To Trap A Temptress (Southern Sanctuary - Book 2) (15 page)

Chapter
Fifteen

“So
let’s go over the rules for this evening one last time.”

Nell
rolled her eyes and huffed out an exasperated breath before dutifully launching
into the recital Drum wanted to hear.  “Stick close to your side,
preferably within a five foot radius or less.  If for some reason I stray
outside that radius I am to ensure that I remain within your line of sight. 
I am not to leave the upper deck. I am not to go off alone with anyone… no
matter how well I know them without consulting you first.  If I see or
hear anything suspicious I report it to you immediately.”  She dropped the
monotone and sent him a questioning look.  “So we’ve basically ruled out
having any fun this evening?”

He
squeezed her hand as they started down the dock headed for the large luxury
cruiser which was to be the venue for tonight’s final party.  The shindig
sounded like it was in full swing, music and the babble of conversation
drifting loud across the water.  The late afternoon sun hung low in the
sky.  Drum had deliberately timed their arrival so that they had no sooner
stepped on board when the captain gave the word for the crew to cast off. 
Sunset was less than forty minutes away.

Drum
his hand resting on the small of Nell’s back urged her up the stern stairs to
the upper deck leaning over to whisper for her ears only.  “I promise…
after tonight’s party, once I’ve crushed, killed and destroyed whoever it is
who’s been trying to hurt you… there will definitely be some fun in your
future… lots and lots... of fun.”

Nell
shot him a frown over her shoulder. He was such a tease getting her hot and
bothered like that.  Lustful thoughts completely dissipating the panic
attack that had threatened to engulf her the moment she’d stepped on
board.  Sneaky He-man, sweet, but really sneaky. 

Thanks
to him she arrived on the upper deck with a smile on her face, her body no longer
wire edge taut as if she expected to be attacked as soon as she appeared. 
Taking a deep breath of sea air she forced her shoulders to relax even
further.  She had Drum watching over her and this was a party after
all.  She needed to act natural and trust in her warrior.  The throb
of engines vibrated up through her feet as the cruiser left the dock heading
for the open sea. 

Nell
surveyed the crowd.  “Can you see Julie and Grant?” 

“Over
there.”  Drum jerked his head in the direction of the bow.  Falling
into step behind Nell he fought the urge to smile as her scent teased his
nostrils; vanilla, gardenias and cassias.  Man he loved that scent. 
“I’ve told you how gorgeous you look tonight right?”

The
word gorgeous wasn’t descriptive enough, how the hell did a man who killed
things for a living find the words to do her justice?  There was something
about the wrap around red dress that was at once elegant and flirty.  It
was typically Nell… understated sexy, with its saucy split that showcased her
toned legs when she walked whilst the silky fabric moulded to her body, hinting
at lithe curves without revealing.  She’d asked his opinion earlier on
what shoes to wear with the outfit…. him?  As if he had any idea, but he’d
dutifully pointed to the gold wedge sandals.  They made her legs look
extra-long, complimented her recently acquired light golden tan and show cased
her pink tipped toenails. 

Wary
of having the red dress step too far into the va-va-voom category the good Doc
had slicked her hair back into an intricate knot at the base of her neck. 
The sleek hairdo showcased her beautiful face, captivating blue eyes and
enticing delicate neck.  Just looking at her made his fingers itch to undo
her honey brown hair and pull down her dress so that everyone here could see
her… his tattoo on her flesh.  He wanted the world to know this woman
carried his brand.  Damn if Nell didn’t bring out his basest
instincts.  He was all but reduced to grunting and growling around her.

“Hey
you two.”  Julie looked up as Nell and Drum approached.  “Don’t you
look spiffy.”

Nell
could say the same for her good friend, dressed in a bronze shift dress and
diamanté flats Julie practically glowed with impending motherhood and good
health.  Grant beside his wife, his nose peeling from too much sun was
moving a little slower in navy trousers and a light blue shirt.  Leaning
forward he kissed Nell’s cheek, his whole face visibly etched with pain.

“Are
you okay?” 

