“Hey, yourself.” She held up the tray. “I brought sustenance.”
He bent over to sniff at the bag before planting a kiss on her. Then he grinned. “Smells good, but not as good as you.”
She licked her lips, savoring his taste for a second before stepping inside. “Did you get all of your work done?”
“Yep.” He closed the door behind her and took the tray. “Take a look around.”
The slightly dusty smell she’d caught the last time she was here was gone, and the kitchen sparkled. The wood floors glowed warmly, too. He was clearly a guy used to taking care of himself.
Glancing toward the great room, she saw it now boasted a brown leather couch and a couple of chairs in a lighter shade of tan. The coffee table was one of those industrial-looking things with thick metal legs and handles. A huge flat-screen TV hung over the fireplace and there was a squat glass lamp on an end table made to resemble a crate.
There was a table and four chairs set in the dining area of the great room, done in dark wood and surrounded by some galvanized metal chairs that she noticed matched the three tall stools now hugging the raised counter. There was little in the way of decorations, but she figured he’d grab some of those online too. There were pillows on the couch, and they were huge and looked like brushed corduroy.
“Boy, did you shop at the testosterone store?” she teased.
He chuckled as he took the lids off of their coffees. “Hey, I know what I like.” He handed her the latte and sipped at his coffee. “And you apparently do, too.”
“I got you an Americano. I remembered you ordered a plain coffee that first day in the bakery. Besides, you don’t strike me as a caramel macchiato kind of guy.”
“Not even a little bit.” He went back to the counter and hefted the bag in one hand. “Is this what I think it is?”
She nodded. “Yep. You get the first official taste.”
His eyes twinkled and she just shook her head. She watched as he withdrew one of the white-chocolate-drizzled cookies and took a bite. “Oh my God,” he mumbled around a mouthful of nuts and cookie.
“You like them?”
He swallowed and nodded. “These are killer, Cupcake.”
“Thanks.” She sipped her latte and sighed. “I think they’ll do well.”
“You know you’ll have to top them somehow.”
“What? Why?”
“For the Holiday Festival, or whatever it’s called. I assume Cypress has one.”
“Two, actually.” His eyes widened and she laughed. “Okay, one is just for the kids but yeah, there are technically two festivals.”
He finished his cookie and grabbed another. “Do you want one?”
She raised a hand. “Please. I’ve eaten enough of those to last me until Thanksgiving.”
He brought his biscotti and coffee to the couch and sat, leaning back with an expression of bliss on his face. She’d seen that look before. After she’d given him a little bit of pleasure the other night.
She settled beside him and drank her coffee. “We already have a biscotti for the Holiday Festival, actually. Peppermint biscotti with almonds, drizzled in dark chocolate.”
He gaped at her. “Damn, I bet they’re good.”
“Just keep up your workouts, Graham Cracker. I plan to spoil you with sweets.”
***
He grinned and set his cup on the table before wiping the crumbs from his hands. “You’re the sweetest, baby.”
She put her cup down and kissed him then, pressing her palms against his face. He wrapped an arm around her waist and turned, deftly pinning her beneath him. His new couch was very nice and comfy, and all the soft curves of her body pressed lusciously into his. He kissed her, and then nuzzled the crook of her neck.
“Mmm, sweet,” he rasped.
“Eli.” She breathed him in, running her hands over his back. “You smell so good.”
“You feel good, Caro.”
He reached up and gently tug the ponytail holder out of her hair. Then he was kissing her again, running his fingers through her hair and pulling just slightly. It felt amazing, having his hands on her in this almost-innocent way. She reached down for the hem of his T-shirt and slid her hands beneath the fabric, up over his belly to his pecs. Her fingers danced over his skin, her nails lightly raking him.
He growled and held himself up. “This is dumb. I have a brand new bed upstairs.”
She giggled, but the sound was low and a little husky. “It’s four thirty in the afternoon.”
He snorted. “I didn’t take you for a prude, Cupcake.”
