lime green number with ornate gold rings. After changing in one of the stalls, she received a couple of wolf whistles on her return to the beach.
A surfer named Jazz tossed her a cool one from a boat-sized cooler as she chatted with regulars. Others dug a pit and before long, a warm fire glowed.
As waves reached their peak, so did the surfers’ rowdy banter. The urge to join the surfers topped her need to finish her beer. She turned to retrieve her board and stood nose-to-nose with Cindy.
She retreated a step and silently cursed.
“Joanne. Wow! Didn’t know you’d come home.” The DD cup former schoolmate smirked. “Guess there wasn’t much to do after losing your spot on the circuit.” She’d been one of the clique chicks hot after Ray. Thankfully, he never gave her a second look.
“Actually, I’m happy to be home.”
“So, I hear you’re playing lifeguard, again.” A hand on her hip emphasized her mocking tone.
“You know it’s amazing how some athletic people can’t swim a lick. So, how’s OBX’s number one volleyballer?” With your shredded knee?
“Coaching.”
“Ahh…a lot of people say they like coaching better than playing.” No athlete ever wanted to quit competing. Age and injuries were a competitor’s enemies.
“It’s fine.” Her lips pursed. “Hey, I saw Ray the other day having lunch with some blonde nurse at the hospital. Are you guys still friends?”
“Last he told me, he was doing twins.” Jo dipped her shades then winked. “You know Ray will never settle to one woman.” With a beer bottle salute, she moved into the crowd, and left Cindy slack-jawed.
Her heart rate slowed as she approached the water. She’d hated high school because of bitches like her. Jo’s best girlfriends were surfing competitors she met along the east coast.
Guess Bobby’s attempt to rile her up by mentioning the nurse was true. Crap. She had no one to blame but herself.
The surf beckoned. Nice three and four footers rolled in with minimal chop. She dumped the rest of her beer and grabbed her board. Before she reached the water, a surfboard minus rider bulleted into the air from the shallows. A headfirst wipeout.
She scanned for the surfer. Adrenaline pumped away any alcohol effects as Jo rushed into the water. Nearby surfers had a surfboard under the victim by the time she reached him. She held his neck stable as they brought him ashore. “Call nine-one-one!” She checked for a pulse. Weak and thready. No respiration. Carefully, she tilted his head back and started CPR.
A woman claiming to be a nurse forced her way through the crowd and started compressions while Jo did the breaths.
No one had ever died on Jo’s watch. When sirens pierced her concentration, she didn’t know how long she and the nurse had been doing CPR.
The EMTs chugged over the dunes carrying their gear, and relieved her. In a full sweat from exertion and terror, she welcomed them. After finding no pulse, they unzipped a portable defibrillator, and placed its pads on the young man’s bare chest. As current raced through his body his torso jerked.
Unable to tear her gaze from their efforts, she hugged herself in the chilling breeze. A warm sweatshirt covered her shoulders from behind. She bobbed and hands steadied her.
From his scent alone, she recognized Ray’s solid form. His hands skimmed about her bare waist, and she melted into his warm embrace. “I seem to be making a habit of needing your gear.”
“You don’t hear me complaining,” he whispered.
A second shock from the AED produced a pulse and the EMTs loaded him onto a backboard and transported him to the ambulance.
She released a weary sigh of relief and tucked her chin to her chest in a silent prayer.
Ray urged her away from the crowd. “Let’s get your stuff.”
She shrugged into the sleeves of his hoodie and fished her keys from her backpack.
He grabbed her board and walked her to the parking lot.
The EMTs loaded their patient while Ray’s lieutenant asked her a few questions for his report. The unit roared off, sirens blaring.
Jo shivered a new set of goose bumps as Ray headed her to the Bronco. “Do you think he’s going to make it?”
“The only reason he has a chance is because of you, Jo.”
The pride in his voice touched her. Tears gathered and she keyed the remote before tossing her gear inside. Once in control, she faced him. In the waning light, he seemed larger than life. A hero.
One of her teammates had coined a term for the total man: he-man-us. The Hemanus breed surpassed good looks, confidence, personality, and smarts. They were loyal and supportive. To the point they’d put their lives on the line for their family or friends. Ray was a total Hemanus.
“Thanks for having my back.” She hugged him.
His warmth satisfied a need deep in her bones. When his hands closed around her bringing her closer, his strong, steady heartbeat instilled peace and tranquility. He chased away her fear and doubt. She allowed herself the moment, imagining falling asleep nestled against his chest.
Reluctantly, she withdrew. “What are you doing working at this station?”
“On a swing shift. They were a man short.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder. His pale eyes held her captive.
“Lucky me.” Why couldn’t she tell him she loved him? How he made her feel. Like he had told her on the Fourth of July, right before she shredded him to bits for obeying her father’s wishes. Searching his face, she tried to determine if his feelings. “Haven’t heard from you since my breakfast apology.”
He cocked his head before breaking into a grin. “Still waiting for an invitation to surf with the former East Coast Surfing Champion.”
“I already said you never need an invitation to surf, or to come the house.”
“Figured you were job hunting and I’ve been picking up some side jobs. Gotta feeling Mom will be calling at any time wanting me to help move her back.” He let out a long exhale.
The calendar must be running on the short side of his mother’s current relationship. “Well, if you get some free time, today was my last day in the chair.”
“How’s the employment picture looking?”
“I’ve put in some applications.” Would he attempt to dissuade her from taking up her father’s grail?
The fire engine fired up and his crew starting climbing into their rig.
She crossed her arms to peel from the warm security of his hoodie. “Here.”
He gently stopped her. “I’ll get it later. Go home. A hot shower will do you good. A drink probably wouldn’t hurt either.”
“Firefighter’s orders?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced to the engine then lightly brushed his lips against hers.
His fingers caressed her nape. Lost in his kiss, she swayed.
“You okay, Jo?” He held her until she regained her balance.
“I am now.” She traced his jaw, wishing for more. Imagining how his hard body would take her higher than she’d ever been.
Later, at home after her shower, she lounged on the sofa nestled in his sweatshirt. Her cell went off.
“The surfer is showing improvement, according to the ambulance crew. Thought you might sleep better knowing,” Ray said.
She’d sleep even better with him next to her…after hours of sex. “Thanks for being there