AngerArrogance Page 8

  Eyes serious, she kept her face unreadable. “I apologize for the way I treated you.”

  Devin's gaze lingered as a smile crept across his lips. “Was that an apology coming from your lips? Am I dreaming?”

  She warned, “Don’t get used to it. I don’t issue apologies often.”

  Thinking about all she had been through, Devin believed he had a better understanding of his wife. He genuinely wanted her to be happy, and he wanted to be the one making it happen.

  Chapter 14

  Kissing

  A week later, the Nazaris hosted another of their events. This time, a gala to raise money for medical expenses for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Walking to her room after another exhausting day of work, Alana wondered if anyone would notice her missing from the gathering.

  Although bone tired, she’d had a productive day. Another day of people miraculously healing under her care was hard work both physically and mentally. Physically the work was demanding, but she was up for the challenge. Mentally, she had to think about what made her the “saint” of healing hope. Was she actually touched by a higher power or was something else at work? And why now? Alana emphatically believed that nothing noticeably strange had happened in her life until she married Devin. Even her attraction to Devin was an irregularity. She had never had such an acute attraction to anyone and fighting it only seemed to agitate her anger.

  Fresh flowers greeted when she entered her room. She had received a different set of flowers at least twice every week. This was his thing now. Maybe the fact that she had never returned any of his flowers had inspired him. As much as she hated to admit it, it was nice that he though enough to keep giving her something she liked. Seeing the blossoming beauties gave her the burst of energy she needed to get through the party.

  ***

  Alana noticed the appreciative sparkle in Devin's eyes as he waited and watched her descend the stairs.

  He greeted pleasingly, “You look very nice.” His eyes flashed something else, but Alana didn’t comment.

  Thanking him, she looped her arm with his waiting one. Tonight’s theme was Wild West inspired. Devin escorted her to the ballroom, which had been converted to resemble a saloon from a western.

  Alana had no idea what to wear to such an event so Sue volunteered to pick out her outfit. Glancing down at herself, she was happy with everything.

  Devin looked like a handsomely dressed Wild West gun-slinger in his old fashioned black suit while she resembled one of the high-class saloon girls in her slightly off the shoulder navy and gold floor-length dress. Couples commented on how beautiful and handsome she and Devin looked as a couple.

  Devin introduced her around. Walking towards the next couple they had targeted to mingle with, Alana mouthed, “Thanks for my flowers. I like them.”

  Her words slowed Devin’s pace and put an instant smile on his face. “Your welcome. They are the only things you keep.”

  He had given her all types of gifts and she had returned them all. She didn’t want him thinking he could buy her trust and loyalty. She had even thrown a pair of thousand dollar red-bottom heels at him while having one of her angry fits. The fact that he’d voiced he wanted her naked in only the heels hadn’t impacted her decision to chunk them at him either. The thought of him scurrying out of the way of her heel throwing tantrum had brought an instant smile to her face. If he wasn’t so arrogant, she was sure her behavior would have caused him a nervous breakdown by now. His forbearance with her was an entity of great strength, something she appreciated more than he could possibly know.

  She was quickly learning the way he thought. The way Devin saw things, once he found a way to make her see things his way, he figured she'd be putty in his hands.

  Pulling back her chair, he ensured she was comfortably seated before taking his seat next to her.

  Both Devin and Alana glanced back at Sue when she placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “It’s nice to see you two smiling.”

  Turning his head toward her hand, Devin kissed his mother’s hand. Alana noticed the shine of pride in Sue’s eyes. After giving their shoulders a comforting squeeze, Sue walked happily away.

  “I think your mom is happy to see us getting along,” Alana uttered.

  Reaching, Devin took Alana's hand. “So am I. I was beginning to think we’d never call a cease fire.”

  Politely, Alana removed her hand from his delicate hold.

