Brooke, Leah - Crescendo [The Leah Brooke Collection] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Julianna rubbed her arms, suddenly ice cold. She knew she’d acted recklessly, but hadn’t even considered the danger to her and everyone else. Her only concern had been in getting away, getting back home to lick her wounds in private.

  Feeling like a heel, she sighed. “I’m sorry to have worried you. I don’t usually do things like that, and I certainly won’t be driving anymore tonight. Please just give me my keys and let go of me so I can get inside.” Hoping to catch him off guard, Julianna shoved hard against the chest of the man holding her and would have fallen if not for his quick reflexes.

  “No.” Even though he kept his voice low, it held an icy layer of steel that sent a shiver up her spine. He moved fast and too gracefully for his size, bending and lifting her into his arms as easily as he would a child, surprising a cry from her.

  Jesus, she sounded like a helpless, little girl.

  When struggling proved futile, she opened her mouth to scream, but Steve put a hand over her mouth to silence it. Alarmed, she swung at him.

  Steve caught her fist in one of his big hands with an ease that infuriated her, and, adding insult to injury, he leaned close, his lips brushing her ear.

  “Settle down, wildcat. Your knees and hands are hurt, and you’re clearly too upset to be left alone. We’ll take you inside and make sure you’re all right. Don’t scream.” Removing his hand, he ran a finger down her cheek. “We’re not going to hurt you.” He retrieved her shoes and, after brushing the dirt from her feet, grimaced and shook his head, mumbling something under his breath as he walked away with her shoes instead of putting them on her as she’d expected.

  She’d never felt so small and vulnerable in a man’s arms before. Hell, she could count on one hand the number of times she’d even been in a man’s arms. After the night she’d had, it left her even more shaken, and she wanted nothing more than to be alone.

  “Please put me down. I’m fine.”

  She shoved at him, ready to take off running when he dropped her.

  He merely tightened his hold, gathering her closer against his chest, his voice lashing out like a whip. “Stop it.”

  He bent over her, protectively keeping the rain from her face, his eyes flashing with impatience. “You can either allow us to take you inside and make sure you’re okay, or we’ll bundle you into the limo and take you to the hospital. Your choice.”

  Julianna clenched her chattering teeth and decided to try to reason with him. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m not hurt, well, just my hands and knees. I’ll take care of them as soon as I shower. Please put me down. I’m fine. I just want to go home.”

  Without a word, the man holding her turned and started for the limo.

  Alarmed, she grabbed his shoulders. “No! I’m not going to the damned hospital for skinned knees. I just want to get inside my apartment.”

  He paused, his brow going up. “You’ve been given two options. Pick one. Now.”

  She looked aside at Steve, to find him also watching her impatiently. Neither said a word, just waited her out.

  At their steely stares, she sighed. Surely, anyone wanting to hurt her would have done so by now. It appeared that the only way she could get rid of them was to let them take her to her apartment. If she screamed there, there would be more people around to hear her anyway. “Fine, take me to my apartment, but then you have to leave.”

  The man carrying her started toward the building, calling out over his shoulder, “Mike, we’ll be awhile.”

  Julianna tried one last time. “Listen, I really don’t think—”

  His steps never faltered. “We’re not leaving an injured and clearly upset woman alone in a parking lot at three in the morning. Now, which apartment?”

  Resigned, Julianna gave him her apartment number, trying not to wince as he carried her over the uneven ground.

  It felt more than a little strange to be carried in one man’s arms while her bottom still burned from the spanking of another.

  Well, she couldn’t exactly call it a spanking. He’d hit her ass once, and she’d clobbered him. Her bottom hurt worse from falling on it when she’d left his house.

  Holding herself stiffly, she put as much space between them as his hold allowed, not wanting to get his suit dirty, while at the same time fighting the urge to curl into his warmth.

  Their pristine appearance just made her feel even dirtier and more self-conscious.

