Sand and Sin (10 page)

He dropped the rear gate of the truck and lifted her to sit. Her smooth, tanned legs stirred a memory of this morning’s lovemaking, making his stomach tighten with renewed desire. Sitting beside her, he allowed his jean-clad thigh to brush against hers.

“You’re quiet.” She took a bite from her sandwich.

“Taking in all the beauty.” He gave her appreciative glance and took a long draw on his soda.

Her subtle blush made his heart squeeze with want. Little nuances, like the gentle flip of her hair, the way she wrinkled her nose when laughing, and how her gaze had a way of delving straight to his soul.

What was supposed to be sensual fun had morphed into something he hadn’t expected. He’d witnessed several of his friends fall prey to the love bug and never quite got it. Newly bitten, his sensible side urged him to buy a plane ticket and haul ass. In the end, it’d save both of them from misery.

“So, mister connoisseur of beaches, what do you think of the Outer Banks so far?” She popped a chip and crunched.

“Laid back.” The serenity of the place would be heavenly between chaotic missions. Here, Peri played an intricate key in his calm demeanor. If he were in San Diego, he’d be partying every night, instead of healing his body and mind from his last deployment.

“Too relaxed for you?” She clutched his bicep.

“Not at all.” He set down his drink and tugged her tightly against him. He wanted to remember this most peaceful lunch forever.

“I grew up along the coast of Texas, fishing and shrimping with my Dad. After becoming a SEAL, I spent more hours in the Pacific with my brothers than I can count. This is a hidden paradise.” The serenity on the Outer Banks struck a chord with Jax. Peri completed it.

They spent the rest of the afternoon riding along the beach. If having a beautiful woman beside him and in his bed didn’t mean he was back in the good old USA. Driving over sand without worrying about landmines sealed the deal.

Which reminded him of another comfort of being stateside. “Mind if we stop for a beer on the way back?”

“Sounds good.”

“The place I’d like to go is just a couple miles south of the house. An old friend works there.”

“Oh. You know someone here?” She sounded shocked.

He exited the beach road and turned into a driveway by a sign with a colorful macaw.
Papagayos
meant parrots in Spanish.

For a small place, the lot nearly overflowed with SUVs, pick-ups, and a couple of motorcycles. Most had fraternal order of police and professional firefighter plates. “Is your friend in law enforcement?” Peri gestured to the vehicles.

“Sorta.” He smiled coyly.

Beyond the heavy wood door another type of oak stood behind the bar. Six-foot-plus, tiger variety and his buddy was just as dangerous as the animal. His dark look brightened as they approached.

Jax clasped hands with the brutish bartender. The former SEAL hadn’t lost any of his physicality. “Harley, this is Peri.”

“A pleasure.” He scanned her intently.

Jax shook his head. The man had always been a hound.

“What brings you this far south, bro?” Harley spun some cocktail napkins in front of them as they sat.

* * * *

If Jax was a ladies’ man, this Harley guy wrote the book, and it was called
Shark.
While Harley fixed their drinks, Peri sized up the establishment and clientele. Locals, by their dress and demeanor.

Jax explained how he wound up in Virginia Beach. The two men chatted for a few minutes in low voices while she sipped her whiskey. If she had to lay money on Harley’s previous career, she’d lay down a SEAL card.

“So you own a bar in Virginia Beach.” Harley topped off their drinks.

Peri smiled. “We have very similar tastes.”

Harley laughed. “You must be hard-core then, babe.”

“She’s used to men like you, if that’s what you mean.” Jax eyed him.

The burly, dark-haired bartender winked at Peri. “I know another woman tough as nails like you.”

“Yeah?”

“She’s my weekend bartender when she’s not running into burning buildings with the fireboys.”

Peri nodded. “Sounds fun.”

“You two would have a ton to share about working with men.” Harley grinned.

Jax’s phone buzzed. He checked the number before answering. “Taylor here… Yes sir, I’m on leave.” He paused. “Almost a hundred percent.”

The one-sided conversation mentally prepared Peri for the last hours she’d spend with Jax. At least he’d taught her there was something left in life besides living for Haley and spouting witty retorts at sailors from behind a bar. At most, she’d be left wanting.

