Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash (28 page)

It was several minutes before she even managed to speak. “Why’d you do that…that m-mean thing in the viewing room?”

He was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was so quiet she could barely hear. “Because I want you. And you don’t want me.”

“And that technique’s been working for you?” She gave a hysterical sob and hiccupped.

He remained silent, and she was too drained to manage more words. His hand lifted, brushing her wet hair off her face but other than that they didn’t move, didn’t speak. He only held her in the clear water as though he’d never let go.

The sun was high and warming, rather pleasant really, and even though her shirt stuck to her chest it was already drying over her shoulders. She looked up, saw his bleak expression—so at odds with his usual control—and her natural compassion surged.

“I’m not trying to be difficult,” she whispered, “but I’ve always known, have always said, relationships aren’t good for me. That was never what we were about.”

“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He slipped his hand beneath her hair and cradled her, pressing her head tighter against his beating heart.

She swallowed, aching for both of them. “Mom didn’t care much for anyone except my father,” she said haltingly, her mouth pressed against his wet shirt. “But he made her less of a person, not more. Love can be so destructive. I remember the fists…taking Em and hiding with Peanut in the kennel. She should have left him.” Her voice cracked, and she was glad he couldn’t see her face. “She shouldn’t have done that to us. To her.”

“How old is Em?”

She glanced up. Burke’s voice sounded rusty but it was the first time he’d shown much interest in Emily, and her chest gave its usual bump of pride. “Twenty. She’s in Philadelphia taking her science degree. Finally, a Murphy will have some education.”

“But you’ve done some studying.”

His voice had sharpened and, too late, she realized her mistake. That was another problem with Burke; he was just too damn quick.

She wiggled from his arms, trying to distract him. Skimmed her hands over the top of the water, watching as it swirled around their bodies. His shoulders were completely dry and she splashed some water. “Hardly fair,” she said, with forced gaiety. “I’m completely soaked, and your hair isn’t even wet.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe you threw me in. Wish I was strong enough to return the favor.”

He stared at her for a moment then abruptly sank beneath the surface. She edged forward, searching for his dark shape. He rose behind her, head sleek as a seal’s.

“Now we’re even,” he said.

“Not quite.” She dunked his head back down, realizing the extent of his remorse when he let her hold him under for five, ten, twenty seconds. Shit. She lifted her hand, allowing him to surface.

“You can hold me under much longer,” he said, “if it makes you feel better.” Rivulets streamed down his bleak face.

“Really?” She tilted her head. “How much longer? After all, I feel pretty bad.” But she never could hold anger very long and hated to cause sadness in others. “How about you swim to the end and back?” she asked brightly. “Underwater. And doing the dog paddle.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve done the dog paddle.” A trace of amusement glimmered in his face. “Never was very good at it.”

“Really.” She stuck her nose in the air with exaggerated haughtiness, relieved to see a hint of a smile. “I was champion dog paddler of the entire county.”

“The entire county?” And now he actually did smile. “Impressive qualifications, indeed. Perhaps a race is in order?”

“Definitely,” she said. “To the end and back.”

It took a minute to remove their boots. They both tried to cheat and grab a head start, but she was faster. Won again in the breaststroke although he beat her in the sidestroke race, and when she saw his effortless crawl, she merely grabbed his leg and let him drag her the length of the pool.

“You definitely won that one,” she said, struggling to reach the bottom with the tips of her toes. Couldn’t quite touch so gripped his shoulders, needing time to catch her breath. “Looks like you have an Olympic-caliber crawl, Burke.” She tried not to pant because his breathing seemed unaffected, and he had definitely swam further. “I need to rest for a second but well done,” she managed, still huffing.

“And you’re definitely the dog paddle star, sweetie.” He pulled her close, obligingly providing a convenient rest spot.

She tucked against her favorite part of his chest, letting him support her, and when her legs kept floating up, wrapped them around his thighs. “It’s hard to swim in clothes, isn’t it?” She closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her face. “It’s also hard to stay mad,” she added in a whisper.

His arms tightened but he didn’t say a word and she was glad. For now, this was the perfect combination of sun, water, man. She blew out a sigh, accepting that her anger and hurt had dissolved. “How long can you stand here?” she asked.

