Wine and Hot SHoes (Citizen Soldier Series Book 6)

by Donna Michaels

  Wanting to throw the press off the scent of the wedding, he and Audrey ate breakfast at Gabe’s, The Eatery, in town, then he led them on a chase through the backroads, losing them before returning to the resort for the wedding.

  “Thanks so much for your help this week.” Ethan shook their hands. “Any chance you’d be willing to keep up the dog and pony show a little longer while we’re on our honeymoon?”

  “H-how long is that?” Audrey asked.

  Reluctance stiffened her back left bare by the sexy black dress clinging to her curves, a position he’d eagerly swap. That, paired with her strappy, do-me heels had him sporting a hard on all damn day.

  “Just for another week,” Ethan replied, arm draped around his new wife who hadn’t left his side since they said their heartfelt vows and slid rings—Tyler handed them—onto their fingers a half hour ago.

  It was damn good to see his buddy smile…really smile for a change. No one had ever made Ethan smile like that but Phoebe. And the fact the woman only lit up when Ethan walked in a room made Matt confident to know his friend had found the right woman.

  Once upon a time, he thought he had, but he’d been wrong…wrong to let her go.

  Shit.

  He stiffened, wondering where the hell that thought had come from. And son-of-a-bitch, he couldn’t help but admit that thought held a lot of truth.

  “Yeah, we don’t want to go too far from Tyler,” Phoebe said, bringing Matt’s mind back to the conversation. “So we’re going to use one of the resort’s cabins, but it’ll be easier to sneak out of here, and to stay out of the limelight if you two are still spotted around town. Maybe…you know…kissing.”

  Even though he hadn’t kissed Audrey again after that slip up in the middle of Mr. Wyne’s front yard, he still felt the impact of that kiss. A kiss that hit home the fact he wasn’t over her. Had never gotten over her. No amount of women could erase her from his brain…or his body.

  It wasn’t for lack of trying, especially when she’d first left, but no matter how hard he threw himself into those embraces, his body didn’t respond. His body didn’t want anyone but Audrey.

  So, his zipper had remained shut for over thirteen months after she left him; he’d put all that frustration and energy into training and racing, and won his first major race that year. Even that had been bittersweet, though. Every time he and his dad talked about Victory Lane, Matt had always envisioned Audrey at his side, laughing and celebrating as he enjoyed the hat dance, when the team posed for pictures in hats representing each of their sponsors. Out of his seventy-four wins, Audrey had been present for zero.

  And you hadn’t been present for any of her homecomings, his brain reminded.

  His stomach still knotted when he recalled the times she’d been overseas, along with his neighbors and cousin. It had been impossible to keep his mind free of distractions, even though it was key to winning races and not ending up dead. Not one of them had been out of his thoughts while they were out of the country. Especially since he couldn’t help but feel he should’ve been with them.

  “I’d be happy to help,” Audrey said, shifting her feet. “But I’m not sure about Matthew.”

  He reeled back. “What do you mean?”

  “I didn’t think you were staying here that long.” She shrugged. “You usually leave after Thanksgiving weekend is over.”

  The fact she knew that warmed him—she must’ve taken an interest in him to be aware of his comings and goings.

  “So, when are you leaving?” she asked, expression unreadable, but not until after he’d caught a glimpse of longing pass through her eyes.

  He smiled. “You trying to get rid of me, Audrey?”

  “No. Of course not.” She shook her head. “It’s like I said, you don’t usually stick around.”

  “What if I am this time?” He turned to face her. “In fact, I’d like to hire you to help me find a place to open a business.”

  Surprise widened her eyes. “You do?”

  “Yes.” He nodded and transferred his gaze to a grinning Ethan. “And yes to you, too. I will be happy to keep the press off your trail, and spend time with Audrey.”

  More than happy.

  “Thanks.” His buddy cupped his shoulder. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “Yes, thanks,” Phoebe added. “We appreciate it. And will be happy to return the favor.” She shifted her gaze to Audrey. “You know, should you two ever need it.”

