Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts Book 1)

by Tarina Deaton

  She created a small space between them. “Is everything alright?”

  “It’s taking everything in me not to drag you back inside, strip you naked, and bury my cock in you while you dig those sexy heels into my ass.”

  A small gasp escaped her parted lips and a flush bloomed high on her cheeks. “Do you, uh…” She licked her lips. “Want me to encourage or discourage those thoughts?” Her chest rose and fell with her quicker breath.

  He forced himself to say the right thing. He wasn’t going to fuck this up again. She’d asked for space; she was going to get it until she told him she didn’t need it anymore. No matter what their bodies wanted.

  “I need you to discourage me.”

  “Oh.” Her disappointment evident, she bit at the corner of her mouth. He was ready to take his words back, but she pulled away and leaned against her door. “Where are we going to dinner?”

  Her words sounded nonchalant, but her fingers clenched in her lap gave her away. He turned the key in the ignition, thankful one of them had the strength. “Catch 22.”

  “Wow. Really? How did you get reservations? I had to call four months in advance to take Gran there for her birthday.”

  “I called in a favor. The owner’s a buddy.”

  “Yay for favors.”

  He stole a peek at her cleavage. Then another. His fingers itched to trace the smattering of freckles on her delicate skin. He needed something mundane to take his mind off her body. Something innocuous. “How’d work go?”

  “Good. My assistant was able to reschedule all my appointments from yesterday.”

  “Shit.” He hadn’t even though about that. “I’m sorry.” He glanced at her as he pulled onto the highway toward Raleigh.

  “Don’t.” She rested her hand on his arm. “It’s not a big deal. It’s not the first time I’ve ever called in sick.”

  He grabbed her hand and laced his finger through hers. Raising it, he kissed her knuckles, earning a gentle smile. Resting their hands on the console, he held her hand until he was forced to downshift getting off the highway.

  Outside the restaurant, the valet took his key in exchange for a ticket, and Jase jogged around the front of the truck. “I got her.” He patted the second valet on the shoulder and edged him out of the way. Bree had both her feet in front of her, prepared to hop down. He set her gently on the ground and watched as she smoothed the back of her skirt.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  The decor was rustic. Rough hewn wood pillars broke up the large space, creating the illusion of smaller rooms. Low lighting and candles added to the sense of intimacy.

  “Welcome to Catch 22,” the hostess said.

  “Hi. I have a reservation.”

  “Jase!”

  He turned at the sound of his name. “Scott. Hey, man.” He released Bree’s hand to embrace his friend and exchange one-arm hugs. Releasing his hand, he pulled Bree close to his side.

  “Scott, this is Bree. Bree, Scott. Creator of the gourmet MRE.”

  Laughing, Scott said, “I haven’t cooked MREs in almost ten years. It’s nice to meet you, Bree.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Scott. I love your restaurant.”

  “You’ve been here before?”

  “A couple of times, for special occasions.”

  “You’re in for a treat,” Scott told them. “You’re my special guests tonight. Jenny, can you take them to the chef’s table?”

  Jase and Bree stepped to the side as the hostess joined them. “If you’d like to follow me?”

  Scott clapped Jase on the shoulder. “Enjoy your dinner. I’ll check on you in a few.”

  “Thanks, man.” Jase and Bree followed the hostess to a small table tucked behind the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

  “Wow, you really did call in a favor,” Bree whispered, laying the cloth napkin across her lap.

  “I wasn’t expecting this. I just asked him if he could fit us in.”

  The silver fork slid between Bree’s lips, and she closed her eyes and hummed. Her pink tongue darted out. She licked at the corner of her mouth, catching a tiny dot of sauce that had been left behind.

  Fuck, she was trying to kill him. He was pretty sure Scott was in on the plan. The last hour had been sheer torture. Scott spared nothing, going above and beyond by serving them a full chef’s tasting. They were on their seventh course. He hadn’t tasted any of it.

