Salt Water Wounds (Oyster Cove #1) (10 page)

He points in my direction. “This guy again? This is the tool you’re marrying?”

As soon as he says it I can see her cringe. She’s told this douchebag that we’re getting married. I want to be mad, but I can’t blame her, at least not while this guy is threatening her. “Do you have a problem with me?”

“Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. Did she tell you about her past, or just the parts that made her look like a saint?” He turns to Perry. “Does he know everything, Alice? All the gory details of your past, or am I the only man who holds those buried secrets?” He snarls when he says it, like he has something on her that could ruin her life.

“Shut up, Peter. I’m asking you to go. I’m not interested in having dinner with you, not even for Nick. We’re never going to be cordial. I hate you. You’re a monster.”

I cut in. “I think you should listen to the lady.”

“Look, buddy, I don’t give a shit who you are to Alice. This is the second time you’ve interrupted me with my wife.”

“Ex-wife,” Perry corrects him.

“Whatever. It’s all so technical isn’t it? I mean, lets face it, you’ll always belong to me. If I were you I’d reconsider having that dinner, because it might be the only way your son will ever speak to you again.”

He has mentally knocked her down. She’s falling fast, stumbling on what she can say to force him out.

I shove him in the direction of the door, never backing down. “I’ve got no problem taking you outside and showing you how a southern man protects his woman, but I think you’re a smart guy who likes avoiding conflict.”

He lunges at me, the same time as Brant happens to be coming up the steps to open the door. His baseball cap flies off as he darts inside and attacks Peter from the back. They both fall down, Brant throwing punches to the side of his face. “I got your back, Dad.”

Perry whistles, causing the three of us to freeze. I motion with my head to my oldest son. “I have this, Brant.”

“The hell you do. You’re lucky I stopped by.”

Peter is trying to stand, also searching for a position he can defend himself from two people at the same time. “You’re going to be sorry for this. You messed with the wrong man, hick.”

I chuckle, Brant letting out an air-filled laugh while putting his cap back on his head. My son is a chip off the old block, that’s for sure. “Get out of here before I call the police and they see your record. I’m sure they’d love to throw your ass back in the slammer. Don’t make me say it twice. There’s four more of him where he came from. You mess with one of us, you’ll get the whole crew, and the others don’t fight fair.”

Peter is yelling toward Perry. “You can’t get rid of me. You’ve only made this worse for yourself, Alice. You can thank your new redneck boyfriend for what comes next.” He exits the place, leaving the three of us to stand there wondering how the last five minutes could have possibly been any more of a disaster.

“Jesus Christ, Pop. What’re you getting yourself into these days?”

Perry hurries to the bar, pouring three beers and motioning for us to come sit. She’s halfway through hers by the time we make it to the barstools. Brant’s beside me, waiting for an explanation.

“That was my ex-husband. He just got out of jail. Your dad has been keeping an eye on me, making sure he’s not a threat.”

Brant sips his beer then sits it down to speak. “He needs to work harder. I wouldn’t have let that fucker in the parking lot.”

“We didn’t know he was outside,” I offer. “I had it handled.”

“Well, you can’t blame me for taking over. I saw him as a threat. He’s not from around here, is he?”

“His name is Peter, and no, he’s not from around here. I’d be happy if I never saw him again,” Perry admits.

“I guess you didn’t see the sign saying the bar is closed?” I direct the question to my son, who seems comfortable slowly drinking his beer.

“I must have missed that when I was bursting in to save your ass.”

I pick up my glass and see Perry wink at me, causing me to smile. Whatever the case, I’m kind of glad he showed up when he did. It could have gotten uglier. “Whatever. Cheers to assholes and cold brew.”

Perry clanks her glass into mine. “Thanks again, guys. I’ve never had an entourage of protectors before.”

Brant shakes his head. He looks from me to Perry, and I can already tell what he’s thinking about. “So, if the bar was closed, what were the two of you doing in here alone?”

The boys have been ragging on me every chance they get, so I know Brant is aware of a woman having stayed at the house. Now he’s digging, because he thinks the woman could be Perry. I refuse to answer and simply keep drinking, hoping he’ll get the hint and take his nosey ass somewhere else. As much as I enjoy hanging out with my oldest and talking shop, he can’t know what we were about to do before all hell broke loose.

Just when I think the timing is right something gets in the way. Maybe it’s a sign that we shouldn’t even try.

“Take your time, Brant. You weren’t interrupting anything.” I don’t know why she says it, but I’m thinking she might know me a little more than I assume. I’m going to get that kiss. It’s bound to happen. Eventually.

Chapter 10

I need time to breathe, time to reevaluate what the hell is going on with my life, before I can move forward and explore my feelings for Buck, or whatever is happening between us.

I know he pities me. He sees me as a lost soul he needs to help, because it makes him feel less useless. I’m a project for him; something to bide his time. As much as I want to know him more, I also have to be careful. He’s the kind of man I’ve waited my whole life for, and because of that I’m prepared to jump right into something, though my past history with men only warns me I have to approach this relationship differently.

