Ensenada Escapade: Destination: Desire, Book 6 (3 page)

“Now who’s being unreasonable?”

“Twelve-hour shift,” he reminded her. “Tell me you’re not tired. You did just leave my sister’s house because you wanted to go home and get some sleep.”

“Maybe that was an excuse to get away from you,” she retorted.

“Are we going to stand here bickering or are we going to get on the highway? You have your options.”

Her face crumpled a bit, her shoulders slumping. “Of all the shitty things you’ve said and done to me over the years, Ben, this one is the shittiest.”

He wanted to apologize, but knew showing any weakness now wouldn’t serve him. So he kept his mouth shut and just arched an eyebrow, demanding she make a choice. He wasn’t sure what it said about him that she had to internally debate for a full minute whether her mother or he was lesser of the two evils.

She closed her eyes, resignation filling her expression. “Fine.”

Fishing his keys out of his pocket, he turned toward his MX-5. “My place first. You’re coming in with me while I pack, then we go to your place. We’ll hit the road after that.”

“It’s faster if we go to our separate homes, pack, and I pick you up,” she said as he walked away.

He snorted and didn’t bother glancing over his shoulder. “And give you the opportunity to leave me behind? Not happening, sweetheart.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” she called, and he heard the slight squeak of her car door opening. “I do not need you along on this trip. I’m fully capable of—”

“For someone who wants to save time, you seem to be wasting it by continuing to argue. My place first, you follow me.” He popped the lock on his car and pulled the door wide before he looked at her. “If I don’t see you tailgating me the whole way there, I will call your mother immediately. Is that clear?”

Her teeth bared in what only an idiot would call a smile. “Imminently.”

“Great. Let’s go. Don’t forget your passport.”

“I loathe you,” she spat and ducked into her car, slamming the door hard.

That was too bad.

Within an hour, they were on the road, the GPS on his phone charting their progress toward Ensenada. That also meant he was in an enclosed space with the woman he’d been lusting after for most of his life. The smell of her light perfume filled his nostrils, and he had to force his gaze away. This would be the longest amount of time he’d ever spent with her.

And he could feel irritation radiating off her, and the grip she had on the steering wheel was white-knuckled, so he didn’t bother with small talk. “Since you have the first stint at driving, I’ll see if I can catch some shut-eye. That way we can drive straight through.”

“Fine.”

Chapter Two

Ben Hudson didn’t snore.

Nora wasn’t sure that was information she wanted about him. In fact, with his face relaxed, and the dappled sunlight playing over the fans of his eyelashes, he looked almost angelic in sleep.

A yawn took her, and she blinked hard, focusing on the road. She was still fine to drive, but the adrenaline of finding out her sister was in trouble was fading. It also didn’t help that the California’s Central Valley was an endless stretch of dry fields dotted with citrus farms and cattle ranches, where the stink of cow manure made her eyes water as the air conditioning sucked the smell into the car. Nasty. Unfortunately, this was the fastest way to get through the state. The more scenic highways along the coast were windy and had lower speed limits.

Which meant there was a whole lot of nothing to keep her entertained as they cruised down I-5. Except listening to Ben breathe and wishing he hadn’t overheard her discussion with Hazel. Even sleeping silently, he bothered her and made her want to escape.

Her phone vibrated and she stuck in her earpiece to answer the call.

“Hello?” she said softly, glancing over to make sure she didn’t wake Ben. Nope, still dead to the world.

“Hey, it’s Camille,” her youngest sister replied with characteristic briskness. “I’ve been in meetings for the last few hours, but finally got Hazel’s message.”

“Yeah, I’m on my way down to get her. She forgot you had a business trip to Seattle.”

Camille made a humming noise. “I just got off the phone with her. She said Ben horned in on the trip.”

“Uh-huh. He’s crashed out in my passenger seat right now. I can’t even express how thrilled I am.”

“I can imagine,” she replied drily. “I would have come with you if I’d been home.”

There was a hint of defensiveness to her tone that made Nora’s heart squeeze. “I know, honey.”

A few years back, Cami had been in a bad automobile accident. No,
bad
wasn’t a good enough word. Catastrophic was closer to the truth. The guy who’d hit her had died on impact, but she’d suffered so many broken bones it had been like a horror version of Humpty Dumpty. Collarbone, ribs, both arms, and her left leg had been so damaged they’d had to perform a total knee replacement.

She’d fought hard through fourteen months of physical therapy to regain her mobility, and most people would never guess by looking at her that she’d been through such a traumatic experience. But she still struggled with long trips in the car. Not physically, but emotionally. She could do her daily commute with no problem, and could manage the hour it took to get from her apartment in San Jose to Half Moon Bay for a visit with Nora. More than an hour? Yeah, it was difficult.

Would she have sucked it up and come along in order to help Hazel? Definitely. Camille had a will of pure steel. But Nora was kind of glad her baby sister didn’t have to suffer through this trip.

