by Dani Jace
Her clit throbbed. Yes, the night of her party. “Bobby interrupted before I even got your kiss.”
“Shh. Pretend you’re there now. It’s your birthday.”
She imagined lying on a blanket among the dunes. His feathering caresses centered on her nub, stoked her higher. She rocked her hips and opened embracing the swirling hot sensation. A relentless fire consumed her as she replayed her own version.
But her body refused. Jo gripped the sheets beneath her and rose to her elbows.
Dark lashes fanned his tan cheeks, his face serene while pleasing her. It was all she needed.
She arched against his wondrous mouth. “More, please.”
“Mmmm.” He pushed two fingers inside her.
She bucked beneath him. The combination of his teasing mouth and pumping fingers sent her reeling. Her sheath tightened as she rode his mouth toward ecstasy.
Lightening streaked behind her eyelids. She surrendered. Waves of pure pleasure pulsed through her, on and on.
As she lay limp and sated, he rose over her. With a narrowed gaze that bordered on predatory, he licked his lips. “Good?”
“That was amazing.” If his mouth and fingers felt so good, she couldn’t imagine what his cock would do for her.
Chapter 18
Ray woke primed and ready with her sweet twin crescents tucked against him. If she knew his darkest desires, she’d probably run for her life. Christ, if their oral play in the wee hours was only a portion of the pleasure, he could hardly wait for more. He’d love to fuck her until the neighbor’s knew his name. He would wait though. His fantasy had always been them making love for the first time at beach house.
Craig’s Jeep rumbled into the driveway as if on cue. The front door banged as he returned from his dispatch shift.
Jo stirred in his arms. “I’m hungry.”
He chuckled. “My roommate’s here. We’ll go to your place and I’ll make you breakfast.”
She turned and palmed his chest. Her eyes darkened. “Sounds good.”
“Oh, it will be, I promise.”
He followed her to the beach cottage where Bobby and Sarah’s vehicles sat. Shit. Bobby must have some kind of internal radar.
She grabbed her backpack and climbed inside the Hummer.
“How long do you think they’ll be here?” He rubbed his chin.
“Let’s go inside. They’ll probably leave in a bit.”
Sounded like she was she stalling again. He willed his dick down. “I’ll make breakfast, regardless.”
Jo entered the house. Bobby and Sarah sat at the bar having coffee. “Morning.”
“You didn’t call.” Bobby shot her a dark look.
Christ, she wasn’t a kid anymore. “My fault.” Ray stepped behind Jo. “We were late returning from a volunteer call. Didn’t want her coming home alone.”
Jo turned to her brother. “You never―”
“Babe, you never let her know you’re staying at my place.”
“Thank you, Sarah.” She grabbed two mugs from the rack.
Ray extended his hand to Bobby and nodded to Sarah. “When are we going to hit the golf course again, bro? Sarah and Jo can come along.”
“Yeah, hon, I’ve got a set of clubs.” Sarah smiled and sipped her coffee.
“I’ll drive the cart.” Jo poured a cup for Ray then searched the fridge.
Bobby released Ray’s hand and frowned. “Work’s got me really busy right now.”
“Sure, man. I understand.”
Jo handed Ray the milk and eggs.
“So, old buddy, are you banging my sister?”
Sarah spewed coffee across the counter.
Stunned, he just stared at Bobby.
“None of your business.” Jo turned with her hands on her hips.
“She’s a consenting adult.” Ray’s muscles sprung into war mode.
“You need to stay focused while in the academy.” Bobby pointed at her. “It’s no cake walk. You don’t have time to be fucking around. Literally or figuratively.”
Ray moved in on him. “You’re out of line, bro.”
“She needs to fix her life.” Bobby slammed a hand on the counter.
He moved next to Jo. “She’s doing just fine.”
“What’s with you?” Jo snapped.
“Tired of paying bills and not living here. He scowled.
