When Shadows Fall (Callaways #7)

by Barbara Freethy

  When they got to the car, Olivia was also extremely happy that they had taken Colton's car and not her rental.

  "Do you have a towel or sweatshirt or anything I can sit on?" she asked.

  He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. A little sand and water isn't going to kill this baby. She's been all over the state in all kinds of weather."

  Judging by the weathered interior of his Jeep, he wasn't kidding. "Why do men always refer to their cars as she?"

  "No idea," he said with a smile as he started the car and blasted the heat. "Maybe because, like women, they can be beautiful, fast and also extremely dangerous."

  She smiled at that. "Really? You run into burning buildings, and you think women are dangerous?"

  He nodded. "Absolutely."

  "Well, I think you're crazy. I've never broken anyone's heart."

  "Maybe you just don't know that you did." He pulled out of the parking lot and drove back down the Great Highway.

  She thought about his words for a moment and then shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I've really only had two serious boyfriends. One was freshman year of college, and I think I picked him because I was still looking to escape all the grief of my last year in high school. He eventually moved on to someone who was probably in a happier state of mind."

  "And the second one?"

  "He was after college—a law student. We dated for almost a year. I was a little surprised when it ended. But he didn't like law school and he wasn't crazy about New York, so he dropped out of school and decided to travel around for a year. He asked me if I wanted to go with him, but I had just gotten the job with Philip Dunston, and I wanted to be moving towards something, not living like a nomad in whatever place he wanted to go to. So we broke up."

  "Did you ever hear from him again?"

  "He sent me a few postcards, but that ended after about six months. I later heard from a mutual friend that he moved to Australia." She paused. "So I definitely did not break his heart."

  "It doesn't sound like he broke yours, either."

  "No, he didn't. I was a little sad when he left, but not sad enough that I wanted to follow him." She glanced at Colton. "He once told me I was too serious for him. That I needed to loosen up and have some fun once in a while."

  Colton gazed back at her. "He didn't know you at all."

  She liked his answer. "I know I can be too serious. It wasn't a completely unfair criticism."

  "But you can also let loose. Look at you now. And you're not even mad that I threw you into the ocean."

  "I wouldn't go that far."

  He simply smiled.

  "What about you—since we're sharing," she said. "Any broken hearts in your wake?"

  "I don’t think so. I try not to lead women on."

  "What about serious girlfriends?"

  "I have the opposite problem of you, Olivia. No one thinks I'm serious about anything."

  She thought about that, heard the undertone in his voice, and knew without a doubt that he had far more depth than he let on. She repeated his words. "Then they don't know you at all."

  Their gazes met, sparked, clung together. And then he reluctantly turned his attention back to the road.

  He didn't say anything more the rest of the way back to the hotel, which was fine, because she hated to admit that she was a bit shaken by what had just passed between them. She could handle the fun and games Colton, the charming man with the irresistible smile. She could play off his wit and sense of humor, but the more serious side of the man made her pulse race, and her heart couldn't seem to settle into a steady beat. That man could really get under her skin, she thought. That man could be someone worth breaking her heart over.

  But maybe their relationship didn't have to be about love. It could just be about fun, about sensual, pleasurable, toe-curling fun. Her nerves tingled at the thought.

  Colton pulled into a parking spot in front of her hotel. "I guess I should go home, take a shower, and change clothes."

  "I guess so," she said, thinking it might be more enjoyable if they took their showers together. Heat ran through her at the thought.

  "What are you thinking about?" he asked.

  "Nothing," she said quickly. "I should shower and change, too. I'm sure I'm going to draw some curious looks getting into the elevator."

  "Maybe I should come with you, then you won't be the only one drawing attention."

  "That would be chivalrous," she said lightly, knowing that she was playing with danger.

  "Only if you want the company." His gaze once again held hers.

  She hesitated for a long second, then nodded. "Yes, I think you should come up to my room with me. I have a nice shower with great water pressure."

  A light flashed in his blue eyes. "Seriously?"

  "Didn't I just tell you that I'm almost always serious?" Without waiting for an answer, she got out of his car and waited for him on the sidewalk. For a split second, she wondered if he wasn't going to take her up on her offer. That was the problem with putting herself out there—there was always a risk.

  Chapter Twenty

  Colton didn't know what made him hesitate. But it wasn't until he saw Olivia hit the sidewalk and slowly turn to see if he was following that he jumped out of the car. He knew she didn't hook up with random guys. In fact, that's why he hadn't moved right away. He'd still been thinking she'd retract her offer to come inside, because if he went into her hotel room, he would not be leaving anytime soon.

  But her sweet, uncertain smile told him she was okay with that. So he met her on the sidewalk and put his arm around her waist as they entered the hotel together.

  The front desk gave them a speculative look, but he was on the phone, and quickly his attention was brought back to his call. They didn't see anyone else on their way up to Olivia's room.

  Olivia unlocked her door and walked inside, tossing her handbag down on the table. Then she gave him a nervous look. "Should I turn on the shower?"

