Love is a Battlefield

by Vivian Arend

  It took forever to get a single word out. “Jack.”

  His lips twitched. “Pepper.”

  She was desperate to get some moisture back to her mouth, and his gaze finally slipped to her lips as she licked them, the heat in his dark brown eyes flashing like the first moment of flint against steel. “Jack…”

  “Pepper. Are you going to let me take a bite?” His words were a husky growl that made goose bumps rise.

  He was making her decide? Right now she had the brain capacity of a gnat. Good thing it seemed to be a rhetorical question because he rose to his feet, magically taking her with him. She clung to him, her legs instinctively closing around his body as her skirt rode up. He adjusted her, supporting her weight with one arm.

  The other arm moved higher until his strong fingers wrapped around the back of her neck. Her breasts were crushed against his powerful chest, their lips only inches apart.

  Her fingernails dug into his shoulders, although it was unlikely she could move him in any direction. Those beautiful eyes burned her with their intensity.

  She waited. Wanted.

  But like usual, Jack seemed determined to push her every last button. So close, and yet he refused to move, waiting until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “Are you going to—”

  He swallowed the words, his mouth moving over hers decisively. No room for escape, no retreat. Pepper responded enthusiastically, letting him take control because, oh God, the man could kiss. His lips were firm for just the right amount of time before demanding that she open to him, their tongues connecting briefly before she was no longer analyzing every move, but clutching him even harder to stop from floating away.

  His hand at the nape of her neck slid into her hair, knocking out the couple of pins she’d used to hold the loose knot in place. Her hair fell over his hand and her shoulders, suddenly cool against her heated skin.

  Jack turned on the spot, cradling her closer, and for one instant she had thoughts of him laying her on the cold granite bench and stripping her. Straight-out fucking her right there in the shadows not fifty feet from one of the premier restaurants in the city.

  The idea didn’t make her nearly as uncomfortable as it should have.

  But instead of readying her for a wild ride, he sat, rearranging her so her legs were together as her butt rested in his lap. The very solid evidence of his arousal was rock hard against her hip.

  The entire time he kept kissing her. As if to prove he hadn’t been exaggerating about being starving.

  Pepper twisted until she could run her hands over his shoulders to his back, wishing the material between them was gone. The evening might have started as a dud, but this was better than anything she could ever have hoped for.

  When they finally separated, neither of them was breathing very steadily. Jack slid his hand forward to cup her cheek, gently running his thumb over her swollen bottom lip. “I’d apologize, but I didn’t do a damn thing that I haven’t wanted to forever.”

  “If you apologized I’d have to hurt you,” Pepper whispered. What came next? That was pretty obvious as far as she was concerned. “Take me home.”

  Only the bastard did exactly what she asked.

  Ten minutes later, she stared up at her parents’ house in shocked dismay before turning back to him. “What kind of joke is this?”

  He had the wheel clenched hard enough to turn his knuckles white. “You didn’t think I was going to take you to my place, did you?”

  “Ummm, yes.”

  He took an enormous breath as if gathering his strength. “If I took you home, about five seconds after we got through the door you’d be naked. And about five seconds after that I’d have my cock in you.”

  A shiver shook her from top to bottom as images flooded her mind and heat pooled between her legs. “Good by me.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”

  “You’re not serious.” He couldn’t be serious. She peered at him closer, dismayed to discover he looked damn serious. “I have no problems going home with you and getting jiggy. And you just said you want that, too.”

  He groaned in frustration. “You have no idea.”

  “Then I don’t get it,” she complained. “Why?”

  “I need to talk to—”

  Pepper snapped up a hand. “If you dare say the words ‘I need to talk to Parker before I fuck you’ I will rip your spleen out.”

  “Trust me, I’m not doing it out of any misguided sense that he’s in any way in charge of you or your sex life.”

  Holy mother of pearl. He really was going to talk to Parker. “I can’t believe you’re going to do this. And I can’t believe you’re making us wait. And I can’t believe I just had my tongue down your throat, and you’re not hauling me home with you so you can fuck me blind.”

