by Tina Michele
Bree struggled to find the perfect response when Jim interrupted her blushing girlish brain paralysis. “I’ll only ask you one thing about it.”
Still smiling from ear to ear, Bree turned to him. “Huh? Hi. What?” He repeated himself. “I was wondering how long it would take.” She looked again at her phone and then lowered it to her lap. “Fine, but you only get one, so you better make it good.”
“Well, what if your answer requires additional questions for clarification?”
“Well, then I suggest you choose a yes or no question just to be safe.” Bree laughed.
“Ugh, okay. Then I would like to reserve the right to hold my question until another time.”
“Hmm. I have a feeling this will come back to bite me in the ass somehow, but since I don’t have much to say about things at this moment, I think that’s fine.” Bree wasn’t ready to answer any questions, even a simple yes or no one.
Bree looked out the window and then at the time on the dash. She thought if they went any slower they’d have been traveling in reverse. If her uncle stepped on it, they could get to work in time for her to see Carson before she had to start her first scheduled tour. Bree hoped for more than two seconds with her, but if time allowed for a quick smile and hello, it would be more than enough to start her day. When they pulled into the parking lot, Bree jumped out and bolted for the building. “Six minutes.” Bree sent a text without slowing down.
Hey you. Good morning :) Are you in yet?-B
So much for the witty and flirty response she had wanted to send. When she got to Carson’s office, her heart sank. It appeared that Carson hadn’t even made it into the office or at least to her desk yet. Bree looked around and then checked the time on her phone. “Dammit.” How did it take her five minutes to get from the parking lot to the office? Disappointed, she left the office and dashed toward the tour muster station.
As usual, there was a healthy group of anxious guests who mulled about as they waited for her. Bree approached the group, announced herself, and welcomed everyone to the Biltmore. The group circled around her and listened as she reviewed the rules and tour expectations. All of a sudden, everyone’s attention was drawn to the sight and sound of someone running toward them. The group parted to allow Carson through. She slid to a halt in front of Bree and pulled a beautiful bouquet of lilies from behind her back. Bree’s face flushed, and her mouth dropped open in surprise.
“What are you doing?” Bree whispered to Carson and looked around as everyone stared at them.
“Just saying good morning.” Carson looked amused.
“You’re crazy. Do you know that?” Bree looked down at the pink and white stargazer lilies. She didn’t even remember when she’d told Carson that they were her favorite flower.
“I am crazy,” Carson said before she leaned in to Bree’s ear and whispered, “for you. Have a great day.” As Carson turned to leave, she addressed the guests. “Enjoy your tour, ladies and gentlemen. This is Biltmore’s best and most knowledgeable guide, and her beauty is a definite bonus.”
Once Carson was gone, the group turned their attention back to Bree, who still stood in awe and clutched the bunch against her chest with one hand. With her free hand she had a death grip on the railing in order to keep herself in an upright position. She blushed as everyone stared at her and she stared down the hall toward where Carson had disappeared.
Bree snapped out of her daze and smiled back at them. “Well, okay, shall we be on our way?”
*
Carson walked away from the group with more confidence than she felt. She had every intention of meeting Bree in the parking lot that morning to give her the flowers. Her truck had refused to start, and she had to take her bike, but Carson refused to let it ruin her plan to surprise Bree. Somehow she managed to stuff the bouquet into her jacket without damaging a single bloom in the bunch, although she’d succeeded in pollinating her shirt with a layer of yellow dust.
Once Carson made it around the corner and out of sight of a very overwhelmed Bree and an astonished group of guests, she stopped to catch her breath. Carson felt like she hadn’t taken a single breath since she had amped herself up and made her gallant move. Her heart raced, and she thought it would pound right out of her chest. Carson couldn’t believe how much the simple thought of Bree affected her, let alone the sight, scent, or heaven help her, taste of her. Carson thought Bree smelled beautiful, like a soft mixture of citrus and sunshine, and she tasted even better. Her pulse returned to a semi-normal state, and Carson allowed herself to peek back around the corner at Bree, who led her group up the staircase. Before Carson pulled her gaze away, her heart fluttered when she watched Bree bring the bouquet up to steal another smell.