“I’m not a prude, wise guy.” She flicked one of his nipples with her thumb nail and he sucked in a breath. “We have to save something for next time.”
He swallowed another groan and kissed her again. He toed off his sneakers and reached down to slip off hers, too. It wouldn’t take much to get her naked on his new couch. She seemed to be in agreement, since she pushed his shirt off like she had last time and tugged at the waistband of his shorts.
He was rock hard already, and had been halfway there since she’d walked into his new house. Her sweet scent, and the bakery smells she’d brought in with her, combined to make every part of him crave a taste.
Her khakis were on the floor and he ran a hand over her sleek, strong legs. They were long for a woman of her height, and smoothly-muscled. Her little lace panties were damp as he stroked her, and she let out that soft sigh that threatened to turn him inside out.
He moved to her breasts, now covered in nothing but a matching lacy bra. Running his tongue over her flesh, he made her squirm.
“Y-yes,” she said, her nails biting into his shoulders.
Giving her what he knew she craved, he suckled one pert nipple through the lace. He was going to make her come, and fast. He had to give her something before taking anything for himself. Pushing the cups of her bra aside, he palmed her perfect tits. After taking a good long look, he glanced up at her face. Her lips were parted and her eyes a dark blue now. He gently pinched her nipples and she moaned.
Covering a bare nipple with his lips, he tugged and sucked as he slid first one then two fingers inside her. She was slick and hot, and as she parted her legs to him his mouth followed his fingers to taste her again. It only took a few well-placed licks to send her over the edge. Holding on to her trembling body, he kept up the pleasure until she purred.
“Oh, Eli.” Her voice was husky again, and stroked him like her fingers did. “You make me feel so good.”
He sat up, bringing her with him. “I can’t tell you how good you look, Cupcake. Feeling so good.”
Her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright. He caught a glimmer in those eyes and she reached out to grab his dick. “I’m not leaving you wanting, Eli.” A long, sure stroke made him shudder. “Not this time.”
She pushed at his shoulders and he found himself with the view of her beautiful face between his thighs. Settling on her knees, she unzipped his shorts and held him like she had the other night. When she licked her lips, though? He knew he was in for more than another fantastic hand job. Lowering her head, she went to work and he couldn’t restrain his moans if he tried.
“Caro,” he growled, tunneling his fingers into her silky hair. “Your mouth. God.”
She made the sweetest sounds as she drove him crazy, her hands and lips bringing him so close to the edge. He tried to hold on. Fisted his hands as he tried to delay his orgasm. In the end, he opened his eyes again and watched as he gave up the struggle and came hard. She took him all, finally sitting back with a pert expression on her face.
“You liked that, Eli,” she said softly.
He swallowed as his breathing began to slow. “I loved that, Caro.”
She was grinning as she dressed, and he could barely rouse the energy to tuck his cock back where it belonged. When she cuddled against his side, using the remote to switch through the channels on his new TV, he had the impression that he could get used to this. To hav
ing her here. She’d said they were saving his new bed for next time? He’d make sure next time was all it could be.
After that, who knew? He didn’t want to think any further ahead than next week. To anticipate anything more?
That would just bite him in the ass.
Chapter 14
Sunday morning came, and with it Caro’s mother bearing bagels. Caro popped a coffee pod into the machine and tried to focus on what her mother was saying. It was tough, and without a dose of caffeine she was seriously dragging.
“…attending the Fall Festival alone next weekend.”
“Hmm?” Caro rubbed a hand over her face. “What?”
“I heard through the grapevine that you’re dating?”
Caro bit her lower lip to keep a tell-tale smile from escaping. She was dating, all right. She’d spent a few hours dating Eli’s brains out last night. They hadn’t been in his new bed. She had to hold something back, didn’t she? But his new couch allowed for a lot of serious messing around before she’d finally dozed tucked cozily in his strong arms.
“Yes.” Caro turned and busied herself with the coffee, popping in another pod for her mother. “I’m dating.”
