Chapter 16
Lucy Linden Fantasy Number One involved his desk. Fantasy Number Two featured his bedroom. His shower played a key role in the third. A public beach in the middle of a thunderstorm hadn’t made the list. And he’d never pictured her rambling about horned horses after sex.
“Did you just call me a unicorn?” he asked mildly.
“Yes.” She cradled his face between her palms. Then she dropped a kiss on his lips before releasing him. “Yes, I did.”
He laughed and shook his head. “You can explain that insight into Lucy’s dating world later. Right now, we need to get out of this storm. We can make it to my car in five minutes if we run.”
Thunder rumbled overhead as he gently shifted her off him. He pulled on his pants and fastened the closure at the top. His phone vibrated against his leg, signaling an incoming message or voicemail. He ignored it. Instead, he turned and tossed everything onto the wet blanket—the taco container, the juice box, and her plain, white panties.
She didn’t come here tonight for sex, he thought as his gaze lingered on her underwear. But he’d managed to say the right things. He’d walked onto the beach without much of a plan. Hell, he’d gone home intending to change and instead, he’d stripped the blanket off his guest bed on the way out the door. Then, he’d decided to write the words in the sand because he needed to give her a sign that he cared. He’d needed to make up for deceiving her.
She’d forgiven him. She’d made love to him. She was his.
Thunder sounded again, closer this time. Too damn close to stay out there a second longer than needed.
Everything went into the middle. He gathered the sides and hauled the blanket up. The damn thing was weighed down with rainwater. A third bolt of thunder sounded. This time, lightning illuminated the sky.
“Fuck it.” He set the bundle down. “We’ll come back for that later. Right now, I need to get you out of this storm. Do you have your phone and keys?”
She nodded. He took her hand and started to run across the sand. They kept up a steady pace, stumbling barefoot through the seaweed. The rain fell in sheets and tried like hell to slow their progress. But they reached the end of the rocks in record time.
“Jared,” she panted, her pace slowing.
But dammit, he could see the wooden stairs leading to the boardwalk. He stopped and bent low. He wrapped his right arm behind her legs and tossed her over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold.
“I’ve got you, princess.” His left hand rested on the wet fabric clinging to her ass. In his pocket, his cell shook against his thigh again.
It’s like the damn thing wants to send a message to my dick.
The phone vibrated again.
And it is fucking working.
But now wasn’t the time for round two. They needed to get out of the storm first. “Hold on tight and we’ll be at the car soon. We’ll be home in five minutes, and I’ll get you into some dry clothes.”
“Jared,” she called over the storm. “I need to drive to my place. Nicole needs our car first thing in the morning.”
“Why do you three share a damn Toyota?” he muttered. But he turned and headed for her car. He set her down by the driver’s side door, instantly missing the contact. He wanted to feel Lucy’s wet, warm skin against his right now, tonight, and tomorrow.
“This is our company vehicle,” she said defensively. “It’s a good car. Plus, this way we all save on insurance.” She fumbled with her keys, but still managed to unlock the door. Rain pummeled them, soaking through his clothes.
“I had another car,” she continued. “But it was in Barrett’s name. He leased it for me. Even though I made the payments, I had—”
Bang!
The storm cut her off. He didn’t want to hear the rest anyway. She’d lost enough to that cheating bastard. The fact that he’d taken away her car . . .
I fucking hate that asshole.
He pulled hard on the door. “Get in. I’ll follow you and take you back to my place.” She had the seatbelt drawn across her chest, but she paused before buckling it and looked up at him. “Afraid of the princess lair?”
“I have eight fully renovated bathrooms ready and waiting for a round of wild, tantric, shower sex.”
“Fireworks,” she murmured.
“Damn right. We wouldn’t want to frighten Nicole and Emma.” He took the belt buckle from her and secured it. “Drive carefully. I’ll see you at your house.”
He closed the door and then jogged back to where he’d parked his Jaguar. His cell danced against his leg for a fourth time. He frowned. Who the hell needed his attention right now? If one of the companies had an issue, they could call Finn.
Unless Mom needs help again. If she walked out of rehab . . .
Grinding his teeth together, he withdrew his phone. Two voicemails and three text messages, all from Finn.
What the fuck?
He hit the message icon and read the first message.
911.
Cryptic bastard, he thought. Then, he scanned to the second message.
Meet me at your house.
He glanced down to the third.
FUCKING NOW!!!!
Finn knew he had a date with Lucy. And Jared trusted the friend who’d launched the online dating plan to leave them alone tonight unless the sky was falling. If all hell had broken lose, or worse, something had happened to Finn . . . goodbye shower sex.
Cursing, Jared started the car, linked up his phone and instructed his cell to play his voice messages.
“I’m sorry, man,” Finn’s voice sounded through the car speakers. “I know you’re with Lucy, but we need to talk. Meet me at your place, and I’ll fill you in. And . . . I’m sorry. So fucking sorry, Jared.”
The message ended. Jared hit stop on the second one. His best friend wouldn’t beg unless he was in trouble. But he hadn’t come this far with Lucy to call her and cancel their plans. He drove over the bridge and headed for the princess lair.
He spotted Lucy standing by the front door, still dripping wet. The overhang protected her from the downpour, but still, she could have gone inside. When he pulled up to the curb and put the car in park, she ran down to meet him. He hit the unlock button and she pulled open the door.
“Lucy, I know I promised you fireworks,” he said as she climbed into the passenger seat. “But Finn texted nine one one.”
Her eyes widened. “Is he okay?”
“If he didn’t call you, it’s about work,” Jared said quickly. “He left a message—”
“You’re sure he wasn’t in an accident,” she said. “He’s not at the hospital?”
He reached out and covered her intertwined hands with his. “He’s at my place. I’d say this could wait, but Finn doesn’t cry wolf. Plus, the sugar deal’s on edge already.”
“Go,” she said firmly. “But text me when you see him. I want to know he didn’t do something stupid like drive his motorcycle in this storm.”
“Finn’s a smart man,” Jared assured her. “I’m sure this is about work. I’ll talk him off the ledge, and if it’s not too late, I’ll call you.”
She nodded. “Take care of him. Don’t worry about me. I can take a rain check until tomorrow night. Plus, I have a big day tomorrow. Two consults for potential parties followed by a hospital visit.”
He leaned across the center console and pressed his lips to one cheek. “Tomorrow night, I’m taking you out. A real date, Lucy.” He kissed her other cheek. “I’ll be your unicorn, whatever the hell that means.”
She laughed. “A creature that doesn’t exist. Like the single, wealthy bachelor with perfect hair.” Her fingertips teased the back of his neck, drawing small circles on his hairline. “Perfect abs—”
“I’m right here, Lucy,” he growled. “I’m not going anywhere except to save your brother’s helpless ass.”
“Thank you. From me, and from Finn. Just in case he forgets to express his gratitude.” She kissed him. Softly. Gently. And then she reached for the car door. “Call me tomorrow, Jared. I want that date.”
She ran into the storm and disappeared into the princess lair.
He closed his eyes. The rain hammered his car as the storm roared around him, driven into a frenzy that felt like a hurricane. It was too early in the season for a monster storm. He could count on the fact that hurricanes hit in late summer or early fall. What the hell had changed?
I made love to Lucy Linden on the beach.
And it had thrown the entire world off course. He’d made love to his friend’s sister, and now there was a damn hurricane raging outside. He couldn’t stop it. He sure as hell didn’t want to drive away. Not in this mess. Not away from Lucy.
He put the car in gear and headed for the bridge. “Finn, you owe me.”