Cupid's Coffeeshop Set One: Boxed Set: Books 1-4

by Courtney Hunt

  “We’ll play with her soon, I promise.”

  “I like Miss Amy.”

  “I know. Me too.” Ben answered as he secured his daughter into her car seat and drove them to the coffeeshop. He struggled to find a parking space nearby, so they walked into the packed coffeeshop just before the reading was about to begin.

  “Hi there, Miss Livvy. Hi, Doctor Ben!” Zooey greeted them at the door. “I think there’s a spot down front for you, Miss Livvy. I love your princess PJ’s.”

  They’d set up a reading area, with a backdrop of ice blue fabric covered in glittery snowflakes glimmering in the lights of the coffeeshop. A large chair sat in the center, draped in more fabulous fabric. Paper snowflakes hanging from above completed the winter wonderland. Ben edged toward the counter, desperate for a cup of coffee. He placed his order and turned to go. He froze when he spotted Amy dressed in a turquoise velvet dress, her hair in a long braid as she crouched behind the refrigerator case.

  “Hi.” Ben managed, bobbling his cup and splashing coffee over his fingers.

  Amy waved, her cheeks pinking.

  “Introducing the Snow Queen.” Zooey called. Amy crawled out from behind the counter and stood, waving as she took the stage and blowing kisses to the crowd. She sparkled and glowed on the stage, vibrant and beautiful. She smiled at the children.

  Ben stared after her, just as enraptured as the children. In her element, she was a lady of make-believe and pure enchantment. Surely someone so wonderful would never be interested in him. The very thought was ludicrous. He may as well lasso the moon.

  But yet, she had kissed him, the frog to her princess. Perhaps fairy-tales did come true after all.

  “Hello, children. I’m the Snow Queen and—”

  “No, you’re not. You’re Miss Amy.” Livvy called and squealed with laughter. Ben’s shoulders slumped. He still hadn’t managed to pry a giggle out of his daughter yet. Would he ever?

  “I’m sometimes called Miss Amy, yes, but today, I’m the Snow Queen. Who would like to hear my story?” Amy rested gracefully on the throne, sweeping her long skirts around her, looking gorgeously regal. Zooey handed her a storybook and Amy began to read aloud.

  As he watched Amy charming the kids and stealing their hearts, he took comfort in the knowledge that he’d be leaving Ashford Falls soon. He wouldn’t face many more awkward run-ins with Amy. He could see why Lisa chose to raise Livvy here in this charming small town. Still, within just a few weeks, Lisa would come home and he would head back to his empty, quiet apartment, only coming to Ashford Falls to pick Livvy up or drop her off. He wouldn’t have to see Amy at all after this was over.

  Unless he wanted to.

  Did he want to?

  Though he’d enjoyed several mutually beneficial arrangements with his fellow scientists over the years, most recently with Lisa, he’d never had a true girlfriend. With his prior lovers—though that seemed far too romantic a term—he’d just been satisfying his body, the same way a good meal or a long run did. Other than Lisa, he hadn’t been friends with any of them. He didn’t spend days thinking about them or daydream of traveling to London with them. Though he’d sometimes enjoyed talking to them, he didn’t care to make them laugh or see their eyes sparkle. Nor experienced this desperate urge to taste and touch and take them. To hold and protect them the way he felt with Amy.

  He didn’t just desire Amy though. He liked her too. He liked her spirit, her warmth, her joie de vivre.

  And that…well, Ben had no idea what to do with that.

  He shut his eyes, savoring the delicious memory of her lips pressed against his. He’d played this scene in his head over and over all week. She’d kissed him first, just a light, gentle peck. Her kiss had made the damn burst within him. The aching lust he felt for her took over. No wonder she’d run.

  But before she’d run, she did kiss him back just as passionately as he’d kissed her. So what did that mean?

  He didn’t think he was imagining this hot, sweet attraction between them.

  If they acted on it though, and things went bad… Ben had to think of Livvy. Her happiness came first. He opened his eyes, watching Amy charm the audience just the same way she’d enchanted him.

  He swallowed the bitter dregs of his coffee and tossed the cup away.

  Happiness wasn’t for him anyway.

