And then there was Tori. He could so easily get lost in those emerald-colored eyes and her silky skin. But he couldn’t allow her to see how he felt about her.
She was counting on him. If the shoe was on the other foot, she’d never run out on him. She was his friend, damn it, and he couldn’t let her down.
Yeah, this was going to be difficult, but he had to stay.
She set her hand over his. “You okay?”
Their gazes locked and a zing of electricity ricocheted between them, charging the atmosphere with sexual tension.
He scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to break the spell. “Yeah, sure. I got up really early. Guess I’m just tired.”
Her eyes lingered on his mouth, and she bit on her bottom lip. Could she be thinking about kissing him just as much as he was her?
There was that one time so long ago when she’d tried to kiss him. But he’d turned away at the last second since her dad had already warned Heath against trying to date her. He’d cared about her too much to put her in a position to sneak around with him. If her father had found out, it would have been really bad for her since he’d controlled every aspect of Tori’s life.
Heath had considered asking her out when they were both in college until Tori told him she was seeing someone. He figured he’d wait it out, but she’d gotten serious with the guy and eventually engaged. Way more serious than he’d ever been with a woman.
So he’d moved on. He thought he’d gotten over her, but he recently realized how wrong he was about that. Despite his financial success, he still felt unworthy of her. Even if he were good enough for her, he’d never chance ruining the one friendship that had endured for most of his life. But damn, he wanted her so much that his whole body ached for her.
“I have an idea,” she said.
Yeah, so did he. Lots of them. He couldn’t say exactly what he found so irresistible about her, but whatever it was, he hadn’t stayed away long enough to get it out of his system. Unable to help himself, he wound a finger around one of her curls then let it go and watched it spring back into place. “I love your hair.”
She laughed. “So you’re into frizz, hmm?”
“You have no idea.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Your hair isn’t frizzy. It’s curly. Beautiful, just like the rest of you.”
Something dark and hot as sin flashed in her eyes like a mating call. And his libido reared its head in response. He tamped down his feelings and took a healthy sip of his drink.
Tori cleared her throat. “So what supermodel are you dating this week? I haven’t checked the tabloids lately.”
He forced a laugh. “I gave all that up for Lent.”
“Oh, so you’re Catholic now?” she teased.
“More like scared straight.”
Her expression grew serious. “That doesn’t sound good.”
Staring down into his drink, he shrugged. “I’m taking a break from…relationships.”
“Welcome to my world.”
Although she wore a smile, a cloud passed quickly over her features. Was she still getting over the break-up with her ex-fiancé? Or had someone else broken her heart since then? Anger roiled in his gut.
Tori pushed away her soda. “Ready to get going?”
Last chance to back out.
Nope. He refused to let Tori down. “Let’s go.”
Grabbing his bag, he draped his arm over her shoulder. “Lead the way.” Having her this close was dangerous but he couldn’t bring himself to let go. “I hope you didn’t mind picking me up, but I figured it was a little more time we could spend together. And you’re a lot less stuffy than some hired limousine driver.”
“Yeah, I’m so sure it sucks being driven around in limos all the time. You poor thing.” She gave him a playful punch. “Of course I don’t mind picking you up. I’m crazy busy with all the tricentennial events on top of my other parties, so any time we get to hang together is a bonus.”
They picked up his suitcase then headed for her car.
“Can I get your autograph, Mr. Castillo?” A teenage boy shoved between them and offered Heath a baggage claim ticket and a pen.
Heath gave Tori an apologetic shrug. In true Tori form, she took a backward step to give the boy better access. Anyone else would have been annoyed by the intrusion.
Taking the kid’s ticket, he scrawled his name then handed it back. “Sorry about that.”
Tori waved away his apology. “Please don’t be. You’re a star, Heath. I get it. I’m not the only one who loves you anymore.”
Of course, she’d meant that platonically but hearing her say she loved him—knowing they could never be anything more than friends—destroyed him.
When they finally arrived at Tori’s van, he had to laugh. “This is what you’re driving?”
She opened the back doors to the scratched and dented army green work van, and he set his bags on top of boxes marked, “Mylar Balloons” and “Linen Napkins, Blue.” The entire vehicle was crammed full of crates and baskets of party supplies.
“I could say my other car’s in the shop, but honestly, this is what I drive every day.” She shut the back doors.
He flattened his palms against the van on either side of her, boxing her in. “I drive my own car, you know. I hardly take limousines anywhere.”
“Fine, you’re not a spoiled celebrity.” She held up her hands in surrender.
Her gingerbread scent rose above the exhaust fumes, all soft and feminine. She moistened her lips. Maybe she was thinking about how it would feel to kiss him. His mouth was so close to hers that he could feel the warmth of her breath. He could kiss her now if he wanted. He yearned for a sweet taste.
“Tori, I…” He reached out and touched her cheek. Her skin was like silk. He wished she’d say something, tell him to quit touching her but she just blinked up at him. Her eyes held an unspoken question.