  Devin teased. “You’ve changed Alana. The old you would have given me a bloody lip for taking your hand without permission. But, I knew you weren’t going to be able to resist this much charm and handsomeness for very long. It’s only a matter of time before you start knocking on my door, and not to curse me out either.”

  Laughing, she playfully punched him on the shoulder. “Your arrogance has its own area code.”

  She couldn’t help thinking that they were starting to get along a little too well. Well enough to cause her concern about her developing feelings towards him. What she didn’t need was an attachment when the time came for her to leave.

  The rest of the night was pretty uneventful, but the chemistry brewing between them was undeniable.

  Devin insisted upon walking Alana to her room although she insisted it wasn’t necessary. Now, standing at her door, she took in his arm still wrapped tightly around hers. “Are you planning to give me my arm back?”

  With a determined look, he replied, “I’m not ready to let you go Alana.”

  She replied with a mean scowl. “If you don’t let my arm go, you’re going to find yourself hurting in a bad way.”

  He released her arm and raised his hands as if being held by gun point. “I knew it wouldn’t take much to make those talons of yours come out.” He watched her turn her door knob and realized he truly didn’t want to let her go.

  He yelled a bit louder than he intended. “Wait.”

  “What? What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.

  A cunning grin decorated his face. “You forgot to give me a goodnight kiss.”

  Not saying a word, she wondered what he would do if she actually kissed him. Staring into his eyes, she took a lazy step towards him and just as quickly he took a step back. Jerking his head and blinking rapidly, he undoubtedly thought she was about make good on her earlier threat.

  Smiling at his reaction, she took a few more steps forward as he continued back. The wall stropped their trapeze walk. Devin's fingers were pressed into and spread against the wall.

  Alana thought it a pleasant surprise that a man that towered over her like a light-post and probably out-weighed her by at least sixty pounds seemed afraid of what she might do to him. Taking another step, she continued to advance him. “You think too negatively of me Devin. I’m trying to give you what you asked for.”

  Disbelief radiated from his face. “You, Alana Nazari, giving me what I asked for? That’s hard to believe.”

  She inclined her head. “Um humm.”

  Face only inches from Alana, Devin wanted to kiss her as badly as he needed to touch her. A flirting sweep of her eyes grabbed his attention. Staring into her seductive jewels, he found reassurance, but he wanted her to make the move and kiss him.

  Alana had an urge to kiss Devin and didn’t know if it was curiosity or the raging emotions that had so suddenly flooded her body. Eyeing his tempting lips, she found herself too close and invested to back away. Not yet brave enough to actually look up and into those mesmerizing eyes of his, she usually admired them only when she knew he wasn’t paying attention to her.

  Wearing four-inch heels, she still had to angle her neck up to reach his lips. Her hand pressed into his strong chest and she couldn’t help letting it linger there. Her free hand swept down his arm, enjoying his firm masculinity. She stopped her hand at the bend of his wrist and held there for support. In that moment she realized she had never seen him without a shirt, but it was hard to miss that he was in shape—enough to give even her pause. Not believing her boldness, she allo
wed herself to be completely spontaneous.

  Devin was too intoxicated to do anything but pray that his wife followed through with her promise. His lips ached to be upon hers.

  Closing her eyes, Alana let her lips search blindly for Devin’s. The impact of the touch gave her a spellbinding rush.

  Instantly, Devin enjoyed the contact high, unable to stop his lips from melting into hers. He took in a quick sip of air through the tiny opening she left on his now tingling lips. She probably didn’t know it, but she was dissolving him like sugar cubes melting in hot coffee. Closing his eyes, his hand found the warm flow of her body and slid around her waist. His heart threatened to leap from his chest but he contained it somehow. An instant sheen of desire claimed his body, making him intensify what was supposed to be her kiss.

