Red Blooded (Red Hot & Blue)

by Cat Johnson

  He shook his head and walked toward the house. Matt was right. Finding a listed phone number was no challenge for anyone, but particularly not for Matt the computer god.

  Besides, Jack wouldn’t put it past Matt to resort to using his implanted GPS tracker to locate him if he had to.

  He needed a few minutes and a cold glass of sweet tea to mull over this latest information. Nicki’s lies took on a whole new color now that he’d learned more about her.

  Suddenly, she went from wearing a black hat to a white one in his mind.

  As his natural instinct to protect her kicked in strong, the questions remained. How did he protect her without letting her know he’d investigated her? And would she even let him help?

  CHAPTER 8

  It was hot. Not just normal hot like it got at home in New York in the summer, but beastly, sauna kind of hot. It felt like she’d stuck her head in a pizza oven.

  Nicki let out a breath, but even her own breathing seemed to raise the temperature.

  She leaned against a fence in the shade and wiped the back of her hand over her forehead, ignoring the fact she’d probably just left a lovely dirt streak there.

  “How you doing?” The deep sultry voice came from behind her.

  Speaking of hot . . .

  His hotness didn’t overshadow that Jack had managed to sneak up without her hearing him once again. It was like the guy walked on air.

  “It’s hot,” she complained, not in the mood to hide her discomfort and pretend she was happy with the climate in the south.

  Jack laughed. “Oh, darlin’, by the calendar it’s not even summer yet. What’re you going to do then?”

  “Die. Or get a job in the frozen-food section of the grocery store in town.”

  He shook his head. “Nope. I can’t let you do that. Jared would kill me if I let you quit over a little heat.”

  “A little heat?” She glared at him for that understatement.

  Though he didn’t look uncomfortably warm at all. Thin blood, she decided, from living here his entire life.

  He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Come on. I know how to cool you off.”

  She dug in her feet but lost the battle as he pulled her along behind him. “Wait. Where are we going?”

  It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. She did. Over the last few days, they’d settled on a kind of unspoken truce. He’d stopped with the questions, and she’d stopped avoiding him. But since this heat wave had hit overnight, she honestly was too hot to move.

  “You’ll see.”

  “Is it far?”

  He shot her a glance. “No. And don’t look so miserable. You’re not going to melt from the heat. I promise.”

  They crossed the field beneath the brutally hot sun until they were beneath a stand of pine trees. She was happy to be in the shade again and even happier when they broke out through the trees and she spotted Jack’s destination.

  He stopped in front of a big, beautiful and, most important, cool-looking pond shaded by a giant willow tree.

  She took another step forward. “It’s like heaven.”

  He smiled down at her. “And it’s fed by an underground spring, so it’s always cold.”

  That information nearly sent her running into the water fully clothed. She wouldn’t do that but taking off her boots, hiking up her jeans, and wading in far enough to get her feet wet was definitely an option.

  She’d just turned to thank him when she noticed Jack stripping off his shirt while kicking off his own boots.

  “I don’t have a suit,” she said.

  He grinned. “Neither do I, but don’t worry. We’re not formal around here.”

  Her eyes widened. “You don’t mean . . .”

  Surely he didn’t intend to jump in naked. Did he?

  He paused with his hand on the top button of his jeans and looked at her. “Don’t tell me you’ve never been skinny dipping before?”

  “Okay, I won’t tell you.” She kicked at the dirt and tried not to notice the muscles of his bare chest. Swallowing hard, she forced her gaze back up to his face.

  He paused, then bent and retrieved his discarded shirt and boots. “Okay. I’ll give you some privacy.” He turned back toward the way they’d come when she put one hand on his arm and stopped him.

  The sun glinted off the sheen of sweat on his face proving he wasn’t as immune to the heat as she’d thought. It wouldn’t be fair to make him leave. He was just as uncomfortable as she was, and it was his family’s pond.

