In It to Win It (23 page)

Now who was the jerk?

“
I know. Really, Grayson, I know. I’m the one who should be sorry. You’re not the only one who broke my heart. Although I have to admit that the scar you placed there has only now begun to heal.”

Her eyes began to sting with tears that wanted to fall and she blinked hard. He half stood and leaned across the table to kiss her lightly. “Forgive me?”

Her insides went all warm and gooey over hearing the words she knew to be the utmost truth. She felt her expression go all wistful and her entire body warmed from the inside out. “You’re forgiven.”

He grinned … a little smugly. “Let’s make a deal. No talking about former relationships.”

“
Why?” she asked, lifting a brow. “Whatcha hiding, Pierce?”

“
Nothin’, honestly. Derek had all the fun. I wasn’t interested.”

“
Because of me?” Her voice rose at the end in hopeful question.

He smiled again. “Because of you.”

“
Yeah, well, I haven’t exactly dated up a blue streak these last fifteen years.”

That declaration made his smile spread from ear to ear and Jane rolled her eyes, snorting a bit. He chuckled. “I can’t say I’m disappointed to hear that.”

“
And I can’t say that I’m disappointed to hear that you’re not the asshole, party-animal the world thinks you are.”

“
Okay, so … now we know all that we need to know about our prior relationships. I’m going to pretend that another guy has never so much as kissed your lips and you can pretend that I’m still a virgin.”

She laughed. “I thought I made a man out of you.”

“
Baby doll, you’ve more than made a man out of me. And I am eternally grateful.”

They were both still laughing when Sally came out, a plate in each hand. “It’s good to see two young people so much in love. Especially you two. Enjoy.” She slid the plates in front of them and walked away.

“
What do you think she meant by
especially you two
?” Jane asked Grayson.

He shrugged. “I’m gonna guess it’s because she’s known us since we were in diapers and I’m grinning like a fool and you’re all dreamy-eyed.”

That made her grin like a fool. “I love you.”

“
Love you, too.” He picked up his fork and scooped some potatoes. “Hurry and eat. I’ve got big plans for tonight.”

“
Do you now?”

His eyes darkened to the shade of dark chocolate and Jane could see the lust smoldering in them. “Those plans wouldn’t have anything to do with getting me naked, would they?”

“
Now who’s the fortune teller?” he asked with a laugh. “Eat.”

GRAYSON PAID THE BILL AND HELPED JANE shrug into her coat. His heart was already pounding in anticipation. And it wasn’t the only part of him throbbing. Eating had been the last thing on his mind as he sat across the table in Mom’s Café—or eating
food
had been the last thing on his mind. Staring at Jane he had all kinds of thoughts about what he really wanted to devour.

They made their way to the door and Sally asked, “How was everything?”

“
Yummy,” Jane answered. “Just like I remembered.”

“
Good. That’s real good,” Sally said. “Don’t let it be so long before you come back. And be sure to tell your folks hello for me.”

“
Will do. Goodnight, Sally.”

Grayson waved in farewell and pushed the door open, holding it for Jane to exit. They walked hand-in-hand to the Jeep. Twilight had faded to dusk and dusk to night as they’d enjoyed their dinner. Stars twinkled overhead. Grayson opened the passenger door and she slid inside. He had to remind himself not to race around the vehicle and forced his feet to move at a normal saunter.

Their breath puffed in clouds inside the Jeep, and Grayson shivered. “Damn, it’s cold.”

“
According to Molly we’re supposed to get a humdinger of a storm tomorrow night.”

A slow, lazy smile touched his lips. He had heard that same weather report and had loads of ideas what to do if they got snowed in. In fact, he was hoping for just that.
Let it snow!

“
Where we goin’?” she asked when he pulled away from the curb.

“
It’s a surprise. Speaking of which—” He eased back to the curb and tugged a silk blindfold from the pocket of his jacket.

