Читать книгу Hot As Blazes - Dani Jace - Страница 12

The song faded. Reluctant to let go, Ray pressed a kiss against her temple. He’d never been closer to her emotionally or physically.

She sat in the back of his truck and dug her hands into the pouch of his hoodie. “So how’s life besides firefighting?”

He shrugged at her sudden distancing. “Okay, not much going on.”

“Weren’t you seeing a doctor from the hospital when I talked to you at Christmas?” She tilted her head to the side.

He’d only mentioned the woman in passing. Maybe he imagined her coolness. Had she been jealous of his dates all along? Hell, he’d never claimed any as a girlfriend. “You know doctors don’t stay long on OBX. Once they’re done with their residency, they’re off to the land of higher dollars.”

“I know you don’t give a woman a chance before you’re off to the land of greener pastures.” Her amber eyes narrowed on him, but her comment provided the opening he’d been hoping for.

Determined to find out if the sexual tension between them wasn’t wishful thinking on his part, he stepped between her legs. “Guess I’m hard to please.”

She arched a brow. “Noncommittal.”

Ouch. She didn’t have a clue how faithful he could be, to her.

“Maybe my heart has always belonged to someone.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

She’d believed him a player. Cupping her chin, he let the long held secret spill from his lips. “You, Jo. It’s always belonged to you.”

Her mouth gaped. “Huh?”

He couldn’t help but smile at shocking her.

She started to move from the truck, but he kept her pinned. “You teased me all through middle school. Dated nearly every girl in high school and never asked me out.”

Her jealousy turned him on. “Wasn’t because I didn’t want to.”

“You never even kissed me until after Dad―”

“Have you ever heard me call anyone else Dahlin’?” He traced a finger along her cheek.

She inhaled sharply searching his face.

He hoped she saw truth. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to hers, and felt them yield. Sweeping his tongue beyond her teeth, he sparked a delicate spar. She tasted sweet like a dessert he wanted to linger over. Her fingers laced behind his neck and drew him closer.

In her arms, he was home.

Deeping the kiss, he reveled at the small tremors coursing through her as his hands explored. Her shapely body he knew well but not intimately.

He released her mouth. “You can’t begin to know how long and how much I’ve wanted you.”

“Since when?” Her breathless question revealed her surprise.

On a warm day in April after she had turned sixteen and emerged from her winter clothes on the beach in a slinky bikini. Other guys noticed, too. For the first time in his life, a little green demon hopped on his shoulder and growled.

“Let’s just say I’ll never forget a little, lime bikini or its tempting strings.” He ran a finger along the seam of her suit bottom at her hip and tugged.

Her eyes darkened as her breasts rose and fell with each rapid breath. Her pouty bottom lip caught beneath her teeth. A tell of her being unsure. He leaned in and nipped the offending flesh then quickly smothered her tiny cry of protest with a deep kiss.

He paid the price when she caught his tongue. This was the Jo he’d fantasized about.

“You get what you give.” She ran her hand down the center of his chest.

“Be careful what you promise.” An aching hunger consumed him. He cupped her firm rear and brought her against his straining cock.

Her moan held promise.

He skimmed under the hoodie, caressing the sides of her breasts before untying her bikini top. His fingers circled her stiffening buds.

She feathered her lips along his ear. For years, he’d longed for her touch.

Ray fought his raging need to brand her as his, but he could be patient a bit longer. Still, he wanted her to know his raw desire.

He laid her on the carpet and felt her silky legs wrap around his hips.

Slowly, he worked up the sweatshirt. Bared her belly while pressing kisses against her soft skin. The glittery diamond stud in her navel had nearly driven him crazy all day. With a swirl of his tongue, he traced the jewel, imagining more wicked play. He was moving too fast, but he’d never wanted anyone or anything more than her. His heart squeezed in a vice of contradiction while his unethical dick protested as he retreated. “I’m sorry, I’m rushing this.”

She sat up and stroked his face. “It’s okay. I’m still trying to find my true North since coming home. You’re like a magnet sending my compass in all directions.”

She had him scattered most of the time, too. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me? I was starting to get a complex.” He laughed.

