Book Boyfriends Cafe Summer Lovin' Anthology 2015

by Melinda Curtis

  “I’m just offering. I mean, it’s not like getting a pot of water on the stove is really taking away from you making dinner.”

  “You just sit there and enjoy your wine.”

  She took a sip of the Pinot Grigio, preferring to watch him at work anyway. His strong hands cutting the mushrooms. The muscles in his forearms flexing. His biceps bunching. The intense look on his face as he concentrated on his task. Wow. She couldn’t believe how sexy he made cutting vegetables.

  He glanced at her as he grabbed another mushroom. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Sex,” she said casually. She had to tell him. She was never going to get him naked if he didn’t know that’s what she wanted.

  He stopped cutting and looked at her. “Excuse me?” he said with a sly smile.

  “Oh, sorry. Was that my outside voice?” she said, smiling back.

  “Yeah, that was definitely your outside voice.” He put the knife down and leaned across the island. In almost a whisper he said, “We’re just hanging out, Hannah. If we’re going to have sex, we probably should call it dating.”

  “Semantics. Besides, I’m only hanging out with you long enough to get a little. I’m not really interested in dating you. My intent is really just to use you for sex,” she whispered back.

  Aaron pondered that for a moment, then went back to cutting mushrooms. “I’m okay with that,” he said, no longer in a whisper. “Shall we consider that dessert?”

  “So, Mommy, what’s for dessert?” Tabitha chimed in from the living room.

  “Cheesecake,” Hannah called over her shoulder, wondering how much of that whole conversation her daughter heard, hoping none of it.

  “Oh, are you guys talking about sex? Cause Kaylie’s mom says cheesecake instead of sex. But Kaylie figured it out. She didn’t tell her mom though. She thinks it’s funnier to let her mom think she’s being clever.”

  Good lord. Hannah rolled her eyes and went to the fridge. Ok, two packages of cream cheese, one tub of Cool Whip. Sugar and vanilla extract were in the cupboard. All the fixings for a no-bake cheesecake. No graham crackers though. They were on the shopping list, but there were none in the house. Spotted Nilla Wafers on the counter next to the microwave, Hannah decided to improvise.

  She gathered all the ingredients to show Tabitha. “We’re having cheesecake for dessert. Courtesy of Auntie L’s no-bake recipe.”

  “Yay!” Tabs called from the living room. “And if you guys want to have sex, that’s okay with me. I won’t listen or anything.”

  “For goodness, sake, Tabitha. We are not having sex. And it’s really none of your business. Just watch your princess movie.”

  Hannah stood across the island from Aaron, opening the cream cheese. He leaned across and whispered, “Nice recovery with the cheesecake. I’ll consider that a rain check. You just let me know when you’re ready to use me.” He winked and went back to the vegetables.

  Making cheesecake was a great idea. It distracted her from watching Aaron and thinking about all the things she wanted him to do with his hands.

  Hannah mixed the cream cheese with the sugar, then folded in the Cool Whip. She dug the electric mixer out of the bottom drawer and popped in the attachments. After adding the vanilla, she switched the mixer on. The attachments flew off across the bowl and Cool Whip splattered everywhere.

  “Shit!” she yelled, struggling to switch the stupid appliance off.

  Aaron leaned back against the counter behind him, almost in tears, his face red from trying not to laugh, but failing miserably. “How is it that your name isn’t Calamity Jane?” he asked after recovering from the laughter.

  “It’s not funny,” she said, trying to look serious, but she was almost hysterical, too.

  And amazingly, Tabs remained glued to the movie. Only conversation about sex could draw the seven year old’s attention away from whatever princess adventure played on the screen.

  Aaron grabbed a towel from the sink and came around, wiping Cool Whip off her clothes and out of her hair.

  She must have still had some on her neck and face, because his lips and tongue cleaned up those areas. He stared by kissing her cheek, checking the living room to make sure Tabs was watching her movie before moving down to her neck and sliding his tongue across her skin. A tingle scattered throughout her body as she leaned into him and the gentle glide of his tongue.

  Pushing her hair aside, the warm press traveled up her neck to her ear. “You know,” he said on a whisper, “this probably wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t thinking about getting me naked.”

