Wounded (An Aspen Series Novella) (Prequel to Relentless)

by Stark, Cindy

  “We do,” she said, her voice breathless.

  “I’m not sure exactly what he and Luke intend to do, but he said to tell you to keep your eyes open for opportunities.”

  A pinch of uncertainty pricked her. “What does that mean?”

  She laughed. “I’m not sure. I guess just go with the flow. But it seems you now have a couple of cupids on your side. Oh, did I mention that I told Milo you’d be in the kissing booth between seven-thirty and eight?”

  Excitement flooded her. “Oh God. I hope this turns out okay. Promise me you’ll find a way to keep Eric as far from that booth as possible.”

  A mischievous glint sparked in her friend’s eyes. “That, I can definitely do.”

  A deep burning fire fanned to life inside Kimber at the thought of kissing Jerry again. She hoped Milo could somehow pull it off. If she could just get that close to him again, she might be able to show him how much he meant to her.

  * * *

  The smell of grilling hamburgers and the sound of laughter hung in the air over the small town square. Jerry sat at one of the many picnic tables under the town’s bowery, he and Milo checking out any available ladies who walked by.

  “I haven’t seen Sierra all day. Where’s she been hiding out?” Jerry asked his friend.

  Milo shrugged. “No clue.”

  “What’s the deal with you two?”

  “No deal. She’s a friend.”

  “She seems like more than a friend.”

  Milo grinned as a long-legged redhead passed by. He made no attempt to hide his obvious attraction as he swiveled to follow her movements. “They’re all friends, if you know what I mean. I’m up front with the ladies I date and make no promises. If they don’t like me the way I am, that’s their choice.”

  Jerry knew exactly what he meant. Most of his friends, Milo and Luke included, had no desire to settle down any time soon. Wanting marriage seemed be a disease only he’d been cursed with. “One of these days you’re going to fall, and then you’ll know what kind of misery I’m talking about.”

  “Exactly what I’m determined to avoid.” His friend glanced at his watch. “Let’s go see if we can find Luke. He’s supposed to be around here somewhere.” He stood and headed across the grass, toward the many booths that had been set up to sell food and crafts.

  Milo seemed to be walking with purpose, which surprised Jerry since they didn’t have a designated meeting place or time with Luke. They rounded a corner, and Milo stopped abruptly.

  Jerry looked at his friend and then followed his gaze.

  Kimber leaned forward and placed her lips on an old man’s cheek. The red, white and blue sign above her head stated, “Kissing Booth”.

  His heart started beating a faster like it always did when she was around. Jerry turned, but Milo caught his elbow.

  “You should kiss her,” Milo said under his breath.

  He lifted his brows, not believing what he’d heard. “You’re kidding, man.”

  “Not at all.” He turned his back to Kimber. “You’re the one who wants to make her regret leaving you, so go up there and lay one on her that she’ll never forget.”

  Jerry hesitated. He did want to see her in as much misery as he was, and maybe this was the first step in sending her down the road of regret. He looked at his friend, a grin spreading across his face. “You don’t think I’ll do it.”

  Milo shrugged. “I don’t know if you have the guts.”

  “The hell. If I can face down an Afghani tank, I sure as hell can do this.”

  Chapter Nine

  Jerry strode forward just as the old man left with a huge grin on his face.

  He locked gazes with Kimber, her eyes growing wider with each step he took. When he stood directly in front of her, he reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty. If he intended to abuse the kissing policy, he should probably pay for it. He held the bill up for her inspection before stuffing it into the payment jar. Then he tugged her forward, pulling her into his arms and placed his lips over hers before she could reject him.

  The second their mouths touched, he knew he’d made a grave mistake. Every inch of him tightened with desire, and he lost control. He possessed her mouth, pushing his tongue against her lips until she opened for him. Then he drank her kisses in like a man who’d been without water for too many days. He crushed her body against him, lifting her to her tiptoes, taking everything he’d missed for so long.

