London Calling

by Karen Booth

  Chapter Five

  Tim reached for Jenna but found her side of the bed empty. He opened his eyes, still half asleep. Her scent was everywhere—the sheets, the pillow, him, but she was nowhere in sight. He sat up, craning his neck to look toward the bathroom, then he remembered she needed to be at the café to open.

  Bugger. He flopped back onto the pillows. I didn’t even say goodbye. It occurred to him they hadn’t set up a future date yet either. That thought was enough to get him out of bed.

  In less than twenty minutes, he was out the door heading for the café. The morning air was cool as his still-damp hair flopped against his forehead, but all he could focus on was seeing Jenna again. He caught a glimpse of her the second he opened the door. Hair pulled back, dark gray t-shirt over a black thermal, lips a deep crimson that reminded him of how her mouth looked after their kisses.

  He couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he remembered their night together. It occurred to him that she’d left without a word. Suppose she snuck out to avoid an awkward morning together? His stomach tensed until he caught her eye. The moment she smiled his whole body relaxed.

  Is it my imagination or is she glowing? He tried not to stare as he waited for his turn. Natalie popped out of the back with a large sheet of muffins. “Hey, Piano Man.” She smirked and he knew Jenna must have mentioned their evening. Her friend seems pleased with me, that’s got to be a good sign.

  When he finally reached the front of the line, Jenna looked up at him, eyes wide and innocent. “What can I do for you?”

  He felt the grin return as his eyebrows popped high with the possibilities. “Can I get a large latte with an extra shot? I’m feeling a bit worn out this morning.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched and he could tell she was trying not to laugh. “See anything else you like?”

  “Very much, but for now I’ll just take the coffee.” He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “I’m really just here to stare at the cute counter girl until she can take a break. I’m hoping she’ll come chat me up.”

  “Good luck with that.” Jenna’s eyes twinkled. “That’ll be $2.49.”

  He handed her three dollars and dropped the coins in the tip jar. “Trying to increase my odds.”

  He grabbed a copy of The Village Voice and took a seat to wait.

  Natalie came out of the kitchen again and placed a small plate in front of him. “New scone recipe, maybe you can tell me if I’ve got it right.” She winked at him and returned to the counter. He took a bite and was impressed. Perfect texture. Just the right amount of sweetness.

  “Well?” she asked, peering at him from over the glass case.

  “Spot on.”

  “Yes!” She gave a thumbs-up and disappeared back into the kitchen.

  He was just finishing the last bite when Jenna came and sat down opposite him. “Sorry. Busy morning today.”

  “You’re worth the wait.” He reached over and took her hand, loving the fact that her cheeks colored as soon as he touched her. “You know I didn’t even hear you leave this morning.”

  “You were out cold.”

  “You should have woken me. I’d have walked you downstairs, put you in a cab.”

  “I figured you needed your rest.” Laughter danced in her eyes.

  “So when can I see you again? Are you free tonight?” He held his breath, hoping he didn’t sound too needy but not caring enough to try to appear cooler.

  “Actually tonight I have to do laundry. I mean really have to. The situation is pretty desperate.”

  “Sounds perfect. I was just thinking I needed to track down a laundry. Particularly since someone got lipstick on one of my dress shirts.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. “Did I? I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I quite enjoyed the process.” He rubbed his thumb against the impossibly smooth skin of her wrist. “Mind if I come along? I promise not to look at your unmentionables. Much. Well. Maybe promise is too strong a word.”

  She giggled and the sound sent ripples of pleasure straight to his groin. “Okay. There’s one that’s kind of halfway between our apartments. We can meet there. Say six o’clock? It shouldn’t be too crowded then.”

  “You want to give me directions?” He held out his palm for her to write.

  She gave him an exaggerated eye roll, which pleased him immensely. “Here.” She wrote the name and address on the back of an order ticket and handed it to him. “I need to get back to work now. I have other customers in desperate need of flirting.”

