by Vicki Green
“Deal,” I mumble.
He leaves the room, and I let out another breath as I walk to the bathroom. It seemed so strange how uncomfortable I was but so easy for him to make me relax so quickly. Damn dimple. I use the toilet then grab the toothbrush and toothpaste and brush my teeth – twice. There’s nothing like waking up with dry mouth and a layer of film on your teeth from a night out drinking. That’s another reason why I hate going out to a bar. After splashing some water on my face, I feel a bit better, a little more myself. Not sure what to do about pants, I open the drawers of his dresser, feeling a little like a stalker, and find a pair of gym shorts, quickly putting them on. I have to pull the tie really hard and wrap it around me in order to keep them up. Then I see a white tank top, remove the t-shirt and put it on. There’s something to be said about wearing clothes of a hot and gorgeous guy. I can smell him on them. God! I’m pathetic!
I walk to his kitchen feeling strange being in his apartment but stop short when I see him moving around the room. God, he’s breathtaking! As if he senses me, he turns around, holding a plate of pancakes, his eyes once again scanning my body covered in his clothes. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Uh, no. Not at all.” He looks back up to my eyes.
I’m aware that he’s watching me as I walk over to the breakfast bar and sit down on a stool. “Those look delicious. Do you have any peanut butter by chance?”
His eyes widen and looks surprised by my request. He walks the plate over and sets it in between our two plates and smiles. “Of course.” I smile but he’s seems to hesitate from moving. It definitely didn’t go unnoticed that the rather large bulge in his jeans is still there. I almost feel sorry for him but I’m also a little excited that I have that effect on him. That’s a first. It makes me think of my romance books and for once, it’s like I’m the female character but in real life. That never happens.
“Uh, do you need help?” I offer, thinking maybe he’d be more at ease if he didn’t have to move. It’s not like I don’t know my way around a kitchen. I almost snort, instead my stomach growls.
He shakes his head quickly and turns around and walks to his pantry. When he turns around, bringing the jar of peanut butter over to the counter, I notice that bulge is not as large. It makes me wonder if I said something wrong, or if he was thinking of something else in order to deflate it. Again, I have to hold in my snort. He sets the jar down next to my plate and then sits down on the stool beside me. The scent of musk, mint and him envelope my senses and quickly, I cross my legs. After placing a stack of pancakes on my plate, I open the lid to the peanut butter, drop globs of it on them then add butter and drown it all in syrup. When I take my first bite, I release the most guttural moan, sounding similar to the ones I make when having a great orgasm. You know…. by B.O.B. I’d be embarrassed but I’m too hungry and this is just too good. I look around his small apartment then back at him. “Are you moving or just moved here recently? You still have boxes everywhere.” I take another bite and moan, noticing him trying to discreetly adjust himself under the counter. Hmmm. He seems lost in thought. His eyes glued to my mouth as I chew. Smiling around my fork, I nudge his leg with mine, and he seems to come out of his trance. It feels weird to have someone so hot and sexy reacting this way to me. Me!
“Oh! Both. Kind of.” I lower my brows in confusion. He gives me a grin and takes another bite.
“Elaborate, please?”
He takes a deep breath and sets his fork down on his plate. “I moved in a few weeks ago but I bought a place so I’m moving in a couple of days. Didn’t unpack to make it easier. That’s all.” He shrugs his shoulders then picks up his fork and takes another bite.
“Hmmm.”
“Hmmm?” Now he’s the one that’s confused.
I shrug. “Interesting. In a mysterious not-really-saying-a-whole-lot, kind of way.” He watches me drag my fork through the syrup on my plate, lost in my thoughts. I look up at him and tilt my head. “What do you do and what the hell is your name?” I’m sure as hell not gonna tell him I already know his name from his credit card. Stalker!
He lets out a laugh. “Jaxon. Or Jax if you prefer. Eat up, Coffee Girl. I’m sure you have things to do today.” I smile and stare into his eyes. Finally, I stab another bite of pancakes and put them in my mouth. “What’s your name?”
I smile. “Coffee Girl.”
