“Can I?”
Nodding, she bit her lip as James untied the wrap blouse she was wearing, leaving it hanging open when he dropped his face into the valley of her breasts and licked and sucked his way from one to the other. His hands bracketed her head on the couch and never strayed from there. While she admired his self-restraint and gentlemanliness, Becca wanted his hands on her.
As soon as he left off his exquisite torture, she maneuvered her hand between her back and her shirt and unhooked her bra. When James appeared to understand what she was doing he groaned, shifting restlessly.
“Take off your shirt. I want to see you too,” Becca urged him, as she removed her own restrictive clothing, tossing both blouse and bra on the coffee table nearby. His T-shirt hit the floor and she held him at arm’s length to get a good look. He was hairier than a lot of guys she saw in the movies and on TV lately and, as she teased him with her fingers before bending to lick his nipple, she moaned her appreciation. James jerked, cursing. He was breathing heavily and an erection was evident through his jeans, but still he made no move to take over. Becca teased the other nipple with her fingers before moving back up and biting his earlobe.
“Shit,” he pushed out through what Becca guessed were clenched teeth. Gently pushing her back into the corner once more, he moved over her. “My turn to play.”
“Have at it.”
“You’re so beautiful.” James cupped her breasts, skimming over the nipples with his thumbs as he kissed her again. She was sure she couldn’t take even a second more of that light touch and, as if he could read her mind, James rolled one nipple, watching her face. “Do you like that?”
“Yes, oh God…more.”
“How about this?” Her breast was sucked into his hot mouth and she arched into him, inadvertently rubbing their pelvises together. James’ breath caught and she didn’t want to tease him, so she made an effort to stay on the couch, no matter what incredible things James did to her with his lips and mouth. She’d never known a man, at least in her limited experience, who bothered to spend this kind of time and attention on a woman, seemingly without expecting to take things further. Between the dirty things James said as he worshipped her body and the way he didn’t pressure her to have sex, James was the perfect combination of sexy and caring.
I could fall in love with him.
His lips landed on hers once more. Becca moaned and James pushed farther into her mouth. She didn’t want to think about anyone else James had been with, but wow, the man could kiss.
A few moments later, James backed up and said, “I’m sorry. I need to stop.” He gripped the back of his neck, massaging, as breath sawed in and out of his lungs. She couldn’t blame him for not wanting to continue. Undoubtedly that erection wasn’t comfortable.
“It’s okay.”
He met her gaze. “I can’t believe what you do to me.” James’ tone sounded bewildered and Becca had to suppress a laugh, which would surely kill the mood.
His chest was flushed and Becca was sure she’d never seen anything so sexy. “I can’t think of anything more intelligent to say than, ‘ditto.’”
James barked out a laugh. “That’s okay, my brain is like mush.” He glanced at the clock and then back at her. “I should let you get to bed.”
“Yeah, unfortunately. And hey, you need a good night’s sleep. I can’t imagine you get many of them after working and then being at the bar ’til late.”
“Fortunately I often work the early shift and am usually home by eleven, but yeah, I tend to be keyed up and don’t sleep soundly. One of these days I’ll get used to the schedule.” He paused, his eyebrows drawing down. “Or Mom will get better.”
Becca had hastily tied her blouse as he spoke, covering herself up but foregoing the bra. What was the point when she was putting on pajamas as soon as James left?
Now she placed her hand over James’ chest. “She will.”
“I hope so.” James put his button-down back on and held the T-shirt in his hand. “I’m going to give you a quick kiss or you’ll never get rid of me.”
Like that would be a hardship.
She rose to walk him to the door. James stepped outside and then turned back. She pulled him in, planting her lips on his jaw.
“There.”
“Woman, you’re killing me.”
Becca laughed. “Good night.”
“Good night, Becca.”
She closed the door and then leaned her back against it. Yeah, I could fall in love.
Chapter Three
James spoke to Becca on the phone at least once a day and several times over text when they weren’t able to see each other. Even though they’d only been dating about two weeks, she’d ingrained herself into the fabric of his life. And he liked it. She took him to an artisan pizzeria one of her coworkers told her about, and he brought her to a UT basketball game where he discovered she could be a rabid fan if she got riled up. UT was her alma mater and it wasn’t hard to get Becca upset about a blown call or a stupid foul. Every time they spoke, every time they discovered more common interests, every time they kissed, James fell a little harder.
It was ridiculous to be in love with someone in the space of a few weeks, but if he thought about Becca more than he already did he’d border on obsession. That fact was made clear one morning as he sat in his cubicle, staring into space, a graphic design program open and ready on his computer, a make-out session from the night before replaying in his head. His fellow cubicle dweller, Tyler, stopped by to ask a question and, according to him, he’d had to ask three times before James noticed him. After that, the people in his office began teasing him mercilessly. But then he brought Becca to an office happy hour he happened to be able to attend, as his shift that night started late to accommodate a scheduling request from one of the other bartenders. He met her at the door.
“You look ravishing, as usual.”
