Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Laurel started to lift the axe over her head, but didn’t expect it to be so heavy. Not in an I-can’t-lift-it sort of way, but rather a who-knew-stupid-axes-weighed-so-much kind of way. Regardless, it caught her by surprise and slipped from her grasp.
“Whoa, hey!” Jake materialized behind her and pulled her back against him. “Shit! You almost cut your foot off!”
She looked at the axe embedded in the dirt… right next to where her tennis shoe imprints were. Only then did she realize how close it’d come. She shuddered, triggering Jake to tighten his hold. The heat from his body warmed her back, messing with her senses. She looked down to where his arms encircled her. Because of their height difference, they were pressed against the underside of her breasts. She drew a shallow breath as a shiver of awareness tripped through her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, turning her around to face him.
She nodded, but apparently he was waiting for a verbal response.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she assured him. “Clumsy, but fine.”
“Good.” A mischievous grin spread across his face. “The ‘fine’ part, not the ‘clumsy’ part. You’re short enough with both feet intact. How the hell would I be able to kiss you if you were any shorter?”
“Hey!” She pushed him away, fighting back the smile threatening to emerge. “That was uncalled for.”
“You’re right. It’s true, but you’re right.” He drew her back in and stole a kiss. “Thank God,” he breathed when their lips parted. “Still tall enough to reach.”
She couldn’t stop a laugh. “Go away.”
“Not gonna happen as long as you’re here.”
She opened her mouth to say something, then realized she had absolutely no clue what. How did this man always manage to shuffle her focus?
“Wanna call it?” he asked.
“What?”
He nodded toward the axe stuck in the dirt. “The axe throwing. Spare yourself an ambulance ride.”
“Wow, you really went there,” she said, trying her best to look offended and probably failing miserably. “In answer to your question, no. I’m not going anywhere until I do this stupid thing.”
“Ringing endorsement, right there.”
She laughed. She’d nearly cut her foot off, but she was having fun. And she wasn’t as nervous around him as she’d been at dinner. Of course, the few short phone conversations they’d had setting up this outing helped, but it was his easy-going nature that made her feel comfortable enough to be herself.
“At least, let me show you how it’s done,” he said. “It’s my day off. I’d rather not see Randy if I don’t have to.”
Randy. Why did that name sound familiar? “One of the guys you were with at Hannah’s?”
“You actually remember Hannah’s?” he teased. “I’m impressed.”
“I wasn’t that drunk,” she countered.
Um, yeah, I was.
Jake raised his eyebrows, but thankfully didn’t comment on her supposed sobriety. “Yes, that Randy. He’s one of the paramedics at the station.”
She groaned. “More ambulance jokes? You need new material, Jake.”
He grinned and picked up the axe. “Let me show you how it’s done. First, you hold it with both hands, one in front of the other.” He put the axe in her hands, and placed them where he wanted them to be. “Then, you raise it up.” He lifted her arms horizontal, pointing at the target. “You don’t need it above your head, like you had it, and definitely don’t hyperextend. You don’t want it falling down behind you.”
“How am I supposed to throw it if I don’t lift it over my head?”
“Don’t hold it over your head,” he clarified. “You can bring it higher before you throw it, but don’t just hold it up there. I’d rather not?—”
“Have to call the ambulance,” she finished for him. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“I’m serious,” he told her. “I don’t want you getting hurt, so pay attention.”
She could tell he was being sincere, and that bossy tone was kind of hot. “Okay.”
“Good. So, when your arms are here…” He held his hand at the desired height. “… you aim. Then you can lift it to get a little momentum to throw.”
“Aren’t you showing me wrong?” she asked, pointedly glancing over her shoulder. She was trying to make fun of the fact guys in the movies always stood behind the girl to show her how it was done. It was such a cliché move, she thought he’d find it funny. When he looked at her with a confused expression, however, she wished she’d kept her mouth shut.
“I am showing you,” he said.
Fudge. He doesn’t get it.
Like he really sat around the fire station watching Hallmark movies.
