Turn Up the Heat (23 page)

Bellamy's voice came out on a whisper. “Do you want to talk about whatever this is yet?”

In that split second, Shane wanted to say yes. He wanted to open his mouth and tell her all the secrets that swirled around in his head, including how right and pure and good he felt lying here next to her.

But he couldn't. In four days, she was leaving, going back to the city where she belonged. All the talking in the world wasn't going to change that.

“There's nothing to talk about.” Shane leaned in to kiss her, drowning out the secrets with the feel of her lips on his. “Unless it's me thanking you for dessert.”

Bellamy sighed softly under his lips. “You mean dinner. We didn't have dessert.”

Shane slipped her lithe body beneath his, entranced by the instant heat of her, and his face broke into a devilish smile. “Not yet, sweetheart. But I'm workin' on it.”

 

 

Bellamy chewed her lip and looked out the passenger window of Shane's pickup. The midmorning sunshine made it impossible to get more than two steps from the cabin without sunglasses, and even then it sparkled over the snowcapped pines in a brilliant display of shimmering white on evergreen. She balanced the tray of lasagna in her lap, fiddling with the lid as she stared through the glass.

After they'd made love in front of the waning firelight, she and Shane had stayed up until the darkest hours of night gave in to the velvet of predawn. He listened as she finally confessed how badly she wanted the job on Carly's staff, taking in every word before assuaging her doubt with quiet confidence. His dark stare made it clear to her that he meant what he said; that despite knowing her for all of a week, he believed in her even when she wasn't sure she believed in herself.

When he took her to bed and made love to her again with the gentle fierceness that seemed to define him, she knew that going home wouldn't be as easy as a scenic ninety-minute drive. She'd come to the mountains to get away from it all, at least temporarily, so she could get back on track. Now there
was
no track, and the out-of-control feeling that pulsed through her every time Shane so much as looked in her direction left her both breathless and scared stiff.

She knew she had to go home. But oh God, she didn't want to go alone.

“That is some deep thought you've got going on over there,” Shane said, smiling over the words and breaking her from her reverie. “Care to share?”

“Truth?” Bellamy stalled, casting a sidelong glance at him.

“Of course,” Shane quipped, just as she knew he would.
Shit
.

She pulled in a deep breath and let it rush out with her thoughts before she could change her mind. “I was thinking I'd really like it if you'd come see me after this week.”

Shane didn't move for what felt like an eternity. “You want me to come see you in the city.” His tone was quiet yet inscrutable. Why was her heart pounding so hard?

“Yeah. I do.” She used the cover of her sunglasses to sneak a sidelong glimpse at him, but it didn't yield much more than a peek at
his
sunglasses. Damn it.

“Bellamy,” he started, but didn't continue. God, opening her mouth—and, okay, maybe her heart—like this had been a mistake. This had
it's not you
written all over it, and she should've known that her zero-tolerance policy for all things subtle would bring it out.

She cut him off with a preemptive strike in an effort to save her battered ego. “Look, you don't have to say anything, really. I know you're not exactly Philly's biggest fan.” That much was clear with the dodge-and-deflect he pulled every time she so much as breathed the words
bright lights, big city
. Had she really thought he might come to a place he clearly couldn't stand just to see her again?

And what was with the tears suddenly rimming her eyes? Oh thank God for sunglasses, because really? This was too much embarrassment for any girl to take.

“So, you know, never mind. We said we'd spend the week together, and we are. Let's just forget I brought it up,” she said, the words so rushed and nervous that they all kind of blended together.

“Okay.”

Her heart sank as though it had been shrink-wrapped in lead. “Okay,” she whispered, tamping down the urge to let the hot tears cross the threshold of her eyelids. God, she was an idiot! They had a couple of days left together, and there she was, getting all mushy on him. As much as she wanted to stay, maybe she should just save herself the heartache and go home. If she called as soon as they got to the garage, she'd probably be able to convince Jenna to come pick her up before nightfall. Then at least she could have her cry in private, with a little dignity and a whole lot of chocolate.

“When?” Shane asked, his voice hoarse.

Bellamy's heart sped up while time slowed way down. “When what?”

