Sand and Sin (12 page)

“TJ asked me to give you this.” She held out a sealed envelope.

“You flew all this way to give me a letter?”

“It’s a photo, of Sam and you. TJ wanted you to have it.” I came because wanted to be here for you, and see your reaction to seeing me.”

He brought her against him with a gentle stroke along her spine. Cradling her head, he angled and pressed his lips against hers. Lightly at first, until her hot mouth parted. Sweet as summer, he drank her essence. When he let her up for air, he asked, “How’s that for a reaction?”

“Better than I’d hoped.”

“Let’s find Emily and get your things.” He escorted her toward the green canopy.

After thanking Emily, Jax carried her bag back to his truck and tossed the carry-on onto the rear seat. As he helped Peri into the truck, she felt thinner than he remembered. Was he to blame?

He slid behind the wheel, started the engine and switched on the air conditioning. “How’s Haley?”

She studied her feet in the pumps. “Growing up.” Her voice cracked. “We’re drifting apart.”

He yanked up the console and snugged her next to him. Tracing his thumb along her pouting lower lip, he wanted to take her pain. “I’m so sorry, Angel.”

She nuzzled his shoulder and fit her body so close he thought she might crawl onto his lap. He wouldn’t have cared if she had.

“I wasn’t sure you’d want me here.”

“I didn’t want you to feel obligated. God, I’ve missed you.” He stroked her hair. The contact ensured she was real and not a dream.

“You can thank TJ. He came to check on me when the accident hit the news. He said he wasn’t blind, but someone must have told him.” She tilted her chin toward him.

He couldn’t believe she thought she reveal their secret. “Not me. Maybe it was Phil.”

“I didn’t tell him.” She frowned.

“Yeah, but he got an eyeful at the pool table before we left for the Outer Banks.”

Peri let out a small sigh. “Hmm. Maybe.”

“I don’t care who knows, baby.” He reached under her butt for the middle seatbelt.

Jax’s suggestive caress of her rear turned her to warm Jell-O. Sitting next to him was where she belonged, according to her body. She didn’t argue and let her head rest against his strong shoulder.

Admitting she wanted him was easy. Conceding she needed him, however, rubbed against her independent nature. He seemed conflicted as well. He hadn’t asked her to come, but his total acceptance at the sight of her led her to believe he fought the same battle. She looked forward to a resolution later in his bedroom.

He pulled onto the road.

“Are you going to Sam’s house later?”

“Do you mind going with me?” He smoothed along her thigh with a light touch.

The contact relaxed her after her long journey. “Of course not.”

“We’ll stop by my place and drop off your bag. I need to change anyway. I’m done sweating.” He shifted in his seat.

“Aww, but you look good enough to eat.” She winked over the rim of her shades.

He slipped his hand to the inside of her thigh with a sensual stroke. One dark brow arched in a sinister manner while he focused on the road. “Can’t wait, Angel.”

Along the coastal highway, rugged cliffs gradually smoothed to boulder-strewn beaches as they headed south. A few miles later, he hung a right into the parking lot of a high-rise building.

She figured he rented a house in the burbs with some other sailor. “You live at the beach?”

“Does it surprise you?”

“No, but I never considered you a high-rise guy.” Especially since he’d fixed her pool pump and cut her grass.

“I’m gone a lot. My place has to be low maintenance. Even when you have a roommate, you don’t want to stick them with the outside chores.” He parked in a numbered space.

After grabbing her bag from the back, he walked around to her door and offered his hand.

“It makes sense.” The palms waved in the breeze, which tossed her hair as well. She finally registered being in California. From the airport to the cemetery and through the funeral, she’d cared only about being there for him and his reaction to seeing her. “Wow.”

“Feel like you’ve been dropped into the Land of Oz?” He seized her hand and led her inside and to the elevator.

Inside, his décor boasted a contemporary man-sized sofa in black leather and two recliners. On the Spartan walls a big screen TV and a couple of movie posters. The one from Gladiator look like an original. Tidy like she expected. She followed him down a hall to his bedroom where he parked her rolling suitcase by the mahogany armoire. The pale walls emphasized the king-size bed with a dark blue coverlet.

