by Cindy Kirk
Protective instincts? His lips curved upward in a slight smile as he tried to make himself focus on the movie. Protective wasn’t the word for how he felt as he inhaled the sultry scent of her lotion.
The skin of her shoulder was warm and soft beneath his fingertips. He couldn’t help but wonder if the rest of her would be equally soft. The instant his mind leaped to the image of her naked beneath him, he forced it away.
Okay, maybe he lingered on the image for a second or two but that was all. A full-blown sexual relationship between him and Anna would only complicate their friendship. Even though Tripp knew there was no future in such intimacy, he couldn’t help wishing things could be different.
But a little kissing in a car, well, that wasn’t quite the same thing as getting naked. Lots of friends kissed. Although, at the moment, Tripp couldn’t think of any women friends that he’d kissed. But he felt certain—or at least fairly certain—that it happened a lot.
Anna chuckled.
He quickly slanted a glance in her direction but her eyes were on the screen. At least one of them could say they’d actually watched the show.
All Tripp could think about was how she’d specifically mentioned the fact that she’d never parked with a guy. He felt honored that she’d trusted him with that unfulfilled desire.
After all, if she’d have told Winn about this particular desire, there was no doubt in Tripp’s mind that Winn would have been all over her. Tripp clenched his teeth together.
Winn had no subtlety, no finesse. If that man took Anna parking, he’d ruin her fantasy.
Tripp, on the other hand, would know just how to make it a memorable experience for her.
His lips lifted in a smile. Yep, he’d make it good for her. And something told him it would be a night neither of them would soon forget.
* * *
“Where would you like me to take you?” Tripp said, after they’d exited the theater and stepped out onto the sidewalk.
Anna jerked her attention to him. “Take me?”
His smile was boyish and went straight to her heart. “Would you like some dessert? Or a drink? Or...”
His voice trailed off and her heart skipped a beat.
It would really be simplest to choose a glass of wine or perhaps a bite of tiramisu. But Anna had always had a curious streak and she couldn’t help but wonder what was behind door number three.
Don’t ask, the voice of reason in her head whispered. Do. Not. Ask.
Several people smiled at Tripp and stopped to talk. She wondered what they thought about seeing the CEO of their hospital dressed in faded blue jeans and a twill shirt. Personally she thought he looked—because she’d permanently barred the word yummy from her vocabulary, she substituted—very handsome.
The casual conversation they’d engaged in should have made it easier to pick door one or door two. Instead, a curious humming filled her body and she felt almost as if she was a race-car driver positioned in the starting gate with engine revving.
“Finally,” Tripp said in a low tone when the last person had walked away. “What would you like to do?”
“I’d like to know what’s behind door number three.”
A confused frown wrinkled his brow and she bit back a groan.
“I mean the third alternative,” she hastily explained. “You gave me the choice between dessert, a drink, but then we were interrupted when you were going to give me the third alternative.”
While that wasn’t quite accurate, it was close enough to the truth.
He took her arm and pulled her to the side of the building. “I’m not sure if what I’m about to suggest is appropriate.”
“Who cares?” Anna said in a flippant tone. “Say it anyway.”
He trailed a finger up her bare arm. “We could use the rest of this evening to further your education.”
Anna licked her lips. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
“Well—” he took a step closer, although there was hardly any room between them now “—you were already kissed in the back row of a movie theater, so you’ve had that experience. But you’ve never gone parking. We could get that crossed off your to-do list tonight if you’re interested.”
Interested? No, of course she wasn’t interested.
“Sure,” she heard herself say. “But we have our reputations to think about. We can’t be parking and have the sheriff drive up. We’d probably end up on the front page of the newspaper.”
“Good point,” he said and her heart sank.
He rubbed his chin. “But it’s not an insurmountable issue.”
“You have a solution?” She couldn’t keep the eagerness from her tone.
“My father owns a whole lot of land. Land that contains various places a truck could park. The sheriff doesn’t patrol there.”
Anna forced a casual tone. “It’s a nice night for a drive.”
“That, too.” His gaze searched her eyes. “But only if you’re interested.”
“I’ve always felt that I missed something important by not, uh, engaging in typical teenage rites of passage.” Anna waved a casual hand, hoping he’d think her burning cheeks were from too much makeup. “So yes, I’m interested. Unless you think we’re making a mistake.”
He grinned. “Let’s do it anyway.”
Chapter Twelve
If someone had asked Anna exactly where she and Tripp were headed on that clear star-filled night in September, she would have admitted she didn’t have a clue.
Tripp kept the conversation light on their way out of town. They’d driven for about fifteen minutes when he turned off the highway in the direction of his parents’ ranch. But instead of taking the lane leading to the house, he chose a side road she’d never noticed before.
Darkness surrounded them, creating an air of intimacy in the cab that Anna found both comforting and terrifying. “Sure is dark out here.”
