Love Handles

by Candi Heart

  He held onto me tightly while groaning and kissing me as he finally stilled. After a moment, he breathlessly dropped against me. Raising his head, he smiled down at me. “Mia vita, mi amore.”

  I blinked up at him, not understanding much of that. But, hell, it sure sounded beautiful.

  “You are a treasure, Emilie Swan. Just precious.” He then kissed me gently and sweetly as if I now needed tenderness.

  Bewildered, I could not respond. The man had just stormed my gates, laid my soul bare, and his mark would last forever. Yes, just as I’d thought, now I truly was—ruined for all other men.

  After several minutes, he shifted and then got up to dispose of the condom. Nick then came back to the bed and settled beside me. He held me ‘til we fell asleep.

  I WOKE UP, THEN STRETCHED out in bed. Sighing, I stared up at my ceiling. I loved Saturday mornings, my whole weekend open to do what I wished to do. I then felt a twinge between my thighs. Oh! I sat bolt upright and it all came back to me. My gaze shot over to the empty pillow next to me. Where was he? Then the bigger issue reared its ugly head. I just slept with my boss!

  Okay, okay. Just try to stay calm, Em. You knew this already. But why did he leave? That was a fast turnaround from last night, with all his talk of how much I meant to him.

  Her bedroom door opened. There stood Nick with a tray in his hands. I knew my mouth was hanging open and I couldn’t stop it.

  He smiled and strode forward. “Breakfast in bed!” He set the tray down, pulled the pillows to my back, and fluffed them.

  I settled back and stared at him like he had two heads. No, one of him was enough, as he looked even better in the morning light. He wore no shirt and his pants were partially unbuttoned.

  “It’s just toast and juice,” he commented as he placed the tray on to my lap. “You have to go shopping for groceries, Emilie. There is not enough in your whole kitchen to feed a bird!”

  I remained mute. Sure, I had no food, but look who I did have. I had slept with Nick Tessaro! Pinch yourself! Then he brought me breakfast in bed? I smiled and tried my best to sound normal. “Thank you, Nick.”

  He sat next to me, and I struggled to now act normal, so I took a sip of my OJ. Then I set the glass down and took a bite of toast. Coughing a little, I took another sip of juice.

  “I should have ordered out, or had Gregory bring a buffet,” he said. “But really, I just wanted a little more time alone with you.”

  Nodding, I swallowed another bite and drank some more juice. I knew he was speaking, but the disbelief of him sitting there with me would not wash away. He watched me sweetly as I eventually finished the breakfast in silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence, though; he sweetly caressed my arm and hair as I ate.

  He smiled brightly and took the tray once I was done. “I will be back soon.” He left the room.

  I sat with the sheet pulled up to cover my chest. Good thing, ‘cause eating toast in front of hottie man with my boobs hanging out? Yeah, no. I shook my head.

  The door opened again and he strode over. I bit at my lip and slowly raised my gaze to his face. So, was he going to state that he was leaving and would ‘call me later’? No ogling him this morning, as I was too nervous about what would be next.

  Leaning forward, he ripped the sheet away from my body. Gasping, I placed my hands over my chest.

  He grinned at me. “All that lovely skin. All mine.” He grabbed me up and swung me around to carry me through the door to the bathroom.

  I could see the steam coming from the room. He set me down and swiftly lowered his pants. Staring, I could not believe he was here in my little bathroom, in my apartment.

  He again, gave me that sexy smile. “I promised you a shower, remember?”

  Laughing, I let my fears and agitation go. “Yes, you did.”

  He nudged me into the shower stall. I stepped in and spotted him rolling a condom over his already hard cock.

  He glanced up and motioned down to himself. “See? Hard again, just by your beautiful presence.”

  And stare at it I did—and my whole body flushed, and not because of the steamy shower. He stepped in and grabbed me up, lifting me up against him.

  My breath whooshed out.

  He held me tightly in a sweet embrace. Then he pulled back and stared at my face. “I am going to kiss you and love on your sweet body, Emilie. Is that okay?”

  I had never heard a sweeter question in my life. I could only nod. What did you say to that? ‘Yes, HELL yes!’ or ‘Give it to me now!’? I giggled.

