Hot As Blazes (7 page)

“You don’t hear me complaining,” he whispered.

A second shock from the AED produced a pulse and the EMTs loaded him onto a backboard and transported him to the ambulance.

She released a weary sigh of relief and tucked her chin to her chest in a silent prayer.

Ray urged her away from the crowd. “Let’s get your stuff.”

She shrugged into the sleeves of his hoodie and fished her keys from her backpack.

He grabbed her board and walked her to the parking lot.

The EMTs loaded their patient while Ray’s lieutenant asked her a few questions for his report. The unit roared off, sirens blaring.

Jo shivered a new set of goose bumps as Ray headed her to the Bronco. “Do you think he’s going to make it?”

“The only reason he has a chance is because of you, Jo.”

The pride in his voice touched her. Tears gathered and she keyed the remote before tossing her gear inside. Once in control, she faced him. In the waning light, he seemed larger than life. A hero.

One of her teammates had coined a term for the total man:
he-man-us
. The Hemanus breed surpassed good looks, confidence, personality, and smarts. They were loyal and supportive. To the point they’d put their lives on the line for their family or friends. Ray was a total Hemanus.

“Thanks for having my back.” She hugged him.

His warmth satisfied a need deep in her bones. When his hands closed around her bringing her closer, his strong, steady heartbeat instilled peace and tranquility. He chased away her fear and doubt. She allowed herself the moment, imagining falling asleep nestled against his chest.

Reluctantly, she withdrew. “What are you doing working at this station?”

“On a swing shift. They were a man short.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder. His pale eyes held her captive.

“Lucky me.” Why couldn’t she tell him she loved him? How he made her feel. Like he had told her on the Fourth of July, right before she shredded him to bits for obeying her father’s wishes. Searching his face, she tried to determine if his feelings. “Haven’t heard from you since my breakfast apology.”

He cocked his head before breaking into a grin. “Still waiting for an invitation to surf with the former East Coast Surfing Champion.”

“I already said you never need an invitation to surf, or to come the house.”

“Figured you were job hunting and I’ve been picking up some side jobs. Gotta feeling Mom will be calling at any time wanting me to help move her back.” He let out a long exhale.

The calendar must be running on the short side of his mother’s current relationship. “Well, if you get some free time, today was my last day in the chair.”

“How’s the employment picture looking?”

“I’ve put in some applications.” Would he attempt to dissuade her from taking up her father’s grail?

The fire engine fired up and his crew starting climbing into their rig.

She crossed her arms to peel from the warm security of his hoodie. “Here.”

He gently stopped her. “I’ll get it later. Go home. A hot shower will do you good. A drink probably wouldn’t hurt either.”

“Firefighter’s orders?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced to the engine then lightly brushed his lips against hers.

His fingers caressed her nape. Lost in his kiss, she swayed.

“You okay, Jo?” He held her until she regained her balance.

“I am now.” She traced his jaw, wishing for more. Imagining how his hard body would take her higher than she’d ever been.

Later, at home after her shower, she lounged on the sofa nestled in his sweatshirt. Her cell went off.

“The surfer is showing improvement, according to the ambulance crew. Thought you might sleep better knowing,” Ray said.

She’d sleep even better with him next to her…after hours of sex. “Thanks for being there and for loaning me your hoodie.”

“Anything for the hottest lifeguard on OBX,” his deep voice caressed her ear. “The real reason for my call is to see how you’re doing.”

“Jack’s warming me up.”

“Lucky bastard.”

Jo rode a wave to the shallows. The ringtone of her phone had her racing to her towel.

“Did I wake you?” Ray’s smooth as whiskey voice sparked a sensual burn in her lower belly.

“No.” She panted. “I’m on the beach. Tell me the surfer didn’t take the big adios.”

“Not that I heard. Just checking on you. Figured you didn’t eat dinner last night. Thought you could use some breakfast. I’m doing a deck job this morning, and you’re on my way. You game?”

“You trust me to make coffee?”

“Barely.” A smile seeped through his tone. “I’ll be there in a few.”

