Chapter 4
FOUR
JUSTIN
Unlike the first kiss, there’s no element of surprise. Gigi’s lips welcome mine, moving against me in a sweet, yet strong way.
But like our first kiss, heat shoots through me, stirring the need as old as time that burns inside.
I capture her bottom lip playfully between my teeth and she sighs into my mouth. It’s music to my ears.
The urge to press my hips against hers, to nestle my throbbing cock against her curves, is almost too tempting to resist. But I do. As close as I am to completely losing myself in the pleasure that is kissing Gigi, I can’t forget that we’re in public.
We don’t just have an audience. Half the damn town is here.
“Yeah,” I whisper, breaking the kiss. Both of our chests rise up and down as we struggle to catch our breaths. “They taste just like cherries.”
A slow grin spreads across her face, drawing my gaze back to those sweet lips of hers. One taste wasn’t nearly enough. I lean forward to have another.
A heavy hand lands on my arm. “I think you’ve made your point.”
I pull back and turn to find Kendrick, one of my fellow volunteer firefighters. There’s a mixture of bemusement and concern on his usually stoic face. “Got a minute to talk?”
I nod toward Gigi. “I’m kind of in the middle of something here.”
“Sorry.” He nods at her. “Official Swift Mountain Fire & Rescue business.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, and her tempting cherry lips part in surprise.
“No problem.” She takes our empty treat wrappers. “I’ll just… throw these away.”
I catch myself staring at the gentle sway of her curvy hips as she walks away. So does Kendrick.
“That’s what I want to talk to you about.” He hisses. “Aaron told me what’s going on. But, in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not sure he’s one hundred percent on board with the execution of this plan of yours.”
He gestures across the square. Sure enough, Aaron is standing next to his bubbly fiancee glaring like he’s trying to burn holes into me.
Shit.
“Look, we’re just trying to make it convincing.” I shrug, as if making out with my best friend’s sister in public is no big deal. “You’ve heard the shit Brad was spreading about her.”
“Yeah, I heard. And I have half a mind to punch him in his lying mouth.” Kendrick’s eyes narrow. “But are you sure you know what you’re doing here?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. It’s not exactly rocket science going on here.”
“Yeah, but is the risk worth the reward?”
My eyes narrow. “I think Gigi would say yes, and so do I.”
“Because of some rumors.”
“This is about—” I catch myself as I start to shout. I take a deep breath, and I lower my voice to match his tone. “This is about more than the rumors.”
His brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
“You weren’t living in the area back in high school, so you don’t know.” I grab a couple of beers from a nearby cooler. I crack them open and hand one to him. “You know I play hockey.”
“Yeah, you’re the captain of the department’s team. You’re the best player.”
“Well, back in high school, I was just the best player on my team. I was one of the best in the state.”
Kendrick’s face registers his surprise. “No shit?”
“I had offers from colleges. There were scouts from the NHL.” I take a long swig of beer. “I was on track for more.”
“What happened?”
“Brad, that son of a bitch, happened.” My fist tightens around the can. “He did what he does best. He started rumors. He said I was a hothead. That I played dirty and picked fights so I could hurt other players to keep my starting status. That I was juicing.”
“That’s ridiculous. There’s no way people believed them.”
“Maybe not locally, but the colleges and scouts were concerned.” I glare at the can. “Especially when I failed a piss test.”
He sucks in a breath. “You failed?”
“It wasn’t my sample. I don’t know how he did it, but he submitted some tainted piss. I didn’t even give a sample.”
“So he ruined your reputation?”
“Big time.” I shake my head. “And to seal the deal, he picked a fight with me on the ice. He found the one weakness in my pads and injured my Achilles. You can probably guess what happened.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. Fuck.” I finish off my beer in one big gulp. I crush the can and toss it into a bin. “Needless to say, this is bigger than a few rumors. When it comes to Brad, I’m willing to put a hell of a lot on the line to stick it where it hurts. If I can help a sweet woman, who has never done anything but live her damn life, it’s all the better.”
“I get it.” Kendrick cuffs my shoulders. “I’ve got your back. Brother’s keeper.”
A lump lodges in my throat and I nod stiffly. “Brother’s keeper.”
Gigi returns to my side carrying drinks for the three of us. “Shop talk done?”
“Yeah.” Kendrick accepts the can from her and gives a light smile. “I’ll let you two get back to enjoying the party.”
Once he’s out of earshot, Gigi presses herself closer to me. “Is everything okay?”
The concern in her voice, and the gentle touch of her hand, instantly eases the tension in my back.
“Yeah.” I press a kiss to her forehead because I can’t seem to help myself. “Everything is great.”
“Good.” She says at last after studying my face closely. “Because I’d hate to think that all of this is causing more problems for you and?—”
“Trust me, you and this plan of ours is the furthest thing from causing problems.” I pull a face. “Well, besides the problem that I don’t know what to wear to the wedding.”
“Oh, I’m sure whatever you have is fine.” She squeezes my arm. “This is a wedding in Alaska. I’m sure people will be there wearing everything from jeans and flannel to suits and all that falls in between.”
“Yeah, but not everyone is going as the devoted date of a bonafide fashion designer.” I give her a pointed look. “Tell me you didn’t bring along something stunning and gorgeous to knock the socks off of everyone.”
“Well, okay.” She lifts a shoulder. “But it’s just something I had hanging in my closet. I seriously wouldn’t worry.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “In my expert opinion, I happen to know you can wear the hell out of denim and flannel.”
I chuckle. I’ve been doing a lot of that in the past twenty-four hours. Who knew when I agreed to get my revenge on Brad that I’d end up having so much fun with Gigi in the meantime?
“Are you sure I won’t embarrass you?”
“I’m positive. But…” She gives me a sly look. “If you’re going to worry your pretty little head about this?—”
“Oh, trust me. I will. You know, because my head is so pretty and all.”
“Smart ass.” She nudges me playfully. “I was going to say, if you’re up for it, I think I might be able to help you find something to wear to the wedding.”
“Oh yeah? Should I be scared?”
“Definitely.” She winks at me, and my gut clenches. “Come on, Cinderella. Let’s blow this popsicle stand and get you ready for the ball. If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll get you a treat after.”
If only she knew that she’s the only treat I’ll ever need.