“Oh, I’ve heard of that. The dog stops the attack?”
“Something like that. Ranger’s incredibly sensitive for a dog. It’s kind of spooky, because he could tell when Michael’s anxiety was flaring before Michael noticed. He had bad triggers and explosive outbursts. It was hard for him to leave the house. Fortunately, Ranger took to the training and we were able to get him certified as a companion animal.”
“He does that with you.”
“Does what?”
“Senses when you’re tense.”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“He just did it.”
Her brows knit together and her expression twists. “Hmm, that may be, but he’s not keyed in on me.”
It’s not worth an argument and he drops it, even though he’s positive he’s right.
“Anyway, you like to hike?”
“I do. Sometimes, I just like to get away from the city, the noise…the people.”
Ranger leans against her and whines for attention until she reaches down to scratch between his ears. The dog is definitely pinging off her vibes, but what would Holly have to be anxious about?
“Do you come up here often?” Her stance relaxes and she reaches into the small day pack she’s carrying and pulls out a treat for Ranger.
“Once a year.”
Her brows twitch and he immediately regrets his words.
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, I don’t really live around here.”
“I gathered.”
Did she now?
“So, why once a year? What brings you up here?”
“Down actually.”
“Excuse me?”
“I live up the coast, so technically I come down to Santa Barbara.”
“Ah yes, of course. What’s special about this time of year?”
He palms his head, and struggles to change the conversation. If she’d been anyone else, it wouldn’t be a problem. That’s the rub. There’s simply something about her which makes him feel like sharing these tiny pieces of his life.
“You’re not going to believe me.”
“Try me.”
“I come up here once a year as a homage to my brother.”
“You have a brother?” She looks confused, although why him having a brother would be confusing isn’t something he understands.
“Had.”
“Oh, Sebastian! I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
Silence descends between them for a time while she processes what he’s said.
“Sebastian, please tell me your brother didn’t die a year ago.” Ranger whines again and nuzzles her thigh. She glances down at the dog and her eyes widen. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“He died on this day, but it wasn’t a year ago. My brother died when we were kids. It’s been a very long time.”
“And you come here every year?”
He gives a nod and can’t help but smile. What are the odds this trail, on this day, would’ve led him back to Holly? Perhaps there’s something greater at work here. He’s not a religious man. Despite practically growing up in Ash’s home with his preacher father, Bash isn’t a true believer. He’s more of a spiritual wanderer.
“Actually,” he says, “I do. It’s something Carter came up with.”
“That’s your brother?”
“Yeah.”
“How old was he when he died? If it’s okay to ask. I don’t mean to pry.”
Her concern is adorable, but he’s been at peace with Carter’s passing for years.
“He was fourteen.”
“Wow, that’s young. I’m really sorry.”
“Well, it was tough, but Carter lived a full life.” He gestures around him, taking in the sweep of the trail. “He had a wicked sense of humor too.”
“Really?” She’s smiling now. Carter would appreciate her smile. The way it lights her up from the inside out takes Bash’s breath away. “How so?”
“When he died, he left a trail for me to follow. Worked the whole thing up with my parents and my best friend, Ash.” Shit, he shouldn’t have mentioned Ash. There’s no flicker of recognition in her eyes and he breathes out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he hadn’t said Blaze, Ash’s stage name. He doesn’t want Holly to know who he is. That would ruin things. Girls turn stupid around rock stars.
“A trail? Sounds interesting.”
“Yeah, my father gave me an envelope on the anniversary of Carter’s death. Carter left me instructions on…well, basically how to live. I was a mess that first year. He’s my twin.”
“Oh my God, Bash! He was your twin too?” Tears leak from her eyes and it’s killing him knowing he made her cry.
“It’s okay, Holly. It’s been twenty years. I’m good, and Carter had a hand in that. The letter told me to go on a run. His instructions were specific. He and I used to run on the beach all the time and he loved it. He gave me a path to follow and told me I needed to celebrate his life. He basically took me on a tour of all his favorite things.” A song comes to mind, Julie Andrews singing These are my Favorite Things.
She’s smiling again.
“Yeah, a run on the beach, bodysurfing in the waves, a walk on the pier, cotton candy…there’s a few other things.”
“He sounds like he was an amazing brother.”
“He was a royal pain in the ass,” he says with a laugh, “but yeah, Carter was pretty awesome.”
“So that’s what you’re doing now? This is one of the things on the list?”
“It is.”
“A hike in the hills?”
“Well, kind of.”
“How so?”
“To be honest, I can’t believe my dad allowed it, but I’m not sure he really knew. This part of the day was something Carter set up with Ash.”
“Your friend?”
“Yeah.”
Her smile is brighter. “Wow, this is an amazing story. So, if it’s not the hike, then what is it?”
“A doobie.”
“What!” She claps her hands and it makes her tits jiggle.
He shouldn’t stare, but now that his attention is drawn to her tits, he can’t help himself. Is she wearing a bra or not? He can’t tell. Now, if he gets a little closer.
“Hey!” She snaps her fingers. “My eyes are up here.”
He continues to stare at her tits. “I know.”
