by Vicki Green
With him.
Not here though.
“So….” he says, leaving it there.
I smile as I pop another grape in my mouth. “So….” I mimic.
“Tell me more about you,” he asks with a raised eyebrow. So hot.
I can feel the blush spreading across my cheeks, having a hard enough time not stumbling and stuttering my words and now he wants me to tell him about myself? Picking up the bottled water he’d set by my plate, I take a big drink, twisting the cap shut. “Well.” I take a deep breath. “You already know I own a coffee shop.” He winks. I shrug. “My gram left it to me. She was everything. The condo I live in she gave to me.” Memories flood as I recount us cooking in the kitchen to standing on a stool behind the counter as she taught me how everything worked to our late nights of watching chick-flicks while the tears streamed and popcorn forgotten. I talked about how she collected things, even the weird and strange collections, to the paperbacks that lined all her bookshelves.
“That’s where you got your love for reading.” Jax smiles, looking down at my book lying beside me.
His smile is contagious, and I find myself doing it as well. “Partly.” I take a bite of my sandwich, leaving it at that.
He looks up at me, the bill of his cap shading his eyes. “Partly?”
I let out a small laugh. “I wasn’t exactly the “popular” girl in school. I was the studier and loved reading.” I shrug, like it’s normal, and eat another grape.
“Nothing wrong with that,” he replies as he picks up the book, keeping his finger marking my page. Lucky book. Turning it over, he looks at the front cover. “Another J. Stearns book?”
I can’t stop the sigh that leaves my mouth. “The second in the series.”
“What is it you like so much about this J. Stearns author? Are they a guy or gal?” I love how he acts so interested in everything I say, especially about books!
My brows raise and I slap my thigh. “That’s just it! No one knows! Their author page on Facebook doesn’t have a person’s picture and they never let on. It’s a mystery. Trust me, I’ve stalked it and the web until I’ve become frustrated. There’s even this group on Facebook that is nothing but about their books, you know – talking about them in detail but there’s always people asking if anyone knows if the author is male or female.”
“Really?” He looks like he’s shocked.
“Really! There’s always a discussion about this. Some of them are kinda funny, how they come up with their theories. But anyway….” His brows raise, much like mine, and then lower as his face softens. “Their writing is impeccable, the stories so real to life. I can imagine the characters vividly and feel as if I’m there watching it all play out.” I let out another sigh but stop short when I see Jax is smiling at me. “Okay. Maybe I get a little overzealous about reading.”
He laughs. “I find it refreshing.” Is he kidding? “I love your enthusiasm about what you love. Your passion. It’s part of who you are.” Now I raise an eyebrow and he laughs. “Okay, we’ve had this talk. Men can love the art of writing just as much as women.” He picks up a grape and tosses it at me, hitting me square on my forehead. I laugh and throw one back, of course my aim isn’t as good and he catches it in mid-air, popping it into his mouth.
“I love that you find it refreshing.” I smile.
“I love that you had such a loving family.” He grins back but I don’t feel mine anymore.
Shaking my head, I put my smile back in place. “What about you? You haven’t said much of anything about your life.”
He raises a brow, a smirk rides up replacing his smile. “Not much to tell.”
“C’mon. Fair is fair.” And there’s that damn dimple. Sigh. “You always ask about me.”
He clears his throat, looks around, then back at me. His grin melts me. Makes me feel like I could end up in a puddle right here. “I grew up in a foster home with my sister.” He has a sister? “My foster parents were great really. We were fortunate as so many others out there aren’t. Most foster homes kick you out when you become eighteen but they didn’t want to. Unfortunately, they needed the extra income they get from fostering so I had to leave. I also didn’t want to be separated from my sister but it was only for a year. Unlike some foster parents, they helped set me up in an apartment, gave me money to start out, and even helped me find a job. They are amazing. I am fortunate.”