For a split second, anxiety rushed through Carson after an unexpected sense of loss filled her chest as she watched Bree disappear up the stairs. Against the irrational need she felt to wait for her to return, Carson headed toward her office and checked the time on her phone. She saw the text from Bree and couldn’t help but smile. She was in the midst of her reply when she felt a hand grip her shoulder. “Oh no. Not you, too?”
“What? Huh?” Still smiling, Carson looked up at Jim.
“I just spent twenty minutes driving in with a grinning, giggling teenager. And now I see that it’s contagious.”
“I’m not giggling. I don’t giggle. This is not giggling.” Carson tried and failed to keep a straight face as she defended herself. She gave up. She didn’t care if someone saw her smiling or even giggling; she was happy. “Okay, maybe I giggle sometimes.” She still attempted to say it in a controlled manner.
“Well, contagious or not, I’m overjoyed that both of my girls are happy and smiling.” Jim put his arm around Carson’s shoulders and pulled her into his side. “It makes me happy. But you both need to be careful. Just take it slow.”
They walked that way until they got to the door to Carson’s workspace. Jim excused himself for a meeting, and Carson went in to get started for the day. She sat at her desk and took out her phone to finish the text she had started earlier. She knew that Bree’s first tour was an hour and a half, and she would have a thirty-minute break before her next one began.
Hey you. Can you meet me in my office on your next break?-C
Yes. I’ll see you soon.-B
After an hour and a half had passed, Carson’s heart began to pound before she even looked at the time. She just knew that Bree was on her way. She wiped her palms on her pant legs as she swiveled back and forth on her tall drafting stool. Carson heard the door handle turn, and she inhaled deeply. When she saw Bree she forgot how to exhale. She held her breath for fear that if she moved a single muscle Bree would stop, or worse, disappear altogether. Bree didn’t disappear, and she stopped when her hips touched Carson’s knees. Carson knew if she didn’t breathe soon she would pass out, but as Bree’s hips pressed between her thighs, she wasn’t sure she hadn’t already died and gone to heaven. She had never before needed anyone or anything with such desperation.
When Bree spoke the world began to spin again. “Hi,” she said.
Carson took a breath and inhaled the delicious scent that was Bree. “Hi,” was the only word Carson managed to say.
Bree giggled and Carson’s heart skipped. When Bree placed her hand on Carson’s thigh and squeezed ever so gently, Carson could no longer control herself. She jumped off the chair and it slammed into the desk behind her. The swift movement and noise startled Bree backward. Carson was unfazed as she grabbed Bree’s arms and wrapped them behind her neck. Carson gripped Bree’s waist and pushed her back toward the door she had just entered through. When Bree was pressed against the door, Carson kissed her. She claimed her lips with heated enthusiasm. All day, Carson had thought of nothing but the need to taste Bree.
Bree opened her mouth and offered herself to Carson. Bree moaned in pleasure and arched herself into Carson’s body. Carson slipped her leg between Bree’s and ran her hands down to the small of her back. She pul
led her in quick and hard against her strong thigh. Carson felt Bree’s heat on her leg, and it drove her mad with need. She needed to feel Bree in her hand.
Carson’s body was ablaze and her center was molten. She knew that Bree was just as hot and ready as she was. She brought her hand around and slipped it between her legs along the seam of Bree’s pants. She rubbed the fabric, and Bree whimpered the moment Carson found the perfect spot. She kissed Bree’s neck and nibbled at her ear. “You are so beautiful, and I want you so bad.” With one hand, she unbuttoned Bree’s slacks and began to slip her hand inside the waistband. The tip of her fingers skimmed over the silky fabric of Bree’s panties. Carson cupped her hand around the pulsing middle and pressed a finger against the swollen peak. Bree was wet and ready to be pleased, and she cried out with desire.
As Carson slipped her hand between the lace panties and smooth skin, Bree stopped her. Carson looked down and saw Bree’s hand that held Carson’s wrist. She looked up, concerned that she had pushed Bree too far. “Are you okay?” she asked as she pulled back her hand.
