Читать книгу Reckless - Tori Carrington, Tori Carrington - Страница 12

JESSE HAD never shown up, as Heidi had both feared and hoped would happen. And now that dusk was falling in the nicely decorated backyard of the Johnson’s house, and the townsfolk were gathering for a good old neighborhood barbecue, Heidi had never felt more drained in her life.

It was more than not getting much sleep the night before. Or the fact she’d spent the past nine hours cooking and baking for over a hundred people.

It was her conscience weighing on her like a two-ton truck.

People, both those she knew and strangers, complimented her on the spread, which was impressive by any standards. Homemade baked beans with strips of crisp bacon. Heaping bowls of potato salad, both the creamy and German varieties. Pasta salads, slabs of ribs that only needed to be placed on the grill and slathered with sauce before serving. Chicken croquettes, along with the expected hamburgers and hotdogs, made gourmet by her own seasoning blend and served in homemade cheese-and-onion buns with spicy chili.

Then there was the dessert table…

“Have you seen him yet?”

The sound of Kyle’s voice against the back of her neck as she wiped ketchup from the linen tablecloth made her jump.

“Whoa,” he said, touching her arm to steady her as she turned to face him. As he looked at her, his expression relaxed and a warm gleam entered his eyes.

Heidi swallowed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be standing so close.”

“Why?”

“Because normally you wouldn’t be caught dead within five feet of me, that’s why.” Her gaze darted around the diners. “People will get the wrong idea.”

“And what idea’s that?”

“That we’re suddenly a couple.”

“And that would be so bad how?”

Heidi opened her mouth then snapped it shut. “Are you serious? Tell me you’re not serious.”

Laughter caught her attention. Familiar laughter.

She pushed Kyle away and craned her neck to watch Jesse heartily greeting other guests. The setting sun gave his dark hair highlights of spun gold and deepened his tan. She remembered as a teen, seeing him running from the football field for the first time in similar light. Her heart had pitched to her feet and sprung up again straight into the sky. Then he’d grinned at her and she’d dissolved into a puddle at his cleats.

Had that really been so long ago? When was the last time she’d felt that desire to lie down before him, offer herself up as a sort of human sacrifice?

Don’t be silly, she ordered herself. She was an adult now. And adults didn’t do that.

Her gaze slid to Kyle and her knees weakened.

“There’s my girl!” Jesse was in front of her and swept her up into his arms. A habit of his that had become irritating to her lately. And now was no exception.

“Would you stop?” she said, swatting at his wide shoulders. “Put me down.”

Heidi cringed, not liking the way she sounded.

Jesse placed her feet on the ground and then gave her a big kiss. She stared at him, wide-eyed.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said into her ear. “You know I hate it when you avoid me.”

“I’ve been busy,” she said automatically, even though a small voice at the back of her mind told her that he hadn’t tried to contact her once all day.

“I can see that. I’m starving. What’s on tap?”

KYLE GRIMACED at the scene before him. Jesse and Heidi were every bit the head cheerleader and captain of the football team.

And every bit the couple.

Damn. What had he been thinking by suggesting to Heidi that he wouldn’t mind if guests mistook them for being more than friends? She was his best friend’s girl, for God’s sake. If anything, he should be able to keep that simple thought in his lust-addled brain.

And he’d come to the reluctant conclusion that was what lay at the root of his attraction to Heidi. Lust. Pure and simple. He’d wanted what he couldn’t have. She’d been the forbidden fruit and he’d plucked her just because he could.

And now he was paying the price.

He rubbed the back of his neck and forced himself to turn away from watching Heidi help Jesse fill his plate with food.

Kyle knew hardly anybody here. Which wasn’t surprising since he’d only moved to town less than a year ago. A person here and there looked familiar. Probably he’d come across them at the supermarket or gas station. He smiled and nodded his head in greeting, thinking he really should get some food himself, if just to occupy himself with something other than thoughts of Heidi and Jesse and what had transpired last night.

Had it really only been last night? He thought of Einstein’s theory of relativity and easily applied it to the situation. It felt as though at least a week had passed since he’d hungrily tasted Heidi’s luscious curves—partly because he hadn’t sampled nearly as much as he’d have liked. Mostly because, God help him, he could think of little else but savoring her again.

That was all wrong. Wasn’t it? Why couldn’t he recall the regret he’d heard in her voice earlier? Where was his honor? Shouldn’t he be more concerned with whether he was going to explain his behavior to his friend? Or how their activities might affect Heidi’s personal sense of integrity?

He caught her gaze, curious to see if he’d find his own thoughts reflected in her eyes.

Kyle cursed under his breath and headed toward the open bar on the other side of the yard. A hand hit him casually in the back. “Going for a brew?” Jesse asked. “Why don’t you get one for me while you’re at it?”