SuddenHeat

by Denise A. Agnew

“His job isn’t any safer than yours and Jake’s?”

  “The Coast Guard can be very risky. But in his personal life he’s done rock climbing, bungee jumping. Stuff like that.”

  “Probably a good occupation for him then. The coast guard, I mean.”

  “Exactly.”

  She fiddled with her teacup before bringing it to her lips. “How old are you brothers?”

  “I’m thirty-five. Jake is thirty-one and Rick is twenty-nine.”

  “I’m thirty-two.” She supplied the information without hesitation.

  “Women hate to tell their ages.”

  “Not me.” She cleared her throat. “And you managed to leave out your faults.”

  The waiter stopped by with their food before he could speak. She took the next few moments digging into meatloaf and mashed potatoes while Matt ate his scrambled eggs, toast and bacon with enthusiasm.

  “Back to the subject,” she said. “Your faults.”

  He finished chewing before answering. “Most women seem scared as hell of me. Maybe I give off keep away vibes.”

  “Well…” She was surprised that he didn’t have women crawling all over him. “You did seem a bit frozen and maybe arrogant at the party.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Yeah? I didn’t mean to. I’m a little shy in social situations. People think I’m mad when I’m not. I get a little impatient with people who don’t use their brains and common sense.” His gaze returned to hers. “My shyness was painful when I was a kid and a teen. I didn’t have a real date until I was nineteen.”

  “No way. You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. It’s the truth. My stomach gets knotted up when there’s a woman I really like that I want to ask out.”

  She had to take a long drink of tea to swallow meatloaf. She took her time asking the next question. “Like me?”

  He flashed a cocky smile. “Yeah. Look, whatever our backgrounds are, there’s one thing you have to know right up front. I think there’s something between us.” He put his fork down and leaned forward, lowering that deep voice to a husky liquid sin. “It’s life or death that makes a man pay attention to what’s important. Before I went to war I didn’t have the appreciation I do now for getting things out in the open when it really matters. I’ve learned my lesson. There’s nothing I’d like more than to get to know you. I don’t want this to end here.”

  Taken aback by his honesty, she drew in a deep breath and tried to find her bearings. “Wow. That was honest.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  As he gazed into his eyes, she realized the sexual tension between them burned hot and true. More than that, she found his straightforward attitude comforting.

  “I like it,” she said. “You’re the first man I’ve met who hasn’t danced around what he wants to say when it comes to relationships.”

  She fiddled with the handle on her teacup, looking into the liquid for a long time before she dared raise her eyes to his. Inside his eyes she saw one thing that she knew instinctively on a gut level. If she let this go further, if she allowed everything primitive inside her to rip free, she’d find herself in bed with this man tonight.

  Matt leaned forward a bit. “Before I leave Arizona, I’d like to have a real date.”

  “And what would that entail?”

  He lifted one eyebrow. “Maybe dinner at a fine restaurant?”

  “You’re leaving the day after the wedding?”

  “Two days after the wedding.”

  “Let’s have dinner the night before you leave then.”

  “Awesome.”

  Matt’s eyes held secrets but instead of running from them, she wanted to know more. She would have to reveal everything before he’d give up those secrets.

  “Now,” he said before she could express her thoughts on his revelation. “There’s got to be more about you.”

  Hesitation entered the picture. “Tonight? You want to know it all tonight?”

  “Only if you want to tell it all tonight.”

  Matt’s expression stayed light. She found she did want to tell him more. And more.

  “My life’s been interesting,” she said. “I’m an only child. I told you about my father and my mother. My mother was born rich and she ticked off my grandparents when she married my dad, a cop. Mom insisted they have a luxury home but Dad rebelled. Said it didn’t make sense for a cop to have that much money. He hid our wealth but sometimes people still found out. Dad was…he was strong but he couldn’t take the experiences he had in the war. I think maybe he was a cop because he always thought he had to battle an enemy.”

