Plug Me In

by Jeannette Winters

  “If you say sex, I’m going to slap you when I see you,” Wynde warned.

  Monique wasn’t that insensitive. “No. You need to come and spend a week with me on the Vineyard.” Of course the timing of the invitation really sucked. Caleb was good at his job, but there was only so fast he could work, especially if she wanted it done right.

  “Really? You’d let me do that? I need to get away from this place right now. Maybe I will be able to focus and finish my book there. Monique, you’re the best.” Wynde’s excitement beamed through the phone.

  “Great. When do you want to come?” Please say next week.

  “I can book a flight tonight and get there sometime tomorrow.”

  Perfect. She had been trying to cut stress from her life and just added to it. Somehow she was going to need to get her place functional enough for her to stay in. “Just let me know what time to pick you up at the airport.”

  “I am not taking one of the little puddle jumper plans over there. I’d be sick for sure. I’ll take the ferry boat. Besides, I want to feel the ocean breeze on my face.”

  “You do know that I don’t have beach front property and my place is still being remodeled,” Monique informed.

  “Are you changing your mind? I’d understand if you were. This really was a spur of the moment invite and maybe you should think about it first.”

  “Wynde, slow down. First of all, I think you’re correct and this just might be the perfect place for you to focus and write. It’s very quiet here. And no, I’m not changing my mind. I just don’t want you to think I’m on vacation. I have to work, and so do you.”

  “Got it. Business trip. But I expect some quality girl time too,” Wynde demanded.

  “You bet. There’s a few chick flicks I’ve been meaning to watch.” Just too stressed to even remember the titles right now.

  “Okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. And Monique, thank you again for always knowing what I need.”

  When she ended the call Monique leaned back on the lounge chair. She was great at thinking what others needed, but when it came to herself, she sucked at it. Unless it was about driving her business or someone else’s she was lost. For the first time since she arrived, Monique had actually felt relaxed and it wasn’t at her home, it was on Caleb’s deck.

  Maybe I can talk him into trading for a while.

  It was funny, but he had suggested she not live there while he worked. Most likely he wasn’t implying that they trade places. Too bad because he really had a lovely home. It was secluded from the street so tourists didn’t do the drive by and not near a public beach so no strangers walking by either.

  He really must do well in the construction business to afford this. Oh God. How much is he going to charge me? She figured he had to be close to what she’d paid the other guy. The one who took her money and ran. Monique needed to have a serious conversation with Caleb tonight and not one about how great the food was at The Café. She wasn’t going to be known on the Vineyard as the person who stiffed Caleb.

  It wasn’t going to be easy, but waiting till dinner made no sense. If construction had to stop, the soon the better. She picked up her phone and sent a text.

  ARE YOU FREE TO MEET ME NOW?

  It took a few minutes for him to reply. Of course with a question instead. IS EVERYTHING OKAY?

  She didn’t want to get into it via texting. That was so unprofessional. YES. CAN YOU TAKE A BREAK NOW?

  BE RIGHT THERE. ARE YOU STILL AT MY HOUSE?

  He had dropped her off. Where did he think she’d have taken off too? But now wasn’t the time to be snarky. It wasn’t the tone she wanted to set. YES. TAKE YOUR TIME.

  He must have sped all the way, because within ten minutes, he was coming up the deck stairs.

  “You must’ve driven like a maniac.”

  He huffed. “I was out getting some supplies a few blocks away. What’s wrong?” he asked as he sat in the chair across from her.

  “I need to talk to you about the work.”

  “Yes, it’s getting done. Yes you’ll like it.”

  “That’s not what I’m concerned about. We…we never discussed how much this is going to cost me.”

  “You had me rush over here to talk price? Couldn’t we do this later?” Caleb asked.

