by Score, Lucy
James led the way through the crowd towards the lake.
“Excuse me, ladies. You look like you need mouth-to-mouth,” Ty, in a lifeguard tank top, red shorts, and yellow sunscreen painted nose, stepped up to plant a steamy kiss on Sophie.
“Ma’am, you’re looking like you could use some oxygen. Can I be of assistance?” A blond, muscle-bound guy, dressed like Ty and carrying a rescue buoy, sauntered up to Harper.
Ty stopped kissing Sophie long enough to punch him in the arm. “Nice try, Linc. This is Harper, Luke’s girlfriend. Harper, this is Lincoln Reed. He’s fire chief and Luke’s high school nemesis.”
“Girlfriend, huh? Nice to meet you, Harper.” Linc extended his large hand and Harper took it. He pulled her in a step closer. “Luke or no Luke, you let me know if you need assistance.”
Harper pulled her hand back and laughed. “Nice to meet you, too, Linc. But I’m breathing just fine. You guys look pretty impressive,” she said gesturing at their costumes.
“We take this event very seriously, which is why I’m going to have to insist that you do a shot before getting in the water,” Linc said, adopting a serious face.
“It’s purely a precautionary measure,” Ty agreed solemnly.
“We’d better do what the lifeguards say.” Sophie winked at Harper. “Lead the way, boys.”
Ty picked Sophie up and tossed her over his shoulder and started weaving his way through the crowd towards a makeshift plywood bar with a Remo’s banner hanging above it. “We need shots, stat, bartender!” Ty said, dropping Sophie on her feet in front of the bar.
Linc offered Harper his arm. “Better catch up, sunshine.”
Harper rolled her eyes and took his arm. “Lead the way.”
The bartender was Sheila from Remo’s. “Welcome to Remo’s Lakeside, ladies.” She plopped a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of tequila on the bar top. “What’ll it be?”
“Oh, tequila, my nasty friend,” Sophie sighed.
Harper decided on the whiskey, and Sheila poured the shots in plastic cups. “Okay, the rules are each participant gets two warm-up shots. No more. There will be no repeats of Puke Fest 2010. You can have them both now or one now and one later.”
“I’d save one for later, sunshine.” Linc leaned against the bar next to Harper. “You’ll need another to restart your heart from Arctic Hell. Or I could do it for you.” He flexed his pecs under his tank top.
Harper snorted. “Does that work on the ladies of Benevolence?”
“Like a charm. I’m thinking about extending my coverage area. Where are you from?”
“You’re ridiculous,” she laughed.
“I think you like ridiculous.” He nudged his plastic fluorescent sunglasses down his nose.
Actually, she had a thing for serious and broody. But a little harmless flirting with ridiculous sure didn’t hurt.
“Aren’t you gentlemen doing a shot with us?”
“Sorry, sunshine, we’re on duty. Gotta make sure no one drowns or gets a Charlie horse and needs carried out and massaged by the fire. How are your calves feeling? Any knots?”
Here was a gorgeous, red-blooded man standing in front of her flirting shamelessly and her pulse had yet to ratchet up a notch. But have Luke walk past her desk into his office without sparing her a glance, and she felt like she had a hammer in her chest. It wasn’t fair.
She shook her head. “Sorry, no knots here.”
“Bummer. I’m totally great at massage,” Linc leaned against the bar and flexed a bicep. Harper eyed the bulging muscle. Yep, not a flutter.
“A toast, Harp,” Sophie announced, grabbing her arm. “To your first Benevolence Not-So-Polar Plunge.”
“Cheers!”
They clunked plastic cups and knocked back their shots. Harper gasped at the warmth that spread through her chest.
James reappeared and clamped a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, I want to be at the front of the crowd so we can be first in, first out.”
Sophie gave Ty a smacking kiss on his cheek. “Keep everyone safe, Deputy Sexy.”
“You got it, babe,” he said, smacking her on the butt.
“Good luck, sunshine,” Linc said with a grin. “I’ll be nearby if you need any assistance.”
