A Fare To Remember: Just Whistle\Driven To Distraction\Taken For A Ride (29 page)

CHAPTER TWELVE

“S
O, WHERE DO YOU
want to eat this?” Josh asked. He had an idea, but if they did that, he could predict the results. He could predict the results anyway. You could cut the sexual tension in the car with a knife.

“How about if we drive out toward the water?”

Bingo. Just what he’d been thinking. “Then I need to make another stop before we do that.”

Pris took a deep breath. “Have we decided then?”

He thought they had, but he still wanted to talk it out for a little while and make sure they had an understanding of what tonight was all about. “I’m not sure if we’ve decided or not, but like I said, we’re not going to stop with one kiss. And this limo comes equipped with quite a few things, but that’s not one of them.”

“Then maybe you’d better stop.”

His heart pounded faster. A decision to buy condoms didn’t have to mean a decision to use condoms, but in his experience, it usually meant exactly that.

He pulled into the parking lot of a drugstore. There were no spaces that would take the full length of the limo. “I’m going to have to block some cars while I run in.” He left the motor going and unfastened his seat belt. “If anyone wants the limo moved, just tell them I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Wait. Let me go in.”

“You?” He couldn’t believe she’d said that. Not Pris Adams.

“Me.” She unfastened her seat belt. “It’s better if they see a bride buying them for her honeymoon than a chauffeur from Red Carpet buying them while he’s on duty.”

He hadn’t thought of that, maybe because he didn’t feel as though he was on duty. But the limo company had a reputation that stretched from New York City to Boston, and Pris was absolutely right that he shouldn’t be caught buying condoms in one of these small coastal towns. People loved to talk, and word could get back to his boss.

Still, he hated sending Pris out to get them. “It’s chilly out there.” But if he gave her his jacket with the Red Carpet logo on it, then he might as well go in himself.

“I’ll be fast. But I need to borrow some money.” She held out her hand.

He started to reach for his wallet and hesitated. Having sex with Pris again could be the dumbest idea he’d ever had. He’d probably end up wanting her more than ever, and he couldn’t have both Pris and a secure future.

She dropped her hand back in her lap. “Second thoughts?”

The lights in the parking lot allowed him to see her expression, and she looked…wistful. Need gripped him in an iron fist. “Oh, yeah,” he said. “Second, third and fourth thoughts. But I still want you.” He pulled his wallet out.

She took the bills he handed her and folded them neatly. Now that was more like the Pris he remembered. Then she looked at him. “Maybe this will help with your decision. Six months ago I wanted us to get married, but no matter whether we have wonderful sex or not, I couldn’t marry you now.”

He clutched the steering wheel as a horrible thought occurred to him. “You’re not telling me that you’ll go back to your trigger-happy groom.”

She smiled at that. “No, but before I think of getting married to anyone else, I have to repay my folks for this wedding. On my salary at the tax firm, that’ll take a long time. So you see, you’re safe.”

Josh didn’t think so. But looking into her eyes, he no longer cared.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

P
RIS WONDERED
how far this newfound spirit of adventure would take her. She’d never bought condoms in her life, let alone while wearing a wedding dress. But all she was risking was embarrassment, while Josh could be risking his job. And it wasn’t as if she hadn’t already been embarrassed today.

As she walked toward the front door of the drugstore, she congratulated herself on coming up with something to put Josh’s fears of marriage to rest. In fact, she’d spoken the absolute truth. She felt horrible about spending her parents’ money on a wedding that had fizzled. She’d repay every cent.

A man who looked like a college professor held the door for her. “Need something for the reception, do you?” he asked with a distinct British accent.

“Not exactly.” She smiled at him and clutched her skirts so she’d fit through the door. “I’m a runaway bride.”

“You don’t say!” He peered at her from behind his wire-rimmed glasses. “I’ve never seen one of those in real life, just the movies.”

“The opening sprint was quite dynamic, actually.” She glanced around at the shoppers that had stopped in their tracks to stare at her. “Hi, everyone.” She gave them all a little wave.

Some of the customers continued to ogle her, while others gave her shy smiles and went about their business. Trying to look as if she shopped for condoms every day of the week, she located the display and stood in front of it, tapping her finger against her mouth. She wanted the brand Josh had always used. Finally she spied a familiar box and grabbed it.

At the counter, the female clerk grinned. “Honeymoon supplies, huh? I’ll bet the groom will hear about this for the next fifty years.”

Pris had become quite fond of her new persona, so she trotted it out again. “There is no groom. I’m a runaway bride.”

The clerk’s mouth fell open. “No joke!” She bagged the condoms and gave Pris her change. “Looks like you found someone to run away with.”

