Bad Karma (19 page)

“
I’m six-foot-four. How tall are you?”

“
I’m five foot eight.”

He grinned at her. “Mmmm, love those long legs.”

She smiled in spite of her discomfort. “I like it that you’re tall.”

He exhaled. “Good to know. There’s one thing about me that you like.”

If you only knew
. “I don’t dislike you,” she said in a frosty tone. “I just didn’t appreciate your girlfriend trying to jump me in the restroom. Not cool.” She pushed away from him, sat up and drew her knees up to her chin.

“
Hey, she’s not my girlfriend. We dated some in high school, but that was a long time ago and she was a whole different girl.”

Cassie glanced back at him. “Well, she still thinks she owns your ass.”

Javi stroked his fingers through her hair and released it from the scrunchy. “No she doesn’t. Lita knows that we won’t ever be more than friends.” He continued to stroke her mane. “I like your hair.”

She looked at him and smiled at his unguarded expression. She ran her hand over his close cropped hair. “I like yours too.”

His grin widened. “I’m two for two.”

“
Why are you interested in me? We don’t seem to have a lot in common.”

He hesitated a moment. “Baby, you knock me out every time I see you. It’s not just that you’re beautiful. It’s the way your smile jerks a knot in my gut. When we’re together, it’s like a big hand is squeezing my heart.”

She smiled. “So, it’s purely physical?”

“
At first it was. Then I fell for your sassy mouth and your insane sense of humor.” He held a strand of her hair between his thumb and finger, examining it as though it was of great interest.

Cassie turned over on her stomach with her legs crossed at the ankles. “Have you always lived here?”

Javi rolled onto his back and stretched his arms over his head, then folded them behind his head. “I joined the Navy right after high school.”

She grinned, picturing him in one of the cute, white sailor outfits.

“
And then I went into SEAL training. I was in the program for six years.”

She tried to maintain a cool gaze and not let it register on her face how much he impressed her. “And then what?”

“
I came home and went to the fire academy.”

“
Fire and water, huh?”

He turned onto his side and propped his head on one hand. “Exactly. I love being near the water and I have this big need to help people. Firefighters help people.”

Cassie shook her head. “Awww, isn’t that noble? I’ll bet you thought that saying that would sweep me off my feet.”

He grinned and ruffled her hair. “Brat! I was sharing an important insight with you.”

“
Right! Navy SEAL and fireman. You have this hero thing going on.”

“
I guess I should also tell you that I’m into R&R.”

“
Rock and roll?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, but I’m also a Rescue and Recovery diver.”

“
What does a Rescue and Recovery diver do?”

“
When someone goes into the water, we go out and look for them.”

Cassie shuddered. “That sounds very dangerous.”

He shrugged. “It can be, but I’m careful.”

She cast a doubtful glance at him.

“
Really, I’m careful.” He took her hand and slid it under his tee-shirt. “What do you feel?”

She swallowed, gazing into his eyes. The warm flesh beneath her hand was firm and hard. He ran her hand over his six-pack abs and onto his pecs.

“
These are working muscles. I didn’t take any drugs to get them. I have a big chest and strong muscles from swimming and diving and just plain work.” He leaned toward her. “Not a steroid junkie.”

She nodded; tried to pull her hand away, but he held it firmly pressed to the warm muscled flesh over his heart. “Okay, I apologize for thinking you were on steroids.”

“
No problem. I’d be happy to let you check out the rest of my equipment.” He slid her hand down toward the waist of his shorts.

She jerked her hand back like she’d been scalded. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“
Cassie, Cassie.” He pulled her back into his arms. “Just relax and be with me for a while.” He rested his cheek against the top of her head as he held her against him. “Are you going to work today?”

“
Yes, I work Monday through Friday from ten-thirty to two-thirty.”

“
I work three days on and four days off.”

“
Three days a week? Is it a part-time job?”

Javi laughed, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. “No, Cassie. When I say three days on, I’m talking about being on duty at the station for seventy-two hours straight. I’m there round-the-clock during my shift.”

She took a deep breath. “So what do you want to do on our date?”

His grin went wall-to-wall. “You’re going to go out with me?”

She nodded. “If you behave yourself.”

“
Yes, Ma’am,” he said. “I promise to be on my best behavior.” He stroked his fingers through her hair.

She drew a deep breath. “Me too.”

~*~

Zach was awake.

