Searching For Love – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  “Maybe.” She lifted her hips, rubbing against his cock. “We can be fast.”

  “We don’t do fast, baby.” He eased off her back, kissing down her spine. “But maybe this morning…” He eased off the bed and caressed her ass, kissing each gorgeous globe, and said, “We could try to be quick.”

  She rose on her knees, looking at him over her shoulder with a challenge in her eyes as she said, “I dare you to make me come twice in five minutes or less.”

  “Fuck, babe. I want to devour you and make love to you.”

  She grinned. “Okay. Six minutes.”

  “You’re killing me.” He dipped lower, kissing the curve of her ass and then licking her sweetest spot. She was already wet, and she tasted like heaven. The clock was ticking. He tapped her ass and said, “Scooch forward.”

  She crawled forward on hands and knees, and he lay on his back between her legs. He guided her center to his mouth and took his fill, teasing her with his hand, making her tremble and pant, taking her right up to the edge.

  “There, there!” she pleaded as if he didn’t know her body better than his own.

  He gave her what she needed, and she came hard, crying out as he took his fill. He changed positions, moving behind her on his knees, and drove into her with one hard thrust. She went down on her elbows with a loud mewl.

  He pulled back. “Too hard?”

  “No,” she panted out. “Perfect. Take me like I’m yours, Zevy.”

  With those magical words, words he hoped were going to prove true, he grabbed her hips and pounded into her with everything he had.

  Minutes later they collapsed to the mattress on their backs. Carly gazed dreamily at him and said, “Best six minutes of my life.”

  He chuckled. “I have no self-control with you.”

  “Really? I couldn’t tell,” she teased.

  He leaned over her, kissing her freckled nose, and said, “Did we make you late?”

  “If we did, I think my boss will be okay with it just this once.”

  THE MORNING FLEW by in a whirlwind of baking and happiness. Carly had thought Zev would be a major distraction while she was trying to prepare for her day. Not that she’d mind, especially after last night when he’d proven how talented he could be in the kitchen. But he’d been an incredible help and an inspiration. Not only had they made trifle, peanut butter cups, brownies, truffles, chocolate cupcakes, and marshmallows dipped in chocolate, but they’d come up with another new creation—Treasure Hunter Fudge. They’d hidden all sorts of goodies inside pieces of fudge, like coconut, nuts, candies, and marshmallows, but the contents of each piece were a mystery.

  “I can’t believe you do this every morning. It’s a lot of work,” Zev said as he dipped the last marshmallow in chocolate and then rolled it in coconut shavings. “Do you ever get tired of the demand?”

  She added chocolate shavings to the top of the trifle and said, “I’m sure we all have days when we don’t feel like working, but it passes.” Her eyes moved over the plethora of treats they’d made together. “Wow, we got a lot done, didn’t we? You were a huge help. Thank you. I know my customers will love the Treasure Hunter Fudge.”

  “How about the treasure hunter?” he asked as he took off his gloves and wrapped his arms around her.

  “I’m pretty sure he could charm the panties off a nun.”

  He kissed her, chuckling. “How about off a chocolatier?”

  “I can say with good authority that he’s an expert at that.”

  “And I can say with good authority that he has no interest in charming the panties off anyone else.” He kissed her again and said, “Are we done with the dipping chocolate?”

  He’d been asking for tastes of everything, like a kid in a candy store. “Yes. You can stick your finger in the bowl now.”

  “How did you know I wanted to do that?” he asked as he scooped chocolate onto his finger.

  She leaned over and sucked it off. “Because I know you, and I was waiting to do that.”

  “And I’ve been waiting to do this.” He swept her into his arms, taking her in a tantalizingly slow kiss, as if he were savoring every second.

  “Again,” she whispered, and he rewarded her with another spine-tingling kiss.

  “I thought I saw—”

  Their lips parted at the sound of Birdie’s voice. She stood at the entrance to the kitchen wearing a glittery gold tank minidress with black Converse sneakers, hands on her hips and a cheesy grin on her pretty face.

