A Perfect Storm
Page 87

“No. No, it’s…” Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, and she groaned harshly. “Don’t you dare stop.”
“I won’t.” He pulled back, then hammered in again and again.
He watched the bounce of her lush br**sts, the hollowing of her flat belly as she tightened her muscles, the way her face drew taut in harsh pleasure.
She grabbed fistfuls of the sheet to anchor herself and shouted, her back bowing as she already came again.
That was enough for Spencer. Hell, it was almost too much. He joined her with a guttural groan, and it was so mind-numbing, he barely had enough wits left to sprawl beside her, instead of over her.
But that was too much space between them, so he rid himself of the condom and pulled her over to his chest.
His whole body still buzzed, his brain at rest, when Arizona muttered, “I have to tell you, Spencer, that was way better than cake.”
* * *
MARLA PACED THE YARD, wondering if Arizona had spoken code with her “cake and coffee” nonsense. Were they having sex right now, while she waited on them?
Was Spencer, even at this moment, doing all those awesomely wonderful, carnal things to Arizona that he once did with her?
She hated herself for being so jealous.
Arizona, damn her, had surprised her with her willingness to help with the fallen tree. Who did that? What woman willingly put her man in contact with another woman who openly lusted for him?
But of course she knew: a confident woman.
A woman with no fear of losing the man.
Damn them both.
Things had been going along so nicely before Arizona had shown up. Okay, so Spencer had been clear that he didn’t want involvement.
He looked plenty involved with the little half-breed.
Marla bit her lip, guilty over the unkind thought. But how could she compete with Arizona’s exotic looks? The younger woman had that smooth as coffee with cream skin, silky dark hair, and sharply contrasting pale blue eyes.
And her body? God, she detested comparisons. She wasn’t a troll, and she knew it. She had generous curves that men enjoyed, she had no doubts about that.
But Arizona was sleek and strong and still very shapely as only the young could be. Not that Marla considered herself old at thirty. But standing next to Arizona aged her dramatically.
Why didn’t the little twit just go away? Spencer would come back to her then, she was sure of it.
And if he did…then what? She just didn’t know. But she disliked having her ego trampled, and that’s how she felt—trampled into the ground.
Wondering what took them so long, Marla walked across the yard—and the driver of a passing car, forced to slow around the debris, whistled at her with bold admiration.
Well. Very nice. That little tease went a long way toward soothing her self-esteem.
So she still had it? Of course she did.
She didn’t acknowledge the admirer, but she added a little swing to her step as she went to investigate the tree limb.
Then Spencer’s front door opened, and Arizona strolled out and the stupid driver almost hit a tree.
Furious, Marla heard the squealing breaks and glanced up long enough to witness the driver’s admiration. Arizona showed no interest. Spencer came out right behind her.
They were both smiling.
The car sat there a moment longer, the driver no doubt staring at Arizona, and then finally drove away. Face tight, eyes burning with animosity, Marla considered what to do.
Arizona approached. “I’m going to cut off the smaller branches. We’ll let Spencer do the heavy work. Sound like a plan?”
Knowing she couldn’t keep giving her the cold shoulder, Marla shook her head. “This was a bad idea. I’ve rethought it. Maybe I can hire someone—”
Arizona laughed.
Spencer said nothing. He just walked past them to his garage while pulling on thick gloves.
For only a brief moment the sun came out, sending a blinding reflection off every wet surface. Steam rose around them.
Marla lifted a hand to shield her eyes. With Spencer otherwise occupied, she shored up her courage and said to Arizona, “When are you leaving?”
As if the question didn’t throw her at all, Arizona said, “Not sure yet. Guess it depends on Spencer, you know?”
Such honesty floored Marla. She licked her lips. “So, when he asks you to go, you will?”
“He won’t have to ask,” Arizona assured her. “I don’t hang around where I’m not welcome.” Curious, she met Marla’s gaze. “My visit bothers you?”
Considering what Arizona said, Marla shook her head.
A visit.
Not a permanent, move-in situation.
Hmm. Since Arizona sounded sincere, Marla thought she just might be able to advise her, to perhaps hurry her along on her way. She ventured forth carefully. “Spencer doesn’t want to settle down, you know.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” Laughing, Arizona took a cloth-covered rubber band off her wrist and used it to tie back her hair. “He’s been as up front with me as he was with you.”
That left Marla floundering.
“You realize that he’s still in love with his deceased wife, right?” With her hair contained, Arizona put her hands on her hips. “He’s got some real issues with that. Even if I split, I’m not sure it’ll matter for you.”
Good God, did Arizona feel…sorry for her? Was she trying to prepare her for disappointment?
How dare she?
“I can help him get over the loss!”