Hot As Blazes. Dani Jace

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СКАЧАТЬ forced her gaze to meet his. His rejection now would kill her. “Yeah, but I couldn’t leave California while on probation.”

      In the dim light, his jaw fell slack.

      Cold dread seized her lungs.

      “So that’s what you had to fix,” he said softly squeezing her shoulder.

      His empathetic tone eased and warmed her as much as his hoodie. “I trusted somebody who put me in a bad way.”

      He narrowed his eyes. “Vic?”

      Afraid she might see ridicule on his face, she studied her flip-flops before sitting on the truck’s bumper. Losing his respect would almost be as bad as sitting in jail.

      Lion-like paws wrapped around her shivering fingers as he stepped between her legs. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

      She met his gaze. “No point in worrying you, too. Bobby found me a good lawyer and the DA offered a deal for turning in Vic’s phone contacts.”

      His voice could have cut steel. “He set you up?”

      “I was naïve and stupid.”

      He drew her into a tender hug. “No, Jo. You’re neither. He was a dick.”

      Weak in his arms, she rested her head against his broad shoulder and felt his heartbeat against her chest. The rhythm of the surf reminded her of all they’d shared. “Thanks, you’ve always believed in me.”

      Ray’s strength went beyond the physical. Growing up without a father, he had been man of the house. He’d believed in her talent as much as her dad. After her father’s death, he’d insisted she go on to college when all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide. Because of that, she’d been compelled to live up to her family and Ray’s expectations.

      During her darkest days there, she’d dreamt of being in his arms. Now, the safety of his embrace melted her defenses like the familiar rock ballad drifting from the truck’s speakers.

      “Welcome home, Jo.” He guided them over soft sand in a slow dance.

      “This is where I’ve always wanted to be.” Home and in his arms.

      The song ended too soon.

      Chapter 6

      The song faded. Reluctant to let go, Ray pressed a kiss against her temple. He’d never been closer to her emotionally or physically.

      She sat in the back of his truck and dug her hands into the pouch of his hoodie. “So how’s life besides firefighting?”

      He shrugged at her sudden distancing. “Okay, not much going on.”

      “Weren’t you seeing a doctor from the hospital when I talked to you at Christmas?” She tilted her head to the side.

      He’d only mentioned the woman in passing. Maybe he imagined her coolness. Had she been jealous of his dates all along? Hell, he’d never claimed any as a girlfriend. “You know doctors don’t stay long on OBX. Once they’re done with their residency, they’re off to the land of higher dollars.”

      “I know you don’t give a woman a chance before you’re off to the land of greener pastures.” Her amber eyes narrowed on him, but her comment provided the opening he’d been hoping for.

      Determined to find out if the sexual tension between them wasn’t wishful thinking on his part, he stepped between her legs. “Guess I’m hard to please.”

      She arched a brow. “Noncommittal.”

      Ouch. She didn’t have a clue how faithful he could be, to her.

      “Maybe my heart has always belonged to someone.”

      Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

      She’d believed him a player. Cupping her chin, he let the long held secret spill from his lips. “You, Jo. It’s always belonged to you.”

      Her mouth gaped. “Huh?”

      He couldn’t help but smile at shocking her.

      She started to move from the truck, but he kept her pinned. “You teased me all through middle school. Dated nearly every girl in high school and never asked me out.”

      Her jealousy turned him on. “Wasn’t because I didn’t want to.”

      “You never even kissed me until after Dad―”

      “Have you ever heard me call anyone else Dahlin’?” He traced a finger along her cheek.

      She inhaled sharply searching his face.

      He hoped she saw truth. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to hers, and felt them yield. Sweeping his tongue beyond her teeth, he sparked a delicate spar. She tasted sweet like a dessert he wanted to linger over. Her fingers laced behind his neck and drew him closer.

      In her arms, he was home.

      Deeping the kiss, he reveled at the small tremors coursing through her as his hands explored. Her shapely body he knew well but not intimately.

      He released her mouth. “You can’t begin to know how long and how much I’ve wanted you.”

      “Since when?” Her breathless question revealed her surprise.

      On a warm day in April after she had turned sixteen and emerged from her winter clothes on the beach in a slinky bikini. Other guys noticed, too. For the first time in his life, a little green demon hopped on his shoulder and growled.

      “Let’s just say I’ll never forget a little, lime bikini or its tempting strings.” He ran a finger along the seam of her suit bottom at her hip and tugged.

      Her eyes darkened as her breasts rose and fell with each rapid breath. Her pouty bottom lip caught beneath her teeth. A tell of her being unsure. He leaned in and nipped the offending flesh then quickly smothered her tiny cry of protest with a deep kiss.

      He paid the price when she caught his tongue. This was the Jo he’d fantasized about.

      “You get what you give.” She ran her hand down the center of his chest.

      “Be careful what you promise.” An aching hunger consumed him. He cupped her firm rear and brought her against his straining cock.

      Her moan held promise.

      He skimmed under the hoodie, caressing the sides of her breasts before untying her bikini top. His fingers circled her stiffening buds.

      She feathered her lips along his ear. For years, he’d longed for her touch.

      Ray fought his raging need to brand her as his, but he could be patient a bit longer. Still, he wanted her to know his raw desire.

      He laid her on the carpet and felt her silky legs wrap around his hips.

      Slowly, СКАЧАТЬ