Recipe for Attraction

by Gina Gordon

  “How could that have possibly happened in less than twelve hours since I last saw you?” She stopped talking and shrank into herself. So she didn’t want Cole to know they spent time with each other outside of business hours. That was all right. He didn’t owe anyone an explanation.

  “He was arrested, too,” Cole blurted. “Jack, Finn and I had to pick him up at the precinct this morning.”

  Neil shot Cole a dirty look. He didn’t have to disclose the whole story.

  “That’s why you missed the inspection?” Carson asked. “Because you were in jail.”

  “I’m a dangerous mess.” His shoulders lifted to his ears. “I need help or I’m going to get on my bike.”

  “Neil, I can’t let you ride. I promised Finn I’d keep an eye on you and—”

  “I can handle it from here, Cole,” Carson said as she held up her hand to keep him from continuing his thought.

  But Neil needed some answers from his brother. “What the hell do you mean you said you’d keep an eye on me?” Did the three of them think he was some child that needed watching over?

  Before Cole responded, Carson said, “I have my truck out back. I’ll take him out when we’re done.” She looked over at the doorway. “That should appease Mr. Grumpy.”

  Cole laughed but Neil did his best to keep his temper on a low simmer. He’d have a little talk with his brothers later on. Right now, he had a woman to seduce.

  “Close the door behind you, Cole.”

  Cole swiveled around before he slipped out the door, a huge grin on his face. He knew exactly what Neil had in mind.

  “Jail?” Carson shook her head. “Purposely arguing with your brother to make me have sex with you?”

  “You picked up on that, huh?” She was too smart for her own good. “I want what I want. And I want you. Right now on this desk.”

  Neil snaked out his arm, wrapped it around her waist and pulled her closer. He positioned her in front of him, rested her bottom on the desk with her legs in between his own. He moved his hands from her waist up her ribcage to her breasts.

  “We still have papers to review.”

  He pulled his chair closer and the rolling wheels of the five-legged chair squeaked. He drew himself in until he was flush against her body, her knees pressed against the edge of the seat.

  He lifted her shirt, a deep purple color that reminded him of eggplant. He kissed along her belly, soft open mouthed kisses that left her stomach quivering with every tiny contact.

  “Neil?” She looked over her shoulder at the door. “Someone could walk in.”

  “It’s just Cole. The restaurant isn’t open yet and none of his staff come near this office. Besides, he knows not to come in here when the door is closed.”

  She tilted her head forward. “What is that, secret brother code?”

  He grinned. “Something like that.”

  He kissed his way higher, pushing her shirt up over her breasts. He nipped at the skin just under her bra, then the soft mounds of flesh that peeked out from the top. First the left. Then the right.

  Carson let out a heavy breath. He knew her breaths. Short and shallow meant she was excited. Holding her breath meant she was overcome and heavy breaths meant she was fighting her desire. Challenge accepted.

  He undid the clasp of her bra with one hand and the belt buckle of her pants with the other.

  “Such a multi-tasker.”

  “I know how to get things done.”

  She gasped when he ripped her shirt and bra over her head and buried his face between her breasts. His mouth found her nipple and he bit down. A little pain never hurt anyone—a little pain would take her to the edge faster. But her uneven, hard breaths told him she was nervous.

  “Come on, baby. It’s not like I’m recording this and putting it on YouTube. It’s just you and me.” Because that would be attention he just didn’t need. Only one Madewood brother was allowed to have a sex tape and Jack had claimed that honor years ago.

  While he sucked on her nipples, he undid her pants and pushed, letting the fabric slide down over her hips, her legs. He took her thong with them, exposing her bare body, his face the perfect level to take in the sight of her pink center and the tiny strip of hair above it. He pushed her back, settling her on the desk, and spread her legs.

  “You made some changes down here since we had tree sex.” He winked. “I like it.”

  “I didn’t do it for you.”

  “Oh, no…” He leaned in, his breath eliciting goose bumps across her flesh. “If not for me, then who?”

