Heat of the Storm (8 page)

She refused to give in to her stomach’s demands, though. The last thing she wanted to do was see Wil and Hol y, arms around each other, secret smiles, kisses…oh God, she didn’t even want to imagine them kissing.

Sighing, she opened the fridge again and peered inside for the third time, but like the two previous glimpses, it remained empty save for a carton of milk and a few condiments. She was just closing the fridge door when her hands started to tingle. Her temples ached, and a wave of dizziness sent her swaying toward one of the tal -backed oak chairs by the kitchen table. She sank down, breathing deeply, helpless to stop the vision from slamming into her.

A wet tongue flicking against her nipple, hands
sliding down to squeeze her buttocks.

His head was buried in her breasts. Licking,
kissing, biting, filling her with white-hot pleasure and
making her clit swell.

Deft fingers moving under her waistband, into her
panties, seeking her aching clit.

Pressure.

An explosion of bliss.

Mackenzie gasped, snapped back into the present, back to her big empty kitchen. Her brain hummed erratical y, like the engine of her old Chevy. Her fingertips tingled.

The dul ache in her head signaled that the vision was over, and for the first time in her life, she experienced disappointment at the notion. She didn’t want it to end. These erotic visions were far better than the grisly ones. And this one had been too good, the feel of Wil ’s mouth and tongue on her breasts, his fingers stroking her.

But what did it mean? She never had visions of the past, only the future, which meant that what she’d just seen, Wil ’s delicious exploration of her body, was actual y going to happen again. When? How? He’d brought a woman home with him, and Wil wasn’t the type to cheat. He was too honorable to fuck around with another woman when he was in town with someone else.

Yet Mackenzie had no doubt it would happen. The sights and sounds had been too vivid, the scent of cotton candy on his breath, the faint melody of the merry-go-round in the distance. Whatever she’d just seen would happen at the carnival. Tonight or tomorrow.

With a sigh, she stumbled to her feet and headed upstairs to get dressed. An hour later, she was back in her car, driving to town again. Cal her vain, but she hadn’t been able to resist dressing to the nines. In place of her usual ratty jeans and baggy sweaters, she’d worn a tight, long-sleeved shirt, the same shade of blue as her eyes and with a deep ‘V’ neckline that showed a generous amount of cleavage. Skintight jeans and knee-length black leather boots showcased her long legs, and she’d even dabbed on some red lip-gloss. Her long hair was loose, the way she knew Wil liked it, hanging down her back in shiny waves.

He’d probably know she’d dressed up for him, maybe even take it as a sign of seduction, but she didn’t care. This time she wasn’t going to be caught with unbrushed hair and old sweats while in the vicinity of beautiful little Hol y.

What she was trying to achieve with the get-up, she stil wasn’t sure. In fact, she should avoid the carnival altogether, making sure this latest vision didn’t come true.

Yet she couldn’t stay away.

He brought another woman home. You’re just
setting yourself up to be humiliated.

She shoved away the thought. Fine, so maybe he was seeing someone else. But she and Wil had
sex
last week. And they were stil best friends. Hol y or no Hol y, Mackenzie needed to fix things between her and Wil . She needed to look him in the eye and know that the sex hadn’t destroyed what they had.

And she needed to tel him about the vision, the one of his helicopter crashing. Maybe if he knew…maybe he wouldn’t take the assignment. He’d stay home, with her. He’d stay alive.

She sighed again, knowing the chances of Wil not going on the mission were slim. He was an enlisted officer. He couldn’t tel his commanding officer to screw off. And even if his superior gave him leave, she knew Wil would do the mission anyway. He loved being a SEAL, and he took his duties seriously.

