Nothing held Seth back as he crushed her to him, his body perceptibly shaking as he kissed her until they were both light-headed and breathless. She trembled as she kissed him back just as wildly. The feel of her velvety tongue stroking his intoxicated him as she dragged her fingers through his hair. A wave of heat swept over his nerve endings as she tightened her arms and moaned softly. He squeezed her ass cheeks with both hands and answered her vocalization with one of his own. The fear that an invisible illness might steal her away from him abated.
Somewhere inside the doctor’s office, a door closed, rattling the receptionist’s glass sliding window in its track. Realizing they were still in a public place, Seth finally broke the kiss to whisper, “The second we get home, all these clothes are coming off.” He gripped her ass and rubbed her denim-covered pussy against his hardening cock, and they both let out a passionate gasp.
Jayne gasped. “Really?”
“Yes. Are you done here?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.”
Back at the truck, she seized the moment to kiss him more privately in the parking garage. It was torture because they were five hours from home and she’d already said on the way down in the elevator that she couldn’t wait to get back to Divine. He wanted her first time to be in a bed, not in the cab of his truck. So he banked the fires of lust as best as he could and got on the road for home.
Seth smiled when she turned up the volume on his truck radio. Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” was playing, and she closed her eyes as she bobbed her head. He was unbelievably glad that he’d been able to be there for her, whether the news had been good or bad. He imagined her dealing with Hodgkin’s on her own. She wasn’t on her own anymore. He increased his speed on the Interstate minutely.
She wiggled in her seat and batted at her rib cage where she’d told him there were still a couple of spots healing on the tattoo.
Seth grinned. “Does it itch?”
Jayne nodded. “Yes. But I’m not scratching.”
“Good girl. It’ll get better.”
She smiled and nodded at him, looking radiant. Every emotion showed in her expressions. He liked that about her. Tamar had worn her jaded nonchalance like a badge of honor, and it had rubbed off on him until it was normal to hide his feelings from the world, and her.
She’d always preferred his darker edgy side and the way it showed in his art and had pushed him to explore it further, even as he’d resisted and begun designing sexier, fantasy-oriented tattoos. He’d realized afterward that she’d probably been seeking validation for the choices she’d been making at the time. As a trust fund baby on the outs with her parents but with access to their money, she’d stretched the boundaries of propriety to the point where there were none at all. A cold chill swept over him at the memory of the last time he’d seen Tamar’s face. Shaking himself mentally, he focused his attention on Jayne. He couldn’t do anything about the past but move on from it.
At the next gas stop, Seth checked his messages and found a text message from an unknown number.
“Hey, butthead! It’s me, Lucy. This is my new number. Haven’t seen you in a while. Can you handle a houseguest?”
His sister, Lucy, had recently moved back to Temple, Texas, their hometown, after completing her training as a massage therapist.
Seth quickly replied, “Sure. Where are you?”
He hadn’t seen Lucy since shortly before he’d moved to Divine the autumn before. What he’d heard about her fiancé from their mom hadn’t impressed him. He could definitely handle a visit from his feisty little sister, as long as it didn’t occur until after that night.
His heart sank as her next message appeared. “On your porch.” His balls ached as if in protest.
“Crap.”
“LOL! Hard to misinterpret that!”
“Sorry. We’re about three hours away from Divine at the moment, headed back home.”
“Who is ‘we’? Do you have a girlfriend?”
Seth observed Jayne’s dark head bob as she walked through the convenience store. She caught him watching her and made a funny face at him through the front window. She radiated happiness.
“Yes. I’ll explain later. There’s an extra key under the potted plant by the front door. Can you hang out on your own for a few hours?”
Lucy didn’t need to know that not all that time would be spent on the road. Some of it was going to be spent making love to a sweet brunette. He regretted not being able to stay the night with her, which he knew she’d like.
“Sure. I saw a cool-looking Western wear store in town. I’ll do a little shopping.”
