Trent locks horns with another stubborn woman, inn owner and Key West newcomer Julie Calloway. Frustrated that the sexy Julie isn’t satisfied with being just his lover, yet unable to leave nor to commit to her, Trent is at his wits’ end. And then there’s that sentient Parrot that won’t shut up.
It’s a tough assignment, but Trent and Julie steam up the tropics as they try to solve the mysteries of Key West, of love, and of redemption
Enjoy the following excerpt for Key West Magic:
Julie groaned in frustration. She had run blocks to make Trent’s show before he finished, and now, yards away, she couldn’t stand to watch him swallow the torches. She turned instead to watch the sunset, her back towards him, and listened to the crowd. A huge round of applause filled the air—what had he done? A fireball, she heard someone say. His audience began to break up, and Julie realized nervously that she’d soon be visible to him.She concentrated on the cruise ship, focusing on Mickey Mouse’s outline stenciled in enormous proportions on the bow. Or was that the stern? She found it difficult to focus on anything in the intense sunlight.
Would he notice her? She turned to face him as casually as she could.
He stood alone in the middle of the roped-off square like a statue of an ancient god. The rays of sun turned his pale hair to shining gold. He’s special, and he knows it.
Julie’s heart lurched when he glanced up and held her gaze, as if to dare her to look away again. He never broke eye contact with her as he bent and gathered his things.
Trent had stripped off his shirt for the finale. His smooth, tanned arms and chest glistened with a faint sheen of perspiration.
He told Robert I checked him out. And I’m doing it again, and I don’t know how to stop. Get a grip, Julie. You’re going to share a house for a while. Act sophisticated, free. This is Key West.
Julie walked a few feet to a stand dispensing fruity alcoholic drinks. She bought two, and took in a deep breath, steeling herself for the walk towards him. It seemed to take forever. Without saying a word, Julie handed him the plastic cup. Trent brushed her hand for a moment as he took the cup, setting her nerve endings on fire.
“I’m sorry I was rude this morning,” she whispered, her voice a bit shaky.
“I’m sorry I teased you last night. It wasn’t right. My ego gets the better of me now and then.”
“At least you admit to being egotistical.”
“I’m a Leo. We’re also generous.” He reached behind her neck and pulled forth a single perfect red rose. She took it and he bowed, leaning in to smell the rose.
“How did you do that?” You’re incredible, Magic Man. Mesmerizing. What would I have to do to get you to want me? Who would I have to be? How many women do you have, what do they look like? They must be goddesses.
“Truce then?” he asked.
“Truce. After all, I’ll be your new neighbor.” She tried to smile naturally but had the feeling she might break a tooth her jaws were clenched so tightly. “Vortrent isn’t your real name certainly?”
“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.” He winked and the last rays of sunlight danced in his eyes.
Julie sipped at her drink and steadied her purse strap on her shoulder. That’s good enough for one night, Julie. You did well. Leave before you screw it up.
“Goodnight then, Trent.”
“Oh, no you don’t!” Trent caught up with Julie as she walked away and tapped on her shoulder. “What do you mean by taking off like that again? That’s enough of the demure flirtation. We don’t do things like that in Key West. Actually, that may not be true, I haven’t been here that long.” He shrugged and laughed at himself.
“Flirtation? I came to watch your show.”
“No, you didn’t. You didn’t even watch my show. You can’t stand the sight of the flame swallowing, can you? We’ll have to break you in slowly. Admit it, you came to watch me.”
“You’re really high on yourself, aren’t you? Look, I came to make up, and we’ve done that. It’s a free country, isn’t it? You want a tip, is that it?”
“What a snob! Your grandmother wasn’t a snob at all.”
“I’m sick of people playing the Molly card on me. I’m not her equal in any way, all right? I admit it! What do you people want from me?”
“I want you to admit that you came for me, not for my show. Not to offer some lame apology or bury the hatchet.”
“You seemed to be willing enough to check me out, big time, as you would say, in Tillie’s this afternoon.” Julie tried to sound light, but heard the defensiveness in her own voice.
“Oh, fuck me. You heard what I said to Bobby this morning? Then I am the reason for your transformation.”
