Richard: Caveman Instinct --- Gypsy Curse Book 2 (12 page)

“I’m staying at Zeck’s parents place.” I didn’t say Richard because I knew Zeck and Ethan were friends and hoped that friendship might help the situation.

“That will be the safest place until the trials over. Zeck called and told me you were there and that they had a room waiting for me when I’m ready to be released in a day or so.” Crap, I didn’t want to think of that. I knew Ethan wouldn’t be happy if he found out where I slept last night. “I just love you, Bail.” Ethan was talking slower, and I could see his eyes drooping. I didn’t think he’d stay awake much longer.

“I love you, too. Thank you for worrying, but I’m eighteen now. Old enough to choose who I want to have a relationship with.”

“I know. I know,” he mumbled with his eyes barely open. “I just want you to be careful.”

Standing up, I leaned over him and kissed his forehead. “I will, I promise. How about you rest, and I’ll come check on you tomorrow. I need to go rescue Jessica. She’s there at the Silverman’s house, too.”

“Oh, no. Those poor people,” he muttered.

I laughed and stepped away from the bed. Jessica was a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think she even knew what the word shy meant. “Don’t be mean. Bye. See you tomorrow. I love you.”

“Love you, too,” I heard him whisper as I backed closer to the door.

I felt a million times better now that I’d seen my brother and knew he was going to be okay. I could now focus on other things—like what I’d done last night and my new relationship with Richard. First, I needed food.

*****

Richard

Security swarmed the hospital. I’d gone and gotten myself tested and paid a nice bonus for them to have it to me within forty-eight hours. Bailey had been acting funny all morning, and I was starting to worry she regretted last night. She had been a virgin, which even now was mind blowing, but damn if I wasn’t happy about it.

I’d left Bailey with her brother so she could have some one on one time with him, and so I could not only get my exam done but also get a gift for her. My mother had called several times wanting me to take Bailey to get a dress to wear to the wedding this afternoon.

Cole was now up with me and Rafe was down on the Gold Coast helping with my clubs. With the trial starting tomorrow, my brothers were at my parent’s house, so I had to trust my manager and Rafe to deal with my club drama. With the trial this week, I thought it best to shut the clubs down, especially since no one from my family would be there to monitor them.

“Are you shutting the club in town down this week, too? It hasn’t been getting hit as bad as your Gold Coast clubs,” Cole asked as we rode up in the elevator to the floor Ethan was on.

“Since I’m up here, I’ll keep it open. With all the family here, I’m sure they can keep Bailey company.”

The elevator doors opened, Cole exited and went left, and I followed behind him, Brenton at my rear. “Your mother seems keen to get a hold of Bailey. Her friend is handling your mother better than anyone I know.”

“Ha, from what I’ve learnt of Jessica, I expected no less. She’s a firecracker that one.” She wasn’t shy for sure. “And Mother is excited she will finally get a daughter.”

Cole shook his head. “You Silvermans are crazy. If I hadn’t known you for so damn long, I wouldn’t believe all this gypsy curse, gift, soul mate stuff.” We arrived at the room and before I could open the door, Cole swore, “You have got to be fucking joking me.”

I paused with my hand on the handle and looked at Cole who was looking at the room through the large window. My heart sped up as images of Bailey hurt or being held hostage ran through my mind. I turned the nob and rushed into the room, only to stop when all I saw was Ethan asleep in bed. Where the fuck was Bailey?

I turned to Cole, who ran his fingers through his hair and swore over and over before he got his phone out and dialled Andy putting him on speaker. “Andy, please tell me she hasn’t left the fucking hospital.”

“I’m not an idiot. I like my cushy job.” Brenton chuckled next to me, and I shot him a glare. “She’s currently sipping hot chocolate at the café on the second floor.”

I didn’t bother waiting for the elevator. I took the stairs, not even waiting for my security, and rushed to the café on the second floor. Bailey sat in the back corner, her head down looking at a magazine, a mug sat to one side and a muffin on the other.

Going straight to her, I sighed in relief that nothing had happened to her, gathered her up, and sat down sitting her across from me. She gave a squeak until she realized it was me. “Don’t ever wonder off again. If I leave you somewhere, I damn well wanna find you there,” I growled.

“Hey.” She whacked my chest. “You don’t get to tell me what I can do and where I can go.” She tried to get off me, but I wasn’t letting her go.