Jayne waved at him and made a motion like she was drinking from an imaginary cup and pointed at him, asking him if he wanted something to drink. He nodded as a wide smile crossed his face, and he once again wondered that the sensation still felt foreign to him. She definitely brought it out of him.
“That’s Cheaver’s. Ask if Rosemary is there, and tell her you’re my sister. She can show you around. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Okay. Later.”
Jayne walked over to him as she returned from the convenience store with two Cokes from the soda fountain. “What’s up?”
She snuggled up to him and he slung his arm around her and kissed the top of her sweet-scented head. “Looks like I have a houseguest.”
“Oh yeah? Who’s that?” Her eyes were clear and held no hint of attitude or jealousy. Tamar had detested Lucy and anything that had taken Seth’s focus off of her. He shrugged his shoulders as though physically throwing off her memory. Why she kept coming to mind he wasn’t sure, but one thing was certain—Jayne was nothing like her. That relationship had messed with his expectations and it was going to take time to readjust them.
“My sister, Lucy, is in Divine for a visit.”
“Oh. That’s nice. Is she younger or older?”
“Younger. Thirty-one. She’s already at the house.”
“Oh. Well, I can’t wait to meet her.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Why would I be? We still have privacy at my place.”
Seth chuckled at her solution-oriented mind-set. He liked her plan.
Just before they climbed back in the truck, Seth received another text, this time from his mother. “Honey, when you get a chance, could you call me? It’s about your sister.”
His mom had discovered the joy of social media and had ended her message with a sad face. That didn’t sit well, but he held off on calling her. He’d had a feeling that some sort of drama was actually behind Lucy’s visit. When they finally rolled back into Divine, Seth caressed Jayne’s shoulder and squeezed her closer.
“I’d thought about making supper for us tonight, but…”
Jayne gazed at him from the passenger seat. “We can eat…later. I have leftover fettuccine Alfredo in the refrigerator.”
At Jayne’s house, Seth climbed from the truck and came around to open her door. Instead of climbing down, she wrapped her arms around Seth and met his kiss halfway as he lowered her feet to the ground. He lifted her unneeded overnight bag from the floorboard, and they walked to her front door. The house was in shadows as the sun set. Jayne looked up at him, radiant in the fading light. Her cheeks turned pink as she came closer and let him wrap his arms around her. She boldly rose on her tiptoes and tightened her arms around his waist as she pressed her body against his. Her cocktail of playfulness mixed with innocence was intoxicating.
He savored the moment he brushed his lips against hers, soaking up her warmth and her scent as she gave in to him. Anticipation raced in his blood as he imagined what it would be like sinking his cock into her sweet body the first time. Finally. With his lower lip, he rubbed against hers, asking for access, which she eagerly gave. She clutched the material of his T-shirt and stroked his tongue with hers as he deepened the kiss. His cock swelled with desire as he tightened his arms around her, and he groaned when she tilted her hips to stroke his ere
ction with her lush body.
As he released her lips to take a breath, he smiled at the dazed look in her eyes. They seemed greener in the shadows of her porch, and he held her tight as he stole another kiss from her. He was aware of a faint creaking noise behind her, and they were both startled.
“Jayne?”
Jayne jumped as though she’d been electrocuted. “Mom!”
Chapter Eight
They turned to the door of Jayne’s house, which was open. In the doorway stood a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Jayne. Jayne glanced at him, and Seth saw the frustration in her eyes.
“Mom, what are you doing here?”
The woman, who appeared to be in her early fifties, tilted her head. “You didn’t get my text?”
“No—” Jayne replied as she pulled her phone from her purse and activated the touch screen. “Yes. Shoot! Have you been here long?”
Jayne’s mom looked Seth up and down, and Seth thought he caught a familial trait in the speculative way she examined him, humor in her eyes. For a moment she reminded him of her niece, Charity. She kept her eyes on Seth as she replied to her daughter. “Only about half an hour. And you are…” Her blue-green gaze flicked over his arms but returned to his eyes a second later.