“Yes sir, as soon as I can get a flight to San Diego.” He laid the phone down and heaved a sigh. “They need a temporary instructor at Coronado. It’s something I can do until I’m released to active duty.”

His downcast look of remorse stabbed at her heart. That same organ called her traitor as she said, “I understand.”

* * * *

Peri had less than an hour with Jax before they had to leave for his flight.

He lifted her like she weighed nothing and pressed her back against the cool shower wall. His warm strength corralled and soothed her as water rained over them.

With one arm around his neck, she guided him into her body.

“Angel.” He breathed her name. With a flex of his hips, he sank deep.

Soon he’d be gone forever. Filled to satisfaction, she wrapped her legs around his waist securing him for the moment. She’d never been taken against a wall, but Jax’s slow, sensual movements defied her imaginings. Never had she felt more treasured. A rough and randy ride might have made it easier to part. At least the rivulets of water hid her tears.

She let him take to heaven one last time.

During their mostly silent ride to Norfolk, sad Country songs on the radio only depressed her more. She’d been sipping a beer in a man cave on the Outer Banks, wondering about the mysterious man serving her drinks and how she planned to please the hunk beside her later on at the beach house. The airport had recently become her least favorite place.

“I’d hoped to be here with you when you came to get Haley.” People passed them at the terminal as he grasped her hands tightly.

She soaked up their warmth. The harsh interior lighting emphasized fine squint lines that made him more handsome but also lent a hint of danger.

What did she expect him to say? That he loved her? Wanted to be with her? All the things she knew were impossible and had warned her heart against? She bit her lip and tried to smile, unable to hide her inner turmoil. “I know how fast your world spins.”

“Yeah, I tend to forget.” After a deep breath, he shifted on his feet and cocked his head. “Well, thanks for taking pity on me and not leaving me behind your bar.”

Even without the fantastic sex, he’d more than paid her back by bouncing her ex on his ass. “You can return the favor by rescuing me if I’m ever taken hostage.”

His easy laugh relaxed her for a second.

He drew her into his arms. “Count on it.”

Jax’s chest rose and fell against hers. The ocean scent of his cologne would be forever engrained in her memory. She might have to buy some and scent her pillow. Her heart beat like a bird’s, fast and fragile.

He tipped her chin, bringing their mouths close.

She dissolved against his lips and let go, determined to remember his last kiss. The feel of his beard stubble and his strength. Afterward she stepped back and handed him a small brown bag from her purse. “A midnight snack.”

“Thank you, Angel.” He squeezed her hand and marched down the concourse, mission bound.

Peri studied his fine form until he disappeared. She hadn’t cried when her husband left or during the divorce. Tears carved hot trails along her cheeks as she ducked her head and rushed into the night. Alone.

* * * *

An emptiness tightened Jax’s chest as he boarded the plane, similar to what he’d felt when he learned his father had drowned. He stowed his carry-on above his seat and slumped into his aisle seat.

A petite, gum-chewing teen approached. Her brown-eyed gaze gave him the once-over.

His seatmate for the flight? He stood to let her by and prayed she’d keep her nose in her phone the entire flight.

“You married?” She fluttered her lashes and smiled.

“Huh?” Geez, he could technically be her father.

“My mom would love you. She’s in the row ahead of us. Hey, mom—”

Under his breath, he gritted through this teeth. “I’m gay.”

“Damn, another good looking man out of the gene pool,” She frowned. “As the general population grows uglier by the day.”

He almost laughed. He’d been brushed aside by more than a couple of ladies who preferred their own sex.

“Would it help if I said I already contributed to the gene pool?” Maybe that would shut her up.

“Oh.” She giggled, then snorted. “I forgot about sperm banks.”

The pilot broke their conversation and Jax settled in during the flight attendant’s yawning safety spiel. The tight plane seat made him wish for the equally uncomfortable foldout seat on the C-130. At least there he had legroom.

The plane’s engines revved, racing the aircraft along the runway into the oblivion. He torpedoed into the unknown as well—with his job as a substitute instructor and to probably face reassignment. He wouldn’t have a clue until he reached California. He’d known SEAL brethren to lose their spots on a team because of injury, but he’d hoped his team's two weeks to the end of deployment would keep him safe.

