Just a Love Story Page 23

  Avery laughed. “Ha! Don’t be embarrassed. Believe you me, I have made some of my fantasies come to life with my handsome husband. What I’m saying is that people have the wrong idea about writers. Most of the romance authors I know are regular folks. They’re bright, they have to be to pen stories the way we do. Some of them are young, but many are well up in age, writing from a lifetime of observation and experience.” She took a packet of Sweet-n-Low and added it to her coffee. “One very successful writer I know is in her eighties, she’s published hundreds of books and has been interviewed on national news. She’s like the godmother of sexy romance. I don’t know her story, but she holds her head up high. Her grown children support her and she’s well-liked in her community.”

  “Well…my community is different,” Shae explained. “I’ve heard the Austin area is more laid-back and accepting. They’re used to artists of all kinds. I think the only other authors in my area write the history of the county or local ghost stories. Nothing…controversial.”

  “Since when is love controversial?” Presley asked as the waiter brought their food.

  They were silent a moment until everyone’s plate was set in front of them. Derek added a dash of pepper to his eggs. “I still think they were jealous.”

  “Jealous?” Shae asked, perplexed and amused. “Of me?”

  “Yea.” Derek buttered a biscuit. “They just wished they could have something close to the experiences you wrote about.” He let his gaze caress her face, realizing what they shared could rival those love stories she dreamed up. “The folks in Longleaf just didn’t know how to process someone like you.”

  Presley swirled her fork in the salsa covered eggs. “I just wonder if they would assume an author who wrote murder mysteries was a killer. Or if you wrote vampire stories, would they think you had secret fangs?”

  Shae brushed her bangs from her eyes. “Well, I wrote what I fantasized about. My reality was pretty boring and lackluster.” Before Derek. “Maybe the murder mystery writer has a secret hit list and he works out his frustrations on paper. And the woman who writes vampire stories probably grew up wishing she could meet a tall, dark, and handsome guy in a cape who likes to nibble on girl’s necks.”

  “For a novel to be good, it has to come from inside the author. I’ve read your books,” Avery said, looking seriously at Shae. “You poured so much of yourself into the writing. If you’re like me, every insecurity, and every mountain a character has to climb is a reflection of something I’ve faced. Isaac says he reads my books to know what I’m thinking sometimes.”

  Shae nodded. “True. Of course, I take a kernel of truth and just run with it. Unfortunately, my life could provide only so many personal experiences, I’m pretty average.”

  “I take issue with that statement,” Derek muttered. “You are a woman of rare beauty and rare talent.”

  Shae’s eyes widened while Presley and Avery let out soft catcalls. She couldn’t believe he’d voiced those words – about her! “Oh, my goodness. Thank you.”

  Avery beamed at her. “I agree with Derek, I knew the real you before today. I met this amazing woman in the pages of your books, and I can’t wait to be your friend. In fact, I have a proposition for you. How would you like to coauthor a book with me?”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “Coauthor a book, huh? That will be interesting.” Derek adjusted the rearview mirror as he changed lanes. They’d been on the road for four hours, heading back to East Texas and Shae was still giddy with excitement after meeting Avery and Presley.

  “I can’t wait to get started. Avery’s going to send me some information on her plot ideas. I’m excited, but I’m also intimidated. Writing with her is going to be wild!”

  Derek could see she was nervous. “You’ll do great. I haven’t read her stuff, but I’ve read yours. You paint pictures with your stories. When I read them, I can see the movie in my head.”

  “Why, thank you. What a compliment.” She felt honored.

  “You’re welcome.” He slowed down as he drove under the overpass, making the last leg of the journey. “Thanks for going with me.”

  “Oh, I enjoyed every moment, even the spooky ones.” She laughed, remembering the experience they’d had together. Seeing the readout on the clock, she swallowed and gathered her courage. “If you want to go home, I’ll understand, but you’re welcome to spend the night. It’s getting pretty late.”