James grabbed them by the hand and led the way through the crowd to the sandy lakefront. A crackling bonfire was already going strong, with volunteers from the fire company unpacking massive quantities of s’mores fixings.
A Santa with a snorkel and flippers took his place next to Harper. He winked at her through his mask. “Get ready for some frigid fun,” he said around the snorkel mouthpiece.
“How cold is it?” Harper asked Sophie, reaching her foot towards the water.
“Trust me, you don’t want to do that. The key is to run in, turn around, and run back out as fast as you can. Don’t stop for anything, or you might actually need Lifeguard Hot Stuff to bring you back to life.”
“That cold, huh?”
Sophie’s reply was cut off by a shrill whistle. “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Forty-fifth Annual Benevolence Not-So-Polar Plunge,” Ty announced through a megaphone from his perch on a wooden lifeguard stand in front of the bar. “Linc and I are here to make sure none of you drown and/or freeze to death.”
The crowd cheered.
Linc raised his red buoy from the lifeguard stand by the fire. “Remember the rules,” he shouted. “Get in, get out, and don’t go under. Try not to trample your neighbors,” he shouted. “On your mark, get set, go!”
Linc and Ty blew their whistles and the crowd surged forward. Harper yelped as daggers of icy water stung her legs, but she kept moving. She rushed in up to her belly and shrieked. Sophie was next to her, flapping her arms. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Okay, out, out, out!”
They turned and dodged their way through incoming plungers and towards the sandy beach. They were almost out when Snorkel Santa on her left tripped over a flipper. She reached for him to hold him up, but they both went down and under.
The cold stole the breath from her body. Her muscles instantly froze, preventing her from reaching for the surface. She felt like an ice cube floating in a sea of frigid water. Strong hands grabbed her under the arms and yanked her up. Harper surfaced and swiped a frozen hand over her face. Snorkel Santa was back on his feet and hauling ass out of the water. Linc appeared at her side grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s move, sunshine, before your feet freeze to the lake bed.” He picked her up and carried her out of the water. Harper was too cold to be embarrassed and wrapped her arms around his neck, cuddling into the warmth of his upper body until he deposited her next to the fire.
Harper’s shivers started immediately. A blue-lipped Sophie appeared with a giant fluffy towel. “Oh my God, you went under,” she said, surveying Harper’s wet hair.
“S-s-snorkel Santa took me down,” Harper said through chattering teeth.
“She’ll be okay, just needs to warm up,” Linc announced. “All right, off with your sweater.”
Harper hugged her arms to her chest, squishing icy water out of the fabric. “What? No!”
“I’m not trying to get you naked. Yet,” Linc laughed. “You’re not going to warm up wearing it. So strip.” He pointed at the clothesline behind them that was already sagging under the weight of everyone else’s wet costumes.
Still not convinced, Harper shook her head until Linc took matters into his own hands and grabbed the hem of her sweater, yanking it over her head.
“Damn, sunshine. Someone kicked the crap out of you.” He turned her sideways and ran a hand down the fading bruises on her ribs and back.
“Hands off.” The order snapped like a whip and Harper rooted to the spot.
She didn’t need to turn around to know who said it.
Linc took his sweet time removing his hands from her skin. Harper took a guilty step back.
“Garrison,” Linc nodded. “Didn’t think you were here.”
“Obviously.” Luke pulled Harpe
r into his side. His heat had her cuddling closer. She shivered against him and he tightened his grip. “Now get lost, chief.”
Linc smirked. “I would, but I’m here to enforce the rules and unfortunately, you’re breaking one right now. Am I right, deputy?”
Ty, his arm slung around Sophie, stepped between them. “Unfortunately, Luke, he’s right. You know the rule.” He lifted the megaphone. “No spectators, only plungers,” he announced in Luke’s face.
Luke glared at his brother-in-law, but it was too late. James and Sophie grinned as the crowd took up the chant. “In the lake! In the lake!”
