Come Morning (16 page)

Slowly, he placed his hands on her shoulders, his eyes on hers. “This.” Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to hers.

Though he’d kissed her before, this was really the first time. In her kitchen that day, she’d been an overwrought, grieving woman latching on to someone handy, not caring who, reaching out to the only one there. But not this time.

This time, Slade knew she was fully aware of who was kissing her. His touch was light, his lips gentle, letting her decide, giving her ample time to pull back.

Only, she didn’t. She let his lips caress hers slowly, seemingly suspended in time, perhaps waiting for her own reaction. She had to have seen the kiss corning yet hadn’t stepped away. He dared to increase the pressure ever so slightly. Then he heard a low sound from deep in her throat and it was like a signal, a go-ahead sign. His arms slipped around her and his hands urged her closer.

Briana did what she’d advised him to do, suspended reality for this one special moment. Her arms encircled him, her hands fisting in the material of his shirt as her mouth opened to him, inviting easier access. She could no longer deny, could even finally admit to herself, that ever since those feverish kisses in her kitchen, she’d been wanting to kiss him again. Wanting to find out if the feelings he’d stirred inside her had been because of her emotions that day or simply because it was Slade’s mouth on hers.

Pressed close to him, his breath mingling with hers, his tongue sparring with hers, she finally had her answer.

Passion. It was what had been missing from her life, even with Robert. She’d acknowledged the absence of it then, as she now recognized its very real presence. And she reached out with both hands for more.

She hadn’t wanted to need again, the very thing she’d schooled herself to live without for three long years, Briana thought. But the chemistry between Slade and her was too obvious to ignore, too real to question, too volatile to disregard. A mere look from him sent awareness shimmering through her. The more she denied that fact, the stronger her reaction.

Slade shifted, slanting his mouth across hers, taking her deeper, and Briana felt her stomach muscles clench. How long had it been since a man had held her like this, had wanted her so obviously, had made her feel so much? Almost more important, how long since she’d looked at a man and felt desire awaken inside? How long since she’d wanted to touch and be touched like this? Months, years. Maybe since forever.

She forgot that she was on a public beach where anyone could come strolling by, in a town where hundreds knew her by sight, although it was quite dark. She forgot she’d considered living a solitary life because wanting someone inevitably led to disappointments. She forgot she’d known this man less than a week and she was kissing him as hungrily as if they’d been lovers for years. She filled her arms with the reality of him and emptied her mind of everything but this wondrous feeling.

Slade knew he should stop. Even as his hands slid along her rib cage, then slipped between their bodies until his fingers found her breasts, sweetly heavy, unbearably exciting, he told himself he should back off. He felt her draw in a sharp breath and swallowed her soft moan as he caressed the soft flesh straining into his touch.

Maybe she was as physically needy as he. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been with a woman. Perhaps she was as ready for sex as he, divorced for years and only occasionally seeing the creep in the suit who was “just a friend.” Maybe she’d be willing to take this little experiment down the beach to her house, her soft bed, and invite him in.

The hell she would.

The cold voice of reason intruded on Slade’s thoughts and had him pulling back, breathing hard, buying time. Opening his eyes, he saw that hers were hazy with passion, her cheeks in the moonlight flushed, her breathing uneven.

Briana took a step back, struggling for control. She hadn’t expected her body to overrule her mind and react so quickly, so fiercely. She’d never trusted the fast and furious. Yet here it was, and it was overwhelming. “So, that’s reality. Whew! Packs a wallop, doesn’t it?”

He wasn’t in the mood for levity. His erection was huge and hurting, yet he had no one to blame but himself. He was pretty damn sure, despite her effort to lighten things, that she’d gotten more than she’d bargained for. “It probably wouldn’t be wise for you to get involved with me, Briana.”

“You’re probably right.” She was having trouble sorting out her feelings with residual desire clouding her mind. Why would he kiss her like that, then issue a warning? And why wouldn’t a smart woman, as she thought herself to be, heed that warning?

He did a half turn, feeling the need to expand on what he’d said. “You don’t know me very well. I’ve done things, things I’m not proud of. And you’re vulnerable right now.”

