Hot As Blazes (4 page)

“So do you.” Her knee bumped his thigh.

He held the contact. “I wish I could have seen you compete at Baja. It must’ve been intense.” He flipped up his shades and held her gaze.

“Make you wet your pants.” She blushed.

“Better than sex?” He smirked.

Her eyes narrowed. “You’d be the better one to judge.”

His face heated like a sunburn. She hadn’t forgotten his player days.

“If there’s better sex than shooting through the tube of a six foot wave, I’d love to experience it.”

Her subtle wink lit a fire in his groin as a verbal bet lodged on his tongue. “Well―”

“Why’d you became a firefighter? For the rush?”

Before now, he’d never considered his reasons, other than a paycheck. “Construction work was hard to find when I returned from Iraq. I ran into your dad’s lieutenant. He suggested I volunteer until I found a job. Being on a crew, is kinda like when I was on the football team. They’re family now. With Cappy gone and you away at college, Bobby was busy with the police department.” He clenched his jaw. “I never stopped missing you, Jo.”

Her eyes widened. “I didn’t want to leave but―”

“You needed to or you would have regretted it later.” Sentiment lodged thick in his throat. Now wasn’t the time. He stood and offered his hand. “Man, I’m starving. You?”

“Thirsty.” She rose and stepped into her shorts.

“Love the cutoffs, Dahlin’.” Her velvety skin sent his pulse skittering as his fingers slid around her trim waist.

“So in an ass man’s opinion, they’re better than stretch denim?” She cupped his butt in play making his dick stir.

He would have to thank Craig’s girlfriend for stirring Jo’s jealousy. Confirming feelings he’d hoped she’d had for him all along. “Baby, you’d look good in anything and I bet better in nothing at all.”

* * * *

His compliment had her giddy as teen. His hand rode possessively on her lower back as they headed for the food tents. After piling barbeque, fried chicken and sides onto their plates, he opened the back hatch of the Hummer to sit.

She sipped her beer. “How’s your mom?” No doubt, Mona was still searching for the man to fix her broken heart. In contrast, her dad never trusted another woman. Jo barely remembered her mother.

“Living in Pennsylvania with some guy, for now.” He chewed and rolled his eyes.

“Have you met Sarah?” She doubted Bobby had time for his brother from another mother now.

“While grocery shopping with the crew. She seems his type. He says she’s a great cook.” He bit into a chicken wing.

She laughed and bumped her shoulder against his. “That’s so Bobby. No man will ever compliment me on cooking.”

“Mom offered to teach you.” He arched a brow.

“And mess up the cooking for car and house maintenance barter system she and dad had going?”

“I believe your talents lay elsewhere,” he said with a mischievous squint.

His innuendo made her nipples tighten. Sex with Ray would be like surfing the Hawaiian Pipeline, something she’d always dreamed of, but considered a near death experience.

Twilight descended and the party moved inside. Desperate to avoid the house and questions about her return, she asked, “Can we go for a ride?”

“Is this a date?” His blue eyes gleamed.

Years ago, when they took off for Hatteras to surf it was never a date. They were just hanging out. She upped the ante. “If it’s four-wheeling on the beach.”

“Lucky me, I got a special permit.”

“Peachy.” She slipped off the back and climbed into the passenger’s seat. The black beast roared to life, and his MP3 player filled the cab with rock music. Once they reached the beach access ramp, he lowered the tire pressure. Seconds later, the truck hummed down the beach.

He cut a sensual glance toward her, making her heart flip-flop.

With a fingertip, she traced the pattern encircling his bicep. “When did you get the tat?”

He claimed her fingers and held her hand.

So they both had secrets.

A few miles later, he parked near the surf and cut the engine, but left the music playing. A pale, crescent moon climbed above the watery horizon.

The day’s heat and humidity had vanished with a refreshing north breeze. She rubbed her arms.

“Cold?” He opened the back of the truck and snatched his firefighter hoodie from the cargo area.

Her heart thumped furiously. She wanted to trust him. She dug her arms inside the soft cotton. The lingering scent of his woodsy aftershave mixed with the ocean air invading her senses and took her back to a time when she felt safe. “Mmm. Thanks.”

