by Lexie Davis
"Look, I've never seen you hung up over a girl before. Hell, you've been batting Claudia off you for how many years?"
"Claudia and I are friends. We both know that's all we'll ever be."
"Right.” Wyatt leaned against the counter staring at his friend. “Maybe the chick just isn't into you man. You scratched her itch and now she's moved on."
"Maybe,” he mumbled. “Did you send those flowers to her?"
"Delivered this morning.” Wyatt debated with his words, and then proceeded to ask his question. “Why doesn't she know about Cupid yet?"
Because she walked out on me before I had time to tell her anything. “Because.” Jay stood and moved the barstool back to its original spot. “If she comes back asking who Cupid is, tell her. I don't give a fuck anymore."
* * * *
"Oh, Marie darling, you look sensational.” Gloria Stewart praised her daughter with a slight clap as Marie twirled around in her Cinderella-like wedding gown. Layers and layers of the finest silks money could buy and Tiffani's own blood, sweat and tears made up the dress. “Robert is going to have a hard time keeping his hands off you in that dress."
Marie smiled at herself obviously liking the way she looked in the dress. “I know. I can't wait to wear it Saturday.” She squealed. “I'm so excited!"
Tiffani stood in the corner while they chatted lost in her own world. Cupid had sent another bouquet, yet this time the card simply said: I'm falling in love with you. Everything in her logical brain screamed “psycho stalker Cupid. Keep far away". But she didn't really want that. She wanted Cupid to find her. After last night with Jay, she needed all the help she could get. Surprisingly, she wanted him to be her Cupid.
"Tiffani, someone's out front waiting for you.” Sasha grinned and pointed to the front of the shop. “He's really hot."
Tiffani's heart skipped a beat when she thought of Jay coming to see her. “Uh, Ms. Stewart, Marie, if you would excuse me a moment I'll be right back."
She forced herself to take slow steps yet her heart galloped in her chest. She really needed to apologise to him. She needed to show him the dress and prove she didn't make it up, that the dress was a pain in the ass to create.
She turned the corner about to speak and stopped. It was the guy from the flower shop. “What are you doing here?"
"Uh, I came to clear something up. It's not my place and I know nothing about what you and Jay have going on, but he really likes you.” Wyatt hesitated. “Uh, look, Jay's had this crush thing on you since he moved in next door and he never gets ‘crushes'. All I'm saying is, he's in it for the right reasons so if you're out to lead him on, it'd be best if you found some other guy. Jay doesn't deserve that from you or anyone for that matter."
"Oh, no, Wyatt. Is that what he told you happened?"
Wyatt shrugged. “He didn't say much of anything. He's not a discuss-your-feelings-with-your-buddy kind of guy. I just got the gist that you two didn't exactly hit it off last night and I wanted to make clear he's in a little deeper than you may think."
In deeper than I think? “Wyatt, I want to know something, and tell me the truth. Is Jay Cupid?"
Wyatt smiled. “Yes. He wanted to get your attention."
"Thanks for telling me. But you can rest assured, you and Jay both have it wrong. I just have to figure out a way to tell him."
After Wyatt left and Marie went over the bill and settled the balance with Daddy's credit card, Tiffani finally had a moment to herself. She hated that she'd promised to go to the wedding with Marie's “cute” brother, but her own mother would be there, and God forbid she not please her. It won't be that bad. A little conversation during the reception and a whole lot of wine for when she's bored and she could call it a day. Tiffani laughed at herself. Like that wouldn't piss off her mother.
"Do you always entertain yourself like that?"
She spun around with a gasp. “Stop sneaking up on me."
Jay shrugged. “What would be the fun of that?"
Tiffani rose and went to his side. “I know your secret identity, Cupid. And for the record, you didn't have to write naughty things to get me to notice you. I noticed you the day you moved in."
Jay pursed his lips. “Wyatt told me he talked to you."
