The Protectors
“None that I know of.” If she found his response strange, she didn’t ask him to elaborate. He appreciated that, because the topic of his family was one he preferred not to discuss.
* * *
IT HAPPENED AGAIN.
Randi sensed a high degree of pain and sadness within Quasar whenever he spoke of his family. She couldn’t help wondering why. He’d gotten quiet since diving into his bucket of oysters. All the members of her family were seafood lovers, and she’d seen them eat live oysters many times. But there was something about watching Quasar that spread intense sexual heat through her. She’d never thought that shucking oysters could be erotic until now.
She watched as he expertly used the oyster knife to open the oyster, and when he placed it to his lips and sucked the oyster into his mouth, she pressed her thighs together where she felt a deep throb between her legs.
“Something’s wrong?”
She blinked when he asked the question, and she knew she’d been caught staring. “No, nothing is wrong,” she said, turning her attention to her plate of crab cakes, fries and coleslaw. And because Uncle Marlon knew how much she liked his fried shrimp, he’d given her a huge side order.
“The oysters are good,” Quasar said, taking another sip of his beer.
“I told you Uncle Marlon serves only the best.”
“Do you like oysters?”
“I like all kinds of seafood. You can’t know Marlon Farentino and not do so. I ate my first piece of gator here. It wasn’t bad.”
“Here. Taste.”
Before Randi knew what he was doing, Quasar had scooped some oyster into a spoon to feed to her. Automatically her lips parted, and she sucked the oyster into her mouth, knowing he was watching her. She then took her tongue and licked around her lips. She couldn’t help noticing his gaze followed every movement of her tongue.
“Do you want to try some of my crab cakes?” she offered.
“No thanks, but you can feed me a fry.” When she reached for her fork, a crooked smile touched his lips. He said, “Use your fingers.”
His words sent her already throbbing center skyrocketing. The air between them was sizzling. And why did her mind pick that moment to remember how her bottom had felt plastered against him downstairs earlier? There was no mistaking his huge erection pressing against her.
Knowing he was waiting, she lifted what she thought was the longest fry between her fingers and leaned toward him, directing her hand to his mouth. It opened. She slid the fry inside and nearly moaned when his tongue came into contact with her fingers. It had been deliberate. She was sure of it, and it only made the sexual awareness between them that much more keen.
“Thanks,” he said, and that single word spoken in a deep, husky voice washed over her like warm honey.
She stared at him, breathless. Hot. Totally turned on. “You’re welcome.”
She nervously ran her tongue over her lips, tempted to lick the spot on her finger where his tongue had touched her, as well. Just looking into his eyes all but told her he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. But she knew neither of them was ready for that part of a relationship.
Deciding they needed to talk about anything that wouldn’t stir the intense attraction between them, she asked, “So, Quasar, what’s your favorite sports team?”
* * *
IT WAS CLOSE to eleven when Quasar walked Randi to her car. After sharing a meal at Marlon’s, he’d suggested they take in a movie. Convincing herself that the new James Bond movie was something she truly wanted to see, she’d agreed with his idea.
It had been a unique experience for her to sit in the theater, sharing popcorn with Quasar and pretending to watch the big screen, while her entire focus was on him. She had sat there remembering how he’d fed her a few of his oysters at Marlon’s and she’d done the same with him and her fries. And the more they’d done so, the more the air surrounding them became electrified to the point that temptation, the likes of which she’d never felt before, had rocked through her veins.
After the movie, they’d stopped at a café for coffee and shared a slice of lemon pound cake. Deep down she had a feeling he wasn’t ready for their day together to end any more than she was and was merely drawing out their time.
They hadn’t engaged in much conversation since getting off the trolley a few blocks back. Instead they walked to her car in intimate silence. Even now she could feel tremors spreading low in her belly with every step she took beside him.
He was holding her hand as they walked. He’d done the same while sitting beside her in the movies. There had been something about their fingers entwined that made every nerve ending in her body ripe with passion. The man was temptation, walking or sitting.
“Nice night,” he finally said.
She glanced around. “Yes, it is, isn’t it?”
