He brushed his lips over hers before she could respond, her mouth stiff beneath his. He nipped at her lower lip before soothing it with his tongue and then did the same to the top. She was hesitant at first, as though she questioned his motives as much as he did. Her rigid stance eventually relaxed, and she melted into his embrace. He felt the moment she let down her guard.
He shifted and traced the seam of her lips. Come on, City Girl, take a chance on a small-town guy like me. When she finally opened to him, her tongue tangled with his as she locked her fingers around his neck. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth before nipping it with his teeth.
She drew in a quick breath. Had he gone too far? He ran his tongue along her lip. A blending of a good beer and her sweet taste exploded in his mouth. Heat coursed through his body and settled into his groin. He swallowed and drew in a ragged breath. Damn, he couldn’t let this city girl get under his skin. This was his dance and he had to be in control.
She gasped, and her head fell onto his chest as she caught her breath.
Taking advantage of the opening, he trailed kisses down her cheek and her neck, nipping and licking his way to her ear. He swirled his tongue around the lobe before licking behind it. She wriggled against him, brushing up against his painful erection.
He chuckled gently in her ear. “You like that?”
She nodded before he covered her mouth again, smothering the moan that rumbled deep in her throat. He ran his hand around to her ass, squeezing it before trailing his fingers up to her waist. He trailed along the edge of her jeans, and she wriggled again. Ah, City Girl was ticklish. He’d have to remember that for next time. Because there would most definitely be a next time.
Darkness had fallen fully. Up against this wall, they were out of sight of anyone who was left. The concealing shadows gave him a feeling of being alone with her. He skimmed up her belly to the underside of her breast. She arched into him, her body begging for more of his touch. He paused, his hand hovering just shy of where it itched to be. She leaned in again, brushing against his fingers, and he cupped her breast. It was supple and pliant and he squeezed, loving its softness in his palm. He brushed his thumb over her nipple, and it pebbled beneath his stroke. Heat poured off her, like every cell was hot for him.
Another moan escaped the depths of her throat.
He moved his hand back down to her waist, working to pull her T-shirt out of her jeans, when a voice rang out over her shoulder.
“Hey, Joey. Where are you? Got a sec?”
Joey groaned and sank further into the shadows. He dropped his head back to the wall with a thunk, his ragged breathing matching hers as they sought to catch their breath. He yelled over her shoulder. “I’ll be right there.”
To Brittany, he whispered, “Wait for me. This won’t take long.”
Joey adjusted his zipper from the painful erection he sported. He yanked his T-shirt out, pulling it down over his crotch before walking toward the patio and his friend Owen.
“Sorry to disturb you with one of your ladies. I wanted to let you know we wrapped up.”
Joey bristled at Owen’s comment, but he understood where Owen got the impression. On another day, that might have been true. But not tonight. Not with Brittany. Owen had no way of knowing Brittany was different. That she wasn’t like any hook-up he’d had before. The difficulty came in reconciling his feelings for Brittany with his unwillingness to date anyone who chose the city over Oak Grove. Not after Shelby.
Joey extended his hand to Owen. “Thanks, man, I’ll see you Monday for the Memorial Day cookout, right? I’m launching a new beer. Can’t wait to tell you guys about it.”
“Sounds great. See you then.”
Joey hustled back to Brittany, but she wasn’t there. He scanned the few remaining customers. No sign of her shimmering hair or sensuous curves. Where had she gone? Had he driven her away? This was not how he thought this night would end. And certainly not how he intended to leave things with Brittany. Unfinished.
BRITTANY’S HEART RACED as she skirted around the corner of the building, escaping the spotlights on the patio. Joey stood staring at the wall where she’d just been, his hands on his hips. Even from this distance, she could see the confused look on his face. It likely matched the one on hers. This wasn’t at all what she’d expected when she’d climbed out of the car tonight. And certainly not what she’d planned when she came to Oak Grove this weekend. She ran her finger along her lips, now swollen from his kisses. He tasted like outdoors and ruggedness with a hit of sweet beer on his tongue.