Buck is going to fall hard. He’s liable to go under water and forget to come up for air, because let’s face it, he’s gone without for entirely too long. His body is going to take control and he won’t be able to stop himself. Our situation could be dangerous for both of us. We’re liable to get hurt, and knowing that makes me skeptical whether we should continue at all. He’s fragile, and honestly I’m not the kind of person capable of being able to handle things if it all turns to shit.

I’m afraid of falling because, I know if it happens, there’s a chance I’ll want something he can never give me.

I’ve already tried to manipulate him into marrying me for the bar, though my father did set contingencies in hopes that I’d never be able to leave again. Of course, he’s a man, so the things that happened in the past don’t haunt him like they do me. I have a hard time trusting men, at least until the past few days of being around Buck. Now I can’t trust myself. I want to feel his lips on mine, his touch, and his hold. I want him to sweep me off my feet and make all the pain and fears subside. I don’t care if he can only offer me half of what he gave his wife, because it will be more than I could ever deserve.

Brant sticks around until his beer is finished, but probably mostly because there is an awkward silence as Buck and I wait it out.

Brant stand as he’s about to leave and points to the both of us. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Then laughs as he exits the building.

Then it’s quiet. I contemplate looking at Buck. I can feel his eyes on me, just waiting to make the connection we had before. When I finally do it, I know I’m in a world of trouble. He doesn’t blink. His focus is on my lips. Out of habit I lick them, only making his eyes widen with anticipation. My body begins to show signs of my attraction, my cheeks heating, my hands sweating, all while I’m trying to think of what to say. “I guess I should thank you again for saving my ass.”

“I’m starting to think you need me as a bodyguard.”

“Or maybe I just need your body,” I uncomfortably tease.

He gives me that look. The look I can’t get enough of. The one that makes me wonder if I can jump across the bar and make it gracefully into his lap without knocking us both on the floor behind him. That look makes it hard to breathe, and don’t even get me started about the dizziness as I wait for him to counter with a pleasantly welcome response.

Buck runs his hand over his hard chest, pulling down the collar of his shirt to display a patch of hair. “This old body? I’m afraid it’s been in retirement for quite a while.”

I lean forward, breaking the distance between us, but still not being able to touch him. “It’s never too late to come out of retirement if the offer is good enough.”

Then Buck leans forward too and we’re face to face, almost close enough to kiss. “Is it? Do you have an offer to put on the table?”

This is my opportunity to finally, after years of trying, have this man. I may seem desperate, out of my mind, sporadic, unsure, unbalanced, you name it, but one thing I know for sure is that I’m sick of waiting for him to get over his stipulations. If I want him I’m going to have to give him a good enough reason to want me back.

I’ve been around a time or two and learned what men like and prefer. Buck is nothing compared to other men. I have no idea where to start, so I decide to use what the good lord gave me and wing it.

I back away from the bar, stepping until my butt hits the mirrored edge behind me. He’s watching me, wondering what’s going on. “You really want to know?”

“I can always refuse,” he teases me.

I begin unbuttoning my shirt, starting at the top. “You could, but that wouldn’t be much fun.” I over enunciate the word
‘FUN’
and drag my lips as I say it. “How long has it been since you’ve seen a naked woman.”

“I watch a ton of porn before bed every night.”

My face reacts with a serious grimace. “Really?”

He’s cackling while confessing. “Nah, I was just kidding.”

“How long, Buck?”

“You know how long, sweetness, so stop making me suffer and show me the goods, before I come over there and give you another reason to want to.”

Sweetness. I like the way that rolls off his tongue. “Tempting,” I say as I shake the shirt so it falls from my arms, toppling on the floor beneath me. Standing in only a black lace bra, I drag one hand between the cleavage, accentuating the area to give him a second to take me in before I keep going. “Still interested?”

“You think that little bit is going to scare off a man like me? I’m a dad. Keep going.”

I can feel my heart beating heavily and fast as I maneuver around for the clasp to my bra. I hold my hand on it, nervous but extremely turned on at the same time. I watch his reaction as I let the bra fall down the front of me. His eyes are steady, his palms resting flat on the bar top. “Say something,” I finally request. “Don’t make me stand here like an idiot.”

“Damn.”

“Just damn?”

“You’ve got me intrigued.” He waves his hand around. “Maybe you should keep going, just to be sure I’m still familiar with every part of a woman. It has been a long time. Maybe things have changed.”

I motion to the door. “Go pull down the shade, Buck. It’s about to get X-rated up in this joint. I wouldn’t want anyone interrupting your private show.”

He stands up and heads for the door, but it’s not his fine ass I’m noticing as he does it, it’s the hard object trying to poke it’s way out of his pants. A giggle escapes me, alarming him immediately. “What’s funny?”

I point. “That. You look like you might need some help.”

It’s almost impossible to stand and have a conversation with a man who is seeing my breasts for the very first time. My nipples are hard and tingling. There’s a constant beckoning between my legs reminding me of the parts of my body he’s yet to see.