“That’s been your choice. We can always sell the place.”
Ray tightened his arm around her waist. That was the last thing she wanted. Him too.
Bobby stood. “Maybe we should. Sarah and I have been talking about buying a place together.”
Bobby’s rage was out of character, but Ray wouldn’t let him continue to bully her. He moved her toward the door. “Come on, let’s go, Jo.”
“Not before I have my say.” She gently stepped from his grasp. “Don’t let me being in the academy hold you up from getting married or selling the place. Just because I fucked-up in California doesn’t mean I’m going to wash out of the academy.”
She turned to Ray. “Let me get something from my room and we’ll go.”
Sarah scooted from her bar seat and refilled her coffee.
Ray inhaled to restrain his anger. “Nice Bobby.” He cut his friend a hard glance. Better Bobby on the shit list than him.
* * * *
She snatched Ray’s hoodie and held it to her chest. Her heart pounded. After grabbing a few other things, she found Ray waiting for her in the kitchen. She waved to Sarah before slamming the door behind them.
Ray closed his truck door and clicked on his seatbelt. “Did something happen after Thanksgiving you didn’t tell me about?”
Her brother’s hostility had blindsided her. Like the night at Papagayos after Stan’s death when he had lashed out at her about Ray. His kick to the gut rocked her.
“Aww, baby, don’t cry. He’s just crabbing. Don’t let him get to you. If he wants to sell the place or you want out, you can stay with me.”
“That’s a lot to offer.” She wiped her eyes.
He leaned close. His lips grazed hers in a slow glide while cupping the base of her skull, drawing her against his maleness. He tasted like coffee and man. Her man. Last night he proved his conviction as her lover.
Today, he promised to be there for her. She welcomed his searching tongue, savoring his essence. The way he tugged her bottom lip and curled his fingers in her hair made her weak for him, but strong for all she must soon face.
A tap on her window broke the moment. She hit the button as Sarah waited.
“It’s not you, Jo. There’s some investigation going on at work. Bobby’s under pressure, but he won’t tell me anything.”
Her heart skittered. She needed to talk to Harley. She might be off DEA’s radar, but she wouldn’t put it past Vic to go after her family.
Chapter 19
“Let’s take a ride.” Ray shoved the shifter into reverse. Seconds later, they hit Route 12 heading south. He kept her hand snug in his. Her silence worried him. “You okay?”
“What do you think is going on with him?” She gnawed her bottom lip.
He’d never seen him go at Jo like this morning. Whatever his problem, Jo had enough crap do deal with and it didn’t sit well with him. “It could be work or who knows, he might have just told her that because he’s getting cold feet.”
“Guy shit.”
“Let it go for now.”
After stopping for some coffee and doughnuts, they continued south.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse came into view. With its distinctive black and white spiral, the towering lighthouse was a historical monument of the Outer Banks. Her slight intake of breath pleased him.
“You haven’t been here since you got home?” It was her favorite place to surf.
“Haven’t been here since my last East Coast competition. Dad was still alive.” She clutched his bicep.
Hell, he hadn’t mean
t to bring her down even more. “I’m sorry. The plan was to take your mind off things.”
“No, it’s perfect.” She brushed his cheek with a kiss. “I’ve wanted to come, just not alone.”
He turned the truck for the ramp to the beach and soon they cruised along the shoreline on the clear crisp day. Her growing smile tripped his heart. Maybe he could turn the morning around. And so far they were the only truck in sight. A mile or so later, he pulled to a stop, then slid out and walked around to the passenger’s door, and offered her the driver’s seat.
Eyes wide, she looked like a teen who’d just been given their dream vehicle. “Okay, so how do you afford this beast?”
“DEA auction.”
“Drug running truck?” She frowned. “So, do you know any DEA agents?”
“No, Bobby told me about the sale.”
