Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(18)
Her lips worked up and down for a few moments as she attempted to get her brain and mouth to cooperate. “Ryan?”
“Hello, Jess.” He flung his shirt over his shoulder and smiled. God, she was breathtaking. He wanted to grab her, pin her against the wall, and take out three years of sexual longing on her.
“What… what… oh my goodness. What are you doing here?” she asked, still stuttering and stumbling on her words.
Before he could respond, Jim popped into the living area. “Oh, hey, Jessie, glad you made it. Did you have any problems finding the place?”
“Uh, no, thank you. I brought lunch.” Ryan stepped out of the way and she entered. “Wow. You guys have been busy. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Pizza and beer is a good start.” Jim took the food from her and set it on top of one of the boxes. He reached in, grabbed the largest slice and took a big bite.
Jess laughed and Ryan thought his heart was going to rupture in his chest. She had such a melodic laugh. It had always done funny things to him to hear it. He remembered the way she used to giggle when he kissed her neck. She’d squirm and try to push him away, but he’d be relentless until he made his way to her lips. She would graze her fingernails along the nape of his neck and he’d tremble from her touch. He was getting hard just thinking about it. Damn. The woman was still under his skin.
“So, you never did answer me, Ryan. What are you doing here?”
Her mixed signals had him on edge. He was getting the feeling that she wasn’t happy to see him. Her eyes told him otherwise.
“Oh, Ryan? He’s your neighbor,” Jim answered for him as he finished his pizza. He was reaching for another slice just as his phone started ringing. “Damn. Excuse me,” he said, digging his cell phone from his pocket and stepping out the front door with it.
“Is that true?”
“Yes, I live in the little white house to the right.” He shoved his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t act impulsively and try to touch her, because Lord knows that’s all he could think about at the moment.
She took a deep breath. “Well, neighbor, thanks for moving all my stuff.”
“No problem.” He raked his gaze over her body, devouring every inch of her, until the sight of her was seared in his memory. “Do you need help with anything else?”
Jess looked around. “You can stay and help me eat this pizza.”
Ryan smiled. He was starving and desperate to spend as much time with her as possible, so he agreed. Taking a slice, he took a bite and sat on the couch. She also took a slice and sat beside him. They ate in silence. Ryan’s mind raced with things he wanted to say to her, questions he wanted to ask, and things he wanted to do. She’d broken his heart, just leaving him with a note. He’d tried to move on, tried to forget about her and honestly thought he had.
She broke the silence first. “How have you been?”
“Good. You?”
“Good. I’m finally getting serious about my photography.”
“That’s great.”
She smiled and his resolve cracked. He reached over and stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “I’ve missed you, Jess.”
Jess abruptly stood, as if he’d pinched her or something. “Please...”
Ryan stood. “I’m sorry.” He’d said too much too soon. “I’ll go so you can unpack. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” Then he left.
Chapter 12
Jessie busied herself with unpacking, hoping it would keep her mind off Ryan. No such luck. Her nerves were rattled. Had she known Ryan was going to be her neighbor, she never would’ve signed the lease. Oh who was she kidding? If she had known, she would’ve moved in four days ago. He’d looked so good when she’d arrived—shirtless, sweaty, his hair all mussed up.
She fanned herself with her hand, then went through the house, opening every window, hoping to get some air moving. Little chance of that happening considering there wasn’t a breeze outside. She wet a washcloth with cold water and wiped the back of her neck with it. Nothing seemed to be helping. She was so damn sweaty, her bra was sticking to her in the most uncomfortable way. “To hell with this.” Jessie took it off and tossed it on the floor in the corner.
She stood in the middle of the living room with her hands on her hips, looking around, regretting not taking her sister’s offer to help unpack. But Jessie wanted to prove to her family that she could make it on her own. The photograph she’d taken of the lake caught her eye. It was the lake where her family’s beach house was located. The same summer she’d met Ryan and had the hottest love affair of her life. That summer had changed her life.
Jessie picked up the enlarged framed photograph and admired it. Just looking at it brought back so many memories. She closed her eyes. She swore she could hear the call of the seagulls, the sound of the waves, the cool evening air caressing her face, and the unmistakable scent of Ryan’s cologne. They’d shared their first kiss on that beach. For as long as she lived, she’d never forget that kiss. Ryan had been so gentle. He’d whispered her name moments before he’d slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. She opened her eyes and shook the memory from her mind. Daydreaming about what she used to have with Ryan was only going to make her realize how lonely her life was. No use in going down that road.