“Oh, bull! When aren’t we vulnerable when we run across an overwhelming attraction?” She raised her eyes to his, suddenly wondering if she was the only one feeling so bewildered. “Or is it just me feeling so much?”

God help him, he could think of no better way to show her. He gripped her shoulders again and brought his mouth down hard on hers. He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, forgetting all the reasons he shouldn’t. This kiss was shorter but the message was clear. He let her go abruptly. “Any questions? If so, give me your hand and I’ll show you more.”

Locked close against him, she’d been very aware she was wrapped around a fully aroused man. Briana took several steps back and drew in a deep breath, buying a little time.

There was no question that physically he wanted her, Slade thought. And he knew she felt the same. If he could just keep his feelings under wraps and concentrate on the physical, they could be good for each other. But more than that he couldn’t handle, couldn’t allow. Because if Briana Morgan knew the whole truth about him, she’d turn from him. “Maybe it’s best if we back off for now.”

Was it? Briana wasn’t sure. He was sending her mixed messages. “I don’t know.” She was being brutally honest. “I do know I’m not prepared to deal with this right now.” A simple kiss. She’d been so certain she could handle a simple kiss. Only, there’d been nothing simple about that kiss.

Slade ran a hand along the back of his neck, massaging the knot of tension there. “Me, either.” Again, he draped the blanket over his shoulder, struggling with emotions he didn’t want to face just now.

Taking her cue from him, Briana stepped into the shoes she’d dropped and fell in step.

They walked in silence, which seemed unnatural after the closeness they’d shared mere minutes ago. Slade gazed up at the stars, winking and blinking overhead. “Nice night,” he finally got out. The weather, always a safe topic.

“Yes.” She couldn’t think of anything bright or clever to add. They were near enough to the bonfire to smell the acrid odor and hear the small cracklings as the blaze slowly died out. “Looks like the party’s over.”

But Slade spotted a big man with beefy hands planted at his waist, standing downwind and watching the fire closely. “Not quite. Do you know that guy?”

Briana squinted through the lingering smoke. “Oh, yes. That’s Jimmy Kendall. He’s with the fire department. Probably came along, spotted the fire, and ran the kids off.”

Just what he needed, Slade thought, hoping the man wouldn’t notice them. But his luck wasn’t holding.

Jimmy spotted them, recognized Briana, and with a glance at the dying embers, walked over to intersect their sandy path. “Hey, Briana. How’re you doing?”

“Getting by, Jimmy. How about you?”

He indicated the bonfire still smoldering. “Damn kids. Never use their heads, even though we’ve got signs all over warning people about the danger of fire.”

“That’s teenagers, I guess.”

“Yeah.” Jimmy brightened. “My daughter finally had her baby. Nine-pound boy. Thought he’d never get here.” Jimmy hitched up his low-riding pants.

“Congratulations. Give Colleen my best.” Briana wasn’t feeling chatty. All she wanted to do right this minute was get home, lie down, and mentally go over the unsettling events of the evening.

Jimmy’s dark eyes examined Slade. “Say, aren’t you Jeremy Slade’s son? Heard you were here. Damn shame about your father.”

“Thanks.” Slade took a step, hoping to discourage more talk.

But Jimmy was nothing if not persistent. “Heard you were a firefighter in California.”

“Yes, I was.” Slade emphasized the past tense, hoping that would put an end to the man’s curiosity.

“Now that you’re settled in,” Jimmy went on, “maybe you’d like to stop in and meet the guys. We’ve got three stations on the island. I heard your father left you well set, but I also know that firefighting gets in your blood. We’re kind of shorthanded.”

Slade was unaware his expression had hardened. “Thanks, but I’m not interested.”

“Bet you’d change your mind if you came by. We’ve got a great bunch of fellows. Why don’t you come join us, son?”

Slade’s eyes turned as cold as a wintry sea.
Son!
He’d been no man’s son for years now, had had no father who wanted him. The very word had him seeing red. “I said no. And don’t call me that. I’m not your son.”

Taken aback, Jimmy looked from one to the other. “Yeah, sure, okay. Sorry.” He backed up, then turned away.

Slade set out, his strides long, his need to move on obvious. Briana kept up, but her own temper was frayed.

“That was pretty rude.”