Grabbing her board, she rushed for the house. After starting the coffee, she towel dried her hair and headed for her closet. She thumbed through the sparse variety and frowned. To say she wasn’t a clothes horse was a gross understatement. Then again, she had lived most of her life in a swimsuit.

Quickly, she turned for the dresser and opted for a pair of board shorts and a spaghetti tank shirt. Rather than fuss with her unruly curls, she twisted them up with a couple of combs. She’d washed her face and brush her teeth before dual exhaust bellowed in the driveway.

Ray breezed into the kitchen wearing cargo shorts, construction boots and a worn Ducks Unlimited T-shirt minus the sleeves. His bicep flexed as he held the box of Krispy Kremes. A Sonic bag dangled from the fingers of his other hand.

She snatched the doughnuts.

“A hundred dollar tip didn’t get me anywhere. I should have thought of sweets, instead.” He grinned.

“I deserved that.” She arranged their breakfast on a tray, poured him a cup of coffee, and shoved the oversized mug into his hand.

Yesterday seemed dreamlike, yet she still felt his warm and protective embrace. The masculine taste of his lips. She followed him to the deck.

He sank onto a deck chair and sipped on his coffee while staring at the ocean.

His reflective, man of few words, mood stirred her curiosity.

* * * *

Ray relaxed onto the Adirondack, already warmed by the September sun. Surf conditions made him wish he could stay. God, he loved this place. He’d grown up on this beach and was more at home here than anywhere. After Cappy died and Jo left for college, the place reminded him of those lost. He and Bobby took to having brews at Papagayos, but he missed hanging here almost as much as he had missed Jo.

During her absence, he’d decided it was for the best he hadn’t been allowed to love her like he wanted. He’d sowed his wild oats, and in the process, realized his heart truly belonged only to her. His hopes had risen when she returned, only to be dashed. He’d felt like a man dying of thirst with a cold beer in reach but no easy open top or opener.

“A couple of four footers every set. I was riding when you called. Too bad you can’t stay. Where’s your side job?” She eyed him while breaking apart a chocolate glazed doughnut.

“One of the guys on C-shift is redoing his deck. It’s an easy hundred and free beer.”

“Dad was always doing side work.”

“It’s the only way to keep up with the bills. So how did you sleep?” He flipped up his shades and studied her. “I was worried about you.”

She licked her lips and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Like a baby.”

Envisioning her snuggled in his hoodie, he took a bite of his breakfast burrito and chewed. “Tell me you slept in it.”

She glanced away. “Maybe.”

He cleared his throat. “I’ll get it when I leave.”

“It needs washing.” She whined before frowning.

Her little girl tone tickled him. Stroking her cheek, he said, “Nope, it’s going to be my new pillow case.”

“Careful, women don’t like to catch the scent of another female.”

He’d kick Bobby or whoever’s ass for mentioning his lunch with the nurse. His captain’s request for a favor couldn’t have come at a worse time. He should tell her, but she didn’t trust him. An arranged date, favor or not, would have her scampering away faster than a rabbit in a forest fire. He balled the burrito paper and tossed it onto the tray. “Christ, Jo.”

She put her coffee down and bit her lip.

“I’m not who I was in high school.”

Hadn’t he made his intentions clear since she returned home? He’d teased and flirted during their high school days. Maybe he was to blame for her insecurity with men. The idea startled him. Then Vic had probably reinforced her distrust. His stomach churned. He never wanted to cause her pain.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

Slipping to the edge of his seat, he took her hands. They disappeared in his large palms. “Won’t you give me a chance to prove it?”

She quit chewing her lip and smiled.

“I know finding work is your immediate goal, but I’m a patient man.”

She held his gaze. “If you have time, come by this weekend and let’s surf.”

She still didn’t believe he’d make time for her. The pressure would be off while they rode the swells. “Absolutely.” Standing, he drew her up with him.

Rolling onto her bare toes, she grazed her lips along his lips.

Their soft sweetness spiked his pulse into overdrive. Her tropical scent reminded him of days on the beach. He closed his arms around her. Soft but strong her body tempted him. He longed to show her how much he loved her. That he could be trusted.

“Thanks for breakfast and being worried about me.” Her pouty bottom lip begged for another kiss.

“I never stopped missing you, Jo.” His hands settled on her waist.

