Chapter Fifteen
“I feel almost guilty that I don’t have a care in the world today when I know time is ticking with Reno,” Bryar said as she ripped open the package, took a piece of chocolate out, and took a big bite. They’d worked up an appetite while working out at the gym.
“Shh. Remember, we decided not to talk about Reno or our problems today. This is our time to reconnect. Where to next?”
“Hmm. The library,” she said with a smile.
“Oh?” He lifted a brow. He remembered how they couldn’t keep their hands off one another and nearly got caught by the librarian, Mrs. Willcott, while fondling each other between the history books and comic sections.
“Do you think you can keep your hands to yourself, mister?” She sounded stern, but the shine in her eyes told him keeping his hands to himself was the last thing she wanted. He’d almost lost control at the gym watching her on the equipment in the yoga pants that made his imagination run wild. But he was determined to treat her right. To do things differently than in the past. A woman like Bryar deserved to be treated with love.
“Do you remember when Mrs. Willcott chased you out of the library with a rolled-up newspaper? Poor woman. She loved to hate you.”
“I guess I gave her plenty of reason to hate me. She would have cracked me over the head if she knew I finger-fucked you beside Moby Dick . It seemed very fitting at the time if you ask me.” He shifted as parts of him saluted for the occasion.
“It wasn’t Moby Dick . It was To Kill a Mockingbird .” She reminded him with a triumphant smile.
“Yeah, I didn’t read much then. I enjoyed other extracurricular activities.” He winked.
“You handed over that heart ring that day, telling me you wanted me to be your girl.” She flipped the ends of her hair over one shoulder. “You said I should consider it a promise ring.”
“I never did get it back, so does that mean the promise is still on the table?” When she remained quiet, he glanced at her. “Silence is scary.”
“Well…” She cleared her throat. “You see…after you left, I chucked it out my bedroom window. I searched for it for days, but I never did find it.”
He swallowed hard. “Did you do the same thing with the wedding band?” He looked at her bare fourth finger.
“No. I still have the wedding ring. Safely tucked in my jewelry box.”
Puma snorted. “Are you joking about the promise ring?”
Her mischievous grin made her eyes shine. “No. I wish I were.”
“You’re brutal.” He sniffed.
“In my defense, I did think you abandoned me.” A growl rattled her words. “Look at old man Nelson’s cows. He always has the prettiest cows in Shades Cove.” She pointed as they drove past the farm.
“They always make me hungry.”
“Chocolate?” She lifted the Hershey’s bar.
“No thanks. I like to get my protein from real food.”
“Hey, don’t knock me for my choice of food. When did you become such a health nut?” She chomped down on more chocolate.
“I wouldn't say I’m a health nut. I just became health conscious.”
“That’s okay. That means all the junk food is mine.” She wagged her brows.
“You still like gas station hot dogs?” he asked.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I love gas station hot dogs. The buns are so soft and warm,” she said while rubbing her tummy. “What happened to that old Chevy of yours? It was a junker, but boy, did we make some memories in that thing?”
“I have no clue. I’m guessing after I left, Pa got rid of it or put it out of its misery and sent it to the junkyard. Man, did I love that truck. Can’t find ‘em like that anymore,” Puma said in disappointment.
“It was a death trap. How many times did it stall?”
“Not the point. It was an antique.”
“I’m not throwing stones. My heap of junk is on its last leg. Sheriff Charley has threatened to give me tickets for breaking the sound ordinance.”
Puma frowned. “How about you take Pa’s old truck? It might have some rust patches, but it’s still reliable.”
“I can’t do that.”
He shot her a look, and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of how blue her eyes were. “Why couldn’t you?”
“Because…because I don’t really know why, but I can’t.” Her mouth curved into a sweet smile that could have stopped a train in its tracks. It did make his body hard.
“You’re part of the family, Bry. And from what you’ve said, you stuck around Pa when it seems no one else did, including me.” He felt a hitch in his throat.
Her expression changed. “I didn’t 'stick' around because I wanted something. I forgave him just as much for myself as for him. We can’t continue to hold people’s past against them.”
“I hope you’ll remember that when it comes to me.”
“I do. I’m here, aren’t I?” The warm air flowing through the vent caught the ends of her hair and floated them around her cheeks. God, she was stunning.
“Stop!” she shouted.
