I could feel him smiling with his lips against mine. I wanted to scream at him it was no time for smiling. I was going to die. He slid his finger inside me. It was all I could handle. I groaned low in my throat as he coaxed an orgasm out of me that felt like it had pulled every nerve and muscle into it. My body was as tight as a bowstring as he probed his finger in and out of my body.
I had just barely begun the descent back to whatever heavenly place he had sent me when I felt him crawling over me. I opened my eyes, finding him watching me with that intent gaze that always made me feel like he could see right into my mind.
He’d taken off his underwear at some point, and now the head of his cock was resting atop my slick folds. He was looking at me with such profound emotion, I felt my breath hitch. It was as if he was trying to connect with my soul before entering my body.
He rubbed his cock against me before gently pushing the tip inside. I was slick, easing the way for his large size. I couldn’t look away from him. He slid in a little deeper, his eyes growing heavy-lidded, but he never once took his gaze from mine. His entrance was slow and methodical, just like everything he did. Every inch of him slid over the raw nerves until he was seated deep inside my body, his weight resting on his elbows.
“Ecstasy,” he whispered.
I licked my lips, unable to say much. My body was still his to command, and my brain felt sluggish with the desire pumping through my veins. He languished inside my body, unmoving. He was doing nothing, and it was better than being fucked hard and fast.
I whimpered. “Oh god.” I could feel another orgasm spiraling through my body. The intensity of his mismatched eyes staring at me and the feel of him completely connected with my body was doing a number on my senses.
Everything was attuned to him. He began to move, nothing more than a gentle rotation of his hips. He slid slowly out and then back in with no hurry. He was savoring every bit of it. I went through life at full throttle all the time. I never knew how good things could be when I slowed down. Way down. I had a new understanding of him as he rocked himself inside me.
It was a full mind and body experience. I felt him stiffen and knew he was close. I arched my back, sucking him deeper inside my body. I rolled my hips under him, sliding up and down his dick while he stayed completely still.
“Yes,” he groaned the word, his gaze still locked on mine as he jerked and spasmed inside me.
His orgasm triggered my own. Together, locked in one another’s eyes, we tumbled into total bliss. I wrapped my arms around him and tugged him down against me. He fought it at first, but I was no shrinking violet. I pulled him against me, wanting to feel the weight of him on me.
I could feel his heart pounding. I kissed his cheek before running my hands through his shaggy hair and then down his back.
“I’m squishing you,” he whispered, rolling to the side.
“I like being squished by you,” I said with a small laugh.
He smiled, brushing his hand over my face before kissing me. “I kind of like squishing you.”
“Is that all? I think I kind of like a lot more than that.”
“I like so much more than just being squished.”
He rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. I rolled to my side, tracing my fingertip over his chest before dropping a kiss on one of his flat nipples. “I had a nice time tonight. You and that piano? My god. I was ready to strip naked and beg you to take me right there.”
He chuckled. “That would have left some jaws dropped.”
“I don’t think I was the only one feeling that way,” I told him. “Your music and the way you play and the way you pour your soul into every note, it’s captivating.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you ever played in front of a crowd before?”
He looked at me. “No. Tonight was a first. I was kind of pissed at first. Not pissed, but I did feel a little sabotaged.”
I dropped a kiss on the tip of his nose. “That’s what I was going for—safe sabotage. You either played, or you didn’t. I had no doubt in my mind you would be great at it. I just wanted you to see how great you were.”
He nodded. “I certainly feel a lot more confident now. I think I’m ready to conquer the world after tonight.”
I smiled. “Well, that’s definitely a good thing. Does this mean you don’t need me to sabotage you anymore?”
“No. Definitely not. I think I need lots more sabotaging.”
“When can I see you again?” I whispered, hoping he would tell me soon.
“Are you busy this weekend?”
I slowly shook my head. “I won’t be if I can spend it with you.”
“Then clear your schedule. We’ll do something that will work for Jace as well.”
I smiled. “He’ll like that.”
“Don’t let him forget to have my candy report ready,” he said sternly.
I giggled. “Oh lord. He’s going to blow your mind with how technical he can get.”
“Nope. That’s exactly what I’m hoping for.”
I kissed him again, and since I had the whole night, I figured I might as well use it to my advantage.
Chapter 17
Theo
I was doing my best to focus on work, but my thoughts constantly went to Harper. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. There weren’t enough adjectives to describe her accurately. She was beautiful and kind and funny and everything a man could want.
I wanted her. I knew I wanted her, but I wasn’t sure that was what she had in mind.
“Ready to go for another spin?” Sawyer asked as he breezed into my office.
I looked at him and shook my head. “No thanks.”
“What are you doing? I went to the lab and was surprised you weren’t there.”
I shrugged. “I’m returning emails and reviewing the latest profit and loss report.”