“Never mind.” Hopefully, he’d brush past her lame attempt at humor. She didn’t know why she’d said it. She’d never been good at flirting and, obviously, still wasn’t.
He studied her a moment before asking, “Do you mean like on TV where the guy gets behind the girl, puts his arms around her, and directs her movements?”
Okay, so it sounded stupid when he said it.
Now she felt totally self-conscious. “I was trying to be funny, but…” She let her words trail off and shrugged.
“Are you saying you want me behind you, Laurel?”
Why did everything he said make her think of sex? And it wasn’t only the husky tone of his voice, it was…
Oh, who am I kidding? Everything about him makes me think of sex.
“You want me wrapping my arms around you from behind?” Dropping the axe, he mirrored his words, enveloping her in his warmth. “Positioning you where I want you...” Tipping her head to the left, he kissed her neck where her pulse fluttered.
She swallowed hard because, suddenly, this conversation didn’t sound like axe throwing or Hallmark movies at all.
“Telling you what to do…” He kissed the sensitive skin behind her ear and whispered, “… and when to do it?”
Holy, snickerdoodles!
When did this discussion turn X-rated? He’d taken control, flipped it back on her, and upped the ante before she’d even realized.
“If that’s what you want, Laurel...” He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue. “I can make it happen.”
She literally felt like she was about to spontaneously combust when he nipped her earlobe. She stumbled forward, trying to force her breathing to slow down. When she turned to face him, his mouth tugged up on the side.
“Or I can just talk you through it,” he said, sounding like they’d been chatting about the weather instead of the images his words triggered.
“No, I’m good.” She nervously twisted her hands. When Jake looked down, she immediately dropped them to her sides. “Thanks.”
He picked up the axe and held it out to her. “Okay, Princess. Show me what you’ve got.”
Jake watched Laurel carefully take the axe, making sure not to touch him.
Way to go, Lockwood. Scare the shit out of her.
He hadn’t meant to go there. Didn’t mean to insinuate he’d take her from behind if she asked, but he was quickly realizing Laurel short-circuited his self-control. It was becoming more and more obvious she was his kryptonite, and fuck if he knew what to do about it. This was uncharted waters for him.
He’d never dated a woman like her before. She was a good girl, not the fuck ‘em-for-fun type. Not that any of his dates had ever complained. Quite the opposite. He’d never made promises and always laid his cards on the table from the get-go. They’d known what to expect and joined him willingly. He was the bad boy who could make them feel amazing for a night. That’s all he’d ever wanted before, yet, here he was... hoping like hell he hadn’t fucked up his chance for date number three with the sweetest woman he’d ever met.
The possibility of her redeeming him was laughable compared to his ability to corrupt her. He should walk away. Back out of helping her with the list and leave her alone before he hurt her.
Jake watched her carefully extend her arms and line up the target, narrowing her eyes like she was staring down an opponent.
The wind picked up, pulling a strand of hair from her ponytail and propelling it in front of her eyes. She shook her head, which did nothing, so she tried blowing it out of her face. It took a few puffs before she succeeded.
She studied the target one more time before lifting the axe the way he’d shown her and letting it fly. When it embedded in the target a good three feet below the bullseye, she let out a whoop and raised her fists into the air.
“I hit it!” She started bouncing up and down, head rocking from side to side as she shimmied her hips in a little happy dance. “I actually hit it!”
He chuckled, eyes locked on her ass. “Yes, you did. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m a great teacher,” he said with a smirk.
“Wow, your humility is astounding.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Maybe I’m just a good student. Ever think of that?”
“All the time.”
He didn’t even try to keep the innuendo out of his voice. He’d been thinking about things he wanted to teach her since the moment they’d first kissed.
If she’d caught his meaning, she didn’t let on. “I want to try it again.”
He knew she wasn’t talking about kissing, but they’d definitely be trying that again. Sooner rather than later, if he had any say in it.
After a few more throws, Laurel’s aim had gotten pretty decent. She’d even hit the outer ring of the target a few times.
“Wanna make it more interesting?” Jake asked.