“
Oh no you don’t,” she stammered, shaking her head. “I’m not letting you blindfold me.”

He didn’t have to feign hurt feelings. “Don’t you trust me?”

“
Of course I—” He recognized the understanding in her expression as soon as she stopped speaking. She let out a long sigh. She leaned toward him, closing her eyes. “You’re right. I trust you.”

He wrapped the black silk around her head, covering her eyes. After tying it in the back and waving a hand in front of her face to make sure she couldn’t see, he kissed her. Nothing too intense, just a quick peck on her lips. Leaning back just enough so that he could see her entire face, he just studied her face. Her breath was warm and damp on his cheek. He kissed her again. He couldn’t resist.

“
I love you, Janie.”

Without waiting for a response, although he got a quiet, satisfied sigh from her, he paused just long enough for a truck to pass and pressed his foot down on the gas pedal. Mud spat from the back end and it slid a bit before the tires grabbed hold of the asphalt and the Jeep jerked forward, quickly gaining momentum.

“
I like a good surprise as much as the next girl,” Jane said quietly, “but can I get a hint?”

“
Do you like surprises?”

“
Usually.” She rubbed at the blindfold but didn’t try to remove it. “I guess it’s not being able to see that’s bugging me.”

“
Good to know. I won’t do that again. But will you please humor me this time?”

“
If you give me a hint.”

“
You’ve never done it.”

“
Ever?”

“
That’s what you said.” He hoped that he hadn’t said too much. He wanted their destination to be a bit of a shock. Or maybe it was what he wanted to
do
when he got there that he wanted to leave her completely flabbergasted.

JANE FELT THE MOMENT THAT THEY WENT from the smooth asphalt to dirt. Even with her mind racing, memorizing and analyzing the twists and turns, she still couldn’t figure out where they were headed. Oh good grief, it wasn’t like Salina and the surrounding areas were a metropolis and she’d grown up there. She knew nearly every inch like the back of her hand.

A few more bumps in the road had her grabbing hold of her seatbelt and gasping when it tightened to hold her in place. She hated not being able to see, not able to predict the next swerve or rut in the road. Her stomach protested almost as much as her mind. She hoped when they got where they were going that she wouldn’t have to vomit all over Grayson’s shoes.

His hand took hold of hers where it was white-knuckling the seatbelt. “We’re almost there. Only a few more minutes.”

“
Good. Not being able to see is making me nauseous.”

“
No puking. That would put a serious damper what I have planned.”

“
We wouldn’t want that, would we?” she snapped, irritated by his amusement over the situation.

Nonplussed, he chuckled. “No love, we wouldn’t want that.”

He was quiet and after another three bumps that had her shoulder aching—and probably bruised—where it met the belt that was supposed to keep her safe, the Jeep eased to a stop. Jane blew out a relieved breath. Her hands went to the blindfold. “Can I—”

“
One more second,” he cut her off.

She heard a pop she recognized as a seatbelt being released. Since she was still firmly secured to her seat, it must have been his. Then she heard a soft click—the headlights being turned off? His fingers ruffled at the back of her head. When he spoke it was right next to her ear.

“
Keep your eyes closed. Just for a second.” His arm brushed her stomach as he reached to release her seatbelt.

She did as he asked, kept her eyes clamped tight, breathing in and out slowly to keep her nerves under control. The Jeep was still on and warm air swirled around her. First thing she was going to do was take her jacket off. Unless they were getting out.

The leather of Grayson’s seat squeaked and Jane imagined him shifting behind the wheel. He blew out a breath and said, “Okay, Jane. Look.”

It was her turn to breathe. She slowly cracked first one lid then the other. Her brows furrowed as she stared out the windshield. It was dark, except for the moonlight reflecting off the water of … Redmond Lake.

“
You said you’ve never been here to watch the submarine races. I thought it would be fun for us to see how fast those suckers can go.”