Chapter 7
I went from a drunken, totally obnoxious girl to eating peanut butter pancakes next to the hottest guy on the planet. How is this my life? Never in my imagination did any of my book boyfriends live up to the guy sitting beside me. But is he ever mysterious. I guess that just makes him even more intriguing in my book. Jaxon. Jax. Sigh. A hot name for a hot guy. I’m not blind, well not technically. I see guys from time to time come in and out of my shop that have a hotness quality but to be sitting here eating and talking to one? My legs are shaking. Okay, actually my left leg is bouncing in awkwardness. He’s seen me look my worst and has worn my vomit on his shirt yet he makes me breakfast? Just wow!
I take another bite, chew and swallow. “What do you type all day on your laptop? You seem lost in your words every day.” Taking my last bite, I grab the glass of orange juice he gave me and chug it down. Damn, my mouth is drier than my cooch. He looks as if I just asked him to tell me the secret of life. His brown eyes glare into mine, making my panties wet. So much for dry.
“Just work stuff. Don’t you need to get to the shop?” Hmmmm. Evasive again. Or is he trying to get rid of me?
I follow his eyes up to a clock sitting on the counter next to the wall and shrug. His evasiveness is making me a little crazy, but it makes him that much more mysterious. It dawns on me that I haven’t stuttered once. Pretty frickin’ proud of myself. “I told Molly that I was sleeping in today. It was the only way I’d go out last night. Since we hired a new girl, she told me they’d be fine. I’m in no hurry.” I raise up my empty glass and practically bat my eyes for more. He smiles, takes it then gets up and walks to the fridge. His body looks like it’s a little stiff. Maybe he does want me to go. “I can go after my drink.” I feel let down, like normal. Another guy who really doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. This is why I have so many book boyfriends. They don’t eat, drink, talk back and are oh, so sexy. I don’t have to be someone I’m not or even brush my teeth. To them, I’m the most beautiful and graceful girl in the world. Yeah, they want me.
He brings over a full glass of orange juice and sets it down in front of me. Placing his hands on the counter, he looks into my eyes, making me a little uncomfortable. Then he does something that I never expected. Leaning forward he places a hand on the side of my face, his fingers moving into my hair. His eyes soften, and I melt. “Hey, I didn’t mean for that to sound like I want you to leave.” I lick my lips as he leans in closer. “I just have some work I need to do.” My eyes search his as wetness pools between my legs. Again. He’s totally like a Hot Tamale on a stick. His eyes move down to my mouth then back up to my eyes. “I’d like to ride in the cab with you, make sure you get home safely.” My eyes look down at his mouth, and I lick my lips before traveling back up to his eyes. “I’d like to kiss you now. If that’s okay?” He’s asking me? Holy shit! “I’ve wanted to ever since I first saw you.” Okay. I need to slow my heart down before I have a heart attack!
His lips come closer to mine.
Thank God I brushed my teeth. Shit! I ate afterwards. That doesn’t count, does it? I don’t think I can breathe!
Closer. He looks down at my mouth.
What if I’m a terrible kisser?
Closer. My eyes move to his mouth.
What if he’s a terrible kisser? It’ll ruin my whole vision of him.
He’s a breath away. Damn, there’s that mint smell again. Yum. He must have snuck in a mint this morning.
His lips touch mine
. Warm. Wet. Softer than I’d imagined. And I’d imagined! I close my eyes and tremble as his free hand cups the other side of my face, his fingers weaving into my hair. My hair! Oh, my God, it’s filthy! Breaking the kiss, I lean back, my eyes wide.
“Are you okay?” His hand leaves my face and he stands. He looks scared, his eyes wider than mine.
I push back my hair and let out a burst of laughter. Hysterical laugher? Maybe. Shit! I’m so nervous. “Oh! I’m fine. Really. I just….” I look around then back at him as I slide off the stool. Then everything moves in slow motion. My foot gets caught on the stool foot bar and down I go, closing my eyes as the floor starts coming toward me quickly. His hands grab my arms but I’m like a runaway locomotive of trouble going down. “Omph!” Opening my eyes slowly, I look up and into his. My chin is resting on his chest, his hands still holding my arms, and his Hot Tamale is poking me through his jeans. “Oh!” I shift my weight and his hard cock pushes against my stomach. His hands tighten on my waist. He’s much larger than I could have ever imagined. From the way it feels, I’d say it’s long and very wide. Yep, totally a Hot Tamale on a stick! Every. Girls. Dream. Holy Shit! He chuckles, grabbing my arms and pulling me up his body, his hand grabbing around the back of my head, pulling me to him. My hand presses against his chest as we kiss.