“Sorry, it’s not homey like your place.” Jax hung his cover on the bedpost.

“You’re all the homey I need.” She reached around his neck and leaned against him. His muscles tightened, and she delighted in her effect on him. “Can we take a quick shower after I unwrap you? I’ve been on a plane since nearly five this morning.”

He nodded toward the bath as his cobalt-blue gaze seared her like a hot flame, sending tendrils of heat to her lower belly.

Slowly, she opened the top button of his dress uniform.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as she flicked through the line of warm brass. His stoic, unfocused expression reminded her of a recruit during inspection.

Forcing her mouth to remain neutral, she finished undoing the double-breasted jacket and loosened the tie, then pulled it free of his white collared shirt. His silence intrigued her. “What’s on your mind, sailor?”

“Nothing, ma’am.”

“Are you sure?” She scraped down the center of his chest using her fingernail.

“Absolutely. There’s no blood left in my brain.” He smirked.

As soon as the jacket sleeves freed his arms, he ripped off the shirt, his undershirt, leaving his chest and washboard abs for her viewing pleasure.

She skimmed along the dark, sexy hair that arrowed down to his navel and below. Then she unbuckled his belt and drew off his trousers.

He could be a model for boxer briefs. She reached to peel them from his lean hips when he hooked his thumbs in the waistband and stripped.

Bare, just the way she liked him.

His masculine energy enveloped her like a gentle beach breeze.

In a slow suggestive manner, he slid down the zipper of her dress, and stepped away. It slid from her body and puddled at her feet.

Standing in only her bra and panties, she shivered as he hungrily appraised her, starting at her head and finishing at her curling toes.

Jax’s raw, gritty tone hinted at his thirst. “God, you’re beautiful.”

Peri didn’t trust her voice. Instead, she closed in on him, palming his chest with splayed fingers. Claimed him. It was instinctual. A moment of decision. Commit to this―to him―or hop on a jet and be left with only memories of what might have been. Their shower could wait.

“I have a confession.” He took her hands.

She trembled as her intuition warned her. Had he’d fucked another woman? “It doesn’t matter. Only this minute. Us.”

The turbulence in his gaze and a taut jaw gave evidence to his torment. “After hearing about Sam, I…”

She didn’t want to hear about him finding comfort with another woman. Her eyes burned with tears.

He took her in his arms. “I’d had a lot to drink. I called someone I used to see occasionally.”

It pissed her off he’d use alcohol as an excuse. She choked back a sob. “You don’t need to explain. We left things open.”

He corralled her against his hard body. “I didn’t sleep with her, Peri. I realized you’re the only woman I want.”

First relief flooded through her. His words sunk in. The only woman for him. Her heart swelled with joy. Her tears ran down his shoulder as he moved them to lie on his bed, where he held her.

“Angel.” He stroked her hair. “Shh, it’s okay.”

She curled into him. “Shit, I’m sorry. You’ve been mourning a friend and needed someone. I’m acting like a jealous bitch. Then you say I’m only woman for you.”

“No.” Jax rolled, bringing her beneath him. “Why do you always dismiss your feelings as invalid? You put everyone before yourself.”

Did she? So used to making sure everyone got what they wanted, she’d overlooked her own happiness. For what, a husband who strayed and a selfish daughter?

She snuggled against his neck. “It’s a hard habit to break.”

He moved over top of her, staring deeply into her eyes. “I have ways.”

And how she loved them, like how he saw into her soul without her saying a word. She could spend the rest of her days loving those ways.

In a slow glide, he caressed her mouth, building tension as his tongue begged entry.

His unique taste and demanding kiss heightened her awareness of his need. Peri gave freely, falling for his charms.

After settling on his knees between her thighs, he flicked loose her bra. Taking his time, he slid the straps down, removed the sheer black garment He cupped each breast and smoothed his thumbs over her sensitive nipples.

His massage brought them to crested peaks that begged him to taste.

She lowered his head to her chest and guided his mouth to where she wanted.

He swirled his tongue around a stiffened nub, and lightly clamped his teeth.

She nearly came off the bed.

“I know everything you need, Angel.”

