by S. M. Shade
His smirk widens to a full blown smile.
“I mean, I did. You do smell. Good, I mean. Not bad. If you were stinky, I wouldn’t say anything.”
For fuck’s sake, Cass, shut up.
His eyes heat as they sweep over my body, and I feel all the moisture in my mouth dry up. He’s never looked at me like that before. At least I don’t think he has. I’m probably reading too much into an expression. Just because he looks like he’s just seen a supermodel naked and spread eagle doesn’t mean anything.
“Do I make you nervous?” he asks, shifting his body closer to mine.
Only when you look at me like I’m dinner. “No,” I lie, tugging my earlobe.
“Good. We’re going to be here late tonight. I’d like to take you out for dinner after we close.”
I can’t think of anything to say. “Why?” Is he asking me out? Is it a reward like the pizza?
“Do I need a reason to take a beautiful woman out to dinner?”
“You…you told Jani you don’t date employees.”
His finger slips under my chin and he lifts my head until we’re eye to eye. My heart races when his gaze drops to my lips before returning to my eyes. For a second, I’m sure he’s going to kiss me and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything as badly as I want to know how those thick lips feel.
“I’m not interested in Jani,” he replies before stepping back.
I release my breath. What the hell was that? As soon as he got close to me I felt an attraction I’ve never felt before, like some powerful force was drawing us together. And his reply. He isn’t interested in Jani, but he is interested in me?
Oh, this could go so, so wrong. If there’s one thing those few seconds showed me it’s that I completely lose my mind in this man’s presence. If he had kissed me, I’d have had him naked with no regard to our surroundings. He’s my boss. And I know that fucking your boss is never a good idea no matter how sexy he is smiling at me from the office doorway. Shit. I’m just standing here staring at him again.
Composing myself, I follow him inside. It’s a tiny space, made smaller by the large box on the desk that he starts digging through. He whips out a white polo shirt with Scarlet Toys embroidered on the upper left side and tosses it to me. “You’d better not pull some booty shorts out of there next,” I tease, trying to act like he didn’t faze me.
He shakes his head. “As tempting as that is, you can wear whatever you like with the polo.”
“Assless chaps and a leotard it is.”
Chuckling, he grabs shirts for the rest of the staff. “Are you always a smart-ass?”
I shrug. “Just comes naturally to me.”
“Wyatt!” Martha calls from the front of the store.
“Dinner tonight,” he says, and rushes off to see what’s going on.
Two officers stand on the sales floor, chatting with Clarence. I recognize the cop who showed up to catch my late night visitor last week, and he gives me a nod.
“Wyatt Lawson?” the officer asks.
Wyatt sticks out his hand and they shake. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry to have to call you out here. I’ve contacted a security company that can start this afternoon.”
“We can’t keep them from protesting, but we can make them stay on the sidewalk and grassy area. We’ve cleared the parking lot and entrance, and we’ll keep a couple of guys posted until your security shows up.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate the help.”
“In the meantime, it’d be best for you to continue as if they aren’t present. Retaliation is just going to rile them up.”
Wyatt blinks. “I have no intention to retaliate.”
The officer suppresses a grin, and his partner chuckles. “Sir, pulling in, I saw a bare ass in your front window, followed by a giant bobbing dildo. I understand the impulse, but it’s really not helpful.”
Wyatt glances around the room where Jani, Martha, and Clarence all give him a “who me?” look and sighs. “It won’t happen again.”
The officers head toward the door. “Just give us a call if you have any more problems.”
Wyatt hands out the polo shirts. “Okay, no more screwing with the protesters. They’re like stray dogs. You feed them and they’ll keep coming back. Jani, you and Cass can work the counter while Martha and Clarence finish stocking.”
The chime above the door dings, and two young women walk in. They look a few years older than me. “Hi, welcome to Scarlet Toys. Please let me know if there’s anything I can assist you with,” Wyatt greets.
