Page 102 of Raging Fires

“And even though you were being really, strangely secretive, I know I should have believed you.”

“Ah. Michael told you.”

She frowned. “Michael told me what?”

“Oh.” He’d stepped in it again. “I—I promised him I wouldn’t tell you.”

“Me specifically? Why? Did he say he doesn’t like me?”

“No.” He was just making it worse. “Of course he does; you know he does. He just...”

“Jake.” Now she was getting that look in her eyes. “If you don’t tell me right now, I’m going to go over and ask Michael what’s going on.”

“Damn it, I wish people wouldn’t tell me secrets.” Jake sighed. “He needed a loan.”

“You loaned him money? After all the stuff in Miami?” She waved her hand vaguely.

“No. I tried to, and he wouldn’t take it. But he let me guarantee a loan for him with the bank. He was in really bad shape, and it wasn’t his fault.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” Kelli swatted his arm lightly. “It’s not like I would have told him, ‘Hey, Mike, I know you have financial problems.’”

“Because I promised him I wouldn’t. Looking back on it, I see I should have broken my promise. But at the time, I had just said it to him, and then later, it pissed me off that you didn’t take my word for it.”

“And I should have.” Kelli nodded. “But not because I found out the truth... I should have believed you because I know you don’t lie—even when it would probably be better if you did. I trust you, Jake, because you’re you. Stephanie asked me why I called you when my car broke down. And I realized it was because you’re the one I trust. I know you’ll always come if I need you, no matter what, just like I would with you. Because I love you more than anything in the world, and I’ll never stop loving you. And I don’t want to spend the rest of my life missing you.”

To hell with the right time. Jake grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. “Kelli, stop talking.”

She smiled up at him, looping her arms around his neck. “That’s the best thing you’ve said this whole time.”

Jake pulled her up into him and kissed her like—well, like he hadn’t seen her in a month. Like she had put his world right again. Like she was the only thing that mattered.

When at last he lifted his lips, his breathing was short and fast and his skin felt on fire. He rested his forehead against her head. “God, I love you. I’ve been so miserable the past month. I picked up my phone a million times to call you.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because I was stupid. And hurt. Mad. But mostly because I was scared. I was afraid you’d hang up on me or send me straight to voicemail. And I was afraid of how devastated I’d be if you didn’t want me back. I’ve been in love with you since I met you, and I know I’m going to love you forever. And, God, that’s scary.”

“I know. It scared the hell out of me, too.” Kelli went on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Jake drank her in, running his hands over her body, thanking the fashion gods for her wearing one of those little flared skirts that were so much easier to get his hands inside than a pair of tight jeans. Although the tight jeans had their advantages, too. He slid one hand up under that tempting skirt, searching for and finding the scrap of lace that was all that separated his fingers from what he ached for.

She was hot and wet, that little scrap soaked, and when he pushed aside the cloth, she widened her stance, giving him fuller access. Which made him so hard, he was afraid he might come right here. But he didn’t pull back; he stroked and circled and teased until a little moan escaped Kelli’s throat.

“Jake.” Kelli put her hands on his chest and moved back a little. “I’d like to go home. Right now.”

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, her hair tousled from his hands, her mouth red and damp from his kisses. And that wound him up even more.

“Aw, come on, Kell.” His voice was husky, and his fingers went back to work. Kelli’s eyes fluttered closed. “Where’s your sense of adventure?” She didn’t say anything, just leaned her head against him and let out another breathy moan. Kelli began to move with his fingers, and that brought out his own groan.

“Somebody will see,” she protested faintly.

“Who? Everybody’s gone, and it’s dark.” That wasn’t exactly true because there were still all the tall lights spaced over the parking lot. But Jake wasn’t going to quibble over that. Right now he thought it could have been bright blazing day, and he wouldn’t have cared.

Kelli let out a low laugh, and he knew he’d won. Jake wrapped his arms around her, hitching her up, and her legs wound around his waist. He walked the few feet to the car, Kelli clinging to him and distracting him by kissing his neck. Jake braced her against the car and took care of the excuse for panties with a single rip. He really, really like these flirty skirts.

Kelli put her hands on either side of his face, holding him still and kissing him deeply. She broke their kiss for a moment to murmur, “Now. I want you inside me now.”

And then she was kissing him again, and Jake could think of nothing else but the need thrumming through him. He fumbled at the waistband of his sweatpants, shoving them down to free himself. And then he was sheathed in her slick heat.