“Are you sure?” She smoothed down her pencil skirt. “It’s not too much? I mean, I know you guys are more casual than we are—”
James leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You’re gorgeous. I’ll let you in on a secret. My coworkers are going to weep with envy with they see you. I only wish we could spend some time together afterward.” He nipped her earlobe and she smacked him lightly on the arm.
“Behave.”
He led her over to the group and made introductions. Her professional demeanor took over and she handled the group like a pro. James had never been so proud to have a woman on his arm. Within fifteen minutes the other guys were falling all over themselves and, luckily, the women present thought it was hilarious and didn’t get catty. Becca blushed when one of the guys offered to hunt down a bar stool for her in the crowded establishment, but thanked the man anyway, insisting she was fine as is, since the rest of the group was standing. James hadn’t left her side, except to grab her a drink, and had no intention of letting her get far.
Tyler in particular had turned into a stammering fool, and James watched in amusement as his normally cool friend appeared to lose his mind.
“So you do public relations,” Tyler said. “That’s cool. I’m like James. Well, I mean, I do the same job. Graphic design.”
Becca smiled and nodded, while two of their female coworkers covered smirks with their martini glasses. “Yes. Mostly boring stuff like writing press releases. Nothing quite so creative as you.”
Oh, she’s good.
Tyler, mere youngster that he was, beamed like she was an angel sent from heaven, and James turned his face into Becca’s shoulder, trying like hell to stave off the guffaw threatening to erupt.
The evening continued like that until James had to leave and she said she’d go too. He walked Becca to her car.
Placing his arms around her waist and drawing her flush with him, he said, “Who knew Tyler had a thing for tall, willowy redheads?”
“Willowy?” Becca raised an eyebrow.
“Hey, PR people aren’t the only ones with a large and varied v
ocabulary. Anyway, I think I’m going to have to talk to the kid. I won’t have him trying to steal you away from me.”
Becca ran her hands up his chest and circled his neck. “He could try, but I’m pretty happy right where I am.”
“Damn right.” James sighed. “Okay, I have to let you go. I’m gonna be late.”
“Call me tomorrow.”
Before she could get into her car, though, James dipped Becca and kissed her thoroughly, earning more than a few catcalls and several lewd comments.
He brought her back up and stepped away, grinning. “Okay, now you can leave.”
“After that?” Becca fanned her face. “Not fair.” Maybe I won’t be the only one taking pleasure with my hand tonight. He groaned to himself. The image of Becca, her head thrown back as she brought herself to orgasm was enough to practically strangle him. If he had a bit more time he’d seriously consider trying to take care of himself in the bar’s bathroom before he started work, but there was no way. He’d have to suffer until he got home.
James took another step back and Becca got in her car. “Drive safe, honey.”
It was the first time either had used an endearment and her eyes widened before a happy grin suffused her face. “I will.”
He watched Becca drive away. Yeah, I am so done. Stick a fork in me.
A week later a large bachelorette party invaded the bar and, as they got drunker and more obnoxious, all James could think about was how Becca would never be so inconsiderate, no matter how many of those stupid events she was forced to attend. It was girls like these who had soured him on women for so long he’d truly despaired that any women like Becca still existed.
Thank God she does, and thank God she’s with me.
Male customers in the bar were flirting and dancing with the girls and James exchanged a look with his fellow bartender. With everyone drinking, this had the potential to get out of control very quickly. James was irritated. Not only were the girls driving away other customers, but they weren’t good tippers and making a huge mess he’d have to clean up later.
“I’m gonna go get Mick. I don’t like the look of this,” James shouted to the other bartender, who nodded and kept washing all the frou-frou glasses the women were putting to use tonight. He walked back to the bar’s office and knocked on the door. “I think you should come out. The bachelorettes are getting out of control and the guys are egging them on. We need to cut the girls off or get them out of here, but you know how they’re going to take that.”
Mick nodded. “I’ll handle it. How are the guys? Any I should be aware of?”
“I haven’t seen any manhandling the ladies, if that’s what you mean.”
Grunting, Mick rose. “I hate bachelorette parties. I wonder if I can ban them from the bar.”
“It’s your bar. You can do whatever you want.”
“I know.” Mick rubbed his forehead. “But they do spend money.” As they left the office and began to walk down the hallway back to the bar, Mick clapped a hand on James’ shoulder. “Hold onto that girl you got. She’s a keeper.”
“I’m starting to think so, too.”
“Good man. Thanks for coming to get me.”
“No problem.” James moved behind the bar, as Mick did a slow tour of the room. He’d owned this place for close to ten years and worked in several bars before that. James imagined he’d seen everything. If there was a guy who could sniff out a potential problem, it was Mick.
The thought lessened James’ irritation level a bit, and he was able to get back to work, even tuning out the incessant squeals of the girls as he filled orders. Luckily for everyone, the girls were poured back into their limo and everyone else straggled out after that. He’d actually made good money, which he was surprised about until Mick told him one of the bridesmaids had apologized for the party’s behavior and given him three hundred dollars to split between James and the other bartender.
“At least one of them had a little common sense and decency.”