“Do you know when you say ‘fuck’ it sounds like ‘fock’? Where the hell are you from? I’m not sure I believe that accent is real. As phony as your show, maybe?” Stop now, Julie, stop it. You sound ridiculous. You’re no match for him.
“No good changing the subject.” He put a palm behind her neck and pulled her in slightly. Julie thought her legs might give out at the feel of his skin on hers. She stared at the tattoo that circled his biceps, focusing on the intricate pattern. The blue black spirals seemed to undulate. Julie couldn’t focus properly and couldn’t meet his gaze. Your scent is intoxicating—what is it, Magic Man? How can anyone smell so wonderful? Do you smell like this everywhere?
“You were not the cause of my makeover. It was time for a change. I simply haven’t had time to shop or visit a salon with my job, and…my job and stuff.”
He cocked his head to one side with a smirk. “Stuff? That stuff can keep one busy.”
“You’re…” He put a finger on her lips to shut her up, and part of her was grateful. She’d never win a verbal sparring match with him, because everything amused him. Julie settled for tentatively reaching out for a lock of his hair, feeling the golden silk in her palm. Heat rushed through her at the simple sensation of holding onto this small bit of him. She cut his hair with her fingers and sneered. “Don’t you think it’s time for your makeover, laddie? I mean, long hair is definitely out.”
“Not in my family.” As Trent laughed his eyes lit up brightly. He pulled her in another inch.
“Let me go.” Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re holding me.
“I’d never force a woman to do a thing she didn’t want to. But you have to convince me, because darlin’, your mouth says ‘no’ but your eyes say ‘yes’. Which is it?” All the humor left his face.
“I think you’re going to leave marks on my neck.”
Trent tightened his grip. “I somehow hope so. Does that make me a sicko? I want to leave my mark on you somehow.”
“You really shouldn’t joke with a girl from out of town like this.”
“At your age you should be able to tell what a man wants. It’s certainly useless to pretend you’re not trying to get attention.” His gaze wandered to her breasts.
“My age?”
“Don’t try to turn it into an insult. You know it wasn’t meant as one.” Trent pulled her in another inch.
His pupils dilated as the light changed, as the sun started to set behind the cruise ship. He was so close that his warm, sweet breath tickled her cheek. Fighting the overwhelming urge to run again, she broke eye contact with him and made the mistake of looking at his mouth. Trent glanced to her lips and angled his head.
“Tell me, Julie,” his breath was hot on her neck and his lips brushed her ear and just behind it as he leaned all the way in. “Yes, or no? You’ll have to tell me.”
Her eyes shot open. His were so close. Tell him, damn it. Yes, yes, yes, kiss me, take me, do anything. I worship you.
“I don’t know.” Julie closed her eyes, regret flooding through her, filling her to overflowing.
“What! You went to all this trouble today, and this is how you reward yourself? ‘I don’t know’. Oh, Lord, I wish Molly were here to give you a sharp tongue-lashing, Dr. Calloway.”
Tr
ent backed up and pulled his hair from her tight grasp. He mechanically began to braid it as he walked towards his metal case. After securing his hair, he turned and scowled at her. “I’m very disappointed, I don’t mind telling you. I would suggest you leave the illusions to the buskers, Julie. You aren’t very good at it. You changed your style for me, even though you were perfectly adorable before you did, and you’ll never convince me otherwise. ‘Time for a change’ my ass.”
Julie threw the rose on the ground and turned away from the dock.
“There you go again. Run and hide. Well, you can’t run away from every man forever…it’s so pathetically obvious, like something from a soap opera…”
Jim, he sounds just like Jim, always criticizing, bullying.
Julie turned on her heels, furious. She strode towards him in two seconds, dropped her purse on the ground and clutched his hair again. She planted the other on his bare chest and stared straight into his eyes.
“You fucking tell me ‘yes’ or ‘no’, you arrogant son of a bitch. As if my personal life is any of your business. You don’t even know me!” His eyes widened and his mouth opened to respond but she didn’t give him the chance.
“Oh, Sweet Mother of God,” he mumbled as she assaulted him. He wrapped her tightly in his arms, drowning, falling, sinking, pulled into the depths of her mouth, her soul. Trent had heard each unuttered thought sweeping through Julie’s mind, unable to stop it, unwilling to.
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Stripped Away Page 26
