by S. J. McCoy
Kenzie had to catch her breath again when he came to a stop and she looked up at him. He was gorgeous! The moonlight shone on his face as he pulled her towards him. He was smiling down at her.
“So what did you want to show me?”
“What you're going to be missing.” As he spoke, he closed his arms around her, crushing her to his hard chest. His lips came down on hers as one hand slid down to clasp her ass and hold her against another hard part of him.
Kenzie's mind spun away as her hands came up to tangle in his hair. He was biting her lips, demanding entry. She bit back, nibbling his lower lip. He closed both hands around her ass while he walked her backward until he had her up against one of the concrete blocks that supported the deck. Caught between his hands and thrusting hips, she moaned. Chase took advantage of her parted lips and claimed her mouth, his tongue sliding inside exploring, demanding. She moved her hips with his as she kissed him back, grasping his ass, moving him in her time. She parted her legs a little, needing to feel his hard cock pressing into her. God she wanted him! She wanted him out of his jeans and inside her panties. Why the hell had she chickened out? His fingers were teasing her nipple through her dress, driving her crazy. She couldn't remember ever wanting a man like she wanted Chase right now.
Footsteps came thundering down the steps from the deck, laughter and voices brought her back to her senses. She broke away from him. At least she broke away from his lips. His arms tightened around her middle, his cock pressed deeper between her legs, making her hang on to his shoulders. The look in his eyes took her breath away when he spoke. “Come with me? We can't stop this now.”
If it weren't for the look in his eyes, she would have agreed with him. But his eyes were talking about a whole lot more than just the amazing sex they could be having. He looked confused, dazed, and desperate not to let go. Perhaps she could have ignored that. Her own desire might have been enough to override what she saw in his eyes—if it weren't for the fact that it mirrored what she felt. A kiss had never made her feel this mixed up before. She wanted to explore it, explore him, his mind as well as his body. But that was far too scary. She'd been right from the beginning. This man was dangerous!
“We have to stop this now!” She pushed him off her, a little disappointed that he made no attempt to pin her there and convince her. She started to walk away from him, back towards the steps up to the deck.
“Are you even going to tell me your name?”
She turned back and smiled at him. “Kenzie.”
He caught up with her and closed his arms around her waist. Again she was powerless to stop him. Truth be told, she didn't want him to stop. Seeming to sense that, he drew her closer with a smile.
“I like it. I never heard that name before.”
She smiled back. “That's because I'm one of a kind.”
He laughed. “I'm not going to argue with that, lover. But I am going to ask if I can hang out with you and your friends? I know them all, I'm sure they won't mind. So what do you say? Can I buy you a drink?”
Kenzie frowned. She'd expected him to back right off when he knew he wasn't going to get laid tonight. “You can if you want to, but I'm sure you could still catch up with that girl who wanted to take you home before I butted in.”
Chase studied her face for a moment then grinned. “I could catch up with her, or some version of her every night of the week if I wanted to. I've never met a one-of-a-kind Kenzie before, and I doubt I ever will again. So let me hang out?”
Kenzie nodded. Hanging out with this guy was probably more dangerous than sleeping with him! But she didn't want to say no. Most surprisingly, despite having told him he should, she hated the thought of him going after that blonde chick. Now there was a first!
Chapter Two
Chase pulled up in the square at the resort and smiled when he saw the guys setting up for the night. He hadn't been sure about spending the summer playing just one place when Ben had first asked him about it. The whole point of the band had been to keep moving—to live a life on the road with no ties. This had worked out well though. He and the guys had played here the whole summer and now they were staying through the winter. Ben had hired the guys on to do maintenance work and was letting them keep the cabin they'd been staying in. Chase had been getting tired of life on the road and he'd grown to love Summer Lake. He wasn't so sure about sharing a cabin with the guys for the whole winter though. Maybe Robin was right and he was getting old. He wanted his own space.
He had his own space lined up for tonight. Tonight he wasn't going to let Kenzie get away from him again. He'd hardly slept last night—and that wasn't just because of the noise coming from Robin's room. He couldn't get Kenzie out of his head. At first he'd thought it was just the obvious. Everything about her challenged a guy to get her into bed. He hated that he'd failed at that challenge. But there was something else about her, too—something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Yes, he wanted to bed her, but he also wanted to get to know her. The bigger challenge would be to get past the hard-as-nails exterior and get to know the woman underneath. He shook his head as he got out of his truck. As if! She was only here for the weekend. It'd take a hell of a lot longer than that to get past all the barriers she had in place. He didn't have that kind of time—and why the hell would he want to? Bed her then move on. She'd be gone soon enough and a fresh batch of tourists would be here next weekend. What was he thinking?
He made his way out to the restaurant deck where the guys were getting everything set up for later. They liked playing out here under the stars whenever the evenings were still warm enough.
“Hey,” shouted Robin. “You finally decided to join us then?”
Chase grinned. “Yeah. Sorry, I'm so late. I needed a hike. I know you guys don't appreciate nature, but I needed to spend some time in the hills.”