  “He never told you what happened to him exactly in Vietnam?”

  “Never. And then he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, kicked out of the police department and Mom had him committed. She lives with her sister in Connecticut.”

  She didn’t need to say more, since she’d already mentioned that he died from cancer five years ago at Thanksgiving.

  Matt kept his curious gaze on her, and she couldn’t evade the sensation that he was looking for something.

  “Was Afghanistan rough?” she asked the question knowing the answer. “I mean…did anything happen to you there that could…” She shrugged.

  He nodded. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. You’re wondering if I’m going to wig on you because I have PTSD.” His mouth was grim.

  She winced, mortified. “Not exactly. But so many men coming back from that place are damaged. It’s horrible.”

  He sighed. “Yeah, it is. And I’ll be frank. I have nightmares sometimes. But I’ve gone through a program where I can connect and talk with other marines anytime I need to.” He paused for a moment, as if trying to decide something. “Right after I got to Afghanistan I was on a mission and one of my good friends got blown up by an IED.”

  “Oh God.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. It was damned tough. A man would have to be made of cold steel not to be affected. But I’m okay.”

  In those eyes she saw warmth and assurance. That didn’t mean that she knew enough about him to believe what he said. Not at all.

  “I’d never hurt you, Melanie.”

  Damn. The man read minds too. “I know.”

  And she did know that. That one little bit.

  Chapter Six

  Matt drove with caution through the increasing storm. She appreciated the prudence. Too many people barreled through the streets despite black ice. While she knew that anything could happen at any time, she kept the good thought they’d make the trip with ease. The SUV became a cocoon of safety. She shifted in the seat and slipped his jacket all the way to her chin and beyond. God, it smelled so good. Of leather, man and that certain something that was only Matt.

  “Cold?” His husky, deep voice rumbled.

  “No. I was just thinking how good this jacket smells.” Oh man. Had she said that out loud?

  “Hey, don’t get any ideas. I want that jacket back.” His voice held a teasing tone.

  “Mmm.” She added humor to her voice. “You might have to fight me for it.”

  He laughed, and she shivered deep inside with enjoyment. She loved his laugh and it did wonderful things to her libido. As she glanced at him across the console between them, a wild thought jumped her. What if they stopped, she climbed onto his lap and kissed him out of his mind. What would it feel like to experience another kiss with him? To see where this relationship could go?

  Relationship? How could she have anything with a man who would spend months in a danger zone? When she couldn’t be certain he’d come back in one piece, much less at all?

  Shallow, girl. Very shallow.

  She knew it, but that’s what she felt. She wasn’t proud of it. No one would blame her for not fostering a relationship with a marine.

  When they pulled up at her apartment complex, she could see him in the semidarkness created by a streetlight.

  He glanced around the area. “This i
s damn secluded back here. Where’s your apartment?”

  She pointed to the walkway leading to her apartment. “Six doors down that way.”

  He frowned. “Behind that clump of bushes and trees?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll walk you to your door.” Before she could refute the idea, he slipped a hand into the hair at the back of her neck. “And if you say no I’ll sit in this damned parking lot until you get inside and call me on my cell and tell me you’re all right.”

  Warmth flooded her belly. “You’re very protective.”

  When he spoke it was a husky, soft rumble. “It’s in my blood. Sue me.”

  Her pulse skipped and raced. “I doubt I’d win my case.” Honesty poured out of her. “As long as a man doesn’t think he can order me around or he’s a brutal s.o.b. who thinks women should stay barefoot and pregnant, I’m all for a little chivalry.”

  One corner of his mouth turned up and he grunted softly as he leaned in closer. “Hmm. I like that image…the bare feet. I tend to run around my house without any shoes on.”

  She quirked one eyebrow, liking the banter. With him it flowed easily. “Really?”

  His gaze traveled over her face, assessing and warm, and landed on her mouth. Her belly clenched as arousal rushed hot and thick through her veins.

