Burning Up (Flirting With Fire Book 1) Page 7

  “Don’t you play it off like it’s all me.” Erin did have a knack for making situations awkward, but there was no way she was the only one experiencing this level of discomfort. She put her hands on her hips. He had to feel this, too. One minute they were laughing like old times, the next, she was subject zero of an infectious disease. “It’s like I have the plague or something.”

  “Do you have the plague?” he asked, clearly amused.

  “No.” Copious amounts of hand sanitizer ensured that. “But you’re treating me like I do.”

  “I’m not treating you like you have the plague.”

  “Poisonous warts? Dengue fever? Halitosis? Take your pick,” she said.

  He moved closer to her, his scent a mix of cologne, beer, and mint encasing her. She’d like to say she didn’t inhale it creepily, but she was still Erin Jenkins.

  “None of the above.” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple climbing his throat.

  “Then what is it?” She was at the point where she almost wished she hadn’t come. At least then, she could live in her delusional bubble of reminiscing about the way things used to be, when he actually hung out with her.

  Perfectly straight teeth raked across his bottom lip. “Being around you just brings back a lot of memories.”

  “Hopefully not embarrassing ones.”

  “Those are the best kind, Heron.”

  “I see.” That was not an answer she’d been expecting. Play it cool. Yeah, she was never good at listening to her inner chi.

  “Erin, as gorgeous as you are in that unfairly tight dress, you are my best friend’s sister. I work with Reece. I don’t want to lose my kneecaps because of something stupid I’d do.”

  “You want to do something stupid?”

  He grinned, his eyes lighting up into the dangerous glint he used to have when he was younger and about to do something that he’d absolutely regret. The one that always made Erin’s knees wobble like jelly. “Yes. Insanely stupid.”

  His fingers brushed against her cheek, scorching a trail down her jawline.

  “Tell me, Erin. Do people still use the word ravish?”

  Damn it. So he had heard her earlier. When she thought she’d kept her thoughts in her head—where they belonged. She fought back a cringe and squared her shoulders. She was a grown-ass woman and would own up to it.

  “Those who read material other than Firefighters Monthly, yes.”

  “A lesser man might be offended.” He took a step forward, and she parroted the move, taking a step back, her back hitting the wall. His arms bracketed her head, caging her in. “Feel free to peruse my science-fiction selection anytime you want.”

  She rolled her eyes. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d call that for what it is—the worst pickup line in existence.”

  “Trust me, Erin, even if I dropped my best pickup line on you, it wouldn’t work.” He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath.

  “Is that so?” Little did he know that he could use single-word commands and she’d be playing her own version of “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” Except instead of ice cream, her prize would be in the form of licking other things.

  He tucked a stray strand of hair behind Erin’s ear, and she nearly bit back a groan as the calloused pad of his thumb brushed mere inches from her lips.

  “You must hear dozens when you go out in California. All those pretty boys with their manicures.” He looked at her, eyes searching, and if she went up on her tippy toes, her lips would be at the perfect position to meet his. As if he could read her thoughts, his teeth raked across his bottom lip.

  Oh, girl. Shit was getting real up in here.

  She swallowed, trying her best to play this off the coolest she could. Inner Erin was hyperventilating into a paper bag. “Can’t forget the hair wax. And Armani.”

  “Is that what you like?”

  She looked at Jake, in his button-up and dress slacks. If they were out in Portland, he might cause traffic accidents by the number of women who’d be rubbernecking to check him out. She preferred the Jake who wore faded jeans and a baseball cap.

  “No,” she admitted.

  “What does a woman like you want?”

  You.

  “Why? You aiming to deliver?” she asked.

  He moved in closer, his scruff brushing against her cheek, his leg pressing between her thighs. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she swallowed hard, leaning into his touch. Oh boy. This was not what she had been expecting.

  “I—”

  “Dad?” Bailey’s voice came from around the corner, and the hairs on the back of Erin’s neck stood on end.