  Something tightened in his chest as he awaited her answer. He shouldn’t care if she was screwing around with someone else. This wasn’t a permanent situation. But he had to be honest. He didn’t like the idea of her being with anyone else. Not while they were together.

  He returned to teasing, his tongue snaking out and licking up the inside of her thigh and the area around her pink folds.

  “I did it for me,” she said between gasps.

  “Oh, really?” He licked again, this time paying attention to her slit. She reached up, her hand wanting to grip the back of his head to keep him in place but he dodged her.

  “Yes, I did it for me you jerk.” She panted. Short, shallow breaths. “It has nothing to do with the fact that I want your mouth on me.”

  “Hmm…” The sound vibrated across her flesh causing her to quiver. “Is that so?”

  “I want what I want. And I want it right now.”

  He smiled. “What the lady wants, the lady gets.”

  Neil bent forward, gripped her thighs and set to work. She moaned and leaned back on her elbows, her hair dangling along the desk.

  Neil exposed her tiny bud and licked, fast, slow, hard then soft. Changing up his ministrations to make her explode.

  “Fuck, you’re good at that.” When she positioned her hands at the sides of his head he let her direct. She ground her pelvis against his tongue, taking her pleasure. Which was even more of a turn on than knowing he could finish the job on his own. The fact that she knew what she wanted and took it, admirable, even in the bedroom.

  Neil inserted his fingers and pumped hard, never pulling all the way out. She cried out and shuddered, her legs trembling around his head.

  While Carson basked in the gigantic orgasm, Neil didn’t waste time. He stood, grabbed a condom from his wallet and sheathed himself.

  Carson reached out and traced the black ink at his neck, then moved to unbutton his shirt, but he pulled her hands away. She didn’t need to see the tattoo, the outcome of a stupid, knee-jerk reaction.

  “When are you going to let me see what’s hiding under your shirt?”

  “Another time,” he whispered.

  He grabbed Carson’s arms and pulled her off the desk.

  He turned her body making sure she didn’t trip on the tangle of shoes and pants around her legs. He let his hands roam over her curves, her perfect ass, her flat stomach and soft round breasts. Her hands snaked around and wrapped around his neck. She wiggled her body—including her bottom—which grazed over his balls.

  “Bend over.” Neil guided her down, his hand pressing against her shoulder. He loved how one minute she took pleasure for herself and the next she obeyed him without question.

  Neil positioned his cock at her waiting entrance. She spread her legs and he pushed inside, slid balls deep. She was slick and ready from her earlier orgasm. He pumped a steady rhythm, careful to try not to explode too early. Which he was bound to do if he kept staring at her ass and the view of him disappearing inside her deeper, and more easily, with every stroke.

  She pushed back, meeting him thrust for thrust.

  “Christ, Carson, stop.” Neil bent over, his mouth clasping onto her neck, trying to stop the orgasm from rising up.

  He sucked and bit at her neck and she moaned and wiggled under his body.

  “Woman, I can’t last if you keep doing that.”

  “Then don’t.” She reached out and gripped
the edge of the desk. “Do it. Fuck me.”

  He didn’t have to be told twice. Neil pumped, picking up speed with every second. Flesh slapped against flesh, a damn sexy sound. He pushed in double time, grasping onto her hips and pulling her back against his pelvis making the contact even more intense.

  Sweat broke out across his brow and the orgasm he’d been pushing away swept over him like a rising tide.

  With one more thrust he plunged inside and shuddered, the waves of pleasure took over. He faintly noticed the touch of Carson’s hand against his at her side.

  She tightened around him, her own orgasm mere seconds after his own.

  With the room in focus once again, he pulled out. Carson lay spread out face-first across the desk, her beautiful ass, red and bruised from where he gripped. He pulled her up and cradled her in his arms, planting a soft kiss on her cheek, moving ever so slowly toward her parted lips. He caressed every bare inch of her body, soft and slick from her sweat. “I can’t stop touching you.”