“And money. Yeah, she kept trying to get them to leave and go somewhere else, and I’m pretty sure it was her urging that finally got their tails moving.”
James yawned. “I can sleep in tomorrow. I never thought I’d get so excited at the possibility of sleep.”
Mick laughed. “You’re gettin’ old, man.”
“Yeah, yeah. Back atcha.”
When James got home, he peeled off his clothes, quickly washed off the stink of the bar and then crawled into bed with a grateful groan. He was taking Becca to meet his mom at lunch the next day, but he still had about ten hours to sleep before he had to drag his sorry carcass out of bed, and he planned to take advantage of every moment.
James handed Becca one of the bags of take-out. “For the millionth time, you look great, honey. She’s gonna love you.”
“I’m spending all this time with you. Taking away her baby.”
“Yeah, and she’ll probably kiss you for it.”
“She will not.”
He stopped and turned to her. “Seriously. She’s been telling me for years that I should date more, and since I started at the bar and the guilt settled in it’s been even worse. Don’t worry about it.”
James unlocked the side door and pushed inside.
“Is that you, James?”
“Yep, it’s me, mom. I’ve got Becca and lunch with me.”
“Well then, come in here. Don’t leave your girl standing in the kitchen.”
James rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom.”
He stopped off for a glass of iced tea for his mom and bottles of water for him and Becca and then they went into the living room, where his mom had her foot propped up on her recliner. Mom had taken more care than usual with her appearance. Normally these days she wore sweats and a top to make it easier to deal with the injuries, but today she was dressed in a pair of black dress pants and a blouse, accented by a cashmere scarf James had gotten her several years ago in a desperate attempt to find a gift at the last minute after the original one was stuck in transit.
His mom held out her hand. “I’m James’ mother, Diane. I’d get up, but, well.” She gestured toward the air cast her ankle was encased in. “James yells at me when I move around too much.”
Becca approached and shook. “I’m Becca. I’m so pleased to meet you. James talks about you all the time.”
His mom turned to him. “And you consider this acceptable conversation on a date? Men.” She indicated the couch to Becca. “Come and have a seat. We can talk while James gets lunch all plated up. He’s an angel.”
“Hardly, Mom.”
“Well, if you aren’t, I don’t want to know about it.”
By the time he carried his mom’s plate into the living room she and Becca were laughing together. When he caught wind of the topic, James groaned. “Mom, not the stories from kindergarten. Are you trying to scare the poor woman away?”
“Aww, you were cute,” Becca argued.
“Were cute?”
“Are cute.” Her eyes were lit with mirth, and James sent a silent prayer of thanks that Becca was his as he went back to the kitchen for the other plates.
Becca got along really well with his mother. His mom even had him fetch some family cookbook so she could show Becca some recipes. James felt superfluous, but the alternative was the two of them not liking each other, and he’d gladly take this instead.
They left mid-afternoon and went to a movie. As they waited for the previews to start, James leaned over and asked, “So, wanna make out?”
Becca’s mouth fell open. Perfect. “I can’t believe you said that out loud. There are people around us.”
“Maybe they’ll move if we start kissing.”
“I am not making out with you in the middle of a theater.”
“Spoilsport.”
In a low tone of voice, Becca said, “But if you play your cards right…maybe later.”
“How badly do you want to see this movie?”
“Be good.”
“What fun is that?”
The lights went down and Becca repeated, “Be good,” but leaned over and kissed him. “There. That oughta hold you.”
“Hardly.”
Later that night, James was so tempted to go further than they had, but he wanted to talk about it before they did, so he held back. Becca appeared flustered too and James couldn’t wait to see what she looked like when she came for him. And she would. Multiple times, if he could manage it.
They fell asleep on the couch together and James didn’t wake up until his phone pinged with the alarm he’d set.
“Honey, wake up. It’s one a.m. I’ve got to go.”
“I wish you didn’t have to,” Becca said, yawning.
“Soon I’ll stay the night, okay? Or you can stay at my place.” Rising, he stretched his sore back. He was getting too old for this stuff. More and more a real bed appealed, especially if it was filled with warm Becca.
She nodded. “It’s a deal. Let me walk you out.”
“No, baby, I’m fine. Stay right where you are. You look very comfy.”
Becca glanced down the hall. “I should really go to bed. I love my couch, but it’s not a great place to spend an entire night.”
“I understand.” Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
When he left, Becca was struggling to her feet, looking still half-asleep. Yeah, I want to be here with her.
*****
A few days later, Becca smiled as a picture of James celebrating after an air hockey win at a local bar stole through her sleep-addled brain.
I want him. All of him.
The force of her desire was a surprise, considering her dating life for the past several years. Or maybe it was because of it. She didn’t know or care, all she knew was that the two of them needed to have a talk. Enough of this holding back.
After her shower, she sent him a text inviting him for pizza and a movie and James readily agreed. Her day crawled, until finally she was home and able to change into jeans and a T-shirt. Becca grabbed the menu of her favorite pizza place and ordered, hanging up just as James knocked.
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