“We’re going to have to slow down now, baby.”
I pull away from him for a moment. Sucking in air, my body feels like I’ve just run a marathon. What’s going on with me? Am I on the verge of going insane?
“That… what have you done to me? I feel like I’ve hit puberty again and I’m discovering the joys of making out.”
“That’s not funny, Bexley, you are… the most… I can’t even put it into words.”
“You’re at loss for words?”
“Yeah.” He adjusts his groin.
“Oh!” Holy shit. “Jace.”
I have to think fast. I mean... maybe we should go for it and then, we’ll see what we are about. Make it or break it.
Not that I have any doubt in my mind about him.
But. You never know.
Without wasting more time, I push my wet panties down my thighs and I watch his face as he gulps.
“O-okay.” He whispers with water running down his face in rivulets. Such a nice sight to start the day.
“Yes.” I step closer to him and he doesn’t move I slide my fingers underneath the waistband of his underwear. Still, he makes to attempt to help or stop me so I push them down as I did with mine. Our eyes locked together, I see a sheen of lust or desire covering his. He wants me, maybe even more than I do. He has been waiting for me for a lot longer.
“Not here.” He says when his drenched boxer briefs hit the shower floor.
“Why not?”
“Come on, if we’re going to do this, you deserve better than a quick romp in the shower.”
He pulls my hand not leaving me a choice but to follow him out. Once we are by the bed, he cups my face with his two hands and slowly pushes me down on the mattress. The weight of his full naked body on mine is turning the burner back on. He’s warm, soft and more than I could have imagined.
“I don’t have any condoms.” He says as he stretches over to his nightstand and rummages through the top drawer.
“Oh... I’m on the pill and I haven’t been sleeping around, as you probably know.”
“Okay... okay... so we’re good?”
I nod and he starts kissing me right away.
If he doesn’t have any condoms, it shows that he didn’t have intentions of sleeping with me tonight or he would have been ready. Right? I mean, a man who’s only after sex would think about those kinds of things... I think.
Enough about the condom conspiracy, I have this handsome man kissing me and making my body sing Amazing Grace. This can’t get any better.
As the epic make out session keeps on going, our bodies slowly fall into a natural rhythm and it is as natural as icing cupcakes.
My hand drifts from his strong shoulders to his hard as a rock sculpted backside. This is perfection. I can’t help but compare him to Derek even if I shouldn’t but the difference is too important.
It’s the same as cruising in a tank then driving a Rolls Royce.
“Jace.” I say in a low voice.
“Are you okay?” He asks with that sexy voice.
“Okay isn’t right. It’s amazing. You are amazing.”
This moment we are sharing is special in every sense. I’ve never been treated so exquisitely by a man. The way he kisses or touches me is so delicate and respectful, yet I also feel his desire and virility behind every move he makes.
The sensation down there is building into a perfect O. My toes curl, my fingers are gripping the sheets or Jace’s hair, anything I can hang onto at this point.
The rhythm of ours speeds up, getting us both to that point. The crescendo we are both striving for.
“Jesus, Bexley, if you don’t stop gripping me like that I won’t.”
Of course, the naughty little devil in me tightens the grip.
Jace groans into my neck. “You’re killing me.”
“I think we are pretty amazing if you ask me.”
I meet him thrust for thrust. By the sound of his breathing or the sweat covering his pretty face, I know he’s close to the edge.
It keeps building and getting bigger or heavier in my belly. It is a foreign feeling but I don’t mind getting better acquainted with it. Jace groans again and somehow throws my name in there.
His lips continue to devour mine and BOOM... the big O spread from down my sex to every nerve cell in my body like an atom bomb would do, a shockwave the likes of which I’ve never experienced. I have no clue what’s even happening after. I think I’m losing it. My body is melting against Jace. His beating heart becomes my primary focus as my body floats through heaven on earth.
Breathe. I feel so good in his arms. It’s the best feeling in the world.
“Bex, you have to get up now or you’ll be mad that I’ve let you sleep in.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s 8 am. I called Cecelia and she’s fine taking care of things until you make it in.”
“Jace King, I’ve never been late. What are you doing to me?”
“Well, I think I’m doing good things to you. You seemed pretty pleased actually.”
I jump out of his bed naked and to the shower I really need to take now.
At that moment, it hits me. We didn’t use protection. I’m the first to hate condoms but that wasn’t a smart move. My cousin got pregnant while she was on the pill. Then I start counting to know if I’m in the dangerous days of my cycle but I’m not. I shouldn’t worry about it. I mean, the statistics are good with the pills, right? I breathe in and exhale.
It’ll be okay.
Right?
