by Sierra Brave
Crystal Coast Romances 3: Crystal Coast Love Connection
Copyright as Crystal Coast Christmas © December 2017 by Sierra Brave
Second Edition Copyright as Crystal Coast Love Connection © August 2018 by Sierra Brave
All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.
Editors: Christy Lockhart and Shay Style
Cover Artist: Talina Perkins
Published in the United States of America
Passion’s Paramour Press
P.O. Box 592
Clayton, NC 27520
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning
This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Sierra Brave’s e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
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DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice, especially those that might be found in Ms. Brave’s BDSM/fetish titles without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Sierra Brave nor Passion’s Paramour Press will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of her/its titles.
Chapter One
While driving home from work, Jessica eighty-sixed the radio, determined not to hear even a single note of Christmas music. She wasn’t in the mood for yuletide cheer. She was over it before all the jolly nut jobs and evergreen tree trimmers rushed off to max out their credit cards. Last Christmas, Jessica would have been right there with them. Her ex always insisted they hit the Black Friday sales, but she’d have no one to kiss under the mistletoe this year since he cheated with a woman who was supposed to be Jessica’s friend.
She sighed as she turned right and began cruising down Dolphin Street. After passing a few houses, she put on her blinker and pulled into the driveway. Her eyes focused on the plethora of green garland decorated with red bows and colorful blinking lights, and Jessica grimaced. Oh please, no… Apparently, Aunt Britt had been busy decking the halls while Jessica was away. God help me…at least she didn’t enlist me to help.
Jessica’s keys jingled in her hand as she unlocked the door to her temporary lodgings, one of the two bedrooms in her Aunt Britt’s guest apartment. She pushed the door open and stepped into the already cramped living area that had been turned into a hoarder’s wonderland by her current roommate’s belongings—a few pieces of furniture, covered by moving blankets and boxes and boxes and more boxes filled mostly with clothing and accessories but also sheet music and stacks of lesson plans.
After closing the door behind her, she navigated a row of the cardboard containers and turned into the tiny living room before tossing her purse down beside a chair and taking a seat. “Hi,” she greeted Ryan as he sat on the couch and canoodled with his boyfriend, Tanner.
“Good afternoon, roomie. How was work?” Ryan asked as he leaned back into the crook of Tanner’s arm, resting his head on the cute blond’s shoulder.
“Can’t complain,” Jessica replied as she watched Tanner tenderly stroke Ryan’s arm. Love wasn’t in the cards for her, but she still envied their sweet relationship.
“Look, I’m really sorry about all this.” Ryan waved his hand around the room, indicating all of his packed-up belongings. “I couldn’t afford to keep my lease back at my old place while I waited for Tanner’s assignment here to end.”
Jessica smiled and shook her head. “Hey, stop. Really, it’s fine. I was thrilled to have a place to crash on such short notice when I finally mustered up the nerve to walk out on my scum ball of an ex.”
“I’m sorry you had a bad experience.” Tanner pursed his lips and tilted his head. Jessica hated being pitied, and there was no doubt in her mind he was feeling sorry for her.
To hide her embarrassment, she looked down at her hands while rubbing the back of her thumb along one of her recently manicured fingernails. There was something comforting about the way her skin glided across the smooth shellac, and the sensation helped to calm her anxiety and insecurities. “Not to worry. I’m done with that cheating, emotionally abusive asshole and all other men too.”
Ryan jolted upright and bent forward. “No, no, no…don’t give up on love. You just need to find the right man.”
Tanner reached out and ran his fingers through Ryan’s messy brown locks, his eyes forming a crescent shape as a huge grin spread across his face. “There’s nothing like it when you find the right one.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, trust me. There’s nothing like it if you find the wrong one too. No…I take that back. I imagine hell would be pretty damn similar. I stuck around for way too long, waiting for a ring. Fuck that! I don’t want another man, ever.”
She wished she could make her last sentence be true, but sadness welled up inside her, filling her chest with an aching emptiness. She’d spent the past three years living with and loving David. She had expected to make a life with him, but he had betrayed her, and it wasn’t the first time. She’d believed way too many lies for far too long.
Ryan and Tanner shared a look before Tanner stood up and stretched. “I guess I should be getting home. My roommates will be wondering what happened to me.” Ryan fidgeted, his cheeks flushing while he looked all around the room to avoid catching Jessica’s gaze.
Her heart sank. Shit…I’m such a Debbie Downer. “Please don’t leave on my account. I’m sorry I keep bringing up my issues.”
“Nah, no worries. I really do have to get going. It’s chore day, and I’ll get fussed out if I’m not there to do my part,” Tanner explained.
Ryan stood. “I’ll walk you out to your truck.”