  That was probably true. Now that his lips were joining the party, she was thinking about it even more.

  “What makes you think I was still thinking about that?” she whispered back as she pressed her ear into his lips.

  “It’s written all over your face. You get this look. The same look you had when you were watching me cut up the mushrooms.” Aaron stepped back and smiled. “Actually, it was the same look you had on your face the first time I saw you. If I had known then what it meant, I wouldn’t have waited until our third date to kiss you.”

  “Like I said, I’m only interested in using you for sex,” she whispered, then laughed. “Since day one.”

  They managed to get through dinner and dessert prep without further calamity or talk of sex. Though the sexual tension was thick between them. Aaron seemed to find any excuse to walk around the kitchen and brush against her body as he passed by, but she could play that game too, brushing her hand against the back of his thigh or leaning into him to grab a utensil.

  “So, Mommy, what is chicken checkatory, anyway?” Tabs asked as she inspected each piece on her plate with her fork and knife, apparently ready to dissect it.

  “It’s chicken cacciatore, sweetheart.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I said. Chicken checkatory. So what is it?”

  Aaron laughed. “It’s chicken cooked with some special seasonings and vegetables. Try it. I bet you’ll like it.”

  “Oh, I’m not a picky eater. I eat most everything. Except eggplant. That’s pretty yucky, and pineapple. I don’t like that either, but other than that, I eat most everything.”

  Tabitha took a bite and chewed slowly like she was a food critic trying to taste every flavor, every seasoning. “Yeah, this is really good. Thanks for cooking for us, Hawk. Mommy doesn’t like to cook. That’s because she has to do it all the time. I don’t know how to cook yet. I’m not good at doing the laundry either. Mommy has to do all that, too, but I dust and vacuum. And I can sweep, too.”

  “Tabs, just eat your dinner, sweetheart,” Hannah prompted, knowing once Tabitha got rolling, there was no stopping her. She didn’t want to have to reheat dinner.

  She also didn’t need Tabs’ banter distracting her from the under-table mission she had embarked on. After slipping off her sandals, Hannah slid her foot over to Aaron’s leg, first playing over the top of his pant leg, then beneath. All the flirting and innuendo had been fun. She hoped Aaron was receiving her message loud and clear.

  It wasn’t going to happen tonight, though. Not with Tabitha home. Anything Aaron would do to her body would have her responding in wall-penetrating decibels. Which was fine as long as Tabitha wasn’t in the next room. The weekend would roll around soon enough and Tabs usually spent at least one night with Mimi and Papa or Nana and Gramps.

  Though the more Hannah thought about it, the more she realized the weekend wouldn’t be here soon enough. She wanted to be alone with Aaron now, wanted to be doing more than just skimming her foot along his calf.

  When they were finished with dinner, Tabitha cleared the dishes and got the cheesecake out of the fridge. Hannah got the plates while Tabitha grabbed spoons and a spatula.

  She was a little nervous about the cheesecake. She’d lost a lot of Cool Whip during the mixer calamity, as Aaron had put it, so wasn’t sure it had come out quite right. But it was cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar, for crying out loud. On their own,
each was wonderful. Mixed together, by any measure, they were heavenly.

  Hannah cut the dessert and served. Tabitha had her piece gone within seconds and was asking for more. “Geez, Louise, did you even taste it, Tabs?” Hannah asked as she scooped out another piece for her daughter.

  “It’s delicious, Mommy. You make the best cheesecake. Don’t you think so, Hawk?”

  Aaron smiled. “I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure your mom does make the best cheesecake,” he said and squeezed Hannah’s thigh under the table.

  The hidden innuendo in Aaron’s message flamed her cheeks. She couldn’t even fathom how good the cheesecake, was going to be with him. Damn the weekend. Why wasn’t it here yet?

  They finished up the cheesecake, then Hannah helped Tabitha with homework while Aaron cleaned up the kitchen. When it was time for bed, Tabitha begged Aaron to read her a story, to which he agreed.

