FAST RIDE (3 page)

She’d even turned down a dinner date with Jerry Summers, who she’d gone out with for the first time several weeks ago. Jerry was the first-grade teacher at her son’s elementary school and had taught Jordan last year. He was nice-looking, forty-two and interesting to talk to. A real gentleman. He’d even sent her flowers after their first date.

Being only recently divorced, he had confessed how awkward he’d felt, joining the dating scene again after so many years. That confession was what had made her accept his dinner invitation the first time around. She’d found him sweet, endearing and honorable.

She supposed she could have accepted a second date with him and explained her sexual dilemma. He may have been only too happy to jump her bones for the sake of sex alone, but somehow Holly didn’t think the man would be interested. He seemed to miss home cooked meals and his dress shirts being ironed more than his wife-slash-lover leaving him. Remembering, that although their dinner date had been pleasant, there were no sparks at all. Not even when he’d kissed her goodnight.

And the whole while she’d dined with Jerry she kept imagining Kenny sitting across the table from her. If it had been Kenny, she would have slipped her shoe off beneath the table, put her foot in his lap and teased him until he was hard and aching for her.

So Kenny was to blame for her not being able to enjoy another man’s company. Because now that she’d fantasized about climbing atop him and riding him until she’d exhausted them both, no one else would do.

She heard Kenny and Jordan laughing about something. “Ha, ha,” she said in a low breath, mocking the man and knowing he could not hear her.

Probably the only reason she’d ever considered having sex with him in the first place was because he was always running his eyes up and down her body when he thought she wasn’t looking. Like when he watched her from his window when she was outside tending to her flowers. He made her feel alive, womanly, in spite of the fact neither of them cared much for the other.

And then that comment about her breasts being perfect had pushed her to the brink. Basically, he was a tease. And dammit, he owed her. Big time. It was partly his fault she’d made a fool of herself.

She should march directly next door and tell him what she thought. And she would have if her son wasn’t over there this very minute. What she had to say to Kenny was not for an eight-year-old’s ears.

Jordan looked so happy. Every time the man made her son laugh, Holly couldn’t help but wonder what he had to say that was so interesting. He was probably telling Jordan what a dingbat his mother was.

Maybe the best way to handle her sexual dilemma was to drive the man so crazy with desire, he’d beg her to sleep with him. Holly giggled, an idea forming in her head. Leaving her post at the window, she hurried to her bedroom to find the shortest, tightest and sexiest outfit she could find.

CHAPTER THREE

H
i, Mom!” Jordan
shouted, interrupting Kenny’s thoughts.

Kenny looked up from his cards to see Holly, shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand and waving with the other.

Holy crap
, he thought, squeezing his cards so tightly he bent several of them. Holly was wearing the shortest skirt he’d ever seen. And to make matters worse, it was hooker red.
Where the hell is she going dressed like that?

“Hi, honey,” she said as she walked across the yard toward them. “Are you having fun? Do you miss me?”

There was something about her walk that was different. Kenny noticed the way her hips swayed dramatically from side to side and there was a bounce to her step. Oh yeah, there was definitely a bounce, he thought, seeing the tops of her breasts threatening to pop out of her low-cut blouse with every move.

“I beat Kenny at Crazy Eights,” Jordan said, “and he didn’t
let
me win either.”

She smiled and her whole face lit up. That’s when Kenny noticed the make-up she was wearing, including the red lipstick. He’d never seen her wear anything more than peach-colored gloss on her lips.

“I don’t let you win, either,” she said.

“Yes, you do, Mom.”

Holly reached the stairs to the deck and stopped before looking up. Her gaze finally met Kenny’s and locked with his. At the same time, his dick twitched and rose, threatening to poke a hole through his sweat pants.

“Do you wanna play?” Jordan asked.

Holly glanced at her son, then back at Kenny. She gave her top lip a slow lick, and then said in a seductive tone, “I’d love to play. If it’s okay with Kenny.”

Kenny swallowed hard. What the hell was she trying to prove? “Sure,” he managed to croak out.

Slowly, she climbed the stairs, as if it were an effort. And it probably was, with that skimpy-ass thing she was wearing.

“Sit down, Mom,” Jordan said, patting the chair beside him. His red hair was slicked to his head with sweat and his freckled face was flush from the heat.

Holly sat down across the small round table from Kenny, giving her skirt a tug. He didn’t know why she’d bothered. He’d already caught a glimpse of her pink panties.

“Can I get you something cold to drink?” Kenny offered.

“No, thanks. I can only stay for one game. Then Jordan and I are going to eat dinner and maybe go out to play some miniature golf.”

“Miniature golf!” Jordan screamed with excitement. “Can Kenny come with us?”

Holly’s gaze swung to his wheelchair and her face flushed. “I don’t think that Kenny would--”

Kenny, deciding to rescue her, gave the arm of his wheelchair a pat and smiled at Jordan. “I’m afraid I don’t play much golf these days, miniature or otherwise.”

