Please Remember Me (8 page)

Before she could finish her answer, Marlon sealed her lips with his. Although she fought him for a moment, once his tongue danced against her lips, she opened and softened. Dear God, her taste reminded him of the best wine and sunshine. Was it possible to taste sunshine? Hell, he wasn’t sure and didn’t care. The whimper bubbling in her throat spurred him on, drawing her closer. He groaned. Who cared that they stood on the sidewalk with a howling dog tangling around their legs?

When the kiss ended, Jaden gazed at him with glazed eyes. “You didn’t have to do that—but I liked it.”

He smoothed his thumb over her cheek, savouring her silky skin. “Does that mean I can kiss you again?”

She nodded, sending a flood of warmth through his body. “I don’t hate you.”

“Good, because I’m rather fond of you, Jaden Marie.”

“What about that other chick?” Her voice wavered. “Sabrina. Isn’t she your woman?”

Sabrina? She hadn’t been faithful when they had been together. Why the hell would Jaden think…? The incident in the apartment parking lot came back in a rush. “She’s nothing more than a friend with the wrong ideas.”

“You don’t have to be my personal bulldog. Although no one believes it, I can handle myself.”

Marlon brushed a rogue hank of hair from her eyes and cupped her skull. She felt so small in his hands, but so strong. She could handle whatever life dished out and yet he wanted to be there. “You’re tougher than nails.” He glanced at Sparky who thumped his tail against the ground with a steady beat. “I don’t want to start any rumours, but I’m pretty sure Sparks would like to go home, so why don’t we drop him off? I want to make things up to you.”

As they began to walk towards the house, Jaden stopped and gasped. “Man.”

He froze and scanned the area for anything or anyone out of place. “What? Who do you see?”

“There he is again.”

“Who?”

She nodded down the street. “That green car. It’s been everywhere I am.”

“The one on the corner?”

“Ford…Mercury, maybe. I couldn’t tell the make, but it has a dented rear fender and a bent rear bumper—like a frown.”

Noting the car she pointed to, Marlon committed the make and model to memory. “He’s leaving, but I’ll look into it.”

She slapped her thigh. “Dammit. I was supposed to call Cass. She wanted to know if I wanted to go to the races. Why don’t we take a rain check?”

Not wanting the good feeling to end, Marlon scooped her into another embrace. “My detail tonight is the races, so why don’t you call her and I’ll meet you there? I owe you a good time after my behaviour last weekend.”

A smile crept across her lips. “I’d like that.”

Strolling with their fingers entwined, they stopped in front of Judi’s house. Marlon released her hand and cupped the back of her head. “I’ll see you later? No running away from me, even if you don’t like me much?”

“You do realise there is a real chance we won’t work out? My track record sucks.” Jaden punctuated her words by poking her index finger into his stomach. “I’m rather shitty with commitment.”

“Are you throwing down a challenge?”

“Just don’t expect to win.”

“Why?”

“Because you won’t.”

Chapter Eight

Cass smoothed the blanket on the hill and placed the baby seat in the middle. Clumps of grass popped up around the edges of the crocheted cotton like little tufts of hair. Jaden crossed her legs and sighed. Mason, one of the engine builders for Cass’s dirt racing team, sat next to her and talked non-stop about gear ratios. Her head span. Maths had never been her favourite subject with her tutors. Then again, the only science she understood was biology, and that came from putting the knowledge into practice. So much for practicing.

Propping her head in her hands, she scanned the crowd again. People dressed in various team colours littered the stands. Everyone seemed to have a favourite. She leant over the baby seat and nudged Cass. “Are you going to expose him to all the noise? Seems really loud for an infant.”

Cass held up a thick set of earphones. “He wears these and tends to sleep through the races. I think the earphones diffuse the sounds into a low buzz and it lulls him to dreamland. Plus, I cover the carrier with a blanket to keep the dirt off him. He’ll be fine. Speaking of a buzz, have you seen Logan?” She checked her watch. “I thought he’d be here by now.”

Jaden shrugged. “Where did he go?” Since Logan had dropped off the national radar to be with Cass, his life was of his choosing. She coveted his decision to be his own man without the cloak of celebrity. Someday she’d make the dream a reality in her life as well.

“The local news wanted him and Corbin for an interview.” Cass stretched and crossed her ankles. “You know how he loves the cameras. He says it doesn’t faze him, but the man primped for an hour to make sure he looked good at every angle. He’s a dork, but I love him.”

