Puffy & Precious

by Mary E Thompson

  He smiled kindly at me. “Please, call me Wyatt.”

  “Thank you, Wyatt. And I insist you call me Abby.”

  He nodded. “Will you have help for the picnic, Abby?”

  I stopped for a minute, unsure. “Um, I shouldn’t have any trouble with that. Between my friends, my family, and my boyfriend, I’m sure I can bring in enough help. Can I ask why?”

  Was Graham really my boyfriend? As soon as the word was out I second guessed it. At least Graham wasn’t there to hear me claim him.

  “I know you run your store on your own. The volume of guests we expect will likely overwhelm you.”

  I nodded. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought about it, but it’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, good. We have some contracts for you to sign and a few things to finalize and I’ll let you get back to your shop.”

  I smiled. “Thank you, Wyatt.”

  When I locked the doors to SkinnyCakes that night I was sure I’d stepped into a dream. It was another insane day where I’d sold out of everything I made and had to bake more during the day to try to keep up. I’d dreamed of days like that when I was getting SkinnyCakes ready to open. Brett’s voice always echoed in my ear when I started to get excited, reminding me I wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t do it. I’d never be anything without him.

  Proving him wrong felt good. Until I remembered he had a hand in making it happen.

  With that thought hanging over me, I went home. Graham wanted to take me out to celebrate. It was going to be a great night. Brett wasn’t going to take that from me. He’d taken enough. I got the contract because Wyatt loved my desserts, not because of Brett.

  Graham wouldn’t tell me where we were going, but he insisted I dress up. I took a quick shower when I got home since I’d been in the kitchen most of the day, and sweating. With a towel secured around me, I dried my hair until it fell in long waves. The weather was still cool, especially in the evening, so leaving my hair down made sense. It also helped that I knew Graham liked it long. Brett insisted shorter hair was classier so I kept it short when we were married. Without him telling me what to do, I could have, and enjoy, longer, blonder hair.

  I slid on a new pair of light pink thong panties edged with cream lace and a bra that matched. I bought them right after I found Brett cheating, but never had the courage, or occasion, to wear them. A night out with Graham was a very good reason.

  My purple dress with tiny abstract flowers was a perfect fit. The tiny buttons that held the dress together over my chest ended at a wide stretchy band before the dress flared out over my belly and brushed the tops of my knees. It was comfortable but sexy and a little dressy.

  I applied a touch of mascara and lipgloss and was slipping my silver heels on when there was a knock on the door. I opened it with a grin that only widened when my eyes raked over Graham’s white button down shirt, sleeves rolled up to show off his sinewy forearms. The shirt wasn’t tucked into his khaki pants, giving him a slightly casual feel. Brown leather sandals made even his feet look sexy.

  “Hi,” I said softly as he stepped inside.

  His arm slipped around my waist and he leaned down to drop a kiss on my lips. “Congratulations, Ab. I knew you could do it.”

  “Thanks,” I said, his words warming me. His faith had never faltered.

  “You ready to go?”

  I nodded. “Where are we going?”

  He chuckled. “Nice try.”

  I pouted on our way to his truck. He opened the door for me and helped me up into his massive vehicle. I shook my head. There wasn’t anything small about the man.

  “What are you shaking your head about?” he asked, standing next to the open door, putting us at eye level.

  “I was just thinking there isn’t anything about you that isn’t huge.” I let my eyes travel down his body and settle on his crotch.

  He growled. “We might miss our night out if you don’t stop looking at me like that.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know what I’d be missing if we didn’t go. I’m very aware of what I’d get if we stayed in though.”

  He warred with himself for about a second before he spun me in my seat and dove in. He knees pried my legs apart the same time his hands cupped my jaw. His lips crashed into mine, not giving me a chance to stall his entry. I welcomed him in, battling his tongue, his hands, his body for the same opportunities. To ravish him the way he did me with every look, every touch. The way he desired me made me feel powerful. It was a heady feeling, to have him want me the way he did. I could feel his need pulsing against my core. I waited, knowing he would sweep me from the truck and carry me inside any second.