The women take one look at him and suddenly require extensive assistance. “Well, my friend is getting married and we’re in charge of the bachelorette party. Of course, we never come to places like this.” She glances at her friend, and they giggle like grade schoolers. “Maybe you could show us a few things.”
“Of course.” Wyatt leads them away and they follow, all eyes on his ass. I can’t blame them. It is a fine ass.
“They’re making a move on your man,” Jani teases as Martha and Clarence join us at the counter.
“What the hell are you on about now?” I sigh.
“Yeah, like we can’t see the way he watches you. All those late nights alone with him.” She leans against the counter. “Fess’ up. And I want details. How big are we talking? Banana? Cucumber? Oh no, it’s not a skinny little carrot, is it?”
“I have not seen his vegetable, you crazy woman.”
“Well, he sure wants to show it to you,” Martha laughs.
My knee bumps a shelf of batteries, knocking a few to the floor. “He hasn’t said or done anything inappropriate. It’s not like that,” I argue, picking up the batteries.
Clarence scoffs.
“Ugh, not you too,” I grumble.
“Cass, I know when a guy is interested and trust me, he wants you.”
“Maybe he’s got his eye on you. You never know,” I tease.
“I know I’d drag him home to Harvey in a second, but he’s made his choice,” Clarence chuckles.
“Is Harvey your boyfriend or is that what you named your penis?” Jani teases.
Clarence shakes his head. “My boyfriend. Who the hell would call a penis Harvey?”
“I knew a guy who called his Mr. Galifianakis,” Jani replies.
I chose the wrong moment to take a drink of water and it sprays out of my nose as I try not to choke to death.
“What?” Jani asks, thumping me on the back. “It was bearded.”
The chime dings, and two more customers enter, followed by three more. Maybe Wyatt was right after all. People do seem willing to walk past the protesters to check us out.
Customers stream in throughout the day with a few lulls. All in all, things go really well, despite the rough start to the morning. Wyatt lets Jani, Martha, and Clarence leave about an hour before closing, and Jani gives me a told-you-so look as security escorts them to their cars.
The last of the protesters have gone when Wyatt locks up and we leave the building. We aren’t open on Sundays, so everyone has the day off tomorrow before beginning our normal schedule on Monday.
Wyatt hasn’t mentioned dinner again, so I’m headed toward my car when he steps in front of me. “Is that your way of turning down my dinner invitation?” he asks, feigning a hurt look.
“I thought you might be tired and ready to get home. You know, you aren’t quite as young as me,” I tease.
“Ten years is a drop in the bucket. You’ll see.”
I cover my mouth like I’m shocked. “Ten years! You’re thirty-one? Do you remember when this was all farmland?”
I’m spun around with my back against the door of his car before I can laugh at my own joke. “Ten years of experience goes a long way.” His hands clamp on my hips and his breath heats my neck as he leans in and murmurs, “Tell me you aren’t interested and I’ll leave you alone, Cassidy. But if you don’t speak up now, I’m going to kiss you until neither of us can breathe.”
I can’t breathe now.<
br />
Fuck it, who needs oxygen anyway?
I slide my hand behind his neck, and our lips come together in a soft, slow kiss. The world around me fades away as his hands travel to cup my face and tilt it until he has me where he wants me, his lips brushing lightly over mine again.
The tip of his tongue strokes my lips, and I groan as it dips inside. My hand travels up his nape into his soft hair. I know two things instantly. I never want to stop kissing this man. And this job can go straight to hell if it becomes an obstacle. I’ll gladly clean toilets with a toothbrush at an Indian restaurant if it means I get this kind of reward at the end of the day.
We deepen the kiss, exploring one another’s mouths, and his arms wrap around my back, pulling me against his body. The feel of his hard chest against my breasts makes my nipples perk up. It isn’t the only thing that’s standing at attention, though.
Judging by the size of the hard-on poking me in the stomach, he doesn’t think he’s out of my league. His lower lip is plump, and I can’t resist sucking on it before we break apart, drawing a soft hum from him that seems to travel straight to my core.
