Okay. A different approached was needed.
“Now’s not the time, Trent. Get us out of this eye.” There was more to her anxiety than knowing someone could appear at the peak of one of the sand dunes and then be on them in a flash.
Shamelessly, Zoë had held Trent while she fucked Drew in her mind. Each moan and cry of ecstasy had been for Drew. Just the thought of Drew tightened her nipples into pebble-hard peaks beneath her jersey. The memory of his warm, wet mouth on her breast earlier released a flood of desire between her thighs.
God, what she would give to feel his cock easing in and out of her aching pussy.
Trent’s brown eyes darkened more as he reached for her. “Zoë, I want you. I’ve always wanted you.”
Zoë tried to pull away, but her seatbelt held her snugly in place. The thought of holding someone else while Drew slept thirty feet away turned her stomach. The idea of him being wrapped in another woman’s arms made every bone in her body ache. She had seen Kari wrapped around his arm. That woman was trouble.
The revving of an engine as a rail topped the crest was the only thing that saved her from the kiss she knew was coming as Trent draped his body over hers.
Startled, he jerked back behind the wheel. “Shit,” he said, as the vehicle dodged, barely missing crashing into them. He crammed his helmet on and turned the key, stirring the engine to life.
“Get us the hell out of here,” Zoë yelled, as a quad bounded over the dune, once again missing them by a hair. “I want to go back to camp.”
The ride back to camp was done in silence. Trent pulled the sand rail inside the area formed by their trailers, positioning the buggy near his trailer. Theft was high at the Dunes. The closer you slept to your toys, the safer your equipment was.
Zoë climbed out of the vehicle and removed her helmet and goggles. As she moved toward her toy hauler, Trent intercepted her. “Zoë, I mean it. Just think about it.”
She didn’t want to lead him on or give him false hope. “Isn’t going to happen, Trent.” But if she knew him, he wouldn’t stop trying.
The frown Josh flashed her as she walked past him didn’t go unnoticed. He had no right to quote safety do’s and don’ts of riding. She was a big girl. Hell, she was better at riding than him and probably most of the guys.
Before her foot landed on the first step of her trailer, fingers closed around her arm, stopping her short. Slowly her gaze moved across the large hand restraining her, cruised along the tight muscled arm, until she came eye to eye with Drew.
Well, crap.
Anger simmered in his glare. “Where have you been?”
Damn if he and Josh didn’t make her feel like she was sixteen again.
She jerked her arm out of his grasp. “Fuck you.”
With a thud she found her back pinned to her trailer, Drew’s body pressed solidly against hers. The heat of his fury seeped into her skin.
“Don’t push me, Zoë.” His warm breath flowed across her face. “Where have you been?” She watched his full lips move and all she could think about was kissing him, thrusting her tongue into his mouth, tasting and taking what had been denied her for so long.
Instead she said, “Laying low in a witch’s eye screwing Trent’s brains out. Where the hell do you think I’ve been? Uh…riding.”
The intensity in Drew’s eyes sent a shiver of fear racing up her spine. She had never seen him like this. He was furious. Jealous.
Before she could take a breath, he pressed his mouth against hers. There was anger in his kiss, almost punishing in its force. Teeth struck teeth. His tongue darted between her lips, moving quickly as he jerked her into his embrace.
No. She couldn’t let this happen. But like always, she melted in his arms. She had no willpower when it came to Drew. The grip she had on his bare arms softened. Her tongue dueled with his. Her nerves tingled like live wires, massive energy contained against its will beneath her tight skin. Currents rushed to her nipples, stinging the hard peaks. That familiar drawing sensation, sharp and prickly, made her breasts swell with the need to be fondled and stroked by Drew’s fire.
“Zoë?” Her name barely registered as she saw a flicker of movement behind Drew. The kiss ended as Trent moved closer, so he was now fully within her view. “You okay, Zoë?”
“She’s fine,” Drew growled, refusing to relinquish her. If anything, his body pressed closer to her. His lips brushed lightly against hers as he spoke. “Leave us alone.”
