Kyle never looked at her. Still, she found pleasure in being with him, just being near him.
'Hey, Kyle, when Jenny leaves, go with her and bring back some burgers. I'd love to have something hot to eat for a change,' Jason said softly as the afternoon waned.
'And just how do you propose I get back, without turning the road into a damn freeway?' Kyle growled.
'Take a chance?' Jason offered half-halfheartedly.
'You could hike back from my place,' Jenny said. 'I have an insulated carry-all that'll keep the food hot.'
'You're an angel!' Jason said fervently.
'Sure, easy for you to say,' Kyle remarked drily. 'You don't have to carry it.’ He considered it for a moment then shrugged. ‘Okay I’ll see what I can do. Let's go.' Kyle stood as much as the confined space would allow and led the way out.
'I want everything on mine,' Jason called softly.
Jenny rose to follow, smiling. 'Bye, Jason.'
'Bye, Jenny. See you again some time.'
She nodded and followed Kyle. He stayed near the trees, working his way up to Mac.
'We're going for dinner. Where did you put the SUV?'
Mac tossed him the keys. 'About a mile and a half up on the left, a nice culvert, by a tall cedar.'
'We'll find it. Hamburgers okay?'
'Sounds good. I like everything on it.'
'Right. I'll be hiking back from that direction.' Kyle pointed to the east.
Working their way back along the perimeter to the road, Kyle paused and looked carefully before they stepped out to the dusty dirt fire trail then quickly headed for the car. Trudging along, Jenny watched his profile as he walked a step or two ahead of her.
'I'm sorry,' she said slowly. 'I see now I could have ruined everything. But honestly, I thought it'd be a good surprise for you.'
Kyle stopped and looked at her, then looked back down the road. He reached out and drew Jenny to his chest, looking down at her upturned face. Slowly his head bent and he kissed her.
'I've been wanting to do that all afternoon,' he said against her lips, his breath intermingling with hers, soft kisses accenting each word.
Reluctantly, slowly, he set her back with a sigh. 'But this isn't the time nor the place. Come on, let's find the blasted car.'
Jenny smiled to herself as she hurried to keep up with his longer stride. It was as good as she remembered. She would miss him so much when he'd gone.
Jenny was cooking the hamburgers for Kyle to take back with him when the phone rang.
'I'll get it for you.' Kyle rose from the table where he'd been watching her and moved down the hall. Jenny put down the condiments and moved to the door, wondering who was calling.
'No, I can't make it tonight, I already have plans, but tomorrow would be good for me. How about you?' Kyle said into the phone. He listened for a moment then finished, 'Fine, I'll pick you up at seven.'
Jenny stared at him as the penny dropped. 'Naomi?' she hazarded as he turned from the phone.
'Yes. She's up for the weekend again.'
Jenny turned and went back to the stove. Carefully she turned the burgers and prepared the buns. She would not let him know how much disappointment she felt. All week he'd left her alone, with no explanation, and then Naomi called and he drops everything to be with her. Jenny wouldn't be expressive like he thought and have him guess how she felt. She only had to hold it in for a little longer, just until he left.
'There are sodas in the fridge,' she said brightly, 'I'll run and get the insulated bag.'
She fled the room and hurried to the hall closet, tears sparkling in her eyes. She dashed them away and retrieved the bag. Taking a deep steadying breath, she pasted a smile on her face and went back to the kitchen.
When the meal was packed, she handed him the carry-all with a bright smile, one which did not reach her eyes.
'Are you all right?' Kyle asked, pausing before he left.
'Sure, have fun. Thanks for letting me sit in on part of the stakeout, I've never done that before.' She looked only as high as his chin.
He leaned down to kiss her lightly, but Jenny refused to meet his eyes. She held her breath, wishing for the moment to end, for him to leave, only wanting to be alone.
'I'll be back,' he said, leaving by the back door.
Jenny turned to watch him go, his tall body moving easily, his long stride covering the ground rapidly.
