by C. A. Harms
I was sitting in the design room at the store with my head down, focusing on pinning the hem of a dress I was altering for a customer, yet my mind was wandering off to my last few nights with Noah.
We had spent every night together for the past week. He would stop by my place or call and insist I come to his. Either way, I had been in his arms every night, and I was growing accustomed to the security of having him near. And the way he touched me was incredible. Each moment with him was amazing.
The chimes of the bells I had installed above the door caught my attention, and I hurried to step out from the back room. I smiled instantly when I found my two very best friends standing just beyond the counter.
“Well, my oh my, look at that glow, Amber. I’d say Little Miss Alena has been having herself a taste of a Sawyer brother. She now understands just what the hype is all about.”
I rolled my eyes at Bailey as she fanned her face, pretending to grow flushed from the thought. She was such a weirdo. I picked up the pen lying on top of the counter and flung it in her direction. It bounced off her forehead, causing Amber to snicker and me to snort in laughter.
“Okay, horn dog, enough about me knocking boots with the other brother. What are the two of you up to?” I asked as I leaned over on the counter, resting my elbows against the cool surface.
Tammy was covering the bakery, but Amber still rarely left before closing even if she had help. So for them to walk across the street during opening hours meant they were up to something. When Bailey looked over toward Amber and they shared some sort of knowing look, I cocked an eyebrow at them.
“I’m waiting.” I drummed my fingers on the marble beneath my hand, trying to give off an impatient vibe.
“I was actually hoping I could convince you to make my wedding gown for me,” Bailey said with a shrug.
My fingers stopped their incessant tapping, and I was momentarily speechless. “Really?”
She laughed at my surprise. “Yeah, really.”
“Bailey, you could order any dress, from any top designer. Hell, you could even have your daddy purchase you the most gorgeous Vera Wang you can find.” I was suddenly breathing a little heavier than I had been five minutes ago. “Why would you want some knock-off design made by a nobody when you could have the best?” Just the idea of disappointing her was overwhelming.
Bailey stepped around the end of the counter and stopped near me. Leaning forward, she placed her hand on my shoulder, forcing me to look at her.
“Len, you know me. You know how picky I am, and you know my tastes. You and I have talked about every detail of how our wedding dresses would look for years. There is no one that knows the perfect dress for me better than you do.” She looked at me with a serious expression, which only made me panic more.
“But I—” She couldn’t mean this.
“But nothing, Alena. There is no one else I would entrust. I only want a dress designed by you. Because I know that’s the only dress I will truly love.”
“Len, there is seriously no need to argue. She isn’t gonna change her mind,” Amber added from the other side of the counter, where she had been quietly observing the entire exchange. “I loved the dress you made for me, and no one could have made me one I would have adored more.”
Amber was different than Bailey. Yes, Am was picky to a certain extent, but she was nothing like Bailey was. Our dear friend had always been a fashionista. She wore all the newest fashions, knew all the latest trends, and had more damn top-end high heels than half the city of Chicago.
But looking at her now, you may never have guessed it. Jackson had really rubbed off on our city girl. Bailey still loved her fancy cowboy boots and matching hats, but these days she looked like a ranch girl. She was the best of both worlds, and she was asking me to make the most important piece of her biggest day.
Tears instantly sprung to my eyes, and my lip began to tremble.
“Ah damn, Lenny Lou, don’t start with the waterworks. My hormones can’t take that shit,” Bailey announced with a sniffle. “At the rate I’ve been going, I’ll be a bawling mess for the next seven months for sure. Shit gets worse with each passing day.”
Amber and I shared a look of confusion, but Bailey continued, oblivious to her slipup.
“As if the achy boobs aren’t already enough, I cry at the drop of a hat too. I swear I’ll drive Jackson crazy before the end.” She took in a calming breath and began wiping at her tears.
Both Amber and I remained frozen, allowing Bailey the time she needed to gain some control. Any moment she was bound to realize what she’d just said.
“Phew, okay, now that we got all that girly shit out of the way, are you gonna make my dress for me?” When I only stared at her, she shifted her eyes to Amber. When Am only gave her the same look, she began bouncing her gaze between us.
“What on earth is wrong with the two of you?” Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Did I miss something?”
“Um.” I was the first to speak, and I said the only thing that came to mind. “Sounds like you missed something already—like your period.”
Her eyes grew wide, and she slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh shit,” she said, and it came out in more of a mumble. “Did I—?” She closed her eyes tight. “Jackson is gonna kick my ass for sure. He didn’t want to tell anyone until after three months.”
Amber’s eyes widened, and we both began to squeal in excitement. “Oh my God, a baby,” Amber cried, causing Bailey to wince.
After about five straight minutes of gushy, happy overload on all our parts, Bailey made us vow to act just as surprised when the news finally came out as we did today. Seeing the happiness pregnancy had given both my girls made me want to rush straight over to Noah’s and curl up in his arms. I couldn’t help but want the same life both Amber and Bailey had been blessed with.
***
The days when my new inventory arrived from the vendors I chose to carry were like Christmas morning. I would close the store at two and spend hours getting lost in all the newest designs and materials, the feel of the newest line of silk nighties. The colors were always so bright and flawless.