Now this was awkward.
Caught in Drew’s mesmerizing stare, she blinked, trying to break his hold.
“I’ll hear it from her mouth, thank you.” There was a bite in Trent’s response.
Tension built in the air, thick and heavy.
Zoë didn’t want trouble. She just wanted to finish their kiss. No. That wasn’t right. She wanted to get away from Drew.
“I’m fine,” she said, her lips whispering across Drew’s. His hips ground against hers and she could feel his rigid erection. For a second she forgot about the intensity of the moment and just wanted to feel that long, hard cock buried between her thighs. When Trent didn’t move, she repeated, “I’m fine, Trent. Drew was just leaving.” She raised a brow in warning.
“No, baby, I’m not leaving.”
She gave him a firm shove, but he didn’t move. Her voice dropped low. “Listen. Things could get real nasty—fast—if you don’t release me. I know this group of men. You’re the outsider here, Drew. We can talk later.”
Or never, if she had her choice.
He stepped back, but instead of releasing her he grasped her hand. She didn’t miss the challenging look he gave Trent.
This was not good. Not good at all.
“If you two boys want to beat each others’ brains out, be my guest.” She jerked her hand out of Drew’s. “I’m out of here.” Before Drew could grab her hand again, she ducked his attempt and slipped into her trailer.
Zoë waited a heartbeat, listening for crunching bones and growls that didn’t come. Thank God. Someone had changed the twang of country music to the steady beat of rock. The artist sang “I like big butts,” and the men around the campfire joined in the chorus.
The party had begun.
Chapter Six
Josh threw another glance toward Zoë’s toy hauler as he popped a top on a can of beer and took a swig. He leaned forward in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees. “Her boss called me.” There was a slight edge to his voice. He swallowed hard before he continued. “After her show in Phoenix she’s got some time off.”
Drew set his plate down on the empty chair next to him. The steak had tasted like leather and went down like chunks of cement. It wasn’t the quality of the food but the foul mood he was in. It had been over an hour since his last interaction with Zoë. Night had fallen. A full moon graced the sky littered with bright stars. While they sat around the campfire smelling the burning pine, laughter and music filled the air as parties began all around them.
And still no Zoë.
He reached into the ice chest that sat between him and Josh and grabbed a bottle of beer. “And?” He knew there was more to what Josh had to say. As Drew twisted the cap it made a hissing sound. A drip of cold water dropped on his bare thigh just below his denim cutoffs. He held the chilly bottle away from his naked chest and took a drink. His hair was still wet from his brief shower, but was quickly drying beneath the breeze. His bare feet sat on top of his sandals. It felt good to be clean. If only he could have washed away his mistreatment of Zoë. First his unforgivable behavior in her trailer and then his he-man act when she returned from riding. Instead of clearing the air between them, he seemed destined to screw it up more.
“And—” Indecision played across Josh’s face as the light from the fire flickered over his features. He took a deep breath. “Her boss thinks she has a death wish.”
Drew sat straight up in his chair. “What?”
Josh shook his head, watching the door to Zoë’s trailer as hi
s voice lowered. “He’s told her to seek counseling.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I haven’t told Mom and Dad. I don’t know how.”
Drew couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I had no idea.”
Josh pinned him with an accusing glare. “How could you? You weren’t around.”
Drew mentally felt the jab of his friend’s words. “The guy’s crazy. Not Zoë.” Not his precious angel. She wouldn’t place her life in danger. Duh. Was he the crazy one? From what he’d already seen of Zoë she was riding the edge.
Josh’s mouth turned into an incredulous curve. “Are you blind? This isn’t the same little girl you left behind three years ago.” He shot quickly to his feet. “She doesn’t come home, doesn’t call. This is the first time I’ve seen her in over a year. Man, your leaving fucked her up good and proper.”
Felt that barb too.
Uncomfortable having an angry man hover over him, Drew slipped his feet into his sandals and rose. The tendons in Josh’s neck were drawn tight. Even in the dark Drew could see his friend’s eyes bright with concern and accusation.