Her fingers had itched to feel his skin, and she’d just moved to tug his shirt from his waist when Joey’s friend had interrupted. She could have cursed him for his bad timing. But the moment Joey stepped away, her mind cleared.
What the hell was she doing? She couldn’t get involved with Joey. But she’d felt safe and protected… and desired. Joey’s arms might be hard and muscular, but she knew deep in her soul that they would never hurt her. His voice was gentle and sexy when he whispered in her ear, a warm sensation that shot straight to her heart with each word.
Something about Joey got beneath her skin and made her want to tell him things she’d never shared with anyone else. For once, she thought she’d met a man that might actually understand her in a way no one else had. But he was from a small town. This small town. She lived in New York City and had little interest in a long-distance relationship, even if that man made her toes curl. A man who made her body beg for his touch. And beg it had, as she’d arched into his hand. She’d never been so brazen before, asking for what she wanted with her whole self. But Joey brought it out in her. And she wasn’t sure she liked it.
So she’d taken the opening given to her and escaped. It was a crappy thing to do to Joey, yes, but she needed time to think. To privately fight this battle between her head and her heart, because if she wasn’t careful, her heart would win out. And she couldn’t let that happen. She’d never put herself in a position to allow her heart to be broken again.
Chapter Eight
JOEY GROANED AT the sun streaming through the window, shoving his head under the pillow and wrapping his arms around it. It was as if his days were on repeat—wasn’t he just here yesterday, puzzling over the same frustrating woman? His head throbbed and his eyes burned, a by-product of the lack of sleep the previous night, thanks to Brittany. He couldn’t believe she’d run off. She’d gotten spooked. There was definitely something in her past that she’d buried so deep that she rarely let it surface. She’d shown just a bit of that vulnerability to him last night before she’d closed herself off again.
When she dropped her shield and allowed herself to feel, a range of emotions came through in her touch, in her kiss, in the way she pressed her body against him. But more often than not, her shield stayed securely in place.
He rolled over and tucked his hands behind his head, the sheet draping across his waist. He smiled. He liked a challenge. He took it as his personal mission to bring down the walls Brittany had constructed. What was it about this woman that made him want to know more? He could hook up with any number of sexy women if he was looking for a quickie to take the edge off. Why did he have to go after Brittany? She wasn’t staying in town. She hadn’t specifically let on that she was interested. Not in so many words. But she’d communicated more with her eyes and her touch. And he always loved solving a good mystery.
This was exactly what he needed—a short-term hook up with someone he knew wouldn’t stay. No feelings involved—just a good time until she left town. And she would leave. They always did.
Shelby had, throwing his ring back in his face on the way out. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ll never accomplish anything, staying in this small town. I want to experience life.”
Never again. He was finally starting to feel content with his life. He’d expanded the restaurant to rave reviews, his volunteer work gave him great fulfilment, and he rarely lacked for a warm woman to keep him company for a few hour
s. If he wanted it. He didn’t need the cookie-cutter dream, a wife and two-point-five kids, to make his life complete. Not like Lucas. Joey had done well enough for himself already.
He climbed out of the bed and headed for the adjoining bathroom. A cold shower and two cups of hot coffee later, he was more prepared to tackle the long list of things on his to-do list today. And find a way to run into Brittany along the way.
He locked the door to his small house on the outskirts of Oak Grove and jogged down the stairs. With a spring in his step, excited about how well his plans for the inaugural barbeque had come together, he hopped in his truck for the short drive into town. Take that, City Girl. He doubted she could get anywhere quickly in New York, if she even owned a car.
Joey parked behind the row of shops circling the town green and stepped onto the sidewalk. Only a few people milled around, most of the shops closed until later in the day. But, as expected, Clyde Monroe lingered outside his hardware store, sweeping the dust from the sidewalk. After a few moments of idle chit-chat, Joey got down to business.