I may only be twenty-one, but I can’t imagine another first kiss that will ever beat this one.
Our town pretty much rolls up the sidewalks after eight p.m. so we end up at a Mexican restaurant in the nearest city, about thirty minutes away.
Wyatt opens the door to the restaurant, placing a hand on my back and guiding me inside. My mom would’ve loved this guy. He’s got what she always described as hoity toity manners. Like having a guy open your car door or walk you to your door is a privilege of the upper class. And why is it always about doors? Whenever women describe a gentleman, they mention he opens doors for them. When did that become the standard?
After we’re seated, I order a margarita to try to settle my nerves. It’s not every day I’m out with a man who looks like he jumped from the cover of a fitness magazine. “So, um…why did you choose our town to open a store?” I ask, trying to break the ice.
“I’m trying to win a bet…sort of.”
“A bet?”
The waitress delivers our food, and I start eating as he explains. “I’ve worked my way up in my father’s company. He plans to retire in a few years, and I’m hoping to take over the company. The only thing we disagreed on was my desire to expand our adult stores outside of large cities. Finally, he made me a deal. Open two stores in two small towns. If I can get at least one of them to survive, then I can take over the company when he retires. If they fail, I’m stuck in my current position.”
“So, you have a lot invested in this. That’s good to know.” I grin at him. “For job security and all.”
His expression is serious when he replies, “I won’t let it fail.”
“So far so good. Protesters are a pain in the ass, but at least people are coming in. I imagine there will be more once the protesters get tired and move onto something else.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” He sits back in his chair. “So, tell me, are you from Morganville?”
“No, I moved here when I was ten with my mom. She died a few years ago, right after my graduation. I don’t have any family left in Missouri, where we came from, so I just found a job and moved into a cheap apartment. I plan to go to college someday, once I figure out what I want to do and save some money.”
“You should. You’re smart.”
“You’ve seen me stock dildos and run a cash register,” I laugh. “It’s not exactly rocket science.”
I notice the small flecks of black in his amber eyes when he regards me. “No, I’ve seen you problem solve and serve customers who were shy or embarrassed. You have a way of putting people at ease, and that’s something that can’t be taught. You should consider going into business classes.”
My cheeks heat with a mix of embarrassment and pleasure. I’m not used to compliments. “Is that why you wanted to take me out? You were impressed by my customer service skills?” I tease.
A devilish grin spreads across his face. “Actually, I was hoping to take you home and show you some of my servicing skills.”
I’m stunned into silence for a moment before I reply, “And you come off as such a gentleman.”
“Only at work, sweetheart.”
“I’m not looking for anything serious,” I tell him. I’m not really averse to relationships all together, but I’m sure this is what he wants to hear. We come from two different worlds. He’s most likely looking for a little fun, someone to hang out with and fuck while he’s here. I’m more than willing to have a fling.
“I’ll only be in town for a few months, then I’ll be returning to Indianapolis.”
Wiping my mouth on my napkin, I sit back. “You don’t have a secret girlfriend or wife at home, do you?”
His laugh is deep and gravelly. There’s always been this rumor among men that women decide whether or not they’d sleep with a guy in the first ten minutes after they meet. I don’t think that’s typically true, but with Wyatt, I knew in the first five.
“No, I work too much to maintain a serious relationship.” He smiles at me. “And I’m not sleeping with anyone else.”
Grinning like my heart isn’t beating out fuck me now in Morse code, I shrug. “Your place or mine?”
“I’m staying in a hotel, so…”
“My place, then,” I tell him. No need to feel like a total whore accompanying him back to his hotel room. “Let’s get my car from work and you can follow me back.”
It’s a silly thought. I’ve never been the type to sleep around. Hell, I’ve only been with two guys; my high school boyfriend and a drunken hookup who still texts me occasionally. Neither of them were any good in bed. Something tells me that won’t be a problem with Wyatt. I could come just looking at him.