  The longer he kissed me, the more I needed him. My whole body ached for him, desire pooling low in my gut as moisture pooled within my new panties. He circled his hips against me and I had to break our kiss to release the whimper bubbling within me. His lips trailed down my throat, his hands going to my hips as he pulled me tighter against him.

  I wasn’t going to last much longer. I was ready to unzip his pants and push my panties aside and have him right there on the seat of his truck.

  But he pulled back. He stalked away a short distance, running his hand over his scalp. I recognized the motion. He only caressed the bare skin of his head when he was frustrated, usually with himself. He stalked back to the truck and rested his forearms on the frame above my head.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, sounding like he was being torn in half. “I never should have done that.”

  “Why not?”

  He shook his head. “You’re too precious to be handled like this, Abby. You don’t deserve me fucking you in a parking lot. You deserve me taking you to a bed and cherishing you.”

  I laughed mirthlessly and shook my head. “Actually, Graham, that’s exactly what I deserve. I deserve a man who wants me so much he can’t stop himself from exactly what we just did. I deserve a man who can’t keep his hands off me. Yeah, a bed is nice, but I’ve had years of sex in a bed with a man who only had time for me when it was convenient. I want a man who wants me when it’s not convenient. Who will skip dinner because he can’t wait until after to make love to me. Who doesn’t care if he’s messing up someone else’s night if it means we can order a pizza and eat it naked in bed. Better yet, on the living room floor because we never made it to bed. I don’t deserve a man who’s going to treat me like a prized possession. That’s not what I want. I didn’t think you were that kind of a man, but maybe I was wrong.”

  I raised one brow in challenge and waited for him to say something. His eyes were lit with something, but I couldn’t tell if it was anger or excitement.

  When he didn’t respond right away, I made a move to climb out of the truck. He blocked my path with his large body and a smirk. “Nice speech. You’re not going anywhere.”

  Chapter 15

  He lifted me from the car as though I were weightless. With a quick shift, he tossed me over his shoulder. I protested weakly as I giggled. He held me in place with one large hand on my ass, the other slammed the door closed and snatched my purse from my hand. At my door, he kept me suspended as he dug out my keys and unlocked the door. He kicked it closed behind us and flipped the lock, eliciting a Pavlovian response from my core.

  Ever so slowly, he lowered my body, letting me feel exactly how turned on he was. “You want a man who can’t wait to have you, huh? A man who doesn’t care about anything besides your pleasure? Don’t you dare claim I’m not that man, Ab.”

  The rasp of his voice skittered down my spine and settled between my thighs. There was a promise in his voice. One I knew he’d deliver on. But I had to make sure.

  “Prove it.”

  The words were barely out of my mouth when I was back in Graham’s arms. I met his kiss with a clash of teeth. My nails scraped down his back, and his hands lifted me until my legs wrapped around him. Neither of us could stop. Buttons flew as I tore his shirt open. The seams of my dress stretched to their limit as he tugged it from be
tween us and over my head. He groaned when he saw the bra and panties I had on.

  “We aren’t even going to make it to the living room, Ab. I need you. Now.”

  He thrust two fingers into me with his last word, making us both groan. His thumb swept over me, making my hips buck against him. I wasn’t going to last long, and Graham knew that.

  “Keep your legs tight, Ab. Lock your ankles.”

  I shook my head. “My legs aren’t long enough,” I whimpered, heat and need twisting together inside me.

  His hands gripped my knees. “Don’t move them from here. You got me?”

  I nodded, already feeling my strength waver.

  Graham reached under me with his other hand. I could feel him moving around by my one knee and heard the telltale clatter of his pants hitting the floor. I moaned when his fingers drew out of me, and again when his cock replaced them.