“Interesting, how?”
“How ’bout a little wager?”
She tilted her head and studied him. “I’m listening.”
“If I hit the bullseye, I get a kiss.” He’d come here enough times with the guys, he knew the chances of him hitting it were pretty damn good.
She wrinkled her nose. “Zero points for originality.”
He laughed. Sometimes the things she said caught him completely off guard. She could go from shy to sassy faster than expected, then back again just as quickly.
“And if I hit the bullseye?” she asked.
“If you do? … Anything you want, Princess.”
“Hmm, the possibilities are endless,” she said, flashing an impish grin.
“Let me know if you need suggestions cuz I’ve got quite a few.”
She shook her head. “I can only imagine.”
“Why imagine when?—”
She cut him off. “You go first. Put your money where your mouth is.”
“I’d rather put my?—”
“Jake.” She sounded flustered.
Fuck, shut the hell up! What am I doing?
He cleared his throat and moved a step away, putting some distance between them. He’d never be able to concentrate otherwise.
“All right, I’ll go first.” Taking the axe she offered, he lined himself up with the target.
She coughed loudly the same moment he let the axe fly. It embedded in the wood about four inches off the center.
“Wow.” He turned to find her grinning like a kid who’d been given a box of cookies and told to have at it. “What’s your class gonna think when I tell them their teacher’s a cheater?”
She was the picture of innocence. “How’s coughing cheating? It’s a normal bodily function.”
“I see how it is.” He walked over to the target to retrieve the axe, then handed it to her. “You’re intimidated by me, which is totally understandable.”
“Move over.” She bumped him out of the way with her hip. “There’s not enough room for me and your ego.”
He snorted. Damn, he liked this playful side of her.
“Give it your best shot,” he told her, taking a step back to allow her some room. “I’ll be over here putting on Chapstick.”
She rolled her eyes, raising the axe to aim at the target. Just as she lifted her arms to throw, she ran up to the target and wedged the axe dead center into the wood. Then she spun around and shouted, “I win!” before taking a bow.
“Really?” He started stalking toward her. “You really think you’re gonna get away with that?”
“Hey, I won, fair and square.”
“And how is cheating fair?”
She started moving to the right as he got closer. “No one said I actually had to throw the axe,” she rationalized
“Uh-huh.”
He advanced a few more steps, trying to corral her into the corner. Since they were in a fenced “cage,” the only place she could go was down the side. With a quick sidestep, he cut her off, grabbing her around the waist when she tried to skirt past him. She squealed as he pulled her back, pushed her up against the fence, and looped his fingers through the chain link on either side of her, preventing her escape.
“Now, about that kiss…” He lowered his head, but she stopped him with a hand over his mouth.
“I won,” she reminded him. “I get to pick the prize.”
She snatched her hand back when he nipped at her fingers.
“What do you want, Laurel?”
“I…” Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Um…”
He deliberately wet his lips, watching her reaction, trying not to grin when she drew an uneven breath. She wanted him to kiss her. She may not be saying it, but she wanted it. The laser focus on his mouth gave her away, but the wrinkle in her brow let him know she was conflicted. She wasn’t comfortable asking for what she wanted.
Maybe all she needed was a little push.
“You want me to kiss you,” he told her. “Don’t you?”
She almost reached for him, but abruptly curled her fingers into her palm instead.
“All you have to do is say it. Say you want me to kiss you.” He edged closer, until his lips hovered a wisp above hers. It was taking everything in him to remain frozen in place. She’d asked him to kiss her once before, so he had no idea why it was important to hear her utter those words again, but it was. “Laurel…”
“I…” She stuttered out a breath and closed her eyes, like she was praying for courage. “I want you to kiss me.”
Her timid confession sent a tidal wave of euphoria hurtling through him. He crashed his mouth onto hers and thrust his tongue inside. She tasted like the cinnamon gum she’d been chewing earlier. He knew he should hold back… be more gentle and less demanding. But he’d been thinking about doing this since she’d driven away from the restaurant over a week ago, and holding back was the last thing he wanted to do. So, he wrapped her ponytail around his hand and tugged her head back, angling her mouth closer to his.