Chapter Seven
It’s four in the afternoon and I haven’t heard from Jace since he dropped me off here this morning. I mean it’s okay but I thought he would come by at some point during the day.
“I think the mix is okay. You have been stirring for the last ten minutes now.”
“I thought the dough was too thick.” I sigh. “I’m lying, I was thinking about Jace.”
“How is it going with him?”
I know she is dying to know about us and the reason why I was late this morning.
“I spent the night with him at his place last night but trust me it wasn’t as romantic as it sounds. We made out, yes, but I passed out while we were watching a movie and only woke up this morning. Then, we, umm...” The blush that rose to my cheeks burned as hot as a four-alarm blaze as images from this morning flash back into my mind. Yes, it was that amazing. I didn’t make it to the bakery until almost 10 am because Jace couldn’t keep his hands off me as I tried to get ready. Not that I’m complaining. “That is the only good reason that would make you come in late. It has never happened before.”
“Well, I could see it happening again.” I confess.
“So, it’s getting serious already?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. It’s hard to tell for sure but I’m trying not to get too attached, you know?”
“You need to chill. Time will tell you whether it’s working or not.”
I should try to chill and just take it as it comes. Jace has been single for a long time so I’m sure it’s an adjustment on his part as well as mine.
I get back to my fresh bread while she is taking care of the pastries. She decided to prepare fewer quantities of our most popular items since we don’t expect many customers to show up. The amount of snow outside is going to stop many of us from running errands. Tomorrow should be better once they cleared the roads and people felt like shoveling their way out to their car.
I’m closing shop with one strawberry shortcake left. The morning was terribly slow but the afternoon was great. I got many of my regular customers venturing out looking for something sweet. Most of them are in Christmas mode already and I’m starting the prep work for the holidays tomorrow. All my cakes are going to be Christmas themed. The hard work starts tomorrow whether we have more snow or not. This is the high season where I can’t fail. It’s tiring but so worth it.
“Boss lady, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”
“We have a lot on our plate. We are operating with full staff too which means Felicity and Carla are in by 7:30. Christmas is just around the corner and we have to be ready. Snow or not, people have parties to attend or they are getting ready to host one. We got this.”
“Of course, we do. We always do.”
“Thanks for today. It means a lot that you came in and got things started for me.”
“It’s not every day I get a call from Mr. Jace King himself.” She giggles.
“You are silly. I still can’t believe he called you and let me sleep.”
“I bet you needed it.” She laughs.
I want to crawl under a table and hide but she’s right, I so needed it. “Oh, please, stop.” I laugh too.
Cecelia leaves the bakery laughing at me while I roll my eyes at her. “Whatever, girl.”
I make a quick list of the priorities in the morning. Braided bread, Panettone, cinnamon star bread, etc. I have a lot to do and I’m looking forward to it. I think this Christmas will bring a new meaning to my life.
When it’s time for me to leave, I sigh at the thought of not having any calls or text message from Jace. The best thing I can do is call him myself if I miss him that much or wait.
I like him a lot but I don’t want to chase after him either.
Walking to my place, the sidewalk has been cleared of the snow and so was the entrance of my apartment. Sweet. No shoveling needed. I climb the stairs, unlock my door and walk through the door as I have been doing ever since I moved here.
There’s something different this time, I step back and notice the Christmas wreath on my door with a tiny card and box. Of course I’m thrilled and I forget right away how much I missed Jace all day.
Walking back inside my place with both the card and box, I can’t wait to open them. First I take off my jacket and boots and turn on the heat as chills run down my back.
I curl up on the couch with my thick leopard blanket and open the small envelope.
Bexley,
I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you.
Derek
Well, that’s bullshit. I throw the card on the floor as if it ruined my day. And in a way it has. What good can he give me in that box? Ridiculous. The box is way too tiny for all the things I wish he could give back. My whole life, for example.
I tear the paper wrapper with such anger that I might have torn the box too.
It looks like a jewelry box, one that I have seen before. It’s the pink diamond earrings his grandmother gifted me on our wedding day. He knows I love them but I left them in the safe when I left. I had to cut ties in every way possible. Since the fire occurred, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that I had still had belongings in the safe.
But...
Derek came here. He must have been the one who cleared my entrance. This is not okay. I get up again to check if my door is locked.
It is.
Shit. I don’t feel unsafe around him but I do not want to be around him. It’s pretty simple.
I’m surprised he was able to come here at all. That means he isn’t in jail. I have no clue what the sentence of what he did could possibly be.
Now, I have to cook dinner and I don’t feel like it. Yesterday’s dishes are still lying on the counter. Ramen noodles might just be what I call a dinner tonight.
Or a grilled cheese. There is nothing like melted cheese and two extra buttery slices of bread. It’s heaven in my mouth.