Fifteen minutes later, she reached the heart of Hunter Ridge and easily found a parking spot in front of Paula’s general store. Most of the other residents lived in the quaint residential streets surrounding the town; Mac was one of the few who lived on the outskirts of town. She liked the distance, though, the privacy and peacefulness of her rambling farmhouse and rol ing acres of land. Her sister Alice had left Hunter Ridge when Mackenzie turned eighteen. Alice had always hated smal -town life, fleeing to San Diego the moment she didn’t need to be Mac’s legal guardian anymore. Mac didn’t blame her sister. Smal towns weren’t for everyone, and her sister’s move hadn’t hurt their relationship. They stil spoke often, and saw each other whenever they could.

And when they did, Alice always made sure to chastise Mackenzie for not dating Wil . Her sister was stil convinced—as she had been for fifteen years—

that the two of them belonged together.

Letting out a breath, Mac shut off the engine and got out of the car. Maybe Alice was right. Maybe she
should
be with Wil . But just as the thought floated in, a memory did too. Her last vision, the one that had final y scared Dan away.

She remembered the horror and pity on his face when he’d woken up to her sobbing and throwing up.

And what he’d said…

God, those words were imprinted in her brain, weighing on al the insecurities she’d felt her entire life.

I can’t be with a woman like you. You represent
death to me. I feel sick just looking at you.

She shoved the memory aside, but not fast enough.

Her throat grew tight, her stomach churning with bitterness.

She locked the car and tucked her keys into her purse, bleakly wondering if Dan was right. Did she represent death?

Hel , of course she did. Look what happened with Wil . She’d given in to her desire, spent a few incredible hours in bed with him, and presto! She had a vision of him dying.

“Wowsers, you look amazing!”

Mac glanced up to see Paula poke her head out of the general store. Swal owing down the pain sticking in her throat, she pasted on a smile. “Thanks, Paula.

Closing up soon?”

The other woman grinned. “Of course. I plan on dominating the shooting booth tonight.”

“Wel , good luck.”

“Thanks, hon. You real y look terrific.” Paula’s face darkened. “You’re not the only one, though. I just saw Wil and his new flame strol by, holding hands like a couple of randy teenagers.”

“I take it you heard about Hol y?”

Paula frowned. “They were at the diner earlier.

Everyone met her.”

“She seems like a nice girl,” Mac said noncommittal y. “Pretty too.”

“I guess,” Paula said in a grudging tone. “Not as pretty as you, though, not by a long shot.” She laughed. “Hol y and I aren’t in competition. Wil and I are just friends, remember?”

“I guess,” Paula said again. She paused. “He’s never brought a woman back here before.” A lump of sadness lodged in the back of her throat.

“No, he hasn’t.” Then she forced another smile. “I’m going to grab a bite. I’l see you later, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

With a wave, Mac crossed the street and headed toward the parking lot of the bowling al ey, where the carnival was in ful swing. The lot was the only place large enough to accommodate such a big event, and it seemed like everyone in town had decided to make an appearance. Bodies packed the spacious lot, wandering around the fairgrounds. Al the rides boasted long lines, and children streaked by her, holding enormous stuffed animals in their hands and shoving pink handfuls of cotton candy into their mouths. Everyone looked like they were having a great time, but Mac only felt tense as she threaded her way through the crowd.

Paula had said she’d seen Wil and Hol y head over here, but Mac wasn’t sure she was ready to face them again. It didn’t help that Hol y was so damn beautiful.

Why couldn’t Wil have hooked up with an ugly chick, someone who didn’t bring this funny twist of inferiority to Mac’s gut?

She inhaled the scent of fried food and sweet desserts, her gaze fixed on the Ferris wheel, a commanding shape that dominated the large parking lot. As she walked toward it, the mob parted slightly and her breath hitched when she caught sight of Wil standing near the iron gate circling the ride. He was alone.

Her pace quickened, along with her heartbeat. Wil turned his head at her approach as if he sensed her presence. His eyes smoldered as they rested on her outfit, the tight shirt, the sexy boots.

“Hey,” she said, reaching him.

“Hey,” he answered gruffly.

“Where’s Hol y?”

“Restroom, and then she was going to make a phone cal .” His gaze swept over her, causing tingles of heat to spread through her body. “You look…

incredible.”

