Rain On Me
Chapter Eight
Briefly struggling, Sheridan finally managed to slip from her car and start for the lively place across the parking lot. Luis would wring her neck if he knew she was here and alone at this time of night, but this was something she felt compelled to do. Besides, there were plenty of people around and she had her cell-phone just in case.
Smiling pleasantly at the burly man that sat just inside the door, she stepped inside, her cerulean eyes sweeping the crowded room. Men and women alike filled each seat, their loud laughter seeming offensive and the mixed stench of alcohol and tobacco causing her stomach to churn. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, a surprised voice called out to her.
"Sheridan?"
Glancing up, she met the inquisitive expression of just the person she had been seeking.
"Rachel, hi."
The other woman's green eyes gave her a once over and she took a step closer.
"What are you doing here?"
"I, um, I actually came to talk to you, if you have a minute."
Taken aback, Rachel nodded. "Yeah, of course. Does Luis know you're here?"
At the mention of her beloved, Sheridan offered a sheepish smile. "Do you think I'd be standing here if he knew where I was?"
Rachel chuckled. "You're probably right about that." Nodding toward a nearby booth, she continued. "Have a seat, I'll be a few more minutes. Can I get you anything?"
"No, thank you." She responded politely.
"Okay. Give me five, ten minutes to cash out and everything and then I'll join ya."
Sheridan nodded, her gaze once again moving about the room once Rachel had wandered off to finish her shift. She was definitely out of her element here, she decided. Even though Luis had once taken her to a place somewhat like this, she fondly recalled, this was beyond anything she was used to. Besides, he wasn't there beside her this time, leaving her feeling oddly vulnerable. Part of her wished he would walk through the doors, even though she was certain she would get an earful of a lecture.
Again, she was nearly overwhelmed by the urge to leave, though she stayed put. She was there, she might as well stay and do what she'd come to do.
Sheridan was startled from her thoughts a second later as Rachel reappeared. She slid into the seat across from her and pushed a tall glass of iced tea over.
"Thought we could talk over a nice cold drink. Non-alcoholic, of course," Rachel smiled warmly, sipping her own. "So, what's up? Is everything all right?"
"As fine as it can be, considering," Sheridan nodded. "I'm sure Luis told you about the recent developments."
"He did," Rachel agreed. "He's worried sick about you going up against your father."
Sighing, Sheridan replied, "I know he is, but it's something I need to do."
"That's what I told him," Rachel said. "But I get the feeling this isn't what you came here to talk about."
"It's not," She conceded. "I came to talk about you and Luis."
Rachel's eyebrows shot up. "Me and Luis?"
Sheridan shook her head. "Sort of. I just wanted to apologize for my behavior that night at the Lobster Shack. I was terribly rude and you didn't deserve it."
"Don't worry about it," She waved the apology away. "If I had a man like Luis and I thought some strange chick was trying to put the moves on him... let's just say I don't think I would've been quite as civil as you were."
"Was my jealousy that obvious?" Sheridan questioned, slightly embarrassed. Rachel laughed.
"Yeah, but it's all right. You don't have anything to worry about, he loves you."
A small smile appeared upon hearing those words. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being there for Luis; for being such a good friend to him." Sheridan bowed her head. "This whole situation has been hell for both of us, but him especially. I'm really glad he's had someone like you to lean on, someone who cares about him."
"He's an easy guy to care about," Rachel replied, slightly flustered by her gratitude. "I'm just happy I could help."
"Me, too," Sheridan smiled. "I know Luis thinks highly of you, so I'm hoping that maybe we could be friends."
Hesitating only briefly, Rachel managed a smile over her own, though forced. "I'd like that."
And so a friendship was born, one that would all too soon be put to an unimaginable test.
The next night, shortly after midnight, Sheridan crept up to the backdoor of the small house Luis had recently purchased. He had figured now that he was going to be a father, he'd better have a place of his own to put the child once it arrived. It wasn't very big, but she could see it's potential and couldn't wait for all this to be over so she could finally call it home as well.
The porch light was on as he'd said it would be and she fiddled with her key ring until she found the key he'd given her earlier that day. Unlocking the door, she quietly stepped inside the darkened house, closing the door behind her.
Trailing her hand along the length of the counter as she made her way through the kitchen, she entered the hallway, following it down to the end where the bedroom sat.
The door was ajar, a soft light escaping through the crack and she felt her heart speed up as she pushed the door open. The view that met her eyes as she stepped inside caused the already bubbling desire inside her to boil over.
