by Danni Rose
With a slight shake of his head, he said, "Let's talk about something pleasant."
She nodded. "How did you get a construction job without experience?"
"I asked Matt why they hired me. He said Pat, my supervisor, felt sorry for me." Jason laughed. "My first day on the job, a roofer asked me to get him a turban. I spent thirty minutes searching for a hat before one of the guys took pity on me and told me a turban was a vent."
After a burst of laughter, Beth said, "Before I hired Erik, I tried to make the desserts myself. My first try was an angel food cake. It looked like a pink Frisbee with a hole in the middle. I wanted to try a simpler recipe and made an apple pie. An hour after putting it in the oven, I took it out. It was raw. I forgot to turn on the oven. My last effort was a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It took all morning to make, but it looked beautiful. While the staff sampled it, I looked on with pride. When they bit into the cake, carrot shreds the size of earthworms hung from their mouths."
Jason laughed so hard he gasped for breath.
"I hired Erik the next week."
Then they took turns telling stories of the blunders they'd made as they got their starts in business. As they talked and laughed, the walls she used to protect her heart cracked. But she couldn't put aside the question in the back of her mind. Why had Jason returned to town?
Back in the limo, Jason apologized before returning a phone call. Beth watched as he talked. His face lit with excitement while the smooth tone of his voice sent chills skating over her skin. She wanted to crawl onto his lap and nibble on his lips. Instead, she clamped her hands together.
Would it be a mistake to invite him in for coffee? As they got closer to her home, her fingers squeezed tighter. There was no danger in sharing one espresso, was there? The muscles in her shoulders ached by the time they'd pulled into the driveway.
He disconnected his call. "Sorry, that took longer than I expected."
Staring at her hands, she asked, "Wouldyoulikeacupofcoffee?"
Jason frowned. "What?"
Heat crept over her face. She tried again. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"
"I would follow you anywhere for a good cup of coffee."
"It's the best in town." She laughed. "By the way, I enjoyed your commentary about the coffee at the reception. There was, 'This has all the flavor of water.' Then later, 'Are they holding down the cost by using one scoop of coffee per pot?'" She got out of the car. "Although, my favorite was—"
"I didn't think you heard me."
"You didn’t mean what you said?"
"Oh, I meant every word, but you weren't supposed to hear me."
She giggled. "You’ll be glad to know, I have an espresso maker that would have any barista drooling with envy."
"The woman of my dreams." He threw his arms around her.
Heat washed over Beth's face. "Why don't you wait in the parlor while I get our coffee?"
"I’d rather go with you. A person can’t be too careful with their coffee."
"Oh. Okay."
Jason turned with Beth and kept his arm around her as they walked. "Do you know how to make espresso?"
She stopped and stared at him. "When you own a coffee shop, making coffee is a required skill."
"Others have claimed to have the ability, but in my experience, it's no guarantee the person who makes the coffee knows what they're doing."
"That sounds like a challenge."
"You were always competitive."
She laughed and pointed to the stools at the counter. "Have a seat." Beth walked around the counter and took what she needed from the cupboards. She inhaled the sharp, smoky aroma of the coffee beans she grounded.
When she gave Jason his espresso, she held her breath while he took a taste. Then she cleared her throat. "Well, can I make coffee?"
"You definitely know how to make espresso." His eyebrows dipped.
"What's wrong?"
"The espresso at the shop isn't this good, and by good I mean strong."
"I want my customers to come back, not die of caffeine overload." She laughed. "Most of them don't like their drink so strong it would knock an elephant to its knees. When I'm home, I use a special, darker roasted bean for my coffee."
"How do you make it stronger without it becoming too bitter?"
Beth wiggled her eyebrows. "I have a secret ingredient."
"I won't ask you to divulge any secrets." Jason looked around the kitchen. "Was this your grandmother’s home?"
"Yes. It was part of my inheritance."
"Is that when you moved out of your parent's home?"