Other people were walking about, taking advantage of the beauty of the night. Pools of light from the street lamps shone on various car tops, while the intense glow from a full moon illuminated their paths. The scent of some flowering plant floated in the air, and the low hum of insects invaded the night.
“This is my car,” she said, coming to a stop in front of the white Lexus two-seater.
He studied the car appreciatively, then smiled at her. “This looks like you.”
She chuckled. “Does it?”
“Yes. Sleek, stylish and seductive. I like it.”
Randi couldn’t help but smile, pleased he thought she was those things. “Thanks, and I’m glad you like my car.”
“I like you even more.”
A part of her wished she could dismiss his charm. “Do you?”
“Yes. And I enjoyed my time with you today, Randi.”
She decided to be honest. “I enjoyed my time with you today, too.”
He stared down at her with an intense expression, then reached out and touched her cheek, caressed it. “I want to see you again.”
She shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. It was either do that or be tempted to reach up and wrap her arms around his neck. “Why?” She needed him to tell her the reason.
“Because after spending time with you today, I’m not ready to let you drive away with the thought of not seeing you again. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you cast a spell on me.”
Her lips tightened. “I don’t have the ability to cast spells, Quasar. Nor do I predict lotto numbers or forecast the outcome of elections.”
Evidently something in her tone alerted him that she hadn’t found his statement amusing. He touched her arm. “Hey, I was just joking,” he said softly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
She drew in a deep breath and shook her head. “No, I’m the one who should apologize,” she said softly. “Your words reminded me of the ridicule I got when certain people, those I considered friends, found out about my psychic abilities. I heard the jokes about casting spells, sharing winning lotto numbers and forecasting elections. It made perfect sense to them that if I had these psychic abilities, I should be able to do all those things and more. If I couldn’t, that meant I was a fake.”
He was quiet for a moment and then said, “Again, I apologize for the thoughtless tease, Randi. I want to see you again. It has nothing to do with any spell. I find you desirable. More desirable than any woman I’ve known. So if you’re okay with it, I’d like to visit you next weekend.”
“You live in Charlottesville, and I live in Richmond.”
He nodded. “You’re talking about an hour’s drive. You would be worth it.”
“Would I?” She wished he wouldn’t stroke her cheek like that or look at her with those dark eyes that could spin her body into a mass of sexual need, something she wasn’t used to experiencing.
“Most definitely.”
Was she imagining it or had he shifted his stance, leaning in a bit closer to her? Needing to keep her sanity, she said, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you tell me earlier today that you didn’t do long-term relationships?”
He held her gaze. “Yes, I did say that.”
“In that case, why are you suggesting that we see each other again?”
He slowly dropped his hand and shoved both in the pockets of his jeans, like she’d done with hers. His gaze held hers, as if her absolute attention was totally and completely necessary. As if he’d given what he was about to say some serious thought. “The reason I want to see you again is that the thought of not doing so is something I can’t handle right now.”
He paused a moment and then continued, “Don’t ask me to explain, because I can’t make you understand when I don’t fully understand myself. All I know is that since that night we saw each other in Charlottesville, you’ve constantly been on my mind, even when I didn’t want you to be. I’ve thought about you more than any woman I’ve ever met. I know I’ve told you all this before, and I was hoping that today would...”
Quasar went quiet. His words had been drawing her in, and she didn’t intend for him to leave her hanging now. “Would what?”
He drew in a deep breath. “Purge you from my system. Help me see that what I thought was real was nothing but a fluke. That there was no way I could have met a woman who would make me consider something more than a toss between the sheets at night and a don’t-call-me, I’ll-call-you in the morning.”
Randi tried controlling the beat of her heart. She knew the stipulations regarding her and Quasar about earning the other’s love. Was this their first step in achieving those goals? What if the time was right for them to meet but not for them to do anything else, like move forward? What if the latter was supposed to take place at another time, or in another place? For the first time, she regretted not being able to know his inner thoughts.
She swallowed. “I told you why I’m not seriously involved with anyone.”