Contrary to what some would say, I’m not overwhelmingly confident. I’m also not humongous by any means unless I was a size two, but I do have a nice set of D’s that accentuate my hourglass shaped body. They seem average size with my height and figure, but I’m sort of undecided how I feel about them. I guess they’re desirable. I’ve never asked, but have been told they’re a nice handful.

My body is just average. I don’t work out, but I do stay active, which keeps me looking fit. It’s my personality that attracts most men, and the way I carry myself. When I’m at the bar I feel in control, but the moment I step outside I’m something else altogether.

“What I need is for you to come here. Traipse your ass over here and let me have a closer look.”

“Or what?” I bite down on my lip and watch him return before continuing. “What will you do if I say no?”

He snarls. “That’s easy. I’ll come around that bar and see for myself.”

“Yeah right. You don’t have the balls,” I taunt.

Before I’m able to comprehend what’s happening, he hurdles across the bar, lunging toward me like a bat out of hell. I give him space only to end up in his arms, flabbergasted and unprepared for his next move. “What were you saying?”

I bring my hands up and place them on his chest. While still in his hold, I gaze into his eyes and finally feel like this is going to happen. “I can’t remember now.”

It’s eerily quiet again. He clears his throat, takes the back of one hand and coursing it over my right cheek, then across my lips. They part as he watches, and I see him licking his, anticipating what we’ve both been eager to experience.

“Are you cold?” He asks. “You’re shaking.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

He nuzzles his nose over mine, so close to being able to kiss me, yet not having the nerve to follow through. I close my eyes and wait, but nothing happens. “I don’t deserve to feel this way again,” he says against my face.

“I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you, Buck. My life is a mess, and it’s not fair to keep involving you in it.” I’m feeling sorry for myself, but I’ll regret it if I let him continue without saying it.

“You’ve left me no choice.” Under the assumption we’re about to part ways, his lips smack into mine. He holds them there for a few seconds before loosening up and exploring. He’s gentle, and I can feel him trembling as it happens. We both want this, but I’m aware he’s going against his better judgment to allow it to happen. His heart is fighting a losing battle and I don’t know whether to push him away or allow it to continue.

It only takes a few seconds to become engulfed in the embrace. Our lips are locked together, our tongues prancing around in harmony. He’s holding me closely, his hands sliding up and down from my back to the rump of my ass where he finally leaves them to sit. I fist my fingers into the fabric of his shirt. It’s a miracle I’m able to stand as this continues. My body ignites with a burning passion that can only be extinguished by furthering this expedition.

We’re getting carried away, his shirt coming off as we proceed. I run my hands upward, drawing them through the patch of hair that sits between his strong pectorals.

We finally part for air, my head resting against his hot body, while he places tender kisses on the top of my head. “Are you okay?” I ask without looking.

“Yeah, I’d say I’m pretty damn good, and you?”

“I’m hanging in there. This isn’t exactly where I thought we’d … well whatever this is.”

He takes my chin and lifts it up so I’m staring into those stunning hazel eyes. “I reckon we both know where this is headed.”

“Are you sure you’re ready to dive right in? Yesterday you…”

His fingers stop me from speaking. “Shh. Forget about yesterday or the day before it. Forget about your problems and I’ll forget about mine. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but it’s been a long damn time since I’ve felt the touch of a woman, and with you standing here shirtless in my arms, I’m about to lose my shit. This isn’t the time to overthink, because if we do that I’m liable to change my mind. I need this, Perry, and there’s not another woman I want it to be with. Do you hear me? Are you listening to me right now? I need you.”

I lace my hand with his and bring it up to my lips. “I’ll be happy to be whoever you need me to be, but I think it would be wise to go to my place, unless you have someplace else in mind.”

I’m not saying it because I’m worried about his kids. It’s more because I know the moment he lays me down in his bed he’s going to have a change of heart. I’m not ready to handle that yet. For now we need to take our time, in a place that won’t harbor negative energy for either of us.

He kisses me again. It’s chaste and short. His pupils are dilated when our eyes meet. “Stop worrying about me, sweetness. You have my undivided attention, I can promise you that much.”

I redress. We shut off the lights and lock up the bar. Buck leads me to his truck, where we continue making out before leaving the lot. On the way he pulls me to the middle seat and teases my thigh with his fingers as he drives. I cup his groin just to make sure he’s still ready to go. “It’s taking everything I have in me to keep from straddling you right now.”

“Climb on top and show me what you’ve got. I’m not ashamed of dry humping if it leads to that, but I’ve got to warn ya, my volcano has hit it’s hundred year limit.” I crack up when I hear it, but know it’s the truth more than a joke. We’re driving somewhere to be alone, while at any moment he could erupt in an explosion that will certainly leave him crippled and desperate for rest. I remove my hand from his crotch and rest my head against his shoulder. “Maybe it’s better if I make you wait. We wouldn’t want to mess up your truck.”

“I hear lava stains.”

“You talk shit when you’re nervous, don’t you?”

“That obvious?”

I snicker and bring my lips to his right before hitting the parking lot to the boat marina. Then I get it. I know exactly where he’s taking me and what’s going to happen once we get on that boat.