He’d hoped seeing her would rid himself of his romantic feelings for her, but that obviously wasn’t going to be the case. No, he couldn’t do this. If he screwed it up with her—as he had with most of the women he’d dated—he’d lose the only true friend he’d ever had. Besides, she deserved someone better, someone more like her.
Her eyelids lowered, and for a moment, he could swear she was about to kiss him. Then someone honked their horn, startling them apart. She slipped away and got into the vehicle.
Damn good thing. Maybe someone was telling him something, saving him from a terrible mistake. He followed Tori’s lead and climbed inside the van.
“Whew, that was loud.” Her cheeks were stained pink as she buckled herself in. “I’d advise you to wear your seatbelt. I tend to drive fast. Sometimes my passengers get a little nervous. But don’t worry. I’ve never had a wreck.”
Which he realized after a few minutes was pretty amazing considering that Danica Patrick had nothing on her. He hung onto the armrest and the dashboard and anything else that was bolted down.
Speed Racer barreled onto the interstate with both hands glued to the wheel, and her eyes narrowed in concentration. “Would you crack me a couple pistachios?” She gestured at the brown paper bag on the seat between them.
“That takes me back.” He opened a few nuts and handed them to her without ever taking his eyes off the road. He might have to grab the wheel at any moment.
“Yup. I’m still addicted. Much to my mother’s chagrin.” She glanced at him, smiling. “It’s so great to see you. I can’t believe you’re actually here. We can’t let so much time go by without a visit ever again.”
“I agree.” He’d keep her with him night and day if he could.
The terrain gradually shifted from flat to hilly. The closer they got to Cat’s Paw Cove, the antsier he grew.
Tori jerked the van into the next lane. Something fell over in the back, but she didn’t seem bothered.
Maybe it was merely her driving that had his insides roiling. He shifted in his seat and tugg
ed on the seatbelt to test it. “There was a girl in my senior class who had a van. It earned her a reputation. She…entertained in the back. Unfortunately for me, she was into football, not baseball players.”
“Poor baby. I’m sure you got laid a few times your senior year. Not nearly as much as you probably do now.”
“Again with my sex life? If mine is fair game, then so is yours.” Why did so many of their conversations end up in the bedroom? Probably because that was where he’d always secretly dreamed of taking her.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth but said nothing. The sexy gesture had him adjusting his decidedly tighter pants.
“I had no sex life in high school,” she finally said.
“And now?” He held his breath and slid his gaze down to her breasts. The seatbelt lifted one a little higher than the other. Something stirred deep inside him.
Damn, she’d caught him staring. He sat up straighter and tried to focus on the road. Which they were traveling way too fast.
“There’s not much to tell now, not since William and I broke up. Thanks to him I hate all men. Well, except you.”
He knew he ought to feel bad that the engagement had been called off, but damned if he wasn’t pleased. Not that the son of a bitch had broken her heart. He could wring the asshole’s neck for hurting her. But he couldn’t deny that deep inside, he’d been happy when he’d read Tori’s Christmas card that year, in which she’d written that she wasn’t marrying William after all. She’d initially blamed the break-up on the fact that William’s job kept him on the road most of the time. Heath had read between the lines, though, and had guessed that the real problem had been infidelity, which Tori had later confirmed.
Thankfully, she slowed down a little when it started drizzling. “Remember Vivi Yothers from high school?”
He conjured up an image of the pack of rabid teenage girls who’d shadowed him his junior and senior year, the same kids who’d relentlessly bullied Tori. “I think so. Was she the blonde?”
“Yup. Tall, thin blonde. Totally gorgeous and as mean as a cornered possum. Her last name is Craig now. As in the ex-wife of Jeremiah Craig, who owns half of West Palm Beach.”
“Okay.” Even after all these years, the mention of any of those girls pissed him off because of the way they’d treated Tori.
“She’s back in town. And I hear her partner in crime, Isabel Hampton will be here for the tricentennial.” She shuddered out a breath that made him wonder if she sounded like that in the throes of passion.
Think about something else.
“High school was a long time ago, Tori. I’m sure they’ve grown up by now. Talking about them isn’t worth wasting any of our time together.” But it was a lot safer than discussing their sex lives.
“Good point. So tell me about you. It’s almost time for spring training, isn’t it?”
“Two weeks away.” Although he wouldn’t be there for it this year. He rubbed his elbow. “You ever watch my games on TV?”
“Of course.”
He had to smile. Tori had never missed a single high school baseball game while he was on the team. “You’re a peach, you know it?”
She ventured a glance at him. “I love watching you play. You’re my hero.”
He’d heard the words before from kids and the occasional fan, but this was different. She meant it on a whole different level, and her sincerity was clear in her tone and the warmth in her dark eyes. His chest tightened.
Some hero.
He’d been about to abandon her a little while ago. “Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?”
How much I want you.
“Probably not. Tell me about the team, about your life. It all sounds so glamorous.”
“It’s not really. It’s just a job. However, I happen to have an opening for a groupie if you’re interested in experiencing the lifestyle firsthand. But you’ll have to sleep with me first.”
