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

by Courtney Hunt

  Ben shuddered, his breath heaving in and out of his chest, as she stroked and teased him. She arched against him, stretching up to kiss him again, her hardened nipples dragging against his chest. Her clever thumb found all the right pressure points as she explored him. He moaned, reaching for her as they tumbled to the bed together.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist. The satin front of her panties, soaked with her arousal, cradled him. He thrust instinctively, rocking against her. He needed to back away or this would be over before it even began.

  He stood, scrambling in his suitcase for the foil strip of condoms. He tossed them on the bed before standing between her thighs. He tugged her to the edge of the bed before easing her panties down her legs. Their gazes met in the dim room, her blue eyes cloudy with desire and want—for him. Slowly, deliberately, she let her thighs fall open, exposing all of herself to his greedy view.

  Ben trailed his fingers through her soaked sex before twirling them around her special spot, experimenting with different pressure and techniques. She moaned, arching up as he teased and tormented her, fisting her hands in the sheets. Always a quick learner, Ben observed what motions made her sigh or moan or gasp. She squeezed her eyes shut, rocking against his fingers as she spasmed through her first release, sobbing his name as she came.

  When the last pulses of her release faded, she opened her eyes. Amy grabbed a foil packet and ripped it open, sitting up to cover him with shaking fingers. When she’d sheathed him entirely, she shifted her hips but couldn’t quite get the right angle. He grabbed her hips and thrust deep. Amy let out a breathy little moan as he filled her. She clutched at his shoulders and then kissed him, their tongues tangling together as they entwined on the bed.

  She rolled him onto his back and straddled his hips. After a few awkward thrusts, she found her rhythm and rolled her hips just right. The sensation of Amy’s tight heat wrapped around him nearly overwhelmed Ben. He cupped her breasts, rolling the peaks in his hand as he met her thrust for thrust. She tossed her head back, her hair trailing over his thighs. She buried her hands in her hair as the second release hit her, longer and stronger than the first. Ben couldn’t help but follow her over the edge as she clenched around him, pulling him even deeper than he’d been before.

  She collapsed on his chest, both of them breathing hard, before she shifted to lay next to him on the bed. Ben waited until the stars cleared from his vision before ridding himself of the condom and cuddling her close again.

  “We are amazing together.” Amy finally said and then laughed. “That was seriously intense.”

  She rolled to her side and they stared at each other before laughing together. “Let’s do that again.”

  Just after midnight, as Amy and Ben lay curled in each other’s arms with the moonlight tracing patterns on their skin, Amy’s stomach growled. Mortified, she pressed a hand to her belly. Ben just chuckled.

  “Guess I better feed you, huh?” Ben slid from the bed and padded downstairs. Amy sat up and then pulled the covers up, both for warmth and modesty. Despite all her careful planning, they’d ended up here in bed. Maybe attraction that strong just couldn’t be denied. Now what? Amy worried her lip and tried not to think too far ahead.

  Ben returned, carrying the pizza box and two cold sodas for them. He sat in the bed, seemingly unselfconscious at being completely nude. Amy tucked the blankets in a bit tighter over her ample chest and accepted the slice he handed her. She took an enormous bite of the cold pizza and then laughed.

  “Zooey predicted this.”

  “That we’d end up in bed?”

  “I think anyone who saw us together could have predicted that.” Amy met Ben’s gaze, the sizzling memory of how hot they were together flowing between them. He crooked a grin at her, pizza sauce on the corner of his mouth. He leaned over to drop a kiss on her mouth, which turned into several more. When he pulled away to grab another slice, Amy continued, “Zooey predicted the cold pizza at midnight.”

  “It’s not the best first date ever, I’ll grant you that.”

  So he considered this a date then? Good sign. “Well, parts of it were pretty good for a first date.”

  Ben smirked at her. “I’ll take you out on a real date. Name the time and place.”