Bree placed her hand on Carson’s face. “I’m fine. And while I want nothing more than to fulfill this fantasy, I just don’t think this is how I want it to be…the first time. I think I need to slow down.”
“Of course, sweetheart, whatever you want.” Carson offered to help Bree reassemble her clothing but gave up and let Bree do it on her own. She brushed a strand of Bree’s hair back in place.
“Are you mad?” Bree asked.
“What? Oh my God. No, I’m not mad.” Carson rubbed Bree’s shoulders. “I would never be mad at you for stopping yourself from doing something you weren’t ready for.” Carson cupped Bree’s face in her hand and brushed a thumb along her lips. “Never.” Carson was taken aback that Bree would think for a moment that she would be upset or angry that Bree had stopped them from doing something she wasn’t ready for. While it was a new experience for her in particular, she could never have imagined being enraged by it.
“Okay.” Bree smiled as Carson leaned in and kissed her sweetly. “Mmm, I do love doing that, though. Maybe you can come by tonight for dinner and a movie with my uncle and me? Popcorn and cuddling, maybe some more kissing?”
“Anything. Well, cuddling maybe, but I am not kissing your uncle,” Carson said. They both shivered at the uncomfortable thought and laughed.
Chapter Fifteen
Carson lingered in the lobby as she had done every day for a week. As work picked up with the third-floor project, she didn’t get to see Bree as much as she wanted to. As that was all the time, anything less than that was insufficient. She had never before had such an insatiable desire to be with another person. Not even the memories of their brief and heated encounters in Carson’s office were enough to curb her longing. If anything, it made them stronger. Carson couldn’t remember having waited so long to get what she wanted. Her growing need to have Bree in every countless way was as exciting as it was unsettling.
Carson saw Bree and Jim as soon as they entered the building. Sometimes Carson thought she could feel Bree long before she ever saw her. A smile lit up Bree’s face as soon as they spotted each other, and Carson’s heart leapt. She was like the rising sun, and Carson didn’t know how she’d ever begun a day without it.
Every morning, Carson forced herself to stand in the same spot and resist any urge she had to sprint across the foyer and scoop the beautiful Bree into her arms. It had become her daily lesson in willpower and perseverance. However, once Bree was within reach Carson didn’t hesitate to act on her impulses and pull her into a tight, wanton embrace. She kissed Bree for as long as she could before the sound of Jim clearing his throat ruined the mood. As always, Carson huffed and released Bree. She sneered at Jim as if he had just confiscated her favorite toy. “Good morning, Jim. You know, you’re taking this protective dad thing overboard, don’t you think?”
“Overboard? Nah. I haven’t even shown you my shotgun collection yet,” Jim said with a wink.
“Oh, good grief. You’re both so full of shit. I have to go. Can the two of you play nice today or do I need to get Barbara to watch you?” Bree asked as she pointed back and forth between Carson and Jim.
“We’ll be fine, dear,” Jim said as Bree kissed first him and then Carson on the cheek before she walked away.
Carson watched her leave. As soon as Bree was out of earshot, Carson turned to Jim. Even then, she spoke softly. “So, Bree’s birthday is on Saturday and I was wondering if you had anything planned?”
“Um, not exactly. It’s been a while since she’s been home for a birthday, but when she was it was just a low-key dinner. Why? Do you?”
“Not so much. I was thinking a surprise dinner at the Grand Boho with a few of us?”
“That sounds like a fantastic idea, Car. I think she’ll love it.”
“Perfect. I’ll get it worked out and then give you the details. Sweet.” Carson popped Jim in the arm before she skipped off into the office area.
*
Carson pulled her truck into Bree and Jim’s driveway. She got out of the truck and spotted Jim who peeked through the miniblinds of the kitchen door. It was his poor, albeit humorous, attempt not to be seen. Carson used her hand and smoothed away the smile in case Bree also watched from her kitchen window. She rolled her eyes at Jim and trotted up the hill toward Bree’s front door. Carson didn’t know why she was so nervous. They’d been on a single date before. Still, it felt as though they were about to have their first real one. She took a deep breath and rang the bell.