Her laugh was so real and authentic. God, he’d missed it. He hadn’t realized how much until that moment. He wondered if deep down there’d always been something underneath the flirtatious banter in which they always engaged when they were together.
“Do groupies make a lot of money? I wish my job paid me a tenth as well as yours. And that I got to hobnob with all those Hollywood celebrities.” She sighed. “The closest I get to anyone famous—besides you—is Bitsy Albright.”
“Who is Bitsy Albright?”
“Some silly socialite my mother says is richer than the Vanderbilts were. I’ve done a few parties for her.” She got off the highway at the exit marked “Cat’s Paw Cove.”
They were almost there. Uncomfortable heat crawled up his back and neck.
It’s only a place.
He was her damn hero for God’s sake. He couldn’t let on how tough this was for him. “So how’s your business doing? When I heard it was you running this tricentennial gig, I was impressed.”
“Well, it didn’t start out that way. I only got the job because the committee the city council appointed imploded. Pretty cool how it all worked out, though.” She turned onto A1A, and they passed the Lutheran church.
Same one where his mother used to pick up donated food for their family.
Tori was saying something about a disastrous wedding and being summoned by the city council. He tried to pay attention, but he couldn’t stop staring at the church. Even after they’d passed it, the memories forced their way into his head.
His mother had taken him along to pick up a box of donated groceries. His father was out of work at the time and had spent his last paycheck on booze, and God only knew what else.
There was a separate entrance around the back of the church for the folks seeking help like his mother. But this time they were there for more than bruised fruit and vegetables and stale cookies and bread. It was late summer, and school would be starting soon. He’d outgrown all his pants, and his shirts were tight at the shoulders.
“Over there.” An elderly woman volunteer directed them to a stack of boxes.
His mother started pulling clothes out of the cartons and holding them up to him to see if they’d fit.
All he’d wanted to do was get the hell out of there, but she kept finding more items, then either returning them or placing them in a wrinkled supermarket bag the old woman had given her.
When they finally left, he carried the sack with other people’s castoff clothes spilling over the top. They’d almost reached their car when a group of kids he knew from school came charging out the front of the church, fresh from Wednesday night bible study.
He’d ignored their laughter, pretended he didn’t hear them or that their barbs weren’t directed at him.
“They’ll forget by the time school starts back, Hijo,” his mother had said.
Only they hadn’t forgotten. They’d taunted him for years and even gotten other kids in on it. Until he’d proven himself in sports. Then they all forgot where he’d come from. As long as he led their team to victory, they never mentioned the incident.
All these years later, memories like that one had kept him from returning to Cat’s Paw Cove. Didn’t matter how much he missed the Boardwalk Arcade, the pizza from Pie in the Sky, or…Tori. Could he handle being here again? Opening all the wounds that he thought had long since scabbed over?
But as he glanced at Tori, still going on about how she’d gotten the job of planning the bicentennial events, he knew his absence had as much to do with her as with the town itself.
How the hell was he supposed to be with her the rest of the week without kissing her? Without touching her like he’d been dreaming about for so long?
Maybe they could try… No, if they failed, it would mean the end of the friendship. He’d never survive that. She was the only person who loved him for who he was and not what he could do for her. And he’d be damned before he’d risk losing that.
Chapter Three
Tori parked
the van in front of the Kitty’s Cantina—one of her favorite restaurants in the area—and glanced over at Heath. Aside from his shell-shocked expression—which she was used to seeing on her passengers’ faces—he looked so damn hot.
His glossy brown hair was a little longer than it had been last time and a couple of days’ worth of stubble covered his face, but not enough to mask those strong cheekbones or the cleft on his chin. And those amazing amber eyes. Heaven help her resist them.
Jeez, she had to quit staring at him. He’d think she was coming on to him or something. They’d always flirted. It was just how they acted when they were together. All she had to do was remind herself of that humiliating moment when he’d turned away rather than kiss her. She cringed at the memory.
She was just so sex-starved since her break-up with William that her hormones were working overtime. Heath was her friend, the big brother she’d never had. If she didn’t get hold of herself, he’d think she was a crazy person. She shook herself out of it. “Here we are. Isn’t this place adorable?”
He seemed flustered for a second, then gave her a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Adorable, sure. And off the beaten path.”
“That’s part of the charm.” She climbed out of the van then waited for him to join her. He was a lot taller than she remembered, at least six-foot-three. Sliding his hand over the small of her back, he walked her toward the entrance and all sorts of warm, wonderful sensations took over.
She tried to brush away that tingly-all-over feeling as they ascended the creaky steps to the porch. “I’m sure this place is about a dozen notches down from what you’re used to—”
He cut her off with a finger to her lips. She prayed he hadn’t felt her little quiver. He’d completely misinterpret it as…well, as desire. Which it wasn’t. Absolutely not. She’d learned her lesson.
“Quit insinuating that I’m some kind of snob. I’m still the same old Heath.” He fixed his dark gaze on her, and her insides flip-flopped.
Her Homerun Hottie Page 3
