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Covet thy Neighbor

Page 19

by Denise Carbo


  He holds the plant out so I take it. “Um, thanks, but you didn’t have to do anything. We’re friends that’s what friends do.” I step back. “Do you want to come in? It’s freezing outside.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He steps in and closes the door while I back up and then turn and carry the plant into the kitchen and put it on the kitchen table.

  I’m not much of a plant person. My mother insisted the couple she brought over are impossible to kill. I need to research how to care for it. The last thing I want to do is kill someone’s gift. He’s right, flowers die, but at least then I don’t get blamed for it when they do.

  “The boys with their father?”

  I nod. “Can I get you anything?”

  He shakes his head. “How’s that going?”

  “How’s what going?”

  “You and their father.”

  “Oh, it’s not.” I shrug. “We decided it wasn’t a good idea.”

  “When did this happen? You looked pretty chummy at the inn.”

  So did you and the brunette. I walk over and lean against the sink. “We are chummy. We’re friends, but we both agreed it’s best we stay just friends.”

  He puts his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “Kids okay with that?”

  “We never started dating or even mentioned the possibility of it happening so as far as they know, everything is the same.”

  He stares at the plant on the table.

  “Who was the woman you were with?”

  He frowns and glances over to me. “What woman?”

  “At the inn.”

  “Oh, my agent.”

  “Your agent travels to see you? Or does she live in New Hampshire?”

  “She lives in New York, but as she put it, she wanted to make sure I was alive since I hadn’t returned her calls.”

  “That’s dedication.”

  He shrugs. “We’ve been friends a long time.”

  What kind of friends? Friends with benefits?

  “Why hadn’t you returned her calls?”

  “I had nothing to say.” He walks over and leans against the oven perpendicular to me. “I have nothing new to submit to her.”

  “You could have told her that and saved her a trip.”

  “If I’d known she was going to get on a plane and come here, I would have.”

  “You sure that was her only reason for visiting you?”

  “I said we’re friends.”

  “Friends as in friends who have dated?”

  Luke folds his arms over his chest. “Friends as in we both pretty much started out together. I was one of her first clients and she took a chance on me.”

  “Does she know about Wyatt?”

  “She knows it was the anniversary of his death recently which is why she was concerned. I should have responded to her calls.”

  “You weren’t in a good place. I’m sure she understood. You explained, right?”

  He rolls his eyes. “Yes Mom, I apologized and explained.”

  I stick my tongue out and wrinkle my nose. His gaze locks on to my mouth.

  Heat pools in my core.

  I bite my lip and glance away.

  “I aced my finals. You’re looking at an A student.”

  “Congratulations. We should celebrate.”

  I look back.

  He stares at me. “We could get dinner. Are you hungry?” His gaze drops to my mouth again.

  I swallow and prop my hands on the counter behind me. “Not particularly.”

  He moves in front of me and puts his hands over mine on the counter. “Thirsty?”

  My fingers tingle beneath the warmth of his. My breath quickens and my mouth waters. I shake my head.

  “How about something sweet?” His breath flutters my bangs against my forehead.

  I tilt my head back and stare into his dark eyes. The temperature outside is below freezing, but I’m beginning to perspire.

  He bends his head drags his lips across mine. His tongue traces the seam of my lips. “Definitely sweet.”

  My eyes drift close and my lips part with a stuttered breath. He kisses me deeply. His hands cup my jaw and angle my head up. I loop my arms behind his neck and arch into his body. He presses me back against the counter.

  My knees grow weak.

  He nips at my bottom lip before devouring my mouth.

  I delve my fingers into the hair at his nape and clutch his head to mine.

  His leg pushes my legs apart as his hands grip my butt and pull me against him.

  I gasp for air and turn my head slightly. His lips graze my cheek and his tongue traces the vein in my neck.

  My chest heaves. I clutch his shoulders and ride his thigh.

  “Upstairs? Or right here?” His raspy voice whispers in my ear.

  Heat spirals through me. I bite my lip hard. “Upstairs, but hurry.”

  He lifts me in his arms and I wrap my legs and arms tight around him.

  Each step he takes up the stairs creates a delicious friction. By the time he reaches the top step, we’re both moaning.

  He props me against the wall of the upstairs hallway and kisses me senseless. The next thing I know the soft cushion of my bed is beneath me and he’s removing my shirt and bra.

  His tongue and hands worship my breasts while I squirm and clasp his head to my chest. His fingers unfasten my pants and slip down into my panties. I open my legs and press against his fingers. “Please.” I can’t stop the plea from leaving my lips.

  He lifts his head. His tongue wraps around my nipple. “Please what?”

  I arch my back and then reach forward to pull his shirt up and over his head. He pauses for a second to pull it the rest of the way off and tosses it behind him. He lowers himself back over me and kisses me while his fingers return to drive me crazy.

  My hips move of their own volition. My eyes close and my head digs into the bed. My mouth opens in a soundless moan.

  The orgasm washes over me.

  I gasp and pant as Luke wrings every last drop of pleasure from my body.

