“If I move to Redwood Valley, I’ll only be three hours from Reno.”
“Does that mean you’ll come visit me?”
“If you want.”
“You’ll only be an hour from my shop.” She couldn’t believe she brought up the shop again when she was supposed to be escaping her life for a few stolen moments.
“Sounds even better. I like Granite Lake. It’s a great location. Off the beaten path, but not remote. And the lake is a bonus.”
“The shop isn’t wonderful.”
“If you’re there, then I’ll love it.”
“Is that so?”
Bodie turned to face her, raised a hand and brushed his thumb along her cheek. “Yeah. I meant it when I said I missed you. Being away from you was the worst part of training.” He stepped in close, his chest a half inch from hers.
Heart skipping, nipples hardening against her satin bra in response to his proximity, she said, “Christmas was a tease. How could you do that to me?”
The side of his mouth rose in a half smile that said everything and nothing. It made him look like he held a tantalizing secret. “How could you do that to me?” he asked back.
Before she answered with another sarcastic remark, his mouth found hers and the kiss she dreamt of for four months became reality. Fire and sweetness coursed through her as nerve endings sizzled. Her mouth opened to him and he accepted the invitation. Bodie’s tongue plunged in and swirled with hers, teasing and delectable. He nibbled her lower lip, kissed the throbbing heartbeat below her earlobe, and sucked gently on the side of her neck. She whimpered, letting her suppressed need of him have a voice. Bodie answered her with his own tiny groan and a rush of arousal pooled between her legs. Her hands roved over his back and kept going until she palmed the curve of his muscular backside.
“You’re not the only one who remembers Christmas, Treasure Hope.” His voice sounded rough, as if his inner beast tried to break loose.
They stumbled backward until the side of the gazebo stopped them. He wedged a leg between hers, separating her thighs. Bodie pressed upward until his muscular leg rubbed her mound. His hands traveled up and down her sides, caressing and stroking. She wanted him to capture her breast with his powerful hand. His intuitiveness fulfilled her every desire. It had been the same way the first time they kissed in December. His body answered hers without being asked. Bodie ran his fingers along the side of her chest and a moan of pleasure bubbled past her lips. His thumb brushed her nipple and her belly clenched tight. An aching need for him drove her to rub her mound against his thigh.
This was the best torturous pleasure she’d ever experienced. The agony of need battled against her self-control. Dangerous and wild urges rushed through her system. Treasure wanted him right there in the park and nothing else mattered. Months of dreaming about their reunion needed to be expressed. She released his scrumptious rear and one hand snaked up his shirt while the other one explored the front.
“You are a fucking dangerous woman.”
“Tell me about it,” she agreed.
“We should slow down,” he said, but his actions contradicted his words as he sucked on her neck and massaged her breast without hesitating.
“Give me a condom right now,” she demanded and started unbuttoning his pants.
She heard, or maybe sensed his laugh, subtle and under the radar.
“Didn’t you learn anything from the last time? I don’t carry them with me. I don’t do this kind of thing.”
“Except when I’m around,” she clarified.
Bodie’s rock-hard chest purred with subtle humor, making her squirm against the thigh still pressed hard between her legs.
“I stopped carrying them, too,” she admitted. “Fuck me,” she said under her breath, cursing herself. Then she realized the double entendre — and she liked it.
Was she willing to risk letting him have her in the park without protection just to satisfy the primal urges? She had an IUD, so she knew she wouldn’t get pregnant. At this point, her recklessness ruled her better judgment. She unzipped Bodie’s jeans and took him in her hand. He thrust his hips backward effectively removing her grip. He didn’t go far, and kept her pinned between his arms against the wall of the gazebo.
“I don’t care about the condom. Pull out before you come.”
“Why are you always tempting me?”
“Why are you the male version of a cock tease?” She wanted to pout after he pulled away from her hand.
“Hmph-hmm.” He cleared his throat, a heavy male sound that was somewhat a grunt and somewhat offended.