He nodded. “Yes, and I told you I don’t have a hang-up about your psychic abilities, and what I thought of the men who did. And as far as your work interfering, I understand, because I’m in a similar predicament. My work can take my anywhere at any time.”
Quasar took a step closer. “Can you look into my eyes, Randi, and tell me that we don’t need to explore what’s happening between us further? That you don’t agree that today wasn’t enough time?”
She knew there was no way she could do that. “But what if things don’t work out?” Especially if our timing is wrong.
“Then we will know.”
Will we? she wondered. Rushing into things now would be a mistake if this wasn’t the right time for them. She knew they were sexually attracted to each other, but they also had to earn each other’s love. What if they got caught up in the sex and didn’t focus on the love?
“When are you returning to Richmond?”
His question made her blink. She was finding it difficult to concentrate around him. “Excuse me?”
“Home? When will you return home?”
“Tomorrow. In the afternoon. After I attend church with my family, I’ll be driving back.”
“Do you have a problem with me coming to Richmond to see you next weekend?”
Her entire body reacted at the thought that she would see him again, and so soon. “No, I don’t have a problem with it.”
He smiled. “I’ll call you later in the week to get your address.”
At that moment, a couple passed them. The man had the woman curled into his side with his arm draped over her shoulders. The love Randi felt flowing between the two almost melted her insides. Funny how she was able to pick up the emotions of strangers, but she got a mental block where Quasar was concerned.
“It’s late. I’d better go,” she said quietly.
“Alright.”
He took a step closer to her, and when he began lowering his head toward hers, instead of taking a step back, she moved nearer. Bracing both hands on the roof of her car, he pinned her, caging her in his delicious strength and heat.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE MOMENT QUASAR slanted his mouth over Randi’s, she couldn’t hold back the moan. It was the kiss she’d been waiting for all day. A kiss that robbed her of her senses while it overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes, and whatever strength she had left drained from her body. It was a good thing his arms had moved from the roof of her car to her waist to support her. Otherwise, she would have sunk to her knees the moment his tongue entered her mouth and began mating with hers.
She’d wondered about his taste since that first night, and now, the way his tongue was thrusting in and out of her mouth, she knew how he tasted. He shifted, and his body pressed hard against her. She could feel him—aroused. His erection was poking her in the belly. She became consumed by the heat of him with every languorous stroke of his tongue. Desire began coiling deep inside her.
Randi wrapped her arms around his neck while thickened blood rushed through her veins. She knew for certain that she’d never been kissed like this before. Instinctively she eased up on tiptoes, determined to return the kiss with the same hunger. Her tongue became the aggressor as it battled for control, but he refused to give her any. Instead he was proving that when it came to kissing, he had the skill. The know-how. Definitely more experience, and he intended to make her understand that. She figured her whimpers were a sign she had no problem conceding.
The pressure of his mouth eased up somewhat as slow, deep strokes replaced the intense, hungry ones. But pleasure continued racking her body, and when he finally released her mouth, she slumped against him, feeling totally drained.
And he held her. Even leaned in and licked her bottom lip a few times while telling her how good she tasted. Quasar Patterson had practically devoured her mouth and she’d not only let him, but she’d tried devouring his, as well. Intoxicated by lust, she breathed in his scent, removing her arms from around his neck, knowing he was still holding her up.
She released a deep, satisfied sigh when he took a step back. She figured it was a good thing he’d done so. Otherwise they might have gone after each other’s mouths again.
“You can follow me back to my hotel if you like,” he invited in his sensual voice.
Randi shook her head. God knew she was tempted, but this was meant to be more than just sex between them. “Thanks for the offer, but I need to go.” Away from you and the way you make me feel.
“Okay.”
She heard the disappointment in his tone. “How far is your car from here? Do you need a ride to it?” she asked him.
“Naw. It’s just a few cars up from yours. Since it’s so late, if you give me a minute to get to it, I want to follow you to make sure you get home safely.”
Follow her? From the look in his eyes, she knew there was no need to tell him not to bother. Besides, the thought that he was concerned for her well-being moved him up a notch. “Alright, if you think you can keep up,” she teased.