“Did I ever.” Pris winked at the clerk.

“You go, girl.” The clerk gave her a thumbs-up. “How far into the ceremony were you when you cut out?”

“It had just started.”

“And you ran for the hills?”

“Yep, I sure did.”

“I wish I’d been there to see that. A little gumption, that’s what I’m talking about. If it’s not right, then skedaddle. Vamoose. Let ’em eat your dust.”

“That’s what I decided.” Pris was beginning to feel like a superhero, a champion of women who had been unfairly tricked by devious men like Brad.

“Damn straight. You have a good night, now. Enjoy your purchase.”

“Thanks. I will.” When she emerged from the drugstore, she was ready to jump Josh right there in the parking lot. She was woman, and she was ready to roar.

He got out and came around to help her into the car. “I see you found something.”

“I did.” Before she got in the car, she grabbed him around the neck and kissed him hard. It felt incredibly good to be kissing Josh again. But they had places to go and each other to do. She let him go and noticed that he looked sort of dazed. “Are you okay?”

He blinked. “I’m exceedingly okay. And I now realize that I should have asked you to buy the condoms a long time ago.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

T
HE SENSATION OF
Pris’s mouth pressed against his stayed with Josh as he kept bearing east, looking for a road that would take them out to the water. A couple of times he wondered why he was bothering to find a scenic spot. Once they tumbled into the back of the limo, they wouldn’t care where they were.

But he’d always been a bit of a romantic. Oh, hell, he’d always been a huge romantic, and parking the limo in view of Long Island Sound really appealed to him. The wind was whipping up a little, and with luck they’d be able to hear the waves while they were rolling around on the leather upholstery.

And they would be rolling around. Her kiss had left him no doubt of that. The only question was how soon after they parked the limo they’d be in the back, naked.

Beside him, Pris opened one of the food bags and dug around inside it. After a moment she held out a French fry dipped in ketchup. “Here.”

He leaned over and took it in his mouth. “Thanks,” he said as he chewed.

“Want your hamburger?”

He knew it was more than a simple question. If they ate their food on the way to the parking spot, that left nothing to do once they got there except the obvious. “Are you going to eat yours?”

“No fair. I asked you first.”

His erection began to strain the material of his slacks. “Yes, I want my hamburger,” he said.

“Coming right up.” She sounded breathless, as if she might be getting eager, too.

He had some vivid memories of how eager she could be. “You know, we always had a bed, Pris. Would you rather find a place to stay tonight?”

She handed him his hamburger, carefully wrapped around the bottom so it wouldn’t drip on his clothes, the way she used to do it. “You’re bound and determined to get yourself in trouble, aren’t you?”

He thought about the suggestion and realized she was right. The Red Carpet limo would be noticed whether they found a motel, hotel or B and B. And all he had to wear was his uniform. All Pris had was her wedding dress. Without turning this night into an elaborate shopping expedition at a discount store, they were confined to the car.

“I guess you’re right,” he said at last.

“Those leather seats are very comfy,” she said. “Or maybe you know that already.”

“If you’re wondering if I’ve ever had sex in the back of this limo, I haven’t. I haven’t had sex in any car since high school.” And his memories were of cramped quarters and lots of fumbling. Ever since he’d discovered the joys of an innerspring for this particular activity, he’d never longed for vehicle sex.

But he was longing for it now. Apparently he was oblivious to anything else, because he’d devoured his hamburger without tasting it, wadded up the wrapping and handed it to Pris before he realized what he was doing.

“Want your shake?”

“Later.” He glanced over and discovered she’d nearly finished her hamburger, too. Turning down a narrow road, he saw the opening in the trees at the end of the lane. Beyond that was nothing but sand and the inky darkness of Long Island Sound. “We’re here.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A
S
J
OSH PULLED
the limo around so it stretched across the end of the beach road, Pris began to tremble with excitement at the thought of having sex with Josh again. “But we haven’t talked,” she said, feeling compelled to make sure they understood each other.

He shut off the engine and turned to her, his expression difficult to see in the darkness. “What do we need to say?”

“Maybe that this is simply a couple of old friends temporarily easing each other’s misery.” She could barely make out his smile. “Is that funny?”

“You make it sound like we’re sharing a bowl of chicken soup.” He unbuckled his seat belt.

“It’ll probably be more exciting than that.” She set their shakes on the floor, picked up the bag from the drugstore and unfastened her seat belt.

“I sure hope so. Listen, stay put. I’ll come around and get you. I don’t know how good the footing is on that side, and you’re wearing those crazy high heels.”