“I like it.” A tiny smile played on the edges of Tripp’s lips. “Other than my family, this feeling of being part of the land is what I missed most when I was gone.”
“You’re happy you came back.” It was a statement, not a question.
“From the moment I left, I couldn’t wait to return.” He paused. “But life isn’t always about what just one person wants.”
Even though he didn’t mention Gayle’s name, Anna knew that was whom he’d meant. Her friend had discovered she loved big-city life and would have never willingly moved back to Jackson Hole.
“How about you?” he asked. “Are you happy here?”
Anna tried to relax against the back of the seat and not think of the reason they were making this late-night drive on a dark, deserted road. Not because she was dreading what she assumed would occur once the truck came to a stop, but because anticipation held her body in a fever grip.
“Very happy.” Anna smiled. “To me, Jackson Hole is the most beautiful place on earth. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Suddenly, unexpectedly, the truck pulled to a stop. Tripp cut the lights and complete darkness closed in around them.
The only sounds in the car were her rapid breaths. Tripp didn’t respond to her comment, which told her the time for conversation was over.
There was no reason to be apprehensive, she told herself. After all, it wasn’t as if she was some naive schoolgirl. “Because this is meant to be an educational experience, perhaps you could tell me what usually happens?”
“It varies,” Tripp said, sounding surprisingly serious. “And that’s something we should discuss.”
“Is there usually a formal discussion prior to the...kissing?” Even though she’d asked the question, Anna couldn’t imagine two high school students having any sort of heavy-duty discussion. A nervous laugh escaped her lips. “I’m sorry. That wa
s a stupid question.”
“A discussion usually isn’t necessary.” Tripp gazed at her across the darkened interior. “When you’re dating someone, you have a good idea of how far they’re willing—or wanting—to go. The guy should respect those boundaries.”
Anna gazed out the windshield at a sky filled with stars. There was an underlying question beneath his words that she had to address. “Well, we’re definitely not going all the way.”
Thankfully, he didn’t act shocked by her bluntness. “Which is a good thing, because I don’t have any condoms with me.”
Anna inhaled sharply. The way he’d said it made it sound as if intercourse would have been an option otherwise.
“Kissing is on the table,” he said.
She nodded.
“French-kissing?”
Could this get any more embarrassing? Anna kept her gaze focused on the stars, her heart fluttering. “That would be okay, too.”
“We can stay at first base or would you be okay with moving to second if we’re interested at the time?”
Anna took a deep breath, her mind racing. She should shut this discussion down right now. Tell him that she’d made a mistake; that while she appreciated his going along with her fantasy, it was best that they head back into town.
But when she met his gaze and saw him looking at her with those eyes filled with desire, she couldn’t resist the chance to know what making out with Tripp Randall would be like.
“I think we should simply decide at the time.” There, that seemed to be a civilized response. An adult making a conscious decision to...what? What the heck was second base anyway? She’d heard her friends talk about it, but that was years ago. Should she ask him? No. She’d know when to call it quits.
“Sounds like a rational approach.” His fingers played with her hair.
“Of course, it’ll probably be over pretty quickly anyway.”
Surprise skittered across his face. “What makes you say that?”
Anna lightly tapped the gear shift protruding from the console between them. “Seems to me we’ve got a pretty effective chaperone.”
“Oh, we’re not going to make out here.” Tripp chuckled. “Not enough room.”
Puzzled, Anna frowned. “I thought that’s why we drove up here.”
“It’s a beautiful night,” he said with a boyish smile. “I thought we’d put a blanket in the truck bed and look at the stars.”
Look at the stars? Well, she guessed that sounded better than “make out,” which reminded her way too much of high school. Not that she’d made out with anyone back then. Unless you counted Darrell Hecker, who’d been in band with her and kissed her cheek one time after a swing concert.
“Okay.” She reached for her door handle, thankful they’d gotten everything settled.
“Whoa.” He touched her arm. “Wait. I’ll open the door.”
“I’m perfectly capable of opening my own door,” she said stiffly.
He grinned. “I have no doubt of that, but let me be a gentleman for a few more seconds.”
A shiver of anticipation skittered up her spine. Did that mean that he was thinking of not being a gentleman once they reached the truck bed? Would she get a teeny glimpse of Tripp’s wild side tonight? She could only hope.
“Before we do this,” she heard him say, “in order to fulfill your fantasy—for as long as we’re here—we’re going back to those high school days. So, for now, we’re not Tripp the CEO or Anna the nurse midwife—we’re just two high school kids parking.”
Even though Anna had never been interested in acting and had never been particularly good at role-playing during those silly party games, she liked the idea of not being her adult self this evening. “I’ll give it a try.”
He smiled and something flickered in the back of his eyes. It told her that Tripp was as ready as she to shed his adult persona for some simple, wholesome fun.