Wyatt pays the check, and we head back to town. It’s getting late and the highway is pretty much deserted. “Do you mind?” I ask, reaching for his radio.
“You don’t listen to country, do you?” he asks, his adorable crooked tooth showing as he smiles at me.
“God, no. All I listen to is Justin Bieber. Did you know he has his own station now? Nothing but the beebs twenty-four seven.” I intended to draw the joke out a bit, but the look of horror on Wyatt’s face forces a laugh from me. “I’m just screwing with you.” I tune the radio to a rock station, and he reaches over and grabs my knee.
“Think you’re funny, don’t you?”
Grinning, I roll my window down. “I’m very amused by me.”
His grin spreads and he drops his window as well as I crank up the music and start singing along to one of my favorites. I’m weird and impulsive. He may as well learn that about me right now.
Apparently, he’s not bothered because he starts belting out the lyrics along with me. His voice is smooth and deep and does nothing to quell the urge I have to fuck him senseless. We spend the rest of the ride back singing and laughing, the warm summer wind blasting across our skin. It’s fantastic.
He drops me off at my car, and I hesitate a little before walking away. “My neighborhood is a little…strange. Fair warning in case you see anything crazy.”
“I’m sure I can handle it,” he laughs.
I lead him back to my apartment complex, and he parks beside me. It’s after midnight, but the circle never sleeps. Samantha is ushering a man through her front door and she turns to give me a wave before disappearing inside.
Wyatt joins me and he looks toward the playground across the street where the swings are creaking as two shadows sit on them. “Doesn’t the park close at night?” Wyatt asks as I unlock my front door.
“There are hours posted, but no one pays any attention. It’s probably a couple of guys from Frat Hell.” I continue when he gives me a confused look. “There’s a large, four-bedroom apartment on the other end of the circle. It’s rented out by a bunch of college kids. It’s not really a fraternity, that’s just what the rest of us call it. They party a lot.”
As
soon as I get mine unlocked, the neighbor’s door flies open and Dennis comes running out, stark naked. He’s holding his hands over his crotch as his belly flops around. A barrage of objects fly out after him and a hiking boot pops him right in the forehead.
“Go run to your diseased whore! And don’t forget these! Let her wear the fucking strap-on, you pervert!”
Sure enough, her words are followed by the launch of multiple dildos, flying through the air like pecker confetti, one still attached to a pair of panties meant for a strap-on. Dennis is as red as I’ve ever seen a human being get as he grabs a pair of pants from the ground and yanks them on.
He glances in my direction and mumbles, “Cass, do you think I could borrow a trash bag?”
“Sure,” I reply, fighting back laughter. It’s not the situation that’s funny, really. Granted, throwing him out naked is a new occurrence, but I’m used to their knock down, drag out fighting. What has me about to burst is the expression on Wyatt’s face. Yeah, I tried to warn him.
“I…do you want me to call the police?” he asks, following me into my living room.
“For what?”
He stares at me like my slinky is kinked. “For the naked man in the yard.”
“He’s not naked anymore. They fight a lot. Tomorrow, everything will be back to normal. They don’t hurt anyone,” I tell him, heading to the kitchen and grabbing a trash bag.
He takes it from my hand when I return. “I’ll give it to him.”
It’s cute how he’s suddenly so protective, but it’s really not necessary. I hear Mallory screeching about crabs when the door opens and a giggle escapes me. Wyatt looks back and smiles, shaking his head.
“Weird neighborhood.” I shrug. “You get used to it.”
I head to my room to grab something to wear and deposit the clothes on the bathroom counter. After working all day, I need a quick shower. When I peek out the window, I see Wyatt helping Dennis pick up his stuff and put it in the trash bag. The dildoes are no longer in sight.
By the time I shower and dress, Wyatt is sitting on my couch in the living room. His lips part when I enter—gah I’m always looking at his lips—and he looks at me like I’m dressed in lingerie instead of a tee shirt with little cotton shorts. He pulls me down on the couch beside him.