Bad Karma

by J. D. Faver

  If you only knew. “I don’t dislike you,” she said in a frosty tone. “I just didn’t appreciate your girlfriend trying to jump me in the restroom. Not cool.” She pushed away from him, sat up and drew her knees up to her chin.

  “Hey, she’s not my girlfriend. We dated some in high school, but that was a long time ago and she was a whole different girl.”

  Cassie glanced back at him. “Well, she still thinks she owns your ass.”

  Javi stroked his fingers through her hair and released it from the scrunchy. “No she doesn’t. Lita knows that we won’t ever be more than friends.” He continued to stroke her mane. “I like your hair.”

  She looked at him and smiled at his unguarded expression. She ran her hand over his close cropped hair. “I like yours too.”

  His grin widened. “I’m two for two.”

  “Why are you interested in me? We don’t seem to have a lot in common.”

  He hesitated a moment. “Baby, you knock me out every time I see you. It’s not just that you’re beautiful. It’s the way your smile jerks a knot in my gut. When we’re together, it’s like a big hand is squeezing my heart.”

  She smiled. “So, it’s purely physical?”

  “At first it was. Then I fell for your sassy mouth and your insane sense of humor.” He held a strand of her hair between his thumb and finger, examining it as though it was of great interest.

  Cassie turned over on her stomach with her legs crossed at the ankles. “Have you always lived here?”

  Javi rolled onto his back and stretched his arms over his head, then folded them behind his head. “I joined the Navy right after high school.”

  She grinned, picturing him in one of the cute, white sailor outfits.

  “And then I went into SEAL training. I was in the program for six years.”

  She tried to maintain a cool gaze and not let it register on her face how much he impressed her. “And then what?”

  “I came home and went to the fire academy.”

  “Fire and water, huh?”

  He turned onto his side and propped his head on one hand. “Exactly. I love being near the water and I have this big need to help people. Firefighters help people.”

  Cassie shook her head. “Awww, isn’t that noble? I’ll bet you thought that saying that would sweep me off my feet.”

  He grinned and ruffled her hair. “Brat! I was sharing an important insight with you.”

  “Right! Navy SEAL and fireman. You have this hero thing going on.”

  “I guess I should also tell you that I’m into R&R.”

  “Rock and roll?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, but I’m also a Rescue and Recovery diver.”

  “What does a Rescue and Recovery diver do?”

  “When someone goes into the water, we go out and look for them.”

  Cassie shuddered. “That sounds very dangerous.”

  He shrugged. “It can be, but I’m careful.”

  She cast a doubtful glance at him.

  “Really, I’m careful.” He took her hand and slid it under his tee-shirt. “What do you feel?”

  She swallowed, gazing into his eyes. The warm flesh beneath her hand was firm and hard. He ran her hand over his six-pack abs and onto his pecs.

  “These are working muscles. I didn’t take any drugs to get them. I have a big chest and strong muscles from swimming and diving and just plain work.” He leaned toward her. “Not a steroid junkie.”

  She nodded; tried to pull her hand away, but he held it firmly pressed to the warm muscled flesh over his heart. “Okay, I apologize for thinking you were on steroids.”

  “No problem. I’d be happy to let you check out the rest of my equipment.” He slid her hand down toward the waist of his shorts.

  She jerked her hand back like she’d been scalded. “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Cassie, Cassie.” He pulled her back into his arms. “Just relax and be with me for a while.” He rested his cheek against the top of her head as he held her against him. “Are you going to work today?”

  “Yes, I work Monday through Friday from ten-thirty to two-thirty.”

  “I work three days on and four days off.”

  “Three days a week? Is it a part-time job?”

  Javi laughed, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. “No, Cassie. When I say three days on, I’m talking about being on duty at the station for seventy-two hours straight. I’m there round-the-clock during my shift.”

  She took a deep breath. “So what do you want to do on our date?”

  His grin went wall-to-wall. “You’re going to go out with me?”

  She nodded. “If you behave yourself.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he said. “I promise to be on my best behavior.” He stroked his fingers through her hair.

  She drew a deep breath. “Me too.”

  ~*~

  Zach was awake.

  A slight breeze stirred the curtains. The morning sunlight slanted in through the open window, setting fire to Sky’s honey-colored hair. She slept with her face nestled on his shoulder, all her luscious female parts pressed against him.

  Her face had lost its haunted look. The fear that pursued her had been momentarily laid to rest.

  He felt contentment, a condition that had eluded him since he’d first laid eyes on Skyler Danforth.

  She’d roused something in him, some desire, some hunger that, until last night had remained unfed.