  The feel of her was heaven. Soft, feminine, and he groaned as the scent of her sweet, musky perfume surrounded him.

  When she sighed and slipped her hands over his shoulders, he knew he’d won the battle despite his personal cost. He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feeling of her running her fingers over the short hair at the base of his skull before he pulled away.

  He searched her face, proud of the blush he’d caused and the glazed look of passion in her eyes.

  She wanted him.

  He’d accomplished his mission. Unfortunately, it didn’t feel like he’d punished her at all. Instead, he had a major hard on and wanted her more than ever.

  He turned and walked away without saying a word, pissed that it was so easy for her to breach his defenses. A couple of people whistled and clapped as he left, and he was sure they’d enjoyed some entertainment at his expense.

  “That’ll get people talking,” Milo said as Jerry reached him and continued on past.

  “Like they’re not already?”

  “True.” Milo snorted, turning to follow him. “The whole town is wondering if you’ll get back together.”

  He scrubbed a hand over his neck as though that would help him erase the feel of her touch. “Don’t they have anything better to do?”

  “Apparently not.”

  They walked a few moments in silence before Milo spoke again. “Well?”

  Jerry knew he wanted the lowdown on his kiss with Kimber, but how did he explain the contradicting emotions racing through him? “It totally backfired in my face, that’s what.” And that part didn’t sit well with him.

  “Cause you still love her?”

  Hell, could that really be true? “No, because I wanted to give her a taste of what it’s like not to have me, and it made me miss her all the more.”

  * * *

  Kimber let her eyes flutter closed as she placed an index finger on her lips, trying to memorize the feel of him kissing her. God, it had been good. And far too long since she’d found herself buried in his embrace, his strong arms holding her, his warm lips on hers.

  Heat surged inside her. She ached for him like none other and hated that she had to be patient. But his kiss had been a first step in the right direction. She’d known by the look on his face that he’d been as affected as she had. Maybe he really did still love her.

  It was hard, but she refrained from running after him, praying that her little cupids had more magic in the works.

  * * *

  By the time he and Milo found Luke sitting in the dunking tank, Jerry had managed to slow his aching desire to a sizzling burn. But he was still mad.

  At first, he’d thought he’d accomplished his mission, but now he wondered. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He was pissed at himself for getting that close to Kimber, and angry with her for breaking his heart. That kiss had not been a punishment at all. At least not for her.

  Damn it. Why did life have to be so difficult?

  He paid five bucks for three balls.

  “Oh, hell no,” Luke said when Jerry advanced to the front of the line. The little kids who’d taken wild shots at him had been no threat, but they both knew Jerry had a pretty vicious fastball.

  “Get ready to get your ass dunked.” Jerry used his anger to power his first ball. It missed by a hair. No doubt because Kimber had messed with his concentration.

  Luke heckled him.

  Jerry took a moment to pause this time before he hurled the ball at the target. It hit with a satisfying smack, and Luke dropped in
to the water.

  Cheers came from the crowd.

  “Your turn,” he angled his gaze toward Milo as Luke climbed from the tank, happily accepting a towel from a cute volunteer.

  “I don’t think so.” He shook his head with a grin.

  Several people in the small circle that had gathered added their encouragement.

  “Come on,” one lady said. “All proceeds this year are going to Kimber’s foundation for soldiers and their families.”

  Jerry narrowed his eyes, zeroing in on Milo. “Kimber’s foundation. How can you refuse?” He pulled out his wallet, pissed that no one had mentioned her foundation, either, leaving him to wonder what the hell that was all about. His frustration made him a little reckless. “I’ll pay twenty bucks a ball.”

  Milo took a step back. “Not wanting to get soaked tonight, Jerry.”

  Kimber picked that moment to appear, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. “Fine.” He shifted his gaze to her. “Twenty bucks for every ball I throw. Apparently, it benefits your foundation. Whatever the hell that is.”

  * * *

  A warning tingle crept up Kimber’s spine as Jerry stared her down. The crowd around them had focused on her as well. She couldn’t very well refuse to support her own charity, could she?