She whimpered and circled her arms around his waist. That was all the encouragement he needed to thrust his tongue deeper and devour her.
Catcalls from two cages over made Laurel stiffen. With a groan, Jake reluctantly pulled back and watched her cover her face with her hands. Snaking an arm around her, he spun them so his back was against the fence, blocking her from the assholes behind him.
“Omigosh!” She burrowed into his chest, like it could render her invisible. “I never do this,” she confessed. “I never kiss in public.”
“I’m all for doing it in private,” he offered, hoping she couldn’t feel how much the idea appealed to him.
“You’re a bad influence.” She lifted her head and peered up at him. “Are you trying to corrupt me?”
He may have grinned, but it wasn’t intentional. Not entirely. “Is it working?”
She ducked under his arm and turned back to study him. “You’re not a nice boy, are you?”
“Never claimed to be.” So, why did her saying that bother him?
“Something tells me I need to be careful around you.”
“You should probably listen to that something.”
She nodded slowly, pressing her lips together as her gaze dropped to his mouth.
“Unless you secretly like bad boys,” he added, moving closer.
“We…” She licked her lips, and his body responded. “We should probably get going.”
“Whatever you want, Princess.”
Screwing her mouth to the side, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a name, you know.”
“I know.”
“But you’re still going to keep calling me ‘Princess’.” It wasn’t a question.
“For the foreseeable future?” He raised a brow and grinned. “Yeah.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few sugg?—”
“Stop,” she ordered, using her “teacher” voice.
It was fucking hot.
“Sorry.” Yeah, not sorry. “Can’t help myself. Bad boy, remember?”
“Maybe I don’t want a bad boy.”
“You’ll never know unless you try.”
“Who says I haven’t?”
He bristled at the thought of someone else having done the things he wanted to do to her.
“Because if you had, you wouldn’t be so curious to know what I’m thinking right now.” He lowered his voice when he asked, “Do you wanna know what I’m thinking, Laurel?”
Her throat constricted on a swallow. “I’m not curious, and no.”
“Liar.” He captured her hand, then placed two fingers on the delicate skin on the inside of her wrist.
“Wh-What are you doing?” Her pulse skipped when he leaned in.
“Proving a point,” he said simply.
“What point?”
“You’ve never been with a bad boy, Laurel.” He knew it as certainly as he knew his own name.
The increase in her pulse belied her weak contradiction. “Yes, I?—”
“But you want to.”
A tremor ran through her as her pulse jumped again.
Still holding her wrist, he inched closer. Close enough that her breasts pressed against his arm.
She looked up, heat and uncertainty mixing in equal measures in those gorgeous hazel eyes. His gut told him her sexual experiences had been tame, but her reactions made him think she might enjoy a walk on the wild side.
“With me.” He leaned down to kiss her again, but she evaded his lips and wriggled her wrist free from his grasp.
Squaring her shoulders, she lifted her chin defiantly. “Bad boys are pretty cocky, aren’t they?”
Don’t go there.
“I prefer confident.”
“I’m sure you do.”
The sass in her voice made him grin.
Fuck, she’s hot. And she doesn’t even know it.
Which made her that much hotter.
“Don’t worry, Princess. I’ve got the goods to back it up.”
Did that sound suggestive? Hell yeah, it did. Was it a slip of the tongue? Not in the slightest. Someday, he promised himself, he’d make good on that statement and prove it to her.
“You ready to get out of here?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes, please.”
There it was again. Flirty, then back to polite and shy. This woman was multifaceted, and he realized he wanted to learn every side of her.
“Want me to drive you home?” he suggested. “You know, in case you’re too distracted thinking about me to drive yourself.”
She let out an exaggerated sigh, but smiled nonetheless. “You never stop, do you?”
“Not if I can help it.”
“Still not telling you where I live.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Back to stalking it is.”
She laughed and took his hand as they walked out to the parking lot.
Chalk one up for the bad boy.