Love Bites

She pressed her legs together. Shit, she hoped she didn’t soak clear through to her shorts. She’d had to wring out a couple pairs of panties after their innocent exchanges over the coffee shop counter. What would happen if he touched her? Would she implode on the spot?

“I’m not sure we were ever properly introduced. I’m Kellan Barstow.” He extended a hand that gleamed as pale as his friend’s, but that didn’t faze her. She’d seen her share of fair guys around these parts, as Maine in early May didn’t lend itself to deep tans. “And you would be?”

Should she tell him her real name, first and last? This wouldn’t be more than a one-night thing. Probably wouldn’t even take that long. And he patronized her workplace. Her nametag at the coffeeshop identified her just as “Syd” so maybe she’d be better off being as vague as possible. She had no intention of tying herself up in more strings after she’d just gnawed through one raggedy knot.

Without answering his question, she reached out and clasped his palm.

Her body jerked at the current that arced between them. Damn. What the hell was that? She’d experienced intense connections with guys before, but nothing quite so feral and all-consuming. It had only been six days since Tate had left for his business trip to Atlanta, which meant it had only been seven since she’d had sex. And yes, seeing Tate and Jed getting friendly had given her an unintended jolt, but this was ridiculous. She was half tempted to climb on the hood and spread her legs.

“Sydney Langdon.” Her name tumbled out without regard to her earlier concerns. Then she fumbled around for something else to say. “Your accent. I’ve wondered where you’re from. You’re not from…around here,” she finally managed. God, he was still cradling her hand.

Yep, her panties were toast. If her nipples got any more erect, she’d be saluting her new friends.

“No. I’m from South Carolina originally. Found it didn’t suit my lifestyle, so I ventured north.” With his eyes on hers, he brushed his lips over the tips of her fingers. “Pity we haven’t exchanged names before now.”

“Yes, pity.” She forced out a breath. “So why haven’t we?”

“You’re always too busy serving and pouring. I didn’t want to intrude.” He gave her a slow grin that made her think he didn’t mind intruding at all. “You look like a Sydney. Actually, Luke, she reminds me of that girl from your show.”

Because he was now speaking to his companion, not her, Sydney took a moment to gather her composure. She was so going to do this. Them. She didn’t much care what society said was proper. Besides, no one would ever have to know.

For the next hour—or two, depending on how long she detained them—she’d get to scratch her itch with what she ventured were two really long poles.

She moistened her l

ips, preparing to speak. But Kellan’s pal took her turn.

“You mean Alias? Jennifer Garner? Oh yeah.” The blond man smiled, his lips stretching over straight white teeth that sparkled in the beam from her headlights. “I see what you mean. The dark hair, except this Sydney’s hair is shorter and straighter. The big brown eyes.” His gaze zoomed toward her breasts. “The gorgeous breasts.”

She didn’t reply, but not because she was offended. If she’d ever been less offended, she didn’t remember it. She’d already been checking them out, too, though the stormy night hardly helped her efforts. At least the rain seemed to be stopping.

“Hey, Luke, mind the manners. You don’t talk that way to a lady.”

“Oh, I think this one likes it.” Hot on the heels of Luke’s eyebrow wiggle, his mouth turned down in a surprisingly sour expression. “Besides, this was your idea.”

“This what? Asking some chick for a ride?” Her voice had finally returned, along with her spine. “Or playing two-on-one, Luke?”

“Lucas Phillips.” The man in question reached into her open window and took her other hand. His grip was different than Kellan’s. Less possessive maybe, but no less arousing.

Kellan’s hold on her hand intensified, as did the potency in his amber eyes. Even in the backwash from her headlights, they seemed to glow. They weren’t brown or hazel. Those shades were too bland to describe their molten color. “We definitely want a ride. But we also want to give you one. If you’re interested.”

Interested? Hmm, now that was a nice, tame way to put her desire to screw them both until she couldn’t stand up straight. Still, it didn’t pay to seem too eager. “How’d you boys end up walking this way anyway? It’s not exactly the spot for a nightly stroll.”

“Our car broke down.” Lucas motioned vaguely over his shoulder. “Over there. Engine overheated.”

“Don’t have Triple-A?”

“Nah.”

“What kind of car is it?”

“A Mercedes.”

Sydney cocked an eyebrow as Kellan released her and directed a murderous look at his companion. “Wow. Didn’t think those puppies broke down too often.”

“Bad luck.” Kellan smiled, flashing his teeth. “Until you came along, that is. So what do you say? Up for a ride?”

“Depends. Where you guys headed?”