  He removes my pants and panties and then stands next to the bed to remove his own. He takes a condom from his wallet and opens it.

  I bite my lip as he eases it over his erection. My mouth waters and I reach for him.

  His lips capture mine as he settles between my legs and nudges inside.

  He groans low and long. His hand squeezes my hip.

  Our breaths mingle as our bodies find a rhythm.

  Desire spikes and climbs ever higher. I press my forehead against his shoulder as I begin to pant once again. His mouth drags over my neck and burrows into the space where my neck and shoulder meet.

  His heartbeat pounds beneath my fingers as his breaths come faster and shorter. My breath catches as a lightning bolt of pleasure zings through my body.

  Luke clutches me to him as he finds completion.

  My mind drifts and my body relaxes beneath the warm weight of his. He kisses my shoulder, my cheek, and then my lips.

  I open my eyes and stare into his hovering above me. I smile. “That was most definitely something sweet.”

  Chapter 33

  “All right, you’ve been glowing since you walked in here. What’s going on?”

  Franny leans a hip against the marble counter I’m practicing my buttercream roses on.

  I smile and peek behind me towards the front of the bakery to make sure no one is within eavesdropping distance. “I slept with Luke.”

  Her mouth drops open. “What? When? I thought that was over?”

  “So did I, but apparently not. It’s complicated.”

  “Complicated how?”

  “As in I can’t keep my hands off him and don’t really want to. He came over Saturday night and didn’t leave until Sunday afternoon when the boys were due to come home.” I glance over to her. “I saw him Monday and Tuesday while the boys were at school too.”

  Her eyes are as round as quarters. “That’s quite the change. Barbara was a mis
understanding then?”

  “We haven’t discussed her since that day at the grocery store.” I concentrate on the bag of frosting in my hand.

  “Is that wise?”

  I put the bag down and sigh. “Probably not, but if I’ve got my eyes wide open and know the score then it’s my choice, right? Is it so wrong to take a little pleasure even if I know it’s not going anywhere?”

  “Of course not, you’re both healthy, single, consenting adults.” She leans down and nudges my arm with hers. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “I don’t want to see me hurt either. I know there’s an expiration date on this side of our relationship. For once I want to do something that makes me happy without exploring and analyzing all the ramifications of a single decision.”

  “Okay then, enjoy.” She walks over to the ovens to check the cakes. “And share regularly. I want to know everything. Well, you can leave out a few details.”

  “I’ll smile slyly like you do when anyone asks you for details about Mitch.”

  She smiles.

  “Yup, that’s the one.” I point to her face.

  “There are some things too private to share, but our imaginations can fill in the blanks.”

  I laugh and turn to lean on the counter. “True. It’s been so long since I’ve had any of those details happening to me, I was beginning to worry I was going to forget how.”

  “I’m sure Luke was happy to remind you.”

  I suck on my bottom lip. “He really was.”

  She shakes her head and fans herself. “I’ll have to go home for a lunch date with Mitch if we don’t change the subject.”

  Laughing, I rub a spot of dry frosting off the edge of the counter. “Actually, there’s something I want to discuss with you at some point. About the bakery.”

  She closes the oven and faces me. “Shoot.”

  “Now?”

  She looks around. “Why not? Sally has the front covered and there’s nothing pressing back here.”

  “Okay, well, you know how I took those classes?”

  “Oh yeah, how did your finals go? Did you get the results?”

  “Yes, I did really well. I’ve signed up for more classes.”

  “That’s great!”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re not trying to tell me you’re quitting, are you?” Franny puts a hand on the counter. “I mean, of course, I would never hold you back, but please don’t quit on me.”

  I laugh and shake my head. “I’m not quitting. As part of my final project, I had to draw up a business plan and a marketing strategy. I used The Sweet Spot for the business.”

  “Cool, can I see them?”

  “Yes.” I go over to my tote bag and pull out the folders I made to show her and hand them to her. “I’ve already told you about most of the marketing one with the website and social media. The business plan includes a proposal for increasing the catering part of the business, opening seven days a week, hiring more part-time and seasonal workers, expanding the outdoor seating, offering online ordering and delivery.”

  Franny flips through the pages and then wanders over to the desk area to sit. She thumbs through the proposals slower. “This is so detailed and ambitious.”

  “I know. We wouldn’t have to do everything at once, or you could pick and choose which ones you like. It’s just a class project.”

  “No, it’s not.” Franny closes the folder and turns to stare at me. “You worked hard on this.”

  I bite my lip and nod.

  “This is too much for me to take on.”

  My shoulders slump and I nod. “I understand.”

  “But, with the right partner I could do it.” She stands. “Someone with vision, determination, a strong work ethic. Someone who I could get along with, that didn’t drive me crazy.” She walks over and stops in front of me. “Know anyone who fits that description?”

  “Are you saying what I really hope you’re saying?”

  Franny grins. “Will you be my partner in The Sweet Spot?”

  “Yes!” I launch myself at her and give her a hug.