She hugged herself tightly, trying to ease the ache in her heart, as her eyes filled and her throat grew tight. She'd known all along he wasn't for her, but it didn’t alter the fact her foolish heart thought differently. She loved him. She knew that, for all the good it did her. Loved him as she had Johnny. No, differently from Johnny, but nonetheless stronger or lasting for being a second love. A last love.
Like her first love, one that she couldn't have. Sadly she watched him out of sight, then turned and walked blindly up the stairs as the tears spilled over and ran down her face. Would it have been too much to ask to find a man who would love her as much as she loved him?
Jenny stayed in her room the next morning until she heard his motorcycle leave. It was late when she ventured forth, but she hadn't wanted to see Kyle. After she had eaten, she called April.
'How about going to the river? We can lie in the sun and swim,' Jenny suggested. Anything to get her away from home and the thoughts that wouldn’t let go.
'Sounds like fun. I'll bring a lunch. Want to go into Strawberry tonight? That new Ryan Reynolds movie is playing,' April said.
'Let’s make a day of it. I'll drop Shasta off at my folks' after the river, then pick him up after the film.'
'Is Kyle coming too?' April asked.
'No, he's busy today.' Jenny scarcely felt a pang as she said it. Maybe she’d get over him sooner than she thought, learn to go on as before. She hadn't known him for long. Long enough, her heart reminded her.
Arranging to pick April up at her place, Jenny hung up and hurried to get ready. She wished she could confide fully in her friend, but to do so would blow Kyle's cover and maybe endanger his assignment. She wouldn't let personal concerns threaten the assignment. He could trust her!
Besides, April would probably advise Jenny to take what was offered while the going was good, and worry about the future tomorrow. While great friends, sometimes their outlooks differed.
It was therapeutic lying in the hot sun beside a tributary to the American River. When they got hot they would plunge into the icy water, swim until they were cold, then climb out to bake again in the sun. Shasta loved chasing after sticks and would swim and retrieve until he was panting with exertion.
The film was entertaining, though Jenny found herself speculating as to where Kyle and Naomi were and what they might be doing. Again and again she had to drag her attention back to the story on the screen.
After dropping April at home, Jenny went to her parents' home to pick up Shasta.
'Did you enjoy the movie?' her father asked when she came in.
'It was okay.’ She hoped no one asked for a recount, she wasn’t sure she remembered enough to tell what I had been about. ‘Hi, Shasta, ready to go home?'
'Stay for some cocoa, honey,' her mother offered, rising to prepare it.
Jenny smiled. 'Sounds good. I'll help.'
She followed her mother into the kitchen, and got down the cups while her mother put the milk on the stove to warm. She remembered dates when Johnny would bring her home and her mother would stay up to hear all about it. They’d make cocoa and talk until after midnight. Even in summer.
'Why don't you and Kyle come to dinner tomorrow?' Peggy O'Neil said while they waited for the milk to heat. 'We've only seen him a few times. I used to know Edith so well, I’d love to catch up on what she’s doing.'
'Kyle is dating Naomi Taylor,' Jenny said carefully, rearranging the cups on the counter. 'I don't know if he's planning to see her tomorrow or not. But I'd love to come, Mom.'
'Ask Naomi, too, if you want. I haven't s
een much of her since she moved to San Francisco. She looked washed out at George's affair. Too many late nights, I guess.'
Jenny looked at her mother closely. She had thought Naomi looked rather great.
'Well, I'll ask them. I'd like to come, anyway.'
Jenny stayed later than she had planned to, discussing George Carlisle's party, the new display her father was planning in his store, her mother's hopes to enter the flower contest at the county fair in August. It was after midnight when Jenny and Shasta climbed into the car and started for home.
As she drew near her driveway a single headlight came up behind her and settled to follow her. Turning into her drive, she knew it was Kyle. Her spirits rose. At least he hadn't stayed the night with Naomi.
He pulled his motorcycle into the garage beside her, waiting at the rear of the SUV for her to join him.
'Date with George?' he asked silkily as she headed for the house.
'Maybe,' she prevaricated. 'Have fun with Naomi?'
'It was interesting. Where have you been?'
Jenny unlocked the door, switched on the lights. As Kyle stepped closer, she caught a whiff of the perfume Naomi used so lavishly.