“If you’d told me, I would’ve taken the next plane home.”

“You needed to fulfill your dream.”

Her head bowed. “I only proved I’m small-town and gullible.”

The pain in her words lashed his heart. “You’re smart and witty, and I love that you’re a small-town girl.”

“I know you wanted to come out to help, but I couldn’t bear you knowing at the time. Plus, I needed to fix my mess.”

He gave her a
you’re so stubborn look
. “I love you, Dahlin’. God knows you’re tough, but sometimes you’ve got to call in the big dog.” He drew her tight.

She blinked. “I love you too, Hemanus. Cause you’re way too handsome to be a big dog.”

“What’s a Hemanus?” he asked with a laugh.

“A guy who’s a total package.”

He’d show her a brand of Hemanus he bet she’d never imagined.

* * * *

Jo kept pace with Harley during the last mile along the beach. She should have called Ray to help her train, but she didn’t want him to know until she’d made the cut. Harley knew the mind games to push her past her limits. After four miles, they crested the dune in front of the cottage.

Ray stood on the running board of his truck unhitching his surfboard.

“Yo, man.” Harley raised a dark brow coming to a halt.

Ray nodded, eyes shielded beneath his shades. “How’s business?”

His hard-edged tone made Jo flinch. Tension rolled off the men in waves.

“Steady, haven’t seen you in for a beer lately. Hope my new bartender didn’t piss you off. She’s got a tongue like a razor.” He glanced at Jo, baring a grin.

Ray cocked a brow and peeled off his T-shirt. “Yeah, I’ve got the scars to prove it.”

After a beat, both men broke into laughter.

“Hello…right here.” She joked, glad things between them had cooled down.

“Later,” Harley called back, climbing into his four-by-four truck.

“How’s the surf?” Ray leaned his board against one of the house pilings.

“Picking up.” She debated telling him why she went running with Harley.

“Sorry, I should’ve called first. You did say to stop by this weekend and ride a few.”

She smiled. “No, it’s fine. Let me get on a suit.”

Upon her return, she found Ray buffing a fresh coat of wax on their boards. His tanned chest and the deep cleft between his pectorals drew her attention. Her gaze wandered to his rippling abs and happy trail below. His low-slung trunks accentuated chiseled hips, making her mouth water.

How much she wanted him scared her. She’d loved him like a brother until her interest in boys changed to more than just being surfing buddies and friends. He said he’d be patient and if she made it into the academy, she’d barely have time for a relationship.

Neither spoke until they straddled their boards in deep water, waiting for a set.

“What’s with you and the SEAL?” His monotone advertised his displeasure.

“He’s helping me.”

“With what?” Ray lanced her with a hard stare.

His jealousy thrilled her until guilt quelled her high. If she didn’t fess up about the academy, he might think she had intentions for Harley. “Train for the CPAT.”

His mouth dropped open. “Shit, Jo. It’s not like I haven’t done it.”

“I didn’t want to tell you until my application had been accepted. I still won’t know for a few more days, but I’ve got to be ready.”

“Does this have something to do with your dad?” His brows furrowed.

“Did it for you?” She mimicked his expression.

His jaw tightened. “With your physical education degree, you could go into teaching, or physical therapy.”

“I’d have to be willed a job in P.E. in this county and you know it. Physical therapy will take another year or more, and I don’t have the patience to baby-sit rehab patients. I’ve done the math. This is a logical answer.”

He scanned the beach appearing lost in thought.

“So what do you think? Be honest. Can I cut it?”

He scrutinized her. “You’ve hauled quite a few out of the drink. Including me, once. You’re stubborn as hell and you never back down from a challenge. Yeah, I’d crawl through a burning building with you.”

His subtle wink almost melted her bones. “That sounds kinky.”

“You have no idea.”

“Sounds like something for Nancy Nurse.” He had never confirmed or denied the allegation and she wanted, no, needed an answer.

His blue eyes darkened in warning. “She’s my captain’s daughter. Plus, having lunch is not sex or even dating. I’m waiting for you. And don’t believe Harley is helping you from the goodness of his heart. SEALS never retire, and they always have an agenda.”