Josh’s face went cold, unreadable. “If you’re not here to make right by my sister then you leave her the fuck alone.” There was something dangerous in his tone, his mien. His fingers curled in fists, arms straining at his sides as if he fought the urge to strike out at Drew.
Now wasn’t the time to remind the guy that he was the one playing matchmaker this weekend. Besides Josh was right.
Drew had made a mess of their lives—it seemed not only his and Zoë’s. “I’m not leaving this time. If she’ll have me, I’m staying.” His words surprised him, but the minute he said them he knew it was true.
A huff of disbelief left Josh’s mouth. “Well, buddy, my guess is she won’t have you. Not by the way she was looking at you the last time I saw you two together.”
“That’s going to change,” Drew said as the door to the toy hauler opened and Zoë stepped out.
She wore a pair of jean cutoffs, a high-cut tank top that showed off a bellybutton ring Drew had never seen, and a pair of tennis shoes. Scrapes and scars marred her beautiful legs and arms—something he hadn’t noticed when he had her stripped naked beneath him.
“Hungry?” Josh asked as she bent over her quad.
Her snug shorts caught Drew’s attention. Damn she had long legs, legs he couldn’t wait to have wrapped around his waist.
“No.” She continued to check the gas and oil levels. Her hair was braided down her back, falling forward each time she bent over.
Drew couldn’t help moving closer. The woman had a great ass, which several of the men in their party happened to notice as they whistled. Possessiveness gnawed at his gut.
She was his woman.
“Zoë, leave that thing alone and come eat,” Josh said, playing the concerned big brother.
She snorted.
Drew had never heard her make the unladylike sound before, but it suited the new her. No, the woman before him was hard, carved from a difficult life, one that he had inadvertently caused.
Dammit. This wasn’t only his fault. He had written. He had offered to come back home.
A set of headlights blinded him as a sand rail revved up its engine and tore down Gecko road. Several people on quads followed. Night riding was legal but dangerous. Add to that drinking and you had a combination for disaster.
When Zoë slipped her helmet on, Drew closed the distance between them. She was already on the quad as he reached her.
“Not tonight, baby.” He placed his hand on her arm. She stared at his hand for a moment then slid her gaze up his arm until their eyes met. He didn’t see anger, only sadness.
Had she cried after he left her? Did she still have feelings for him?
Her tongue swiped across her lips. “Drew, I don’t want to fight. Besides I’m just checking my quad.”
The smell of soap and shampoo and something uniquely Zoë, that soft powdery scent, assailed his senses. “Talk to me instead.” Her skin was cool beneath his palm as he smoothed it up her arm and over her shoulder. Slowly he caressed her collarbone with his thumb. “I need to talk to you, Zoë.”
She looked away. “I’m tired, Drew.”
“I know, baby.” He wanted to hold her. Tell her what she meant to him. Ask her to forgive him.
“I need to ride.” She replaced one pair of colored-lens goggles for clear ones and tugged them on.
“You’re not dressed for riding.”
“I know, but— I just need to ride.” Ignoring him, she reached for the key,
He cupped her hand. “If you’re going, I’m tagging along.” He slid on behind her. His crotch fit snug against her ass. Bare thighs hugged bare thighs. Immediately, his cock hardened. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“Riding double is illegal in California,” her voice cracked, as she scooted forward, attempting to put distance between them.
He almost laughed. There was no way she was getting away from him. “Then we’ll have to stay one foot ahead of the rangers.”
“You don’t have a helmet, goggles.” The minute the words left her mouth, Josh was there with Drew’s headgear. “Thanks, bro.” The endearment from Zoë held a hint of sarcasm.
Drew settled the helmet and goggles in place. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Then hold on.” She gassed it.
By the grace of God he didn’t fall off as the bike lurched forward. Instead he wrapped his arms around her bare midriff. She felt good in his arms, even if they were moving quickly through the sand. They hit a bump and his hands slid up her rib cage, discovering she wore no bra.
