Best Woman for the Job (Jenkins Family Series Book 0)

by Sharon C. Cooper

“Yes, you can. Come on now. I’m not going to let anything hurt you,” he said, his arms held out.

  She glanced at the corner, and then back at him.

  Seeing that she wasn’t moving, he wrapped an arm around her thighs and lifted her, weightless, into his arms. When he pulled her close, her body slowly slid down his, and he knew he was in trouble. Everything within him came alive, marveling at how soft she felt against him. Damn, she feels good. Once off the dryer, she frantically wrapped her arms around his neck, and his undoing came when her legs went around his waist.

  He swore under his breath, but he couldn’t move. He stood stark still for several minutes, hoping to get his body’s reaction to her under control. A few minutes passed and she leaned back in his arms, not saying anything, but staring into his eyes. His heart melted. She looked vulnerable … and so sweet. Before he could stop himself, he captured her soft lips, forcing them open with his thrusting tongue. She molded her body to his and desire ripped through him with such force he was afraid he would crush her. How could one kiss make him feel things he’d never felt before? A low, ragged sound tore from his throat and he backed her against a wall, deepening the kiss, but he wanted more. He needed more. He wanted to feel all of her, every curvaceous inch of her.

  Finally finding the strength, he raised his mouth from hers, and gazed into her eyes. “Are you okay?” She nodded, and her arms went back around him before she laid her head on his shoulder. With her wrapped securely in his arms, he carried her up the stairs and didn’t stop until he was in his bedroom.

  ****

  “God, you’re beautiful,” Craig said just above a whisper.

  Toni moaned when his hand moved seductively over her bare breast, tweaking a hardened nipple between his fingers before his head lowered and his commanding tongue took over. When he’d carried her up the stairs, he had wasted no time in undressing her, then himself. Her mind screamed, Slow down! Her body, on the other hand, needed him to move faster. Liquid fire coursed through her veins and every nerve ending was on full alert. His wicked lips wreaked havoc on her body.

  “I want you like I’ve never wanted any other woman in my life, but if I’m moving too fast, you need to tell me now,” he said hoarsely, placing kisses along her flat stomach and moving lower.

  When his mouth went even lower, she practically jumped out of her skin. She captured his face between her hands and gently pulled him up to her, gazing into eyes. There was so much she wanted to say, but instead she pulled him closer, her lips seizing his with an urgency that shook her to her core. Just as quickly, she pulled back, and he froze.

  “Baby, what is it?”

  “I-I’m … I haven’t,” she stuttered, and fought back the tears that were threatening to fall. “I-I’m scared.”

  “Aw, baby, don’t cry,” he said, lying back against the mound of pillows and pulling her with him, kissing the top of her head and caressing her arm. “If you’re not ready—”

  She shook her head against his chest. “I’m ready and I want you. I need you. I love the way you hold me … the way you touch me. You’re gentle, attentive, and you make me feel safe.”

  His body tensed and he readjusted her in his arms, lifting her chin. He searched her eyes. She squirmed under his intense gaze, diverting her eyes to ensure he couldn’t read them. His arm around her tightened, and after he pushed her thick curls away from her face, his large hand cupped her cheek so tenderly she thought she would go into a full-blown cry. Right now all she wanted was for him to be inside of her. No thinking, no talking, and no explaining.

  “I want you to make love to me,” she whispered. Her hand eased between them, wrapping around his thick shaft, and she stroked, squeezed, and fondled, loving the effect she was having on him. When he groaned and moved against her touch, she said, “No more tal—”

  He had her flat on her back before she could finish her sentence. His mouth connected possessively over hers with such reckless abandonment she couldn’t talk if she wanted to. Right now, she could barely think. His experienced lips moved along the smooth skin of her cheek, kissing his way down her long, graceful neck and on to her bountiful breasts. She writhed beneath him when he palmed each one, taking one taut, dark nipple into his mouth and feasting on it before giving the same attention to the other. Each tug, lick, and kiss took her closer to the edge as she moaned his name.

