All the Wright Moves (11 page)

“Thanks.”

“Almost done?”

“I think so. I hope it will slow a bit once all the programs are outfitted and I can just call for donations and stuff instead of taking trips.”

“You know there are martial arts places here in town, right?”

She laughed. “Yes I know that. But I prefer to go direct to the manufacturer. Face to face is a bit more personal than someone calling and asking. Now that we have a rapport, it can be handled over the phone in the future.”

“I know.”

They finished the ride chatting about this and that. When Jonathan pulled into her driveway she smiled. It was always nice to come home.

He carried her bags to the door, gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek and headed off. She shook her head. Knowing him, he had a case that needed his attention.

She showered and changed into khakis and a white T-shirt. Once her hair was up and her makeup on, she headed to her car and drove out to the address Warwick had given her for the show. It was about an hour away and she spent the time thinking about how much she’d missed him even though she’d been gone for only four days.

“Just goes to show how much of an impact he’s had on my life,” she said as she continued up the road.

When she started seeing signs for the show her belly began to flip. In her head, she counted down to the time she’d be able to see him again. Her body responded, letting her know it was totally unimpressed with how she’d handled bringing herself release as opposed to Warwick’s magical touch.

She parked in a crowded lot then got out, locking her car before following the stream of people. Young, old, woman, or man—it didn’t matter. They had all turned out for the event.

She paid for a catalogue and checked the map of where people were located. Once she’d found his name, she made a beeline for him. Walking behind an elderly couple, as soon as she was close enough to him, her skin began to burn as it did around him. His laughter filled the air. The couple seemed to vanish and just like that she was face to face with the man in her dreams.

Warwick Taylor.

He stood talking to some other folks but when his gaze landed on her, his mouth snapped shut like a steel trap. His eyes flared hot and passionate as they moved up and down her body. He muttered a word to the group standing there and crossed to where she stood, immobile.

This was the man she’d missed. Jeans and a T-shirt. All she cared about was him being back within her reach. He reached out with one hand and cupped her cheek. She couldn’t have stopped the burrow into his palm any more than she could have stopped her heart that second.

“Hello, beautiful,” he murmured so only she could hear.

“Hi.”

The desire to kiss her overflowed his indigo gaze but all he did was give her another private little smile and drop his hand. She missed his touch immediately.

“I’m glad you’re here. How was your trip?” His voice normal and could be heard by everyone now.

“It was good, thank you.”

While she understood why he didn’t kiss her, part of her wished he would have, damn the consequences.
Okay, more than just a part of me wishes he would have.
She gave herself a sharp mental reprimand—this was neither the time nor the place to dwell on that. She truly was excited to see the show and discover which of his impressive collection he’d brought.

Warwick turned and waved her closer. “Come see my vehicles, Katiya.”

She moved to his side, wondering if she would be cast by the papers as his girlfriend, paramour, or just a friend. His smile remained relaxed and at the ready. There was nothing that denoted there was something serious—heck, anything at all other than friendship—between them. Swallowing her uncertain feelings, she shoved her hands in her pockets and said, “Show me what you brought.”

Chapter Six

It took everything in Warwick not to ravish Katiya as he wanted to. Only the idea of bringing too much attention to her stopped him. He kept his personal life very private. There was a reason he was able to keep his face out of the media. He gave them nothing sensational to report about him. He glanced at Katiya as she walked beside him. The white shirt hugged her ample breasts while the khaki shorts she wore stopped just above her knees leaving the expanse of her legs visible. It all created an edible view he wanted to eat up.

Warwick put his hands into the pocket of his jeans. If he touched her again he’d give the media more than scandal. He stood back as Katiya circled the trucks he had brought to the show. She moved with a sensuous grace around the side of the truck out of view.

“Ow…shit,” Katiya hissed.

Warwick headed around the truck at a run. He spotted Katiya leaning against the side of the truck gripping her leg. Strain clenched her face and there were tears in her light hazel eyes. Warwick lifted her up into his arms. Katiya moaned, not letting go her hold on her appendage.