  Amy played with the coverlet sprinkled with lavender flowers, pleating the fabric in her hand. “Maybe we should keep it quiet for a bit…”

  “You don’t work for me anymore. And you won’t be my daughter’s teacher forever.”

  “True.” Amy tilted her chin, letting her hair cascade around her face. Still, he didn’t live here. How long could they possibly last together? She thought of Dave, feeling suffocated and smothered in tiny Ashford Falls.

  He brushed her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “What are you thinking?”

  “Just that you don’t live here.”

  “I’ve been thinking of moving here for a while, to be closer to Livvy. Now I have even more incentive.”

  Amy’s heart slammed in her chest. “And what if you move here and everything caves in? We move too fast, too quick, and then…”

  “So we’ll move slowly. As slow as you want.” Ben leaned over, tilting her face up to his and claimed her mouth in a long, slow kiss. A sweet, leisurely exploration now that their frantic lust had been satiated, not once, but twice. He moved aside the pizza box. They squeezed together, wiggling under the covers, and curled together naturally. Ben played idly with her hair as they watched the moonlight stream through the curtains. They spooned together, sleepy and content, for a while.

  “I should go home. So Livvy won’t find me here in the morning.” Amy said, too drowsy to move. Ben pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.

  “I like holding you.” Ben murmured.

  “I’ll get up in a minute.” Amy said, before sliding into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  Safe and snug, Amy wiggled under the covers. There was nothing better on a winter morning than snuggling under thick blankets. As she shifted, her foot bumped against something in her bed. Her eyes popped open to see beige wallpaper sprinkled with lavender bouquets. She squinted at the wall, trying to figure out where she was. Gray light seeped beneath the matching curtains…except her bedroom window was on the opposite wall.

  She sat up, dislodging a warm arm from her waist. Next to her, Ben flipped over, wrapping himself in the covers and burrowing down. Only a shock of dark hair remained visible.

  She stayed perfectly still for a long moment, remembering every detail. They’d agreed to take it slow and then they’d ended up here, tearing each other’s clothes off. She dropped her head to her hand, brushing the beard burn on her cheeks. Heat crawled up her face as images from the night before played through her mind.

  Amy crept out of the bed, ignoring the unusual twinges from muscles she generally didn’t use. She really didn’t know how she’d explain her presence here if Livvy woke up first. She wiggled into her jeans and pulled her sweater over her head. After grabbing her shoes, she crept to the bedroom door and inched it open.

  It creaked.

  Of course it did.

  Amy peeked back over her shoulder as Ben fumbled for his glasses on the side table. He mashed them on his face and blinked at her, his crooked spectacles adorably endearing. Made him look like a sleepy owl.

  “Where are you going?” Ben whispered, his voice sleep rough. “Come back to bed.”

  “I don’t want Livvy to see me here.” Amy shook her head, listening for signs of life in the little girl’s room.

  “Why not? She’s as in love with you as I am.”

  “In love?” Her heart fluttered against her ribs as her chest tightened. She raked her shaking fingers through her hair. Too fast. Too much.

  Ben sat up abruptly, his hands out to her palms up, as the sheet puddled around his waist. Dawn gilded his broad chest, highlighting the muscled peaks and valleys lightly dusted with dark hair. She swallowed, her heart still pounding in h
er chest and the blood whooshing past her ears. So loud she couldn’t hear herself think.

  “I didn’t mean to say that. Not so soon anyway.” Ben said. “It’s true though.”

  Amy shook her head again as Livvy called, “Daddy?”

  “I’ve gotta go. Meet me at the coffeeshop later.” Amy dashed downstairs, grabbing her coat off the hook. She wrenched open the door and dashed outside, desperate to escape before seeing Livvy. On the porch, she tugged her shoes on before speed walking down the flagstone path. Her arm tangled in her jacket and she struggled to right it as she strode toward the center of town, heading for the coffeeshop.

  “Hey Amy.” Zooey greeted her and climbed down off a stepladder near the front window, now hung with the snowflake crafts. A sleepy-faced Joe carried the stepladder off as Patrick rattled away behind the counter, prepping the store for opening. “Thanks for your help last night. Even Patrick was thrilled with our numbers and he’s really hard to impress.”