  “No. You don’t have to leave.” She hesitated, then asked. “So, you do this a lot? Skinny dip?”

  He cocked his head to the side. “I was swimming in this pond naked before I could walk.”

  “With girls?”

  “Yup.” He shrugged. “Just another rite of passage. It’s really not a big deal around here. Now going to the local drive-in for a first date with a girl—that’s a big deal.”

  She looked toward the water and could practically feel it against her skin, cooling her right down to the core. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

  He smiled. “Good for you, darlin’. You really haven’t lived ’til you’ve jumped into a cool pond on a hot day.”

  She kicked off her rubber mucking boots that made her sweaty feet feel as if she’d stepped in a swamp and paused with her hands on her jeans’ button.

  Jack pulled his pants off. While she stood frozen in shock, he stood in nothing but his boxers.

  “Um, Jack?”

  He raised a brow. “Yeah?”

  “You are a gentleman, aren’t you?”

  He laughed, a sound that started deep in his chest and kind of bubbled out. “Darlin’, I’m southern.”

  With that he pulled off the boxers and she got quite a view of his white ass cheeks as he ran for the pond. With a whoop, he dove in head first, naked as the day he was born.

  She couldn’t help but be jealous of the sheer abandon of the move as he swam, smooth as an eel under the water.

  Hoping there were no actual eels in there she stripped naked and dove in herself while he wasn’t looking.

  Nicki broke the surface and shook the wet hair out of her eyes. “This is amazing.”

  He swam circles around her. “Told you so. When are you gonna start trusting me, darlin’?”

  She treaded water and spun to follow his motion as he moved slowly around her. “I do trust you.”

  Her words had come out softly but he’d obviously heard them. He stopped swimming and just bobbed. “You do?”

  Uh, oh. When had this gotten serious? “Of course. You’ve never given me reason not to. Your entire family has taken me in as one of their own. Why wouldn’t I trust you?”

  He looked like he wanted to say something more, but instead he just shrugged and starting swimming around her again.

  “Um, Jack?”

  “Yeah?”

  “How do we dry off so we can get dressed again?”

  Tight jeans and wet skin did not mix well.

  He stopped swimming and grinned. “Sunshine, darlin’. Sunshine.”

  “Oh.” She’d been afraid that might be his answer.

  CHAPTER 9

  Jack gazed at the twinkling, star-filled sky. He never saw night skies quite like this back on base. Too close to the city lights.

  Only in the country could a person see stars as clear and bright as these.

  He glanced up and noticed the light on in Nicki’s room over the barn and thought back to their little dip in the pond. How they’d lain next to each other in the grass afterward.

  Being a gentleman, he’d kept his gaze on the sky. Well, most of the time. He smiled at the memory of the expanse of smooth pale skin he’d glimpsed when she’d bent to retrieve her clothing off the grass.

  He didn’t get views like that back at the base either.

  That image of her had Jack walking in the direction of the barn. He climbed the exterior stairs to her door and knocked, then realized he probably should identify h
imself too so he wouldn’t scare her.

  If she were on the run, which it was pretty clear she was, a knock on her door in the dark could scare the hell out of her.

  “It’s Jack.” He heard her throw the locks before the door swung open.

  “Hey, Jack.” She stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a tank top and short shorts.

  Her black wavy hair was damp. She must have just showered, unless she’d snuck back to the pond for another dip. He liked the thought of that.

  He peeked past her into the room and saw she had a fan in the window. At least that would keep it from getting beastly hot in there, but it was still not cool by any stretch of the imagination.

  Jared needed to buy her an air conditioner for that window.

  He’d mention it to his brother tomorrow. Tonight, he had other plans. “I’ve come to take you out, darlin’. The show starts at the drive-in in twenty minutes.”

  Jack still hadn’t decided what to do about her situation back in New York. Hell, he hadn’t even determined exactly what that situation was. He’d made up his mind. She was safe for now working here.

