Kyle's Return (20 page)

Opening up my bag, I pulled out my bikini and tried
my hardest to smile. “Thanks Gabby. I appreciate it. We’ve been
sleeping together in the same bed, but I think he spends more of
the night lying awake.”

Sadly, she nodded. “I know it sucks, but he’ll come
around. Now get changed and I’ll meet you by the pool in ten. I’ll
get our ice cream and we can head down to the beach.”

She shut the door behind her, leaving me to my
thoughts. I didn’t like what went through my mind
.

***

I KNEW I was hurting Megan, but I didn’t know
how to handle what I was feeling inside. I’d never loved or cared
about anyone other than my family. I never gave a shit about a
woman until her. When that fucker tried to run us off the road, all
I could think about was keeping her safe. It was then I realized my
feelings went deeper than I’d initially thought.

“Dude, are you going to help me or not?” Paxton
asked, snapping his fingers in front of my face.

We’d spent hours on the truck, getting it prepped to
paint again. It was late and Gabby had brought us dinner. Not once
had Megan come out to see me. I was fucking up and I didn’t know
what to do. “Sorry, brother. I have a lot of things on my
mind.”

“I see that. You’ve been staring at the door for the
past couple of hours. Want to talk about it? I could feel the
tension between you and Meg.” He sat down and opened a couple
beers, handing me one.

“Fuck, I don’t know. How did you handle this shit
when Rage was after Gabriella? The thought of someone going after
Megan to get to me makes me feel homicidal. I can’t shake it.”

He nodded, looking at me with haunted eyes. “Trust
me, I know. That’s why Rage didn’t live long enough to go after her
again. But the last thing you need to do is alienate Meg just
because you’re scared of her getting hurt. If there’s one thing you
haven’t learned about our women it’s that they’re tough as shit.
Megan knew what she was getting into being with you, just like
Gabby knew with me. She loves you, Andrews. Don’t be a fool.”

“I doubt that,” I grumbled, sucking down half of my
beer. “I told her the other night I loved her and she didn’t say a
goddamned thing back.”

He chuckled which pissed me off. “Probably because
she was shocked speechless. No one would ever believe something
like that would come out of your mouth. Gabby didn’t tell me you
dropped the L-bomb.”

“Yep, and she hasn’t spoken about it since.” I
finished off my beer and Paxton tossed me another one.

“Maybe if you stopped being an overprotective ass
she’d be more open to talk to you.” I glared at him and he
shrugged, taunting me with a smirk. “What? It’s the truth. I’ve
been there, so I know.” Instead of opening the beer, I got up and
started for the door. “Where ya goin?”

“To find Megan. Hopefully I haven’t fucked things
up.”

“Good luck. I’ll just be in here fixing
your
truck,” he hollered back, laughing.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m paying you extra, stop your
bitchin’.”

Instead of going around the side to the guest house,
I opened up the front door and waltzed inside. I figured Megan
would be with Gabriella, but that wasn’t the case. Gabby was alone,
watching TV in the living room. “Hey,” I said, announcing my
presence.

Sighing, she kept her eyes on the television and
waved. “Hey, yourself.”

“Where’s Megan?”

“Out for a walk. I offered to go with her but she
wanted to be alone.” She still wouldn’t look at me so I turned and
headed for the back door. “Kyle,” she called. I glanced at her over
my shoulder. This time she did look at me, her narrowed green gaze
warning me. “Please tell me Pax was able to talk some sense into
you. I’ve said all I can to Megan, basically telling her that all
you fighters are stubborn jackasses and to not take it
personally.”

I snorted. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

She shrugged and turned back to her show. “Don’t
mention it. Now go and find her.”

I headed out to the beach. There weren’t many people
out, so it didn’t take long to see her. She was standing by the
water’s edge, her hair blowing in the wind. What if I was too late?
Women used to put up with my bullshit without question, but Megan
was different.

One step at a time, I approached her slowly, waiting
for her to turn around. When she didn’t, I stood there like an
idiot not knowing what the fuck to say.

“Do you want to know what I thought when you said you
loved me?” she asked, keeping her eyes on the water.

Here we go. “I don’t know. Anger, disgust, revulsion?
Take your pick.”

She swirled around, crossing her arms. “Is that what
you think? Why the hell would I be here if that’s what I
thought?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. When you didn’t say
anything back I figured you were appalled at the thought of me
loving you.”