  Until last night.

  Now that he’d tasted her sweet passion, he intended to keep her.

  She was still afraid. Her boogey man lurked out there in the shadows, waiting to make another pass at her. But this time, Zach would be there to intervene. He couldn’t allow her to evaporate from his life.

  She stirred against him, curling and arching her body, sending sweet love notes to his libido.

  He stroked his hand over her tousled hair. “Hey, beautiful.”

  She opened her eyes, grinned and stretched. “Hey, yourself.”

  “Did you sleep well?”

  She nodded, rising up on one elbow. “Have you been awake long?”

  He shook his head. “Not long. Are you hungry? I make a mean omelet.”

  She shivered. “Just hold me for a little while longer.”

  A flood of emotion filled his chest. He reached for her, pulling her down onto him. “We can stay in bed all day.”

  She buried her face against his neck as he embraced her.

  He took a deep breath, fighting against saying the words in his heart. He had to know for sure that she wouldn’t run out on him before he told her he loved her.

  ~*~

  The muscles in Javier’s forearms flexed as he put the big truck in gear. “You live here?”

  Watching him made Cassie feel flushed and discomfited. She swallowed. “We’re renting.” She reached for the door handle.

  “Hold on. I’ll come around.” He turned off the ignition and got out. When he opened the passenger door, he reached for her with both arms, dark eyes devouring her. The ground looked far beneath her. Cassie leaned into his embrace, her arms around his shoulders.

  He pulled her tight against him, holding her suspended, his cheek pressed to hers. “I’ll see you tonight then?”

  She nodded. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Would you kiss me?”

  She laughed. “You’ve kissed me a dozen times.”

  His voice was low and intimate, close to her ear. “Yes, but I had to steal those kisses. I’d really love it if you’d give me a kiss of your own free will.”

  “I guess I can do that.” As she stared into his eyes, she experienced a dizzying sensation. She raised her chin.

  Javi’s gaze went from her eyes to her lips as he lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss filled her with raw desire. When he allowed her feet to touch the sand, he dropped another kiss on top of her head.

  He walked up the stairs with her and when she’d unlocked the door, he stood gazing down at her. His
fingers brushed the side of her face. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Tonight.” She watched him retreat down the stairs and drive away, his touch still tingling on her skin.

  “Cassie!” Sky called her from Zach’s deck. “Come over and eat breakfast.”

  Cassie sprinted to the neighboring deck, arriving breathless from her climb. “Did someone say breakfast?”

  “I’m making your omelet now,” Zach said.

  Sky was sitting on a deck chair with a plate in her lap. “Sit down and applaud the chef.”

  Cassie sat on the footstool, leaving the other deck chair for Zach.

  Zach quirked an eyebrow at her. “Was that Javier Rios I saw you with just now?”

  Cassie grinned at him. “I think you know that it was.”

  He chuckled. “You got me. How did you get mixed up with Javier? He’s a little old for you, isn’t he?”

  Sky gave her a look.

  A cold lump formed in Cassie’s stomach. “Is he a little old for me?”

  “He’s a year older than I am so that would make him twenty-nine. He was in the grade ahead of me in school.”

  “Don’t worry,” Cassie said. “It probably won’t come to anything. We don’t have anything in common.” She swallowed and tried to make her voice sound casual. “Is Javier some kind of local bad guy?”

  Zach flipped her omelet over the cheese and veggie filling. “Javier? No way! He’s kind of a local hero. Hell of a nice guy.” He handed her the plate and a fork.

  “So, other than the fact that Javi’s too old for me, there’s nothing else wrong with him?”

  Zach shook his head, a half-smile on his face. “No, he’s a good person. Why?”

  “I have a date with him tonight.”

  Sky sat up straight, placing both feet on the deck as though she was prepared to spring into action. “Cassie! You’re too young for him. He’s very nice looking, but he’s a man and you’re just a...”

  “A girl? Is that what you were going to say?” Cassie’s voice held a warning.

  “No, no. I didn’t mean that.”

  Cassie stood up and set the plate and fork on the footstool. “Let me remind you that it’s not my life that’s totally screwed up! When you were in trouble, I invited you to move in with me, remember?”

  Sky held up her hand. “I remember. I’m sorry. Cassie.”

  “I didn’t invite you to be my mother and run my life.” She stormed across the deck and down the stairs, running to the haven she had rented.

  When she’d locked the sliding glass door behind her, she was shaking. She ran into the bathroom and took a shower.

  Throwing on a pair of shorts and a pullover, she got ready for work. She took the Audi, knowing Zach could drop Sky at The Net if she needed the car before her return.

