by Tessa Layne
Jamey rolled her eyes. “I knew that. Your mom has filled me in on the basics. I want the juicy stuff.” She leaned forward, propping her elbow on a knee and her chin in her hand, eyes eager.
Cassie bit back a smile. Fooling around with Parker had been great. Better than great. Five days later, the word ‘earth shattering’ came to mind. She’d been speechless for a whole two days, unable to do anything but grin like a schoolgirl when she thought of what they’d done in the utility closet. Even now, the memory of the raw animal magnetism in Parker’s face as he’d proceeded to blow her mind revved her engines. Made her want to do a whole lot more than fool around with the clearly more educated and experienced man he’d become. “Nope. I don’t kiss and tell.”
Jamey pounced. “Oooh. So you did kiss. I knew it, I knew it.” She clapped her hands excitedly.
“Not saying.”
“But you just did.”
“Did not.” Cassie crossed her arms and kicked a stone in the dirt.
“Who did what?” Parker asked as he approached.
Great. So he’d overheard them as he’d walked up. The back of Cassie’s neck flamed. Why couldn’t people mind their own business?
Jamey looked back and forth between the two of them. Eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I was just asking Cassie if the two of you had kissed.”
Cassie let out a squeak. Had Jamey really just said that? She slid a glance at Parker as mortification crawled up her spine. She’d heard Jamey had a reputation for being ruthlessly blunt. She guessed this was why.
Parker slung an arm over her shoulders, giving her a little squeeze. “What’s the over-under?”
“Three and a half weeks.”
“Hmm,” he grunted noncommittally.
“And the kitty?”
Kitty? Who was betting on them? She’d bet anything Parker’s cousin Gunnar was behind the betting pool.
“Two-fifty. Brodie thinks it’s already happened.”
Parker looked over at her and raised an eyebrow, eyes sparkling with humor. “Could be he’s right, but wild horses will never drag it from me. However, if you promise to stop bugging Cassie, I’ll kiss her right here.”
Cassie sucked in a breath, and before she could protest, Parker had tilted his body and pulled her close, capturing her mouth. His lips were soft and sensuous against hers. A silent promise that there would be more, and she definitely wanted more. For a sweet moment, her body hummed with pleasure, but it was over too soon. And she might have whimpered the tiniest bit when he pulled away.
Jamey clapped her hands, squealing. “Wait until I tell Brodie.” She jumped out of the chair, grabbing her phone. “I’ll be back. Don’t get too naughty on your own.” Jamey winked and took off across the street for the park.
Great. It would be all over town in ten minutes. Cassidy cuffed Parker on the shoulder. “Way to let the cat out of the bag.”
“It was never in the bag.” He smiled unapologetically and gave a little shrug.
“Well, you could have at least acted like it was in the bag.”
Parker’s eyes narrowed. “Why? We’re adults. We like each other.”
Anxiety pressed on her chest again, and she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes. Yes, we do. But…”
“But what, Cassie?” There was no mistaking the edge to his voice.
“I just don’t want everyone up in my, our, business. Is that too much to ask?” she snapped.
“Welcome back to Prairie, darlin’. Better get used to it.”
Unease roiled through her, threatening to carry her away like a runaway train. Her jittery energy bounced around her fingers and toes, like she’d had too much caffeine. Cassie clenched a fist and took a deep breath trying to calm the anxiety. This was normal. People were naturally curious about their friends and family. She needed to get a grip. She took another shaky breath, willing the jumpiness into the ball of her foot, compressing it in her mind into a little point.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Parker. It’s just… I’m not used…” Hell. How could she explain? “I’ve been gone a long time.”
Lame excuse. Heat prickled over her scalp.
He grabbed her hand, concern etched on his face. “You okay? You got a little pale there for a sec.”
She nodded, fighting the urge to turn and walk away. Warriors didn’t back down. Certainly not from something as innocent as people’s curiosity. She flashed him a smile. “Hungry?”
