by Jaci Burton
He disappeared for only a few seconds, then came back and pulled her to him.
She lay against him and he stroked her back, feeling more content than he could remember feeling in a long time.
That had been crazy, and yet oh-so-perfect at the same time. It was like she'd been right there with him the whole way, as out of control as he'd been. They'd needed no words--just each other and their bodies to communicate what they both needed.
Which didn't make a whole lot of sense, since it had just been sex, right? Really phenomenal sex.
He needed to stop thinking about just how good it had been with Chelsea. Because they weren't in a relationship and weren't going to be. It's not what she wanted, and it sure as hell wasn't what he wanted.
"Hungry?" he asked.
She didn't move. "Getting there."
"Okay. We'll go cook some burgers on the grill."
She lifted her head, resting it in her hands. "Now I'm definitely hungry."
He patted her butt, smoothing his hand over the curve there.
"Keep doing that and it'll be a war between two different hungers," she said.
"Which would win?"
"Not sure. But at the moment, my stomach is growling."
"Okay, we'd better get up, or I'm never letting you out of my bed."
She gave him a bright smile. "My students might miss me. And finals are coming up for my seniors. I kind of have to go to work tomorrow."
"You're ruining all my fantasies, princess." He gave her a quick kiss, then they slid out of bed and got dressed.
Bash heated up the grill while Chelsea got the patties ready. While he cooked the burgers and corn on the cob, she fixed a pretty delicious-looking salad.
Lou, who'd woken up after they'd climbed out of bed, spent time wandering around out back while he cooked. She was on the trail of something in the corner of the yard.
Probably a frog or a turtle, because she'd stuck her nose by the fence and was barking her head off.
"Get away from whatever it is, Lou."
"She's just excited she found something smaller than her," Chelsea said after she'd come out to keep him company.
He laughed. "You might be right about that. Though I don't think she cares if something is smaller. She thinks she's tough."
The barking continued, with Lou inching away from whatever it was, then charging it. Advance, retreat, over and over again.
Bash took the burgers off the grill, slid them onto the waiting plate, and handed them to Chelsea to take inside.
"Come on, Lou, let's go."
The dog ignored him.
"Lou. Inside."
Still nothing. Rolling his eyes, he walked toward the back of the yard to investigate. Sure enough, a turtle was lodged back there, stuck way inside his shell and probably highly offended by Lou's barking.
"Don't pick on things smaller than you, Lou," he said, then picked up the turtle and relocated it to his neighbor's backyard. His neighbor didn't have a dog, so he figured the turtle would be a lot more content over there. Then he shuffled Lou into the house.
They ate dinner, then washed dishes together.
"I forgot to ask you earlier. Did you figure out what Lou was barking at?" Chelsea asked while Bash put the last of the pots in the dish rack.
"Yeah. A turtle. Who's now living in my neighbor's yard."
"Aww. That was sweet of you." She came around to the sink and put her arms around him, laying her cheek against his back.
He stilled for a minute, absorbing her warmth and the tight way she hugged him.
He hadn't had a lot of love in his life, or a lot of people who had given a shit about him or what he did. His mom had loved him, but she was gone now, which left ...
Pretty much no one.
Which didn't mean Chelsea cared. They'd just had one night, and today. No sense in making more out of it than it was.
He dried his hands and turned around. "Hey, I was only thinking of the turtle. Lou's not big enough to do any damage, but she was annoying the hell out of it."
She stepped into his arms, wrapping hers around him. "You're uncomfortable with people thinking you're a nice guy."
"What are you talking about?"
"I never noticed that about you. You taking care of me at the bar the other night and thanking you for it, and me complimenting you about being so sweet with Lou. It makes you uncomfortable when people notice you being nice."
"No, it doesn't. Hey, you want to watch some TV after dinner? Or even better, we could go back to bed." He waggled his brows.
"You also tend to change the subject when it's about you. Why is that, Bash?"
