Into the Heat

by Tamara Lush

  He stole another kiss from her lips. “This is the only dinner I want. And then dessert.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “So, have you told him?”

  Jessica sipped her mojito and watched Leo chatting with her sister across the hotel’s rooftop terrace. She turned to her friend and asked, “Told him what?”

  “About your vag?”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. Catalina could be so crass. “No. Shh,” she hissed.

  “Are you going to tell him?”

  “No! That’s not the kind of thing a guy wants to hear, Cat. Jesus.” Was it? “And it hasn’t come up.”

  “So, you guys haven’t done it?”

  “No. But…” Jess’s voice trailed off, and she couldn’t help thinking about how they’d fooled around in the water and how they’d practically inhaled each other’s mouths downstairs in the kitchen. And then he’d talked about dessert. She just hoped that she could deliver when the time came and not crumble like a dry cake.

  “But what?”

  “Nothing,” Jessica said quickly, deciding not to tell her friend the details of her near-orgasm in the Gulf of Mexico. Still, she grinned at the memory. “We’ve been getting to know each other. Going out on dates and stuff. Talking. Taking it slow.”

  “Slow? Did he explain why he disappeared on you five years ago?”

  Jessica shrugged. “Yeah, he said it was because he enlisted with the Marines. He was worried he’d break my heart if he died in war, didn’t want things to get worse after the whole pregnancy crisis.” She paused. “That’s kind of vague, I guess.”

  Catalina shrugged. “I dunno. Could be legit. That’s how guys think. They want to protect us women in weird-assed ways. They’re not always as logical as we are.”

  Jessica laughed. “You’re probably right.”

  “Do you feel comfortable with him? Do you trust him?”

  She nodded slowly. “I do. Maybe it’s a mistake, but I’ve forgiven him for what happened before. I think he’s worth it. And he’s a good guy. I know he is.”

  Catalina sighed. “You are so fucking lucky. I hope you know that.”

  For the first time in forever, Jessica had to agree.

  * * *

  “Leo, c’mere. I wanted to talk to you a minute.”

  Jessica’s sister had gestured with her head, indicating that Leo should join her near the rooftop terrace railing that overlooked the beach. She leaned with her back to the view, and Leo stood next to her, gazing at Jess and Catalina, who sat next to each other on the other side of the terrace.

  Jess looked so happy and relaxed in her lounge chair, talking to her friend.

  “Drink?” he asked, holding up a pitcher of mojitos. His heart hammered a little, thinking of how Nicole’s husband was a cop. They’d all eventually know about him. Hell, her husband might even be asked to arrest him at some point.

  Nicole nodded, and Leo filled their glasses. He set the pitcher down on a nearby table. “What’s up?” he asked evenly.

  “I’m not sure if you know this, but I’m aware of everything that went on back when you and your dad were here years ago.”

  Leo cocked an eyebrow. “Everything?”

  “Yeah. Everything. How it all went down. That you and Jessica had a connection, that you promised to return, and that when my mom found out Jessica thought she was pregnant she lost her shit. Then, because my mom was so upset about your dad being…well, less than honorable, she forbade you from ever coming down here. That you knew everything that was going on but never told Jessica.”

  Leo swallowed. Yep. That was everything.

  “So, my question for you is, does Jessica know?”

  Leo shook his head. “I don’t think so. I haven’t talked about it with her.”

  Nicole stared. God, her eyes were intense. Pretty, but not as pretty as Jessica’s. “What do you think she’ll say if she finds out that you knew about our parents’ relationship back then?”

  He pushed out a breath. “What’s the difference? Regardless, I made a huge mistake by going along with them. By doing what my father wanted me to do, which was go into the Marines. I was eighteen, and I should have followed my heart. I should have fought for Jessica. That’s what she should be mad about.”

  Nicole sighed and shook her head. “I don’t think Mom would have gotten so pissed that you and Jessica were together had your dad…not been your dad. Someone she’d been in love with and who broke her heart more than one time. And then you guys were kids. Having sex and almost getting pregnant…?”

