Love Caters All

by Nicci Carrera

  “Not much to tell. There’s just me.”

  She pinned him with a stern gaze. “Rick.”

  He shrugged. “My dad is dead. My mom split years ago. No siblings.”

  Her heart squeezed. She wasn’t fooled by his casual inventory of his family. She may get angry with her sisters sometimes, the house may be too small for so many women sometimes, but they all loved each other. Not that she took family for granted. She had already learned that lesson. The hard way. “Is that why you like my family?”

  Rick took a sip of wine. “Partly. I never had a mother like yours. Not that I see Pilar as a mother. I’m trying to help her see herself differently, actually. But your family is not why I like you. So let’s talk about you, shall we?”

  A rush of emotions blew her thinking circuits. He liked her family. He had his own separate relationship with her mother. He liked her independently of all those things. What was the last part? “What would you like to know?”

  “Why didn’t you go to college?”

  She was ready for this one. “Because I went to cooking school.”

  “Why did you go to cooking school?”

  Maya took a deep breath. “I needed to get a degree that would lead to income. I wanted the twins to go to college. Mama couldn’t afford it on her own. Though there was the possibility of the McClintock Scholarship, as there is for everyone in Lobster Cove, it doesn’t pay for everything.”

  “Why did you want them to go to college more than yourself?”

  Rick’s question came too close to home. Maya stared at her plate. Shame warred with pride in her chest. Honesty won out. She met his gaze. “Because they have more potential.”

  “Bullshit!”

  Rick’s outburst drew attention from a group at the bar. His reaction wasn’t surprising to Maya, though. Of course he wouldn’t like what she had to say. Too bad. It was the truth. “They’re brilliant.”

  “So are you.”

  She snorted. “Thank you. I have common sense.”

  “A lot more than that. Don’t sell yourself short.”

  She met his searing gaze. Held it. “I have to learn everything the hard way.”

  Rick’s hard mouth shaped into a protest.

  “Is that Rick Nordan?” came a shrill female voice at three o’clock. A gorgeous woman had broken off from the group at the bar, and now the willowy redhead bore down on their table.

  Maya’s stomach dropped.

  Rick’s head shot up. “Naomi?” Rick stood. They exchanged cheek pecks.

  Naomi’s French-manicured hands remained around Rick’s elbows after they finished the greeting hug.

  “What are you doing in Lobster Cove, Naomi?” Rick said.

  “I was about to ask the same thing.” Naomi pursed her lips.

  “Vacation.”

  “Me too!” Out went her hand again, this time for a mock slap that lingered too long on Rick’s arms.

  “Where are you living now?”

  “Boston.” Naomi added a tilt to her head. She gazed up at Rick through sweeping lashes. “You know I’m VP at Williams and Price, don’t you?”

  “No. Good for you.”

  Maya raised her napkin. Hopefully her patting of her lips added delicacy. She was really stifling a gag. Just when Maya was sure she had worn an invisibility cloak to dinner, Rick met her gaze. He held her in a laser lock just long enough for him to be able to see her relax.

  Naomi, who was watching all this, had to wait until they were finished.

  Rick removed the woman’s hands from his forearms. “Maya, this is Naomi Sanders. We met in California. Naomi, this is Maya Cruz. She owns and operates a high-end catering business.”

  “Oh, really?” Naomi gazed down her nose at Maya. “Have you served anyone that I know?”

  Maya stood.

  “Maya doesn’t serve.” Rick’s eyebrow twitched. “She is the owner. She just catered the art festival.”

  “Oh…really?” Naomi looked Maya up and down. “That’s a beautiful Allison Presley you’re wearing. I didn’t know they were doing knock-offs of her label.”

  A fire-breathing dragon rose from the depths of Maya’s belly. She managed to take a sip of water and regained control of her anger enough to talk.

  Maya waved her hand over her Ally. “Oh, this old thing? It is an Allison Presley, as a matter of fact. I bought it at a rebound store. Hey! I know someone who works at one. I can have her keep an eye out for you too, if you like. By the way, I love your faux diamond bracelet. I didn’t realize they were back in fashion now.” Take that, you bitch.