He didn’t tell Peri he’d call her. He never made a promise he wasn’t willing to die trying to keep. As the plane leveled out, his leg ached like the teen beside him begging for attention. While in Peri’s company, he'd barely noticed any discomfort. Evidently, she jacked up his endorphins and other things. After downing a couple of pain relievers, he dozed while his seatmate played a game on her smartphone.

So thirsty. The street appeared deserted as he crept from beyond the doorway. He crept along in the dim light after sunset. The shadows of burnt-out buildings cast a gloom he felt in his bones.

Ping! At the first ricochet of automatic gunfire, he ducked into a slight alcove. A crisp rush of air blossomed into a resounding crack echoing in all directions. Sniper bullet. Cold droplets of sweat slid down the crease of his spine.

He jerked awake. The girl’s petite hand covered his as he blinked to the real world into focus.

“It’s okay.” She comforted.

Jax stared into her young eyes widened with concern.

“My Dad has bad dreams too sometimes. Mom said the army changed him. They divorced less than a year after he came home from Iraq.”

“I’m sorry. Must be tough on you.”

“I feel cheated.”

“The military is tough on family life.” He wiped away the sweat beading on his forehead.

“What about being gay?” She arched a brow.

“Touché. You’re counselor and a comedian.” He brought his seat upright.

Did Haley feel the same? She’d told him not to hurt her mother. Had he? Fuck if he knew. He wished he’d had more time with Peri to see if things between them might continue to grow.

Did he honestly want a relationship? Hadn’t he consciously avoided the long-term? Or was it more because no woman had compelled him to want one? Until now. The Little Creek SEAL commander’s offer was an option if he lost his spot on his current team.

The red-eye flight caught a tailwind and landed in in a little over four hours. As a kid, he'd visited San Diego Zoo never dreaming he’d be living here. It still amazed him how he could be in one world and land in another within hours.

As the driver left the airport for his nearby apartment, salty air from the bay filled the cab through the partially open window. Clean and calming, the scent reminded him of Peri.

Somewhere he’d read men used to carry a woman’s handkerchief misted with her perfume to remind them of their lover. Romantic for the day. Today’s men would settle for a pair of panties. Damn sad that romance had dwindled to thongs. Sadder still, he hadn’t thought to nab a pair of Peri’s.

The parking lot of his high-rise, beachfront apartment complex glowed beneath the eerie sodium lights. He paid the driver and grabbed his bag. He’d been gone so long the entry-door pass code had been changed, so he had to buzz for the guard.

Inside his apartment, Jax dropped his keys in a ceramic bowl on the small foyer table and flicked on a lamp. Only the hum of the refrigerator greeted him. Over the years, he’d become skilled at detecting human presence in close proximity. His roommate must be sleeping at his girlfriend’s place. They’d been exclusive for nearly two years but he’d begun to doubt they’d marry.

He typed a text to let Peri know he’d made it home―the only request she’d made of him. Daring to offer her more would have been a lie, yet he hoped he’d revealed the depth of his feelings with his lingering goodbye kiss.

After a quick shower, he fell into bed. Instantly, he missed her soft curves. As he drifted off, he recalled their slow and emotional lovemaking at her place before heading to the airport. Would he ever have another opportunity?

Peri tapped a new keg to the draft line and let it run until the amber stream flowed without foam. If the bar had another good year, she might be able to invest in one of those fancy turbo systems. Work had kept her busy the two months since her fling with Jax. The image of his hot gaze and almost sinful grin still warmed more than her heart.

Before, sex was never a priority, but then no previous lover had the ability to bring her to orgasm with a mere look. But this was more than sex. Almost every night she dreamt of them making love.

Hoping for him to return was pointless. They had no future, even though he’d contacted her a couple of weeks after leaving. She couldn’t bear not to respond. On occasion, she’d relay a funny story from the bar, but the occasional texting and small talk left her adrift.

Haley and she grew more distant as summer started. She stayed with her father, no doubt for more freedom. Peri deemed it as non-parenting, but she could do little. Letting go proved difficult, and the empty house only emphasized her lack of personal life. Having dinner with her girlfriends used to fulfill her lonely existence, but not after being with Jax. She had vacationed with the man of her dreams. Back to reality sucked. On top of that, she’d caught a cold that turned into a nasty sinus infection.