Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded (Summer Lake, #4) Read online

  “Ah. Do you know who she is?”

  “Nope.”

  “Maybe I do. It's a small town. What's she look like?”

  “Small. Short brown hair.”

  Michael's gaze flicked up at her, then returned to his food. “And when you saw them in town, what made you think she was a date and not just a friend?”

  Laura thought about it. “Honestly?”

  He grinned. “Not much point in anything else. I'm not asking for my benefit, I'm trying to help you figure it out.”

  She sighed. “Well, I suppose. If I'm honest. It was just the shock factor and a little jealousy. I was coming back here wondering if I'd see him.”

  “The two of you didn't have anything lined up?”

  “No. The last time I saw him didn't end well, and the last time I spoke to him he told me to call him.”

  “And you didn't?”

  “No.”

  “Because?”

  Oh, what the hell? She'd told him this much and he really did seem to want to help. Like he'd said—she needed to talk to someone. “Because, with Smoke, it's like it's all a game, a competition. Neither of us wants to admit that the other might have the upper hand. Neither of us wants to lose.”

  Michael smiled. “So you rather lose him than lose to him?”

  She pursed her lips, but said nothing.

  “You might want to think about that one, darl'. Cos I've got a feeling. This game the two of you are playing? It's a long way from over.”

  ***

  Smoke parked the truck in the square and got out. He waited for Rochelle to pull up alongside.

  “I can't wait to talk to Jason,” she said as she got out of the car. “He's going to be so pleased!”

  Smoke smiled. “Yeah, I think this could really work.”

  “It will! Come on, let me buy you lunch to celebrate, then I need to get back for the kids. My mom can't keep them this afternoon.”

  “Do you want to leave it and get back to them? I'm not that hungry.”

  Rochelle laughed. “Neither am I! I'm too excited to eat, but I said I'd buy you lunch. Even if we just get a drink or something, we should celebrate. I really want to thank you.”

  Smoke nodded, he knew how much the gesture meant to her. Even though he'd rather go home and catch up on some of the sleep he'd lost last night, he didn't want to refuse her. “Okay.”

  Ben greeted them at the hostess station. He was looking shifty again; Smoke still couldn't figure the guy out.

  “Hey! We're pretty busy today. There are a few high tops free inside though. Follow me.” He started towards the bar, but Rochelle didn't follow.

  “Look,” she said. “There's a table free, right by the water, Ben. Can we have that? It's such a pretty day, I really don't want to sit inside.”

  Ben came back looking even shiftier now. What was his problem? Smoke looked outside to where Rochelle was pointing. Oh. That was the problem! The empty table was next to a couple—Laura and that Australian guy. Damn! Ben looked at him, giving him the choice of what to do. Smoke shrugged. He wasn't going to run a second time. Ben gave him an apologetic look then led them out onto the deck. Smoke's throat was dry, his heart was racing. He had to get a grip. She was just a woman he'd slept with. No big deal. He'd been in this situation before—many a time.

  Laura had her back to them, he couldn't see her face. They were almost at the table before the guy noticed them. He surprised the hell out of Smoke by grinning and then winking at him! Jesus! Okay, so you got the girl! Ever hear of being gracious in victory, jerk? Smoke gritted his teeth and nodded curtly. The guy gave the tiniest shake of his head and shot a look at Laura then back at Smoke. What the hell was he trying to say? Laura turned, a smile lit up her face when she saw him, then faded away when she looked at Rochelle.

  “Michael!” squealed Rochelle. “How are you? And how's Ethan? The kids are dying to have him over.”

  He stood up and greeted her with a hug. Did everyone know each other in this town?

  “I'm just great, darl'. And you? And how about that husband of yours? Is he flying?” As Michael said that he gave Laura a meaningful look. What was he trying to do? Reassure her that Rochelle wasn't competition? Dumbass! As if Laura would feel threatened by any woman!