  “Oh my god. This is so good,” she moaned.

  The erotic images playing in his head had nothing to do with food.

  “I swear each plate is better than the one before.”

  Jase glanced at his nearly untouched food. He’d have to take her word for it.

  “How is it?” Scott asked from the side of their table.

  “This is probably the best meal I’ve ever had.” Bree licked her lips. “Everything is so delicious.”

  “Jase, everything good?”

  “Yup.” Fucker smirked at him.

  “For dessert, the pastry chef has created a stacked vanilla bean cake with lavender-infused white chocolate ganache and a rum buttercream frosting.”

  “Holy cow,” Bree said. “Yes, please.”

  Jase’s cock throbbed. He wasn’t going to survive.

  “Great, I’ll have that brought right out.” Scott grinned at him before going back into his domain.

  Jase jolted when Bree laid her hand on his thigh. Just a few inches higher, and her slender fingers would brush against his hard-on. Pure fucking torture.

  “You hardly ate anything.” Her fingers rubbed back and forth on the inside of his thigh.

  He clamped his hand over hers and threw his other arm around the back of her chair. Leaning close, he brushed his mouth against the soft skin under her ear. She tilted her head toward him and her breath blew gently across his cheek.

  He spoke low her ear. “I’ve been watching your mouth all night. Every time you took a bite, licked your lips, moaned around the food in your mouth, I imagined you doing that to my cock. Better than any porn I’ve ever watched. I’m so fucking hard right now I don’t think I’m going to be able to walk out of here without help.”

  Her breath rushed hard against his cheek and she shifted to meet his gaze. Dark-blue desire-heavy eyes met his.

  “Dessert.” Scott set the plate in front of them with a flourish.

  Bree tore her gaze away. “Can we get that to go?”

  Scott laughed. “Sure thing.”

  “And the check,” Jase said.

  “Nope. No check. My treat.”

  “Scott.”

  “Jase. I’m not taking your money.”

  Jase stood and helped Bree push back her chair. He held his hand out to Scott. “Thanks.” He pulled him in for a one-armed bro hug and slapped him on the back. “You’re an asshole. You know that, right?”

  Scott threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah. I know. Food is passion. Have Bree walk in front of you on the way out so you don’t scandalize my patrons.” He turned to Bree and took one of her hands between both of his. “It was great to meet you. Anytime you want to come back, give me a call.”

  “Thank you. It was all wonderful.”

  “Enjoy the rest of your evening.

  Jase’s hand on the small of her back burned through the thin material of her dress. He walked close to her side and slightly behind her. A pulse of desire coursed through her as his hand slid to her hip. It was all she could do to control her breathing while the valet went to get Jase’s truck. He ran his hand slowly, back and forth, from her hip to her back until she couldn’t take it anymore. She took a step to her left, just out of his reach.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I need you to stop touching me,” she said, facing him. It did nothing to cool her desire.

  “Why?” A crease appeared between his eyebrows.

  She spared a glance for the valet before glaring at Jase.

  He slipped his hands in his pockets and rocked bac
k on his heels, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face. Pure sex appeal. The perfect fit of his suit accentuated the width of his shoulders and trim waist. His pale lavender shirt and dark purple tie had been a surprise; she’d expected something more plain. She squeezed her thighs together as her eyes traveled down his body.

  “Why, Bree?” She could hear the amusement in his voice.

  He took a step forward. She matched it with a step back.

  “You know why, Jase.”

  “It’s only fair, you know. My zipper’s probably imprinted on my dick by now.”

  The valet made a choking sound and began coughing.

  Heat spread across her cheeks. “I can’t believe you said that.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows, never losing his grin. His truck pulled up before he could embarrass her further. He tipped the valet and opened her door, then thwarted her attempt to edge around him when he gripped her waist and boosted her into his truck.

