by Traci Hall
He leaned back and adjusted his seat on the step. “Nice, my ass.”
“We shouldn’t do that again.” She wanted him and to hell with the consequences.
“Why?” He traced his finger along her collar bone, underneath the strings of her bikini top.
Jolie knew she’d end up naked, that was why. “I’m your boss.”
“I can quit.”
“Don’t. I need a bartender more than a boyfriend.”
“A boyfriend?”
What would he be? “Summer boy-toy. You are leaving in three months. Kissing you has made me realize that hiring you, even suspecting that you’d be a great kisser, was a mistake.”
“You thought about kissing me?” Heath scowled, his brows drawing together in a single frustrated line. “You can’t fire me.”
She looked out at the ocean. Her skin was on the point of combustion. She wanted more of Heath and it wasn’t right. She’d never had these feelings around Benedict. “If I pay you to do a job, I can’t sleep with you. It has to break some sort of law.”
“We won’t sleep,” he said, his expression sensual and serious.
Her breasts grew heavy and her thighs tightened. “It wouldn’t be right, Heath.”
“I think you’re looking at this all wrong,” he said, putting his large, warm hand over her leg.
“How so?”
“It would be the perfect summer fling. You know I’m going home in three months to my real life, and my job. Benedict comes back. You can think of me as a freelance contractor. You only pay for certain services.” His thumb traced circles under the sensitive skin on her knee. “The others are given because I want you, Jolie. As much as you want me.”
How she wanted to agree. But she had responsibilities.
“We’re both adults,” Heath said. “Not in any committed relationships. Unless you’re not telling me something?”
Jolie shook her head, her eyes watching the deliberate way Heath stroked her leg.
“I think that sometimes life can bring bad shit. No reason. No excuses.”
“True,” she said.
“Well, it makes sense, then, wouldn’t it, that sometimes it brings the good stuff too?” He kissed her hand. Each finger.
She closed her eyes and counted to ten.
When she opened them again, Heath was still sitting there, still caressing her leg. Waiting for her to decide what to do. What to do?
“I tend to think with my heart,” she confessed. “My emotions. It’s what I do. Kind of a character flaw.”
“There is nothing flawed about you, babe.” His touch inched upward, inside her thigh.
Jolie took a deep breath. “And that risk has led me to places I never thought I’d go.” Like being pregnant, and hoping and loving and grieving. What had she learned from it all? It had taken time for her to heal, yes. But she had. And now maybe she could help Heath find his way out of the pain and darkness.
His hand stopped. “Jolie?”
She covered his fingers with hers, and squeezed. “My heart tells me I can’t say no to a summer of learning how to make you smile.”
Chapter Fourteen
Two months later…
Jolie helped Heath up the ladder, his hand slippery and his tanned face beaded with water. His open grin still managed to make her weak at the knees. He’d come so far in his aquatic therapy that he could even balance on a paddle board. Ten minutes was his max, but two months ago, he’d said it would never happen.
She pulled him the rest of the way onto the deck. “Look what I caught,” she said, running her finger down his strong abdomen to tug at the waistband on his trunks. “Lunch.”
He laughed and grabbed her around the waist. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“For you? Of course.” She looked into his eyes, amazed at how fast their magical summer sped by. They’d decided to only live in the moment, with no thought of the future beyond three months, when Benedict returned, and Heath went back to Utah.
It was crazy how ecstatic they’d been, the two of them. Rajah teased them and threatened to find a hose to cool them off. Her parents accepted that she was happy without adding any pressure.
They lived in their swimming suits, in the water, on the boat. Heath was some sort of good luck charm, she thought, as the charter boomed five and six days during the week, limiting their runs back to her parent’s house.
“We should pick up something from the Fish Peddler for dinner tonight, speaking of hungry. Does your brother like lobster?”
“Yeah. Good idea. I can’t believe this is the first time I’ll see them since they came back.”
