by Kinsley Gibb
She liked her savings just where they were. A vibration signaled Eugenia’s answering text. Was Anabelle out of her mind? Claire had the perfect guy for Anabelle, nice, steady job, an orthopedic surgeon nonetheless, and most importantly he was straight. Ethan was her hairdresser’s doctor and Lillibut swore he had the strongest, warmest hands. The way Lillibut went on, Claire figured she’d had an orgasm each time he rubbed her feet. That had to mean a lot to a girl on her feet for hours on end. Besides, everyone knew a guy with good strong hands knew his way around a woman’s pleasure spots. And heaven knew Anabelle deserved a sensual bed partner after being initiated by a gay husband.
Ethan was kind to the ladies of the red hat society and he didn’t have crazy hobbies like racing or jumping out of planes like so many idiots nowadays. A decided bonus as far as Claire was concerned. A dead husband was good for no one.
Claire wanted stability for Anabelle. The girl needed to stop pining for Mr. Perfect. There was no such thing. Ethan MacGeorge was Mr. Practically Perfect and Presently Unattached which to Claire’s thinking was perfect enough.
“Excuse me…is anyone sitting here?”
“Are you kidding me?”
Mr. Casanova of the high seas looked surprised at her snappy response. He stood waiting for an invitation. The jerk had a lot of nerve or he was incapable of reading social cues.
“Did you not understand ‘Keep away’ vibes?”
“Hello, I’m Tomas.” She could see he planned on ignoring her warning. “And you are?”
She glared but he waited, no visible irritation evident. It was like he was some Zen master. She sighed, hated that Southern women’s code of conduct that wouldn’t allow flat out rudeness. Maybe he would go away quickly if she spoke to him.
“Claire.” She didn’t elaborate. Usually the men brave enough to approach were terrified by this point and often made excuses and vanished. It was freeing to speak one’s mind without a filter but most men couldn’t handle it and it was a bonus in getting older. People didn’t call you out on it. She grinned, wondering how long before he ran off.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Claire.” His smile was very, very white, sort of like a toothpaste advertisement.
“I just bet it is.”
“Come again?”
“Let me speed this up for you. You’re not getting your hands on my life savings. I’m not lonely for company. I’m on a mission and it doesn’t involve you. If you go away, I could accomplish more.”
She sat back and waited for him to scurry away but he didn’t. He smiled and settled back in his chair, signaling a waiter for a new drink. He looked ready to stay awhile. That never happened.
What a strange man.
The cauldron overflowed with enough chocolate to give a chocoholic a stomachache. Anabelle shook the last of the fun sized pieces out of the bag and surveyed their Halloween display in front of Charlie’s bakery. Since Charlie was on Main Street while Anabelle was on a side street, they’d decided to pool their resources for an awesome display for Charlie’s storefront for Sugar Bay’s Annual Halloween Street Party. Kids and adults from Sugar Bay and the surrounding communities flocked to the event. To be caught without enough supplies would be sacrilegious. She didn’t want to imagine the pitiful faces she’d encounter.
Businesses along Main Street and the roundabout were decked in Halloween gear. Only foot traffic was permitted and swags of orange and white lights spilled from and in between any available vertical posts. Witches, goblins and ghouls hung from suspended wires and banners blew in the fall breeze. Sugar Bay specialized in Halloween and planned for it yearlong. Melrose, a couple of communities over, showcased Christmas, but here in Sugar Bay, Halloween was king. Kids and adults loved it. Pirates, princesses and the occasional super hero roamed the street on the hunt for sugary delights.
“So? How was it?”
“How was what?” Anabelle adjusted her bodice. “Charlie, is this too much cleavage.”
“No such thing as too much cleavage, sweetie. And don’t evade the question.”
She delayed as long as she could, fussing with the display and arranging the candy so the labels faced forward. When she was satisfied, she looked up and was greeted by Charlie’s fierce frown.
“Spill.”
Anabelle sighed. “The good news is he has a lovely British accent.”
“Ooh, yummy, I do love a sexy accent. Go on.”
