by Piper King
“So, you don’t like working with tools, then?” I ask, resting my hand on the tool-belt around my hips. “That’s a shame.”
Her eyes widen as she slides closer. “It depends on what kind of tools you mean. I must admit, I’ve always been partial to hammers.”
“Maybe you’d like to put that pretty little mouth of yours around a hammer.”
Whoops. Didn’t mean for that to pop out. ‘Course, I won’t argue if she goes for it.
And the little minx does. She drops to her knees and unbuckles my tool-belt, letting it drop to the floor with a clunk. The little sexy smile on her lips sends thrills of anticipation through my gut. I shift closer so she can see just how excited I am. She gazes appreciatively at the bulge, sliding her hand across my crotch, undoing the button of my jeans, and edging my zipper down in slow, exquisite torture.
Her hand wraps around my dick, and it swells under her touch. I thought I was hard before, but oh no. Not like this. And then she smiles up at me, her tongue darting out at the head. She licks down my length with a delicious wetness that drives me wild.
“You’re so big,” she whispers as she spreads her lips. My cock throbs. There’s nothing like a sexy woman telling you just how big your dick is.
She takes me into her mouth, and OH. MY. GOD. I could squirt my juice all down her throat right this second. It feels that fucking good.
My head hits the back of her throat, but she doesn’t even flinch. She just keeps moving, sliding my length in and out of her hot, wet mouth. From the first moment I first saw her, I wanted my dick sliding along her tongue and her lips. Wanted to see her saliva dripping down her chin as she took me deep in her throat.
But if she doesn’t stop now, I’m going to blow. And I’m not done with her yet.
I dig my hands into her luscious strands and pull her head back from my crotch. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I want that tight pussy and I want it now.
We end up on the floor with Zoe on top of me. She rides me, her breasts bouncing with each deep thrust. Even with the overhead florescent lights blasting down on top of us, there’s not a single part of her I wouldn’t call perfect. And I’ve got one hell of a view.
“I love it when you ride me, sweetheart,” I say. “You look so fucking good.”
“And I love being in control.” She moves to pin my arms by my sides, but I flip her over and grab her wrists in my hands. She squirms underneath me, hiking her leg around my waist. It makes me shudder. There’s something about the angle, the way her pussy tightens around my dick and the way my head throbs against the very back of her. She’s so wet. She’s so hot. I lose all sense in my mind and bang her as hard, as fast, and as deep as I can get.
“I’m so close.” She widens her thighs and grinds against me, rubbing her sweet, sweet juice all over my crotch. “Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop!”
“I won’t stop until you scream my name,” I say, gritting my teeth to hold on. As much as I want to cum and cum hard, her pleasure is far more important than my own.
Her fingernails dig into my back, and she scratches grooves into my skin. Something so painful never felt so damn good, and I’m blinded by my need for her. But I hold on, thrusting into her tight hot body while she opens her gorgeous mouth and moans.
“I’m coming!” She drops back her head and lets out a scream. “Jack! Jack! Jack!”
My balls clench tight, and then I’m gone. I’ve never felt so fucking good in my life, and it’s less to do with my own pleasure and a hell of a lot more to do with hers. Hearing my name on her lips as she cried out in absolute ecstasy is the single hottest moment of my life.
And even though our time is limited, you better believe I’m going for round two.
19
Zoe
“You’re covered in sawdust,” Harper says when I make it down the stairs for breakfast the morning after my third and final best-sex-of-my-life with Jack. My bags are all packed, and I’m ready to go just as soon as I get some grub and a shower. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been in this town since Monday. It feels more like a month than five short days. Or maybe even a year. It’s hard to imagine how it will feel to look at the skyline and see buildings instead of mountains and trees. To breathe in smog instead of fresh air. To hear the honk of taxis instead of the wind through the trees.
