Sand Angel (17 page)

Covered from head to toe in her red riding gear, gloves, helmet and goggles, the cool breeze caressed only her bare neck and cheeks. She felt free, invincible as she left the ground and caught air. It was an awesome feeling. She controlled the three hundred pounds of metal beneath her that landed and continued to rip through the sand. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Josh take the jump and then Drew. Both made a solid landing that made her smile. They were ready to try something a little more challenging. Perhaps it was time for China Wall.

There was always approximately two hundred feet between her and Josh and Drew as she raced up and down one mountain of sand and then the next. She rode hell-bent, cutting grooves in the sand, loving the high arc the sand made diffusing from beneath her back tires. She didn’t stop until she came to an enormous swell of sand. Quads, bikes, rails, Rhinos and even a truck or two aligned the base of the peak. A rider on a 250 Honda CR was trying to climb it.

As Zoë pulled her goggles and helmet off, she murmured, “Not enough speed. Wrong gear. He isn’t going to make it.” She called it right. His engine choked as he tried to switch gears, and his bike began to lose traction, slowly slipping back down the mountain.

Josh and Drew pulled up next to her. If the concerned looks they shared as they removed their helmets and goggles meant anything, they weren’t happy with her.

Oh well.

As a quad approached the steep incline, she grumbled, “You’re sitting too far back.” In disbelief, she watched him jerk back on the handlebars. “Wrong thing to do, buddy. Argh…” Everyone gasped as the quad flipped backward, thankfully tossing the rider aside and out of harm’s way. In a dramatic roll, both quad and rider tumbled head over heels down the mountainside. She prayed both stayed on their separate paths and didn’t meet. When they finally came to a stop, several men quickly made their way to the rider, while others headed to the quad. When the rider rose and began to walk, she inhaled a breath of relief. “Stupid sonofabitch. That could have been nasty.”

A roar of an engine made her turn in her seat. Connor and his dark-haired friend pulled up beside them in a rail and stopped. She was thankful that Kari wasn’t with them. Zoë really didn’t like that woman. Especially the hungry way she looked at Drew.

“Let’s go,” Drew said, reaching for his helmet. Josh seemed to have the same idea as he reached for the key to start his vehicle.

Connor grinned, crawling out of his sand rail and making a direct path toward Zoë. “You gonna try it?”

“No,” both Drew and Josh chimed in unison.

The heat of embarrassment crept up her neck. They didn’t have confidence in her. “Maybe,” she said just to needle Josh and Drew. They both had the good sense to remain quiet. Zoë didn’t know what the big deal was. Perhaps Josh didn’t remember that she had climbed this hill before, or maybe he hadn’t been present. She really couldn’t remember at the moment. Either way it hurt and made the I’ll-show-you attitude within her begin to rise.

“Think you can make it in a rail?” Connor’s friend asked, a provocative smile on his handsome face. The man didn’t look as good as Drew did in his lime-green getup, but he filled out a pair of riding pants quite nicely.

“A rail?” Now that was a challenge. Zoë had never attempted this hill driving a rail. She’d seen it done—knew it could be done. That really was all she needed as she swung her leg over her quad. “Guess I could give it a try.” She grabbed her headgear and headed for the vehicle.

“Zoë?” Concern laced her name as Drew climbed off his bike.

Damn. Did he have any idea how much she needed him to trust her? She had made him a promise to think before she acted. She stopped and thought about the probability of success. Yep. She was confident she could accomplish the task—well, almost. One never knew absolutely until they rested at the top of the mountain. One thing she knew for sure—she was going to have fun trying.

Zoë slipped behind the wheel of the rail, pulled her seatbelt tight and then looked over to the man sitting in the passenger seat. “Going for a ride?” She fastened her helmet, drew her goggles on.

He grinned, held out his hand. Their gloved hands met and they shook. “I’m Dane Glover, and I’d ride to the moon and back with you.” He shifted his goggles in place and reached for the oh-shit bar in front of him. “Go, darlin’.”