  “Don’t let me interrupt. I get as much out of watching you kiss as you get out of doing it.” Birdie motioned with her hand and said, “Carry on.”

  Zev lowered his mouth to Carly’s, but she laughed and pushed him away. “We are not giving her a show.”

  “Aw, come on,” Zev teased. “She got all dressed up and everything.”

  Birdie twirled around and said, “Karma just got in a truckload of new dresses, and she let me rifle through it. I bought three outfits. Isn’t this one awesome?”

  “Gorgeous,” Zev said.

  Birdie curtsied. “Thank you. I need a favor from you, Zev. I have something in my trunk that’s really heavy and needs to go in the dumpster. Would you mind carrying it for me?”

  “Sure.” Zev gave Carly a quick peck on the cheek. “Be right back.”

  Birdie dropped the keys in his hand and he left the kitchen.

  “What’s in your trunk?” Carly asked.

  “Junk. Heavy junk. Trust me, I need his muscles.” She flapped her arms and said, “Look at these spaghetti arms.” As soon as the bells above the front door signaled Zev had left the shop, she said, “Tell me everything before he gets back! You guys were so hot together last night. Everyone loves him! I wish Sasha and Doc could have met him. But they will one day. So…? What’s the deal with you two? You look so happy, you’re glowing. Is he staying longer? Are you going with him if he leaves?”

  “I don’t know. We haven’t gotten that far. We’re just enjoying each other while he’s here.” Carly was trying to play it cool, even though she was nervous about how they could ever blend their lives together, but at the same time, she wanted to jump out of her skin and sing his praises.

  “Please tell me that by enjoying you mean doing the dirty, riding the hog, slipping along that heavenly highway.”

  Carly laughed. “Birdie!”

  “I’m just hoping someone’s getting it, because I’m sure not. So…?”

  “Yes, we’re enjoying each other a lot, like all the time. I can’t keep my hands off him,” she said with a giggle. “I’m a total nympho, like we’re eighteen again. It’s insane.”

  “I knew it! It’s not insane. It’s meant to be. He looks like the kind of guy who knows his way around a bedroom.”

  “And a bathtub, a shower, the porch…” She lowered her voice and whispered, “The kitchen table.”

  Birdie squealed and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you!” She walked around the kitchen looking at the treats and talking a mile a minute. “I knew you two were in love! The way he looks at you is just so…I want that one day. You’re a whole different person with him. You light up when you see him, and you take time off. You’re always happy. Not that you weren’t before, but this is different. It’s like you’re drenched in love for that man, and wow, Carly. It’s such a great thing. Have you told him yet?”

  Carly was struck mute, trying to figure out how Birdie could see all of that so quickly.

  “Oh my God.” Birdie looked appalled as she closed the gap between them. “Do not tell me you don’t love him. It practically drips off you two. I’m your best friend—you can’t lie to me. Look me in the eyes and tell me. Am I off base? That would be weird. I’m never off base. I’m like a love ninja. A love guru. I can smell love a mile away.” She made a hurry-up motion with her hand. “Well? I’m dying here. Do you love him?”

  “Yes!” The word burst from Carly’s lips like it had been trapped for years. “I love him! I love his face. I love
the way he holds me, the way he talks to me. I love his long hair when we’re making love and it tickles my cheeks. I love the way he holds my freaking hand like it’s his greatest pleasure.” She looked at her best friend melting with her every word, both of them tearing up, and said, “I even love the way he mumbles in his sleep. He’s always done it. Like he can’t turn his brain off. I love him, Birdie. I love him with everything I am and everything I have.” She realized she was shaking. “But I can’t tell him. It’ll make it real, and I know it is real, and this sounds crazy, but it’s like my house. If I say it, and we realize we can’t make this work, it’ll crush me.”

  “That man won’t ever crush you again. I believe that with everything I am and everything I have.” Birdie’s brows slanted, and she said, “Granted, I don’t have much, but I am a lot to handle, so that counts twice.”