She kept her tone light when she added, “Believe me, Cami, I would much rather have you with me than Ben freaking Hudson.”

“Pfft. You’d rather have almost anyone there besides him. Satan and Mom would be the only two lower on your list.”

She had to smother a chuckle. “True story, my friend.”

“He’s always been nice to me, but I’m sorry you’re stuck with him now.” Camille’s voice softened with sympathy. “I know he gets on your last nerve.”

“Oh, I think that’s putting it kindly,” Nora countered. “Especially after he blackmailed his way into coming with me.”

“I heard he threatened to call Dinah. What an asshole move.”

Apparently Hazel had filled the youngest Kirby in on all the dirty details. Nora had called about the slight, unwanted change in plans while she was throwing clothes into an overnight bag. “Right? He almost got a punch in the nuts for that, but then I’d have a lawsuit
and
the drama llama mama to deal with.”

Cami hooted with laughter. “A terrible part of me wishes I was a fly on the wall. I can only imagine the two of you stuck in a car together for days. One of you might not survive the trip.”

“I’m the one skilled with a scalpel, baby.” Nora grinned. “Bet on me.”

“I’d always bet on a Kirby,” her sister declared. “We’re badass like that.”

“I should probably go before he wakes up.” Though she’d appreciated the distraction, she was just tired enough that she should really concentrate. She yawned again. “Get some good business done up there and I’ll see you when you get home.”

“I’ll come visit,” Camille promised. “I want to hear all about your little Ensenada escapade.”

“It sounds so much more fun and exciting when you say it that way, but it’s mostly a long boring drive there and an equally long boring drive back.” A quiet groan issued from Nora’s throat. “With Ben Hudson along to annoy the shit out of me.”

Cami snorted. “Okay, maybe I’m glad I can’t be a fly on the wall.”

“Brat.” Nora shook her head, even though her sister couldn’t see it. “Okay, time to go. Bye, honey.”

“Safe travels. Try not to skewer anyone with a scalpel.”

“No promises,” she drawled and tapped the button on her earpiece to disconnect the call.

The miles continued to whiz by, traffic bunching occasionally as everyone tried to pass a slow-moving vehicle, but generally flowing smoothly. She cast a glance at Ben, but he still slept deeply. Probably for the best. Maybe he’d snooze all the way to Mexico and she wouldn’t have to speak to him.

A massive white Escalade flew up beside her in the slow lane, trying to shove in front of her before they reached a semi. The SUV wasn’t going to make it, but it wasn’t slowing down. Instead, the driver cut in too close, nearly clipping the front of her car. She slammed on the brakes and swerved to the left. Her wheel bumped over some detritus near the center divide, making the wheel jerk in her hands.

“What?” Ben shot upright, green eyes snapping wide. “What’s wrong?”

“An Escalade almost forced us off the highway, and I rolled over something.” She flipped on her blinker, eased across the slow lane, bumped over to the shoulder of the road, and pulled to a stop. “I think I blew a tire.”

“Did you get the plate number?” he demanded, anger morphing his features.

Seriously? That was the most important thing here? Her heart was about to hammer out of her chest, adrenaline shooting through her veins. “No, Mr. Lawyer, I was trying to make sure we didn’t die. The SUV is that white speck way up there. If you can see the license number, feel free to jot it down.”

Blowing out a breath, he reached for the door handle. “Okay, let’s get out the spare.”

“Good idea.” Yes, there was a little too much acidity in her tone, but she didn’t need his opinion or his help. It wasn’t as if she’d never changed a tire before. Her older sister had made sure all of the Kirby girls knew how to take care of all the basics on their vehicles. No handwringing helplessness for them. That was their mother’s forte.

The thought of her mom just ratcheted up her irritation with Ben. How dare he use her family’s problems against her? How dare he blackmail her? What gave him the right to tell her what she should and shouldn’t do? Asshole.

She shoved out of the car, slammed the door behind her, and strode around to open her trunk. Luckily, she had a full-size spare. She pulled out the jack and wrench and set them in the dirt beside the flat.

“Give me that.” He reached for the wrench. “I can do it.”

She backed away. “I’ll change my own tire, thanks.”

“Look, I’ll take care of it.” He came forward, trying to take the wrench.

That put him way too close, well into her personal space. Something quivered deep inside her, but she ignored it and tucked her hand behind her back. “I don’t need you to take care of anything.”

The tip of his nose almost touched hers, and he glowered at her. “Nora, just let me change the damn tire.”

“Why? Because you’re such a mechanic?” She arched her eyebrows and didn’t back down. “You have so much experience with car repair?”

“That’s not—”

She cut him off. “What makes you think you could do it better or faster than me?”

“I never said—”

“I can change my own flat tire. I know how. I’ve done it before. So stop bickering and let me get it done.” He opened his mouth to argue again, and she made a sound of pure frustration. “I swear, you never listen to me and you always think you know best. You’re like a damn bulldozer, just plowing over what—”

He grabbed her shoulders, hauled her into his arms, and slammed his mouth over hers.

