The idea that she’d slept with Cal rankled a bit, but hell, his brother deserved to be happy. Sure, he always pictured them sharing a woman, but he doubted Lana would be agreeable. Hell, why was he even thinking about that? He didn’t need the commitment.
“Here ya go.” The waitress placed a great-looking burger on the table next to a cold glass of beer.
Despite the snow, which was slowly melting, there were quite a lot of folks out and about. He forced his mind to drift to tomorrow when he’d be with Craig and Winston, facing the elements and defying all odds.
It only took him thirty minutes to finish, so he paid and left. He figured it wouldn’t hurt to put in some extra time at the store. In fact, he almost enjoyed being the boss for a change. When he returned, everything seemed to be running smoothly. Chaz was at the cash register and Tony was helping a customer. Not quite sure what he should do, he did what Cal did. He walked around the store and straightened the clothes on the racks.
He hadn’t even noticed when the sun set. Around six, a large group of customers barged in and he found himself quite busy. No sooner would he help one person than someone else would snag him.
At seven, Chaz came over to say he was leaving.
“You’re out of here? The store closes at nine.”
“I know, but Tony and I leave at seven. Cal stays to finish up.”
He never knew that. “Okay. Then good-night.”
Jake strode over to help a customer pick the best kind of ski when a woman came over to him. “I need to check out.”
“Oh, sure. I’ll be right over.” Now what was he supposed to do? He shrugged. “Sorry. I’ll be right back.”
He jogged over to the register. No sooner had he swiped her credit card than three other people stepped in line. The woman needing skis was waiting patiently. Jesus.
“Need some help?”
The words jacked up his heart, not because of what she’d said but because of who’d said them. He spun around and faced Lana. “You are a sight for sore eyes.” Damn. That came out too eager. She had helped Cal before. Maybe she’d help him out. “Can you check out these people? I have a woman waiting to try on skis and another who—”
Her lilting laugh settled in his gut. “Yes, go.”
He’d never been so happy to see someone in his life. The fact that the two of them were working together invigorated him. As soon as he fitted the customer with skis, a mother came by with her ten-year-old son for rock climbing shoes. If he had the time or the inclination, he ought to open a rock climbing gym.
For the next ninety minutes, he went from customer to customer. Close to nine, the store began to empty. Lana hadn’t left the cash register that entire time. He trotted over to her. “How’s it going?”
“Good.” She nodded to the ski still in his hand. “I see you haven’t stopped all night either.”
“No. I didn’t even get a chance to eat dinner. I don’t know how Cal does it.”
“He told me he brings dinner and eats here.”
How come he didn’t know that? “I wonder if The Happy Buck delivers.”
She smiled. “I’m not sure about them, but Tom’s Pizza does. Want me to order you something?”
“Only if you join me.” She seemed to hesitate, and he hadn’t realized how much he hoped she’d say yes.
“Sounds good. I ate a real early dinner, but checking people out made me hungry again.”
That probably wasn’t the truth, but he appreciated her comment. “Perfect.” He wasn’t sure if having her stay might be the dumbest move he’d ever made or the smartest, but what was done was done.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Tom’s. No surprise, she ordered a veggie pizza. She disconnected. “They’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
“Great. I thought maybe you’d be with Cal tonight.” Damn. Why did he say that? It was none of his business.
“He told you he was going skeet shooting, but he did call to tell me he, Sin, and Evan were having dinner out.”
“I hope he had fun.”
“He did.” She nodded to the climbing wall. “You really are in your element, helping those kids climb.”
“I want them to experience the thrills in life.”
“There’s more to life than adrenaline rushes.”
She was goading him, but he didn’t mind. “I wish I could take you skydiving just once to show you what it’s like.”
She shook her head. “I’ll leave that to you.”
“It’s safe, you know.”
“Sure it is.”
For the next few minutes, while the store was relatively quiet, she put some of the discarded clothes back on the racks while he put shoes away.
He must have been in a zone, because it only seemed like a few minutes when the front door opened and the pizza man appeared.
Jake trotted over and paid the guy. He gave the kid a good tip and locked up once he left. “Here we go.”
She smiled. “That was fast.”
“Sure was.” Boy, was he hungry. He wasn’t even sure where to set the pizza. “Maybe we should eat in the back.”
“Sounds good to me.”
From the refrigerator he pulled two bottles of water. With the small table crammed against the wall, this eating arrangement wasn’t very romantic, but it was cozy. Romantic? Is that what you want? Hell if he knew.
He thought the conversation would be awkward, but that was not the case. In fact, they had so much to say that they almost talked over each other. They gabbed about his high school football days and how she came to every game.
“I’ve always wondered why you never would go out with me.” That might be a little egotistical, but all the other girls were eager to date a football star.
She shrugged. “I guess I wanted someone a little less reckless.”
That stung, but he couldn’t blame her. Had they dated, he might have wanted to move on. She was the type who wanted an achiever and he knew he’d just disappoint her.
She polished off her water. “I wonder what happened to Mrs. Smithton. She was such a great English teacher.”
He groaned. “She hated everything I wrote.”
