Free Take Me All the Way by Toni Blake Page B

Afghanistan—but it was nice not to need it for a change. Although he’d only worked a partial week so far, today he’d gotten his first paycheck signed by Jack DuVall, proprietor of the Coral Cove Mini-Golf Paradise.
    After cashing it, he’d promptly headed to the motel’s office and paid Riley for at least a little of his bill—it had felt good to start chipping away at that. Then he’d bought a couple slices of pepperoni pizza and a large soda, bringing it back here to the peace and quiet he found peering out over the masts and sails of the boats lining the dock area and the bay beyond.
    He’d spent these last days erecting the small building Tamra had put him in charge of. He’d forgotten how much he enjoyed working with his hands. Or . . . maybe he hadn’t ever really liked it as much as he suddenly did now. Seeing something begin to grow that hadn’t been there before made him feel worthwhile. Even if it was only a mini-golf course. He supposed it just felt good to be doing something right for a change.
    He hadn’t seen much of Tamra—she’d informed him she’d be working on other things. And he was pretty sure he’d just scared her off that first morning. But still she stayed on his mind. Maybe he’d liked the idea of having company as he worked. A surprising thought for a man who’d chosen to isolate himself for so long. Or maybe he’d just expected company—normally you get a job, you deal with people on that job.
    Once upon a time, he’d been smooth with women, good with girls. What had happened with her that first morning on the job didn’t make him feel smooth, but flirting had come shockingly easy—even if it might not have been appropriate.
    These days he didn’t examine stuff like that. Unlike the Jeremy Sheridan of old, he didn’t have much of a filter these days, and he kind of liked it that way. It made life a little more interesting anyway.
    And maybe he’d liked pushing her buttons. He wasn’t sure why—except maybe because they were just so easy to push.
    Oh well, probably didn’t matter much if she was going to keep her distance. He supposed that was a hint and that he should probably take it.
    Even if there was something about her . . . under the surface. Something he could sense more than see. She was so prickly on the outside—yet he suspected there was something softer, gentler, underneath. It made him want to uncover it . . .
    But take the hint, like you just told yourself.
    Even if she’s the first woman to spark any interest in you, of any kind, for a very long time.
    Just then a certain gray tomcat came trotting up the dock, almost blending into the weathered wood. Camouflage, Jeremy thought. Looked like the cat had recovered from what had happened the last time they’d crossed paths.
    The big, lean cat paused at the end of a ramp that led to—oh hell—the same boat the frat boys had occupied that fateful night. Jeremy hadn’t seen any movement on the boat—tonight or since he’d been arrested—but still he silently willed the cat: Don’t go there, bud. I can’t save you this time.
    His throat seized slightly then, and his chest tightened, realizing the words that had just passed through his brain.
    You can’t save anyone. Not even a damn cat.
    When the cat finally moved on, Jeremy whispered, “Good.”
    And the small sound made the cat look over at him with his remaining eye.
    And he realized that this time he could give the cat something to eat.
    Pinching a bit of thick pizza crust off in his fingertips, he held it down where he hoped the cat would see it. It was dark out, but the area was lit.
    The cat didn’t hesitate—he walked right up to Jeremy and took the offered bite of food, and then another, gobbling them down.
    â€œThere you go, buddy,” he whispered. “Eat up.” He found himself scratching the