Strike (Gentry Generations #1) Read online

  Is here!

  “Hi!” I said, immediately rushing around the desk as soon as I saw him come through the door.

  He smiled the same smile that had a habit of melting me inside and out and opened his arms. “Hey, beautiful. I realized I won’t be able to get a clear thought going until I have a good morning kiss.”

  “Good morning,” I said, slipping my arms around his shoulders and standing on tiptoe.

  A jolt of exhilaration coursed through me the second our lips met. I was trying to make it a quick greeting since Eleanor was apt to come out any moment but Dalton wouldn’t tolerate quick greetings. When I tried to break the kiss he held me tighter and kissed me harder. I gave in and pressed close, feeling him grow hard and I got immediately so hot and bothered I was afraid I’d start moaning out loud in the Blue Rain lobby.

  “Can you take a break?” he asked when we came up for air. He spread his hands over my ass and rocked his hips against mine so I wouldn’t have any doubts over what he had in mind.

  “I just got here,” I said, breathing hard, my nipples tingling, realizing that any one of a number of people could walk in right now and wonder what kind of a spa this really was.

  Dalton didn’t let me go. I could feel his heart pounding through his shirt. I was sure mine was pounding harder. He tipped his forehead into mine. “I didn’t like waking up without you this morning.”

  I closed my eyes. “Me either.”

  Last night it had been even harder to leave him than the night before. We spent the day together as planned. He’d come to my house to pick me up again, like he had on Saturday. I was perfectly willing to meet him somewhere but he was stubborn and strangely old fashioned about arriving on my doorstep. Luckily my folks had a little mercy and opted not to stick him in The Hot Seat again. We went out for ice cream, we saw a movie about international spies, we browsed a few street art exhibits in downtown Tempe. Dalton took me to an Italian restaurant and then laughed at me when I couldn’t eat my meal because I had filled up on bread and olive oil. Afterwards we took a walk around Tempe Town Lake and while we were standing by the railing and watching a passing rowboat, Dalton wrapped a hand around my waist and asked me what I wanted to do next.

  “You,” I said automatically.

  He laughed out loud, pulled me close and whispered, “Then let’s go, college girl.”

  We broke a few traffic rules getting back to his place at Wild Spring and the first time was wild. Clothes torn off, furniture abused, a shower nozzle defiled.

  I never knew how dirty I could get until now.

  Now I knew. And I liked it a lot.

  Later, as the dusk settled, Dalton lazily stroked my hair while we lay in bed and watched the shadows deepen. Once again he asked me to stay the night. Once again I told him I couldn’t. It seemed disrespectful to stay out all night when I was living at my parents’ house this summer. They’d worry even if I told them not to. I was afraid that refusing might make me seem immature to a man like Dalton but he respected my wishes even if he grumbled about it good-naturedly.

  When Dalton dropped me off we kissed in front of my house for a long time and it kind of made me feel like I was in high school again. But no high school boy, or college boy for that matter, had ever made me feel like this.

  I must have lost my mind a little bit because I forgot about the fact that we were making out like two horny kids in the lobby of Blue Rain Day Spa. Reality came crashing through at the sound of some loud throat clearing.

  “Hey, Eleanor,” Dalton said casually.

  My boss folded her arms over the clipboard she was carrying. Her nose twitched and I was unsure if she was furious or trying not to laugh. “Can I help you with something, Mr. Tremaine?”

  “Nope.” He ran a hand through his hair and flashed a very dashing grin that was probably used to solving all kinds of problems. “I was just passing by and stopped in here for a minute to ask a question.”

  “And did you find the answer in Cami’s tonsils?” Eleanor popped an eyebrow in my direction while I tried to surreptitiously fix my shirt. I was sure it had been neatly tucked in before Dalton showed up but now it was a mess.

  Dalton was unfazed. “I did, thank you.” He checked his watch. “My apologies but I’ve got to run or I’ll be late for my meeting.”

