6. Jack

6

JACK

I can’t seem to shake Aaron. He showed up again for a sunrise hike, and though I barely talked to him, he kept up with me. He and his new boots.

Aunt Dina told me he’d been in the store to buy them and seemed to regret our earlier conversation. But I didn’t know him well enough to figure out if he was only being patronizing to all of us. With that sexy, smirky grin, of course.

And now, here he is for his scheduled tune-up with Frank.

“Will your vacation be cut short once your car’s serviced?” I ask as I slide him the paperwork. I can’t help myself.

His eyebrows draw together. “Why would it?”

“Because you didn’t get what you came for?”

“That wasn’t the only thing I came for.” His eyes burn into me, and I look away. It sucks that I still want the man. “June told me at breakfast that Aqua Vista hosts a huge art fair every fall, which sounds amazing. She also said you have a booth because, apparently, you’re a photographer in your spare time. You really are a jack-of-all-trades.”

No, I’m not. And I definitely need to have a chat with my sister. Again. Last time, she blew me off and sang Aaron’s praises instead.

Still, I nod because the information is true enough. “Plenty of tourists show up, which helps boost the local economy.”

I can see his brain working, but he keeps his mouth shut. He’s no doubt thinking of telling me what else could help the local economy—raising the prices at the pump. In reality, he’s looking for a way to line his own pockets. So disappointing.

He may have nice things, like that BMW, but I have more than that. A close-knit community, a family I see most days, even if they get on my nerves from time to time. We’ve lost so much, so it’s important to hold on tight to what’s left.

“I see you’re busy making assumptions about me again,” Aaron says, scrutinizing me.

I fold my arms. “Can you blame me?”

He hitches a shoulder. “Suppose not, but my intentions are good.”

“How so?” I ask, incredulous.

“It’s business. I buy and sell commercial properties, and not everyone is as snippy about it as you are. Some want to sell, some don’t. I’ve never had someone hold it against me.”

I scoff. “I’m not holding it against you.”

“You wouldn’t even look at me the entire hike this morning.” He huffs out a frustrated breath. “Your aunt did say you’re stubborn.”

I open my mouth to tell him he wasn’t invited on the hike in the first place, but Frank interrupts by calling to him from the garage entrance. “Your car will be ready this afternoon. Need a ride someplace in town?”

Goddamn him for offering. My stomach tightens all over again. “I can take him. You’ve got a whole day’s worth of cars to service.”

“Okay, then.” Frank smirks as he grabs a water.

Aaron is watching him, trying hard not to smile as Frank walks back to the garage.

“What?” I snap.

He sobers immediately. “Nothing.”

All the fire drains from me. The man has a way of turning my thinking on its head. And being sexy as hell while doing it.

“Where do you need to go?”

“Back to the inn if that’s okay,” he replies as I grab my keys. “I’ve got some emails to respond to.”

“Thought you were on vacation,” I point out as he follows me to my truck. Probably another workaholic like the last guy I screwed around with.

“I am.” He climbs onto the passenger seat. “But sometimes it’s better to keep on top of messages so you don’t end up with an overflowing inbox.”

“Suppose that makes sense.” Sort of like me keeping up with recording invoices. I pull out of the lot and onto the road. “Have you always wanted to be in real estate?”

His gaze springs to mine. My inquiry surprises Aaron, or maybe it’s that I’m talking to him at all. But I have questions too, even if it takes me a while to ask them.

“I, uh, went to school for business and minored in architecture. I had worked on construction sites and was fascinated by interior design. I’ve flipped a fair number of houses with Rocco, and it grew from there.”

“Are you two…or were you ever…?”

“Nah, he’s straight. Soon to be married.”

“Hey, stranger things have happened.”

“True. But do you really think I would hook up with you if I had a man waiting back home?”

“No clue,” I reply, and he looks hurt. “I mean, we knew nothing about each other back then.”

“And now?”

My jaw tightens. “Now I know you want to buy my business and tried sweet-talking me into it.”

“You call that sweet-talking?” He huffs out a laugh. “You apparently haven’t experienced it enough to recognize it.”

I roll my eyes and keep driving without acknowledging that. People do plenty of sweet-talking in the throes of passion, but he’s right that I haven’t had much beyond that. I’ve never had a relationship that lasted longer than a few months.

Aaron shifts uncomfortably. “You ever go to the beach?”

“Of course. It’s right across the highway.” Except it’s not the truth. Nowadays, I only walk across the sand to the water if I have to. But he doesn’t need to know that. “Used to surf when I was a kid.”

“You’re a regular Cali boy.”

“Not even remotely close. Johnny used to be an avid surfer as a kid, but not anymore. Now it’s all Cain.”

“Your nephew.”

My gaze flicks to his. Right. June likely talked his ear off about her golden boy.

“I’ve always been curious about surfing,” he says, and it sounds like he’s considering learning on this trip. Hell no, not from me.

“They offer lessons at the surf shop on the beach.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the McCoys owned that too,” he teases. “June said something about it being a dream of Cain’s?”