His brows furrowed as he studied her intently, then relaxed as he returned her smile. “Yeah. For this. I’ve missed you.” He reached for her again, drawing her against his muscled torso. Cupping her neck, he pulled her close and brushed his mouth against hers. Awareness zipped through her like a live wire, and she leaned in, shamelessly asking for more.
“You taste amazing, Cass. I could kiss you all day.” He murmured before lightly sucking on her lower lip.
“You sure know how to sweet talk a girl.”
“That’s not all I know how to do,” he said before retaking her mouth, more insistently.
Her body thrummed, an achy need blossoming between her legs. She opened to him, inviting him to take his pleasure, and give her hers.
The door of the food truck flung open, and they sprang apart. “Cassie,” her mother hollered. “Did I hear right that you just cost me fifty dollars?”
“Mother.” Could she just die of mortification now? “Please tell me you didn’t make a bet on Parker and me.”
“Of course I did. I’m your mother. And I still know you better than anyone,” Dottie huffed. “And Parker’s had your attention since you were thirteen.”
Oh, God. The earth really needed to swallow her up right now. Cassie’s chest burned with embarrassment. How was it that she could be an aviator, survive combat, run helitack missions, and her mother could still reduce her to a girl in pigtails? “Mom. Please.” A sharp edge entered her voice as she tried to regain control of the situation.
Beside her, Parker’s shoulders shook with restrained laughter. “You are not helping,” Cassie hissed under her breath.
“Mrs. Grace, I’d like to date your daughter,” Parker choked out, grinning shamelessly.
Cassie elbowed him in the ribs. Hard. “Don’t encourage her,” she said under her breath.
Dottie rolled her eyes. “Fat lot of good it does me now that I’m out fifty dollars. As for asking permission, you know as well as I do, Cassie has a mind of her own. I’ve never been able to tell her what to do. You’re going to have to convince her you’re good enough to keep around.”
“Serves you right for betting on me.” She would never live this moment down as long as she lived. In spite of herself, the urge to laugh hysterically hovered at the edges of her conscious.
Parker looped an arm around her waist. “I ran over to grab coffee for the crew, but I’m worried about Cassie’s blood sugar. Can you fix us a carafe and couple of plates?”
Dottie narrowed her eyes at Parker, a smile hovering at the corners of her mouth. “Don’t you play paramedic with me, young man. I should charge you an extra fifty dollars. Your food will be waiting around front.” She spun on a heel, muttering under her breath about Hansens and let the door of the food truck slam behind her.
Cassie covered her face. “I’m so sorry,” she groaned.
Parker chuckled and gave her a squeeze. “This is good for your mom.” His voice grew serious. “I’ve been worried about her. It’s nice to see her spunky side again.”
“Losing the diner has been rough. But she’s stubborn. Won’t ever quit.”
“Sounds like someone else I know.”
She pushed at him playfully. “Telling me I’m like my mom is not sexy.”
“Noted.” His voice dropped. “Something else you want me to tell you?”
A delicious little shiver skittered down her spine. That had been sexy. The way Parker’s voice had gone all deep and suggestive. “Hmm.” She tapped her lips, shooting him a sly grin. “I liked that part about how
you could kiss me all day.”
His eyes grew intense, and the air between them sparked with attraction. “There are other things I’d like to do to you all day, Cass. But definitely not in public.”
Butterflies launched in her stomach. “Yeah?”
He nodded.
“Like what?” Try as she might, Cassie couldn’t keep the breathiness from her voice.
Parker gave her a smoldering look that set her clit throbbing. “For starters, I want to love you up properly. Not a stolen moment against a door with our boots on.”
Ah, but what a moment it was. The memory was still so sharp she forgot to breathe, and his next words made her mouth go dry.
“I want to trace you. Map your body. Learn every sensitive area.” He gave her a devastating smile. “And then I want to use that information to make you scream my name again.”
CHAPTER 6
Cassie’s eyes went wide and then darkened with desire at his statement. So she liked frank talk. Parker tucked that information away for future use.