  As promised, Nick slowly and reverently ran both hands over my face, then down over my shoulders, onto my arms, then passed both hands over my breasts. “Mmm, hard cherry nipples,” he moaned, and then flicked them softly with his fingers.

  Grunting, my body spasmed in response.

  He raised a brow. “So sensitive, too, that will work to my advantage.”

  Oh, he had the advantage, all right. I was sure of this fact.

  He grabbed my face in his hands. “This morning, I am going to love you long and slow. To make up for last night.” He then smothered my mouth with his. Pushing his tongue in, he devoured mine.

  Breathless, my legs wanted to give way. He kissed me just like he had in the hallway the night before. Long and deep.

  Pulling away, he caressed me all over again, my hips, my ass, my thighs, then back up again to my breasts. He lowered his mouth to my nipple and teased it with his teeth. I was on fire and gushing wet... and not from the shower, either. Lowering his finger to my clit, he slowly stroked me there. I suddenly realized I hadn’t lifted a finger in this sexual dance. I reached out and grabbed his stiff member.

  He gasped and shivered the minute I gave him a stroke. “Careful, sweetness. I need to use that condom soon.”

  Gasping, I looked down at him. Yes, hard and thick. I carefully tucked the condom back up. “Better safe than sorry,” I quipped.

  He laughed and moved me back to the tile.

  Oh, wow, he intended to do me up against the wall. Being heavy as I was, no man had ever tried. He raised my legs up and wrapped them around his waist, taking on my entire weight. Gasping at how he maneuvered this with such ease, I grinned at him.

  “Put me in you, dear Em.”

  I reached down and lined him up, pressing his tip at my entrance.

  Now, he seemed to brace himself. “I need to go slow,” he murmured.

  I pushed my hips forward and engulfed him in my heat, gasping at the how he filled me up so perfectly.

  Raising his head, Nick gazed into my eyes. “You can be wicked, can’t you, mia cara?”

  I lowered my mouth and kissed him soundly. Only ‘cause you made me that way.

  He did as promised, eased in slowly, then he would pull out just as slowly. This drove me crazy, and I couldn’t get enough. When I felt like I would come, he would pull out again.

  “No, no,” Nick chided. “What you did last night... Coming all over my cock and squeezing it like you did?” He leaned close to my lips. “I was like a schoolboy with no control. Bad, bad girl.”

  I chewed my lips as I was all-out panting now. “G-Give me more?”

  Keeping his gaze locked with mine, he said, “I cannot refuse that face, that sweet look in your eyes...” He then thrust into me hard—deeply and rapidly.

  I gasped for breath. Well, I asked for it, didn’t I? I felt my climax coming and I leaned my head back as I came with a cry of, “Nick!”

  He kept plunging. “Yes, my name on your lips.” He thrust a few more times, and then squeezed my ass cheeks as he pulled me closer, and then came.

  We panted and heaved for breath.

  It was the best thing I had ever felt. “Hot damn!” I yelled.

  He looked startled as he stared at me.

  “It’s just so good? You... you know?” I stammered to explain my outburst.

  He tilted his head back with a huge laugh. “Yes, it is, sweetness, it sure is!” He then lowered me down and reached for th
e shampoo. “Now, I bathe you.” He turned me around and massaged my scalp.

  My legs were jelly and my body felt like slumping. Nick reached for my breasts and massaged my nipples for a moment. My body instantly came awake again.

  He laughed as if that had been his intention all along, to wake me up, then he washed my hair. Next, he smoothed the soapy loofah over my body, and then finally rinsed me off.

  I took my loofah and lathered it up. I stated with a smile, “My turn.” I then took a journey I never believed I would through inches of tanned silken steel, enjoying all his tendons, muscles, and those long legs of his. Then I shampooed his hair, massaging his scalp as he moaned low and long.

  “Dammit, Nick, I will have to wash between my thighs again if you do not shut up!”

  Laughing, he turned around. “Don’t worry. I aim to get you even dirtier before we are through, sweet bella.” Kissing me, he stormed my gates again.