  Alana found she enjoyed the sensations flowing through her. The firm fulfilling squish of Devin’s lips against hers was an erotic delight. Exhaling against his lips, she inhaled his intoxicating essence and got caught in a storm of desire so strong she pressed her lips deeper and harder into his. “Shit,” her mind screamed. She never expected this, not with him. Who knew that a simple kiss could evoke something so compelling and…telling? The cover she kept had been blown wide open. This kiss told a story she wouldn’t even dream of speaking out loud—that she'd desire him this whole time and that the sight of him had always set her blood on fire.

  As his hands continued to roam the contours of her body, an indescribable need shot through Devin; daring him to pull away.

  Their mingling sighs echoed through the hall. Both consumed. Both telling ill-kept secret desires.

  Enjoying alluring lips, she only admired from afar, Alana licked their firm cushiness. Powerless to pull away, she gave a few more lingering pecks that he leaned down to receive. To say that she was completely outside herself was an understatement. Weak-kneed, her legs trembled when she moved to step away. Aroused in a way that she had never before experienced, she found she had no defenses against this unexplained entity that had so quickly possessed her.

  Keeping her eyes closed, she lingered near his unshaven face for a moment trying to figure out how to breathe again. The instant she regained control, she stepped away. They had been stuck to each other like two strips of Velcro.

  Turning, she dashed towards the safety of her room. The unknown aspects of her life and who she truly was concealed danger, but confronting her feelings for her husband was unleashing a beast she wasn’t sure she knew how to control.

  Catching her hand in time, Devin hadn’t had nearly enough. His voice was a strained whisper. “Alana. Wait. Please.”

  A quick glance at his face showed that she had awakened something in him. The look was both endearing and pained. She couldn’t say no. The kiss had weakened her.

  A few breaths later, she found herself being pulled back in. Entrapping her with an intense gaze, she stood helplessly watching Devin lower his face to hers.

  Lips pressing into the grooves of her sexy-sassy mouth, he let the kiss speak for him. This was sign language for the romantically challenged and he was saying he wanted to kiss her, needed to kiss her and had to kiss her again.

  The passionate press of his mouth made her chest heave for air, a secondary need at the moment. Letting nameless sensations filter through her body, she didn’t fight him as he controlled the moment, possessively holding her against his powerful form.

  Every breath she took, he captured with kisses that sparked all types of lust and desire. He made her forget that she needed oxygen to breathe or legs to stand on. For a moment, she floated, temporary zapped into a secret world that only he knew about.

  Alana’s mind worked overtime processing every thought and emotion evoked.

  Devin wanted and desired her and in this moment even someone with her resolve couldn’t resist the effects.

  She enjoyed the kiss since it forced to admit how much she craved him. There was no mistaking anything in this exchange because passion and desire crushed her resistance.

  Devin found it difficult to believe the turn of events happening between him and his bewitching wife. He feared she had finally caused him to lose what was left of his mind. Never having been this swept away by any woman, her kisses were driving him mad.

  He had no choice but to accept that she had the power to take his mind with the touch of her mouth. He was afraid to think of what would happen if she gave him more. In this moment, nothing could stop him from kissing her. Knowingly consumed, he gladly surrendered.

  Alana found herself committed to this act. Breathless, she had to back away or lose herself completely. Holding a fist full of Devin's shirt, she found herself pulling him closer instead of pushing him away. Managing to move her hands to his chest, she gently pushed to put some distance between them. Anymore of this and she would punish herself later for her betraying actions.

  She didn’t step away from his release as quickly as her mind urged. His kisses made her want him in ways she never knew she could want a man. She didn’t know what to do with all of her anxious energy. Passion, desire, lust and an overbearing emotion she couldn’t think pass to describe had taken control.

  It took a moment for Devin to open his eyes. Quivering breaths rushed past his lips. Kissing his wife was sheer amplified madness, a drug presenting an all new high. Only when he heard her speak had he been broken from his trance.

  Both her facial expression and voice softened more than she intended. “We can never do that again.” Turning, she walked on shaky legs, entered her room and locked the door. She pretended not to hear Devin asking her to wait.