  “I’m not taking any chances of you accidentally flashing anyone,” he said. He smoothed his hand up the outside of her calf, branding her skin. “Legs in.”

  She shifted her legs in front of her and settled in the seat. He closed her door and moved around to the driver’s side.

  She stared at the center console separating the passenger and driver’s seat. It wasn’t moveable, and there was no way she could lean over it without her ass sticking up in the air. Guess giving Jase head on the way home was a no-go.

  He climbed into the driver’s seat and graced her with a lascivious grin. She glanced at his lap and reconsidered hanging her ass out for the world to see. Think of something else.

  “I forgot to thank you for the flowers,” she said.

  His look turned quizzical as the truck turned out of the parking lot. “What flowers?”

  “The ones you sent earlier today.”

  “I didn’t send you flowers.” He still looked confused.

  “Oh.” She blinked a few times. If he didn’t send them, who did?

  “Was there a card?” He continued to dart glances at her while watching the road ahead of them.

  “Yes, but it was blank.” She shrugged. “I just figured they were from you.”

  “Who delivered them?”

  “Local florist. I think it’s the one on Main Street in town.”

  “Do you think it was Chad?

  “Probably not. I haven’t heard from him since you tossed him out.”

  He rubbed his bottom lip with two of his fingers. “I’ll give Tim a call. See if he can find out who sent the flowers.”

  Her eyebrows lifted and a corner of her mouth curled up. “Why don’t I call the florist first. See if they can tell me who sent them before you assume they’re from some nefarious person? For all I know, Gran sent them and didn’t think to sign the card.”

  “I guess that probably makes sense.” His smile was sheepish.

  “A tad.”

  He reached over and took her hand, kissing her knuckles like he had earlier. “Are you disappointed?”

  It was her turn to be confused. “About what?”

  “That I didn’t send them.”

  “A little bit.”

  He held her knuckles against his mouth for a moment before rubbing his lips against the back of her hand and settling their hands on the console. “I’m sorry I didn’t think about it.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “You were excited when you got them, weren’t you?”

  “Yeah. It’s nice to get flowers for no reason.”

  He released her hand to downshift as he pulled into her neighborhood. He was silent as he navigated to her house and eased into her drive. Setting the parking brake, he shut off the engine and faced her. His look was serious in the dim light of the cab.

  “I’ll find no reason to send you flowers.” His voice was heavy with promise.

  She ran her hand along his jaw, his trim beard tickling her palm. Pressing her lips to his, she accepted his promise. “Let’s go inside.”

  She waited for him to come around and open her door, happy when he took advantage of “helping” her down by pulling her close and sliding her down his front. He took her hand as they strolled up the walkway.

  “What time do you get off tomorrow?” he asked.

  “I should be home around five-thirty.”

  “I’d like to take you out again.” He stopped at the bottom of the porch. She stood on the first step, putting them eye-to-eye.

  “Okay.”

  “Wear jeans. Hiking boots, if you have them.” He took advantage of their equal height and pressed his mouth to hers.

  His lips were soft. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to his hard body. A hint of the wine they’d had with dinner still lingered on his tongue. The sweetness of his taste, combined the scent of the fresh soap on his skin, threatened to overwhelm her senses.

  She wanted this man. Wanted to wrap him around her. To feel safe. Cherished. His promise of “no reason” echoed in her mind and her heart ached from the possibilities stretching out before them.

  I promise, too.

  She led him up the steps, onto the porch. He took her keys from her and unlocked the door. Pushing it open, he waited for her to enter, but didn’t follow.

  “You aren’t coming in?”

  “No. Not tonight.” He stepped back and put his hands in his pockets.

  “What—? I— Why not?” What the hell? They’d been having foreplay for the last few hours and he wasn’t coming in?

  “Told myself, no matter what, I was going to this right. Romance you. Pick you up and drop you off.” He grinned. “Close your mouth, darlin’, before something flies in it.”