  Chapter 14

  NICK STAYED THE REST of the afternoon. We lay in bed talking about our childhoods, our moms, and he even shared some stories from when he first tried to break into the business. Then we even took a small nap together. I was sad when it was time for him to go.

  At the door, he said, “This was everything I dreamed it would be.” He kissed me long and softly. Then he rested his forehead against mine. “I will see you Monday morning. Five-one-five Broadway. Nine a.m., okay?”

  This was the moment when true reality hit me again. I was kissing my boss at the door after he had spent the day and night making love to me. “Yes, yes.” I nodded my head.

  He then left me to walk down the hall.

  Barbie-whatz-her-name stood in the hall and stared at the very sexy, good-looking man striding confidently away from my door. My gaze swung up to her face. I felt a thrill as I waved, gave her a huge, smug smile, and shut my door.

  Then I rested against it. Monday morning? Oh, shit. What do I wear? How do I act? Oh... then, going into my bedroom, I went into one of my frenzied states and tossed outfits out of my closet onto my bed. I was to head my own line, but didn’t know what my title would be, and I sure as hell didn’t know how to dress for this! Then would everyone there know that he and me...? Shaking my head, I just decided to deal with anything as it came.

  About two hours and twenty outfits later, a knock sounded on my front door.

  Rushing, I thought maybe Nick had come back for more. My body tingled and flushed at the mere thought. I peeked into the peephole. Gregory! I pulled the door open.

  He stood stiffly, totally owning that cool chauffeur vibe. “Miss Swan.” He nodded his head at me.

  Blinking incredulously, I asked, “Are you here to pick me up? I mean, I didn’t—?”

  “Is this the place?” another voice asked.

  I looked over to see a man with a hand-truck stacked full with boxes.

  Gregory nodded at him then turned to me. “You have groceries, Miss Swan.”

  “W-what?” I asked and moved out of the way as the delivery guy simply rolled forward to my kitchen.

  “It appears Nick thinks you’re starving yourself.” This time, Gregory chuckled as he raised his brows.

  Reeling in shock, I did not curtail my immediate thought: “Well, just look at me!” I blurted out. “Of course, I am.”

  Gregory stepped close and said, “Apparently, Nick disagrees with that assessment.” He then stepped back.

  The delivery guy wheeled back out, and said over his shoulder, “You will need to put away the perishables right away, ma’am.” He then wheeled off down the hallway.

  Gregory tipped his hat. “’Til I see you again—and it appears I will.” He gave me a wink, turned, and strode down the hallway.

  I blinked my eyes then finally shut my door, leaning up against it. The man had bought me a week’s worth of groceries! Feeling bewildered, I went to the kitchen to put away the perishables. I picked up a bag and peeked in. “Cherries!” I laughed.

  Then I saw other items. Many were to make meals with. Did he think I could cook? I shook my head. Poor man, he doesn’t know what a sucky cook I am. I continued for a half hour as he’d purchased so many things. Some were healthy, but most were way off the charts for my new diet. I wasn’t sure if I should feel happy he’d done this, or upset. I shrugged. I would be having an exploratory conversation with Mr. Hottie later on, I was sure.

  I then took the rest of the evening poring over everything about the Tessora label. His lines, his models, his shows, his marketers, everything I could find. Then, every time I saw his image, I would squeeze my thighs together. How in the hell would I work with him without wanting to rip his clothes off and toss him onto a desk somewhere? I laughed out loud at the expression he would have on his face.

  Then I stopped laughing.

  You haven’t even shown up for work and yet, you are envisioning screwing your boss on a desk? I shuddered at my thoughts. You are now in deeper trouble, if that were possible!

  My phone ringing brought me out of my sexual musings. Oh! It might be him! I reached for it and hit answer.

  “Emilie Sugar Swan!” a voice screeched in my ear.

  Her stomach bolted immediately. Groan, my mother. “Um, yes, Mom?”

  “You quit? You actually walked out?”

  There it was. The dreaded tongue-lashing I knew was coming. “Yes, Mother, I did.”

  “How could you? I mean, after the chance Timothy gave you?”