  “Really.” His voice went deeper. She couldn’t miss the fire in his eyes, and the fact he found her attractive, that he wanted to protect her…it all combined into one potent bomb.

  She panicked a little. “That won’t be necessary.”

  He blinked. “What isn’t necessary?”

  She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry. “You kept me safe tonight in the mall. I’m not sure if I could have handled it without you.”

  He shook his head. “Stop selling yourself short. You would have been fine.”

  “Have you always been this certain about things?”

  His half laugh and the genuine amusement in his eyes said it all. “Hell no. You don’t know the half of it.” Then he frowned. “Hey, look. If you’re worried… I’m not trying to get invited into your apartment.” Lines formed between his brows. “Even if you invited me in, I’m not going to jump you or do anything you don’t want. You tell me to get the hell out, I’m out. I’d never assume anything.”

  Warmth flooded between her thighs and her lower belly tingled. Why did he have to say that? It called all her most primitive feminine needs and impulses. Being this close to him drove her insane. She craved and wanted with a fierceness that bit into her with sharp claws.

  She took a deep breath and the warmth of his hand behind her neck drove her mad. “You don’t play man-woman games do you? The kind most other people seem to?”

  He sighed and drew back a little. “Never have. And believe me a lot of women don’t appreciate that. They want me to play games with them. A mating dance I guess. If I want a woman she’s going to know it. And I appreciate a woman who doesn’t play games with me.”

  She placed one hand on his chest. “God, I’m sorry. I hope I wasn’t giving out wrong signals. I wasn’t worried that you’d hurt me or push anything on me I don’t want. I just find you so refreshing I don’t know what to do with you.” She smiled and reached up to cup his face. Stubble prickled her fingers and added to the hard-core attraction she felt for him. “You’re a very, very nice guy and I appreciate your honesty.”

  He leaned a bit closer. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  He shook his head. He caressed her cheek with a quick, soft brush of his fingers. “You have to know that I’m attracted to you.”

  She nodded. Licked her lips. “Yes.”

  “And I think you might be interested in me too.”

  Go for it. Just let him know.

  “Yes.”

  “Then I think we’d better say goodnight before I do something really stupid or say something stupid.”

  She smiled. “Okay. Walk me to my door.”

  When they reached her apartment door, she made a decision. She wanted him with her tonight. If today had taught her anything, it was that terrible things could happen. Unexpectedly. Without remorse or warning. What if she never had another chance to be with him? To make love with him?

  She unlocked the door and edged it open. The small lamp she’d left on in the living room gave a welcoming glow. She turned back to him and he was close. So very close. She touched his chest and that’s when she remembered she still had on his jacket. He swept the thought out of her mind as his gaze caught hers and held. Smoky hot, his eyes conveyed his attraction to her. She felt empowered and renewed after what they’d been through, as if layers of inhibition had disappeared bit-by-bit.

  He burrowed his hand into her hair at the back of her neck and leaned in to her. Their mouths touched, oh so achingly slow and delicious. His kiss molded her mouth with tenderness, and while she loved it, she wanted the heat she knew lived inside him. Every tender movement of his lips against hers tortured Melanie. Her fingers clenched at his sweater, bunching it in her hands. His tongue swept in, thrusting deep, and it ignited a firestorm. He groaned softly as she responded, meeting his tongue with her own. With an answering groan, she pulled away.

  “Come in,” she dared to say.

  She took his hand and led him into the apartment. She closed and locked the door.

  “Melanie.” His voice was a whisper.

  She almost thought he’d protest, that he didn’t feel what she did. “I don’t do this kind of thing. I’ve never dragged a man into my apartment and…”

  And what? Seduced him?

  “I know.” He took one step forward and she was in his arms again. “But if you don’t want this…if you want to stop—”

  She pressed her index fingers against his lips. “I don’t want to stop.”

  His plunged both hands into her hair, his big palms warm and gentle. “God, you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Flattery might get you everywhere this time.”