  Derek didn’t need much persuading. “Going to my uncle’s old, lonely house or staying with you.” At a stop sign, he lifted both hands in the air, like he was balancing scales. “Not a contest. I’d rather stay with you. Always.”

  His answer pleased Shae to no end. “Good. I’ll fix us some grilled cheese before we go to bed.” They’d been full from breakfast, so their lunch before getting on the road had been very light.

  “Sounds perfect.” Derek couldn’t help but smile. He was happy. Things were looking up with his custody case, Zane had someone watching over June, and a woman he desired beyond measure would be welcoming him into her bed. “How was your grandmother when you checked with her earlier?”

  “Oh, she was doing good. I’ll go see her tomorrow. I just hope Mojo isn’t too mad at me. Even though I didn’t know we’d be staying away this long, I left him plenty of food and water.”

  “He’ll be so glad to see you, he won’t even remember being upset.”

  “True.” She clasped her hands together. “I need to tell you something.”

  “What?” Derek was immediately concerned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong, that’s what I wanted to tell you.” She placed a hand on his arm. “You’ve made everything right. Before you came, I was totally lost.” When she felt the muscle beneath her palm tighten, she hastened to clarify her comment. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not picking out china patterns. I know what we have is temporary. I just wanted you to know that you were there when I needed you. You’ve renewed my confidence in myself. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

  Derek felt humbled. “You don’t have to repay me. Everything I did, I wanted to do. Don’t you think I’ve enjoyed you?”

  Shae heard the past tense in his words. “I’m glad.” The renovation work was progressing quickly and she dreaded the day he would finish.

  They were quiet for the last few miles, each lost in their own thoughts. When they made the last turn near Shae’s house, an unusual sight met their eyes and it took a moment or two for them to realize what they were seeing.

  “Oh, no! Hurry! Mojo!” Shae’s heart was in her throat when she saw the flames.

  Derek gripped the wheel tighter as he swung into her drive, coming to a quick stop. “It’s not the house, Shae.” No, it wasn’t the house. “It’s something…oh, hell.” He couldn’t believe his eyes.

  “A cross,” she said the word with disbelief. “Someone is burning a cross in my yard.”

  “Go.” Derek helped her around the truck, their eyes on the ten or twelve-foot structure ablaze before them. “Go inside. I’ll deal with this.”

  While he pulled the water hose around to douse the fire, Shae entered her house and went to her knees to take the small dog in her arms. He was trembling. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?” she asked, holding him close. “Everything’s fine. I’m here.” After calming the animal, she checked his food and water, then glanced around the house to make sure nothing else was amiss. Seeing everything looked normal, she returned to the kitchen to watch out the window as Derek finished spraying water on the wooden timbers. When he was through, he rolled up the hose and came in, taking Shae into his arms.

  “I’m sorry, baby. There are some crazy bastards out there.”

  “Why would they do that?” She didn’t need to ask, she knew why. Shae closed her eyes as she buried her face in his chest. “They hate me. They hate me so much.”

  Derek stroked Shae’s hair, cradling her close to him. “Don’t worry about it, they’re not worth it.”

&
nbsp; The sound of a siren cut through the silence.

  “What’s that?” Shae asked, pushing from his embrace.

  “I called the cops.”

  “Oh, Derek. There’s no use. They won’t help me.”

  He let out a harsh breath. “Maybe not, but we need to get this on the record. They’ve gone too far this time.” The cross had been one thing, but when he saw what was written on the front of her house, that had been the last straw. “You stay in here. I’ll deal with this. I’ll come get you if they need to talk to you.” She’d need to know later, but he’d really rather Shae not see the words DIE SLUT scrawled in red paint across the door and wall of the small porch.

  As Derek went outside to talk to the police, Shae hung back in the darkness and wondered how she would carry on. To pass the time, she took her computer to the couch in the living room and curled up on a cushion to answer emails and deal with her business. There were several messages that made her smile, one was from Jo Powers telling her when she would be available to meet for lunch. She quickly replied, setting up an appointment for the weekend after next.