She nodded. "I wanted my independence. When I inherited Nana's estate, it gave me the freedom I'd always wanted."
"It must have been a big leap for you?"
"Nana used to tell me I had her lust for life, but I knew she was being kind. Her life had been interesting and filled with adventures. I lived my life controlled by Archer."
"Your life might not have been adventurous like your grandmother's, but you fought to be your own person. Instead of going to boarding school, you stayed here and became friends with a boy others said was worthless."
"You were never worthless. Besides, you always treated me like a person. Something my father never did. To him, I'm a pawn he uses to put his business deals over. I have no real value."
"You always had value." He tipped his head. "What did Archer say when he learned you inherited your grandmother's estate?"
"After Grandmother died, Stephen Howard, her attorney, met with us to read her will. I thought she left me a piece of jewelry or another keepsake. When Stephen told us Nana left me her entire estate, I was struck speechless."
"And your father?"
"Archer was furious. I told you, he'd been waiting for Nana to die. He was sure Mother would inherit everything, and he planned to take control." She sighed. "His face turned deep red like he was having a stroke. Then he grabbed my arm."
Jason frowned. "What happened?"
"Mother and Stephen stopped him." She shrugged. "Anyway, he accused me of lying to Grandmother to get her to cut him and Mother out of the will. I told him Nana never told me what she planned to do, but he didn't believe me."
"Archer doesn't trust many people."
"No." Beth gave a slight shake of her head. "His attorneys tried to break the will, but Nana and Stephen had written a will so tight it was impossible to challenge."
"Your grandmother sounds like a smart woman with a good attorney."
She nodded. "Archer realized there was no way to break the will, and he ordered me to give control of Grandmother's estate to him. I refused."
Jason asked, "Did he think you'd do whatever he demanded?"
"I always did." Beth grinned. "When I told him I planned to manage Nana's estate myself, he made all kinds of threats, but I didn't buckle. Until the day I moved out, he never believed I'd go through with it. My one regret is that I didn't stand up to him sooner."
She pressed her fingers to her lips. "I have so many happy memories of my time with Nana, and she knew I loved this house. Father would have sold the house, and I couldn't let him do that."
Jason pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think your grandmother would be proud of you."
"I miss her. She gave me her full unconditional love and support." She picked up her cup and walked to the espresso machine. "Would you like another cup?"
He nodded and handed her his cup. When she took it, his skin brushed over her hand. Beth shivered the way she did the night they'd made love. She'd never forgotten the feel of his hands on her body and the exquisite pleasure of having him fill her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jason turned to Beth when she returned with his coffee. The tip of her tongue slid across her lips and lust gripped him. She blushed a bright pink, and he smiled.
He wasn't happy that she still fired his blood. She'd used and betrayed him, but his need burned too hot to be silenced by the past. He couldn't fight the heat cours
ing through his veins. Maybe he didn't want to.
He wanted to give her a chance to turn away and moved slowly as he leaned forward to press his lips to hers. Then her sweet, soft lips met his, and she sighed. He wanted more than a taste and swept his tongue over her mouth and teased until she opened for him. He slipped his tongue in and tasted the earthy flavor of espresso mingled with the delicate sweetness of Beth.
She slid off her stool to step between his legs then wound her arms around his neck as she returned his kiss. Gone was the young girl who had been frightened by his caresses. In her place stood a desirable woman who met his passion with her own. He wanted her, wanted to touch and kiss every inch of her delectable body.
Jason skimmed his fingers up her arms. He grinned against her lips when she trembled. He pulled her close and pressed their bodies together. Then he sank into their kiss. Beth whimpered.
He rubbed his thumb over her lips. "I want to make love to you."
She turned her head and kissed the palm of his hand. "I want that too."
"I have no birth control." Jason pressed his forehead to hers.
"I am taking the pill to regulate my monthly."
"Thank God." He lifted her into his arms and walked towards the front of the house.
"Stop."