  “You’ve only just met him, Birdie. You can’t know that any more than I can.”

  The bells above the door chimed. Birdie grabbed her hand, and with the most serious expression Carly had ever seen on her, she said, “You’re allowed to be terrified. But you have to trust me. You can tell him how you feel. He will not hurt you again.”

  Zev walked into the kitchen, looking curiously at them.

  Carly was still processing her confession and Birdie’s declaration. Birdie must have realized Carly was tongue-tied, because she lifted Carly’s hand higher, pretending to inspect it, and said, “Yes, peach is the perfect nail color for you. Or red, if you’re feeling saucy.” She dropped Carly’s hand and strutted across the room to Zev. “Thank you for taking care of that junk.”

  He handed her the keys. “That was quite a lot of stuff.”

  “I got a little carried away when I was cleaning out my place. Cleaning up is like opening a blank canvas and a dozen cans of paint. I got caught up in the excitement of all the things I could do with the space and just kept going.” She looked over her shoulder at Carly and said, “I’m going to open the register and let you two make out some more.”

  “She’s a trip,” Zev said when she left the room, and pulled Carly into his arms. “Are you okay? You seem a little rattled.”

  I just poured my heart out to Birdie, when I should be pouring it out to you, so yeah, I’m little rattled. “I’m fine, just thinking about all the things I need to get done. I’m excited to meet you later and work on the concretions.”

  “It’s going to be a great day, babe. I loved spending this morning with you, working side by side, and seeing you in action.”

  “You’ve been seeing me in action a lot lately,” she teased.

  “That makes me the luckiest guy on the planet.” He embraced her and said, “Since luck seems to be our thing, maybe you should think about making Lucky Charms bars, like Rice Krispies Treats, but with Lucky Charms. I’m always around to taste test.”

  Not always. The pit of her stomach sank with that reality, and by the look in Zev’s eyes, he was thinking the same thing.

  “I know, babe,” he said, holding her tighter. “But whether you believe it or not, I’m not going to disappear on you. Not ever again.”

  She wanted to believe him, and deep down, she did believe him. So why was she so nervous?

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.”

  He gave her a scrutinizing look. “That’s a nervous good. I’m supposed to meet Jack, but I can put it off if you want to talk.”

  “No, don’t be silly. I’m fine.”

  “Okay.” He kissed her and said, “I’ll see you around noon at the inn?”

  “Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”

  As she watched him walk out the door, she realized she’d needed to share her feelings with Birdie first in order to see things more clearly. Zev was here, and he was saying and doing all the right things. If she wanted their relationship to work out, she couldn’t keep holding back. He wanted her to color outside the lines, and she wanted to. Desperately. But before she could do that, she needed to be able to see beyond those lines, to see what their future might look like. She’d been waiting for the answer to become clear, but how could they find any answers if she wasn’t telling him the questions?

  Chapter Seventeen

  THE BUZZ OF the tools in Zev’s and Carly’s hands did nothing to quiet his thoughts. He’d spoken to his dive team and his attorney. His team was itching to get back on the water, and his attorney had hit a snag with another case but was going to court tomorrow for Zev. Zev focused on clearing concretion away from the artifacts he’d been working to expose instead of the million worries zipping through his mind about the legal process and the aftermath. When the area was fairly clear, he set down his tools and glanced at Carly working diligently beside him. She’d shown up half an hour early at the inn, bursting with excitement to work on the concretions. He couldn’t wait to surprise her. He wanted to give her everything she’d missed out on and so much more. But he wasn’t sure how to do that, because those experiences would mean nothing if she had to give up any of the things she’d worked so hard for.

  Carly glanced over, and a smile curved her beautiful lips, sending his emotions spinning. He pointed to her tool and said, “Turn it off.”

  She set the tool down, anticipation brimming in her eyes. “Did you find something?”

  This was the reason he hadn’t told her how close he’d come to exposing the artifacts yesterday. He wanted to experience this moment and not take away from yesterday’s discovery and the excitement that had come with it.