  Of all the ways one wanted to be seen by their crush, crouching behind the bakery case of the local coffeeshop dressed as a Disney character had to rank in the bottom ten. Maybe the bottom five.

  Amy made it through story time by resolutely ignoring Ben. She definitely didn’t notice that her uptight professor wore his pajamas in public. She didn’t notice how he looked anywhere but at her in the crowded coffeeshop. She most definitely didn’t notice her racing heart whenever she glimpsed his mussed dark hair over the crowd.

  All week long Amy waited and hoped for a text from Ben, setting up another play date. After days of radio silence, Amy composed no less than ten texts to him. Everything from breezy ones remarking on the snowstorm to a bold invitation to dinner.

  She didn’t send any of them though.

  And he hadn’t texted her.

  Of course he hadn’t texted her. She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed him. She’d never been very good at resisting temptation. The snug waist of her snow queen costume could attest to that. When he’d been so close in the cozy cocoon of Livvy’s new reading nook, she’d just leaned over and planted one on him like an impulsive teenager.

  No wonder he hadn’t called.

  Except…

  He had kissed her back. Not once, but twice. It wasn’t until after she’d broken away and mentioned her job that they stopped.

  So what did that mean?

  After a week, Amy still didn’t know. She finished reading the story aloud and helped the kids start on their crafts before inching toward the back room to change. She slipped through the curtain into the small storage space, the air rich with the scent of coffee beans, and unfastened the tight bodice of her dress.

  “Amy?”

  She clutched her loose bodice to her chest and spun around. “Ben? I don’t think you’re allowed back here.”

  He glanced down at her chest, the tops of her breasts spilling over the loose bodice. She tugged the dress up. His cheeks darkened as he met her eyes, the knowledge of that passionate kiss flowing between them. Amy couldn’t forget how he’d tasted of tea and mint, nor how soft his hair felt beneath her fingers. She clenched her fists to keep from lunging at him for another indulgent taste.

  “Livvy’s been asking for you all week.”

  Right. He was only interested in her because she was helping with his daughter. Amy pasted on a smile. “I’ll see her at school on Monday. Most of the little ones don’t understand school closing for snow. They just want to play with their friends and—”

  “I missed you too.” Ben said, his quiet voice just audible over the clatter of cups and the hiss of the espresso machine as Joe and Patrick worked behind the counter just outside the thin curtain.

  “Oh.” Amy breathed, her gaze locking on his. “You said you’d text and I wasn’t sure if I should. I’m so sorry I kissed you like that.”

  “I’m not.” Ben stepped closer, his legs pressing her skirts against her thighs.

  “It was unprofessional though.” Amy said, her voice high and breathy as she tilted toward him, drawn to him.

  “Was it?”

  “I work for you. I’m Livvy’s teacher and you’re her dad and… and…” Ben brushed his lips over hers, a sweet, gentle kiss. His strong hands cupped her face.

  “You’ll still help me learn to play?” Ben whispered, just against her mouth.

  Amy nodded, not sure even what she agreed to, desperate for another taste of Ben. He kissed her again, his arms wrapping around her waist. He pulled her tight against him as she kissed him back. She wrapped her free arm around his neck and cuddled up against his hard, muscled chest.

  The
awkward nose bumping and teeth clacking of their first embrace was gone. This kiss held only passion. Just raw need and desire. Ben nipped at her lower lip before brushing his tongue over the sting. Amy’s knees weakened as she clutched at his shoulders.

  “Amy, are you decent?” Zooey stage-whispered from outside the curtain. Amy and Ben broke apart, breathless. His hair stuck up in clumps, his lips shiny and his color high. It would be obvious to anyone who saw him what they’d been up to in here.

  “Be right out.” Amy gulped, her voice shrill. Amy dropped her forehead to his shoulder, fighting to get her breathing under control. Ben still cradled her close, with his lips against her hair and their heartbeats thundering in unison.

  “Hurry,” Zooey whispered. “I don’t know the next step in this craft.”

  “I’ve gotta change.” Amy said to Ben, gently disengaging herself from his embrace.