“Yes, well,” I say as I plop into a chair in the kitchen. During my stay, I’ve taken to eating in the kitchen with Harper instead of the dining room where guests usually enjoy their meals. In the short time I’ve known her, we’ve become friends and confidantes. I’m going to miss her. “That’s what happens when you screw the hottest man alive in his construction shop.”
“You didn’t.” A devilish smile dashes across her face. “What a little rebel you are. And here I thought you hated Jack Hall. Didn’t you go on and on about how stupid his face is?”
“Turns out there’s a very fine line between hate and lust. And I only said his face is stupid because I didn’t want to like it. I very much like it though,” I say. A strange, rogue thought flickers through my brain before I can stop it. It’s not just lust. But of course it is. I only met the man a few days ago, and we’ve spent half that time bickering like mortal enemies. Or an old married couple.
Anyway, I’m going back to Manhattan today, and that’s that.
“I knew you’d make up when you took him to find his equipment.” She sits back in her chair and crosses her arms over her chest, a smug smile turning up her lips. “I might not be so great at running a B&B, but I’m the queen of matchmaking.”
“You were trying to hook us up?” I raise an eyebrow and shake my head. “So, thats why you didn’t tell me we put the machines in his field.”
“Yep.” She waves at my sawdust-covered arms. “Anyone who argues the way you guys do are clearly harboring an intense need to get it on. I merely helped things along and got him back for being an ass in the process. A two-for-one deal, so to speak. Though it sounds like you guys boinked more times than twice.”
“Oh, is that so?” I ask with my own smug smile. “So, does that mean you harbor an intense need to get it on with Noah? Because you two take arguing to a whole new level. Jack and I can’t even compare.”
She scowls. “I don’t want to talk about Noah Hall. He’s the most infuriating man in the world, and there are a lot of men on Planet Earth. I bet if aliens exists, he’s worse than all of their males, too.”
I open my mouth to continue my ribbing, but the ringing of my work cell stops me in my tracks. Quickly, I check the readout and blow out a puff of nervous energy. No number is displayed, but I know without a doubt it’s my boss. I knew it was coming, but my palms get sweaty anyway. There’s only one way this call can go. Jack rang me last night to tell me Mr. Richards signed the contract with the Hall Brothers, to make sure I knew the score. So, even though I’m emotionally prepared to lose my job, I’d rather get an email than a voice on the other end of the line saying, You’re fired.
“Good morning, Zoe Austin speaking,” I say in a chirpy tone of voice that is totally at odds with how I really feel.
“Good morning, Zoe. This is Annie Fairweather with Perry Park Designs. We were wondering if you would be interested in coming in for an interview next Monday? There’s an entry-level role available at the moment. Now, we understand you may be interested in something a little more senior as you have some experience under your belt, but this is all we have open at the moment.”
My mind spins. Perry Park Designs? I know all about them. They’re one of the best studios in Manhattan. Not only a dream job, but the dream job. I feel more than a little confused. I applied repeatedly to every job they ever listed online for six solid months, but I never got a single call. And I certainly haven’t applied to anything recently.
I stumble through my confusion but manage to get my words out. “Yes, I am very interested. Is this for one of the online job listings I applied to a few months ago?”
/> “Oh no, we haven’t posted this one just yet. We worked with a very talented contractor about a year ago, and he suggested your name to us. Jack Hall of the Hall Brothers. Gave us a glowing recommendation. Says you have a lot of passion, talent, and drive, and that’s exactly the kind of person we want at Perry Park.”
My entire body goes hot and cold at the same time, and all the breath feels sucked from my lungs. Jack did this? Harper is frowning at me, looking worried as I begin to pace across the kitchen tile. She grabs two mugs from the shelf and moves toward the kettle. But I don’t need a cinnamon and cocoa to cheer me up.
I’m cheered to the max. Jack Hall said all that? About me?
“Of course. Jack Hall.” I swallow hard around his name, hoping the emotion I feel right now doesn’t come across in my voice. “Well, I would love to come in for an interview.”
