Torrid Rush: A Single Dad Romance (Bad Boy Studs Book 3)

by Scarlett Avery

  I take in the theme of the day, as ‘Greased Lightning’ comes blaring through the speakers. Customers sing along, shake their hips and even do the hand moves of the iconic musical. Some hardcore customers have gone as far as wearing costumes. Only in LA.

  Everly has a winner on her hands.

  As the bridge blares through the speakers, a familiar face carrying a tray approaches me. Aline is wearing a black fitted top with a pink flared skirt with the print of a poodle. The chunky heels and tiny white socks add to the effect.

  “Ah, bonjour!” she says. “You again. Welcome back to Sugar Glaze Shack.”

  “Thank you. Nice outfit. Very fifties,” I wave my finger up and down the length of her body.

  She stares up before undressing me with her eyes.

  Suddenly, I feel naked.

  “Nice. Very nice man.”

  All right.

  “Well, thank you for the compliment.”

  “It had to be said.”

  “Good thing it’s off your chest now.”

  “Effectivement.” I frown. “Indeed.”

  I smile down at her.

  “Where’s your boss?” I cut to the chase.

  “She asked me to take you to the kitchen. It’s less crowded there. If you’ll follow me.”

  I extend my hand, “Lead the way, madame.”

  She giggles at my bad French. “That came out sounding like, madman.”

  “Sorry, I barely manage with English.”

  “It’s okay,” she shrugs. “You have other assets.”

  No one can ever accuse her of not speaking her mind.

  Aline parts the crowd with each step she takes, almost using her tray as a shield. I’m right behind her. Everly’s cousin looks up as I pass by him. I expect him to say something, but he just gives me an approving nod. What a departure from last week.

  Just as we enter the kitchen, the music changes to “You're the one that I want”. I follow Aline down a hallway, passing through a kitchen bustling with activity. It’s quite hilarious to see Everly’s employees singing along to the song.

  “Is the boss hiding?” I chuckle.

  “We’re nearly there,” Aline tells me and continues to bob her head to the music.

  When the bridge hits, I catch sight of a drop dead gorgeous bombshell.

  “Everly?” I blink, unable to believe my eyes.

  “Tell me about it, hot stud,” she gives me a slow suggestive smile and a seductive pose that could set the entire state of California ablaze.

  I swear I’m a breath away from losing control.

  For Christ's sake.

  My donut dominatrix looks fucking hot.

  I mean, good enough to eat right here in the kitchen with an audience.

  My eyes sweep up and down the length of her body, taking in how her outrageous outfit accentuates every one of her slender curves. The teasing way she rocks her hips up and down to the beat of the music is pure sin.

  Jesus.

  You’d never think I came twice in the shower this morning.

  I step in front of Aline, zooming my attention to the woman I ravished a few nights ago. “What the hell? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

  “What are you talking about?” she asks innocently.

  That raised eyebrow lets me know she’s fully aware of what she’s doing to me.

  “The outfit.”

  “Not a good choice?” Her plump mouth painted in red slides into a sly smile.

  Oh, my cock is rigid with approval.

  I look around, worried my arousal might be obvious. Luckily, her employees have scattered. Even the French girl has disappeared.

  Interesting.

  I lean into Everly. This close, I inhale her scent. Even though the kitchen permeates with sugary notes, her perfume is very distinct. Very her.

  “Fuck, you look hot,” I whisper in her ear.

  “So you do like it,” she whispers back.

  “That’s putting it mildly. Tell me you’re not going to go out into the shop dressed like this, precious.”

  I have no right to be this possessive considering I just met this woman, but I can’t help it. What she’s wearing is incendiary.

  Everly looks like someone poured her into a pair of super tight black latex pants. The black top she wears off her shoulders—which is as fitted as those pants, by the way—hugs her like a glove. Her hair frames her face in a cascade of soft curls. The red and purple ends add a flicker of light to her mischievous eyes.

  Christ.

  My balls are as heavy as one hundred pound dumbbells hanging low in my jeans when my eyes fall to her feet.

  Damn.

  I’d like to see those red open toe heels dangling from my shoulders.

  “No. I was expecting you,” she tells me.

  “This is for me?”

  “Yeah, hot stud.”

  If I don’t grin like a fool.

  I’m starting to really like that nickname.

  My amusement quickly turns to worry when I remember how she was willing to let me corrupt her a couple nights ago. My eyes shift down to her wrists. Everly is wearing two wide red bangles. No doubt to conceal the signs of our steamy night.

  Smart.

  “So the employees are part of your seduction plan?”

  “They are.”

  “Even the cousin?”

  “He is.”

  “He’s not going to kill me?”

  “Not a chance,” she tells me.

  “Lucky me.”

  “Guess so,” she says. “Back to the outfit.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “I was just trying to be helpful,” she taunts with a flirty smile.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Last night, you said I’d be the star of your dreams––”

  “Were you ever.”

  “Really?”

  There’s that shyness that’s so endearing.

  “Really.”

  For a few long seconds, we just grin at each other.

  “I wanted to give you some material for tonight.”

  For tonight? Try for the next year.