  A noise on the front porch drew her attention and she raised her head to listen. She could hear Derek talking to the local police chief and see beams from their flashlights shining through the curtains.

  “Something has to be done. This is going too far.”

  “I agree, Mr. Alden. I heard about the altercation over in Hempfield. Ms. St. John should have come forward and filed a complaint at that time.”

  “Do you understand why she hasn’t?”

  “Yes, sir. My hands are tied if she doesn’t file a formal complaint.”

  “What about this? We don’t know where to place the blame.”

  “I understand. We’ll get some photos of this vandalism. Don’t touch anything until we can get back out here in the morning and look for clues. I’ll make sure someone is here at first light. I know Ms. St. John wouldn’t want anyone seeing this crap all over the wall.”

  “Crap? What?” Shae couldn’t stand not knowing what was going on. She rose from the couch and went to the front and flipped on the porch light.

  “Shae, you don’t need to…” Derek tried to stop her, but she was out the door before he knew it.

  “Oh, no!” To her horror, red letters as tall as Derek were splashed across the wall. It took her a second to focus on what it said, and when she did, Shae swayed. “Why?”

  Derek caught her to him, oblivious to the stares of the men who looked on. “They’re idiots.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Go back in. I’ve got this.”

  “Hold on.” The police chief held up his hand. “Just give me a minute to ask a couple of questions.”

  Derek wanted to say no, but Shae moved back to face the man she’d known for years. “Hello, Jerry. How are you?”

  Jerry Wall nodded and cleared his throat. “Fair to middling, I guess. Sorry about all of this.”

  Shae could see the guilt on his face. She hadn’t gone to her old friend for help when she needed it, mainly because he hadn’t been there when she needed him. “Are you?” Usually, Shae wouldn’t be confrontational, it wasn’t in her nature – but the totality of all she’d been through was wearing her restraint a bit thin. “I’ve known you forever. I taught your children piano lessons. I sat with your wife when her mother was dying. I made sure your family was fed when you and your wife were in that wreck and unable to cook meals for your kids. Yet, when I needed you to speak for me at the Board of Deacons meeting, what did you do?”

  Derek watched as the police officer shifted uneasily. Even in the semi-darkness, he could see a flush rise on the policeman’s cheeks. “Well, Shae, what you did was indefensible. We couldn’t have a person like you representing our…”

  “I can understand your position, Jerry. I really can. I shouldn’t be the face of the church, maybe I’m unfit to be a member of the congregation. But if that’s true, how many others aren’t fit either? How about Alonzo Shirley. He’s a nice guy, but we all know he owns a string of liquor stores. No one talks about it, but it’s common knowledge. Or what about Graham Hadley? He’s a good guy too, but we know he spends every spare moment over at the casino in Shreveport. He even holds gambling nights down at his retreat on the lake. Yet, he proudly sits in the amen corner every Sunday. Or Arlene Monroe? What about her? She’s been married twice, broken up two marriages, and now she’s living openly with the high school baseball coach. But Arlene sings in the choir and she’s best friends with the pastor’s wife.”

  Derek wanted to clap. He didn’t say anything, he just stood back. At the moment, Shae didn’t need any help.

  “Now, Shae, you’ve got to understand…” The cop held up his hands and the two men with him snickered under their breath.

  “Oh, I understand. The truth is that every person on that church roll is guilty of something. Everyone has secrets. Everyone does things they shouldn’t. If you swept everyone out the church door who didn’t deserve to be there, the place would be empty.” She clenched her hands into fists. “I wrote some books. Fiction. Were they over the top?” She shook her head. “Maybe. But I was trying to make some money to take care of my grandmother. And now? Now, I’m writing because I enjoy it. Because I’m good at it. Because it exposed all of you for the hypocrites that you are! I have heard what you think about me.” She waved at the writing on the wall. “And I see what others think about me. But you know what?”