“Hot Tamale,” I whisper.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh. Oh!” I roll off him and he stands, helping me up. “Nothing.” I smile sweetly hoping I’m not making a complete fool out of myself. Am I kidding? Of course I am. “I think I should go home now.” The look of disappointment covers his face. “But thank you for being my savior last night and for the breakfast this morning.” His eyes soften. The look of hope sweeps over him. “Will you be by the shop later?” I look around, trying to find my shoes. He grins and walks over to the couch, bending down and when he stands he has my shoes by the straps. I purse my lips, trying not to laugh, as he walks over and hands them to me. Taking out his phone, he hits some buttons then holds it up to his ear, calling a cab. Oh, my God! Can he be any more amazing? Get a grip, Rylie!
As he comes closer, I keep stepping back. I don’t know why. I guess it’s the hungry look in his eyes. “They’ll be here in two minutes.” I step back again and hit the door with my back. “Guess they’re just around the corner.” I’m holding my shoes, unable to move. He steps into my breathing space, making it difficult for me to take a breath. He leans down, his mouth coming dangerously close to mine. “What startled you earlier?” I shake my head, not knowing what to say. Why did I startle earlier? I swear I don’t remember now. His mouth is so close to mine if I stuck my tongue out I’d taste it. “You’re not scared. Are you?”
My brows lower, my eyes fixated on his lips. “Me? Psh! No — o.” Stuttering doesn’t help me look that confident.
“Good,” he whispers. His mouth presses against mine and my arms move of their own accord over his large shoulders and around his neck. I barely register my shoes hitting the floor as his arms wrap around my waist, lifting me into the air, my mouth becoming more even with his. “Damn, you taste good. All syrup and peanut butter.” I’d laugh but he’s sucking all my oxygen into his mouth.
Shit! He’s a magnificent kisser. So much more than I’d ever dreamed. Our lips move in sync. His tongue traces my lower lip, asking for entrance. Well, who am I to say no? My mouth opens and in it dives, tangling with mine. Damn, he tastes good. Mint. Hot. Wet. I shamelessly grind against him. My tiptoes barely on the floor. I can’t seem to stop myself, needing some much needed friction. I can feel his cock growing with every grind. Oh my! That has to be so uncomfortable, pushing against his jeans and rock hard. He sets me down, his mouth leaving mine. Shit, maybe I went too far? Thoughts swarm my head of finding the perfect glass canisters, filled with mints and Hot Tamales, displayed on one of the counters in my shop. Weird that I’d think of that at this time.
“The cab is here,” he says breathlessly.
“Cab?” I’m as out of breath as he is. Probably more. I never exercise. He seems really – fit.
He leans down and takes my hand. “C’mon. Let’s get you home, Coffee Girl.”
Home? Oh yeah. I need to go home. Sigh.
He leads me out his door and down the steps of his apartment building. I look around at the familiar sights. I had no idea he lived this close to me. As he opens the cab door and I slide inside, I remember him telling me he’s moving. Will it be farther away? I didn’t think to ask. I might have been preoccupied. The cab ride is short but my heart races all the way home. It pulls up alongside the curb of my condo, and he gets out, holding his hand out to me. Such a gentleman. I place my hand in his, and he holds mine as we walk up the cement steps. I turn when we get to my front door, he’s standing a step lower than me making us see eye to eye. I think I love this position.
“I’ll see you later,” he whispers and then he kisses me. I may never wash my lips again.
“So then what happened?”
Three hours after my amazing morning with Jax, I’m sitting in the back room at the shop with Molly. The shop has a lull, and I’m sitting here with my third mocha latte watching her make sandwiches. My head has finally quit pounding from behind my eyes and the short nap I had seemed to help a little. Small flashes of memories keep creeping in, little by little, while my mind starts becoming clearer.