“Sounds like you had a somewhat happy childhood?” I smile, catching his slight nod. I can’t imagine growing up with no love surrounding you so I’m glad to hear he was luckier than some. Of course, I noticed he didn’t mention his real parents or why he and his sister were in foster care and I dare not ask. That’s personal and even though my curiosity is more than piqued, I’ll respect his privacy. He seems private about most everything, making him that much more intriguing. “That’s great that they helped you, although I’m sure it was still hard for you.”
He shrugs. “When you don’t have much of anything, it makes you more determined. I worked lots of odd end jobs to pay the rent and utilities, sometimes going without food for a while or only have the bare necessities.”
My brows lower, thinking of how he must have struggled and feeling even luckier that I had Gram and a happy, loving life. Even without a mom, Gram filled that spot and gave me so much more than my flighty mom would have. Sigh. Now I’m thinking about my mom, wondering where she is and if she ever thinks of me. I feel a hand on mine and look up, not realizing my mind was so far away.
“I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
Was I looking sad? Did I feel sad? Kinda. Sorta. Mostly I feel angry that she felt the need to leave me, putting her selfishness in front of being a mom and even a daughter. Then again, I think about what would have happened if she hadn’t done that. I would have missed out on Gram’s and my time together. That causes a smile.
“I’m good. Go on. Please?” He nods and I settle in, really interested in hearing about him.
Oddly, he picks up my book and looks at the cover. “I joined the Army Reserves, adding a little more income and eventually worked my way up to help signing up new recruits, training them and traveled a bit.” Now I know how and why he stays so fit. And boy does he look fit. I have to shake my head a bit to get it out of my lustful thoughts.
“What made you decide to end up here? I mean – it’s not a big town, not that much to offer.” But then again – it’s everything to me.
“I had an option to transfer through my reserve unit and thought it would be a good place to start fresh. I actually came for a visit, a few months back, and fell in love with the town.” Rightly so. It is a good town. “And….” He leans over and picks up my hand. My eyes widen as I look into his eyes. “I happen to really like this girl who owns the best coffee shop.” There’s now a lump at the base of my throat that I can’t swallow but the need is overwhelming. “Coffee Girl.”
My body seems to gravitate toward his as he leans forward. Slow motion is in full effect again, my heart beating wildly at the thought of his lips against mine. One thing I can say – he’s a helluva kisser. Not that I’ve had a ton of experience, mind you, but I do have a great imagination. His lips connect with mine, and his hand slides under my long hair, cupping around the back of my neck as he pulls me closer. Our mouths pressing together harder. Damn! Didn’t see that coming and God, does it make me melt even more. I’ve read about people having “sensual” and “sensitive” spots on their bodies – erogenous zones. I moan against his mouth as he pulls me closer yet. Definitely one of those – zones. For some odd reason, right when his tongue creeps into my mouth, flashes of a scene in Dare to Dream plays in my mind like a movie. So similar in the way Jax set up this whole picnic, his moves with his hand and – oh – is – that – his – other – hand – moving – under – my – shirt? Didn’t see that coming either but shit
, I can certainly feel it.
His hand leaves as quickly as his mouth when giggles of kids close by startles us both. Well basically him because I didn’t hear a thing, as I was totally lost in him, until he pulled away. He doesn’t move far, his forehead laying against mine. “Maybe we should take this picnic indoors? Somewhere more – private?” His breathing is as heavy as mine and all I can do is nod, moving the skin on his forehead with my movement. He smiles and God, my heart melts and my panties are soaked. He keeps this up, and I won’t have any dry panties left.
Chapter 10
He followed me, holding my hand. It was amazing, how perfectly my hand felt in his, loving the feel of his soft skin, his strong but gentle nature. As we walk the streets, I could imagine us doing this daily or just being together wherever. I wanted that, wanted to hear everything he thinks about – everything! I feel him squeeze my hand as we turn onto my walkway, approaching my front door. “You’ve been lost in thoughts for about….” I look up, pretending to think hard. My eyes move to his as I lift my mouth into a smile. “The last block and a half.”