  Naomi’s eyes sprang wide open. “Well! This was my mother’s, and she got it from Cotteay. It’s vintage Cotteay.”

  “Well, it’s been nice to see you again, Naomi,” Rick said, “but it looks like your party is about to leave. We’ll let you go.”

  Naomi flounced off, her butt swiveling in the tight red fabric of her dress. Rick cleared his throat. He repositioned the chair but didn’t sit until Maya did.

  “I see she’s still the same stuck-up bitch she was when we dated,” Rick said. “You carved her up so well you could have served her tomorrow for lunch.”

  “Sorry, she pushed my buttons.” Naomi’s little group looked welded to the bar. Rick had lied by saying they were leaving. A smile tugged at Maya’s lips.

  “What?”

  “You told Naomi her party was leaving.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  She snorted. “Hardly.” Wait. This was no joking matter. “You dated her?”

  “For a while, yes.”

  “Why did you break up?”

  “I figured out Naomi judges men by the length of their brokerage statements.”

  Maya laughed. She grabbed the whole baguette from the bread basket and waved it in the air. “Yours is long, isn’t it?”

  Rick’s turn to snort. “Yes.” He didn’t even blink.

  Maya sobered. “Just kidding. I really don’t care.” Did she? She appraised him. Rick Nordan without his power, wealth, and influence wouldn’t be the same man. It was unfair to expect herself to try to see if she would be attracted to him without those attributes because his wealth and power were part of who he was. Did that make her like Naomi? “What happened with your fiancée?”

  Rick swirled his glass. The candle’s flame shimmered on the golden wine. He swallowed hard. “Loraine.”

  The rock was back in Maya’s gut. The stress of the last half hour had ruined a wonderful meal. Rick had been engaged. Another woman had planned a life with him.

  Jealousy poked pins in Maya’s throat.

  “We realized in time we weren’t right for each other.” Rick refilled her wine glass and met her gaze. “What are you thinking right now?”

  “I don’t know. I’m confused.”

  A huff of laughter turned to a half smile, softening Rick’s mouth. “Then let me clarify things for you, Maya. I want you. All of you.” His eyes were intent, serious.

  The air rushed from Maya’s lungs. Tingling awareness made her shift in her seat.

  Rick studied her before turning to the waiter with a raised a hand. “Check please.”

  After Rick paid the check, he pulled the chair out for Maya. He helped her into her jacket, which only covered the top part of her form-fitting, one-shouldered pale green dress. The fabric clung to all her curves. He had to get her out of there fast.

  He practically had to turn on the defroster to clear the windshield on the way home. He could open the window, but he didn’t want to because he could smell Maya’s sweetness. His body was tight with lust.

  After parking, he scooped her into his arms. She smelled of cherry blossoms. He had left the screen door slightly ajar. He kicked it all the way open. The keys were strategically positioned between the fingers of his right hand, so he could manage the lock without putting her down.

  Once inside, he let Maya’s feet slide down to the floor. He crushed her to his chest while he explored her mouth with his own. She
tasted of the mint she’d popped between her full lips before they left the restaurant. His hot little Maya. She wriggled against his body. He was losing it. He pulled her tighter. Her lithe body squirmed against his groin. He bit back a groan. She let slip a little moan. Then his escaped.

  Shit. This was moving too fast. He lifted Maya into his arms again, both of them breathing harshly after the kiss. With her arms wrapped around his neck he carried her to the bedroom, where he set her down. She tossed her jacket to a chair.

  “Now for this.” Rick unzipped Maya’s dress. The sheath fell to the floor. A white lace bra pushed her breasts high. There wasn’t much to the garment. The full honey colored nipples showed through the straining fabric. His arousal strained against his pants. Her breasts were sweet rounds in his palms. His breath grew short.

  He carried Maya to the bed. Her legs wrapped around him. He followed her, catching himself with his hands and knees before he crushed her. “Maya,” he rasped. He needed to get a damn condom. But she was arching for him with a hungry tempting mouth.