“He pushed the guy up to the wall by his throat. Telling the douchebag to leave the lady alone.” He was such a contradiction. One minute he was all powerhouse all over that guy the next he was so sweet, gentle and caring. His eyes were so wide, glazed over. It was like he was in another place or another time. God, the muscles in his arms though when he held that guy up. Sheesh. I almost came in my panties. Of course, I could barely stand but I definitely noticed. “Where did you go, anyway?”
She tilts her head up and stops her actions. “Remember that guy on the dance floor? The one that was grinding all over me?” My face scrunches, my mind trying to visualize a face. Nope. I was too far gone. Maybe that will come to me later. “Okay, I can tell you don’t remember.” My eyes focus back on her. “He took me to his place and let’s just say, he’s not a keeper. Can you say teeny weeny?” She shows me by putting her thumb and index finger almost together. A burst of laughter leaves me. No one will ever live up to her standards. She acts all tough but I think she’s worse about guys than I am.
Now, she may seem like she’s a little loose to you but let me just tell ya. She’s not shy around guys, doesn’t stutter like I do, and she has gone out with her fair share of guys but don’t let her fool you. She doesn’t let them get very far, if she doesn’t really like them and has only dated one guy, for real. That ended so badly, she’s pretty much sworn off men. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t like a little fooling around. But as far as I know – and I know pretty much everything when it concerns my bestie, they never go all the way. Trust me.
I turn my head when Addie peeks around the corner. “Rylie? There’s someone asking for you.” She smiles and gives me a wink. Hmmm, wonder who that could be?
I get a wink from Molly and roll my eyes then walk into the shop and look around. Not many people are here right now. I scan the shop until my eyes meet his. Jax is sitting in his normal place, laptop open, but his head is turned my way. A smile graces his gorgeous face, and it dawns on me that I didn’t bring any extra clean panties with me today. Shit! I need to do laundry. I walk over to him slowly, a grin on my face and my heart beating rapidly. Other than my book boyfriends, he’s the only other man who makes me feel this way with just a look. As I walk up to his table my eyes quickly dart down to the screen on his laptop. I can’t help my curiosity. Words. Tons of words. Almost like he’s writing a story. With the click of his finger, the document disappears and my eyes dart to his.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Hey.” His voice melts the panties right off
me. There’s something to be said about going commando.
He looks around and then back at me. “Do you want to sit, maybe have a cup of coffee?” My breath catches in my throat, and I almost choke. I could use another large mocha. What’s five coffees in a day? So I’ll just be really wired. Well, more than normal. I can’t seem to speak and just nod as I walk around behind him. He reaches over and pulls out the chair for me. Such a gentleman. Sigh. He’s wearing that sexy Army cap and a navy blue t-shirt. Tight and showing how defined his muscles are. Flashes of me lying on top of him enter my head. I could feel them all.
“What can I get you all?” Molly’s eyes are all telling as she stands there smiling.
He looks up at her and smiles. “Black coffee for me. Large. And Coffee Girl’s mocha. Large. Can we also get one of your amazing sandwiches too?” He looks at me and I just nod, still not able to form any words. I’m amazed that he knows how I like my coffee and how that dimple appears then disappears with every word.
“Coffee Girl. Awwwww.” She looks at me and winks, and I roll my eyes quickly before his eyes dart to mine. He smiles and there goes my panties. Again. “Your usual and Ry’s usual. Check.” My eyes snap to hers, and I give her my mean sneer. Her brows raise as if to question what she’s done, and I roll my eyes. Again. She looks back at him and smiles, giving him her most innocent smile. “And two of my special sandwiches coming right up.” She winks at him, and he looks down shyly as she walks away.
“Ry? Is that short for something?”
I give in and clasp my hands together on top of the table then give him the information I didn’t want to give yet. We were having such a good time keeping our names out of everything until he told me his last night. But I really love it when he calls me the nickname he came up with for me. I didn’t want that to change, yet. I clear my throat, shifting nervously in my seat. “It’s Ryland but most call me Rylie and then my friends call me Ry for short.”