  Rochelle was rattling on about Jason. She turned and smiled at Smoke now. “And thanks to this guy, we'll have him home a whole lot more soon.” She stopped herself. “I'm sorry, I didn't think. Do you two even know each other?”

  “We've met a couple of times,” said Michael, holding out his hand.

  Smoke shook it politely, even though thoughts of it touching Laura had him wanting to crush it—and the guy it belonged to. What was this guy's deal? He was grinning at Smoke like they were old buds with some shared secret.

  He turned to Laura. “Laura, this is Rochelle. Her family runs the airport.” Smoke watched the two women shake hands. Laura looked put out for some reason.

  “And,” continued Michael with that same odd smirk on his face, “I believe you two already know each other.”

  Smoke finally allowed himself to meet Laura's gaze. She looked all kinds of mixed up, embarrassed maybe? The little pink stains were just visible on her cheeks.

  “Hi.”

  Smoke nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

  Michael put his arm back around Rochelle. “Are the kids free this afternoon? I'm taking Ethan out on the boat. Any chance your two might want to come? I know Ethan would love that better than being stuck with just his old dad.”

  “They'd love to! And I would!”

  “Let's go do it then!”

  “But I can't go now.” Rochelle looked at Smoke. “We....”

  “No worries, darl',” Michael was grinning at Smoke again. “These two will be just fine. Won't miss us one bit, will you guys?” He didn't wait for an answer; he was already walking Rochelle away. He called back over his shoulder. “This one's on me. Enjoy!”

  Smoke stared after him, then looked back at Laura. She seemed to have composed herself a little. He still had no clue what had just happened, but his feet were rooted to the ground. He couldn't bring himself to turn and walk away like the little voice of reason in his head was yelling he should.

  “Are you going to join me?” she asked.

  He stared at her. What for? She'd just spent the night with Michael. But Michael had just up and left, apparently trying to give Smoke an in. Why would he do that? It didn't make any sense. What made even less sense was that he himself was nodding and sitting down in the chair that Michael had just vacated. He waited for her to speak. This wasn't a conversation he wanted to start.

  “So,” she smiled at him then bit her lip.

  Jesus! How could she still affect his body like this? He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He wanted to bite her lips, kiss them, feel her naked body under him again. Dammit, Smoke, get a grip! Last night she'd been doing all of that with Michael.

  “So?” He kept his face set. Not wanting to give her the satisfaction of seeing all the need and jealousy he felt. If this was her game, she'd well and truly outplayed him.

  Her smile faltered. “I thought you might be pleased to see me?”

  No. This was not a game he wanted to play. “I don't enjoy leftovers.”

  She looked at the plates on the table, confused. “We can order you something?”

  He shook his head angrily. “I'm not talking about the food, Laura.”

  The pink stains on her cheek were back, her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, I saw the two of you at Dan's place last night. I heard you both come back to the cabin, and you're still with him at lunchtime. It doesn't take much guesswork to fill in what you've been doing in between!”

  She did a good job of trying to look offended. If he didn't know full well he was right, he'd be taken in by her act of indignation. She was good.

  “Seriously?! You think I slept with Michael? You think I'm the kind of woman who would kick him out
of bed in the morning and be coming on to you by lunchtime? And you think I'm such a lousy lay that he would willingly walk away to give you another shot?”

  Smoke's absolute certainty started to crack. No. Now she put it like that, he didn't think that was the kind of woman she was. And no man in his right mind would step aside for another guy after sleeping with her. “But I heard you both come back to the cabin last night.”

  “Both? I came back alone! In a cab. What makes you think Michael was with me?”

  She must be lying. “You weren't alone! I heard two cab doors close.” There, let her deny that.

  She said nothing, apparently wondering what she could say next. Then her eyes widened in some realization. “You asshole! You heard one door slam twice. I got out and closed the door then realized I didn't have my purse. I opened the door, grabbed the purse, and closed the door again.”