Jane laughed a little. She was nervous. She’d never made out with a guy in a car … in the middle of nowhere. “You mean you haven’t ever … watched the … ya know.”

“
Jane, I have never kissed—” He paused and turned to look at her. “I don’t think I’ve even kissed a girl here. But I can’t swear to that. I do know that I have never watched the submarine races. There was never anyone—besides you—that I wanted to do that with. Will you—”

She cut him off by launching herself across the console. Her lips crashed into his. Desperation overcame her. She kissed and tasted. His arms wrapped around her and guided her into his lap. She straddled him, her knees on both sides of his thighs, her butt resting on the steering wheel. His big hands rubbed at her rump, both pressing her against him and seriously turning her on.

If she thought she was warm before she was now going to spontaneously combust. She jerked and tugged at her jacket. His eager hands helped peel the heavy coat from her shoulders. Grayson tossed it in the backseat and took her face between his hands. His head angled and his mouth covered hers. His tongue plunged deep into her mouth, giving her an idea of exactly what Grayson had planned. Jane knew it was going to happen right here in the backseat of the Jeep or later in his enormous lodge pole bed, with another part of Grayson’s body making the same motions.

Anticipation made Jane shiver.

“
Are you cold?” he asked breathlessly.

“
No way.” She reached out and grabbed his vest. With a swift tug the snaps popped giving her access to his flannel shirt. His eyes were hooded as he watched her prepare to unbutton his shirt. It took every ounce of control she had to keep from just yanking it open. As desperate as she was Grayson nearly thrummed under her.

She undid the top button, letting her fingers brush his chest as she moved down to the next. He sucked in a breath, but didn’t react further. Two buttons. Three. And she kept torturing them both until she folded the shirt away, exposing the exquisite muscles of his chest and abdomen. She reached out, letting her fingers stroke the dark hair that dusted his pecs.

He leaned forward to kiss her, trapping her hands between them. His fingers slipped under the hem of her sweater and rubbed at her lower back. They moved forward around her waist and eased up her belly. Cold air hit her stomach and before she could so much as gasp or blink, her sweater was over her head and fluttering to rest in the back seat.

His lips met hers for only a moment before moving to her neck. She tipped her head to allow him better access. Every nerve-ending tingled. His teeth nibbled on her lobe and she nearly came apart by just that simple contact. His tongue flicked out and licked down her neck to nuzzle the sensitive area under her ear.

He sucked and nibbled and licked and Jane threw her head back, drowning in the ecstasy of his attentions. As he pressed his lips to the curve of her breast just above her bra, she couldn’t breathe.

She reached down for the button of his jeans … and froze.

So had Grayson.

There was a noise that didn’t belong—a tapping sound.

As she opened her eyes she noticed that light flooded the cab, coming through the driver’s window, completely illuminating them. She pressed herself against Grayson. If there hadn’t been a cop at the window she would have enjoyed the feel of Grayson’s bare chest pressed so tightly to her nearly naked one.

Icy air rolled into the cab as Grayson rolled down the window. “Evening, Deputy Brannock.”

A hard, mocking bark of laughter sounded. “Well, well, well. Whatcha doin’, Grayson?”

“
Come on, Brady, you’re a smart guy. You know exactly what I’m doing.”

“
Yeah, I do. What I’d like to know is
who
.” He lowered the light so that it wasn’t directly in their eyes.

“
The
who
doesn’t matter,” Grayson snapped. The muscles under Jane tensed and she kissed his neck to ease him tension. He rubbed at her back, easing her as well. While his left arm held her close the right one plunged into the backseat. He shifted under her and she watched as he dug around the back seat, finally coming up with her sweater. He handed it to her and she did her best to slip it over her head without showing off her chest to the cop.

Brady Brannock was a year—or maybe it was two—younger than she and Grayson. He’d been a nice enough kid and even now, in the most embarrassing moment of Jane’s life, he was amused.