At this, he swung his gaze back to his friend, his eyebrows arched. “Little sister? That’s it?”
Understanding dawned in Zac’s expression and a slow smile spread across his face. “You interested? Cause I gotta tell you, you’d be getting a prize if you captured her attention. She’s sweet, pretty, smart, and about as nice a person as you could ever want to meet.”
Sighing, he returned his attention to her. Watching her stand silently on the game’s sideline, his fists landed on his hips. “Yeah, I see her at work and know you’re right.” Turning back to Zac, he asked, “I suppose she was part of the original Baytown gang of friends?”
Shaking his head, Zac said, “Nah. She was a couple years behind us in school and super shy. I know it sounds like we were self-absorbed dicks looking for girls who put out but, then, we were teenagers so I guess that pretty much describes most of us. By the time us guys had gotten back from the military and started hanging out again, she was already part of Tori, Jillian, and Katelyn’s tribe. She’s still really quiet, but not as shy as she used to be.”
Listening raptly, his gaze nonetheless kept drifting to Belle. She was everything Zac said she was, and so much more. And he…well, one thing had led to another and now it felt like his life was not exactly in his own hands anymore. He felt Zac’s eyes on him and looked back at him, seeing his friend’s grin. Dropping his chin to his chest, he slowly shook his head.
“What’s wrong? It’s obvious you’re into her—”
“Timing sucks,” was his only reply.
Zac continued to observe him for a moment, then, said, “Speaking of timing, I’d been asking you for over a year to come check out Baytown. What made you finally decide to come?”
Silent for a moment, he lifted his head, his eyes still on Belle, watching as she threw her head back in laughter at something Callan had said. “Still timing, I suppose. The timing was just right to come here.”
Just as Zac was getting ready to turn away to join his wife, Hunter halted him with a hand on his arm. “Sorry to keep you, man, but I wanted to ask about the Pain Management Center.”
Zac’s eyes opened wide, and he nodded enthusiastically. “Shit, Hunter, I forgot about that equipment explosion that sent some metal into your leg. That still bother you?”
Lips pinched, he offered a silent nod.
“Absolutely, I’ll get that information to you. In fact, you can check their website tonight and I’ll get the info to you tomorrow. We’ve already had a couple of members try them out, and they say they’re really good.”
With a final nod, Hunter said, “Obliged.” Watching Zac return to the group near the back where Madelyn greeted him with a hug, he swung around, keeping an eye on the beautiful Belle.
As though called up by a wish, she turned, catching his eye. He watched the color rise over her face before her shoulders slumped. She moved through the crowd toward him, stopping when her tiny shoes stood directly in front of his large size twelve boots. He opened his mouth, but she got there first.
“I’m sorry, Hunter,” she said, her guileless gaze holding his. “You were just looking out for me and I took offense.”
Shaking his head, he admitted, “No, you have nothing to apologize for. It was all me…me being overbearing.”
She sucked in her lips, attempting, and failing, to hide her smile. “Why do I get the feeling that apologies don’t come easily to you?”
A chuckle erupted from deep within his chest and his eyes twinkled. “Damn, girl, for a shy one, you know how to hit.”
As soon as the word shy left his mouth, he watched a flash of unease move through her eyes. “Hey…you okay? I didn’t mean—”
A self-deprecating grimace pulled her lips down and she shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Actually, you’re right. I’ve always been shy…but, I’m working on it.”
He stepped closer, lifting her chin with his knuckle, not speaking until he held her gaze. “You don’t gotta be anybody but who you are. Nothing wrong with being shy.” Just then, loud laughter rang from the back of the bar where their friends were still gathered. He jerked his head toward them and added, “In fact, I kind of like the quiet type.”
A slight blush crept from her chest to her hairline as her lips curved upward again. Dropping his hand reluctantly, he asked, “Are you still interested in the game or can I take you home?”
She looked over her shoulder in the direction he was glancing and shook her head. “No, I was just hanging with them for a little while. Sometimes it’s easier.”