  Leo grimaced. “I know. I’m not saying we were smart about what we did, but I did love her and didn’t want to hurt her. That’s why I didn’t call. I didn’t want to be the one to tell Jessica I couldn’t see her. I didn’t want the confrontation, didn’t want to… Well, I just didn’t have the balls to be a man. Especially not since I loved her and thought what our parents decided was wrong.”

  “To throw on you our mom and your dad’s own issues…” Nicole smiled sadly. “In hindsight it all seems stupid, doesn’t it?”

  Leo took a long drink of his mojito. It sure did.

  Nicole chewed on the inside of her lip. “Here’s the thing. Jessica’s been the baby of our family her entire life. Our mom coddled her, which has benefitted her in some ways but not in others. Jessica’s always felt like everyone has left her out of major decisions and kept her in the dark about all important information, and I don’t want her to feel that way about you. I’m worried that she’s going to be super angry once she finds out that everyone but her knew about this.”

  Leo inhaled long and sighed. He hadn’t considered that. There were enough other reasons for her to be mad.

  Nicole lowered her voice. “If she asks, well…maybe it’s best to not bring this up. I’m not saying you should lie, but maybe you should hide the truth. I can only imagine how this news would piss her off. She was so upset with my mother for not allowing her to contact you or visit you, and then she was heartbroken and thought there was something wrong with her because you didn’t try to contact her secretly. She thought she’d done something wrong.”

  That was exactly what Leo didn’t want to hear.

  “I’m not going to lie to her if she asks, Nicole. Maybe at some point I’ll even volunteer the information. Enough time has passed. Surely she’ll understand. We’re adults now.”

  Nicole’s lips twisted in a dubious smirk, and she sent a hard and reflective look toward the ocean. “You don’t know my sister. She holds a grudge. She takes things hard. When she was a ten-year-old, she didn’t talk to me for a month because I wouldn’t let her play dolls in my room. I mean, she was devastated about that idiot Jacob for months, at least until our mom died. And, trust me, anyone could see that Jacob was a douche bag. I tried to tell her.” She snorted. “Could spot him as a loser a mile away.”

  Leo gave Nicole a sideways glance. “And me? What can you tell about me? Do I seem like I’m good for Jessica?”

  Nicole drained her cocktail and nodded. “Yeah. You are. You want the best for her, at least. That’s why I’m worried about how she’ll take any big confessions from the past. I’d like you to stick around for her, even if you two have to do the long distance thing, because I think that you guys are actually great together. I’ve been watching you all night, helping her, looking at her, joking with her. Jacob never once lifted a finger to help Jessica with anything, and she went out of her way for everything he asked. No, you’re the type of man she needs. Secure. Strong.”

  “I would do the long distance thing for her,” he said quickly. “Or I’d bring her back to New Orleans. If she wanted to go with me.”

  What? What was he saying? Leo wanted to smack himself. It was as if his brain were operating on auto-pilot. There was no future for him and Jessica. The only future for him was prison.

  Nicole nodded, not noticing his fear as he glanced out toward the ocean. “Good.”

  Leo looked around and caught Jessica’s eye from acr
oss the rooftop. She was so beautiful and yet so fragile. He didn’t deserve her, and yet he’d practically pounced on her in the elevator and kitchen because his dick couldn’t control itself. He’d even promised her sex that night. God damn, how he wanted her.

  “Thanks,” he said, but his smile was tight.

  Nicole squeezed his arm and drifted off.

  He was reprehensible. Nicole didn’t know the truth. She didn’t know he had nightmares and migraines and a mountain of guilt about his best friend. Didn’t know that he was weeks away from turning himself in for setting a recruiting center on fire if the authorities didn’t come for him first. No, all Nicole had picked up on was the crackling tension between him and Jessica, their emotional connection that had started years ago and continued until this moment on this rooftop.

