Hot to the Touch

by Jaci Burton

  He leaned in, his lips so close he could almost taste her. He really wanted to kiss her again. “I wanted to see you.”

  She tangled her fingers in his hair and bridged those inches to kiss him again. He breathed her in, losing himself in the softness of her lips, in the way she moved her mouth so eagerly over his. If they were alone, he’d pull her onto his lap and deepen the kiss, put his hands all over her and before long they’d end up naked.

  But they weren’t alone, and the thoughts in his head were only going to get him hard and in trouble, so he pulled away.

  Becks drew in a deep breath. “I’m glad you stopped by. We’ve both been so busy lately we haven’t spent much time together. And I know it’s mostly me. I’ve put in some late hours.”

  “You have. But that’s good for you, isn’t it?”

  “It is. I had no idea the change in location would bump up our walk-ins so much, but we’re getting a lot more business. And having Martin here has really helped because he brings in a lot of repeat business. More than he can handle, actually, which means I’m getting some of his overflow.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, babe. Growth is a good thing.”

  “Yeah.” She propped her tennis-shoed feet onto the chair next to her. “I think it’s just because we’re new. Surely it’ll calm down once we’re established.”

  Jackson finished off his coffee. “Or maybe it won’t. Maybe it’ll build.”

  Her eyes went wide. “If it does that, I’ll have to add another artist.”

  “That wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it?”

  “No. It would be a great thing. Though I’d hate to grow out of this space so fast.”

  He looked around. “You have room for one more artist, right?”

  “Yes. We could fit one more. Any more than that and I’d have to move.”

  “Or bust into the space next door.”

  She laughed. “Sure. I’ll just boot out the yogurt shop.”

  He shrugged. “Hey, yogurt places come and go. Or you could make them an offer they can’t refuse.”

  “Ha. Like the Godfather, huh?”

  “Yeah. You could be the mobster of Ft. Lauderdale.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, that’s me all right. I like how you think I’m going to become this tattoo mogul, so rich I’ll be able to take over this entire shopping strip.”

  “Hey, you never know. Or maybe you’ll just branch out. Open up Skin Deep Two or Skin Deeper or something.”

  She stared at him. “Now you’re giving me ideas.”

  “Good ideas, though, right?”

  “Very good ideas.”

  He grinned. “I have many ideas in regard to you.”

  “You do? I’d like to hear some of them.”

  He looked down the hall, then leaned in to whisper. “Most of them require you to be naked.”

  “Okay. I like where this is going. So far I’m scheduled to finish up here on time tonight.”

  “Sounds good, but hey, you do what you need to do for work. Building up your client base is your priority. And if you want me to bring you some food, text me.”

  She rubbed the side of his face with the palm of her hand. “You’re too good to me.”

  Her touch was driving him crazy, so that was his cue to leave. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

  “Okay.” She stood and walked with him to the front door.

  He picked up her hand, noticing that Aria was staring at them. He wanted to put his mouth on Becks, to draw her into his arms and kiss her for a long time. So long she’d know how hard it was to leave her. Instead, he brushed his lips across hers in a quick kiss. “See you later.”

  “Okay.”

  After he got into his truck he drove down to the ocean, his initial plan to face-plant and get some sleep replaced by the need to cool down his heated body.

  He’d crash later. Right now those salty waves were calling his name.

  CHAPTER 26

  Becks shuffled her schedule around so she could be out of her shop by one on Saturday. Martin was working and so was Aria, and Martin promised he’d drop Aria off at closing. She also brought in food and told Aria there was extra food in the fridge in case she got hungry.

  Since it was also Jackson’s day off, she was hoping they could spend some time together.

  They had nights together whenever he was off, and those nights had been getting hotter and hotter, and it wasn’t just the steamy summer nights making her sweat. It was his touch, the way his hands roamed her body as if he’d memorized every inch of her and knew exactly what it took to send her soaring right over the edge. And then he’d kiss her. Starting with her mouth, moving to her neck and making his way ever so slowly south.

  It didn’t matter to her how late they stayed up, because every night was a trip to heaven.

  She couldn’t get enough of putting her hands—and her mouth—on him, either. His scent was embedded in her and on her. Often during her workday she’d find herself stopping just to close her eyes, take a deep breath and remember the night before.

  Oh, she had it so bad.

  She was just finishing cleanup in her room when Aria came back.

  “Someone named Margie is here? Said she’s a friend of yours.”

  “Oh, great, thanks, Aria.”

  She went out to the front to find her friend standing there wearing a sundress and the brightest smile.

  “You look happy.”

  “I’m always happy.”

  That was true. Margie was never in a bad mood. When Becks had first hired Margie to find rental space for her tattoo shop, Margie had been this fast-talking bundle of energy and Becks had been subdued and nonverbal and had no idea how to handle this strange, gorgeous, vibrant girl.

  But Margie’s joyful attitude was infectious and she’d found the perfect place for Becks where the rent for the studio and the apartment were combined. And despite Becks not wanting or needing friends, Margie had decided right then that they’d become friends.

