Sizzling Desire Read online

  “You mean the raccoon look isn’t my thing?” Lorraine joked.

  “On Halloween, yes. But tonight, not so much.”

  Lorraine laughed. Then, once again looking at her reflection, she asked, “Should I change my lipstick?”

  “You actually have something other than the boring brown you’re wearing? That is the name of the lipstick, isn’t it? Boring Brown.”

  Lorraine cut her eyes at her friend. She liked the brown color. It went with everything. And it was a good choice for her caramel-colored complexion. But as she stared at herself in the mirror, she had to admit that the color didn’t add any pizzazz. Compared to the two women at the other end of the mirror, wearing bright colors on their lips and their eyes, Lorraine’s look was...well, boring indeed.

  Lorraine dug her other lipstick choice out of her purse. While Rosa went to dry her hands, Lorraine applied a coat of the red and pressed her lips together.

  Her eyes widened. After her initial shock, her lips spread in a slow smile. What a dramatic difference. Her lips looked extra kissable.

  Extra kissable... Good grief. Maybe it was the alcohol getting to her.

  “Great veil.”

  Lorraine turned to look at the two young women, who were staring at her in awe. “Oh, thanks.”

  “Single and ready to mingle!” one of them said. “You go, girl.” Then, linking arms, they both headed out of the bathroom.

  Lorraine smiled, then looked at her reflection again. The veil was great. Perhaps a little over the top, but she’d worn a veil when getting married. Why not now when she was out celebrating her divorce?

  “What’s the name of that color?” Rosa asked.

  Lorraine turned the lipstick container over and looked at the bottom. “One Night Stand,” she read. “Good Lord.”

  Rosa beamed at her. “Perfect.”

  “Perfect?” Lorraine’s eyes widened. “Girl, you’re crazy.”

  “Hey, you never know. You already have a prospect...”

  But Lorraine did know. Unlike the women who’d just left the restroom, she wasn’t looking for a hookup. She didn’t want anything tonight except a little harmless flirting, and a lot of fun with her friends. Tomorrow she would sleep in and recover from her late night out, because at thirty-two there was no way she could recover as quickly as she had when she’d partied at twenty.

  Lorraine fixed the veil around her face and nodded at her reflection, satisfied.

  “Gorgeous,” Rosa told her.

  “Thanks.” Lorraine put her makeup back in her purse. “I still have to use the toilet. You don’t have to wait for me.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. I’ll be fine. I’ll be out soon.”

  Lorraine took a few more minutes in the bathroom. Right before she headed out, she decided to spritz herself with a little perfume. Just in case she and the sexy stranger spoke or danced.

  Lorraine was securing the latch on her purse so her head was down as she exited the restroom. As she lifted her gaze, she saw a man ease his body off the wall and start in her direction, almost as if he’d been waiting for her. As he neared her, he grinned. Good God, was this stranger she’d never seen before actually approaching her?

  “Excuse me,” Lorraine said, and sidestepped him when he put himself directly in her path.

  “Not so fast,” the man said. He took her by the arm, forcing her to stop, then stepped in front of her. “Now that you have me alone, you don’t have anything to say to me? You playing shy?”

  Lorraine looked at up at him, flummoxed. “Excuse me?”

  “I saw you making eyes at me out there.”

  Lorraine was confused. And then it hit her. This guy must have been somewhere close to the sexy stranger. He thought she’d been hitting on him.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “You’re mistaken.”

  She made another move to step past him, but he surprised her by slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her against his thick body. “Come on, you don’t have to be bashful.”

  “No, seriously.” She tried to extricate herself from his grasp. “I wasn’t flirting with you. Sorry if you got that impression.” She didn’t want to offend him, just in case he was irrational. She could tell by the slight slurring of his voice that he’d been drinking too much. Men who drank too much could be a problem.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered into her ear.

  He held her tighter as she continued to try to free herself, and that’s when she truly became alarmed. “Let me go.” She spoke in a firm voice. “I don’t want this.”

  “I just want to get to know you,” the man said.

  “This isn’t okay,” Lorraine said.

  “Let the lady go.”

  At the sound of the commanding voice, the man loosened his grip on Lorraine but didn’t fully release her. He looked beyond Lorraine to the man who’d spoken.

  “What, is this your girl?”

  Finally, Lorraine was able to pull herself free. She did and turned. And felt as though she’d been kicked in the stomach.

  The man coming to her defense was none other than the man she’d been flirting with!

  “When a woman tells you to let her go,” her sexy savior said, “you let her go.”

  There was such an air of authority about him that he was even hotter to her now than he had been before. Was he a cop?

  The man who’d been harassing Lorraine stepped away, raising his hands in a sign of surrender. He probably feared he was going to get his lights knocked out by this man, who was taller and clearly stronger than he—if all those perfectly honed muscles were any indication. “Sorry, dude.”

  The man walked toward them briskly. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her.”

  The harasser looked at Lorraine with a sheepish expression. “Sorry about that. I just thought... You know.”

  “It’s fine,” Lorraine said tersely. It wasn’t actually fine. She hated men who got drunk and felt it was their right to become aggressive with women.