  Her body trembled at his touch. “I have no problem with that.”

  She turned. Their lips found each other and they kissed, hungry, as if they hadn’t just screwed like bunnies on top of his desk.

  “You like when I touch you?”

  “Yes,” she whispered as Neil circled his finger around her rosy, stiff nipple.

  “You like when I touch you here?” He circled the other hard bead.

  “Yes,” a little louder this time.

  Tracing a line down the middle of her body, Neil headed straight for her center. “How ‘bout here?” He slipped between her folds and she spread her legs wider, raising her bottom off the desk.

  Using her wetness, he circled his thumb over her clit, fast, slow, fast, slow. Her entire body shivered with his actions.

  “Yes.” The word came out in a stifled groan.

  “I didn’t quite get that.” He slipped a finger inside. “Is this what you like?”

  “Yes,” she answered. Determined and confident. “Yes.”

  A double knock sounded on the door.

  “Yes,” she screamed.

  “Neil, I need you to… Oh, shoot!” Sterling stared, a deer caught in headlights at the sight of them wrapped in a naked embrace. “Ass. I can see your ass.” She whipped her hand up to cover her eyes.

  Carson cursed under her breath, it was mumbled because she tried to hide her face against his chest.

  “Sterling, you just can’t go around opening doors,” Jack said from the doorway. He peeked inside but looked away quickly. “Sorry, King. Hi, Carson.”

  She lifted her hand and waved, never letting her face show.

  “What the fuck, Jack.” He reached around and grabbed Carson’s shirt, wrestling it over her torso, covering her body from their uninvited guests. “After a year of being together you haven’t taught her about closed doors.” Neil bent and pulled up his pants.

  He pulled the door until there was only a crack, allowing his voice to still be heard.. “It never came up. Sterling likes the doors open.”

  Neil heard a muffled ouch, followed by his brother’s cough. Possibly the result of Sterling slugging him in the gut.

  “So this is how you’ve been spending your time,” Jack quipped.

  “We came here to tell you guys something,” Sterling interrupted. “Get dressed. Everyone’s in the dining room. Carson you can come, too.” The door shut.

  Carson flushed. “I don’t know what’s worse, being caught in the act or the thought of a stranger watching us online.”

  They quickly finished dressing and Neil led Carson through the tiny hallway, his hand resting on the small of her back. When they entered the dining area, all communication ceased and five sets of eyes focused on them.

  No one spoke, until Penn said, “Oh, Carson honey. I’m so sorry.” She looked at her watch then fisted her hands against her hips, her lower body encased in a tight black skirt. “At least you know up front how much of a disappointment he is between the sheets before you get in too deep.”

  Sterling, Cole, Finn and Jack all snickered under their breath. Even Carson couldn’t contain her laughter. Her body shook under his grip.

  “We were already…” Neil sighed. “Never mind. What is so damn important the whole family has to be here?”

  “Yeah. Can we make this quick? I have work to do.” Penn yelled from behind the bar.

  Sterling and Jack broke apart. Both smiling like idiots. It was impossible that they could both be so happy. They had to fight, like other couples. Of that he had no doubt. Jack could grind on anyone’s nerves, even the most patient and kind person like Sterling.

  “We have a little announcement.” Sterling grinned and held out her hand. “We’re engaged!”

  Penn squealed and ran from behind the bar, tackling Sterling and hugging her closely. However, Penn wouldn’t be Penn if she hadn’t raised her finger at Jack in warning no doubt telling him to watch his ass. Neil chuckled. He admired her balls.

  Finn and Cole walked toward the happy couple. There was an exchange of handshakes, hugs, and kisses.

  “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations,” Carson said while tucked under Neil’s arm.

  A wedding? One of his brothers was getting married. Should he be overjoyed? Should he be happier than he felt at this moment?

  He looked down and stared at the shiny, black hair that rested against his chest. For the first time he wondered what it would be like to have a woman permanently attached to him—this woman. To wake up next to her. To fall asleep beside her. But he would just be a time bomb waiting to erupt, and she didn’t deserve that.