She stomps her foot. “Sebastian!”
“What?”
“You’re hiking up here to smoke weed?”
“Well, not today, but that day I did; first time ever. Carter left instructions with Ash to hide it under some rocks. Ash and I came up here, lit up, and smoked one in memory of Carter.”
“Your brother smoked?”
“No, that’s why it’s so funny. He always wanted to, but we were young. He was diagnosed just before our thirteenth birthday. We weren’t exactly doing drugs back then. Hell, I don’t think we knew how to buy drugs.”
A few years later and that had no longer been the case. Angel Fire’s early years passed in one non-stop drug induced haze. None of them touched the stuff now. Drugs nearly ended the band and they’d taken a vow together to stay clean. Ash spiraled out of control, drugs, sex and rock and roll overtook his life. It has a way of getting to one’s head. Ash took everything to extremes back in the day and they almost lost him.
“This is a walk down memory lane, then?”
“You could call it that. I think Carter knew what was going to happen after he died. It was his way of telling me it was okay to live my life and not mourn his death. It was the best day of my life. For the first time since he died, I felt at peace. It no longer felt like I’d lost a brother. He’s still with me and today is simply a reminder from him to me to continue to live a full life.”
“He sounds like an amazing person.”
“He was.”
When her gaze turns back up the trail, he suddenly feels like an ass. She lost her brother too and he’s a heel for not saying so
mething about it. Not that he has a clue what he should say. He isn’t really that good with talking to chicks.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have gone on and on about Carter.”
“Don’t be sorry, I’m actually really glad I ran into you. I’ve been moping about Michael’s suicide for the past year, when I should be doing exactly what you’re doing. I couldn’t help him and I don’t need to feel bad about it. I need to celebrate his life. Not mourn his death.”
She moves, and before he realizes what’s happening, she’s leaning in and giving him a soft kiss on the lips. “For opening my eyes, thank you.”
He’s not letting this moment go and wraps a hand around her waist. She gives a little squeak as he pulls her tight against his body. Before she can pull away, he’s kissing her. Not a soft and gentle thank you peck, but the hot and heavy kiss of a man who’s been starving his entire life.
This time, she doesn’t pull away. Ranger plops down by her feet. Duke snuffles at a bush. And Bash is in heaven. She tastes like strawberries, sweet and delicious, and her soft curves press against his hard chest. Her fingers glide up his arms, exploring the contours of his muscles. Then she’s wrapping her hands around his neck, twining her arms to deepen the kiss. He slides his hands down to palm her ass and lifts her against him, not one bit ashamed of his raging hard-on. He wants her to know how much she turns him on. Her hands move again, feeling the back of his neck and brushing at the soft fuzz on his scalp.
She pulls back, breaking off their kiss. “You’ve got hair?”
He can’t help but laugh. “Guilty.”
“You’re not bald?”
“Nope!” He pulls her back, needing more of her sweet taste. She gasps and opens her mouth, giving him the perfect invitation to explore all the wonders of her mouth. Their tongues tangle. His is aggressive, probing, determined. Hers is cautious, yielding, and follows where he leads. She doesn’t pull away, even though he’s crushing her pelvis against the hardness of his dick. She’s driving him wild and he’s afraid he might come in his jeans like a one pump and done virgin.
No way is that happening. He needs to slow things down, and truthfully, he doesn’t want a once and done fuck with Holly. She makes him think of the impossible.
“But, I always thought you were bald.”
What? He stops their kiss.
“What do you mean you always thought I was bald?” They’d just met.
She stumbles back and her fingers touch her puffy red lips.
“Holly? What the fuck do you mean?”
“Bash…” she says. “I know who you are.”
Shit! This changes everything.
15
Holly
Holly hadn’t meant to say that, and from the look on Sebastian’s face, he’s not happy. Her lips burn from the fury of his kiss. Molten hot doesn’t come close to how fantastic it had been. She wants more, but Sebastian’s anger has her taking a step back. What a colossal mess.
“Bash…”
“How long have you known?”
“It doesn’t matter.” She should’ve told him when she first figured it out and is kicking herself now.
“You’ve been playing me this whole time?” The muscles of his jaws bunch as he grinds his teeth. He takes a step back, fingers curling and uncurling.
“Playing you?” Where does he get that? She hasn’t asked him for anything.
“Yes, playing me? What is this, some sick twisted plan to get close to me? Then what? You going to go blabbing to all your friends—”
“You arrogant piece of shit. How the hell am I playing you? Or are you forgetting you chased me?”
He gives an irritated shake and turns away.
“Fine! Whatever.” She spins around and takes a few steps down the trail, but her anger rises. She stops to give him a piece of her mind. “You know what? I’m sorry I ever ran into you. You’re an arrogant prick, but don’t worry, your secrets are safe with me. There’s no way I’m blabbing anything about you to any of my friends. I don’t give a rat’s ass who you are or what you do. If that’s what you think of me, then good riddance, I don’t need this kind of shit in my life.”