  Their suits looked tailor-made, while her clothing had come from a thrift store. She’d been so excited to find the curve-molding dress, but what had seemed perfect for her plans for the evening now felt cheap and tawdry. Her imitation leather shoes that had looked hot and sexy hours ago now had scuff marks all over them, along with a broken heel, and would have to be trashed. The blood and grit on her knees just added to her bedraggled appearance.

  What makeup she’d worn had long since disappeared, except for the mascara she knew had run and smeared all over her face. Embarrassed at her less than stellar appearance alongside these two immaculately and expensively dressed men, she got even angrier and wondered why she even cared what they thought. “My knees are bleeding. You’re going to get blood on your suit if you don’t put me down.”

  The man holding her shrugged as if it didn’t matter and stepped into the elevator. “I’m Nick. You already know this is Steve. What’s your name?”

  “Julianna, Julianna Lovette. Look, this really isn’t necessary. I’m in the building now. Just give me my keys, and I’ll be fine.”

  Steve pursed his lips. “Julianna Lovette?” A look she didn’t understand passed between them before Steve’s features softened, amusement glittering in his eyes. “Julianna. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

  Reluctantly amused, something she considered strange under the circumstances, she looked up into his chiseled features, just now noticing the scar high on his cheekbone. “Does that line ever work for you?”

  Nick chuckled, the sound of it rumbling against her ear as he stepped into the elevator. “Amazingly, yes. It does.”

  With a start, she realized she’d slumped against his chest. Stiffening, she pulled away again and immediately missed his warmth.

  Nick didn’t even appear to be winded and carried her from the elevator and down the hallway to her apartment with apparent ease. “Steve, this is rare. It looks like we met a woman who doesn’t fall for one of your lines.” He smiled down at her, his teeth gleaming against his olive skin. “Smart girl.”

  In this light, she got a better look at both of them. Nick’s dark good looks could have come from the cover of one of those romance novels her sister devoured like candy. His hair had also been cut short, the silver at the sides doing nothing to detract from his devilishly good looks.

  She shivered, instinctively knowing the danger this man could pose to her peace of mind, and turned away. Her gaze slid to Steve, stunned at the jolt of power from his dark blue eyes.

  Steve smiled tenderly, his eyes sharpening again as he looked down at her. Lighter haired and blue-eyed, his granite-like features relaxed as he gave her a playful smile. “I guess I’ll have to find another way to get through to her.”

  Julianna smiled sadly. “Don’t bother. It’s not worth it.”

  Immediately regretting her words, she ignored their speculative looks, cursing inwardly.

  Steve turned away to unlock her door, pushing it open to allow Nick to pass.

  Seeing her chance, she grabbed her purse from him, holding it in front of her. “I can manage from here. Thank you.” Gripping her purse tighter, she winced at the sting in her palms.

  Steve’s smile disappeared, making him look even more dangerous. “Let us be the judge of that. You haven’t exactly shown good judgment tonight.”

  You have no idea.

  Irritated at being spoken to as a child, Julianna tried to bite back the temper that flared again. She pushed against Nick’s chest, surprised and annoyed that he didn’t take the hint and release her.

  “
It’s really none of your concern. Thanks for the help. Now get out.”

  Nick laid her gently on the sofa, a firm hand on her thigh effectively stopping her when she started to rise. Lifting her dirty and bloody foot, he frowned down at it, running a finger lightly down her arch.

  Stunned at the alarming jolt of heat that travelled up her leg, she jerked her foot away and tried to sit up, but Steve pressed her shoulders back and started to rub them.

  “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  Their warm hands on her skin sent currents of electricity through her, startling her so much that she froze.

  She couldn’t handle this tonight. Taking a shuddering breath, she crossed her arms across her chest to hide the fact that her nipples pebbled, poking at the front of her dress.

  “No. Please go.” She tore her gaze away, unable to meet his searching look any longer.

  “No.” Nick took her other foot between his large hands and turned it slightly, inspecting the scrapes she hadn’t even noticed until now. “Where’s your first aid kit?”