Her mother made a sound Caro hadn’t heard her make before. It was a cross between a gasp and a squeak and, bracing herself, Caro faced her again. Her mother was smiling so wide and her eyes were so bright she resembles a cartoon character.
“Oh, I’m so happy!” she cried.
Caro held up a hand as she took a sip of her coffee. Taking in a breath, she held the mug in both hands now. “We’re just dating, Mom. Don’t go getting all excited.”
“But you haven’t dated, Caroline. Not in three years.”
Caro nodded. “I know. Not really, anyway.”
Her mother hopped up on one of the two barstools at the counter, folding her hands in front of her like an eager schoolgirl. “So what is it about this guy?”
Caro served her mother’s coffee, pouring in the dollop of creamer she liked, and leaned on her side of the counter to face her. “Your grapevine didn’t fill you in, Mom?”
Her mother blushed, actually blushed, and Caro had her answer. Lettie had given her mother an earful, apparently.
“Did Lettie call you?”
Her eyes strayed to the wall behind Caro. “She might have.”
Caro couldn’t get mad. Not this morning, anyway. Eli had given her three orgasms last night, so she figured that was the reason she was in such a good mood. Heck, she felt way better than she did after yoga. Not that she hadn’t put some of those poses to use with Eli. Mmm.
“He’s handsome, she says,” her mother went on. “Big and strong?”
Caro blinked rapidly to clear her mind of the image of just how big and just how strong he was. “Yes.”
“What of his family, Caro? He’s from Boston?”
She could only answer one of her mother’s questions. Eli’s upbringing was his secret to tell, and she felt privileged that he’d told her a little bit about growing up in the foster care system.
“He’s from Boston, yes.” She spread some cream cheese on one half of an everything bagel. “He worked for Bill Chapman, remember.”
“Ooh, he’s a tough one. Your father says that he’s got brass balls.”
Caro nearly spit her coffee out on that one. “W-what?”
“He’s a tough business man, Caro. Loosen up, will you?”
“Me?” She gaped at her mother. “You want me to loosen up?”
“Or something. You’re always wound so tight.” Her head tilted slightly and her eyes narrowed. “Although you look different this morning. I don’t know what it is.”
“I’m still tired, Mom.” Her cheeks burned but she kept her expression even. “It was a busy week, thank God, and this is the one day I get to sleep in.”
“And that’s why I don’t drop by until after nine on Sundays.”
Caro had to give her that one. Nine o’clock sounded very late to her, since she normally rose at four every other morning.
“Your sister is coming to the festival,” her mother went on. “She’s bringing the girls, of course.”
“Oh, they’ll love it!”
Sherry had two little girls, Libby who was eleven years old and Justine who was eight. Or Liberty and Justice, as they were called. They were the sweetest things, blond and bright and very curious like their mother.
“I’m going to try to talk her into letting the girls stay over on the weekend.”
“I’m sure Sherry won’t mind, Mom.”
“You know your sister, Caroline.”
That wasn’t exactly true, since Sherry was twelve years older and had been pretty much doing her own thing while Caro was growing up.
“Maybe she’ll want a little alone time with Paul?”
Her mother straightened. “Yes! You know, your father and I have that gift certificate to a resort hotel up in Orlando. It’s from a very grateful client. Anyway, maybe Sherry and Paul would like to use it.”
Caro gave a noncommittal shrug. “Sure. Sounds like a plan.”
“Yes, that’s what I’ll do.” She beamed at Caro. “Caroline, sometimes you have the best ideas! Like opening your bakery. Or dating that gorgeous guy.”
Caro winked. “So he’s gorgeous now? How do you know?”
“Lettie, dear. She told me he practically gave her the vapors with his charming manners, even though he is a Yankee. Her words.”
Caro laughed as she took another bite of her bagel. “That sure sounds like Lettie.”
“Does he give you the vapors?”