“Yes, I do. You’re mine.”

She narrowed her gaze and glared up at me. “I am not anyone’s. I belong to myself.”

Leaning down close to her ear. “You, Bailey, belong to me. You’re mine. And when I tell you to stay with your brother, especially when you were goddamn shot at yesterday and your brother was shot, you will stay where I bloody well put you, and not wonder off and have me thinking the worst.” I growled against her ear. I squeezed her closer to me and kissed her neck.

She let out a loud sigh. “I shouldn’t have left without calling you to tell you where I was. But I am not a dog. I will not stay when you tell me to.” She shoved me hard and slid off my lap and onto the seat next to me. Her arms crossed over her chest—and if looks could kill, ha, let’s just say I wouldn’t be alive.

Chuckling next to me had me snarling at Cole, whose chuckle turned into a laugh. “I like you more every time I see you, Bailey,” Cole said between breaths of laughing.

Bailey rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the slip of her lips into a smile.

*****

Bailey

I stared at myself in the dressing room of the expensive dress boutique. The clothes in this store were not my style. The dress I currently wore was a definite no. It clung to every part of me. I wasn’t complaining I was fat, but I knew I wasn’t skinny, and I wasn’t below a size twelve. I was okay with that, and I chose clothes I was comfortable with, but everything that had been chosen for me from this shop, clung and I wasn’t a fan of skin tight clothes.

“Can I see this one?” Richard asked from the waiting room chairs.

“Hell no. This is worse than the one before.”

The woman outside of the curtain tittered. “Mrs. Silverman was very specific with what she asked me to put you in.”

I groaned at the mention of Richard’s mother and the reason I was in the shop instead of just looking through my own clothes. I had told her I had dresses I could wear to the wedding this afternoon, but she insisted I go to this boutique and get something.

Taking one last look at the red and black number, I stripped out of it. As it pooled on the floor the curtain open and Richard eased in with a dark blue flowing dress. “Try this.” He placed it on a hook.

“Richard. Out.” I covered myself, but not quickly enough. Richard’s eyes lit up and a growl slipped from his lips. He came at me until I hit the back of the change room wall and caged me in. His lips crashed down on mine claiming me as his hard hands ran over my body. Hot damn, he felt good. My body came alive and heat started to rise at his touch. What the hell had the man done to me? He’d turned me into a sexual deviant. Before Richard, I’d never been that interested in sex or the touch of men. I’d even wondered If I was a lesbian. I guess that’s why I tried by making out with Jessica, but I got nothing from that, too. Richard though, any time the man touched me, my body not only came alive, it went up in flames.

His fingers slid into my panties, and I closed my eyes as he brushed over my pussy lips causing me to shiver in need. His mouth ravaged mine, and I couldn’t hold back any longer, my hands trailed up his chest and came around his neck anchoring to him. My leg came up giving him better access.

A finger sank into my core, and he ripped his mouth from mine. “Fuck, little Raven, you’re so wet.”

I moaned as he nibbled his way down my neck. Oh, he felt amazing. I opened my eyes on a gasp as he sucked on my neck sending a shot of pure need to my pussy. As the room came back into view, my fingers that were currently gripping his hair loosened and let go, and I tried to gain some control.

“Richard,” I panted. “We have to stop. We…oh.” He rubbed his rock hard erection at me. “In a change room. Please,” I moaned.

His finger was still inside of me. I blinked and gave my head a mental shake. Richard was darn lethal. I lost all sense around him. His head came to rest on the wall behind me. “You drive me crazy, my little Raven. You’re so beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks heat, and then I groaned that I blushed over him calling me beautiful but not almost having sex in change rooms. Argh, I really was going crazy.

His lips brushed against mine and slowly, he slid his finger out of me. I watched still, dazed as he brought his finger to his mouth, and sucked it clean. “Try that dress on. I promise it’ll be the last, and if you don’t like it, we can leave.”

I nodded, still unable to speak. Richard backed out of the change room, and I took a moment to gather myself. Since the day Richard kidnapped me, there had always been a crazy chemistry between us that over the weeks had seemed to heighten, but since last night, the lust and need I felt was now out of control. Right now, I didn’t know if I wanted this all to stop or to keep going.

