by Selena Blake
His smile was warm and welcoming, chasing away the chill.
“I was going to watch a movie get made. Wanna come?” she asked them, glancing from Teo to Dylan.
“I'm going to head home,” Dylan said. “You two have fun.”
“We will,” Jill assured him. She and Teo had lots and lots of fun when they were together.
Teo seemed to mull over the offer, glancing toward his truck and then back at her. He wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as she’d expected. Maybe he had plans to keep.
“You don’t have to come,” she said quickly, covering the awkward silence. “I’ve just always wanted to see a movie made.”
“I have time,” he said, but checked the rugged watch on his right wrist. “Aren't you going to be cold?”
He glanced down at her legs. It was like she wasn’t even wearing tights, he made her feel so naked.
Gracious he was handsome. And thoughtful. He took the caddy of coffee and slid his other hand around her waist. She had to admit, his big body did a great job blocking the wind.
“Eventually. But I like it. Makes me think it might just snow.”
“I didn't see it in the forecast.”
She tucked her hands in her pockets and soaked in the spectacular atmosphere. Roseville was really coming to life these days. They had an art gallery, a bakery, two new clothing boutiques and an ancient but lovely jewelry store. A realtor had moved in last month and the word in the wind was that some sort of financial something or other would be making the move at the first of the year.
“Doesn't mean I don't hope for it.” She smiled up at him.
“Ahh, an optimist.”
“Guilty as charged.” It was her optimism that had kept her soul alive during her darkest hours.
They made their way down the block and headed for the crowd. An assortment of town folk clustered at a roped-off barrier; beyond that were crates and wires, and lighting equipment.
A swarm of people ran in all directions despite the cold. She and Teo joined the throng.
“It's like a behind-the-scenes special,” she gushed, watching for Fletcher. “That’s my favorite part of a DVD.”
After a few minutes, she flagged down a crew member and offered the coffee. “Courtesy of Jill's Java Hut.” She pointed toward her shop.
“Thanks. It's cold as balls,” the young guy said and took off.
She and Teo stared at each other before busting out laughing. “He's obviously never been up north.”
“Or Afghanistan,” Teo added grimly.
Every so often he said something like that and her heart ached for him. He was one of the lucky ones, he’d assured her. Alive, in one piece and for the most part, unharmed. But she knew that his darkness lurked deep.
He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You make a great heated blanket,” she murmured.
Someone shouted out instructions and the activity on the street increased.
“Quiet,” a man shouted over a megaphone. Then he called, “Action.”
Jill was enraptured. It was so amazing to see all the pieces come together and yet, what she saw in front of her was a tiny portion of a movie. A man with a gun dressed in a long coat stalked away from a black car. He paused, held a cellphone to his ear. She couldn't hear what he said, but she’d recognize Fletcher anywhere. There was only one man who had that swagger.
He put the phone away and sauntered toward the camera. Then he pulled something from his pocket and—
The explosion startled her even though she'd been warned. Hunks of car sailed through the air and Teo's arms tightened around her waist.
A collective gasp went through the crowd. Once they called cut she turned in Teo's arms. “That was amazing.”
He was amazing and when he looked at her like that she felt like the leading lady in her own movie. Handsome SEAL and the small town business owner. She could see it. An unlikely romance perhaps but those made the best stories.
“Excuse me, are you Teo Canales?” a voice called from behind her. She twisted back to see a short brunette smothered in a bright blue parka.
“I am,” Teo said.
“Boomer says hello.”
There was a beat of silence and then a man on the far side of the burning car waved a hand. He was big, brawny and wore a black sock hat.
Teo huffed out a laugh.
“Small world,” Teo said. “We were in boot camp together,” he told her. To Parka Girl, he said, “Tell him Superman said nice explosion.”
Parka Girl grinned and trotted off.
“Superman?” Jill teased.
She felt him shrug.
“I'd heard he was into special effects and stuff.” Warmth infused his voice. One thing she was coming to realize was that Teo made friends wherever he went. She found his easy going nature sexy as hell.
He seemed completely at ease anywhere, with whomever he met. That innate confidence was enviable.
They watched for a few minutes longer and then Parka Girl came back. “He'd love to get together but as you can imagine, it's a busy day for us.”
She handed over a piece of paper. Teo studied it for a moment and then tucked it in his pocket. “Tell him I'll call him.”
Parka girl nodded and ran off. Jill was starting to think that everyone ran everywhere so they could stay warm.
The sun crept toward the horizon, casting a soft glow over the town she'd grown to love. She snuggled closer to Teo’s big body and had no trouble imagining herself walking these streets for years to come.
“Let's head back before you turn into a Popsicle,” he murmured.
“Okay. Would you mind helping me with something at the loft? I could use your muscles.”
“They're at your disposal,” he murmured, his voice dripping with innuendo.
She was glad he seemed to be over whatever funk he’d been in.
“Great! Let's go the long way. I love looking at the decorations.”