  Audrey’s mouth dropped open, but before she could reply, Ben called Brandi up to the stage and initiated the Wyne tradition.

  “It’s time, ladies and gentlemen.” Ben smiled. “My sister’s going to play, and we’re going to get our Greek on.”

  Cheers went around the reception, and Matthew smiled in anticipation. Thanks to his racing schedule, he’d missed all the weddings, so this would be his first time seeing the Wynes dancing, and Brandi playing her violin, in over a decade.

  “Come on.” Ethan pulled him and Audrey onto the floor. “If I’m going to humiliate myself, I need company. Hopefully, you two still remember this dance. We did it enough growing up.”

  He laughed because his buddy had to be suffering from wedding euphoria or something, how else could he have forgotten that Matt and Audrey used to kick ass at the Greek dance. Granted, Matt hadn’t done it in years, but he was definitely in better shape than the last time he attempted it.

  By the middle of the song, Matt found his groove, along with Audrey, and they kept up with the bride, her mother, and her father-in-law, as well as Ben, and Gwen’s fiancé, Tanner. When the tempo kicked into high gear, he willed his feet not to fail him, especially since Audrey was keeping up in those damn do-me heels. He couldn’t believe the bride had lasted that long in her gown, either. So when Brandi pulled the last string, it was him and Audrey, Ben, Mr. Wyne, Phoebe and her mother who remained.

  “Well done,” Brandi cheered. “Now, as soon as my newest sister-in-law catches her breath, she has a song she wants to sing to my brother. It’s a slow one, folks, so grab your partners.”

  Without thinking twice, Matt reached for Audrey’s hand before she could leave the area. He wanted to dance with her, to hold her. To let go for just a little bit.

  “I’m not sure this is a good idea.” She hesitated, a mixture of uncertainty and that longing evident in her eyes. “We don’t have to worry about the press in here.”

  “I know,” he said, pulling her close. “This isn’t for them.”

  “Oh.” She blinked, and his pulse pounded in his ears as he waited for her next move, hoping she chose to stay.

  As the music started to play, she set both of her hands on his shoulders and began to sway. He dropped his to her hips, and awareness spread through him at final lap speed. His body jolted to life. God, it’d been so long since he’d held her close. The height of her shoes had her gorgeous chest brushing his, and he could tell by her hitched breaths, she was feeling the old zing, too.

  Phoebe’s amazing voice filled the air, and Matt glanced passed Audrey to watch Ethan as he stood in front of the stage. Something unnamable, special, passed between the bride and groom. He’d had that with Audrey.

  How…why had they let it go?

  Blood rushed through his veins as she shifted closer and melted against him. He knew he was playing with fire. The woman had the ability to crush him again, but he didn’t care. He wanted this and was going to enjoy the moment.

  Her temple brushed his cheek, and he inhaled her sweet, jasmine scent, as her heart beat with his, body swayed with his, just like always.

  When the song ended and applause died down, he was still holding her. “I’ve missed you, Audrey,” he whispered against her temple.

  She trembled in his arms. “I missed you, too.”

  The lights dimmed, and the band took the stage, keeping the tempo slow. For the next two songs, he enjoyed the feel of her in his arms, but God, he needed to kiss her again.

  What they’d shared in Mr. Wyne�
��s yard had opened his eyes to the fact their attraction, their pull, hadn’t gone away. He drew back slowly, brushing her temple with his lips.

  Her gaze slowly lifted to his, and he discovered just how weak he was around this woman, because one look at the yearning deepening the blue of her eyes and he was sunk.

  “I want to kiss you, Audrey.”

  She sucked in a breath, and the action caused her chest to brush his. “But there’re no cameras to worry about.”

  “I know,” he said, waiting, watching, hoping like hell she didn’t tell him no.

  Her fingers curled into his shirt, and she closed the distance between them. The second her lips met his, he was hit with a blinding, all-consuming need, and all the pent up-yearning and ache suddenly surged through him. He tightened his grip on her, but took his time tasting, drinking, and reacquainting himself with her essence. She moaned and pressed closer, kissing him back, doing her own tasting and drinking with a passion that nearly knocked him on his ass.