Looking at the dress, I noticed this one was different from the others I’d tried. It was longer and had straps so I could wear a bra. Someone with my size breasts couldn’t go without a bra. I undid the zipper and slipped into this one easily. It sat perfectly and wasn’t so low that it showed too much cleavage. It didn’t cling, but still came in and gave me shape. It was a winner and I liked it.

“I’ll take this one,” I said with a raised voice so Richard would hear.

The curtain opened and Richard stood smiling at me. “Gorgeous.” He yanked me to him and his mouth claimed mine. His tongue tangled with mine, and he kissed me until I was again burning with a need for him. Slowly, he pulled away and slapped my arse.

“Hey.” I battered his hand from my butt.

He smirked, his blue eyes twinkling. “Get changed back into your other clothes. Let’s go before we get another call from my mother.”

“I should rescue Jessica from her.”

Richard laughed and let go of the curtain. “From what I’ve been hearing, it’s the other way round.”

Smiling, I took the dress off and changed back into my original clothes. Oh, if I know my best friend, she would be in heaven with the way Richard’s mother was. Jessica always joked she liked women who could take charge, and Gillian could certainly do that.

Bailey

The house, when we got back was busy with at least twice the number of people we had yesterday and triple the security. I went in search of Jessica as soon as we arrived back. I found her in the rose garden helping with flowers. She looked up smiling, stopped what she was doing, and came straight to me.

“Bailey, yay, you’re back.” She hugged me wrapping her arms tight around my waist and kissed my cheek before easing away. “Come on over and help. I’ve put Andrew, Mason and Ryder to work helping me.”

I smiled at Richard’s two brothers and cousin. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Andrew said.

“Hey,” Mason said with a cheeky grin and two dimples popped. Damn, I bet he broke hearts with that smile.

“It’s about time you two showed up. She’s,” Ryder pointed to Jessica,” a bloody worse slave driver than your goddamn mother,” Ryder snarled.

The grin that spread over my best friends face was pure evil. I knew that grin and it meant trouble. “Hey,” Jessica poked Ryder in the chest. “Gillian is amazing. She’s one of the reasons I love it here. I think I’m in love with her.”

Behind me, Richard choked, and I turned to see him looking at Jessica as if she’d lost her mind. Andrew and Mason were making gagging noises.

Jessica sighed, and I looked back at her. “No. I know I’m totally in love with Gillian. Who knew a woman in her fifties could do it for me.” All the guys, even Ryder, were now choking.

Here I was feeling terrible for leaving Jessica so long with basically strangers, and she wasn’t bothered because she was falling for Richard’s mother, Gillian. The choking was loud. I turned back to Richard, and he groan looking a little green.

“That’s so not cool, Jessica. That’s my mother,” he moaned. I covered my mouth to stop my giggle breaking out and looked back over at Jessica.

A dreamy look came over Jessica, and I fought really hard not to laugh. “Do you think your dad would share her, even just once?” she wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ve never been with a woman like Gillian. She’s amazing. I bet she’d be bossy in the bedroom too, mmm.”

I laughed so hard at the look of horror on Richard’s face, I had to hold my stomach.

“I’m going to have fucking nightmares, bro,” Andrew muttered.

“Yeah me, too,” Mason added. “This is all your fault, Richard. She’s,” he pointed to Jessica, “…your mate’s friend.”

I couldn’t stop my hysterical laughter. The guys faces were classic, they were all in pure shock horror.

“I’m all for lesbian loving,” Ryder added. His eyes were wide and he shivered. “But not when it involves my aunt. I think I’ll need therapy just to get the image out of my head.”

Speaking of the woman, Gillian came over and smiled my way. “Great. You’re back. You can help.” She turned and looked at her sons and Ryder. “What is going on here? Why has the work stopped?” She clapped her hand. “Get to it.” I was crying now from laughing so hard. “Oh, Bailey, honey. Are you okay?” Gillian asked and came over to pat my arm.

I opened my mouth, but when my gaze caught Jessica’s one staring at Gillian, I burst out laughing again.

“Gillian, she’s fine,” Jessica said and came over taking Gillian’s hand off me. “I was just telling them how I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“That’s so sweet, Jessica. You’re such a lovely girl.”

Oh. My. God. I had a stitch. My best friend was awesome. I wasn’t sure if she really did have a crush on Gillian or she was just having a little fun with the guys, but either way. I loved her.

