Page 83 of Kandie Shoppe

“I’m sorry you thought I was gallivanting around the county on a crusade instead of writing you,” I say when he lifts my head to kiss away my tears.

He kisses me, then kisses me deeper. I let him knowing there is no way we’ll be getting answers from Marlene tonight — if ever. I know she’s declining rapidly. All I know is I don’t want another moment wasted between us.

U must feel the same because the kisses become more urgent, the intensity making us eat at each other, nip, suck, and bite.

“I need you, U,” I say against his skin, pulling his flesh into my mouth. Pushing my county emblazoned joggers down, he lifts me to the counter, stepping between my spread legs. It doesn’t matter, I’m still mostly clothed. He rips the sweatshirt over my head, tossing it somewhere behind us.

“I’m here, wildcat. I’m not going anywhere.” He drops the towel, pulling me forward to meet him.

“Ohmygoodness,” I whimper when he presses into my flesh, splitting me open for him.

“I got you, beautiful. I will always have you.” Our foreheads press together, breaths mingle. Tears spill from my eyes, though not from pain but from the intensity of the moment. We come together in that moment in more than lust and the tug of war that has been whatever we have called this thing between us.

“Never again,” he grits out. “I’m never letting anyone keep you away from me again.”

I don’t say anything, just take his lips, savoring the moment between us. I push the uncertainty the truth brings aside and let him make love to me. Later, when he covers me again in his bed, I hold him as close as I can, hoping he means it.

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Ulysses

The heat is stifling. It’s like the old people say. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the devil walking down the street. Making matter worse, Kandie has been on edge since Nikki married Mathias and left immediately to go with him on the road to salvage his campaign.

She’s constantly texting her sister and doesn’t believe for one minute when she says she’s happy and, more importantly, that my cousin is treating her right.

This little musical event is sponsored by the Rosas.

The city volunteered to handle the safety of the event since he ensured that Lyric would be here before she started her world tour. The fact that such a superstar would perform a show on gratis shows how deeply she cares about either publicity or giving back. More likely she cares about FADE Carrington who in turn loves his wife, Delightful, another Love cousin on her mother’s side. The Carringtons are another prominent family, but have never inserted themselves in the shenanigans of theother families. They are reclusive and wealthy and gangster to their core.

“Sheriff.” Cool tones and a slow blink greet me when I enter The Camelia tent.

“Takeda,” I return with a nod.

“Kiyoshi,” comes the lightly chiding voice of his pretty little wife, Krie, as she brings over two covered plates and lemonade for Kandie and me putting everything in a sealed carrier for safekeeping.

“I only gave a greeting,” he says dryly, his gaze steady on me, saying everything but welcome.

“Umhm. Here you go, Ulysses,” she says sweetly to which he visibly stiffens.

“Thanks.” I smile down at her, taking the plates and the cup carrier. “Appreciate it.” I nod, not missing their conversation.

“What? He’s practically family.” She all but giggles.

“I see you need a correction,” comes the deadly reply.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, husband.” More giggles.

“We shall see, wife,” comes the low promise.

The humor that rides my smile quickly flips to a frown when I see Marcus Sommerland hanging around the kiddie pavilion. Kandie’s keeping an eye on Mateo while Mimi is doing free check-ups in a tent down the way. She uses events like this to see people who would otherwise fall through the cracks. Though she set up the Shelby-Love Medical Center more than two years ago, there are still people who do not come to get their health seen to. Some fear being reported and others just simply are working too hard on their small family farms, eking out a living.

Passing several of the stalls, I wave to various denizens of the town selling everything from jams to quilts. I see several of the families who we’ve reunited after they migrated to this area, making a go of it with handcrafted items and foodstuffs. Somepeople grunt about all the new people, but I know what they really mean — they are afraid of change. “Your daddy always believed in giving people a fair shake,” Mom told me when she revealed what my father had really got up to as sheriff. Shelby Sheriffs were always a tool of the family until he saw the dismal condition they endured as a kid growing up on the estate. Promises of doing better were soon discovered to be false. When Mom got pregnant with me, he chose the position as a temporary fix but soon discovered if he went into the family business, the people he wanted to help would have no choice but be at the mercy of the cartel and our family. His defiance got him cut from his inheritance. We managed on his living just fine, just as Mom and I did until Mathias released my portion after he dealt with his father.

Being handed that much wealth has allowed me to see the good I could do. I don’t care if none is left when I finally kick it. I’m determined to rectify the damage my family has done in the name of power and greed.

“Aright now, Sheriff.” Turning, I see LaShaun waving from one of the tents with sweets and her famous tea.

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