“Maybe.” He presses me closer then steps away smiling. “Let’s show Mom and Dad around.” Taking my hand, Levi squeezes it and keeps hold of me as he guides our parents around the restaurant they created.
Ten
Levi De La Fuente
Seeing the look on Mom and Dad’s faces as we showed them around the restaurant makes it worth all the worry and stress of getting this place fixed up. When I got the idea into my head of opening a second Emelia’s as my own, I never dreamed it would come to fruition. The only thing niggling at me is that I couldn’t talk Emma into coming in with me in this place. Don’t get me wrong, I love working with my cousin and we get on like brothers. However, I sense Emma isn’t truly happy anymore, and that bothers me. Or rather, she wasn’t satisfied in Essex, but she’s glowing in Blossom Creek. Contrary to what my sister thinks, I’m not a clueless idiot and know the glow she wears is because of Jared Peters.
Vivien had the same glow when I’d walked into Temptations before I’d freaked and ran out on her. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking, considering I know that she’s different. I know that I want more with her. I want to wake up with her and spend lazy mornings together before we go our separate ways for a day of work, only to come back together again in the evenings. Why I fucked it up as I had, I honestly don’t know.
It needs to be made right.
The saying goes that a way to a man’s heart is his stomach, so I’m doing a reverse and making Vivien and her sister, Ingrid, one of my favorite meals and something I can make with my eyes closed. I’ve perfected the recipe over the years, and my rigatoni with vodka sauce is superb, followed by sfoliatella. The shell-shaped pastry filled with a sweet ricotta filling is Emma’s favorite dessert. If nothing else says how sorry I am, then I’m hoping the meal I’ve made will.
I’ve always loved being in the kitchen, and a brand new one fills me with excited energy. It’s unique and it belongs to Ryan and me. The large silver refrigerators and freezers lining the back wall keep everything fresh. The stoves and grills are fitted between each countertop section to give the chefs room to prepare and cook the food. I don’t think there is an item in this room that doesn’t shine, from the copper pots to the knives and utensils. It’s a chef’s delight. I can’t wait to have Emma in here to bake while I prepare her favorite dish, paccheri ai quattro formaggi.
My stomach grumbles loudly as I think about the pasta with four kinds of cheese.
“I should have known you’d be in here,” Ryan says.
Without looking up, I admit, “I’m cooking for Vivien, so no touching.”
“Vivien?” Rosie, Ryan’s mom, asks, causing me to groan.
“I had no idea you were here yet.” I glance up and feel a blush on my cheeks. Rosie isn’t alone. Her husband, Ruben, and Ryan’s fiancée, Gretchen, are grinning at me from the kitchen doorway.
Ryan laughs and grips my shoulder while he looks over it. “Those look good.”
“And so they should, if he’s trying to impress a woman,” Ruben says, moving closer. “Pull out all the stops, Levi, and she won’t be able to look at another man.” He winks at Rosie. “Isn’t that right, babe.”
Rolling her eyes, Rosie laughs and goes up on tiptoes to kiss her husband. “That’s right, honey.”
“Will you two go and do that lovey stuff elsewhere,” Ryan grumbles.
“Hey.” Gretchen laughs and pokes Ryan in the stomach. “We do that lovey stuff all the time. Sometimes it’s down and dirty lovey stuff.”
“Jeez, I think you all should leave.” I laugh and notice the tips of Ryan’s ears have gone bright red. “Unless, of course, you want to expand on Gretchen’s comment.”
“I think I need to have a talk with my fiancée.” He takes Gretchen’s hand and tugs her from the room.
Rosie sighs and pulls a stool up to where I’m working.
“Has Ryan given you the grand tour?” I ask her.
“Oh, he has.” Rosie smiles with her eyes filling up. “It’s beautiful. What you’ve both created here from what it was…” She shakes her head and sniffles.