Ahhh… Just what she needed—a sweet-talking devil by her side. Not to mention two angry ones watching her every move. She wanted to say, “C’mon, boys, a little support here”, but she knew it was useless.

“Hold on.” She turned the key, revving the engine. With an eagle-eye, she gauged the run she would need in order to reach a speed so that at the steepest point the engine wouldn’t cut out and slow her approach. Sure that she knew what she was doing, she whipped the rail around. She glanced over at Drew. His arms were crossed over his chest and he was frowning.

As she positioned the sand rail and slammed the gas pedal to the floor, a rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins. It was the most awesome feeling, some would say better than a climax, but of course they hadn’t slept with Drew. The rail cut through the sand like butter. Dane was laughing, she felt her smile widen. They were going to make it on the first attempt. Two-thirds of the way up they hit virgin sand, a soft spot that had never been ridden on. The vehicle’s tires spun, digging into the sand, but not gaining traction. They began to skid. Zoë didn’t fight the inevitable. They were going down.

The sensation of falling out of control was a high of its own. Heart racing, she glanced at Dane and he macho’d up a weary grin. Zoë didn’t push her luck, applying just enough brake to slow the descent, too much would swing the rail around and they would surely roll. When they rested at the foot of the mountain, Drew, Josh and Connor were there to meet them. Connor was in hysterics—the same couldn’t be said for Josh and Drew.

“Let’s go, Zoë,” Drew demanded, reaching for her. She dodged his grasp. If she were a man, it would only be expected for her to try again. She hated the disparities between female and male.

“Back up, boys, or I’ll run over your toes,” she announced just before she crammed the gear into reverse. Determination tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She would show them. Zoë narrowed her sight on Dane. “You want out?”

“Hell no,” he yelled. “Let’s go.”

The engine roared as she sped toward the mountain. Sand sprayed in all directions, creating a cloud of dust. She didn’t ease up on the gas, kept it steady as they climbed. At the two-thirds mark her heart stuttered.
I have to make it.

Dane shouted, “Hell yeah!” as the rail easily cleared the remainder of the distance.

Perched on the top was a magnificent view. For miles she could see valleys and peaks in the sand. She literally glowed from the inside out. The screams of approval from people below were what she lived for.

“You fuckin’ rock, woman.” Dane reached over and gave her shoulder a hearty shake.

Drew held his breath as Zoë started back down the dune. The sensation of going up a mountain was a little different than coming down it. It definitely was not for those with acrophobia, fear of heights. As she eased the vehicle down the mountainside, he didn’t know whether he wanted to strangle her or hug her close. He chose the latter. As she climbed out of the rail, he jerked her into his arms. He couldn’t see her face behind her dark goggles, but her smile shone with pride.

“Damn you,” he growled, giving her a little shake. “You had me tied in knots.”

She pulled out of his embrace and removed her headgear. “If it were anyone other than me, you’d be down here with the crowd urging the rider onward. Besides I made it—that’s what counts.”

No, what counted was that she was all right. He slung an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close as the man who rode with her approached.

He was grinning ear to ear. “That was friggin’ awesome. Let’s do it again.”

Drew didn’t have time to intervene before Zoë said, “That’s it for me. I think I hear a margarita calling my name.” She turned in his embrace, weaving her arms around his neck. “How about you?”

He gazed into her blue eyes, so bright with excitement. Instead of answering her, he bent his head and captured her lips. She returned his fervor, matching the urgency of his tongue dancing with hers. She held on tight—he held her tighter. He was just about to deepen the kiss when Josh said, “That’s enough, you two.”

Drew squeezed her once again before releasing her. “C’mon, baby.”

“Party at my trailer,” Zoë yelled over her shoulder as they headed back to their quads.

Party? That’s not exactly what he had in mind. Stripping her naked and having his way with her was the direction his mind was heading.

The heat of the afternoon sun beat down on them as they made their way across the miles of dunes. He tried to keep up with Zoë, but the woman was like greased lightning. The minx was riding a high and it showed. He realized that this was what she lived for.

