Hot As Blazes. Dani Jace

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      While an expert surfer, she was no slouch at volleyball after years of playing while waiting for waves. “Let me get a shirt from my bag.”

      “No way, you’re our secret weapon with your hot body.” A grin spread across his handsome face.

      She’d be his secret weapon any time.

      * * * *

      Ray loved catching her off guard and swore her nipples peaked at his compliment. His second brain went on alert at her reaction. Down boy.

      The first serve rocketed toward her. She double-handed a setup to the player beside her, who spiked it over the net. The attack had a thin blonde diving into the hot sand to no avail.

      With an overhand serve, Ray drove the ball deep into the left side court. An opposing player ricocheted it into the net, but his teammates failed recovery. He served another point before the ball stayed in play.

      Jo proved her skills at net, not missing a single setup. The opposing team quickly modified their strategy moving their better players to the net. Teaming with her on volleyball reminded him of old times. Playing with the boys with not a care. Acting like the girl he’d known before California. Fearless.

      How silly of him to believe he might sneak a peek of those fine cheeks or lovely breasts. Surfers, especially the pros, were masters at keeping their swimsuits in place. Her laughter made his heart soar.

      They bowed out of the next game and took a quick dip to rinse away sweat and grit. At her perch on the dune, he sat beside her. “You still got it.”

      “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 СКАЧАТЬ