  Fortunately, the jerk promptly took off, leaving Lorraine alone with the stranger.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her. His deep voice sent delicious shivers down her spine.

  Lorraine looked up at Mr. Too Fine. He had to be around six foot three. Golden brown skin, dark eyes framed by thick, curly lashes. “Yes,” she said, nodding. “I’m fine.”

  “He didn’t hurt you?”

  “I think you came just in time. I was starting to get worried.”

  “I’m glad I got here when I did, then.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.” Lorraine’s pulse was pounding. She glanced away, nervous.

  “What’s with the veil?” the guy asked. Then, “Oh, wait. It’s black, not white. So the opposite of a wedding... Right?”

  “Wedding?” Lorraine scoffed with a smile. “What wedding? I’m no longer married.” Single and ready to mingle!

  “I get it.” The man smiled down at her, and he had the cutest dimples.

  “I’m Hunter,” he said, extending his hand.

  Lorraine accepted it. His warm grip enveloped hers and sent a zap of heat coursing through her veins. “I’m... I’m Mary.”

  Why was she lying?

  “Nice to meet you, Mary,” he said. “What are you drinking?”

  “Margaritas,” she answered without hesitation. Then she felt a little silly. Did she really want him to buy her a drink or two? Any more to drink and she might not be able to think too clearly.

  Single and ready to mingle! The parting words of the young woman leaving the restroom jumped into her mind again. Lorraine couldn’t help it—she started giggling.

  Hunter narrowed his eyes as he looked at her, though the edges of his lips were curved in a grin. “What’s so funny?�
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  What indeed? What was it about this man that had her acting like a school girl?

  “I don’t even know,” Lorraine said. “I really have no clue why I’m laughing.”

  Hunter’s grin widened. He seemed to like what she’d said. “High on life, I guess?” he suggested.

  “Something like that.”

  “You ready to go back out there?” he asked, offering her his elbow.

  Lorraine looped her hand through his arm, feeling a flash of heat as her skin once again connected with his. His arm was strong. He had rock-hard muscles. This guy was seriously hot.

  “Sure,” she said.

  “Then let’s go get that drink.”

  Chapter 2

  Lorraine saw her friends’ stunned looks as she came out from the restroom area holding on to the arm of a tall, dark and sexy brother. Smiling with smug satisfaction, Lorraine gave them all a little wave as she walked with Hunter past their table to the bar.

  “You know why I’m here tonight,” Lorraine said to Hunter as they neared the bar. “What brings you here?”

  “I’m new in town,” Hunter explained.

  “Ahhh. Are you new to California?” Lorraine asked. “Did you move here from another state?”

  “I did, yes. But I’m not new to Ocean City. I grew up here, then moved to Reno when I hit eighteen. I lived and worked there for sixteen years, and now I’m back. I’m a firefighter.”

  That explained why he was in such good shape. Firefighters were strong, their bodies immaculately honed in order to be able to rescue people from burning buildings and other disastrous situations. No wonder he had come to her aid in such a chivalrous way.

  She swayed a little—deliberately—so she could wrap her fingers tighter around his arm. Yes, she was shamelessly copping a feel. She barely even recognized herself.

  “Oops,” Hunter said, securing his hand on her back to make sure she was steady. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Lorraine said. “You’re so sweet.” And so hot.

  So hot that she wanted to smooth her hands over his muscular pecs for a few glorious minutes.

  She turned away from him and continued toward the bar. What was going on with her? It must be the alcohol making her react so strongly to this man.

  Though the truth was, she didn’t care what was bringing out this reaction in her. Because every time Hunter looked at her, she felt incredibly desirable—something she hadn’t felt with Paul since the early days of their marriage. But unlike her ex-husband, Hunter’s attraction for her was obvious in that dark, intense gaze. Every time their eyes connected, the chemistry sizzled.

  Lorraine’s heart was pounding with excitement, and it was a wonderful feeling after all the pain and heartache she’d gone through recently. It was nice to feel the pitter-patter of her pulse because of a guy who rated eleven out of ten on the sexy scale.

  Lorraine veered to the left to sidestep a group of women. And all of a sudden, her heel twisted beneath her body. This time, she started to go down in earnest. Hunter quickly swooped his arms around her, and the next thing she knew, he was scooping her into his arms.

  “Oh, my God,” she uttered. “You’re not carrying me—”

  “Can’t have you breaking an ankle.”

  He was actually carrying her to the bar. All eyes in the vicinity looked at them, some people chuckling, some gaping. Lorraine should have been embarrassed, but instead she tightened her arms around Hunter’s neck and held on, smiling from ear to ear. When was the last time anyone had carried her like this? She may as well enjoy the ride.

  Once at the bar, Hunter lowered Lorraine onto a stool. “There you go,” he said.

  She looked up at him coyly, biting down on the bottom of her ruby-red lip.