  She laughs and rocks me back and forth. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it. You’ve already done so much with the new website and everything. This proposal cinches the deal. We need to talk numbers and contracts at some point with a lawyer.”

  Money, a partnership means money. Not a resource I have an abundance of, or any of.

  “Your face just fell. What’s wrong? Is it the lawyer?”

  “No, I’m just trying to think where I’m going to come up with money. I could check into a home equity loan, but I doubt that is going to come close to covering it.”

  I could ask my parents for a loan, but I dread asking. They’ve done more than enough for me.

  “Don’t be silly, we can set up a payment plan and deduct it from your weekly paycheck. As a partner, you’ll be sharing in the profits, so you’ll have a salary increase to cover it. We’ll make an appointment with the accountant and lawyer together to go over everything.”

  “Wow!” I slip down to sit on the floor. “Are you sure?”

  Franny laughs. “Yes, I’m sure. I told you I’ve been thinking about it. You know I want to expand the specialty cake business. With you as a partner, I can do that. I’m also sure we need to get some more chairs or stools in here.”

  I shake my head and smile. “My legs feel like jelly.”

  We definitely need a couple more chairs in here. Maybe a couple of stools on one side of the marble counter in the middle of the room when we’re working on detailed work like cake decorating. We’ll leave the other side open so we don’t trip over the stools every time we have to cross the ovens, sink, or refrigerators.

  The desk area could use a set of shelves and another file cabinet. I chuckle.

  “What?”

  “Everywhere I look, I see possibilities.” I describe the stools and desk area.

  She studies the kitchen. “I like both those ideas. I never cared about the desk because I avoid the business side as much as I can, but you need more of a work area with all the wonderful ideas and plans popping out of your brain. We need to talk to a contractor. I want to expand the allergy free section of the kitchen too. I’m getting more requests for different options.”

  She drops down next to me. “This is going to be fun.”

  Chapter 34

  There’s a patch of blond hairs in the center of his chest. A darker trail leads down over his abdomen. I trace the line with my fingertips.

  “I must say I heartily approve of the way you decided to celebrate your partnership in the bakery.”

  I tilt my head up on his shoulder. There’s a slight smirk on his face as he smiles down at me.

  “Pizza, sexy as hell new lingerie, finishing off the evening in bed, I feel like it’s my birthday or something.”

  I chuckle and glance over my shoulder. “Where did my lingerie end up?” The emerald green matching set wasn’t cheap and blew my clothing budget for the foreseeable future. It was worth it though the way his gaze lit on fire when I did my little slow reveal after dinner.

  “Think they’re on the floor somewhere.” He lifts his head to look. “Wait, your bra’s at the end of the bed.”

  “Mmm…okay.” I caress his leg with mine.

  His fingers trail up the length of my spine and back down. “What did your family say about the partnership?”

  “I haven’t told them yet. We’ve had the meetings with the lawyer and accountant, but until everything is official, I’m a little leery of announcing it to the world. It should be finalized by the beginning of January. The holidays delay everything. Besides, Franny wants to throw a celebration at the bakery to announce it.”

  “Are you worried something will mess it up?”

  “No, not really, but you never know. I want the contracts in hand, I guess. It still feels surreal I will be part owner in the bakery. Franny will own the majority, of course, but twenty-five percent will
be mine. I can’t wait to implement my ideas.”

  “An ambitious entrepreneur.”

  I chuckle and burrow closer to his warmth.

  “Are the boys excited for Christmas?”

  “They’re ten.”

  “So, that’s a yes?”

  “Yes. They made their lists around Halloween when the toy catalogs arrived. One thing I love about the holiday season is I get to remind them Santa is watching so they better be on their best behavior.”

  “Does it work?”

  “For the most part, once they stop believing, I don’t know what I’ll do. The thought of some of the magic disappearing from their eyes makes me sad. I want to hold on to it as long as I can.”

  “What are your plans for Christmas?”

  “The boys go with Ryan for Christmas Eve to his parents’. They host a party every year. I get them Christmas Day. We open presents here in the morning and then go to my parents’ house for brunch and spend the day there. What about you?”

  “Barb invited me to her parents’ house. This is the first year Joey understands there’s a holiday where he gets presents. He’s excited. He’s sent a letter and an email to Santa just in case something happened to one of them.”

  “Aw, that’s adorable. What’s on his list?”

  “The better question would be what isn’t on it?”

  “The boys have been asking for a dog.”

  “You going to get them one?”

  “They’re old enough to take care of one and I would hate to deny them the joy of owning a pet. I checked the area shelters and organizations. I prefer to adopt one which needs a home. There’s a lot of paperwork and cost involved though. You’re required to fill out extensive applications to prove you’re a worthy pet owner. It’s like applying for a job or mortgage. What if they turn me down?”

  Luke chuckles. “I’m sure you’re a good candidate.”

  “We’ll see. I don’t know how I’m going to explain it to the boys if I’m not.”

  He stretches over to my nightstand to check his phone.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just have to go soon. I have a ton of things to do before my parents come on Tuesday.”

  I lift my head. “They’re coming for a visit?”

 

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