Читать книгу Under The Covers - Crystal Jordan - Страница 11

“I like this one! No, this one!” Toby ran in a frantic zigzag pattern through the Christmas tree farm. Tugging her notebook out of her bag, Dayna checked the tree farm off her to-do list for the day. Toby had insisted they couldn’t get a tree until Dayna was there to help pick it out. She grinned, footsteps crunching through the snow as Jake, Sam, and she followed the boy. She filed away little bits and pieces of the day to go in her next book. Maybe she’d talk to her editor about a holiday story.

She drew in a deep lungful of cold, crisp air, looking out over the little town spread across the mountainside below her. Snow blanketed the ground, fat flakes drifted in lazy swirls from the sky, and icicles decorated the edge of every roof. It was picturesque. She’d forgotten how pretty this area could be—she’d always focused on how much she wanted to get away and start her own life. She rolled her eyes at herself. She’d done such a stellar job with her life lately.

All her efforts had been focused on not thinking about breaking up with Nathan yesterday and not thinking about what she’d done with Jake last night, but it was all crashing in on her now. The pain of losing something she’d wanted so much. The self-loathing for losing control. The guilt. Her stomach heaved, and she swallowed hard to keep down the lunch she’d had at Rainbow’s. God, she really was worse than her mother. At least her mother was thoughtless; Dayna knew what she was doing and did it anyway. Self-disgust crawled through her.

“Dad, look at this one!” Toby poked his little head out from behind a Douglas fir and then disappeared again.

Sam laughed. “Hey, rugrat. Wait up!”

Dayna tucked her scarf tighter around her neck as she watched her brother slog through the ankle-deep slush after her nephew. Toby looked just like Sam had at that age. Same eyes, same smile, same endless energy. She chuckled. Her brother deserved to have to deal with it from someone else.

Their footsteps had faded before she realized they’d left her alone with Jake. Rainbow had eschewed the delights of wading through the snow looking for a tree to stay home and cook dinner. Dayna tensed when she felt the heat of Jake’s muscular body envelop her from behind. “Just the two of us.”

She swallowed, but her mouth had dried, and she couldn’t make a sound emerge from her tight throat. Goose bumps rippled down her limbs, heat flooding her body. The sensation was a sharp contrast to the chill of snowflakes catching on her eyelashes and kissing her bare cheeks and lips. She shivered.

A loud crack followed by a dismayed shout sounded to their left as a tree trunk snapped and an evergreen went down. A red-faced man emerged from the branches shaking his fist at a woman standing beside the tree. His voice slurred the way only copious amounts of alcohol could manage. “You stupid cunt!”

Jake growled and shifted in their direction when the woman planted her palms on her ample hips and snapped back. “Well, if you’d let me call for some help, it would have been fine. You can just do it all by yourself if you’re going to talk to me like that.”

She turned and flounced away while Jake pulled Dayna into the trees away from the still cursing drunk. Dayna tensed, worried for a moment that the drunken display might remind Jake of his father—one of the few things that could put Jake in a really dark mood. He was willing to drink in bars and at his house, but she’d never seen him drunk in the middle of the day. The few occasions she’d met his father, he’d been soused, regardless of the time of day. Jake was usually careful, except for last night. Looked like they were a bad influence on each other.

Clearing her throat, she tried to lighten the moment. “Well, Merry Christmas to him, too.”

Jake coughed, shrugging his tense shoulders in an obvious attempt to shake off the moment. He offered her a tight smile. “You know, I’ve never understood using cunt as an insult.”

“Why not? It’s certainly derogatory.” She winced.

His dark blond brows rose, and his grin widened to a more genuine one. “Yes, but why would I use a word that describes the happiest place on Earth as an insult? He might as well have said, ‘You stupid Disneyland.’”

A laugh exploded out of Dayna at the incredulous look on his face. No matter how long she’d known him, it constantly amazed her what came out of Jake’s mouth. Tears welled in her eyes as her fit of giggles wouldn’t stop. She wrapped her arms around her belly, trying to contain the chuckles, but she ended up slipping in the snow. It just made her laugh harder as Jake caught her from behind to keep her on her feet. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe you said that.”

