by Jenna Gunn
He’s already cleared a few drawers for me, pushed back the clothes in the closet, and set clean linens on the corner of the bed.
What a nice guy.
“Make yourself at home. Everything in the fridge is up for grabs. If you want something, just eat it.”
“You’re like an Airbnb super host,” I joke.
“My momma didn’t raise a slouch.”
“I agree one hundred percent. Thanks for everything.” I almost yawn mid-sentence. “Sorry, I think I’ll turn in early. Got some catching up to do after last night.” The truth is, I haven’t slept for more than a couple of hours in a week.
“Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll just be down the hall.”
Then he’s gone, shutting the door quietly as he leaves.
I feel oddly at home.
The room is quite large, with a big king-size bed and a sitting area. This might be an old house on the outside, but the inside has been recently remodeled. There’s a nice blend of classic and fresh design in the space. It’s a thousand times better than the tiny bedroom of the 1980’s apartment last night with a headboard banging against the paper-thin wall.
This is like a delicious appetizer to the place I’ll be moving into before long if the job works out.
Hopping off the bed, I rush to the shower. I will not think about that.
I will not think about him.
The bathroom is equally as spacious with a long expanse of granite countertop and a large glass shower. I spread out my very few cosmetics and soaps on the sparkling surface. It feels decadent. Like I’m on vacation.
Soap and shampoo do wonders in helping me get the day off my mind. I’m almost feeling normal when I crawl into the fresh sheets. It’s barely nightfall outside, and I’m nearly giddy with the idea of a long night's sleep.
The darkness settles in around me. The apartment is quiet. Has Jeremy already turned in as well?
I’ve never had a male roommate all of my own. I’ve lived with a few girls that have had in and out boyfriends, but this feels different. I’ve never felt like I needed a man to look out for me, and I didn’t have that luxury as a girl, but I’m not too stubborn to admit there’ve been times when having a guy around has been a very good thing.
For one reason or another.
My mind drifts to Bryce and the way he pleasured me.
Bryce.
I get a flush of heat straight to my core when I just think about him. That man lights my fire. All that thick muscle and hard edges. Yeah, momma, and the way he looks at me like he’s going to devour me, scorches me from the inside out.
Flopping onto my stomach, I press my aching nipples into the bed.
I’m weak.
I wanna give in and rip the clothes right off of him again and again, get my bare hands on all his hot skin. I wanna climb him like a tree and ride him like a wild bronco.
The ache inside me grows to a fever pitch, and I moan, jamming my face into the pillow. This is so not good.
My ability to resist? Nil.
I’m pathetic.
Flopping over on my side, I curl up and squeeze my legs together.
Is he somewhere in a big king-size bed all alone right now too?
He’d need a king-size bed for sure. Heaven knows he’s all kinds of big.
God, I’ve got to stop. Or I’m going to have to get myself off.
I toss and turn for a couple more minutes before glancing at the clock.
I can’t stay like this. I might make a fool of myself tomorrow by humping his leg or begging for his cock.
Slipping my fingers inside my panties, I find just what I expected. Just the thought of him has me completely slick. My clit is already sensitive, so I know it won’t take me long.
Smoothing my slippery liquid over my bud, I begin the quest for relief. My other fingers join the effort, and I’m two hands in, gliding my fingers over my clit and circling the outside of my opening.
I can almost feel him touching me, dancing those strong fingers across my hot flesh.
Mmmm. I imagine his tongue following the path of his thumb and circling my clit. Yes, that would be absolutely amazing right now—all his heat and intensity directed at my most sensitive point.
My back arches and my heels dig into the bed as I bring myself up and up, right to the brink.
Bryce Archer makes for a powerful fantasy.
I want it all—every hard, powerful inch of him.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I start to shake.
Yes, I’m getting close.
I speed up my touch, circling my clit faster, wider, pushing my fingers deeper inside my slippery center.
Oh…almost.
I remember the feel of his mouth against my neck as he tells me how he wants to fuck me.
Yes! I’m soooo close.
I press on my clit and slide across it a little harder. My fingers go deeper. My walls clench as I think about him filling me up.
My mind conjures up just what I need to push me over the edge—Bryce folding my knees up over his elbows, thrusting so hard and so deep into me. He’s going to do his best to drive me mad.
Ohhh. I twist and angle myself for a deeper reach.
I want more.
I want him.
I know how he's going to make me scream every damn time.
Yesssss, I’m com…I’m gone. Like an orgasmic rocket.
My body clenches in a hard shudder. Biting my lip, I fight crying out. Oh god. Oh god.
Wow.
The room spins, and I pant while spasms shoot through me.
I don’t know how long it takes, but it’s a long time before the shudders leave my body and my legs stop shaking.
I guess if I can’t have the real thing, I’ll have to be satisfied with the memory of him.
18
Chapter 18
Brandon eyes me from his seat in my office. “How many interviews is that?”
Groaning, I reply, “Too many. Yesterday was so god-awful. All those weird people looking at us under those freaking spotlights.”
“What’s Raven have to say about this banquet?”
“She doesn't know.”