Jessica slumped in her chair as her mind raced with thoughts and memories she wanted to push away. Sadness weighed her down, making her bones heavy. Her head drooped, as did her eyelids. Getting up in the morning was hard, but she loved her job at the state aquarium. During those eight hours a day, she could forget all about her problems.
Unfortunately, as soon as she walked out the double doors and got in her car, pushing her way through the remaining hours was like swimming against the tide. During her time off, all she wanted to do was sleep. She closed and reopened her tired eyes a few times but was unable to jar herself enough to stay awake.
As a warm hand clapped down on Jessica’s shoulder and gently shook her to consciousness, she stirred, yawning, blinking, and stretching her arms over her head. Her blurry vision cleared as she focused on Ryan’s handsome face and friendly smile. She’d probably spend all of her free time snoozing or wallowing in misery if she hadn’t moved in with him.
“Hey, sleepyhead, wake up and have some dinner.”
“Huh?” she asked groggily. “Dinner?” She breathed in the scent of
fresh basil and garlic.
“There’s nothing like good pasta when you’re feeling blue.” He reached out his hand to her, and she took it, allowing him to haul her up on her feet and lead her over to the bar that separated the small living room from the even smaller kitchen. “Hop up, milady.” He motioned to one of the barstools, and she climbed up and sat.
“Wow, it smells delicious.” She looked down at the plate of penne pasta and mushrooms in red sauce and picked up her fork. “Thanks so much.”
“It’s my pleasure.” From the opposite side of the bar, he held up a small plastic basket, and she plucked a piece of garlic bread from inside.
She gobbled her first bite. “Mmm, oh yum—you’re a great cook, Ryan.”
He chuckled as he poured two glasses of red wine. “I’ve always enjoyed puttering around in the kitchen.”
She and Ryan chatted about her job at the Fort Merryweather Aquarium as well as the gig he had lined up in Alabama. He would be filling in for a teacher expected to go out on maternity leave in January. Before she knew it, she’d grubbed down all of her pasta and two pieces of garlic bread, and she and Ryan had nearly emptied the bottle of wine.
“So does the prego teach drama?”
“She’s a fourth grade teacher.” Ryan raised his eyes to the ceiling as he shrugged. “My undergrad work was in drama and music, but I have a master’s in teaching.”
Jessica’s eyes bulged, and her eyebrows lifted just before she laughed.
“What? What’s so funny?”
She covered her mouth, continuing to snicker. “Ever work with little kids before?”
Ryan scowled, scrunching up his nose as he shook his head. “No, but I figure how hard could it be?”
She smacked her knee and shut her eyes as she opened her mouth wide and howled with laughter. “Oh my God, you are so dead.”
“Oh, come on. You don’t think I can handle a couple dozen eight-year-olds?”
After wiping her mouth with a paper towel, Jessica answered, “I imagine you’ll have a learning curve, but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it. I tell you what. School’s out for Christmas in a couple of weeks, and we have this short three-day camp for six- to ten-year-olds at the aquarium. We’re always happy to have volunteers. Why don’t you come help out for a couple of hours? Get your feet wet.”
Ryan nodded while looking off to the side and tapping a finger against his head. “You know, I just might take you up on that.”
She jumped off her stool and then started to clear the dishes. After scraping the plates, she washed and rinsed them. Ryan grabbed a towel for drying and joined her next to the sink. Working together, they breezed through the clean-up.
“Thanks again for dinner. It really did cheer me up.” Jessica met Ryan’s gaze and smiled, and he opened his arms for a hug. She scooted in, throwing her arms around his neck.
“I’m going to get a shower if you don’t need the bathroom now,” Jessica said.
“Help yourself,” Ryan said as he picked up his cell phone and started texting.
As she strolled down the hallway, she wrapped her arms around her body, hugging herself as the corners of her mouth turned upward. She’d have no lover to warm her bed this Christmas, but she’d managed to go a few hours without hating herself for being a fool. The awful hollowness inside her had subsided at least for now. Perhaps she’d be a little less dead inside every day.
* * * *
Captain Chase Culpepper loved the Crystal Coast’s climate. It was the first week in December, but the temperature was a brisk sixty-three degrees. After he dressed in athletic shorts and a T-shirt, he laced up his cross trainers for his morning run on the beach. He left the house and headed straight for the public access across the street. The sun was already shining, reflecting against the waves and sand. He closed his eyes and breathed in the salt air. There was nothing like starting his day close to the ocean. Once his heart rate soared, he’d be calm, content, and focused.
After stretching for a couple of minutes, he took off, jogging at first but gradually building speed. He liked to run fast, push his body to the limits. The soles of his shoes left tread-marked prints each time he smacked a foot down, packing the sand beneath. The wind whipped up from the sea, blowing against his face and short spiky hair. He welcomed the gust, increased his speed, and sucked in a deep breath.