“We could go see a movie instead. Miniature golf isn’t much fun anyway. Mom just lets me win to be nice.”

“I do not,” Holly argued. “And I’m sure Kenny has plans of his own for this evening.” She twirled the ends of her hair around her fingers, something she did when she was nervous, and bit at her bottom lip. “I mean, you’re welcome to join us for dinner. I didn’t mean to be rude, but . . .”

He chuckled halfheartedly. “Thanks, but I should work on my strip later.”

“I could stay and help you,” Jordan offered, and Kenny noticed Holly’s disappointment.

“Thanks, sport, but your mom looks like she could use a little company. She’s been pretty lonely lately.”

Holly gave him all her attention. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Kenny shrugged one shoulder. “I just meant I’m sure you’d like to spend some quality time with your son tonight. No reason to get all hostile, Holly. Everyone gets lonely at times. Including me.”

“That’s your fault,” she mumbled and batted her eyelashes.

He didn’t care for her comment and decided to give her a little dig himself. “You may want to change your clothes before you go out on the town or you’re liable to cause an accident.”

“Oh, so you actually noticed?” she murmured, casting a quick glance at her son.

“I’m not dead, Holly.”

She stared at him for a moment longer, her lips slightly parted as if she were thinking of a great comeback. He expected her to bicker with him. Instead, she reached for the deck of cards. “Okay if I deal?”

She shuffled the cards, dealt everyone eight and stacked the remainder on the table. Turning the top one face up, she said, “Go ahead, Jordan. You can be first.”

Around the table they went, discarding and drawing, the whole time it was obvious Holly was being careful not to look at Kenny’s smug face. He knew because he was watching her.

“I’m out,” Kenny said, laying his last card down.

Jordan frowned. “Darn. He beat us, Mom.”

This time Holly did glance his way. “Yes, I can see that.” Sliding her chair back, she said, “Thanks for your hospitality, but we need to be going.”

Jordan flipped over the cards she’d laid down. “Mom, you had two eights. You drew all those cards last time, and you didn’t even need to.”

Holly pretended to be surprised. “Oh, would you look at that. Silly me.”

“Why do you always try to lose, Mom? Kenny said you’re supposed to try to play your best game.”

“Yes, well, Kenny doesn’t know what it’s like to have a son--” Holly stopped mid-sentence, a horrified look crossing her face.

Kenny dropped his gaze. Well, she certainly knew how to throw a punch.

“Jordan,” she said, “how about watering the flowers for me?”

Her son’s face lit up. “Cool.” He flew out of his chair. “Bye, Kenny. See you tomorrow.”

Once Jordan was on his way, Holly turned to face Kenny. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to--”

“I know you didn’t,” he said, slightly raising a hand in front of him.

She sat down and covered her face with her hands for a moment. Then, lowering her hands, she said, “I was mad at you earlier. And sometimes I’m a little jealous of all the attention Jordan gives you. A little while ago, I saw you guys over here laughing together.”

“So, you got all dolled up and tried to steal my attention.”

She ran a hand over her lap and what little fabric there was covering the tops of her thighs. She waved a hand. “Oh, this? This was supposed to--”

“Get me hot and bothered,” he finished for her.

“No.” She sucked in a huge breath. “Okay, so I was trying to make you regret turning me down the other day, and I thought maybe I could . . . change your mind.”

Kenny didn’t respond. How could he tell her that he wanted her so badly he ached, but that he was terrified of making love to a woman? Especially her. She was so desperate to get laid, he was afraid he’d ruin it for her. Couldn’t she see he had limitations? He was in a wheelchair, for Chrissakes. Didn’t that matter to her?

“Anyway, it was stupid of me and I’m sorry.” She looked as if she meant it. “You’re always so nice to Jordan, and you don’t have to spend so much time with him.”

“I like spending time with him. He’s a great kid.”

“Yes, he is.” She was silent a moment. “Maybe the reason I’ve been feeling so restless is because he’s all I have. In ten years he’ll be off to college and then what will I do? I’ll be all alone.”

“You’ll go on with your life. Your kid going to college isn’t the end of the world.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate that Jordan going off to school could even compare to what you’ve been through.”

“Holly, stop apologizing. I know you didn’t mean it that way. And you have every right to miss your son once he’s out of the house. But in the meantime, maybe you should try to get on with your life.”

“How so?”

“Well, for one thing, you need to get over your ex-husband.”

“I’m way over him. And, anyway, that’s not your problem, it’s mine. I’ll deal with it.” She got to her feet. “If you want to join us for dinner, you’re welcome to.”

“I’ll take a rain check,” he said.

She nodded and smiled slightly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” She cast a glance in her son’s direction. Jordan was busy spraying his sneakers. “He’ll have all my flowers floating upstream if I don’t get over there.”

