Reno Page 3

  Was Reno a runner too?

  Oh yeah, her life was a real piece of work.

  Blue eyes hooded, Reno watched her studying him. Expressions crossing her face told she liked what she saw. Cock turning to steel, Rock Hard hid under his t–shirt, but the huge bulge in his pants was out there and he made no move to cover it. If she saw, she would know.

  When her chocolate eyes dropped low, Reno hissed softly.

  There was no mistaking her fleeting smile.

  Rock Hard wept, smearing his belly with hot fluid, crying out for her – ready to dance.

  Aili uncurled and stood, stretching arms over her head, a sliver of creamy skin showing as her white t–shirt slid up. “I’m ready for bed finally.”

  Rock Hard wept more – me too, me too!

  Reno was wide–awake as were obvious other parts of him. He wouldn’t settle easily tonight even if it was real late. He stood, held out his hand to her and experienced an unbelievable sense of peace and calm when Aili took it.

  Whatever the gorgeous doctor was doing to him, Reno was into it. Big time. True.

  Reverently, he led her upstairs to her bedroom.

  Opening the bedroom door for her, he stared into her bewitching chocolate brown eyes and waited a heart beat or three, wishing mightily she’d say something hot and sexy like, Wanna fuck?

  Oh, yeah.

  No wait – shit!

  He could get a quick fuck anytime, anywhere – had already done that a million or two times – thereby earning the name Hollywood. His good looks ensured that females couldn’t resist him, especially when he turned on the charm.

  Now, clear as a fucking bell, Reno knew instinctively that was exactly what he didn’t want from Aili.

  Reno was embarrassed he thought it – that she would be easy or quickly forgotten. Aili was cool, sweet and the sexiest female he had ever met. That didn't mean she put out or that he’d ever treat her with anything but the highest respect. That was a fucking given.

  Aili was special for him – he wasn’t quite ready to nail down exactly how just yet. Little fucking scary that.

  Ashamed of himself, Reno was absolutely sure – Aili could never be a quick fuck for him. Or easily forgotten. Ever.

  Instincts on alert, Reno knew that wasn’t what he wanted from her – not by a long god damn shot.

  Hell!

  Shyly, Aili gave him a winning smile. “Thank you, Reno. I didn’t know how you would take it when I knocked on your door, but you’ve been a sweetheart. Good night.”

  She. Blew. Him. A. Kiss…and closed the door.

  He blinked several times, pursed his lips as his big hands slid onto his hips.

  It felt like someone had pole axed him.

  Holy fucking cow. Aili left him high and dry and wanting so much more. Reno wanted all of her. Everything. Never did he not get what he wanted when it came to females. He was stymied and unprepared for the way she was taking over his shit and burrowing deep inside of him like no female ever had before. With Aili near, he never wanted or needed another female.

  Truth? This instant, Reno wanted to fucking devour Aili, lick her from her toes to the top of her head and a few places in between. He needed to lavish her body with keen attention to her sweetest spots, pleasure her, make her scream his name… Rock Hard danced about, reaching and pining – a mirror image of what was going on for the rest of him.

  He tried to steady himself, tear his focus away from the erotica playing in his mind and gobbled in a whack of air, letting it out slowly as he brought himself back down to earth as if he were floating among the fucking stars.

  Reno braced his massive arms on either side of her closed door and leaning in, he huffed in her scent, drawing it over his tongue to taste her. It invaded and bathed every one of his senses with a soothing balm.

  Strawberries and vanilla.

  Nuh, that wasn’t quite it.

  Not just vanilla.

  Magnolia.

  Strawberries and magnolia with a hint of vanilla.

  A powerful combination and a beautiful natural mix.

  Elements and his ability to read them was his greatest gift as Jinn. Reno sensed she took good care of herself. A doctor after all, it was probably expected of her. A faint hint of earth made him wonder if she liked to garden – get her hands dirty?

  Before going too far, he ended his little discovery mission. He didn’t want to rush with Aili and needed to savour these moments, get to know every beautiful inch of her all on his own without any help from his Jinn gifts.

  Next morning, Reno, out of bed before dawn and with only a couple of hours of rest, felt refreshed. Rock Hard not so much – refusing to lay it down and remaining semi–hard in hopes of more Aili.