He leaned into her again. His fly remained open, but he wouldn’t let Treasure’s hand return to his member. His mouth crushed hers as he reclaimed her with the intensity of a starved sex addict.
Bodie’s hands ran down the smooth plane of her midriff and went straight to her belt. The buckle undone, he worked on unfastening the top button of her jeans next. She realized he wasn’t turning her down, he wanted to play this his way. He’d made her succumb to him before and she hadn’t been disappointed by the outcome. Bodie liked to give pleasure before receiving it.
Their tongues met as his fingers found their way past her panties. He used his knee to coax her legs farther apart, giving his fingers room to maneuver.
At first, he teased. Stroking her sensitive nub and then pressing with the pad of his finger in small circles. He kept giving until she wanted to scream. She broke their kiss as her head fell back, eyes closed and biting down to keep from crying out — she must have him inside her right this second.
As always, he seemed to interpret her needs and slipped a finger into her sweet spot. He dipped in and pulled out. Another finger joined the first and played a rhythm that fed Treasure’s hungry desire.
Bodie caught the sensitive skin on the side of her neck between his teeth. He bit lightly and applied pressure by sucking and teasing with his skillful lips. His body pressed against hers as he rode the waves with her and his steady pulsing fingers. It was as if he were everywhere, covering all parts of her body with his. His free hand roamed up her shirt and pushed her bra aside. Then he dipped his mouth to her exposed breast and transferred his lips to her nipple.
Treasure’s body shivered and then quaked. Her release came fully and with a whimper she couldn’t hold back. She fell limp against the gazebo. Bodie lingered for one last second on her breast. His firm but soft lips found her mouth and he took another taste of her. She loved kissing him even more than what he just gave her. The combination of full lips with strength and proficiency melted her insides. The man knew how to kiss. They were both breathing hard when he pulled back and rested his forehead against the curve of her neck. She reached for his open fly again.
“Treasure, you’re going to be the death of me.”
“Promise?”
She felt him smile against her skin.
“You should buy some condoms,” she suggested as she slid her hand into his pants.
“Maybe you’re right, but then we wouldn’t be standing here doing this.”
She stroked him and a low male sound moved through him from somewhere deep in his chest.
“You’d rather have my hand than, let’s say, other wetter parts of my body?”
“Jesus God, you know how to bring me to my knees with only your words.” He squirmed slightly when she found a softer part of his anatomy.
“I thought I was using more than my words.” She squeezed and pulled just enough to illicit another groan from Bodie’s throat. The sound titillated her and she continued using words and her palm to bring him closer to what he’d given her. “I can come down to my knees if that’s what you want,” she said and ran her other hand up his chest.
He growled as a response. Heat flushed her face and raced down through her core straight to her wet sex.
“Bodie, will you come see me later tonight when you’re free?” she asked.
His back stiffened ever so slightly. Before he could answer, they h
eard voices in the park. They froze, listening to the night and the people headed their way. Out of her hand and zipping up in the next second, Bodie spun around and placed his back to her. “Fix your clothes.”
She already was. A group of what sounded like teenagers rounded the side of the gazebo. Bodie took her hand and pulled her out of the shadows toward the street and restaurants.
“Excuse us,” he said as they skirted past the chattering group.
One of the teenagers jumped and gave a startled little yelp of surprise when they appeared suddenly. Treasure held in a laugh as they hustled across the lawn. She thought she sensed Bodie’s mirth. Determination mixed with desire sparkled in his eyes, but she saw the smidgeon of humor on his exquisite lips.
They stepped onto the sidewalk and turned for the brewery. With his pickup truck parked on the street near Peak 10, Treasure thought they would climb in and drive to any convenience store and buy the much needed prophylactic so they could finish what they started. A woman stood in front of Bodie’s truck.
As they approached, Bodie dropped Treasure’s hand. “Mom? I thought we were meeting up the street at Antonia’s.”
The middle-aged woman spun around on her wedged sandals. “Well, now. There you are,” she said as if she’d been expecting him.