It was honestly my favorite part of owning my own store.
I had been so consumed with stocking the shelves and hanging up clothes that I lost track of time. A light tap on the front door startled me, and I spun around with my hand placed on the center of my chest.
There stood Noah, holding a large cup of coffee with a huge smile spread across his lips. Just to his left stood Austin, with a matching smile and a bag from Heavenly Temptations. They were so adorable, looking back at me all innocent and sweet. I couldn’t help but return the grin. They just made me feel special.
I walked toward the door, flipped the lock, and pushed it open to let them in. I stepped back to let them enter, and Noah made sure to relock it before holding the coffee out to me. “Hey, baby, we thought we’d stop by with some fuel.” He nodded toward Austin, who held the bag out to me, matching his daddy’s movements.
My heart warmed both at their gestures and the yummy goodness they’d brought me.
“Thank you, handsome,” I said to Austin as I took the bag and peeked inside. “Chocolate chip, my favorite. And it looks like there’s just enough for all of us to share.”
Austin’s face brightened with excitement, and he looked over at Noah for approval.
“Well, go on, boy.” Noah nodded. “If a pretty lady offers you some sweetness, you take her up on that offer.”
I blushed as I picked up on the hidden meaning of Noah’s words. Austin rushed past me and waited patiently near the counter while Noah smirked.
“You think you can spare a little sweetness for me later?” he said in a low, husky tone, and once again I was blushing.
“I’m pretty sure that can be arranged,” I assured him as I sauntered over to Austin and began pulling the cookies from the bag. Refusing to look back at Noah, I focused on grabbing a paper towel and breaking the huge, still slight
ly warm cookies in two. Holding out half of one to Austin, I kept the other half for myself. Together we bit into the soft cookie, and my eyes fluttered shut as the sweet flavor of chocolate engulfed me. Amber was a goddess in the kitchen. That girl could bake anything and you would get lost in it. I was so consumed by the flavor, I hadn’t noticed Noah step around the counter to stand directly behind me. The moment he pressed against me, I felt his erection pushing against my hip.
“You can’t moan like that and expect me not to be affected. Holy hell, woman,” he whispered in my ear just before he kissed my neck in that spot that makes my entire body ache instantly. Now that he’d spent so many night exploring my body, the man understood what spots to touch to make me yearn for more. He played dirty when it came to teasing, and I found it hard to resist the urge to demand more.
“Sorry,” I said breathlessly. I was doing everything possible to remain calm in the presence of Austin. Good thing the little guy was so lost in enjoying his special treat that he was completely oblivious to the interaction between his father and me. I arched my back, which gave me just the right angle to push against his hardness more.
“Looks like Little Miss Sassy has picked up a little game of her own,” Noah said with his lips still hovering near my ear. “You better be prepared to back that up in a few hours, darlin’. Because I plan on taking this night into a little overtime.”
I looked over my shoulder and found Noah’s heated stare. He had that “I am gonna work you up and ride you hard” look. The man had the stamina of a hundred men, I swear. I had a hard time keeping up with him, but hell, I still truly enjoyed trying to outlast him, even if in the end I was exhausted and achy.
“My place or yours?” I asked before I bit down on my lower lip.
His gaze immediately shifted toward my lips. “Mine,” he said. “I have to take Austin back to his mom, and then I want to stop by and check on Momma. After that, I’ll head home and wait—very impatiently for my own sweetness to be delivered.”
“I promise not to keep you waiting long,” I said as I leaned toward him before pressing a soft kiss against his jaw.
“Okay,” he said before slouching enough to place his lips to mine. And once again, my body hummed with the promise of more to come.
Chapter Twenty
Noah
After dropping Austin off at Stacey’s parents’ place, I drove out to the ranch. Months after the loss of my father, it still felt strange visiting. I always expected to see his truck sitting in the driveway, but Momma had given it to Ryan. With Olivia finally getting her license, they felt Dad’s 1999 Ford was the best fit for her, especially with how her face lit up with the idea of inheriting her grandad’s truck. We all agreed Liv deserved it. She was a respectful girl who would treasure the gift and its significance.
Hell, to this day she washed and polished it as if it was a brand-new BMW. At times, Ryan said he would find her just sitting in the truck in the driveway listening to the radio. She had no desire to go anywhere, but being inside somehow made her feel closer to the old man, and that too confirmed our Liv was one special girl.
Jackson was still here, finishing his daily tasks. At times I wondered how my little brother handled this place. I loved the ranch, but it never truly had the hold on me it appeared to have on Jack. It was his baby now, and he had no problem running it as smoothly as Dad did.
When I entered the barn, I checked each stall as I passed in search of Jackson. As I reached the end stall, I began thinking maybe he had just left his truck here when I heard a loud groan—a groan of pleasure that had my ass freezing in place, terrified I was about to see something that would forever be etched in my mind. And sure as shit, as I turned to the left, I was blindsided by Jack’s naked ass as he went to town on Bailey.
“Motherfuck,” I said as I covered my eyes and began walking backward. “What the hell is with you two? I could have been Momma walking in on this shit.”