Jayne smiled tremulously, glanced at him, and opened her mouth to speak. Seth held out his hand and nodded to Jayne’s mother respectfully. “Seth Carter, ma’am. I’m Jayne’s boyfriend.”
Mrs. Sheridan arched her brown eyebrow, and a smile quirked her lips as she shook his hand. “Frieda Sheridan. Pleased to meet you.” She leaned against the doorway as though enjoying herself. “Boyfriend, huh?”
The similarity to Charity was unmistakable. Jayne’s expression didn’t give anything away when he glanced at her but she practically radiated frustration.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Sheridan cleared her throat. “Well, Mr. Carter, it’s good to meet you. Jayne, I’ll leave you alone to say good night. I’ll just be inside.”
The door swung closed, but not before Seth thought he heard a soft snicker. Jayne sagged against him. “I must not have heard the text message come through. Shoot. There goes our night.” Her lower lip pooched out, and he wanted nothing more than to nibble on it.
“Looks like we’ll both be busy with houseguests for the next few days.”
“True. That’s the first time you’ve ever called me your girlfriend. I like it but I’d hoped to upgrade you to lover status.”
Seth tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. What he felt for her went beyond mere girlfriend status. “I know, me too. We’ll still get our chance, if that’s agreeable?”
Jayne tilted her head as she gazed up at him, mirroring her mother’s earlier reaction. He thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen as she looked him up and down. “Yeah, it’s agreeable. I wonder what kinds of perks are available. You’ll have to teach me all about them.” Her eyes sparkled enticingly.
“You’re killing me, baby. Go spend time with your mom. I’ll call you later tonight.”
After one final, sweltering, cock-hardening kiss, Seth returned to his truck, texted his cock-blocking sister, then dialed his mom’s number as he backed out of the driveway. He was home for five minutes when his front door barreled open and a familiar, comical voice called out, “Ricky! I’m home!”
Seth scoffed and rolled his eyes that she still used this greeting with him. Too many years of watching TV Land sitcoms together when they were growing up.
As he leafed through his mail, he called out, “Lucy! You got some ’splaining to do!”
His drop-dead-gorgeous sister came bustling into the house with her hands filled with shopping bags, which she dropped onto the couch before running to him.
“Butthead!” Her eyes sparkled playfully as she threw her arms around him.
His heart gave a little lurch as he hugged her. The old nicknames still made him smile, but he could see the anguish in her eyes that she vainly tried to hide. Even though there were several years’ difference between their ages, they’d always been close as siblings, and all he’d ever had to do was look in her eyes to know something was bothering her. Their mother had said they’d had an almost psychic bond.
“Beavis!”
“No noogies! Mess up my hairdo and I’ll kick your ass.” Lucy was nearly eye to eye with him, and she’d been working out, so she’d give him a run for his money. Messing up her long, wavy black hair wasn’t worth it.
He gestured at the shopping bags. “I see you cleared out the store.”
Lucy nodded. “Yep. Rosemary set me up.”
“So, how long will you be in Divine?”
He picked up the bags and beckoned her down the hall to his extra bedroom. He grabbed up the clean laundry piled on the bed and tidied the room as she unloaded the shopping bags and they chatted.
He noticed that she had bags from Walmart and asked, “Is your luggage in the trunk of your car?”
Lucy stopped arranging her purchases and gave him a discomfited look. “I didn’t pack any luggage. And at this point, I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying in Divine.” She put out her hands and added, “But I won’t be in your hair any longer than necessary.”
Seth sat on the edge of the bed and braced his elbows on his knees. “I talked to Mom a few minutes ago. What happened?”
His resilient, bubbly sister slumped her shoulders in an uncommon display of defeat as tears sparkled in her eyes. “Casey didn’t take it well when I broke off our engagement.”
“Don’t you think that’s putting it mildly? Mom said he burned your house down.”