  Julianna couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight of her size ten foot, which somehow looked much smaller cradled in Nick’s hand.

  Fate sure as hell had a sense of humor. A choked laugh came out as a sob, which she hurriedly swallowed, and she yanked her foot away from him, sitting up to pull away from Steve.

  “I’m going to take a shower. That’ll clean everything off. Please just go.” Using her elbows to avoid getting blood or dirt on her secondhand sofa, she swallowed the lump in her throat as she fought her way to a sitting position, wincing at the pain in her bottom. How the hell getting hit there was supposed to turn her on, she had no idea. All it had gotten her was a sore ass.

  Steve knelt at her feet, scowling as he examined her knees. “That’s a good idea. We can dress these when you’ve finished.”

  Lifting her chin, she crossed her arms over her chest. “No. I can do it myself. I want both of you to leave.”

  Steve stood and helped her to her feet, frowning at her involuntary wince. “We’re not leaving you like this. Either you can go take a shower on your own and then let us dress your injuries, or we can strip you and bathe you ourselves.” Lifting a brow, he smiled playfully, but the look in his eyes told her he meant it. “Your choice, sweetheart.”

  Her body ached. She’d had a horrible night and wanted nothing more than to be alone at her own pity party. Crossing her arms over her chest again, she rubbed her chilled arms. “Your choices are no choices at all. Get out before I call the police.”

  Nick raised a brow and lowered himself to her sofa, settling back as though he planned to make himself right at home. “Good idea. If I had to guess, I’d say you’ve been assaulted tonight. Steve, go ahead and call the police. We’ll wait for them to get here.”

  Steve started forward, his cell phone already in his hand. “Good idea.”

  “No!” Julianna slapped a hand on Steve’s chest, wincing at the burn in her scraped hand even as she marveled at the hard muscle she’d encountered.

  Steve came to a halt only inches away, his brow going up.

  Jerking her hand away, she took several steps backward, trying to get her breathing under control. Shifting restlessly under their expectant stares, she wrapped her arms around herself again, wondering if this night would ever end. “I wasn’t assaulted. I’m fine. I don’t need the police. What I need is for both of you to leave.”

  Neither spoke. A look passed between them she couldn’t decipher. Finally, Steve turned back to her, gripping her chin and bending his head until their eyes met.

  His cold eyes narrowed, the threat in them unmistakable. “You’d better not be lying to me. You’re shivering. Go take your shower.” He turned, removed his jacket, and took a seat at the other end of the sofa, bending to untie his dress shoes. Toeing them off, he looked up. “Need help?”

  Julianna glanced over when Nick stood and started removing his own suit jacket and tie. Resigned to the fact that neither one of them looked like they would be going anywhere soon, she sighed, looking from one to the other as they watched her expectantly.

  Nick draped his jacket over a nearby chair and turned, an arrogant brow going up. “If you don’t move, I’m bathing you myself. Last chance.”

  Snapping her mouth closed, she spun and took off down the small hallway.

  The sooner she finished, the sooner they could leave.

  She realized with no small amount of surprise that they’d distracted her, pushing the sense of failure and embarrassment aside. Now that she was alone, it all came crashing back with a vengeance.

  After locking the door, she stripped off her clothes, grimacing at her reflection. Her mascara had indeed run, making her look like a raccoon, and it had smeared, stretching to her hairline on both sides, and left black streaks down her cheeks. Her hair fell tangled and limp around her face. She pushed it back, a sob escaping when a piece of grass fell into the sink.

  If this was a bad dream, she could only hope she’d wake up soon.

  She turned, having to step way back before she could see the cheeks of her bottom in the mirror, wincing as she ran a hand over the fading imprints.

  Not a dream.

  Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

  Another sob broke free, and the tears she’d been holding back began to fall, leaving more streaks on her cheeks.

  Her desire to experience losing herself in a man’s arms, to feel feminine and vulnerable, had come to a grinding halt. Screaming “Fuck you” and her safe word was not how she’d envisioned her evening ending.