“The bad news…no sparks.”
“What?” Charlie’s shriek made Anabelle cover her ears. “How is that possible?”
Anabelle shrugged. “Who knows?”
“Details, woman, details. He was perfect on paper.” Charlie seemed to take it as a personal affront since she’d narrowed down the choices.
“Nothing happened. We had dinner. He got called away. I ran into Derek. We went to a bar and played pool.”
“Wait, what? Say that last bit again.” She winced at the sting of Charlie’s nails as they dug into Anabelle’s arm.
“I played pool?”
“Not that part, smart ass. The part before that.”
“I ran into Derek.”
“Yes, you sneaky girl. Expand on that bit.” Charlie pulled up a chair, seemingly prepared to provide expert analysis.
“We played a game of pool, had a few drinks, he followed me home…and he might have kissed me good night.”
A loud shriek accompanied frantic bouncing and Anabelle laughed at her friend’s antics.
“I cannot freaking believe it. How was it? Was it everything you dreamed it would be? Is he yummy? Oh…I cannot believe you didn’t call me last night.”
Anabelle grinned.
“You sly bitch. What are you holding back?”
“Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I may have plans with him for tomorrow.”
Another shriek had passersby giving them a wide berth.
“Jeez, Charlie.” A little princess and a pint sized superman looked scared. They clung to their mom and refused to come closer. “It’s okay princess, this witch swallowed a toad by accident and had to clear her throat. She’s fine now so come and get some candy.”
“Yes, come and get some candy dearie.” Charlie crooned and beckoned in a creepy voice with her bony finger extensions, completing her wicked witch’s costume. The little ones remained where they were.
“Cut it out, Charlie.”
“What? What did I do?”
Anabelle lifted her eyebrow. Between the bony fingers, the disgusting faux wart at the end of Charlie’s nose and the yellow snaggleteeth she’d bought, the beautiful essence of Charlie was completely hidden.
“Can’t a girl have some fun?”
“If you scare off the customers, we’ll never unload the candy and we’ll each gain twenty pounds eating leftovers.”
Charlie grimaced, spit out the ugly teeth and pulled off the hairy wart. “Come on sweetheart. Pick a couple for you and your little brother.”
“Good one, Charlie.”
A tall Frankenstein with a ripped shirt showcasing drool worthy abs gave them a familiar grin.
“Derek?”
Frankenstein nodded and a small scientist bounced next to him. “Uncle Derek, Uncle Derek, you’re supposed to stay in character!”
“Hold on Alex, let me say hi to my friends first. Anabelle, Charlie…meet my nieces. The mad scientist is Alex, flower child is Janie and the princess is Esme.
“Hi…I’m batgirl!” announced the cutest princess ever. She wore black and white striped tights under a fluffy black tutu, a batgirl emblem was centered on her black leotard and a blue and silver sparkly tiara was perched on her head. Completing the ensemble was a sparkly cape and blue gloves. She posed with her hands on her hips, braced and ready for action.
Anabelle promptly lost her heart.
“Hi Batgirl. Want some candy.”
“Love some, thank you very much.” She reached in the cauldron to grab some before she remembered to look over at
her uncle. “Is it okay to take candy from strangers, Uncle Derek?”
“Anabelle’s my friend so it’s okay sweetheart.”
Esme beamed and grabbed a Kit Kat.
Flower girl was more reserved and thanked her quietly.
The mad scientist took a moment to study the choices, she seemed to weigh the pros and cons of each before she could commit.
“It’s okay, Alex. You can take more than one if you’d like.”
The mad scientist beamed and grabbed a Twix, Kit Kat and an Almond Joy. Problem solved.
“Hey, no fair.” Batgirl shoved her big sister out of the way and grabbed more as well.
“Girls!” An exasperated Frankenstein pointed to the curb. “Sit there for a minute and you can eat one piece of candy.”
“Yay!” The girls chorused and rushed to obey.
“They’re very sweet, Derek.”
“Yeah. They are, aren’t they? Chip off the block.”
