Hot As Blazes (30 page)

Foreplay/Long Time
by Boston began to play.

Jo grinned. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe you remember Dad playing this.”

“Transports you back in time, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, like every time I catch a whiff of coconut pie or Chanel Nº5, I think of your mom.” She snickered.

“For me, it’s cheap cologne and cigarettes.” He gave her an eye roll.

“And nail polish!” They both blurted at the same time laughing.

While his oldies playlist shuffled through songs, they reminisced about carefree days when only the waves and her friendship mattered. Although he’d lost his paternal father, he’d gained a true father by fate’s hand and a glimpse into a career field that he eventually chose.

The afternoon burned late and the spring sun edged at the horizon. He drove toward the beach and headed them for home. Along the way, surfcasters fished in the returning tide.

He stopped at Winks for gas. The store’s winking smiley face was another iconic memory into the day’s trip to the past.

“You want a drink?” Jo grabbed her bag.

“Surprise me.” While filling the truck’s tank his cell phone rang. “Have they found him?” he asked Bobby.

“Nate’s on the run with a suitcase of money. Left his high-end dealer with colored aspirin instead of Ecstasy. Now the thugs are hunting the prick along with the DEA.”

“What does that mean for Jo?” He returned the nozzle to the gas pump.

“Hopefully he won’t return and our problem is gone.”

Sounded too easy. With their luck, something was bound to bit them in the ass.

Before the alarm buzzed, Jo tried for a little action from the big guy, sliding her hand down his belly and into his boxer briefs. His erection flexed against her fingers and gave her hope. As he woke, he quickly halted her assessment and positioned her in a way giving him full access. Protest was not an option as his tongue flicked and tormented her beyond coherent thought, propelling her through a vortex of ecstasy and beyond.

While she reconnected her motor neurons to her brain’s synapse, he headed for the shower. She rushed to the kitchen to surprise him with breakfast. Nothing fancy.

He entered with his hair still damp, clean-shaven and smelling of his favorite aftershave. The clean woodsy scent tempted her to tug him back to bed. She handed him a cup of coffee and set a plate with two grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches on the counter.

“Thanks, so what’s on your agenda today?” He sipped at his coffee.

“Return of the recent favor, but I guess that’s out of the question.” She poked out her bottom lip.

“I need to get to the station.” He took his plate, sat on the sofa, and ate while flipping through the TV channels.

“I know.” She came around the bar into the living area. “I’m heading to the grocery store in a bit.”

“Get whatever you think we need.” After finishing his sandwich, he rose, produced his wallet and handed her several twenties. His fingers grazed her cheek while he held her captive with those sensual blue eyes. “Sorry, I’m a little preoccupied this morning.”

She understood, but he wouldn’t let her help. “It’s okay.”

He touched his lips to hers.

She wanted to undo his belt and fly and let her mouth prove he was fine. Instead, her tongue traced the seam of his mouth.

He welcomed her kiss and fed on it as his hands roved over her back. “I love you. Please be careful and check in.”

He’d made it clear, until law enforcement apprehended Nate, she needed to let him and Bobby know her whereabouts at all times. “I love you, too.”

After he left, she considered his reluctance to make love. He’d become her rock. If he suddenly decided he was done with her, she’d crawl in a hole and die. She’d tried not to be too needy. Yes, she’d broken down a time or two, but she’d nearly been killed and left homeless.

The event had possibly taken him back to a former hell or added another. Attempting to talk to him about it would probably start another war. She’d control her female itch and give their love life some time before stirring the pot.

Once she finished tidying the house, she wandered into the spare room, flipped on the TV and powered up Ray’s laptop. Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the display.

Tami. She hadn’t thought to call her with everything going on.

“Hey.”

“You okay? I’d taken Mom and the kids to visit her sister in Virginia. One of the firefighters said it was your house. Why didn’t you call? Where are you?”

“At Ray’s place. Sorry. I’m not supposed to talk about it, legal stuff and all.” She’d blame it on the authorities to avoid the discussion, and whatever reason, her plight shamed her. “Nothing more to tell than what the paper said. It took a full day to replace my driver’s license and bankcards. I picked up a few clothes to get by for now.”