  While his lips and tongue deliciously tortured her breasts, his hand seared a path down her abdomen and glided between her thighs … where she was wet and ready for him. He slipped two fingers inside of her and she pushed her hips against his hand, undulating with need as he teased and fondled her.

  “You like that, baby?” he asked hoarsely against her lips as he stroked inside of her, going deeper and harder with every thrust.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” she screamed, thrashing her head from side to side, teetering on the brink of ecstasy. One hard thrust sent her over the edge. She arched her body and she screamed his name as powerful spasms gripped her, causing her to buck against his probing fingers.

  Before she could climb down from her high, Craig grabbed a foil packet from his nightstand and ripped it open with his teeth, quickly rolling the condom over his hard shaft. “Open your eyes, baby. I’m not done with you yet,” he crooned. As he eased between her thighs, her eyes fluttered open and she shuddered under his intense gaze. “Are you okay?”

  Her body felt more alive than ever, all thanks to his magical fingers. A small smile tipped the corner of her lips. “I’m better than okay,” she replied, raking her hand through the fine hairs on his chest.

  He chuckled. “Yes you are.”

  Poised above her, his weight supported by his hands and arms on either side of her body, Craig stared down at her, his passion-filled eyes promising more pleasure to come. Oh, those eyes. His hazel-green eyes were like hot liquid piercing her heart as he slid inside of her, inch by tantalizing inch. He took his time, until her body adjusted to his size. Then he rocked his hips, driving deeper and harder, and even deeper inside of her.

  While he roused her pleasure, his own grew stronger with every thrust while their bodies moved in perfect harmony. On impulse, she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside of her. Her eyes drifted shut as she tried to hold on, tried to keep herself from crumbling under the intense sensation storming through her body.

  “Baby, open your eyes and look at me.”

  “Craig,” she whimpered, unable to comply. She could barely hang on; it was too much.

  “Come on, baby. Come with me,” he growled.

  Toni sensed the awakening flames within him when a low, guttural rumble erupted from him and he moved harder, faster. His moans caused the brewing storm within her to pick up speed, and she clawed his shoulders with every thrust as an overwhelming turbulence built to the depth of her soul. Her head flailed uncontrollably against the pillows when a scream ripped from her lips at the exact moment the two of them exploded in a deluge of fiery sensations. It was as if her body was suspended in air, riding the waves of ecstasy. She cried as she surrendered completely to the most sensational experience she’d ever endured.

  ****

  A long time later, Craig raked his eyes over every beautiful inch of Toni from her thick curly hair, to her flawless face, on down to her glistening petite body as she slept. He brushed the back of his hand along her soft cheek and marveled at how quickly she had infiltrated herself into his system. A hollow void had been filled. My missing piece. It felt like he’d known her forever. He hoped she didn’t think this was a onetime thing, because he played for keeps and he wanted her in his life.

  You make me feel safe. Her words flooded his mind. Warning bells had sounded off in his head when she spoke those words earlier. He didn’t even want to think about what that meant, but the cop in him couldn’t let it go.

  He lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nose, then her eyes, and finally her soft, delicious lips. Oh yeah, I can get used to this.

&nbs
p; Toni stirred, curling her luscious body closer to his, before her eyes fluttered open.

  “Hey,” she said, her voice husky from sleep.

  “Ah, so sleeping beauty awakens.”

  “Urgh,” she groaned and yanked the sheet over her head. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who are chipper when they wake up.”

  He chuckled and pulled the sheet back, tugging on one of her lose curls, amused at how it sprung back in place when he released it. “Well, actually, I’ve been awake for about two hours now. I even took care of your little friend in the basement.”

  “Thank you,” she purred, but then jumped up with a start. “Oh no! PJ is going to kill me!”

  She made a move to leave the bed, but Craig grabbed her around the waist. “Who the hell is PJ?” he roared.

  Toni first glared at him, but then a wicked smile lit her face. “Hmm, are you the jealous type, Mr. Logan?” She pulled the bed sheet up over her bare breasts, propped herself on one elbow, and faced him.

