Hell on Heels Christmas (9 page)

“Kerry, this isn’t the time or the place,” Missy said quietly.

“Your slutty sister’s trying to get my brother again!”

Regan managed to get an apple past Missy. It made a satisfying smacking sound on Kerry’s
forehead. The giant staggered back a step and Regan felt a David and Goliath situation coming on. When Kerry’s murderous eyes fixed on Regan, Missy interceded again.

“Kerry.”

When Kerry tried to dodge around Missy she reached out, grabbed her jacket and swung the bigger woman away from Regan. Kerry’s mean eyes narrowed on Missy who stared calmly up at her.

“Leave Regan alone.”

Regan stared at her sister. Missy had never come to her rescue. Ever. Missy seemed happiest when Regan came home with black eyes and bruised ribs but now… What the hell was going on? Kerry who had once been Regan’s back up looked just as taken aback as Regan. Once again she felt reality shift.

“This isn’t your business, Missy,” Kerry said, trying to shrug her off.

Missy’s hand twisted more firmly in Kerry’s coat. “It is. You mess with Regan, you mess with me.”

“Since when?” Kerry demanded.

“Since always. I don’t care how you feel about her. You don’t make scenes in the grocery store. What the hell are you thinking?”

“Get off me,” Kerry snapped.

Missy jerked Kerry down so they were nose to nose.
"Regan didn't have anyone's blessing when she left and she did it anyway without help from any of us. She had the right to choose what she wants. How would you feel if your daughter left? Wouldn't you do everything to help her? We made it so hard for Regan to leave why the hell should she come back? My sister is here for the holidays and if she decides to live here you better learn to live with it because if I hear you’re doing this shit again I’m gonna come looking for you and I know where you live. You understand me?"

Regan stared at
Missy. Gone was the prim and proper upstanding citizen she showed in public. It was Missy as Regan had never seen her- except when they were in their family house warring. Missy was always polite and diplomatic with everyone- until now. Kerry’s mouth was hanging open so Regan deduced this was out of the ordinary even though she’d been gone ten years.

"Let's go, Regan,” Missy said.

Regan picked up the dented apple she’d used on Kerry and pushed her cart to the row of cashiers. People gawked as they passed and Missy held her head high. There was an awkward silence enfolding the store that Regan knew wasn’t normal. It was small enough that if everyone shut up they could hear the drama- and that’s exactly what they’d done. The confrontation between the Delaney sisters and Kerry Hawking would be all over town before noon. Their families had always been close so this was a first. Missy was pale but composed as she waited for Regan to pay for her groceries. Missy stalked out of the store, heels clicking. Regan stopped besides the SUV and loaded up the groceries and looked at her sister.

“You have a car?”
Regan asked.

“No. I walked from work
.”

“I’ll give you a ride
.”

Missy was too calm. Regan was w
orried for her sister’s mental stability. Missy climbed into the passenger seat and rummaged around in her purse and fumbled with a pack of Tums. When the first tears fell from her sister’s eyes Regan patted her shoulder awkwardly.

“It’s okay, Missy.”

“No!” Missy shouted. “It’s not okay.”

Missy
looked through the windshield, tears pouring down her face. "I prayed for you every night. I didn't know if you were dead or alive. Angel looks just like you and it reminded me of how I should’ve helped and didn't."

"I got by. I’m alive. No harm done.”

“You shouldn’t have to
get by
!” Missy shouted. “That’s my point. You’re not an orphan. You have a family and we just let you go without a cent. God, it took us a month to realize you weren’t going to come back, that we’d left you with no choice but to fend for yourself.”

“Missy,” Regan said firmly and her sister sniffled and glanced at her. “I’m fine.”

Missy scrubbed at her eyes like a child and pulled out a handkerchief from her purse. "Mom said you might stay for the holidays."

“I might,” Regan said cautiously. “Is that okay with you?”

Missy sniffled. “Yes you stupid bitch. Sophie can’t stop talking about your
Christian Louboutin shoes which reminds me, what size are they?”

“Eight.”