"I don't do that."
"Yes, you do. You're not a bad guy, you know."
"For someone who doesn't meet the criteria on your list?"
Her lips lifted. "Yes. For someone who doesn't meet the criteria on my list."
He cupped the side of her neck and kissed her, lost for words around her. There was something about Chelsea that got to him, and he didn't know what to do about her. So he did the only thing he knew how to do around her--show her how she turned him on, and how happy he was when she was near.
She molded her body to his, which meant he just had to cup her butt, drawing her closer. He lost himself in the softness of her lips, and the sounds she made when they kissed.
A sudden urge to have her, to be inside of her, flashed through him.
He turned her around and bent her over the counter, his hands all over her, and once again heat flared in an instant as she wriggled her butt against him, her drive equaling his. They shed their clothes and he left only long enough to grab a condom, and then he drove inside of her, taking in the sounds she made, the way she moved against him as he thrust deep, then retreated. He reached around to rub her clit, which caused her to moan long and loud as he brought her to a quick orgasm.
Her body tightening around him took him there in a hurry, and he finished off with his legs shaking, his arm wrapped around her.
The things Chelsea did to him made him question his sanity. She shook him to the core and made him want her over and over again.
He flipped her around and kissed her, his tongue diving in as he realized his passion for her hadn't waned at all.
When he pulled back, she touched her forehead to his. "I need to go."
"I know."
She grabbed her clothes and headed into the bathroom to clean up and get dressed. He ducked into the spare bathroom and did the same, giving her some time to catch her breath. Hell, he needed time to catch his breath, too.
When she came out, he was leaning against the kitchen counter drinking a glass of water. She had her bag packed and laid it on the sofa. She came over and grabbed the belt loop of his jeans.
"I had fun," she said.
"Yeah, me, too."
He picked up her bag and walked her to her car, opened the door, and slid her bag into the backseat.
This time she grabbed his shirt and hauled him against her, planting a blistering hot kiss on him. It seemed neither of them wanted this night to end, but he took a step back, because if he didn't walk away he was going to pick her up and carry her inside his house.
And she had her students to think about.
"I'll see you around, Chelsea," he said.
She got into her car and closed the door, but rolled the window down.
"Thanks, Bash," she said.
He nodded, then she backed down his driveway and drove away.
He'd never missed any woman who'd ever left him. Ashamedly, not even his ex-wife.
But once Chelsea left, he realized he already missed her.
That wasn't a good thing.
Chapter 24
The first one of her friends Chelsea ran into was Megan, because she stopped at the bakery before school on Monday.
"You have to tell me everything about Bash," Megan said as she slipped a croissant into a bag and then made Chelsea a tall caramel macchiato, which she would then have
to spend about six hours working off this week. But she didn't care. Today called for a caramel macchiato.
"I promise to fill you in, but you have a long line of customers waiting, and I'm going to be late," Chelsea said, begging off and dashing to school.
Of course, then she had to face Jane, who caught up with her in the teacher's lounge before school started. Chelsea had hoped she'd actually be able to enjoy her croissant and drink and have some quiet time to reflect on yesterday and the day before.
"You didn't answer my text messages. Or my e-mails. Or my phone calls."
Chelsea looked up from her very appealing croissant to give Jane a blank stare. "I did text you."
Jane cocked her head to the side. "Your text said: Occupied. We'll talk Monday. What does that even mean? Occupied with Bash, I assume. And how was it?"
She took a long sip of her drink before answering. "We had a good time."
Jane pulled up a chair next to her. "Oh no. You don't get to give me a non-answer like that."
She stuffed her face with a giant piece of croissant, and then she thanked the stars for timeliness, because the bell rang. She pointed to her full mouth, then the clock, and shrugged in apology, then grabbed her bag and her coffee and backed away from her friend.
Jane pointed a finger at her. "This conversation is far from over, Chelsea Gardner."