“Nice,” he hissed in her ear, but he doubted she heard because of her helmet. Or maybe she did hear. She spun the quad into a turn that nearly dumped both of them off the bike. He moved his hands back along the defined muscles of her abdomen. The damn woman had a six-pack. He traced the line of muscles, playing a moment with the bellybutton ring that slid back and forth.
The front brakes grabbed and she applied pressure to perform a stoppie. The back tires rising from the ground threw them forward. She dipped low against the gas tank.
Damn her. She was intentionally trying to throw him over the handlebars.
“Good try, sweetheart,” he said, as she topped a ridge, stopped and killed the engine. The headlights died, leaving them bathed in moonlight.
In the distance the roar of engines filled the night. Dancing headlights were all around them. Laughter and hoots and hollers joined the chaos. It was an all-out free-for-all.
“Why’d we stop?” he asked. She was up to something, he knew it.
She gave him a little push with her shoulder. “I need some breathing room.”
He slid off the bike and she followed. As a second thought, he reached for the keys and pocketed them. No way in hell was she leaving him stranded at night in the desert.
Her laugh was weak at best. “Afraid?” She removed her headgear and set it on the quad’s seat.
He followed suit. “Always with you, baby.” And that was the truth. His feelings for her scared him to death. He wanted her so bad his cock ached, but it was more than that.
Zoë drifted away from him. She peered over the ridge into the dark unknown. Drew couldn’t help but notice how lonely she looked standing there by herself.
Life was so unfair. Time after time she had prayed to be wrapped in Drew’s arms. Now that it had happened all she could think of was getting away from him. As her vision adjusted to the darkness, she wondered if she should load up and take off tonight. Maybe swing by Mom and Dad’s and make amends for staying away for so long. Or maybe she’d hit one of the clubs and go on a weekend drunk.
Her emotions were raw. The last thing she needed was Drew confusing her. But that’s just what he did as his warm hands slid around her waist, pulling her against his firm body. An impressive erection pressed against the small of her back as a shiver raked her.
She closed her eyes. Even now, he
r breasts swelled and her nipples were sensitive tips rasping against the cotton of her shirt. The pulse between her thighs begged to be stroked, filled. She fought the urge to wiggle against him. To work his hard cock between the cleft of her ass.
“Cold?” he hummed in her ear, as his lips smoothed across her cheek and down her throat. The tickling sensation made her pull away, but he held her firmly against him.
“No.” Her answer came out a sigh. He sucked gently on her neck. “Drew, stop.”
“This?” he murmured, as he nipped her neck and then repeated the light suction.
“Yeah. That.” She tried to sound pissed, but she missed the mark. Instead she groaned the words and unconsciously bent her neck giving him more access.
His large palm caressed her belly then moved slowly to slip beneath her shirt and cup a breast.
She sucked in an audible breath and held it.
“Do you want me to stop this, too?” His thumb played over her nipple, teasing it to an aching peak. “Or do you want me to suck your nipple into my hot, wet mouth?”
“No. Yes,” she hissed, but it came out sultry instead of angry.
He pinched her nub and rays of desire shot through her breast. The back of her head fell against his chest. “Oh God.” Arousal dampened her thighs. Her nipple became unbelievably hard beneath his touch. Strings of desire pulled at her pussy. The small contractions increased with the steady pressure of his fingers.
His chuckle was soft and warm, filled with male satisfaction. “Do you like it hard, baby? Do you like sweet, sweet pain?”
Her mind screamed yes.
When he released her nipple and blood rushed in, along with the tingles of feeling that brought more delicious sensation.
No. Oh please no. Don’t stop.
Before she knew it he was fondling both her breasts. Her back arched, pressing her breasts into his hands. She should have felt shame for her surrender, her weakness. Still, she held onto the glimpse of hope that this time he would choose her. This time he would stay.
What a fool. What was she thinking? That maybe what she needed was a taste of him to quench her thirst. Perhaps all she needed to drive him from her soul was to experience what she had longed for all these years.
Sand Angel Page 5