“I need some brass hooks and nails and a couple of display boxes.” Joey’s stomach knotted with excitement for the additional “launch” he planned tomorrow—a special tribute to a good man on the perfect day for it. He’d been working on this project ever since he’d heard about a brewing company based in Virginia. This was why he had pushed so hard to get the expansion done over the winter. He wanted this launch to coincide with his reopening… and Memorial Day.
He couldn’t help the nerves that stirred in his gut, though. Tensions about the military ran high right now, but he wouldn’t let that deter him from this project that was so important to him. One he hoped the town embraced as much as he had. Just because he hadn’t enlisted himself, that didn’t mean he couldn’t help out back home and honor those who did serve their country. So many residents of Oak Grove, of every generation, had served in the military, and some had died. They deserved to be recognized.
“Comin’ right up,” Clyde said in his folksy tone.
Joey followed Clyde into the store, the overflowing shelves and dusty smell whisking him back to his childhood. On many a Saturday morning, Joey’d trailed behind his father into Clyde’s shop, collecting supplies for one of his father’s numerous do-it-yourself projects. Many unfinished ones, Joey guessed, sat tucked away in some corner of their garage. He’d definitely gotten his love of working with his hands from his father.
Joey was the youngest son, but Lucas and Michael had paired off early in life, neither showing the affinity for building that their father did. Joey had spent many hours running in the woods or wading in the creek with Rachel, his closest sibling, but it was the hours he’d spent with their father in the woodshop that he’d enjoyed the most. He’d surprised his parents when he’d chosen not to pursue a career as a contractor. But he loved running the bar. And he got plenty of time to put his skills to good use volunteering. That meant more to him, anyway.
Joey smiled. He had some good memories of his childhood, growing up in Oak Grove where everyone knew everyone else. How could Brittany turn her back on her own small town? He shook his head. He loved knowing his neighbors, recognizing the faces of the other residents as he walked down the street, and the relationships he’d built with other business owners. You just couldn’t do that in the big city like you could here. How many businesses in New York could say they’d been the same for the past forty years, like Clyde? Very few.
Clyde made quick work of collecting Joey’s items and carried them to the counter.
“Hey, Clyde?”
“Yep.”
“You served in the Army, right?”
“Damn straight. Proudest accomplishment of my life. Two tours in the jungle, every minute of it hell.”
Joey pictured a younger Clyde, all spit and vinegar taking on the enemy. “Listen, I know you’re busy tomorrow, but any chance you could get one of the kids to cover for a couple of hours? I’d like you to come out to the bar—I have a special announcement planned. It’s really important to me… and I hope you’ll be there.
Clyde made a show of rubbing his hand over his face. “Well, dang, kid. When you put it that way, how can I refuse?”
“Great, I’ll see you around two.”
“See ya then, kid.” Clyde dipped his head, but Joey could tell his words had affected the old man.
Joey smiled again. He’d always been kid to Clyde, and probably always would be. He grabbed the bag and, with a final wave to Clyde, headed farther down the sidewalk toward the fire station and sheriff’s department. The bright sun warmed the air, its light filtered by the trees around the town green. Most mornings, Joey would go for a run through the sidewalks of the green, but not today. He had too much to do. And too much on his mind.
As he passed Mug ’n Muffin, he glanced in the window. Customers sat at most tables, and a line stretched from the counter toward the door. Behind the glass case filled with pastries stood the woman who had starred in his dreams for the past two nights.
The door opened and a couple stepped out. When they did, the scent of muffins and coffee wafted into the air. He debated stepping into the shop. It wouldn’t be too obvious that he was looking for Brittany, right? He practically stopped in almost every day anyway. But she’d run away from him for a reason last night. This wasn’t the right place or time to ask. Besides, he had a lot to do before tomorrow. If he walked in and got shanghaied like he had yesterday, he wouldn’t get anything done.