  Swiping at her tears, she straightened and drew a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Fuck it. Who needed it anyway?

  She turned and stepped into the shower, letting it wash away the tears that now flowed freely.

  Apparently she did, damn it.

  * * * *

  Nick waited for the shower to start before turning to Steve, his mind racing in directions he didn’t even want to contemplate. One look from Julianna’s sad blue eyes had been like a kick to the gut, warming something inside him that had been comfortably frozen solid for such a long time he never even thought about it anymore.

  The ugly suspicion of what might have happened to her filled him with a rage he hadn’t experienced in years.

  Looking over at his best friend and partner, he deliberately unclenched his jaw. “Isn’t Julianna Lovette the name of one of the decorators who put in a bid?”

  Steve tossed his tie over his suit jacket draped across the back of a nearby chair. “Yes. I passed her over. She has a small business that she just recently started. Lovette’s Designs. Before that she worked for Avante’s. She has glowing references, but they’re all from small jobs.”

  Looking back toward the hallway, Nick did his best not to imagine Julianna standing naked beneath the shower. “Isn’t Avante’s one of the firms we’re considering?”

  Steve nodded, glancing down the hallway for about the fifth time since the shower had started. “Yes, one of three. They have a great reputation, but I haven’t finished looking into them yet. I have Monica working on it. You know I don’t know shit about decorators.”

  Reluctantly amused, Nick kept his expression bland. “You’re my partner, right?”

  “You got me in a weak moment.”

  Now Nick let his amusement show. “You have no weak moments.” Sobering, he stared down the hall, having no trouble imagining soap bubbles running down Julianna’s body. “Find out everything you can about her.” Running a hand over the back of his neck, he met Steve’s thoughtful scowl. “But you were going to do that anyway.” Annoyed with himself, he glanced impatiently back down the hallway, wondering if he should go check on her.

  He’d give her a few minutes.

  Steve leaned back, drumming his fingers over his thigh in a rare show of agitation. He kept glancing down the hallway, looking more than a little preoccupied. “What do you think happened to her tonight?”

  U
nbuttoning the top few buttons of his dress shirt, Nick stood, irritated by his own restlessness.

  “You see the signs as well as I do. I hope we’re wrong. Something upset her. Badly. She’s injured more than she let on. She winced when I lifted her and again when I laid her on the sofa. I’m going to find out more once she’s had a shower and a chance to calm down. I hope like hell we didn’t make a mistake in not taking her to the hospital and letting her shower.”

  He stood, rolling up his shirt cuffs. He might as well get comfortable as it appeared he and Steve would be here awhile.

  Only minutes earlier, he’d been bored, tired, and anxious to get back to the hotel. Now, he found himself enraged, intrigued, amazingly alert, and unwilling to leave.

  He hadn’t been intrigued by a woman in such a long time he’d almost forgotten what it felt like.

  He hadn’t realized how much he missed the chase until now. Clenching his jaw, he fought his body’s automatic and somewhat alarming response to a bedraggled woman with mile-high legs and no apparent common sense whatsoever.

  Hell, he needed a drink.

  “I wonder if she has anything to drink around here.” Figuring the kitchen as the most likely place to find something, he headed that way.

  Steve followed him, unusually quiet.

  Nick opened cupboards until he found what he was looking for, just as Steve found the glasses. “She has cognac. Get three glasses. I’m sure she could use one, too.”

  A demanding knock at the front door startled both of them into looking up from their tasks. Nick met Steve’s scowl and started toward the living room, glancing down the hall as he passed it. Relieved to hear the shower still running, he reached for the doorknob just as a frantic male voice sounded from the other side.

  “Julianna, damn it. I know you’re in there. Open the door. Right now.”

  At the anxious voice coming from the other side of the door, Nick turned to Steve, who’d followed and now stood stiffly next to him. “It looks like we may get some of our answers.”