  She snapped her mouth shut and glared at him. Bastard didn’t lose his grin.

  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow before six.” He turned and jogged down the steps.

  She closed the door and tossed her purse on the foyer table. “What the hell just happened?” Polly walked toward her, tail wagging. Bree leaned down and rubbed Polly’s head between her hands. “What guy does that? Does Charlie do that? Of course not, he doesn’t have any balls.”

  Knock, knock, knock.

  She whirled and snatched open her door. “Oh, thank—”

  Jase’s mouth was open and hot. His tongue invaded, possessing her.

  Yes.

  She dug her hands into the material of his coat. He thrust a leg between hers and pulled her up his thigh. One hand dove under her skirt, his fingers digging into the fleshy part of her ass; the other spread across her lower back, holding her in place. She wrapped a leg around his hips, seeking closer contact.

  More. She wanted him naked. Wanted him pounding into her. Wanted—

  He pushed her away suddenly and she teetered on her heels. His eyes shone with lust. And determination.

  “I needed one more for the road.” He stepped back out the door and pulled it shut, never breaking eye contact until he had to. “Lock your door.” His voice reached her from the other side.

  She flipped the deadbolt with a low, frustrated scream. Hands on her hips, she glared at the offending barrier. The sound of his engine pulling out of her drive reached her and she looked at Polly.

  “What the fuck? You think if I cut off his balls, he’d still do that?”

  Polly’s doggy grin held no answers.

  Jase’s mood was very different than the previous night. He seemed almost somber. Reserved.

  What the hell happened?

  Doubt assailed her. Why did he want her to bring Polly and Charlie? Was he having second thoughts about “romancing” her? Was he having second thoughts about them? Did he suggest bringing the dogs because he was worried about her having a breakdown? Would he take her somewhere to break up with her? Her thoughts raced, keeping pace with the scenery flashing by.

  She had to get a grip; her emotions were running wild, making her imagine the worst-case scenario. Making her act like some silly school girl.

&nb
sp; He pulled her hand out of her lap and kissed her knuckles. It soothed her nerves. Would he always do that when they were in the car?

  “You’re quiet,” he said.

  “You’re quiet. What’s wrong?”

  He glanced at her. “I’m second guessing where I’m taking you.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He released her hand to shift gears. Easing to a stop at an intersection, he fiddled with the gearshift.

  “I want to introduce you to Tony.” His voice was low, threaded with hesitation.

  Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

  “Shit, Bree.” He set the brake. Grasping the back of her neck, he leaned over the console and rested his forehead against hers. “We don’t have to go. It was just a thought.”

  She shook her head and mirrored his gesture by grabbing the back of his neck. “It’s just stupid girl emotions.” She kissed him, wetting his mouth with her tears. “I’d like you to introduce me to Tony.”

  He pulled away and brushed his thumb over her eyebrow. “It doesn’t have to be tonight.”

  Her gaze was soft. “I don’t have anywhere else to be.”

  He released her, then the brake, and eased onto the road. She wiped a hand under her eyes. They rode in silence until he pulled onto a dirt road.

  “Where are we?”

  “The backside of my property.”

  They bumped down the road, the setting sun creating long shadows in the woods on either side of the road. Two deer, startled by the truck, bounded away into the thick underbrush, and Charlie chuffed in the backseat. Jase pulled off into a small clearing and shut off the engine. Orange light glimmered on a body of water a few yards ahead of where they stopped.

  She looked around as she got out of the truck and let the dogs out of the back. Birds sang high in the trees. A splash from the water could be heard from where they parked. She wouldn’t have guessed they were only a few miles away from town. Charlie and Polly trotted off, sniffing around their new surroundings.

  “It’s beautiful here,” she said. “Is that a lake?”

  “A big pond.” He rounded the bed of his truck, carrying a cooler and a blanket. “You can walk around the entire thing in about thirty minutes.” He tilted his head to the dogs. “Will they go far?”