Jackrabbit Junction Jitters by Ann Charles Read Free Book Online Page B

always.” Kate might be cute, but Claire burrowed into a
guy’s head and drove him nuts with hunger for more of her. He tipped her chin
up. “Some of us can’t get past you.”
    Claire’s gaze met his, her eyes lighting up with wicked
promises. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her soft curves
against his length, making everything south of his neck rigid.
    “You haven’t kissed me ‘hello’ yet,” she said, licking her
lips.
    “Claire,” he said leaning down.
    “Yeah?” She rose up onto her toes, closing the gap.
    He cupped her head, his fingers entwined in her silky-smooth
hair. He ran his tongue along her lower lip, teasing her mouth open, then
increased the pressure, exploring deeper. She tasted like cinnamon and beer and
all things Claire, and he ached to bury himself deep inside her.
    They’d danced long enough. He pulled away. “Let’s get out of
here.”
    Her heavy breathing matched his. “You read my mind.”
    She led the way back to the table where Kate and the cowboy
were trading flirting glances.
    “It’s time to leave, Kate,” Claire said.
    Kate waved her off. “You guys go ahead. I’ll follow later in
Mabel.”
    “No way,” Claire said. “You know you’re not allowed to drive
Mabel after the last incident.”
    Kate rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll drive Mac’s truck back.”
    “Mac likes his pickup the way it is—dent-free. Why don’t you
just ride home with me and drive your own car back?”
    “Good idea.” Kate stood, touching the cowboy’s shoulder. “You’ll
still be here when I get back, right?”
    Not interested in hanging around to hear the guy’s answer,
Mac towed Claire toward the door. It opened from the outside as he reached for
it.
    Butch, The Shaft’s owner, stepped aside to let them pass. “Howdy,
Mac. Claire.” His smile faltered when his gaze landed on Kate.
    “Butch.” Mac nodded his hello. “This is Kate Morgan, Claire’s
sister.”
    Kate wore a deer-in-the-headlights expression.
    “Nice to meet you, Kate.” Butch offered his hand.
    After a moment, Kate finally shook his hand. She cleared her
throat. “You, too.”
    “See ya, Butch.” Claire patted the bar owner on the arm on
her way out the door. She grabbed Mac by the shirt as she passed and dragged
him with her.
    Glancing back, he saw Kate stumble after them, looking like
her shoes were tied together.
    Maybe Kate driving back to The Shaft wasn’t such a great
idea. “Claire,” Mac started.
    “No talking.” She hit the remote and Mabel’s doors popped
open. “No thinking either. Just you and me, naked and sweaty.”
    His body throbbed in agreement.
    “I didn’t need to hear that.” Kate said, rounding Mabel’s
grill.
    “Get inside.” Claire ordered. She fired up Mabel.
    Chuckling, Mac climbed into his pickup and shadowed Mabel’s
taillights to the R.V. park. Claire was opening the camper door when he cut the
engine and climbed out.
    Behind the R.V., Sonoran Desert toads trilled their mating
calls from the weeds that banked Jackrabbit Creek. He smirked in their
direction, appreciating the irony.
    A breeze with a trace of coolness ruffled his hair. As usual
during monsoon season, the storm had sapped the earth of some of its heat. The
sun would dish it back out tomorrow.
    He glanced at the darkened windows in Chester and Manny’s
rigs, crossing his fingers they were up to their elbows in beer, cigars, and
cards at Ruby’s place. He didn’t want any interruptions tonight.
    Stepping inside the Winnebago, Mac blinked in the light. The
place smelled just as he remembered, like stale cigar smoke with an inkling of
dog. The only difference was the hint of something flowery on top of it all.
    “I need to use the bathroom quick.” Kate grabbed her keys
from the counter. “Then I’ll leave you guys alone for an hour.”
    Wagging his tail in greeting, Henry looked up from where he lay
sprawled on his side on the couch. Mac patted him on the head on his way to
Claire, who