He held her hand as they navigated the streets, making a long loop through the cozy neighborhoods. The movement helped warm her, but she had an even better idea in mind. Him, her, the teeny tiny shower in her loft and a tank full of hot water.
“So Dylan and Reya are having a Christmas party next week,” he said. “Want to go?”
Wow. He was making plans for them? They’d gone way past casual. Staring up at him now, she couldn’t remember all her reasons she didn’t want a steady relationship. Teo didn’t ask her for money, he didn’t try to charm her into doing what he wanted, her business was still in the black and according to Tracy, they could run things without her.
What had she been so afraid of?
“Sure.” That'd give her enough time to make sure she had plenty of staff. “Sounds fun. I love Reya.”
“So do I.”
“You have to say that. You're her brother,” she teased.
“Don't tell her, but he's going to pop the question.” He turned down the alley behind her shop.
“Is that what you two were talking about?” No wonder he’d been in an odd mood. “That's so exciting! She's going to be thrilled. What'd you say?”
It occurred to her that he might not want his best friend marrying his baby sister. Men were weird about that kind of thing. Except, she'd love to have a big brother who was protective of her.
It had to be better than having a sister who hated the very air Jill breathed.
“I'm thrilled.” He followed her up the stairs to her loft. “It was my idea to get them together. My scheme worked.”
He sounded a little like an evil mastermind just then, but she let him inside anyway.
“You don't strike me as a matchmaker.”
“I'm not,” he said as he took his coat off and hung it on one of the hooks by the door. “Usually.”
“There's a story there.”
“Maybe. What do you need help with?”
“Oh. Right?” She waved him toward her bedroom area. “I'd like to move the pie safe to thi
s corner.”
She gestured with her hands toward the antique cabinet.
“It's really light,” she promised, moving the little table she used as a nightstand out of the way.
“No problem.”
Before she could help, he'd picked the thing up and carried it the three or four steps into the corner.
“Perfect.” Now all her toys would be within reach. She scooted the little table back and was pleased to see that the cabinet's doors would open over the table top.
“Thank you for that.”
“Glad the muscles could be of service.”
He crowded her against the pie safe and swooped in for a kiss. She was coming to associate coffee with his kisses. Perhaps that was her fault.
An odd buzzing sound filled the room and Teo pulled back. His dark brows drew together. “What's that?”
“Umm...” Oh!
She spun toward the pie safe.
“Umm...”
“Everything okay in there?” he murmured, sounding amused.
“Sure.” Did she just open the door and reveal everything or... Oh, what the hell? It was just a fling, he'd probably be gone in a week anyway.
Except for the party at Dylan and Reya's.
She turned around, hands flat against the pie safe. He looked like he was about to burst out laughing.
“What's so funny?”
“That you're hiding your naughty collection.” He had the grace to look sheepish for a moment. “The door was open the other day so I had a peek.”
“I review them,” she explained.
That made his brows jump up.
“For who?”
“Well, it started out for one company and then I started posting the reviews to a blog and now all sorts of different companies send me...um... things.”
“You have a cabinet full of vibrators and you can't say the word?”
He stalked closer again.
“I can say vibrator.”
“How about nipple clamp?”
He'd seen those?
Teo chuckled softly, reaching around her for the two latches that kept the pie safe doors closed. With a flick of a wrist, he had them open.
She sucked in a breath and turned.
“Well?” he prodded. Only, it wasn't just his words doing the prodding.
He opened the doors and she backed up, flush against him.
“Nipple clamps,” she murmured.
“Now, who's making all that noise?”
He slid a hand around her middle, just beneath her breasts. She watched as he reached into the cabinet and rooted around until he pulled out a remote controlled egg.
“Well, well. What do we have here?”
Jill was glad she hadn't opened the curtains that morning because she was pretty sure she was about to end up naked.
“How did this one rate?” he asked, rubbing the egg against her nipples.
It was almost too much, him behind her, the vibration, a perfect day.
“Really good.”
He trailed it down her tummy.
“Why?”
She swallowed hard.
“Strong vibrations. It's wireless. Easy to clean.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” he murmured and then nipped her earlobe.
He continued south until he was at the hem of her skirt. Oh my. He trailed the egg up the inside of her thigh and then pressed it through her tights and panties, teasing her clit. Her hips bucked and her ass pressed against the hard ridge of his cock.
Jill gave in to the sensations sweeping through her. He hadn't stopped kissing her neck and caressing her breasts. She loved the fact that he wasn't the least bit shocked by her collection or her odd little hobby. If the rock hard pipe in his pants was any indication, he was thoroughly turned on by it all.
She undulated her hips in time with his movements. A moan bubbled up her throat.
“Now I'm going to wonder,” he said against her neck, “what you've got under your skirt. Do you wear these gizmos to work? What if I carried the remote in my pocket?”
The picture he painted was so vivid she almost stumbled off the cliff into bliss. Almost.
“So close,” she breathed.
“Good.”