While he ran, he raced against a make-believe competitor or imagined he was running from someone or something. With each step, his mind became clearer. He pushed back any stressful thoughts, destroying any power they had. The gulls flew overhead, their squawks urging him onward.
Sweat soaked through his shirt as Chase’s endorphins kicked in, making the exertion worth the soreness. He looked up at the sky, a satisfied smile curving the edges of his lips. As he sprinted onward, he brought his attention straight ahead, spying a woman jogging way out in front of him.
He was moving faster than her, and as he got closer, he noticed her form. She put her entire body into her stride. Her movements were beautiful, and the view of her rear end in her black yoga pants was breathtaking. What an ass!
Her light blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight as she ran. Her tight technique proved she was an experienced runner, so why hadn’t he ever seen her out here before? His gaze settled back over her glutes, and he licked his lips.
Suddenly, she stopped short, bending at the waist and placing her hands on her knees, and before he could slow his gait, Chase smacked right into her, knocking her down. “Oh shit! I’m so sorry!”
She rolled over on her back, her brows knitted and her nostrils flaring. She looked so mad Chase feared he’d get cursed out. “What the hell?”
His cheeks blazed, and his heart pounded as he offered her his hand. “I’m so sorry.”
She grabbed his heavy mitt, yanking herself up as she did, sand clinging to her perspiration-tinged skin. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“Uhh…” Chase couldn’t find the words he wanted to say. “Let me help you.” He reached out and started brushing sand off her arm.
She jumped back. “Don’t touch me!”
Flustered, he held his hands up in front of him. “I didn’t mean—“
“Are you slow?” she tapped a finger against the side of her head.
Chase narrowed his eyes as embarrassment gave way to anger. “You don’t have to be so shitty. I said I’m sorry. You’re the one who stopped short.”
Her amber eyes bulged, and her jaw dropped. “Excuse me? So it’s my fault you ran right into me?”
“Kinda, yeah. I’m running along, getting my cardio on while you’re lollygagging in front of me and then just slam on the brakes.”
Her small, muscular frame tensed up, and her chest lifted under her short-sleeved tight pink moisture-wicking shirt as her shoulders went back, bringing his gaze to her breasts. He had to admit they were pretty great—not too big but not small either—the perfect handful. He shook his head, glancing back at her face.
Her light brown eyebrows were lifted slightly, and the right side of her high-bridged nose turned up in a sneer while her full lips turned slightly downward. She placed a hand on her hip, taking a haughty stance as she glared at him. Even still, she looked damn good.
He towered over her, and not just because he was six feet one. She was short and small boned, but with her curves, she was all woman. She was also in his face and super feisty.
“You think just because you’re a great big brick wall, you can bulldoze over anyone in your path?” She poked at his chest with her index finger. Taken off guard, he laughed nervously while glancing down at her finger on his pecs. “Oh, you think this is funny?”
He shook his head. “No…it’s just. You said not to touch you, but…”
She yanked her hand back and looked down at the sand. Her delicate facial-features seemed to shrink with guilt, bringing an attractive blush over her high cheekbones.
Chase swallowed, dec
iding it was better to try to smooth things over with this cutie pie. “Look, seriously, I apologize. I’ll try to pay better attention next time. Let me make it up to you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Make it up to me?”
He tilted his head and smiled. “Let me treat you to breakfast?”
“What?” She seemed surprised by the invitation, giving Chase a glimmer of hope.
“Or just coffee if you prefer. There’s a café up by the pier.”
She took a step back, and her expression morphed, looking as if he’d just offered her an all-expense-paid trip to hell. Her arched eyebrows dropped, and her mouth set in a grim line while her irises widened. He’d never seen such defeat in someone’s eyes.
“Just forget it,” she said as she turned and started to walk away.
“Wait,” Chase called out to her, but she sped up into a jog while he stood frozen and unsure what to do. He didn’t even know her name. He considered going after her, but he didn’t want to scare her either. Damn it. Resigned, he turned and started the trek home to get a shower and get ready for work.
* * * *
Chase checked the manifest list against the cargo being unloaded. Usually, he trusted his team to complete the task, but some powerful explosives were being delivered today, and his best worker, Jake, had separated from the military a couple of weeks ago and moved to his fiancée’s hometown. Chase couldn’t blame him for following the woman he loved, but without Jake, Chase’s team consisted of two knuckleheads, a twenty-two-year-old kid, and a new guy he hadn’t gotten a read on just yet. At least for a little while, Chase had to leave the comfort of his office and be more hands-on. He observed as they unloaded the truck and was impressed by how the chatter immediately ceased as they started unloading the C4. Even Senior Airman Brent Baxter, who wasn’t known for his reasoning skills, was completely focused on the task at hand while carefully adhering to the safety regulations.
After the railcar loaded with the explosives chugged away, Chase sighed a breath of relief, and the inane banter among the four men under his command started up anew.