“Soon, you’ll be telling me you’re invited to our next family gathering.”

“It does sound nice.” There’s an earnestness to his voice that makes me look over at him. I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs.

“I’d love to see your photography sometime.”

I clear my throat. “Maybe you could return for the art fair.”

What am I saying?

“Or maybe sooner?”

“Are you determined to bug me your entire vacation?”

He smirks. “I sure hope so.”

“I actually haven’t shot anything new in a while…” Christ, he sure has a talent for throwing me off-kilter. “Anyway, you never know.”

It grows quiet between us as I pull into the lot at the inn.

“Also wouldn’t mind hooking up again,” he mutters. “Before I leave.”

“Why? So you can try and use your wiles on me?” I joke.

“Because you’re goddamned hot, and I’m a good fuck. Admit it.”

I look away but don’t miss the twinkle in his eye when he adds, “We could even get in a quickie before you head back to work.”

Unfortunately, my dick likes that idea, plumping against my zipper. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“As a heart attack. What’s the harm? Two single gay men.”

“Wouldn’t want anyone around here to get the wrong impression.”

He has the nerve to look disappointed. “Didn’t think you cared about that.”

“I don’t really, but it’s a good enough excuse.”

“Not sure why you want one, but suit yourself.” He opens the car door and gets out. “Thanks for the ride.”

I watch as he heads toward the walkway, and damn if I don’t step out of my truck. My body is on autopilot and ignoring my brain. Just as he’s letting himself in the side entrance, I catch the door as it’s closing. I see the smirk as I follow him to the second floor.

As soon as we’re inside his room, he has me backed against the door.

I growl. “Fucking tease.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“I have to get back to work,” I grumble even as my mouth finds his and we kiss like desperate, horny long-lost lovers. My hands are in his hair while his work to open my jeans. As soon as my dick gets some needed relief, he’s on his knees and licking the head of my cock. “Jesus fucking Christ.”

“Use me,” he pants against my shaft. “Show me how pissed off you are that I’m trying to buy your business.”

“You like that, huh?” My stomach tightens as I fist my cock and bounce it against his lips and tongue. “Being used?”

His eyes darken as they meet mine. “Sometimes. But only for pretend.”

Christ, this guy knows just how to turn my desire to full volume.

He parts his lips in invitation, so I press my cock past his lips and shiver as his tongue works along one of the veins.

Aaron’s eyes widen as my shaft hits the back of his throat, and I think I’ve gone too far, too fast. Until his gaze glazes over and he groans. It’s obvious he loves this as much as I do. Plus, he knows how to suck dick—something we weren’t able to experiment with before. And who am I to argue? I’ve been hard up since he left town a couple of months ago, so having this opportunity again is just that, a chance to get off. And because it’s him and it was damned hot before, I take the gamble willingly.

I seesaw my cock between his lips, always landing at the back of his throat. When he swallows around my shaft, it feels so good my knees nearly buckle.

Soon enough his eyes begin watering, and I’m afraid I’m being too rough, so I draw back. But Aaron’s fingers latch on to my hips and he pulls me closer, working his throat to swallow again.

“Oh fuck,” I swear under my breath as I watch my cock disappear inside his mouth. No doubt, this will be my undoing.

I push his sweaty bangs off his forehead. “You want my cock as bad as you want my business.”

His eyes lock on mine as he pumps his eyebrows, and I hold back a smirk.

“Someone needs to learn some small-town manners,” I say, gripping the end of my shaft.

His eyes widen, and he eagerly redoubles his efforts.

I’m too close to the edge to hold back any longer. My balls ache and my thighs quiver as I thrust between his lips again and again. I lose all sense of time and place until stars begin floating in front of my eyes and I shoot down his throat with a deep groan.

I anchor my shoulders against the wall, trying to rein in my heavy breaths as he stands on shaky legs. He’s so stiff behind his zipper that it must be painful.

Before I regain control of my faculties, I have him facing the wall, his pants undone, and my hand stroking his dick.

“Ah fuck,” he moans as he shudders. “So good.”

I bite down on the meaty part of his shoulder, no doubt leaving a mark. It’s evident he likes it because he moans and tilts his head, offering me the long column of his neck.

“Aren’t you full of surprises?” I lick the line of his neck down to his shoulder, where I home in on another spot to sink my teeth. He shudders when my incisors hit their mark and shoots all over my hand.

My heart is still thundering from my own orgasm as I pull away and yank up my pants with one hand.

“Bathroom’s down the hall.” He leans his head against the wall, breathing hard, as I stumbled toward the vanity to wash my hands. I glance at myself in the mirror—I look totally debauched. Frank is sure to give me shit for my appearance.

Aaron arrives beside me and smiles at our reflection in the mirror.

I smirk and shake my head. “Catch you later.”

Back in my truck, my hands tremble on the steering wheel. What in the hell am I doing with this man, this stranger, who’s come blazing back into town with more than one proposition?