  He would most likely tell his brother about what he’d learned before he left. Jared would make sure her identity stayed secret while keeping an eye out for her.

  For now though, the least Jack could do was try to make her life here a little bit happier. His plan seemed to be working. She broke into a gorgeous smile that made her blue eyes twinkle.

  “I thought you said taking a girl to the drive-in was a very big deal around here.” She planted a fist on each of her hips in challenge.

  She was a beauty, even when she was pretending to frown at him like she was doing now.

  He grinned and kicked at the doormat. “Yeah, well I meant it was a big deal, back when I was sixteen.”

  “Oh? So it’s not a big deal now?” She put on a pretty pout.

  Was she flirting with him? He hoped so.

  Jack smiled. “You caught me lying. It’s still a big deal to me and if you say no, I’ll be crushed. So what d’you say?”

  Her gaze dropped. “Okay, but I have to get changed first.”

  He shook his head and laughed. “It’s the drive-in in Pigeon Hollow. Believe me, you’re overdressed.”

  She frowned so deeply it told him she’d likely never gone anywhere in New York in cut-offs and a tank top with no bra underneath. He noted that last detail happily.

  “All right. I’ll just put on some shoes.” She shoved her feet into flip-flops, then grabbed her purse from the hook on the wall beside the door. As she pulled the door closed, Nicki met his gaze. “So, um, is the drive-in the place where you went as a teenager to . . . you know?”

  Figuring out pretty quick what she meant, Jack laughed. “No. The drive-in is for the warm-up. I save the other part for later while we’re parked by the river.”

  At his wink, Nicki widened her eyes. “Oh.”

  As they walked down the stairs and toward his convertible, he considered his plan of action.

  Maybe he should put the car’s roof up when they got to the drive-in. The way Nicki looked tonight, they might need a little privacy later.

  CHAPTER 10

  Nicki glanced sideways at Jack and then back at the larger-than-life outdoor movie screen. She’d never been to a drive-in before. The experience was nothing like the eleven-movie multiplex theaters back home in New York.

  Jack laid an arm around the back of her seat and shot her a grin. “Having a good time?”

  She nodded and then had to stifle a yawn. Shocked at her own appalling lack of manners, she covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry. It’s no reflection on you or the movie. I’m just a little tired.”

  And wasn’t that the biggest understatement of the century? She hadn’t really slept in a month. Not since she’d been on the run.

  “That’s all right, darlin’. It’s late. They can’t start the movie ’til after sundown and that comes pretty late this time of year. You wanna go home?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m enjoying being out. I’ll be fine.”

  “Come here.” He pulled her closer until her head leaned against the hard bulk of his shoulder. “Rest for a bit.”

  As if she’d ever be able to rest this close to him? Since their little trip to the pond, every time she closed her eyes or even let her mind wander, visions of a naked Jack swam through her head.

  Even so, she must have fallen asleep because the next thing she was conscious of was Jack brushing a soft kiss across her forehead before he said, “Nicki?”

  She opened her eyes. “I’m sorry. I fell asleep. Is it over?” She saw the screen filled with an ad for the snack bar.

  He smiled, his face close to hers. “The first one is over. It’s a double feature, but the second movie is some horror flick. I would have just driven us home, but you’re on my right arm and I need it to shift.”

  While apologizing, she started to move away, but his arm around her shoulder stopped her from going too far.

  “Don’t apologize, darlin’. I liked it. You’re so cute while you sleep. I hated to wake you up.”

  He leaned in a little closer, or maybe she did. Either way, she found herself in the position where there was a choice to be made. Pull back and save herself from the temptation, or move forward and succumb to what she’d been thinking about so much lately, pretty much non-stop.

  Jack.

  His sexy, low voice washing over her body. His thick southern drawl that almost seemed to cling to her like molasses.

  Jack, the man whose mouth hovered temptingly above hers. He truly was a southern gentleman. Their lips were just a breath apart, but he didn’t move in.

