Luke (Armed and Dangerous Book 2) by Cheyenne McCray

jerked herself away from the photographs, skirted the Christmas tree, and started down the hall. Why the hell did that cowboy keep popping into her mind? Maybe what she needed was a nice, long, relaxing bath.
    Better yet, an evening dip in the hot tub would be perfect. They’d always kept it heated and used it year-round. Knowing Skylar, it still would be ready for use.
    In her bedroom, Trinity kicked off her Nikes and yanked off her socks, then ditched her jeans and T-shirt. After she’d donned a short terry robe over her bra and underwear, she grabbed a thick towel and headed out to the hot tub in the enclosed backyard.
    The French doors squeaked as she opened them, and then again as she closed the doors behind her. There was a coolness to the air, and the steam rising off the top of the water in the sunken tub was a welcome sign. Thank goodness Skylar had the outdoor heaters set up close to the hot tub to take the chill out of the air. The pole heaters were easily six feet tall with tops that looked like woks turned upside down.
    Trinity tossed her towel onto a deck chair and flipped on the heaters. In moments their elements began to glow rich orange-red, the same color as the sun sinking in the west. After she turned on the whirlpool jets, Trinity dropped her robe onto a lounge chair. For a moment she stood on the redwood decking in only her royal- blue satin bra and panties. With one little adjustment of her hair clip, she piled her hair up on top of her head so that it would stay out of the water.
    The whirlpool bubbled and frothed like a witch’s cauldron— even the lights beneath the surface appeared green and eerie, as though it truly was a magical potion. She started forward then hesitated.
    What the hell? She was alone—the backyard was completely enclosed. It was secluded and hidden from view by countless trees and bushes, so no one could see her. And Skylar and Zack would be gone till tomorrow.
    Trinity stripped out of her bra and bikini underwear, her nipples growing painfully hard in the cool air. When she walked in front of one heater, its warmth radiated along one side, the chilly air brushing her other side.
    She stepped down into the hot tub and sighed in complete bliss as she sank into the warmth and settled onto the underwater bench. Jets of water pulsated along her skin while she breathed deep of the clear and clean country evening air. She’d forgotten how dry the Arizona desert was—it felt somehow lighter here than in England.
    While she relaxed, for the millionth time her thoughts returned to the other night.
    To Luke Rider.
    Everything about the man screamed sex. Rough, wild, and hard... all that Race couldn’t begin to give her.
    No, Race couldn’t be considered wild about anything. Anything other than Wildgames, that is. He was a shrewd businessman, but he’d been calm and refined as a boyfriend and as a lover. There’d never been any fireworks with him, but it had always been comfortable and enjoyable.
    All the guys she’d dated—pretty much the same story.
    I’ve never known it wild.
    Is that what I want?
    Trinity rolled her gaze heavenward and stared into the darkening sky and sighed.
    When she thought of that cowboy there was nothing remotely calm or unemotional about how he’d made her feel. In just that short time she’d been with him, he’d made her feel sexy and alive.
    Infatuation, Trinity, that’s all it is. Not that you’ll ever see him again, anyway.
    She closed her eyes and focused on the feel of the heaters warming the back of her head, the water bubbling at her nipples and jets pulsating along her legs. Spreading her thighs, she adjusted her hips so that one of the jets aimed right where it mattered. Mmmm, yeah. That felt so good. She could almost imagine Luke licking her right where the water pulsed. Maybe he’d bite her there. Not too hard, but enough that it would drive her even crazier for want and need of him.
    Trinity slipped the fingers of one hand between