He shook his head and smiled. “Hell no.”
Although, he’d never really been anywhere with Kade to see him dance, except for military Dining Outs, and then he’d preferred the slow songs.
Like him.
“Me either,” Jesse said from his other side.
“I didn’t even know the first sergeant knew there was music beyond Johnny Cash,” Tanner observed as they watched the bridal party having fun on the dance floor.
The music changed to another popular dance song, and the guests began to take the floor. Tanner wasted no time escorting a pretty blonde to join the fun, but Jace and Jesse remained where they were, happy to watch the crowd.
Well, maybe Jesse watched them. Jace’s gaze strayed to Holly, as it had the whole damn day. The woman captivated him. Her exuberance and energy, and beautiful smile that had not left her lips once that day, all gripped him and held tight.
She wore a pretty, flouncy, light green sundress that skimmed her knees just above a pair of killer brown cowboy boots with fancy swirls of light green. Her hair was piled on her head with little pieces left loose to brush her temple and neck, exactly where his lips longed to be. She looked amazing, and he actually ached at the sight of her. Again, it wasn’t just to touch her physically, he wanted to reach inside and touch her soul as she had done to him.
Jace didn’t understand what set this woman apart from the others, and there had been others, some who were pretty, and nice, and sweet, and wanted to settle down. But there was always something missing. A connection.
Not the case with Holly.
She got past his defenses, breathed life into his dormant heart. And he was damned if he knew what the hell to do about it.
The timing couldn’t have been worse, and yet…
She turned then, and their gazes met and held above her camera. A second later, she lowered the device and smiled. Something actually fluttered in his chest.
“You should ask her to dance,” Jesse said.
He wanted to. Real bad. But, for the past two days, he’d been careful to steer clear of the tempting woman.
“No. Too dangerous. Her nearness sucks the smart from my brain and turns me into Doctor Stupid.”
The cowboy smirked and lifted his beer in a toast. “I heard that.”
“You have the same issue with my sister, don’t you?”
“Yep.” Bottle raised again. “And I’m not all that smart to begin with.”
Jace laughed. “Bullshit.”
Sergeant Jesse Briscoe had the best damn hands in his unit. He could turn a tin can, bobby pin, and chewing gum into an internet hot spot. The man was an electronics genius, and a damn good friend.
“If I was so smart, I’d be going over there to ask Lacey to dance, instead of leaving, now, wouldn’t I?”
He watched the man set his empty bottle down, then head for their newly wedded friends. After a kiss to the bride’s cheek, and shake of the groom’s hand, Jesse did exactly what he’d said. He left.
Jace slid his gaze to his sister, not at all surprised to find her watching the sergeant’s retreating form, disappointment dulling her eyes.
Until she caught him watching her.
Amazing how quickly she wiped all traces of emotion from her face. Had him wondering what his sister was hiding. And why.
“Since you were just rolling around with Holly in the sand the other night, it seems a little strange to find you standing clear across the room from her.” Jordan appeared at his side, her tan sheriff’s uniform ditched for a pretty green bridesmaid dress. “Aren’t you going to ask her to dance?”
Chapter Eight
Jace smirked. “You’re the second person to ask me that.”
“How did you answer the first time?”
Not sure he wanted to repeat himself, he shrugged.
A grin tugged the sheriff’s lips. “Look, if it’s a matter of stupidity, we’re all guilty of that, Jace.”
He glanced sideways at the beautiful woman who always appeared put together and a pillar of strength for the county. “You? Stupid? Sorry, not buying it, Jordan.” He smiled.
“Aw, you’re sweet, Doc, but very misguided.” She gave him a quick hug then released him, holding his gaze. “The heart plays no favorites with stupidity. This one time, when I was still in college, I hadn’t seen Cole in years, we weren’t dating but I was missing him so bad, I hopped on a plane and flew to Houston to track him down. I didn’t tell him, or anyone. I thought it’d be really cool to surprise him.” She shook her head and let out a sad laugh. “Stupid.”