  “Then you should run,” Eleanor said and even though she was smiling there was an undercurrent to her tone.

  “Right. Again, sorry about the intrusion.” Dalton sounded contrite but he winked at me on the way out.

  Eleanor was watching me and I tried to wipe away the silly grin on my face that somehow wouldn’t die.

  She sighed. “Let’s take another look at that online appointment booking feature.”

  “Of course.” I returned to my desk with Eleanor right behind me. All of a sudden I wasn’t proud of my behavior. “Eleanor I’m really sorry about what just happened. I know better than that.”

  “So does he,” she said a little sharply, “or at least he should.”

  Eleanor set her clipboard down and fingered the layers of beaded jewelry adorning her neckline. She looked thoughtful and I braced myself for a deserved scolding but then she turned a warm smile on me.

  “Cami, you seem like a very sensible, motivated young woman. And since you’re one of my employees I feel a little protective of you, whether I have a right to or not.” She tapped her fingernails against the beads thoughtfully. “I just hope you’ll be smart when it comes to getting involved with a man like Dalton.”

  My back stiffened and I hid my irritation by peering at the computer screen. “Thank you for your concern, Eleanor, and again I apologize for my behavior a few minutes ago. But you can rest assured that I know what I’m doing.”

  A gentle hand landed on my arm and I looked up. There was kindness in Eleanor’s face but something else too. Pity, maybe. Perhaps she thought I was some helpless young waif who had to be saved from my own mistakes. Or maybe, more disturbingly, she was aware of things I didn’t know about Dalton.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “You didn’t.” I twisted my ring in thought. “But is there something in particular you’re trying to tell me about Dalton?”

  Eleanor took her hand away from my arm and sighed again. “No. I don’t know him very well. But I admit when he joined the staff last year his close friendship with Griffin Sullivan gave me a moment of pause.” She stared thoughtfully at the water cascading through the rock fountain on the back wall of the lobby. “They do seem cut from the same cloth. They carry around that air of entitlement. To my knowledge they aren’t bad men but one gets the sense they feel as if they can get away with anything.”

  Eleanor stopped staring into the fountain and turned the conversation back to work related matters but I wondered what she was talking about. Chances were she was just making assumptions. After all, I’d had certain assumptions about Dalton when we met, even brashly accused him of being arrogant. I was wrong. Dalton was sensitive and he was generous. I can’t even guess how many people would pull out their own fingernails for a chance to make a living rubbing elbows with celebrities and partying every night at a trendy club. But Dalton had other plans. He spent all his free time and resources on doing some good for kids like Thomas. He had a kind heart and even though our time together had been short I was always happy when I was with him.

  I’m starting to sound like one of my mother’s gushing romantic heroines.

  And yet that was just fine with me.

  My phone buzzed midmorning and it was Dalton saying he was roped into having lunch with Griffin but wanted to know if I’d think about hanging around at the training center after work while he wrapped things up. Then we could go to dinner and maybe take a drive since the club wasn’t open on Mondays.

  I hesitated before responding, trying not to seem too eager, like I might have other things going on in my life but who was I kidding? Any other options would be distant second to the
chance to spend time with Dalton. I texted back that I’d meet him at the training center when I was done with work.

  Appointments had been light this morning and the phone wasn’t ringing so there wasn’t much for me to do. I checked all the rooms, collected used towels and put them in a basket to be laundered before returning to my desk. Once I’d received some job advice that even if you had no tasks to keep you busy it was always wise to try and look occupied anyway. Keeping this in mind I started absently doodling on a stack of pink post-it notes but X-rated Dalton thoughts kept surfacing.

  I was in the middle of reliving the sensual way he’d undressed me on Saturday as I stood in front of the glass patio door and gazed out at the desert. Nothing had ever been more erotic than the way Dalton eased my bra off and then slid his hands around to my breasts and then…

  “Excuse me,” demanded a haughty voice and a manicured hand thumped on the counter for emphasis. Debra Martinez was standing there looking like a pissed off Beverly Hills housewife. “How did you not even notice me standing here?”