Jolie tucked his damp hair behind his ear, then kissed the corner of his mouth. “They extended their honeymoon. How romantic is that?”
Heath brought her in close for a deep kiss that made her bare toes curl against the deck.
Applause sounded from the dock of the marina, and Jamison shouted, “Get a room!”
Heath didn’t release her, but turned them so they both faced Jamison. “Hey, buddy. What’s up?”
“One of my guys brought in a haul of grouper. You interested?”
Jolie ran down her list of parties and then nodded. “How much?”
“He said he can spare about four dozen.”
“We’ve got that sunset thing tomorrow,” Heath said.
“I was planning on tilapia, but we can switch it out.” She looked from Jamison to Heath and grinned happily. The men had become friends over the summer, with Heath volunteering at Ocean Green as well. “Thanks for thinking of us. Fresh fish makes the difference.”
Jamison nodded, a pleased look on his broad, freckled face. “It helps them out too. Cash is king, right?”
“Right.” Jolie extricated herself from Heath. “Let me go get my wallet.”
“Stop by the office later,” Jamison said. “Let me make sure he hasn’t sold elsewhere. Hey, you guys doing anything later?”
“My brother’s coming over for dinner on the boat.”
“Cool. No charter tonight?”
“No.” Jolie sighed. “We’ve been so busy that it’s nice to have a night off. Not that I want to make a habit of it.”
“Jolie, I was talking to a guy that might want to sell his yacht. Fancier than what you’ve got now, and could hold a hundred people. You said you were looking to expand your fleet.”
Jolie laughed self-consciously. “My fleet of one.”
“Want me to ask the price?” Jamison said, looking cool in his button-up, short-sleeved shirt and beige shorts.
She exhaled and shook out her hands. The idea of expanding always made her feel vulnerable. What if she screwed up somehow? It was her dream, but she wasn’t ready. “Maybe.”
“Asking the price isn’t buying,” Heath said, running his hand down her back to calm her. “It’s been a good summer.”
“It has.” Jolie waved to Jamison. “Thanks. I’ll bring cash for the grouper this afternoon. We’re headed to the Fish Peddler for lobster. You want anything?”
Jamison, already headed toward his office, shook his head. “Nope. I am taking my new girlfriend out to Kaluz.”
“Nice,” Jolie said with a laugh. “You must like this one.”
“Don’t jinx me.” Jamison disappeared inside the single story wooden building.
Heath pulled her back into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. He made her feel special, precious. Cared for. “I hope he finds someone nice.” Jolie turned so that they were toe to toe.
“What’s that saying, uh, when you’re in love, you want everyone else to be in love too?” Heath nuzzled her neck.
She pressed herself into him, his skin warm. Love for the summer—that was all. Jolie kissed his collarbone before pulling back. “I need a new engine before we start asking about yachts. My credit cards are maxed. Patience.” She took his hand and led him down the stairs to the galley. “It’s the hardest thing. Randall isn’t helping, backing out over and over again.”
> Heath was leaving in a month. Jolie hated thinking about it, but he’d embraced his fear with open arms, even taking a boating class so that he could captain the Masquerade if needed. He and Rajah had few turf wars, but mostly Heath was careful not to step on her First Mate’s toes.
He was a real partner in all ways. But this was a time of discovery, not a thing of permanence. She hopped into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, pulling out a container of egg salad.
Heath got the bread from the cupboard and sliced six pieces before putting them in the toaster oven. They worked in tandem, comfortable around one another.
In love.
Heath kissed her bare shoulder as he reached for the small plates. “Fruit?”
“Cherries.”
“And then can we...” He gestured toward the bedroom. They shared hers.
Jolie scooped out the egg salad, waiting for the toaster to ding. “You want to take a nap?”
“Sure. Whatever it takes to get you to lay down with me.” He opened the toaster door just as the buzzer went off, sliding the bread onto a plate. “Preferably naked.”
She laughed. They barely wore clothes as it was.