'I've been out, now I'm back,' she said, and ran up the stairs. She paused at the top to look back at Kyle, standing just inside the door.
'My mother's invited us for dinner tomorrow, can you go?'
He nodded.
'About seven.'
Jenny turned and continued to her room.
She ached with longing for the man—what was wrong with her? As she crawled between her sheets she tried to block out the images her mind conjured. Kyle last winter, his pallor earlier this summer, kisses on the hillside, in the hall, carrying her to bed after the party, their encounter on the sofa. She tried to remember he was making a play for Naomi as work. He obviously felt something for her, but not enough to take his focus away from work. Once the job was over, he'd be gone. She tried to remember there was no future together, but to no avail.
She wanted him as much as he wanted her, she ached with longing. Yearned to feel his lips against hers again, the rising delight he could evoke with his touch. She loved him. What was she going to do?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jenny didn't see Kyle again until it was time to leave for her parents' home the next day. She wore a short, white-dotted Swiss dress which buttoned down the front, and white sandals. Her tan had deepened from the day at the river and the white showed it to advantage. Her hair curled and waved, new golden highlights from the sun brightening it.
Kyle was already waiting downstairs when she left her room. He wore the designer jeans he'd worn to George's barbecue and a white polo shirt. His eyes flashed momentarily when he saw her, then he turned away.
'Ready?' she said nervously. It wasn't fair he should look so virile, so sexy. What chance did she have of getting over him before he even left?
'Yes. Are we taking Shasta?'
'No.'
She drove to town in silence, paying strict attention to the road. Kyle gazed out the window.
'Hi, Jenny.' Her mother greeted them when they arrived. 'Hi, Kyle, so glad you could join us.' Peggy O'Neil looked beyond them. 'Naomi not able to make it?'
Kyle slanted a sardonic look at Jenny, then smoothly replied, 'No, she drove back to San Francisco this afternoon.'
'You remember Dan?'
Kyle shook hands warmly with Jenny's father. 'Good to see you again.'
'Come in. Actually, come on through to the backyard, we're grilling steaks there. Can I get you something to drink, Kyle? Jenny?'
'Gin and tonic, please.'
'Me, too,' Jenny said, giving her father a hug.
'Tell me all about what Edith's doing these days.' Peggy said to Kyle when they were seated and drinks dispersed. 'She and I were best friends as girls, then we drifted apart. I haven't heard from her in ages.'
'She's not a very good correspondent,' Kyle acknowledged with a grin. 'She travels a lot, you know.' He looked pointedly at Jenny as if to say, join in at any time.
'Didn't you say she was in Texas touring the Alamo?' She helped out, grinning a little at his discomfort.
'Yes, she wanted to stand where Davy Crockett stood.'
'That sounds just like Edith.' Peggy sighed. 'Next time you see her, tell her to give me a call. I never knew your father. She ran off with the first man right after high school. Divorced him before she was twenty. She must have married your father right away. How old are you, Kyle?'
He took a swallow of his drink, rapidly calculating.
'Twenty-eight.'
Jenny's eyes widened at that, and she quickly glanced at her parents for their reaction. Peggy nodded.
'That'd fit then, Jenny's twenty-five. I knew you’d been around a little while before she was born. How long was Edith married to your father?'
'Not long,' Kyle hedged.
Jenny was getting concerned. Any minute now her mother would ask something Kyle wouldn't know and he'd blow the whole thing. She wasn't sure how to turn the subject without her mother becoming suspicious. She could but try.
'Mother, tell Kyle about entering the flower contest at the fair this year,' Jenny said brightly.
Her parents both looked at her, rather oddly she thought, but maybe it was guilty conscience. Kyle's face creased in amusement as he gave her a deliberate wink.
'For best of variety or as an arrangement?' he asked, taking Jenny's lead.
Once or twice during the evening Jenny would look up to find her mother's eyes on her or Kyle rather speculatively. Jenny would smile awkwardly, glance to Kyle and then back to her food.
