All This Time (12 page)

Chapter
Twenty-One

My
cell phone rings just as I hear the doorbell chime. I glance down at the screen
seeing an unfamiliar area code. Too busy to answer it at the moment I send it
to voice-mail and then I check my reflection once more before descending the
stairs.

“Hi,”
I say, smiling as I slip into the kitchen where Decks is waiting with Natalie
and Wise.

“Angel?”
Decks asks
hesitantly taking in my complete
transformation. His eyes dilating, breaths swelling his chest and the dark tip
of his tongue gliding across a row of white teeth all reveal how much he wants
me.

Gone
are all signs of the grungy drug addict that he met at the beginning of the
year. That drudgery role, so unbecoming, is replaced today with the captivating
and dignified socialite my mother raised. My dark hair is swept up in a loose,
sexy up do with several wavy strands framing my face. My decadently short dress
is a cream tinted satin, draping seductively off the shoulder and dipping
provocatively low in the front, accentuating my full C’s just the way I like.

Shifting
my gaze from Decks, I sneak a glance at Natalie and Wise, noticing that all
three of them have their mouths hanging agape in complete surprise and I can’t
control the burst of laughter from escaping passed my lips.

“You
all look as though you can’t believe your eyes.” I tease, knowing damn well
that their minds are totally fucked at the sight of me.

“Sweetie,
you look amazing,” Natalie singsongs, smiling sweetly before bumping Wise’s
shoulder with her elbow, cajoling him from his lengthy stupor, “Doesn’t she
look great, Jude?”

“Yeah,”
he mumbles, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, eyebrows pinching in
and mouth forming a tight line. “You look very pretty, Angel.” I smile, bow
playfully while crossing my eyes and sticking out my tongue at him until he
finally smiles too.

“Angel?”
Decks repeats
as I approach him, “That’s really you?”

“Yes,”
I answer back softly, peering up from under my long lashes at him, and finding
a desirous look significantly different from the unadulterated lustful ones he
has given before. This one seems more appreciative instead of sexual.

“God
Angel, you look absolutely…perfect.” Hearing
that
word used to describe
me sends a repulsive shiver through my entire body and goose bumps quickly
surface along my flesh. I fight the urge to snarl at him demanding that he take
it back immediately. Along with some divine involvement, I bite back my rage,
calm down enough to place a tender kiss against his cheek and thank him for the
compliment.

“Are
we ready?” I ask, wanting to divert the conversation away from me and focus on
getting this date over with.

A
lopsided grin slips across Decks face. “I am one lucky son of a bitch.” Realizing
that I am his date for the evening, his tone comes across as momentarily
surprised. He couldn’t sound more condescending and in awe at the same time if
he tried.

Wise
slaps Decks on the back while in a fatherly tone, he orders, “Bring her back
home in the same condition she’s leaving.” Decks chuckles and nods his head
confidently as he guides me toward a white stretch limousine waiting in the
circular driveway. Once inside the car Decks takes my hand into his and leans
in slightly.

“I
regret what I promised you before,” he states, staring deeply into my eyes.

“Oh,”
I smile playfully, knowing exactly what promise he’s referring to. “And what is
that?”

“I
want to kiss you.” He places his other hand on my thigh, sliding it upward
slowly. “Hell, I want to skip this goddamn wedding altogether and get you out
of this dress.”

“No
sir,” Shaking my head, I smack his hand, “I think I’m definitely going to hold
you to your promise.”

He
removes his hand, but his eyes drop from mine to the tops of my boobs. I elbow
him to break the connection and he gives me a half-ass shrug. The leech is not
sorry for the looks, and I pray that I never find out what sex acts he is
conjuring in that wicked head of his.

“I
forgot to ask before, but where is the wedding being held?” I cross my legs, a
movement I really didn’t plan, but it successfully distracting him from ogling
my boobs.

“Huh?”
he stammers, “Oh…it’s at my Uncle’s house in The Hills.”

Fortunately
for me, Decks is still dragging his eyes slowly from the hem of my dress down
to my ankles so he doesn’t notice the giddy and shocked look completely
eclipsing my expression. I think I just orgasmed because I freaking hit the
jackpot on this date. After hearing that our destination is the one place that
I have been dreaming about going to since earning this case, I’ve decided that
I will at some point tonight allow Decks to grope my boobs. Yep, he has earned
that.
But nothing more.
Of course I will need a scalding
hot shower afterward, and as much as I despise the idea, I will definitely need
to burn the dress, but shit, it will be totally worth it.
Look out Nelson,
here I come
.