  The utter pain in Jack’s expression echoed her own. “The man saved my life more times than I can count. He’s walked beside me through hell, but none of that is why I’m going to talk to him before you and I get official.”

  If she were a flouncer she would’ve flounced by now. “Please explain the logic before I go insane.”

  “Because he’s a damn good shot, and he knows how many women I’ve been with before, and I don’t want him gunning for me because he thinks I’m just dicking around with you.”

  She wasn’t sure which part of that comment to respond to first. “How many women?”

  His serious expression broke, those lips curving into the familiar grin that had exasperated her and taunted her for so many years. “I’ve forgotten. There’s only one woman I want.”

  Good answer. “And you’re not just dicking around?”

  He shook his head.

  Sudden warmth rushed through her at his absolute attention. Fine. It was obvious she wasn’t going to be able to change his mind. “Then here’s my counteroffer. You talk to Parker, and I get to be in charge.”

  A snort of disbelief escaped him. “Right. Like that’s ever going to happen. Sorry, Candy Cane, but I’m not the type to jump if you start issuing orders.”

  Stubborn ass. He wasn’t lying, but then, she already knew ways to make him burn. “You expect to call all the shots? Like that’s ever going to happen,” she echoed his words. “Or, maybe in the bedroom. If you’re any good.”

  That intense heat was back in his eyes. Nuclear destruction in three, two, one…

  “Am I any good in the bedroom? I don’t know, Pepper. You tell me. Am I a decent kisser?” He paused, just long enough for her to remember the devastation his lips had caused. “Now imagine my mouth all over your body. On the curve of your neck, on your breasts. Dropping over the smooth slope of your belly until I’m between your legs, kissing you until you can’t breathe without gasping my name.”

  A whimper snuck out before she could stop it.

  He cupped her face again, stroking his thumb over her cheek. “Stop driving us both mad and get in the house. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

  Pepper didn’t tease for another kiss because she didn’t think she could take it, not without changing her mind and begging him to change his. She got out of the car and headed to the house.

  All the time intensely aware that Jack was watching her.

  Chapter Six

  Between the Wilson house and the stop sign at the end of the street, Jack almost pulled a screeching U-turn five times to hightail it back to Pepper. He’d never been more primed for sex, so hard his cock felt like it was going to explode. He was actually afraid to work the clutch with his foot because even the slightest friction might trigger a spontaneous orgasm.

  Holy hell, kissing Pepper had been sheer heaven. Her eager tongue dueling with his, her delicate fingers clutching his collar. He shuddered, trying valiantly to ignore the tingling at the tip of his cock. Sweet Jesus. He really was at risk of coming in his pants.

  But despite his aching groin, he still couldn’t stop the parade of wicked images that blasted through his head.
<
br />   Pepper naked.

  Pepper moaning.

  Pepper screaming his name after he’d made her come.

  Christ, she’d responded so eagerly to his kiss. Didn’t surprise him, either. Pepper always dived headfirst into any situation, and that attitude apparently included hot make-out sessions.

  He couldn’t wait to get her in bed.

  Couldn’t. Frickin’. Wait.

  But not until he spoke to Parker. There was no turning back—Jack would have her no matter what Parker said—but he respected his friend enough to give him the heads-up and a few reassurances.

  And seeing as how the only thing waiting for him at home was an empty bed, he figured he might as well get The Talk over with.

  Decision made, Jack sped out of the Wilsons’ residential neighborhood and headed for Parker and Lynn’s apartment in North Beach. Parker wouldn’t be thrilled with Jack showing up unannounced on a Friday night, but screw it. Jack was nothing if not impulsive, and when he set his mind on something, he didn’t like waiting around for things to happen. He made them happen.

  There wasn’t a single parking space on Parker’s street, so he was forced to park two blocks away, and the short jog to his friend’s apartment didn’t ease the discomfort in his body’s southern region. The humid night air slid over him like a seductive caress, reminding him of Pepper’s hot, sexy mouth moving over his.