  “By all means, don’t let me get in the way of business.” He let her get a step away from the table before grabbing her hand. “One more thing.” He tugged her closer and kissed her, the sweetness of her lips melting against his tongue.

  She looked as breathless as he felt. “Six o’clock.”

  That seemed like an awfully long time to wait for another kiss, but he knew it would be worth it. He strolled home feeling utterly content and decided to ring Gavin.

  He picked up on the second ring. “Oh God, what’s wrong?”

  Tim snorted. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

  “Because I always call you, you never call first.”

  Tim was about to argue but he knew it was true. “Oh, right. Well, nothing’s wrong.”

  “How was your first night at work?”

  “Excellent. They were very pleased. And Jenna seemed impressed.”

  “Ahhhh. Showing her your fingering skills, eh? Clever boy. Did you get another date?”

  “Two. Last night and again tonight.”

  “Nicely done. So, is she as smitten as you?”

  “Smitten?” Tim trotted up the steps of his building.

  “Oh please. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard you sound more into a girl. Does she fancy you?”

  “Seems to.”

  “Well, good. She sounds a right bit better than the ones who flock ’round you at the clubs. Wouldn’t it be funny if getting sacked caused you to meet the woman you’re destined to be with?”

  “Bit soon for that sort of talk. We’ve only just met.”

  “Mmmm. We’ll see.”

  Gavin’s words stuck with Tim long after he hung up the phone. He spent the day playing guitar, getting ready for his studio session. Every time he looked at the clock his mind went straight to Jenna. He couldn’t wait to see her again.

  Tim bagged up his laundry and began the walk. As he neared the Laundromat he noticed the sign for Veniero’s. Jenna had told him that was her favorite bakery, makers of the best cannoli in the city. He had time before he was due to meet her so he stopped in and bought two, one plain and one chocolate dipped, not sure which she preferred.

  Jenna was nowhere in sight when he arrived so he put his bag down on a machine with the cannoli box hidden behind it. While he was figuring out which bills to put into the detergent dispenser, he heard her familiar voice behind him.

  “You come here often?” she asked, her voice low and seductive, full of teasing.

  He turned and saw her, looking adorable in an oversized sweater and black leggings. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and slide his hands beneath the sweater, but he settled for a kiss.

  “I see you found it. I was wondering if I’d have to go search for you.” Her eyes twinkled.

  “I’m learning my way around pretty well. In fact, I made a stop on the way here.” He produced the small Veniero’s box and handed it to her.

  “Are you kidding?” She made a happy purr. “What did you get?”

  “Take a look.”

  She pulled on the string with one of her dainty hands, then popped open the lid. “Ooo, I never can decide between the chocolate covered and the regular.”

  “Now you don’t have to.”

  “These will be perfect for after dinner.” She started to close the box.

  “Why wait?”

  Her hair swooped over her eyes as she stared thoughtfully into the box. “Excellent question. Let’s
start with regular.” She lifted the plain cannoli out of the box, then licked her lips. Her mouth opened, the long pastry poised before her, and she sank her teeth into it with a blissful moan. “So good.”

  She hummed as she chewed, eyes closed. As she went for her second bite her tongue swooped out, curling around a bit of the creamy white filling and drawing it into her mouth. Tim’s cock pulsed against his thigh. She’s killing me.

  Jenna turned the cannoli toward him. “Want some?” she licked a bit of white from her lower lip and his stomach tensed with desire.

  He parted his lips and she placed the cannoli between them. The sweetness filled his mouth as he chewed the crunchy, creamy bite, his eyes never leaving Jenna. “You know, now that I’ve given it some thought, I don’t really have to do laundry. What do you say we just go to my place?” He ran his hand along her arm, resisting the urge to pull her down on the row of hard plastic chairs and start right there.

  Jenna giggled. “You and your cannoli are very tempting, but I really have to wash some clothes. Come, let’s load the machines.” She hopped up, licking a fingerful of filling. Tim wasn’t sure he could stand up to follow her.