The
remainder of the drive is silent, which I am completely grateful for. It’s taking
everything I have in me to suppress the giggles, threatening to expose me for
the fraud that I am. From the looks of it, Decks doesn’t seem to mind the quiet
either since all he can do is stare while licking his lips repeatedly. He has
opened his mouth a few times, but no sound comes out. If his gawking wasn’t so
irritating, I might be flattered, but really how does he think this is
acceptable behavior. Luckily we pull up to the gate and he directs his
attention toward the guarded mansion.

“Sorry,
I didn’t prepare you better. I guess I’m so used to this life that I forget
about the shock factor and sometimes new people need a warning,” he suggests as
we wait in the ridiculously long line of stretch limos. Seeing my curiosity
pique, he explains, “My Uncle Nelson is a very powerful man. Today is his
step-daughter, Britny’s special day. Any questions that you may have can wait
for another time.” He didn’t really say it in a threatening tone, but I grasp
the meaning behind his order and simply nod my head.

Finally
we reach the ostentatious front staircase where Decks directs me toward the
lavishly decorated backyard. There are many faces I recognize, ranging from
politicians to celebrities, along with several I’ve never seen before. With the
amount of money and power that the Kennedy family has, it really isn’t
surprising seeing everyone who is anyone here for Nelson’s little girl’s
special day.

The
ornate pre-wedding celebration includes a small orchestra playing softly in the
background of hundreds of murmuring conversations, thousands of twinkling
lights and crates of Cristal champagne.
Decks accepts
two flutes of the bubbly from the bartend and presents one to me as we stroll
through Atlanta’s cream of the crop. Making our way along, he speaks with
several sports icons, introducing me to each of them as his girlfriend. I
chuckle a few times at his moxie while battling an overwhelming desire to
correct him…with my fist.

Naturally,
all the men eye fuck me while the look in the ladies eyes reveal that they would
love to tell me to fuck off. To me, none of them exist because they aren’t my
intended target this evening. It works well until we land on a thoroughly
disgusted and yet beautiful face framed by long blonde hair. If looks could
kill I would be on my death bed a hundred times over by Lourdes’ single
stabbing glare.

“Decks…”
she drones, raking her eyes over me.

He
flashes a smile at her, but it clearly isn’t sincere. “What’s up sis?”

“I
didn’t know you were bringing a date. The last time we spoke you were going to
find a hook up here.” She smirks at me, piling on the nastiness with a look
that says I don’t mean anything to him. I smile sweetly and that’s when
recognition fills her stone blue eyes, turning them completely black. “What the
fuck, Decks? Did you really think bringing that crackhead to this house would
be acceptable? You are a complete idiot.” Lourdes growls bitterly, her eyes
never leaving me.

“Hello
Lourdes,” I state, my voice all sugar, saccharine and honey filled, so sweet it
could make you sick for weeks. On the inside, I’m bouncing with excitement
knowing that speaking to her like this for the first time since our initial
meeting will piss her off royally. Just to up the dramatics I throw in a
dazzling smile while snaking my arm through Decks’.

Stepping
in close, her upper lip twitches, proving that she is barely holding onto her
self-control and then she snarls at me, “You may be dressed in the finest that
Decks’
money can buy, but you are still a worthless piece of shit underneath it all. Remember.
Your.
Place.” Yep, you guessed
it,
she punctuated the last three words. I feel an eye roll coming on.

Decks’
voice is a low growl. “
If
I had bought this sexy dress for her it would
be none of your concern. We are together now Lourdes so you’ll get over
whatever the hell –”

I
tug on Decks’ arm, stopping his torrent verbal abuse. “If you will allow me,” I
whisper to him before turning toward Lourdes.  
Because
I deserve this one
.
“I don’t really feel that an explanation is
necessary, Lourdes. However,” I smile naughtily looking back at Decks, “We’re
just starting this relationship and whether your sister likes it or not my one
and only place
is
at your side.” I flick my eyes back at Lourdes, “That
is something you will need to
remember
.”

Smiling
proudly, Decks draws me against his chest, lowers his face to mine and pierces
me with heated, proud brown eyes.