She didn’t point out to him that she’d run down the aisle and out to the limo in those same heels. His concern for her felt good. But then, she’d always known he cared about her. She wondered if he’d once loved her a little bit, too, even though he’d never said so.

When he opened the door, he let in the tang of salt air and the sound of waves slapping the shore. She breathed it in as he took her hand and helped her out. Their schedules had always been packed, and they’d only spent one day at the beach, but every time she thought of sand and sea, she thought of Josh.

He closed the car door and pulled her into his arms. “I haven’t told you this, but I want to before I take your dress off. You look amazing in it.”

She wound her arms around his neck, as she’d done hundreds of times, and looked into his shadowed face. “Thank you.” Now she could admit to herself that she’d bought it knowing she wanted to impress him, not Brad. Such a spiteful girl, wanting to make him sorry that he gave her up.

She’d wanted to punish him for not being the man at the altar. Her heart hurt a little standing here with him now, because she’d dreamed of kissing Josh on her wedding day. It was about to happen, but not the way she’d hoped.

He pulled her closer, his arms keeping the chill salt air at bay. “All this talk about Brad’s problem, and I’m scared I’ll be in the same boat. I’ll try not to let that happen, but if it does, don’t worry. After all this time, once won’t be enough anyway.”

She cupped his face in both hands. He felt so endearingly familiar. “I would never worry when I’m in your arms.”

His head lowered. “I want to kiss you while we’re still out here, because once we get inside, I might get a little wild and forget to do it right.”

“Right?” She smiled. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Before we get naked, I just want to say…hello.” His lips settled gently over hers.

Emotion flooded through her at the restrained movement of his lips on hers. The memories of hot sex had made her forget his great capacity for tenderness. He kissed her so sweetly that tears pricked her eyes. When tonight was over, she could walk away from the sex. But she didn’t know if she could walk away from this.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

J
OSH COULD HAVE SIMPLY
opened the back door, urged Pris inside and gotten down to business. He should have, because hot, fast and furious sex might have distracted him from the truth—he still loved her.

And because he loved her, he didn’t want to give her anything less than the best. Right now all he had was a slowly growing savings account and a dream that wouldn’t become a reality for a while yet. Pris needed a guy who could pay off her debt to her parents plus give her the house and babies right away.

For some reason he’d been granted one more night with her, and he’d better enjoy it, because when morning came, they’d part again, this time forever. Nothing had really changed. But at least he’d helped her escape from Mr. Wrong. And he could ease her frustration…and in the process, his.

The kiss he’d meant to keep under control became hotter. He wasn’t sure whether that was her doing or his, but tongues had become involved. When she took his hand and placed it over her breast, he decided that Pris was the one deliberately turning up the thermostat.

The dress’s plunging neckline made it easy for him to slip his hand inside. As he cupped her bare breast, they both moaned. Touching her felt incredible. He lifted his mouth from hers. “Time to get in the car.”

She was breathing faster. “Yes. I have an idea. We’ll take off the dress, turn it inside out and put it on the floor, on top of the petticoats. We can lie on it.”

He stroked her breast and knew his brain cells would stop working any second now. “I don’t know if that’s a good—”

“It’ll be wonderful. My body heat has warmed it up. Instead of cold leather, think warm satin.”

“I can’t think.” He released her and wrenched open the door.

She fumbled with the buttons at her wrists as she turned her back to him. “Undo me before we get inside.”

Thank God it was a zipper and not little buttons like her train. But first he had to navigate a hook and eye that didn’t want to yield.

“Pull it free,” she said, her voice tense.

“No.” He finally unhooked the doggone thing and unzipped her dress.

“The bra, too,” she said.

He’d had more practice at bras, and he had hers unfastened in no time.

Before he knew what she’d planned, she’d stepped out of the dress, flipped it inside out and laid it with a rustle of material on the floor of the limo. Good thing he’d picked a deserted beach road, because she stood outside wearing nothing but panties, thigh-high stockings and her four-inch heels.

They’d never ventured into semi-kinky play because straight sex had been so wonderful and he’d thought Pris wouldn’t go for dressing up in black garter belts and peekaboo bras. Now he wasn’t so sure she wouldn’t, and he wished they had the time to find out.

But for the moment, she’d climbed into the back of the limo, and he was way behind the program. Shucking his jacket, he decided if she could strip out here, so could he. Soon he was down to his briefs, which were stretched tight by a major erection. Throwing his clothes on a seat, he got in and closed the door.

“Want one of these?”

He squinted in the darkness and realized she was holding a condom. “You read my mind.”

She laughed. “No, I read your body language. Now hurry up. I want you so much I can’t see straight.”