Brandon’s eyes go wide. “What?” He laughs, but it’s not really a laugh that’s filled with humor.
Tossing a file folder on my desk, I sigh. “Haven’t talked to her in two days.”
“Have you told her about the banquet?”
“Nope.”
“Man, you’re digging a hole big enough to put a car in.”
Rocking back in my chair, I stretch. When did the knot in my neck turn into a baseball? I thought the egg-sized one was bad enough yesterday, but this hurts like an S.O.B.
“Give me the invitation, and I’ll give it to her.”
Pinning Brandon with my best you’ve lost your mind look, I snap my head in a quick no.
“Bro, girls need time to get their girly stuff together for things like that. Do not blindside her like that. Not cool.”
Grumbling, I say, “I know.”
“What the hell are you waiting on?”
The chair creaks loudly as I stand. “A miracle.”
Brandon doesn’t say anything. He just looks at me like he’s expecting me to continue, his eyebrows raised.
“I just don’t want to see her. I don’t want to talk to her.”
“Your head is jacked.”
“Tell me about it.”
Brandon’s bare feet are silent on the tile floor, but I sense him as he approaches. He assumes the exact same stance I have, crossing his arms and frowning out at the ocean in front of the office. “You gotta tell her, or I will.”
Anger bubbles up inside me like acrid green swamp water. “Stay out of it.”
“No, I won’t. You’re being a selfish dick. It’s not fair, and you’re just going to make things harder on yourself too.”
“Captain?” My head snaps to the side. Jeremy is standing at the door.
“Yes?”
&n
bsp; “Sorry to interrupt, but you need to know about this.”
“Not a problem. What’s up?”
“We’ve got a situation developing, rip currents are starting to fire off left and right.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Jeremy nods, turns, and hustles off.
Brandon watches me. I recognize judgment when I see it. “Tell her today, or I will.”
Without answering, I pick up my hat, leaving him standing in my office.
Jeremy was right. Things are going to shit. “How many rescues?”
“Six in the last hour.”
Have you started to get people out of the water?
“Yes, Tower Three, Five, and Six have.”
Through the binoculars, I see that there are several large rip currents pulling water away from the beach. “I’ll be out on the four-wheeler. Radio me if anything else happens.”
Raven’s at Tower Five. Her schedule has been burned into my brain.
The four-wheeler’s distinct mechanical sound has beachgoers scrambling out of the way like a bee is chasing them. It’s a busy day for a Wednesday. Nice weather always brings everyone to the beach.
Raven, with her hair swirling in the wind, is standing on the landing of the tower with a pair of binoculars to her eyes.
She’s a siren, calling me to my death like the myths of ancient sea lore.
Okay, a new policy—I’m writing it up as soon as I get back to my office—no women lifeguards in swimsuits.
I know she has amazing legs, but the damn standard-issue swimsuit she has on is just a little too cheeky on her. Little round curves of her bare bottom are sticking out, and they look good enough to bite.
It’s a miracle there aren’t a dozen old dudes camped out around her station, all sporting tent poles in their trunks as they recline in beach chairs while watching her work.
“Raven!” I bark. Why do I sound like that? I’m not sure.
Lowering the binoculars, she glances at me and goes back to what she’s doing.
The nerve of her!
“Raven!”
Turning her head, she says something to the other guard on duty. Then my heart stutters as she slides on her sunglasses and starts her way down the ramp toward me.
She’s got a smile on her face. “You rang, Your Highness? I’m kinda busy. Not a good time for me to be distracted.” Crossing her arm, she pushes out a hip and gives me a quick appraisal.
God damn those long legs. I can’t even remember what I came to tell her.
She raises her brows.
My brain is short-circuiting, and my dick is coming online, happy to take over the helm. In about 10 seconds, she’s going to know. These swim trunks do nothing to hide that kind of problem.
I see her glance down, and her grin deepens, exposing a dimple. “Yes, you wanted me for something?”
“I do want you.”
Did she just trick me into saying that?
Her grin turns victorious. “If you don’t have anything to say, I better get back to my watch.”
Somehow, I manage to mumble, “There’s no one in the water.”
“Correct. We closed this section.”
Why won’t she take off her shades? To hell with looking at the black reflections of myself. I want to see her deep blue sapphire eyes.
I reach out and pull the sunglasses from her face. There, that’s better. Grinning, I counter her excuse for rushing off. “No one in the water, then you should have a minute.”
Her pretty pink mouth presses together, then that tiny smile reappears. “Maybe one.”
“I’m sure Kevin’s got it fine for a few minutes.” My eyes glide down her body. All that bare skin. “You shouldn’t walk around like that.”
Or I might do something really rash.
Like, drag you off to some utility closet.
Flashing her eyes at me, she shakes her head. “You shouldn’t act like a barbarian. You don’t wear a shirt half the time. What’s the difference?”
“A big fucking difference.”
Raven steals a quick look around, her eyes wide. “Shhh, that’s kind of foul, don’t you think?”
“I’ve said worse.”
“I know you have,” she mutters as her cheeks pink up.
