The Perfect Indulgence

by Isabel Sharpe

  “I think you’re charming and cool.” She gave him a come-hither smile. “And I know you are passionate.”

  He dropped a thank-you kiss on the top of her head. “I know Eva admires you, but I bet she envied you, too, in a lot of ways.”

  “Grass is always greener?” Chris shrugged. “Maybe. But she is what she is, and always has been. She’s done really well and is incredibly happy, and here I am, supposedly the daughter who’s got it all together, and I’m still trying to figure so much out.”

  Here was his opportunity. But he’d have to tread carefully. “She’s always been herself, Chris. But so have you. And you are also doing really well and will be incredibly happy someday, too.”

  She turned her head toward him, and where he expected her to bristle as she always did and insist she had changed and would continue to change, she just looked thoughtful and slightly troubled in a way that made him ache.

  “I think I know what you’re saying.” Her fingertip touched his forehead, trailed down his nose and ran lightly over his lips. “I take it you’re not that into my wig, huh?”

  He laughed, relieved she wasn’t upset. “I don’t think it would fit me. But I love your tattoo.”

  “You saw that?”

  He stroked the tiny phoenix on her left side under her arm. “In case you didn’t notice, I’ve been studying your body thoroughly.”

  “Mmm, I did notice.”

  He continued stroking her, listening to the waves, watching the dawn sky brighten, feeling their time together slipping away, minute by minute.

  “So, Zac, I’ve been thinking.”

  “Yes?”

  “About Valentine’s Day.”

  Zac froze for a microsecond before he reminded himself to keep breathing. Was she going to say she wanted to hang out with him on Valentine’s Day? Immediately he began thinking beyond boxes of chocolate, poetry and bouquets of roses to something that would represent his feelings without being too clichéd or scaring her.

  “Yeah, I’d like to do something at Slow Pour.”

  “Okay.” At Slow Pour? What kind of wildly romantic date was that? Unless she meant after hours, when the shop was dark and deserted.

  “I’ve never really thought much of the holiday. I mean, really, do you need a calendar to tell you when to be romantic?”

  “Nope.” He was barely listening, thinking hard about Valentine’s Day with Chris, and how far he could push—

  “But Eva’s doing a really nice event at NYEspresso, and I think I could do more with the shop on that day. What do you think?”

  Oh.

  Zac barely kept himself from growling. He was not doing the patience thing so well. It was a good sign that Chris wanted to celebrate a day of romance instead of ignoring it.

  “I think a bigger event sounds great. What were you thinking of doing?” He snapped his fingers. “I know. You want me to dress up in a diaper and fairy wings with a bow and quiver of arrows and shoot your customers.”

  “Oh, that would be adorable!” She clapped her hands gleefully. “But no, not in a million years.”

  “I’m seriously disappointed.”

  “Uh-huh.” Chris turned onto her side, absently stroking his chest. “I’ve got some decorations and special bakery items on order. But I want to do something bigger, something that will attract attention to the store, that will really spark interest.”

  “Set it on fire?”

  She rolled her eyes, giggling. “You are such a help.”

  “Give away engagement rings?”

  One dark eyebrow lifted. “You paying?”

  “Um.” He pretended to consider. “No.”

  “But maybe...” She frowned in concentration, then gasped, her face lighting. “I know! I could give away coffee for a year to any couple who gets engaged at Slow Pour on Valentine’s Day!”

  Immediately, even knowing he was being totally ridiculous, Zac imagined himself kneeling at her feet, offering Chris a ring. She’d be shocked at first, then her expression would clear and soften. Tears would run down her cheeks and she’d open her mouth and say—

  “I am brilliant!” Chris rose to sitting. “Why didn’t I think of this before? People will want to come from all over to hang out at Slow Pour in case someone proposes. And of course while they’re waiting, they’ll need coffee and food to tide them over. I can rent a tent for the front area and set up more tables, triple the pastry and drink orders, have my supplier deliver extra coffee. God, only if there’s enough time. Let’s see...”