  And so it had been decided. Because once Margie Vasquez decided you were her friend, there was no backing out.

  “I’m on my lunch break,” Margie said, “and I was wondering if you had some time to get something to drink.”

  “Actually I’m finished for the day, so I’d love to.”

  “Awesome. We need to catch up. It feels like it’s been forever. Oh, and this place looks fabulous.”

  “Come on, I’ll give you a quick tour, since you need to eat. Then we’ll go.”

  She introduced Margie to Aria and Martin as she showed her around the offices, and then Becks locked her room and they headed out. Martin had a set of keys to the shop, so he’d lock up when he left for the night. She knew Aria liked to stay until closing, because the shop was air-conditioned and much cooler than hanging out at the park, and Becks totally understood that. Summer could be rough months for the homeless. It was so hot and you could easily get overheated if you didn’t know the tricks to keeping yourself cool.

  At least she had a spot in the park where it was shady.

  She and Margie left and walked across the parking lot to a great Mexican restaurant.

  After the week she’d had, Becks was dying for a margarita, but she held off and decided on an iced tea. Margie had the same. They ordered guacamole for an appetizer and Margie decided on the taco lunch special.

  “I’m moving into real estate sales,” Margie said.

  Becks’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. My boss at the real estate office loves how outgoing and take-charge I am. He thinks I’m underutilized in commercial rentals and wants me to try my hand at home sales. He also said with my personality and the way I go after new business I’ll be making tons of money in no time.”

  Becks knew how ambitious Margie was, how much she wanted
to grow in her profession. “Oh, honey, I believe that. You are so great with your clients. And you’re not pushy, but you have an uncanny knack for knowing exactly what people need. I think it’s a perfect job for you.”

  “Thank you. Me, too. I’m going to start training next week. Home sales are quite different, but I know I can do it. It won’t take me long to get up to speed. And then I’ll beat everyone’s sales at the office.”

  Becks laughed. “Of course you will.”

  They dug into the guac the server brought. In between bites, Margie asked, “So how’s the new shop doing?”

  “Crazy busy. The location is perfect and I couldn’t be happier.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that. I knew it was going to be a good fit, even if the rent was a little higher.”

  “It helps to have Martin there to share the expenses.”

  Margie took a sip of her tea, then said, “Who’s a total hottie, by the way.”

  “Yes, it doesn’t hurt to have a good-looking artist there. Female customers love him.”

  “Hey, everyone loves you, too. I know I talk about my tattoo all the time.”

  Margie turned over her arm to reveal the bright red-and-yellow butterfly Becks had tattooed on her inner arm.

  “It’s one of my favorite tattoos,” Becks said. “And it looks beautiful against your skin.”

  “Thank you. I love it so much.”

  Margie’s tacos arrived, so she started to eat. She offered one up to Becks, who tried to decline but Margie insisted on sharing, so she ate part of one.

  “Tell me about the roommates,” Margie said. “Are you going to stay at the house with the three delicious firemen?”

  “I don’t think I’ll stay there. But I am sort of kind of seeing or maybe just having sex with Jackson.”

  Margie held out her hand. “Wait. You’re sleeping with Jackson? The tall, lean, dark-haired, gorgeous, steely-gray-eyed one?”

  “Yes. That one.”

  Margie fanned her hand back and forth over her face. “Girl, that man is so hot he could cause fires.”

  Becks smiled over her glass of tea. “He causes a fire in my panties.”

  Margie laughed. And when Margie laughed, you could hear it six tables away. “I’ll just bet he does. Aren’t you the lucky one? He’s the one you had a crush on when you both were homeless, right?”

  “Yes, but that was an adolescent kind of crush.”

  “Oh, and now it’s an adult, let-me-strip-for-you-so-you-can-do-naughty-things-to-all-the-parts-of-my-body kind of crush?”

  Becks laughed. “Yes. Just like that.”

  “Hmm,” Margie said, leaning back in the booth with her glass of tea in her hand. “Or maybe it’s more than just a crush and sex?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You know exactly what I mean. How do you feel about him?”

  “I feel like he gives me shivers when he kisses me. And when I’m not with him I miss him. Other than that, it’s just . . . fun, you know?”

  “Oh, I know, honey. I’ve dated my share of guys who set my panties on fire. But I’ve never fallen in love with any of them.”

  Becks lifted her chin. “I never said I was in love with him.”

  “That’s true, you didn’t. Just . . . be careful, Becks. I worry about your heart.”

  Margie always watched out for her, which was one of the reasons she was Becks’s best friend. They looked out for each other, especially as it related to guys.

  “I’ve got hold of my heart, don’t you worry.”

  “Uh-huh. That’s what we all say, right before we tumble straight into love land.”

  “I’m not going there. I’ve got too many other things planned for my life.”

  Or at least she didn’t think that was what was happening. She hoped it wasn’t.