“I’m going to borrow them to go to work tomorrow and make my boss drool. Do you have more of them?”

“
I took what was in my office. Everything else is in the penthouse.”

Missy went rigid. “Tell me you’re going to save your shoes
from that cheating bastard.”

Regan shrugged and Missy slapped her hand on the dashboard.

“Regan Lee, do you want your shoes to go to his next bimbo?”

“I’ll have one of his assistants send my stuff,”
Regan said quickly because Missy looked in danger of having a major bitch fit.

"If
Kerry gives you anymore trouble you let me know."

Regan looked her up and down.
"Have you ever fought anyone in your life?”

“You mean besides you?”

“Yeah. Kerry looked kinda scared.”

Missy fluffed her hair. “Kerry knows what’s up.”

“You do know that you could get arrested for beating her ass, right? And your husband will probably be the one to do it."

She sniffed. "
Oh well. It didn’t come to that.
I was trying to buy some groceries and my lunch.”

“You didn’t get anything,” Regan pointed out.

Missy repaired her makeup in the mirror. “And that’s your fault, as usual. Don’t judge me. Take me through the McDonalds drive thru.”

“Whatever you want. What do you do anyway?”

“I’m a legal secretary.”

“Ooh. Fancy.”

“Shut up and get going. I need some French Fries.”

She and Brooks pulled up to his house at the same time. He looked tired
and dirty but he smiled when he saw her. Regan felt as if she took a shot of tequila and sat in the driver’s seat, wondering if she should gas the car and drive all the way back to New York. Brooks came over and opened the door of the SUV.

“Hi,” he said.

Her heart beat so hard she winced. “Hi.”

What the hell are you doing, what the hell are you doing
?
Her inner control freak shrieked. She should not be here encouraging Brooks to scramble her brains. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out.

“
Right on time,” he said.

She tried to pull herself together.

“I made a meatloaf,” she blurted.

She knew she sounded proud and she was. It looked good and she followed her mom’s instructions to the tee. It didn’t hurt that her mom was so worried she would accidentally poison Brooks that she came home on her lunch break to make sure she was doing it right.

“You cooked?” Brooks said in disbelief.

Regan wasn’t offended. She
had enough of the basics drilled into her by Valerie and Missy to survive but she avoided it whenever possible. She opened the back door of the SUV and pulled out the pan of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Brooks sniffed the air, took the pan from her and rushed into the house. She followed gleefully and wasn’t surprised when he ripped off the foil and stuck a fork in the steaming meatloaf before she closed the door behind her. He put a chunk in his mouth and closed his eyes.

“Well?” she demanded.

His eyes were heavy when he opened them. “Oh. My. God.”

“Really?”
She got herself a fork and dug in. “Damn. I am good.”

“Did your mom make this and you’re trying to pass this off as yours?”

She wagged her fork at him. “I slaved over this so give me credit.”

“Okay. Let me shower. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

She took another bite of the meatloaf and moaned. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

They ate meatloaf on his couch with their feet up
on the coffee table and watched reruns of Friends. She was too stuffed to care when he changed the channel to sports. She snuggled into her corner of the sofa and stacked her hands on her tummy. Not even a week in White Mist and she was turning into a lazy couch potato.

“Word is you’re sticking around for the holidays.”

She grunted.

“I also heard you chucked an apple at my sister’s forehead.”

She opened one eye and saw the laughter on his face. “That is true. I also called her a heifer.”

“Why? You used to be best friends.”

“Apparently she never got over me saying no to you. She called me a slut and told me to stay away from you.”

“What did you say?”

A wicked smile curved her mouth. “I told her if I want you I’ll have you.”

He spread his arms wide. “Take me.”

“Maybe later. I could fall asleep right here.”

“My bed’s softer.”

She shook her head. “I am not sleeping with you.”

“Why not?”

“If I let you lead, you’ll get me pregnant.”

A long
pause. “I’m not sure I’m following.”

“My mom said if I don’t know what I want to let you lead. I said if I let you lead I’ll end up pregnant before the
New Year.”