  A bite. A taste. Then he’d get a handle on himself. Their tongues tangled while her pelvis pressed against his hardness.

  He forced himself to withdraw from the pleasure of her plump mouth. “Just a second, Maya.” His voice was gravelly, but intelligible.

  Maya frowned. Wait, where did he go? She bit back a frustrated cry. Rick returned. A condom adorned his beautiful manhood. He curved upward like a banana. OMG! She should not be thinking like this. Yeah, right. She squirmed on the smooth cotton cover with anticipation.

  “Mm. You have very responsive nipples. And I haven’t even done this yet.” He cupped her breasts in his hands with a satisfied smile. His face disappeared below her chin. The wet firm touch of the tip of his tongue caressed the dip at the bottom of her throat. A tickle of dampness followed his tongue down her breast-bone. Air cooled the line of moisture where his tongue had passed while he blew warm breath between her breasts.

  “Please,” she moaned.

  His golden eyes were fierce. “Say that again.”

  “Please.”

  His teeth scraped the skin of her erect nipple. Tingles of arousal shot straight to her center. She arched into his mouth. A low growl reached her ears. His hardness pressed against her thigh. She wiggled to get closer to him.

  “Please!” she cried.

  His chuckle was a low, infuriating rumble.

  “Rick!”

  “Yes, Maya?” he said, as though she had raised her hand in a lecture hall to ask a polite question.

  “Taste me.” Had she said that out loud? She’d never had that. But she and Rick were equals. She could say anything to him.

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Rick shifted lower. Maya held still. No point making it difficult for him to find his way to her sweet spot.

  His tongue sent a powerful wave of pleasure through her body. His hands slid from her breasts down her body until they joined his mouth, stroking her while his tongue delved. She opened her legs wider and sought his silky hair with her fingertips. The sinfully hot vision of Rick Nordan in such an intimate position with her pushed her over the edge. Shockwaves coursed through her body. Rick rode the crests, cradling her bottom in his big hands, his groan of satisfaction adding to the stimulation.

  His leonine eyes glowed with sexual pride. Maya framed his head with her hands to bring him closer. Rick shifted back over her, looking deeply into her eyes before lowering his gaze to her mouth. He tasted her mouth, nibbled at her lip. His tongue slid inside. She met his kiss. Molten pleasure coursed from her mouth throughout her body.

  Rick’s mouth was gone. He flipped her over on her belly. His knees surrounded her thighs. His strong hands lifted her hips. He slid a pillow below her belly, positioning her to be totally open to him. His hand pressed on her back holding her still. Maya was exposed to him. Her body ached for his touch. His hard round orb met her opening. She squirmed trying to get him to enter. His hand came around the front of her body. His finger found her sensitized nub. Her cry was joined by his groan.

  “I’m going to come in slowly. You are so tight. My little Maya, I knew you would be amazing.” He waited for her body to soften into acceptance before he filled her with another inch. His weight was over her back while he brushed her hair to the side. His lips brushed the back of her neck in a soft kiss. His breath was a whisper on her ear. “I think I love you, Maya. You are my hot tamale.” His words made her want to laugh at the same time they filled her with joy, all mixed with pleasure.

  Maya shifted her hips. Rick sank deeper. She was a feast he savored. He sated her. He swelled even larger. His penis touched a pleasure point she never knew existed. Maya arched and bit back a scream.

  “Maya!” Her name was a deep guttural groan. “Oh, God, Maya.”

  Afterward, she said, “You got pretty religious there, Rick.”

  He cradled his head in his interlocking fingers on the pillow. Her comment brought a splutter of laughter. His golden eyes sought hers. Their light was soft now. “Hell yeah.”

  She laughed at his irreverent reply. “You are so bad.”

  “Sorry. Want me to try again?”

  She laughed. “I surrender.” Rick’s arm wrapped over her waist. She snuggled her butt into his groin. It shifted. A smile followed her to sleep.

  ****

  Maya hugged her pillow and opened an eye. He stood beside the bed, a condom wrapping his long erection. Her breath stopped in her throat. Her core honeyed.