  I sat forward. “Timothy Novak is a pig on two legs!”

  The gasping was loud over the line. “How dare you!”

  I stood up and suddenly my skin felt hot as my anger roared within me. “The man treated me like a slave, Mom. He kept me in one department while my degree gathered dust! And he did that because he thinks I am fat!”

  Silence blanketed the line.

  “Well, what do you have to say to that, Mother?”

  “I’m just speechless here. You are ruined. How on Earth can you afford to live in New York without a job?”

  Oh, this is gonna feel so good! “I have a job, no scratch that... I have my own line!”

  More silence.

  “Hello, are you still there, Mom?” I asked with a smug smile.

  “Your own line? With who... Walmart?”

  I doubled over laughing. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Stop that laughing, you are insane to think—”

  “Shut up, Mother,” I finally stated firmly, having wanted to say this for a long time now. “I’m to have my own clutches with the Tessaro label.”

  This time, a very long pause. I don’t think I’ve ever rendered my mother this speechless in my whole life.

  “W-with Nick Tessaro’s label?” She finally spoke, sounding like she was about to faint.

  A ‘cat who just got the cream’ smile spread across my lips. “One in the same. I get carte blanche and I start Monday. Without missing a beat or a paycheck. So, I will tell you next Friday what I will be earning and...” I paused on purpose. “I will let you know when I move uptown. Have a good day, Mother, and do not send my love to your no-good, lousy asshat of a cousin, Novak!” I tapped my end button, sat down, and let out a long breath.

  Brave Emilie has a big mouth! I then laughed uproariously. I’d wanted to do that for years and years. Always hearing about how generous Timothy had been to give me a chance, how awesome and famous he was, and blah, blah. It had gotten so old, and I was just done.

  Maybe, just maybe, Emilie Sugar Swan would outshine that douche Novak! Yes, my mother actually gave me the middle name of Sugar! Another thing I longed to tell her off for.

  Thinking I’d done enough good damage for one day, I got up to get ready for bed. Then my phone beeped again. I stalked back over, picking it up and swiping the screen without looking at it. “Is there more?” I snapped into the phone.

  “I certainly hope so,” Nick replied, amused.

  “Oh!” I laughed. “I-I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not,” he replied again with a
chuckle. “I just wanted to know about your groceries.”

  Smiling, I replied, “The cherries were a nice touch.”

  He laughed outright at that comment. “Yes, they’re nice to touch.”

  Damn! He was flirting with me on the phone. “Is this one of those sex calls?” I purred into the phone.

  He chuckled low. “No, when I talk with you about that, we will be having sex,” he promised.

  I shivered. “Oh...” was my pithy reply.

  Again, with the sexy chuckle on the other end.

  “Um, but why do you think I need so much food, Nick?”

  “Because I cannot have you starving yourself.”

  “I just don’t eat at home much.” My answer sounded lame, even to me.

  “I plan on fixing meals at your apartment.”

  My mouth opened, but no reply came out. He plans?

  “I missed you, and now that I hear your voice, it makes it even harder.” He emphasized the last word.

  I felt the flush creep up my neck and hit my face. “A-and, I shall need a new pair of panties now, too, thank you very much,” I replied in a shy whisper.

  His laugh came aloud over the phone. “I shall see you on Monday, sweetness.”

  “Okay. Bye, Nick.” I hung up and sat down on the couch. “I’m in even bigger trouble than ever before,” I stated aloud to my apartment.

  Chapter 15

  MONDAY MORNING—THE subway—the hell. I’d forgotten that I would have to change trains twice and that it would take a half-hour longer to get to Broadway than the trip did to my old job did. I felt so nervous about it all already... and then being late? On my first day? I was a mess by the time I rushed up to 515 Broadway. I stood out on the sidewalk then looked down at my skirt and heels. I carried a briefcase, and that had been a feat in itself on the train cars.

  I hoped I looked calmer than I actually felt. Marching forward, I took the steps and opened the door. The lobby was huge with all marble flooring. It was both opulent, yet there were touches everywhere that spoke casual, too. A huge, marbled desk loomed ahead and I stopped at it. A young woman smiled up at me.