  Hell, yeah! A new day with Aili in it all day long. Reno could only wish for the night too, but he wasn’t gonna rush her. They would go at her pace for as long possible before Rock Hard started demanding some of her personal attention.

  In the kitchen and the first one up, Reno ground fresh coffee and made a large pot.

  Within half an hour, Jericho strode in. Baby lotion, milk and the soft scent of new–borns floating over the kitchen. Dark circles under his intense blue eyes were eased by a wide, weary smile. He went downstairs to talk to Cal before his first cup of very necessary coffee.

  Fifi came in next, automatically rummaging in the fridge, pulling out eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and several loaves of bread. A crisp head of lettuce followed along with the mayo.

  Conn entered the kitchen with a snapping yawn. An eventful few days had left him edgy and out of sorts. Mostly, he worried about Reno and didn’t want him moving in on Aili. She was a good lass and the family expected him to protect her against marauders like Reno – who had an epic reputation for bedding many, many females and never looking back.

  Fer sure, he’d earned his nickname – Hollywood. Hump ‘em and dump ‘em was Reno’s style and that sure as feck wasn’t happening with his cousin, Aili. He’d given his word to Duke, Aili’s Da, who would fecking kill him if anything happened to her.

  Nae, not on his watch – he would see to it that Aili returned home to the Fair Isle in the same condition she arrived.

  As a peace offering, Reno poured the big Scot a mug of coffee.

  Conn took it with a grunt of thanks. Begrudgingly so.

  “Ah, good morning.” Jericho grabbed a mug and sipped the hot brew, eyeing Reno and then Conn. Tension sat between them like a wall. Strange, since they always got along.

  “Aye, and ‘tis a good morn to you. How’s our Abe? The bairns?”

  “Happy clams those two so long as mommy isn’t too far away. Abe’s fine, she’s a natural.”

  “T’wasn’t a peep out of them during the night.”

  Fifi put the bacon on, letting it sizzle and began building one BLT sandwich after another until the platter was piled high. Scrambled eggs on the side and a glass of fresh orange juice was a great start to the day. She put more bacon into the pan to start on the next round.

  For Abe, Fifi put together a tray with oatmeal, a big glass of milk and a side of mandarin orange slices. Two boiled eggs rounded it out. “Abe’s breakfast is ready.”

  Jericho nodded with his mouth full as he chowed down on his third BLT. “Conn, I want you to know Abe and I talked about Aili. She’s a great doctor and we’d like her to stay on. Our infirmary could use full time medical staff. She’s a good fit. We’d like to make her an offer she can’t refuse. Hoping you can help with that. And, Abe wants to start the first stage of building her race hospitals too. We’ll need Aili’s input.”

  Reno’s heart swelled and he lit up inside. Yes! – there was a God. Nothing showed on his face.

  “Nae, sorra. T’isn’t going to happen.” Conn’s hazel eyes landed on Reno, staying there. “She’ll return to her family and her practice in Scotland, jest as she came to us. A good lass is aer Aili.”

  Reno’s muscles began to bow and harden as a dark thundercloud scurried across his face.
Temper rising, he clenched both hands into deadly fists.

  Conn noticed and his face reddened as it always did when rage overcame him. Yet, he refused to be drawn into a skirmish that Reno was obviously gunning for. Nae gonna happen. Feck and damnation, the last thing the McFeerson’s wanted near their daughter was Hollywood himself.

  Jericho scanned both males. They were all but pounding their chests at each other, war cries rallying. “Something I ought to know?”

  Reno’s eyes dropped to the floor, swishing back and forth, then he glared into the big Scot’s angry eyes. “Conn, you wanna have a go at me, fine. Just keep Aili out of it. Let her speak for herself.”

  “I will,” Aili added, strolling into the room. “Thank you, Reno, for defending me. I owe you one.”

  Reno shook his head, blonde mane whispering over his decidedly handsome face and it took Aili’s breath away. “Now, what are my choices here? What has my cousin decided without me knowing?” Her tone held a lilting command as her harsh, chocolate eyes bored into Connor.