  Rick flipped her onto her back. He straddled her, ran a tickle up her torso with his forefinger. He stroked her face with the back of his hand. She leaned into his gentle touch.

  “You are so beautiful, Maya.”

  Her softened relaxed body melted for him.

  ****

  Rick was asleep, his arm thrown once again over Maya’s waist. The lamp on the nightstand was turned on, so he must have woken up at some point. She lifted his heavy arm in one hand. She propped herself against the headboard still holding his arm. Then she dropped his arm back across her thighs. There was comfort in his weight.

  The room didn’t smell like her home any more. The curtains rustled in a forest-scented breeze. The rich heady fragrance of their lovemaking had faded in the night air. Had Rick meant what he said? He loved her? Maya’ heart fluttered. She applied flat pressure to her breast-bone until the sensation calmed. She wouldn’t allow herself to follow this same path of illusion. They were words of lust, not of love. Other words drifted back…I think I love you, he’d said. Yeah, clearly lust. Well…she eyed his buns. Maybe lust wasn’t so bad.

  “Hi,” he said, his words coming out muffled against the pillow.

  His friendly voice reassured. For now they belonged together. “Hi.”

  He propped himself on his elbow. “How long have you been awake?”

  “A few minutes.”

  “I was out cold.”

  Her fingers grazed his back. “What does the tattoo on your back mean?”

  “It’s a thunder bird.”

  “The Native American totem?”

  “Yes.” He rolled, and the warmth of his arm left her legs. He scrunched the pillow behind his head. Bronze masculine hair covered part of his chest coming together in a line narrowing to his pubic hair. She explored his silky chest hair with her fingertips.

  At her touch, he began to stir. His eyes darkened. He grasped her waist, turning her. She opened her legs to straddle his body.

  “Let me go.” She cleared his growing erection before settling between his legs.

  Their mingled tastes on him excited her. Rick’s eyes widened before his head reared back. A groan announced his enjoyment. His excitement beaded under the length of his taut smooth surface.

  His hands framed her head. “Excuse me.” He strode to the bathroom. He returned shortly afterward, this time with a handful of condoms that he set on the end table.

  “Bad planning on my part,” Rick joked with a
sexy smile. Again, he helped her straddle his torso.

  Maya would get to try his curvature from a new angle. Her breath grew shallow. Their bodies found a rhythm. She flipped her hair for him. His gaze consumed her body.

  This time there were no words of love, just a tangle of bodies. Afterward, they spooned, falling into another luxurious slumber.

  She blinked awake, rolled, and faced him across a shared pillow. Rick greeted her with a lazy smile. His hand was a heavy comfort at her waist.

  She traced his lips with her fingers. “Why did you get the tattoo?”

  The bedroom light showed a sparkle to his eyes, “I studied under a shaman for a month.”

  “Really?” A Silicon Valley CEO had spent time with a shaman? His surprising depths piqued her interest. She shifted positions so she could see him better. The planes of his face had softened with sexual relaxation. Five o’clock shadow roughened his finish. It was not so hard to imagine him involved in a Native American ritual. “Where did you do this?”

  “New Mexico.”

  “When?”

  “I was 20.”

  “During college?”

  “After.”

  “You graduated early?”

  He nodded.

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “Who wants to spend more time in college than necessary?”

  Given she had spent no time in college, she really couldn’t say. The length of his college career wasn’t her real interest, though. “I mean why did you study shaman-ism?”

  “It was a hard time for me.”

  “I…” He paused for a long time. “I had buried a lot of…stuff. Buried it all in gaming. Used gaming to distract myself during free time all the way through college. Never had time to think. After graduation, before I had a job, I had too much free time to fill with a hobby.”

  They lay quietly for a long time, the sounds of their breath punctuated by the curtains rustling in a breeze. Outside, crickets filled the night air with their mysterious song.

  “Anyway…my mom left when I was ten. The reason I know how to bake is I had to teach myself, if I wanted a birthday cake that year.” He shrugged with a half laugh.