Sliding my key into the front door, that strange man suddenly walks out from next door, and I can’t help but look over there. I stiffen. He has to think I’m a lunatic and just why is he there anyway? Maybe Maggie and Warren are remodeling? That doesn’t make any sense. Their condo is amazingly perfect and they had just done that about a year ago. He raises his hand up to me, with a small wave, so I slowly raise mine up too, feeling so weirded out by this. He nods, holding up one of my cinnamon buns. I turn my head, slightly, and watch him walk down the front walkway.
“Who is that?” Dreamboat – I mean, Jax asks.
I shrug, open the door, and walk inside. “I think he’s my new neighbor.”
“You’re not sure?”
I shrug again, walking into my kitchen. He sets down the picnic basket on my breakfast bar and watches me. This is all so strange. I’m not even sure how to explain it. “No? I’m not really sure.” I turn and look at him, tilting my head. “He doesn’t speak English.”
He continues to watch me open the top of the basket and begin to take things out, setting them on the counter. He opens his mouth to speak when my phone rings. Raising my index finger, I give him a smile as I answer. Well more like listen. “Really? Wow! That’s cool! Are you sure? You’ve always loved that apartment.” I listen intently, nodding and smiling. “What? Why would you do that?” Anger replaces my smile immediately but then I soften. “If you’re really sure. No! I don’t mind. You might clean it really good.” I let out a snort and quickly look at Jax, covering my mouth. Maybe it’s a bit early to show him everything about myself – like my unladylike snorting. I drop my hand and nod. “Okay. Sounds great! Things okay there?” I walk over to the counter by the sink and lean against it. “Good. I have to….” I look up at Jax and smile. “I have to go. No! Goodbye, Molly.” I swipe the screen and lower my hand.
“Good news?” he asks, again seeming really interested.
“Uh, yeah.” Walking over, I begin picking up any food that needs refrigerated and put them in the fridge. “Molly saw that the condo next to the shop went up for sale, you know at the end of my street, and she left Duncan and Addie to tend the shop while she went over and took a look at it.” I scowl, thinking about how Molly left our two brand new employees by themselves to handle things. Then I relax and continue to put things away. “She ended up buying it.”
“That’s great, right?” Taking out two bottled waters, I hand one to him as I walk closer. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I sigh, leaning my hip against the counter beside him.
He lets out a small laugh. “You don’t seem so sure.”
I look up at him, my brows lowering with my own confusion about how I feel. “I mean, I’m happy for her. She deserves it. She’s lived in the apartment over the shop forever.”
Sliding his arm around my waist, he inches closer. “Then it’s good. So why the long face?”
I let out another sigh. “I’m just probably being weird.” His brows raise as he chuckles. “Okay, weirder than normal. But she asked if Addie could move into the apartment.” Now he appears to look angry and confused. That’s odd. “I like Addie, don’t get me wrong, and we’ve gotten close pretty quickly but….” He looks like he wants to say something, even opens his mouth but closes it. “I trust her. She has keys to the shop and has opened and closed by herself or with the help of Duncan, a few times.” Suddenly, I stand up straight and move before him, my arms moving around his waist. “I’m being silly. Of course this will be perfect!” Leaning up, I kiss him, taking away all my anger.
“So….” He kisses me again, a little longer. “About your new neighbor?” I kiss him back, forgetting immediately about what he just said. Selective memory and boy is mine selective right now.
“My what?” I moan as I kiss him harder.
His mouth leaves mine wanting and needy and starts traveling. My ear, leaving little kisses as he goes. I shiver as he kisses beneath my lobe and shudder when he makes his way down my neck. My hips buck while he kisses my chest in the valley between my breasts. My chest heaves into his mouth, with my heavy breathing. He rubs his thumb over my bra across my taut nipple, I let out the most deep guttural moan. My hands move up his chest, around his neck, and as my fingers move through his hair, his cap falls off his head, landing on the floor. “Your neighbor – oh – that feels good.” I run my fingernails over his scalp as he moves his arm around me, his hand sliding up under my shirt. I continue my own brand of sexual torture as he unclasps my bra with one hand. Totally the most talented hand. Just as his hands moves across my skin, around my ribs, and....
Up.
Up.
Up.
