Burning Kiss Read online

  “Their firefighter program isn’t as intense as the Air Force.”

  “Perhaps, but their white dress uniforms are smoking hot.”

  “You women love a man in uniform.” He untied the boat after starting the single engine. It wasn’t the windiest day and he probably wouldn’t even put the sail up. Hell, floating and drinking a few beers seemed more like a plan than anything else.

  She’d taken off her T-shirt, showing off a tiny bikini top. The sexy mini skirt made the outfit complete. Talk about smoking hot. She burned his lips every time he kissed her. She never understood how sexy she was, even now. She might carry herself with confidence, but that came because she knew she was smart. In the looks department, she always saw herself as just another pretty girl, nothing special.

  She was special in every way.

  “How was breakfast with your mother?” she asked, leaning back on the bench on the starboard side.

  “She was disappointed you didn’t join us.”

  “I went to yoga class, like I do every day I’m at her house.” She covered her eyes with her hand, glancing in his direction. “Did she bring up the sleeping arrangements?”

  “And then some.” He shook his head. “My mom was always direct. Hell, she made me blush giving me the sex talk, trying to explain why I should listen to what a woman wanted.”

  “You must have listened to her, because you always listened to me.”

  “You never gave me a choice. Always so demanding in bed.”

  “I most certainly am not.”

  “Whatever you say.” He steered the boat out into the Chesapeake, enjoying the hot summer sun beating down on his face. Not much different than being at home, except for Claire, only he felt as if she belonged with him out on the boat.

  That was a crazy thought.

  He pulled the throttle back, slowing the boat into an alcove they used to hang out in back in the day. “Let’s relax here.” He shut the engine down and tossed over the anchor, securing the boat between a half dozen other boats enjoying the day.

  “Wow, this brings back memories,” she said, as she smoothed out two towels. “We had a lot of fun here.”

  “We sure did.” He sat down next to her and opened the cooler. “Look at all the kids in these boats.”

  “I know. We look like a couple of old farts.”

  “We are old farts.” He twisted off the cap from a Corona light and handed it to her.

  “Why’d you bring me here?”

  “It seemed like a nice place to spend the day and talk without being scrutinized by everyone our parents know.” He leaned back on his elbows

  “Speaking of parents, my mother texted and she’s bringing her new boyfriend to the club tonight.”

  “Great. She never liked me much.” Before the affair, he’d gotten along with Mr. Thompson well enough, but Mrs. Thompson terrified him.

  Claire sipped her beer, lifting her head toward the sun. “She doesn’t like anyone who’s penis I’ve touched.”

  He raised his longneck. “I don’t like those pricks either.”

  She clanked her bottle with his. “I’m not fond of all the felines you’ve had your hands on.”

  The strange turn of events his life had taken over the last twenty-four hours felt more like the Twilight Zone than reality. “So, we’re both jealous and miserable, relationship wise, and yet we’re more awkward with each other than that pimply teenaged boy over there trying to feel up the blond who seems so into him, only he’s too hormonal to know it.”

  “Oh, my, God. That’s almost exactly what I said to you when I first kissed you.”

  “My mother always liked how aggressive you were.”

  Claire tilted her head and peered over her sunglasses.

  “Well you were,” he said.

  “Only in response to you,” she whispered, brushing her hair from her face. “I’m sorry about your mom. I wish things were different.”

  “So do I,” he admitted. His mother’s illness had been another reason that had kept him up the night before.

  His mother had put on a brave front, but after talking with her doctor this morning, Hunter had a much better idea of how sick his mother really was. She had days, or at best, a couple of weeks before her organs went into failure. The cancer had eaten up all of her insides, leaving her with nothing but sickness.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’ve missed out on so much. My sister is still mad as hell at me, but says she’ll be coming over tomorrow night for dinner. My brother and his family are coming too, which will be nice.”

  “That will really make your mother happy. I’ll make sure I have plans.”

  “Not a good idea. My mom wants you there. I actually think she believes we’ll make the announcement of our engagement.”

  “That would give MY mother a heart attack.”

  “Doesn’t she know this is all fake dating? That we are just pretending for the sake of my mother?”

  Claire shook her head, biting down on her lower lip. Never a good sign.

  “Wonderful. So, she thinks we’re getting back together as well.”

  “I’d be lying if I didn’t say she’s hopeful. She thinks my dating record has gone downhill since you.

  He winked. “Boyfriends don’t come any better than me.”

  She cocked her head. “You’re a conceited ass.” She slapped his shoulder, letting her fingers linger over their shared tattoo.

  “Oh, for fucks sake. I can’t take it anymore.” He pointed to the kids on the boat next to them. The young boy kept trying to get closer to the girl on the deck.” We need to give that boy a hand.”

  “How do you suppose we do that?”

  Hunter whistled. “Hey. Do either of you have a cell phone we can use. Ours are dead and I need to let a buddy of ours know where we are.”

  Claire leaned closer. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “Helping a brother out.”

  “Sure,” the boy yelled.