Seems like now might be as good a time as any to break the other news. She hasn’t decapitated me yet, so I feel like I might be on steady enough ground. “I need to tell you something else.”
“Oh?” I see the pulse at her throat ticking up to a gallop. Where has her mind gone?
“I…um, well…”
Tension hums between us. Suddenly, I feel like I might need to duck when I let this one out of the bag.
“Bryce, you’re torturing me. Just spit it out, for Christ’s sake.”
“There’s a banquet. We have to go. It’s on Friday.”
I didn’t expect her to laugh, but she does. Loudly. “Is that what’s got you all wrapped around the axle?”
That reaction knocks me off guard. For some reason, I want her to be pissed about it too. “It should have you wrapped around the axle too.”
“Well, a banquet is not my idea of a fun time for sure, but I thought you might be telling me I’m fired, which is far worse.”
The face of my watch reads 5:15 when I walk to the station from the parking area where the four-wheelers are stored.
Raven’s waiting on me outside the door, sitting on the brick walk. I got so torqued up about going to talk to her that I forgot her invitation.
“The invite is in my office.”
We climb the stairs to the second-floor landing. “Come on in.” I motion for her to go in first. Closing the door behind us, I shut out any prying eyes that might be passing through. It’s late in the day, though, and the people who work in the building are mostly gone.
Raven glances around and looks at the photos and plaques on the wall. I realize it’s the first time she’s been in here. “That you?” She points to a photo of me with my dad standing in front of a pale blue lifeguard tower.
“Yeah, I was about 12.” Looking at that photo reminds me of how ingrained this job is into my life, my family’s life. It’s also a slap in the face, helping me remember that I’ve got to mind my P’s and Q’s. I’m third-generation on the job, not something to be taken lightly.
“Started you early, huh?”
“Dad was great about taking us to work. I grew up here.”
Raven settles into a chair facing my desk. “Must have been a great place to be as a teenager.”
“It was. We all spent a lot of time together in those lifeguard towers. Hell, I guess we are still spending time like that. At least the new generation is. Dad and my uncle show up sometimes to visit, but they’re enjoying their retirement nowadays. My grandfather was the original, and of course, he’s passed now. What about you? Go to work with your mom or dad ever?”
Is that sadness I see in her eyes as she glances away?
“Nah, nothin’ like that. Mom’s never been much of a career woman.”
“What about your dad? What does he do?” As soon as I see the pain in her eyes, I regret ever asking.
Her jaw tightens, and her eyes fall to the floor. “Not all of us have had fathers like yours. I don’t know mine.”
Shit. What do you say to that?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was a bad subject.”
“How could you? Most people have a father.”
Suddenly, my office feels small, and not intimate small but the kind of space that needs more air. I hate awkward shit like this.
“Did he die?” I finally ask because I’m already up to my neck in a hole. Might as well dig myself in good.
A wry grin crosses her face, then disappears. “Your guess is as good as mine. Of course, I’d have to know who he is or was to know that.”
Oomph. Now that’s an answer I didn’t expect.
Man up, Bryce. You’ve got to say something. “Raven, I’m sorry. That has to be tough.”
She drums her fingers on her leg. “I should get one of those DNA tests, Twenty Three and Whatever, but what good would it do at this point in my life?”
“I don’t know. Would it answer any questions you need answering?”
She chuckles, her bitterness plain as day. “Like I could ask what honkey-tonk he was in when he picked up my momma for a one night stand?”
“Um, well…” I don’t have a clue what to say.
Her eyes hold mine as she flatly replies, “Guess we’re lucky I can’t conceive, aren’t we? Otherwise, you might have a mistake like me floating around in the world one day.”
That hits me like a gut punch. She’s right. My fucking carelessness could have gotten her pregnant.
“I’m sorry. It was truly an accident.”
“I know. It takes two to tango,” she sighs. “Look, I didn’t mean to get all angry and pissy as a mule. It’s a touchy subject. And just so you know, Bryce, it’s why I normally don’t do one night stands. You were an exception.”
I’m not sure if it’s a compliment. “It wasn’t exactly a one night stand. But why me?” I have to ask.
She studies me for a moment, and her voice is soft when she speaks. “This is a whole new chapter in my life, Bryce. I’m not that old person. The one driven by her mother’s failure and her father’s absence. I wanted to let go that night. Do something wild. Something that felt good.”
She’s so strong. So beautiful sitting here across from me, telling me the things no one wants to talk about. The chambers of my heart are contracting way too hard. It hurts. I lean back to let the pressure off.
“I’m glad it was me.”
Dead silence fills the room. Her eyes drift a thousand miles away. “I wish things were different,” she murmurs, and the pressure inside my chest ruptures, splitting my heart in half.
Raven rises then and extends her hand to me. “I should go. Do you have the invitation?”
Sliding the desk drawer open, I see it there. “Recruit Raven Carson” is written across the front in bold letters.
Placing it in her hand, I regret that I have no words.
God, how I wish things were different.
Finally, I’ve met someone that I want to spend time with. Someone who makes me laugh. A woman who challenges me. Someone I crave. And she regrets being with me because this thing between us is standing between her and her dreams.