  “Caleb, I…I don’t want you to think I don’t have money, but sitting here it dawned on me that I might not have as much as…you think.” As much as you. Living on the Vineyard took a lot of money. She’d been lucky to do so well with her books that she could do this. But she also had loans out as well. Monique didn’t want to rebuild the office space only to lose it for nonpayment.

  “Trust me Monique, I’ll be more than fair in my pricing.”

  “That’s not answering my question. I need to know I can afford you,” she stated firmly.

  “You can’t.”

  She practically chocked. “You’re not joking are you?”

  “No. You can’t afford me Monique. But I didn’t talk price with you because I’m only going to charge you for materials.”

  Now she really was confused. She was a businesswoman and what he said didn’t fit at all. “Caleb, I am trying to be serious here. I need to plan appropriately.”

  “Monique, when I heard what that piece of shit did, take your money and ran, I was…livid. I can’t give it all back to you, but what I can do, is make it cost effective for you to move past it.”

  That was something she could relate too. Actually she just offered Wynde to come here to help her get past something painful as well. But she and Wynde had known each other for several years. She just met Caleb. Does that matter? Does the amount of time make it more acceptable? In her mind, yes, but that didn’t change anything.

  She reached out and covered his hand with hers. “Caleb, you have been…extremely nice to me. But I can’t let you do that. I’d feel like I’m taking advantage of your kindness.”

  Caleb turned his hand over so that he was now holding hers. “Monique, trust me, no one makes me do anything I don’t want to. But I’m on vacation and how I chose to spend that time is my choice.”

  “And fixing my office is it?”

  “It is,” Caleb said flatly.

  This wasn’t the answer she’d expected. How was she supposed to respond? Caleb seemed to be the one person who could throw her off her game. She always was in control of everything and with him, she didn’t feel as though she had any.

  “I can’t let you do this,” she said firmly.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Simple. It’s not right. You should be sitting here on your deck enjoying yourself. Instead I’m here and you’re at my place working. You can’t tell me that sounds logical at all.”

  “I believe you’re here because I offered it to you. And I’m working because it’s what I enjoy doing.”

  This was not going anywhere and she was getting frustrated. “Caleb, there has to be something you enjoy more than working.”

  He said, “There is.” Leaning closer to her he asked, “And what about you? Anything you’d rather be doing than working all the time?”

  Caleb was so close she could barely think. She’d fantasized about kissing him so many times. Strangely enough, she’d never kissed anyone with a beard. Did it tickle? She knew it would against certain parts of her body. Yes there was something she’d wanted to do. Would it be wrong to run her hands through his hair and pull him into a searing kiss that would leave them both breathless? But it was getting harder and harder to ignore the chemistry between them. Last night, he’d been so close to kissing her but Mary-Lou wouldn’t stop hovering. Today, they were alone. There was nothing stopping him. Maybe he just needed a bit of encouragement.

  She leaned forward, “I can think of a…few things.” Monique traced her top lip with her tongue and noticed Caleb eyes following it. Kiss me damn it.

  Caleb’s hand moved gently up her arm, so gently as though he was afraid to touch her. As his hand continued higher his fingers played
with a lock of her long hair that had fallen free from her bun on top of her head. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you walk into The Café. Mary-Lou didn’t have to tell me who you were. You were even more beautiful than I’d heard.”

  She didn’t care what people thought of her looks, but when he said she was beautiful, it sent shudders of pleasure rippling through her.

  “I still want you Monique. But I don’t want you to regret anything. Definitely not anything I do. If you want me to kiss you, you’ll have to tell me.”

  She swallowed hard. Kiss me already. Her silent pleas did nothing. So she leaned in closer to him and softly she whispered, “I want you to kiss me…here,” she pointed to her lips, then to her neck. “And here.” Then she let her fingers run down between her breasts, “And here.”

  “There are a few places I want to kiss that you haven’t gotten to yet.