  When the story was finished, Tabitha kissed Hannah goodnight. “I love you, Mommy,” she said over her shoulder, then ran over to Hawk and hugged him. “I love you, Hawk,” she said to Hannah’s surprise. When Tabs disappeared into her bedroom and closed the door, a tear formed in the corner of Hannah’s eye. God did she ever love that girl. She was so sweet it was disarming. “She’s just perfect, isn’t she?” Hannah said as she sat on the couch.

  “She’s absolutely perfect,” Aaron agreed as he sat next to her. Talking about Tabitha was apparently the last thing on his mind. His lips stretched into a sexy and inviting smile. “Alone at last,” he said as he pulled her close and covered her mouth with his.

  Hannah lost herself in Aaron’s arms, and his lips. With his tongue seducing her, she knew this was the kind of kiss that led to sex. Which was exactly what she wanted. Except for the little ears that might be listening in the next room.

  It killed her to pull away, but she had to. As her mouth separated from his, she smiled, brushing her fingertips across the soft pink skin her lips had just parted from. They felt good even under her fingers. “You’re lips are amazing, but this isn’t going to happen with little Miss I promise I won’t listen within a five hundred yard radius.”

  He swept her hair away and kissed her neck. “Looks like I’m calling you on another rain check, then.”

  “Mmm,” she said as his lips and tongue sent fire shooting through her. “Rain check,” she murmured.

  “It’s probably best. I want to hear you call my name when I make love to you,” he said in her ear.

  Oh! God! If he kept talking like that, and kissing her like he was, she was going to call his name right here.

  “You stopped breathing,” he whispered.

  “You need to leave,” she said. Otherwise Tabs was going to get an education in what pleasure sounded like after a five year hiatus.

  His mouth found hers once more, his tongue quickly sweeping across her lips before he pulled away. “Yeah, I better go.”

  Chapter 12

  “Thank you for dinner tonight. I had a great time.” As usual. Hannah leaned against the door and just looked at Aaron, thinking about all the time they had spent together over the last few weeks. He had a wonderful sense of humor and she loved hearing him talk about some of the crazy things he had experienced as a reporter, and some of the wonderful and happy things as well.

  Mostly, she just liked being with him. She was incredibly comfortable with him, whether they were laughing or talking politics. Now, she wanted to be with him in her bedroom. Even though they had been dancing around the idea since Wednesday, nerves had her feeling twitchy. It wasn’t just the sex. She wanted him to stay, the whole night, but it felt incredibly awkward to ask him to.

  She’d never done that before, ask a man to spend the night. With Steven, it just happened, since he had his own place when they were dating, but that was different. She wasn’t a widow then. Nor did she have a daughter. And even though Tabitha wasn’t in the house tonight, it still felt strange.

  “I had a great time, too.” He leaned down and kissed her. It started slow, demure. Just a light touching of their lips. The same kiss they had shared dozens of times in the last few weeks. Then it grew more sensual.

  As he pressed his body against hers, she splayed her hands around his neck and pulled his mouth even deeper into hers. Yup, she wanted him to stay. It made her feel like a schoolgirl, stealing kisses from a handsome boy outside her parent’s front door. The truth was, this was her house and no one was inside except the memories of the man with whom she had bought this house, had a daughter, and vowed her love. Steven would want me to move on, she told herself as she started to lose herself in Aaron’s kiss.

  Her lips were still touching his when she finally spoke. “Do you want to stay with me tonight?”

  “Yes,” he said definitively and without hesitation. She wondered if he’d been waiting for her to ask.

  When he kissed her again, one hand held her tighter as the other slipped away from. The door handle clicked behind her before Aaron leanded into her, coaxing her inside the house as the door opened.

  Her lips never left his. She knew the house well enough, having lived there for ten years. It was a three inch step up from the deck into the side entryway. The door into the kitchen was only a few steps back. She wouldn’t be able to gracefully maneuver herself into the kitchen and beyond with his lips pressing into hers, his tongue exploring her mouth, his hands generating heat on her body.

  Hannah pulled away and smiled. She knew what she wanted, but her belly fluttered with as much anxiety as anticipation. It had been so long since she’d had sex. Hannah wasn’t even sure how to get from the front entry to fully naked. Did she undress him? Did they undress each other? What about foreplay? She didn’t need it to get aroused, that was for sure, but did he? Maybe foreplay would be fun anyway. They could skip the foreplay the first time and do it in between because if she had her way, they were going to go at it all night.