His hands cupped her hips from behind, pulling her back against his chest. His voice lowered to that silken purr he’d used in bed. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you all day.”

Just like that, the laughter strangled in her throat as molten heat spread through her limbs.

“Don’t say that,” she whispered. All her regrets came crowding back in. What was she thinking to have a drunken one-night stand with her brother’s best friend? She should slap his hands down and step away from him. But she didn’t. Her insides had begun melting the moment he touched her, and her thoughts centered on the pressure of his fingers through her clothes, the memories of those big hands sliding over her naked skin. She dropped her head forward, her hair swinging into her face. “Don’t—”

“Why? It’s true.” He nuzzled the nape of her neck, pushing her scarf out of his way. Fire exploded through her at just that light contact. Her breath caught. She’d never reacted to anyone the way she was reacting to him. How had this happened so fast? She’d never thought of Jake this way. He was Sam’s best friend, he was every shade of wicked, and he was simply not the kind of guy she ever got involved with in any way. Until last night. It was like a switch had flipped, and now there was nothing she didn’t notice about Jake. His dark, masculine scent, his deep voice, the heat of his touch whenever he brushed up against her. Which was often.

“Last night was fun.” His breath heated her skin when he spoke. “Don’t you agree?”

“Fun.” She huffed out a laugh, a cloud erupting in the cold air. “That’s not really my style. You’re not my style.”

Kissing her neck lightly, he flicked his tongue over her skin. “You tried me and fun on for size last night. We seemed to fit then.”

“Temporary insanity?” Her muscles were loosening, molding her curves against his harder planes. They fit perfectly even through the bulk of their winter clothing. He was right about that. Her body clamored with the need to try him on for size again, her sex dampening as the craving twisted tight within her.

“Your insanity is my gift from the world. I must have been a very good boy this year. Thank you, Santa.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him, arching an eyebrow. “Did you actually just say ‘good boy’ in reference to yourself?”

Winking at her, he slid one hand around to her lower belly and pulled her back until her ass rubbed against his erection. “Hey, I’m a successful local business owner. I pay my taxes. What else do you want?”

Her mouth formed a moue. “Honey, you’re a tattoo artist. That hardly makes you a choirboy. Face it, you’re a very naughty man.”

“You know firsthand.” His hips moved subtly against hers, and her lips fell open as she sucked in a shuddering breath.

“Yes, I do.” God, was he naughty. They were in a Christmas tree lot. There were children nearby, including her nephew. And she was ready to turn in his embrace and beg him to fuck her. No. She wouldn’t let that happen again. One night was stupid but understandable. More than that was unacceptable. She forced herself to focus on the arms wrapped around her. She pried one off her waist and spun away.

Her fingers slipped on his arm, pushing up his sleeve enough to see the whorls of ink on the inside of his wrist—the symbol for infinity with her family’s first initials twining around it. Jake had designed the art and tattooed his own arm almost a decade before. He’d added Toby’s initial to the design and done Sam’s forearm at the same time a few years ago. Then her mother had asked him to add it to her ankle to celebrate her retirement. Dayna was the only adult in the family without the tattoo—Aunt Rainbow had had him put it at the top of her impressive cleavage on her sixtieth birthday, and she used it as an excuse to flash people whenever she wanted. A wry smile curved Dayna’s lips and shook her head. Rainbow loved causing a spectacle.

Turning his wrist, Jake caught her hand and her attention. He pulled her around until she faced him, offering up a smile that made his handsome face flawlessly gorgeous. “What could it really hurt, Dayna? Go a little crazy for the whole week, not just the night. It doesn’t have to mean anything other than two healthy, single adults enjoying some incredible chemistry.”

He stroked his thumb over the pulse point in her wrist, just above the edge of her glove. She swallowed, fighting a shiver. His gaze locked with hers as he brought up her captured hand, brushing his soft lips over her skin. That wasn’t where she wanted that talented mouth. Her hormones did a little tap dance at the thought of his lips against hers. He was an amazing kisser. He didn’t rush; he savored the play of their mouths together. Insidious heat wound through her, flushing her cheeks. She stared at his mouth, remembering. “Jake.”