He froze, and his jaw dropped.
She giggled and waved her hand to the rear of the kitchen. "That way is faster."
He grinned and rushed to the back stairs. When he reached the top, they kissed until Jason pulled away to gasp for air.
"Which room?"
Her hand shook as she pointed to the bedroom across the hall.
Jason went to her room and stopped next to the bed. He lowered her legs, and she slid down his body and over his already stiff cock. Need threatened to consume him. He wanted to bury himself in her, again and again, until they fell into an exhausted sleep in each other's arms.
Beth reached around to the back of her dress and struggled with the zipper. With a huff, her arms fell to her side.
He grinned, "I'll do that."
She kissed his chin and turned.
Jason brushed his fingers across her bare shoulders until he reached the dress's zipper. He slid it down but stopped every few inches to tease her skin with a kiss or a lick or a suck. Then he lowered the zipper another inch until he reached the bottom.
Jason turned Beth. He tugged on the bodice and sucked in air when it fell to her waist. He stroked her satin smooth skin. She arched her back, and his hands slid down to fondle her breasts.
He took a step back, and she opened her eyes. With a smile, he slipped her dress past her waist and hips until it pooled at her feet. She stood in a white silk thong and nothing else. While he memorized every delectable inch of her body, his pants stretched tight over his cock.
Beth whispered, "Jason," and her lips nipped at his. She teased his mouth until he took control of their kiss. He drank in her passion the way a connoisseur sips a sixty-two-year-old Scotch whiskey.
Her nails dug into his arms, and her eyes closed as the passion built. He ran his hands over her skin, and she responded with eagerness. He wanted to lay her down and bury his cock deep, but he didn't want to rush. First, he intended to savor the sweetness he'd missed for nine long years.
Jason pulled off his shirt then wrapped his arms around Beth and lifted her until she cradled his cock in the vee of her thighs. When her breasts pressed to his chest, he shifted from side to side rasping her skin against his. He enjoyed the sensual torture but wanted more. He set her on the bed.
Beth lay back with one leg bent and opened herself to his gaze. His breath caught in his throat. She looked more luscious than Aphrodite in the painting he'd seen of the goddess waiting for her lover. Except this was Beth, and she waited for him.
With more enthusiasm than finesse, he pulled off the rest of his clothes. She watched him the way she had their first time together. He pushed his slacks down and released his cock. When she licked her lips, his shaft jerked as more blood flowed to it.
Jason's control weakened. He fisted his hands while need ran through him like hot lava. He climbed onto the bed and sprinkled light kisses on her eyes, nose, and cheeks.
Beth drew circles around his nipples.
He jerked back.
Her eyes widened. "Am I doing it wrong?"
"No." He swallowed in an effort to remove the gruffness from his voice. "I don't want you to call me the five-minute-man."
Beth's breasts bounced as she laughed.
He teased her lips until she moaned. Then he sucked on her bottom lip, pulled it between his teeth, and nipped at the plump tidbit. With a sweep of his tongue, he soothed the spot. When she moaned, his lips slid over her cheek to her ear. He circled the delicate flesh with his tongue and blew on the damp lobe. She whimpered, so he did it again.
Jason kissed his way down her neck until he reached the place where her pulse beat. He nibbled on the spot then glided his lips across her shoulders. He swept his hands over her skin until he could cup her breasts. With a smile, he suckled each breast and whirled his tongue across the nipples until the buds were tight.
With the tips of his fingers, he brushed his hand along her ribs. Then he tickled and teased her navel before he slid his tongue in circles around the delicate dimple. Beth writhed and clutched the sheet. He gave her only a moment to catch her breath and dropped a hand to stroke through the curls around her slit.
The glow on Beth's face when he swirled his fingers in her cream captivated him. With a slight twist, he dipped a finger into her sheath. She moaned. When he was certain she was ready, he slipped a second finger into her. She ground her softness against his hand. He used his thumb to circle her clit and heard the mewling sounds she made.