  Quicker than lightning, he separated from her, making his way into the storage room. He came back out moments later with a pack of ice over his shoulder, like he hadn’t been about to kiss her.

  As soon as Bailey rounded the corner, she continued, “Can I go out with Aunt Julie to the Little Roadhouse tonight?”

  “Isn’t that a bar?”

  Bailey did that eye-roll sigh combo that most of her students had mastered. “No, it’s a family restaurant and has karaoke. I want to hear Julie sing ‘Baby Got Back.’”

  Jake huffed out a laugh in response. “I’m surprised you even know that song.”

  Bailey shrugged. “I can rap the whole thing.”

  His brows pinched in response. “You memorized that song but refuse to listen to AC/DC? I’ve failed you as a parent.”

  She rolled her eyes. “So can we go?” She looked up at him with those same blue eyes. “Please?”

  Jake dragged a hand through his hair. “Fine. But Julie needs to have you back at a decent time. I don’t want you dragging for the ceremony tomorrow.”

  She bounced on her toes and flung herself at Jake. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  He wrapped her in a hug and kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, yeah. Get going before I change my mind.”

  Seconds later, Bailey was bounding back down the hallway and skidded to a halt in front of Julie and the rest of Jake’s sisters.

  Jake loosed a heavy sigh. “She’s going to be the end of me.”

  “She seems like a pretty decent kid in my book.”

  “Growing up too fast. She asked to bring a date.”

  Erin grinned back at him. “And what were you doing at thirteen?”

  He groaned. “You really are trying to kill me, huh?”

  “Let’s get this ice to the party.”

  And just like that, the moment, whatever it was between them, was broken. It was probably for the best. Because what if he actually had done something like kiss her? Well, if that were the case, she probably would have welcomed it and locked them both in the utility closet. But that was a moot point now that they were back to the rehearsal dinner, and she was three slices past feeling sexy. She might have done that on purpose, but she was regretting it because a full stomach while sharing a small room with Jake now seemed like a bad idea.

  Two hours later, Erin was helping pack up the leftover pizza with Jake and his mother.

  “We’re so happy you could join us,” Sadie said, patting Erin’s hand as she slid the last piece of meat lovers’ extreme into a plastic bag. Her fingers were warm as she squeezed Erin gently. Tom was a lucky man marrying into this family. She’d always heard horror stories about mothers-in-law from hell, ones who made it their mission to fray the newly minted member’s resolve. But Sadie defied societal stereotypes. She’d even sent care packages back when Erin had moved to California when her mom had been too upset to even speak to her for the first six months. Those jars of peanut butter and Cosmo magazines had been a godsend, especially when she had been stressing out about classes.

  She tossed the bag of pizza onto the table. “Thanks. I’m glad I can see Josie walk down the aisle.”

  “It’s going to be beautiful.” Sadie beamed. “Still waiting for this guy to get his happily ever after.” She wrapped her arm around Jake, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there a
t the moment.

  “Bailey keeps me more than busy.”

  “Just saying, there’s more to life than parenting.”

  Jake shot his mother a look, which seemed to go unnoticed as Sadie zipped up the plastic bags.

  “And on that note, I think I’ll take these back to the fridge.” He grabbed the bags and made his way to the small hallway in the back of the barn.

  Sadie’s gaze lasered to the hallway, and she sighed. “He’s a good man. Just wish he’d put himself out there.”

  Erin didn’t know what to say to this. She wasn’t one to put herself out there either, much preferring the simple routine of eat, sleep, and teach. “Somehow I don’t think Jake will have any problem finding someone once he’s ready.”

  The thought of Jake ending up with someone and having the 2.5 kids and a minivan made Erin’s stomach churn.

  “I’m just going to make sure all the lights are shut off and head to my room. Thank you again for your help,” Sadie said.

  “Of course.” Erin gave her a hug and went to find Jake, who was still placing plastic bags of pizza into the fridge.

  “Coast is clear. You can come out now.”

  “Who said I was avoiding coming out?” He closed the fridge and faced her, his broad shoulders straightening.