  “Damn straight! How the hell you gon’ do what we just did if you’re involved with someone else? And why do you have that goofy grin on your face?”

  “Because you’re sexy when you’re angry.”

  He glared at her, finding it hard to stay mad, but he didn’t like the idea of sharing her with anyone. “Who is PJ?”

  Apparently, noticing the seriousness in his tone, the smile slid from her face. “My cousin. She’s the senior construction manager of Jenkins and Sons. Her name is Peyton Jenkins, but most of my cousins have two letter nicknames. Remember, I told you about her.”

  “Oh.” He pulled her closer, his hands on her hip.

  “Oh? You just bit my head off and all you have to say is oh?” Again she tried to move away, but Craig held her against his body.

  “Okay, so maybe I am the jealous type. I can’t help it if I want you all to myself, and I don’t like sharing.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yep.” He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. “I know we’ve talked a lot, but I want to know everything about you.”

  “Oh yeah, like what?” she said, interlocking their hands and playing with his fingers.

  “Like, can you really carry a bathtub?”

  “What?” She frowned and pulled back to look at him.

  “Can you carry a bathtub? The first day we met, you said that you could carry a toilet auger, whatever the hell that is, and a bathtub. So I’m just wondering if you can really carry a tub.”

  She grinned and nudged his shoulder. “You shouldn’t even be bringing up that day. I was so angry I wanted to strangle you, but PJ talked me out of it. Something about you being a cop and all. Anyway, yes I can carry a bathtub … as long as I have someone on the other end of it.”

  His head fell back against the pillow and he howled with laughter.

  After they each fielded several more questions, Toni padded off to the bathroom for a quick shower, promising to meet Craig downstairs. He reveled in the thought of how much they had in common and how quickly he’d grown to care about her. Never one for dragging his feet in anything, and now knowing that she wasn’t seeing anyone, he planned to make her his.

  Just as Craig finished paying the pizza delivery guy, Toni came down the stairs. “Right on time. Did you find everything okay?” he asked.

  “Yep. Thank you. Mmm, something smells good,” she said, following him into the family room.

  “I hope you’re hungry. I ordered a pizza from Dewey’s. Are you okay with that?”

  “I love Dewey’s pizza. As far as I’m concerned, they’re the best pizza joint in Cincinnati.” She stopped short when she noticed the candles and the blanket spread out on the floor in front of the fireplace. “Wow, first flowers, and now a carpet picnic. I’m assuming you must be a romantic.”

  Craig shrugged. “I don’t know about all that, but I do plan on courting you properly.”

  “Courting?” Toni asked with a raised eyebrow as Craig continued to set everything up. “How old are you? I haven’t heard that term since my grandfather told me, my sisters, and my cousins about how he hooked my grandmother.”

  Craig smiled. “You’ll have to tell me that story. I might be able to pick up some pointers. Oh, and I’m twenty-nine. How old are you?”

  “Twenty-seven.”

  “Ah, the perfect age.”

  Toni laughed. “You would’ve said that no matter what age I said.”

  “You’re probably right.” Once he brought the bottle of wine and glasses into the room, he reached for her hand and helped her to the floor. “I would’ve started a fire, but I figured since its dead smack in the middle of summer, I’d save that for another time.”

  They talked and laughed as if they were good friends catching up on old times. The more Craig learned about Toni, the more he wanted to know. They both came from large families; he with four brothers, and she with three sisters and more cousins than he could remember. He found out that she only lived about five miles from him, and shared a house with one of her cousins.

  “How is it that a plumber is afraid of squirrels?”

  Groaning, she let her head fall back against the sofa cushions and sighed. “I’ve only known you a few days and already you’ve seen me at my worst.”

  “Well, if today was your worst, then I think we’re doing okay.” He placed a lingering kiss against her temple. “Are you just terrified of squirrels, or are there other things or animals I should be on guard for?”