“Wow.”
“I do that—sometimes.”
He smirked and took a seat in the chair across from my desk. “How was your date the other night?”
I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over my face. “Good. Really good.”
“Did you go to dinner?”
“Yep. We went to a piano bar.”
He nodded. “That sounds like it’s right up your alley.”
“It was. I played.”
He blinked. “You played the piano at the restaurant?”
I grinned. “I did.”
“Holy shit.”
“I know. It shocked the hell out of me as well. She got on stage and called me out. I couldn’t turn her down. I played and it was amazing. I think I might actually like playing in front of a crowd.”
He was looking at me like I had three heads. “That’s new.”
“I know. It’s her. She’s showing me how to live without fear.”
“Good. I like that. I didn’t really get to talk to her that first night. I’d like to talk with her. I want to know what her secret is.”
I looked away. I wasn’t about to talk about her secret. “I don’t know,” I mumbled.
He slapped a hand on my desk. “Holy shit! Are you serious?”
“Serious about what?” I asked with confusion.
“You hooked up with her?”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t hook up with her. I’m not like that and neither is she.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine, you slept with her?”
I shrugged. “I’m not discussing that with you.”
“You did,” he said with real shock. “I had no idea you liked her that much. Now I really have to meet this woman.”
“You did meet her,” I pointed out.
“No, like meet her and talk with her. I can’t remember the last time you went out with someone, let alone slept with them. That’s a big deal for you. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
He was looking at me and smiling. “She’s really pulling you out of that shell you created for yourself. In all the years
I have known you, I’ve never seen you play the piano in public. Hell, you don’t even play around me.”
I shrugged. “Things change.”
“Tell me about her. What does she do?”
“She’s not broke if that’s what you’re asking.”
He shrugged. “We both know how risky it can be for a guy like you to date. I don’t want to see you hurt or used.”
“She’s got a good job. She’s the founder of Halloweenfest. She has it trademarked and is doing very well for herself. She isn’t interested in me for my money.”
“Good to know. That last chick you dated, she was a piece of work.”
I cringed. “Julie. I thought I was safe since her father was some big real estate investor. I didn’t realize he was broke and pimping out his daughter to the highest bidder.”
Sawyer nodded. “That was sad because I thought she could have been a contender. That is, until I saw her kick that dog. That bitch needed to be kicked.”
“She did a good job of putting on a good image, but she was not nice. Her nagging me for every little thing damn near drove me crazy.”
“Why you’d date her so long if you didn’t like her?” he questioned.
I shrugged. “I only dated her a month. I kept hoping I would like her eventually. I would like to be married one day, and it felt like I was running out of options.”
“You have a lot of options,” he said firmly. “Never settle.”
“I’m not exactly a dream catch for pretty young women,” I told him. “I know I’m a little different, and few women are okay with staying in all the time. They want to go out and travel and attend parties. I’m never going to be that guy. I’m always going to be shy and awkward, and the women I’ve met are not okay with that.”
“Until now.”
I nodded. “She’s okay with my weirdness.”
“You’re not weird. You’re a little eccentric, but the creative types are always like that. I’m glad she’s in your life. Do you think it’s serious?”
I smirked. “We’ve had one date.”
“But I can see the difference in you, and I know you’re feeling that difference. You’re into her.”
“I’m not going to push it. We’ll see how it goes.”
“She has the kid, right?”
“Yes. I told you that.”
“Are you sure she isn’t looking for a daddy?” he asked.
I laughed. “Why would any woman look at me and think, hey, that guy would make a really good dad?”
He laughed. “I suppose you’re right. I’ve been working with our team to get some stuff together for the booth. Marketing is rushing some stuff to the printers, and we’ve got several people volunteering to work the festival. Apparently, it’s a hot ticket, and they are all ready and willing to hang out and get paid to do it.”
“Maybe we should close the factory for the day and buy tickets for the whole team?” I suggested.
He grimaced. “That could be difficult. Production would be interrupted, orders wouldn’t be filled, and business would suffer.”
“One day. We’ll close a few hours early. Do it. I want to support the festival, and I want to win over my crew. I have to do something to endear me to them.”
He smirked. “You want to buy their love?”
“Yes. If that’s what it takes, I do.”
“All right. I’ll talk to the department managers. You are going to be making some serious waves.”
I nodded. “It’s about time. I never make waves. I want to rock the boat.”
“Oh lord. She’s creating a monster.”
“I like the idea of being a monster. I’m going to the lab.”
“What? Right now?”
“Yes, why, did you need something?” I asked.
He sighed. “No, but we were having a conversation. It’s a little impolite to just get up and walk out.”
I waved a hand. “You can follow me to the lab and converse there. I want to work.”
“Go ahead. I need to go break the news to the managers. If you hear screaming, that’s me being murdered. Come save me.”
