Body Shot (Last Shot)(61)
That in itself was kind of an adrenaline rush.
He eventually hit I-5, merging into speeding late-Sunday-afternoon traffic. He passed Chula Vista, Coronado, National City; passed the skyscrapers of downtown San Diego; then exited onto Mission Bay Drive, turning onto Grand Avenue. As he neared Hayden’s street, he slowed.
Was she home from her afternoon at the spa with her friend? He found himself unwilling to go home to his empty condo. Or he could go back to Conquistadors; there was always someone there he knew, and even if there wasn’t he’d be able to strike up a conversation with somebody at the bar.
Damn. He wanted to see her. He’d take a chance and find out if she was home. Live in the moment. He flicked on his blinker and turned at her street.
She answered her door wearing a bemused expression. “Beck. What are you doing here?”
“I was passing by on my way home. Thought I’d drop in and see if you were back. Did you get all pampered and polished?”
“Yes.” She smiled and stepped back. “Come in. I just got home, actually.”
He walked in, getting a whiff of her scent, something fresh and so fucking sexy that the guy downstairs stirred in his jeans.
“How was your skydiving?”
“Amazing. As usual.” He made himself at home by sitting on her red couch, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee. “A total rush.”
She sat too and he studied her. Her hair was pulled back into her usual ponytail, and with no makeup—not that she ever wore much—her face glowed. “What all did you have done?” he murmured, reaching out to smooth back a stray strand of hair. “You look gorgeous.”
She lowered her gaze and her cheeks pinkened. “I do not look gorgeous. I had a facial and I’m all blotchy.”
“No, you’re not. Your skin is perfect.” He stroked his fingertips over one cheek. “So soft and smooth.”
She bit her lip briefly. “I also had a pedicure and a full-body sugar scrub.”
“Ah.” He dropped his gaze to her bare toes, curling into the rug. “Sexy red toes to match your couch.”
She huffed a laugh. “Yes. Though I didn’t plan that. I was going to get a pale pink and Carrie grabbed this one. It’s called Candy Apple.”
“Are your toes as sweet as candy?” He reached down and lifted her feet, swinging her legs around and over his lap. Her gasp made him smile. He lifted one foot and studied it. So pretty, with delicate tendons and veins beneath the thin skin, her toenails bright and shiny. He lifted her foot to his mouth and sucked one toe in.
Her foot jerked and she damn near kicked his teeth out. Good thing he had fast reflexes.
“What are you doing?” she cried, supporting herself on both hands on the couch cushion, frowning at him.
He grinned at her reaction. “Tasting your pretty toes.”
“That’s weird.”
“Not into that? No worries. I’m not a foot fetish guy. Just thought your toes looked really hot.”
“I’m sorry.” She sank those teeth into her bottom lip again. “Didn’t mean to kick you.”
“I’m okay. But maybe you should loosen up, and not knock something till you try it.”
“Oh my God, I am so tired of hearing that!” She made a frustrated growling noise. “I’m a researcher! Of course I try new things. We have to try new things all the time.”
“Uh, babe.” He eyed her. “Someone else has been on your case?”
“Carrie. Not to mention the girls doing our pedicures.”
He lifted an eyebrow.
She sighed. “Whatever. I’m not afraid of trying new things. Fine. You want to suck my toes? Go for it.”
“That mood has been kinda killed, baby.”
“I’m sorry.”
He stroked over her instep. “It’s okay. Didn’t mean to freak you out.”
“You freak me out every time I see you.”
“In a good way.”
She burst out laughing and dropped her chin to her chest. “Yes, Beck. In a good way.”
“So…” He ran a hand up over her calf, then to her thigh. “You were buffed everywhere?”
“Yes.”
“I might need to inspect it. Make sure all your skin is as glowing as your face.”
She made a small choking noise. “Um…”
He continued to caress her legs.
She choked out a question. “So your skydiving was good?”
“Yeah.”
“Where do you do it?”
“Place in Jamul. Suncoast Skydiving.”
“I don’t understand how risking your life can be fun.”
“I’m not risking my life. I’m a well-trained, experienced professional. I know what I’m doing. And it’s a total rush. You really know you’re alive when you’re feeling that rush of air on your face.” Hayden wrinkled her nose and he smiled. “Besides, I do it for a good cause, not just for the rush.”