Logan, a dork? Not hardly. He made women swoon when he smiled. But, yeah, he probably posed in front of the mirror to make sure he made the right visual impression. Above the superficial act, he loved Cass and Julian and no others.

“He’ll be here.”

“I know.” Cass placed the earphones on Julian and re-crossed her legs. “So, how was the first week with Judi? I don’t know her personally, but she seemed like a really nice lady. She called to ask me about you. I gave you my thumbs up.”

Waving her hand, Jaden bobbed her head. “Well, she takes a little getting used to, but it’s a good adjustment. By the way, thanks for the reference. And before I forget, she’s got a stack of your books she’d like autographed, if you don’t mind.”

“Not a problem at all. I love meeting my fans.” She grinned and tucked her dark hair behind her ears. “Did you know you made the tabloid shows?”

“How? I haven’t done anything.”

“That’s it. You haven’t done anything. Your father got on Movie Time Tonight a couple of nights ago, I think, and pleaded for you to come home. He thinks you ran off to Tibet and shaved your head. The scandal media ran with it and sent crews to at least three retreats trying to find you. This morning he pleaded for you to refrain from tattooing your body just for the sake of rebellion. You do understand that once he realises where you are, you won’t be able to hide here.”

Jaden snorted. He knew full well where she was, but trust him to make a couple of anthill stories into mountains. “You know he only wanted me around to boost sales for the magazine. When I behave, then he has to look for stories and pay his reporters to do their jobs. God forbid he spend money to make money.” Or love his child just because she was his child. “Hey, does your mail carrier drive a green sedan?”

“Nope, she’s in one of those funny little mail trucks. Why?”

“It’s nothing.” Jaden pieced together the sightings in her mind. Once at Cass’, twice at Judi’s, and once on the main drag. Could be a coincidence. Could be something more.

“Are you happy in Ohio?” Cass asked.

Before Jaden could answer, Marlon, decked in his putty-coloured sheriff’s department finest—complete with tall black hat—strolled along the fence in her prime line of vision. Her heart fluttered and her mouth ran dry. Some men simply wore their clothes. Marlon made the uniform work. With the gun and radio decorating his belt, he oozed strength. Even the badge gleamed in the setting sun. Marlon made her more than happy—he made her feel safe. She tried to bite back the grin curling her lips, even as her stomach flip-flopped. What would it feel like to strip him out of his uniform after a long day protecting the public?

A hand waved across her field of vision. “Earth to Jaden.”

She whipped around to see Logan laughing. The tips of her ears burned. Could they tell she had visually groped Marlon? She hoped not. Well, maybe she did care. Thinking of Marlon sent sizzles through her veins and left her fevered in delicious ways. A blonde trotted along the fence line and snagged Marlon in a tight hug. The little green-eyed monster in the back of her mind reared its head. So they weren’t a couple—barely friends. Seeing him with someone else gnawed under her skin. The blonde turned. Sabrina. Well, shit. Jaden shielded her eyes from the track.

As Logan plopped down next to Cass, he knocked knees with Jaden. She turned away from Marlon to snicker at Logan as he rained kisses all over Cass’s face. “I missed you, Cassie Love.” He nodded to Jaden. “Hey Jaden, I see you made it. The way you gaze at Marlon makes me think the cars weren’t the draw. I should be jealous, but I’m not.”

Jaden rolled her eyes and forced her attention to Logan. He still had an ego the size of a European country. “Sorry, I didn’t come here to stoke your self-esteem.” She shrugged. “So? Did it go well?”

“It’s all right.” Logan cracked his neck and pulled a hoodie sweatshirt emblazoned with a race car on over his head, covering the dress shirt. “Team Jensen will be on the eleven o’clock news, but don’t expect to see me.”

As she laced her fingers with his, Cass frowned. “Why not?”

“The reporter, Aurelia Goshen, the saccharine sweet one, thought that I drove the car and got miffed when I told her I worked behind the scenes. Apparently, she thought she’d get the interview of a lifetime and tried to put the moves on me. Grabbed my ass and everything! When I didn’t take the bait, she balked and walked out.” He smoothed a hand through his hair, patting it back into place. “Thankfully an intern named Tennille Black jumped in and talked to Corbin for over an hour. Good thing Ray’s driving in the first heat race. We just made it.”

Shifting her attention from her friends to the fence, she searched for Marlon. Where was he? She cracked her knuckles. So being on-duty meant no contact? Damn.