  “Oh, yes,” he growled against my neck. “You feel so good, Abby.” His hands supported my knees, spreading me wider to accept more of him. Without his fingers to stretch me out more, I felt every rasp of him inside me, brushing my walls, pulsing within me.

  Graham spun us and rested my shoulders against the door. “You ready, Ab?”

  “Uh huh,” I grunted, ready for whatever he had for me.

  He pulled out until only the very tip of him remained inside, then thrust deep in one smooth movement. “Oh, God,” I moaned, clutching his shoulders. He held my hips tight, not letting me slip as my strength faded. He supported me entirely as his body moved within mine, spiraling desire, need, affection. They all blended together inside me, a tornado of emotions I couldn’t stop. His body demanded everything I had. I slumped over his shoulder, unable to do anything but go along for the ride.

  My body was tight, ready to snap. Every stroke of his cock into me tightened the bands inside me. When he groaned and plunged faster, deeper, the last bit of my body’s resistance cracked, leaving me crying, screaming, riding him through my orgasm.

  He roared my name, slamming into my body and stilling within me. I felt the pulse of his orgasm inside me, and it tipped me over into a second one, my body milking the last of what he offered.

  Graham’s strength finally faltered, our bodies sliding to the ground, still connected, against my front door. He cradled me to him, kissing my neck, my hair, my shoulders. When he chuckled, I looked up at him.

  He shook his head. “We didn’t even get all our clothes off.”

  I smirked. “That makes it even better.”

  Graham tipped his head back and laughed, his whole body trembling. “You better be careful. Now that I know you want it like this we might not ever make it to a bed again.”

  I shrugged. “Beds are nice, too. I’ve never had sex against a door before.”

  He kissed the side of my head. “Neither have I, Ab.”

  “Good to know,” I said, suddenly curious about Graham’s past. I knew all about his brother, a little about his mother, but nothing about his past relationships, or even himself.

  “Tell me about your last relationship,” I said, burrowing into his chest. I felt him still, his body going rigid at my request.

  “Why do you want to know?”

  I straightened and looked at him. The vivid green had turned stormy, more gray than green. It was clear the question struck a raw nerve with him. He didn’t want to tell me, and I was certain he wasn’t going to.

  “I want to know more about you, Graham. I feel like I’ve told you everything about me but don’t know much about you.”

  He shrugged and slid out from beneath me. “There’s not really much to tell, I guess.”

  He tugged his pants up onto his hips and pulled his shirt back on. I watched him from my seat on the floor. He went into the kitchen to dispose of the condom and came back with his pants buttoned.

  His eyes implored me not to press. I was curious, but I didn’t want to ruin our night. He’d tell me when he was ready. As long as he wasn’t cheating on me, or fantasizing about someone else when he was with me, I could wait.

  I shrugged and stood. “Okay,” I said simply. His shoulders eased and his jaw loosened. He held each hand tense in a fist for a second longer, then released those as well. He reached for me and I went willingly into his arms.

  “We missed our reservation. How’s Chinese delivery?”

  I smiled against his chest, relieved that he wasn’t running. I nodded and hugged him tighter, enjoying the feel of his body against mine. “There’s a menu in the kitchen.”

  Graham protested when I pulled my dress back over my head, but I pointed out he couldn’t exactly answer the door in a shirt that couldn’t be buttoned. We ate our Chinese food in the living room, feeding each other and sharing. Graham found an old movie, and I snuggled against him as we watched.

  I couldn’t remember feeling more content in my life. I had a great man, a fabulous career, and amazing friends and family. Life didn’t get any better.

  Even if there were still secrets between us.

  Instead of leaving when the movie was over, Graham swept me off my feet, literally, and carried me to bed. We spent half the night, and some of the morning, making love. He banished every thought of him with another woman. My apprehension from the night before disappeared as Graham loved me with his hands, his mouth, his body. I was still curious about the look in his eyes when I asked about his past, but it didn’t make sense to push.