Luke looked like he was ready to punch Linc and Ty in the face.
He swore instead and released Harper. “Guess it’s better than a cold shower,” he muttered just loud enough for Harper to catch the words.
She pressed her frozen lips together to keep from laughing.
***
Luke toed off his work boots and the crowd cheered.
He dragged his t-shirt off and yanked it over Harper’s head to cover her up. Her tits looked like they were ready to pop out of the tiny white triangles of fabric. And if he was thinking these thoughts then so was that asshole Linc.
He unbuttoned his jeans and the ladies in the crowd went wild. Harper gaped at him while Sophie and James laughed like a pair of hyenas. He stripped down to his boxer briefs, thankful that he had worn a pair. Since Harper moved in, he spent more time trying to tame his hard cock than he had since the onset of puberty.
He yanked Harper to him by the front of his t-shirt and placed a hard kiss on her mouth. “He doesn’t touch you again,” he ordered, before stalking to the water.
They followed him, cheering and chanting as he marched to the water’s edge. He paused long enough to raise his middle finger over his shoulder before diving straight in.
The crowd cheered and Harper joined them. Luke strode out of the water, icy droplets streaking down his body. He came straight at her, and without slowing his pace boosted her up, locking her legs around his waist. “Order has been upheld!” Ty announced in the megaphone. “Now someone make me a s’more.”
Harper wrapped her arms around Luke’s neck and let him carry her to the crowded bar. He squeezed her ass under the t-shirt and his cock come to life against her. “How can you possibly get hard after being in water like that,” she whispered in his ear.
“Baby, it’s gonna take more than an icy lake for you to not make me hard.” He released her and let her slide down his body before turning her around to face the bar. It was the truth. He had tried the safety of distance, but it only made him want her more. He knew he was fucked. Ready or not, he couldn’t stop the reaction that was happening between them.
He signaled Sheila for two shots and pressed himself against Harper. She felt his erection against her and pressed back. He leaned over her until his lips met her ear.
“You’re going to have to get me a towel or else the entire town is going to see how hard you make me.” He skimmed a hand down over her breast, catching on her pebbled nipple. Harper shivered.
“Are you done avoiding me?” she whispered.
Sheila dropped two shots in front of them and winked at Harper before moving on to dole out more to the crowd.
“Baby if I thought there was the slightest possibility we could get away with it, I would put my dick in you right here and now.” He thrust his hips against her to make his point. “I almost talked myself into keeping my hands off you. And then I see you in that bikini with that asshole’s hands all over you.” His hand slid to her other breast.
“It didn’t mean anything, Luke,” Harper whispered.
“When I touch you, it’s going to mean something.” He squeezed her breast until he felt her nipple harden against his palm. “Now do your shot so I can take you home and untie every string on that bikini.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
By the time they made it home, a spring thunderstorm was brewing. Dark clouds rumbled in the heavens and a heavy rain hit, soaking them again from the truck to the house.
Luke shoved the door open and pulled Harper inside. She still wore his t-shirt, while he wore only jeans. The rest of their wet clothes were balled up in the plastic bag he carried.
She couldn’t stop staring at him on the way home. The muscles of his chest, the tattoos. She was minutes away from having free rein to touch every inch of him. Every hard, solid, sculpted inch of him would be hers to touch and taste.
His hand lingered on her hip, his touch scorching her through the thin cotton. “I’m going to go grab us some towels, okay?”
Harper nodded. Maybe a few seconds apart would help her regroup. She had never been this nervous or this excited about being with someone. This was probably a mistake. She made a lot of them. But she had never wanted to make a mistake this badly before.
If she didn’t calm the hell down, she would have a heart attack before he touched her. Water. That’s what she needed. A nice glass of cold water.
She hurried into the dark kitchen and filled a glass from the tap. Maybe Luke would want a beer. She opened the refrigerator and lost her train of thought when he entered the room.
The only illumination in the room came from the open fridge. Luke kicked it shut and prowled towards her.