Brittany hustled behind the counter, grabbing pastries and making change. She seemed comfortable working with Emma and Karen. Happy, almost. With Brittany’s long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, exposing the neck he’d been kissing last night, she appeared a lot younger. She had to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight because she’d been at NYU with Karen, but he really didn’t know. They’d talked a bit about their childhoods the first night they’d met in the bar, but there was so much he didn’t know about her. Every one of her expressions told a story of its own, and he was sure she had many left to tell. There were other things he wanted to know, too. Like how her skin felt beneath his hands. Exactly how beautiful her naked body was. And how she looked when she was aroused. Far too many things to explore to fit into a couple of days.
Wait, what? When had he started thinking beyond right now with her? He did not need to go there. His life was good the way it was. A city girl like Brittany would only try to change things. Change him.
“Hey, bro. What’s up?”
Joey jumped at his brother’s voice behind him.
Lucas slapped Joey on the back and then peered through the window. “Oh, I see. The brunette who came to town with Karen for the weekend.”
That was another thing Joey didn’t know—exactly how long Brittany planned to stay. She’d said she came in town for the weekend. Did that mean today or tomorrow? Or even longer? That didn’t give him nearly enough time to break through her walls. From the first words out of her mouth, she’d become a challenge to him. There was a lot more to Brittany that met the eye. He hadn’t been intrigued by a woman like this in far too long, and that kept him coming back, even when she ran from him like she did last night.
He faced his brother, his back to the woman in question. “Aren’t you engaged?”
A smile broke across Lucas’s face, one he’d been wearing almost constantly since meeting Sarah. “Yes, and happily so.”
Both of them turned back to stare through the front window. As they did, Brittany lifted her head and her eyes locked on his. With a twinkle in her eye, she gave him a quick finger-wave and then focused on the next customer in line. It could be that he’d misread her last night. She didn’t seem upset—with him or in general—so maybe she’d just gotten tired and left before he had a chance to say goodbye.
Joey and Lucas fell into step together and headed toward the fire station.
“You on duty?” Joey admired the hell out of his brother, saving lives as a firefighter and now a
paramedic. It seemed everyone in his life did something heroic. Lucas… and Sawyer. Joey felt good about what he’d accomplished with the bar, but it couldn’t hold a candle to fighting fires or serving your country or town. That’s what had been niggling at him. It felt like everyone else had a higher purpose, something to give their life meaning. But he hadn’t quite found that for himself yet. He’d been on the right path, seeing his future with Shelby, until she’d shot him down. It was almost like he’d lost his compass after that and was slowly finding it again, though.
“For a couple hours this morning. Been quiet. What brings you into town?”
“I needed to pick up a few things for the bar. You and Sarah are coming out tomorrow, right?” Joey drew in a deep breath and let it out. He wanted, no, he needed, his brother by his side tomorrow. Hopefully his whole family would come. Outside of expanding the bar and his volunteer work, he was proudest about his upcoming announcement.
“Wouldn’t miss it. Kyle may have graduated with you, but we all loved him. Everything ready?”
God, he hoped so. He’d been going over the list of things to do incessantly. He’d talked on the phone with David, the partner in Honor Beer, weekly for the past few months, to make sure everything was perfect. That didn’t stop his stomach from churning. He’d be putting himself out there in front of the entire town. Would they finally see him as more than the happy-go-lucky Bennett brother? “Almost. I’m glad I decided to close tonight—I need the break.”
“Does that mean you won’t be at dinner this afternoon? Lily wanted to tell you all about the zoo.”
“I’ll try to make it. I need to get some things done first.”
“Like the brunette?”
Joey elbowed Lucas. “Very funny.”
“I heard about last night at the bonfire. How you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself. I think there’s something more serious between you two.”
“Naw. We’re just having a little fun. Now get back to your fiancée and quit bugging me.”
One Last Dance Page 7