Drawing in a deep gulp of sea air, Slade was sure she was right. “Yeah, I guess it was.” He wasn’t in an apologizing mood.

“Jimmy’s a nice guy. He didn’t mean any harm. Would it hurt you to stop at the station and meet the men?”

He stopped abruptly and faced her. “Yeah, it would. You don’t seem to understand, I left the fire department for good. Period. End of story. I’m sick of everyone on this island either telling me what a great guy my father was when I know he deserted his family or asking me why I don’t rush over and join the fire department. I wish everyone would just back the hell off.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Briana turned and started walking toward the coastal road, leaving the beach.

Furious—at her, at Jimmy Whatever-his-name-was—but mostly seething at himself for a long list of sins, Slade went after her. His longer legs had him alongside her in no time. “Look, I didn’t mean you.”

“I’m flattered.”

He gritted his teeth. “Listen, I’m sorry. Is that what you wanted?”

Whirling about, she glared up at him. “What I want is for you to go on your way and I’ll go on mine. All right?”

“No, damn it, it’s not all right. I’m seeing you home. Did you forget your house was broken into this morning?”

“No, I didn’t. Thank you for your concern, but I’ll manage. I’ve taken care of myself for a lot of years now and I think I can handle one more evening. Good night.” And she took off at an angry pace.

He let her go, walking a short distance behind her, overseeing her to safety even if she didn’t want him to. He’d be damned if she was going to dictate what he’d do. What got into her, anyway? One minute she’s kissing him like there’s no tomorrow, confessing that she’s got this overwhelming attraction to him, and the next she’s marching away from him like he’d done something really terrible.

So what if he was rude to that clown, Jimmy? The man had no business hanging around the beach trying to recruit reluctant applicants. Is that the only way this island could get help, bully or coerce or shame someone into applying?

Patchy clouds had drifted through the evening sky, almost blocking the moon. All right, so he’d been out of line. Jimmy Whatsit couldn’t have known that
son
was a four letter word to him, one that triggered his temper. He’d apologized to Briana. What more did she want?

Slade noticed that they were almost in front of their houses. He slowed his steps when he saw that Briana had stopped by the mailbox and was standing utterly still, her back to him.

At first, he couldn’t figure out what she was focused on. Then he saw the balloon tied with a string to Gramp’s mailbox. A silvery color, it danced and swayed in the ocean breezes. He glanced up and down the street and saw that each mailbox had a balloon on a string tied to it. Squinting in the faint light, he saw that the logo of a local real estate office was imprinted on the balloons. Just a silly advertising gimmick.

Wondering why the sight of a balloon seemed to stop her cold, he moved around her. She was fixated on the balloon, watching its jerky little dance, her face pale, her expression like glass that was about to shatter. He decided he’d better get her inside before her emotions burst free and she had another crying jag.

Slipping an arm around her shoulders, he started her forward. “Let’s go inside, Briana.”

She took one, two lurching steps, then dug her heels in, her eyes still on the balloon. “I’m all right,” she whispered, her voice so low he had to duck his head to make out the words.

“Sure you are, but you’ll be better inside.” He tugged on her, urging her through Gramp’s gate. Finally, she allowed him to move her along, but her steps were reluctant and her head was turned so she could still see the balloon over her shoulder.

Up the walk, up the steps, inside the porch. “Where’s your key?” he asked, but when she turned to him, her eyes were dazed, as if she wasn’t picturing him but another scene in her mind’s eye. “Okay, let’s see.” He slipped a hand into the pocket of her slacks and came up empty. In the second pocket, he hit pay dirt. The key was large and old-fashioned, but he finally managed to get the door open and Briana inside.

He sat her down on the couch and switched on a table lamp, which gave off a soft light. He watched her blink, as if orienting herself, while she rubbed at her forehead. She’d had a shock of some sort that had conjured up a disturbing memory, he guessed. He’d seen fire victims like that, days later blanking out, reliving the blaze.

Leaving her momentarily, he found the bathroom, wet a washcloth, and went back to place it on her forehead. She was warm to the touch, but not overly so. His arm around her shoulders drew her close. He held her there for long minutes, and finally, he felt the tension ease out of her, felt her muscles relax.