Firestarter (4 page)

She seemed to ponder his request.

“Do you have a certain place in mind?”

He named a popular Mexican restaurant and watched as she licked her lips. Picturing those same lips, caressing him, had his dick twitching in eager anticipation.

“Come on, you know you want to. Good food, good company, and a chance for me to get to know you. What could it hurt?”

She hesitated, making him sweat even more.

“Okay, sounds good. I love that place. What time do you want to meet there?”

He kept his triumphant look in check.

He didn’t miss her choice of wording. Actually, he appreciated a lady who took her safety seriously. With that thought, he squinted at the memory of her walking alone at night. Then again, maybe she didn’t value her safety so much. “How about if I pick you up around six?” He looked at his watch. “I’ll call and make reservations.”

“I’d much rather meet you there. I’ve got a ton of things to do in town.”

“All right.” He nodded. “I’ll make the call and meet you there.”

His lips twitched when she smiled up at him. A vision of her staring up at him as she knelt at his feet, with her arms tied behind her back, flashed through his mind.

What the fuck?
Keanu liked to be in control of the action in the bedroom, but he’d never wanted a submissive woman. He preferred women who knew what they wanted, and took it in 23

equal measures. So why did the thought of having this one, bound and tied to him, have his cock hard as stone?

“I’ll see you there,” Cammie stammered before she waved and headed into the grocery

store.

Keanu barely kept from pumping his fist. He reversed his own Jeep, which wasn’t as

impressive as hers, and found another spot in the crowded parking lot. Seeing Cammie again was a major bonus. Of course, dating a local when he’d just gotten back to town could be tricky, but he shrugged off the concern for now.

Climbing out of the vehicle, with his grandfather’s grocery list in hand, Keanu looked it over again. He headed for the entrance, making quick work of the shopping. Somehow he missed seeing Cammie in the store, but maybe that was a good thing.

Sporting a massive erection while pushing a cart would be hazardous to small children, not to mention to him. He had no doubt if he was to see her wearing those itty-bitty white shorts, he’d most assuredly have to visit the frozen food section. Of course, then he’d have to explain to the owners why the frozen peas were down his pants instead of in his cart. Blue balls didn’t seem like a good excuse. Rushing through the check-out, Keanu was impatient to get to know his date better.

After leaving town with his grandfather’s list complete, Keanu unloaded the groceries into the cabinets and fridge. Being the astute man he was, Alo waited until everything was put away.

The old man leaned against the counter like he had all the time in the world.

Keanu marveled at how the hell a man could still be made to feel like a teenager. When his elders gave the
look
that was universally known as
out with the truth
, which his grandfather was giving him, he chose his words carefully, knowing there was no way to avoid the questions clearly written on his grandfather’s face.

“I’ve got a date with Cammie Masters tonight.” Keanu didn’t prevaricate or go into

specifics. He was a grown man after all.

Alo straightened from his relaxed position. “She’s a sweet girl, I like her family.”

In other words,
don’t mess around
, unless he planned to stick around. Keanu nodded, giving his grandfather a reassuring smile. He would have to take the quickest shower in history if he 24

wasn’t going to be late. Deciding to keep it casual, he donned a pair of soft, dark jeans that fit like a glove, adding a short-sleeved polo, and then he was ready to roll.

“Take care with Cammie, Keanu, she’s a good girl,” Alo reiterated.

Keanu nodded, holding his retort inside with the knowledge his grandfather was only

looking out for a young woman he looked at as one of his own.

He arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early, prepared to wait, since women were notorious for being late. Being an admirer of the ladies, he didn’t mind when they spent extra time primping for a date.

To say he was shocked to see Cammie waiting for him would be an understatement. He took his time looking her over as he approached the table. She truly was gorgeous.

“Wow, a lady who’s early, and looks stunning too. I’m impressed.” He bent and kissed her cheek.

A cheeky grin accompanied her beautiful blush. “Why thank you. You look nice, too.”

“Compliments will get you everywhere with me.” He waggled his eyebrows, enjoying her

laugh. He took his seat and they ordered drinks.