“Thanks.” She awkwardly rested her palms on her sides then glanced up at the lights twinkling on the Ferris wheel. “Have you gone up yet?”

“No.” A hint of a smile. “Want to take a ride?” Her heart did a little flip. “Hol y won’t mind?” He smiled wryly. “She’s not the jealous type.”

“Oh. Okay then.”

They moved toward the line, but didn’t have to wait more than a few moments before the passengers from the last ride were let off. Neither of them spoke as they walked up to the gate. Wil watched her slide into the car, and then sank down next to her, his long legs looking awkward in the smal space. The attendant lowered the bar and then the car soared up a few feet, pausing in mid air as the next passengers were let on.

Mac didn’t look at Wil , her gaze sweeping around the carnival grounds and empty Main Street instead.

They rose higher, and now she could see the entire town, charming houses, tidy lawns, and in the distance the rol ing acres of land and dusty two-lane highway that Wil drove on each time he came back here from San Diego. His visits had been the highlight of recent years. She always felt better when Wil was around.

Pain pierced her heart. Oh God, how would she survive if he died?

“What are you thinking about?” he asked softly.

She final y turned and met his eyes, gorgeous dark eyes that could always see through her. “You. Me.” She changed the subject. “So, are you serious about Hol y?”

Something indecipherable flickered on his face. “I could be,” he said with a shrug. “But it’s too soon to tel . It’s only been a week, after al .” She swal owed. “You met her the day after you left here.”

He shifted his attention to the crowd below. “Yes.”

“Does this mean you’re—” she searched for the right word, “—
over
what happened between us?”

“Are you?”

“Yes,” she lied.

His jaw tensed. “Aren’t you tired of lying to yourself?”

“And what am I lying about?”

“The way you feel about me.”

She released a tired breath. “What does it matter now? You’re dating someone else.”

A glimmer of triumph. “And that bothers you.”

“No,” she lied again.

Wil shook his head in frustration. “I can’t do this anymore, Mac.”

anymore, Mac.”

Panic tugged on her gut. “Do what?”

“Keep coming back here, acting like we’re best friends.”

“We are best friends.”

“We should be more,” he burst out, anger staining his voice. “And if you can’t give it to me, that
more
, then maybe it’s time I moved on with my life.” She chewed on the inside of her lip. “With Hol y?”

“Maybe.” He made an annoyed sound. “And maybe not. Either way, I’m not putting myself through this shit anymore.”

Her panic intensified, snaking through her intestines and squeezing hard. “I knew this would happen if we slept together,” she whispered. “I knew you’d leave.”

“It would’ve happened regardless.” Pain creased his handsome features. “I’m not leaving because we had sex, and it’s not because I’m bitter that we won’t do it again. It’s just too hard, Mackenzie, wanting you this badly, knowing you want me too, and having to fight you every step of the way.”

The car started its descent, and anxiety rol ed through her. Soon the ride would end, they’d get off, he’d find Hol y, and then he’d walk out of her life. And his helicopter would crash in the jungle, and she’d lose him for good. Forever.

Unless she stopped him.

“Wil ,” she began hoarsely.

He raked both hands through his dark hair, eyeing her grimly. “Yeah?”

“I…”

I love you.

“I don’t want you to go.”

His mouth tightened. “Then give me a reason to stay.”

Desperation rippled up her spine. She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. But no words came out. She couldn’t find her voice, couldn’t find the courage to tel him how she felt.

Her silence dragged on far too long. Each second ticked by painstakingly slow, and Wil ’s expression went from impatient to irritated to resigned.

The ride came to its conclusion, and a lanky teenager stepped to the platform and lifted up the bar.

Without a word, Wil slid out of the car. Mac trailed after him, struggling to meet his powerful strides.

“Wait,” she said in frustration, latching onto his muscular arm. “I need to tel you something. Please, Wil , wait.”

Her peripheral vision caught a flash of red, and she turned to see Hol y standing by the exit gate, clad in a filmy red dress that swirled around her thighs.