  He grinned. “Good.”

  She drew off his jacket and put it over a chair, then returned to him.

  She led him to the couch and with a playful push said, “Sit down, marine.”

  He sank to the couch with a smile. “Bossy. I like it.”

  She laughed softly, liking his sense of humor even at a moment like this.

  She balanced on the arm of the couch as she pulled off her shoes and made a bold move. She straddled him, thighs wide as she settled on his lap. A satisfied smile curved his mouth as he lifted his hips. A gasp escaped Melanie as the large bulge in his jeans pushed upward into the incredibly sensitive folds between her legs. Desire escalated as her body reacted fiercely to Matt’s potent masculinity.

  Before she could say anything, he kissed her. His mouth seduced with deep, drugging kisses that made her shake inside. She ached with a powerful need to possess him for one moment, to crawl inside Matt and understand him on the deepest level. If all she had was this one night, she would take it.

  Eagerness drove her to caress the width of his shoulders and the solid muscles in his arms. He was so warm, and every inch of his body gave her a sense of security. Their breaths meshed together as they kissed again and his palms slid over her waist and cupped low on her hips. She arched into his body, eager to know everything he could give her and all she could give him. He kissed across her cheekbone to her ear, his warm breath tickling and his tongue tasting the lobe. She gasped and writhed as he teased the side of her neck, pressing gentle kisses that sent wild shivers of pleasure over her skin. They kissed for a long time, each new kiss building higher and hotter than the last. He lifted his hips in subtle movements and she rode his erection until the fever threatened to explode. Eyes closed, she threw back her head and moaned with unrestrained abandon. It felt so good. So good.

  He reached for the hem of her sweater and pulled the garment over her head. He tossed the sweater to the other side of the couch. His hands w
ere reverent, moving over her skin with a delicacy that stimulated her to a fever pitch. She moaned softly in surrender as he kissed her collarbone. With a quick movement, he unfastened the front clasp on her bra. She stripped it off and tossed it away.

  He cupped her full breasts, his gaze smoldering with appreciation.

  He leaned in and kissed one nipple and she gasped and shivered at the slightly tickling sensation. “Matt.”

  His tongue smoothed over her nipple, tasted and licked while his fingers plucked gently at her other nipple. He moved between her breasts, treating each nipple to exquisite sensations as he suckled and caressed. He worked open her belt, button and zipper and loosened her pants over her hips. He drew her against his chest and into another kiss and his cock pressed hard through his jeans. He slid one hand into the back of her panties and caressed her butt. With a shift he eased her off his lap into a supine position over his lap. With a smooth, easy movement his fingers worked into her panties and found her hot and soaked.

  She gasped. “Matt.”

  He drew back slightly, his eyes glazed with passion.

  “This is too fast.” His voice was husky and raw, his breathing quick and hard.

  She clasped his face between her palms. Disappointment threatened to douse her arousal. “You want to stop?”

  “God, no. I want to savor you. Taste you everywhere. I don’t want it over too soon.”

  As much as she ached in her core, she understood how he felt. Soon they’d return to the real world of jobs and responsibilities. Why not take their time?

  “Yes.” Her word was simple but it said everything.

  He surprised her by lifting her in his arms. She gasped in surprise as she threw her arms around his neck.

  “Where’s your bedroom?” he asked.

  She pointed the way and he carried her to the room with a king-size bed. A night light glowed from the attached bathroom.

  When he sat her on her feet, she couldn’t wait to see more of him. She drew his sweater over his head and tossed it on a chair. Under the low light, his flesh looked bronzed. She hummed with approval as she drew her palms over the smattering of hair over his hard pecs and down over his washboard stomach. He sucked in a breath as she explored, his expression undeniably appreciative. Powerful arms completed his torso and she found herself stroking the softness of his skin over iron muscles. All this power under her touch stoked a fire she didn’t want to extinguish.