica to a guest bedroom suite. The space was soft lit thanks to the drawn drapes and gold lamp light. There was even a miniature tree ablaze with tiny silver and gold lights.
Nica sent her host an exasperated look. “You must be getting pretty tired of me using the word ‘beautiful’ by now?”
Gib went to set Nica’s garment bag to one of the two armchairs near the fireplace. “Sometimes ‘beautiful’ is the only word that fits.”
The silence extended between them. Nica searched for words before the moment turned too suggestive.
“Thanks again for your hospitality, Gib,” was all she could manage.
“Well it’s not over yet, you know? We should eat something before driving down to Richmond. All the H Corp. Christmas party has to offer, is booze and finger sandwiches.”
“We should’ve brought something back from the diner,” she proposed.
“The diner?” He gaped. “You think with all these women in my life-none of ‘em taught me to cook?”
Nica raised her hands in a show of animated surrender. “I stand corrected.”
Gib nodded once to relay his forgiveness. “Anyway, we did a lot of walking today. You’re gonna need your strength to handle the wild and crazy crowd at H. Corp. Rest up or mill around the house. Dinner’ll be ready in a couple of hours.” He regarded her with another patient once over and turned to leave.
“Gib? Um, thanks again.” Nica said when his eyes met hers. “You’re making an already wonderful and unexpected trip even more incredible.”
A voice insisted that he tell her she was welcomed and get the hell out of that room. Instead of listening, long determined strides brought him within reach of her. Moments later, she was in his arms. Rather, her arms were in his hands and being smothered beneath the rust-colored cotton sweater she wore that day.
He wanted only to kiss her, and felt he owed himself the treat. After all, he’d resisted the snarling need to feel his mouth on hers. That need had been plaguing him all day. He just wanted to kiss her. That was all. That mouth of hers...it was a fantasy all its own. Lush, wide, lipstick-free and supple...He crushed her lips beneath his and found them to be warm, sweet...it was as though she’d been languishing in the comfort of a summer day instead of a Virginia winter.
One kiss, that was all...but then his hands eased past her arms. He cupped her hips only briefly before moving on to cradle her bottom inside her snug jeans. He wanted more.
He’d never known a woman like Nica Sloane. The women in his past had been beautiful, yes, but the allure was superficial at best. True substance seemed nonexistent. With those women, he hadn’t sensed the kind of power he did with Nica. He could feel it residing subtly yet assuredly when he touched her. It was a welcomed discovery.
With Nica Sloane he didn’t fear being more than she could handle should desire run away with him and he forgot his own strength. That had never happened with any other woman he’d taken to bed. It had never happened, because he’d never felt in danger of desire making him lose himself. The idea that it could happen with Nica had been building since the first time he set eyes on her.
He claimed her mouth with a persuasiveness that made Nica tremble. In spite of its authority, she sensed she was only being treated to a fraction of his hunger. She wanted more than a fraction. Given the nonexistent status of her lovelife, she wanted it all. She could hardly believe it was even happening. She hadn’t been kissed in so long.
Truthfully, she’d never been kissed were she to use Gib Taylor’s style as an example. He kissed with a single minded intensity that made her feel like she was all that existed in his world. He took his time pampering her mouth with strokes so languorous and authoritative, it was as though he was exploring some uncharted terrain. Terrain, he was intent on branding as his own.
Nica could’ve lost herself in his kiss were she not so deliciously distracted by the rest of him. He was obviously quite powerfully built. Now, with her body flush with his, she could attest that build was all hard planes and toned muscle. That discovery was more intoxicating than intimidating and called to her every instinct as a woman. Her every instinct as a woman who had barely survived on self-satisfaction for far too long. To have that drought broken by the man holding her now...
The thought gave her instincts the boost they needed. Evidently Gib had no plans to do more than kiss her. Gentleman that he was, she suspected he was trying not to pressure her. She decided to show him he was doing no such thing and unfurled the fists resting weakly against his superb chest. She smoothed her palms up over his eclipsing shoulders. Her nails grazed the waves tapered at his nape. They moved, smoothing across his close cut hair before skimming the light beard shading his jaw.
Eagerly, she returned the potent thrusts his tongue hadn’t ceased making since his mouth took control of hers. The kiss elevated to explosive peaks. Gib’s tongue lunged harder, deeper and deeper still when the smoldering gesture made her gasp. He continued to cup and squeeze her ass until her arms locked in place around his neck.
The move brought her full, firm breasts even higher against his chest. Gib hungered for a moment-just a moment to have one of the mounds filling his palm. His mind was hazy with need for her when his hand briefly spanned the small of her back before he pushed it up beneath her sweater.
He expected to meet the confining strap of a bra at any time. Thoughts of the garment were fleeting however, as he obsessed over the flawlessness of her creamy caramel toned skin. In moments, he was cradling a breast-a bare one-a gloriously full, firm one unhindered by a bra or anything else.
With desire now overloading his senses, Gib broke the kiss. Captivation sharpened his gorgeous face, yet apology simmered for allowing himself to be led around by his dick. She was a guest in his house for chrissake! More than that, he had promised she would be safe with him.
Way to go, Gib. Way to be like every other jackass she must come across every other day, he thought.
“Nica I...I’m sorry I-we’ll eat in a couple of hours, okay?” he left the room, giving her no chance to respond.