Surviving Valentine (11 page)

We walked for about 30 minutes, as we get a back to her house I got a feeling of foreboding. I walked in front of her and peaked through the windows, nobody inside. She hadn’t noticed me in Seal mode yet. So I played it off and let her unlock the door. She grabbed the handle to stick the key in and the door opened. She looked a little puzzled. “I could swear I locked the door before we left.” She looked at me, trying to confirm or deny. We locked her door before we left for the walk. Someone had been in here, and didn’t try to hide that they were. What the hell? I instantly thought about how Fox made himself known to me the other day. It kind of had his feel to this. But he wouldn’t have left any sign he was here. Unless he wanted me to know. I pushed that thought back. He had no reason to come after me for anything. I haven’t had anything to do with that fucker since he got dishonorably discharged of duty. It had to be someone else.

“Let me go inside first and check everything out. Please stay out here by Roxy.” I slowly opened the door. I check the all the rooms, all seems clear. Nothing looked out of place to me. I was very aware of my surroundings, my senses on alert. Why did someone obviously break, did nothing to hide it, and take nothing? All seems clear. “Ok, everything looks clear but come in and check all of your stuff to see if anything is missing.” She looked nervous going in the house, like someone was going to jump out and get her. 

After walking around she said nothing was missing. Roxy did walk around sniffing everything. We used dogs for missions all of the time. She knew there was someone in here too, a different smell.  Looks like whoever was creeping by the bushes has been upgraded to a threat on my list.  “Do you have any plans today?” Scarlet asked, taking me out of my thoughts. “I didn’t have anything planned, thought about going over to my parents again, You?” She shrugged “No, I was just going to hang out at home, clean up a bit.” I didn’t want her being alone at home until I found this fucker. “You should come with me to my parent’s house; you can bring Roxy if you want. I’m sure mom would love to see her.” I said hoping that bringing Roxy into it might make her join me.  “Sure, that sounds good.” She looked around; I guess she felt a little uncomfortable being her by herself. Good I didn’t want her here alone, plus more time to spend with her the better.  She needed to do a few things around the house, and I needed to call my mom before we left.  I head back over to my house to change into something a bit nicer, and phone my mom. She answers on the second ring. “Valentine residence.”   

“Hi mom.” I say,  She shrieked, my face scrunched up as I held the phone a bit further away. “My Baby, How are you?”  I chuckled to myself. “Great mom, so I was thinking about hanging out there today for a bit, is everyone home?”  I heard kids squealing in the background so I guess my sister is there. “Yes, everyone is here, we were thinking about doing a nice lunch. You should bring Scarlet over too. She was really nice.”  I’m glad my mom likes her. “Yeah I think I will, ok then I’m going to go but we will be over in a little bit.” I said. “Alright, we will see you in a bit. Oh wait before you hang up would you mind picking up some ice on the way dear?” She asks. “Yeah, we can do that.” We said our goodbyes and hung up.

I changed into a pair of jeans and a black long sleeve shirt. I took a look in the mirror. I looked a little scruffy , I haven’t shaved since I got in. Screw it; I’m not going to shave now. I put on a pair of boots, grabbed my stuff, and headed out the door. As I walk in to Scarlet’s house, she is typing on her laptop. Very into whatever it is she is looking at. Her lower lip pouts out a little and I’m tempting to go over there and bite it. Tempting. She glances up, and a smile grows on her face. The corner of my mouth goes up in response. “Everyone is at the house; we have to stop for ice on the way, whenever you are ready.” I told her. She closes her lap top and saunters over. “I’m ready.” She says. It’s been like only an hour since I kissed her and I felt like a magnet being pulled towards her. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into me. I skimmed my nose over hers, around her cheek, her jaw. She smelled delicious. I finally settled my lips over hers. Sweet kisses. She whimpered when I broke the kiss. She looked at me with such fever. “Let’s go before I take you back to bed and we end up not leaving the house at all.”  She nods. We lock up everything, and then double check that we have secured everything again.  Roxy follows us and we all quickly get into the Jeep. We talk about stories from out past. Her trips with her parents on their expeditions, my stories of being beating up by Sam when I was younger. Fun stuff. We stop off at a gas station on the way and grab the ice. I miss home a lot. It was kind of nice being able to drop in randomly. I take a little stroll down memory lane as we pull into my family’s house.

