Page 15 of Javier

Hampered by bodies, Memphis checked the neckline of her boho gypsy top and the hem of her white shorts. Earlier, she debated wearing yellow-gold studs and twisting her hair into a messy updo. Her choices seemed like the right ones based on the previous night, but the curious stares, cocked heads, and fleeting inspections indicated otherwise. She seemed to be overdressed.

Wearing sandals, she was mindful not to get stepped on. Most of the crowd had on boots or platforms. She was bumped a few times as she made her way through to the wide-open bifold doors.

A hand closed over her elbow, stopping her. “Hi, pretty lady. You can’t possibly be by yourself. Why?—”

“She’s with me, Flag.” An arm came around her side, its hand sliding into the back pocket of her shorts and pulling her into hard-packed muscle. She was about to whip around and give whoever a tongue lashing when his breath brushed over her ear. “You’re safe, Memphis. Play along. Flag can be a dangerous sonovabitch.”

She relaxed, noting that Javier hadn’t done anything inappropriate with his hand, like pinch or massage, even though he cupped her cheek in her pocket. It felt … nice. She beamed a smile up at him and watched how desire filled his expression.Whoa.

“Sorry, man. Whoever would have dreamed that the great Cabrera had a woman. You’ve never been one to lay a claim. She’s dressed like one of those bunnies that come over from the rich side of town for a decent fuck.”

“I assure you that she isn’t a Cliff Bunny. My woman can dress however she wants. Apologize. Your eyes need to wander somewhere else tonight, Flag. Otherwise, I’ll consider you a threat and act on that. And I don’t like feeling like that about our guests.”

“I’m sorry, lady.” He sounded sincere.

She extended her hand and smiled sweetly. “It’s Memphis.”

He accepted it, regarded her, and grinned broadly. “Call me Flag.” His eyes moved to Javier. “You did well, Jav. She’s a beauty and all class.” Flag addressed her again. “It’s nice to meet you, Memphis.”

“I’ll buy you and the boys and your ladies a round.” Javier signaled to Sammi behind the bar. “Be respectful to my sister. Got it?”

“Got it. We appreciated the hospitality, Jav.”

“Enjoy the campground tonight.”

Flag pulled in Javier for a half-hug and patted him on the back. “Thanks, brother.” “I wondered when you’d show up.” Javier placed his hand on the small of Memphis’s back and guided her outside to the outdoor bar, where he signaled to the barkeep. “I’ll get us beers, then we’ll talk.”

CHAPTERSEVEN

Javier had taken Daphne’s words to heart and turned all of it over and over the rest of the day. His mom was wise. Fair and pragmatic. It was time to make amends, and possibly it could begin with Memphis.

She looked as sexy as hell tonight. Her dewy, sun-kissed skin was a surprise given she was a redhead. The loose sleeveless top allowed him to appreciate the full breasts and tiny waist that flared out to compact hips and nicely rounded ass that was his favorite shape on a woman. That had been confirmed when he slid his hand into the rear pocket of her shorts. It had been hell trying to keep his hand still when he ached to explore.

She was fit—lean and muscled legs, arms, a flat stomach—with admirable womanly curves; all-in-all, a body, face, and gorgeous long red hair that challenged him to think straight. Then there was her personality. So much like Ransom when he had been at his best. The penetrating looks. The single focus. The awareness. What he hadn’t witnessed yet, was an emotionally driven decision, other than her resolve to come to Torch River.

He would get the details. Find out who she was. All he knew was that Ransom had adopted her as an infant, soon after his marriage to her mother, which would put Memphis around thirty-years-old.Too young?No. He sensed she was a woman older than her years. Ransom would have raised a strong kid; he was sure of that.

What did Memphis think about their age difference? There was so much he didn’t know.

He held her hand without a thought and led her away from the Wake and the music. “This way. There’s another deck by the river that most people forget about. It’s a lot quieter.” They walked through the oaks, pinching two glasses each with the fingers of their free hands, and took the wide stone steps down toward the river.

“Wow. This is pretty. Has it been here long?” She sat, placing one cup under the bench, and angled her body toward him.

Javier did the same. “Over thirty years. Your dad and I built it. We added the steps after I went down on my ass one night. It had rained earlier. The slopes and hills around here can get slick as hell.”

She glanced around, taking it all in. “It’s so peaceful. That’s what I’ve noticed about this side of Torch River. It’s more like the river itself, as it is now anyway. Easy and content. I like this side better than the other. Everyone refers to it as the Cliffs?”

“They do. Because it’s situated on cliffs. Elevated.”

“Why is this side called the Narrows?”

“Because we have limited land and resources. The Narrows is restricted by the national forest to the west and the Torch to the east and south, where the river bends and then forks. The rest of the available land was purchased by a corporation decades ago, to keep it out of the hands of the wealthy and their developers. The corporation has also acquired land bordering the narrows. Dry Ridge to the north and Harmon to the south. Unfortunately, not before the land for marina and its club was purchased.”

“I overheard some women at a coffee shop in the Cliffs griping about the land. Is the corporation comprised of residents? Locals who live in the Narrows?”

“Yes. Each corporate member has equal ownership, control, as well management and decision-making. The park south of the marina is owned by all of Torch River.”

“What’s the corporation called?”

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