“Long as you want.” He paused and she could almost feel him thinking. “But you’re not getting in my car with those wet clothes.”

“You’d make me walk home after nearly drowning me in your pool?”

He grinned. “Only solution is to let them dry in the sun. Won’t take long.” He tugged off her T-shirt, ignoring her weak protest, and tossed the soggy ball onto a pool chair. Slid his hand behind her back and unclipped her bra with such skill, she experienced a prick of jealousy thinking of all those other women.

“There, much better.” He tilted her so that water lapped around her breasts. Rather erotic although the sun seemed to make her skin itch, especially her nipples, and she half wished he’d use that big hand, his mouth, or even his teeth.

But he just lingered over her face, his lips brushing her cheek, then moving along her neck, agonizingly slow. At least kiss me, she thought, obligingly tilting her head. But no, his mouth had already wandered to her ear and while that was nice, fine in fact, her nipples were really tingling now and surely he noticed how they stuck from the water. It was scary how he could turn her on so quickly. Like earlier today.

She peered at him suspiciously. “You’re not going to start something, and then, ah…leave me hanging again, are you?”

“No.”

But he continued to nuzzle her neck and now—she wasn’t sure how he did it—her entire body quivered, craving his attention. “Burke,” she said, trying to twist to her feet, wanting now to move along to his bed. “I’m a little afraid of sunburn here.”

“As well you should be.” His hand obligingly moved to her breast, making her shiver under its lazy touch. “Is that better?”

“Much.” She closed her eyes, feeling wanton and wicked as he caressed her. “Although the sun’s very strong. I should soon cover up—”

“Let me,” he murmured, his breath fanning her skin. “But hold still. This is delicate work. And I like to do it just right.” His teeth closed around her nipple, and the intense pleasure almost jerked her from the water.

She groaned. He was definitely doing it right but he was working a little slow, and she wiggled with impatience.

“We better get your jeans off,” he said. “Unsnap them, sweetie.”

She reached down, lowered her zipper and tried to wiggle out. He wasn’t much help, too busy concentrating on her breasts but she wasn’t about to complain. Definitely didn’t want him distracted. She finally kicked off her jeans and panties, locked her bare legs around him, and reached for his belt.

He stilled her hand, setting it back on his shoulder. “You’re going to have an orgasm in a minute, but you’re not running off afterwards. You’re sleeping here with me. Okay?”

“Okay.” She yanked her hand back down and fumbled at his buckle.

“You’ll sleep here and I’ll drive you home in the morning, and then we’ll go on a little trip,” he said. “Agreed?”

“Sheesh, Burke. Quit talking.” She locked her lips on his mouth. Shouldn’t have because he seemed to forget what he was doing and wrapped both arms around her, and now she couldn’t even reach his belt.

But he was such a good kisser, so intense, so deep, so thorough. She shivered with pleasure as his tongue mated with hers and she lost herself in the kiss. Was barely aware when his nimble hand drifted between her legs and sent her spinning into orgasm.

She opened her eyes. He was breathing hard but then again, so was she. “You’re very generous,” she whispered, halfheartedly reaching for his bulging erection. He stopped her hand and she was relieved, much too drained of energy.

He grinned at her languor, the tiny lines around his eyes crinkling. He looked totally happy now, almost boyish, and she was glad. Her arm felt heavy but she reached up and tenderly touched his cheek. “If you let me go now, I believe I’d drown.”

“But I’m not letting you go, Jenna.” He kissed her forehead and carried her up the steps and out of the pool.

“Wait.” It had all been very nice but now she stiffened, realizing he was fully clothed while she wore nothing at all. “My jeans are at the bottom of the pool.”

“I know where your jeans are.” His smile was rather wicked. “But you need to warm up.”

She glanced over his shoulder at the sun, trying to calculate the time. She really should go home soon. Check on Peanut. Figure out a way to call Em.

“Stop thinking,” he said. He pressed a button by the Jacuzzi. Water churned.