Remembering how the two had been so close growing up and both upset when she’d moved to the west coast before she’d graduated high school, he couldn’t imagine Cole turning Jordan away after being apart for a few years. “Why was that stupid?”
“Because, as I was crossing the busy street to get to him on the other side, a pretty blonde came out of the building and rushed into his arms.”
He blew out a breath. “Bess.” His heart squeezed for the young, eager, Jordan who, no doubt, had been crushed to see the love of her life with his first wife.
She nodded. “Yeah. So, I gathered what was left of my shattered heart, and snuck back to California to lick my wounds.”
Her gaze sought and rested on Cole who was dancing with his mother.
“It all worked out in the end,” he felt compelled to say after a few beats of silence.
“Actually…” She turned to him and grinned. “It had worked out then, too.”
“I don’t follow.”
“It may have been stupid not to call, or to have waited so long, but if I had never gone, then I would’ve always pined for Cole, and never would’ve given my first husband a chance. And even though Eric’s death still haunts me, I don’t regret that relationship one bit, Jace. Not one. Damn. Bit. You get what I’m saying?”
He nodded, his own chest a bit tight. “That not taking a chance is more stupid.”
“Exactly.” She smiled. “Life is too short. No one knows what fate has in store. Hell, if someone had told me that day in Houston that I would actually marry Cole someday, I would’ve thought they were insane.”
Jace laughed. “Yeah, and yet, you did.”
The couple had reunited a few years ago at the McCalls’ fortieth anniversary. It hadn’t exactly gone smoothly. Cole had been too riddled with guilt over Bess’ death, and Jace remembered treating the head of the multibillion dollar company for some drunken mishaps that first year. Then Cole had quit cold turkey and retreated into a shell. A year later, Jordan had visited, and managed to pull his friend from that dark pit.
Well…more like dragged his sorry ass into the light.
“Yes. I did,” she said, gaze growing soft as she smiled at her approaching husband.
He watched Cole cup his wife’s face and kiss her with such tender care, eyesight was not required to see the emotion flowing between the couple. It was felt, like a spark in the air. Even though it may have taken them a few tries, the couple had finally gotten it right.
“My wife talking about me again, Jace?” Cole smiled, tucking the woman against his chest.
Jordan winked at him. “Always. It’s your fault for always being on my mind, honey.”
A big smile spread across the man’s face. “Ditto.”
Suddenly feeling like a third wheel, Jace excused himself before his indecision over Holly became a topic for discussion again. He had no idea what fate had in store for him, or if the green-eyed photographer laughing at something Tanner leaned in to say was part of the picture. He only knew he liked looking at her, liked touching her, liked being with her. She made him feel good. Happy. And it had been so long since he’d been happy.
“Hi,” she said a little breathless, as he stopped in front of her. “Having a good time?”
A Lady Antebellum ballad began to play. “I’ll tell you in a minute,” he replied, lifting the camera from around her neck and handing it to Tanner before leading her to the da
nce floor and pulling her in close. Feeling her sigh as she melted against him, he closed his eyes and tightened his hold. “Now I’m having a good time. I’ve wanted to hold you all damn day.”
“Funny. I’ve wanted you, too,” she said against his neck, causing a shiver to race down his spine. “But, I had pictures to take, and still do.”
He increased his hold, not ready to release her. “After this song.”
“Not yet.” She nodded, and her hair tickled his jaw.
Then she was nuzzling his neck, and inhaling, sending another round of shivers down his spine.
“Mmm…you smell good. You always smell good.”
Heat rose to the surface as her soft curves moved seductively against him. He swallowed back a curse and closed his eyes, which turned out to be a bad idea. Very bad idea. Worse idea in history. It amplified the sensations, and he was rock hard in seconds.
“You’re killing me,” he said against her ear, his voice rough with the need pulsing through his body.