  Something different happened as he and Jessica locked eyes, however. He felt for the first time in years that he was more than just a wounded Marine. He was a man who wanted to let love into his heart and live in peace. He was a man who wanted a whole life, not a half-broken one.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “Bye, Jess. Call me tomorrow and tell me everything.”

  Jessica giggled and hugged her friend. “Have a good flight back to New York, Catalina. I’ll keep you updated about tonight.” She emphasized the last word, ecstatic for the moment that she and Leo would end up in bed later. It was time. It was past time.

  “I want all the details, you lucky bitch.”

  It was always difficult saying goodbye to her best friend, but at least they’d been able to spend some quality time together. Leo had given them space as he cleaned up. Nicole was already gone, having whisked a sleepy Grace home to bed.

  Leo approached, standing near Jess on the rooftop, both gazing out at the starry sky over the ocean.

  “Cleanup didn’t take long,” Jessica murmured.

  “I had an incentive to work fast. I wanted to get back with you.” He pressed his chest into her, gripping the terrace rail with his hands so that she was caged within his arms. She felt his nose nestle into her hair.

  “Thank you for helping.” She turned around and felt his hands stroke her back.

  “I’ll help you anytime. You know that.”

  She shrugged. “I guess. It just feels really good to have someone say it. And to actually follow through.”

  He moved close and embraced her. They stood for a long while, his hands in her hair. Neither of them said anything. Then, slowly and deliberately, he turned and kissed her. Her mouth opened for him, wanting all that he would give. Her legs trembled, and he intensified the kiss. This was more than sexual want. It was elemental need.

  She retreated from his lips when she could barely breathe. For a beat, she hesitated. She wanted him so much, but she was also afraid of what would happen once she got her clothes off. Yet they’d put it off so long. Too long.

  “Wanna take this downstairs?”

  He brushed her hair back from her face. “Downstairs, as in the kitchen? Or the sofa in the lobby? Or the living room?” he joked.

  “No,” she whispered. “Downstairs, as in my bedroom.”

  His mouth captured hers again, but she broke away. “I’ll take that as a yes, Leo. I can’t wait any longer.”

  She led him to the elevator, and they kissed inside as it chugged to the first floor. He pressed her against the door of her apartment and dragged his mouth over her neck as she fumbled for the lock, her insides molten. When they got inside, she led him straight toward her bedroom, feeling as though she had been waiting years for this moment.

  In truth, she had.

  Once in the bedroom, Jessica lit a candle and set it on a bureau, an echo of that day long ago when they both lost their virginity. Then she turned to Leo. His lips parted when she traced his face with her hand, pausing at his beautiful, full mouth. He kissed her fingertips, then her palm, and his dark skin looked like gold in the candle glow. For an instant he was identical to the boy who stole her heart and soul years before, innocent and shy and sweet. But he was a man now, damaged by war and rife with hidden points of darkness. She wanted to kiss away their past and his pain and just be in the moment. With him.

  She was only nervous for a moment. For the first time in what seemed forever, her body released all of its tension. All of the negative emotions of the past year dissolved, and she gave in and decided to revel in one night of perfect pleasure. That was her goal, and she prayed she could achieve it.

  Standing before him, she unbuttoned Leo’s shirt, running her hands over the smooth, hard muscles of his chest. Sweet Jesus, he was stunning. Within second, his shirt was on the floor and her hands were roaming his abs, feeling every ridge.

  He quivered at her touch then took her face in his hands and kissed her slow.

  “You’re so damned gorgeous,” he whispered. “I don’t deserve you, Jess.”

  She shook her head, almost wanting to weep from the emotion she saw in his eyes. “No. I don’t deserve you.”

  He pressed his lips against hers, his hands resting on her shoulders, his thumbs hooked under the fabric of her dress. “May I?” he whispered.

  She nodded, and he slowly slid the straps over her shoulders then down her body. She allowed the garment to slide to the floor at her feet.