  Caught red–handed, a muscle ticked in his jaw as Conn hedged, "Jest a wee idea of Jericho’s."

  With a wide grin, Reno said, “Abe’s, too.”

  Frown lines creasing her forehead, Aili asked her cousin, "And, what would that wee idea be?"

  Conn hissed loudly before releasing a gob of air. "They want you to stay, lass."

  Chocolate brown eyes big and wide, she kept the grin off her face, her features remaining as hard edged as her flinty eyes. "You, of course, said no. For me."

  Reno watched her closely and felt a deep urge to jump in to back her up, but kept his lid shut. If he blurred his eyes a little, it was clear as a bell, the smoke that is, coming out of Aili. She was set to boil over. Right on Conn. Was Conn blind? Stupidly, the big Scot appeared oblivious.

  Aili turned her back on everyone, trying to gain control. She had just met these fabulous folks and wasn't about to let a torrent out about what she thought of her cousin right now.

  Reno’s brows rose high, waiting for the bomb to drop. Aili wasn’t above putting Conn in his place. A good sign that.

  Fifi’s startling blue eyes were full of curiosity as she poured a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter next to Jericho.

  Cal hit the top of the back stairs, wanting grub, but stayed in the doorway trying not to absorb any of the raging tension laying thick over the kitchen. On loan to Jericho and part of his elite team, Calebre Calipus Ex was a powerhouse warrior.

  Cal couldn’t miss a storm brewing heavy and hard between Reno and Conn – ready to take each other down in the middle of the room. Probably destroy it. One glance at Jericho told – he was mystified too – but wasn’t inferring.

  Eager to get to the grub, the delicious odor of bacon lingering in the air, Cal drawled, “Workout room is a good, safe place for anyone who wants to have a go at anyone else.”

  Fifi nodded solemnly while Jericho’s blue eyes danced with mischief as he sipped his coffee and quietly said, “Fi, maybe you should take the tray up to Abe.”

  “Yer nae staying, lass. That’s the end of it. If I have to beat it into this wee lad to stay away from ye, I’m fecking game. Your Da expects it.”

  Reno shifted his shoulders back and said, “Let’s roll, fucker.”

  Aili moved directly for the back stairs, blocking the way. “This isn’t going to happen. I don’t want anyone fighting about me. For feck sake, Connor, stop embarrassing me. You’re worse than my brothers and Da combined.”

  Jericho snorted. “Five, isn’t it? Brothers, I mean.”

  Aili cast Jericho a furious glare. Did he need to rub it in?

  Reno didn’t back down from Conn’s furious stare. But five? She had to have five fucking brothers – it didn’t escape him either that her Da was known to be a powerhouse male and strict as they come. But for now, he would lay Conn out – put him where he needed him. Get him to understand that Aili wasn’t just some stray female ripe for the fucking. Reno needed to teach him to show some respect all the way around.

  Jericho focused on his coffee as Fi nudged him, her eyes big and round, scared and worried.

  “Ma Cherie, it’s okay.” He spoke softly. “Take the tray up to Abe and get Aili the hell out of here or she’s gonna see two big males go at each other real hard.”

  Fifi nodded and pursed her lips while glancing again at Aili braced in the doorway to the back stairs. “Nuh, boss, don’t think that’s going to happen. If anything, it’s a distraction we need.”

  Several loud wails cut through the tense silence. Automatically, Aili glanced up to the ceiling, listening closely and when the wailing didn’t peter out, but grew louder, she abandoned her post and ran for the front stairs.

  Fi and Jericho were right behind her with Abe’s breakfast tray held steady in his big hands.

  By the time they hit mid–flight – Deos was loudest by far, but Daisy’s howl was all demand – all three realized there wasn’t any problem. Pure and simple – the twins wanted their breakfast. Now.

  Jericho slowed his pace as did Fi, both watching Aili hustling ahead.

  Fi slowed her pace even more and Jericho noticed.

  "Ma petite?"

  “Why would Reno… Er. It’s not possible for him to…he never stays… Well… Ugh! Hollywood and Dr. Aili!? Together?"

  "Mr. Variety himself." Jericho smiled widely, recalling the way Abe changed his life instantly and well knowing that might be happening for Reno.

