Burning for Love: Los Angeles Armstrongs 2 (The Armstrongs Book 8)

by Gray, Jessica

  A few minutes later, Carlos excused himself. “I need to get to work. Drake, can I drop you back off at the house?”

  “It’ll take you forever to drop me at your house, but if you could give me a ride to the city center? I need to run some errands.”

  “Uhm.” Carlos looked as if he’d bitten into a lemon. “City center at this time of day is crazy. I can help you with your errands maybe in the late afternoon.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll call a taxi,” Drake said, not really convinced himself.

  “I could take you around town when I’m done with work,” Roxie offered. “If you can wait for about an hour?”

  “I can’t accept that,” he said. Even though it was much more convenient for him to wait around for an hour, than to wait all day for Carlos, he didn’t want her to feel obliged, unless… this would be the perfect opportunity to spend more time with Roxie. “Unless you really don’t mind.”

  “I wouldn’t mind.” Roxie’s smile lit up the entire room and his heart pounded against his chest wall in anticipation.

  “Good, I’ll leave you in her capable hands.” Carlos grinned and waved goodbye before he exited the school building, leaving Drake and Roxie standing alone in the hallway.

  “I have to finish some paperwork in my classroom. You can wait in there,” she said with a shy smile.

  “Thanks. I’ll catch up on some emails while you do that.” Drake eyed the tiny chair-desk combos and grimaced. There was no way his tall frame would fit inside, so he opted to sit on top of the desk.

  Roxie sent him an amused glance, before she settled behind her desk to grade papers. Meanwhile Drake attempted to clear his inbox, but his mind, and his eyes, kept wandering to the black-haired beauty, who made his insides tighten into a knot of yearning.

  Drake admired the diligent focus she gave each student’s paper. She gnawed her bottom lip as she read, and he wanted to free that trapped lip and take it between his own. It looked so soft, so full and red. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on the scientific report he’d opened on his tablet. But today, he felt like a freshman trying to decipher advanced geophysical formulas. It blurred before his eyes as if it were written in Greek.

  Despite the distance of half a classroom, he could sense the tension simmering between them. For now, he was content to watch Roxie working and wait for his opportunity to make a move.

  Forty-five minutes later, she stacked the papers on the corner of her desk and grabbed her purse. “I’m all finished for the day. Ready to go?”

  “Sure.”

  Drake closed his iPad and pushed himself off the desk to join her at the door. He waited while she locked up and then escorted her from the building, placing his hand on the low curve of her back. Its new favorite place.

  Chapter 7

  Roxie was breathless when they arrived at her battered red Suzuki Vitara. Drake’s hand on the small of her back had done strange things to her body. At first, she’d enjoyed the warmth of his palm, but soon it had evolved to scorching heat and she’d wished he would take his hand away – and place it somewhere else, where the needy tingles and prickles drove her out of her skin.

  “Where are we headed to first?” she asked with a husky voice and hoped he hadn’t noticed.

  “Government offices in the center. You know where that is?” Drake answered with a voice that seemed equally as husky as hers.

  “Sure. Let’s go. We’ll park the car outside the center and walk the rest. It’s faster.”

  Drake insisted on opening the driver’s door for her and then slipped into the passenger seat. She’d bought the twenty-something-year old car third-hand after arriving in Ecuador. It was old, but still ran like clockwork and mastered even the biggest potholes with a flourish.

  “Thanks again for coming with me,” Drake said in an unbelievably sexy voice and she had difficulties concentration on the crazy traffic ahead.

  “It’s my pleasure,” she said. And it was. She hoped it would be just the start of the pleasure she’d receive at his hands.

  Near the center, she left the car in a guarded parking lot and then they weaved their way through the tiny colonial streets to the government offices. Drake’s hand had assumed its now-familiar place on the low of her back and with every step, her blood neared the boiling point.

  It took them less than half an hour to purchase the permits needed for climbing the volcanoes and taking samples.