By the time he and Josh pulled into camp, she was nowhere to be found. There was a moment of panic until he saw her quad. Someone was barbequing with mesquite. The woodsy scent filled his senses as he made a beeline for her trailer, Josh close behind. He didn’t knock, just pulled the doorknob and climbed the stairs.

Zoë stood at the kitchen counter in only an exercise bra and her riding pants. Her boots and socks lay by the couch. “Open the back of the trailer, Josh. It’ll make it easier for those that want to come in.” She dumped a handful of ice into a blender, flipped a switch, and the concoction inside began to swirl. From the refrigerator she grabbed several limes and tossed them all at once at Drew. “Cut these up.”

Drew fumbled with the fruits, awkwardly catching them. He spied a cutting board and sat them down upon it, before he pulled open a drawer and extracted a knife. “How do you feel?” If it weren’t for the nasty bruise on her forehead, no one would even know she’d been in an accident.

“Great.” Her smile glowed with happiness. “I haven’t felt this good in a long time. Come here and kiss me.” She didn’t have to ask twice. He tasted tequila upon her lips as they met his. His fingers slid beneath her silky hair, capturing the nape of her neck. She leaned into him, pressing her body against his as her arms wrapped around his waist. “Drew.” Her mouth moved across his.

“Yes,” he said breathlessly.

“The margaritas are done.”

Well, shit. So they were and the first of the partiers were beginning to fill the trailer. Josh seemed to know her trailer pretty well, reaching into a cabinet to find some plastic cups. He dipped them in a plate of shallow water to wet the edges before dipping them into a platter of salt. Zoë filled each one to the brim and Drew started handing them out. She got about five drinks out of this batch and started a new one.

Someone started the music and Zoë began to sway to the sexy tune. God, the woman was sensual. He wanted her body moving like that beneath him. He was lost in his thoughts, until Josh pushed a shot of tequila in his hand. Together they raised their glasses, each downing the shot in one gulp. Drew shuddered. “Ahhh…” The sting felt good as the golden liquid burned a path down his throat.

After several more blenders were prepared, the party moved outside, growing larger by the minute. People from nearby campsites were strolling over and getting into the moment. As Zoë stepped back into the trailer to use the bathroom, Josh moved to Drew’s side.

“Thank you,” Josh said, offering Drew a beer. The bottle was cold against his skin. “This is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time.” There was a light in his friend’s eyes that hadn’t been there since Zoë’s accident. “I don’t envy you, though. She’s a handful.” He chuckled, but added, “Worth every bit of the trouble. What are your plans?”

“Plans?” Hell, Drew had no idea. Right now he was taking it one step at a time. “Guess I’ll see how she wants to proceed. I’m not sure how she feels about me—the two of us.” He took a drink. “Don’t know if she’ll consider letting me accompany her to Phoenix. But, my friend, I’m going to do everything possible to ensure that we’re related and soon.” He slapped Josh on the back and the two broke into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Zoë asked, walking into Drew’s arms as if she had done it a million times before. He hugged her close. It felt right to have her next to him.

Josh placed his fingertips beneath her chin. His expression softened. “I’m just happy for you, sis.”

She stepped from Drew and embraced her brother. Drew thought he saw tears glisten in her eyes even though she grumbled, “You’re not getting mushy, are you?”

Josh pulled away from her. “Don’t be silly.” But Drew saw the same emotion shining in both siblings’ gazes as he sat his beer down. Josh cleared his throat. “Let’s get this party rocking,” he yelled, grabbing Zoë’s hand to twirl her around.

As they danced, Drew pondered Josh’s question. Clearly, Zoë wasn’t willing to give up her riding career. The thought of her traveling alone wasn’t something that sat well with him. It was even harder to swallow, knowing that she would be surrounded by a bunch of horny men.

“You’re thinking too hard,” Kari purred, leaning into him so that their hips touched. She ran her fingertips up his arm. Under shuttered eyelashes, she peered up at him. “I can make you forget.” Drew knew a proposition when he heard one. Furthermore, he had no doubt she could live up to her sexy offer, but he wasn’t interested. His mouth opened to tell her so when Zoë appeared. She glared at him. “I—”