Confused, he slammed on the brakes. The tires squealed as the truck seemed to balance on its front two wheels before settling back down. His stomach tightened as he glanced at her. “What the hell?”
“Pull over here.” She pointed with her chin towards the pull-off area.
“You almost gave me a heart attack for that?”
“Sorry.” Her tone lacked sincerity. “While we’re reminiscing, I think our journey wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the lake.”
“It’s cold out.”
“When did you become a big wuss?”
He parked the truck and turned off the engine. “I see your point.” He exited and walked around to the passenger side to meet her.
“Of all the places we’ve been, this is where we created the most memories.” She took off along the snow-covered path. Most of it had already melted.
He followed her to the water’s edge. The setting sun cast a golden glow on the lake's rippling surface.
“I’ve always loved this place.” She spread her arms wide and puffed out her chest, as if to absorb all the beauty surrounding her. “It’s lovely.”
“Yes, it is.” Yet, his gaze was fixed on her. She was breathtaking—intriguing. He was certain he understood her better than most, yet there was still so much he didn’t know.
She twirled, catching his eye. “I come here often,” she murmured.
“So many memories here.” He surveyed the water stretching as far as he could see.
“We skinny-dipped here so many times.” She laughed.
“Too cold now. I’d freeze my balls off,” he muttered.
“You are a lightweight?”
“Not funny,” he growled.
“The old you was adventurous. The new you is a bit of a wuss,” she teased.
“I don’t see you being adventurous.” He cocked a brow.
“Is that a challenge?”
“Nope. Just giving it right back to you. The girl I remember always pushed the boundaries. Lived life to its fullest.”
“I still live life to its fullest,” she said with a tilted chin.
“I’m sure you do.”
“Maybe I haven’t been all over the world on James Bond missions, and carrying a rifle, but I do have a wild streak left in me.” Her stubborn streak was what he was seeing at the moment.
“Hey, I’m not denying it.” He held up his hands in defense.
She pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it at him. He caught it.
“What are you up to?”
“Put your actions where your words are,” she replied.
“Bryar—” She slipped her yoga pants down her legs.
“Backpedaling, are you?”
“It’s too cold. You’ll catch your death,” he warned as she moved toward the water’s edge.
“I guess you’re just too chicken,” she said over her shoulder.
“I’m too old to let you drag me into foolishness, Bry.” He shook his head.
“It’s just water, Puma. Not lava.”
“You’re going to wish it was lava the moment you step in,” he quipped.
“ Bwok, bwok, bwok . Chicken.” She halted at the water’s edge, a charming smile playing on her lips as she glanced back at him.
“Sheezuz.” He slammed his hands on his hips. How did he always allow her to convince him to do stupid stuff? He practically tore off his shirt and his shorts and then toed off his shoes and socks. “You know you’re cutting off your nose to spite your face.”
“I’ve been known to do worse things.” That grin was now a full-blown smile that reminded him of that youthful girl who had the world in the palm of her hands.
He would have followed her into a fire at that time, so he held out his hand to her. She stared at it for a long second and then placed her hand into his. “Let’s do this the right way.”
They ran into the icy water, and she squealed. The water splashed up around them as she jumped. She turned and raced back for land, with him catching up to her.
“That is so cold.”
“I told you.” They both grabbed their discarded clothing and raced back to the truck in record time. They climbed in, and he started the engine, turning the heat on high.
She shivered in the passenger seat, dripping wet. He reached into the back seat, grabbed a blanket, and laid it in her lap. She pulled it around her shoulders, and almost instantly, she stopped shaking. The heat blasted through the vents.
“Honestly, I feel alive!” she said.
“Your hair is plastered to your cheeks.” He reached over and raked the strands back. Their gazes locked. Her tongue came out to swipe over her top lip like she’d eaten something sweet. “Fuck. I recognize that look.”
“Good thing I can control myself.”
He swore under his breath. “Too bad.”
****
When Puma slid his fingers through her damp hair, Bryar felt her world spin on its axis. Everything slowed to a turtle’s pace. She pressed her hands against his abs, and they flexed under his fingers. The temperature rose in the truck, and sweat beaded her forehead. He clenched his fists around the tendrils of her hair and released them, allowing them to fall back to her shoulders.
She bit her bottom lip and forced herself to remain firmly planted in the seat. But what she wanted was to bite his bottom lip.
“I thought we agreed we wanted to take things slow? Date is the word you used, I believe,” she whispered.