She knew it wasn't, but she honestly had nothing to say. She'd had an amazing day and a half with Bash. But they weren't an item, or a couple, or even dating.
They'd had sex, and that was it. And now it was over.
Which made her feel kind of empty inside. But she wasn't going to think about how she felt, especially as it related to Bash.
Not that her friends would let her forget about Bash, because several days later she was forced into a summit meeting.
Emma had called it dinner at her place. Luke was pulling night-shift duty for one of the guys on the squad and Emma had said Molly was hanging out with her. She said they were going to make it a girls' night. Will was working as well, which meant Jane would be there. Samantha and Megan were coming over, too.
Chelsea knew she shouldn't be suspicious of her friends' motives, but she hadn't told any of them details of her time with Bash, even though everyone had asked. And maybe they'd respect that, but she kind of doubted it. If the shoe were on any of these other women's feet, she'd hound them incessantly until they gave up the info, so why should she assume they'd leave her alone?
She'd slept with Bash. That made her fair game for gossip. And she'd spent the past few days--and nights--prepping for finals. She was tired of doing schoolwork. A girls' night sounded like a great idea.
She stopped at the liquor store after school and picked up a couple bottles of wine, then hit up the grocery store after that. She made a chilled crab salad that would pair exceptionally well with the crackers she'd bought.
After changing into a pair of capris and a long top, she slid into her wedge sandals and headed over to Emma's.
Emma answered the door and took the tray she was balancing on her hand.
"Whatever you've made, I'm going to love it," Emma said.
"You don't even know what I made."
"I don't care. I'm starving."
It looked like everyone but Samantha had arrived, so she gave them all hugs.
"I made chocolate-covered strawberries today," Megan said. "Oh, and baklava."
"You made baklava?" Chelsea asked. "In your spare time, when you're not running a bakery?"
Megan grinned. "Of course I did. I also picked up some champagne to go with the strawberries. That's dessert. Now what did all of you bring to entice me for our snacking-for-dinner soiree?"
"I made pasta," Jane said. "Thankfully, my parents picked up the kids after school, so I had time to cook."
"Awesome," Chelsea said. "Too bad you and Will couldn't have had the night alone."
"That is too bad. But we get plenty of alone nights together. The grandparents always want the kids."
The doorbell rang, so Emma left to answer it.
"I'll put the rest of the food on the counter," Molly said.
Chelsea opened up the paper plates and set them out. It was nearly seven, so she knew everyone was hungry.
"Sorry I'm late," Samantha said, placing her bowl on the counter next to everyone else's. "I had a late flower delivery. I hope the homemade meatballs make up for my tardiness."
Chelsea's stomach grumbled. "I love your meatballs. And actually, I just came in right before you, so I don't think you're late."
"No one's late," Emma said. "But I'm hungry, so let's grab plates and eat."
Bottles of wine were opened and plates were filled. Emma had moved extra chairs to her table, and Chelsea filled her plate with pasta, several different salads, and, of course, meatballs. She knew her eyes were bigger than her stomach, but she wanted to try a little bit of everything. The wine was fantastic and helped her wind down some, which she'd desperately needed.
"I'm so not ready for finals," Jane said. "The end of school has come faster than normal this year. Or at least it seems that way. And Ryan and Tabby are already in summer mode. They're driving me crazy."
"All the kids are crazy," Chelsea said. "They're over school, and the whole idea of finals is tipping the scales for them."
Jane nodded. "Especially the seniors. Several of mine are so nervous."
"Yes. I'll be glad when the next week and a half is over."
"Are you teaching this summer, Jane?" Molly asked.
She shook her head. "Will wants to take a vacation with the kids, so I opted out. It'll be nice to have the time off."
"How about you, Chelsea?"
"I'm not certain yet. They had another math teacher lined up, but he might need surgery. I told them I'd fill in if necessary. It's not like I have any big plans this summer."
"Not even with Bash?" Sam asked, smiling at her over the rim of her wineglass.