  “Would you like to come over for pizza tonight? We could watch a movie and…”

  “I’d love to.” Amy smiled up at him. He brushed his fingers over her cheek and slipped out from behind the curtain. Amy changed into jeans and a red sweater, wishing she hadn’t worn her plainest bra for what might be her first date with Ben. Though maybe it was just a pizza and movie night between friends. Then again, she didn’t usually kiss her friends like she was going to devour them.

  She headed out and found Zooey looking lost and overwhelmed in a pack of kids. After Amy got things flowing smoothly, she and Zooey stood among the children, busily creating snowflakes out of coffee filters and adding glitter and color wherever they wished. Zooey crossed her arms over her chest and raised a single eyebrow at her. Amy said, “What? What is that look for?”

  Zooey leaned close. “For making out behind the curtain at Cupid’s Coffeeshop. I figured Joe would be the first one to try that.”

  Amy’s face heated. “A few kisses is hardly the same thing as making out.”

  “Right.” Zooey winked and shook her head. “You’ve got it bad. Good thing he does too.”

  “I do not. Wait, he does?”

  Her friend smiled at her before crouching down next to Livvy’s chair and admiring her handiwork.

  “It’s beautiful, Livvy. I love your snowflake.”

  “Do you like it, Miss Amy?” Livvy asked.

  “I do!” Amy said. Livvy beamed at her and she smoothed her palm over the child’s dark curls.

  “We’ll hang it up at home.” Ben promised as Livvy yawned. Over her head, his dark eyes met Amy’s gaze. Attraction sizzling between them, nearly visible in the air.

  “I told Zooey I’d help clean up. Be over in half an hour?”

  “Sure. What do you like on your pizza?”

  “Anything other than pineapple.”

  “When I lived in England, the most popular topping was tuna fish.”

  “Okay, anything other than pineapple or tuna.” Amy smiled and Ben winked as he carried his bundled up daughter out the door.

  “Good thing pizza is tasty cold.” Zooey observed.

  “Cold?”

  “Want to bet that you’ll be eating it at midnight?”

  “Why would we…” Amy flushed even harder. “Hardly. It’s not even a date. It’s friendly pizza. We’re going to watch a movie and…”

  “You’re going to have wild monkey sex all night long.” Zooey laughed.

  “Who is?” Joe demanded, pausing while clearing a nearby table to shoot a wide-eyed look at both of them.

  “Not you. Shoo, Joseph.” Zooey answered, as she pushed Amy to the door. “Have fun, Amy!”

  Chapter nine

  Amy walked the two blocks to Ben’s house, the night air cool on her burning cheeks. After their behind-the-curtain session, Amy finally knew that Ben was interested in her too. For the sake of Livvy and her job though, they needed to take this slowly. Step-by-step and not rush anything.

  She and Ben were both adults and able to master their baser impulses. Surely, she could keep her hands to herself for the duration of one movie. They’d date. See if they were compatible. Explore things. She crafted a careful speech to deliver to Ben, who would surely see the sense and the reason in such a plan. He was a man of science, after all.

  Then Ben opened the door.

  They locked eyes for a heartbeat, before Amy launched herself across the doorstep and into his arms. He caught her, pressing her back against the wall in the entryway before capturing her mouth with his. The door clicked shut as they explored each other. His hands skimmed beneath her thick jacket and up her ribs, cupping her breasts in his hands. His thumbs circled the stiff peaks. She moaned and slid her hand down the back of his pants. She pulled him against her, intoxicated by his hardness pressing against her belly.

  A knock on the door forced them to break apart, both panting as though they’d run a marathon.

  “It’s the pizza.” Ben said, his eyes hot and his mouth swollen. Even his hair stood erect. Had she done that? Made such a mess of her buttoned-down doctor? He smoothed a palm over his hair and opened the door. The night air hit Amy again, cooling her ardor... at least a little. She removed her coat, hanging it on the hooks near the door and moved inside.

  “Where’s Livvy?” Amy asked, embarrassed that she hadn’t even thought to wonder before she attacked the girl’s father at the front door. If that pizza guy had waited another ten minutes, she’d have ridden Ben to glory right there in the foyer. Amy had never experienced lust as strong as this before. Maybe it was more than lust? Maybe it was desire mixed with friendship and maybe even another “l” word that she just wasn’t going to allow herself to think.