“Hey, no speeding. The cops in DC don’t play.”
Randi couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t I know it.”
“Hmm, sounds like a person who’s gotten a ticket or two.”
“Or three,” she said, fishing the car fob from her purse.
Quasar grinned. “With this car, I can see how that’s possible.”
He stepped back to allow her the space to unlock her car door and slide inside before he shut the door for her. “Thanks,” she said, tugging the shoulder harness in place before buckling her seat belt.
“Anytime.”
Placing both hands on her steering wheel, she told herself not to look back up at him, just to turn the ignition, say goodbye and drive off. But she couldn’t. Nor could she stop herself from rolling her window down. “Thanks for a wonderful day, Quasar. I really enjoyed myself.”
He crouched down, bringing his face level with hers, just outside the window. Their mouths were in kissing range. “So did I. Drive carefully.”
“Okay.”
He leaned his head in the window and copped a quick kiss from her lips...just like she’d been hoping he would do. “And no speeding, Randi.”
She was tempted to stick her tongue out at him, but it was still tingling from the force of his kiss. Instead, in an authoritative voice meant to mimic his, she said, “And no speeding, Quasar.”
He threw his head back and laughed. She started the engine and saw him move away and sprint ahead. She couldn’t help but appreciate how agilely he moved in his jeans. When she saw him get into his car, she pulled away from the curb. As she passed his SUV, she watched in the rearview mirror and saw him pull behind her.
The drive to Zach and Anna’s home took about thirty minutes, and each time she glanced in the rearview mirror, Quasar was behind her, right on her tail, figuratively speaking. A comforting feeling filled her, knowing he was there.
When she drove into Zach and Anna’s driveway to park right behind Trey’s car, she turned off the ignition, unbuckled the seat belt and got out. He’d stopped at the end of the driveway and had rolled down the window. “I’ll sit here until you go inside.”
“Alright, and good night, Quasar.”
“Good night, and I’ll see you next weekend.”
She nodded and hurried up the walkway to the door.
* * *
QUASAR STAYED PUT until Randi had opened the door and gone inside. It was only then that he drove off. He’d gone half a block when he remembered the phone calls he’d gotten today. Twice. He had ignored both, not the least bit curious why his father had been trying to reach him. Didn’t matter. He’d had no intention of letting Louis intrude on his time with Randi.
Since the drive back to the hotel would take a good thirty minutes, and considering the time difference between DC and California, he thought he would return the old man’s call now. When he came to the first traffic light, he used the car’s hands-free system to dial his father.
“About time you returned my call.”
Quasar chuckled, deciding not to tell Louis blatantly that in all honesty, he was lucky to get this phone call. “And the reason you tried reaching me?”
“Doyle intends to announce his candidacy for mayor of Beverly Hills next weekend at the house. I want you here.”
You can hold your breath for that to happen, Quasar thought. That’s how it had been in the past, though. Louis gave an order and he obeyed. Even if he had to jump through hoops to do so. Even if it meant spending three years in jail. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m busy next weekend.” Already he was looking forward to visiting Randi in Richmond. “Besides, I’m surprised you’d want me there, being an ex-con and all.”
“You served your time. And I want to show family unity.”
“Family unity doesn’t really exist with the Pattersons. Count me out.”
“Look, Quasar, this is a serious matter,” Louis snapped.
“Like I care. I haven’t been back home in ten years and I have no reason to return now, so like I said, count me out.”
“It was your choice not to return to LA. We would have been glad to see you.”
Yeah, right. When he’d been released seven years ago, he’d taken Shep’s advice and joined Striker and Stonewall in Charlottesville. There was nothing for him to return to in LA. It was a decision he’d never regretted making.
“Tell that to somebody else, Louis. You haven’t seen me in ten years. Another ten won’t bother you.”
“It’s not like I haven’t tried keeping the lines of communication open. I do call to check on you and make sure you’re okay. It’s not like I haven’t tried getting you to come home. Hell, you wouldn’t even tell me where you moved after you got out of jail or even how to reach you, for that matter. I probably still wouldn’t know if I hadn’t hired that private investigator.”