  Sybil greeted her when she sat down at the counter. “Aren’t you the little early bird?”

  She blew out a deep breath. “I want an omelet!”

  ~*~

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Adoration

  When Cassie got home from her shift at The Net, she found a note from her sister.

  Sky apologized for her earlier comments and said that she’d switched with another nurse on the graveyard shift and would Cassie pick her up at the hospital at seven the next morning.

  Cassie took a breath and tossed the note on the coffee table.

  After her outburst and her serving of omelet at The Net, she’d regretted lashing out at Sky, particularly in front of Zach. Sybil had noticed her black mood and enticed the whole story out of her.

  “Javier Rios? He’s a heart throb.”

  Cassie stabbed into her omelet. “Ain’t it the truth?”

  Sybil folded her arms across her chest. “There are a whole bunch of little Latinas who have tried to rope that big old hunk of man, honey. Don’t you go getting your heart broke, now. Y’hear?”

  “No problem. We have absolutely nothing in common.” Cassie shrugged. “Zach said something about Javier being a local hero. What was that all about?”

  Sybil set a glass of juice beside her plate. “Javier came back from the Gulf with a chest full of medals. He did some kind of underwater rescue. He seems to always be in the newspapers for saving someone’s life around here.”

  “Everybody loves a hero.” Cassie lifted the glass of juice and sat it back down, morosely making overlapping circles of dampness on her napkin.

  Sybil had patted her arm. “Just be careful.”

  Later, as Cassie was trying to decide what to wear for her date with the local hero/heartthrob with whom she had nothing in common, she realized that her own wardrobe was sadly lacking. He’d said they were going to a nice restaurant. She finally opened Sky’s closet and pawed through the rack.

  Cassie smiled and pulled a hanger out of the closet. It was a black sheath with tiny spaghetti straps. It was short and Sky had stilettos to match.

  “If Javi wants a woman, I’m gonna give him one.”

  An hour later, Cassie opened the door to Javier, reveling in the expression on his face.

  She stood taller in the stilettos, her legs bared in the short, fitted dress. She’d twisted her hair up and wore a pair of dangle earrings and a spritz of Sky’s expensive perfume in all the strategic places.

  Javi took a deep breath. “What are you trying to do to me?”

  She smiled innocently. “You don’t like this dress?”

  He stepped through the doorway. A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I really don’t want to take you out like that.”

  Cassie’s heart sank. “I can change.”

  “No, baby girl. You look so hot in that dress, I’m afraid I might have to kill any man who looks at you.” A slow grin spread across his face. “You never cease to amaze me.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  He nodded. “Trust me, it’s a good thing. Let’s go before I have to bite that little piece of cloth right off of you.”

  Cassie giggled and grabbed the tiny excuse for a purse that went with the shoes. She locked the door and turned to Javi. He lifted her in his arms, carrying her quickly down the stairs.

  She grasped the handle and opened the passenger door. Javi swung her up onto the seat. The little black dress slid up her thighs, accidentally giving him a glimpse of her black lace panties.

  He winced. “Oh, baby girl, you’re killing me!” He secured her seat belt and shot her a hungering gaze.

  She blushed, but was pleased that he found her attractive.

  Javi stepped onto the chrome side pipe and leaned in to press a quick kiss on her lips. He closed her door and came around to the driver’s side.

  Cassie grinned at him. “Where are you taking me?”

  “I’d like to take you back upstairs.” He expelled his breath. “But I’m taking you to a seafood restaurant. They have a little dance floor. I can put my arms around you, but there will be too many people around for me to rip that dress off.”

  Cassie grinned as he revved the motor. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

  His gaze scorched her, sending a rush of warmth to her female parts. “Baby, if I told you how I’m feeling right now, I really would scare you.” He flicked a little smile at her. “And I don’t want to do that.”

  At the restaurant, he helped her alight from the truck.

  He held her hand as they went inside, walking slow due to her shortened stride in the borrowed high heels.

  Heads turned when they walked in. The waiter took them to a reserved table by the window where they could gaze out on the moonlight reflecting on the water. They ordered fresh seafood. When the waiter offered the wine list, Javi asked him to come back for their drink order.

  “Among the many things I don’t know about you is what you like to drink.”

  She shrugged, giving him a shy smile. “I’m not old enough to have an alcoholic beverage and I don’t know much about them anyway. You can order something for me.”

  “Baby girl, you don’
t have to have an alcoholic drink.” Javi reached for her hand across the small table and drew it to his lips. He kissed her fingers, grazing them with his teeth and sending a little shiver skittering across her shoulders.