Her return giggle lightened his heart. They always talked best on the beach. Years of surfing bonded them. Although he wanted to take their relationship to the next level, getting physical raised the stakes.

If he fucked this up, he’d lose her for good.

* * * *

She craved him like no other previous lover. His impressive erection still wedged between her thighs made cognitive thought difficult. For years, she’d dreamt of him. Taking his hands in hers, she asked, “So, what’s the real reason you never asked me on a date? Fear of Bobby? Or being teased about seeing your best friend’s sister?”

His muscles tensed, and his mouth thinned to a line. After a deep breath, he said, “You were hands-off, Jo.”

“Huh?”

Ray groaned. “Cappy wasn’t about to let me or any other guy spoil your chances of making it big in the surfing world.”

“Dad?” He’d taken care of competition entries for surfing and arranging travel plans, but he’d never meddled in her social life. Or had he. All the first dates who never called back came into sharp focus. She’d always blamed them on her athletic endeavors. Jo’s mouth went dry and her stomach hollowed.

Ray had kept this from her. Bobby must have known, too. Why? Her head began to spin. Their betrayal was a lie by omission, but cut her deep. Nausea burned the back of her throat.

She shot him an angry glare. Her life kept upending, shaking her confidence to the core. Sick of lies and half-truths, she slipped from the truck and met him head on. “Guess my feelings never entered into the equation.”

He stepped back. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said lowly, holding out his hands in surrender. “I couldn’t tell you, I’m sorry.”

His apology came too late. She covered her face with her hands. “Take me back, please.”

“Cappy only wanted the best for you.”

Excuses only made her angrier. “I always believed I could trust you.”

He winced. “What else can I do, Jo? Just tell me.” He stepped closer.

“Nothing.” Turning away, she refused to let him see her tears. The ache in her chest deepened and spread. The one person besides her brother she’d never doubted and he’d kept a huge secret from her. Including his love. Loneliness threatened to swallow her whole. She opened the passenger door and climbed in the truck.

The ride back was silent except for the radio. Jo reached in her bag for her cell and angrily tapped a message on the screen.

“Don’t bother Bobby. I’ll take you home.”

“You’re right. It wouldn’t be fair to ruin Sarah’s night.” She glanced at the man behind the wheel she didn’t know anymore. The father she’d idolized seemed a stranger as well.

He pulled into a gas station. “I need to put some air in the tires.”

The small amount of security she’d regained during her few days home evaporated like an early morning fog on the beach. She’d been so stupid. A lump welled in her throat.

Men. So meticulous with machinery. He inflated the tires checking them with a gauge. If only they were only so conscientious with others’ feelings.

She peeled off his hoodie and tossed it on the backseat, and shivered at the loss. Resting her head against the headrest, she quickly wiped away her stray tears.

The cottage sat dark when they arrived. Ray opened his door. “I’ll walk you in.”

“No need.”

He followed her up the steps anyway.

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t let go of her anger. All the crap she’d boxed away in California acted as a catalyst for pent fury at this new treachery.

Before she unlocked the door, he braced the doorway in a capturing stance. Nearly a head taller, he was a wall of imposing muscles. He’d never physically hurt her.

She shook with fear at losing his friendship and his love, but the recently played bitch refused to back down. How could she not have seen the truth before now? What true friend hid such a secret?

His jaw muscle twitched. “Jo, please. I know you’re pissed and you think we betrayed you, but you would have never fulfilled your dream. Your Dad might have been wrong, but he loved you. Bobby and I love you.”

His sincerity struck her, but accepting his apology made her a pushover. Again. Covering her hurt by playing hard core had always been her way. “Y’all have a funny way of showing it.”

“This isn’t how I wanted tonight to end,” he conceded and pressed a light kiss on her forehead. “I’m so sorry.”

More tears threatened and she gritted her teeth. “We’re all sorry about something. But hey, it’s still early. You can hit The Casino. I’m sure you find something in stretch denim to take home.” She ducked under his arms, unlocked the door and stepped inside.

She resurrected her wall. This time stronger than before.