  She left Margie confused about how she felt. She knew better than to think there was a happily-ever-after in her future. Sure, her job was great, and she had a best friend and right now she had a roof over her head.

  And at one time in her life she had parents she thought loved her. And then one day all of that changed, when they left her alone and never came home.

  And she never, ever saw them again. So she’d always had a hard time believing things people told her, and an even harder time believing that anyone could ever love her.

  But she did believe in herself, because she’d always only had herself to rely on. And she was damn good at handling life. She was talented, tenacious and a survivor.

  That she could always count on.

  Anything else wasn’t a guarantee.

  She ended up back at the house in a thoughtful frame of mind. When she went inside, Rafe and Kal were in the pool with a couple of women.

  She popped her head outside to wave hello and they waved back.

  Jackson came downstairs just as she was going up.

  “Hi,” she said.

  He slid his arm around her waist and tugged her close. “Hey, yourself. How was your day?”

  “Short, finally.”

  “Good. Still feel like going out with me today?”

  “I do. What did you have in mind?”

  “Well, first I need to ask you for a favor.”

  “Okay.” Now she was curious.

  “My parents are doing some house hunting this afternoon and they asked one of us to come along. Since Rafe and Kal have dates over, I was wondering if you would mind coming with me to look at houses with them.”

  “That sounds fun. I’d love to.”

  He gave her a quick kiss. “Thanks. I know this won’t be fun.”

  “Are you kidding? I spent the first twenty years of my life homeless. Looking at houses is like a fantasy.”

  “A fantasy, huh? I doubt that.”

  “Hey, you might not think of it as fun, but I do. Give me a minute to freshen up and I’ll be ready to go.”

  “Okay.”

  She went up to her room to change clothes and brush her teeth and hair. She opted for a pair of orange capris with a white short-sleeved shirt, then slid into a pair of white sandals. When she came downstairs, Jackson was looking down at his phone. When he saw her, he smiled.

  “Damn, you’re beautiful.”

  “Oh, come on. I’m casual.”

  “Casually beautiful.” He got up and swept her into his arms, then kissed her. “You always take my breath away.”

  And he always knew exactly what to say to make her feel swept away. “Thank you.”

  “We’ll meet my parents at the first house. They sent the address and they’re already on the way.”

  “Exciting. Let’s go.”

  This would be exactly what she needed to get her mind off the future. What she needed was to stay in the present, and away from thoughts about herself and how she grew up. She’d already made peace with her past. She couldn’t change what had happened to her, and she’d decided not to let it influence her future. She was worthy, and her parents hadn’t been worthy of her. So she had to get rid of the negative feelings that occasionally cropped up.

  What could be more fun than house hunting?

  “Did you have a bad day?”

  She looked over at Jackson. “No. Why would you ask that?”

  “You’re really quiet. We don’t have to do this, Becks, if you don’t want to.”

  “No, actually I was thinking how much I want to. I got deep in my head thinking about the past today, and house hunting will be a really good distraction.”

  “The past?”

  “Yes. You know. Parents. How I became a homeless kid. Things like that.”

  “Oh.” He made a turn onto the highway and sped up to catch up with traffic. “Yeah, well you know how I feel about that.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brough
t it up.”

  “Not about you, babe. You can talk to me about anything having to do with your past.” After he merged into traffic, he gave her a quick glance. “Tell me what’s bugging you.”

  She inhaled and let it out. “Sometimes I just get angry.”

  “About?”

  “My parents. They just left me at that apartment and never looked back. I was their child and they just walked away from me as if I were a piece of old furniture they didn’t care about. Who does that?”

  “Shitty parents. People who should have never had the responsibility of caring for a kid.”

  “Like yours?”

  He paused, changed lanes. “My parents died.”

  She gasped. “Oh, Jackson, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  He shrugged. “No way for you to know since I don’t talk about it.”

  She waited, knowing talking about his past was a sensitive subject. “What were they like?”

  “I don’t remember much. I was six when they died. There was a car accident. Winding back roads and it had been raining really hard. I guess my dad didn’t negotiate the curve well and the car went off the road and down a ravine. They’d been driving some older-model compact car and it didn’t save either of them.”

  “How awful.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, there was no other family, so it was the foster care system for me.”

  “No grandparents or aunts or uncles or any distant relatives?”

  “Nope.”

  “Not even any friends of your parents willing to take you in?”

  “Nope.”

  “Yeah, same for me.”

  “It sucks, doesn’t it?”

  “It does.”

  She could tell from the way his fingers clung to the steering wheel that she needed to end this conversation.

  “It doesn’t matter. Look where you ended up. With incredible parents who love you and your brothers.”

  He smiled and relaxed his death grip. “Yeah, they’re pretty amazing.”

  “I think it’s pretty amazing that they want to move into a new house after all these years.”

  “I do, too. It’s a big deal for my dad. He really likes the old place.”

  She was glad he’d let go of whatever pain from the past had made him so tense. “It’s obviously true love if he’s willing to give up the house he loves for the woman he loves even more.”