“Katiya, what can I do?”

“My…leg… Take me…home. Call…Lis,” she gritted.

“Warwick, is she okay?” Calix asked, coming around from the rear of the truck.

“I’m taking Katiya to the hospital. Take care of things here.” He was glad Calix had decided to come with him.

“You got it. Let me know if I can do anything,” Calix said.

He nodded, striding away, Katiya against his torso. Katiya whimpered, turning her face into his chest. Each sound ripped through him. He skirted around the onlookers blocking his way. There were a lot of people at the auto show. He heard them talking as they realised it was Katiya he was carrying. Warwick didn’t slow heading outside and to his truck. Gently he put her on the back seat of the cab before closing the door and dashing to the driver’s door. He was on his way in moments.

“Take me home.” Her voice was strained.

“We’re going to the hospital.”

“No. They can’t do anything for me. It was the travelling and then walking on the leg. It’s seizing on me. Call Lis. She can check me out. Please don’t argue. Call Lis.” Katiya moaned.

The desperation in her voice made him not say anything further. He drove her home. He planned on calling not only Lis but also his own private doctor to make a house call. The tyres squealed as he roared into the driveway. He worked the clutch and slammed it into gear as he killed the engine. As quickly as possible he headed to the passenger side and gently lifted her out. . The sound of screeching tyres reached him. Turning with her in his arms, Warwick spotted the green Jeep he knew was Delicia’s. She hopped out, put a bag handle across her body and ran to them.

“I got calls from what seems like everyone who was at the auto show. What happened?” Delicia demanded.

Warwick strode towards the house as he replied, “I don’t know. She said it was the travelling and then walking around at the show.”

“Really? She travels all the time. Let me get the door, and you take her directly to bed. I’ll check her over.” Delicia rushed ahead and opened the door for them.

Warwick was surprised that she had keys.

“I have them in case of emergency,” Delicia answered his unspoken question.

Warwick took Katiya back to the bedroom. Delicia went around him and pulled back the covers on the bed. He put Katiya down. She still gripped her leg, moaning. Warwick stood by helplessly as Delicia tried to examine Katiya.

“Come on, Kat, let me see,” Delicia said firmly.

“It hurts, Lis!” she cried.

“Is it supposed to hurt like this?” he asked.

He’d been so careful not to push by asking her too much about her leg. Katiya came across as being without pain. He sometimes didn’t know she was overdoing it until she showed strain. He usually subtly made it so they ended up sitting down. Yet today she had seemed fine one moment and then in agony the next.

“No. I’ve never seen it this bad,” Delicia admitted.

He frowned not liking her response. “I’m going to call my doctor.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, leaving the room to make the call. Warwick placed the call in the hall. He closed the phone once he knew the Doc was on his way. The sound of the front door opening drew his attention and he headed down the hall. Spotting Katiya’s brothers, he moved out of the way as they walked rapidly past him. Warwick went into the living room and stared out the bay windows. Another car pulled up. Not the one he was looking for. A woman he didn’t recognise got out. She walked rapidly up the drive. He went towards the door.

The woman opened the door and walked in like she was familiar with the house. Her heavily lashed pale grey eyes studied him. Sienna skin flowed over sharp cheeks—a rounded chin and full lips complemented those captivating eyes. Two curls framed her face but the rest of her hair, dark brown with streaks of gold was pinned on the top of her head with similar hair sticks with coloured tips as Katiya’s had been the day before she’d left for her mysterious trip. The stones on the tips in her case were golden, which matched the power suit she wore.

“Where is Katiya?” There was the bite of command in her tone.

He recognised it well. It was the one he used in his business dealings.

“Who ar—”

“Iona? When did you get back?” Yurandol ran up the stairs from the street.

“I just arrived and heard about Katiya. What the hell happened?” Iona replied.

Warwick recognised the name. The woman was Iona McKingley. He hadn’t met her yet as she’d been out of town.

“I don’t know. I just heard she collapsed,” Yurandol said.

“Well, let’s go see,” Iona said.