  When we finally managed to drag ourselves out of bed late the next morning I saw a bunch of missed calls from Brett. Graham must have noticed something because he immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I said automatically, backing my words up with a smile.

  He peered closely at me before his eyes softened. “Why don’t I believe you?”

  I laughed as he pulled me to him, but our kiss was interrupted by the insistent vibration of my phone working its way off the countertop.

  “You better get that,” he said, pulling back. Not far enough. He was looking over my shoulder when I lifted the phone and saw Brett’s name on the display. Graham stiffened, and not in the way I liked.

  “What?” I said into the phone, more than a little annoyed he was calling me on a Saturday morning and interrupting my time with Graham.

  “Why did you hire that guy? He’s incompetent and a complete idiot. You need to come in this weekend and straighten out the mess he created.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me, Abby. I have paperwork that needs to be filed. He couldn’t even do that. I don’t know what he did with it. You need to come in.”

  “I’m busy,” I said with a nervous glance toward Graham. His arms were folded over his bare chest. All I wanted to do was dive back into him. Not go work for Brett.

  “Too busy to fulfill your duties?” His voice dripped with disdain. “Too busy to bake for the mayor?”

  His intention was clear. And it worked. “Fine,” I sighed. “Give me a couple hours.”

  “I’ve been calling you for a couple hours, Abby. I need you in here now.”

  “Back off, Brett. I’ll be there soon.”

  I hung up without giving him another chance to argue. I could feel Graham’s disapproval in the air between us. Hell, I didn’t like it either, but what choice did I have. He had me pinned, and we both knew it.

  “Why do you put up with him, Ab?”

  I shook my head. “You know why, Graham.”

  He stepped closer, his hands rubbing my arms. “I don’t though. You got the job. Why do you have to be at his beck and call still? I was hoping we could spend the day together, but you’re running off to your ex.”

  I couldn’t take it. I’d had enough manipulation from Brett. “I have to think about my future, Graham. My career. It’s not as easy for me. You’ve been doing the same thing for almost twenty years. I’ve been doing this for less than one. I don’t have my world worked out.”

  He shook his head and looked like I’d hurt him. “It wasn
’t always easy for me, Abby. Nothing was easy about the way I grew up.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. Look, I don’t want to go over there. I’d rather stay right here with you, but I can’t miss this chance. I can’t risk Brett calling Wyatt and telling him to take my contract.”

  “Wyatt?”

  I shook my head. “The mayor. He told me to call him Wyatt.”

  “You’ve got a lot of men in your life right now, Ab. Are you sure you have time for me?”

  “Don’t do this Graham. Don’t act like I’m casting you aside.”

  “Aren’t you? You’re running off to be with your ex instead of me.”

  “It’s not like that, Graham, and you know it.”

  He shook his head and took a step back. “You say you’re doing this for your career, but I don’t think you are. He’s never supported your career. That’s why you didn’t open a bakery until after you left him. At some point, Abby, you’re going to need to decide to walk away from him.”

  “I already walked away from him. When I divorced him.”

  “If that were true, you wouldn’t be leaving right now, Abby.”

  “You’re wrong, Graham.”

  He nodded. “I hope so, Ab. Have a good day.”

  He brushed my cheek with a kiss and left.

  I stormed into Brett’s office fifteen minutes later, pissed as hell and ready for a fight. If Brett said one smart-ass thing, I knew I’d lose my shit with him, and probably jeopardize my career for it.

  Brett came out of his office smiling. He walked right up to me and kissed the same cheek Graham just had. I resisted the urge to wipe it off.

  “Thanks for coming, baby. I’m sorry I had to fire that guy. He seemed like a good fit, but he was all over the place. Of course, no one is as good as you are.”

  His words were a balm over the rawness left by my interaction with Graham. Interaction? I wish. Fight was more like it.

  “What do you need me to do?” I asked.

  Brett sighed as though he was the one put out. I knew he worked his weekends and loved his job more than anything else in his life. I was the one missing out on my weekend.