Ok, so he isn't making this easy. “I finished the wedding dress. So now I have plenty of time on my hands and nothing to do.” Tiffani licked her lips and chuckled. “I think this is the first time in my life I'm actually happy about that."
"Somehow I doubt that.” Jay pulled her against him and kissed her. “In the words of Cupid, I've been hard for you all day."
Tiffani admired Jay's attire of a white dress shirt and khaki pants. She noticed most of the times she'd seen him outside his home, he dressed like a business professional—dress shirts and slacks. But the moment he came home he pulled on loose shorts. A shirt was optional. Today he looked delicious and smelled even better.
"Do you plan on doing something about that?” Tiffani reached out and cupped his cock through his pants and began stroking.
"I don't know if you deserve my cock.” His hand came down on her behind hard enough to sting through the fabric of her clothing. She gasped and he gave her a teasing smile. “I told you that you had free rein the first time. Second's mine."
A delicious shiver ran up her spine. “And you plan on punishing me for working?"
"Among other things.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. “I'm glad you haven't got anything else to do. I'd like to have you all to myself tonight."
Tiffani wrapped her arms around him. “I'd like that too."
"Did you get the lavender roses I sent you?"
Tiffani nodded and thought back the message. “Do you believe in love at first sight?"
Jay chuckled and pulled away. “Good Question. I know absolutely nothing about you, yet I feel like I've known you my whole life. Is that love at first sight?"
Was it? “I don't know.” Tiffani stepped away from his comfort. “It's happening a bit fast."
"And that freaks you out?"
"I don't know. I've spent most of my adult life working. I'm not necessarily experienced in the ‘relationship’ department.” Tiffani drummed her fingers against the counter, a nervous habit she'd developed as a child.
Jay stepped forward and pinned her against the counter. His cock pressed into her making her lose all thoughts. His scent surrounded her, a spicy mix of cologne and man.
"Stop thinking, Tiff. Just go with what you feel.” He hooked a finger under her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. “What do you feel?"
"Hot."
He grinned. “I meant here.” His finger dropped to the open neck in her button-down shirt. Her pulse raced when his finger stopped between her breasts. “What do you feel here?"
Tiffani gulped and grabbed his hand. “The same thing I feel here.” She guided his hand between her legs, beneath her skirt. “Hot."
Jay's mouth fused to hers. His fingers teased her clit through the fabric of her panties. Tiffani broke the kiss, consumed with her thoughts. This is insane.
"We're not having crazy counter sex, babe. Not again. I want you sprawled out on my bed.” Jay's finger slipped beneath the hem of her panties. “I want you dripping and begging before I even think about touching you. And I want you restrained so when it's over, you don't have the option of running away."
Tiffani's mind roamed to all the possibilities. Jay on top. Jay on the bottom. Jay in the shower all soapy and wet, standing perfectly still so she could worship his body. She saw herself in the image he painted, lying on her back with her arms tied to his bed. She'd never been restrained though the thought enticed her more than she'd dreamed. From the look in his eyes, Jay teased her, but she wanted to try it.
She grabbed his hand and pulled it away to stop the light motions of his finger playing with her clit. She knew she was wet enough to drench her panties, yet she didn't care. “Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
Lust glimmered in his eyes. “Anytime you want me home."
"Meet me in an hour?"
Jay cupped her ass with both hands lifting her off the ground as he pulled her against him. He kissed her none too gently, nipping at her lips and sucking her tongue until she thought she'd go mad. When he finally pulled away, they stood breathless staring at each other.
"You'd better not be late."
* * * *
Tiffani McIntire was a piece of work. Not only did she get him hard five seconds after thinking about her; she took his breath away, something a woman never done. He stopped by Cupid's Arrows and picked up a bouquet of roses with the intention of doing the Cupid thing a bit differently. He'd cleared his schedule with Claudia and gone home expecting to see Tiffani's car in the drive, and her sweet body naked in his bed. Instead, he saw his mother and sister waiting for him on his front porch in forty degree weather.