“Treasure, this is my mom, Carolyn. Mom this is Treasure. I told you about her. Treasure is my EMS partner from Reno.”
Carolyn Everett glanced from her son’s face to Treasure’s. Then her eyes traveled down the length of Treasure and back up again. Her disdain so obvious she could have shouted her disapproval. She turned her focus back to Bodie.
“What in the world are you doing out here?” She completely ignored Treasure.
Bodie took Treasure’s hand in his again, reassuring her she meant something to him even if his mother was a raging — she wouldn’t let negative thoughts about Bodie’s mother surface even if it were true.
The scene flipped from uncomfortable to unbearable in the wink of an eye as Treasure heard another recognizable voice.
“Hey, look who decided to show up. I was looking for you inside.”
Bodie dropped her hand again and they turned to see his ex-fiancé, Vanessa, glide over from the entrance to Peak 10. He ran the fingers he’d just had wrapped around hers through his hair while wearing a guilty look on his face.
“I noticed your truck parked here, so we decided to check the brewery before going to the restaurant,” Carolyn said. “I had a feeling you might be drinking beer instead of sipping red wine with us at Antonia’s.”
“You’re late.” Vanessa glanced at the gold watch on her delicate wrist. “That’s so unlike you,” she accused. “What were you doing?” She gave them a doe-eyed, innocent look that didn’t fool Treasure for a second.
Bodie checked his watch and the silent pause lasted a few uncomfortable seconds too long.
“We were returning from a walk,” Treasure answered truthfully. She didn’t care her cheeks were still flushed and thinking about the park brought more blood to the surface of her skin.
She yearned to glance at Bodie and check the color of his face, but she knew he was already uncomfortable. What was going on? He never said anything about meeting his ex for dinner. Only his family.
“It’s eight-o-clock now. I’m not late.”
Vanessa slipped her arm through his and moved down the sidewalk. “We need to get in there before they give away our table.”
Carolyn fell into step with them without a single word to Treasure.
“Whoa. Wait a second.” Bodie dropped Vanessa and sidestepped away. “Treasure, I’m…” He looked like a stunned animal in the crosshairs. He started again. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”
His look of suffering made Treasure’s sympathy soar rather than be angry over why he neglected to say anything about meeting his ex tonight. Was Vanessa his ex? She took his arm as if he belonged to her.
Answering her unspoken question, Vanessa said, “Bodie? Tonight was supposed to be—”
Carolyn interrupted Vanessa before she could finish. Treasure wanted to hear the rest of the sentence, but Carolyn’s words were almost as bad as what she imagined Vanessa would say.
“It isn’t appropriate to bring her to Antonia’s with us tonight. And I must say, there’s a dress code.”
Carolyn’s judgmental gaze fell on Treasure with a slap.
“Mom,” Bodie said, sounding shocked.
“Don’t ‘Mom’ me. You promised you would have dinner with me tonight. If you don’t come, I’ll be very disappointed.”
Bodie appeared genuinely stricken. Vanessa started walking toward the restaurant alone, slowly, and Treasure was certain she listened to the conversation.
Vanessa was immaculate as ever. She looked as stunning as she did the two other times Treasure suffered in her presence at the Washoe County EMS company events. Tonight, she wore a pale pink lace dress that showed off her petite figure and thin legs. The matching heels looked incredibly painful but accentuated toned calves.
No amount of begging, pleading, or bribery could force Treasure to accompany the threesome to dinner.
“Go to dinner, silly,” she said to Bodie, and kept her hands jammed into the pockets of her jacket. Then to Carolyn, “I apologize for making your son late, Mrs. Everett. We shared a beer and got some fresh air. He’s probably starved for a real meal.”
“It’s quite all right, Treasure. I’m sure Bodie lost track of the time. It was good to meet you,” Carolyn said stiffly.
The air of fake pleasantries between her and Bodie’s mom turned Treasure’s stomach. She kept her chin up and suffered through it, forcing a smile and swallowing hurt feelings.