Uncrossing her arms, she stood there with pain in her
eyes. “Kyle, no,” she murmured, closing the distance. “I had never
felt happier in my life to hear those words. I’ve never had anyone
say them to me and mean them.”

“So what are you saying? Does this mean you’re not
mad at me for acting like an overbearing, idiot boyfriend?”

“No . . . for that shit, I’m still pissed.”
Chuckling, she jumped into my arms and I held her tight. “But I’ll
get over it if you promise not to ignore me anymore. I love you,
Kyle. I’ve wanted to tell you for days now.”

I kissed her hard, loving the feel of her body
against mine. I’d missed her touch and the way she smelled. Before,
I was addicted to the fight and nothing else. Now, I couldn’t get
enough of her. She was what I craved and she was mine to protect. I
may be a hated man and deserve to have my career taken away, but
nothing and no one was going to take her away from me.

A mischievous smile splayed across her face. “You
have a lot of making up to do. And you can start by taking me back
to the guest house.” Holding onto my neck with one hand, she
massaged my dick through my shorts with the other.

Groaning, I carried her as far up the beach as I
could before I couldn’t go any further. It was dark and there was
no one around. I wanted her pussy around my cock so fucking bad.
Dropping to my knees, I laid her down in a grassy patch, surrounded
by huge boulders.

“What are you doing?”

Spreading her legs, I pushed her underwear to the
side and freed my cock. “I’m going to fuck you, right here and now.
I can’t wait any longer. And then tonight when we’re in bed, I’ll
make love to you the way I should have this week.”

It was going to be a long, enjoyable night.

***

OUR TIME WITH Gabby and Pax ended up being epic
after Kyle and I made up. It was almost enough to help us forget
that someone wanted to kill us just a week ago. The key word being
almost.

Gabby hugged me tight. “I guess since you and dipshit
made up, I can allow him to come to the wedding,” she said,
winking.

I looked over at Kyle who had a huge grin on his
face, talking to Pax. “Thanks Gabby. The past couple of days have
been amazing. I appreciate you letting us stay here.”

“Anytime, my darling. I’m glad I was able to talk
some sense into your bonehead of a boyfriend.”

“Are you always going to call him names?”

She glanced over at him, pursing her lips. “Probably.
But I say them out of the utmost love for you.”

“I heard that,” Kyle called out. “And it’s okay.
Gabriella can call me any name she wants as long as she doesn’t try
to kick my ass.”

Smirking, Gabby lifted her chin and faced him. “If
you keep your head out of your behind, we’ll be fine. Now you two
be careful heading back to Vegas.”

I hugged her again. “We will. I’m going to stop and
see Cindy on the way back. I want to tell her how sorry I am about
not coming to Darryl’s funeral. I can’t believe I didn’t know about
it.”

“She’ll understand,” Gabby murmured.

I could only hope so. Kyle and I hopped into the
truck, waving at them as we pulled out of the driveway. Darryl’s
house was only fifteen minutes away and the entire time I tried and
failed to keep my thoughts from straying to his kind smile and
witty personality. He was an amazing man and my heart hurt just
knowing I’d never get to see or talk to him again.

“You okay?”

I swallowed hard and blinked away the tears. “Yeah,
I’m fine. Just thinking about Darryl.”

Kyle reached over and clasped his fingers through
mine. “His wife will understand. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

The rest of the ride went in silence. When we pulled
up to the house, Cindy was outside chasing a little puppy around
the yard. Her hair was still the same auburn with wisps of gray and
naturally wavy. She didn’t recognize Kyle’s truck, but when I
stepped out she rushed over to me, greeting me with a warm smile
and a hug.

“Well, look who it is. What brings you back to
California?” She acknowledged Kyle with a nod.

“We came to visit some friends and also so I could
see you. Cindy, I have to apologize right away.” I shook my head
and started crying. “I had no clue Darryl passed away until last
weekend.”

Her smile faltered. “I wondered if you’d show up, but
then I knew you probably didn’t want to come back here so soon
after . . .” she trailed off.

Kyle furrowed his brows at me and I shrugged. I had
no clue what she was talking about and before I could ask, she
continued.

“I wanted to call you, but I could barely breathe
after he died. Why don’t you two come in and visit for a minute?
I’ll wrap you up some cookies for your trip back.” She whistled for
the puppy and it came bouncing back to her.

“Chocolate chip?” I asked.

She chuckled. “Your favorite.”