Chapter 15

Scarlet

Darien seemed to be staring off into space as we pulled into the driveway. I wonder if something is bothering him. I thought about the unlocked door earlier, I’m almost 98 percent sure I locked the door. But nothing even looked like it had been touched. Why would someone break in and not do anything. It gave me the creeps, it’s not like I had enemies or anything, and Frank was in jail. Plus knowing how crazy Frank is he would have just waited for me and done something right then and there. I shook myself out of that thought. There was no telling what he would do.

I looked over at Darien, and leaned over to brush some of his hair behind his ear and graze my fingers across the sharp line of his jaw. He looks at me, and shakes himself out of whatever thoughts he was having.  He turned his head slightly and kisses my hand that was cupping his jaw. Sigh, he is just too freaking cute. He nods towards the house. We all get out of the car and head towards the door. Roxy is really excited, we go for walks, and I take her to parks. But she doesn’t go over to people’s house often; most are scared just because she looks like a werewolf.  Mmm I love the smell of those roses. His parent’s house is so lovely, so homey. His mom opens the door before we even knock, she must have been peeking out of the window or something. “There you guys are, oh, and there is Roxy. I haven’t seen her in so long.” She knelt down and started petting the dog. If dogs could purr I think she would be doing it right now. “Come on in guys, drop the ice off in the sink please Darien, dear.” She cooed to us as she continued to pet the dog. Foxy Roxy was definitely going to get spoiled today.

Darien takes the ice into the kitchen, and I take a look around. Last time I didn’t really get a look at anything in detail. There were pictures lining the walls that were calling my name. A lot of pictures of the grandbabies. Alex and Riley when they were little bitty babies. Cute. Samantha and Darien playing in the backyard when they were little. Darien was even cute as hell back then. Although he looked like a trouble maker. Arms snaked around my waist, and a warm breath washed over my neck. I shuddered. I swear he could make me convulse just by being near me. “I was pretty cute huh?” He teased, I smiled. “I don’t see the cuteness, but I do see a trouble maker.” He chuckled, skimming his nose up the lines up my neck. I could have purred. God he affects me so much. “I was cute and pure innocence.” It was my turn to laugh; somehow I doubted he was a boy scout. His mother popped in, I guess she was done for now petting the fur baby. “Alright you two take it up stairs if you’re going to be attacking each other in the living room.” I blushed, how embarrassing for his mother to see us like this. I turn towards her trying to untangle myself from Darien’s grasp but he just wouldn’t let me go.  “Mrs. Valentine, was Darien a little trouble maker?” She was looking very happy seeing us together. It made me blush even more. “Please call me Olivia dear. And yes, he was a pain in the ass. Always getting in trouble with Ross, playing pranks on other kids,  and getting in fights.” She narrowed her eyes at him; guess she was remembering all the stuff he did. I looked up at him and raised my right eyebrow, waiting to hear him contradict it. He just rolled his eyes. “I plead the fifth.” He conceded. I giggled.  His mother just rolled her eyes, threw her hands in the air and walked off towards the door to the back yard. Darien kissed my head, and then grabbed my hand to follow his mother’s path.

Stepping out onto the porch I noticed they had a beautiful backyard. Very well put together. They had a little swing set that Riley and Alex were playing on. And a beautiful gazebo where Samantha and I am guessing his father sat. His sister waved us over. “Hey punk, hey Scarlet.” She grinned at us. We walked over and sat at the table in the gazebo. They looked so much like their father. He got up and hugged Darien, a nice big bear hug, and then came at me. “I’m Jenson Valentine, You must be Scarlet.” I nodded “Yes sir.” He pulled me into his bear hug; it was nice, but a bit hard to breathe for the moment I was in his arms.  “It’s nice to meet you; we were just talking about that old broad Tara’s house. Have you done anything with it yet son?” He asked Darien.