"What are you two doing here?” he asked, slamming the car door shut.
"Nice to see you too, Jeremy.” Gloria Stewart greeted her son with an icy tone. “If you answered your cell phone once and a while I wouldn't have to come to this horrid part of the city and remind you in person."
Jay shoved the key in the lock and invited his family inside. “Remind me of what?"
"Your sister asked a really nice girl to attend the wedding with you.” She held up a hand before he could protest. “Now, listen to me, Jeremy. Those women you brought to past family functions are an embarrassment and the least you can do is sit with this lovely girl and pretend you are a part of this family for once."
Jay resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I don't give a shit who Marie picked out for me. I'm dating someone and I'm not about to betray her like that. I kinda love her."
Marie snorted. “You love a woman? One woman? I don't believe it."
Gloria batted at Marie's arm. “Now, Jeremy, it's not about betrayal. This woman is a friend of the family and she will be attending alone otherwise. Just sit with her, talk to her and be the gentleman I raised. Is that so much to ask?"
"Yeah, Mom, it is. I was going to ask her to come to the wedding with me since it's Valentine's and I want to spend it with her. You don't have the right to tell me who I can bring and who I can't."
Marie stepped forward and narrowed her eyes. “It's my wedding, Jeremy. You won't ruin it for me!"
Jay scowled but didn't bother continuing the conversation. “If you two don't mind, I'm expecting company. Don't ruin it for me."
"I'm serious, Jeremy,” Marie continued. “It's my day. I don't want your floozy embarrassing me!"
"She won't.” He ushered both Marie and Gloria outside. “Because I'm not coming."
He closed the door in their stunned faces smiling to himself. Marie always got her way growing up. From maids to nannies, if Marie wanted it, Marie got it. Jay was thankful when Gloria had married Connor Stewart after his father had died. After a few months of living with his new father, Connor became his only ally in a house full of women. And every time he had to deal with his mother or sister alone he missed Connor backing him up.
They want me to entertain some woman Marie picked out? Over my dead body. He could guarantee his stepfather would contact him soon because dearest Marie would whine and pout since she didn't get her way. And all this right before he expected Tiffani to arrive.
* * * *
Tiffani's stomach clenched with nervousness when she pulled in the drive. She didn't know what Jay had planned but her anticipation heightened. His words replayed in her mind, echoing as a promise. I want you sprawled out on my bed. I want you dripping and begging before I even think about touching you. And I want you restrained so when it's over, you don't have the option running away.
Tiffani took a deep breath and knocked on his door. A few seconds passed before Jay answered the door in his usual attire of shorts and nothing else. How he stood in forty degree weather without shivering she didn't know.
"You don't seem too happy to see me. Is something wrong?” she asked as she stepped inside.
"Nah. My sister's just making trouble in my family. Nothing new.” He pushed the door shut and wrapped her in his arms. “And you make it all better."
She turned and covered his mouth with hers. “Wait until you get me naked."
Jay chuckled and fused his mouth to hers. Hungrily, she ran her hands over the hard muscles of his chest, warm and real beneath her fingertips. He heated her cold body to blazing with his kiss, a simple promise of so much more.
He pushed her coat from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Her body ached for his touch and the feel his body against hers. The spicy scent of his cologne filled the air around them heightening her desire. God, this man is amazing.
His hand slipped underneath her shirt to cup her breast while his mouth coasted downward, leaving a hot trail of kisses along her neck. Tiffani turned her head to give him better access.
Jay pulled back and smiled his green eyes shimmering. “I promised myself we'd take it slow and here I am ravishing you at my front door."
"I'm not protesting.” She raked her fingers along the muscles of his back.
Jay scoffed and bent, lifting her in his arms. “Cupid's not totally gone. I wanted to give you a special Valentine's Day."
He'd started walking towards the hall when she said, “Valentine's isn't until tomorrow."
"So? We can go to bed now and wake up at this time tomorrow. Although when I get you in my bed, you won't do much sleeping."