Eddie, the drummer, laughed. “No worries. I'd have come with you if you'd told me.” He jerked his head toward Robin. “This one sounded like he was thoroughly enjoying nature most of the day. Or at least doing what comes naturally with that redhead from last night.”
“Most of the day?” Chase raised an eyebrow.
Robin grinned at him. He looked exhausted but happy. “Yep. All night long. All day long. And she's just dying to get me back into bed later. The girl's a freak!”
“So no one's going to get any sleep again tonight?” Chase shook his head ruefully.
“You're just pissed because you struck out with Kenzie. You guys missed out big time, staying here to hang out with the locals. We could have all gone back to Blair's cabin with her friends. But it's okay. That little blonde is still hoping for another shot, you left her high and dry last night, Chase.”
Chase frowned at his old friend. “I did not strike out with Kenzie.”
Robin laughed. “No? From what Eddie said, you all hung out with her and her friends, drinking and talking, but you were home before two o'clock, and she wasn't with you!”
“Kenzie's a special case. She's worth taking a little time on.”
Robin laughed again. “Meaning you struck out and you're going to try again tonight? That's okay. I can't blame you. She is freaking hot! And she looks like she knows what she's doing. If you do manage to get that one between the sheets, I want to hear all about it!”
Chase was surprised at the anger that bubbled up inside him. It was just the usual banter. This was the way they lived. The way they joked around with each other. But hearing Robin talk about Kenzie like that made him see red. He pushed it down and managed to smile at his friend. “I told you, she's different.”
“I know! I'm just saying I want to hear how different afterward.”
Eddie threw a microphone stand to Robin, who just managed to catch it. “Hey! What was that for?”
“To make you get on with your job.” Eddie shot Chase a knowing look before turning back to Robin. “Just because you feel the need to broadcast every detail of your sex life, it doesn
't mean the rest of us do.”
Chase grinned at Eddie. He didn't tend to say too much, but he noticed everything. They'd been friends for years. Eddie always had his back.
Robin, on the other hand never seemed to notice anything but the obvious. He noticed beautiful women—and usually managed to get them into bed. He noticed where the party was most likely to happen—and how to keep it going. And he had noticed that Chase really had struck out with Kenzie last night.
Chase had been so sure that she would spend the night with him. It was a no-brainer. She'd given him major signals from the moment their eyes met. She'd even come and gotten rid of the little chick who'd been trying to get him to go home with her. But from the moment they'd started talking, Chase had known there was something very different going on between the two of them. He'd felt it the second he heard her voice behind him. He wants to come with me. Never a truer word had been spoken! He'd wanted to peel that dress off her and spend the whole night coming with her! But she'd backed off. He'd seen a panic in her eyes that had surprised him. He'd felt a panic of his own, when she'd said he could still go after the little blonde chick. Kenzie wanted him--that was clear. But she was prepared to watch him go home with someone else because she refused to go herself. That bothered him. He wanted her to care, he wanted her to hate the idea of him going with another woman. He was pretty sure that by the end of the night, she did care. He and the rest of the band had stayed out on the deck to hang with Kenzie and the girls. They'd had a good time. The girls were fun. Chase was glad now that he’d had the chance to get to know her a little instead of taking her straight to bed. But tonight? Tonight he was going to make up for lost time. He needed her to spend the night with him and he didn't intend to take no for an answer.
He straightened up as he saw her come into the bar. Even in jeans and a T-shirt the vibe she gave off was all bad girl. She was slender, maybe a little too skinny really, but that just emphasized her big, round breasts. Her waist was tiny, her hips narrow. Chase could feel the pressure mounting in his pants again at the thought of those hips pinned under his own, moving in time with him as he thrust deep and hard.
As if sensing his thoughts she looked over and smiled at him. Man, he hoped she wasn't going to try and back down again tonight. He didn't think he could take that. He smiled back, telling her with his gaze that tonight she wasn't going to get away from him so easily. The look she returned said she wasn't going to try. But then he'd thought that last night, too.
He made his way over to the bar where she stood with Megan, who was ordering drinks. He stood just behind Kenzie, putting a hand on the small of her back as he leaned over her shoulder to talk to the girl behind the bar. “Get me a Bud, Renée? And put it on my tab with whatever the ladies are having.”
He was pleasantly surprised when Kenzie leaned back into his hand. She looked over her shoulder, up into his eyes. Her smile landed like a punch to his stomach, knocking all the air out of his lungs.
“Thanks, Chase.”
Well, how about that? A genuine smile, a genuine thank you—and no doubt about it, a genuine desire in the hazel eyes smiling up at him!
“My pleasure. I was hoping you'd come in early. The least I can do is buy you a drink.”
She chuckled. Damn, she had a dirty laugh! “Promises, promises, Chase.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, not understanding.
She leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice. “Buying me a drink is the least you can do. I'm looking forward to finding out about the best you can do.”
Okay! So she was back on track. He deliberately crowded her body with his own as he reached past her for his beer. Holding her gaze, he straightened up, smiling slowly. “I'm looking forward to showing you, lover,” he breathed.
He enjoyed the way her eyes widened as he slid his hand down over her ass. He noticed the way her sister's eyes widened too, though. Megan blushed and looked away. Chase didn't want to embarrass her, she seemed like a little sweetheart. He smiled at her now. “Is it just the two of you tonight, Megan? Have you left that man of yours at home taking care of the kids?”