  Feeling momentarily self-conscious, she wanted to press herself against him so he couldn’t look at her. She felt too exposed in her white, lacy bra and panties. But when she stepped forward, he held out his hand.

  “Stop. I just want to look at you.”

  With his fingers, he swept her hair away from her face then traced the tops of her breasts, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Down her stomach, around her bellybutton and over her hips. Over the curves she’d come to hate so much.

  “God, Jess,” he whispered, walking toward her and then kissing her softly. “I love your body. I love everything about you. Do you know how happy you make me? How much you turn me on?”

  He continued to feather soft kisses across her as he walked forward, which forced her to step back until she felt her calves hit the bed. Then he reached around her back where his fingers lingered on her bra strap.

  “It’s in front,” she murmured, and he gave a little chuckle in response. A noise of gratitude.

  He undid the clasp, and her heavy-feeling breasts were freed, and she felt another pang of self-consciousness. Then Leo groaned and pushed her to sit on the mattress, leaning over her and taking a nipple in his mouth. He licked, fierce and hungry, then bit gently. He soothed the sting with a slow circle of his tongue. He repeated this, over and over, and it was driving her crazy, sending sparks shooting everywhere though her body.

  “Leo,” she gasped.

  His lips traveled over her stomach, while one hand remained on her breast, taunting and trapping Jessica’s nipple between his fingers. He grazed her stomach with his lips and her muscles quivered. When his mouth was dangerously close to the elastic of her panties, she let out a little groan.

  He looked up, his thumbs hooked into the sides of her underwear. “Please, Jess?”

  How could she say no when it was the exact thing she wanted?

  Keeping her legs together so that it was easier for him to tug the little scrap of lace down her body, she kicked off her shoes and scooted into the middle of the bed.

  “Better,” he said. “Much better. Now open your legs wide for me. Please.”

  It was a command, and just hearing it made her wetter than she’d ever been in her life.

  Kneeling, he stared between her legs and bit his lip. Then he ran his hands up her thighs and spread her further apart. Soon it was her turn to beg.

  “Leo? I want, I want…” Her voice trailed off when he bent his head and gave her a long, slow glide of his tongue, over and over, teasing her clit along the way. She sure didn’t feel like her muscles were too tight down there. No, she felt wet and slippery and open. Ready.

  “That? Is that what you want?” Leo whispered.

&
nbsp; Jessica could only whimper in response, for his mouth and tongue were now directed at her clitoris, working in tandem so successfully to bring her to the edge that she tilted her body so he could have more.

  More. That’s what she wanted of him. No, not just more but everything. She swore as he licked, whispering lots of dirty words, which was so unlike her. Not because she was upset or wanted to be raunchy, but because it seemed like they were the only raw, powerful things that could capture how she was feeling, stripped bare and open for him to take in any way he wanted.

  “I’m so close, Leo.” Her fingertips skimmed through his short hair. “Please?”

  He lifted his head, and she traced her wetness on his lips. He said, “Just let go, baby. Just let go and let me take care of you.”

  Only his tongue made contact with her clit now, a rhythmic, up-and-down motion, but it was when he plunged two fingers inside her that she shattered, momentarily forgetting all about her condition as she dropped into an intense, tumbling orgasm that lasted longer than she dreamt possible. All she could muster was a little cry of pleasure then silent screams with squeezed-tight eyes. Leo continued trailing his tongue over her most sensitive parts, soothing the spasms.

  He groaned, moving up her body. “God, that was so hot, you coming on my tongue.”

  She nodded and smiled, unable to form a coherent sentence.

  Stretching out on his side next to her, he ran his hand over her breasts, rolling her nipples in between his fingers while she blissed out. She was happy to report that her body seemed to be working just fine.

  “Mm,” she said, opening her eyes halfway. “I want more.”

  She rolled to kneeling. “Lay on your back,” she commanded, and she undid his pants, sucking in a breath as she slid them off and her hand brushed against the hard length of his erection beneath his tight boxer briefs. When she pressed her hand fully against it, a little strangled moan came from his throat.