James snorted. “So now your skills come into play.”
“Oh, I’d say we’re both plenty capable with our hands.” Being near him made it next to impossible for her to keep her mind on food. The only thing she wanted to taste was him. As if he sensed her need he eased closer to her, his bangs brushing against her cheek as he went in for a slow, delicious kiss.
Kay felt herself warming from the inside out, forgetting that she was on edge about having James spend the evening with Rosalie and Trixie. When she was with him it seemed like nothing could ever be wrong.
“Sorry,” he whispered, giving her another light kiss before pulling away. “Didn’t mean to interrupt your cooking lesson.”
“Brown-nosing the teacher. I know your type.”
His lopsided grin melted what little of her had still felt solid.
The house filled with the aroma of roasting meat, herbs and the vanilla custard Kay had decided to make for dessert.
“That smells incredible.” James eyed the spoon she was using to scrape the custard into a ceramic bowl.
“I take it you’d like to lick the spoon?” She held it out to him.
“I’m willing to share. I like watching you lick.”
She scowled then a devious smirk crossed her face. Her pink tongue flicked out, running up one edge of the spoon, exposing the silver metal from beneath the creamy yellow coating.
“As much as I want to try the custard I think I’d rather watch you eat the rest of it.”
Kay laughed, licking her lower lip. “I can share too.” She held the spoon closer and he swirled his tongue along the flat back.
The smooth vanilla cream melted on his tongue. He loved the way her eyes flashed as she watched him. He was about to lean in for a kiss when he heard voices pass by the kitchen window.
“They’re early,” Kay said, and he realized it was Rosalie and Trixie.
“Shit.” He looked down at his pants. “I knew I shoulda worn an apron.”
Kay giggled, rubbing against him playfully then scooting away. “Here.” She handed him a stick of butter.
“What exactly are you suggesting I do with this?”
Laughter tumbled out of her. “Slice about four tablespoons of it into chunks and dot it across the top of the custard. That’ll give you time to…settle down.” Her glance swept across his lower body, making another wave of heat roll over him.
Rosalie and Trixie were clomping up the stairs of the back porch. Kay danced off toward the door to let them in, tossing him a grin over her shoulder as she went.
Too much.
By the time the ladies made it into the kitchen James was back in control. He covered the custard bowl with plastic wrap and was placing it in the fridge as they clamored into the room.
“James, so good to see you. How’s your mother? Such a lovely woman,” Rosalie said.
“She’s great, thanks. She said to send her regards to both of you.”
“She knew you were having dinner with us? That’s nice. My son never tells me anything.”
“That’s because you have an opinion about everything.” Trixie muscled past Rosalie. “We were so happy to hear you’d be here tonight. Maria would have been really happy to know you and Kay were spending time together. She always spoke so highly of you.”
“That’s good to hear. She was a wonderful woman.”
“Just like our Kay.” Trixie rubbed Kay’s arm. James could tell she was uncomfortable, and he wasn’t sure if it was the talk of her grandmother or the praise.
“Can I get you ladies a glass of wine?” James asked, hoping to help her out with a change of topic.
Sitting down at the dining room table with all the food spread before them reminded Kay of holidays growing up. Even when it was only the two of them for a holiday meal, Gram would set the table with the good china and actual silverware. “Just having you here with me makes it special,” she’d say.
As a kid it had sounded silly, but now that she was older, Kay knew what Gram had meant. Looking around the table at her guests made her realize she was lucky to have each one of them in her life.
Rosalie and Trixie nibbled at their food but spent most of their time chatting with James.
“When is your big day at the restaurant?” Rosalie scooped another serving of glazed carrots onto his plate and James smiled politely.
“Hoping for the last week in August. You’re both on the list for the opening night. I’ll send the card out as soon as I have a definite date.”
“I can’t wait.” Trixie dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, leaving a pink lipstick stain behind. “Kay’s been telling us about the menu. It sounds wonderful.”