She grinned. “Nice makeup job, Frankenstein. Spectacular job on the stitches there.
“Thank you,” hollered the mad scientist with a mouth full of chocolate, clearly eavesdropping. “I did that!”
“Good job Alex.”
“What do you think of our costumes?” Charlie asked with a diabolical grin.
He took in Charlie’s wicked witch costume in a quick glance and smiled before turning his attention to Anabelle’s little red riding hood costume. He took his time scanning her head to toe. Her body burned as he tracked her red and white stockings, deep red swinging velvet skirt before pausing for an indecent amount of time at her bodice where the damn corset Charlie forced her to wear threatened to upend her breast out of its confinement. His grin was slow and decidedly wolf like. “Very nice.”
Charlie laughed, completely delighted while Anabelle turned a shade that almost matched her dress.
“Come on girls. Uncle Derek is hungry.” He turned back to Anabelle and tapped her lips. “See you tomorrow, Anabelle. Don’t be late.” He ducked close and whispered in her ear, “You can bring the costume too, if you’d like.” With a wink, Frankenstein disappeared into the crowd with his girls while Charlie cackled. No doubt she’d utilized her eavesdropping skills like the wicked witch she was.
Chapter 8
Anabelle parked her car and took in a deep breath. The industrial neighborhood in Sugar Bay was made up of renovated warehouses, businesses and condo conversions. It had an eclectic appeal. She turned off her car, the only sound left was the staccato bouncing of her knees. The frenetic sound reminded her how out of her element she was. She made a concentrated effort to still her legs.
Hiding her plans from Charlie had been difficult as lying had never come easily to her. But letting Charlie in on her experiment wouldn’t be wise. The interrogation alone would strain her already spooked nerves. It was too much pressure.
It would be better to just do it, and then discuss details later. Let Charlie think it was only a shared meal.
Not her first foray into the realm of hot and dirty sex.
She grabbed her bag and exited her little Prius. The morning had left her room looking as if an explosion had detonated. Clothes and accessories were strewn across every flat surface. An unusual occurrence since as a rule, she was meticulous by nature.
A tailored v-neck polka dot pleated dress was her ultimate choice along with a cardigan, a staple in her wardrobe. The strappy high-heeled sandals completed the look. Humidity made her hair stick uncomfortably to the back of her neck never mind November had just begun. Florida weather didn’t care, the temperature was either hot, hotter or wet with a sprinkling of fine days in between. Those were the days you were happy to be a Floridian. Humidity defying hair products sold well.
Her heels echoed on the treads as she made her way up the metal stairs. She glanced at the directions he’d texted and confirmed the address number above the custom welded Celtic knocker. She wiped sweaty hands down her dress. Deep inhale. Slowly exhale. It wouldn’t do to be discovered panting upon arrival.
When she felt more in control, she lifted the knocker and waited. It wasn’t long before Derek swung the door open. She wondered if he’d seen her struggle for calm through the peephole but the sight of him sort of took her breath away and she stopped thinking.
Crap. Was it too late to leave?
She was afraid she’d started something she wasn’t equipped to handle. Over six feet of prime hot male stood before her, her sexual tutor for the month.
Her girl parts sat up, clapping and whooping in excitement, while her head cautioned against the wisdom of going forward.
“Come in, Anabelle.” Said the spider to the fly, she couldn’t help but think.
His hair was damp, like he’d recently come out of the shower. Hot sensation chased down her spine at the thought of his body, wet and naked under a pulsing hot shower, poised behind her while his soapy hands roamed her body.
Oh, jeez.
She froze at the threshold until he slid his big, warm hands down her back, urging her forward. The contact sent her eyes to meet his gaze. She could swear he’d read her thoughts. Heat infused her and a trickle of sweat rolled between her breasts.
She stood in the entry, feeling like little red riding hood despite the missing costume, which made Derek the big bad wolf. His head on her lower back guided her forward. Without a word, he held out his hand for her bag and she handed it over. She swallowed, her heart raced as if she’d finished a 5K. Her palms were damp but she didn’t want to wipe them while he watched. Maintaining the illusion of sophistication seemed appropriate. She didn’t want to look like a complete newbie.