  I consider her for a few long seconds.

  “I’m sorry, but as sexy as the outfit is, it won’t do.”

  Confusion paints her beautiful face.

  “It won’t?”

  “No, precious.” I bring my hand up and drop it against her cheek. She leans into my touch. “You just upped the ante.”

  “How so?” she asks in a coquettish voice.

  “Turn around,” I tell her.

  “Aren’t you going to tell me?”

  “Turn around,” I repeat.

  She does as she’s told.

  I fish inside the little bag I’m carrying and pull out her necklace. I slip it around her neck and she holds it while I fasten the clasp. Without having to ask, she lets her head fall against my chest once I’m done.

  “I came here to see you, deliver your necklace and grab some donuts. I wasn’t expecting this level of excitement. Now, I have a raging erection that’s going to require some attention.”

  It takes a Herculean effort not to grind my hard cock into her back. We may be isolated here, but her employees aren’t too far away.

  “Right now?” She tries to turn inside my arms, but I won’t allow it.

  “No.”

  “Later, then?” Amusement laces her words.

  She’s playing this game like a pro.

  “You don’t have plans for tonight?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Can I see you?”

  “I’d love that.”

  I brush her hair over her shoulders, lean forward and press my lips against the back of her neck, kissing her tenderly. I linger there for a moment. “Good answer. Do you live far?”

  “I live upstairs.”

  “You do? What about that house your aunt and uncle left you?”

  “You remembered?”

  “You’re surprised?”
>
  “I am. You were paying attention.”

  “I was transfixed by you, I didn’t have a choice.”

  “You have a way with words, Mr. Christensen. To answer your question, my aunt and uncle’s house isn’t too far. Since it’s way too big for one person, Callum helped me find a leasing company. It’s fully rented. The apartment upstairs is more than I need.”

  “It makes sense. Is nine o’clock okay for tonight?”

  She nods her approval. “That’s perfect.”

  With her back still pressed against my chest and my arms wrapped around her, I lean further and brush my lips against her cheek. She shivers. “Fair warning. I’ll have to punish you because now I have to double my efforts for the rest of day.”

  “I don’t follow.” Her ragged breath causes her chest to heave.

  “It’s going to be a struggle for me to focus on work… when my mind—” and my cock— “would rather focus on you.”

  CHAPTER 20

  Everly

  Flashback Fridays are always eventful, but today’s kicked off with a bang. After Holt’s text on Thursday night, I was flying high. I couldn’t believe a guy like him would be dreaming of me.

  Me?

  It was Ainsley’s suggestion to turn up the heat for when Holt dropped by. I took it up ten notches. Since it’s no longer a secret the hot rocker dad is the one who’s been sending me the enormous bouquets of flowers, I enlisted the help of my employees for my devious ruse. Things went much better than planned. Now, I’m pacing my shop waiting for my sexy hookup to arrive.

  Just thinking about him gets my pulse to surge. I was dripping wet when he left. So much so, I had to rush upstairs to my apartment for a little alone time.

  I don’t even recognize this new Everly. I mean, there I was rubbing one off before ten o’clock.

  Wow.

  I finally know what I’ve been missing all these years. No wonder Ainsley has been nudging me to expand my wings. Sex with Dalton was bland and boring. I just figured that’s the way it’s supposed to be. He never once brought me to orgasm. And he didn’t believe in oral sex unless I was the one on my knees. He’s a soon to be president, after all. As if. Ainsley pushed me to learn how to take matters into my own hands.

  Bless her.

  Holt Christensen made me come more times in one evening than my ex did in the four years we were together.

  What an epiphany.

  A knock at the front door shakes me out of my reverie. I look up and immediately recognize the shadow of his imposing figure. I turned down the lights in the bakery to add a little ambience, leaving the streetlights to illuminate the god-like body of this perfect man.

  My pulse is already jackhammering.

  Damn.

  He knocks again, but this time he peeks in the window. I guess he catches sight of my shadow because he waves.

  That elicits a smile from me.

  I turn the music on and sashay to the door—as elegantly as I possibly can in my high heels—unlock it and swing it open.

  “Oof, seriously, precious, you have to stop doing this to me,” he offers as a greeting.

  That man’s smile could make me do crazy things.

  “Good evening to you,” I smile back. I let him in and lock up behind him.

  “Good evening.” He steps closer and drops a soft kiss against both cheeks. The contact is too short because already, he’s pulling away from me. “Be still my beating heart,” he says, raking his eyes down the length of my body. “What happened to the other outfit?”

  “Too hot and too tight.”

  “Because this one isn’t tight?” he chuckles.

  “This one isn’t as tight,” I correct.

  I traded my Sandy from ‘Grease’ number for an outfit still reminiscent of the fifties. I opted for a fitted hot pink skirt that hits me below the knees and a sculptured off-the-shoulder white top. The strappy white open toe heels complement the look, and the rectangular silk scarf with printed flowers adds a touch of demure to the daring outfit.

  “I like it. It’s very sexy. Very pinup,” he says.

  “Thanks.”