She had known the question was coming. "Especially not with Bash."
"So he was lousy in the sack?" Megan asked. "That must have been disappointing."
"I didn't say that."
"What are you saying, then?" Emma asked.
"Nothing yet."
Everyone went quiet. And stared, obviously waiting for the lowdown on her weekend with Bash.
"Fine. We had sex."
"Woo!" Megan shouted. "I knew it. You always answer my texts right away, and when you didn't, I knew it was because you were with Bash."
She lifted her chin. "It could have been another guy."
"Really. What guy?"
"I don't know. Someone else."
"Is there someone else?" Samantha asked.
"Well, no. But there could be. There will be someday."
"Which means what, exactly?" Molly asked. "You and Bash didn't hit it off?"
She took a deep breath, then let it out. "It was fine."
Megan pinned her with a glare. "Fine is the word men use when they don't want to say, 'Yes, that dress does make your butt look big.' Women should never use the word fine."
She deserved this for butting in on all her friends' lives over the years. Now they were exacting revenge by butting in on hers. "Okay, it was awesome. He was amazing, and it was the best sex I've ever had."
Emma grinned. "Now you're talking. When are you seeing him again?"
"I'm not. We're not dating, Em. We're just friends."
"With benefits, now," Jane added. "Your weekend of awesome sex changed things between you, right?"
"No. It scratched an itch, that's all."
"Seriously?" Samantha arched a brow. "That sounds like a line a guy would use. You're the one who wants a relationship, Chelsea."
She had no idea how to explain this. Mainly because she didn't know how she felt. Nothing had changed between her and Bash.
Right? She'd made it clear to him. She didn't want things to change. They'd always been friends, and she didn't want to lose that.
; "I do want a relationship. Just not with Bash."
"What's wrong with Bash?" Molly asked. "He has a great job, he owns a house, and he has the cutest dog ever."
"Hey," Emma said, resting one hand on Daisy the Labrador's head, the other on Annie the pit bull's. "I can't believe you said that in front of my dogs. And you're my sister. Talk about sticking the knife in deep."
Molly laughed. "Your dogs are my family. I wasn't referring to them. I was talking about one very hot guy and his adorable Chihuahua."
"Okay, then. But back to you, Chelsea. You seriously think nothing will change between the two of you? And you felt nothing for him?"
She'd be lying if she said otherwise. "Of course I did. We had fun together. Bash is a great guy. A decent guy. And so incredibly sexy."
"But ..." Samantha said for her.
"But, there's my list."
Jane sighed. "Yes, your list."
These were her friends and she knew they all loved her. If they couldn't understand how important her list was, she'd just have to keep reminding them. "I made that list for a reason."
Emma squeezed her hand. "We all know you did. But you might be missing out on the right guy for you because of it. Maybe you're being a little too rigid in your thinking?"
She shrugged. "I don't think so. I'm sticking to my guns on this. Bash and I both agreed it was just sex, and nothing was going to happen otherwise."
Fortunately, they didn't press her further, and the topic changed, for which Chelsea was grateful. They spent the rest of the evening catching up on one another's lives. Chelsea left around eleven, but she wasn't tired or ready to go home.
For some reason, she found herself in the parking lot of the No Hope at All bar--again--wondering what in the world she was doing there. For a fraction of a second she pondered pulling out of the lot and going home. But she always listened to her instincts, and something told her she should be there. So now that she'd parked her car, she might as well go in.
No Hope was crowded, of course, because it was a Friday night. She didn't want to sit at a table by herself, so she headed to the bar. There was a single open spot at one of the corners. She sat and tossed her purse on the bar. Bash was busy at the other end, so it gave her a few minutes to watch him. Tonight he wore worn, loose-fit jeans and a dark green T-shirt that fit him so well it made all her feminine parts clench in appreciation, especially now that she'd seen him naked and knew just how good he looked without the shirt. And without the jeans.