  Hunter dove into the water, swimming toward the kid’s boat. Hopefully, he’d read the notes on his phone Hunter would leave about dating, or at the very least, look at the text’s Hunter would send his way.

  “I really appreciate this,” Hunter said as he pushed himself up, sitting on the stern swim platform, taking the phone the boy offered. “You’re phone or hers?”

  “Mine,” the boy said, glancing over his shoulder.

  The young girl lay on the bow with ear buds, her feet tapping away, but Hunter didn’t want to risk her overhearing him, so he opened the notes tab on the phone.

  You want help with making your move on the girl? Just watch and follow what I do.

  He handed the phone back, with the notes facing the boy who squinted and gave Hunter a funny look. Jumping back into the water, he realized he must have really looked like a creeper, but hopefully the boy would take notice.

  “Seriously, what did you do?” Claire asked, handing him a towel.

  “I told him to follow exactly what I do, so whatever you do, don’t hit me and when I lean in to kiss you, make it look good.”

  “I don’t think I can do that. I mean, you’re such a terrible kisser.”

  He smiled, but what he really wanted to do was draw her in by her hips and plant a wet one on her right now, but he’d have to wait.

  They sat on the bow, cross legged, watching the young couple, waiting for the right moment, which came when the girl sat up.

  Hunter noticed the kid glancing his way, so he raised a hand, brushing a piece of hair from Claire’s face, dropping his finger to her shoulder and gliding it across her skin.

  “Wow, the boy’s mimicking you.”

  “Good,” he whispered, sliding his finger back up, doing a little circle on the top of her shoulder. “Too bad the kid can’t hear what I’m about to whisper in your ear.” He leaned in, feeling the warmth of her skin against his lips. “You’re more beautiful than the sun’s rays dancing over the water.” />
  “Good line,” she said.

  He kissed her cheek. “You’re making my heart melt.”

  “Oh look, he just did what you did and…oh wow, she’s aggressive.”

  “What’s she doing?”

  “This.” Claire wrapped her arms around him, smacking her mouth against his while her tongue swirled around, making him dizzy with desire.

  “My job here is done.” He leaned back on his hands, stretching his legs. The young couple across from them continued to kiss for a little while longer, then giggled and laughed, and kissed some more.

  “I would have never thought to do that.”

  “What? Kiss me?”

  She tilted her head. “You know what I meant.”

  He nodded. “But you’re thinking about kissing me now.”

  “That one beer must have gone straight to your head.”

  He laid on his back, staring up at her. “Maybe, but I’m hoping after our date tonight, I’ll get to feel you up like I did the night of the end of the summer fireworks.”

  She slapped his arm. “You’re impossible.”

  “I know.” He closed his eyes, letting the rocking of the boat gently lull him. If this boat had a bed, he’d be leading her to the cuddy and using his best moves to get her to sleep with him again.

  His heart wasn’t melting anymore.

  No. His heart burned with the need to be with her again.

  To love her.

  Chapter 8

  The dinner at the club had been the weirdest experience she had ever dealt with. Between her mother asking Hunter a million and one questions and Hunter being so charming and attentive that he’d managed to even make her mom believe they were a real item. Claire never had a great relationship with her mom. Growing up, her mother had been distant, almost cold. It always struck her as odd that her mom had five children, considering she didn’t ever seem to put her children before herself. They always had a nanny, who did everything with her and siblings while her mother got her hair done, or went to the nail salon, or the day spa.

  Claire tossed her purse on the dresser then fell backward onto the soft, plush bed. The second they’d walked in the door, Hunter had been called to see his mother. She’d had a rough day, pain wise, but also, the day nurse said Louisa had taken a turn for the worse. Claire feared the end was sooner than everyone thought.

  Louisa put on a brave face every day and was a true fighter. One of the strongest women Claire had ever known.

  A couple of light knocks came from the bathroom. She rolled her head and there stood Hunter in a light blue button-down shirt and a pair of dark slacks.

  “Is your mom okay?”

  “She’s resting a little more comfortably right now. The doctor will be over in the morning, but he thinks we should take her to the hospital.”

  “She wants to stay home and die here.”

  “I know. I told her I wouldn’t make her go.” He leaned against the doorjamb. “Is that the right decision?”

  “I think so.” Claire scooted up to the head of the bed. “All they will do in the hospital is manage her pain, which we are doing here, but she won’t have the comforts of home.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets, staring at her intently.

  “Something wrong?”

  He sauntered across the room, kicked off his shoes and stood at the end of the bed. Curling his fingers around her ankles, he yanked her toward him. Her dress slid up her thighs, and over her butt, exposing her tiny thong. Her breathing became erratic as her chest heaved. She opened her mouth, but no words came out, only a lust filled groan.

  He dropped to his knees, leaned forward and kissed her passionately through her cotton panties.

  She should stop him. He didn’t want her, he wanted to bury his pain inside someone. Anyone would probably do. She understood the pain of losing a parent. When her father died, all she wanted was for someone to hold her. Love her.

  She’d wanted Hunter and wished he’d come for her.

  But he didn’t.