He covers my breast and God! My head snaps back. My panties are soaked, and I shake uncontrollably at the feel of his fingers pinching my nipple, his hand kneading my breast. It’s almost too much. I’m lost in this moment, in the feel of him, yet my mind is tormenting me with questions like.... Do I have any condoms? Did I shave everywhere I could this morning? Does my breath smell? Does any part of my body smell? Maybe I can get a mint from him. Or a Hot Tamale. Oh yeah. I need me some Hot Tamale. I hear a loud racket and wonder if I just snorted out loud.
Two things happened then: one, his phone starts ringing.
Two, I look down and see Willy’s teeth imbedded in the bottom of Jax’s jeans, pulling, tugging and snarling. What the hell?
Okay, I lied. Three things happened.
Jax apologizes about his phone while answering it as he looks down at Willy trying to eat his jeans. He takes a step to the side, only to have Willy dig his paws on the floor, causing Jax to stumble. I watch in horror as Jax goes down, pulling Willy with him. Jax yells out as he hits his head on the breakfast bar on his way to the floor. Willy lets out a loud cry, and I stand here frozen. I swear! I’m a jinx! Before I can move, Jax moans and Willy whimpers. I don’t know who I should go to first.
Shaking my head from the nightmare, I run to Willy, squatting down beside him. He’s helpless, so I had to see if he was okay first. I check his little paws, his back and stomach and then his head. He seems okay, just shaken up. “Serves you right for trying to eat Jax’s jeans and being in the way.” He looks up at me, and I swear he gives me a scowl.
I turn to Jax, covering his hand that’s on his forehead with mine. “I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” He looks up at me from beneath his hand and gives me a small smile. Poor guy! I stand quickly, run over and get a dish rag, filling it with ice, then take it back over and shove his hand away then place it on the bump that’s forming on his forehead. I feel terrible! “I’m so – so sorry. I don’t know what got into him.” Actually, I hadn’t really warned Jax about the small furry beast who apparently doesn’t like men. Or maybe he just doesn’t like Jax? Maybe he didn’t under
stand what Jax and I were doing and….
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m fine.” I focus back on Jax and try to smile but I think it most likely looks like a grimace. “I’m sorry too. I need to take this.”
I wave my hand. “Oh! That’s fine.”
I watch him stand wincing a little as he does. Now, I feel even worse. He walks into my living room, and I try not to overhear his conversation, I really do, but it’s hard not to when he’s just in the next room. So, I walk over to the fridge and get out the ingredients to make some muffins, trying to keep busy.
“Hi. Yes, it’s okay.” I start stirring the mixture, beating it hard as I try not to tune in. “Yes, I heard. Why didn’t you tell me?” He sounds angry, not that I’m listening. “I know but we had plans!” He becomes angrier, not that I heard. But plans? With who? “I know. Guess I’m just used to taking care of you.” Taking care of who? Jealousy is an ugly thing. Not that I would know as I’ve never been in a situation to be jealous of anyone – until now. He laughs. “Yes, you’ll always be my baby, no matter what. Okay. How about dinner tomorrow night?” My hand is now torturing the mixture with the wooden spoon. My insides are heating up, rapidly. “Okay. Sounds great. No, I….”
He turns his head and I whip mine back around and look down at the bowl, not realizing I’d been looking in there at him. Okay, I totally knew I was but honestly – I’m feeling a little lost here, deflated and so let down. How could I be so stupid to think he wasn’t already seeing someone? I mean, not that we’ve talked a lot but I guess we’ve never really said anything about not seeing anyone else. Wait! Is this what this is? Are we – dating? I mean, we’ve kissed, and we’ve been a little touchy feely. God, I love the touchy feely. Do I have a right to be upset because he may be going out with someone else? I don’t even know what to call what we’re doing.
“Hey,” I turn my head as he walks back into the kitchen. “Sorry about that. Work stuff.” Work stuff? Mhmm. Because everyone talks about going out to dinner with someone when they’re talking about work and calling them baby. He raises his hand and touches the rather large bump on his forehead, and now I feel bad again.