As the evening wore on, they shifted seats, moving away from the table to lawn chairs to take their coffee and brandy. They sat long after dark fell, sipping the beverages, talking. Under cover of darkness, Kyle reached for Jenny's hand, holding it lightly on his thigh, caressing it absently now and again.
Jenny didn't think her parents could see him holding her hand. If so, what would they think after she'd told them Kyle was interested in Naomi Taylor? She certainly didn't want to give her mother any romantic ideas. But she let her hand stay in his.
She enjoyed the evening. Her parents were relaxed and amusing in the topics of conversation they chose. Kyle fitted in well and Jenny could tell that both liked him. Of Kyle she was less sure. How much was genuine, how much a part of his act?
She was always questioning that. Just when she was feeling comfortable, doubt would creep in: how much was Kyle under cover and how much was Kyle the real deal?
'I'll drive back, shall I?' he asked when it was time to leave.
'That would be nice.' Jenny didn't like driving at night.
The moon rose high in the sky, casting a silvery glow, deep shadows, as they drove through the night, the headlights of the SUV thrusting bold slashes of light. Kyle drove swiftly, competently. Jenny rested her head against the seatback, watching him from the faint glow of the dashboard, his hair falling on his forehead, the strong jaw line, the way his hands held the wheel.
He stopped the car before the house, switched off the lights and engine. 'Your parents are nice.'
'I'm glad you think so.'
The light from the moon enabled her to see him, though not clearly. Reluctantly, she got out.
When she opened the front door to the house, he stopped her as she reached for the lights.
'There's plenty of light from the moon, we don't need the electric ones.'
His breath smelled slightly of brandy as he pulled her into his arms. Jenny moved closer and put her arms around him, tilting her face for his kiss.
He held back for a moment, gazing down at her in the silvery moonlight before slowly lowering his mouth to hers.
Kyle's touch exploded her senses, setting her afloat on a sea of delight. When his mouth moved to her neck, her throat, she arched against him, moving her head back to better receive his kisses.
With a muffled groan he swept her up in his arms
and turned to mount the stairs. Jenny, conscious of his injury, took as much of her weight as she could, kissing Kyle's ear, teasing the lobe with her tongue, moving to meet his hot mouth when he turned to her.
He laid her on his bed, immediately following her down, his mouth a sweet, hot focal point until his hands began their caressing assault. His mouth hot and sweet against hers, she opened fully to receive him and met his demands as her tongue answered his, her lips moving against his.
When he slowly opened the buttons of her dress, his fingers found the satin of her skin.
'You aren't wearing a bra?' He raised up a little to look down at her, as the moonlight illuminated his room in a silvery glow.
She shook her head slowly on the pillow, her soft, brown hair spread out about her, a smile playing around her mouth as she strained to see him clearly. His touch was light, feathering as his fingertips skimmed over her fevered flesh, his eyes watching as his hands roamed over her, learned her, from neck to shoulder, down over one breast, pausing to circle lightly one rosy tip before plunging into the valley between, drifting up to lightly circle the other tip.
Jenny shivered beneath his touch, mesmerized by it, straining to see his expression in the faint illumination, absorbing the delight of his touch, yearning for more.
He continued with the buttons until the dress was undone. Spreading the faint material, his hand continued its exploration, down her abdomen, his knuckle gently grazing her navel, moving lower to caress the firm flesh of her thighs, dropping between them to slowly, slowly draw his fingers up against her.
'Oh, Kyle,' she moaned, yearning for more, wanting his mouth against hers, wanting him to assuage the aching he was building within her.
He bent to kiss one swelling breast, to tease her nipple with his hot tongue, gently suck the hard tip, laving as Jenny began to move against the hot waves he caused.
When she was breathless, Kyle moved to the other breast, his mouth taking the sweetness there as his fingers continued moving against her satiny skin, so slowly, so tantalizing.
'Kyle, please,' she whispered hoarsely. She didn't ever remember feeling so senseless, so sensuous, so crazed with desire. Her body was on fire, a slow, pulsing throbbing, demanding to be met. Her hands threaded in his hair, pulling his face to hers as she kissed him. Reveling in the exquisite touch of his hands on her skin, the feel of his hard muscles against her softer places.
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