Jason's good intentions disappeared. He wanted to have her wrapped around him. He knelt over her and teased her with the tip of his cock. She arched her back, and he pressed on her hips to keep her still. "Let me do this."
After covering his shaft in her cream, he pushed into her one breath-stealing inch at a time. He rolled her nipples between his fingers and took her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss.
Beth turned her head and in a breathy moan she begged, "Please…."
"Patience. You're tight. I don't want to hurt you."
She inhaled and exhaled to relax her muscles. He buried his cock deep in her. Jason wanted to linger in the velvet softness wrapped around him, but the muscles of her vagina fluttered around his shaft. His control shattered.
His hips jerked as he stroked in and out until his body vibrated with anticipation. One thought consumed him. He needed the satisfaction his body demanded. Jason plunged and retreated. His hips moved fast and hard.
Beth dug her nails into his arms and lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. Her erratic gasps for breath and frantic moans let him know her orgasm was close.
Unsure how much longer he could hold out, he slid a hand to her clit and caressed it. Could such violent, intense loving kill a man?
Her pussy clenched. The walls of her vagina rippled over his cock and her cream flowed as she screamed, "Jason!"
His back bowed as he thrust—once, twice. The tension in his body built, and his orgasm erupted. Unaware of anything but his release, he shouted while pleasure rolled over him. He remained deep in her heat until he was empty.
Jason's arms trembled. If he didn't lie down, he'd fall. With a push, he rolled to Beth's side. He struggled to breathe, his heart pounded against his ribs, and his body shook. They lay together, arms and legs entwined. Beth ran her fingers over his chest. Now he knew why cats purred.
He fought to tame his thoughts and the emotions that threatened to overwhelm his heart. This had been more than sex; this had been making love. Her gentle touch, the warmth of her body, and the heat of her kisses would live in his heart long after he left Serenity Bay.
Beth tightened her arms around him and sighed.
He propped his head on his hand. "You appear to be thinking ser
ious thoughts when you should be basking in afterglow."
"My thoughts aren't that serious, and I am basking."
"Good. I would hate to think I was unappreciated."
"Good grief!" Beth's hand flew to cover her mouth and a deep red swept over her cheeks.
"What's wrong?"
"Marco is outside in the limousine. By now he's figured out what we're doing." She tucked her face into his chest. "He'll think I hop into bed with every man I meet like Casanova."
Jason chuckled. "Casanova was a man."
"You know what I mean." She slapped at his chest, and his chuckles became full-blown laughter.
Beth's eyes narrowed. "This isn't funny."
"I sent Marco home."
"You planned to seduce me?" She shook her finger at him. "Do you bed every woman you feed? Is Marco accustomed to your trysts? How does he know when to return?"
"I call him."
"Well, isn't that convenient?" She spit out each word. "Am I another notch on your bedpost?"
"This is your bed."
She waved her hand. "Don't confuse me with facts. You can't charm your way out of this."
"Angel, calm yourself. I told Marco we wanted to talk. If you threw me out, I planned to walk or call him. The house I'm living in is a few miles down the road."
"Oh."
"Although it would be unkind of you to toss me out in the freezing cold."
"It's June."
Jason brushed his lips over her eyelids, nose, and ears. He nipped at her neck and shoulders. "I hope you found my amorous attention to your liking?"
"It was adequate." She grinned. "Although the memory has begun to fade."
"Adequate? Fading?" His voice rose in indignation, and he laid a hand over his heart. "You wound me."
She slipped her fingers across his chest. "I doubt that."
He leaned over her. "I will have to work harder to satisfy your desires. Unless I've worn you out?"
"Don't worry about me. I'm not even winded." She grinned. "My concern is for you. You're older now and don't have the stamina you possessed when you were younger."
Jason gave her his sexy grin, the one he'd practiced when he was seventeen. "Like a fine, aged cognac, now I am smoother and more potent."