  There was no question about it. Audrey took him from zero to sixty in less than one second. A new record. And there was no thinking, just feeling, and heaven help him, what he was feeling was a whole hell of a lot. Including deep-seeded hunger.

  Nothing new with her.

  Only because they needed air, did he draw back and press his forehead to hers. The last time they’d been together hadn’t ended so well. Audrey nearly destroyed him when she left. But they were different now. Older. Wiser. She didn’t seem to be able to fight it either.

  Her ragged breaths hit his neck in warm spurts. “We probably shouldn’t do that again. Our mothers were watching.”

  “So?”

  She drew back to frown at him. “So…I don’t want them getting false hope.”

  “There’s nothing false about the attraction between us. I want you,” he admitted. “I always have. Even when you left me.”

  Audrey stiffened, and the heat in her gaze cooled. “Sure, for about a whole whopping six days.” She pushed out of his arms and shook her head.

  Before he could ask what the hell she meant, Ethan approached with a strange expression on his face.

  “Guess who just called.” His buddy smiled, holding up his phone. “Keiffer.”

  “That’s great news.” He forced his focused on Ethan as the news sunk in.

  “And it gets better. He talked to Brandi and agreed to head to her ranch next month when his contract runs out.”

  “How did Brandi get him to agree?” he asked.

  “It was Kade.” Ethan’s smile widened. “After Brandi told Keiffer about the baby, Kade got on the phone and asked him to come down and help keep an eye on Brandi and the horses while he goes away to some military course for a few weeks.”

  “What course?”

  Ethan shrugged. “Kade said he’ll find one and make it happen.”

  “That’s great news, man,” he repeated, cupping his buddy’s shoulder. He just hoped it helped. Hoped Brandi could get through to her brother.

  And he hoped he could get through to Audrey.

  Because, by the time they’d finished their dance—and kiss—he’d decided he wasn’t going to let her go again. He would do whatever it took to be in her life this time.

  Chapter Seven

  Audrey needed more than one cup of coffee to get her going Sunday morning. Especially since Matthew was her first appointment of the day. Her only appointment. She didn’t know what game he was playing, or if he was even playing a game.

  Was he really staying? Retiring? Did he really want her to find him a business or a building to invest in?

  Half of her hoped so. Okay, more than half. It would be great to have him around. Great to have him as a client. Great to kiss him again.

  Shoot.

  Yep, more caffeine. That last thought pretty much proved her brain wasn’t functioning properly.

  She headed to the front of her office to grab her second cup of coffee from the pot her mother had made before leaving to hold an open house that day. No one else was working, so Audrey had the place to herself with a few minutes before Matthew was due to arrive.

  Matthew.

  Her insides still fluttered when she thought about him. And that kiss last night at the wedding had reminded her how amazing it felt to be in his arms. God, no one made her feel like he did. Wanted and needed and desired.

  On the other side of the coin, only he could make her feel devastated, heartbroken…and betrayed. Which was foolish, since they hadn’t been actually together when she’d seen him with that blonde.

  The front door open…and in walked her heart.

  God, she was sappy when her caffeine level was dangerously low. Who knew?

  “Morning, Audrey.”

  He smiled and her world altered. Always did with Matthew.

  She narrowed her focus. Every part of her was in tuned to him. A blessing and a curse.

  “Morning,” she replied. “Why don’t you make yourself a coffee, then we can sit down and discuss exactly what you’re looking for.”

  “Sounds good.”

  After he poured a cup, she led him to her office, which immediately felt as if it had shrunk to broom closet capacity.

  “Damn, Audrey. Are all your shoes hot?”

  She glanced down at her solid red pumps that were kind of plain, but one of the most comfortable pair of shoes she owned. “Maybe.” She glanced up at him and shrugged. “The right shoe makes you feel good, so then you walk different. You know? It just kind of shows.”