He caught a windblown curl and tucked it behind her ear. His fingers lingered. After a deep breath, he asked, “So…exactly how long are you planning to stay? Did you graduate?”

She forced her gaze to meet his. His rejection now would kill her. “Yeah, but I couldn’t leave California while on probation.”

In the dim light, his jaw fell slack.

Cold dread seized her lungs.

“So that’s what you had to fix,” he said softly squeezing her shoulder.

His empathetic tone eased and warmed her as much as his hoodie. “I trusted somebody who put me in a bad way.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Vic?”

Afraid she might see ridicule on his face, she studied her flip-flops before sitting on the truck’s bumper. Losing his respect would almost be as bad as sitting in jail.

Lion-like paws wrapped around her shivering fingers as he stepped between her legs. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She met his gaze. “No point in worrying you, too. Bobby found me a good lawyer and the DA offered a deal for turning in Vic’s phone contacts.”

His voice could have cut steel. “He set you up?”

“I was naïve and stupid.”

He drew her into a tender hug. “No, Jo. You’re neither. He was a dick.”

Weak in his arms, she rested her head against his broad shoulder and felt his heartbeat against her chest. The rhythm of the surf reminded her of all they’d shared. “Thanks, you’ve always believed in me.”

Ray’s strength went beyond the physical. Growing up without a father, he had been man of the house. He’d believed in her talent as much as her dad. After her father’s death, he’d insisted she go on to college when all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide. Because of that, she’d been compelled to live up to her family and Ray’s expectations.

During her darkest days there, she’d dreamt of being in his arms. Now, the safety of his embrace melted her defenses like the familiar rock ballad drifting from the truck’s speakers.

“Welcome home, Jo.” He guided them over soft sand in a slow dance.

“This is where I’ve always wanted to be.” Home and in his arms.

The song ended too soon.

The song faded. Reluctant to let go, Ray pressed a kiss against her temple. He’d never been closer to her emotionally or physically.

She sat in the back of his truck and dug her hands into the pouch of his hoodie. “So how’s life besides firefighting?”

He shrugged at her sudden distancing. “Okay, not much going on.”

“Weren’t you seeing a doctor from the hospital when I talked to you at Christmas?” She tilted her head to the side.

He’d only mentioned the woman in passing. Maybe he imagined her coolness. Had she been jealous of his dates all along? Hell, he’d never claimed any as a girlfriend. “You know doctors don’t stay long on OBX. Once they’re done with their residency, they’re off to the land of higher dollars.”

“I know you don’t give a woman a chance before you’re off to the land of greener pastures.” Her amber eyes narrowed on him, but her comment provided the opening he’d been hoping for.

Determined to find out if the sexual tension between them wasn’t wishful thinking on his part, he stepped between her legs. “Guess I’m hard to please.”

She arched a brow. “Noncommittal.”

Ouch. She didn’t have a clue how faithful he could be, to her.

“Maybe my heart has always belonged to someone.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

She’d believed him a player. Cupping her chin, he let the long held secret spill from his lips. “You, Jo. It’s always belonged to you.”

Her mouth gaped. “Huh?”

He couldn’t help but smile at shocking her.

She started to move from the truck, but he kept her pinned. “You teased me all through middle school. Dated nearly every girl in high school and never asked me out.”

Her jealousy turned him on. “Wasn’t because I didn’t want to.”

“You never even kissed me until after Dad―”

“Have you ever heard me call anyone else Dahlin’?” He traced a finger along her cheek.

She inhaled sharply searching his face.

He hoped she saw truth. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to hers, and felt them yield. Sweeping his tongue beyond her teeth, he sparked a delicate spar. She tasted sweet like a dessert he wanted to linger over. Her fingers laced behind his neck and drew him closer.

In her arms, he was home.

Deeping the kiss, he reveled at the small tremors coursing through her as his hands explored. Her shapely body he knew well but not intimately.

He released her mouth. “You can’t begin to know how long and how much I’ve wanted you.”

“Since when?” Her breathless question revealed her surprise.