“I’ve got some things that are too small. They’ll probably fit you.”

“Sounds good.”

They agreed to meet later at Papagayos. Her suggested meeting place didn’t surprise Jo. At any rate, she needed to touch base with Harley. Returning to work would take her mind off things, and maybe his DEA buddies had shared some information they weren’t telling Bobby and his crew.

The bar hadn’t opened when she arrived. She walked around to the back and knocked.

Harley opened the door and hugged her. “Come on in. You look good after everything.”

“Black-eyed and the tail a little singed.” She followed him in through the storage area.

“I figured you’d call when you were ready to work.” He stepped behind the bar and flipped on the lights.

“Could you use some help now? Ray’s on shift.” She’d rather work than return to the house and run down the
what ifs
list.

“Sure.” He pulled a zippered pouch from his pocket and loaded the cash register.

She snagged his keys from the bar, unlocked the front door and returned.

“I still feel bad I wasn’t there for you when you needed me.” He latched his keys onto his belt. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad Ray was.”

Harley apologizing. That was a first. “Good God man, you were in anaphylactic shock.”

“I’ve been bitten by a real Black Widow.” He pointed a finger at her. “Your friend’s venom is worse.”

“She’s just looking for love like the rest of us.”

His gave her partial smile and nodded. “I’m happy you found it, Jo.”

Tami arrived with clothes and a peace offering for Harley, an expensive Harley Davidson vest in black leather.

“Ahh thanks,” he said eyeing her over the bar. After being bitten, Harley’s attempt to be gracious fell short.

“I’m really sorry.” She clasped her hands together. “I hope we can go dancing again sometime.”

He turned to Jo, his dark eyes pleading.

“Thanks for the clothes.” Jo set the box behind the bar. “Have you gotten a call for a station yet?”

Tami shook her head. “We can only hope volunteering will get us a better chance at the couple of openings here on OBX.”

Not great odds and the reason she’d called Joel. She could work on the mainland, but would rather stay close to home. “Yep. Guessing, I’m keeping my night job.” She glanced to Harley.

“That reminds me.” Harley turned for the cash register. “The customers started a tip jar for you.” He handed her what looked like several hundred dollars.

“Wow. Thanks!” She was shocked and humbled.

“They know you’ve been working your ass off to pass the fire academy and volunteering, too.” He slipped behind the doors to the kitchen.

She tapped Tami a beer and chatted until the lunch crowd arrived. Back to work at Papagayos felt as comfy as wearing worn flip-flops. All of her regulars expressed their concern. She enjoyed working here and would probably ask Harley to let her have a couple of shifts now and then even after being assigned a station. She didn’t have an opportunity to talk to him in private until the bar cleared.

“Any news from your friends?” She washed glasses prepping for the after work patrons.

“I’m sure you heard your problem is on the run.”

“Yeah, but Ray’s not convinced.”

“I’m thinking Nate’s hauled ass to save his own. So when’s Ray’s next four days off?” He leaned against the shelves of displayed liquor bottles.

“Next Wednesday. Why?”

“You guys should take off and go somewhere. Get away. He’ll have part of Memorial weekend free.”

“Well, neither of us have been sleeping well. I feel guilty because it’s my fault.” She’d never mention Ray’s lack of desire.

“What you went through was life-changing for both of you. He’s probably going through more shit in his head than you can imagine. Every soldier has trouble sleeping sometimes. Occasionally, there’s trouble with other things. You get my drift?” He inclined his head.

“No problems there.” She turned her attention to the sink of glasses. Maybe it wasn’t her. She’d read a few things about post-traumatic stress. The last thing she needed to do was make a big deal of things.

“Well, it could happen. I’ve been there.” He loaded the cooler with more beer.

“Yeah?” She racked some glasses.

“My fiancée thought I was cheating on her.” He scratched his beard.

Fiancée? Holy shit. “Were you?”

“Not at first, but Allie assumed I wasn’t attracted to her anymore. When I finally fessed up, she didn’t believe stress could leave a man hanging so to speak. It pissed me off she didn’t trust me. I mean fuck, a guy can’t always control shit like that. Anyway, just know if he has trouble, it probably has nothing to do with you. Okay, kiddo?” He patted her shoulder and strode to the end of the bar.

