Plus, Pia would have kicked her ass if she’d done something stupid. So she’d shut down the parts of her that hurt and tried not to look back.

Then, something as simple as a childhood memory had brought it all back with perfect clarity. That happened sometimes, and it was always bad. This time was different. Nita had listened and whispered, It’s all right. Deo knew that was a kind lie, but it felt good to have someone say it anyhow. Pia had tried, all those long years ago, but Deo had never believed her. She didn’t believe Nita either, but knowing that Nita believed it still eased some of the hurt inside.

So maybe the jackhammer tearing up the inside of her skull was worth it after all. With a groan, she rolled out of bed and headed for the shower. On her way, she remembered Bri and Allie bringing her home.

She’d have to call Allie and thank her.

Allie. Allie was sweet and sexy. Why not Allie? Why couldn’t she be losing sleep over Allie? They were good together, and it would be simpler. Easier. She reached into the shower, twisted the faucet to cold, and stepped in. Gasping, she toughed it out until the cobwebs dissipated and her head felt clearer.

Not Allie—maybe because it would be easier. Easier maybe, but not as honest. And she liked Allie too much for that.

❖

Nita looked at her watch for the third time in fi ve minutes and told herself for the tenth time in the last fi fteen that she was making a mistake. She should not be sitting in front of her new house at six-thirty in the morning waiting for Deo Camara to come to work. She should not have lain awake half the night worrying about her, either. And she certainly should not have called her at two in the morning. Thankfully, Deo hadn’t been home, and she hadn’t left a message. What would she have said?

Hi, I’m calling you in the middle of the night because I can’t sleep, and I can’t stop thinking about the pain in your eyes.

Oh yes, that would have been perfect. Of course, discovering that Deo wasn’t home only gave her an entirely new set of circumstances

• 166 •

Winds of Fortune

to lose sleep over. Who was holding her, consoling her—offering her pleasure to banish the pain? Imagining someone comforting Deo was every bit as diffi cult to tolerate as the visions of someone caressing her, making her cry out, making her come.

“This is crazy, and you’re going to make yourself crazy,” Nita muttered. She reached for the keys but before she could start the engine, Deo pulled in to the curb in front of her. Nita took a deep breath and watched Deo climb out of the truck. White T-shirt, khaki pants, work boots. Her hair still wet—her hair always seemed to be wet and every time Nita saw it, she wanted to drive her hands into it. Deo had circles under her eyes, and Nita didn’t doubt that the shadows extended all the way inside.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Nita opened the car door and stepped out. “Good morning.”

Deo walked cautiously forward. “Hi.”

“I…uh…thought I’d get a look at the place during the day.” Nita couldn’t bring herself to say I wanted to see you. I hate how much you were hurting last night. “I know you’re probably very busy right now and I won’t keep you—”

“No, that’s okay. The guys won’t be here for at least half an hour.”

Deo came alongside Nita’s car and stopped a few inches from her. “Do you want to go inside?”

“Sure, I—” Nita halted as a patrol car stopped in the street beside them and an offi cer stepped out. She didn’t immediately recognize her, but it was clear that Deo did, judging by her surprised expression.

When Nita looked closer, she realized who it was. Deo’s not girlfriend.

“Maybe we’ll do this another time.”

When Nita opened her car door to leave, Deo grabbed the top edge and held on.

“No,” Deo said, “I won’t be a minute. Don’t go.”

Nita hesitated, aware that the offi cer was standing a few feet away, observing the exchange. Deo hadn’t taken her eyes from Nita’s face and Nita couldn’t look away from her. Her throat felt tight and dry.

“Okay. I’ll wait on the porch.”

“Wait right here.” Deo turned toward Allie. “Hi. Just fi nishing your shift?”

“Yeah, we’re on our way in right now,” Allie said. “We saw your truck was gone from the condo. You’re here early.”

• 167 •

RADCLY fFE

“The forecast is calling for rain again tomorrow,” Deo said. “You know how it is.”

“I know. Contractors have to work while the sun is shining.” Allie glanced up at Nita’s house, then nodded to Nita. “It’s looking good.”

“Yes, thanks,” Nita said.

“Thanks for the ride home last night,” Deo said.

“No thanks needed.” Allie slid back into the cruiser. As the cruiser pulled away she called out the window, “Be careful up on that roof today.”

“Always.” Deo waved after the cruiser, still holding Nita’s door open with the other arm. Then she turned in Nita’s direction. “Ready to go inside?”