On a warm day in April after she had turned sixteen and emerged from her winter clothes on the beach in a slinky bikini. Other guys noticed, too. For the first time in his life, a little green demon hopped on his shoulder and growled.

“Let’s just say I’ll never forget a little, lime bikini or its tempting strings.” He ran a finger along the seam of her suit bottom at her hip and tugged.

Her eyes darkened as her breasts rose and fell with each rapid breath. Her pouty bottom lip caught beneath her teeth. A tell of her being unsure. He leaned in and nipped the offending flesh then quickly smothered her tiny cry of protest with a deep kiss.

He paid the price when she caught his tongue. This was the Jo he’d fantasized about.

“You get what you give.” She ran her hand down the center of his chest.

“Be careful what you promise.” An aching hunger consumed him. He cupped her firm rear and brought her against his straining cock.

Her moan held promise.

He skimmed under the hoodie, caressing the sides of her breasts before untying her bikini top. His fingers circled her stiffening buds.

She feathered her lips along his ear. For years, he’d longed for her touch.

Ray fought his raging need to brand her as his, but he could be patient a bit longer. Still, he wanted her to know his raw desire.

He laid her on the carpet and felt her silky legs wrap around his hips.

Slowly, he worked up the sweatshirt. Bared her belly while pressing kisses against her soft skin. The glittery diamond stud in her navel had nearly driven him crazy all day. With a swirl of his tongue, he traced the jewel, imagining more wicked play. He was moving too fast, but he’d never wanted anyone or anything more than her. His heart squeezed in a vice of contradiction while his unethical dick protested as he retreated. “I’m sorry, I’m rushing this.”

She sat up and stroked his face. “It’s okay. I’m still trying to find my true North since coming home. You’re like a magnet sending my compass in all directions.”

She had him scattered most of the time, too. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me? I was starting to get a complex.” He laughed.

Her return giggle lightened his heart. They always talked best on the beach. Years of surfing bonded them. Although he wanted to take their relationship to the next level, getting physical raised the stakes.

If he fucked this up, he’d lose her for good.

* * * *

She craved him like no other previous lover. His impressive erection still wedged between her thighs made cognitive thought difficult. For years, she’d dreamt of him. Taking his hands in hers, she asked, “So, what’s the real reason you never asked me on a date? Fear of Bobby? Or being teased about seeing your best friend’s sister?”

His muscles tensed, and his mouth thinned to a line. After a deep breath, he said, “You were hands-off, Jo.”

“Huh?”

Ray groaned. “Cappy wasn’t about to let me or any other guy spoil your chances of making it big in the surfing world.”

“Dad?” He’d taken care of competition entries for surfing and arranging travel plans, but he’d never meddled in her social life. Or had he. All the first dates who never called back came into sharp focus. She’d always blamed them on her athletic endeavors. Jo’s mouth went dry and her stomach hollowed.

Ray had kept this from her. Bobby must have known, too. Why? Her head began to spin. Their betrayal was a lie by omission, but cut her deep. Nausea burned the back of her throat.

She shot him an angry glare. Her life kept upending, shaking her confidence to the core. Sick of lies and half-truths, she slipped from the truck and met him head on. “Guess my feelings never entered into the equation.”

He stepped back. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said lowly, holding out his hands in surrender. “I couldn’t tell you, I’m sorry.”

His apology came too late. She covered her face with her hands. “Take me back, please.”

“Cappy only wanted the best for you.”

Excuses only made her angrier. “I always believed I could trust
you
.”

He winced. “What else can I do, Jo? Just tell me.” He stepped closer.

“Nothing.” Turning away, she refused to let him see her tears. The ache in her chest deepened and spread. The one person besides her brother she’d never doubted and he’d kept a huge secret from her. Including his love. Loneliness threatened to swallow her whole. She opened the passenger door and climbed in the truck.

The ride back was silent except for the radio. Jo reached in her bag for her cell and angrily tapped a message on the screen.

“Don’t bother Bobby. I’ll take you home.”

“You’re right. It wouldn’t be fair to ruin Sarah’s night.” She glanced at the man behind the wheel she didn’t know anymore. The father she’d idolized seemed a stranger as well.

He pulled into a gas station. “I need to put some air in the tires.”