“Do you want to be pregnant?”

“No.”

“Then we’ll use protection.”

“My mom offered me her condoms and put lube on my grocery list.”

He laughed. “I love your mom.”

She grimaced. “She’s
really
supportive if you haven’t noticed.”

“I noticed.”

Brooks scooted over until he sat right beside her with his hand on her upper thigh. He squeezed and then drew designs on her jeans. She suppressed the urge to turn towards him and give him better access to her body.

“You’re
still tired?”

She stretched
and yawned. “I’m relaxed. I’m surprised you’re still awake.”

“I like my view.”

His hand moved up to her tummy and rubbed gently. She grinned, thinking of a dog on its back, leg kicking as he got his tummy scratched. At the moment, she felt just like that.

“Maybe I should call in
tomorrow,” he mused.

“Why?”

“We could stay here all day and use a whole box of condoms.”

She pumped a fist in the air.
“Mom would be so proud. What days do you work?”

“Monday through
Friday, seven to three.”

“Wow. So… domestic.”

“Yup. I’m a dependable, boring old man. I go to sleep at a reasonable hour and usually never call into work.”

“I should stay the hell away from you,” she muttered.

He nuzzled her neck and scraped his teeth on her shoulder. She murmured incoherently as he leaned half over her.

“You can’t resist me and you’re trying to seduce me with meatloaf
, he murmured.

“Did it work?”
she moaned.

He sucked on her neck. Time stretched and before she knew it she was stretched out on the couch with Brooks above her. He was doing wonderful things with his mouth on her neck a
nd his hand beneath her sweater splayed over her stomach and climbed higher. It roused old memories of making out when he snuck into her room at night. Their history shimmered in the air, making the connection between them electric and more exciting than actual sex with other men. His mouth covered hers and she dug her hands into his hair and tugged him even closer. She arched into him and he groaned.

The ring of her phone broke through their heavy breathing. They froze, staring at each other. She took one hand out of his hair and dug into her pocket and pulled out the phone and squinted at the name.
His hand flexed on her skin as she answered. He dropped his head between her breasts and cursed.

“Hey,” she answered and her eyes widened. “You’re here?”

She almost laughed when she saw Brooks’ irritated face. She patted him on the head with the hand that had been gripping his hair passionately a second ago. He let out an angry growl.  

“What’s your address?” she asked him.

He rattled it off and belatedly asked, “Why?”

Regan hung up and pushed at his chest. He debated for a moment but when he saw her eyes narrow he painfully sat back on his heels. She got up, smoothed her hair and he wanted to howl like a dog when she pulled her sweater down to cover her midriff. He watched her walk to the window and look out.

“What’s going on?” he asked gruffly.

“My friend’s visiting. I didn’t expect him today.”

“Him?” Brooks said, voice flat.

“Yeah. He’s in a funk and he visits me every now and then. He’ll probably be here for three days max before he goes insane.”

“Who is he?”

Headlights shone on the walls as someone pulled up the driveway. Regan opened the door and waved.
Brooks came up behind her and watched a tall, thin guy in a leather jacket and jeans get out of the car. Regan ran towards the guy who picked her up in his arms and swung her around. Brooks flipped on the outside lights and froze.

“
Johnny Bentley?” Brooks snapped.

Regan grinned up at her rock star and rubbed her hand over his stubbly cheek. He had a Mohawk that was artfully mussed, two hoop earrings on each ear, rings on his hands and although his clothes concealed them, beautiful tattoos.
Johnny had fine features that were almost feminine they were so beautiful. Johnny was notoriously neurotic despite his public persona.

“So what are we going to do here?”
Johnny asked, looking around as if they were at an amusement park.  

“When was the last time you slept?” Regan asked suspiciously.

He shrugged and looked beyond her to Brooks who was standing in the doorway of his house looking as if hell warmed over.

“Don’t remember. Is that your brother?”

Brooks sounded like he was eating rocks when he said, “Her
what
?”

Johnny
walked over to Brooks and held out a hand. “Hey bro. What’s happening?”