“Looking for me?”

Her heart clenched. Jaden turned, face to face with Marlon. The tangy scent of his cologne wrapped around her as he knelt next to her. He’d trimmed his beard close to his face, making his dimple stand out more. She licked her lips. “Sort of.”

In the standard sheriff’s uniform, every muscle and curve of his body stood out. Even with the hat and dark glasses, he took her breath away. It wasn’t fair how he affected her.

“Heya, Marlon. Thanks for getting me through the traffic. You didn’t have to do it and I appreciate it.” Logan stuck out his hand. “I see you and Jaden found each other.” He wiggled his brows and clicked his tongue. “Good for you.”

Even through her bit of embarrassment, her thoughts moved to more romantic ideas—like being alone with Marlon.

As the men shook hands, Marlon’s forearm brushed her knee. The momentary connection crackled between them. She pressed her knees together to quell the building heat between her thighs. Before she could say anything, Marlon laced his fingers with hers. “Want to check out the track?”

Fine—gave them time to talk about the Sabrina situation. Jaden glanced at Cass. “Do you mind if I stretch my legs? I feel the sudden need for a walk.”

Cass disengaged from Logan and waved. “Have fun! That’s the whole point of coming to the races.”

Logan frowned. “I thought it was to watch the cars and then make out afterwards. I always do.”

Clamping her mouth shut, Jaden closed her eyes and stood. Leave it to Logan to be blunt and honest. “I’ll be back in a few.” She wobbled on her feet, reaching out. Marlon’s strong hand clasped hers. Without opening her eyes, she’d connected with him. Blinking, she slid her gaze up his body to his face.

“Good?”

“I’m okay.”

Leaving Cass and Logan alone with the baby, Jaden followed Marlon through the crowd. Her mind wandered. What would it be like to be his girl? Would other women stop and stare, wishing they could be the woman with him? Nibbling the corner of her mouth, she cracked a smile. She wanted to be his girl. Moments later, he led her to a small shed next to the ticket booth. Opening the door, he held out his hand. “It’s not much, but it’s a good place to take a break—especially during a rain delay.”

Although no one said her being there was against the rules, Jaden hesitated. The Jade from Hollywood would have him pinned against the wall in a kiss or propped in a corner as she opened his fly. She drew a long breath, liking her improved sense of resolve and restraint. Was it possible to get into trouble with a lawman in charge? Probably not, but still… What if his boss or another deputy showed up?

Marlon propped the door open, shoving a thick wedge of plastic under the edge with his booted foot. “If Bobby or Saul stop by, they’ll see us talking and sharing a cup of coffee. You’re good.”

Empty save for the shelf full of rain gear, a couple of radios and two Styrofoam cups, the shed looked a bit lonely. “So you stand here? Seems a bit boring.” She toyed with her ring, sliding it around her finger. “Although I think the slower pace is refreshing.”

He shook his head. “Trust me, things start to jump when the main races get underway and egos get hurt. Complaints increased when the concession stands started offering beer. People get worked up when they’ve had a few and their driver loses.”

“You’re getting all professional-sounding again. I kinda like it.” Jaden knotted her fingers together. “So…have you brought other women here? I—Forget I asked that. It’s not my business.” Averting her gaze, she stared at the particleboard floor. What a foolish question! What he did on his own time wasn’t for her to know. The electricity flowing between them didn’t have to mean an attraction. Back home, she’d perfected man-catching allure. Who knew? He might just be working his own sexy mojo.

Dipping to meet her downcast gaze, Marlon grinned. “You’re my first. Honest.”

Her eyes widened and searched his face. He’d shaved. If she had her druthers, she’d take him with scruff.

“Really? I’m honoured.” Long ago, she’d had a first. A first kiss, a first sexual experience, but love? Maybe Marlon was supposed to be her one and only.

A female voice from over her shoulder interrupted the conversation and her musings. “Hey Marlon. I hoped I’d see you here and you brought your lovely friend. Having fun?”

Rubbing his hand over his face, Marlon groaned. “Hi Sabrina. How are you?”

With a tug on her ponytail, Sabrina adjusted her hair high on the crown of her head. She smoothed her hand over his breast pocket, spending extra time on his pecs. “You’re smart to hide out here. Looks like a great place to make out.” She giggled. “Chalk it up to my man in uniform fantasy and overactive imagination. Don’t I know you?” Sabrina stepped back and squinted. “I know you, but where from?”