He was reaching for her, his features tight with lust, when Sam’s voice sounded through the trees. “Hey, you two. Toby found the one he wants. He’s standing guard so no one else claims it.”

“I’ll bring my truck around,” Jake called back. He gave Dayna a final, heated glance before he turned toward the entrance of the tree farm.

Her breath whooshed out, relief and regret twisting tight inside her. Turning on legs that felt too weak to hold her, she followed the sound of Toby’s high-pitched giggle until she spotted her brother and nephew next to a Scotch pine. “Oh, it’s beautiful. You’re such a good tree picker, Toby.”

He beamed up at her, wrapping his little arms around her leg to hug her. “This is gonna be the best Christmas ever, Aunt Dayna.”

Sam’s phone beeped, and he pulled it off the clip on his belt. “Damn.”

“What’s up?” She looked up at him.

He shook his head. “Just got a text message. One of the other bartenders has a pregnant wife, and she just went into labor. We knew it was coming soon, so I’m going to have to go in and cover the last half of his shift.”

“Do you need me to take Toby?”

“Nah, I can drop him off with Rainbow on my way.” He scooped up his son and tucked him under his arm like a football. “You stay with the tree so Jake can get the right one loaded. We’d never hear the end of it from the rugrat otherwise.”

“No problem!” she called over her nephew’s squeals of delight.

“Thanks, sis. I’ll pay for it on the way out.” He kissed her cheek and headed for the entrance. He waved Jake in the right direction from the main road as he passed.

Dayna grinned and shook her head. The smile widened at the rumble of Jake’s big red pickup truck as he navigated the narrow muddy track that ran through the trees. That was one pretty piece of machinery he had there. One of the farm’s workers sat in the passenger seat. The skinny teenager hopped out to guide Jake as he did a three-point turn to back the truck up to the tree. Then he cut the ignition and stepped out.

The two of them pulled a chainsaw out of the bed of the truck, and Dayna pointed at the right tree and got out of their way. The manly men could get sticky tree sap all over themselves as they cut it down. They didn’t need her help. She hopped in the driver’s side of Jake’s truck to escape the chill wind.

Within ten minutes, the tree was loaded and tied down. The teenager waved off a ride as he went to help another customer. Jake tugged open the door and leaned his shoulder against it. “You’re in my seat.”

“This is a very pretty truck.” She turned her most endearing smile on him, sliding a reverent hand over the steering wheel. She’d always loved big, shiny trucks, but they were totally impractical in a city like LA. So she’d always had a sensible sedan. Because she was usually sensible. Except in the last twenty-four hours. She squashed that thought—it wouldn’t help to remind herself that everything she’d done recently was out of character for her.

Jake fished his keys out of his pocket. A grin that she could only describe as pure evil curled his lips. He dangled the key ring from one finger in front of her. “You wanna drive it, sweetheart?”

Lust wound through her at just the thought of controlling the big red monster. “Yes.”

“It’ll cost you. A kiss.”

She arched an eyebrow at him, letting a mocking smile curve her mouth. “Maybe I don’t want to drive it that much.”

“Yeah, you do.” He set the keys to jingling, taunting her. When she didn’t budge, he tucked the key ring back into his pocket and plucked a batch of something green off the dashboard, twirling the stem between his fingers. “Because you need a little extra incentive…they just so happened to have been selling mistletoe at the farm’s entrance.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Jake—”

“Come on, it’s a Christmas tradition. Don’t be a Scrooge.” He held the mistletoe over her head, his smile tempting her, inviting her to give in. That’s what Jake was—pure, sinful temptation.

She wanted to give in to that temptation. To him. Everything inside her swirled in chaotic dances of lust and longing. Betrayed by her own body. The desires she’d usually suppressed with Nathan wouldn’t be still for Jake. She wasn’t the one-night-stand kind of girl; she certainly wasn’t Jake’s kind of girl. She was a nice girl—always had been, always would be. Jake was naughty. Wanting him was…It was stupid. It was dangerous. It was irresistible.