Brooks looked at the outstretched hand and then Regan who
had a hand clamped over her mouth. Her eyes danced with laughter.

“You think this is funny, don’t you?” Brooks hissed.

Regan walked up behind Johnny and wrapped her arms around his waist. She saw Brooks’ hands clench into fists at his sides.

“
Johnny, this is Brooks. He’s a huge fan. Had your poster up on his wall when he was in high school.”

Johnny
beamed at Brooks. “Always nice to meet fans. You want me to sign it?”

Brooks crossed his arms over his chest. “Nah. I’m good.”

“Remember I told you I sung on stage with Johnny?” Regan said innocently. “We hit it off and he took me on tour with him for two months. It was fun.”

Regan took in t
he scent of her tortured artist-peppermint and cigarettes. It brought back memories of wild times. Brooks looked like he wanted to kill her so she kept her distance. Brooks was way too potent for his own good. She reverted back to her sixteen year old giddy self around him and that was
so
not happening. Maybe it was a blessing that Johnny interrupted when he had.

“What do you do?”
Johnny asked.

“Do?”
Brooks echoed.

“Yeah, for a living.”

Brooks tried to detect sarcasm in his voice but found none. “I’m a lineman.”

Johnny
leaned forward excitedly. “What’s that?”

Brooks stared at him. “A lineman. You know, clim
b up poles, get electricity to people’s houses.”

“You can climb a pole?”
Johnny said so explosively that Brooks took a step back. “Can you teach me?”

Regan frowned. “
Johnny, honey, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why?”
Johnny demanded.

“Because you’re a scatterbrain,” Regan snapped. “I don’t think climbing a thirty foot wooden pole is the best thing for you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Johnny said dismissively. “Stop fussing.”

Johnny
wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her into his side.

Brook
s face looked as hard as steel. “You dated?”

Johnny
snorted. “Not long. Regan gave me the boot after two weeks. We were better as friends anyway, right, love?”

She slapped him none too gently on his cheek and pursed her lips as she looked up at him. “You
kissed that girl at that concert and that was it. I told you, no one cheats on me.”

“She put some kind of itch powder in my pants during my next show. Everyone thought I was high on ecstasy I was grabbing myself so much.”

Regan snickered. “That was a good night.”

“Where we crashing, babe?”
Johnny asked.

Brooks went rigid. “What’s that?”

She ignored him. “I told my mom you were coming.”

When they turned away Brooks grabbed the ba
ck of her jacket and pulled her out of Johnny’s hold and whipped her around.

“He’s staying in your mom’s house with you?” Brooks asked in a voice so
forbidding she grinned.

“What’s the big deal? You guys married or something?”
Johnny said.

Brooks glared. “You’re rich. Why don’t you stay in a hotel or something?”

“I came to spend time with Regan.”

“He’s sensitive right now,” Regan muttered.

“So am I,” Brooks said and looked down at the bulge in his pants.

“I’m not going to make a move on her, bro,”
Johnny said.

“You better not, pretty boy. I’ll be by first thing in the morning,” Brooks
threatened.

Regan rolled her eyes as Brooks jerked her forward and landed a very thorough, mind scrambling kiss
on her mouth that made her legs go weak. When he finally released her she had her hands twisted in the front of his shirt and her eyes were unfocused.

“You remember that,”
he murmured.

“Either you work really fast or there’s more going on than Regan’s told me,”
Johnny said, wagging his brows.

“I asked her to marry me
ten years ago. She said no and took off. This is the first time she’s come back since then.”

Regan didn’t know whether to be
embarrassed or pissed at Brooks. Who the hell did he think he was, blabbing about her past? It was true but did he have to say it in that angry, challenging tone and stare at her, waiting for her to deny it? She wanted to because it made her sound like a coldhearted bitch. She left for herself
and
for him. She wasn’t for Brooks and never would be no matter how hot the chemistry was between them. She wanted to murder Johnny when a sympathetic expression crossed his face and he clapped a hand on Brooks shoulder in a man to man gesture.