  “Chris.”

  “I have a week, right? Today is Saturday and Valentine’s Day is next Saturday. I should still have time to get an article in the Tribune, because of course they’d want to cover this, then I’ll post an article in the Carmia Chronicle online, put up posters around town...”

  “Chris.”

  “Mmm?” She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, propping her hands behind her to push herself onto the sand.

  Zac dived after her and brought her back onto the bed so she was lying half under him. “You’re not going anywhere yet.”

  “But I have to start—”

  “The sun’s not even up.” He waggled his eyebrows menacingly. “And I’ve got the car keys.”

  She glared up at him. “You’re holding me hostage?”

  “Yes.” He challenged her with a what-are-you-going-to-do-about-it stare. Five seconds later, the soft beauty of her eyes emasculated his stare, and he lowered his head, unable to keep from kissing her.

  God, he was a sap. She deserved to win that one. Except instead of celebrating his capitulation, she wound her arms around his neck and responded eagerly.

  Minutes later, he discovered all over again that it was virtually impossible to stop kissing Chris once he’d started. Every time he pulled back, he’d catch sight of her lips and think of another spot he might not have tasted enough. Or he’d catch her looking as if she were about to speak, or tensing as if she wanted to move, and he’d have to nip that in the bud in case she suggested they get out of bed.

  He’d desired women before, but never with this combination of lust and tenderness, or with such an awareness of the soul within the body. He’d always prided himself on not having a scoring mentality, but this was a whole new dimension of feeling.

  It thrilled him that Chris was back, in all her fiery overachiever glory and passion. He’d like to think he had something to do with that.

  But with Ames likely to get a job offer this week, Chris’s immersion in this new project meant Zac might not have enough time before she left for New York to convince her she belonged with him.

  11

  “THANKS VERY MUCH.” Chris punched off the phone in her office and pumped a fist in the air. The Valentine’s event, conceived way too late to pull it off, was nevertheless on its way to being pulled off. The Tribune was sending someone out to interview her tomorrow, and the story would run Wednesday, plenty of time for some coffee-loving man—or maybe a woman—to make plans to propose at Slow Pour.

  All Chris needed to make the event a success was one couple. She had no illusions that a coffee shop was the ultimate make-lifetime-memories place. But someone would go for it, maybe a couple who’d been living together for a while, for whom the commitment to marriage would be a mutual decision, not a surprise ooh-he-popped-the-question moment. After all, free coffee for a year added up to decent savings; the engaged couple could take a honeymoon cruise somewhere and only pay for one ticket with the amount of money they saved on coffee. Not bad. Chris would be sure to mention that in the interview.

  She couldn’t believe things were going so well. After realizing that what she really wanted and needed was this friends-with-benefits relationship with Zac, she seemed to grow calm and steady all on her own. No longer did she have to breathe consciously in order to regain control of her emotions or mood. Nor did she have to force herself to try to accept something she wasn’t predisposed to accept. Colors suddenly seemed brighter, the ai
r fresher—gosh, could you believe it, chirping cartoon birds followed her wherever she went!

  Okay, now she was just being ridiculous.

  Bottom line: instead of having to work at finding calm, it now seemed to come from inside her. It was a different calm, too. She felt more alive and energized, filled with a deep joy. Maybe Eva was right and she had been depressed before.

  All she knew was that this felt absolutely wonderful. She had spent the most erotic, passionate, fantastic night of her life on Friday and well into Saturday, in a beachfront cabana in a private cove—who ever got to do that?—with Zac, and she still felt entirely stable and in control. She wasn’t worried about whether he’d call her or not, she had no need to wonder where this relationship was going... It was all so perfect.

  When the inevitable happened and Eva called to tell her Ames had gotten a job offer, which might happen very soon, she’d be able to say goodbye to Zac and go home to New York renewed and refreshed.

  She couldn’t ask for anything better.

  Her cell phone rang. It was Zac.

  A warm thrill coursed through her. “Hey, there.”