“Good, because thanks to you, I can’t feel my legs.” She chuckled, holding him tight. “Don’t think I’ll be much good at taking pictures flat on my back.”
His heart rocked hard in his chest at the image she just created. He’d love to get her flat on her back, again. “I rather like you in that position. You felt incredible on the beach the other evening.”
A muffled moan met his ears as she burrowed against him and trembled. “You do not play fair, Doctor Turner.”
The bold woman was one to talk. She nipped his earlobe, then soothed it with her tongue. He sucked in a breath and swallowed back a curse, but before he could retaliate, the song ended, and she pushed out of arms.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back to work.”
Before she moved too far, he grabbed her hand and tugged until her back hit his chest. “We’re not done,” he warned quietly against her ear, then released her after he felt a tremor run down her body.
If he hadn’t been certain before, he was certain now. The no-touching rule officially bit the dust.
He wanted her.
She wanted him.
Tonight, it wasn’t about family obligations, work, or even future endeavors. No. Tonight, it was strictly about what Holly needed and wanted, and what he needed and wanted.
And right now, he wanted Holly.
Bad.
Holly had never wanted any man so bad in her life. Jace made her nuts. Made her see stars. Stole her breath, and they’d only shared a few hot kisses. Being in his arms was becoming her new favorite place to be, but every time she tried to seek him out at the reception, someone had asked her to take their picture for Shayla and Kevin’s wedding album. And since that’s what the couple was paying her for, she’d had to push her needs and wants aside and do her job.
For the better part of the day, she’d been happy to do just that, but after spending one damn song in the doctor’s strong arms, snuggling against his hot, hard body, Holly wanted to stow away her camera and concentrate on touching Jace.
And licking him.
Too bad he’d had to take his mother and sister home before she had a chance to make any sort of plans with him. She’d waited around, stalling as she snapped photos long after the bride and groom had left on their honeymoon.
Pathetic.
“Maybe it’s for the best,” she told her reflection in the mirror above the sink in the bathroom at her cottage later that night. She stared at her flushed cheeks, and the eagerness lighting her eyes. Yeah, pathetic. “You need to get a grip.” Her sigh fogged the mirror as she began to remove the pins from her hair. She’d been home twenty-six minutes, unloaded the dishwasher and swept the floors, but her body still hummed with a pent up energy Jace had sparked.
Maybe she’d upload the photos and start weeding out the keepers. Not like she had anything else to do. Or anyone.
A knock sounded at her door.
Her hands stilled as her gaze collided with her reflection’s. A flush deepened in her cheeks and her heart skipped a beat. Was the good doctor making a house call?
No. Probably Donny needing help with a research paper again. The last time he’d brought over his notes, she couldn’t decipher history dates due to the incredible caricature of his professor he’d sketched in the side margins.
Holly hurried to answer by the third knock, nearly falling on her face when she tripped over the boots she’d kicked off a good twenty-five minutes ago.
Wobbling on one foot, she answered the door while rubbing her throbbing toe, then stilled at the sight of Jace, minus the jacket and tie, leaning against the frame, gaze dark and hungry…and determined.
Her pulse tumbled, knocking the breath from her lungs. Damn, he looked good enough to eat. And she was suddenly starved. For him.
“I know I shouldn’t be here. But…” His sexy voice trailed off, leaving the ball in her court as he leaned closer and lifted a hand to brush a strand of her half-pinned up, half half-fallen down hair from her face.
He was so close, she could feel his warm breath on her temple. She’d never been so aware, so tuned to a man’s body. Or her own.
She shifted closer and placed her hands on his chest, marveling at the heat radiating under her palms. The man was on fire, and her knees shook at the intensity. “I, ah, think you and I both know this…thing between us is too big to ignore anymore.”
“It’s time we stopped trying.”
She nodded. “I agree.” Her fingers curled around the material of his shirt, and she tugged him inside. “Now works for me.”