  Not a man said a word.

  “I haven’t heard a word from God. He hasn’t sent down any edicts of judgment.” She looked at Derek. “He’s blessed me in many ways since it all happened. I think I’m better off, if you want to the truth about it.”

  When she finished, the police chief took off his hat and held it in his hand. “I’m going to try and put a stop to all of this, if I can. It’s gone on too long and gone too far. I can’t say that I agree with what you’ve done, but you’re right about one thing. Your sin is no greater than anyone else’s, and you shouldn’t be subjected to crap like this.” He pointed to the smoldering cross and the scarlet letters.

  Derek took Shae in his arms as the police chief gave him a few details about the next steps they would take. Once they were gone, Shae stood for a moment and looked out into the darkness. “You know, this mess has hurt me, I won’t deny it. Until this moment, though, I haven’t felt in danger.” Her eyes scanned the horizon, all of the trees across the street. “Someone could be hiding over there right now with a deer rifle, getting ready to pull the trigger.”

  “Aww, baby.” Derek didn’t think such a thing could happen, but he hadn’t ever imagined any of this was possible. “Let’s go in.” No use taking chances. “How about that grilled cheese you promised me?”

  * * *

  Over the next few days, Shae’s mind was on other things. To her joy and relief, Derek rarely went home. He brought over a few things and she happily made room for them. He painted her house and got rid of the charred remains of the burned cross, then continued on with the renovation work. Shae was able to get some writing done, worked out some details on the book she was planning with Avery, and confirmed the details of her meeting with Jo. Having Derek with her made Shae feel complete.

  Especially the nights.

  Every time was new, every time was amazing.

  As she stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching him finish putting varnish on the cabinets, her heart swelled with love for him. Last night, he’d been so intense, carrying her to the heights of ecstasy.

  He pulled her to him, giving her a kiss that rocked Shae to her core. Nothing she’d researched, written, or dreamed prepared her for Derek Alden.

  He was overwhelming, feasting on her mouth, with greedy nips and licks. He was dominant, hot, and impossible to resist. The way he held her still, kissing her with such hunger, it was intoxicating. Wide palms cupped her breasts, kneading and molding them, the callouses on his fingers rasping the sensitive peaks. The way he touched her, the demanding kis
ses, they combined in a force that swept her to a place she’d only visited in her dreams.

  And when he entered her…God, the pleasure of becoming one with him sent streams of pure bliss flowing through her. She couldn’t contain the cries spilling from her lips as he impaled her again and again, the thrusts of his possession transporting her outside of herself. He was so big, so hard. Her body ached to welcome him, her inner muscles rippling, her flesh giving way to his possession.

  “Do you love that, baby?” he rasped the words, lifting his head to look her in the eyes.

  “Yes.” She loved what he did to her, but she loved him more.

  “You’re mine, aren’t you?” he asked as he rolled her over, bringing her to her knees, thrusting back inside of her, the erotic rhythm he created was so good she clawed at the bed covers.

  “That’s right, damn you. You’re mine!”

  Shae didn’t know, couldn’t comprehend if it were the amazing words he said or the driving way he pistoned into her – but she flew apart. Unraveled. Shattered. The pleasure rose inside of her so quick and powerful that she couldn’t resist it. A bomb of wonder exploded within her and she lost herself completely.

  To him.

  “Oh, hell yeah, I never want to let you go.”

  The man was incredibly sexual. Seductive. Wild. Hungry for her. On top of those sterling qualities, he cared for her. He hadn’t said so, but Shae could tell. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but right now he was hers.

  “What did you say?” he asked her over his shoulder.

  Shae pressed her lips together. Clearly, she’d spoken a bit too loud. “I said looking good.”

  “Thanks.” He glanced over at her with a grin. “The cabinets or me?”

  “You, of course.”

  Derek made a growling noise. “Don’t get me all excited, woman. I’ve still got work to do.”

  “I know. While you finish up, I’m going to check on Coretta.”