Luis sat at the edge of the bed, shirtless, his back to her. The muscles in his arms rippled with each movement as he, she noted with a smile, put together the last pieces of a beautiful oak crib. Her hand fell from the doorknob to her protruding middle and she moved in closer. He must've sensed her presence then as he looked up, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her and his delectable lips curved into a sinfully sexy grin.
"Enjoying the view?"
"Always," She replied as she sank down beside him, reaching out to touch the nearly completed crib. "Luis, this is gorgeous."
"I'm glad you like it," He nuzzled her ear, sending a warm rush through her body. "Wail till you see what I did to the nursery."
Twining their hands together, she gazed up at him. "You're wonderful."
"What, you're just now figuring this out?"
Though his inquiry was made in a joking manner, Sheridan was serious when she answered.
"No, I just realized how incredibly lucky I am." Remorse spilled over her features and she lifted her watery gaze to meet his. "I don't deserve you. After what I put you through -"
"Hey, none of that," Luis interrupted, wiping her tears with the pad of his thumb. "I thought we agreed to leave that behind us?"
"I know," Sheridan sniffled. "But I can't help it. I've hurt you so badly and all for what? A man who isn't even ..."
"Shh," He pressed a finger to her lips, effectively putting an end to her self-accusations. "It's almost over, Sheridan. Pretty soon this is going to be over and we're going to have a baby, we're going be a family. We are not going to dwell on this. Letting it interfere with us is only going to give your father another road in to try and ruin us again, so let it go, please. For me, for our baby, for us."
Slipping her free arm around his neck as he pulled her closer, she nodded. "Okay."
"Thank you," Luis murmured a moment before finally leaning in for a kiss. It was meant to be gentle and reassuring, but Sheridan had other ideas as she immediately deepened it. He let out a muffled groan as they fell backwards on the bed and she pressed herself more fully against him. It felt so damn good to have her in his arms again after such a long, hard drought, that there was no way he could deny her when she panted out her request.
"Make love to me."
Pulling back, he cradled her face, covering it in short, sweet kisses. After pecking her lips, he moved away slightly, his dark eyes shining with unending devotion.
"I love you."
"I love you, too," Sheridan whispered, drawing him back down to her. "Now show me."
Meeting her lips in another urgent kiss, he proceeded to do just that.
The sound of the phone ringing brought Tyler Kersh back into the state of consciousness and he groaned as his hand blindly reached out for the offending object. Locating it, he pulled himself into a sitting position, not at all surprised to find that he was alone in the bed.
"Hello?"
"I want you to get over to Luis' now and put an end to this once and for all!"
Tyler winced as the cruel voice of his 'father-in-law' barked his order. Did the man have no concept of time?
"You've got to be kidding me. It's three o'clock in the damn morning."
"And do you know where your wife is? I'll tell you where she is! She's in his bed, making love to him!" Alistair seethed, his hand tightening around his brandy glass as he watched the scene on his wall of monitors. "It's time for you to make good on your end of our deal, Mr. Kersh. Are we clear?"
The threat was left unsaid, by Tyler was keen enough to read between the lines. Sighing, he moved from the bed. "You got it."
"Good. I don't want to hear from you until it's done." The dial tone beeped in his ear then and he reluctantly hung up.
Dressing quickly, Tyler removed a small safe from the back of the closet and after opening the combination, he removed a silver pistol. Checking the gun's chamber, a smile formed on his lips and he headed out. It was show time.
"Luis!" Sheridan giggled as he continued to rain soft butterfly kisses down the side of her neck and over onto her shoulder blade. "That tickles!"
"Does it?" Luis raised his head, a devilish look in his dark eyes. It was a look she knew all too well and she immediately began squirming beneath him.
"Don't you dare!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," He feigned innocence, though his face betrayed his words.
"Liar," She hissed back and it was then he launched his attack, relentlessly tickling all her most sensitive spots. She wiggled, her attempts to get away futile as the laughter spilled from her lips. Trying to dodge his seeking hands, she squeaked out his name. "Luis!"
"Mmm," Was his only reply as his actions ceased, this time his assault was one of the lips as their mouths met in a hungry kiss.
"That's better," She murmured when they broke apart for air, but her words were quickly muffled once again.
Lost among the bliss that only the other could provide, neither heard the approaching footsteps, nor did they hear the sound of a gun cocking.
What they did hear, however, was the unmistakable sound of a shot being fired and then Sheridan's scream as it pierced the night air.