  It was as if he waited for her to move first. But if the look in his eyes was any indication, he wanted this kiss as much as she did.

  Licking her lips, Nicki dropped her gaze to his mouth, leaned in and then lost herself in his kiss.

  She heard his quick intake of breath before his other hand moved to cradle the back of her head. Her hands found their way up his rock-hard chest, and then down the V to his narrow waist and hips.

  He nipped at her lower lip before tilting her head and sliding his tongue inside her mouth.

  She melted. Eyes closed, a small whimper of pleasure escaped her throat.

  At hearing the sound, he leaned back and smiled down at her. Thankfully, he didn’t stay away long, but moved in again, this time to tease her earlobe with his lips.

  His breath in her ear sent tingles straight to her core.

  She wanted more from him. Wanted his shirt off. Her hands on him. His hands on her. His mouth all over her . . . then she remembered they were in a convertible in a public place.

  Nicki drew in a deep, shaky breath and released it. “Jack.”

  He pulled back enough to look at her with heavy-lidded eyes. “Yeah, darlin’?”

  Swallowing hard, she gathered her nerve. “Take me to the river.”

  His eyes widened for a second, before he dropped his hold on her, turned to face the steering wheel, and had the car started and on the road so fast she wasn’t quite sure how he’d done it.

  Jack left his hand on her knee, only removing it occasionally to shift gears.

  She tried not to let herself get nervous on the drive to this infamous parking spot. All too soon, they were at the river.

  He pulled the car beneath a tree, put it into park and pulled up the emergency brake.

  Before he turned off the car, Nicki touched his hand. “Put the roof up, Jack.”

  Her heart thundered harder as he did what she asked. Then he turned in his seat and faced her . . . that’s when she attacked him.

  There was a jumble of limbs, interrupted by car parts, punctuated by the bruising of limbs by car parts.

  Somehow Jack wiggled into the passenger seat. He ended up beneath Nicki as he sat her in his lap facing him.

  He tugged her tank top up and over her head—not an easy task since her head was pressed against the roo
f of the car.

  Bare from the waist up, she felt the thick, southern summer press against her exposed skin. But the heat of the air didn’t scorch her the way Jack’s mouth did as he captured her nipple and worked it with his tongue.

  Arching her back, she shuddered as his teeth scraped over her nipple. He ran his palms up her sides, burning a path over her skin with his touch.

  His hands were so broad that his fingertips reached the center of her back while his thumbs brushed the sides of her breasts.

  He released one heavily teased nipple and moved to torture the other with his mouth. He worked it until she pulled back and leaned low to crash her mouth against his. Her tongue tangled with his as he cupped her ass with both hands and held her close.

  She broke the kiss long enough to yank his T-shirt over his head, then went back to kissing him.

  Indulging a fantasy she’d had since meeting him, she ran her hands over his bare chest and finally got to feel the hard muscles beneath her fingers.

  She’d been picturing his chest ever since their swim. The reality was better than the fantasy. He felt even better than he looked.

  His tongue plunged in and out of her mouth in an erotic dance, making her wish he were plunging something else inside her.

  Pressing closer, she tried to get as much of her skin against his as she could, in spite of the heat and the fact that they were both becoming slick with sweat.

  He pulled her pelvis closer to his and she could feel the evidence through his jeans of exactly how aroused he was.

  Shameless and well past the point of no return, she ground herself against him and moaned. His bulge pressed against the seam in her cut-off denim shorts and rubbed her just right.

  Jack breathed faster. She began to tremble, craving the release that hovered just out of reach.

  She rotated her hips harder and faster against him.

  “Jack. Oh, God.” Nicki couldn’t get out any more words as the orgasm rocked her.

  The thrusts of Jack’s pelvis match the rhythm of his cries before he clutched her tighter and groaned, the sound muffled as he pressed his mouth against her throat.