“Thank you for your help, Jessica.” Gillian smiled at Jessica. “Bailey, leave Richard here to help. With Jessica in charge, I know it will get done.” I giggled, but nodded and went over to Richard’s mother. Jessica didn’t seem bothered about being left, so I didn’t see the harm going with Gillian. “You can come in the house, and I’ll introduce you to the bride, Jade. I have the hair and makeup here. We can get you done after Jade.”

“Have fun,” Jessica said after me.

*****

I was whisked away by Gillian to a lounge room upstairs with five women, Richard’s aunts, Jade, and two girls I didn’t recognize.

“Bailey, I’d like to introduce you to Jade, and these two girls are her friends. Cassie,” She pointed to the one with red hair and glasses, “is the one on the left and that is Jess.” The other girl was a blonde and very pretty. “Everyone, this is Bailey, she’s Richards.”

Now I’m not gonna lie—the giddy excitement in her voice, when she said I was Richard’s, was kinda scary. I swear, as I looked at Gillian, her eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas day, but I brushed it off and smiled at Jade and the other girls. I’d met Jade before briefly when she’d come with Stephan to the firm.

Jade stood from the chair where she was getting her hair done and came over to me. “It nice to meet you again. I remember meeting you briefly at your brother’s firm. I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. I feel terrible about you getting shot and that they attempted to kidnap you. I feel worse for your brother. I heard you went and saw him. Is he okay?”

I nodded. “Yes. He’ll get out in a couple of days and join us here.”

Jade let out a breath that feathered over my face, and her shoulders sagged. “I’m so glad he’s not seriously hurt. I have tried to get out of testifying, but everyone keeps telling me I shouldn’t give in.” Jade closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. “I didn’t want all this, though. I didn’t want people getting hurt because of me.” Evelin came up beside Jade and hugged her.

I felt bad for Jade and wondered if I would be as brave as she was in her situation, and I did think she was brave. I reached for Jade’s hands and held them in my own. “I think you’re doing the right thing. These people are bad, and if you don’t help, they will just hurt more people. You need to think of you testifying as saving and helping any future victims. I support what you’re doing one hundred percent.”

Jade squeezed my hands, and the smile that spread over her face was blinding. She was beautiful. “Thank you. I can already tell you and me are going to become close friends.” She winked. “I need someone else to help keep the Silverman men from driving me crazy and taking over everything with their caveman ways.” Jade didn’t wait for my answer as she dragged me over to the seats. “Come on over and wait in line to be beautified.”

I sat in the spare seat next to Cassie, who smiled. “Hi. How long have you been with Richard?” The redhead asked.

“Oh, well, I’m not sur—”

“Richard has been sweeping her off her feet for the last week or so,” Richard’s mother interrupted.

I opened and closed my mouth. I hadn’t known Gillian long, but what I did know was there was no point arguing. It was easier to go along with it. On a sigh, I nodded. “Yes, Richard has been getting to know me for over a week or so now. We’ve had breakfast dates, and he took me out for the day to show me the puppy he bought me.”

“He already got you a puppy?” Cassie asked. Jade laughed, and I looked to see grins on all the woman’s faces.

“Um, yeah, for my birthday.”

“I have a chocolate Labrador Fido. He’s with Stephan downstairs. I have missed him like crazy being in America, but Evelin brought him up and he’s here. Derick, Stephan’s brother, got Fido for me. He rubs it in Stephan’s face that he got me the best present ever, and besides knocking me up, Stephan won’t be able to top him in the present department and...” Jade giggled. “It bugs Stephan like you wouldn’t believe. So I guess Richard learned from Stephan and bought you the puppy before his brothers would have a chance.”

“More like my own brother. I’ve been begging him for years. We live in a smallish townhouse in Milton and there’s no backyard for a dog.”

Cassie patted my arm. “You’re with a Silverman. You won’t be living there again. I bet you a million dollars he’ll have you moved in and living with him before you even realize it.”

“Yep, Cassie’s so right.” Jade giggled.

I stared at the redhead Cassie, who rested her hand on mine. I didn’t think she had a Silverman man, but I could be wrong. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do you date a Silverman, too?”

Her hand left mine and she waved hers in front of me. “No. And before Jade, I would have said I wish, but since Jade and seeing what possessive cavemen they are, I say hell no, and thank God I don’t have a Silverman for a man.” She grinned over at the Silverman mums. “No offence, but I like my men less, er, possessive, controlling, and stalkerish.”