  “Do you want a glass of wine?” she asked in a shaky voice, her cheeks blushing when she realized how nervous she sounded.

  Aaron pulled her close again. “I don’t want any wine, Hannah.” His deep voice was barely audible on the heavy breath, but rumble of her name sent a rush of heat cascading through her.

  With cold, clammy hands, Hannah grabbed his hand and led him to the bedroom. Just inside the door, he stopped her forward momentum and she gasped as he pulled her body back into full contact with his.

  “Hannah, you seem nervous. Are you sure about this?”

  She smiled while unbuttoning his shirt. “It’s been a long time, that’s why I’m nervous. I’m sure I want to be with you tonight.”

  His breath hitched as she kissed his neck and continued to unbutton his shirt. When all the buttons were free she stepped back and pushed the shirt off his shoulders. And, wow!

  She gazed at the near perfect body standing in front of her in the dim light coming from the kitchen. She shouldn’t have been surprised. Aaron filled out his Harley shirts nicely. She had also felt the strength of his body over his shirt, so she knew he must look fantastic. The reality was still jaw-dropping. She bit down on her upper lip as his hands moved around her waist. Then her insecurities took over.

  “I have scars,” she blurted.

  “What?” he asked, looking a little confused.

  “I mean, stretch marks. Well, and a c-section scar, too. You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but Tabitha was huge when she was born. I gained 50 pounds with her. I’m covered in stretch marks, and the c-section scar, well, I just …” Crap! What was she doing? Maybe he wouldn’t have noticed. She probably should have kept her big mouth shut. A bit late for that. “I just wanted to prepare you … so you’re not too disappointed when you see all the scarring.”

  He smiled as he pulled her close to him again. “Your daughter is beautiful. You should be proud of the marks that remind you of the miracle she is.”

  Ok, so he even made having stretch marks sound poetic. There obviously was no end to his charm.

>   “Believe me, Hannah, nothing about you, your body included, could ever disappoint me.”

  And no end to his sex appeal, either. Ok, her confidence was back. She was more than ready.

  She smiled as he reached for the tie to the back of her left hip. She had loosened the knot of the cotton wrap-around dress on an earlier trip to the bathroom just to be sure it would come apart easily – and quickly.

  Feeling a firm tug, then the gentle caress of his hands across her body, he eased the dress off her. As it hit the floor, he just gaped at her. When a wicked smile stretched across his lips, she knew she’d made the right decision in wearing the stretchy blue lace camisole and panties she’d gotten on the three hundred dollar excursion to Victoria’s Secret.

  He guided her back toward the bed. “We can take this as slow as you want,” he said as he eased her down.

  “I don’t want to take it slow,” she replied confidently. Nope, not slow at all. She wanted him naked and inside of her right now.

  “Well, I want to take it slow.” His eyes followed his fingers as they traced down the buttons that held the low-plunging camisole together at the front seam. “I want to peel this lace off you one button at a time. Then I want to put my mouth on every inch of your body.”

  Oh, God! Yes, she wanted that, too!

  He moved onto the bed next to her, his warm fingers caressing the bare curves of her legs and the lace-covered curves above her hips. Her body tingled to life as his palm skated over her breast. She held her breath in anticipation when his fingers traced along the edge of the lace and moved down to the first button. He skipped the rest of the buttons as he explored south, his hand gently moving across the lace of her panties.

  Somewhere in there she remembered to exhale then inhale again but her breathing wasn’t normal. It was heavy with desire. His gentle caress had her breathless already, and they weren’t even naked yet.

  He kissed her as his hand continued its gentle tease over her panties. When his mouth moved from her lips to her neck, his hand came back up and released the second button on the camisole. The slow tease was killing her, but fortunately the camisole was open enough now to free her breasts from the confines of the stretch lace. Electricity poured through her as he pushed the lace aside, her nipple tightening under his touch. The tingle remained when his hand moved back between her legs, this time under her panties. His mouth moved to her breast, his soft lips and wet tongue kissing the soft swell, then teasing the hard nipple as his gentle fingers slid into the slick depths of her body.