by Dani Jace
As they crept along, Jordan pointed out several nightlife spots. “I remember my dad saying The Raven used to be a cop hangout in his day.”
The large black bird emblazoned on the sign brought the Edgar Allen Poe poem to mind. “Was he a police officer?”
“Some of his friends were. Dad works in engineering for a company that does contracting for the Navy. Been here all my life. I’m happy to give you a tour of all the nearby cities and more if you’d like.” She winked.
Her little gesture lit him to a fury.
Chapter 6
After arriving back at the beach house, Heath led her between the neighboring houses and onto the beach. A crescent moon hung lazily over the horizon.
He curled an arm around her waist as they walked. Her tropical scent had him snuggling closer. Wisps of her hair tickled his neck.
“Don’t you want to ask me what happened?” She kept her gaze straight ahead.
“About the lawsuit or the man?” He stopped and faced her. “You lived it, Jordan. Why would I want to put you through more pain to satisfy any curiosity I might have?”
“I care what you think of me. So for the record, I made the mistake of giving my trust to a man who hid his marital status by claiming to be his son.”
“Really? What a dick. At least his parents gave him the right name.”
“Richard is the senior executive of the company. Thinking back, there were clues, but I lived here while he was in Richmond. As soon as I found out, I broke all contact. His wife is also a shareholder in the business. She decided to make me the example of her husband’s many indiscretions.”
In the dim light, she appeared small and fragile, but he knew otherwise. She’d endured and overcome, but sadly, she remained overly cautious of people. He took her hands in his. “Nothing changes my opinion of the woman I met on the beach last Friday. But I am sorry for what you’ve gone through.”
She sank into his arms, resting her cheek against the center of his chest.
So soft. He drew her tight, smoothing rebelling ringlets of hair adrift in the summer breeze. His defensive armor dropped.
* * * *
Cradled in his protective embrace, she allowed the world to disappear. He certainly had a way of making her forget life’s troubles.
When they reached the house after their walk, he motioned to the stairs. “Come up for a few minutes?”
Jordan leaned against his Jeep. She really should go. Spending too much time with him didn’t fit into the rules of the game. “It’s late, don’t you have practice tomorrow?”
“We have Saturdays off until July.” He closed in on her and played with the stray curl near her ear. “And we still have the matter of my turn.”
“Your turn?” She’d given him a massage with her foot.
“You had your turn with me at the restaurant. Now it’s mine.” He gave her a sultry wink.
Disarmed by his sentimental mood on the beach, she figured he’d forgotten about their deal. “Does this mean I get a rub with your foot?”
“Hmmm. I prefer to use my hands for massages.” Tracing his index finger along her jaw, he migrated from her neck to her cleavage.
His touch had her struggling for breath. Her breasts heaved, drawing attention she didn’t intend. “Yeah?”
“You chose and now I’m picking mine.” He smiled and cupped her breast.
She initiated the game and would have to play by the rules. “Oh.”
Sexual tension rolled off him in heated waves. He stroked her nipple through the fabric of her dress.
Jordan fought the sensual touch that made her clench with need. Beyond the physical, she loved his caring nature. He’d proved that tonight on the beach. He didn’t care about her past fuck-up. Clinging to Heath, she let him take control.
Heath lifted her by the waist onto the passenger seat. The darkening of his eyes and the set of his mouth gave him a predatory look. He sealed his lips against hers.
She opened and tasted aroused male, still sweet with dessert.
Lightly, he traced her teeth before deepening the kiss. Cupping the back of her head as though she was precious, he slowly skittered his mouth along her neck and down to her breasts.
His shoulders bunched beneath her touch. His other hand teased the back of her knee.
Moisture pooled between her thighs. If his tongue felt as good between them as it did between her breasts, she’d come in two seconds.
He slid her dress strap down and bared a breast. “Beautiful.”
Her nipple hardened under his stare and cool night air.
After licking his lips, he latched onto her sensitive tip.
His warm mouth sent a tingling current racing to her clit making her shudder. She’d never felt such desire.
He caressed the inside of her thigh moving north.
She squeezed his shoulder, holding on, eager for more. Already she needed him more than any previous lover.
His soft groans made her hotter as he inched her sundress higher. He left her breast and planted tender kisses along her sensitive inner thigh while he teased her nipple with his fingers. His warm breath fanned her mound. Then he nibbled the lacy band of her panties.
She clutched the back of his head. “Heath.”
“Just a taste, baby,” he whispered and slid the crotch to one side. He circled her swollen clit with his slick tongue.
Jordan arched against his delicate licks that fed her need. If she didn’t stop him, he’d drive her to depravity.
His timing and pressure wound her tighter. Consumed by a longing ache to be filled, she imagined his body over hers, driving deep. All control lost, Jordan fell back in the seat as she spiraled. Bursts of light flashed behind her eyes. His name came out as a breath.
* * * *
Swept away in sensation by her sweetness, Heath drank her juices until she sank back in the seat, limp and sated.
Pride stroked his breast as he repositioned the frilly skirt and top of her dress.
Her eyes remained unfocused.