Lana laughed again. “If I recall, you only wanted to write about sports. You even related the conflict in Great Expectations to sports.”
“So? I wanted to put my observations in terms of something I could understand.”
“I don’t think Mrs. Smithton was into that.”
“I know. I heard after she left teaching, she started writing children books and did quite well.”
She finished her last slice of pizza. “I’ve thought of writing a novel, but I could never afford to quit my job.”
“Jobs are a necessary evil, aren’t they?” He stood and picked up their trash. He should escort her out to her car and say thank you, but being here with Lana and joining forces like they had today seemed to have changed something in him. It was like someone else had inhabited his body. All his resolve to get her out of his mind flew out the window the more he was with her. He walked back over to her and pulled her to a stand.
He told himself he was just going to say thank you, but when he looked into her eyes all his resolve broke. No matter what he’d told himself on that mountain, he’d been wrong. He had to have her. He pressed his lips to hers and his cock nearly jumped out of his pants.
* * * *
The moment Jake kissed her, all thought left her brain. She and Cal might have planned for her come over and help Jake, but she never believed that he’d take the first step and kiss her. His hands made indents down her back as his palms traveled lower to her ass. He cupped her rear and gently squeezed. His moan reverberated in his throat, and she could feel the intensity down to her belly.
It was she who opened her mouth first to invite him in. Never would she have thought she’d be this desperate to taste him. Her brain short circuited when he delved in and took control. It was almost like he’d infused her with the courage to take a risk. Their t
ongues danced and played like two kids in the first winter snow. He tasted of the pizza sauce along with the tang of a bell pepper.
He came up for air, his breath coming out fast. Jake dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “If I don’t stop now, I’ll never be able to.” He curled his bottom lip inward.
She didn’t have to think twice. Doubt never entered her mind. “I want you.” Even if they only made love once, she had to experience him. Tonight she’d seen the real Jake Martin, the man who loved kids, the guy who loved to give of himself, and the one who loved life.
His fingers fumbled to open her shirt as if he couldn’t get it open fast enough. “I’m sorry.”
Those weren’t the words she wanted to hear. “For what?”
“I know I should take my time and savor every inch of your body, but my cock tells me I gotta go fast or I’ll burst.”
He seemed to be having trouble keeping his eyelids open, and from the way his words came out in short spurts, he must have meant them. “I don’t want to wait either.”
He inhaled and grabbed her hand. “Come with me. Taking you on the table isn’t right.”
He might not think of himself as thoughtful, but he was. As soon as they walked into the store, she realized the dilemma. Light from the overhead panels covered every inch of the place. “We’re exposed.”
“Wait here.”
Jake raced to the front and turned off the lights. Only the emergency lights glowed, bathing the store in a strange kind of calm. By the time he returned, her eyes had adjusted to the semi-darkness. “Let me get my purse.” She had a surprise for him.
Jake’s gaze bounced around. “I’ll be in the camping section.”
She’d brought the sexy spray with her and was excited to try it out. Always one to be prepared, she’d brought condoms, too. Jake never was into planning, so she couldn’t count on him to have any.
Stupid thought. Jake, the ladies’ man would always have plenty of those on hand. The expected wave of depression didn’t hit her. She was the one here now and not some other woman.
Something in the back of the store flapped, but she couldn’t tell what he was doing. Since the front of the store was all glass, there was no way they could have sex in the open. If they’d had blinds, she bet Jake would have wanted to strap her into some kind of harness, put her on the climbing wall, and have sex with her hanging in some odd position. Dear Lord. Her pussy got wet thinking about that.
Who are you? And where did the real Lana Dupree go?
A giggle escaped as she made her way to the back of the store. The dear, sweet man had taken a bunch of pads and sleeping bags from the display and tossed them on the floor. The so-called bed looked amazingly comfortable.
He held up a finger and winked. “Give me one second.”
She loved watching him scurry around to make the seduction perfect. If they’d planned this, it probably wouldn’t have been half as much fun. He broke open a candle lamp and lit the wick. The flames cast eerily romantic flickers behind the tent. She was glad he wasn’t planning on seducing her in the small confines of the restrictive, canvas A-frame.
He grinned and her pulse raced. She didn’t think there was a sexier man than Jake Martin. While Cal and he looked alike, Cal had more rugged good looks whereas Jake’s slightly bent nose lent an air of being fun and carefree.
Right now, she didn’t want to think about tomorrow. All that mattered was setting her senses on fire. Selena had encouraged her to jump in with both feet and that’s exactly what she was going to do. To show she was all in, she slipped her silky blouse off her shoulders. Tonight she’d chosen the lacy, red underwear set to match her fiery mood.
“Holy shit. You look hot.”
His praise jacked up her ego. “Oh, yeah?” She stepped closer and slipped her hands under his thin T-shirt. “Aren’t you hot with this on?” Given the material, he might be chilled, but she wasn’t very good at flirting, even though she sure enjoyed trying.
He leaned over, inches from her face. “Very.”