  Her breath escaped her as his lips claimed hers and seared her with desire. There was nothing slow and gentle in this kiss. It was harsh, desperate, and the urgency of it shocked her. His lips tugged on hers and his tongue teased her mouth, teasing her to open for him. Not that she needed any coaxing. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  She pulled him even closer, wanting more. He met her hunger as though he couldn’t get enough of her. All she knew was she needed more of him. While his lips practically devoured her she ran her hands up his back, her nails raking downward with each nip from his teeth. When she broke their embrace and nipped his neck, a deep growl rumbled in the air.

  Monique didn’t know what had happened to make what was supposed to be a business meeting turn into some out of control desire for each other, but there was no stopping now. Her heart was racing, but her pulsing need between her legs wanted his lips and tongue to kiss her much more intimately.

  “We better…take this…inside,” Caleb stated between kisses. He didn’t wait for a reply, which was good, she barely could think straight. He scooped her up into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist, and carried her inside his home. All she could feel was his hard cock pressed against her. Even through all the clothing, their need couldn’t be disguised.

  When they got deeper into the house, they were met by an unwanted guest. That cute fur baby was jumping up trying to get Caleb’s attention. Or maybe more like rip Monique out of his arms. She was a jealous pup and didn’t like her owner having any female attention.

  Caleb paid Molly no attention and when they entered his room, he kicked the bedroom door shut, leaving the whining puppy outside. Sorry girl. I know you’ll hate me even more later.

  Caleb’s hands slid down to her collarbone, and continued down the sides of her breasts, before stopping at her waist. Don’t stop! But his hands lingered there, gripping her shirt in his hands as though he wanted to rip it from her body. That sounded good to her. Rip all her clothes off, because she wanted to do the same.

  He pulled back to look at her. “What is it…” she whispered as he stared at her, the intensity in his gaze making her stomach spin with nerves.

  “You make me want to get lost in you. I’m always in control Monique, but you threaten to make me…lose it.”

  “You stole mine away the moment we met. And Caleb, I want to feel what has been haunting my dreams at night. I want to feel you touching me.”

  “I want to touch, kiss and taste all of you Monique,” his voice husky with need.

  She held her breath as he tugged her shirt over her head and let it drop to the floor. Then he removed her bra and his eyes roamed over her. Soon his lips returned, this time tugging at her hardened nipples.

  She gasped as goosebumps erupted all over her. She had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but for the moment, all she wanted to do was feel. Feel his touch, feel the closeness of his body, feel the way he was loving her. His touch was like a slice of heaven and she didn’t want it to end.

  Monique reached up and pulled him closer. She hopped into his arms and once again, wrapped her legs around his waist. Caleb supported her bottom and held her hips close to him. She could feel the thickness of his arousal as he rubbed himself against her. The throbbing at her center was becoming unbearable.

  Nuzzling her throat, he continued to tell her how beautiful she was. How much he wanted her, needed her. She could barely speak as her moans continued to escape her lips as he ground himself to her.

  When he laid her on the bed, he stood there as though admiring her. “Beautiful…” he whispered when he looked at her, his raspy voice sending shivers through her.

  She much rather her view of him. He was…wow…spectacular? Perfect? She had no words, and for a writer, that was rare. It was all her senses blending into one, that made it impossible to describe. But there was one thing she knew, she wanted to see more, no all, of him. “Caleb, take off your clothes.”

  As he stripped off his clothes, she wiggled out of the remaining of hers. She wanted nothing between them.

  He joined her on the bed, and lying beside her, he gently bit and sucked at her breasts. His hand was teasing her, rubbing her with the heel of his palm, then turning his hand to position his fingers at her entrance. She was more than ready for him. She moaned and arched her hips in invitation. When he finally slid his finger into her, her body shuddered. The need had been so intense that she barely held back her release.

  His skilled hands refused to let her hold back and all too quickly, she felt the first wave take over her, and soon she was reeling as the ache became a delicious pulsing release. She lost track of everything but his touch. Her body hadn’t even recovered from the first and already was demanding more. “Now, Caleb, please,” she muttered, “I need you now.”