  “Yes, yes it does.” He nodded, admiration blatant in his gaze. “It shows on you, so that must mean you’ve made the right choice.”

  “Thanks.”

  Forcing her mind to remain in business mode, she motioned toward a chair before she sat behind her desk. Mmm…he smelled good, like he just got out of a shower. Memories of shared showers flashed through her mind and upped her temperature to inferno.

  Shoot. So much for keeping things professional.

  She grabbed a pen and tablet and cleared her throat. “What kind of business are you looking to open?” There. That came out sounding almost normal.

  “I’m not sure.”

  But that wasn’t. Matthew Bennett always had a plan. Knew what he wanted. Made it happen. To see him sitting there drinking coffee with uncertainly on his handsome face was a first.

  “You’ve never thought about what you wanted to do after racing?”

  He shrugged, and something resembling pain passed through his gaze. “Greg and I were supposed to open up a shop and restore classic cars.”

  Her chest tightened. “I’m sorry.”

  His younger cousin had always been more like a brother to him. The loss had to be severe, and she had no idea how to help.

  He nodded and drank his coffee, and the urge to touch him grew stronger with each passing second. She knew he already owned a garage. It’s where his cousin used to work on the cars Matthew purchased. It’s also where his body was found.

  “So, any ideas what else I can do?”

  She raised a brow. “Open a driving school?” Surprise transitioned into a smile that stole Audrey’s breath.

  “Zero to sixty is probably not the best thing to teach a new driver.”

  She laughed. “Probably not.”

  “I know it’s been done before, but what about a restaurant geared toward racing. With the triangle so close, it should gain a crowd,” he said, tossing his empty cup in the garbage by her desk.

  Audrey instantly envisioned what he pitched. And he was right, with the raceway so close, fans would definitely flock to eat at a restaurant owned by Stone Bennett. “I think you’re right. Especially if you showcase some of your memorabilia.”

  He cocked his head. “Exactly.”

  “I happen to have two places that could work. Let me grab the keys.”

  By the time they finished walking through the second property, Audrey was having a hard time keeping her excitement at bay. This place had good bones
, the right amount of square footage, a huge parking lot, and the best part was its location. Ten miles from the track.

  “Perfect.” A pleased smile curving his lips. “I’d like to put an offer in for the full asking price.”

  An inner sigh rippled through her. The commission on this place would secured everyone’s position at McNeil Realty. “Okay. Let’s head back to my office and I’ll draw up the offer.”

  He grasped her hand. “Thanks, Audrey, for helping me find this place.”

  “Of course. No problem. It’s my job,” she felt compelled to say. She hadn’t done anything special.

  Another smile tugged his lips. “Still downplaying yourself, I see.”

  Unsure how to respond, she remained silent and climbed back in his car. Normally, when showing properties, she was the one to drive, but Matthew had insisted. It wasn’t until he turned in the opposite direction of her agency that she decided to break the silence.

  “My office is the other way.”

  He glanced sideways at her and sent her a lop-sided grin. “I know. There’s something I have to do, and I’d like you to come with me.”

  Totally thrown by his words, she just nodded and leaned back in her seat.

  “Good.” He reached over to tug her seat belt. “We’ve got a tail. Hold on while I lose him.”

  Adrenaline kicked into high gear the same time he did, and after some crazy maneuvering on back roads, like the day of Ethan’s wedding, they were back on course, whatever that was, and obeying the speed limit.

  “Sorry.” He glanced sideways at her. “I don’t want them anywhere near where we’re going.”

  Now she was really curious. And a little hot. Okay, a lot hot. Was he planning to get busy? Were they headed to a hotel?

  If so, she’d be better off telling him to turn around. She wasn’t ready. Wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready to risk her heart with him again. But after another few miles sped by and her mouth remained mysteriously shut, Audrey decided to keep an opened mind.

  Which proved smart, ten minutes later, when Matt pulled into a hospital parking lot.

  She turned to him, alarm making an appearance and tightening her chest. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” She raked her gaze over him, finding nothing amiss on the outside.