Time stopped. Reality stretched and warped. Ben Hudson was kissing her. Of all the things she’d ever thought might happen in her life, this wasn’t one of them. The wrench fell from her numb fingers, clattering against the gravel.

A moan poured from her, the desperation in the sound shocking her. Heat swept through her and pooled between her thighs. He held her so tight it was difficult to breathe, or maybe it was the way his lips played softly over hers, contrasting with his restricting embrace. He suckled her lower lip, scraping at her flesh with his teeth. Her heart pounded and she dragged in a lungful of air. He used the opportunity to slip his tongue between her lips. Oh God. He tasted hot and male and perfect.

Turning them, he backed her into the side of her car, and she learned that Ben didn’t just kiss with his mouth. No, he used his entire body. He settled his angles into her softer curves, subtly rubbing his front against hers. The friction over her nipples made her shudder, utter want ricocheting within her. She lifted one leg and wrapped it around his thigh, and the hard length of his erection pressed into her sex. The slow rocking of his hips ground him against her clit, and her inner muscles spasmed. Her need built with every move he made, until she quivered on the ragged edge of her control. She set her hands on his shoulders, not sure if she wanted to push him away or pull him closer. All she knew was that if he kept doing what he was doing, she was going to come here and now. She arched and whimpered into his mouth, so needy it was terrifying, but unable to stop herself.

He set her away from him as abruptly as he’d hauled her into his arms. “Okay, you can change the tire. Let me know if you need help.”

“All…all right.”

She blinked at his back as he turned away, feeling as if her world had somehow shifted on its axis in a matter of a few minutes. Pushing away from the car, she had to brace her hand against the door for a second before she was sure her legs were steady beneath her.

Holy crap.

* * * * *

Fuck, that was good.

He’d been dreaming about getting his hands on her since he was twelve years old. That was a long damn time to wait for a pay-off. But with Nora?

Worth it. Totally worth it.

Of course, in the forty-five minutes they’d been back on the road, he’d had a semi-erection that wouldn’t quit. A small price for living out his longest-held sexual fantasy. Part of the fantasy anyway. He doubted he’d get the chance to fulfill the rest of his favorite wet dream, but he’d take what he could get and have no regrets.

He could feel her confusion, but there wasn’t a single thing he could say that might help, so he kept his lips sealed. For all he knew, this was the first time she’d ever looked at him as a man and not some overgrown version of the teen who used to harass her. Sad, but he acknowledged the possibility. The intensity of their chemistry had rocked him to the core, and he’d been thinking about it for years. If she was new to the very idea, this had to floor her. He doubted she was pleased by the knowledge either, given their history.

She’d insisted on driving after the tire was changed, and he decided that arguing with her wasn’t his best option. They made good time through the Central Valley, despite the emergency repair. While they stopped in Lebec for coffee and a refill on gasoline, he checked the traffic in LA. Not too bad. Yet. But between them and LA was the grapevine, a twisting, turning stretch of I-5 that took them through the Los Padres National Forest and over the Tejon Pass. Here, cars drove too fast, semis drove too slow on the steep inclines and nasty accidents weren’t that uncommon. Not his favorite part of any drive to the southern part of his home state. And that was before LA’s notorious gridlock.

As they were descending toward the San Fernando Valley, he checked traffic again. He winced and glanced at Nora. “Do you want the bad news or the worse news?”

Her eyebrows arched above the rim of her sunglasses. “Is none of the above an option?”

“Sadly, no.”

She sighed. “Okay, tell me.”

“The 405 is looking slightly better than the 5 on traffic getting through LA, so we should probably take that when we get to the interchange.”

Another eyebrow arch. “That’s the bad news?”

“Yup.” He grunted. “Both freeways are complete shit right now. The 405 is slightly better. We’ll basically be in stop-and-go around the 10 interchange and it’s a parking lot outside LAX.”

“But still better than the 5.” Her tone was beyond dubious.

“Uh-huh. I said bad and worse news.” He resettled in his seat, ignoring that his butt had gone numb in the last hour. “That’s the best I’ve got for you, Kirby.”

“Outstanding.”

He shrugged. “Par for the course today, really.”

“Exactly.” She cut a pointed glance in his direction, and he kept his expression as bland as possible. She was not getting a rise out of him for coercing her into letting him join her.

Zero regrets. That was going to be his motto for this trip.

While she focused intently on navigating the thickening crush of cars, he did a search to figure out where they might eat dinner. Despite her plans to make it to Ensenada in one long drive, this traffic was turning into a serious clusterfuck. Another accident had popped up on the map, which meant it could take hours to get to the other side of the City of Angels.

“I hate LA,” she grumbled when a Porsche cut her off. “I really, really hate LA.”

The snarl in her voice would give any man pause, so he tried to distract her from the shitty road conditions. “I’m a NorCal guy myself. Never had any desire to migrate south.”