Rosalie waved her fork in the air, gesturing between James and Kay. “I’m just glad you’ve given our girl here a good reason to stick around for a while. It’s nice having her here for more than just a visit.”
“It is,” Trixie agreed. “She’s had wanderlust ever since she was a girl.”
Oh brother. Kay resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
James threw her a reassuring smile. “I’m pretty glad she’s here.”
Rosalie and Trixie beamed at him. Kay shook her head. They were being well behaved, overall, but she knew they were both sneaking peeks at James’s physique whenever possible. When he stretched after dinner they’d both stared at his torso so hard she was afraid they might fall over. He certainly had a potent effect on women.
When everyone had finished eating Kay stood to clear the table. “Should we have coffee and dessert in the living room?”
“Absolutely.” Rosalie headed to the side board. “Trixie and I will set out the coffee cups.”
“Can you put out the small crystal bowls too? We made Gram’s vanilla custard.”
“Oh my.” Trixie smoothed a hand over her bony hips. “I’m going to gain ten pounds eating here tonight.”
Kay could tell James was about to start snickering. He stacked the dinner plates together and headed toward the kitchen. Trixie grabbed Kay’s arm. “Just look at him go.”
“Trixie, shhh…” For such a small woman her whisper was like a shout.
“He’s a keeper, honey.” Rosalie nodded, giving her a wink.
Oh, God. Kay shook her head and carried the platter of roast pork into the kitchen.
James threw her a quick grin. “How you holding up?”
“I’m fine. How are you doing?”
“Great.” His lips twitched with impishness. “I’m a keeper.”
Kay swatted at him with a dishtowel. “Don’t get too sure of yourself. One wrong move and you’ll be at the top of their shit list. Those are two tough old broads.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior.” He turned on the sink and rinsed the dishes, stacking them into the dishwasher.
How can I even pretend to be annoyed at a guy who loads the dishwasher? Kay took a colander full of raspberries out of the fridge. She gave the custard a series of quick stirs then covered the top with the bright red berries. It reminded her of Christmas dinners and she suddenly felt overwhelmingly sad.
“What’s wrong?” James came up beside her, his hand brushing her hair away from her face.
How does he do that? “I just miss her.” It hurt to say it out loud.
James smoothed his thumb across her cheek, his caress soothing and comforting. She leaned into the warmth of his hand and he tenderly kissed the side of her head.
She looked up at him. His eyes were dark, swirling pools of blue, the gray flecks muted in the dim kitchen light. “Have I mentioned how glad I am that you’re here?”
“Not yet. But you can show me later.”
“Oh, I plan to.” She shot a glance into the living room and saw that Rosalie and Trixie were still setting out the dessert bowls. Kay went up on tiptoe and gave James a quick kiss then headed into the living room with the serving bowl. Gram would be glad he’s here too.
Chapter Twenty-One
James had enjoyed his night with Rosalie and Trixie, bu
t he was also more than happy when they finally decided to go home. He wanted to be alone with Kay. She closed the door behind them and grabbed the bowl of custard. James followed her into the kitchen. As soon as she had the bowl safely stored in the fridge he closed his hands around her waist, spinning her around and pulling her into an embrace.
“You don’t waste any time.” She sounded breathless already and he hadn’t even gotten started.
“I can’t wait when you’re around.” His mouth closed on hers. She tasted even sweeter than usual, the vanilla flavor lingering in her mouth from dessert. “You taste too good.” He trailed his lips to her collarbone, her natural sweetness teasing his tongue as he nipped at her neck.
“Aren’t you full?” Her voice was soft, teasing.
“There’s always room for you.” He nibbled his way across her chest, tugging her shirt to expose one tempting shoulder.
“I think you’re thinking of Jell-o.” Her fingers sank into his hair as he bent to kiss the top edge of her bra, trailing a finger into the cup, feeling her nipple harden against his fingertip.
“I don’t like Jell-o. I like you.”