“So tell me about Smokejumpers and what you do. Your grandfather says that you’re the

greatest, but I’d like to know more.” Cammie laughed.

After they ordered their entrées, she grabbed the jar of homemade salsa and poured them both a bowl, before digging into the chips with gusto.

He loved a woman who enjoyed her food, and, Lord, watching Cammie was like watching a

woman when she was being made love to. When the waiter delivered the white cheese dip, she moaned, causing him to think about how she would sound in the throes of passion. The

immediate tightening in his groin amused him. He couldn’t remember a time that he actually got hard just from watching a woman eat.

To get his mind out of the gutter, Keanu explained how he loved the thrill of freefalling out of a DC-3. He described how the wind seemed to try to hold him up, as he plunged thousands of feet, leaving out the fact that it was similar to having an orgasm. By the time their food arrived, he realized she didn’t have a glazed look in her eyes, or an absent looking smile. Usually when women heard what he did, they either ran the other direction, or jumped in his bed. Cammie seemed truly interested in the workings of the job, more so than in the glamour of the role. It made him want to take her up with him the next time he skydived for fun.

25

All through dinner, she’d skillfully avoided talking about anything related to her work, but gushed about her family, the town, and her favorite ball teams.

He never would’ve pegged her as an avid sports fan, but she definitely had the build of an athlete, and knew more about who was up for the Heisman Trophy than he did. He’d noticed the definition in her legs when she’d worn those short shorts. Now, seeing her wearing a simple sleeveless maxi dress, Keanu saw that her arms were toned as well. She wasn’t overly buff, just nicely cut, exactly how he liked women. Visions of her stripped naked had him twitching in his jeans.
Down, boy!

She tried to hide a yawn behind her hand. He didn’t want the night to end, but was aware he had no choice. He reached across the table, putting his hand over hers. “I had a great time tonight. I’d like to see you again.” More honest words had never been said.

Cammie turned her hand over to grip his. “I’d really like that.”

“What’re you doing next Saturday?”

He watched as she seemed to ponder his question, then she grabbed her bag and pulled out her phone. Patiently, he waited for her to scroll through her calendar.

She looked up, stunning him with her gorgeous smile. “I’m free all weekend. Oh, God, I didn’t mean that I want, or that I meant…” Cammie’s face scrunched up. “Dang it, I’m messing this all up. I meant to say, that I don’t have to work next weekend at all. What did you have in mind?”

Stifling a laugh, Keanu squeezed her hand. “I was thinking that maybe we could go for a picnic and do some hiking. I haven’t roamed the forests around here in years, and you said you still like to climb trees.”

“I’ll never live that down.” She covered her face with one hand. “Do you know my mother still teases me about that? And to add insult to injury, I had to wear a stupid boot thingy, all because I’d bruised several bones.”

“No shit? I’m glad I insisted on carrying you all the way home. You could’ve seriously injured yourself.”

Cammie peeked at him from between her fingers. “Well you did, and I’m fine, so let’s

pretend it didn’t happen.” She cringed, her embarrassment clear to see.

26

Keanu loved the blush that stole up her neck and into her face. Thinking about Cammie

blushing as he made her come had his comfy jeans a little tight. He shifted in his seat, adjusting himself discreetly.

He reached across the small space and tugged her hand away from her gorgeous face.

“Thank you for having dinner with me. Would you like some dessert?”

“I couldn’t eat another bite.” She rubbed her stomach. “I had a really great time tonight.”

“You sound surprised.” He smiled and watched her yawn again. “I did, too. Are you ready?”

At her nod he motioned for the check.

He paid the bill and waved the waiter away, telling him to keep the change. When Cammie made a move to get up, Keanu stood and pulled her chair out, placing his hand at the small of her back. He didn’t miss the way her body shivered; it was a feeling he wholeheartedly agreed with.

The small gesture caused flames to lick up his torso. He banked down the internal heat, leading her out to her car.

“Did I tell you that I love your Jeep?”

She turned to look at him. “You do, huh? Would you like to drive her next weekend?”

Keanu groaned. “Please tell me you didn’t give her, and I stress
her
, some silly name?”