  He pushed the fabric to the side and slipped in two fingers. Her body was already moist with anticipation. She clung to the bed sheets, digging her heels into the mattress. Whatever he needed, she’d give it to him.

  As he pulled her panties off, a ripple of heartache washed over her. She’d let him take her because she was selfish. She wanted to have him as many times as she could, no matter the cost to her heart. She tried to tell herself she was doing this for him. Helping him ease his grief of reconnecting with his mother, only to lose her in death.

  He nestled himself between her legs, kissing and sucking. Her hips rolling voluntarily with the gentle gliding of his fingers. He kissed her passionately as if he were kissing her mouth. His hands massaged her thighs. His normal earnestness was replaced with tenderness. There was no desperation in his touch. No raw animal desire.

  Just sweet love.

  She gasped. Resisting the urge to clutch his head and grind herself against him.

  His tongue floated across her like a feather drifting in the air. The room spun as an orgasm erupted inside her like a volcano. Her body trembled and she struggled to catch her breath. He kissed her stomach, pushing himself off the bed.

  She watched him undress in silence as she removed her dress, tossing it haphazardly to the floor. Their normal banter replaced with unspoken words. His gaze roamed her body like a knife gliding through a decadent piece of chocolate cake.

  For the first time with him, she had no idea what to do, so she lay there, waiting, letting him take his fill of her body.

  Her pulse beat out of control and she began to wonder if he was even going to climb back on the bed and make love to her.

  Make love.

  The concept tore through her mind. Their sex had always been playful. It wasn’t that they hadn’t once loved each other, but sex wasn’t necessarily how they conveyed the strong emotion with one another. It was an act of pleasure.

  He finally made his way back to the bed, climbing between her legs, the length of him throbbing against her thigh. He planted his elbows next to her ears, his hands cupping her face as he stared into her eyes. Saying nothing, he slowly shifted, sinking himself into her.

  She dug her fingers into his shoulders, holding on for dear life. Blinking, she managed to keep the tears stinging her eyes from breaking free.

  She loved him.

  Never stopped.

  Never would.

  But she’d never have him. Once his mother passed, he’d go back to Florida. He wouldn’t ask her to come with him. She knew that for a fact. And she couldn’t beg him to stay.

  His lips brushed gently over hers as his hips rose up and down in a soft rolling motion like waves crashing at the shoreline.

  Her back involuntarily arched into him. Her soft moans gaining in strength. She felt every inch of him swell deep inside. Her eyes remained locked with his mesmerizing stare. Biting down on her lip, a second climax shook her and with it he tenderly kissed her lips a couple of times. His breath labored as his movements increased in both speed and intensity. His eyes widened as a deep guttural groan vibrated from his chest.

  His body tightened as he thrust once, his release spilling out inside her.

  No condom.

  What a horrible thought to have right at this moment. She quickly pushed it aside, rubbing her hands up and down his back, rocking her hips slightly, enjoying the way his pupils dilated, then contracted as he orgasmed.

  He kissed her nose and then collapsed on top of her. She gladly accepted his weight, gently stroking his shoulders.

  She held him like that for another ten minutes before he rolled to his side, tucking himself up behind her, holding her in his arms. In minutes, he was fast asleep.

  Closing her eyes, she let out a long breath.

  “I love you,” she whispered so quietly that she barely heard the words herself.

  He certainly hadn’t, because if had, he would have leapt from the bed and run for cover.
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  Chapter 9

  Claire peeked open her eyes, the morning sunlight shining through the window. She blinked a few times, gaining focus.

  “What time is it?” she asked.

  No response.

  She’d never been one to sleep in and she hadn’t known Hunter to either.

  Stretching, she rolled over, reaching out for him and got nothing but an empty bed.

  She bolted upright, clutching the covers over her bare chest.

  “Hunter?” she called.

  Looking around the room, she noticed his clothes had been picked up.

  Her heart sank. He’d snuck out.

  That shouldn’t be an issue. He must have gotten up and decided to let her sleep. That would be the normal thing to do, not to think he’d taken off in the middle of the night.

  Quickly, she got dressed in a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. Deciding to check to see if he was in his room, she knocked on the door from inside the bathroom.

  Silence.

  She pushed open the door with a shaky hand and a pounding heart.

  The bed was perfectly made, which she expected since he’d slept with her last night. She walked around the room and realized his suitcase was gone.

  She sucked in her lower lip. A combination of rage and sorrow flowed through her body.

  How could he just up and leave not just her, but his mother?

  She raced through the house, making her way downstairs and into the kitchen where Gerry and Judy sat at the table, hovering over a couple mugs of coffee.

  “Where’s Hunter?”

  “He left a note saying he had to go to Florida to take care of something,” Gerry said, glancing over his shoulder.

  “When is he coming back?”

  “The note said he’d be in touch,” Judy said as she stood. “Can I make you some breakfast?”

  She shook her head. “Be in touch? What does that mean? Does Louisa know?”

  “Yes. He visited with her briefly this morning.” Judy laced her fingers over Claire’s biceps. “She’s not doing well. The doctor just left and he said her kidneys aren’t functioning. He believes she’ll slip into a coma soon.”