Cornered against the L of the cabinets, Harper had nowhere to go. He caged her in, resting his hands on the countertop on either side of her. The rain pattered on the window over the sink. It was the only sound in the house.
He stepped in closer. An inch from her face. She could feel his breath on her hair, her heart pounding unevenly. It was going to happen. There was nothing she had ever wanted more. And that scared her.
The what-ifs flew out of her head as Luke raised his hands to her face. He gently pushed her hair back over her shoulders. He rested his fingertips on the back of her head. His thumbs gently traced her jaw line and lifted her face towards his.
“I don’t have a condom,” he whispered.
“I’m on the pill,” Harper said, shifting under his touch.
She was drowning in his hazel eyes. She saw need and want and something deeper, like pain, in them. It went straight to her heart. Harper parted her lips. It was an invitation to fill and be filled.
Gently, reverently, Luke lowered his mouth to hers.
Thunder boomed outside in the darkness and Harper felt it travel through her.
His lips were warm and soft as they moved against hers. She sighed and opened her mouth to him. He moved his hands to cup her face, changing the angle of the kiss. His tongue met hers and all gentleness was gone.
He swept into her mouth again and again until Harper lost her breath. Her hands dove into his hair, trying to pull him closer. Luke stroked his hands down to her thighs, and back up under the t-shirt to her hips. He lifted her effortlessly and she found herself perched on the edge of the countertop, shirt bunched around her hips. Luke pressed her legs open and stepped between them, never breaking contact with her mouth.
She hitched her legs over his hips and yanked him closer.
“What changed?” She whispered it against his mouth.
“Nothing.” His voice was gravel in the still of the kitchen. “I just want you more than I want to stay away from you.”
Harper felt the hard length of his shaft through his jeans. His tongue swept into her mouth again as his hands climbed up her sides and under the shirt. She felt herself quiver as his exploration paused under her breasts. She moaned again and moved her hips to rub his hard-on against the damp fabric of her bikini bottoms.
His rough palms slid up to cup both breasts and Harper drew in a shaky breath. She wanted more. Everything he could give her. Her breasts felt heavy with need. “Luke, please.” His thumbs brushed over her already-aching nipples, and Harper’s head fell back against the cabinet, breaking contact with his mouth.
He yanked the shirt up to her shoulders, then over her head. Their gazes held as he tugged on the tie around her neck. The strings
tumbled free, but the triangle cups held their position for a moment. The heaving of her breasts was enough to dislodge the fabric and as the cups peeled their way off of her skin, Harper heard something close to a growl rise from Luke’s throat. He was trying to be gentle, but she could feel the beast beneath ready to break free.
She wanted him free. Wanted him wild.
She braced herself on one arm and cupped her breast with the other hand. “Take it.” Still controlled, he lowered his head slowly, those eyes riveted on her face. She knew he was questioning her, knew how important control was to him.
“Take everything.” She squeezed him tighter with her thighs and leaned back to give him access.
Those soft, skilled lips closed over her nipple and Harper felt her breath leave. Delicate little muscles deep inside pulsed, demanding to be stroked. He groaned as he suckled her. Strong tugs that gave so much pleasure and a hint of pain. His hand moved to cup her other breast. She could feel his erection against her. He wanted her. He needed her. Harper reached down between them, to the waistband of his jeans. Using her heels she bucked and shoved his pants and underwear down his thighs, freeing his straining cock.
She grasped him firmly and he groaned against her breast. Eyes closed, he sucked her nipple harder, his tongue lashing it in a fierce rhythm. Harper felt her other breast yearn for his mouth.
She stroked him hard from base to tip and back again. He bit down on her abused nipple. A moan escaped her and Luke released her breast. Her nipple was rosy, red, and puckered. It strained towards his breath like a flower following the sun. He moved his mouth to her other peak and began the assault over.
His tongue began to lap, hardening her nipple instantly. Luke closed his mouth over her and sucked deeply. Feeding. She had never been touched like this before. Never felt so craved.