Hot As Blazes. Dani Jace

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      Ray sipped his drink, feigning interest. He was more concerned about how long Jo planned to stay home. She’d been involved with some surfer named Vic. Had things had gone south and she’d come home for a break? He didn’t know how much time he had to convince her to forget the dick and stay, but he’d better get to work.

      Chapter 4

      Eating dinner on the deck, Jo winked at Bobby and popped another shrimp. “Just doing the deed until something better comes along, then?”

      “Cynical much?” He frowned leaning forward. He had their Dad’s scowl down pat and dark wavy hair with the matching Superman curl. His physique was built for speed whereas Ray could probably bench the fire engine.

      “Touchy.” She shook off the burn and savored her cold brew. “Jail time does things to a girl.”

      “Vic was a prick.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Move on and try to find a happy place that might involve a decent guy.”

      She hadn’t been truly happy since Dad died. Being separated from her brother and Ray only made her lonelier. Then she’d unknowingly gotten involved with a drug dealer. With her luck, the asshole would get out on a technicality. She stabbed her coleslaw as icy insecurity crept up her spine. “I am not looking for a man. What I need is a job with benefits. Playing lifeguard is only a short-term solution. I burned up my share of Dad’s insurance money to pay a lawyer and my last semester of college.”

      “What about firefighting? The county has an academy starting this fall. Think about it, Jo. Being a lifeguard and firefighter has similarities. Both are physically demanding rescues in extreme conditions. You won’t be happy working in an office somewhere.” He waved his hand toward the ocean where she’d spent most of her life.

      “Right.” An office equaled a jail with pretty walls.

      “Ray said you held it together at the accident the other day.”

      “Yeah.” Him being there helped. So he’d complimented her to her brother. She warmed. “The kid got lucky. Fighting fires might be a rush, but I can’t deal with seeing people mutilated on the highway.” Like Dad.

      “Well, there’s always the topless bait girl gig on the deep-sea fishing charters? I hear they get good tips.” He smirked.

      “According to recent internet job searches, I don’t meet their qualifications. Only C cups and above need apply.” She pushed out her less than adequate bust.

      “Too bad. You could cut bait with your tongue.” He flung a shrimp at her.

      Jo snorted. “Alright, enough about me. Tell me about your woman.” She leaned in. “Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, a weekend away is serious for you.”

      “She’s got brains, beauty, and is willing to put up with my job.” He leaned back and crossed his arms.

      “What about love?”

      His eyes darkened. “Look who’s talking. One day at a time.”

      Jo pulled another beer from the cooler. “Any special plans for July fourth?”

      “Mike is having a big bash at his new place at Corolla. It’s got three floors and an elevator. You know he’ll pull out all the stops.”

      “Departmental party?”

      “Always. Come with us. Put your face out there. Who knows, you might luck into a job.”

      “Sure.” The disgraced sister surfer tagging along. What was a little more humiliation in front of the locals?

      “Oh, before I forget. Can you do me a favor?” He stood.

      “Sure.”

      He went inside for a minute and returned with a small box. “Put this in your truck and drop it off at Ray’s place on your way home tomorrow, will you? I’ve got a meeting in Camden County all day.”

      “Is this a set-up?” She frowned shaking the package. “What’s in it?”

      “Condoms.”

      It was too heavy. Even though she suspected Ray needed the Magnum variety. “Smart ass.”

      “A fishing reel. Got a discount and free shipping for ordering two. Ray might want to try it out on his rod this weekend.” He arched a dark brow suggestively.

      His cell phone chirped before she fired back a retort.

      He glanced at the display. “It’s Sarah. Oh, yeah I forgot. Ray left a message on the answering machine. Don’t you answer your cell, or are you ignoring him?” He turned to head inside.

      Maybe his interest went beyond waves and beer. Her pulse surged.

      * * * *

      Ready for pizza, Jo hopped into her truck after shift. The small white box Bobby asked her to take to Ray sat on the passenger’s seat. Use on his rod. Yeah, right. After a day of rescuing hardheaded tourists from rip currents, she concluded vacation turned people stupid.

      Irritable and hungry she drove across the bypass. At the next signal light, she turned left and passed the new high school. Maybe she would have kids going there someday.

      Small houses lined narrow streets. Some were vacation rentals. When had Ray moved from the stucco cottage around the corner from the beach house? After his mom moved up north with her new man, or had he given up the place when he shipped to Iraq?

      He phone gave her directions as she hung the next right to a small cedar-sided house, newly remodeled. His Hummer sat in the driveway. A red Jeep and a small sedan with a serious case of cancer, a.k.a. rust, were parked out front on the street. She pulled in behind Ray’s ride and unbuckled her seatbelt.

      The storm door opened as she slid from the truck. A bottle-blonde with a spray tan and recently glossed lips, slinked out. A flowery tattoo donned her bare shoulder “You looking for Craig or Ray?”

      “Neither.” Jo gritted her teeth while clutching her little box.

      “Don’t know what you’re missing.” She smirked over her shoulder as she passed.

      The woman’s ass looked like a uni-butt in the stretch denim shorts. Jo would take her passé Levi cutoffs anytime.

      Inside, a shower hummed. Ray should have his dates lock up when they leave. One never knew when a former felon might saunter in.

      She almost asked if anyone was home, but dropped the package onto a counter separating the small living area from a galley kitchen. Pretty tidy place. Then again, maybe he offered extras for house cleaning.

      The confrontation with the blonde relit old jealousy and she hated it.

      Back inside her truck, she cranked the ignition. The dual exhaust rumbled as she rammed the shifter into reverse and stomped on the gas. She slammed the truck into drive making the tires bark. A sharp whistle caused her to slam on brakes.

      Ray jogged over from his СКАЧАТЬ