“If you want me to come and see you, I should probably know when to show up.” He pulled the truck onto a narrow-as-hell shoulder, the pop and crunch of the gravel under the tires doing a number on her already shredded nerves.

“But I thought . . . I mean, you said okay, like, okay we should just forget it . . .”

Shane took off his sunglasses, revealing dark eyes thick with emotion. “I meant okay, I'll come see you. I don't want to forget it.”

He gave her a tentative smile, so different from the sexy smirks and cocky come-ons that she was used to him dishing out. As they sat in his truck, staring at each other rather than the gorgeous view over the guardrail, Bellamy was struck by the irony of being on the edge of something so stunning and yet so terrifying at the same time.

“Oh. Well, in that case, how does next weekend sound?”

The unease that had parked itself squarely on Shane's chest the minute he lied to Bellamy didn't even budge when they pulled into the side lot of the garage.

I didn't lie on purpose
, he countered to his sneering conscience.
And I meant it when I said I don't want to forget it
.

But the glaring truth didn't have to do anything other than exist for him to know he never should have told her he'd come to the city. It wasn't just as easy as sucking it up and getting on the highway for a few hours. He'd sworn he'd never go back, and he'd damn well meant it. He had good
reasons
for his vow, damn it.

Not that he could tell her that.

“Shane?”

Man, those big green eyes were going to be the end of him, they really were. “Sorry, I must have been zoning out.” Shane scooped her hand up and planted a quick kiss on her gloved knuckles.

“About what?” Tiny lines of worry ghosted over her brow, but her lips twitched with the naughty suggestion of a smile.

He snatched it up and ran. “If I tell you, it'll just ruin the surprise later, you know.” Shane arched a suggestive eyebrow at her. The image of her face, unguarded in the throes of climax, slipped from his memory to his mind for an extended stay. Shane felt all hope of getting anything productive done melt away as his imagination had its way with her.

“You're terrible,” she giggled.

“You like me that way.” He pulled her closer until the irresistible taste of her was on his lips and under his tongue.

“You're going to be late for work,” Bellamy warned with no tenacity whatsoever, parting her mouth to kiss him back. Her teeth took a gentle slide over his bottom lip, barely scraping him, and he groaned.

“I'm already late for work.” Shane threaded his hand through her hair to cup the back of her neck. Her skin felt like magic under the roughness of his hands.

Bellamy smiled into him, and when she pulled away, his brain didn't waste any time hollering at him to bring her back. “Let's go, before we
don't
go.”

Oh, he was screwed. And not in the good way.

“Okay.” They crunched over the snow-packed gravel of the lot and through the side door, and Shane stuffed down the unease bubbling in his chest.

It was all too easy to let his inner voice take the ball and run like mad.

 

 

Shane hadn't been late for work once in the entire fourteen months he'd worked at Grady's, but that didn't stop the guilt from flooding through him at the twenty minutes that had dropped off the clock in his absence.

“Morning, Grady. Sorry I'm late.” Shane didn't volunteer an excuse, mainly because Grady was no dummy. Whatever lame explanation Shane offered up would be canceled out by the fact that the
real
reason was standing right next to him, looking cute as hell with that blue hat framing her curls.

Grady looked up from Lucky Gunderson's Cadillac, a grin splitting his silvery stubble. “No apologies. 'Specially not when you've got a pretty girl with you.”

Shane chuckled and shook his head. It figured that Grady would pull out the old-man charm for Bellamy. She was the first girl Shane had ever brought around the garage. Guess he had this coming. “Grady, this is Bellamy Blake.”

“Nice to meet you.” Bellamy balanced the lasagna tray in one hand and extended the other, wearing a smile that could make a dead man sing.

“Good to see you, darlin'.” He wiped his hands carefully on a rag before taking hers in a firm handshake.

Bellamy drew her brows down in a slight pull, as if she was trying to place Grady's accent. Shane suppressed a chuckle. Grady was a product of the Blue Ridge, through and through, but he doubted she'd peg the cadence of his words without having grown up here.

“I, ah, brought you some lasagna that I made. In case you get hungry later.” She offered the tray with a tentative smile and a quick blush. Shane chuckled. Man, she had nothing to be nervous about. That lasagna was freaking amazing.