  “I thought you looked good enough to eat earlier, but this vampy outfit puts the other one to shame.”

  “You don’t look too bad yourself.” I return the favor by brushing my eyes down his frame.

  Holt is sporting a stylish California look. He’s wearing a long-sleeve blue t-shirt, a pair of slightly loose-fitting jeans and a pair of polished, laced-up leather boots. A few strands of hair flirt with his forehead, giving him the quintessential bad boy look. As usual, he rocks a tight beard. The man is every bit the model.

  “There’s no comparison here. You win hands down, precious,” he smiles.

  “Thank you,” I beam.

  “At least now I don’t have to hold back.”

  Without warning, his hands reach around me and he pulls me towards him, slamming my body against his.

  “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the last time I had my mouth on you,” he says and brings his lips firmly to mine. His tongue twists in my mouth, dancing with mine, stroking and tasting every inch of me. When he pulls away, I’m panting so hard I’m certain the windows in the bakery will start fogging up.

  God.

  “I know I’ve said it before, but you’re a great kisser.” I lick his taste off my lips.

  “I love kissing you.” His response leaves me dumbfounded.

  “Oh, gosh, you’re wearing my pink lipstick,” I say, reaching my hands up to his mouth.

  “Leave it,” he says, grabbing hold of my arm.

  “Okay.”

  “I guess I was too mesmerized by you, it’s only now I hear the sultry music. Is this why you asked me to park at the rear of the building and enter through the front door?”

  “Maybe.”

  “What do you have up your sleeve, donut dominatrix?”

  “Nothing you can’t handle, hot stud.”

  He growls before pulling me into another passionate kiss.

  “Fuck this,” Holt grunts into my mouth. “Can anyone see us from outside?”

  Huh?

  “Not if I turn off the lights. This isn’t a busy street at night.”

  “Do it.”

  “What?”

  “Turn off the lights.”

  “We’re staying here?” I shriek.

  “We are.”

  Surely I misheard him.

  “Here, here?” I ask. I even point to the floor.

  “I thought I could make it upstairs to your place, but everything about this outfit frayed my resolve.”

  His tone leaves very little if any negotiation.

  My heart is beating so fast with excitement it's affecting my thinking. It’s the only explanation I have because before I know it my feet are moving on their own accord and I walk around the shop turning off lights.

  “Done,” I say when I come and stand in front of him.

  “Good.” Even in the dark, I can see a hint of a predatory glee in his blue eyes.

  “The top and skirt, off.”

  I swallow hard.

  Shit.

  He leans against the counter behind him and crosses his muscular arms over his strong chest. He also crosses one foot over the other at the ankle. His stance is intimidating.

  I hesitate.

  He waits in silence, his eyes boring into mine.

  We’re at a standoff.

  “Who can’t handle it now?” he borrows my words.

  I haven’t come this far to chicken out now.

  Reaching behind me with shaking hands, I pull down the zipper of my skirt and wiggle my way out of it until it pools at my feet. Wow. I’m really doing this. I step out of it, grab it and drop it on the counter. I then grab the bottom of my top and pull it over my head in one quick motion, leaving me standing in the middle of my shop in my lingerie.

  Holt mutters something under his breath that sounds an awful lot like, “You’re killing me.”

  �
��Even in the dark, I can tell that’s one hell of a combo,” he says.

  “The color of the lingerie matches the skirt.”

  God, that was so corny. I guess I’m nervous after all.

  “I want to rip it off you, but it looks too good to destroy. Strip out of it for me,” Holt commands.

  This is uncharted territory for me.

  I stand there debating.

  His eyes are on me, studying me.

  Suddenly I’m very self-conscious. I inhale a deep breath, praying I don’t make a complete fool out of myself.

  I’m awkward at first.

  “Nice and slow, precious,” he says.

  Still, my nervousness shackles me.

  “I already have a hard on, so you have me. This is just a little icing on the cake,” he says in a raspy voice.

  In that case.

  His words boost my confidence.

  I find the bad girl in me and let her loose.

  I remove my panties like I’m a burlesque dancer at one of those showy performances at the MGM in Vegas. I even throw them at him. He catches them easily and brings them to his nose.

  “Mmm,” he hums, inhaling my scent. “Smells like you’re ready for me, precious,” he grunts before tucking my panties inside the pocket of his jeans, but I don’t have time to object.

  “The bra.”

  I do as I’m told.

  “Catch,” I say, laughing.

  He does and tosses it over his shoulder.

  I let out another laugh when the strap hooks over one of the iPads.

  “You’re in a playful mood. I like it,” he says.

  “Amongst other things.”

  If I’m going to be daring, I might as well go all the way.

  “Time to play, then.”

  He pushes himself off the counter and walks towards me. With a slow and confident stride, he circles around me unrushed. The wait is excruciating. He comes and stands in front of me when he’s done teasing me. His hands reach out and cup my bare breasts, pulling and twisting my nipples as I arch into his grip.

  Jesus.

  “Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he says in a whisper.

  I swear I’m going to melt.

  His hands move up to my scarf, he unties it and wraps it around his fist. “Was this part of the plan?” he asks.