  He found her hesitancy very appealing. She was an intriguing mix of soft and hard, innocence and sophistication, seriousness and fun, all of which made for a really likeable woman. Not to mention beautiful. Even now with her dark ponytail dripping water on the rug and all the makeup erased from her face, she was spectacularly pretty.

  "You're staring, Colton."

  "I know. I haven't been able to take my eyes off of you since I first met you—in case you hadn't noticed."

  She licked her lips. "I've been fighting a similar battle. You have a smile that's pretty irresistible. And your eyes—"

  "Are not as amazing as your eyes." He smiled. "So I guess we're two beautiful people, huh?"

  She laughed as he broke the tension. "Yes, and we're both really modest." She paused. "You're good at making me relax, Colton."

  "You, on the other hand, have me all wound up," he said, feeling edgy and eager but not wanting to rush her too fast into anything.

  Her green eyes darkened at his words. "This—us—it could be a mistake."

  "It could be," he agreed. "We don't have to do anything, Olivia. I can leave right now. No harm. No foul."

  "No fun?"

  He tipped his head. "I think we would be missing out on something amazing."

  "I do, too." She gazed back at him for a long moment. "I don't want you to leave, Colton. I want you to stay."

  His chest tightened at the look of desire in her eyes. "I'm glad you feel that way, because I didn't really have any intention of going anywhere." He quickly bridged the space between them, putting his hands on her waist and leaning in to steal a quick kiss. Her lips were salty and cool; he was determined to change that. "Let's get you out of these wet clothes."

  "You first." She grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and helped him pull it over his head. Then she stepped back, her eyes a little awed.

  "My God. You're gorgeous, Colton. I mean, I thought you would be, because you're a firefighter, and you're fit, and you run…" She blew out a breath as she fanned her face w
ith her hand. "I feel a little intimidated, I won't lie. I do not have abs like that."

  He liked the look of hunger in her eyes. It made him feel good about all those hours he'd spent working out.

  "I'm glad," he said. "Because I like curves—soft, sexy curves." He unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it off of her shoulders. As she slipped her arms out of the sleeves, his gaze fell to the deep red bra hugging a generous pair of breasts and his mouth went dry.

  Her skin was a pale gold with a dusting of freckles on her shoulders and along her collarbone. A few errant freckles slid behind her bra straps, beckoning him to come closer.

  He flicked open the front closure on her bra, pulling the sides apart and shook his head in appreciation of her beautiful breasts. "Now who's intimidated?" He covered her breasts with his hands, loving the soft globes and the hard peaks, and then he lowered his mouth to first one breast and then the other.

  Olivia sighed, her hands running through his hair, holding his head to her breasts as his tongue swirled around her nipples.

  His jeans were unbelievably tight now, the fabric already stiff from the seawater. He reluctantly raised his head and stepped back so he could unsnap his jeans and pull them off.

  While he was doing that, Olivia stepped out of her jeans and a slinky red thong and then gave him a beautiful view of her lovely ass as she ran into the bathroom.

  The heated water was just beginning to steam up the glass door when he jumped into the shower with her. She had her arms crossed self-consciously in front of her breasts, but there was no hiding in the small space. He pulled her arms away, his hands sliding down to grab her fingers. And for a long moment he just held on to her and let his gaze travel down her body.

  She'd looked good in her clothes, but naked… His blood boiled as his erection stood up in appreciation. She was flipping awesome. And he wanted to take his time to explore every glorious inch of her. But he was by nature impatient, and tonight was no different. He wanted the ride to be long, but he knew once he touched her, kissed her, things were going to go fast.

  So he resisted for one long minute.

  "Colton," she said, her voice a husky plea of need and desire. "What are you waiting for?"

  "You," he said simply. And in that moment, he realized he'd been waiting for her all his life. He just hadn't known it until this second.

  He pulled her up against him, then let go of her hands to slide his arms around her back. As the hot spray of water streamed over their heads, he kissed her, and she kissed him back.

  Throwing her arms around his neck, she moved closer to him so that the water was running down her back. Then she parted her lips, her tongue teasing his, inviting him inside.

  The hesitancy she'd shown earlier completely disappeared as the passion that had been simmering between them burst into flames. Heat shimmered over him in waves from every kiss, every touch. The mix of water and steam surrounded them, creating an island of need. The rest of the world faded away. All he could see, taste, touch was Olivia.

  His hands roamed her body, her breasts, her stomach, and the curve of her hips. He played with the heated core between her legs, his fingers dipping inside, every move making her moan with pleasure.

  He liked those little moans, the way she squirmed against him. She was so sensitive, so responsive, so gloriously uninhibited now that she'd let down her guard.

  And when her hands cupped him, when she whispered into his ear, I need you, he had to fight back the urge to push her up against the shower wall and take her right there.

  "Bed," he muttered, his brain having trouble working with his blood racing south. He kissed her again and then pulled her out of the shower, grabbing a big white terry cloth towel to wrap around her body.

  They dried off quickly, then moved into the bedroom.

  While Olivia cleared off the bed, he picked up his jeans and pulled a condom out of his pocket.

  "You were prepared for this," Olivia said as he gently pushed her down on the bed. "Or maybe you are always—"

  "Hush," he said, putting his fingers across her mouth. "I was just being optimistic." He replaced his fingers with his lips as she fell back against the pillows.