Then he should know she wanted him sucking her tits and burying himself inside of her. He probably did, but anticipation is part of the allure. She was close to losing all patience.

He finally claimed her breast, sucking and tasting like he’d never had her before.

Her pussy throbbed in need. She ran her hands along his ribs and shifted her hips in invitation.

Indecision crossed his face with a slight frown as he withdrew from her breast.

“I need to get a condom.”

Before he claimed one from the nightstand, she caught him by the shoulder. “You don’t need one unless you want to. I’m clean and you know I’m on birth control.”

He smiled. “I’ve never gone bare.”

“A virgin of sorts.” She winked.

He squinted. “Yes, ma’am. You gonna change that?”

His lustful tone thrilled Peri as he parted her thighs and settled against her entrance. Solid and warm, his broad head parted her folds and pressed deeper.

Moisture pooled in greeting as he slid home. He filled her more than physically. He infused her with his fearless nature and selflessness. His sculpted body moved over her in slow, deliberate strokes, spreading pleasure through her entire being.

“Angel, you are my heaven.” He whispered against her cheek. “Today was…thank you.”

The agony in his last statement made her ache for him. She clasped his face, making him meet her eye to eye. “Tell me what you need, Jax.”

He wanted her now and forever. In every manner. Damn, she felt good. He sank his bare cock into her hot pussy. So warm and tight.

She grabbed his ass and he thought he’d come right then. He maintained his rhythm. “Easy, Angel.”

Her sea-green gaze darkened as her pupils dilated. She pressed her lips to his. Hot and searching, she glided her tongue along his teeth, giving him a taste.

She met his quickening thrusts. He couldn’t get any harder or his balls any tighter, yet he wanted more.

Panting, she pulled her mouth away from his. “I know what you need.”

He stopped.

A devilish smile played at her lips as she separated from him. After rolling to her belly, she came up on to her knees and presented her sweet ass. He’d give her cheeks the much needed attention they deserved. She was so fucking right. She knew what he needed. God help him.

Taking a handful of her hair, he wrapped the long strands around a fist and playfully smacked her ass with his other hand. His shaft prodded her slick and inviting pussy. He could lose himself forever. He kept his tone even. “You sure?”

With a moan, she pushed back, causing his tip to breach her. “Fuck me, Jax.”

His head dropped back as he slammed into her hotness. Using her hair, he kept her in time as he aimed for her sensitive spot that would send her over.

Peri lowered her chest to the bed, taking him even deeper. Her cheeks jiggled as he speared her. Whimpering, she clawed at the sheets. Her muscles drew him deeper until his balls slapped her folds.

The naughty noise of sex pushed him to the ragged edge.

“Harder! Faster!” she begged.

He smacked her buttocks again and grabbed her hips, pistoning into her liquid heat.

Her walls clenched. “Jax!”

One last time he drove deep and let go. His cock throbbed and pumped hot streams. The room blurred and he fell into an altered state of consciousness. When he slipped from her body another wave of lust hit him as his cum slowly leaked from her slit. So fucking hot. “God, Angel, you are gorgeous.”

* * * *

Hazy purple shaded the western sky as Jax drove them to Sam’s house. The sun had set while they tore up the sheets. Peri had mended his heart for the moment. Now it was time to face reality. He debated if he should tell her about his possible reassignment.

He found a space among a long line of vehicles along the street and led her to a split-level country estate house in a cul-de-sac. The hillsides in the distance were opposite of the flat East Coast. No shake and bake, though, just an occasional hurricane.

“You okay?” Peri squeezed his hand.

Joining the present, he draped an arm over her shoulder and tugged her against his hip. He could still feel her body drawing him deep. He’d never come so hard. “With you I am, Angel.”

As soon as they stepped inside, he whisked her through the crowd into the kitchen where they found Sam’s wife. Her wanted her to meet Peri and knew she would want to offer her condolences.

Christy saw him coming and immediately passed him a beer from the cooler. “Jackson.” The petite redhead never used his nickname.

“Sorry we’re late.”

Her sad smile tore at his heart.

“Is this the beautiful lady you’ve been pining for since you got home?”

“Christy, this is Peri.”