  She swallowed hard, momentarily forgetting her train of thought. “It takes an expert to know one. Did you already forget who my mother is?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “C’mon. Let’s get back to the lodge.”

  They walked back in silence toward the main portion of the lodge. Most of the party had already returned to their rooms, and only a few hotel guests roamed around the front lobby.

  “I appreciate you helping out tonight. You didn’t need to do that.” His voice was a soft rumble in the quiet courtyard, making every single hair on her arms stand on end.

  “I know. But I was more than happy to.”

  For a moment, she saw the same flicker of desire cross his gaze. But as fleeting as a Southern California rainstorm, it was gone again. Obviously she kept misreading his cues. She didn’t know why she expected any less. It had been the same thing that had happened years ago. Door shut. No interest. Get over it, girl.

  Except this time it would be ten times more humiliating if she put herself out there and he turned her down again. How about a “Hell no” to that.

  Jake bit the inside of his cheek as he regarded Erin. Her dress hugged every curve, the tight fabric landing midthigh, just begging to be pushed higher. Even if she’d claimed she was completely fine, her swaying while just standing upright spoke otherwise. Definite hands off.

  “I had a really good time tonight,” she said. Her head rested in the crook of his arm, and he guided them back to the room. Crisp mountain air ruffled her hair against his chin, and goose bumps flecked her skin as they made their way across the grounds. He pulled her tighter as she started to shiver. He hated to admit it to himself, but she felt damn good, her soft curves pressing against him. He slowed down his pace, taking his time to get to the room. Because once they got there, he wouldn’t have an excuse to hold her anymore.

  When they made it to the room, he led her to the bed. He guided her down on top of the comforter, propping her head on the pillow. She looked up at him, giving a sleepy smile that made his heartbeat quicken. He’d take the couch tonight—he’d already decided that much when she’d shown up earlier with her ridiculous amount of luggage in tow.

  “I don’t think Cat Lady would have been able to put up with my family for an entire evening.”

  She turned around, fluffed the pillow behind her, and leaned against it so she was sitting on the bed, her legs crossed. “Don’t sell them short. Your family is awesome. Unless Cat Lady has hearing sensitivities.” Erin was way too generous. His family was nice, but they were a lot to handle. Even as a blood relative, Jake needed a break sometimes.

  “Not to my knowledge. But I doubt she’d be half as good a date as you are.” He looked down, unable to hold her gaze. Yeah, that hadn’t meant to come out. He was trying to keep things light, but after their interaction in the hallway, Jake didn’t know what the hell to feel at the moment.

  Her eyes widened in response. She sat up higher on the bed, her wavy hair swishing along her shoulders. One of the thin straps from her dress fell to the side, exposing the delicate dip of her collarbone. The red lace molded to her breasts, the fabric moving up and down with every breath. It’d take ten steps to get to the bed, maybe fewer.

  “I have to make a confession.”

  “You do know I’m not a priest, right?” he said.

  “I kinda had a thing for you all through high school. I know. Silly, right?” She bit her lip, and her cheeks bloomed a deep shade of red that matched her dress.

  He should end this conversation right here. Tell her that he needed to get some sleep for the big day tomorrow. That would be the sensible thing to do. Instead, he said, “Why is that silly?”

  “You were so far out of my league in high school.”

  “I was a stupid shit who didn’t deserve someone nice like you.” While Jake had participated in activities that had turned his mother’s hair gray, Erin had volunteered her time at soup kitchens and knitted hats for homeless shelters. Even at fourteen she had been kind.

  “Do you remember your senior winter formal?”

  “Yeah.” He’d been named winter-formal king, and his date, Janet Thompson, had been making out with his best friend in the guys’ bathroom during the award. Shortest date of his life. Really, Janet was just the beginning of the string of women who would leave in his life. “What about it?”

  “You gave me a ride home because I got sick.”