  Once he’d punched the intercom button on the stoop of Parker’s building and waited for a response, he mentally recited the names of every American president in an attempt to rid himself of his massive erection. He’d just reached Ulysses S. Grant when the intercom finally crackled to life.

  “Who the hell is it?” Parker’s voice was thick with annoyance.

  Jack hit the button. “It’s me. Let me up.”

  “Jack? What the fuck, man? I’m busy.”

  “Five minutes, bro. I just need five minutes.”

  After an impossibly long silence, the front door buzzed loudly. Jack dashed through it and rode the elevator up to the fourth floor.

  When the door to Parker and Lynn’s apartment swung open, it was easy to figure out what Jack’s buddy had been “busy” doing. Bare-chested and scowling, Parker raked a hand through his mussed-up hair and cursed in disbelief.

  “This better be important,” he said in a warning tone.

  “It is.” Jack brushed past his friend, then halted when he poked his head in the living room and spotted Lynn.

  She looked equally rumpled, long dark hair tousled as she straightened the hem of her oversized T-shirt. Parker’s shirt, clearly. And it was inside out.

  “Hey, Jack.” She greeted him with a sheepish smile and a rosy blush on her cheeks.

  As usual, he got lost for a second in her mesmerizing eyes. They were the palest blue he’d ever seen, like the sun hitting ice deep inside a glacier. But there was nothing icy cold about the woman. Every time he saw her, he felt like patting his buddy on the back for a job well done. Plus, Lynn wasn’t only gorgeous. She was also smart and compassionate.

  And incredibly intuitive. She took one look at Jack’s face and headed for the doorway leading to the corridor. “I’ll give you boys some privacy so you can talk.”

  The second she was gone, Parker advanced on Jack like a predator stalking its prey.

  Or like a man who’d just been royally cock-blocked.

  “Seriously?” Parker demanded. “You show up on a Friday night without calling first? When you know that Fridays are reserved for Lynn—”

  “I like Pepper,” Jack blurted out.

  Followed by more silence.

  Then Parker narrowed his eyes. “Jack. I sincerely hope you’re talking about food. As in, you like pepper in your eggs, or on your steak, or maybe in a salad. I mean, I’ll still kick your ass for interrupting me just to talk about something that inane.” His face turned to stone. “But not as hard as I’d kick your ass if you’re talking about my sister.”

  Jack met his friend’s heated gaze. “You knew we’d have this talk eventually. We already started it the other day.” He sighed. “We’re finishing it now.”

  Parker’s stiff body language didn’t bode well for their impending discussion. He marched to the couch but didn’t lower his rigid frame onto it. Instead, he pointed at the cushions and snapped, “Sit.”

  Jack arched a brow. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “Sit the fuck down.”

  He decided to humor his friend. Flopping down on the plush cushions, he rested both hands on his thighs and loosely crossed his ankles. Parker stood in front of him. No, he loomed. Arms folded, jaw tight, mouth twisted. Like an overprotective father interrogating his daughter’s prom date. Only thing missing was the shotgun.

  Another sigh slipped out of Jack’s throat. “I swear to God, if you ask me what my intentions are, I’ll kick you.”

  “No need. I already know what your intentions are.” Parker’s frown deepened. “I’m not stupid enough to try to talk you out of it, either, because we both know what a stubborn son of a bitch you are.”

  Jack’s lips twitched.

  “And my sister’s a hundred times more mule-headed. Which means I won’t bother talking her out of it, either. You wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t on board, and I’m not in the mood to have Pepper rip my throat out.” Parker paused, shooting Jack that terrifying look he’d seen the guy direct at enemy soldiers. “I need to know two things. One—that this isn’t one of your love-’em-and-leave-’em hookups. You won’t be sneaking out the window the morning after you…” Parker blanched. “You know.”

  Talk about awkward.

  Jack shifted in discomfort, but when he spoke, his tone rang with assurance. “It’s not, and I won’t.”

  His friend nodded. “Two—tell me you won’t break her heart.”

  “I don’t plan on it,” Jack said quietly. “But I also can’t be certain where this will go. It might not lead to forever. But I promise, whatever happens, I won’t hurt her, at least not deliberately.”