Kay giggled and he silenced her with a kiss before scooping her up and carrying her off to the bedroom.
He made it through the doorway and was about to lower her to the bed when he felt something bang against his knee. “What’s on the bed?”
“Oh, shit. I forgot.”
He squinted in the darkened room and saw that the bed was covered in papers. He’d knocked into a large desk drawer.
He eased Kay out of his arms, and she flicked on the lamp by the bed. “Sorry. I forgot I’d been going through this stuff this morning. I’ll clear it off.”
She scooped up stacks of envelopes and papers, heaping them onto the top of the desk.
James lifted the drawer and tilted it to insert it back into the desk. As he did, the few papers left inside shifted to the back, uncovering a heart that had been etched into the bottom piece of wood. It had darkened with age and was easy to read. Kimmy + Jimmy 4-ever. Jesus. She carved this. When? Imagining a teenage Kimmy curled on her desk chair, he ran his fingers over it, then glanced at the very grown up Kay. She was frozen, watching him, her mouth open, cheeks flushing darker by the second. Does she still feel this way? Does she still hope for forever with me?
She let out a breath. “What can I say?”
“When did you do this?”
She looked down at the heart-shaped etching. “I must have been around thirteen. I think. You must think I’m crazy.”
He moved toward her, smoothing his hand around the curve of her petite waist. “Not crazy. Sweet.” He brought his lips to her. “Incredibly sweet.”
She softened against him, her lips warm and fluid, molding to his. He inched them back toward the bed, running his hands beneath her shirt, easing it over her head. He unhooked her bra and she shrugged out of it. They didn’t usually make love with the light on. He liked being able to see her more clearly. Her dark nipples were firm and puckered, her rib cage rising and falling with each breath as he stroked her bare skin. He kissed his way down her chest, to her smooth belly, trailing his fingers beneath her waistband.
His hands curved around her ass and he knelt before her, kissing his way down the front of her jeans, inhaling her scent through the soft fabric. He huffed his breath against her, concentrating at the apex of her thighs. Her moans told him the heat of his breath was having the desired effect.
She sank her fingers into his hair, scratching her nails against his scalp in a way that sent tingles down his spine. He lowered her zipper and shimmied her pants down over her full hips. She stepped out of them and climbed onto the bed, scooting toward the headboard, her hand still in his hair.
He followed willingly, his face still inches from the steamy warmth of her body. He huffed his breath again, against the thin fabric of her panties, and she squirmed, letting out another soft moan. “You’re so sexy.” He let his lips brush over her thighs, nuzzling against her silky flesh.
Kay trailed her foot down his back, curling her toes against his ass. Jesus. The effect she had on him was devastating. Intoxicating. He had to have her. He slipped her panties off, his eyes drawn to her. His fingers skimmed the length of her thighs and she parted her legs wider. He kissed his way from her belly button down, circling his tongue as he went. Her hips rotated beneath him and he could tell how much she was anticipating his tongue against the sweetest spot of her.
She gasped when he made contact, her fingers once again in his hair, clenching each time he ran his tongue over her. He worked slowly, gauging her response, loving the cries that continued to escape her. He held her hips steady with one hand and caressed with the other, moving his mouth over her until she called out his name. The dense, sugary scent that wafted off her was sweeter than anything he’d ever smelled. He kept his hand on her, stroking slowly, as he sprawled alongside her.
Her breath was ragged, but she quickly went to work on his pants, undoing them and shoving them down, her eager fingers freeing him from his boxers.
“I told you you were good at rubbing things,” he said.
“Pervert.”
He chuckled, the laughter catching in his throat as she swirled her thumb around his over-aroused skin. “Jesus, Kay.” His breath hissed out of him as her fingers worked magic up and down his length.
He kicked off his pants and sat on the edge of the mattress. She straddled his lap, grinding against him, teasing him with her wetness. Her hair spilled down over her shoulders, almost covering her breasts. He brushed it back, loving the satiny feel of all of her. She shifted atop him, lining him up then sinking down on top of him.