We took our seats around the table then Darien launched into a conversation about what all he has done to Aunt Tara’s house since he has been in it. Samantha leaned closer to me. “So, you and my brother huh? I thought you guys were just friends.” She bunny eared the best friend’s part. “Kinda.” I blushed. She nodded then winked. “Good, I think you guys complement each other well.” Well flew into conversation about work, and her kids while the guys talked the last football season, and things Darien did while away. It was very easy with his family.  Everyone laughed and messed with each other lovingly. Olivia brought out some sandwiches, fruit, chips, and drinks. This was nice. Darien’s cell phone started to ring during lunch. “Excuse me; it’ll be just a minute.” He stood and left for the house to take the call.  “So Scarlet, how is business going?” Jenson asked. “Really well. I have a class graduating this week.”  I said. “That is great; we do a lot of self defense training in the force as well. Good stuff.” I nodded and took a bite of my sandwich. This is one delicious sandwich. After finishing my bite I speak up. “Thank you for lunch and letting me hang out here with you guys.” They smiled at me, I felt warmth from it. “It is our pleasure dear; it’s nice to have finally met you. We heard a lot from Tara; finally we have a face with the name. It’s nice to see Darien so happy as well.” Olivia said. I blushed again. I wasn’t usually this easy to embarrass. I looked towards where he went into the house. I wondered what the phone call was about. I briefly thought about how all this will probably be coming to an end after he leaves for the Seals again, and I will be heartbroken. No more amazing sex, easy conversations, or lunch dates with these warm, loving, people. I sighed. Samantha reached her hand under the table and squeezed mine. I looked at her face; her eyes were relaying what I was thinking. She was comforting me. I squeezed back. Maybe she and I would become friends. I think I would like that. She was fun, didn’t take crap from no one. A lot like Candace.

Darien sat back next to me, startling me out of my thoughts. I looked at him; he showed no signs of bad news so that is good. He smirked. Stupid, cute, smirk. I just wanted to kiss it right off his face. “News from base son?” Jenson asked. Darien looked around at everyone. “Yes, actually that was Lieutenant commander Austin. He wants me to help out at the base this week training new seals.” Everyone nodded and said that was pretty cool. That was pretty cool; I hope he will still be able to go to the cabin this week. I was looking forward to it. “I am still going to the cabin this week with you guys.” he answered my thoughts. My inner self was doing a happy dance, pumping her hands in the air dancing around in a circle.  I winked at him. Everyone carried on conversations about his work, the kid’s school, Aunt Tara. It was a good day.

After spending a few more hours at the Valentine residence, we decided it was time to head home. I was getting kind of tired and kind of wanted to take a nice bubble bath. Hm that idea was sounding great. Roxy really enjoyed her day too, playing around in the yard with Darien’s niece and nephew. She got so much attention. She passed out in the back seat as soon as we got in the Jeep. “I have to go by the base for a quick briefing of my duties tomorrow, do you mind if I just drop you guys off?” he says.  “Yeah, that’s fine. I was just thinking how a bubble bath would be nice.” He coughed, and then cleared his throat. “A bubble bath huh? Sounds like fun. Is it ok if I stop by later once I get back?”  I glanced out the window and bit back a smile. I was enjoying this a little much. I wanted to be around him all the time. Geez I am in deep. “That would be nice.” Was all I said without giving away how happy I was that he wanted to spend more time with me.  We rode back to the house just comfortable listening to music.  He pulls into the driveway and he gives me a quick but oh so promising kiss. Great now my body is ready for sexy time and he has to leave. I huff a little. “Tease” I called him.

I opened the door; Roxy followed me out and towards the house. I waved to him as I unlocked the door. It was sweet of him to wait and make sure I was in safe, especially after the probable breaking and entering earlier. Weird no one took anything. It made me feel a little weird in my house. I’m glad I knew to defend myself like I do. It was still light out; I wanted to take a bath with all of my candles lit, so I will have to do something else for a while.  I feed Roxy, and made myself some tea. She passes out on the couch as soon as she was finished with her food. Poor dog, she really wore herself out. I think a good book sounds good. I walk over to my book shelf to my collection. What do I want to read? I just finished the Percy Jackson series. Great series, but I am not ready to read it again. Harry potter? I could always go for that but I think I am in the mood for something else. Obsidian? Perfect! I love this book! Hot aliens, lots of banter, building sexual tension, and can’t forget the alien fights! Yep, I mentally pat myself on the back for picking this one. I curl up on the couch with the dog and start reading about Katy Swartz and her hot neighbor. Sigh, I loved my book boyfriend Daemon Black.