  “It’s a foundation meant to help military families. We have a support group for those left behind. Get-togethers for spouses.” She swallowed. “And fiancées. Groups of volunteers to help support the family while their loved one is serving.”

  He stared at her with an incredulous look. “Nice.” But he didn’t sound nice. More sarcastic in her opinion. “So, are you getting up there or what?”

  She didn’t have a choice, and maybe this was one of those opportunities Noelle spoke about. Better yet, maybe he would toss a couple of balls at her and miss on purpose, earning some money for her foundation.

  Something dark in his gaze told her that was unlikely.

  “How can I refuse?” She smiled even though she felt a little sick inside. After she’d almost drowned as a child, she’d hated water. No, the dunk tank didn’t hold enough water to hurt her, but the thought of slipping and possibly going under freaked her out.

  “Don’t do it, man,” she heard Milo warn Jerry in a low voice, but there was no going back for her. He was either supporting her, or hell bent on some sort of retribution.

  Either way, she was in for the long haul.

  She climbed the ladder and scooted her way out onto the narrow board, taking care not to lose her balance and fall in. When she was settled, she met his gaze through the chain link barrier between them. Dark, hard eyes burrowed into hers, and she shivered.

  He handed over a twenty-dollar bill to the volunteer managing the game, never taking his eyes off her.

  The tiny ember of hope that had sparked when they’d kissed might as well have been dunked all ready. She smiled, hoping to break through his hard shell, but she came up against an impenetrable wall.

  She tried to force in a calming breath.

  His gaze narrowed imperceptibly. He raised his arm to throw the ball, and Milo bumped into him, causing him to miss his mark.

  Jerry cursed, and the crowd laughed at Milo’s antics.

  Kimber tried to breathe. She’d thought for sure she was a goner the first time around.

  Jerry paid for another ball, and then warned Milo to keep his distance.

  Oh God. She glanced down at the water with uncertainty. It wasn’t that much water. She could just hold her breath until she managed to get her feet under her. For all she knew, she would land standing up.

  He glanced at her once more before shifting his gaze to the target. She sucked in a deep breath. He lifted his arm…and threw the ball. She squeezed her eyes shut. A metallic sound rang through the air before her world fell out from beneath her.

  Water covered her, and she grasped for the surface. Her feet seemed to tangle as she tried to get them beneath her. She panicked and released her breath. Then tried to reclaim it before she realized her mistake.

  Her hand hit the little step in the corner, and she grabbed it, pulling herself up, choking and sputtering. Mortified, she looked out at the crowd who watched with surprised and concerned expressions.

  Then Eric stepped forward.

  Chapter Ten

  “Are you okay?” Eric asked, generating a fair amount of heated resentment inside Jerry. The emotion warred with a double helping of shame from the distress he’d caused Kimber. The sight of her struggling doused his anger, leaving him feeling every bit the jackass.

  Kimber wheezed and nodded.

  “There’s a step in there,” Eric said. “Put your foot on it.”

  She wiped her eyes as she looked down into the water. When she pulled herself up onto the step, Eric grabbed her and hauled her from the pool.

  “Way to go,” Milo whispered and elbowed Jerry.

  “How was I supposed to know she’d react like that?” he whispered back. Oh shit. He’d forgotten her fear of water.

  How would he ever fix this?

  Milo rolled his eyes and shook his head like he was talking to the biggest idiot in the world. Perhaps he was.

  He’d just given his enemy the perfect excuse to rush to her aid.

  Hell.

  Eric set her down, and Kimber gripped the side of the tank for support. He pounded on her back as she coughed. It took a few moments, and then she seemed to breathe a little easier.

  “You’re not supposed to drink the pool,” a man offered, and several others laughed. He was sure the man had meant to revive the lighthearted atmosphere since it was the town’s celebration, but it wasn’t funny.

  Kimber nodded, but she didn’t look up. If he knew her, she was probably mortified and wouldn’t want to face her friends and neighbors.