  “Good.” Parker pursed his lips, then slanted his head. “Face, ribs, or balls?”

  Jack blinked. “Huh?”

  “Where would you like my fist to go if you don’t keep your promise?” Parker asked pleasantly.

  “Wait—what?” a feminine voice exclaimed.

  Lynn suddenly appeared in the doorway, clad in black yoga pants and a blue tank top, and displeasure flashed across her face as she caught the tail end of the conversation. She turned to her boyfriend in suspicion. “Why is your fist going anywhere near Jack?”

  Parker held up a hand. “One sec, sweetheart. We’re in the middle of something.” He glanced back at the couch. “Well?”

  Jack thought it over for a moment. “Face.”

  That earned him a nod from Parker, and a gasp from Lynn. “Jack, no. You have such a pretty face. You picked wrong.”

  He flashed her a grin. “Don’t worry. It won’t ever reach that point. I always keep my promises.”

  A knowing smile lifted her lips as she came up beside Parker. “So. You and Pepper, huh?”

  Parker swiveled his head to glower at her. “You knew?”

  “No. I just had a feeling.” She rolled her eyes at Jack. “You weren’t being very subtle at the barbecue, you know. Stomping around like a caveman, staring at her when you thought no one was looking.” Lynn clapped her hands in delight. “Oh gosh, this is so exciting. I’ve gotta tell Suz.”

  She dashed off before either man could respond, causing both of them to stare at the empty doorway. Parker’s expression became bemused. “Christ, women are weird. I swear, she calls Suz about the most trivial shit, and then they talk about it for a good hour, picking apart every last detail.”

  “Don’t try to make sense of it, P. You’ll break your brain.”

  Parker sighed. “I know, right?”

  Then again… Jack snickered. “Maybe it’s not just women. I seem to remember you and I having detailed conversations about the
stupidest shit, too.”

  His friend looked shocked. “Us? Never. We’re always about the important stuff.”

  “Like which brand of canned beans causes the least internal combustion?”

  That pulled a reluctant smile from Parker.

  Lynn wasn’t gone a minute before she barreled back into the room. Disappointment flashed on her face as she wandered over to the couch and plopped down next to Jack. “Suz is out. Hot date.” She sighed. “I guess I’ll just have to gossip with you, Jack.”

  In the center of the living room, Parker gawked at his girlfriend. “Um? Sweetheart?”

  She spared him a glance. “Don’t be rude, babe. We have a guest. Go get Jack a beer.”

  Parker’s jaw went even wider, all amusement Jack had teased from him gone. The death stare he sent Jack’s way was even scarier than the one he gave to soldiers. It was the one reserved for terrorists.

  Too bad Jack was as helpless as his buddy. Settling into a cross-legged position, Lynn had grabbed one of his hands and was firmly looking into his eyes. “Okay. Tell me everything. When did you realize you liked her?”

  A groan sounded from Parker’s vicinity. “Lynn, I love you to death, but there is no fucking way I’m going to stand around and listen to this. She’s my sister.”

  “No one asked you to stay,” his girlfriend said primly, before looking over expectantly. “Jack’s beer?”

  After a beat, Parker stomped out of the room in a damn good imitation of a five-year-old in the middle of a tantrum.

  Jack had to grin. Man, it was ridiculously fun seeing his best friend get ordered around by this sweet woman. Though a part of him did feel for Parker. His Friday night sexfest had been shot to hell, all thanks to Jack. On the other hand, Jack’s sexfest had been ruined thanks to Parker, so he supposed it was fitting.

  Parker returned a minute later and thrust a bottle of Bud at Jack. “I’ll be in the bedroom.” He gave Lynn a pointed look. “Alone.”

  She absently waved a hand. “I’ll be in eventually.” Her attention was wholly focused on Jack. “Now tell me everything.”

  Jack couldn’t help but shoot his friend a please-help-me look, which only got him a smug smirk in return. Parker shrugged as if to say, good luck arguing with that, and then he waltzed out of the room, leaving Jack at Lynn’s mercy.