I was barely paying attention. My mind was already on candy. “You’ll be all right,” I mumbled and headed toward the lab.
I needed something spectacular. I needed something that screamed Halloween but was fun and exciting and new. I wanted to launch it at the festival. I knew Sawyer would have been apoplectic if I would have said that to him. I would wait until I found the right flavor combination, and then I would spring it on him.
I wandered around the lab, looking at pictures of other candies I had created. I thought about what kind of flavor I wanted. Apple seemed like the logical choice for a fall candy, but I wanted something more. I wanted something that would create some serious buzz.
I was thinking something juicy and fruity and unlike the heavy taste of caramel or chocolate. I needed inspiration, and I knew where to get it. I pulled the phone from my back pocket and pushed the button for Harper.
“Hi,” she answered.
“Hi. What are you doing?”
“I’m sitting in my office going over some plans. What are you doing?”
“I’m in my lab, and I was hoping to pick your brain.”
She giggled. “I don’t know that there is much to pick.”
I smiled, thinking of her face lighting up as she laughed. “What are some of the favorite types of candy you liked when you were a kid? Chocolate? Taffy? Sour stuff?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. That is something I would have to think about. Can I get back to you on that?”
“Of course.”
“For this weekend, I was thinking maybe we could go to an art museum. Would you like that?”
“I love art.”
“It is kind of an interactive place that is kid-friendly,” she explained. “Were you okay spending time with Jace?”
“That depends,” I said.
She cleared her throat. “Depends?” she asked, her voice curt.
“Yes, it depends on whether you are going to make me get up in front of the crowd and paint a picture like Bob Ross.”
She burst into laughter. “I will spare you that horror, but do you paint?”
“I’m afraid to answer that. I feel like it is one of those things that could be held against me at a later date.”
She giggled again. The sound warmed my soul. I loved hearing her laugh. I loved seeing her when she laughed. She was a very happy person. It was a little infectious. “I promise I will not make you paint in front of the crowd—this time.”
“Then it’s a date. What time?”
“Let’s say ten, or is that too early?”
“Ten works.”
“I can’t wait to see you again,” she said in a low voice.
“I look forward to seeing you again. Jace too.”
“He’s going to be thrilled to see you. He’s been working on that little homework assignment you gave him. I hope you’re ready for his critique. Every night after dinner, he brushes his teeth, drinks water, and then tries a piece of the candy.”
I grinned. “That’s awesome. I can’t wait to hear his report.”
“I’ll see you Saturday,” she said before hanging up.
I slid the phone back into my pocket. I felt good. I felt warm. I liked talking to her. I was looking forward to hanging out with her again. And Jace. I never thought I would like hanging out with a kid, but he was pretty cool. I loved that he was a quiet intellectual.
I hadn’t gotten much help from Harper, but it was okay. I was onto something. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do and was ready to move forward. I set about gathering the supplies I would need, taking great care in writing everything down. Too often, I had created something awesome only to realize I had no idea how it got that way. I could get a little carried away when I was in the lab. I got so busy creating, I forgot to think about what I was doing to create the masterpiece.
Not this time. I turned on the small
hotplate I used and got busy melting down the sugar I would need for my latest idea. I was actually hoping to impress Jace, which was a new one. I usually created candy with the general public in mind. This time, I had one little boy in mind. I wanted to make something awesome for him and present it to him and the world.
Chapter 18
Harper
“You’re perkier than usual,” Kylie said from her desk.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.
She smiled. “Yes, you do. You were humming earlier.”
“Was I?”
She nodded. “I recognized it, but I’m not sure what it was. It wasn’t a song from this decade.”
“No, it wasn’t. Not even from this century. It was a piece Theo played the other night. Classical piano.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Well, look at you, all uptown and classy.”
I smiled. “You really have to see him play the piano. It is mesmerizing. I can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of the piano, but when he plays it? Oh lord.” I waved my hand in front of my face.
“You’re an odd duck. How do you get turned on by a piano?”
I sighed. “Trust me, when you see the way he plays the piano…” I stopped talking and closed my eyes, thinking back to the way his fingers had played over me.
“Oh god!” she exclaimed in horror. “You’re thinking about sex.”
“I am not,” I lied.
She waved a finger. “Oh no, you don’t lie to me. I can see it written all over your face.”
I smiled. “Fine, I’m thinking about sex. He’s so good at it. You wouldn’t think a guy like him would be good at it, but lord have mercy. He made my toes curl.”
“Good for you. Don’t say another word. I have to be able to look the man in the face. If you give me details, all I’m going to be thinking about is sex. With him. I can’t look at him and think about sex. That will make things very awkward.”
“Don’t think about my man and sex,” I warned.
“Your man?”
“You know what I mean.”
She smiled. “I do.”
“It’s nice,” I said.
“What’s nice?”
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