“When are you off?”
“As soon as I drop the coffee back at the station.”
“Where do you suggest we go for these… ah… shenanigans?”
He cocked an eyebrow at Cassie’s choice of words. Shenanigans certainly described their previous encounters, both their first time on a rise overlooking Liberty Creek ten years ago, and just the other day in Hutch. Not that he was complaining, but Cassie deserved better than shenanigans. “For starters, a bed would be nice.” He drew the back of a finger down her cheek. A pink spot erupted where his finger had traced.
She cleared her throat. “Bed. Check. Go on.” Her voice had gone husky, and it stirred something deep inside him.
“I moved over to the ranch right about the time you got back to town. Gunnar needs help now that Axel’s gone.”
“And?”
“And I have Axel’s old bunkhouse.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “So is this like Netflix and chill?”
“I don’t want to watch Netflix, and I definitely don’t want to chill.”
“I see.” Cassie worried her lip between her teeth, obviously wrestling with something. “Okay… you have protection?”
“Ribbed, lubed, and lambskin.”
“Really?” she squeaked.
“Whatever it takes, sweetheart.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re fucking with me.”
A laugh bubbled out of his chest. “Okay, maybe just a little. But whatever you like. If I don’t have it, we can make a quick stop.”
“When was the last time you were tested?”
“Every six months and I haven’t had a partner in eighteen.” His face burned at the admission. He’d never been grilled this way before, not that he minded. He’d always been able to tell Cassie anything.
“Eighteen months, huh?” Her eyes lit with humor.
He shrugged.
“I have you beat,” she confessed quietly.
Parker’s eyebrows shot skyward. That was a surprise. Another story to pull out of her. Cassie was drop dead gorgeous, wicked smart, and fun to be around. He was certain she’d had men falling all over her from the time she left Prairie.
She continued, laying another surprise on him. “I get tested routinely, so… yeah.” She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to his in both challenge and invitation. “I have an IUD, and since, well… if it were anyone else, it wouldn’t fly, but you can eighty-six the condoms.”
His heart began to pound. Awareness buzzed through him, making it hard to focus. The idea of being completely naked with Cassie sparked something deep inside him. “I’m fine with whatever you want, Cass.”
Her mouth quirked. “Anything?”
Parker’s cock woke up as his mind went to a very dirty place. With time on their hands and no chance of interruption, he and Cassie could make earthquakes. He nodded slowly. “Anything. Toys. Lube. Whatever you want.”
Her mouth parted in surprise, and her tongue darted out to wet her lower lip. He stifled a groan as she considered his answer, imagining all the things her tongue could do to him.
“Are you saying you like kink?” Cassie’s eyes lit with curiosity. Or was it anticipation?
Parker shifted his stance, making room for his cock that now stood at attention. Words had never been a turn-on for him. But talking like this with Cassie brought a whole new level of arousal. Heat snaked through him, building in his chest.
He tilted her chin with a finger, running the pad of his thumb over the lip she’d just slicked. “Remember what I said about screaming my name? I like whatever gets you off.” He’d be happy with straight up fucking, but in truth, he’d do whatever she liked. Anything to put the look of ecstasy on her face again.
“Hmmm. I like that.” She nipped at his thumb and gave him a naughty smile. “But what about you? What gets you off?”
That was simple. He caught her gaze and answered firmly. “You.”
Surprise flickered briefly in Cassie’s eyes, followed by straight-up hunger. Parker swallowed from the intensity of her stare, a jolt of pure lust settling heavy and low.
He captured her hand, and turning it, brought her delicate wrist to his mouth. A faint aura of perfume lingered. Something floral.
Add finding all the places she put perfume to his growing list of fantasies involving Cassie. He kissed the sensitive spot, registering her pulse fluttering wildly against his lips. He opened his mouth for a taste, tongue swiping where his lips had been. She stilled in his loose embrace and gasped sharply. He tongued the silky skin again before raising his head.