  “I’m glad.” Amy responded automatically as she unzipped her coat in the warm shop.

  “Do you want coffee?” Zooey asked as she headed behind the counter and then stopped. “Weren’t you wearing that sweater yesterday?”

  Amy looked down and fiddled with the sweater, remembering Ben’s hands on her sides as he helped her take it off last night. “I have lots of red sweaters.”

  “It’s inside out.” Zooey winked. “Well, well, well, Miss Amy…”

  Zooey slid over a mug of coffee and grabbed one for herself. She followed Amy over to the seating area near the fireplace. Amy wrapped her numb hands around the cup, grateful as the warmth seeped into her fingers. She didn’t look at Zooey, but just stared at the crackling fire instead.

  “So, since you’re all by yourself and you look like Christmas was cancelled, I take it things went rather badly?”

  “No, things were wonderful. Amazing.” Amy shut her eyes, still marveling at how explosive they’d been together.

  “But?”

  “We agreed to take it slow and take our time. See where things go.” Amy said in a rush. “Get to know each other and then see where things take us.”

  “And instead you ended up with wild monkey sex and cold pizza at midnight?”

  Amy nodded and Zooey whooped. “So, what happened?”

  Amy rubbed her hands on her thighs and took a sip of coffee before carefully placing the mug on the table. “This morning, I was trying to leave before Livvy woke up and—”

  “And she caught you?”

  “No, not exactly. He said… He said…” Amy gasped, dropping her head into her hands. Zooey put a steadying hand on her shoulder. “He said he loves me.”

  “Oh wow.” Zooey whistled. “And you don’t love him?”

  “I just met him. How can I possibly be in love with him?”

  “I’m afraid love doesn’t have a timetable. It’s not logical and orderly or precise. It’s all wild adventure and magic and risk-taking.” Zooey threw up her hands. “My grandparents knew each other for three days before they eloped. And they were married almost 50 years. There’s nothing wrong with taking a chance.”

  “Maybe…” Amy nodded. She took a steadying sip of the strong coffee and blew out a deep breath. Zooey headed back over behind the counter as Amy sat and studied the flames for a bit.

  Last night with Ben, she’d acted on pure instinct. Just taking what she wanted. They’d talked it over and agreed to take it slow. Now, in the cold, clear light of day, she chastised herself for hoping for more. Hoping for the happily-ever-after she dreamt of for so long. Just as she finished her coffee and rose, the bell over the door tinkled.

  “Miss Amy!” Livvy’s voice called before launching herself into Amy’s lap.

  “Livvy?” Amy said, looking up into Ben’s eyes. Unlike the perfectly attired doctor she’d met less than a month ago, Ben’s hair stuck up in the back and stubble shadowed his cheeks. He wore jeans with a casual jacket. Even his glasses were still crooked.

  “Can I get you a cup of coffee, Doctor Ben?” At Ben’s nod, Zooey headed behind the counter.

  “And moo juice for Livvy.” Ben said, his voice raspy.

  “Moo juice.” Livvy said and then giggled. “You’re funny, daddy.”

  “She laughed! I got her to laugh.” Ben squeezed Amy’s arm, his mouth a perfect oval and his eyes wide. He beamed at Livvy as she headed over to the play area.

  “You sure did.” Amy laughed too, happy to see so much joy in Ben’s face. She cupped his cheek with her hand. When she touched him, Amy knew that somehow love found her in Ashford Falls after all.

  “I can never thank you enough.” Ben pulled her close, still smiling, and claimed a slow, sweet kiss. “I’m sorry I scared you this morning—”

  “I love you too. You and Livvy.” Amy stood on tiptoes and pressed another kiss to his mouth, which turned into several more. She broke away from him. “I know it’s quick, but this is the real deal.”

  Ben caught her hand. He pinned their clasped hands to his chest, his eyes never leaving hers. “I feel exactly the same.”