“What my wife is trying to say is that she’s proud of both you and Ryan.” He stands behind Rosie with his arms around her chest and kisses the top of her head. “When I first gave Ryan the reins of Kenza, I wondered if I was doing the right thing. I was a young guy once and knew exactly how it can be owning a nightclub.” He clears his throat. “However, Ryan proved to his mother and me, time after time, just how good a manager he is. He’s doing amazing things with Kenza, and now Emelia’s. I couldn’t be prouder.”
“Jeez, Dad. You’re going to make me cry,” Ryan says as he reenters the kitchen and moves to his dad. Ruben grips the back of Ryan’s head and hugs the life out of his son.
“I’m proud of you.”
Ryan swallows hard and nods slightly as I move closer to Rosie and put my arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Happy and emotional.” Rosie sits up straighter and wipes at her tears and nose before saying, “I’m done crying.” She smiles and jumps from the stool. “We’re having lunch with your parents at the inn.” Kissing me on the cheek, she whispers, “Good luck with Vivien.”
“I need all the luck I can get.”
Ruben adds, “You’re a man, sweet-talking always works on the ladies, doesn’t it, honey?”
“It does, so does action.” Rosie wiggles her brows and I smirk.
“I’m planning on begging with words, food, and actions.”
“That’s my boy!” Ruben thumps me on the shoulder. “Of course, if you’d like some pointers…”
I laugh. “I think I’ll manage, but thanks.”
Ignoring everyone as they say their goodbyes for now, I double-check the food I’ve put into containers and pack the basket. I even pack dishes and utensils and napkins. Quickly cleaning up the mess I’ve made, I then yank my apron off and pull on my outdoor gear. The snow may have stopped, but it’s still cold.
It doesn’t take me long to arrive at Temptations, and I’m happy to see Ingrid is the one serving, which means I’ll be able to get Vivien alone for some damage control.
Ingrid notices me when I step inside, and her brows pull together as she looks between me and the back of the store. Nerves flutter in my belly as I say, “I screwed up, but I’m going to put it right.”
“Make sure you do.” She tips her head. “She’s in the office.”
Pulling myself together, I step through into the back of the store and head for the small office off to one side. I’ve been in the room once before and it’s small. A desk, chair, and Vivien are all that can fit into that room. I have no issue with that because it will be nice and cozy. I’m more than aware of how Vivien reacts to me when I’m close, just like I’m reasonably sure she knows how I react. My reaction isn’t something that can be hidden all that well.
The woman herself looks good enough to eat when I pull open the office door. Her little gasp of surprise hits me in the balls and I have to fight the need to yank her onto the desk between us and ravish the heck out of her.
“Levi,” she whispers breathlessly.
That does it.
Tugging the door closed, I use the bolt to lock it and place the basket of food on the chair before I move toward her like a lion stalking its prey. “I’m an asshole, Vivien. I panicked because I want every damn thing you do. You scare me.” I press her up against the corner she’s backed herself into. “I’m still unsure because I’ve never had a relationship before, but I want one with you.” Swallowing hard, I take her hand and shove it down my jeans, hissing when her fingers immediately wrap around my dick. “That’s what you do to me. I only have to think about you and I’m hard as a rock.”
“Oh,” she whispers.
Her silky-smooth hand continues touching and stroking, her thumb rubbing over the wet crown while I try to breathe through the pleasure of having her touch me.
“I came to bring you food.”
“Mmm…
”
“Vivien,” I groan.
“Touch me, Levi.”
“God, yes!” I hold her face in my hands and slam my mouth down hard to hers.
She’s there to meet me with every thrust of my tongue and slant of my mouth. Her hands make quick work of my jeans and then my cock is out and in her hands between us. She’s driving me crazy with the little moans she makes. Her touch. The way she works my cock. I’m so hard with arousal leaking from the tip that I can’t decide whether or not to remove her hands. The only place I want to come right now is inside her wet pussy, not all over us both.
I’m a man, I should be able to hold myself in check. Except Vivien has me delirious with pleasure and ready to boil over at any second.
Vivien wears a long dress, which I’m not sure how to get into, so I do the next best thing and yank the material upward. The moment she has a leg free, she hooks it over my hip, opening herself for me.
“Don’t stop stroking me.” I grind the words out between clenched teeth.