He didn’t understand why she wanted to know if he knew any DEA agents, but let it slide as they reached the narrowest strip of the beach called The Point. Two currents merged in a display of rippling water. “Stop here.”
He hopped out and waited at the water’s edge. Her arm slid around his waist making him smile. A public display of affection might be a sign of growing trust. “Remember when we used to wade out searching for shells?”
“It seems a lifetime ago.” Her head fell against his shoulder.
He’d hoped this place would help her forget the argument with Bobby and her past troubles. “You’re home now.”
She faced him. Caught his face gently in her hands. “You are my home. And I’ve been lost without you.”
Words failed him. He brought her close, lifted her off her feet and buried his head against her shoulder. His throat burned and his chest tightened. Except for saying she loved him, nothing had meant more. “Me too, Dahlin’. Me too.”
She nibbled soft lips along his jaw, working them toward his mouth. Timid at first, she grew bold tracing her tongue inside, melding with his.
Sugary, sweet from breakfast, he enjoyed her slow kiss. He caught loose strands of her hair. So long, he’d waited for her to come home. Patience in gaining her trust again had paid off.
“Come on let’s walk.” She took his hand.
The sun warmed them and had them peeling out of their sweatshirts.
“Can I ask you a question?” She avoided eye contact.
A thousand what ifs fired through his brain. “Shoot.”
“What’s the most scared you’ve ever been?” Her grip on his hand tightened.
“While being a firefighter?”
“In your whole life.”
Christ, at some point, he’d have to tell her about Iraq, but today wasn’t in his plan. He slowed his pace. “The nearly forty hours I spent on a rooftop.”
“What?” She stumbled.
He caught her and snugged her against him. “Our unit got hemmed in. It’s not something I talk about. People have asked me if I killed anyone when I was over there. What do you say to that? They don’t get it. They’re in their nice little safe world.”
“You didn’t think you could tell me?” She pulled away clutching her chest.
“Don’t. You did the same thing when Vic double-crossed you. Besides, it wasn’t something I could to put in an e-mail. I wrote letters to you about things―just mailed them to the beach house. I didn’t want to worry you.”
She latched onto his arm. “You’re right. I held out on you, too. Please tell me.”
He avoided her gaze. He hated revisiting that time, but how could he not share after she admitted missing him and called him her home. He tugged her to sit down with him on the warm sand. “It was late afternoon. We were outnumbered and outgunned. There was nowhere to go but the roof. We held them off until the following night, when Special Forces extracted us. You asked about my tat.” He pushed the sleeve of his T-shirt to the top of his shoulder. “It covers a bullet wound.”
She flinched. “You were shot?”
“In the crossfire. It went clean through.” He showed her the exit wound.
Jo studied his ink, tracing the sickle pattern with a cold finger. “Jesus, you were lucky it didn’t hit an artery. You never told anyone? Your mom?”
“Captain Brody. He did a tour during the Gulf War. Are you okay? You’re pale.” He tugged her onto his lap, sorry he’d frightened her.
“Ya, think?” She swiped a hand across her forehead.
Silence fell between them. The surf filled the void.
“Jo.”
“You shocked me, that’s all. I know. I know. I’m going to see bullet wounds and more on the job.”
“You got the tough part down already. First, when your mom walked. Then California taught you another type of survival.” The feel of her curves clashed with her tough-as-nails exterior. “But you won’t always find the child like you did last night. Or, you might find one burned or lifeless. It hasn’t happened to me yet, but eventually it probably will. When you hear the veterans making crude jokes about calls, just know it’s their way of coping. Only children and other firefighters are sacred.”
She nodded.
“Since I’ve answered your question, do I get a turn?”
“Sure.” She rolled her lips inward.
He raised her sunglasses. “Why didn’t you tell me about your concerns with sex? I want you to feel like you can talk to me about anything, baby.”
Her cheeks flushed beet red. She averted his gaze studying the water. “I stayed a virgin until college.” Her eyes softened. “I wanted you to be my first.”