“We did,” he said breathlessly.
She shook herself mentally.
Her nipples pebbled, and when he laid his finger against her neck, a surge of lightning passed between them. How had she ever believed she could break away from the hold he had on her? They were soulmates, beyond just lovers, far more than just two people bound by love.
He lowered his mouth to hers. At first, the kiss was gentle, but soon, things heated up until she was wriggling herself into his lap and straddling him.
His large, callused hands were on her bare skin, striking up her sensitivity. She groaned as he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, rolling the tip along the roof of her mouth.
He slid his fingers into her hair, gently tugging the strands. She laid her head back, moaning at the pressure on her scalp. “Yes!”
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said in a low, throaty voice that rattled her insides, “I want you more than I could ever imagine.”
“I want you too.”
His hand slid between their bodies, finding her clit. He tapped the swollen nub under the pad of his wide thumb and a full-body shudder moved her body from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes.
His touch caused an avalanche of desire and her clit throbbed.
She ground her body against his fingers, craving more.
He buried his fingers inside of her throbbing narrow passage.
He was kissing her again, slow, deliberate.
She lifted her hips, allowing him deeper access. He slammed his fingers all the way to his knuckles in and out of her. She bucked against his palm, rolling her hips.
This was what she’d craved. Needed. Ten years ago he’d burrowed himself into her body, and that was where he remained. All the emotions were still embedded there, crushing her.
They could start fresh and fix the things that needed fixing. He had an amazing ability to calm her and make her feel alive.
An ache unlike anything she’d ever felt burned between her legs.
“Puma?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Can we skip some bases and take things to the next level?” She easily lifted herself to her knees. Running her fingers through his hair, she kissed him.
One hand remained deep inside of her while the other cupped her ass. He squeezed, and she moaned. She broke the kiss and smiled down at him.
He smiled back up at her.
“You want me?”
“More than you’ll ever know.”
“You want to ride my cock?”
The sun was setting outside, enveloping them in the shadows.
“Yes.” She groaned.
His hands tightened around her ass.
A shudder raced through her.
Headlights flickered, making them jump in alarm.
“Shit!” he groaned.
She quickly slid back into the passenger seat just as the fire chief’s truck pulled up alongside the driver’s side.
*****
“You good?” Puma asked.
“I’m good.” She tightened the blanket around her body.
He rolled down the window.
“Hey, Chief.”
“I was just about to drop by the ranch and talk to you. I saw you here,” Pete said.
“Is it regarding the fire?”
Pete nodded. “Yeah. I have some news for you. It’s a bit late...”
“That's fine. What have you heard?”
“Do you want to speak privately?” Pete shifted his gaze toward Bryar.
“You can share whatever you need to in front of my wife,” Puma replied.
“Got some good news and bad news. Which do you prefer first?”
“Go with the bad.”
“Just as I suspected, the fire was intentionally started. The first thing I noticed was the smell and then the burn pattern. The sample of the ashes came back with traces of accelerant. I sent the findings to Charley. Good news is, insurance should pay for everything.”
Puma cast Bryar a glance. She sat frozen, a frown creasing her mouth.
“Thanks for letting me know,” Puma said.
“No problem.” Pete touched the brim of his hat. “You both have a great evening.”
Once they were alone, Puma rubbed his temples. “I knew it.” He cranked the engine and pulled out of the gravel.
“What are you going to do?” she asked quietly.
“I’m going to drop you off and then pay Reno a visit.”
She grabbed his arm. “Puma, that’s not a good idea. Let Charley handle this. Tell him your suspicions,” she encouraged.
“What will Charley do? We both know Reno will worm his way out of this.”
“I’ll go with you.” She started to put her clothes on.
“Not happening,” he said without room for argument. He grabbed his shorts and deftly pulled them on while he kept the truck on the road.
“Then take someone with you. One of the crew.”
Anger blazed up his spine. “Bryar, I don’t want to involve anyone in this. I can handle the situation.”
She stayed quiet until they pulled up to his farmhouse. “Please reconsider,” she said.
“Stay here. Lock the doors,” he demanded.
She sighed. “Fine. Be careful.”
In a more understanding tone, he said, “I’ll be back soon.”
“Don’t be a hero,” she said in a whisper. “Now that you’re back home, don’t take any risks. This isn’t a mission.”
He nodded. “I’m just going to talk to him.”
“I wish I could believe that.” She slammed the door.