Sighing deeply, Ashley went into the kitchen to dispose of the empty beer bottle. A few moments later she was headed toward her bedroom when there was a knock at her door. Her heart rate increased. For some reason she knew it was Ray. He had returned.
Moving toward the door, she looked out the peephole just to make sure it was him before opening the door. He stood there, his jaw clenching and unclenching. The look in his eyes was hot.
“You forget something, Ray?” she asked, fighting to remain calm while stepping aside to let him in.
“No, I didn’t forget anything. But there’s something I need to do,” he said, entering and closing the door behind him.
She tilted her head up to look at him. “Oh? And what’s that?”
He stood in front of her, feet braced apart with an air of determination surrounding him. Then he drew her into his arms and kissed her in a way that immediately made her swoon.
She gripped a pair of powerful shoulders as his mouth moved over hers. Then his tongue began mating with hers in a way that had her moaning. Devon or Ray, the man had the ability to make her aware of every single cell in her body. He could effortlessly set off an explosion of pleasure inside of her.
There was no way she could fight the emotions she was feeling, the sparks of heat engulfing her or the need she felt in the lower part of her belly that was taking over her senses. Her body’s most primitive reaction was kicking in with a vengeance.
Then suddenly he released her. She was grateful he still had his arms around her waist or there was no doubt in her mind she would have fallen.
“Not kissing you is harder than I thought. Good night, Ashley.”
And then he was gone.
* * *
RAY HAD DRIVEN less than a mile when he pulled to the shoulder of the road, not able to travel any farther. There was no way he could when intense heat was throbbing through his gut, filling him with more than just desire but a need the likes of which he’d never felt before. How? Why?
Going to her place had obviously been a mistake. He hadn’t counted on confronting a sexual force so powerful that he could still feel it in every nerve of his body, with every pulse. There was something about Ashley Ryan he just couldn’t put his finger on. To tell the truth, he’d rather put his hands on her instead. He definitely enjoyed kissing her and could see himself becoming addicted to her taste. So much for having that under control like he’d thought he would be able to do. For crying out loud, he’d been fine for three years, and then she came to town and it seemed his senses were in a tailspin.
He jumped when there was a tap on his window. It was Sawyer. Ray rolled the window down. “Evening, Sawyer.”
“You okay, Ray? Truck trouble?” Sawyer asked him.
Ray wished that was it. Repairing his truck would be easier than reining in his body’s urgent demands. “Truck’s fine. I just needed to sit a spell.”
“On the side of the road? This time of night?” Sawyer asked, lifting a curious brow. “You live on the other side of town. What are you doing in this area?”
Ray sighed. When it came to Sawyer and Kaegan, he had no reason to lie. They knew as much about his history as he did. “I just left Ashley Ryan’s place. I stopped by to check on her. To see how she was doing.”
Sawyer nodded, eyeing him speculatively. “And how is she doing?”
“Okay. She’s pretty much moved in. The place looks good.”
“That’s good. Well, glad to know your truck isn’t broken, so there’s no reason for you not to move on, right?”
Ray chuckled. It was just like his friend to keep it legal. “No reason at all. I’ll see you at breakfast in the morning.”
“Will do.” Sawyer turned to walk off.
“Sawyer?”
Sawyer turned back around. “Yes?”
“For the longest time you swore not to get involved with anyone. Why Vashti? What made her different?”
Sawyer smiled and Ray knew that look. For a man who’d sworn off relationships, Sawyer had no problem letting anyone know he’d hit the jackpot with his wife. He leaned his elbow in the open truck window and said, “There was just something about Vashti that touched me deeply. I didn’t want it to happen but it did and I couldn’t fight it. I saw in her something I wanted in my life. Something I had no idea that I needed until I met her.”
Sawyer got quiet and then he looked Ray in the eye. “Is there any particular reason you’re asking?”
Ray tipped his head back against the headrest. “Yes. It’s Ashley Ryan. There’s something about her I just can’t figure out. I was doing fine and then she comes to town and...”
“Are you sure you were doing fine, Ray? Or were you just pretending to do fine? You didn’t have a social life, and although you’re friendly enough, you’re only good friends with me, Kaegan, Vashti and Bryce. You might not want to hear this but Ashley Ryan might just be what you need.”
“Dammit, Sawyer, I might have a wife somewhere.”
“Yes, and it might be a wife that’s doing what you’re refusing to do, which is to move on with your life.” Not waiting for Ray to respond, Sawyer straightened and said, “Good night, Ray. Think about what I said. I’ll see you in the morning.”
* * *
ASHLEY’S HAND TREMBLED as she traced her fingers across her lips. Lips that Ray had just thoroughly kissed. On shaky legs she made it to the sofa and sat down. Leaning back against the seat, she closed her eyes.
Oh, my God!
He couldn’t keep kissing her with such greed and hunger and then insist they be merely friends. If that was his plan, he might as well forget it because it wouldn’t work. He was pushing her buttons whether he intended to or not. His willpower was definitely a lot stronger than hers because she didn’t have the same reservations he had about them indulging in a relationship.