He moved the egg away and she sagged forward. Luckily his arm caught her around the waist, keeping her upright. She dragged a steadying breath into her lungs.
But then he was back, burying the egg inside her panties until it rested between her pussy lips. Then he reached into the pie safe and grabbed the remote.
“You hungry?” he asked oh-so-cooly.
As if he hadn’t just put a vibrator down her panties. As if he hadn’t just teased her nipples to life.
Her jaw dropped.
How—what—
Jill's brain was mush thanks to her almost-orgasm. He wasn't going to make her come yet? Cruel, gorgeous...oh she'd make him squirm.
“Yeah. I'll whip something up.”
He made a sound of pleasure. “Can't wait.”
The expression on his face was raw and hungry, like a wolf looking for his dinner. The analogy suited him to a T. He'd been a predator since the moment they'd met, his eyes following her every move, his easy going charm pulling her in.
How was she going to survive with her heart intact?
7
Teo realized his mistake as a glimmer entered Jill's gorgeous green eyes. He could tell she'd been moments away from an epic orgasm and he'd stolen it. His strategy was to make her want more, want him and things only he could give her.
But then she straightened her spine and strode into the kitchen as though she didn't have a vibrator shoved down her panties.
He'd meant to tempt her, but she opened the refrigerator and started pulling out ingredients. Ground beef, onion, bell pepper. She completely ignored him as she filled a pot with water. Then she browned the meat as if he wasn't even there. Not a word. Not a peep.
Once again he was seduced by her movements, her hands. He now knew firsthand how talented they were.
“How can I help?”
“Turn on some music?”
Since she seemed to love all things Christmas, he turned on the local station that was playing carols. She started humming along, swaying as she stirred.
Without further instruction, he settled on the barstool and gave her his undivided attention. The only woman who'd ever really cooked for him was Reya. But this was intimate and if he was honest, pleasurable.
Homey. That was the word he was looking for, something he'd lacked in his life.
He waited until she’d finished chopping veggies before he turned the vibration up a notch. She gasped.
“You're very naughty, Mr. Canales.”
“It's your fault,” he murmured. “You inspire me.”
“I have a job for those strong hands of yours.” She turned toward him, a playful pout gracing her ruby lips.
“Oh yeah?” He liked the sound of that. “Will I work up an appetite before dinner?”
She gave an unladylike snort that he found endearing as hell. It was a direct contradiction to the elegant pinup look she had going. “Hardly.”
She slid three cans and an opener across the counter.
“Well, at least I'm good for something.”
He loved that he could be himself with her. There was no pretense with her. What you saw was what you got and that was a refreshing change from the women he'd dated in the past. Sure, she took a while to get ready, but her look was different from day to day and worth the wait.
Plus, he loved watching her primp in front of her vanity mirror. There was nothing sexier than watching her roll on thigh high stockings and buckle her sexy little shoes, knowing that he'd get to take it all off later.
“You're good for lots of things,” she assured him and dumped the contents of the cans into the pot.
“That just needs to simmer for a half hour.”
“Does that mean you have nothing to do for the next thirty minutes?” He circl
ed the island.
“Fifteen. I'll need to boil the water or there won't be any pasta to—”
He cut her off with a kiss and pulled her hips against his. The egg was vibrating away and he could tell that the added pressure was just what she wanted.
He flattened a palm against the base of her spine keeping her pelvis pressed tightly against his. With his other hand, he teased her nipples through her top, delighting in her throaty gasps. She had the most sensitive breasts he'd ever had the pleasure of fondling. Too bad they didn't have more time to play.
“I've been wanting this since the moment you delivered my coffee this afternoon. This skirt's driving me wild.”
She laughed softly as his hands slid beneath the full skirt. His fingertips skimmed her thighs and then tugged her tights down.
“You're like a walking, talking fantasy.”
He paused just long enough to spin her toward the island and press her hands against the counter. Then he was back to work, stripping her panties. He nudged her feet apart with the toe of his boot. She dropped her head back and moaned.
Yes, this was exactly what he'd been dreaming of.
“Hold your skirt up,” he ordered and teased her clit with the egg. Another delicious little gasp escaped her lips and her hips tipped forward.
Like the rest of her, her pussy was lovely. Eager and pink, flushed with desire. Her clit practically begged for his tongue and he was happy to have a taste.
With her ankles trapped by her tights and panties, she had very little mobility and he loved knowing that her attention was divided between pleasure and not falling.
Maybe Dylan was right and Teo did have a bit of a sadist in him.
But he made sure she enjoyed herself and didn't fall. Kissing, licking, spreading her labia so he could deepen his sensual assault. She moaned and mewed the whole time.
Her moisture coated his fingers and he slid the egg inside her channel. The vibrations made her tremble against his tongue. For the second time in an hour, he worked her into a fervor. And as soon as she started panting for release, he pulled the egg out by the string and stood.
“Teo—” She growled his name.
He shoved his jeans and boxers down, slipped on a condom and spun her toward the counter, not having enough time to finish removing her shoes or stockings.