“I won’t. Hurry, Levi. I need you inside me.”
“I wanted to give you seductive and slow, but I don’t have slow in me right now.”
“Fast. Hard and fast. Now.”
Panting hard, I shove two fingers into her panties and jerk hard in her hands when I feel how wet and hot she is. I immediately withdraw my fingers and pull her hands off my cock. After looking behind me, I drop my ass in her chair. “Ride me.”
One hand fists my dick, and with the other, I steady Vivien as she hovers over me.
“Lower yourself.”
“Seeing you touching yourself is hot,” she admits, knocking my hand away. “I want to guide you inside.”
Letting out a puff of air, I nod, hoping I don’t come before I get to experience what it’s like in her warmth. She doesn’t disappoint and has me quivering in her hand as she firmly grips me and guides me inside of her. I close my eyes and pray for strength. Vivien wiggles around and I can’t handle it anymore. I grip her bottom in my hands and start rocking her on me. She helps and starts lifting and grinding back down.
The hardpoints of her nipples protrude through the dress to rub on my chest, but it’s not enough. I want to see them bounce. I want to feel them in the raw against me. Hoping I don’t tear her dress, I yank and tug the thing over her head and unfasten her bra. Her breasts fall forward as I drop the bra to the floor.
Vivien attempts to cover them. “They’re big.”
I growl. “Don’t cover yourself from me. You’re fucking beautiful. Every part of you. Heart, body, and soul.” Filling my hands with her breasts, I guide the tip of one to my mouth and she nearly takes flight from my lap. I catch my breath because having her rising and slamming down on my dick curled my toes.
“Ride me while I suck on these.” I rub my thumb over the dark hard nubs and find Vivien with her head thrown back, her long hair flowing down to her ass as she reaches around to hold onto my thighs. Her loud moans and fast rocking motion have me on the verge of relief, and what tips me over the edge is when I suck a large nipple into my mouth and lightly bite down. Vivien gives a loud keening noise and convulses and floods my cock in her pleasure, taking me over the precipice to mine.
“Oh,” Vivien mumbles as I help her sit forward before she collapses around me.
It’s as well because I don’t think I could move if there were a fire.
“I’m sorry for that morning,” I whisper. “I never meant to hurt you. I want you.” I give a wry laugh. “I know that’s obvious, but I need you to know that I want you, Vivien. No one else. I want to do this relationship thing with you.” I force her to look at me. “I’ve never done it before, so I hope I don’t fuck it up again. If I do, don’t let me get away with it. Point it out to me. I’ll try not to be clueless, though, but I can’t promise. Just know that I’ll never look at another woman as long as I have you in my life. That I can promise you.”
“It hurt, Levi.” She gives me a shy smile. “I want to be your girl.”
Grinning, I say, “I want to be your guy.”
“I’m glad that’s sorted.” She pauses. “Um, your penis is hard again.”
“It is attached to me, so I’m aware.”
“I’m, um, bigger than normal.”
I frown. “Vivien, you are normal. Don’t talk like that.”
“Levi, I’m a size fourteen with a belly.” Her eyes look down as she speaks.
My eyes follow, and jeez this woman doesn’t know she’s gorgeous. “You’re a very sexy woman, Vivien Taylor. My dick is inside you. I’m sure you felt it kick and harden when I looked down at your delicious body. It’s nice knowing your clothing size for the future, but I don’t see the issue. My eyes can’t get enough of you and neither can my body.”
“You’re just being nice.”
Sighing, I decide, in this case, action speaks louder than words. I grab her up in my arms and keep my dick inside her, I sit her on the edge of her desk before I push her backward. I notice her cheeks flaming red, but I choose to ignore them. I’m determined to show her how much I love her body as much as I love her.
Love!
Where the heck did that come from?
I really am fucked.
“In this position, I can watch my dick slide in and out of you.” I demonstrate and chew my lip. “Feel how hard you make me.”
“Yes.”