  It felt so good to have her under him, to feel all those deliciously soft curves surrounding him. He tried to breathe through the desperate need to immediately slide into her, wanting to make it as good for her as he possibly could.

  But Olivia was impatiently urging him on, sliding her legs apart, gripping his ass with her hands as she murmured the four best words in the entire English language—I want you, Colton.

  "You have me," he said, sliding into her heat with a feeling of complete and utter joy.

  They moved together perfectly, as if they'd made love a thousand times before. And as they came together, he looked into her eyes and saw the happy, smoky passion of release and wanted to do it all over again, just so he could see that expression, just so he could feel so completely right with the world.

  Olivia pulled him down on top of her, and he let her hold his weight for a moment, delighting in the scent of her wet hair against his face.

  Finally, he rolled onto his side and then pulled her into his arms so they were facing each other.

  She gave him a hazy smile. "That was good."

  He smiled back at her. "Better than good."

  She sleepily closed her eyes as she murmured, "Maybe we could stay here forever."

  Watching her fall into a sweet sleep of pleasurable exhaustion, he whispered, "Maybe we can."

  It was the first time in his life he'd ever considered forever.

  * * *

  Olivia stretched, feeling the sweet ache of sensual satisfaction. As she opened her eyes, she realized how dark the room was. She lifted her head off of Colton's chest where she'd been happily pillowed for the last few hours. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was almost eleven o'clock at night.

  They'd been in bed since sometime after six and they'd made love twice. As much as she wanted to stay right where she was, her stomach was rumbling.

  Her gaze turned to the man beside her. She smiled as she watched Colton sleep, enjoying having a few moments to really look at him. He had a strong jaw and a sexy stubble spreading across his cheeks. A strand of brown hair fell towards one eye, and she couldn't resist sliding it back off of his forehead.

  The gentle movement was enough to make his eyes flutter open. His arm tightened around her waist as he blinked a few times. Then his deep blue gaze met hers. He really had great eyes, she thought. Sometimes they were a light blue like the morning sky, and other times they were the same color as the deepest part of the ocean. Now, with the moonlight streaming through the windows, they looked almost gray.

  "Hi," he said softly, his fingers stroking her back. "You're awake."

  "Yes, and I know this probably isn't very sexy to say, but I'm hungry."

  His lips parted in the smile she liked so much. "Me, too."

  "Shall we raid the fridge? Some of the feast you picked up for lunch is still there."

  "That would be perfect, but—" His arm tightened around her. "That means one of us is going to have to get out of bed."

  "Is that going to be me?"

  "Well, I would like to watch you walk around the room naked."

  "I wouldn't mind that show from you," she teased. "And it would be the gentlemanly thing to do."

  "You're going to play that card, are you? I thought you believed in equal treatment for men and women, but apparently only when it's convenient to you."

  "Guilty. However…" She scooted up his body, letting her breasts graze his chest as she kissed his mouth. "I could make it worth your while."

  "You don't really think I'm getting out of this bed now, do you?" He shifted beneath her as he pulled her on top of his body, making it very clear that he was far more interested in sex than food.

  "You must be hungry."

  "I am—for you." He stroked the side of her face with his hand. "You're amazing, Oli
via."

  "A girl always likes to hear that after…"

  He smiled, his thumb running across her lips. "Before, after, during, a month from now…I don't think my opinion has changed since I first met you, and I don't think it will change any time soon. In fact, the more I get to know you, the more I like you."

  "You've grown on me, too." As she said the words, she felt a little sad, because she knew that this relationship—or whatever it was—couldn't go anywhere. Her life was on the other side of the country and his was here in San Francisco. But she didn't want to think about that now. Colton had shown her the beauty in living in the moment, and that's what she was going to do.

  She cupped his face with her hands and gave him a long look, then slowly and deliberately lowered her head and covered his mouth with hers. A moment later, he flipped her on her back and threaded his fingers through her hair and continued the assault on her mouth as their bodies moved together once more.

  * * *

  Colton woke up to the sun in his eyes and the sound of the shower running. He sat up in bed and glanced at the clock. It was half past eight. The night was officially over.

  What a night it had been. He couldn't remember a better one. After making love for the third time, they'd snacked on leftovers from the deli and then turned on the television and watched the film Blade Runner on the movie channel.

  He'd always loved science fiction, the possibility of other life forms in the universe, and it turned out that Olivia's dad had also been a big fan and had introduced her to some of the classic sci-fi movies at a young age including Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Tron.

  Colton had never met a woman who liked science fiction. Although he'd seen a strange look in Olivia's eyes when she'd realized he had yet another thing in common with her dad.

  Would she ever be able to risk caring about someone whose job could be dangerous?

  But he was getting way ahead of himself. He'd told Olivia to stop worrying so much about the future, and he needed to take his own advice.

  As the shower turned off, he realized he'd missed another opportunity to get close to Olivia, but the ringing of his cell phone was another reminder that today was a new day. He got out of bed, pulled on his still sandy briefs and jeans and then grabbed his phone off the table.