  Honestly, the night was a blur. Anger had taken hold after he’d found Janet, and he’d effectively blocked everything else out after he’d been crowned. He vaguely recalled driving her home. “Okay, yeah, I remember that.”

  “Do you remember what you told me in the car?”

  “No. What?” Probably nothing useful if he’d been that upset. Plus, he’d been eighteen. Nothing remotely insightful had come out of his mouth at that point.

  “Well, first, you told me liquor before beer, in the clear.”

  He laughed. That would be something that would have come out of his stupid teenage mouth. “I was a wise man back at eighteen. What was the other bit of wisdom I imparted on you?”

  “Never trust a woman in a red dress.” She smiled. “I’m pretty sure that was because your date was wearing red, but, regardless, I never had an issue with the last bit of advice.”

  “Wiser Jake would like to amend that statement to include all women. No matter what they’re wearing.” He had learned the hard way, but it was better to have no relationship than one that would let you down.

  “Am I included in this lump generalization?”

  “Especially you, Heron,” he teased. But there was some truth to his statement. The only women who didn’t apply were his sisters.

  “You know, that nickname can die a fiery death anytime now.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” He shoved off the couch to get a glass of water from the bathroom.

  “You’re impossible.” She threw a pillow at him, and he caught it inches from his face. “Why did I say yes to your wedding-date proposition again?”

  “Because of my charming disposition and witty intellect.”

  “Those were not the reasons,” she mumbled. She eyed him, steps from the bed, her gaze taking a long perusal of his body.

  Damn.

  “I’m not really tired. Are you?” She mashed her lips together. Her legs parted a fraction, a sliver of her black panties now in plain sight.

  Blood rushed directly to Jake’s cock. More than anything, he wanted to make his way to the foot of the bed, strip Erin of that dress, and show her just how not tired he was.

  Do it. Go over there. Tear her clothes off. Make her scream your name. Every damn cell in his body told him that was exac
tly what he should do.

  “No.” He was not tired. At all.

  Jake shoved his hands in his pockets, attempting to subtly readjust himself. His pulse pounded in his temples as he took the handful of steps needed to get to the bed. Do it. Get into bed with her. It’s been so damn long. Too long.

  His shins hit the edge of the bed, and his gaze met hers. Her eyes traveled down the length of Jake’s body, her cheeks blooming a deep crimson. The way she looked at him made his temperature kick up a few degrees. His knees sank onto the down comforter, and she moved higher up the bed, her dress hiking to her hips. Shit.

  Jake swallowed hard and continued his ascent up the bed. Erin’s hands fisted the sheets, and her breathing seemed to become more rapid the closer Jake got. He stopped at her feet, sitting back on his knees. “I—”

  His phone buzzed in his pocket. If his daughter weren’t out tonight, he would let whoever texted go unanswered. But he couldn’t do that—not when someone might need him, and he needed to make sure his daughter was okay. He pulled his phone out of his pocket.

  BAILEY: Back at the resort.

  The momentary relief that his daughter was in for the night vanished as the weight of the situation came crashing down on him. What was he doing? What did he expect to happen? Fuck Reece’s little sister and have everything go back to normal like nothing ever happened?

  He shoved his phone in his pocket and glanced back at Erin. Her brows pinched together as she watched him. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  Even though he wanted Erin so damn bad, he had other people to think about.

  He cussed under his breath. “I can’t do this.” He couldn’t believe he was saying this. Such a gorgeous woman in front of him. Wanting him. “I’m going to grab some water. You need any?” What a fucking cop-out. By the drop in her smile, she knew it, too.

  “I’m good,” she said.

  And there came the uneasy silence again, filling the room like a box alarm fire. They’d keep it at bay the entire evening, and Jake had a feeling he’d need to work double time to get back to an easy groove with her.

  Jake managed to pull himself off the bed and disappear into the bathroom. He splashed his face and came back with a glass of water. Erin had already straightened her dress and was tucked underneath the covers. He decided it’d be safer to take a seat on the couch, which sat perpendicular to the bed, about five feet away.