“Lucky bastard.”
Chapter 10
Jo rode a wave to the shallows. The ringtone of her phone had her racing to her towel.
“Did I wake you?” Ray’s smooth as whiskey voice sparked a sensual burn in her lower belly.
“No.” She panted. “I’m on the beach. Tell me the surfer didn’t take the big adios.”
“Not that I heard. Just checking on you. Figured you didn’t eat dinner last night. Thought you could use some breakfast. I’m doing a deck job this morning, and you’re on my way. You game?”
“You trust me to make coffee?”
“Barely.” A smile seeped through his tone. “I’ll be there in a few.”
Grabbing her board, she rushed for the house. After starting the coffee, she towel dried her hair and headed for her closet. She thumbed through the sparse variety and frowned. To say she wasn’t a clothes horse was a gross understatement. Then again, she had lived most of her life in a swimsuit.
Quickly, she turned for the dresser and opted for a pair of board shorts and a spaghetti tank shirt. Rather than fuss with her unruly curls, she twisted them up with a couple of combs. She’d washed her face and brush her teeth before dual exhaust bellowed in the driveway.
Ray breezed into the kitchen wearing cargo shorts, construction boots and a worn Ducks Unlimited T-shirt minus the sleeves. His bicep flexed as he held the box of Krispy Kremes. A Sonic bag dangled from the fingers of his other hand.
She snatched the doughnuts.
“A hundred dollar tip didn’t get me anywhere. I should have thought of sweets, instead.” He grinned.
“I deserved that.” She arranged their breakfast on a tray, poured him a cup of coffee, and shoved the oversized mug into his hand.
Yesterday seemed dreamlike, yet she still felt his warm and protective embrace. The masculine taste of his lips. She followed him to the deck.
He sank onto a deck chair and sipped on his coffee while staring at the ocean.
His reflective, man of few words, mood stirred her curiosity.
* * * *
Ray relaxed onto the Adirondack, already warmed by the September sun. Surf conditions made him wish he could stay. God, he loved this place. He’d grown up on this beach and was more at home here than anywhere. After Cappy died and Jo left for college, the place reminded him of those lost. He and Bobby took to having brews at Papagayos, but he missed hanging here almost as much as he had missed Jo.
During her absence, he’d decided it was for the best he hadn’t been allowed to love her like he wanted. He’d sowed his wild oats, and in the process, realized his heart truly belonged only to her. His hopes had risen when she returned, only to be dashed. He’d felt like a man dying of thirst with a cold beer in reach but no easy open top or opener.
“A couple of four footers every set. I was riding when you called. Too bad you can’t stay. Where’s your side job?” She eyed him while breaking apart a chocolate glazed doughnut.
“One of the guys on C-shift is redoing his deck. It’s an easy hundred and free beer.”
“Dad was always doing side work.”
“It’s the only way to keep up with the bills. So how did you sleep?” He flipped up his shades and studied her. “I was worried about you.”
She licked her lips and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Like a baby.”
Envisioning her snuggled in his hoodie, he took a bite of his breakfast burrito and chewed. “Tell me you slept in it.”
She glanced away. “Maybe.”
He cleared his throat. “I’ll get it when I leave.”
“It needs washing.” She whined before frowning.
Her little girl tone tickled him. Stroking her cheek, he said, “Nope, it’s going to be my new pillow case.”
“Careful, women don’t like to catch the scent of another female.”
He’d kick Bobby or whoever’s ass for mentioning his lunch with the nurse. His captain’s request for a favor couldn’t have come at a worse time. He should tell her, but she didn’t trust him. An arranged date, favor or not, would have her scampering away faster than a rabbit in a forest fire. He balled the burrito paper and tossed it onto the tray. “Christ, Jo.”
She put her coffee down and bit her lip.
“I’m not who I was in high school.”
Hadn’t he made his intentions clear since she returned home? He’d teased and flirted during their high school days. Maybe he was to blame for her insecurity with men. The idea startled him. Then Vic had probably reinforced her distrust. His stomach churned. He never wanted to cause her pain.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
Slipping to the edge of his seat, he took her hands. They disappeared in his large palms. “Won’t you give me a chance to prove it?”
She quit chewing her lip and smiled.
“I know finding work is your immediate goal, but I’m a patient man.”
She held his gaze. “If you have time, come by this weekend and let’s surf.”
She still didn’t believe he’d make time for her. The pressure would be off while they rode the swells. “Absolutely.” Standing, he drew her up with him.
Rolling onto her bare toes, she grazed her lips along his lips.
Their soft sweetness spiked his pulse into overdrive. Her tropical scent reminded him of days on the beach. He closed his arms around her. Soft but strong her body tempted him. He longed to show her how much he loved her. That he could be trusted.
“Thanks for breakfast and being worried about me.” Her pouty bottom lip begged for another kiss.
“I never stopped missing you, Jo.” His hands settled on her waist.
“If you’d told me, I would’ve taken the next plane home.”
“You needed to fulfill your dream.”
Her head bowed. “I only proved I’m small-town and gullible.”
The pain in her words lashed his heart. “You’re smart and witty, and I love that you’re a small-town girl.”
“I know you wanted to come out to help, but I couldn’t bear you knowing at the time. Plus, I needed to fix my mess.”
He gave her a you’re so stubborn look. “I love you, Dahlin’. God knows you’re tough, but sometimes you’ve got to call in the big dog.” He drew her tight.
She blinked. “I love you too, Hemanus. Cause you’re way too handsome to be a big dog.”
“What’s a Hemanus?” he asked with a laugh.
“A guy who’s a total package.”
He’d show her a brand of Hemanus he bet she’d never imagined.
* * * *
Jo kept pace with Harley during the last mile along the beach. She should have called Ray to help her train, but she didn’t want him to know until she’d made the cut. Harley knew the mind games to push her past her limits. After four miles, they crested the dune in front of the cottage.
Ray stood on the running board of his truck unhitching his surfboard.
“Yo, man.” Harley raised a dark brow coming to a halt.
Ray nodded, eyes shielded beneath his shades. “How’s