Hearing
Lourdes screech, I smirk and whisper to him, “Kiss me like you mean it.”

His
grin is spectacular, better than I could’ve ever scripted for a moment like
this, one second before he drops his mouth to mine. He kisses me with every bit
of passion that a playboy can muster. As bad as I hate it, I part my lips,
encouraging his assured recklessness. And boy does he take it. His tongue
sweeps in and finds mine, beginning a wild tango of movement that leads to
deviant public groping. After a minute of tolerating his unconstrained attack
and shift from refined man to utter scoundrel, I end it with a slow smile
between us. He steps away keeping his eyes locked on me while he slides his
hand down finding mine and interlacing our finger.

“I’ve
never meant anything more,” Decks states smugly.

Chapter
Twenty-Two

The
wedding begins promptly at seven with one of the largest wedding parties on
full display that I’ve ever witnessed. All twenty bridesmaids in their
bedazzled finery looked like bloody Barbie dolls and their counterpart
groomsmen could be Gucci models, decked out in their high-caliber trappings. My
heart leaps into my throat when the bridal march begins. A weird sensation
echoes along with a buzzing noise inside my head. I haven’t felt ill for
several weeks now so I don’t understand why my body suddenly wants to become
besties with gravity and make me horizontal. I casually reach for Decks’ arm
while spotting the bride in my peripheral being ushered down the walkway.
Although my head is spinning like one of those rubbery automated car wash
scrubbers and I really just want to close my eyes, I can’t resist taking a
peek.

All
of the oxygen in my body transforms instantly from gas to solid weighing heavy
in my chest as I glance up and spot Blues escorting the glowing bride down the
center aisle. Glimpsing down at the petite beauty every couple of strides with
a curl on his dark red lips, Blues is the proudest man alive. He doesn’t even
turn his head my direction, and a peculiar struggle within me commences to
dominate my feelings about it. In one corner, relief and happiness stand
strong, fist pounding and pumping their hands in the air rallying the crowd with
confidence toward their victory.

However,
in the other corner, disappointment and neglect climb to the top rung of the
fighting ring, flipping off the spectators, and getting them all riled up for
the showdown of the century. I’m not sure who will win this cataclysmic battle,
but knowing who I prefer, I’m putting all of my money on the former and adding
a silent prayer that I can avoid the hell out of Blues for the remainder of the
evening. Because I know damn well that if I make eye contact with my favorite
pair of sapphire tinted ones for a second victory will go to the other side and
that could result in a defeat for Team Sam.

Unfortunately,
fate feels the need to play referee in my internal battle. Upon handing over
the bride, Blues turns around and like a heat seeking projectile fired at my
soul his eyes shoot straight to mine. A whisper follows his broken arrow,
floating in the space between us like the words just left his lips with a
single destination, straight to my ears promising, “I will always find you.”
The look in his eyes is a longing that tugs at my soul, but the displeased
expression veiling his face is desperately imploring me away from Decks’ side.
My heart slams painfully against my ribcage and I struggle taking in air until
he finally takes his seat, severing our connection. I have an unprecedented
need to run just to see how fast and far my new stilettos can carry me. I’ve
never wanted to leave a single place more than I do this damn wedding.

Somehow
I manage to sit through the forty-five minute extravaganza the Kennedy’s call a
wedding. My disloyal eyes misbehave the entire time, peering over at Blues
almost every minute that passes. Luckily, Decks’ grazing his hand over my thigh
breaks through to my obscene thoughts on more than one occasion, freeing me
from a Blues induced haze. I’m grateful that the object of my desire hasn’t
glimpsed back at me after our initial staring contest. As bad as I hate to
admit it, I’m finding it almost unbearable just to remain seated for the
duration. With the ceremony winding down, I’m becoming antsy about the pending
reception. I don’t know if I have the fortitude to deny Blues anything if he
needs it.

What
in the hell is wrong with me? He’s just a guy. No, he’s a damn drug dealer and
I am an officer of the law. He is forbidden so get over this bullshit now.
Great internal pep talk Sam.
Pathetic
much?

Immediately
following my internal struggle, I’m rocked to my core as Gran’s powerful words
ripple through my brain, “
It’s undeniable, and no one will ever make you
feel it except for the one.”

“No,”
I whisper as the audience cheers for the newly married couple when they end
their first kiss as husband and wife.