  Always before, she’d fallen too quickly, too far and too fast and been the one left bruised and battered by her fall. This time, she’d take her time. Take it slow. Make it last.

  Play for keeps.

  “She fell asleep in the car. I tucked her in already.” Ben answered, awkwardly holding the pizza box by the door.

  “We need to take things slow.” Amy said. “Date for a while. See if we’re compatible. If things go badly—and things like this always go badly for me—I don’t want it to affect Livvy. Plus, I work for you. And you don’t even live here.”

  “Agreed.” Ben said, his voice raspy while his hungry eyes devoured her body. “All good points.”

  Still trying to calm her breathing, Amy excused herself and crept up the stairs to the bathroom. She peeked in on Livvy, sleeping soundly on her belly with her ladybug pillow snuggled close. She turned and got a clear view into the master bedroom, decorated in floral wallpaper and shades of lavender. Lisa’s room. Ben’s black suitcase lay on the floor near the bed, slightly ajar. For his daughter, he’d come to Ashford Falls to live in his ex-girlfriend’s house for the duration. Soon he’d take his suitcase, his soft hair and incredible kisses home. He’d leave her as alone and adventure-less as before.

  Adventure required risks. So did the other “l” word that Amy wasn’t thinking about. Amy bit her lip. She’d never been much of a risk taker. Maybe that should change. Before she could talk herself out of it, she headed back down the stairs.

  As she entered the kitchen, Ben turned from the cabinet. Holding two plates, he headed for the stove where the pizza box sat. As he walked past, Amy grabbed his shirt and yanked him against her, capturing his mouth with ease. The plates clattered on the counter. Off balance, he clutched at her hips, his warm fingers stroking just under the edge of her sweater and sending fire cartwheeling through her veins.

  “I thought we weren’t doing this.” Ben gasped, as they broke apart. “I’m not complaining—”

  “Let’s go upstairs.”

  “Okay,” Ben said before kissing her again. “But just one thing…”

  Amy was very distracted by the feel of his long fingers sliding under her sweater and caressing her bare skin. “What’s that?”

  “Amy, you’re fired.”

  Ben twined his fingers with Amy’s and tugged her up the stairs behind him. Earlier, he’d agreed with
Amy that they should take things slow and build up their relationship. Now, he couldn’t remember all the reasons they should be cautious. All he wanted was more of Amy.

  Right now.

  At the shadowy top of the stairs, Amy opened her mouth to say something but Ben kissed her again. He dropped his hands to her hips, guiding her as he shuffled them into the master bedroom and shut the door. Still kissing her, he skimmed his hands up her sides, taking her sweater with him. He broke the kiss and yanked the sweater over her head before claiming her mouth again.

  She reached for the hem of his shirt but he stilled her, kissing his way down her neck. He tugged one side of her bra down, sucking her pink, rosy nipple into his mouth. Amy moaned, her fingers running through her hair, guiding him as to what she liked. She undid the clasp at the back of the bra, releasing it. Somehow it ended up tangled with his glasses, making her giggle adorably as he pulled his glasses and her bra off at the same time.

  He pried his shirt over his head and hugged her against him, finally skin to skin. Amy slid her hands over his chest and trailed down his stomach, just the pads of her fingertips sending sparks blossoming over his skin. She stepped back, toeing off her shoes and undoing the button on her jeans.

  Slowly, she slid them down, revealing high-cut panties in black lace and satin. He groaned. She snapped her ponytail holder out of her hair, shaking it loose so her long golden locks fell in waves to the tops of her breasts. For weeks, he’d fantasized about seeing her naked and willing, ready for him. Those fantasies paled beside the reality of having Amy in his arms, in his bed, in his heart.

  She stroked a single fingertip down his chest before trailing her fingers down his belly. She circled his belly button before sliding her fingers beneath his waistband. Amy stepped closer, kissing his neck as she explored him. He stood still for her attentions, clenching his hands at his side to keep from touching her and just let her set the pace. She nipped at his shoulder as she clasped her hand around him, testing the weight and width of him in her palm.