  “Let’s go to London this summer together.”

  “On our honeymoon?”

  Amy sucked in a breath and then, taking another leap of faith, nodded. Ben grinned before claiming her mouth again.

  “Awww…” Zooey wiped at her eyes with a napkin, watching Amy and Ben kiss by the fireplace. “Aren’t they the sweetest and cutest couple?”

  When Joe and Patrick didn’t answer, she turned to look at them. They gaped at her. “What can I say? I’m a sap.”

  “I’ll say.” Patrick muttered under his breath.

  “Move aside. I’m creating here.” Joe shouldered Patrick aside to fuss with the espresso maker.

  “Creating what?”

  “February is coming. Gotta come up with our signature drink.”

  Patrick thunked his forehead onto the bakery case. “There’s just no talking you out of this signature drink thing, is there?

  “Nope. Even you said Java Frost was our best seller this month.” Joe said. “Any suggestions for February?”

  “Love Potion Number Nine?” Patrick offered.

  “Cupid’s Cup?” Joe mused aloud. “Cupid’s…”

  “Kiss.” Zooey said. “Cupid’s Kiss.”

  “Perfect.” Joe cried. “Now what do I put in it?”

  “I can’t wait to see who Cupid hits next month.” Zooey smiled again at Amy and Ben, still kissing while Olivia read happily on the sofa behind them.

  THE END

  Please enjoy February’s story, Cupid’s Kiss, next.

  Card shop owner Valentina Mahon is the grinch of Valentine’s Day. She hates everything about the holiday—from hearts and flowers to Cupid’s chubby bottom. Burned by love once before, she’s got no desire to experience any of it, ever again. Unfortunately, as the owner of Val’s Cards and Gifts, she’s surrounded by puffy hearts and chubby cherub decor for weeks on end.

  Hunky delivery man, Mac Romano’s crushed on Val for ages but she’s never seemed to notice him. With a big job promotion threatening to take away his daily visit with Val, it’s now or never to finally get the girl. Will he finally get Val to be his Valentine?

  Find out in Cupid’s Kiss, second in the Cupid’s Coffeeshop series.

  Cupid’s Kiss

  Second in the

  Cupid’s Coffeeshop

  Series

  By

  Courtney Hunt

  Cupid’s Kiss

  Copyright © Courtney Hunt 2016

  All Rights Reserved

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  First Digital Edition: February 2016

  www.Courtney-Hunt.com

 
; For my best friend, Lynn

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter One

  "Joe, you cannot wear a t-shirt that says Cupid is Stupid. Not behind the counter anyway." Patrick Lockhart, co-owner of the bustling Cupid’s Coffeeshop, didn’t stop ringing up sales on the cash register as he argued with his cousin. Joe wore a tight black t-shirt with lurid pink script across it as he frothed milk and rattled cups to create their signature coffee drinks.

  On the first of February, one month to the day after their grand opening, Cupid's Coffeeshop enjoyed their first lunchtime rush and Joe and Patrick were hopping. As a loyal customer from nearly day one, Valentina Mahon glared around at the crowd in what she considered her new coffeeshop. Where had all these people come from?

  "Val? What can I get you?" Val turned back to Patrick. "You want to try a Cupid's Kiss? It's our special Valentine's drink--"

  "Don't say Valentine. Or Cupid. Or hearts. Or love. Or any of that romantic crap." Val snapped, her headache returning full force as her feet throbbed in her pumps. She'd already endured a miserable morning and her afternoon hadn't improved the day so far.

  Patrick blinked. "Isn't that sort of ironic coming from the owner of Val's Cards and Gifts? I figured this would be a big time of year for you."

  "Do you know how miserable it is to work in a card shop at this time of year? It's all love and hearts and flowers. It's sickening how sappy people are. And everyone wants to tell you their how-they-met story or want advice on what to buy their significant other. How do I know if she'd like that crappy teddy bear or cheap box of chocolates? I hate this time of year."