He leaned in for a kiss. “Tiramisu has nothing on you, Miss Walker.”
“That was two body parts, Mr. Lancaster.” She grabbed his shirt.
Her empty threat amused him. “I do believe I began my assault on you just before midnight and…” He reached in his pocket and checked his phone’s time. “It is now ten minutes after and a new day.”
She smiled. “Did you plan that?”
He chuckled. “Jock, remember? Not that smart.” He tapped his temple, shifting in his pants. His dick felt like steel and his balls were aching proof she ran this little show.
She slipped from the seat and met him. Reaching between them, she massaged his jutting cock. “Hmmm. Like you said it’s a new day and I never had the opportunity to finish what I began at dinner.”
She reached for his zipper, but he caught her hand. “As much as I’d love to have you on your knees, it won’t happen on the driveway.”
Jordan stepped back with a frown looking mildly affronted. “I thought this street ran both ways.”
He wrapped her in his arms. “Absolutely, darlin’, but I kinda enjoy taking the slow tour.”
“Now what?”
How about I pick you up tomorrow and you can show me around?” Did she only want him for sex, or did she really care enough to give him a tour?
Her eyes brightened. “As long as I can get my Saturday morning beauty sleep.”
He grinned. How he’d loved to catch her sleepy-eyed and hair tousled. “Sure. Not that you need it.” He grazed her temple with a kiss.
She turned for her car.
Holy shit, he was toast.
Chapter 7
The stupid GPS screwed up the route to Jordan’s house. After turning around, Heath stopped and grabbed the map he’d bought when he arrived. Deciding he was on the right road, he continued south, crossed a bridge and then wound through a long straight stretch covered by a c
anopy of trees. Farmettes soon appeared along the twisting two-lane road. Several miles later, he reached a traffic signal.
He hung a left at a grocery store strip, onto a narrow road with deep ditches. A sign for the Outer Banks stated seventy miles. He didn’t realize Virginia Beach was so close to the barrier islands. Might have to ask Jordan to give him a daytrip tour there while he was in town.
A couple of miles farther, a red star appeared on the screen. He turned into a small neighborhood showcasing large brick homes on dinky lots. Not in Texas anymore, bro. Another turn and the GPS announced he’d arrived. If he ever owned a home on such a scale, he’d deem himself a success.
Jordan stood on the front steps, dressed in jean shorts and scoop neck tee.
His mouth watered as he remembered the other night.
She beamed a beautiful smile directly at him.
No woman’s smile had ever seemed more genuine.
* * * *
Jordan met Heath at the front of his vehicle.
His sexy morning grunge beard and dark shades contrasted with his clean-cut appearance on their first date. The navy t-shirt bore a steer head and long horns in red and white.
She pecked his cheek. “What’s The Long Horn?”
“A bar owned by one of the players.” He smiled.
“I like it. Come on in for a minute? I need another cup of caffeine. Some guy’s been keeping me from sleeping.” She grinned.
He raised a brow. “You’re going to have to do better than that.” He guided her mouth to his, tasting like coffee and cream.
She smoothed his spiky, windblown hair then opened the door motioning for him to enter.
As she followed him inside, his shorts accentuated his perfect butt. Those diamond calves of his had to be a genetic gift.
She guided him through the sunken den nearly consumed by the large sectional where she and her dad watched sports.
“Wow, is that a―”
“One hundred-ten inch. Dad loves football and baseball.”
“Obviously.” He shook his head. “Love the layout.”
“Me, too.” She snagged a mug off the rack by the coffeemaker. Dad likes to cook but loves his TV, hence the open bar to the den. The rest of the house is all Mom.”
He accepted the coffee and sat on the kitchen side, staring at the big screen. “Who’s your dad’s football team?”
“And there is where we disagree.” After reheating her cup, Jordan slid onto the seat next to him.
Heath held up a hand. “Don’t tell me. I want to guess.”
“Playing perceptive again?” Jordan liked this fun side of him.
He surveyed the mug rack. “Did your father grow up here?”
She nodded.
“Redskins fan.”
“Too easy. Now what about me?”
“No, that’s the easy one.” He winked.
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Steelers. Remember you jokingly asked if my last name was Miller.”
Comparison of the two handsome men heated her cheeks. “How lucky for me to find a tight end of my own.” Shit, that wasn’t supposed to slip out.
His blue eyes darkened. “At your service, darlin’.”
“Ready to go? I’ll get my bag.” She hopped off her chair and shut off the coffeemaker.
“Tight ends are always ready.” A smile creased his lips as he stowed their empty cups in the dishwasher.
She headed for the stairs, wishing she had a muzzle for her mouth.
* * * *
Jordan adjusted the driver’s seat forward. “Are you sure you trust me?”
He cast her a seductive glint. “Babe, before long, I’ll be trusting you with my most prized possession.”
Chewing her bottom lip to hide a smile, she dropped the Jeep into reverse. “Where to?”
“How about the big mall in Norfolk? The one named after General MacArthur. Dugan and I met some of the team there for dinner, but we didn’t have much time to look around.”