She shifted in her seat, gripped by anticipation, while he got out, retrieved a red plaid blanket from the backseat and rounded the front of the truck.
When he opened the door and held out his hand, her teenage self hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She batted her lashes at him. “If my parents knew I was up here alone with you, they’d have a fit.”
He smiled, a cocky, confident grin you’d expect from a football hero and class president. “I’ve got a solution. Don’t tell them.”
Anna laughed and held out her hand. “I like the way you think.”
“I like the way you taste,” he said, taking her fingers in his. “I haven’t been able to get that kiss out of my mind. All I can think about is you. And me. Together.”
Her heart tripped over itself. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it either.”
“Is that why you agreed to come here with me?” he asked in a low tone, although there was no one around for miles. “Please tell me it wasn’t to look at the stars.”
“It was you.” Her voice came out low and husky. “It’s always been you.”
He winked. “It’s always been you, too, babe.”
Even though he was just making stuff up as he went, Anna had spoken the truth. From the time she’d been a teenager, Tripp had mesmerized her. Perhaps tonight’s brief interlude would help get him out from under her skin.
After lowering the end gate, he helped her climb into the back of the truck. She stood while he spread the blanket.
“You know,” he said, “if we lie down we’ll have a great view of the stars.”
“I think you have more in mind than looking at the stars, Tripp Randall.” A sound burst forth from Anna’s throat that could only be described as a giggle. It took her by such surprise that she giggled again.
“Perhaps I do.” Tripp sat on the blanket and tugged her down next to him.
She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I don’t think my parents would approve of my sitting this close.”
“True.” He grinned. “But then again, they wouldn’t approve of your being up here in the first place.”
He took her hand, urging her even closer. Even though the night breeze now held a hint of coolness, heat was rolling off Tripp Randall in waves and Anna was anything but cold.
When he put his arm around her shoulders, she gave in to desire and rested her head against his broad chest.
“This is nice,” she said, her fingers playing with the buttons on his shirt. “But I don’t think either of us will be comfortable like this for long.”
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “If we lie down, we’ll be out of the wind.”
Anna convinced herself that lying beside Tripp would be the same as being on a giant beach towel next to a friend. But once she was next to him, she realized, this didn’t have that crowded-beach feel.
Then he tugged her to him and kissed her. The touch of his lips sent tiny electrical currents racing through her body.
“You told me I was only a ‘good’ kisser,” he murmured against her mouth.
Jeesh, did the guy have a memory like a steel trap or what?
“Give me a chance to change your opinion.”
A shiver of excitement traveled up Anna’s spine. “Tell me we’re not going to spend all night talking.”
Almost immediately his lips closed over hers once again. This kiss started out sweet and gentle but quickly escalated into something deliciously dangerous.
When his tongue swept across her lips, she slipped her fingers into his silky hair and opened her mouth to him. The thought of having even a small part of him inside her was incredibly erotic.
Her breasts tingled and an ache began between her legs. By the time they came up for air, Anna was breathing hard and a delightful shiver of wanting filled her body.
&nbs
p; Tripp trailed a finger down her cheek. “Was that more to your liking?”
She couldn’t stop the smile from lifting her lips. “You’re definitely on the right track.”
“Hmm.” His gaze dropped to her chest, lingering on her breasts straining against the fabric. “Let me try again.”
“If you want.” She tried to force a bored tone, but the words sounded more breathless than bored.
The kisses began again. Slow, leisurely ones that stoked the fire burning inside her. The flames were on the verge of an inferno when he eased the zipper down on her dress and slipped the fabric from her shoulders.
“What are you doing?” she asked in that still-oddly-breathless tone, arching her neck back as he nibbled on her ear.
“Making it a little more convenient.”
“Convenient?” She inhaled sharply as his fingers unhooked her strapless bra, and suddenly she was naked from the waist up.
“For me to do this.” His mouth closed over one sensitive nipple, while his fingers teased the tip of the other one.
“I’m sure my parents wouldn’t approve of this,” she panted.
He lifted his head from her breast, the tip still wet from his mouth. “Do you want me to stop?”
“Don’t you dare.” Her breath came in little puffs.
He chuckled before kissing her with such heat that she feared she would self-combust. Then he returned to her breasts. Her senses remained on overload as he nipped, sucked and licked, then trailed his tongue down her belly. At the same time his hand slipped up and under her dress.
He cupped her and she squirmed, pressing against his hand, wanting to prolong the sensations flooding her body.
Still, some sanity remained.
“I’m not going all the way with you,” she panted, though that was exactly what she wanted to do. Give him her body as she’d already given him her heart.
“I know,” he said in a tense voice. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t bring you pleasure.”
Before his words could even register, he pushed aside her panties and slipped two fingers inside her. She bucked upward, her muscles clenching tightly against him as he slowly began moving his fingers in and out. In and out. At that moment she’d have done anything, given him anything he asked.