  “Come over here and take a look,” he said, pushing to his feet.

  She leaned over his workstation and peered at the concretion. “Holy crap, Zev! That’s gold! You uncovered the coins!”

  “That’s right, and you’re going to extract them.” He pulled out the chair for her.

  “What? No! This is your discovery.”

  “It’s our discovery, and it would mean more to me if you would finish extracting them.”

  Her eyes filled with disbelief. “Zevy…? You can’t mean that. You’ve worked so hard for so many years to find them.”

  “Do it for me, Carly. You’re the reason I was so focused on the Pride in the first place. Two treasure hunters, one ship, remember?”

  She looked longingly at him. “Are you sure? This is such a huge moment for you to give up.”

  He wanted to take off their protective masks, take her in his arms, and kiss her until she agreed. But that would delay the extraction and her excitement. Instead, he took her gloved hands in his, gazed into her eyes through their clear protective face shields, and said, “I’m not giving it up, babe. I’m making it even more memorable. This is what I’ve been hoping for since we first heard about the ship. This is your time to shine, babe.” He guided her into the chair, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s do this.”

  “Thank you!” She shook out her hands and said, “I’m so nervous.”

  She got to work, and Zev sat at her workstation, taking over where she’d left off on the other concretion. Witnessing her excitement over the next several hours as she extracted each of five Peruvian gold cobs—hand-hammered coins—made the discovery even more memorable. He’d never forget the sight of her mile-wide smile and the sound of her thrilling Look! Look! Look! as she’d freed each one.

  “I don’t see any more,” she said, poking at the concretion with the tip of a pick. “But we can keep going! The X-ray shows two more, and they don’t look that much deeper.” She stretched her neck from side to side and arched her back, rolling her shoulders.

  He took off his protective headgear and said, “It’s seven o’clock, and we’ve been at it for hours. I think we should clean up and go celebrate.” He reached for her hand, helping her to her feet, and took off her headgear, kissing her softly. “Look at what you’ve done.” He placed the coins in her hand. “Once the loot is tied to the Pride, you’ll have made history for the second time this week.”

  “What we did,” she corrected him, an
d ran her gloved finger over the coins. “Look how beautiful and clear the lions and castles are in the cross quadrants, and the dates—1710 and 1712!” Her eyes glittered with delight. “Based on the historical maps, and the dates, these have to be from the Pride.”

  “I’m sure of it, but you know how this works. Once the vessel is arrested and people hear about the discovery, it’ll be disputed until we have irrefutable proof.”

  “I know, but, Zev, these are more than three hundred years old, and you dredged them up from the sea. That’s amazing in and of itself! I don’t care what anyone says.”

  “And you extracted them from the concretion. We make a good team.”

  “We always did,” she said, holding his gaze for an extra beat. Her eyes widened. “We have to take pictures! Don’t you need to send a picture to your attorney and your dive team?”

  He chuckled. Her excitement was contagious. “Absolutely.”

  They took pictures of only the coins, then of them holding the coins. Then they took a number of selfies kissing, laughing, and making funny faces—and just like that, Zev did the impossible. He fell even deeper in love with her.

  “Thank you for letting me be such a big part of this,” Carly said as they began cleaning up. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much this means to me.”

  “You don’t have to. I already know.”

  She looked at the concretions, the coins, and then she tipped her beautiful face up to him and said, “It’s surreal, isn’t it?”

  “What’s surreal is that a week ago I was trying to figure out which of my siblings I could coerce into taking care of Beau’s animals. Now here I am making history with you”—my love—“the person I have the most history with. You and me together again, diving, hanging out, making chocolates”—he lowered his voice—“making love.” He kissed her and said, “And doing all of this, just like we always dreamed. That’s what’s surreal to me.”

  She swallowed hard, as if she were considering her words carefully, and said, “It really is.”

  “Let’s finish cleaning up. I want to celebrate with my girl. How does dinner and a bonfire at the inn sound?”