“You sure it’s no trouble?”

“None at all,” Deo said, closing Nita’s door. She led the way up the fl agstone walk and inside. “There’s something I want to show you in the master bedroom.”

Nita followed up the wide twisting staircase to the second level.

A balcony ringed the foyer below. The center room was the master bedroom, and when she walked in, she had an image of a four poster bed, an antique armoire, and a rich oriental carpet covering the wide plank fl oors.

“It’s such a beautiful room.”

“It is,” Deo said. “The window seat on the back wall was designed to offer a view to the rear gardens.” Deo indicated the narrow, multi-paned windows above the wooden seat that had at one time been covered by plush pillows. “Unfortunately, these window casements are shot and need to be replaced. Too much water damage.”

“All right.”

Deo leaned against the wall next to the window seat. “I was wondering if you might like a balcony outside your bedroom. I can take out the window seat, replace the windows with French doors, and put a balcony across the rear to overlook the garden. Nothing too big, just enough for a small table and chairs. You’ve got a bit of a harbor view and the sunset should be spectacular from here.”

“Oh,” Nita whispered. “That would be wonderful.”

“Okay, then. I’ll bring by a catalog so you can pick out the doors.”

• 168 •

Winds of Fortune

“You choose something. You know what suits the house.” Nita started to sit on the window seat, but Deo stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Dusty. You’ll get your good clothes dirty. Hold on a second.”

Deo pulled a navy blue bandanna from her back pocket and wiped off the window seat. “There.”

“Thank you.” Nita fl ushed at the attention. “The gardens are going to need work.”

“If you want a professional landscaper, I can suggest someone. Pia is really good too, if you just want ideas.”

“I’ll ask Pia when I get ready.”

“So…do you want to take a look at the roof?” Deo asked.

Nita tilted her head back against the wall. “Not really. Whatever you’re doing up there, I’m sure it’s what needs to be done.”

Deo grinned. “Trusting.”

“About some things.” Nita studied Deo’s face. “How are you doing?”

“I’m happy with the way things are coming along. No big surprises yet.”

“I didn’t mean the house.”

Deo shifted and looked out the window. “I’m fi ne.”

“You look tired.”

“I shouldn’t go out to play on work nights.”

Nita pushed aside the fl eeting image of Deo in bed with a woman.

“Did you get into trouble or do you always have a police escort home?”

“One drink too many. It’s a small town, and the police really do serve as well as protect.”

“I’m glad.” Nita knew she shouldn’t push, but from the way Deo’s hand was balled into a fi st and the rigid way she held her body, she was more than tired. She was hurting. “Is it because you told me about your brother?”

“What?” Deo asked in a raspy voice.

“The reason that you’re so upset?”

Deo looked down at Nita, her eyes too shuttered for Nita to read.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Nita stood up. Deo was very close, just inches away. Her legs

• 169 •

RADCLY fFE

trembled and it was hard to catch a breath. “We don’t have to talk about it.” She skimmed Deo’s forearm with her fi ngers. “Perhaps with Pia. If you talk about it, a little bit, whenever you can, after a while it might not hurt so much.”

“There are better remedies,” Deo said darkly.

“Drinking only works for an hour or two, and the payback is hell.”

Nita smiled tremulously as something raw and dangerous surfaced in Deo’s eyes. A wave of heat engulfed her, and she made no move to escape.

“This works every time.” Deo grasped Nita by the shoulders and kissed her, pushing her back until she was pressed against the wall with Deo’s weight upon her.

Nita wrapped both arms around Deo’s shoulders and opened to her, absorbing her hunger through every pore. Her body ignited and she moaned. Deo caressed her breasts as she delved inside her mouth and Nita shuddered. She wanted Deo inside, so badly she was ready to beg.

Fill me, I’m starving. So hungry. So empty.

Deo broke the kiss and buried her face in Nita’s hair. “Nita. I’m going crazy for you. It’s nuts.”

“I know,” Nita gasped. “Maybe we just need to burn it out of our systems.” She slid her hand down Deo’s back and cupped Deo’s ass, pulling her hard into the vee between her legs. The jolt of pressure was exhilarating. “I can’t stop thinking of you inside me.”

Deo groaned. “Let’s go to my place. Now. If I don’t touch you I’m going to end up punching walls.”

Nita grabbed Deo’s hand and pressed it between her legs. “Touch me now.”