“Hey
Angel,” Decks chuckles, “You’re not getting any crazy ideas in that pretty little
head of yours, are you?”

That
sobered me. “You can rest assured that I’ll never have
that
thought in
my head.” He smirks at me, so for clarification sake, whether for him or me, I
add, “Ever!”

Leaning
closely, Decks’ voice rumbles deeply when he counters, “Never say, never.” He
winks and turns toward the isle, extending his hand behind him expecting me to
take it. I grasp it grudgingly, hoping we can escape another vicious attack
from his sister and avoid Blues altogether. We get jostled apart once so Decks
slips his arm around my waist, securing his hold on me as we move along with
the crowd.

“Would
you mind showing me the powder room?”

“Great
idea,” Decks agrees motioning me toward the stairs. “I could use a break from
all of these people.”

Once
inside the palace-like home, I pray that I can convince Decks to take me home
early.
Ditching my responsibility for one night is completely acceptable,
I reason. As soon as that thought enters my mind it’s followed with a flood of guilt.
I can’t just run from my job simply because I might possibly be attracted to
Blues.

Washing
the foamy soap from my hands, I towel them off and stare at myself in the large
framed mirror standing upright beside the sink. Is it possible that just like
Lourdes, Blues didn’t really recognize me? Maybe he just glanced back, spotted
a beautiful woman and became curious. A sweeping awareness and happiness moves
through me with that assumption. For the first time since arriving, I convince
myself that Gran’s numinous story caused my silly overreaction and that I will
get through the remainder of the evening, forgetting all of that
ridiculousness.

Before
stepping out of the ladies room, I hear my phone vibrating inside my purse,
lying on the counter top. Checking the screen, I notice that it’s once again
the unfamiliar number. I decide to answer it and let whoever it is know that
they have the wrong number.

“Hello
–?”

“Sam?”
a deep male voice growls through the ear piece.

I
freeze, uncertain of whom I know that could have this phone number. Forcing my
self-control into action, I respond appropriately. “I’m sorry, you have the
wrong –”

“No
Sam, wait,” the man rushes, stopping me from ending the call. “We need to meet
tonight.”

“Who
–”

“Your
best friend’s brother,” he says cutting me off again.

“Dammit,”
I exhale loudly, wanting to string out a number of other obscenities at Russ
for scaring the shit out of me. “Why are you calling me?” I hiss keeping my
voice low.

“I
can’t say on the phone, but it’s important that you meet me at
her
house
in an hour.”

“Can’t.
I’m kind of in the middle of something. It would
have to be much later.”

“Wait,
aren’t you staying at your new
friend’s
house? Make up something and
meet me. This is an urgent matter that needs your attention before you get any
closer…to
him
.” Russ says cryptically.

Sorting
through which
him
he could be referring to, Blues, Decks or Nelson, I
sigh and tell him more than I really should considering that he isn’t coming
back in on the case.

“I’m
sorry, I really can’t right now. I am currently at a
high profile wedding,”
I lead, hoping that he knows Nelson’s step-daughter’s nuptials were planned for
today.

“Shit,”
he groans and I can tell by the echoing steps coming through the phone that
Russ is pacing nervously.
Yeah, he knows
. He finally resigns on sticking
with our policy of not revealing details over the phone and says, “Be careful
and get here as quickly as you can.”

I
delete his phone number from my call log and slip my phone back into my purse
before opening the door.
Decks leans
against the wall
across the way, arms folded over his chest and legs crossed at the ankle. His
body language reads casual, but the look in his eyes are conflicting entirely,
making me fearful that he could have overhead my conversation.

“Hi,”
I say sweetly, regaining my control once again while I stroll closer to him.

He
clutches his warm hands tightly around my upper arms before leaning down, his
face only inches away from mine. His dark brown eyes swirl with a blackness I
haven’t noticed before and his lips are stretched tight into a thin line. The
hold he has on me eases as he slides his hands downward, pulling me closer when
he reaches my elbows.

“Is
everything okay?” I ask, dropping my smile.

Decks
shakes his head and says, “Hell no.”

I
pull away slightly, hoping that he’ll sense my discomfort and release me, but
he doesn’t. He draws me closer still, pressing my chest against his and tipping
his head down with his mouth brushing against my cheek.

When
he speaks it’s through a deep growl. “I’m a mad man on the verge of doing very
bad things to you, unless you agree to dance with me.”