Bread, mayo, lettuce and then the egg salad, topped by another piece of toasty bread. It was delicious, with a touch of shredded mint. Sure, she’d had egg salad before, but not like this.
With five kids her mother would have been peeling eggs for hours.
“Tell me the recipe again,” she said.
“You know it already.”
“What if I forget?”
“Call me.”
She liked the idea of this, that just because their summer romance might be over they could still be friends. It made the idea of his leaving less excruciating. When she’d opened her heart to help Heath heal, she had no idea that she’d feel so deeply.
“You have egg salad on your nose,” he said, his eyes gleaming.
“Do not,” she said. They ate facing each other, standing across the counter. He put a dollop of egg and mint on her nose.
“Do too.”
She was startled into silence, but then opened her sandwich, swiped her finger through the creamy mixture, and put it on his cheek.
He started laughing, which made her laugh, because Heath rarely let go and roared but he was tickled with himself for sure.
Then he scooped some on her lip, dipping down to nibble it free. Jolie sighed with contentment, not caring that they were making a mess as he lifted her to the counter and crushed her close.
She sat at the edge of the Formica, thighs wide enough for him to step between her legs, his muscled abdomen pressed against her with only a thin piece of bathing suit between them.
Jolie went from having fun to wanting more as he nipped her neck and trailed his thumb down her spine, curving his palm around her hip.
“I love this bikini,” he murmured against her throat. His warm breath made her skin break out with goose bumps, anticipation running hot through her blood. Was it possible to ache with wanting?
It didn’t make sense, she thought, tilting her head to the side so his mouth had easy access to her ear lobe. But yes. She ached. She clutched his shoulders, holding him tight. “Why?” Because they were practically naked?
The hand at her left hip pulled on the string, his fingers warm and nimble. “It’s like unwrapping a present.”
She sighed and scooted forward, opening herself against him. Giving in to the way he made her feel.
He put his palm over her right hip, holding her back. Jolie was on fire, wanting him inside of her. He liked to make her wait.
Arousal built quickly and she leaned forward to lick his erect nipple. Two could play at his game. She trailed her fingers down the center of his chest, lightly pulling at the string of his trunks.
He shook his head and yanked at the right side of her bikini string and the triangle of soft fabric between her legs slipped free, leaving her open to his gaze. His amber eyes darkened to the color of Merlot. Desire. Seeing it on his face made her want him even more. She tried to get up, but he held her in place. Jolie leaned back on her elbows.
She ran her foot up the back of his thigh, not letting him go anywhere as he looked his fill. Heath made a rumbling noise in his throat that was part growl and part groan. Jolie’s nipples were so hard that the scraps of fabric covering her breasts actually hurt. What was he doing? Could they make love now?
She squirmed as he left her for the refrigerator, searching inside for something. With a triumphant grin, he held up a container of chocolate pudding. His eyes flashed as he ripped off the top of his favorite snack, scooping a handful onto her belly button. She jerked at the cool, velvety dessert against the sizzling heat of her flesh.
Then she groaned as Heath put his head between her legs and ignored her for the feast on her stomach. Her head dropped back as he nibbled his way around her taut belly. Feather-light whispers against her ribs, the tip of tongue hot. His mouth was soft, warm, tantalizing. She wanted him so badly but he teased her, brushing against her mound without so much as a touch.
Lips firm against her skin as he ate one morsel at a time. She arched upward, needing him, but when she tried to move he gave her a stay there stare.
Her entire body quivered as his tongue licked swirls around her belly button, savoring every last drop of chocolate.
“Please, Heath.” Her voice came out low. Sultry.
“You are so damn sexy.” His eyes narrowed with satisfaction as he studied her bare skin. He gave her a nod and Jolie launched herself upward from the counter, her flesh against his muscled abdomen. Skin to skin eased the immediate ache but it wasn’t close enough.
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, plunging her tongue into his mouth in a duel of passion. He tasted of chocolate, of Heath. He grabbed her by the ass, settling her on his hips as he walked to the cushioned chaise.