  I looked down and saw penises.

  Debra’s entrance had gone unnoticed because I’d been drawing penises. Lots of them. I crumpled the paper.

  “I’m sorry, I was busy. Can I get you some bottled water?”

  She regarded me coldly. “No. You can get me to a room so I can have my facial.”

  I stood up. “Naturally. This way, please.” I led Debra to her room. She tossed her handbag and pool wrap at me, assuming I’d hang them up. I did. But a thank you would have been nice.

  When Debra stalked out an hour later she didn’t even look in my direction. I was getting used to it.

  By lunch time I was hungry and decided to just go grab something at the café. It wasn’t my intention to confront Debra when I saw her sitting alone and picking at a wedge salad but by the time I paid for a ham sandwich at the takeout register I was irritated.

  Debra flinched when I noisily plopped myself down at her table.

  “I hate to eat alone,” I said, merrily unwrapping my food and sticking a straw into my lemonade cup.

  “What are you doing?” Debra sputtered. She had a piece of lettuce on her lip.

  “Having lunch,” I said with my mouth full of ham and bread.

  Debra watched me incredulously while I chewed and swallowed.

  “I was also wondering what the hell your problem is,” I said bluntly. “I know we haven’t seen each other since high school but I’m pretty sure you’re not suffering from amnesia.”

  I thought she’d just get up and walk away or perhaps toss the remains of her lettuce wedge in my lap but she exhaled and lowered her head.

  “I’m sorry, Cami. I didn’t mean to be a bitch. I was surprised to see you here that’s all.”

  “No worries.” I took a sip of lemonade and tried to sort out what I wanted to say next. “Do you live here?” I asked carefully. “At the resort I mean?”

  Her expression grew wary. “You could say that.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugged. “My boyfriend spends a lot of time here.”

  “Oh, how nice. What’s his name?”

  Her eyes shifted. “His name is Jeff.”

  Jeff? As in Jeff Anders?

  “And how long have you and Jeff been together?”

  With the speed of a door slamming shut, Debra’s face became blank. “Look it’s been nice to see you again but I’m afraid I have to go.” She stood up, collected her wedge salad remains and her designer handbag.

  “Maybe we can have lunch sometime,” I suggested. “I can invite Cassie. I bet she’d love to catch up with you. I mean you guys used to be friends, right?”

  Debra froze. For a second it looked like she was blinking back tears but then she shoved a pair of dark sunglasses on her face, the lenses so large she resembled an insect.

  “We were friends,” she said evasively and then walked away from the table without so much as a friendly second glance.

  “Well, all righty then,” I muttered and finished my ham sandwich. It was a little dry.

  After work I drove straight to the baseball field. Before I got out of the car I felt a little thrill of excitement over the prospect of seeing Dalton in the next few minutes. I took a moment to look critically in the rearview mirror and apply some lip gloss.

  “BAAAAAAHHH!” roared a set of deep voices and I shrieked, dropping my lip gloss on the floor mat.

  Two goofy, contorted faces were pressed against the driver’s side window.

  “You guys suck,” I complained, hitting the button to lower the window.

  Uncle Chase and Thomas were on the other side, grinning.

  “Hey there, Cami,” said Uncle Chase, leaning into my car and peering around nosily. Once I heard Aunt Stephanie joke to my mother that Gentry boys never ever grew up at heart no matter how many years they had been men. The two of them had a good long laugh over that.

  “You were smiling at yourself in the mirror,” observed Thomas as he stood beside his father. His clothes were dusty and he removed his baseball cap, running a hand through his sweaty blond hair. Suddenly he frowned. “What are you doing here anyway? Did my mom ask you to pick me up?”

  “Uh, no,” I stammered, really not caring to explain to my thirteen year old cousin that I was doing nasty things with his baseball coach.

  Uncle Chase caught on. “I think Cousin Cami just stopped here to use the bathroom,” he said.