He was concerned about the woman in his past when, little did he know, she was that woman. More than anything, she wished she could level with him and let him know that. But Dr. Riggins had advised her of the possible repercussions if she did.
More than anything, she wanted Ray to fall in love with her all over again. No matter what it took, she intended to make new memories with him. She felt like she’d been given another chance with him and was determined for things to work in her favor. Their favor.
Knowing it was time to do something she hadn’t thought she’d ever be ready to do, she slid off her wedding ring. She had met a man who’d charmed her into taking it off. Ironically, he was the same man who’d placed that ring on her finger eight years ago.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TWO DAYS LATER Ray walked into the Witherspoon Café like he did most mornings to join Kaegan and Sawyer for breakfast. After he took his seat and greeted his friends, his attention was drawn to the woman sitting at a table on the other side of the room.
Ashley.
She was sitting alone and Bryce was placing a cup of coffee and a basket of muffins in front of her. She hadn’t seen him yet; at least, he assumed she hadn’t since she hadn’t looked his way. His smile at seeing her came easy.
Ray had thought about her a lot over the past two days and had meant to call her but things had gotten busy. His last tour had been around five and then afterward he had assisted Kaegan on one of his boats on what they called a night raid. During certain times of the year, the middle of the night was the best time to drop the net for blue crabs. Last night they’d caught plenty.
Why was he trying to come up with excuses when there really weren’t any? He had her phone number and could have called her. He’d come close to doing so but had talked himself out of it. Now seeing her was making him recall their kiss of two nights ago.
That kiss had energized him and memories of it had gotten him through the past two days. He had decided to call her today, no matter what. And now she was here. Even with the distance se
parating them, he thought she looked beautiful with an early morning glow to her face.
“Instead of sitting here staring, why don’t you go join her?”
Ray glanced over at Kaegan. There was no need to pretend he had no idea what Kaegan was talking about. “She might prefer eating alone.”
“You don’t know that,” Sawyer interjected, taking a sip of his coffee. “She might like some company.”
Ray, unsure of that, asked, “You think so?”
“Although you didn’t ask me what I think, I’m going to tell you anyway,” Kaegan said. “I think that it’s about time you start living your life, Ray.”
Ray shifted his gaze from Kaegan to Sawyer, who smiled and said, “I didn’t say a word.”
Kaegan looked from Sawyer to Ray. “Say a word about what?”
“Nothing,” Ray said quickly. He glanced back over at Ashley. “I think I will join her. I wonder what got her up so early.”
“Not sure,” Sawyer said, “but I’m sure you’ll find out.”
* * *
IT TOOK EVERY ounce of control Ashley possessed not to glance over to the table where Ray was sitting. She’d known the exact moment he had walked into the café. Her body had begun throbbing in places she hadn’t been aware it could throb. When she hadn’t seen him again for a couple of days, she decided to come to a place where she knew he would. Even if it meant being at the café at the crack of dawn to do it.
There were times when a woman had to do what a woman had to do. Ray was the most important person in her life. Always had been and always would be, whether he remembered that fact or not.
“Good morning, Ashley. May I join you?”
Ashley jerked her head up and looked into Ray’s face. She hadn’t realized he’d approached. Now he was standing beside her table. Her gaze swept over him and took in all the things so familiar and all the things so different. Namely, the beard. Devon hated facial hair of any kind but it seemed that had definitely changed. She liked it and thought his beard made him look even sexier.
Ashley met his gaze and her pulse began pounding. “Good morning, Ray, and, yes, you can join me.”
“Thanks.”
She watched as he pulled out the chair and settled his masculine frame into it. A sexual aura seemed to surround him. That was nothing new, but what made this unique was that, in her mind, this was no longer Devon but Ray. She was still trying to wrap her head around that.
“You’re up early,” he told her.
She smiled over at him. “Not too early. I thought I would go into New Orleans today.” She bit into a muffin and she could feel his eyes on her. She looked up, and the instant their eyes locked, she felt a stirring in her stomach. The hot desire she saw in his dark gaze only intensified her desire for him.
No telling how long they would have just sat there if Bryce hadn’t appeared. “Good morning, Ray,” she said, placing a cup of coffee and another basket of blueberry muffins on the table.
Ashley glanced away but Ray looked up at Bryce, who was smiling at him. “Good morning, Bryce.”
“About time you have a reason to break away from the pack,” Bryce said before walking off smiling.
Ray shook his head before looking back at Ashley. “So you’re going to New Orleans? Any special reason?”
“Shopping. Some of my favorite dress shops are there,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee.
Over the rim of her cup, she watched Ray take a sip of his coffee before he said, “I would have called to see how you were doing but I’ve been busy.”
She shrugged. “You don’t owe me an explanation about anything, Ray.”
“I believe that I do.”
“You honestly don’t.”
He didn’t say anything for a minute and she figured he’d decided to let it go. She looked over at him the moment he bit into one of the muffins. Her breath wobbled when he sank his teeth into the muffin filled with blueberries.