Megan smiled, her cheeks a little less pink. “No, everyone’s coming out later. We've been getting some sister time this weekend, but Kenzie needs to meet Michael. He's coming tonight and all the others are, too.”
“Glad to hear it.” Chase really was. If Megan's boyfriend was coming and the whole gang was going to be around, it should be easier for him to persuade Kenzie that she wouldn't be missed. He smiled at her. “Do you want to come outside while we get set up?”
Kenzie nodded then looked at Megan. “Do you want to?”
Megan looked uncomfortable, but she agreed. Chase had noticed last night that she was very different from her sister. She was quiet and shy, but she was a good sport. Chase liked her. He smiled at her reassuringly. “Thanks, Megan.”
She smiled back and led the way out to the deck.
~ ~ ~
Kenzie watched her sister walk in through the bar heading for the bathroom. She felt bad making Megan hang out with the band again, but she hadn't been able to resist the chance to spend a little more time with Chase. She still couldn't quite believe that she'd turned him down last night. It seemed he couldn't quite believe it either. It was obvious he was used to women falling at his feet—and into his bed. She was surprised he hadn’t gone after that girl last night. Instead, he'd come and had a drink and a good time with her and Megan's friends. He was fun to be around. When Megan had finally insisted it was time to go home before she fell asleep, Chase had made one last attempt to get Kenzie to stay out a while. She'd refused, but it had taken a huge effort of will to not go with him instead of her sister. She'd tossed and turned all night, wishing she had gone with him. She wasn't used to a man getting to her like this—and she wasn't used to the anticipation. She was more of an instant gratification kind of girl. When she wanted a guy, she acted on it. She wanted Chase more than she could remember wanting any man and the anticipation was driving her nuts. She was desperate now to make up for everything they hadn't done last night.
He came over to where she was standing and gave her that sexy smile that he knew she wasn't going to be able to resist. “You're not going to chicken out on me again, are you?”
Kenzie swallowed hard and shook her head. In some part of her mind alarm bells were sounding, just like they had last night. He was dangerous! But what the hell did that mean? What was dangerous about a hot guy who wanted in her panties? She knew how to handle those—she'd had enough practice. “Why would I do that?” she asked, her voice sounding a lot stronger than she felt.
“I'm still trying to figure out why you chickened out last night.”
“I told you. I'm here to spend time with Megan.”
“Yeah, but her guy is going to be here tonight and I bet she'll want to go home with him.”
Kenzie nodded. It seemed Michael, whom she had yet to officially meet, really was a good guy. She was starting to hope that what she'd seen of him when she first arrived had been the wrong impression. Once she confirmed that for herself, she'd be glad if Megan wanted to go spend the night with him.
Chase was smiling at her. “And you are spending the night with me.”
His smile was so sexy, so confident. He was every bit the player who knew he had tonight's conquest nailed—so to speak. But there was something else there too. Like last night, he looked a little puzzled. She had a feeling that whatever effect he was having on her, she was doing the same to him. He didn't know what to do with it any more than she did. But the lust, the need they both felt was strong enough for both of them to ignore the rest and just go after what they wanted. She smiled back at him. “I am spending the night with you, and you'd better make the most of it. I told you, I'm one-of-a-kind and this will be your one and only night with a girl like me.”
“If you're one-of-a-kind, then there are no other girls like you.”
“Exactly.” She
grinned at him.
He frowned. “So you're saying this is my one and only night with you?”
She was surprised at the way his face tightened, even more surprised at the way her stomach tightened. Surely to God neither of them were disappointed. He sang in a band. One-night stands were all guys like him wanted. And a one-night stand was certainly all she wanted! “Of course it is. I'm leaving tomorrow.”
“But your sister lives here. You'll come visit her again, won't you?”
She had to laugh at the look on his face. “Maybe someday, but by the time I come back here you'll be gone. And even if you are still here, you won't remember my name.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, making her heart race and her panties wet. “We'll see about that, Kenzie. I intend to spend tonight making damned sure you'll never forget my name.”
She already knew she never would! She tried to laugh it off. “Promises, promises, huh? You're giving yourself a lot to live up to.”
He surprised her, catching her hand and pulling her behind one of the huge speakers. He backed her against it, trapping her there with his body as he covered her mouth with his own. She was lost. Lost in the way he kissed her, the way his hips moved against hers, the way the heat of his body set her own on fire. He chased everything but the feel of him, the need for him out of her head. When he let her come up for air, he had that weird look in his eyes again. “I'll live up to it all, Kenzie.” He thrust his hard-on between her legs, smiling at the way she gasped and hung on to his arms. “You'll never forget my name.”
She felt a shiver run down her back. If she had any sense at all, she'd turn and run right now. But her need for him had knocked most of the sense out of her. What little she'd had left, he'd stolen with that kiss—and he knew it. She nodded mutely.
“Don't look so scared. It's a good thing. You're one-of-a-kind. Maybe what you and I have together is going to be a one-of-a-kind kind of thing?”