“Works for me, too,” he said into her mouth as he shoved his hand in her hair and finally kissed her.
Someone managed to shut the door; she knew this because she was suddenly pressed against it, heat zinging through her body as his lined up perfectly with hers. She moaned, and he wasted no time putting her opened mouth to good use.
There was a difference in his kiss and touch. No longer tentative, or slight, it was as if he knew what he wanted…her.
He demanded and took and gave with a zest that left her breathless and begging for more. Normally, she would’ve been shocked at her utter lack of control. Not tonight. Not now. Not with the hot, hard, and hungry man rocking into her while his tongue slipped in and out of her mouth with matching rhythm.
The feel of his warm hands on her body, gliding over her waist and hips, then back up, skimming her breasts as if he needed to touch every inch, had his name tumbling from her lips in a heated breath. She needed to touch him, too, and trailed her hands all over his magnificent body. He felt so damn good, her insides quivered.
A corner of his mouth quirked as he drew back slightly to drag in a breath. “I wanted to do that for three days now.”
“Then what took you so long?”
His lips were back on her body, kissing a path down her jaw to the curve of her neck, making it damn hard to concentrate on conversation. Then there were his hands. Warm and big, gliding up and down her sides, sending tiny shivers all over her body.
“Stupidity.” He slid her a sheepish grin. “I foolishly thought this chemistry could be ignored.”
“Me, too,” she admitted, unbuttoning his shirt while holding his gaze. “Guess that’s stupidity times two.” She pushed the opened shirt over his broad shoulders and watched it fall to the floor.
“Not anymore.”
She stared at him. With his hair all tousled, thanks to her roaming hands, and heat darkening his eyes to a delicious deep blue, she kept forgetting he was a doctor, and she didn’t date doctors anymore. Until now.
Until Jace.
He got past her defenses with his easy charm, and genuine, caring heart. The man made her feel good about herself, made her want to be a better person. A truthful person.
“I haven’t had sex in almost a year. Not since I caught my boyfriend with my best friend.”
A dark emotion skittered across his face, replaced by something warm and unwavering. He ran his knuckles lightl
y across her cheek. “He was an idiot.”
“I keep telling myself I don’t miss it. That I don’t need it.”
His eyes were dark. Very dark. “Bet I can change your mind,” he stated, and before she knew it, he picked her up and carried her across her small living room straight through her open bedroom door.
Her heart knocked her ribs several times before settling back in her chest. Oh boy. Her whole body just sparked to life.
He set her on the mattress, then sat next to her, those broad shoulders of his blocking out most of the light as he leaned in. “I’m going to take good care of you, Holly.”
Her ribs took another pounding from her out-of-control heartbeats. “Good.”
“Very good,” he said, shifting closer, then closer still. “Do you know why it’s going to be good?”
“Because we have chemistry.”
“Exactly.”
Jace reached for her, his hands closing around her upper arms before he slowly pulled her up against him. He was close. So deliciously close she only had to lean forward just a hair and their lips would touch. But she held back. Eager to see what he had planned.
He stared at her mouth, his eyes heavy and heated, and she shook with an anticipation that raced to all her neglected good parts. The easy strength with which he held her against his hard chest had butterflies fluttering in her stomach. He was still gazing at her mouth, his jaw flexing as if it was an effort to hold back.
“Do you feel that, Holly?”
Hell yeah.
She was feeling so much it was hard to form words. She nodded, sliding her hands over his broad shoulders to cup the back of his head. Pressed up against his rock hard body, she let out a small, needy sound as desire shot to parts south. Deep south.
“Feels good, Jace,” she murmured in his ear.
“Very good,” he said again, before he leaned in, pressing her down until her back hit the mattress.
Towering over her, he looked magnificent, all sinewy and ripped, and hungry. Those fathomless eyes stared into hers, letting anticipation drum between them, driving her a little bit insane before he finally bent to kiss her.
Her Healing Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 5) Page 9
