Divine (20 page)

“Wait a minute.” She shoved Pete’s shoulder
to give her access to stand in front of Travis and stumbled right
into him. He instinctively grabbed, his hands falling to the slight
curves of her hips. For a long moment neither of them moved. His
mind cleared of everything as it focused on the electrifying eyes
in front of him. He should treat her like dynamite, shove her off
him, and run for cover, but his newly out-of-control-body didn’t
listen.

Good ole Pete touched her shoulder, nudging
her gently to the side. She stumbled then regained her composure by
crossing her arms and finding something fascinating on the
floor.

Uneasy from her sweet perfume and the
unexpected chemistry transpiring between them, he slumped onto the
barstool and tapped his knuckle on the counter. “Another.”

“Something stronger?” Phil asked, arching an
eyebrow as if he understood his internal battle.

Yes!
He shook his head. Phil
disappeared through the kitchen door and returned with a full
glass. He downed the drink, hoping the liquid would cool his body.
It didn’t work and he tapped the glass again.

“You’ll be pissing the entire trip to
Montana,” Phil said as he retrieved the glass and headed into the
kitchen.

She sighed, a disgusted sound that begged
his notice.
Don’t make eye contact, imbecile
. The memory of
her sweet body pressed against his, and the belief that the heat
wasn’t one-sided, elicited fantasies of throwing her over his
shoulder and breaking down a hotel room door, like a freaking
caveman.

Phil dropped the glass in front of him.
“Last one.”

He chuckled. “As if I’m an easy drunk.”

“Cut the crap! I’m not with you,” she
snapped at Pete and bit her lip.

What did I miss?
He felt sorry for
the guy the way she’d jumped him, but damn, her nibbling on her lip
captivated him even more. He did what his fucking head told him not
to, but his dick demanded, and peered into her face. Those glorious
grays focused on Pete.

“Sorry. I’ve had a rough day,” she said.
“Come on, you know I don’t like anyone speaking for me or forcing
me into anything.”

His caveman idea vamoosed.

“You’re referring to Bebe,” Phil said. “The
rough day.”

Travis looked closely at her red-streaked
eyes watering and her pink nose. His heart cracked a little. Having
lost his parents, he knew how rough it was to lose someone close.
“Sorry for your loss,” he said, keeping sentiment out of his tone.
He wouldn’t sympathize, not with the vibes passing through him to
grab onto her and hang on tight. She could rock his world and then
some.

“I have to get out of here. The whole town
will watch my every move.” She touched her arm bracelet.

Pete and Phil both nodded their heads in
understanding.

He didn’t. If she had a bond with this
woman, why wouldn’t she wait to leave until after the funeral?
Saying she acted selfish for not staying wasn’t his place or any of
his business.

The skin around Phil’s eyes tightened as the
brothers worked her so she’d make the decision to stay. “You’re the
one she would want there.”

“She understands. Trust me.”

“Of course she does, but think about it. No
matter what she said, staying here is the right thing to do.” This
came from Pete.

Crap! They tag teamed her. When the brothers
teamed up, which happened often, they possessed a force that
weakened the best debaters. This he experienced firsthand. Stuck
defending himself for his decision to hang up Search and Rescue,
the brothers had worn him down. In the end, he’d won, but the
relentless conversation lasted hours. “It’s her decision no matter
how selfish.” He hadn’t meant to speak the last part.

“Uh-oh,” Pete said and stepped back, way
back, and so did Phil.

The chicken shits. Did they think she would
hit him? They would brawl? Though getting in her face would have
rewards. Her luscious body touching his again, her mouth close
enough he could kiss it without moving.

He turned forward to grab his drink at the
same moment she kicked his barstool. “I’m not one of your
regulars!”

“Seriously?” He snagged her ankle by her
boot. “You up for this game?” He rose and pushed her backwards. She
hopped. The girl was flexible, he’d give her that, but trying to
kick him? What the hell? He moved until she hit a supporting beam.
Still holding her ankle, he inched his hand upward until he gripped
her thigh and squeezed her leg into his side, his arm holding her
in place. The sassy gleam in her eyes held more life behind them
then he’d seen in anyone’s in a long time.

Excitement rampaged through him. She was
toxic, made him think things he’d never considered, like laying in
his yet to-be-built house in front of the fireplace. “What’s your
problem?”

“You are, obviously.” Her words husky, not
forceful as she considered her position. “Let go of me.” She jerked
her leg, not hard but gave a little tug, and his fingers went
dangerously close to touching the soft area inside her leg. The
place he loved to place his cheek while he did … more desirable
things.

“I’m not your problem. The guilt is for not
attending the funeral. If you wanted to get away, you would have
fought me.”

“I did,” she said, her voice lowering an
octave, crossing the line from innocent to dangerous lust.

Phil and Pete stood close; he smelled their
stink of protection. They knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t
do anything stupid to her or anyone. She did, yet she didn’t,
struggle.

“No, you haven’t.” And why did he care? Why
get in this conversation with her? Why not drop her leg? His body
took his liberties away, stuck him in a time-trap of
rationalization versus want. Rationally, he shouldn’t get close,
shouldn’t sympathize. Yet, his on-the-spot lust for her brewed
strong and prevented his mind from controlling his movements. His
body seized and locked onto its yearning, the caveman scenario
playing in his mind like a blissful flick.

Pete cleared his throat, the warning sign
he, and no doubt the line-backer-brother, would step in and break
them apart.

He relaxed his elbow just enough so she
could move freely if she wanted. She didn’t. Her sizzling gaze
locked on his, scorching his insides until a deep, throaty cough
erupted from behind him.

She lowered her leg, sliding it between his
arm and the outside of his thigh. The silky skin stroked his palm
as her foot slid to the floor. The enticing package of temptation
straightened her shirt and tugged on the legs of her jean shorts.
“I don’t need a ride,” she clipped, dousing the moment in a cold,
not-happening stance, with her arms crossed and her shoulders
rigid.

While his mind agreed with the rapid switch,
his body did not. He returned to his seat and finished his drink.
“I’m out of here.” And tossed a twenty on the counter.

“He’s it to Montana,” Phil said while Pete
growled.

“Later.” Travis turned right into the girl
who had his blood pressure elevating. “Nice to meet you.”

Her chin quivered and her eyes filled.

Damnit all to hell. How could he resist? He
didn’t ignore people, helped when he could. So why not her? All he
had to do was put his dick on lockdown, keep his attention on the
dark skies, and blast music through his earphones. With his senses
in a holding pattern, he’d master this. “If you want a ride, let’s
go.”

“You’ve been drinking.”

“You’re a frustrating minks!”

“You’ve been drinking,” she said again as if
he hadn’t spoken.

“Go, don’t go. I don’t care.” He scooped his
pack from the floor and headed toward the door. “See you guys in a
few weeks.”

(End of Sneak Peek)

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