He kicked the door to his bedroom wide open. Tiffani gasped. Red rose petals covered the large bed, and soft music drifted from the stereo on the far wall. Jay grinned at her and entered the room, stopping when he reached the bed. He set her down and leaned over to kiss her.
"I thought you were mad at me. This doesn't seem like you're too upset.” She took in all the elegant furniture, the large bed with black silk sheets covered in red rose petals. “I thought Cupid was a naughty boy. This ... this is so romantic and sweet and what every woman dreams of."
Jay scratched his stubble-covered chin. “Cupid is naughty. He comes into play later. This is sort of my apology to you."
"Apology?"
"Yeah. Future apology when you meet my family tomorrow. I didn't want to go, but I know before the night's over my stepfather is going to call and remind me to be on time tomorrow.” He huffed in annoyance. “I was going to wait until later to ask you to go with me. I know it's Valentine's Day and not in the least romantic, but I want you to come with me."
Tiffani glanced at the bed and reached out to touch one of the soft petals. Red. He'd never used red before. He'd used other colours to seduce her but never red, the colour symbolising love.
"Uh, I promised a client friend of mine I'd attend her wedding tomorrow. The one I worked my ass off for in order to create her perfect dress. Our moms are big-time friends and I'll get hell all the way around if I don't attend.” She finally looked up and immediately noticed the disappointment in his eyes. “What time's your thing?"
"I have to be there at two."
Marie's wedding started at three. “Mine is at three."
Jay nodded. “Another time then."
"Come here.” Tiffani held out her hand and waited for him to take it. When he did she pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around him. “I promise to leave after the wedding and come over. How about that? How long does your thing last?"
"A couple hours I'm sure. Knowing my sister she won't even think about leaving until every present is opened and her picture is taken from every angle."
"Well, it's settled then.” Tiffani slipped her hands into his shorts and pulled him closer. “I'll do my thing, and then meet you for your thing. And then when it's all over we'll come home to have hot, steamy sex all night long. What better way to celebrate Valentine's?"
"Good point. We could start now.” He gripped the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head whispering,
“Turn around."
When she hesitated, his palm slapped her bottom drawing a slight squeal of surprise from her throat. She turned, knees trembling with excitement while her emotions whirled on a roller coaster of ups and downs. The longer he kept her waiting, the more she wanted him, needed him. The more he spoiled her, the harder she fell for him. The more she was around him, the less she could deny him.
"You're cute when you're nervous.” He brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck. “That must mean you're expecting what I promised back at the shop."
Tiffani nodded and closed her eyes, enjoying the delicious tremors his mouth sent through her body. Jay nibbled on her neck and shoulders, sliding his hands around to pulled her bottom against his crotch. His cock was hard and she wiggled against it, wanting more.
"I expect you to fuck me. That's all I expect."
He wrapped an arm around her midsection and slipped a hand beneath her skirt.
"So you don't care if I take you like this? If I fuck you from behind?"
His hand slipped into her panties and quickly found her moisture. She dropped her head back against his shoulder and widened her stance when he began to stroke her. She gave a breathy sigh of pleasure when a finger slipped into her pussy, his thumb still working her clit.
"You make me so hard I can't think straight during the day. All I think about is fucking you, every way imaginable. I want you tied to my bed with your legs spread so I can see your pretty pink pussy glistening for me. Inviting me to take you, begging me to fuck you. I met with a client today and all I could think about was you. The way you feel around me, the way you bite your lip when you come.” He slipped another finger inside her and stroked harder and faster. “I crave you, babe. I want to be balls-deep inside you, every minute of every day."
Tiffani sucked in a breath of air and came, biting her lip as pleasure swept over her body. Jay held her nipping at her shoulder while his fingers continued stroking her. Her thighs were sticky from her moisture, her legs trembling from her orgasm. When the spasms stopped, Jay pulled his hand away and turned her to face him.