“Easier?”
Sucking in her lips again, she gave a little shake. “Oh, nothing…uh, I’m ready to go home if you’d like to take me. Katelyn brought me, so I don’t have my car here. I was just going to walk home.”
At that piece of information, he felt his jaw tick again and growled, “You shouldn’t walk by yourself. I don’t care how safe Baytown is…no woman should be out alone at night.” Seeing her about to protest, he rushed, “Don’t care if that sounds patronizing…I'm just cautious.”
“Fair enough,” she agreed. “In fact, it was only a year ago that we had a problem with women being attacked—”
A growl rose from his chest and she raised her hand, resting it on his bicep. “The police caught him.”
Lifting his hand to cover hers, he said, “Just because they caught one doesn’t mean there aren’t others.” Keeping hold of her hand, he lowered his slowly and, with a little tug, pulled her closer to his side as they walked toward the door.
Belle looked to the back of the Pub and waved toward Katelyn, who had a huge smile on her face. As they moved through the door, Hunter continued to keep her hand tucked into his as he led her to his motorcycle.
Her feet stumbled as they neared and she jerked on his hand as she halted. “Uh…I’ve never ridden a motorcycle before.”
“Never?”
She shook her head and watched as he let go of her hand and grabbed the extra helmet from the back. He chuckled as he slid it over her head. “It’s kind of big, isn’t it?” she asked, feeling it wobble.
He bent and adjusted the straps, making it snug. “Yeah, it’s not a perfect fit, but it’ll do for now.” He stood and stared into her wide eyes. “Scared?”
“Kinda,” she admitted, but her lips curved slightly. “But, also kinda excited. I like trying new things.”
“Well, alright then,” he grinned, pulling his helmet on. Instructing her how to mount behind him, she hesitated again.
“Oh, dear. I’m in a dress.”
Hunter’s gaze slid slowly down her body, noting her curves for the hundredth time since he had seen her the first time. “Don’t worry. You’ll be pressed tightly to me and no one’ll see anything.”
Sucking in a deep breath, Belle placed her hand on his shoulders and swung her left leg over the seat, glad for the cover of darkness to hide any possible panty-flashing she might have given. Once on, she placed her feet on the rests and grabbed him around the waist.
“Tighter,” Hunter ordered, pulling her hands to his front, carefully handling her injured wrist, and feeling her breasts press tightly to his back. “Ready?”
Belle nodded against his shoulder, but could feel her insides quaking with fear. He started the engine and her heart pounded, threatening to drown out the sound of the bike. Before she could change her mind, they roared off, heading down Main Street toward the beach.
Taking a roundabout way to get to the mobile home park, he heard her squeal and hoped it was in delight and not terror.
“You okay?”
“I love it!” she yelled over the roar of the engine.
He was tempted to head out of town and take her for a long ride, but did not want to push his luck. As it was, he had to focus on the road because the feel of her lush body pressed to his was stealing his concentration, the blood rushing from his brain.
Pulling up to her house, he cut the engine and kicked down the stand. Her hands did not unclasp and he called out, “H
ate to have you move, babe, but I can’t get off until you do.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed, swinging her leg over, clutching his shoulder until her legs were steady underneath her. Her fingers fumbled with the helmet strap, but after he dismounted, he gently moved her hands out of the way and unfastened it effortlessly. Hanging it on the handlebars, he quickly added his there as well.
Missing the warmth of his body, Belle rubbed her palms over her skirt, forcing her eyes to his face. “Do you want to come in?”
Emotions warred within and, giving in to the loudest one, Hunter stepped closer and placed his hands on either side of her face. Using his thumbs to gently lift her chin, he bent, lowering his mouth until it was a whisper away. Searching her expression for signs that she did not want this, all he saw was desire matching his.
He took her lips, soft at first but as she moaned, the kiss morphed into white-hot passion. Thrusting his tongue into her warm mouth, he caressed the crevices, tasting the essence of her.