We speak for a few more minutes to set up the meeting, my mind and body half-numb through the entire conversation. She even tells me that I’m the only person they’re speaking to for now. Because of Jack, it feels like my every desire is within my reach. Within days, I might get the job of my dreams.
But I don’t feel the way I thought I would. I’m not overjoyed. I’m not bursting at the seams. I have no desire to blast Taylor Swift and dance until my arms and feet collapse underneath me. I try to tell myself I’m happy, but there’s something holding me back. A sadness I can’t put my finger on.
I should be on top of the world. I can stay in my apartment. I can keep my life in the city.
So, why does it feel like I’m losing when logic says I’ve won?
20
Jack
The town feels empty without Zoe. She’s been gone for two weeks, and it’s pretty much the worst two weeks of my life. Sure, we won the contract. Sure, we’ve had a few calls about some new local renovations. Business is booming again, so to speak. I should be chilling out on cloud nine with a flask of Wilde’s Whiskey and a girl on my arm.
But the only girl I want is Zoe.
“Cheer up, little brother.” Luke pushes the basket of fries across the table. We’re having a working lunch at Ma’s Diner, discussing future plans for the business. Noah decided to sit this one out. He’s still pissed at me for giving Zoe a shot at her dreams, and he’s still lost in his own head. He’ll be fine, I know it, but right now he needs the space to figure himself out.
“I’m cheered.” I shoot him a fake smile. “See?”
“How’s she doing?” Luke lifts an eyebrow, and I don’t have to ask to know exactly who he’s talking about. As hard as I’ve tried to hide it, turns out the whole town knows I’m head over heels for a girl I’ll never have.
“I don’t know, Luke.” I pop a fry into my mouth. “We’re not a thing. I don’t call her.”
“You’re a fucking idiot, you know that? I love you, but you’re an idiot.” He passes me his cell phone and taps on the screen. “Call her.”
“I can’t,” I say. Because it’s the truth. I don’t want to call and listen to her go on and on about how wonderful her new job has turned out to be. It’s not that I don’t want her to be happy. I do. I mean, I really, really do. That’s why I hooked her up with the job in the first place.
Doesn’t mean I don’t hurt like hell when I think about the fact I’ll never see her again.
“And why the hell not?”
“Her life is there,” I say. “Mine is here. There’s no sense in making things complicated.”
“Speaking of, I thought I’d fill you in on a request we got today.” He takes a sip of his coffee. Even though we’re having burgers, Luke can’t help but down the caffeine any chance he gets. “There’s a new shop opening in town. Interior design. Seems they’re trying to take advantage of the fact there’ll be a lot more fucking houses popping up in the area.”
I stop chewing. I think I know what he’s suggesting.
“They wanted to know if we were interested in teaming up on some projects.”
“Interior design projects?” I raise my eyebrows.
He shrugs. “They do the design shit. We do the hammer shit. Just thought I’d bring it up since it’s a new avenue.”
“Not really the avenue we want to go down, is it?” I try to keep my voice steady and calm, but my heart is racing. Why, oh why, couldn’t this have happened a week ago? Not that it would have mattered, I remind myself. Zoe doesn’t want to live in a place like Redwater.
“Sure, probably not.” He levels his gaze at me. “You going to tell her or should I?”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Listen, Jack.” He pushes the phone even closer to my side of the table. It taunts me, teases me. A part of me very much wants to pick up the phone and tell Zoe about the new business in town. But I know what she’ll say. It’s not in Manhattan. And I don’t think I can bear to put myself out there and get knocked down. Not by her. I want to keep that perfect memory in my head. “You’ve been moping around for days. You clearly have feelings for the girl. It’s time to do something about it. Didn’t you tell me she said she likes guys who know what they want and go for it?”
“She did,” I say slowly.
“And didn’t you tell me you thought she fell for this town? Something about crickets and cowboys? I mean, it makes no damn sense to me, but there you have it.”
There are no Connecticut Cowboys in Manhattan.