  That was plausible. And if she had spent the night with Michael, would he have left like he did just now? Got out of the way? Oh, shit. His absolute certainty was crumbling all around him now. Still. “Even if that's the case. You didn't call me back last week. Didn't let me know you were coming or come see me when you got here. Why the sudden change that you want to play nice with me now?” Ah, that had hit a nerve. She looked away, fiddled with her glass. “Go on. You explained how I was wrong about Michael. Explain how I'm wrong about this. Yesterday you didn't want anything to do with me. What's changed?”

  Her blue eyes flashed with anger now. “Alright, you win! Yesterday, on my way back into town, I saw you with Rochelle. I thought you were with her. Last night I was just talking to Michael. He's a nice guy, and a big flirt. I thought flirting might cheer me up, especially if you were about to turn up with someone else. Then Miss said you left cos you had a date. I was hardly going to come calling on you both when I got back—and certainly not this morning!”

  Smoke was struggling to take all this in. “You thought I was with Rochelle?”

  She nodded.

  Wow! “And you were jealous?”

  She bit her lip then nodded again, reluctantly.

  Smoke pressed his own lips together, to stop the smile that was trying to break through. “And last night, at the party, flirting with Michael. You were hoping to make me jealous?”

  “No! I was just...he was...I didn't....”

  She stopped talking as Smoke reached across the table and took her hand. The pink stains deepened and her eyes flew up to meet his when he said, “Cos if you were...it worked.”

  ***

  Laura stared at him. His gaze was intense—he meant it! He'd been jealous of her and Michael—just like she'd been jealous of him and Rochelle. And it was all just a big misunderstanding. She couldn't help the smile that she knew was plastered across her face. It was okay though, she was pretty sure it matched the one on Smoke's. He squeezed her hand and she squeezed right back.

  “So, what now?” she asked.

  “I think we have some unfinished business to take care of.”

  A ball of fire exploded in her belly and sent waves of heat through her whole body, eventually settling between her legs. He was still holding her hand, his thumb stroking back and forth across her palm.

  “If you want to,” he added.

  This was no game. The question in his eyes was genuine. This wasn't cocky Smoke. This was the Smoke she'd seen out on the trail. This was for real—and as scary as that thought was, she did want to. She nodded and his face relaxed.

  “Then let's get out of here.” He called for the check.

  “It's all taken care of,” said the server. “Doc Morgan picked up the tab on his way out.”

  Laura smiled. Michael was a good guy. She owed him one—big time!

  Smoke took her hand when she stood up, and led her back through the restaurant and out into the square. She liked the hand-holding Smoke. He led her to the passenger side of the pickup. Before he opened the door he lifted her hand to his lips. Holding her gaze, he kissed her knuckles one by one. “I don't want to let go.”

  Wow! Her body was melting in the heat of that look, it was full of need, lust...and something else. She didn't have chance to figure out what as his other arm snaked around her waist, pulling her against him. Her breath caught in her chest as she sagged in his arms. He was overpowering her senses, it was all she could do to stay upright. She was completely surrounded by Smoke; his muscular arm, his hard chest, the warmth and the scent of him. Yet she didn't want to run. All she wanted was more.

  He lowered his mouth to her upturned face and nipped her bottom lip. She gasped as the message went zinging through her, alerting her breasts and the very core of her to expect some Smoke. Soon. He gently pulled her lip with his teeth then stepped back. “Let's go home, lady,” he breathed.

  When he parked at the cabin he came around and opened her door for her. Taking her by the hand again, he led up her up the steps on her side of the building. She fished the key out of her purse with shaking hands. He smiled and took it from her. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open, gesturing for her to step inside. When she did, his hand came down on her shoulder and he closed the door behind them. She turned back to him and he took her face between his hands. The look in his eyes was even more intense now—lust and...? Again there was no time wonder what else, before he was biting her lips. He backed her against the wall, pinning her there with his body while his hands raked through her hair.