Christ. If she knew, he’d always envisioned her face when losing himself. He laced his fingers through hers. “Maybe you’re supposed to be my last.”
Chapter 20
On the way home, Jo turned on the truck’s seat warmer. The last twenty-four hours of revelations piled up in her brain. The man she’d fantasied about for years had willed her into the first abyss of orgasm with a lover. Yet her brother suddenly hated they were together. Then she’d learned her best buddy in the world had been shot.
Ray glanced from the road and wrapped his fingers around hers. “You okay?”
She relaxed as his strength and heat resonated through her. A born protector, he looked perfect behind the wheel of the beasty vehicle. Would he stay with her tonight? She shivered with desire as she’d soon feel the passion of him inside her. Her stomach fluttered.
“I am when I’m with you.” She squeezed his fingers tighter. “I’m sorry Bobby busted you this morning.”
“He’s worried I’ll distract you.”
“You mean make me too sore for PT.”
A dimple formed on his cheek. “Sorry, guys don’t usually get sore wearing a condom.”
“Huh?” She really didn’t need to hear that. “So, is sex better without one?” The words spilled from her mouth. Jesus, she didn’t just ask that. “Sorry, none of my business.”
“Wouldn’t know. Been waiting for you.” He brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss.
“Reeeally.” Hot damn. “So, I guess we’re both virgins in that respect?”
“Ready to change your status?” He let go of her fingers and twirled a loose curl.
“Ahhh, it’s going to require a script.”
“Ya know, those doc in the box urgent care places are open on Sundays.” He snickered and arched a brow.
* * * *
Sunset painted the sky a dusky pink into the darkening blue of approaching night. Jo exhaled in relief at the empty driveway.
Ray opened her door before she unbuckled her seatbelt. His hand remained at her back as they climbed the stairs.
Could he feel the tremors racing through her? She ached for him to make love to her, but critical voices from the past ricochet around in her head, carving at her self-confidence.
She dropped her bag on a dining chair and headed for the bathroom. Afterward, the tinkle of ice in glasses advertised his presence in the kitchen. She returned to the
table and sat as he made cocktails. In a hoodie, he was utterly male. Her gaze fell from his broad shoulders to his jeans and admired how the worn denim molded to his fine ass. The spectacular view of those muscular cheeks last night and this morning as he dressed remained burned into her retinas.
It had surprised her when he hadn’t made love to her this morning. She doubted he cared if Craig was in the house. He must have known she did.
He eyed her over his shoulder. His sultry blue squint had her body heating. In three long strides he handed her a frosted glass filled with her favorite whiskey.
“Cheers.”
She mustered a voice. “To us.”
He followed with a visible swallow “To us.” He tapped his glass against hers.
The alcohol burn amped her senses already flowing to her belly. She sipped again. “I’m headed for the shower.”
“I’ll lock up.”
She stripped and drained the rest of her Jack before stepping beneath the hot spray. Seconds later, he slipped in behind her. Firm muscles warmed her back as he nuzzled her neck and began a sensual shoulder massage.
“Mmmm.” More than half-mast and rising by the second, his rigger grazed her rear in a deliciously slow glide.
She faced him and poured shower gel into her palm, then lathered it over his broad chest. His pecs tensed under her attention. Moving along his torso in slow circles, she felt his abs rippled and she regaled at her effect on him.
She followed the sexy line of hair that arrowed to his thick erection. A few pumps with her soapy fingers and his steely length teased her belly. She ached to feel inside of her. So many nights she’d imagined him thrusting deep taking her to a special heaven.
Slipping between his thighs, she teased his sac with tedious dexterity.
Through half-closed lids his eyes darkened. His sinful moan excited her. She started to kneel but he stopped her and turned her away from him.
“Indulge me in another way for now.” Gently, he lathered shampoo through her hair. “I’ve always wanted to do this.” His lips tickled her ear.