  “You okay?” Milo asked Kimber as he grabbed Jerry’s arm and pulled him forward.

  She tried to clear her throat. “I’m good,” she said, her voice raspy. Her clothes were soaked, her lacy summer tank top plastered to her skin. She blinked rapidly as she gave them a quick glance, and Jerry was sure the moisture in her eyes wasn’t from the dunking pool.

  “I got this.” Eric moved between them, spiking Jerry’s temper.

  He hadn’t been able to fight for Kimber while he’d been gone, but he’d be damned if he was going to let Eric come between them now. Not until Jerry was certain there was no hope for them.

  “No one asked you to get anything, Eric.” Jerry stepped forward, pushing Eric’s shoulder, forcing him to turn his stance or fall down.

  “Keep your fucking hands off me.” Just as he finished his sentence, Eric swung at him.

  Jerry had been prepared for the retaliation and leaned to the left just in time. He followed with his own counter-attack, his fist plowing into his opponent’s gut.

  Eric grunted. He bent forward, before tumbling backward. Milo caught him before he hit the ground.

  “Oh God,” Kimber said, pulling her dripping hair away from her face as her expression contorted with greater embarrassment. She pushed past Jerry, making a beeline for the edge of the town’s square.

  Oh hell. Now he’d really done it. He glanced at Milo who nodded toward Kimber. He and Luke would handle Eric. Jerry needed to get to Kimber before she decided she’d never talk to him again.

  He’d been mad at her. With good reason. But it was time they worked things out like adults.

  Why did it always take him so long to figure that out?

  “Kimber.” He called to her as he hurried to catch up. Despite the fact she was quite a bit shorter than him, she could move at a fast pace when she wanted to. He didn’t want to run too fast because it made him limp, but it was obvious she wasn’t going to cut him any slack.

  When he finally caught up to her, she wouldn’t look at him. Instead, she bit her bottom lip and kept walking.

  It was obvious she didn’t want to talk to him right now. He should have realized his prank would frighten her,
and that it was a totally juvenile thing to do. Man, it had backfired. Big time. He slowed, half tempted to give her time to cool down. Then again, something told him that would be a huge mistake.

  “Wait,” he called again. He stepped up his game, grabbing her by the upper arm, forcing her to stop. “Can you hang on just a second?”

  She met his gaze, the mascara puddled under her eyes making her look pissed and pitiful at the same time.

  Concern and regret ate at him. “I’m sorry.” He pushed her bangs to the side of her forehead. How did he explain this? “I’ve been on edge since I got back into town, but I shouldn’t have been such a jerk. I forgot you didn’t like water.”

  “No big deal,” she said as she pulled from him.

  That was a lie. It was a damn big deal. “Kimber, please.”

  She turned once again, vulnerability shadowing her eyes. A half-laugh laced with sarcasm slipped from her mouth. “You know, I’ve been trying to talk to you since you returned home. But I’ve changed my mind. I really don’t want to talk to you right now.” She paused, her wounded emotions painted across her face. “Maybe not ever again.”

  That was the one thing he feared the most. “You don’t mean that.”

  “Maybe I do. Maybe I’ve been pining after a man who’s been gone for too long. Maybe Eric was right and time and distance have taken too big of a toll after all.”

  “No.” He wished Eric would keep away from Kimber and keep his fucking mouth shut. “Please. I’m really sorry.” He shook his head, trying to straighten his thoughts. He couldn’t remember when things had turned south between them. He’d been struggling after his first close-up kill and hadn’t emailed like he should have. But then she’d backed off, too, and the next thing he knew, he’d received her fatal email. “I knew it would be hard to come home and see you, but I never meant to come across as vindictive.”

  “No. I deserved it.” Her words might have seemed conciliatory except for the sorrow dripping from them. A slight evening breeze blew through town, and she ran her hands over the damp skin on her arms. “You deserved better. I should have had faith in you. I screwed up.” She met his gaze with resolve. “But I’d hoped you’d give me a chance to show you that I am better now. That I’ve changed.” She coughed.