“He’s
fine.”  Julie leaned in for a kiss as well.  “Just overdid it at the
gym this morning.  I suspect a number of men here are suffering with the
same malady.  What is it with men and competition?”  Julie good
naturedly rolled her eyes.

“There
was a competition?”  Drum, oblivious, leaned over to peck Julie on the
cheek when she offered it his way as naturally as you please, any friend of
Nell’s was a friend of Julie’s. 

“Nah.” 
Grant held out his hand to greet Drum.  “Just riding a wave of
self-improvement.  Got to strike when the motivation hits.”

Drum
was pretty sure he was missing something but since his instincts weren’t
sending out any alarm bells he didn’t bother to follow up for an
explanation.  Grabbing a glass of champagne for Nell and a bottle of beer
for himself from a passing waiter he handed over her glass before slipping his
free arm around her waist.  Revelling in the way her lithe form fit so
well against his own.

“Well
I was going to ask what you two have been up to for the past twenty-four hours
but I’m guessing you found a better way to occupy yourselves than a quiz night
and a game of volleyball.”  There was genuine pleasure in Julie’s eyes as
she surveyed them standing so close together.

“Well
it is supposed to be a holiday as much as a reunion.”  Nell couldn’t stop
the colour from blooming in her cheeks, sending her friend a hard mock glare to
cease the teasing and knowing looks.   

Drum
leaned over and kissed Nell lightly on the lips.  “Just making sure the
Doc is getting her money’s worth.”

Grant
coughed and spluttered into his beer, Julie laughed loudly whilst Nell chuffed
out an exasperated sigh as he sent her an innocent look. 

“What?
 I was referring to the luxury accommodation.” 

Nell
elbowed him hard in the side. “Behave.”

Leaning
over he whispered low in that shiver inducing bass for her ears only. 
“Make me.”

Swallowing
hard the wave of desire that coursed through her Nell turned her attention back
to her friends, finding them studying her and Drum with wide eyed
fascination.  What, they’d never seen her flirt with a man before? 
“Something wrong?” 

Julie
beamed a huge approving smile her way.  “Couldn’t be better.”

Nell
turned her attention to Grant who swiftly shook his head.  “No I’m
good.”  He scratched self-consciously at his sunburnt nose.  The wind
picking up his next words, bringing them to Nell’s ears though she was pretty
sure Grant only intended his wife to hear them.  “I’m thinking I should
wear more black.”

Nell
had to give her best friend credit as she met her husband’s gaze with serious
eyes before sweeping a quick look Drum’s way.  He-man was wearing the
black trousers he wore the night he’d first arrived at the reunion, but this
time he’d discarded the matching waistcoat and just wore the black silk shirt shot
through with the barest hint of silver.  He looked like an old time
gunslinger; every man in the vicinity would fear and respect him, every woman
would want him.

Julie
patted her husband’s arm in reassurance.  “You know blue is my favourite
colour on you Sweetie.  Hey could you grab me another orange juice I think
I just saw one go by on a tray.”  Whilst Grant went off in search of the
drink Julie turned her attention back to Nell and Drum.  Her hand coming
up to cover a small giggle of amusement.  “Sorry… but if I don’t get my
husband away from Drum soon I think he may end up hurting himself.”

Nell
joined in the laughter whilst Drum just frowned in confusion.  “What am I
missing?”

“Nothing.” 
Julie assured him with a large smile.  “Don’t worry about Grant, his
bro-envy will settle down soon.”

Drum
was still lost but since Nell was enjoying herself and didn’t seem worried he
let the topic move on to how Julie was feeling about presenting tonight’s faux
awards which would bring the evening’s entertainment to a conclusion. 
Whilst the women chatted Drum scoped out the crowd, looking for any one acting
suspiciously.   Unfortunately all he saw was a group of people intent
upon enjoying the combination of free drinks and the coming sunset. 

Turning
his attention out to the water he was surprised to note the location.  The
cruiser was headed towards Diamond Sands Cove.  Ah yes, hadn’t someone
mentioned that the boat moored whilst dinner was being served.  Was it
happenstance or something more that they were headed back to the location of
the first attempt against Nell?  He didn’t believe in coincidences.
 