I grip her waist and, leaning forward, press my mouth to her naval. I place kisses all around her belly before pulling out of her and going down to my knees. I press an open-mouthed kiss on the lips between her legs and groan. “You taste good.”
“Oh God!” She rubs against my face. “Don’t stop doing that.”
Nipping at the inside of her thigh, I growl, “Never.”
Eleven
Jared Peters
Waiting for Emma to arrive at the coffeehouse, I sit back and watch the goings-on. The freezing weather hasn’t kept people home, and Shep will be happy with his business going well.
Behind the counter, he has the fancy chrome espresso and frothing machines and bean grinders. This is one of those stores where I always inhale as I walk through the door. Freshly brewed coffee and ground beans, and the aromatic scent of warm caramel and chocolate all tease my senses. And then Emma’s favorite drink of hot apple cider will waft under my nose as she joins me. I’m more of a straight-up strong coffee type of guy, although I like the occasional hot chocolate during the winter months.
The door opens and Emma rushes in. My heart does weird things when I look at the woman who has my heart. She’s a breath of fresh air and I’m not prepared to give her up. I know she’s worried about her family restaurant in Essex, the first Emelia’s. I wish there were something I could do or say to take that stress away from her.
Emma has her drink in hand and slips between two chairs with purses and shopping hanging on the back. How she does it with so much finesse makes me smile. I’d have pulled the chairs over as I slipped past.
“Sorry I’m late,” Emma says, taking the chair beside me.
“Don’t worry. I’d wait a long time for you.” I watch her cheeks flush, and add, “You know that, right? That I’d wait for you?”
Blinking away tears, she nods her head. “I know.” She swallows a few times, and says, “Tell me about your morning.”
“We are going to talk about the elephant in the room, Emma.” I quickly kiss her lips. “However, that’s a conversation for when we’re at my cabin.” Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I bring her into the curve of my body. “My morning was uneventful apart from seeing you for a few minutes. Paperwork. Bea Leonard from the deli had to be helped from her vehicle.” I pause. “An SUV sideswiped her, and she ended up off the road. A sore shoulder from the seatbelt and shock. She was lucky.”
“The driver didn’t stop?” Emma pauses mid-drink and stares.
“Yeah, he did.” I wince, and admit, “I believe you know a Ryker De La Fuente.”
Emma rapidly
blinks and places her drink on the table. “Ryker?” She frowns. “He’s here in Blossom Creek? Driving women off the road?”
“It would appear so.”
“He’s my cousin. Hasn’t spent a lot of time on this side of the Atlantic for years. He was home a while back for my cousin Jaxon’s wedding, and on his way to his sister’s graduation. He disappeared again after that.”
“He’s obviously in town for the opening of Emelia’s.”
“Yeah. Did he apologize? Have a reason?”
I nod. “He apologized and has insisted on paying for the damage to Bea’s car. It wasn’t his fault, though. On closer inspection it looks like the tire popped. It also explains the noise he heard before he lost control of the car.” I shake my head. “His tire ended up shredding. A right mess.”
“He’s unharmed, right?”
“Not one scratch.” I squeeze Emma’s hand. “He seemed distracted, but I didn’t get the feeling it was because of the accident.”
“Oh dear.” Emma pulls her bottom lip between her teeth.
Reaching up, I tug it free. “I’m sure you don’t want me using my usual means to get your lip free.”
Chuckling, Emma’s face lights up. “Not in here with everyone trying not to watch us and failing miserably.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“You know what? I don’t care!” Emma grabs my head and slaps a long, hard kiss to my lips. “Wow,” she whispers. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
Mirth enters my gaze. “What have you done, Miss De La Fuente? We’ll be the talk of the town.”
“I think we should go and make out in your truck,” Emma suggests, wiggling her brows.
“Don’t tempt me,” I grumble.
“I’m serious.” Emma stands and looks over her shoulder. “Coming? I don’t have long.”
I snap my mouth closed and follow the crazy woman from the coffeehouse, feeling a tinge of heat creep along my cheeks. Taking hold of Emma’s hand, I laugh. “You do realize they probably know what we’ve gone to do after that kiss you planted on me?”
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