I heard Bailey’s squeals and a deep chuckle from my brother while I continued to back away. Cocky asshole had no shame. He thought being caught was funny.
When I was far enough that I would no long be subjected to the sight of my brother’s bare ass, I removed my hand from my eyes and rushed from the barn, craving the safety of my momma’s house.
I would leave what I had just witnessed behind, sparing Ma any details. If she knew the two of them were screwing in the barn, she’d beat them with the broom for sure.
“Hey, son.” She looked up from the kitchen table as I entered the back door. She and dad used to sit there for hours working on crosswords puzzles. I swear they bought them in bulk.
“Hey, Momma,” I replied as I leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
“What are you up to? And where is my grandson?” She spoke without looking away from her puzzle.
“Just stopping by to visit. Alena has another hour or so at the shop before she’s meeting me at my place. Austin, I assume, is in bed by now or getting ready for it.” I sat down in the chair across from her and leaned back, crossing my ankles out before me. “I picked him up after work for dinner and dessert. Then I took him back. It’s too hard to keep him on the nights I have to be at the station so early the next day.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind seeing him a little more.” She arched an eyebrow at me, daring me to argue.
I instantly felt guilty. I did need to bring him around my family more. It wasn’t only me that had missed out on him. They had too.
“Sorry, Ma. How about tomorrow night we bring you dinner? Just Austin and me, with the best woman I know.” I smiled when her eyes glossed over.
“Still a charmer, I see,” she said as she sniffled. “But I think your ma has got a little competition now. Seems you have a liking for a certain fashion-store owner.” She winked playfully, and warmth spread over me.
“Competition? No, never. You’ll always be my number-one, momma. But you are right, Alena has snuck in and found a special place.”
“And that knowledge makes me happy. Love looks good on you,” she added before looking back down at her crossword. “Why don’t you bring her tomorrow too? I think it’s time we made her feel like part of the family.”
I waited for her to look up, and when she did, I smiled, assuring her that her gesture meant a lot.
I stood from the table and took a step toward her. Leaning over once more, I kissed the top of her head. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Ma. Love you.”
“Love you too, son, and will you do me a favor?” she asked as she patted the top of my hand.
“Sure, anything for you,” I assured her.
She looked up at me with an expression on her face that made me realize I would regret agreeing to do whatever it was she was about to ask. “Could you make those two horny-ass fools go home?” I froze, wondering if she was upset or if she found their random sex acts as funny as the rest of us. “I went out earlier to check on feed for the horses before I ordered the next shipment. I didn’t even make it two steps in the damn barn when I turned right around and came back inside. I swear it is a miracle they can even function with their clothes on. They’re naked more times than not.”
She shook her head and then laughed lightly. That’s when I knew she was just being her old ornery self.
“Momma, I would do just about anything you ask me to do,” I began, “except go back in that barn and see any more than I already have.”
I turned and walked out the back door, leaving her laughter fading behind me.
Just as I reached my truck, my cell phone chirped with an incoming message, and I quickly swiped my finger across the screen.
Alena: I’m leaving now, is there anything I need to bring?
The excitement of seeing Alena made me feel like a damn teenage boy all over again.
I sent a quick reply before crawling into the cab of my truck and hurrying home.
Me: Just you darlin’. You’re all I need right now.
***
I sat on th
e steps leading up to my front door, resting my elbows on my knees as I watched as she walked up the driveway. She smiled sweetly, stopping only a few feet from where I sat. “Hey, cowboy,” she cooed.
Instantly, I was twitching with desire. Alena had quickly become something I craved. “Hey, sweetheart,” I replied, only making her smile grow wider. “First things first, what are you doing tomorrow night?”
She shrugged. “Nothing that I know of.”
“Well, now you’re having dinner with me and Austin at my ma’s. She insists I bring the woman that has brought back my smile.” Alena bit her lower lip, nodding in agreement. “Now about tonight, are you hungry?”
She shook her head, still watching me closely.
I stood, and her stare followed me, though she remained standing in the same spot. I stepped up to her, wrapped my arm around her waist, and pulled her body close to mine. “We could give Jackson and Bailey some outdoor competition.”
I tried not to laugh at Alena’s look of surprise. She arched an eyebrow at me, only making it harder not to react. “I think as long as I’m outdoors, I’d prefer keeping my clothes on.”
“I bet I could change your mind,” I assured her and lowered my hand to cup her ass.
“I’m sure you could,” she said breathlessly. “But I prefer taking things inside.”
I honestly didn’t want to take a move from Jackson’s playbook, but I sure loved seeing Alena get all worked up and needy. It did animalistic things to me. Without any further words, I gripped the backs of her thighs and lifted her into my arms. She willingly wrapped herself around me, staring at me with matching desire.
As I stepped inside, I kicked the door shut and carried her toward the countertop that separated the kitchen and living room. I lowered her onto it and began sliding my hands up her sides, taking her shirt with me along the way, allowing myself a few minutes to take in her beauty.
“I don’t think I tell you enough just how beautiful you are.” Her cheeks reddened, and she ducked her head. “Hey.” I placed my finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “Why you hiding?”