Quasar drew in a deep breath, trying to keep his anger at bay. Yes, his father called from time to time, but usually it was with some BS. The old man always bragged about Doyle’s successes and highlighted what he saw as Quasar’s failures. The phone conversations were so draining mentally that Quasar regretted answering the calls.
And the old man was right. He hadn’t let him know his whereabouts after leaving prison. He hadn’t seen the need. Neither his father nor Doyle had visited him or communicated with him while he’d been locked up. Not even during the time he’d nearly lost his life in jail and had to be hospitalized. Other than his godmother, no member of his family had given a damn. That was the main reason he had wanted to put as much distance between them as he could once he became a free man. He’d wanted a new life, one without the stench of them in it. He was determined to make something of himself without their criticisms, and to come to terms with the fact that he had a father and brother who didn’t give a fuck about him. He’d been able to do that by getting a surrogate family. Shep was the father figure Louis could never be, and Striker and Stonewall were the brothers Doyle had never tried being. Quasar was satisfied with his life.
“Don’t you think it’s time for you and Doyle to call a truce?” his father asked.
Truce? Honestly, Quasar didn’t think he and his brother were at war. Doyle was probably the same ass he’d been all his life. And as far as Doyle marrying Lilly, well, they were welcome to each other. It hadn’t taken him long to realize she’d just wanted to be married to a Patterson.
“If it’s about him marrying Lilly,” his father continued, “then you need to get over it. They love each other.”
He doubted Doyle or Lilly truly knew what love was. They equated love to opportunities. “Glad to hear it. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to—”
“I need you to come home, Quasar. You should come home. Think about it.”
Quasar shook his head. He should come home? There was no reason why he should. Over the years, Louis had said the same thing a number of times, and Quasar knew it was a biting burr in his father’s ass that he wasn’t there under his thumb for him to manipulate and control. “There’s nothing to think about. I’ve made plans for next weekend and don’t intend to change them.”
He heard his father snort. “Why are you wasting your time working at that job? You’re my son. You should be working alongside Doyle to run Patterson Industries and—”
“And do what? Wait for him to stick his hand in the cookie jar again so I can go to jail to protect him? No thank you. I’ll pass. Three years of serving time for a crime I didn’t commit was three years too long. But I don’t expect you to understand that. Now, goodbye.” Not giving his father a chance to say anything when there was nothing that could be said, he clicked off the phone.
Plans were still on for him and Ryker to get together tomorrow. Then he would head back to Charlottesville by evening time. For now, he intended to put his father as well as his phone call, out of his mind. The only person he wanted to think about was Randi. He’d never been involved in a long-distance affair. In a way, long-distance equated to long-term, but would that be such a bad thing? At least he wouldn’t have to worry about her showing up unexpectedly at his place, and while he was on assignments, out of sight would mean out of mind. Then, whenever he felt the urge to spend time with her, mainly sleep with her, he could take the drive from Charlottesville to Richmond. He figured it wouldn’t be more than an hour on Interstate 64. Unless he decided to take the scenic route for a more relaxed drive. Either way, the destination was the same. Randi’s arms and her bed.
He licked his lips, thinking of the kiss they’d shared. He was convinced he could still taste her and hadn’t wanted their kiss to end. And the way she’d wrapped her arms around his neck, clung to him, plastered her body against his, had made blood pump through his veins like crazy, especially in his groin. Hell, he was still throbbing down there. Hard as a rock and causing an ache against his zipper.
The instant he’d inserted his tongue inside her mouth, he’d known heaven. Her taste had been delicious, and he had deepened the kiss on instinct to get more of it. His greedy-ass tongue had shifted from one side of her mouth to the other while exploring and tasting as much of her as he could. Desire for her must have practically taken over his senses since they’d done that standing in a public place. But at the time, he hadn’t given a damn. The only thing he’d wanted was her. A part of him had known she would turn down his offer to go to his hotel with him, but shit, you couldn’t blame a man for trying.