“Well, that's right nice of you. Thank you.” Grady took the tray and put it in the fridge. “So, that's your sports car we've got over there?” Grady jerked his head toward the Miata, which sat in the bay next to Shane's Mustang.

Bellamy nodded. “I'm really grateful you're able to fix it for me.”

“Ah. Piece of cake, those trannies. Don't you worry your head over it. We'll get you fixed up just right. Soon as those parts get here, anyhow.” Grady's eyes flicked over Shane for just a second, but then settled back on Bellamy with a wink.

Shane straightened and he turned toward the office.
Speaking of which.
“Hey, let me call the distributor. Your transmission might actually get here today,” he suggested, but Grady cut him off.

“Don't go holdin' your breath. Bet it'll be tomorrow before you see that tranny. In the meantime, why don't you get out of here? It's not good manners to leave a pretty girl all by her lonesome.”

Shane pulled back, staring at Grady in surprise. “But we need to finish replacing the lifter on this Cadillac.”

Grady shook his head, his gravelly chuckle filling the garage. “If I can't manage a new lifter after all these years of owning a garage, then shame on me. Go on. Get out of here. I'm not askin'.” He aimed a steel-gray stare at the door, but still wore his trademark easy smile.

“Oh, I wouldn't feel right keeping Shane from work,” Bellamy said. “Really, I was just going to go back to the cabin and do some research online. I'll be fine on my own for the day.”

“Ain't much work to keep him from until those parts get here. No more excuses. Scat, both of you, so I can get to it with this Caddy.”

Shane didn't like the tired shadows under the old man's eyes, but he knew all the arguing in the world wouldn't change Grady's mind. Plus, the idea of spending unexpected time with Bellamy
was
kind of tantalizing. He hedged.

“If that tranny comes in, you call me,” Shane said, giving Grady his best and-I-mean-it look.

Grady's belly laugh rumbled while he ignored Shane in favor of his much prettier companion. “Nice to meet you, sweetheart. Take good care of him, now. He ain't seen a day off in over a year, so he might not know what to do with himself.”

Bellamy's eyebrows shot up. “Over a year? Seriously?”

Shane shifted uncomfortably and hooked his thumbs through his belt loops with a shrug. It wasn't his fault there had been stuff to do all that time. Jeez.

Grady's eyes twinkled. “Ah, I'm tellin' his secrets, now. Go on. Have fun. And thanks again for dinner.” He jutted his salt-and-pepper chin toward the fridge.

“You're welcome. Next time I can add some dessert if you want,” Bellamy volunteered, eyes sparkling as she studied him in the wash of bright sunlight pouring in through the windows.

Grady grinned. “Now you're talkin'.”

Shane chuckled and walked Bellamy to the side door. Figured Grady would be all over the sweets. Maybe Bellamy could come up with a jelly bean pie or something. That'd be right up Grady's alley.

“Okay, well, call me if you need anything,” Shane said, meeting the old man's eyes over his shoulder.

“Bye now.” Grady shooed them toward the door with the arch of an eyebrow. Something sparked in his eyes, and Shane paused for half a step. It hit him quick, like a sucker punch.

Approval
, he thought.
He likes her
.

Guess that made two of them.

 

 

Bellamy stood with her hands on her hips and her bottom lip between her teeth, thoroughly dissatisfied.

“They're still not quite right,” she said, shaking her head at the ancient belly of the oven. Two pairs of disbelieving eyes met her worry head-on, both clearly intending to show it the door.

“Are you kidding? These are the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had,” Jackson mumbled through a mouth full of crumbs as he reached for his glass of milk.

Shane nodded in agreement, putting his elbows on the tiny kitchen table. “Gotta go with the big man on this one. These cookies are out of bounds.” He reached down to grab another one from the plate between him and his friend, polishing it off in a single bite.

Bellamy exhaled. She really wanted to get these cookies just right. Shane had said they were Grady's favorite, and although she couldn't quite put her finger on anything concrete, there was something about the man that was just so endearing. Familiar, almost.

Not being able to pinpoint it had been bugging her all day.

She tipped her head, putting the thought aside for now. “You wouldn't say these cookies are good just to humor me, would you?”