Her body fit perfectly to his, her mouth, everything he could have imagined. Pure sweetness. She lifted on her toes, pressing in closer, her hands clinging to his shoulders. Loving the feel of her desire, he angled his head slightly, taking advantage of the easier access. The kiss bloomed wild and hot, and the desire to take it further shot through his body, threatening to obliterate his good intentions.
Pulling back, he held her close to his body as she swayed toward him. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking several times as though she was unaware of her surroundings. Finally answering the question that she had asked minutes earlier, he replied, “I’d love to come in, but I’m not going to.” Seeing the confusion wash across her face, he hastened to explain, “Nothing more I’d like to do than to keep kissing you, but Belle, I wanna do this right. You deserve nothing but the best and I don’t think I can give that to you right now.”
Her head tilted and with her hands still holding tightly to his shoulders, she asked, “Why not?”
He looked upward toward the stars for a moment before dropping his head, the words groaning from deep inside. “Got some shit I’m working through.”
“Oh,” she said, but her voice betrayed her confusion.
“Soon, I promise. As soon as I get a handle on some things.” Cupping her face once more, he kissed her lightly. “Belle, when I can come to you, and I will come to you, I want all of you to have all of me.”
Kissing her once more, he linked fingers with her and walked her up to her house. “I’ll stay until you’re locked in.”
She stepped through the door and he heard the lock flip. Regret moved through his heart as he replaced his helmet and threw his large leg over his bike. Roaring the engine, he pulled out of her short drive and turned to head to his camper, his mind on what he needed to take care of before he could claim her. Necessity flooded his thoughts, staying with him long into the night.
Belle lay in bed, her sighs long and loud as sleep evaded her. She finally arose and padded into the bathroom, taking some ibuprofen to dull the ache in her wrist, recognizing that going to work and carrying trays at Finn’s might have been just as Hunter had said…too much too soon.
Hunter. If she were honest, she knew why she could not sleep and it was not just her wrist. More like the handsome man with the kiss that could alter her universe. What was he talking about? What does he need to take care of? Sighing, she lay back down, trying to get her mind back on her career goals and not the man who had invaded all her thoughts.
An hour later she finally fell asleep, but he invaded her dreams.
7
Belle walked to the top of the stairs and smiled, seeing the other women already sitting around the two tables that had been pushed together. The second floor of Jillian’s Coffee Shop was her galleria, where she displayed artwork from various local artists. The floor to ceiling windows allowed natural light to pour into the space and overlooked Main Street. It was also where she had a few glass-topped, wrought-iron tables with matching chairs. Lacy tablecloths and floral napkins covered the tables, coffee cups filled with aromatic brew all ready for the gathering of friends.
“Hey,” she greeted.
Madelyn, Tori, Jillian, Jade, and Katelyn called out their greetings in return as she took a seat. “It’s nice to have a day off so I can have coffee with you all,” she said.
“Did you get your errands run?” Tori asked.
“Yep. Cleaned the house, ran to the grocery, and paid some bills. And now this,” she waved her hand out, “is my reward.” Looking at Tori, she asked, “Where’s Eddie?”
Laughing, Tori replied, “Mitch’s parents are having a morning playing Gramma and Papa.”
“I love your dress,” Jade gushed, staring at her white sundress covered in light blue flowers.
“Thanks,” she said, reaching for her coffee mug. “I found it at the Goodwill store in Easton. I couldn’t believe that it fit.”
“Well, you’re just in time for our wedding planning,” Jade announced.
Grinning, she looked at the others and said, “Remember when we had wedding planning meetings for Tori and then Jillian and then Katelyn…all involved lots of drinking and dancing.”
“Oh, God, that was fun,” Jillian laughed. She smiled at Katelyn, nearly bursting as she neared the end of her pregnancy, and added, “Those days are long gone!”
After only a few minutes of planning, Jade closed her notebook and sighed. “This is all we need to do for now. Lance and I are trying to keep it small, but both our parents are wanting a much bigger event.”