  “Where now?” Roxie asked as they walked out onto the street.

  “The Geophysical Institute. I need to purchase a few maps and also a tilt meter.”

  “A what?” Roxie asked.

  “A tilt meter. I didn’t realize until this morning that I forgot to put mine back in my case.”

  “So what exactly does a tilt meter do?” Roxie inched closer to Drake, and sure enough, his hand settled on her back again. She wanted to lean into him. So close their breath would be nothing more than a whisper between them, but resisted.

  “It’s used to measure small changes in the Earth’s surface. It can pick up tiny movements long before a seismometer can measure the ground shifting. Some scientists use these types of meters for measuring glacial movement due to expansion and contraction during freezing and melting.”

  “So, how big is this piece of equipment?” Roxie asked, thinking about the trunk of her Suzuki.

  “It’s a portable instrument,” Drake said with a chuckle and gestured with his hands, “about this big. I’m hoping they have an extra battery pack as well.”

  “Only volcanologists use these tilt meters?” she asked as she navigated her way through the crowded streets. The Geophysical Institute was less than a mile from the government offices and they had decided to walk.

  “Oh, no, but we’re probably the main users. In fact, tilt meters were first used back in the 1960’s in Hawaii to measure volcanic activity. Even though they’d been designed in 1912, battery power had always been the limiting factor.”

  They arrived at the Geophysical Institute and went inside. Roxie translated Drake’s request to the receptionist and after being relayed to several employees they finally found someone who could speak English and knew what a tilt meter was.

  Funnily enough, that person apparently had heard of Drake Armstrong before and admired his work and it was no problem to rent a tilt meter.

  Roxie looked at the small device and asked, “How does that thing work?”

  “You’ve seen a level?”

  “The kind carpenter’s use?” she asked. When he nodded, she said, “Yes.”

  “Well, a tilt meter has a small vessel with an air bubble inside. There are electrodes on both ends that measure the bubble’s position inside the fluid. The fluid is a good conductor of electricity, so when there is less fluid touching the electrode, less voltage is detected. Those electric signals are converted into data.”

  “You explain things so well,” Roxie said with an admiring smile.

  “Thanks. And thanks for acting as my chauffeur, guide, and translator today.”

  “No problem, this has been fun.”

  Drake’s face was so near, she could smell his aftershave and see the stubble forming on his chiseled jawline. Her fingers itched to trace the edge… and maybe his oh so kissable lips. She stepped back resisting the train of her thoughts.

  Even though Charlene had convinced her, that a vacation fling wasn’t meant for eternity, Roxie still had her doubts. What if Drake wanted to trap her into a relationship? Just like the one she’d just left behind?

  “May I invite you for lunch?” His deep, throaty voice cut through her thoughts and she looked up into his amazing blue eyes. Her mind blanked. Will you just kiss me now!

  But he didn’t. An amused smile spread over his face and made him all the more adorable. “You’re not hungry?”

  “Me, why?” Roxie was thrown for a loop. His eyes still held her captive and she couldn’t remember what he’d asked her.

  “I asked you if you’d like to ha
ve lunch together,” Drake repeated, never stopping to pin her in place with his stare. Her skin heated beneath his hungry look and her body remembered the feeling of his hand on her back. Roxie’s mouth fell open and she ran her tongue across her teeth.

  “I…yes. Lunch. Sure.” She stammered like an idiot. How on earth did the man manage to turn every last one of her brain cells to mush?

  “Okay, then. Let’s go, before I have you for lunch, right here in the bright sunlight,” Drake said and turned to fall in step beside her.

  “Did you just say…what I think I heard?” she asked.

  A devastating grin and the rise of an eyebrow was the only answer she received. The tingling in her body intensified and images of Drake devouring her swamped her mind. Like a robot, her legs tried to match his steps, until he stopped in front of a nice looking house with a sign “Almuerzos”. Lunch.