  Aili watched with glee as both Matty and Abe worked the diapers, trying to get both babes to still to get them on. She knew that was near impossible – the twins had been tucked into a very small space for months on end and now free of that confinement were eagerly constantly on the move. She laughed a few times, but didn’t step in to help. Everyone had to learn to tend the twins at their own pace.

  Matty tried to keep Deos still, but he was all arms and legs, curling up into a ball and then straightening into a mighty stretch with his tiny toes curling delightfully. She tried valiantly to get his diaper on – both sticky tabs ready for any contact – preferably the paper variety. Not much got to Matty, she had a hard shell, but her breathing was uneven and shallow when she reached for the third diaper and fresh new sticky tabs.

  It didn’t help that Dr. Aili was leaving Matty to her own devices. She resented that as she struggled to still a writhing, wiggling Deos – his mission in life to live free and naked – refusing to stay still, stretching and arcing his little body up off the changing table. With a stroke of luck one tape caught the diaper midway, but the other stuck fast to his big belly.

  Eyes round as saucers and feeling complete exhaustion, Matty grabbed him around the armpits, hugging him close before turning as the bedroom door opened – sheer desperation beaming from her big brown eyes.

  Abe attempted to get Daisy into her diaper but she curled her body up, tiny feet around her head, both fists jammed into her mouth that did nothing to soften her loud demands.

  Abe grinned as Deos urged Daisy on.

  “Deos, Daisy, behave!” Jericho’s firm, but gentle command rolled over the room. Both babes stilled, blind eyes drawn to his voice.

  Abe’s head snapped up. “Way to go Dad!” In seconds, Daisy’s diaper in place, Jericho reached for her, lifting her in one big hand. His index finger holding her head steady.

  Matty held Deos tightly as he squirmed around, his diaper sagging open on one side.

  Jericho took his son in his other palm, bracing Deos’ head. They were a little over six pounds each, a mere drop in the bucket.

  Aili stayed in the shadows near the door, watching intently. King of the Jinn was all business when it came to his children. She’d never seen the likes of it before. In command, yet gentle to a fault, he held the babes in his palms, intent on both.

  Daisy kept both fists in her mouth, Deos held his high in front to protect his face. Eyes wide, his son hung on his every word.

  “I am your father. You two will be goo
d and obey.” Deos kicked out both legs hitting Jericho’s chest, mouth opened in a big O, blue eyes surveying the big shadow. “Now, let's find mommy.”

  Daisy stopped sucking her fists quietly, nose tilted in the air.

  Deos let out a demanding howl, preferring to call his food to him rather than go looking for it.

  Aili watched in wonder as King and Queen of the Jinn bantered and parried with each other, laughter and smiles the order of the day. She absolutely loved being here, loved the Jinn, loved the atmosphere of freedom without judgement and everything in between.

  A twinkle in her eye, the wheels of Aili’s mind were spinning. Was it possible? Would Da even consider it? To think she might be allowed to stay at the compound, be the resident doctor for this big extended family who worked and lived together was a dream come true.

  So many times in her life she had hoped for things only to be told no in the end. But, now, hope filled her with blasting possibilities and hints that what she truly wished for – freedom, love, finding her place in this big ‘ole world, practicing medicine – may come true.

  Maybe, if she approached Da first, he might be swayed. Aili’s heart plummeted, she knew he wouldn’t, but at least she could try to persuade him, make it clear that she’d like to work at the compound, stay a while, live her life free of her clan…

  Aili snorted.

  Not gonna happen.

  Chapter 3

  After everyone ran out of the kitchen, both Reno and Conn escaped below.

  Caleb stuffed his face with scrambled eggs before following them with a fourth BLT in his paw. He wasn’t overly concerned as Jericho seemed cool with them scrapping.

  He was more curious about what the house cameras picked up in the middle of the night which included a seemingly innocent tour of the house taken by Aili and Reno. Only the two of them. It blew his mind when reviewing the overnight video footage that Reno remained a consummate gentle male.

  Cal didn’t know Reno had it in him to behave around any female. Conn sure didn’t think so. Nor did Jericho for that matter.