“Will you give in?” Katelyn asked.
A smile slid over Jade’s face as she shook her head. “Nope…small, here in Baytown. Just what we want.”
Ginny rounded the top of the stairs, wearing her BPD polo and khaki pants. “Sorry, only have a few minutes to pop in and say hello.”
“We were just talking about weddings,” Madelyn said.
Chuckling, Ginny reminded them of her and Brogan’s wedding by the beach. “Only had friends there…it was perfect.” She sucked in her lips for a moment and said, “I also wanted to pop by with some news.”
Everyone’s eyes grew wide as they stared at the pretty policewoman, strangely nervous.
“Well, Brogan and I are expecting—”
“Oh, my God!” they cried in jubilation. Hugs abounded, as Ginny accepted their congratulations.
Katelyn grinned at her sister-in-law. “We’ll have cousins near the same age. Now, if we can just find someone for Aiden, then we can all have babies that can be the next generation of Baytown kids.”
“Good luck with that,” Jillian quipped.
As their mirth ebbed, Madelyn looked at Belle and said, “So…we were just talking before you came in…”
Belle halted her cup on its way to her lips at everyone’s guilty expressions. “I guess that’s why my ears were burning as I came in.” Completing her sip, she asked, “And do I want to know what you all were talking about?”
Tori began, “You went off with Hunter the other night—”
“On the back of his motorcycle,” Katelyn finished, lifting her eyebrow.
“Well, I…uh…” she blinked, uncertain what to say.
“Zac is really glad he moved here,” Madelyn threw out.
“He lives near you, doesn’t he?” Jade asked, her wide green eyes turned toward her.
Jillian looked around the table at the gathering and said, “Hey, let’s not overwhelm her all at once.”
Katelyn shot Jillian a pointed look, saying, “You’re just a curious as the rest of us.”
Grimacing, Jillian nodded, then, said to her, “She’s right. I am, but I don’t want you to feel ambushed. We’re all just curious.”
“Why?” She took another sip, fully aware that a blush was rising from her chest to her forehead. “It’s nothing…really. We’re just friends, that’s all.”
“Nothing? Honey, you’ve been friends with all the guys, but never rode off with one before.”
“It’s not like I knew we were going on his motorcycle. He asked if he could take me home and when we got outside, there it was. I was actually afraid at first.” As her mind roamed back to the vibrations underneath her ass, her body pressed from breast to crotch against his hard, muscular frame, a slow smile curved her lips.
“I knew it!”
Jolting, she blinked, looking at Katelyn smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“I knew you liked him. That smile says it all. You’ve gotten rides home from Aiden, Callan, even Jason, but I’ve never seen you with a smile like that!” she crowed.
Opening and closing her mouth several times, she finally hid behind the coffee cup once more, taking a large swallow.
Tori leaned over and placed her hand on her arm, saying, “You okay?”
Sucking in a deep breath, she looked at the concerned faces of her friends and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Really. It’s just that…I…” blowing out a breath, she admitted, “This is really hard.” The others remained quiet, giving her a chance to pull her thoughts together.
“I was never…you know…the girl that anyone was interested in.” Seeing them about to protest, she threw her hand up. “I’m not looking for sympathy…it’s just the way it was.”
Jade asked, “Why do you say that? My God, you’re beautiful. Any man would be honored to be with you.”
Hating to be the center of attention, she pushed through the uncomfortable emotions, wanting to share with them. “You didn’t know me growing up, Jade. You weren’t here. Jillian and Katelyn were, but I was a year behind them in school, so it was different.”
“Different?” Madelyn asked.
Nodding, she said, “Home life wasn’t so great. We were poor and lived in the mobile home park, which wasn’t as nice then as it is now. Back then, it was run-down. Some of the people who lived there were just down on their luck or living on a fixed income, but a lot were pretty scary. I used to be afraid when walking from the school bus stop. I learned quickly to keep to myself and not talk too much to anyone.”
Waiting for Sunrise: Baytown Boys Series Page 6