  “What about this one?” he asked, bending down to her. He was much too near to form a coherent thought, but at least this time she remembered the question.

  “Oh yes. That looks nice.”

  They ordered the lunch of the day, a plate with chicken, rice, and fried plantains, called patacones. The waiter also brought a jug with fresh orange juice.

  “You always work only half days?” Drake asked.

  “For the rest of this semester, I do. I came in after the semester started, but one of the other exchange teachers is leaving during the summer. When school starts again, I’ll be taking over her classes as well.”

  “You mentioned last night that this is your first time outside the United States. ”

  “It is. I’ve done a bit of travelling inside the States, but never to a foreign country.”

  “Why not? The college years are the best time to travel and see the world,” Drake said.

  “Not for people like me. I would love to be more adventurous. Like the upcoming summer vacation, I want to travel and explore, but doing it all alone is daunting at best.” Roxie shook her head.

  Drake watched her for a moment, and she thought he’d say something, but he just shrugged and focused on his meal.

  “What’s wrong?” Roxie asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Then why did you look away? You think I’m a pathetic introvert?”

  His eyes widened. “Not at all. You’re very courageous. How many young women do you know would leave everything behind to live a year alone in a foreign country? It’s just…”

  “Just what?” Roxie had the feeling he was holding something back. He had the same look her students did when they were trying to hide something from her. She didn’t like it.

  Drake folded his hands and observed her for a long time before he asked, “You sure you’re up to some travel and exploration?”

  She nodded.

  “Then come with me this weekend.”

  All air left her chest as if she’d just had a meeting with a wrecking ball. “With you? Where? How?”

  “I’m planning to hike up the Pichincha to acclimate to cold weather and altitude this weekend and don’t have a climbing buddy yet.” The tension left his face as he started to explain his plans for a weekend trip.

  Roxie couldn’t believe her ears, but after several minutes of detailed explanations, it became clear he was serious about his offer. Drake and me, alone, in the wilderness. Her pulse ratcheted up and she was so consumed with that thought, she didn’t notice he’d stopped talking.

  “Roxie? Are you listening?”

  “Yes, and yes. I’d love to. It sounds so exciting.”

  “It’s a short climb four hours at most, but we’ll need to stay overnight. There are shelters on the mountain, but you’ll need camping gear. Have you camped before?” Drake smiled and he seemed pleased to have found company for the upcoming hike. She wondered if it was more than company being offered.

  “No, but I’m a quick study. What kind of stuff do I need to bring?”

  They discussed the trip a little further, until Roxie noticed they were the last two patrons in the restaurant. “I think they want to clear our table.”

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  Drake escorted her from the building, and she shivered as they stepped outside into the much cooler air. In the midday heat, boosted by Drakes presence, she’d forgotten her jacket in the car and now goosebumps spread on her bare arms.

  Drake must have noticed her shudder, because he slipped off his vest and slid it over her shoulders with a grin.

  “Here, take this. It’s getting to be a habit.”

  “Thanks.”

  Roxie didn’t put up any struggle and pulled the vest close around her, smelling his unique scent. Musky and with a woodsy undertone that set her pulse to racing. And a moment later she leaned into the arm Drake wrapped around her shoulders.

  They walked that way until they reached the parking lot with her car. The feel of his arm around her was so delicious she could have happily stayed there forever. But then reality reared its ugly head, reminding her how impossible any sort of relationship between the two of them was. She was only in Ecuador for another nine months, and he was only visiting for the short-term.

  Anyways, she wasn’t ready to commit. She was much too young to settle down, and something about Drake told her he was the marrying kind. Roxie wanted to explore the world and have some fun before she found Mr. Right and settled down to a boring, stable life once again.

  That was why she’d come to Ecuador. To push her boundaries. To take the first scary step on the road to discover herself and have a good time. The voice in her head tried to resonate, but the way her body responded to Drake’s nearness made all attempt at logical thought futile.