Carson couldn’t have imagined how dazzling Bree would look the moment she opened the door. Carson stumbled backward off the stoop as all the air rushed from her lungs. Bree stood in the door with a sparkling smile and the richest eyes Carson had ever seen. Her hair was swept back loose and sexy to expose a long, luscious neck. Carson couldn’t help it as her eyes traced the sinuous lines of Bree’s skin down to her dangerously bare chest. The deep V of Bree’s crimson gown was cut low between her ample breasts. Lucky for them both that Carson was paralyzed in awe or she’d have swept Bree into her arms and taken her on the floor of the foyer.
“Bree Whitley…you look…You are so beautiful,” Carson managed to say.
Bree raised a seductive eyebrow. “Thank you for noticing, Ms. Harper.”
Carson drew Bree in to her. She lowered her head and pleaded, “May I please kiss you?”
Before Bree could answer, their mouths were connected. What had begun tentatively grew into a fevered hunger. Against every desire in her mind and body, Carson pulled away. “Damn, you are amazing. But we should get going if we want to make our reservations.”
Carson led Bree down the sidewalk to her truck. She opened the door and helped Bree into the vehicle. When the skirt of her long dress slipped upward, Carson’s fingers brushed along the smooth skin of Bree’s bare leg. Her mind flashed with arousing images of those legs wrapped around her body. Before she acted on her impulses right in the driveway, she closed the door and walked around the back of the truck to the driver’s side. Although she couldn’t see him, she knew Jim was on the other side of the door. She winked her signal to proceed with the next phase of the plan.
Carson hadn’t told Bree where they were going for dinner so any route she took wouldn’t cause suspicion. She had plenty of time before they needed to be at the restaurant, but if Carson was going to make it to their first stop before sunset, she had to get moving. Carson struggled to keep her eyes on the road and not on Bree.
“That dress is amazing. You are amazing.” Carson took Bree’s hand in hers.
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Carson could feel Bree’s eyes on her as she drove. “If you keep looking at me like that I’m going to pull this truck over and we’ll never make it where we need to be tonight.”
Bree pulled Carson’s hand into her lap and stroked her forearm with her free hand. “Oh, really?”
Carson emitted a low growl and s
queezed Bree’s hand. “Really.”
Carson pulled the truck over onto the side of the road and Bree’s eyes widened. Bree looked around outside and then at Carson. “What are you doing? Where are we?”
Carson smiled and leaned in toward Bree. “I told you I’d pull over if you didn’t stop looking at me like that.”
Bree smiled as she ran her finger down the bridge of Carson’s nose and over her parted lips. She leaned in and brought her lips to where her finger brushed Carson’s mouth. “I’m sorry.”
Carson could feel the heat of Bree’s breath so close. “You don’t ever need to be sorry for how you make me feel.”
“Good to know.” Bree pressed her lips to Carson’s. The kiss was full of heat and passion. Neither of them wasted time with light caresses as their tongues tangled together with desperate need. Bree’s arms wrapped around Carson’s neck and pulled her deeper into her.
Carson moaned with pleasure and raw desire. She wanted to be inside every part of Bree. Carson ran her hand down the length of Bree’s long leg until she reached the hem of her dress. She clutched the fabric in her hand and pulled it up over Bree’s knee to expose the smooth skin of her thigh. The sound of Bree’s wanton whimper sent a rush of heat between Carson’s legs. The sound of a vehicle that passed roused her from the trance Bree had her in. Carson looked around and realized if they didn’t stop they would miss the real reason she had pulled over. “Shit, we’re going to miss it.” Carson released Bree and jumped out of the truck.
Confused, Bree watched as Carson rounded the front of the truck to the passenger’s side and opened her door. Carson helped her from the truck and led her to a clearing beyond the trees that lined the edge of the roadside parking area. Beyond the small clearing, the steep ground sloped down toward the city. For the first time, Bree realized they were on the mountain that overlooked downtown.