Kenny watched as she made her way across the lawn, cursing himself for what he’d passed up.

* * *

Holly grabbed a shopping cart and headed toward the produce section of Grimshaw’s Grocers. Lately, she’d cut bread out of her diet and had been concentrating on eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. In the last three weeks she’d already lost two of the twelve pounds she’d wanted to shed. Maybe there was something to that low-carb theory after all.

During that time, she hadn’t seen Kenny, avoiding him at all costs. After the way she’d behaved, she had a feeling he was thankful not to have to see her as well.

It was best to let the whole incident fade away. No reason to dwell on it, either. She’d made a mistake, not a big deal. So, Kenny probably thought she was a horny, desperate divorcee? So what? It wasn’t like he’d had anything good to say about her before she’d tried to seduce him.

Picking up a head of lettuce, along with a bag of baby carrots, she tossed them into the cart. Next, she picked up a cucumber, trying to decide if she should try one of the seedless varieties instead. She didn’t notice the soft whir of Kenny’s wheelchair until he was practically beside her.

“So, that’s why we haven’t seen you in a while,” he said with a grin and a waggle of his brows. “You found a cure for your problem. Although it’s not my style, I have to admit, having sex with a cucumber is probably less messy and you can pretend it’s whoever you want it to be.”

She glared at him, placing the cucumber back in the bin. “You’re not funny.”

Kenny reached for it and held it up. His green eyes grew large. “Looks like it might hurt, but on the bright side, you can shove it out of bed when you’re done with it. And you don’t even have to offer to cook breakfast the next morning.”

“Ha, ha, ha. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish my shopping before Jordan gets home from school.” She pushed her cart out of the way, and headed down the aisle only to realize Kenny was following her. Damn, the man was so persistent.

Deliberately trying to ignore him, she passed by the fruit section although she’d planned on buying grapes. And there was no way she was stopping to check out the bananas she was craving, not with him on her tail. No telling what kind of joke he’d make about
them
.

“So, did you ever find anyone to help you out?” he asked, keeping pace with her.

It was obvious he wasn’t going anywhere. She stopped abruptly and looked at him. “Help me out with what, Kenny?” she asked, feigning innocence after first making sure no other shoppers were within hearing range.

He came to a stop. “You know,” he said with a shrug. “You were like a dog in heat the last time I saw you. I was just curious to see if you found what you were looking for.”

“Oh, that,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I signed up for a Yoga class. I’m all better.” She smiled sweetly. “I hardly think about sex at all now.”
Or you. Yeah, right, Holly.

“Wow, that must be some class.”

“Yes, you should try it,” she said.

He gave the arm of his wheelchair a pat. “Maybe in my next life.”

Realization hit her hard in the gut and she sighed. Among her other emotions, came a deep sense of shame. “I can’t believe I’m such a total idiot in front of you. I’m either tripping, or dropping things or shoving my foot in my mouth. I don’t act this way with anyone else. I swear.”

“Maybe I make you nervous.”

“Yes,” she admitted, chancing a look at him.

“You make me a little nervous, too,” he admitted.

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Like the day you came over and tried to seduce me. You totally threw me for a loop.”

“I’m really sorry about that. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

“Gee, that’s too bad because I’ve had some time to think about your offer since then, and if you haven’t found anyone else, I’m your man.”

Holly tried to speak, then cleared her throat and hugged her arms to her chest. “I think I mentioned I was taking Yoga now.”

“Yes, I believe you did.” He looked her up and down with a heated gaze that sent tingles through her.

She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted. “Forgive me, but I’m having a hard time believing any exercise class can make you feel the way--” He stopped, and then grinned. “Well, I’m sure you know what I mean.”

She dropped her arms to her sides. “Look, Kenny, I don’t know what got into me a few weeks ago, but I assure you I’m over it.” Which was a big, fat lie, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” She went to move past him when Kenny’s hand shot out and touched her forearm. Even that brief contact sent electric charges up her arm.

“I think you’re scared.”

Of course, she was scared, but she refused to admit it. “I am
not
scared. That took a lot of guts for me to approach you. I’ve never before done anything like that.” She flipped her hair away from her shoulder and caught Kenny studying her.

“What are you staring at?” she asked with a shrug.

“You drive me wild when you do that, you know?”

“Do what?”

“That thing, with your hair,” he said, imitating her with a wave of his hand.

Flipping her hair drove him wild? She briefly wondered what other things would do the trick.

“If it means anything,” he said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze, “I’m scared, too.”

Not knowing what to say, she pulled away from him. “I really have to go.”

She refused to look back, knowing he would be watching her. Kenny wanted to have sex with her. Yet the whole idea made her quiver with desire. And fear.

Wasn’t that exactly what she’d wanted, to have sex with him? But now that he’d admitted he was ready, willing and able, could she actually do it?