  This was when she remembered Charlene’s advice from the night before. Yes, she could have fun, a little fling, keep things light and easy, and walk away at the end of Drake’s working vacation having enjoyed life a bit more and none the worse for the wear.

  “Here we are,” she said and unlocked the car.

  Chapter 8

  Drake wanted so badly to lean down and kiss her. He’d been fantasizing about her luscious lips on his since the moment he’d first seen her, but now he hesitated. He was still baffled by his bold move to invite her for the weekend hike. And more baffled by her enthusiastic acceptance. Or maybe not.

  But he was worried that a kiss might complicate matters. They’d spend the night up there in a primitive shelter where everyone slept side by side on a wooden rack, only separated from each other by their sleeping bags. He had to keep his hands off of her under all circumstances and he didn’t know if he’d be able to if he kissed her now.

  Roxie drove him home, pulling up in front of Carlos’s house. “Thanks for letting me tag along.”

  “What? You drove me around all afternoon. I should be thanking you,” Drake answered with a grin.

  “Well, thanks for allowing me to drive you around then. This was the most interesting afternoon I’ve had since I’ve been in country.”

  Drake opened his door, but before he could get out, he shook his head and shut the door again. “Why don’t you drive to your house and I’ll just take a taxi back here?”

  Roxie blinked at him and cocked her head to the side. “Why would I do that? You’re already here.”

  “Look, I’m used to seeing women home, not the other way around. It doesn’t feel right getting out here, knowing you’ll drive across the city in this horrid traffic all alone. And it’s starting to get dark.”

  “Drake, thank you for the chivalrous thought, but I promise I can see myself home safely.” When he didn’t look convinced, she grinned. “Thanks for worrying about me. I promise I’ll be fine.”

  He opened the door again and slid out, but turned around to give her another concerned glance. “Are you sure you don’t want me to see you home? Getting a taxi back here is no problem.”

  “I’m sure. I’ll see you this weekend.”

  “Alright then. Thanks for playing chauffeur today.” He watched
her drive away and then entered the house to find Carlos and Anita in the dining room. “Hello. How was your day?”

  “Stressful. And yours? Did you get all of your errands done?” Carlos asked with a wink.

  “Yes.” Drake nodded and held up the tilt meter. “Since I forgot my meter, I even found one to rent.”

  “We’re headed up to the terrace for a glass of wine. Would you like to join us?” Anita asked him.

  “Sure. Let me stick this with the rest of my gear and I’ll be right up.”

  Drake put the meter in the guest bedroom and then climbed the stairs to the rooftop terrace. It was just before nightfall, and the sliver of daylight visible at the horizon cast a serene glow over the city spread out beneath the looming mountain.

  “You look like you had an enjoyable day, my friend. Roxie is very beautiful,” Carlos commented as Drake took the glass of wine Anita held out to him.

  “She’s a nice person,” Drake answered, choosing to ignore the part about her beauty. But his body…that was another story. That traitorous vessel couldn’t ignore it for even one second.

  Carlos scoffed and looked at his wife. “A nice person? Drake’s very cautious with his words because how I see it he’s already head over heels for the little teacher.”

  Anita saw the discomfort in Drake’s eyes and slapped her husband lightly on the shoulder. “Oh, leave the poor man alone. I think Roxie is a wonderful woman and Drake would be silly not to appreciate spending time with her.”

  “I’m sure he’s found much to appreciate about her.” Carlos laughed and sipped his wine.

  Drake shook his head and preferred not to answer.

  “You sure you want to do the Pichincha climb on your own?” Anita asked after a while.

  “I won’t be alone.” The minute the words left his mouth, Drake knew he was in for some severe teasing.

  “Oh? Who’s going with you?” Carlos asked, curiosity in his gaze.

  Drake swallowed and then bit the bullet. “Roxie.” For a moment stunned silence occupied the roof terrace, then Carlos started laughing.