A slight breeze stirred the curtains. The morning sunlight slanted in through the open window, setting fire to Sky’s honey-colored hair. She slept with her face nestled on his shoulder, all her luscious female parts pressed against him.

Her face had lost its haunted look. The fear that pursued her had been momentarily laid to rest.

He felt contentment, a condition that had eluded him since he’d first laid eyes on Skyler Danforth.

She’d roused something in him, some desire, some hunger that, until last night had remained unfed.

Until last night.

Now that he’d tasted her sweet passion, he intended to keep her.

She was still afraid. Her boogey man lurked out there in the shadows, waiting to make another pass at her. But this time, Zach would be there to intervene. He couldn’t allow her to evaporate from his life.

She stirred against him, curling and arching her body, sending sweet love notes to his libido.

He stroked his hand over her tousled hair. “Hey, beautiful.”

She opened her eyes, grinned and stretched. “Hey, yourself.”

“
Did you sleep well?”

She nodded, rising up on one elbow. “Have you been awake long?”

He shook his head. “Not long. Are you hungry? I make a mean omelet.”

She shivered. “Just hold me for a little while longer.”

A flood of emotion filled his chest. He reached for her, pulling her down onto him. “We can stay in bed all day.”

She buried her face against his neck as he embraced her.

He took a deep breath, fighting against saying the words in his heart. He had to know for sure that she wouldn’t run out on him before he told her he loved her.

~*~

The muscles in Javier’s forearms flexed as he put the big truck in gear. “You live here?”

Watching him made Cassie feel flushed and discomfited. She swallowed. “We’re renting.” She reached for the door handle.

“
Hold on. I’ll come around.” He turned off the ignition and got out. When he opened the passenger door, he reached for her with both arms, dark eyes devouring her. The ground looked far beneath her. Cassie leaned into his embrace, her arms around his shoulders.

He pulled her tight against him, holding her suspended, his cheek pressed to hers. “I’ll see you tonight then?”

She nodded. “I’ll be ready.”

“
Would you kiss me?”

She laughed. “You’ve kissed me a dozen times.”

His voice was low and intimate, close to her ear. “Yes, but I had to steal those kisses. I’d really love it if you’d give me a kiss of your own free will.”

“
I guess I can do that.” As she stared into his eyes, she experienced a dizzying sensation. She raised her chin.

Javi’s gaze went from her eyes to her lips as he lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss filled her with raw desire. When he allowed her feet to touch the sand, he dropped another kiss on top of her head.

He walked up the stairs with her and when she’d unlocked the door, he stood gazing down at her. His fingers brushed the side of her face. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“
Tonight.” She watched him retreat down the stairs and drive away, his touch still tingling on her skin.

“
Cassie!” Sky called her from Zach’s deck. “Come over and eat breakfast.”

Cassie sprinted to the neighboring deck, arriving breathless from her climb. “Did someone say breakfast?”

“
I’m making your omelet now,” Zach said.

Sky was sitting on a deck chair with a plate in her lap. “Sit down and applaud the chef.”

Cassie sat on the footstool, leaving the other deck chair for Zach.

Zach quirked an eyebrow at her. “Was that Javier Rios I saw you with just now?”

Cassie grinned at him. “I think you know that it was.”

He chuckled. “You got me. How did you get mixed up with Javier? He’s a little old for you, isn’t he?”

Sky gave her a look.

A cold lump formed in Cassie’s stomach. “Is he a little old for me?”

“
He’s a year older than I am so that would make him twenty-nine. He was in the grade ahead of me in school.”

“
Don’t worry,” Cassie said. “It probably won’t come to anything. We don’t have anything in common.” She swallowed and tried to make her voice sound casual. “Is Javier some kind of local bad guy?”

Zach flipped her omelet over the cheese and veggie filling. “Javier? No way! He’s kind of a local hero. Hell of a nice guy.” He handed her the plate and a fork.

“
So, other than the fact that Javi’s too old for me, there’s nothing else wrong with him?”

Zach shook his head, a half-smile on his face. “No, he’s a good person. Why?”

“
I have a date with him tonight.”

Sky sat up straight, placing both feet on the deck as though she was prepared to spring into action. “Cassie! You’re too young for him. He’s very nice looking, but he’s a man and you’re just a...”

“
A girl? Is that what you were going to say?” Cassie’s voice held a warning.

“
No, no. I didn’t mean that.”

Cassie stood up and set the plate and fork on the footstool. “Let me remind you that it’s not my life that’s totally screwed up! When you were in trouble, I invited you to move in with me, remember?”