Page 87

“Oh, please. You’re the epitome of a pure heart. And I’ll tell you the same thing you tell me. You aren’t to blame for his death.”

His lips quirked, but sadness weighted his eyelids. “No. And I sure as hell wouldn’t have left my damn guns in the car that night. Wish I could beat his ass for that.”

Pressure swelled in her sinuses and faded just as quick. Itwasgetting easier to let him go.

“I want you to be happy. And if a guitar jockey in slut pants does it for you, who am I to judge?”

She cocked her head. Yeah, the pants definitely did something for her.

“Noah’s happiest moments are kept here.” He tapped her temple. “And I get to relive some of them when they shine through in your smile. I’d like to see that smile more often.”

She tried to give him one, her lips quivering with the effort, and failed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“All I ask is that you don’t close off my part of your life, okay?”

“Never.” She tackled him in a hug, and his arms enveloped her.

He laughed and pulled back to look at her. “You really like the rock star, huh?”

She reclined against the window. “Yeah.” Her smile appeared suddenly and without effort. “You really like the bodyguard, huh?”

A shrug. “She’s a Marine. What’s not to like?”

“Whatever. We both know there’s more to it.”

“Maybe.” His whiskered cheeks crawled to a grin. “We good?”

For the next few hours, they were outside of Roy’s reach, shooting through the air at—What did Jay say?—Mach .80. And she had a date with a beautiful man in a bathroom.

She gave Nathan another effortless smile.

45

“We’re all set then?” Jay nodded at the e-mail on Tony’s laptop, tapping his fingers on his knees, the heels of his sneakers bouncing with his excitement.

“Yes. The machines will be ready in a week, but the customized engravings and the rush job quadrupled the price. Do you want to look over the bill?”

“I don’t care how much they cost. Just make sure she gets them as soon as possible.”

The tattoo irons served him as much as they served Charlee. There was such a thing as wanting something and someone beyond the edge of sanity. He wanted his tattoo completed, but not nearly as much as he wanted the artist. It was an all-consuming desire, unlike any he’d experienced. It lived in his blood and fed on his heart.

“You’re in my seat.”

He looked up to find Nathan glaring down at him. “Everything okay with Charlee?”

“She’s good.” Nathan bent over him, his voice lowering with palpable hostility. “If that changes and I find you’re the reason, I will hollow out your dick with a butter knife.”

Nathan’s protectiveness surpassed Jay’s instinct to defend himself. He made a hell of a trustworthy bodyguard.

“Tell you what.” Jay hardened his tone, punctuated each word with conviction. “If I hurt her, in any way, I’ll cut it off myself and give it to you.”

Nathan straightened, his eyes smiling. “Excellent.” He jerked his chin toward the rear of the cabin. “If you’re done here, I think she’s waiting for you.”

Jay jumped to his feet and turned.

Charlee leaned her back against the lavatory door, hands behind her, laughing at something Laz was saying. Her red hair curled around her toned arms, bouncing with the shake of her head. A pink flush tinted the curve of her cheeks and glowed against her milky skin. Her smile was as full of life as her bright eyes.

Seeing her there, waiting for him, combined with the feelings he had for her, delivered the ultimate in sexual fantasy. He moved toward her, picking up his pace, driven by the memory of her satin skin beneath his fingers. He wanted to kiss every part of her body. Wanted her hands covering every inch of his. What kind of noises would she make as he lost himself inside her?