  He tilted her head back, giving himself better access to her mouth. She surrendered to his kiss. There was no other way to describe it. He was claiming her mouth, plundering with his tongue. Owning her. All she could do was willingly, desperately, surrender. His hands moved to her breasts as his hips moved against her. She needed him to be inside her. She fumbled with his buckle and zipper, needing to touch him. He got rid of her top and bra and dropped his head to her breast. She leaned her head back against the wall with a moan as his tongue circled her nipple and his hand unzipped her and found its way inside her panties. She reached for him, trying to get him out of his shirt, wanting to see, to feel his muscular body. He stepped back and shook his head. She felt bereft of his warmth, his touch.

  He shrugged out of his shirt and pulled her to back to him. She gladly wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against his naked chest. Running a hand over her ass and down the back of her thigh, he lifted her leg and wrapped it around his waist. With a wicked smile, he leaned back so her other foot left the floor and she had no choice but to wrap that around him too. He carried her through to the bedroom where he climbed on the bed and lowered himself forward, pinning her underneath him, his erection pressing into her heat, tormenting her through layers of fabric that she needed to get rid of. She reached down, intending to solve that problem, but he caught her wrist and pinned it to the bed. He shook his head and continued to torment her, moving his hips against her. Her breath was ragged now. She needed him, wanted to undress him, ride him. He held her gaze and she felt herself getting wetter in the heat of that look.

  “Remember where we were?”

  She could hardly focus on where she was, let alone where they might have been. He took her other hand and brought it up above her head, transferring both of hers into one of his. She pulled and tried to get away, but he only gripped tighter and trailed his free hand down her cheek, then on down her throat.

  “This time you're mine....” He thrust his hips, making her moan. His hand closed over her breast as he held her gaze, that other thing in his eyes outshining the lust. “...If you want to be.”

  Her breath caught in her chest as part of her screamed, yes. She did want to be his, in every way. His hand was back inside her panties, stroking, circling, tormenting her. Oh, God! Her hips moved of their own accord. She instinctively went to put her arms around him, but he kept her hands pinned to the bed above her. He slid a finger inside her and then another, flattening his palm against her, the pressure driving her crazy as his fingers slid in and out. She was no longer in control of
her own body—he was. She struggled now, trying to get away, she was getting too close.

  “Smoke, please?” she moaned.

  “Come for me, Laura.”

  “But....” She wanted to come with him, not for him. She couldn't stop it, he really was in charge. The heat was building. He increased the pressure of his palm against her. She came undone, crying his name as the heat tore through her and he kept working her, sending her flying away in a haze of pleasure. When she lay still, he brought his lips down to meet hers in a deep, possessive kiss. She brought her arms up around him, clinging to him as she kissed him back.

  He bit her lips, then her chin, then nibbled his way down her neck. He mouthed each breast in turn before carrying on, down over her stomach. He slowly pushed her jeans and panties down over her hips, following their progress with his tongue on her skin. He pushed them over her knees, then with a wicked smile, he somehow bound her ankles together with them. He ducked his head under her feet so her legs were wrapped around his shoulders, and she had no way to escape. His smile was even more wicked when her hands came down to his hair.

  “Smoke, I....”

  He took hold of her hands and held them under her ass with both of his, lifting her up so his mouth was inches from her. He spread her legs wider with his shoulders and blew into her heat.

  “Now I want to eat.”

  “Smoke, no! I don't like....”

  “Trust me, lady. You will.”

  She squirmed, trying to get away before.... His mouth closed over her. Oh, God! That felt so good! Why did she think she didn't like this? As his tongue trailed over her, she had no idea. When his lips teased her clit, she screamed. What was he doing to her? She tried again to free her hands, but he held them firm, sinking his tongue into her then sucking her hard, over and over again. She couldn't take much more, he was owning her again. The sensations were so intense. She let go, her orgasm wracking her body as his mouth demanded more, and more, ’til she was spent.

  When he finally freed her hands, he pushed her jeans off her ankles, leaving her naked. He really was something else! Two mind mind-blowing orgasms before she was fully undressed, and before she'd even seen his cock. She reached for his zipper, needing to rectify that part of the situation.