This time, she turns around for good and stomps down the trail, leaving him gaping. Ranger is tucked tight to her side, checking in and whining as he nuzzles her hand. Damn if Sebastian hadn’t been right about that. It kills her to have missed it, but Ranger triggers off her anxiety and soothes her with his presence. Who knew her brother’s support dog would become hers?
What a crappy day. All she wanted was to spend the day in peace and hike the trails until exhaustion pulled at her. It’s a crappy day, the anniversary of Michael’s death, and she doesn’t need this. She’s angry; mad at Sebastian, furious with Michael for taking his life, and pissed that she blew it.
That kiss.
Her fingers tremble as she brings them to her lips. The taste of him lingers there; dark, sultry, powerful, and unexpected. That man brings his entire being to a kiss and makes her feel as if the world disappears. She sighs. It’s probably nothing. He’s had lots of practice with lots of girls. Best not to become one in a long string of forgettable hookups. It’s good to leave him behind. She doesn’t need the complications dating a rock star would bring to her life.
Ranger is happy now. She’s calmed down enough to allow him to relax as well. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is high in the sky and the heat is holding off. She’s warm but not overheating.
“Come Ranger.” She lopes into a jog and travels down the rugged path.
Sebastian and his complications are fast becoming nothing but irritating memories. Twenty-minutes later, she’s at her car, but the door isn’t unlocking. What the hell? She tries again. It should auto unlock once she’s close. Now, she’s digging through her pack looking for her key fob. If the battery died she can still unlock her car old school.
But it’s not in her backpack. Did she lose it? Please not that.
It could be anywhere up on the trail. But how had it fallen out of her pack? She makes a quick pass around her car, looking at the loose gravel. Maybe she lost it when she checked her pack before the hike? But no. There’s no sign of it around or under her car. There’s no sign of it anywhere in the parking lot.
“Well, hell!”
She opened her pack twice; once at the top of the trail to get water for her and Ranger and then to give him that treat when she ran into Sebastian. A glance at the trail head and she’s groaning. After hiking up and then running down the trail, she’s too exhausted to think about heading back up. But what choice does she have? A little rest, then she’ll head back up. If she’s lucky, she dropped the key fob where she ran into Sebastian. He’s headed up the trail, and with luck she’ll find it and be back down the trail without seeing him again.
Ranger lays in the dirt and stretches out. He shows no signs of being tired or overheated. She sits on the ground beside him, leaning up against the tire and places a hand on his side. Closing her eyes, she tries to relax. If it wasn’t for the burning memory of that kiss, she could. Relax, that is. As it is, her entire body is burning to be touched again, and the funny thing? Not once did Sebastian flip her triggers.
“Well,” she says with a huff, “what do you think, boy? Ready to head back up the trail?”
What is she going to do if she doesn’t find it? Who is she going to call? It isn’t an exaggeration when she told Sebastian she wouldn’t tell anyone. She doesn’t have people like that in her life. Other than the kids at the community center—and she can’t call any of them—she’s alone. None of the kids drive anyway, and she barely knows their parents. Most of them don’t have cars of their own. There’s literally no one.
Ranger is up on his feet, ready and eager as always. She wishes she felt the same. The thought of heading up that trail and running into Sebastian isn’t sitting well. What an arrogant ass he turned out to be. But, she needs to get a move on.
“Let’s go.” She gives Ranger the command
to go and he takes off toward the trail. “You that eager to go again?”
Ranger is gone. Not that she’s worried. He likes to run ahead and check out the trail, then he circles back, checks in, and scouts ahead again. It’s in his doggy-makeup to lead and make sure the way is safe for his human. Not five minutes back up the trail, Ranger’s happy barking breaks the silence.
“Silly dog, you tree a squirrel?”
“Never been called a squirrel before.”
That voice stops her in her tracks. Damn! Sebastian is the last thing she needs right now. He rounds the bend of the trail. Duke and Ranger follow; two happy dogs enjoying a hike in the woods.
“What are you doing coming back up the trail?” He asks. “Miss me already?”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, I figure you must miss me. Isn’t that why you’re chasing after me? Maybe we can finish that kiss and explore what comes next.”
“I’m sorry, but are you high?”
“High?”
“Yes, you know delusional?”
“You didn’t like that kiss? Because I seem to remember something pretty damn hot.”
“Look, I don’t have time for this.” Isn’t he supposed to be mad at her?
She pushes past him, or tries to. His arm shoots out and his hand wraps around her waist. She’s being pulled against him and a moment of confusion passes before she remembers she is in fact angry with him.
“If you don’t mind…” With a jerk, she frees herself.
“I mind very much.” He closes the distance between them, forcing her to look up at him. Damn, why couldn’t he be ugly as sin? Instead, his rugged handsomeness takes her breath away along with half her IQ. She’s moments away from becoming a blathering idiot.
“I don’t get you,” she says.
“What does that mean?”
“Are you shitting me?”
His brow arches and he gives a shake of his head. “I’m pretty sure that’s the last thing on my mind.”
“Eww!”
“Hey, you said it. Not me.” He holds up his hands, palms out and takes a step back. At least now she can breathe. His presence is intoxicating, smothering, and only getting worse the longer she’s in his presence.
Hearts Divided Page 9