  They had sex. That’s all. Sex. Good sex. Up against a tree like animals. On a table. On a desk. He squeezed his hand on her hip. He noticed her glance up at him from the corner of his eye.

  And it felt right. Perfect. They were completely in sync, on the same wavelength. When they weren’t fighting of course. But she filled him with so much more than sexual satisfaction. She filled a part of him he thought long gone. A part he thought had died with his mother. That feeling of being cared for. He was a thirty-two year old man who needed to be told that someone cared. And he knew she cared by the lengths she was willing to go in order to keep him from racing.

  “King! Get your ass over here and kiss my wife-to-be.” Jack scolded.

  Last year, after struggling with the death of their foster mother, Sterling had been the bright light that helped Jack find his way. She was the perfect anchor to his larger-than-life personality and she was going to be an even more perfect addition to their family.

  Neil smiled and walked over, but not before kissing Carson on top of her head. The ten eye balls that had greeted them with such curiosity two minutes earlier had picked up their staring.

  He cleared his throat and walked over to Sterling, pulling her into a hug. “Congratulations. Although it has to be said I disagree with your choice of groom.”

  Sterling laughed. “Said the typical older brother.”

  “No, it’s true.” Finn interrupted. “Of all the brothers you could have picked, Jack is the least attractive, least successful and I’ve heard he has no idea how to satisfy a woman.”

  “Ass.” Jack punched him in the arm. “I can assure you I have no problem in the satisfaction department. Right, Sterling?”

  Sterling’s face and neck quickly turned crimson.

  “I think we need to celebrate.” Cole said. He jogged off to the bar and opened one of the fridge doors. “It’s a little early for straight champagne so how about some mimosas?”

  “Speak for yourself. It’s always time for champagne.” Penn made her way to the bar to help.

  Neil often wondered if Cole had been with Penn in a close-the-door scenario. Even he noticed the sexual tension between them.

  “Since I’m going to be your sister…” Sterling blinked at Neil with wide eyes. “I was hoping you’d be all right with us getting married at the farm. We can christen the barn.”

 
That was a perfect idea. And it if he was honest, it hurt that she thought she had to ask permission. Did they all think the same way? That Neil was in charge? Granted, he loved being the oldest and the one they all looked up to. He loved being the first to have sex, the first to go to college, the first to test Vivian’s loyalty. Neil grimaced. Some role model he was. He’d just been released from jail.

  He met Sterling’s eyes.

  “Of course you can and there is no need to ask. If you’re going to be a Madewood, that farm is just as much yours as it is ours.”

  “I love that idea,” Penn said from behind the bar as she gestured to Cole who was trying to open the champagne bottle. “It’s so romantic.”

  “And Finn, we’d like you to cater.”

  Finn’s chest expanded. “I would love to plan your menu.”

  “When are you thinking?” Neil asked.

  “October?” Sterling said.

  “October?” Penn took a swig of champagne. “That’s only two months away.”

  “True,” Sterling replied. “You’ll be open for business by then, won’t you Neil? It will be perfect timing.”

  “You should get a wedding planner,” Penn said.

  Finn snapped his fingers. “I know just the right person.” He looked at each of them. “Veronica.”

  Veronica Whitfield, the little sister of Cole and Finn’s best friend from foster care Mark, had been the fourth wheel in the boy’s group. But they both got adopted and moved away from the city a year before Vivian took in Cole and Finn. Mark now lived in British Columbia and Veronica ran a wedding planning business out of her home.

  “Our friend from foster care is a wedding planner.”

  “Finn that would be wonderful.” Sterling’s eyes lit up with excitement.

  “It’s selfish, really.” Finn crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t take well to strangers telling me what food to make.”

  “Are you sure it’s just strangers?” Jack said with a smile.

  Penn walked around the group holding a tray of mimosas. One glass didn’t have orange juice at all.

  “Penn will you help me find a dress? I was thinking something vintage.”