Her mother’s question sounded light but she knew what the woman was asking. Caro hadn’t really dated anyone since the accident, and having her heart broken was only one reason. Guilt and grief weren’t very good for the soul, but she was only just starting to dig herself out from under them.
“Eli makes me laugh, Mom. He’s not a serious-relationship kind of guy and that’s just what I’m looking for right now.”
“You’re just hooking up?”
“Mom!”
“Well, isn’t that what it’s called? I watch those bachelor shows, you know.”
“We’re not just hooking up.” She thought for a second. “I’m not sure what we’re doing, but while we’re doing it we’re not seeing other people.”
Her mother gave a nod. “Good. That’s something. When can I meet him?”
“Oh, no. No family dinners, Mom. If you want to meet him, go to the Sales Center. He’s there Monday through Friday.”
“Maybe I will.”
“Don’t you dare!”
“Caroline! You’d think I was going to do something to embarrass you.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Probably. You do embarrass fairly easily.” She stepped off the barstool, brushing her hands over her jeans. “I’ll leave you to your Sunday then, dear.”
She bent to kiss Caro’s cheek and then left. Caro looked at the spread in front of her and got a delicious idea. Bagging up the bagels and capping the spreads, she smiled to herself. He’d said he was a morning person, didn’t he?
Taking a quick shower and dressing in denim capris and a soft yellow top, she slipped on her Keds and made her way down to her car. Maybe she shouldn’t just drop by, but she only had her Sundays free. And she wanted to spend them with the one person who did, indeed, give her the vapors.
***
Eli’s feet pounded to a stop as he checked his fitness tracker. A ten K today. Not bad. He’d passed the Adventure Trails Jake Chapman had created, and made a mental note to give them a try soon. Caro kept pretty fit. Maybe they could climb a wall or something together.
Slowing as he cooled down, he thought about last night with her. They’d done just about everything you could do without actually closing the deal, but he wasn’t frustrated in the least. She was sensual and giving, and sweetly funny too. It was weird, having this semi-relationship thing with a woman. He liked having her in his space, thou
gh. That alone was a first for him.
As he neared the townhouses he spied her little green mini parked in front of his house. With a grin splitting his face, he picked up his pace and saw that she sat on his stoop. It wasn’t a porch. Not really. It needed a doormat and a bench or something. It was still just a square of concrete with a roof jutting out above it.
“Hey, Cupcake.”
She stood, holding a white paper bag in her arms. “I brought you some breakfast. I didn’t know you’d be out running.”
“Have you been waiting long?”
She shook her head, her blond curls looking wild and soft this morning. “I should have called.”
“I wouldn’t have answered.” He stretched a little, preening as he flexed his legs. “I was in the zone.”
Smiling, she patted the bag. “I brought you carbs. Bagels from the market, courtesy of my mother.”
“Your mother?”
“She likes to bring them by my apartment every Sunday morning.”
“And to check for any wayward guys who might have gotten lost there on Saturday night, I’m guessing?”
“I’ve never had a guy in my apartment.”
That surprised him. Not that he thought she was an easy mark. Just that she lived alone and was smoking hot.
“Their loss.” He stepped closer and bent to kiss her. “I stink.”
“Not yet, but you will.”
“Then come inside while I shower and then I’ll let you carb me up.”
He let her inside and left her downstairs while he took the fastest shower in his memory. As tempted as he was to take her upstairs with him, he sensed she wasn’t ready for that yet. They’d yet to sleep together, after all. His cock hardened a little as he recalled all the other things they’d done to and for each other. And what they’d do tonight if things went his way.
Toweling off a little roughly to bring himself into control, he quickly dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. When he joined her downstairs he found her perched on one of the barstools, her feet tapping as she rested her chin in one hand. She’d obviously found the new dishes he’d washed and put in the cabinets and the tall counter was set. It was homey and like nothing he was used to. She looked really good in his space though, and the thought struck him as strange. Jeez, somebody would think he was getting used to living here in Cypress and it had only been a couple of weeks.
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