Evelin smiled at Cassie and Carol chuckled, but Gillian gave a delicate huff, stood and came over to me. “Take no notice of them, Bailey. Cassandra was only teasing, weren’t you?” The stern look she sent Cassie’s way had her swallowing dramatically and nodding.

“Um, yeah, Silverman men are all great,” Cassie muttered.

The room went quiet for a while after that, but what Cassie said stuck, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.    

*****

Richard

My cousin Stephan stood at the makeshift altar beaming. His twin, Derick, stood next to him holding the leash of Jade’s dog Fido, and then their older brother, Dustan. The local priest stood at the front, and I knew my mother had done her magic to get the old man to come here. I also bet the Silverman’s had made a very nice contribution to his church.

The backyard had been turned into the perfect venue for a wedding. There was an arch covered in yellow and peach roses. The aisle with chairs on both sides had huge arrangements of white lilies and yellow and peach roses. The chairs were white with yellow ribbons. I couldn’t believe how much I’d learned about wedding flowers in the last couple of hours. My mother was right. Jessica was a slave driver and got everything done in time for the wedding. 

Bailey sat next me looking beyond beautiful in the dress we picked earlier today. Her hair was up in an elaborate curling style with a couple of curls falling on the sides of her face. She had a light coating of make-up that emphasized her big green eyes and a shine to her pink lips.

Music came on,
Only You’re The One
by Lifehouse played, and I smiled as I listened to the lyrics. It was perfect, not that I expected any less when my mother organized an event.

Cassie walked down the aisle in a peach bridesmaid dress with silver shoes. Her bouquet was the same I’d been handling today, peach and yellow roses with white lilies. She slowly walked down the aisle and came to stand at the front opposite Stephan.

Jess came down the aisle next in the same bridesmaids dress, shoes, and bouquet of flowers, coming to stand next to Cassie.

Jade appeared at the end in a white gown of silk and lace. Her dress was one of those princess puffy out at the base ones and strapless. She looked stunning, like a princess. I didn’t need to look back at my cousin to know how happy he was at how beautiful Jade looked. Lucas, Stephan’s father, held her arm and walked her down the aisle.

Stephan couldn’t even wait until she reached him at the end of the aisle. He came down to meet her and took her from his father and they walked back to the altar together.

The music turned off and the priest welcomed everyone. Both Stephan and Jade looked so happy. They beamed at each other and love shone brightly from both their gazes. Their vows were said loud and clear. There was no doubt they meant them and there was no hesitation in either of their voices. The kiss as husband and wife was one filled with passion, trust, happiness, and love.

The whole family cheered and they still didn’t break apart. Dustan laughed and patted Stephan’s back. “Plenty of time for that later, brother. Let’s celebrate.”

Jade’s cheeks were flushed, but the happiness shone from her face as Stephan nodded, and they walked down the aisle. Derick handed the dog lead to Brand, one of Stephan’s security. Then Jess and Derick walked with their arms linked, following Jade and Stephan, but Cassie was having none of Dustan and walked down by herself until Dustan caught her, gathered her to him, and growled something into her ears then practically dragged her after the others. Ha, it looked like mates were popping up everywhere.

Standing, I hooked my arm around Bailey, and we followed my family into the huge tent extension that connected onto the now empty playroom, which looked to be a dance floor.

The same flower theme was at the reception, with peach and yellow rose petals on the tables and an extravagant flower centrepiece. The name cards on the tables were cream with silver writing. There weren’t many tables. Only four or five including the bridal. Almost three of the tables were full with family and one held Stephan and Jade’s friends.

“This place looks amazing. Your mother and aunts outdid themselves,” Bailey said as we made our way to our seats.

I pulled her chair out and she sat and I tucked it back in. “Yeah, she and my aunts did an amazing job organizing this on such short notice. From what I’ve heard it’s exactly what Jade and Stephan wanted anyway.”

I sat next to Bailey and looked at the table we sat at. My family surrounded me with Andrew to my left, then my mother and father, and to my right sat Bailey, Zeck, and Mason. Our table had seven, another held Stephan’s parent’s, my uncle Carl, a woman who looked just like the bridesmaid Jess, and Cassie’s parent’s and twin brother Scott. Another table held all their friends and was a table of eight. The last table held my Uncle Duncan and Aunt Carol, Ryder, Tyson, Oakley, and I was surprised to see Jessica sat with my cousins.