“Park?” Her voice shook the tiniest bit.
“Mmm?”
“Let’s get out of here.”
She didn’t need to ask twice. “My truck’s back at the station. Meet me there?”
“I have my bike.”
“No need. I’ll give you a ride.”
Cassie’s eyebrows slashed together. “No way. I’m not leaving my baby here.”
That shouldn’t have annoyed him, but it did. Cassie’s fancy Ducati motorcycle was a rolling piece of art. As sleek and gorgeous as a Corvette. But he was certain she drove it way too fast and took too many chances. A knot of worry pressed on his sternum. Didn’t she realize what she meant to people here? To her family? To him? The thought of her sprawled flat on the pavement made his stomach lurch sickeningly. “You planning on popping wheelies while you wait for me to catch up?” He purposefully kept his voice light.
She gave him an evil grin. “Maybe? That bother you?”
He shook his head as he placed another kiss on her palm. “Nope. Just so long as you wear your helmet.”
She yanked her hand away. “When have I ever not worn a helmet?” she snapped.
“Overreact much?” Her reaction surprised him. “Maybe I’d hate to have something happen to your beautiful head before we get to the main show,” he snapped back. “That’s all.”
Relief crossed her face. “Roger that, Captain Safety Nazi.”
He crossed his arms. “You think I’m a safety Nazi because I worry about peeling your face off the pavement? You haven’t seen what I’ve seen. Too much can happen in a split second.” An awkward silence stretched between them.
Shit.
Guilt ate at him. He hadn’t meant to be overprotective. She’d probably seen worse than he had, but the paramedic in him would always be on the lookout for danger. And he’d failed at keeping so many people safe… the memory of pulling the rubble off his uncle punched him in the gut.
Sighing, Cassie caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry Park. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I don’t think of danger the same way most people do. But I do take safety seriously, and I’d never do anything stupid. Promise.”
He nodded, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. He’d have to take her at her word, but it wouldn’t stop him from worrying about her. “Yeah. It would be a sin to beat up Biscotti the Ducati, right?”
Her laughter filled
the space behind the truck, breaking the tension. He loved the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. “Clever. But her name’s Sally.”
“Sally?” He crossed his arms, shaking his head. “Not sexy enough for that bike.”
“Well you’re not going to call her Hop Along Dos,” she said, a smile curving her mouth.
She’d hated that he’d named her first motorcycle Hop Along. “You’re right, that doesn’t fit the bike either. I know. Death Trap.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Sally.”
“She Beast?”
“You can do better.”
Parker stroked his chin. “Got it. Flying Ace?”
“No way. That’s an Air Force term.”
“Speed Racer?”
“Oh Lord help me.” Cassie’s shoulders shook.
“Dragon.”
She shook her head.
“Sassy Cassie?”
“Just. Stop.”
He moved in and cupped the back of her neck, pressing a hard kiss to her mouth. “We can argue about this when we’re naked and alone. I’m gonna bring coffee to the crew and grab our plates. Meet me at the truck?”
She gave him a wicked grin. “Why don’t you meet me back here and I’ll grab the food. You wouldn’t want to cause any more gossip.”
“As long as it’s about us, I’m good with it.” Laughing, he scooted around the front of the food truck before she had a chance to respond.
CHAPTER 7
Cassie tucked her hair into her helmet while she waited for Parker to come back with his truck. Overreact much?
Apparently.
She hadn’t meant to snap at him. She’d just… reacted.
But reacted to what? This was Parker. He’d always worried about her breaking her neck. Since the day they’d started hanging out as teenagers. His comment was nothing new. If anything, it was an endearing reminder that he was always looking out for her.
You don’t deserve that anymore, do you? Not when you let your crew mates die.
Guilt stabbed through her, even as she shook her head to chase away the thought. She was home. Here and now was what mattered. Nothing else. But living with the past – moving beyond the past was proving harder than she’d realized.