  “Hello.”

  That’s all it took. One word in that deep voice, and she was a Krispy Kreme doughnut—all jelly inside.

  “Zac, you shouldn’t be calling me at work.”

  “I know. I shouldn’t be calling you from work, either. But if I don’t hear your voice at least once every three hours I start having painful withdrawal symptoms.”

  She snorted, more pleased than she wanted to admit. “Anything embarrassing?”

  “My colleagues are a little disturbed by the howling, yeah.”

  Chris turned to hide her giggles from an elderly couple sitting near the counter. As shop manager, she should only be conducting business calls in front of customers.

  “So, Chris, what are you doing tonight?”

  “Not seeing you.”

  He inhaled sharply. “Oh, I’m sorry. That sounds like a really dull evening.”

  It did. She admitted it. “We have a date Wednesday.”

  “But Wednesday isn’t tonight.” He could not sound any sexier.

  “No, it’s not.”

  “Agreed, then. I’ll pick you up after work. Will you be home?”

  Chris frowned, wanting desperately to say yes, but feeling as if seeing him every day might...

  Might... Um...

  Wait, hadn’t she just finished telling herself that everything in her life was under control, especially in regard to Zac? What exactly was she afraid of?

  She didn’t know. But something deep inside her was sending out warning signals.

  “I’ll behave myself, Chris, I promise. I’ll wait ten, no, fifteen, no, twenty seconds before I start taking your clothes off.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Impressive.”

  “I really, really want my mouth on your incredibly beautiful breasts again.” His voice dropped to a murmur. “And I want to slide my hand down your pants and touch you all over.”

  Oh, my. She had to swallow before she could speak. “I’m at work, Zac.”

  “After that I’ll take off your panties so I can—”

  “No, that won’t work. You haven’t taken off my pants yet.” She waited in delight, knowing he’d tease her for being so precise.

  “Oh, my God.” Zac was laughing. “Even your fantasies have to be perfect?”

  “Look, Zac, if you’re going to do something, you have to—”

  “She said he hasn’t taken off her pants yet.”

  The elderly woman’s voice made Chris whirl around in horror, to find the couple staring at her.

  “I thought that’s what she said.” The man smiled and nodded approvingly. “Go on, go on. We don’t mind.”

  Ew.

  “Chris?” Zac sounded worried.

  She spun back around, utterly mortified. “I have to go.”

  “Can I pick you up at five-thirty?”

  “Uh...” Chris gestured helplessly. “Yes, okay.”

  “Good. I’ll see you then.”

  She hung up the phone and stared at it. How did that happen? She wasn’t supposed to see Zac until Wednesday, and that had felt like a very smart decision. Now...

  A grin spread across her face. Now she was going to see him tonight, and that felt like a smarter one.

  But—she glanced at the couple who, thank God, were back to drinking their coffee and reading their newspapers—absolutely no more phone calls about her pants coming down.

  At least not at work.

  The door to the café opened and Gus strode in, accompanied by a tiny blonde woman, who hung on to his arm as if she’d crumple if she let go.

  “Hey, Chris, how’s it going? I want you to meet Pammy.” He gazed down adoringly at the blonde. “She surfs.”

  Chris smiled warmly. Wow! Had Gus found someone? This was great news. “Hi, Pammy.”

  “Hi, Chris. Gus has totally told me all about you.” Pammy blinked up at him with puppy eyes, which made Gus puff out his chest, looking even hotter and goofier than usual. “He says you’re the best.”

  “Second best.” Gus leaned down to rub her nose with his.

  Chris’s smile turned slightly sick. She could only take so much goo. Of course, she’d just been discussing her panties in public. “Can I get you guys some Suja Juice?”

  “Wow!” Pammy stared at Chris as if she’d just performed a miracle. “That’s totally what we came in for! It’s like you knew.”

  Uh-huh. No question. Gus and Pammy were perfect for each other. “It’s all Gus ever orders.”

  “I’ll go with my usual, Berryoxidant. Pammy?”