“Thanks.” He hadn’t said so many words in a row since she’d known him. Guilt and a confession in one conversation.

He grabbed his motorcycle helmet off the shelf behind the bar and headed for the back door. “I need to check on something, I’ll be back before closing.”

“If you get underground info on Nate from your DEA bros, will you cut me in on it?”

“Absolutely.”

Now she needed to figure out a way to let Ray know she understood what might be bothering him.

How many more days could he pretend? Carefully, Ray snuck into the house after his shift.

Jo’s beauty made his heart hitch. Her petite nose, long lashes, and pouty lips were peaceful in sleep. Carefree waves of amber-blond framed her shoulders. His cock stirred at the partial view of breasts. He eased between the sheets and found her naked except for her panties. The bare curve of her hip enticed him.

Scooting close, he inhaled her clean scent. He ached to be inside her. What if he couldn’t follow through? That would be more embarrassing. The returning nightmares were the same each night. Blood. Hers. His fault. He took a deep breath trying to dispel the gut-wrenching vision. He had to keep his shit in the box to get over this, before she thought he didn’t want her.

She rolled and snuggled against him. Her eyelids fluttered.

He tensed and withdrew.

Her hand smoothed over his back. Soft and loving, her touch soothed him. He swung his feet to the floor. “I need to shower.”

“You don’t smell, baby. Come on. We’re acting like an old married couple.” She knelt behind him and rubbed his shoulders.

His muscles lengthened as her fingers released the tension. He rolled his head, relaxing. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He hung his head. “It’s not you. It’s me.”

“Whatever’s wrong, I love you. I’m going to keep grabbing you and letting you know I still want you. Really, really bad.” She rimmed his ear with her tongue and reached around to stroke the center of his chest. “Nice cleavage, stud.”

“Do you hear that, cock? You’re fucking this up for everyone.”

She snorted at his remark and dragged him backward on the bed.

He lay in her arms with his back to her. She caressed his belly with a light touch that soothed him. She’d always read him better than anyone. “It’s happened before. After being trapped on the roof. I had nightmares. Then I couldn’t get it up. I heard some of others complaining about the same thing. After a while things got back to normal. I just need time to work through this. Can you give me that?”

“It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry.” She squeezed him tight.

He rolled to face her. “No, baby. What’s bothering me is how wrong things could have gone.”

“Is that what you dream?” She massaged his neck.

“Most times I don’t remember,” he lied. “I just wake up in a sweat.” His heart pounded. He dreaded her answer but he had to know. “Do you think I’m a bad man for killing him?”

He felt like a coiled spring ready to snap as he gauged her expression.

“God. No.” Her eyes widened as she smoothed her fingers along his cheek. “He was the bad guy. You did the right thing. You’re a good man.”

He should be as hard as a rock pressed against her soft breasts and sexy body. His heart raced, but not from desire. Fear chewed at him.

“You’ve saved me twice. Emotionally and now physically.” She rubbed the back of his head.

“What if I’d missed the shot?” He choked on the words.

She sucked in a breath. “If you hadn’t showed up, I’d be dead.”

He avoided her gaze.

She cupped his face. “In your dreams, I die.”

His eyes filled with tears.

She cradled him.

He let go.

* * * *

Ray sunk the large mop into the industrial bucket and wrung water through the rollers. He’d had never cried in front of anyone in his life. Even when his dad left, he’d stayed strong for his mom. Without judging, Jo held him and consoled him until he his eyes ran dry.

He scoured the concrete apparatus floor with sunlight pouring through the bay opening on the warm spring day. The solstice of work barely distracted him from his worries.

He and Jo had made a pact not to stress over sex or lack thereof. Instead, they decided to focus on finding a norm. Now she understood she wasn’t to blame for his problem, he might be able to relax.

He’d just returned to the apparatus floor after dumping the water when a Crown Victoria pulled into the parking lot.

“You look better than the last time I saw you, buddy.” Bobby met him with a grin and offered a handshake.