  She headed straight for the empty row of machines and pulled a large jingling pouch out of her pocket. Her fingers worked quickly, placing silver coins in the slots of all four machines. She pushed each coin tray in and water started spilling into the barrels. “Hot or cold water?” she asked.

  “Doesn’t matter.” Laundry was the last thing on his mind, he was too busy watching Jenna’s bum as she bent to sort through her laundry sack.

  “What are you washing? Jeans get cold water, whites get hot…”

  “I usually just dump everything in and turn the machine on.”

  Jenna laughed. “That’s a great way to wind up with pink undies and a bunch of shrunken pants.”

  Tim stood and moved over to her, his arms wrapping around her waist. “Funny you should mention that, it seems my pants have already shrunk a bit just from sitting here.” He leaned down to kiss her, his hips rocking into hers. She pressed firmly against him, going up on tiptoes so he fit more precisely into the curved space at the tops of her legs. He leaned her back against the gentle vibrations of the machine, his tongue working hers in slow circles.

  She pulled away, breathless. “You know the long cycle runs forty-five minutes. If we hurry we could make a quick trip to your place and be back by the time they all need to go in the dryer.”

  Tim had renewed energy in regard to the pursuit of clean clothes. Jenna insisted on sorting through his and tossed his darks in with hers, leaving his whites free to tumble around with her delicate unmentionables. Even the idea of their clothing rolling around together was a turn-on. “Ready?” he asked the second she lowered the lid on the last machine.

  She grabbed the Veniero box, looking up at him with dark, expectant eyes. “Let’s go.”

  “Bugger,” Tim mumbled. “I hate this blooming lock.” He grunted and tried to turn the key. “It always sticks.”

  Jenna waited, holding the bakery box, rubbing his back. The incessant jingle of the keys and the presence of an uneaten cannoli only made the waiting worse.

  The door swung open and he blew out a breath of relief. “Ladies first.” He motioned her over the threshold and grabbed her the instant she was inside, kicking the door closed.

  He dug his hands into her hair and they smashed their mouths together, a frenzy of lips and tongues. Tim yanked his jacket off and dropped it to the floor. Jenna pushed his t-shirt up his torso. He tossed it aside as she pulled her sweater over her head. They wasted no time stripping off their remaining clothes. Tim’s eyes flashed hungrily and he reached down and grabbed her butt, hoisting her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, coiling her arms around his neck. He took two long strides and plopped her down on the butcher block counter.

  “Condom,” she said, breathless. “Hurry.”

  “Right,” he answered, seeming a bit dazed. He was back in seconds flat, tearing the pouch on his way.

  “Here. Let me.” She took it from his hands and rolled it on while he watched, steadying himself with a hand on her shoulder.

  He groaned and grabbed her behind the knees, tugging her closer.

  “Thought I was too good for the kitchen counter.” Jenna smirked, loving the perplexed look on his face.

  “You’re right. Let’s try the table instead.”

  She scrambled down as he pushed a pile of newspapers to the floor.

  “I can’t bloody think,” he said.

  Jenna leaned back against the table. “I blame the cannoli.” She scooted her butt to the very edge, resting back on her hands.

  Tim shook his head as he grabbed one of her legs and hooked it behind his ass. “Actually, I blame you. You’re making me barmy.” He positioned himself between her legs and teased her folds apart with the tip of his cock.

  Jenna moaned and circled her head back as electricity prickled through her. She raised her other leg to wrap around him.

  He drove inside her, making her eyelids flutter. God, he feels good. Heat rushed through her as he took total control, lifting her hips off the table and thrusting with an intoxicating tilt of his pelvis. The sensation of his cock sliding in and out of her sent her racing to the brink. He picked up his pace and held her with a potent grip. Dipping his head, he sucked on one of her breasts, playing her with his tongue. The pressure within her doubled. Fire rose from her hips. Her breath caught as the orgasm thundered through her and she smiled with pride when he quickly followed. Her muscles flexed around him in pulses as he thrust, long and slow, sending final ripples of ecstasy rolling along her spine.

