“I gave Caroline the keys to my car so she could head home after the dishes stopped piling up,” she said.
“You need a ride then?” He lifted the service end of the bar and joined her on the other side.
“And up to Fern’s Brewery tomorrow morning. We should take your truck. More space for another keg than in my car.”
Noah shook his head and headed for the front door. “Called for a replacement already?”
“As soon as we started running low tonight.” She stepped into the parking area while he held the door. “I’m the best assistant manager you’ve ever had.”
“And the only one.” He followed her to his pickup. “But, Josie—”
She released the passenger side door, turned, and leaned against his truck. He forgot to say a word about future raises and promotions. His memory hop-skipped back to five years ago. She’d worn a white sundress—shit, he could still picture her outfit—and she’d damn near glowed in the light from the bonfire. And he’d known he wouldn’t walk away without tasting her.
Maybe that had made him an ass, a total jerk willing to take what he could get from his friend’s wild little sister before he’d left for basic training. He hadn’t wanted to go. He’d dreaded leaving his gran and his dad, hell, even the bar. But his family needed a steady paycheck, money sent home to keep Big Buck’s afloat. So he’d done the right thing—except when it came to Josie.
And he didn’t want to take the high road now. It wasn’t like that path had ever taken him anywhere he wanted to go. No, it had paved the way for two tours and made him the enemy in the eyes of the men who should have been like brothers.
He closed the space between them and placed his right hand on the truck beside her head. “Look at me, sweetheart,” he murmured.
Her chin lifted and her eyes met his. He swore they were filled with the same hope he’d witnessed five years ago. He placed a hand on her hip, needing her to stay right here. If she moved away now, they wouldn’t find their way back to this place. He’d bury the need and face the fact that he was taking a helluva lot more than he could give.
“Thinking about breaking your rules, Noah?” she whispered.
“You asked for a bonus—”
“Do it, Noah,” she murmured.
He lowered his mouth. His lips brushed over hers. One gentle touch before he took what he’d wanted for the past five years.
His tongue swept into her mouth and he pressed closer. She arched beneath, the curve of her ass pressing into the side of his pickup. He ran his hand over her waist, moving higher and higher. Five years and she’d grown softer, her curves more defined, drawing him in . . .
He deepened the kiss as his thumb teased her breast through the layers of clothes. Her hips shifted, pressing closer, and then a leg circled him. The heel of her boot dug into the back of his thigh.
Don’t let go. Keep her here.
Right now, here in the parking lot, Josie didn’t need him. She wasn’t looking for someone to save her, teach her, show her a damn thing. He didn’t need to take her for a ride first on an old bull.
She just plain wanted him.
Her hips thrust forward as the muscles in her leg tightened her hold. He stepped one foot forward and allowed his thigh to slip between hers. Balanced, he lifted his hand off the side of the truck and ran his palm over the smooth surface of her thigh. His fingers toyed with edge of her sundress, thrust high on the leg she’d wrapped around him. And then he slipped his hand underneath, searching for more, anything she was willing to give him.
She broke the kiss, panting. “Noah, I need—”
“Anything.” He stared down at her. He’d take her right here in the parking lot if she wanted. The cab of his truck. The tailgate. He would stroke her until she came, or kiss her sweet mouth until the sun rose. He’d never ask for more. He just needed to stay right here, with her wanting him.
“You’re vibrating,” she said, sliding her hand over his chest. A shiver rippled through him, heading lower and leaving him wanting more. When had her fingers slipped beneath his shirt? He’d been so lost, caught up in her. And yeah, he’d tuned out the buzz of his cell phone trembling against his thigh. He’d been a helluva lot more interested in the woman pulsing against him.
He stepped back and withdrew his phone. “Shit.”
And that summed up just about everything. The fact that Josie had returned the boot she’d dug into his leg to the ground. The fact that she’d crossed her arms under her breasts as if presenting a physical barrier to further exploration. And the fact that her brother had chosen a pretty damn bad time to call.