  She felt him leap from the bed, heard the foil packet being torn, and quickly he returned to her. His dark eyes were heavy with his own desire. She wanted him to feel as good as she was feeling. As he settled at her entrance, their eyes never left each other. And when he slid inside her, his eyes became even darker as though experiencing pure ecstasy. It was exactly how she felt. Like a connection that was meant to be. They fit perfectly and everything felt so damn right. If she wasn’t careful, the beauty of what they were sharing would overwhelm her. This wasn’t time for tears, it was time to share, enjoy, give and take.

  Thoughts of what this all meant faded as he entered her again. Over and over again, he filled her, each stroke killing her in the most pleasurable and sensual way she could imagine.

  His loving sped up until it felt urgent. She heard his breath quicken, felt it on her skin, and knew the pressure was building. Her hips met his and she wrapped her legs around him pulling him even deeper. Knowing he felt the same sweet ache as she did was an aphrodisiac for her pushing her closer to the edge.

  Soon, she was gripping the sheets for dear life, screaming out his name, her body taut, she shook from a release that was more powerful than anything she’d ever experienced. Then she felt him tense and an animal growl escape him as he lost control too.

  Completely spent, gasping for air, they collapsed flat on their backs, trying to catch their breath. Their bodies still reeling from passion, they turned to hold each other.

  After a gentle kiss, he relaxed by her side and held her close. Just before she drifted off to sleep she heard him say, “Sleep angel. I’ve got to go back to work.”

  She reached out for him, but it must have been in her dreams, because when she woke, she was alone. The scattered clothes and the sweet smell of their love making was proof it wasn’t all a dream. It was the sweetest reality she’d ever experienced.

  Damn. I can’t even write as good as this was.

  Monique was tempted to stay in bed, but she felt guilty enough that Caleb had returned to her place to work. How did he have any energy left? Then again, he said he’d promised to finish it by her deadline. Maybe she should face it. It was time to postpone that writers retreat. Forcing things to happen when they shouldn’t would only turn out to be a disaster.

  And when it happens on it
s own, its freaking glorious.

  She rolled over just to get a few more minutes of much needed rest, but then she heard the whining on the other side of the door.

  “I’m coming Molly.” Dressing quickly she opened the door and thankfully was met by a very sweet and forgiving puppy. “How about a walk on the beach?” Molly barked and danced around. “Okay. A treat too. But don’t tell Caleb. He said only one a day.” Molly ran to the treat jar and waited. Monique gave her the treat, but Molly had a sad look on her face. “I know girl. I miss him already too.”

  As she made her way outside, she realized she wasn’t accomplishing much at his home either. If she ever wanted to make it through that manuscript, she was going to need to go to the library. They don’t allow any screaming there. Thankfully Caleb didn’t have any neighbors living close by, or their afternoon delight might be the talk of the town.

  6

  He didn’t want to leave her alone in bed. Hell, there was nothing more he wanted to do than rest for a few minutes and go for round two. But what had occurred, well that shocked him. Caleb needed some time to think and he wasn’t going to be able to do that with her lying naked next to him.

  But for Caleb, hard physical work was where he did his best thinking. He’d broken his word, not only to her, but to himself as well. That never happens. Why was it he couldn’t resist her? Maybe it was because it wasn’t just her physical appearance that he was attracted to. She was smart, motivated, funny and on top of it all, sexy as fuck.

  Ya. He was lost and that was before they had slept together. Add the smooth silky feel of her skin, the taste of her lips, and how fucking amazing it felt to be inside her, he might as well quit working right now and go back to her. Just thinking of her made his cock get hard. He had no idea how he was going to get through dinner with her and keep his hands to himself. Maybe dinner in bed would be better.

  Caleb was thirty-six and he was horny like a teenage boy. This was crazy. They had just met and less than a week later, Monique had his thoughts tied up in knots.