As she scraped her hands up his rippled body, every cell exploded with need. Jake was all muscle and pure man, and she had to have him. As fast as she could, she lifted his shirt over his head and tossed it on the ground. She dragged her gaze from his belly button, up his highly defined abs, across his bulging pecs, and finally to his beautiful, warm, rich brown eyes.
“Wow.” Sure she’d seen muscle magazines of bare-chested men, but there was something about being inches from his fine chest that nearly made lose her breath.
“I can say the same about you.”
His gaze traveled to her shoulder as he lowered one strap. When he leaned over and kissed her skin, tingles radiated down her spine. She closed her eyes to savor the moment. His other hand cupped her other shoulder and lowered the second strap inch by inch as his lips traveled across her chest. Butterfly kisses caressed her throat, and her knees weakened.
He lowered his hands to her waist. “Come down here with me.” His dreamy eyes did her in, and his whispered breath sounded magical as if he wanted to transport her to another land or perhaps to even another reality.
She’d never be able to say no to him. After he guided her down to her knees, his fingers tightened their hold, preventing her from moving. As his lips moved across her belly, he raised one hand to unhook her bra, and it tumbled to the ground.
In a flash, his mouth was on her breast, and shockwaves reverberated through her body. His moans encouraged her and she pressed her chest outward.
As he moved to the other tit, she leaned back out of his reach. “Wait a sec.”
“Something wrong?” He acted like she’d taken away his favorite toy.
“I want to try something. Are you up for it?”
His blank face brightened. “As long as it involves me being with you I am.”
As much as she loved everything he was doing to her, she wanted to see if she couldn’t heighten the already intense appeal. She thought it was awesome that he didn’t care what it was. From her purse she pulled out two small, shrink-wrapped spray bottles. The discreet packaging didn’t indicate what it contained. “I got these at the Emporium.”
His eyes shone. “I’m liking where this is headed.”
“Have you ever tried this spray?” Lorna had mentioned it was a relatively new item.
He took the strawberry-flavored one and turned over the package. “No, what does it do?”
“Open it up and spray it on your tongue.”
“The better to lick you with?”
She laughed. “Just try it and use your imagination.” At least that’s what Lorna said to do.
Jake peeled open the end and did as she instructed. His eyes widened. “Wow. That’s some potent stuff. My tongue’s tingly.”
She tried to open hers, but she couldn’t manage. “Can you help me?”
“Certainly.” In less than a second, he had the wrapping off.
She sprayed the peach-flavored one on her tongue, not really expecting much to happen. All of a sudden, her mouth exploded, too. “That’s quite something.” A giggle burst out.
“Come here.” Jake opened his mouth and dove in.
The combination of flavors thrilled her. She’d never really used any kind of sexual toy, but this was amazing. When he pulled back and smiled, she knew this was a hit.
“I want to try it on your cock. I’ve been told the sensation is quite unique.”
His jaw nearly dropped. “Who are you?”
“What? Did you think I was a prude?” Cal told her that he’d spoken to Jake about their amazing experience.
“No, but I think we should stop talking and get down to the business of loving.”
“You have too many clothes on.” She ran her gaze down to his pants.
“You have a point. I think we should each take off our boots for starters.”
She sat back onto the padded bags and removed her boots and socks faster than he did. Thank goodness the tent in front of them blocke
d any view from the street, or so she hoped. Jake rolled next to her and undid the button and zipper to her jeans. As he peeled open her pants, he whistled.
“You do come prepared. I had no chance, did I?”
She hoped he didn’t think of this as a trap, but she wanted him, plain and simple. “Nope. You mind?”
“Not at all.”
Jake got on his knees in front of her and pulled her up so that they were face-to-face. He slid his hands between her panties and her jeans. While he couldn’t be accused of not taking off her pants, he was certainly taking his time. He’d lower her pants a few inches, press his fingers on her butt, then continued a few seconds later.
“If you take them off completely, you can play with any part of me you want.” She hoped that would entice him to go faster.
He nuzzled her neck. His heady scent turned her mind hazy, as if nothing in the world existed but him. The flavor on his tongue made her skin tingle and almost tickle. She couldn’t wait to suck on his cock and see what happened.
“I like taking my time.”
Given how his cock was nearly peeking out of the top of his low-rise jeans, he was as anxious as she was to get naked.
Finally her jeans cleared her rear. She broke away from him and sat down on the comfortable pile of bags. He leaned back and inched her jeans down her legs.
“You have beautiful legs.”
She was slightly taller than average, but her legs were out-of-proportion long.
Now it was her turn. Clad only in her bra and undies, she got back on her knees and unhooked his belt buckle. When he tried to help she swatted away his hands.
“Uh-uh. I brought the spray. This is my reward.”
Dimples formed in his cheeks. “Bossy, aren’t you?”
“When I know what I want, I go after it.” She unzipped his fly. To pay him back for taking his time, she leaned over and licked his flat nipple. He jerked. She, too, slipped her hands between his jeans and his briefs. As she lowered her hands, she made sure to sample his delicious ass. She wanted to give him a few squeezes before lowering his jeans another few inches.
“You are a tease.”
Her Colorado Dreams [Spirit, Colorado 1] Page 8