She used the side of her hand to wipe away a tear. “The fire is still under investigation. They haven’t been able to find him, but, yes, he’s a suspect until the police and arson investigators can interview him.”
“You broke the engagement with him?”
Her eyes flitted away as she answered. “Yes. He was putting too much pressure on me.”
“Pressure? What kind of pressure?”
“I heard his mom make a comment about his bride being a tad dumpy and I think it upset him. He wanted me to lose weight before the wedding.”
“What bullshit!” Seth’s sister had always been active and fit. It just so happened she came from a long line of hourglass-shaped women. But she was tall and usually carried herself with confidence. That evidently wasn’t enough for snobs like her ex-fiancé had been. Appearance was everything with some people. It wasn’t the first time his sister had been hurt by men for that reason, and Seth’s protective big-brother instincts made him want to hunt Casey down.
“I already had enough pressure with planning a wedding to satisfy his mother, and build up a clientele at Lake Breeze Spa, and…I had enough. I broke it off and I guess he snapped.”
“No one knows where he is?”
“Nope. But this is how he’s always been. Going off half-cocked. I imagine he’ll show up in a few days and his parents will have purchased an alibi for him to keep him out of trouble.”
“Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes. I hit Walmart for toiletries, and Mom let me raid her closet. I bought a new phone and got a new number on my way out of town. Cheaver’s had a sale so I got some outfits and accessories. Mom thought it might be better if I stayed here for a few days until he shows up and talks to the authorities.”
“What about your job?”
Lucy shrugged with nonchalance, but her lip trembled. “They said they understood but told me that if any of my clients called they’d have to schedule them with other massage therapists until I knew when I was coming back. I worked so hard building up my little following.”
Seth knew there was more to this story than she’d told him so far. His mom had said that Lucy had seemed not only upset about the loss of all her earthly possessions but also scared when she’d come to the house that morning. She’d suggested that Lucy visit Seth in Divine until things settled down and they knew mo
re.
“Luckily, Waldo was at the vet.” Waldo was an overgrown, lovably obnoxious, and recently neutered tomcat Lucy had taken in.
“Did you bring him?”
“No. I knew I’d be making several stops and it’s too hot to leave him in the car. Mom has him.”
“You’re welcome to stay however long you need to, Luce. Both you and Waldo. I hope they find that asshole. I’m all ears when you’re ready to tell me the rest of the story.”
Looking thoroughly exhausted, Lucy shrugged and lifted her bare feet to the bed as she reclined on the pillow. “Later. I just need to decompress right now.”
Seth nodded and rose from the bed. “You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“I’ll fix us something.”
“Where’s your girlfriend?”
“I dropped her off at home a few minutes ago.”
“She didn’t want to spend the evening with you?”
“It’s not that. She wanted us to have time to catch up and her mom is visiting her this week.”
“She sounds nice. Not at all like that friggin’ heinous bitch you used to waste time on.”
Seth laughed as she giggled and the sparkle returned to her eyes. “Geez, tell me how you really feel, sis.”
“She was a possessive, spoiled, bitchy brat. No wait—she was entitled, and snotty, and at the same time really slutty—”
Seth held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I get the picture. Not my best choice.”
Lucy got up off the bed and hugged him again, hard. “She wasn’t nearly good enough for you, Seth.”
“Thanks, Luce. I think you’ll like Jayne when you meet her.”
“Jayne, huh? What does she do?”
“Librarian.”
Lucy snorted when she laughed. “Are you serious? Horn-rimmed glasses librarian or hot librarian?”
“Hot librarian. Very hot.”
* * * *
“Mom, you didn’t have to give him a hard time!”
Jayne stood inside the foyer, toe tapping on the tile as her mom continued snickering behind her hand. Jayne was happy to see her but beyond frustrated with the timing of this visit. When she’d let her know about making the trip to see Dr. Hawks, she’d had no idea her mom intended to show up for a visit, letting herself into the house with the extra house key Jayne had sent her.
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