She reached for him.

Curving her fingers around his wrist, she tugged down the hand holding the mistletoe and turned in the seat to face him. With gentle pressure, she pulled him forward until her breasts pressed against his chest. He watched her quietly, letting her direct this. He must have known she needed to take this first, totally sober step on her own. The man seemed to know her better than she knew herself sometimes. It was a disturbing thought. One she’d examine later.

Lifting her free hand, she slipped her fingers around his neck. His soft, short hair slid like silk against her palm, making her shiver. She pulled him down until she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. She licked her lips, and his pupils dilated as he followed the motion. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

And then she did it.

Pressing her lips to his, she tilted her head to increase the contact. His goatee prickled against her skin. Electricity coursed through her body, and pure heat followed in its wake. It was better than she remembered. She flicked her tongue out, tracing the seam of his lips, probing for entrance. He groaned and opened his mouth. His hands tightened on her hips for a moment, yanking her flush against his body.

She wrapped her legs tight around his trim waist, moaning when he thrust against her through their jeans. The friction was enough to send her nerve endings screaming but not enough to fulfill her. Her sex dampened with utter want, her muscles fisting on nothingness each time his cock rubbed against her clit. The hard movements of his body were an exquisite contrast to the slow, worshipful way he kissed. Both actions made her blood rush through her veins, made her heart pound and her breathing speed to desperate little pants.

He broke away, dropping his sweaty forehead against hers. “If we don’t stop, I’m going to fuck you right here, right now.”

“Okay.” The chilly wind was like being wrapped in ice, while Jake’s fiery heat branded her everywhere they touched. She shuddered, fisted her fingers in his hair, and lifted his head up for another kiss.

The sound he made was halfway between a groan and a chuckle as he unhooked her legs from around his waist and stepped back. Her body screeched in protest, and she clenched her fingers to keep from reaching for him. She could see his erection straining against the fly of his pants. She wanted him inside her, thrusting hard.

“Stop looking at me like that. My control’s hanging by a thread here.” He dropped his key ring into her lap, tossed the crushed mistletoe to the snowy ground, and walked around to the passenger side.

Scooting into position, she closed the driver’s door and clipped in her seatbelt. Jake hauled himself into the passenger seat. Sweat gleamed on his forehead, and he still breathed roughly. He adjusted the heater vents to point away from him, sliding out of his down vest and dropping it on the floorboard. It left him in just a long-sleeved, waffle-patterned undershirt. He pushed up the sleeves and braced an elbow next to the window. She tilted her chin toward him. “I didn’t say no.”

“Sweetheart, I really want to get naked with you again, and stopping now means you might not stop later. You’d have been embarrassed if we got caught with our pants down in a Christmas tree farm, and you wouldn’t have let me talk you into sleeping with me again. Imagine the gossip about that if you didn’t like the idea of getting drunk in public last night.”

That made her grin. “Self-preservation of your sex life?”

A crack of laughter sounded from him, and he shifted in his seat to get more comfortable. She could still see the clear outline of his erection, and her hands itched to reach out and stroke him. She jerked her gaze away as he spoke. “Yeah. My sex life, your dignity. It’s a win-win.”

That was actually…thoughtful of him. She’d never expected the big, bad Jake Taylor to give a damn about what mattered to her long enough to put her wants above his. It was startling. There was a lot about him that she hadn’t noticed before. She cautioned herself not to examine anything too closely. That was a dangerous road to let her mind wander down. Anything that happened between them was temporary. Nothing could come of this, but her body burned with a fire only he could put out. Maybe she should let him. Just once more. Her mind rebelled at the thought. No. No way in hell. It was something her mother would do, which meant Dayna wouldn’t. Her hormones had other ideas, cajoling with her rational side. Maybe he wasn’t the kind of guy for her, and she wasn’t staying long enough to find out what else they might share besides animalistic chemistry, so what could it hurt to try it one more time? Yes. No. Yes. No. She didn’t know. She always knew what she was doing and when she was doing it. She always had an organized list. She always had a plan. But not this time. Not with Jake.

Oh, God. She was in so much trouble.