  “Um...you decide for me.”

  “Okay. For you...” Gus waggled his eyebrows. “Honeybush Peach.”

  “Coming up.” Chris turned to get the juice before she started gagging.

  “Yo, so, Chris, have you seen Bodie? The dude didn’t show up at the beach today and he’s not answering his phone.”

  “Haven’t seen him since Friday night.” Chris put the bottles on the counter. “He dropped me off and said he was going back to the A-Frame.”

  “It’s weird. He’s never missed a session without letting me know.” Gus held up his fingers half an inch apart. “I’m this close to calling the police.”

  “Hmm.” Chris frowned, trying to look concerned, but thinking the police wouldn’t be too impressed by one broken surf date. “I’d wait another day. He’s probably busy, or his phone died, or both.”

  “That’s exactly what I said!” Pammy stroked Gus’s arm. “I’m sure he’s fine, sweetie.”

  “It’s just freaky, is all. Oh, well.” He passed the Honeybush Peach to Pammy and hoisted his Berryoxidant. “Ready to catch some waves, babe?”

  “Totally.” She clinked her bottle to his and turned to Chris. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Same here.” She watched them leave, hoping the relationship worked out for Gus, feeling a little wistful about their blissful coupledom. Not that it was right for her just now. But someday she’d like a guy to go that crazy over her. Gus was so sweet.

  The next couple of hours were fairly quiet, and she was able to escape to the office to work up a fun poster for the Valentine’s event, which she then emailed to a print shop in San Luis Obispo for overnight printing. In the morning, she’d pick up the posters and deliver them to a company that had promised to plaster the area for a reasonable price. Terrified she’d run out of food, she’d also scheduled a run to a big-box store for bags of everyone’s favorite Valentine candy, along with extra decorations.

  Chairs, tent, extra tables—was she forgetting anything? Something for the prospective groom—or bride—to kneel on? Romantic music to play throughout the day? Yes, and yes, add those to the big-box run.

  She heard the front door of the shop open and bolted up.

  “Hi, Chris.” Summer’s voice floated back. “I’m here. I’m so sorry.”

  Startled, Chris glanced at the c
lock. It was after two. She’d never known Summer to be late. “Don’t worry about it. I had plenty to do here.”

  “Yeah? It’s been busy?” The younger woman appeared in Chris’s doorway, eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “No, actually, I think it’s all under control.” She described the event briefly, delighted to watch Summer react with genuine enthusiasm.

  Chris gathered up her lists in a neat pile, wondering how far she could pry. “So did you have a good morning?”

  “Yeah, it was fun.” Summer grabbed her Slow Pour apron from the wooden peg on the wall outside the office and lowered it over her head. “Luke and I hung out in San Luis Obispo.”

  “Oh, how...nice.” Chris wasn’t so sure. Summer had admitted to Chris sometime ago that she made bad dating choices. Now she was hanging out with a bar brawler? But then...Luke was Zac’s brother. He couldn’t be all bad. At least, she hoped not. “He seems like a nice kid.”

  “Yeah.” Summer blushed ruby red. “Yeah, he’s nice.”

  “Okay, Summer.” Chris pushed back her chair from the desk. “What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Summer...”

  “Okay, okay.” She smiled her fantastic white-toothed smile. “He’s great, actually. I’m still being careful, but underneath the attitude he seems really solid. He’s amazingly honest and he can be really sweet.”

  “And the whole arrest thing...?”

  Summer pressed her lips together. “Like I said, I’m being careful. So far, though, it seems like he’s working hard to change. And it seems like the kids he hung out with back east were jerks. Plus, I don’t know...I feel safe with him. It makes me realize I never did with the other guys.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Chris nodded, understanding more than Summer probably realized. “You’ll be a good influence, too.”

  “We’ll see.” Summer tied the apron ties behind her back and gave Chris a sly smile. “So. What’s going on with Zac?”

  Chris faked surprise. “Whatever do you mean, Summer?”