“I did not name her something silly.” She waited a beat. “Her name is…wait for it, wait for it…Lightning.”

The little minx was laughing at him, and damn if he didn’t enjoy it. “Like Lightning

McQueen?” he joked.

“No, like the lightning in the sky.” Cammie slapped his arm. “She’s a big bolt of it.”

“I like that a lot. Lightning and thunder are my favorite parts of a storm.”

“Mine, too.”

When they reached her vehicle, Keanu turned her to face him, smiling down at her upturned face. He traced her bow-shaped mouth with the tip of his finger. Keeping her anchored to him with one arm, he wrapped the other around her waist, loving how she fit perfectly to him. He gave her plenty of time to reject his kiss. Seeing her eyes close, and feeling her body molding to his was his undoing.

Keanu meant to take it slow, to give her a light, almost friendly kiss. But having her softness, against all his hardness, sent him reeling, and devouring her mouth became his goal.

27

* * * *

Cammie wrapped her arms around his shoulders. In her three-inch wedge espadrilles, she reached his chin, making them a perfect match. His tongue invaded her mouth, tangling with her own, the taste of the spicy food they had eaten exploding in her mouth, like another sweet temptation.

She sucked in a breath, aching from the kiss, her heart thudding with excitement at her first real taste of him.

He gentled the kiss, brushing his mouth lightly over her parted lips, then nipped her bottom one. Cammie felt the tremor that wracked his large frame, happy to realize that she wasn’t the only one affected.

She had known since the age of twelve that this man was it for her. Now, ten years later, she realized her desire for him had only intensified, had become a woman’s need in place of a young girl’s infatuation. The times she had seen him in town over the years had always awoken a hunger, but she hadn’t thought she had a chance since he didn’t live there anymore. Now, with him pressed against her, she was aware of his powerful erection jutting against the juncture between her legs. Her own desire flooded her panties, but Cammie was shocked to feel Keanu pulling away.

“You’re fucking amazing,” Keanu murmured.

“What?” she asked dazed.

“I don’t want to rush you. I want to savor every moment, every sigh you make.” He captured her lips in another heated kiss.

Kissing him was a major feast to her starving senses. All thoughts fled her brain as he deepened the kiss, and drew her closer to his arousal. She sucked on his tongue, and nipped his lip like he had done to her, before licking the small hurt. Rushing sounded really good to her at that moment.

By choice, Cammie hadn’t had a physical relationship before, but with Keanu she wanted to make love to him. He destroyed all her reasons to not be with a man, even knowing the risk to her heart, but nothing could change the fact that she wanted him.

Cammie was trembling, white-hot need pounding in her veins. Her knees were weak,

shaking as she stood wrapped in his embrace. “Keanu,” she sighed.

28

“Damn, I promised myself I’d take it slow,” Keanu murmured between breaths.

Reality washed over Cammie like a tidal wave. She jerked back, nearly stumbling, until Keanu steadied her. She was ready to get naked, and do him right in the middle of a parking lot.

Her unrestrained hunger, combined with his expert kissing skills, had her groaning.

“I don’t know what came over me. Really, I’m not like this,” she mumbled.

He raised his hand and brushed the hair out of her eyes, making her wish they were

somewhere private.

“We’ll take this slow. I want more than a quickie from you.” He rubbed his knuckles across her cheek. “I know you’re not that kind of woman, and for that, I’m glad.”

“Thank you, I think?” She pursed her lips. “I guess I better get going. I have to be at work early in the morning.” She smiled to take the sting out of her words, or maybe the sting was only on her part.

His head lowered. “Yeah, about that, you managed to avoid telling me what you do.”

She couldn’t stop the feeling that raced over her nerve endings when his voice dropped to a rumble.

“A woman likes to be mysterious.”

Keanu’s gaze zeroed in on her. “Hmm, I like a challenge, and I plan to find out all your secrets.”

She opened her eyes really wide and feigned an innocent look. “We shall see, won’t we?”

Keanu eyed the distance into her Jeep. She saw when he realized the advantage of her

having to climb up to get in. Hunger gleamed in his dark gaze with avid awareness.