A sudden clarity settles over me. I know exactly what I need to do.
I’ll tell you one thing about Manhattan. It’s loud. It’s also bright. And there’s a hell of a lot of people rushing around looking important and busy. It’s the total opposite of everything I am and everything that Redwater is, which makes me doubt my mission.
See, I came here to see if Zoe Austin will follow me home.
And I just so happen to be standing outside of her work building.
It’s around lunchtime, so I hang around the entrance, turning each time I hear the whir of the revolving doors. I feel so out of place here. There are designer shops on either side of me, and everyone looks caught up in their own little world. Phones out. Eyes glued to the screens. No one stopping to look up at the sky. Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. Maybe this is a mistake.
“Jack?” Zoe’s voice rings out from behind me.
I turn, and all the doubt flees from my mind.
Her lips lift, and her eyes go bright. She looks different than she did back home but good. Instead of a suit, she’s gone with a pretty dress. It’s still professional, but it’s airy and light and much more carefree. It suits her. She looks good. In her element. And it makes me think that maybe she really is as happy here as I thought she would be. Maybe Luke was wrong.
She opens her arms, steps close, and gives me an awkward hug. I sigh, breathing in the scent of her coconut shampoo.
“What are you doing here? In the city?”
Should I say it?
I’m not sure I should say it.
But I’m going to fucking say it.
Because I’m Jack Hall, and I do what I set out to do.
“You said there aren’t any Connecticut Cowboys here. Thought I’d fix that for you.”
She laughs. “Thank you for offering such important services. The city will never be the same again.” And then the smile dies from her lips. “Why are you really here, Jack? Is something wrong?”
“Yes, something is very wrong.” I pause as several businessman scoot past us and into the building. Glancing around, I pull her toward the corner, trying to give us as much privacy as possible on this loud and bustling street. “What’s wrong is you’re no longer in Redwater. It misses you, Zo. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” She squeezes my arm and steps in close. “I want you to know that I appreciate what you did for me. I’m going to do the very best job I can.”
“So, you like the job then?” I ask.
“Of course.” Her smile is too bright. It’s not Zoe’s smile. I know the way her lips turn up and the way the light
dances in her eyes. This is wrong. Different. The opposite of genuine.
“And you’re happy?” I probe a little deeper.
She nibbles on her bottom lip and glances away. “Yes. No. I don’t know. Oh, Jack. I love the job. I really, really do. But ever since I came back from Redwater, I’ve felt different. I keep wondering why I’m here, and I keep trying to make that list you told me about. The Reasons-I-Love-Manhattan list. But I can’t. There’s nothing on it.”
She pulls a paper from her purse. It’s crumpled, like she’s crunched it into a ball and shoved it out of her sight. “So, then I tried making a list for Redwater. And reasons came pouring out. One after another until the whole sheet was full of them. And at the very top, I put you.”
With motherfucking tears in my eyes, I wrap my arms around her and yank her against my chest. “Then, what the hell are you doing here, Zo? Come back with me. To Redwater. There’s an interior design shop opening up on Main Street and everything, so you won’t be losing your dream. Not to mention, I need you in my life. It feels empty without you. What do you say?”
“Well, there’s only one thing to say to that.” She presses up on her tiptoes and drops a soft kiss on my lips. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
I love Jack. I love my job. And I love Redwater in a way I never thought I would. Whistling, I step back and take a look at my handiwork. The stupid flower wallpaper is gone. I could dance a happy jig and plant a big sloppy kiss on Harper’s cheek for letting me redecorate her B&B. Jack steps in behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, bending down to drop a kiss on my forehead.
“Seeing you work like this gets me all worked up,” he murmurs into my ear.
“Jack,” I say with a laugh. “Everything gets you worked up.”
“What can I say? When it comes to you, I’m insatiable.” He clears his throat and takes a step back, suddenly looking far too serious. “Listen, I wanted to ask you something important.”