  He grinned at her, his gaze lingering on hers. Then he leaned across the bar to order drinks. Lorraine shamelessly checked out his form. With his hands resting on the bar, the muscles on the backs of his arms grew taut. His wide back tapered to a slim waist. His behind even looked muscular in the black dress pants. He had the kind of body that running backs in those tight football outfits had. The kind of physique she had been appreciating daily for the past several months in the current Ocean City firefighters calendar. Though in her opinion, he was hotter—and there were a lot of fine men in that calendar.

  A couple of minutes later, he turned toward her holding a margarita. Lorraine carefully took the glass from him. For himself, Hunter had a bottle of beer. He clinked the top of his bottle gently against her glass, then they both took a sip.

  “I probably should get back to my friends,” Lorraine said after a minute.

  “Or—we could get out of here.”

  “Pardon me?” Lorraine asked.

  “Nothing,” Hunter said.

  She narrowed her eyes. Was she hearing things? Or had he just suggested that they leave the bar together?

  “I’ll walk you back to your table,” Hunter told her, and extended his arm to her again.

  She took a liberal sip of her drink before accepting Hunter’s arm. He helped her down from the stool. She continued to hold on to him as she walked. He led her to her table, where her friends were all looking at her with wide-eyed gazes.

  Trina was the first to speak. “Someone’s made a new friend.” She shot Lorraine a devious smile. “I’m Trina.” She extended her hand. “And you are?”

  “Hunter,” he said, shaking her hand.

  “And that’s Rosa and Amanda,” Lorraine said, pointing to each of her friends in turn. She felt a moment of panic. They could blow her cover. If one of them blurted out her real name...

  It was silly, but she’d lied to Hunter about her name and didn’t want him to find out the truth. She placed a hand on the back of his arm and said, “You know what? Why don’t we hit the dance floor?”

  “Oh.” Hunter sounded surprised. “Sure.”

  Lorraine started to sway her body to the music. Then she took him by the hand and led him to the back of the bar, where the dance floor was. She started to shake her hips to the pulsing R&B beat before they were even on the floor. Finding an available spot near one corner, Lorraine turned to face Hunter. She kicked up the movements of her body, her hips and legs moving in tune with the rhythm.

  Hunter watched her for several seconds, then leaned close and slipped his arm around her waist. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?”

  “Is this how you flatter all the women you rescue?” Lorraine asked.

  “What other women?” Hunter countered. “There’s one woman in the bar I can’t take my eyes off of. And that’s you, Mary.”

  She looped her arms around his neck, and although the tempo of the music was fast, they both started moving more slowly. They were moving to their own beat, as if oblivious to the world around them.

  “You know what I don’t understand?” Hunter asked.

  “What?”

  “How some guy would let you go. If you were mine, I’d never let you out of my sight.”

  “Is that so?”

  Hunter pulled his bottom lip between his teeth as he stared into her eyes. “Definitely.”

  Good Lord, he was arousing her with his seductive looks and his words. Her feminine core began to throb.

  “I really want to kiss you,” he whispered into her ear.

  Tingles of delight spread through Lorraine’s body. Her breathing deepened. “Really?”

  “Really.” His voice was husky, filled with desire. He was the sexiest man she’d ever been this close to.

  “Then why don’t you?” Lorraine whispered on a shuddery breath. She trailed her fingers along his nape, and when he made a soft groaning sound, she felt a surge of feminine power. He reached up and gently stroked her cheek, then caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger
and angled her face up to his. Every nerve in Lorraine’s body went taut with expectation as Hunter lowered his head down to hers.

  Lorraine parted her lips. And then his mouth pressed against hers, slow, sweet, succulent. It was the kind of kiss that promised something more.

  Hot, sweating bodies between the sheets.

  A night of carnal bliss.

  Beneath her veil, he tangled his fingers in her hair, holding her in place. His lips moved faster over hers, his teeth gently nipping, his tongue flicking out and running along her bottom lip. Lorraine gasped from the onslaught of sensations.

  “Oh, yes,” Hunter moaned, and then flicked his tongue over hers.

  She couldn’t remember a kiss setting her body on fire like this. And then she giggled. Who was the best person to put out a fire but a fireman? Good grief. What was with these corny thoughts in her head?

  “Are you laughing?” Hunter whispered against her cheek. “You don’t like this?”

  “I love it,” Lorraine told him. She continued to run her fingers along the base of his neck, reveling in the way his breaths deepened. Then she pressed her body against his, feeling the evidence of his desire for her. Hard, thick. Impressive. “You’re making me forget we’re in a crowded bar.”

  Hunter’s lips curved into a grin. He looked down at her, and she up at him. And she knew that whatever was brewing between them right now was something she didn’t want to end. She wanted to reclaim her singlehood in grand style. What better way than spending the night with a gorgeous man?

  Hunter kissed her again, and she looped both of her arms around his neck and held on. His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her body against his. And the kiss deepened. Right there on the dance floor, they kissed as if they were the only two people in the room. It was the kind of display of public affection that would have had Lorraine rolling her eyes if she were witnessing it.

  And yet, she’d been caught up in something spectacular with this man to the point where she was no longer thinking rationally. All she could think about was the fact that she didn’t want their night to end.

  Hunter was the one to break the kiss, but he didn’t let her go.