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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