He padded down the steps. Hot bubbles wrapped around her like an old friend, hiding her nudity, a reassuring development especially since he was fully clothed. And wasn’t having the other person naked a standard interrogation practice? She tugged at his shirt. “Play fair here,” she said.

He chuckled but let her unbutton his shirt and pull it off before maneuvering her back onto his lap. Since he was being so agreeable and the water so soothing, she stopped thinking, tucked her head against his chest and let herself relax.

“This is my favorite spot,” she said drowsily, unthinking.

“The Jacuzzi?”

“No, this spot on your chest. It’s comfortable. I can hear your heartbeat. It feels safe.”

“And I love you being there, Jenna,” he whispered, his words strangely solemn.

She tried to remain still, but the odd note in his voice made her uneasy. “How long before my clothes are dry?” she asked, wondering if he would dive down and retrieve her jeans or if she’d have to.

“Don’t worry. I’ll look after them.”

She knew she should protest, insist on getting dressed and away from there, away from him, but she’d agreed not to run off and besides he wasn’t talking anymore. In fact, he was rubbing her shoulder, something she always loved, and the thought of hauling on wet clothes and leaving wasn’t nearly as appealing.

***

“You sure Peanut was fine?” Jenna asked as she bit into her pizza, looking small and lovable in his over-sized bathrobe.

“He was fine, relieved you stayed here actually. We had some important guy time. He even told me a few secrets.”

“Really?” She sniffed as though bored, but her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“Surprising things,” Burke added, studying her face. Yes. He definitely spotted some discomfort. Even guilt. What the hell had she been up to? She dropped her half-eaten slice of pizza on the plate and reached for her wine glass.

“Of course,” he went on, playing a hunch, “I’ve taken several horse telepathy courses so it simplifies communication. And Peanut is an excellent subject. Wants you to know he prefers cut-up apples, not those old carrots. He also confided about what you’ve been doing.”

She leaned back in her chair, eyes wide, wine forgotten. Definitely a guilty stain in her gorgeous cheeks, and there was simply no way he could let this go. He blanked his face, drilling her with his eyes.

“I’m always truthful with you, Jenna.”
Except about Wally
. He shoved aside his regret. “And I expect you to be honest as well.” He scowled for added effect, but it was tough because he was much too distracted by her horrified expression.

A moment later she dropped her head and he could no longer see her face, but, ah shit, her shoulders quivered, and he wished he’d just let her keep her little secrets. He hated to see her upset. “Peanut didn’t tell me much,” he added quickly. “Nothing private, you understand.”

She peered up, giggling, eyes moist with laughter. “Horse telepathy. You! For ten seconds there, I actually believed you.”

He pushed his chair closer and scooped her onto his lap. “Ten seconds? That’s all? Thought I was keeping a pretty straight face.”

“You have that little twitch right here.” Still laughing, she kissed the left side of his mouth. “Big giveaway, every time. It always was there, even when we first met. Remember that day?”

“Certainly,” he said wryly. “You were robbing me blind, and I helped carry the contraband to your car.”

“Now that I know you better, I’m surprised you didn’t fire me on the spot. Why not?”

“Maybe I hoped to get lucky.” He reached across the table and snagged his beer, needing something to occupy his hands.

“No, you’re not like that. What was it? Tell me.” She snuggled into his chest. Christ, she was impossible to resist when she did that.

“You were loyal to Wally,” he said slowly. “Companies with loyal employees survive even when business gets tough.”

“Sheesh, that’s not romantic at all.” She winkled her nose. “I would have made up something much better.”

But the truth would scare her, he thought bleakly. He’d been intrigued from the moment she’d accused him of line butting. And now she was cuddled on his lap, so open and affectionate it was hard to believe she was still fighting this. He didn’t have much time either, and the gut-wrenching feeling it wasn’t going to work out simply wouldn’t go away.

“Hey,” she said, “you’re cracking my ribs.”

“Sorry.” He loosened his arms and took a sip of beer.

“I can’t believe you convinced them to deliver a pizza way out here,” she said brightly. “Want another piece?”

It was obvious she was trying to cheer him up—she had a generous heart. However, it didn’t belong to him and he had the perverse need to sulk. To have her fuss over him like she cared. So he only shook his head and scowled.