“Talk to you later,” she said to Bodie, staring at his perfect mouth and purposely not meeting his eyes. She made a dash for it, stepping off the curb, and jogging across the street to the parked Jeep.
As she reached for the door handle, she heard fast approaching footsteps and turned to see Bodie.
“I was ambushed,” he said. “Forgive me.”
She bit the inside of her lip, holding back a smile. “There’s nothing to forgive. You didn’t know they’d be waiting for you.”
“I can’t come to Granite Lake tonight, but I want to see you again. Soon.”
“I thought, maybe, well… what’s Vanessa doing here?” She needed clarification.
“Sorry. I had no idea she would show up with my mom. They didn’t tell me.”
“Hmm,” Treasure made a vague sound and stared at her motorcycle boots. They weren’t as cute or sexy as Vanessa’s heels.
“Anyway, I need to go, but I wanted to say goodnight and not the way the jerk back there did. They caught me off guard. Especially, when my head was in other places.”
“Which head was where?” she asked, teasing and glancing below his belt.
He stepped in close to Treasure, a bit hesitant in his movements. She glanced up and saw a slow smile spread across his lips. Bodie gripped her waist and captured her mouth with his with a ferocity that surprised her. She backed into the Jeep and he held onto her with so much strength, she wondered if he would crush her. The kiss was forceful and confident as he entered her mouth and ground his hips against her pelvis.
He finally pulled back, but kept his forehead pressed to hers. His eyes remained closed as he breathed her air. “My dad’s having a barbeque on Sunday. Would you like to come?”
“My schedule is screwed up. I’m not sure.”
“Let me know, okay?” he asked with a low seductive tone that made her miss him already.
Her eyelids drifted closed as she held onto the sound. His lips brushed over hers with the faintest trace of a kiss. When she opened her eyes, he was gone.
Nine
“HEY THERE.” Treasured waved at Denny from the garage.
He climbed off his Harley and strode into the shop. The afternoon sun struck his black bandanna and highlighted his shaggy hair and scruffy beard.
“How’s it hangin’?” she asked with a wink.
“About six inches and a few degrees to the left.”
“Oh, man, way too much information,” she groaned and turned back to the pile of handlebars laid out on the floor.
“Don’t ask’em if you don’t want me to tell’em.”
“I’ll never make that mistake again,” she said. “What’s up?”
“Thought I’d drop in and give you a heads-up in person. The friend of mine I told you about is asking about your Indian now. He wants to buy the Vincent, but I told him it’s not ready to sell.”
She chewed her lower lip as she taped a label on a set of handlebars and entered the part name and corresponding number into her laptop. Treasure spent the last two days photographing and cataloguing motorcycle parts in preparation to begin selling online. “Are you sure he’s got the cash?”
“I’m sure. He’s never blown steam up my backside before.” Denny crossed his arms over his barrel chest. “I understand you don’t want to sell it, but the Indian will pay for the rebuild of the Vincent, and once it’s done, you’ll be set for life.”
Her and Denny came to an agreement about the 1949 Vincent Series C Black Shadow. Restored Vincents sold at auction for upwards of a hundred thousand dollars or more. Treasure may not be able to retire on the money, but it would keep her going for a long time. There was a lot of uncertainties regarding the classic motorcycle, but if she could get it running, sell it, and invest the profits wisely, she wouldn’t have to worry about her financial status ever again.
Treasure had no extended family. Working hard and relying on herself was the only certainty she could count on. A sense of security meant everything. It was one of the reasons her forced time off from work was so difficult to accept, and the driving force behind her backup plan to start an online business. Denny agreed to help repair the Vincent. They were excited about the project. Treasure researched the parts they needed and found out how expensive they were. If she sold the bike as is, she wouldn’t make as much profit. She wanted to restore the Vincent, but it became apparent she would have to sell another motorcycle first to acquire the capital.
Chasing Treasure: Granite Lake Romance Page 8