  A smile graced her beautiful lips. “As far as I know, it’s just rodents, all rodents. It doesn’t matter the size, I freak out at even the hint of one being nearby. I can’t even stand to see one on TV or in a movie. I just …” Her voice trailed off when he scooted closer, causing her to tingle inside. With his arm around her shoulders, his fingers sifting through her long, curly tresses still damp from her shower, she wanted to crawl on top of him.

  She enjoyed the intimacy of the simple gesture for several moments before she asked, “Are you dating anyone?”

  Leaning back, he looked down at her, a little surprised by her question considering the afternoon they’d shared, but reminded himself that they were still getting to know one another. “No, I’m not. And for the record, if I were we wouldn’t have done all that we’ve done today.”

  She lowered her lids, but then looked back at him. “Just so you know, I’ve never done anything like this … ever. And I’m sorry if I offended you.”

  “You didn’t, but I wanted it clear that I would never cheat on my woman.”

  “I see.”

  There was a topic that he’d wanted to bring up all afternoon. Although a sense of foreboding nibbled at the back of his neck each time he thought about it, he needed to know.

  “Toni, before we made love, you said that you felt safe with me.”

  She visibly stiffened in his arms, and though that told him more than he wanted to know, he pushed forward anyway.

  “Did something happen to you in the past … where you didn’t feel safe?” When she made a move to stand, he reached for her and pulled her on to his lap. “Tell me.”

  A long silence stretched between them before she answered, “I was raped.”

  Chapter Three

  Even though he didn’t say anything and sat rigid next to her, his steely glare, flared nostrils, and uneven breathing said it all. It was if she could feel the angry battle within him seeping through his pores. I shouldn’t have said anything.

  The back of his hand glided down her cheek in a sweet caress. “Tell me what happened.”

  “It’s not something I want to talk about.” Toni climbed off his lap and reclaimed her position next to him on the floor.

  “That wasn’t a request,” he said flatly, not taking his eyes off of her, but moving his hand away.

  She glared back and was tempted to roll her eyes at him, but his determined tone and the twitching in his jaw let her know that he was dead serious. She’d hate to be one of the
people he apprehended while patrolling the streets of Cincinnati. His fierce stare alone made her want to tell him whatever he needed to know.

  She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I was eighteen. I started college when I was sixteen, so I was much younger than most of my classmates. Because of that, I mostly kept to myself. However, during my second year, I started participating in study groups, attended parties, and even dated a little. Nowhere near a social butterfly, but I was holding my own … trying to find my place in life.

  “Anyway, it was the second semester of my second year and I went to a party off campus. My roommate had invited me. It was a friend of a friend’s party, so I really didn’t know too many people. It started off cool. I did a little dancing, met some nice people, and everything was going along well.”

  Toni drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Recounting that night was harder than she thought it would be, and though Craig didn’t say anything, she did notice that he’d moved closer. As long as he didn’t touch her, she might be able to get through this. He must’ve sensed that, because he kept one hand behind her on the sofa cushion and the other balled in a fist at his side.

  “After a couple of drinks, I started feeling ill,” she continued. “I thought maybe it would pass, so I found a quiet spot to hang out for a while. I even drunk some ginger ale hoping it would settle my stomach, but it didn’t seem to help. After about thirty minutes, and still not feeling well, I went in search of my roommate. Since it was close to midnight, I figured she’d be ready to leave. The house was huge and it took me at least fifteen minutes to find her, and when I did …” Her voice trailed off.

  “She wasn’t ready to leave,” Craig said, his tone hard and flat.

  Toni shook her head. She closed her eyes and laid her forehead against her knees, willing herself to be strong and not cry. Finally, she lifted her head and stared straight ahead. “Since I didn’t know anyone, and campus was only a few blocks away, I decided to walk back.”

  Craig cursed under his breath and tensed beside her, but he still didn’t touch her. He moved his hand from the sofa, and from the corner of her eye, she saw him run his hands slowly down his face. She knew he was reliving what Cynthia had gone through.