Jolie ran her hands up and down his back, his shoulders, tugging at his hair. God, she wanted him and couldn’t imagine not having him. He laid her back but she was done waiting. Done playing.
Instead, she got to her knees on the chaise, face to trunks with Heath. She used her teeth to untie the string at his waist. He put his large hand over her shoulder, undoing her bikini top. “Jolie,” he whispered.
She tugged his trunks down, freeing his eager member and taking him in her mouth. The hard velvet and steel of him turned her on even more and she caressed his muscular thighs. She loved his taste, the texture of his skin.
Theirs was a summer of love and there was no shame in what they shared. “I can’t wait,” he said, pulling away. He lifted her up, sat down on the chaise facing her, and Jolie slowly slid herself onto him.
Each inch was pulsating satisfaction, a tug, a tremor urging her on. His large hands kneaded her hips and he suckled her neck. She pressed her nipples against his hard chest, the friction exquisite as she lifted up, and down again.
Pressure built as they moved in tandem, their bodies in tune with one another. They slammed against one another in search of release. He leaned back on one hand, thrusting upward, his eyes closed and his face flushed with desire. “God, yes,” he said. Jolie braced herself with her hand on his shoulder.
Pleasure so intense filled her as she came down, hard, against him—exploding into a million pieces and not caring that she fell.
Chapter Fifteen
An hour later, Heath tucked his shirt into his shorts, and then pulled it out again. “Cody and Kendra watched me live in sweat pants. They’re not going to care about my damn shirt.”
Jolie lifted her hands up in surrender. “It was just a suggestion. You look very handsome, either way.” She eyed him slowly, reminding him of their shared passion. It was never enough.
He didn’t know why he was so nervous, this was his brother. Kendra. He couldn’t wait to hear about their honeymoon. He’d been so busy with Jolie that he hadn’t missed them as much as he’d been worried he would. Hadn’t been home feeling sor
ry for himself.
“Thanks.” She looked up, her hazel eyes expertly outlined and smudged. Her make-up was minimal, but he liked to watch her put it on. An artist, working with a perfect canvas. “You are beautiful, as always.”
Jolie spun in a circle, her thin-strapped canary yellow sundress swirling around her thighs. His breath hitched as he got a peek of the matching yellow lace thong underneath. He knew her body intimately and no matter how many times he had her, he wanted more.
“Maybe you should change,” he said.
“Really?” She stopped spinning. For once she had sandals on her feet, the little gold toe ring glinting in the fluorescent light of the galley. Her expression went from care-free to uncertain.
“No. I just want to keep you for myself,” he admitted. Maybe that was why he was unsettled. Would his brother and Kendra like Jolie? Would they see how wonderful she was? Would they see how much he’d changed?
“Oh.” She smiled, her nose crinkling to make her look like she was twelve. “Is the wine chilled? I’ve got the coleslaw made, the corn shucked and the nice man at the Fish Peddler cleaned the lobsters for us. All we have to do is boil water, and dinner will be served.”
“Yes, I put in two bottles of that Sauvignon Blanc you like.” He never considered himself a wine guy, preferring craft beers, but he was expanding his palate. Saying yes to just about everything this summer had proved to be good for him.
“Sweet.” She brushed her hair from her eyes. She wore it down and it curled in chocolate brown ringlets to her caramel shoulders. “Then why don’t we take the cheese and fruit plate up to the deck? We can wait for them and have a drink.”
Jolie was unlike anybody he’d ever met in his life. Free-spirited, but pragmatic and logical. She acted from the heart, and accepted the consequences. Just being around her was making him a better person.
He collected the cheese tray while she got out the napkins and paper plates. They had just opened the wine when Heath’s brother shouted from the dock, “Is that you? You look like a pirate!”
Heath looked up and grinned, touching his full beard. He’d let his hair grow out and it was tied back in a respectable tail. “Cody! Kendra!”