The other three women who arrived with Yurandol were Katiya’s friends, whom he had already met. They nodded then looked at him expectantly.

“She’s in her bedroom with her brothers and Lis.”

The women passed him heading for the bedroom. Warwick glanced out the open door relived to see the doctor’s familiar Tahoe pull up. The whipcord thin man got out bearing his bag and strode towards Warwick. Once he was closer, Warwick studied those calm ice-blue eyes behind the rounded frames of his glasses.

“Warwick, where is my patient?” Lansing Malone, his personal physician and close friend, asked.

“This way.” Warwick led him to the bedroom.

Lansing quickly ordered everyone except Warwick and Lis out. Katiya was stretched out but shaking. Warwick sat on the bed next to her. She burrowed her face against his side, gripping his leg. Warwick stroked her sweat-soaked hair. In some distant part of his mind he heard Lis and Lansing discussing Katiya’s leg, but he couldn’t focus on anything but Katiya. He soft whimpers tore at him.

“Stop talking and just do something,” Warwick snapped.

“If you can’t be calm then you need to leave,” Lansing said.

“Fu—”

“Warwick, it’s okay.” Katiya stroked his leg.

He looked at her in disbelief. “You’re the one in pain and you’re trying to comfort me?”

“It’ll be okay. Can you go check and make sure everyone is not worrying too much?” Katiya asked.

Warwick asked suspiciously, “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“No, just give you something to do so you can stop fretting so much.”

Warwick shook his head. “Not possible. I’m staying here until we see what is wrong. As soon as these two can act like medical professionals.” He glared at Lis and Lansing.

“They will if someone will stop being such a bear and grumbling at them. Now go,” Katiya ordered.

Warwick hesitated.

“Please.” Her voice was hoarse.

Warwick kissed her forehead then reluctantly stood. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

“Do something.” He gave the Lansing and Lis another glare.

They ignored him. He left. In the living room, he went back to staring out of the window. He ignored everyone else. Witnessing Katiya in pain had him realising he cared more for her than he had initially believed.

“Warwick.” Lansing’s voice caught his attention.

Warwick strode to him and they exited out to the hall. Lis touched his shoulder and continued into the living room. He could hear the murmur of her voice but was more focused on Lansing.

“She’s fine. I gave her a muscle relaxant for the leg,” Lansing said.

Warwick breathed out then said, “So she was right—it was too much between the travelling and the walking around the auto show.”

“I’ve told you all I can.” Lansing’s face had a closed expression. 

“What? I’m the one who brought you here,” Warwick said.

“And she’s my patient. Not you. She’s a good woman for you, Warwick. See you soon.” Lansing patted him on the shoulder, walked to the door and left.

Warwick frowned after him. He went into the living room and cornered Lis.

“What’s wrong with Katiya?” Warwick demanded.

“Exactly what Lasing told you,” she answered immediately.

The response was too pat and yet said nothing. Suspicion filled him. Warwick opened his mouth to question her then glanced around, realising they were not alone. Rethinking, he said nothing further. He made an about-face and went back to the living room door.

“You can see yourselves out. Katiya isn’t up for visitors. Call tomorrow and I’ll let you know if she is up to seeing you.” He went down the hall.

“Did he just kick us out?” Dimitri demanded.

“Seems as if he did.” Leo chuckled.

“Who the hell does he think he is?” Dimitri asked.

“Her man.” Female voices answered.

“Come on, big bro, you can take it up with him another day. Katiya needs rest,” Jonathon said languidly.

Warwick went into the bedroom and to Katiya’s bedside. He sat next to her, pushing her hair away from her face. She was sleeping. A noise made him glance up. Iona leaned against the doorjamb.

“Why are you still here?” he whispered, not wanting to wake Katiya.

“Checking on Kat for myself. Besides, I don’t take orders from anyone.” She strolled into the room and sat on the bed on the other side of Katiya.

Iona raised her feet, taking off her high-heeled sandals, then rested her back against the headboard. Her look dared him to make her leave. Knowing an argument would wake Katiya, he left her alone.