Sand and Sin Read Free Page A

“By the way, the barter system is for room and board only.”
    “Can’t persuade you make an exception in my case? Seems you’ve already seen me nearly in the buff.” He smirked as he swallowed the last of his breakfast.
    “That depends on how fast the pool turns blue.” She rose sassily, scraped off her half-eaten food and racked the plate in the dishwasher. “I’ve got errands to do this morning. Do you want a ride to base?”
    “Kicking me out already?” Damn, his sexual remark must have pissed her off.
    “Don’t you need your gear bag?” She slid him her laptop from the counter. “Study up on the pump. See what parts you need.”
    “All my gear is in the rental car sitting in your parking lot. And, thanks for playing Florence Nightingale in addition to your Humane Society work.”
    “You seemed in a lot of pain last night.”
    Her empathic sea-green stare made him uncomfortable. He tapped on the keyboard, pretending to search the Internet. Crap, she’d seen the ugly puckering hole when she changed his dressing while he was out cold. “I’d had several Vicodin on the plane. Didn’t mix well with the Jack. I’m feeling better after decent sleep in a real bed. About the car?”
    “Relax. Shower if you want. I’ve got to pick up some liquor for my bar. We’ll get it then.”
    Holy crap. He glanced to her. “You own the Trident?”
    “Can you wrap your head around that?”
    “Like a Christmas present.” It all made sense now. Her commanding presence went beyond bartender. He loaded the remaining dishes into the dishwasher, and fired up the computer as she headed off to bathe.
    Damn if he didn’t want to join her. Lather up those beautiful locks of hers and work his way down.
    * * * *
    Good to his word, he purchased the parts and rebuilt the pump in less than an hour. Peri enjoyed the bare view of his muscular back and the intricate eagle tattoo with wings spread across his shoulders. His butt molded the borrowed swim trunks to model perfection.
    She found it hard not to stare. By late afternoon, the pool water had transformed from a murky green to a hazy blue.
    Dozing on the pillow-topped chaise, he looked relaxed, even against his strong jaw and well-groomed stubble. Beneath closed lids lay hypnotic eyes, which seemed to read through her pretense. What would his lips feel like against hers?
    Faded scars graced his muscular limbs and chest, making him manlier. His height could easily hold another ten or fifteen pounds. Weight he probably had before he left the States. Most lost weight while deployed. Stress and heat took a toll and the MRE—meals ready to eat—only provided sustenance.
    Why had he accepted her invitation to stay when his buddy lived nearby? He’d said he didn’t want to bother TJ’s girlfriend and he’d rather help her fix some things around the house after she scraped his ass from the curb.
    She’d had boarders before, but this one tempted her to forego her rule and let her hair down—and more. By Monday, Haley would be Florida-bound with her dad. She only had to open and close the Trident tonight, as Phil covered Sundays. Then she’d be alone in the house at nights with a total beefcake and his fuck-me-now body. If the bulge in his sweats this morning was any indication, he was interested. Maybe she should reconsider and put herself in Jax’s capable hands.
    It wouldn’t break her code since he wasn’t a regular patron. He’d leave in a matter of days. And she’d probably never lay eyes on him again. Like a cougar on her last hunt, she licked her lips, imagining his erotic flavor.
    His cell phone vibrated on the table between their chairs. He sat up and shaded the display before answering. “Hey bro, how’d the jump go?”
    Peri feigned interest in her book while taking in his half of the conversation.
    “Amy didn’t hear from me because a gorgeous woman took pity on my lame, drunken ass.” He laughed with abs rippling, then listened for a few seconds. “Not