“So what’s Dugan doing on his day off?” With GiGi in New York, she wondered if he was prowling.
“You hot for my bro?” He buckled his seatbelt.
“Just playing nosey for my girl.” She reached across the console and groped his muscular thigh.
“So she’s interested?”
“He probably has more stamina than her usual type.” Jordan pulled from her neighborhood headed for the interstate.
In the open Jeep, conversation was minimal over the wind and radio as she concentrated on driving his fine machine. She caught him glancing over.
He wore a devilish smile. “This Jeep is you, babe.”
God, and so was the hot man riding shotgun. He’d driven her to the edge. She shivered remembering.
He snagged her right hand and raised it to his lips.
Resistance was futile.
As they turned into the mall entrance, Jordan pointed to St. Paul’s Church. She gave Heath a brief history how a cannonball became lodged in the wall during the Revolutionary War. “I’ll show you a couple other icons when we leave.”
During their browsing, she helped him pick out a few pairs of shorts and casual shirts. He wasn’t a clotheshorse, but then most jocks weren’t. Whatever she selected he accepted without question.
“Thanks,” he said after the clerk rang him up. “I never know what women like seeing guys wear. If only men populated the planet, we’d probably only wear hoodies and sweats.”
His dimpled smile warmed her heart. This game might lead beyond the physical.
She latched onto his bicep and squeezed. “Yeah, but there’d be more types of beer!”
“You just read my mind, darlin’.” He tugged her out of the department store.
“Lunch already?” Right. It took a lot of fuel to keep his awesome body in peak condition. She routed them for the third floor to Max and Erma’s.
Heath led her to a booth near the rear of the darkened pub.
Seated across from him, she lingered over the menu and then caught him staring. “Is there something wrong?”
“Not at all.” Reaching across the table, he grasped her hand, smoothing her knuckles with his thumb. “I was just remembering the other night.”
“Oh.” Heat crept along her neck.
Their server arrived to take their orders.
“So, what’s good? Can’t be better than the dessert I had on our last date.” He winked.
Jordan suppressed a smile and ordered a mushroom Swiss burger. She guessed he’d want a bacon cheeseburger and he proved her right. After their waitress left, she asked, “Will any of your family be coming to your games?”
He shrugged and glanced to one of the TVs mounted on the wall. “Mom and Dad aren’t into football. They came to a few high school games.”
How sad. She read the disappointment in his face. Her parents attended every single game of her brothers’ and all of her lacrosse matches.
“My sister, Ashley, was a cheerleader, so she was there. She also came to my home games during college.” He sounded like he missed her more than he cared to admit. “She interviewed at a law firm right out of college, then fell for one of the lawyers and is now a mom.”
“So you’re an uncle, too.” She could see this man as a dad. Whoa, Jordan, slow down.
“It’s hard to believe when I’ve only seen Jeremy once.”
“Tell you what, I’ll be your cheerleader this season.” Smiling, she waved her napkin like a pom-pom.
He almost spewed his beer across the table. “You hated cheering.”
“It’d be different for you.”
He cocked his head as his face brightened. “That…um...really means a lot, Jordan.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of a way to repay my efforts.”
Their meals arrived and they ate in silence for a bit.
With such supportive parents she couldn’t imagine her family not
being there for her. They’d backed her during the darkest times of the trial. Heath had referred to himself as a jock more than once. Was that it? Did his parents cater to their daughter because she sought higher academic standards? Was his dad a lawyer or had he wanted Heath to become one like him?
Having finished with his lunch, Heath asked, “Are you going to eat that or just torture it?”
Like a child caught playing in her food, she bowed her head.
He nabbed a piece of burger off of her plate and enticed her by placing it to her pursed lips. After accepting the offering, she continued and nibbled on his finger.
A sexy scowl crossed his face. “Damn, can’t wait for dessert.”
Such a good, bad boy. So different from the serious types that she’d always gone for.
* * * *
Feeling more confident in his company with some social time under her belt, she offered to drive back. Along Waterside Drive, she pointed out the USS Wisconsin docked along the waterfront. “We can take a tour sometime if you want. And then there’s the Chrysler Museum.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Anytime my tour guide is available.”
She checked the clock. “Absolutely, but if you want some game time, we need to get back to the house while mom and dad are golfing.”
“Rain check on the battleship.” He grinned.
Jordan laughed. “Your gun is primed and ready then, Mr. Tight End.”
“You know it darlin’.”
Anxious for the next play of the game, she drove them back to the house in record time. “Let’s take a quick dip in the swimming pool first?”
“Sure.” He wore a pearly grin as he followed her inside.
“One of my brothers probably left some trunks in the spare room.”
After a quick trip to her oldest brother’s former room, she returned with a pair of safety orange colored swim trunks.
Heath’s mouth quirked. “Don’t want me to get lost?”
“Be nice.”
He held them to his waist and mocked in a girly tone, “Well, they’ll definitely show off my tan.”
With a flick of her hand, she let out a teen-like squeal. “Oh, you are so right.”
He winced. “Quit. You’re killing my—”