  Never. Is she crazy? Knocking, he called softly, “Alana wait. You said never.” He started begging like the singer Keith Sweat. “Alana, please. Never is a long time to ask someone not to kiss you again. Never? Are you sure about that?”

  His calls grew softer. “Alana. Was the kiss bad? Wait, what am I saying? Of course it wasn’t bad. I promise I’ll make it even better. All you have to do is open this door.”

  Squeezing her eyes tight, Alana held in her strong urge to laugh at all the begging Devin was doing. Of all people, he was the last person she expected to beg for anything let alone a kiss from her. That it took her kiss to bring forth what he likely saw as a weakness was an interesting revelation. If Devin said never one more time she would burst. She heard “Never?” and erupted into uncontrolled laughter.

  Leaning against her door, Devin let the hard wood support him. “I hear you in there laughing at me Alana. Was it bad?” Why am I questioning myself when I know better?

  Devin smiled all the way back to his room. There was no mistaking it, Alana enjoyed kissing him. He found it interesting, knowing that his kiss could bring about her weakness. She'd likely wanted him this whole time and was just too stubborn to admit it.

  Hearing her phone go off a short while later, Alana immediately knew it was him texting. Breaking out into another fit of laughter, she read the one-word text. “Never?”

  Chapter 15

  Family Secrets

  Knocking on Alana’s door the next morning, Devin wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless, but they had serious business to discuss. Kevin had texted, requesting they meet again.

  At exactly 10:37am, Devin and Alana were on Olive Street hopping into the big green jalopy Kevin had instructed them to climb into. They climbed in at the exact time as they’d been directed. Laying low in the back seat, they didn’t see Kevin until they were both planted in the front seat.

  He greeted, “Nice to see you guys. Don’t turn around. Use the rearview mirror. I’ll get straight to the point because I just received an emergency text from a friend of mine in DC. Trust me, when she calls an emergency, its likely World War III type drama. I don’t want you guys getting caught in any of the mess I’m dealing with right now, so I’ll talk fast.”

  Alana and Devin inclined their heads in understanding.

  Kevin’s voice continued to fill the cab of
the car. “Alana, your mother didn’t die of a heart condition like you were told. She became caught in the crossfire of the FBI and a Cartel known as the Truleta Cartel. From what we have found, your dad has done everything in his power to keep you all away from matters between federal agents and the Cartel.

  Alana’s eyes stayed on Kevin’s in the mirror.

  “Your brother was not killed in Iraq. He was not a contractor. He ran drugs for the same Cartel that killed your mother. He was killed in a sting operation involving members of the FBI and other law agencies. Strange thing is, intelligence says your brother could have gotten away. They are thinking he opted for suicide by cop because he may have been on the Cartel’s hit list. Ruthless, this family will not hesitate to kill, including their own. Work for the family or die is pretty much their motto. You and your family are likely tied to them because of your father’s job, but it’s not confirmed.”

  Alana endured frozen. She suspected something fishy about her mother and brother’s untimely deaths, but she’d believed her father’s account over her own instincts. “Am I somehow related to these Truleta people? Are they going to be after me now to either recruit me or kill me?”

  The uncertainty in Kevin’s face said he didn’t want to say or didn’t want to assume too much.

  “Both scenarios are likely, but not confirmed.”

  That wasn't the answer Alana wanted to hear. “How does my marriage to Devin tie into any of this? Why would the Nazaris endanger their family by taking me in?” She fought to keep her questions to a minimum, knowing she wouldn't get much from Kevin.

  Kevin seemed to be choosing his words carefully He continued, “I haven’t found the answer, yet. However, I am certain your father, as well as my aunt and uncle are looking out for your best interest.”

  Devin inquired, “Are we all in danger now? I don’t understand this. What are you not telling us?”

  Kevin added, “In my professional opinion, and given what I have learned, I think you guys are safe—for now. I want you two to continue to be careful and watch your backs. It goes without saying, when you’re dealing with a Cartel as large as this, their reach can go as far as they want it to.”