She cleared her throat. “This is a nice space Derek.” Design was safe. Design she knew. Hot, dirty sex…not so much.. But with Derek’s help, she would soon.
Have mercy.
“You like it?”
“I love it. Lots of space planning possibilities.”
“It’s not done yet. The only completed spaces are the kitchen, bedroom en suite and outdoor space. The living room is partially done, but come on. I’ll show you around, then later you can explore while I finish lunch.”
The space was masculine and modern, the dark wood contrasted with creams, grays and blues he had interspersed throughout. It was modern industrial with nothing mass-produced in sight and quite beautiful. It read much like Derek.
“This floor, Derek. I love it.” The reclaimed wood was set in a herringbone pattern, showcasing the irregularities of the wood tones. The effect was striking. “How long did it take you?”
He shrugged. “A couple of months off and on.”
There was design eye candy everywhere and the designer in her melted at each detail. A cream-colored canvas hung from the rafters, enclosing what she assumed was the partially finished living space but something caught her attention. “A swing?”
“It’s for us,” he said then laughed when she blanched. “No? Oh well, that’s something we can work towards.” He winked. “Just kidding. I installed it for the girls.”
“Oh,” she breathed while her imagination still reeled at the thought of sex on a swing.
He seemed to read her guilty thoughts and laughed, his smile devilish. He led her toward the kitchen while she gathered herself. They rounded a corner and she gasped.
“Oh Derek, this is beautiful,” she whispered.
An epicure’s delight, the kitchen had dark wood cabinets, stainless steel details, a split Carrera marble baker’s counter and a butcher-block island. He hadn’t skimped. A Viking gas range, Wolf refrigerator, Kohler faucet and assorted high-end gadgets stood at the ready.
Sunlight flooded the space from a wall of windows adjacent to an outdoor garden, making the kitchen sparkle.
“Do you know how to use these toys?”
“I like to eat, so yes, I learned how to use the toys.” His smile was warm and she envied the lucky woman who’d be fed and better yet, be the recipient of that smile on a daily basis.
“So I don�
��t have to worry about food poisoning today?”
“No worries at all.” He pulled out a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay and her eyes widened.
“Nice, what’s on the menu?”
“Lemon butter Macedonian nut entrusted Tilapia with Fettuccine Alfredo.”
“Sounds yummy…and fattening.”
“Something you don’t have to worry.”
“I don’t know. If I stopped working out, I’d start to waddle.”
He chuckled; his eyes traced the length of her body, taking his sweet time while she fought the urge to squirm. Derek looked like a big, bad and very hungry wolf. “I don’t know about that.”
“It’s true. My passionate relationship with food is one of my most consistent relationships.”
“We’ll have to see about changing that.” The carnal look in his eyes ignited instant arousal and she swallowed. Tension erupted and the pseudo-relaxed state from moments ago fell away, leaving her gaze clinging to his.
“But first, let’s get you fed. You’re going to need energy for later.”
With weak knees, Anabelle slid onto a metal stool at the counter he indicated and took a sip of wine. The flavor blossomed on her tongue and as she waited for her nerves to calm, she took in the view. A massive bed in the loft corner caught her eye and she bit her lip. The bed looked…well, rather large, big enough for two to wrestle and play and…do stuff.
She jumped at the feel of his warm hand on her knee. Her gaze clashed with his.
“Nervous?”
She cringed, he’d caught her bouncing her knees like a nervous kid waiting to see the principal.
“Don’t be.”
Argh. The cool and collected illusion she tried channeling wasn’t happening. She needed to get a grip. Think Zen thoughts, Anabelle.
He squeezed her knee while a silent look passed between them. The timer went off and saved her from melting right off the stool. She wasn’t sure she would make it. Derek pulled the fish out, plated the pasta and dribbled sauce on the perimeter of the square, white plate.
“Fancy.”
“Presentation is important.” He shrugged and wiped the plate edge. “Besides, I like pretty things, don’t you?” He winked.