  Thomas was doubtful. “The bathroom? Aren’t there better places to stop and use the bathroom?”

  “Don’t question a woman’s choices,” his father warned.

  “You could have stopped at a mall. Or a fast food place,” Thomas suggested.

  “Son.” Chase clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go order everything on the menu at Burger King and get home before your savage brothers resort to eating the cat.” My uncle waved to me. “You have a good night, Cami.”

  “Bye, Uncle Chase. Bye, Thomas.”

  “Bye,” said Thomas. As his father led him away he protested. “But Dad, we don’t have a cat.”

  After Chase and Thomas drove off I hopped out of the car to go find Dalton. I didn’t have to look very far. He was watching me already, leaning casually against a nearby wall with a backwards baseball cap on his head and a roguish smile on his lips. I could be mistaken but I thought he got better looking every time I saw him.

  Dalton held his arms out and I leapt into them. We kissed passionately and then he backed up a step and regarded me thoughtfully.

  “How do you do that?” he asked. “How the hell do you get more goddamn beautiful every time I see you?”

  I always thought men who said things like this out loud were pure fiction, characters in my mother’s romance novels. I had a quintessential alpha male hero on my hands here and I was speechless.

  Dalton was waiting for me to say something so I found my tongue and uttered words worthy of any romantic story. “Just kiss me again.”

  We played it simple for dinner, tacos at a place right down the road. Then Dalton told me he had something he wanted to show me. When we got in his truck I assumed we were going to drive back to Wild Spring and I wouldn’t have minded, but he headed east on the freeway, toward the towering Superstition Mountains that looked a little spooky in the fading summer sun.

  “Are we going hiking?” I asked.

  He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “Nope.”

  We got off at the exit for Lost Dutchman State Park but then kept going. Dalton passed the old gold mining ghost town that was available for tours and began navigating a stomach-churning winding mountain road that I remembered from childhood.

  “Hope you don’t get carsick easy,” Dalton said.

  I wished the old truck had an Oh Shit handle. “No, but this is testing my limits.”

  He laughed.

  After driving miles of twisting road we emerged from the torturous route to find the setting sun’s serene reflection on an impressive lake.


  “Canyon Lake,” I said, feeling a little awed and overcome with distant family memories of venturing out here as a child with my parents and sisters.

  The small marina that rented boats was closed but that didn’t seem to be Dalton’s plan anyway. He parked in a small, nearly deserted lot and retrieved a thick wool blanket from the back of the truck. He set it down on a smooth area with minimal rocks at the water’s edge. A few boats were still cruising the lake and every now and then we could hear laughter from across the lake at one of the campsites.

  Dalton pulled me into his lap and we watched the sky transition from dusk to pure darkness. After an hour we were the only ones left beside this stretch of lakefront and overhead a glittering array of celestial bodies winked in greeting.

  “I have known the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night,” Dalton whispered in my ear and a shiver overcame me. It wasn’t from cold. It was something else, a deep and profound emotion that didn’t have a name.

  Dalton laid me down and undressed me slowly, his strong fingers lingering on my breasts, separating my thighs, while I watched the heavens move. When I felt his tongue between my legs I arched my back and let his mouth consume me, never taking my eyes off the stars, not even when I came. Then he entered me swiftly, wordlessly. We moved together, fast and desperate, in a primal dance as old as time.

  As we breathed hard in the aftermath of bliss he carefully curled his arms around me as if I was the most precious of treasures and I dozed off for a little while listening to the sound of his heartbeat. I awoke to the feel of his fingertips gently stroking my back. I might not have ever left if he hadn’t stood and pulled me to my feet.

  Back in civilization, Dalton dropped me off beside my car at the baseball field. He wanted me to come home with him but it was after eleven and I needed to get to bed otherwise I’d never be able to rise in time for work in the morning. Cassie had texted to check in and make sure I was okay. I told her I was perfect and didn’t add any details because I figured she might be getting tired of listening to me carry on about Dalton.