“Yes, I would,” Shane replied, rendering Bellamy speechless. Jackson gave a low
are you stupid?
whistle, and Bellamy's hand went right to her hip. “But,” Shane scrambled to continue before she could protest or hit him or take his cookies away, “I wouldn't eat a dozen of them just to humor you. They really are good, babe.”

Bellamy's cheeks flushed. Shane
had
eaten at least ten cookies. “Okay, fine. I still think they need more brown sugar,” she said, calculating the ratios in her head.

“Perfectionist,” Shane teased.

He had to be kidding, right? “Pot. Kettle. Helllloooo?”

Well, that shut him up.

Jackson laughed. “Well, y'all, I'm going to roll out of here. And I do mean that literally.” He rubbed a hand over his midsection, and Bellamy fought back the urge to snicker. There wasn't an ounce of fat anywhere on him, but whatever floated his boat. Leave it to a man to cram down over a dozen cookies with no fat repercussions.

“Thanks again for letting me come over and test out the cookies,” Jackson said, tipping his blond crew cut in her direction. “They really are awesome.”

“Thanks for being my guinea pig.” She stood on her tiptoes to hug him good-bye, and after a hiccup of surprise, he enveloped her in a bear hug right back.

“Anytime. And I really do mean that, especially if you get some urge to go the oatmeal raisin route.”

When Shane had said Jackson was cool, he'd known what the hell he was talking about. They'd only spent a couple of hours hanging out in Shane's cabin, but Bellamy had felt instant affection for the guy. It wasn't every day you met a man whose pro-wrestler-esque veneer covered up genuine down home charm.

“You're on.” She grinned, waving as Jackson slid into his jacket.

“See ya, dude,” he said to Shane, jerking his head in parting as he headed out the door.

“Jackson's sweet,” Bellamy said, nibbling the edge of a cookie. Okay, they
were
pretty good, brown sugar notwithstanding. She took another bite.

Shane laughed, pushing back from the table. “Yeah, he's just sweet enough to get away with not doing any dishes,” he pointed out, gesturing to the kitchen.

It hadn't been easy to make those cookies on one warped cookie sheet, and the aftermath clearly showed in the tiny space. Bellamy had managed to get flour and sugar all over the narrow counter, not to mention using every kitchen utensil Shane owned. All three of them. Thank God she'd snapped up some plastic measuring cups at Joe's, but still. They added to the mess.

“Yeah, that's my fault.” Bellamy chewed her lip and turned toward the sink, but Shane's playful smirk stopped her in her tracks.

“Where I come from, if you cook, you don't clean.” He edged past her to snap up a dish towel, starting to swipe it over the flour-scattered countertop.

“And where I come from, we clean up our messes. Draw?”

His smirk lingered, weaving its way through her with sexy heat. “Draw.”

Bellamy ran a sink full of hot, soapy water and started to scrub the sheet pan, and he whistled softly as he scrubbed the counter clean. It felt all too good to be standing there in the kitchen with Shane, even doing something as simple as everyday chores.

God, she didn't want to leave.

“Thanks for showing me around Pine Mountain today. It's really beautiful up here.”

“I'm glad you finally got to have one of Lou's burgers,” Shane said, stacking the dirty dishes he'd collected next to the sink.

Bellamy's stomach groaned in pleasure at the memory. “The man knows his way around the grill, I'll tell you that.” Even the fries had been perfect—not too thick or greasy, just perfect for dipping. She rinsed the cookie sheet, brain still stuck on her fantastic lunch.

“Yeah, well it's a good thing we took that hike afterward, otherwise I'd have been in a food coma all damned day.” Shane laughed. “The loop behind the cabin is nicer than the cleared trails by the resort, but with all the snow still on the ground, we'd never have made it.” He took the cookie sheet Bellamy passed his way and began to dry it.

She smiled into the sink, continuing to wash the dishes while Shane dried. “The Ridge was still my favorite part, though.” They'd both been surprised to see that the path to Carrington Ridge had been cleared, probably by some locals wanting to see the sunrise over the snowy mountains. Wrapped in blankets and passing a Thermos of coffee back and forth, Bellamy and Shane had sat in the bed of the truck and enjoyed the gorgeous view, talking and laughing until their fingers were numb. Every minute had felt seamless and perfect, and it just hammered home Bellamy's completely unrealistic desire to stay right where she was.