Sand and Sin Read Free Page B

yet, but the pool’s blue, so there’s hope yet.”
    Amy was TJ’s girlfriend. Sounded like he’d asked Jax if he’d gotten laid.
    “Never mind, I’ll explain later.”
    TJ didn’t get the reference from their breakfast conversation, but she did and rounded her head to find him eyeing her from behind his dark shades. Her cheeks heated and her pulse hammered against her neck. She flirted with her customers unabashedly, but a bar stood between them. Having a man within touching distance and sleeping over her garage pushed the reality of her late-night rescue home. The sudden dampness between her thighs made her cross her legs. With difficulty, she reigned in her raging hormones and buried her nose in her book.
    “See you around eight. I’ll text you the address.” He ended the call and slid his sunglasses down his nose. “I should have asked first, but does the handyman get nights off?”
    “The hours are flexible, and like you said, the water’s blue.” She angled her head toward the pool. “I’m working tonight, so I’ll give you a key. Just don’t be caught buck-ass naked, should my daughter happen by.”
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    After Peri left, a shower lowered Jax’s libido. He grabbed a beer from a six-pack he’d bought on his way from picking up the rental and pool parts. He shut the fridge and wrenched off the cap. Mid-guzzle, the door from the garage swung open.
    Burning a hole in him with laser focus, a petite teen with a pixie nose and hair like her mother’s, only in dark brown, stood in the doorway. He nearly choked on his brew as it struck him he wore only a towel. He gave the palms up gesture, surrendering. “Jax Taylor, friend of your mom, Peri.”
    “Haley.” She appraised him head to toe with raised eyebrows. “Go, Mom.”
    Shit. “It’s not like that.” Yet.
    “Don’t know what she’s waiting for.” She stalked to the pantry door and disappeared inside.
    He wished to vanish so easily. Facing a gunman suited him better. But a teenage girl? He had zero training. Even guys on his team made similar complaints about their offspring. “I needed a place for a few days and your mom offered―”
    She reappeared with a bag of chocolate chip cookies and popped one in her mouth. “It’s been a while since she’s taken on boarders. Not since the Trident took off.”
    “She thought she’d be picking you up from your dad’s in the morning.”
    Haley smirked.
    Now what was he supposed to do? Babysit or lock himself in his room?
    “Oh, I’m not staying. Just stopped by to grab some clothes for a sleepover with a friend.”
    “Does your mom know?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Dad’s okay with it.”
    He glanced at the clock. “Is he waiting outside to drive you?”
    “No, I told him I’d walk. Her house is just a few blocks over.”
    Not on his watch. Even if it pissed her off. “It’s late. Call your mom and I’ll drive you over.”
    “You’re not my dad.” She stomped her foot.
    If she’d seen the shit he had, she wouldn’t question his reasoning. “Maybe not, but, if you leave here and something happens, it’s my ass.” He scowled at her for show.
    After tossing the cookies on the counter, she whipped out her cell and called her mother. Peri confirmed his plan. Haley frowned at him. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”
    He climbed the stairs, quickly slipped on his jeans, grabbed a T-shirt and sneakers before she could slip out of the house. Making sure he’d pocketed the house key, he followed her out the front door.
    He opened the door of the rental for her, then stepped around and slid behind the wheel. After months in a Humvee and armored vehicles, the sedan felt like a shoebox.
    Haley plugged in her ear buds and directed him to the house by finger pointing. So much for earning points. Didn’t matter. She’d be leaving, and he’d probably be gone by the time she returned from her spring break vacation.
    They stopped in front a beachfront mansion. Damn, he knew