Memories he knew nothing about began to arouse her. There were times he used those same teeth to nibble a path up her naked thighs. Forcing the memories back, she said, “I take it you like the muffins here.”
He smiled at her. “I do, and Bryce warmed them up just the way I like. They’re good.”
“Yes, they are,” she agreed, taking another bite of her own muffin.
“How about dinner this evening, Ashley?”
His question caught her so by surprise that she nearly choked. She grabbed her glass of water to wash down the muffin.
“You okay?”
She nodded as she cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m fine.” She took another gulp of water and asked, “Dinner?”
Their gazes held. “Yes. However, if you have other plans, I’ll understand.”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t have other plans.”
“Then is it okay to pick you up at seven?”
“Yes, seven is fine.”
“I thought we’d go to Shanty’s,” he said. “Is that okay?”
Shanty’s was one of the restaurants she’d heard was a popular dining place in town. Attire was dressy and she was glad she was going shopping today. “Yes, that’s fine. I heard it’s a nice place.”
Their eyes locked again—a silent communication. She’d always been able to tell what Devon was thinking just by looking in his eyes. Reading him had become second nature. Whether he knew it or not, it still was. He wanted her. Just as much as she wanted him. He was fighting it.
“More coffee?”
They both looked up at Bryce, who unknowingly had interrupted something so intense it had Ashley nearly breathless.
As if Ray sensed her predicament, he said, “Yes, and you can leave the pot.” His tone showed his annoyance at the interruption.
“Sure thing, Ray.” Bryce set the pot in the middle of their table, and as if Ray’s tone had amused her rather than irritated her, she walked off smiling again.
When he didn’t say anything, Ashley said, “Bryce is a nice person. I like her.”
Ray smiled. “Yes, she’s a nice person and everybody likes her.” He then chuckled. “Well, everybody except for Kaegan. Old history between them.”
“So she said that the day we had lunch together here,” Ashley said. Wanting to keep the conversation between them moving, she asked, “You have a full day with tours?”
“Not too much. I’ve mostly been helping Kaegan. He’s been having huge orders this month for blue crabs and the best time to net them is at night. I’ve been working with him during the evenings on his boats.”
She took another sip of her coffee. She recalled during the tour that he’d told her that the blue crabs in the waters surrounding Catalina were the largest anywhere in the United States. For that reason, they were always high in demand.
While he talked, explaining the process, she could envision him out on the boat, dressed in those jeans and snug T-shirt and pulling in the nets filled with crabs. “Sounds dangerous,” she said, picturing how easy it would be for someone to fall overboard, especially at night.
“It could be but Kaegan hires men who know the importance of safety. To put your life in danger means putting the lives of others in danger as well.”
A few moments later Ray glanced at his watch. “Time for me to head to the boat.” He stood. “Don’t worry about this,” he said, grabbing the check off the table that Bryce had given to her earlier. “I got this and no argument about it this time.”
She remembered what she’d told him the last time he’d tried paying for her meal. She chuckled, relenting. “Okay, no argument. Thanks.”
He smiled back at her. “Is it so hard to give in?”
She shook her head. “Not for me. What about for you?”
He didn’t say anything as he stared down at her and she could feel those vibes flare to life again.
; “No, it’s not hard for me. Not anymore.” He paused a moment and then said, “I’ll see you tonight at seven. Enjoy your shopping and be safe on the roads.” He turned to leave, pausing at the counter to pay for their meal before walking out the café.
She went stock-still and was glad Ray hadn’t looked back. His words—enjoy your shopping and be safe on the roads—were what he would say every time she left home to go shopping.
“Are you okay, Ashley?”
She glanced up to find Sawyer standing by her table. “Yes, I’m okay.”
“You had me worried there for a minute. I saw the look on your face when Ray walked off. Is everything okay?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s just that his parting words were what he would often say when I’d tell him I was going shopping. Do you think that means anything?” she asked, not able to downplay the hopefulness in her voice.
“Not sure, but I’d like to believe all the time he spends with you means something. It definitely can’t hurt.”
She nodded again. “He asked me out tonight. To dinner.”
Sawyer smiled. “That’s good. Vashti and I are hoping things work out for you and Ray.”
“Thanks. I’m hoping that as well.”
* * *
RAY PULLED INTO Ashley’s yard and killed the engine to his truck. He glanced around the interior. At least he’d taken the time to clean it out earlier, but in a way he wished he had another vehicle for their date. And it was a date. He had finally accepted that. And it was one he was looking forward to. He had accepted that as well.
He knew there was a strong possibility he would never get his memory back, and after much soul-searching, he’d decided to move on with his life nonetheless. He didn’t know what type of life he’d lived before his accident but he did know what type of life he was living now, and it was one he was proud of.
And then there was Ashley.
She was the woman whose existence was the catalyst behind the decisions he’d made. He hadn’t known he’d been lonely, until her. He’d been able to control sexual needs, until her. And he’d thought he was perfectly satisfied with the way his life was going, until her. How Ashley had gotten under his skin, he still wasn’t sure. All he knew was she was there.
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