  Jenna watched as he set his hands on the table to catch his breath. He was so handsome—she was ready to go again. The way his soft lips remained parted was beyond seductive, the late-day stubble shadowing his jaw left her breathless.

  He reached out and swept her hair from her forehead, kissing her with a tender swoop of his tongue. His eyes flickered and then he began to laugh.

  “What?” She reached out to skim her fingers across his shoulder.

  “Guessing the bloke who’s borrowed my flat isn’t having this much fun with my kitchen table.”

  “Poor sap. He’s probably just eating on it. He could be getting much better use out of it.” Jenna chuckled. She sat forward and smoothed her hand across his bare chest. “I have to pee.” She padded to the bathroom but stopped in the doorway. “I hate to say this, but we should probably get back to our laundry.”

  “I believe we have a cannoli to finish on the way.”

  “Always plying me with sugar, aren’t you?”

  “Whatever it takes.”

  Back at the Laundromat, they loaded clothes into the giant rolling laundry bins. Jenna had to stop Tim from simply heaving the load of darks in to the dryer. “Hold on a sec. Some of those have to line dry.”

  He stared down at the heap of clothes. “What?”

  She plucked a few lacy, black undergarments from the pile. “These will get fried in the dryer.”

  He looked longingly at the panties and bras. “Wait. Have I seen those yet?”

  Jenna stepped next to him, keeping an eye on the old guy in the corner who was conspicuously spying on them. She felt Tim’s hot breath against her skin. “You’ve seen one of the bras,” she whispered. “If you play your cards right, you might get to see the other stuff, eventually.”

  He planted a soft kiss on her eager mouth. “Have I mentioned I’m really good at cards?”

  * * * * *

  Doing laundry together led to grocery shopping, going for runs, planning free time around each other’s schedules. Tim couldn’t get over how effortlessly they had slipped into the routine of being a couple. Apart from the few days a week when he worked late at One If By Land and she needed to be up early to open the café, they spent most nights together, talking, laughing and making love as often as humanly possible.

  A particularly heavy r
ecording schedule caused them to spend three days apart and Tim was going mad. Although they’d been together only a few weeks, he felt as though he’d known Jenna his entire life. When they weren’t together, the separation was torture. He’d never missed anyone the way he missed her. The feelings shocked him, but he couldn’t escape them.

  By the third night they were desperate to be together. He invited her over and, even though she’d been up since four a.m. and he needed to be up early to head back to the studio, she’d eagerly said yes. They’d eaten a late dinner together, watching a movie on the couch before falling into bed in a tangle of passion.

  Tim awoke curled behind Jenna, her body warm and soft, his erection nestled against the lush curves of her bottom. He wrapped his arm tighter around her, nuzzling her neck, inhaling her sugary scent, kissing his way from her neck to her ear. She moaned and wriggled her bum against him, but quickly settled back into sleep. He glanced at the clock. He had just over an hour before he needed to be at work.

  He knew Jenna was exhausted and as much as he wanted to wake her he decided to let her rest. They both had the following night off and he was certain they could make up for it then.

  He shuffled across the kitchen, the icy-cold floor waking him more with each step. He turned the shower on high and brushed his teeth while he waited for the water to get warm. The thought of Jenna still cozy in bed did nothing to quiet the demands of his aching cock. He stepped beneath the spray and immediately went to work, eyes closed, stroking with a firm, steady grip.

  The feel of Jenna’s hand on his back nearly made him lose his balance. “Jesus!” His hand released his cock as he felt the deep flush creep from his cheeks down his neck. Christ. Humiliation washed over him. Jenna climbed into the tub, standing behind him, her breasts pressed firmly against his back as her lips skimmed across his shoulder blades.

  She ran her hand down the length of his arm, over the top of his hand, twining her fingers with his. To his surprise, she led both of their hands straight back to his erection. With her hand still atop his, she wrapped their fingers around his length and resumed stroking.