His instincts were clamouring.
 
His snake tattoo frozen on his skin but
sending out alarm vibes.  Nell moved next to him restlessly as his grip
around her waist reflexively tightened.  All he could do was keep a close
eye on her and never let her leave his sight.  The thought had barely
blipped through his brain when she looked up at him. 

“I
need to visit the ladies room.  I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll
escort you there.”  He tried to keep his tone casual.

“No,
I’m going too.”  Julie slid her arm through the crook of Nell’s arm. 
“I have the bladder the size of a peanut these days.  You boys stay out
here and chat.”

Drum
watched them go, his gut tightening, he really didn’t like it when the Doc
walked away from him.

“So…” 
He turned finding Grant beside him eyeing him with quiet speculation. 
Great no doubt he was in for an inquisition regarding his intentions towards
Nell.  “Do you think I could pull off wearing nail polish?”

*                     
*         
            *

“Wow!” 
Julie’s eyes were lit with enthusiasm as they made their way across the deck
towards the stairs and the main cabin and facilities below.  “The way that
man looks at you…. H.O.T!  If I wasn’t so much in love with my husband I
would be insanely jealous right at this moment but instead I’m just so happy
for you.”  She gave Nell’s arm a warm squeeze. 

“You
don’t think he’s a little… out of my league? He’s so… so.”  Nell waved a
hand up in the air silently referencing all Drum’s physical attributes, luckily
her best friend understood without her having to say the words out loud.

“He’s
all that and a stick of butter Sweetie but you’re more than a match for
him.  Just watching you two together makes me want to grab Grant and head
to the nearest bed, beach ball belly be damned.”  Julie laughed and rubbed
her tummy affectionately even as she said the words.  “There’s just
something about new love you know… it’s completely contagious.”

Nell
almost stumbled… love?  They reached the door to the ladies room, joining
the small line outside, Nell letting Julie go first, her pregnant friend’s
needs more urgent.  By the time Nell made it into one of the three
cubicles available she was just grateful to have somewhere to sit for a minute
or two. 

Love…
she was in love with Drum.  Why was this such a surprise to her?  She
couldn’t imagine her life without the big lug now and for Goddess sake the man
had branded her with a tattoo.  Why was hearing that she was in love with
Drum such a shock?

“God
have you ever seen a finer male specimen in your life?”  An unfamiliar
female voice echoed Nell’s thoughts.

“You
don’t think he’s a little scary?”  Came a second voice.  The
conversation drifting clearly through the thin wooden door from the basin area
of the ladies room. 

“Only
in the best way possible.  There’s something dangerous about the man and
that just makes him more enticing.”

“I
don’t know.”  The second voice was distinctly wary.  “I dropped my
purse next to him to get his attention and when he handed it back to me.” 
There was a small pause.  “It was like he was assessing all the ways he
could dismember me.”

Nell
had to swallow a bark of laughter, that so sounded like how someone who didn’t
know Drum might interpret his bottomless black gaze.  But not her, from
the first moment she’d laid eyes on him she’d been able to read him like a
book.  Knew that he could be trusted, would protect her… understood that
he was a white knight in wolf’s clothing.  Just as he’d seen through her
sham goody two shoes image that she projected as a means of protection. 
Being sweet and obliging allowed her to keep everyone at arms’ length,
convincing herself that no one understood the real her or her value… until Drum.

“Hmmm.” 
The first woman murmured a low throaty sound.  “I wonder what he’d look
like in black leather.”

“Oh
Elise… let’s get back, the others will be wondering where we are.”

Nell
waited a few beats before emerging to find Julie likewise coming out of her cubicle,
uncontained merriment lighting both their faces.  Staring at her own
reflection for a moment in the mirror above the wash basin Nell recognised what
she saw… a woman in love.  She was in love with Drum, had been from
practically the moment she’d met him.  Between one breath and the next…
she was in love.  It had taken Julie to recognise her condition and put it
into words.  Now all she had to do was say the words out loud to Drum…
yeah no pressure there.