A sigh of relief washed over at him. Her heat surrounded him, drawing him in, leaving him unable to think about anything else. She set the rhythm, rocking slowly then ratcheting the pace, rising and falling with more heated thrusts. Her nose trailed along his, her breath warm, still rich with vanilla. She kissed him hard, sucking on his tongue, turning what was left of his brain into a swirl of nothingness. Only feelings were left. Dense. Liquid. Pulsing.
The tension in his belly spread lower, concentrating in a tight knot of heat. Kay arched her back, bringing her hips in harder with each downward motion. James braced his hand against her ass, pulling her against him. As close as they were it wasn’t enough. Wrapping his arm tight around her back he stood, marveling at how quickly she locked her legs behind his back. He turned and lowered her to the bed, remaining upright.
Standing afforded him a whole different angle, allowing him to be even deeper inside her. He thrust into her, knees braced against the edge of the mattress. He could feel her tensing, her feet pressing into his ass, her thighs flexing against his hips. She cried out, tearing her mouth from his, her muscles tightening around him in powerful contractions. He couldn’t take his eyes off her face. Her hair wild and flowing. Her cheeks flushed and moist with sweat. Eyes closed. That was more than he could stand. He let go, feeling the powerful bursts of heat rising through him, leaving him breathless and completely drained.
He lowered himself onto the bed, pulling her toward him, his lips finding hers for a last lazy kiss. He couldn’t imagine feeling more content.
Chapter Twenty-Two
James recognized Patricia’s phone number before he even had a chance to read her name on caller ID. He debated not picking up but figured it must be something important. She still texted once in a while but she almost never called to talk.
“Hello?” he said, half expecting her to have dialed the number by accident.
“Oh good, you’re there.” Her voice was high and metallic sounding, like she was more stressed than usual.
“I am. How are you?”
“Good. Fine. I need a favor.” She was never much for small talk and pleasantries but that was abrupt even for her.
I’m fine too, thanks for asking. “What’s up?”
“This is awkward, and you know I wouldn’t ask if it was
n’t really important.”
Patricia rarely had trouble asking for anything. Now he really wanted to know what she needed. “What is it?”
“My firm is having their big dinner party, the one they have every year right before they announce who’s made partner. You know their unwritten rule, couples only, as always. I had someone lined up, but he was out in Colorado on business and I guess he fell or something. He’s got a broken leg and won’t be back for three weeks.”
It took him a second to realize what she was asking. “Trish.”
“You have to help me. Please? It’s just for one night. They’ll probably recognize you from some of the Christmas parties. That’ll make it even more believable. Please come with me.”
Kay flew into his mind. “I don’t think that’s such a great idea.”
“Come on, James. I know you hate these things, but seriously it’s just this one night. We can even make some excuse and leave early.”
“It’s not just about the dinner. It’s… I’m seeing someone.”
“So?” Patricia’s voice rose and he could picture the impatient look on her face. “What difference does that make? I’m not asking you to father my children, I just want you to be my escort for the evening.”
He wasn’t sure Kay was going to see it that way. “I don’t know.”
Patricia sighed in frustration. “It’s a business dinner, not the freaking prom. Can’t you explain that to your little gal pal? Or is that too difficult a concept for her to process?”
“She’s a photojournalist. I’m pretty sure she can grasp the concept.”
“Oh, all right. Sorry. I just assumed. My bad. Even better if she’s a professional, I’m sure she’ll understand. Hell, I’ll even make it legal if you want. I’ll draw up and sign a contract promising not to lay a finger on your dick the entire night. I’ll sign it in blood. James, come on. Please?”
“Is that a standard clause you’re adding these days?”
“James.” Her voice was impatient, bordering on whiny. She must really need me at this thing. He felt his resolve wavering. It’s just dinner. “When is this thing anyway?”
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