I get the ramen ready and throw it in the microwave while I take care of the grilled cheese. If I’m going to eat junk, I might as well do it right.
What I hate about ramen noodles is how good it smells because they are pretty much the opposite of healthy. Let’s be real, it’s terrible.
The card from Derek still has my blood boiling. How dare he come here?
“Unbelievable!”
I add a thick layer of butter to my bread slices and a mix of cheddar cheese and Monterrey Jack in the middle.
“That better be good.”
As if it wouldn’t be. I can’t fool myself. It’s cheese, what’s not to like?
The only thing missing right now, is a TV. That would be great!
And Jace too. I mean, wherever he is right now, I hope he is okay.
I eat my emotions. That means both grilled cheese sandwich and ramen noodles are going directly down to my stomach. The holidays are just around the corner. It’s my first Christmas as a divorced woman. It’s hard. I’m happy to be starting a new chapter of my life but the status of being divorced weighs on me. It means I failed or we failed. I’m not sure. I’m proud that I got out of the marriage but I hate the title it gave me.
Once I’m done with what I call a dinner. I stab a fork in the leftover cake from last night.
Damn, Bex, stop eating and stop feeling this way. You had the best sex ever this morning. That means I’m supposed to have a smile glued on my face for at least a week... or until the next time.
To help my mood, I click play on a YouTube Christmas songs mix and get ready to clean up my mess. I start with the bullshit card I received which I throw in the trash but the earrings ... I’m keeping them. There’s nothing wrong with that. His grandmother is the definition of a sweetheart and I’ve always loved her gift to me.
Dish after dish, I clean the kitchen and feel sick to my stomach for all the bad nutrition decisions I’ve made tonight. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so much cake or everything. Too late for regrets now.
I sing along to pretty much all of the songs when suddenly my doorbell rings. Damnit.
“Hello, who is it?”
“Bexley, it’s me.”
Not Jace but Derek. “I’m with my sister. Can I come in? I mean no harm.”
“Derek, you can’t keep showing up like this.”
“Please.”
Groaning with frustration, I unlock on the door and let them in. The only reason why I’m allowing him in is because of his sister, Natalie. I’m pretty sure I can trust Natalie. When I started dating Derek, we became good friends and then, she met someone and our busy schedule made it hard to hang out anymore. I’ve always been there for her and her for me through the years but I kept the issues of my marriage under lock and key. She idolized her brother, and they were always very close.
“Hi Bex, sorry for just barging in here like this.” Natalie says giving me a one armed hug before stepping back towards Derek.
I shrug. “Why are you here again?”
“I owe you an apology.”
“Only one? You sure owe me more than one, Derek.”
“I know but I came here wanting to talk about what happened yesterday. The bakery, the house and how I have involuntary included you in my problems. When I found out that you were with another man, I lost it.”
“We are divorced. If I meet the right man, I might give it a try.”
“It sounds like you have already met the right man.”
“Derek.” Natalie warns him.
“Fuck! I’m sorry. That’s why I came here, to say that I’m sorry.”
“Thank you but it doesn’t mean your intrusions in my life are okay by any means. You have to stop that now.”
“I love you, Bexie.”
I shake my head. “No, you don’t get to call me Bexie. Do you realize that I have spent years looking after you when you were drunk? Years... all the promises we had made to each other to start a family, be happy, taking care of each other, none of that happened. I cared for you 100% but I lost ten years of my life. Ten years I can’t have back. That is the truth, how I feel right now. Instead of having kids running around the house like most couples do, I have an apartment by myself.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know you are now, but being sorry now doesn’t change anything.” I breathe in. “I think it’s best if you leave now and give me the space I deserve.”
“Okay. Thank you for letting us come inside.” Natalie says.
My words appear to have touched him. He looks bro
ken, or hurt.
“I’m... I’m thankful for everything that you have done for me. I promise I’ll keep my distance from now on.”
I watch them leave my apartment speechlessly. The door closes and I’m left staring blankly at it. Will he go to jail for what he has done? I don’t know and I didn’t ask him either.
Still in shock that Derek showed up here with his sister, I sit on my couch and go through what was said. Maybe I was harsh with him, but we’re divorced and it’s too late to want me back. End of our story. I’m working on a new one now. Already.
Resting my head on the couch, I inhale deeply and exhale slowly. “This is fucked up but I can’t let this ruin my day.” I say out loud but I don’t move an inch. It exhausted me to have to face him and Natalie. I wasn’t mentally prepared.
The doorbell rings out again.
“What the hell? Is this some kind of a joke?” I say to myself as I get up and ready to open the door again.
I ask who’s this praying it isn’t Derek again, hoping it is Jace. Please.
“It’s Jordan and Mitch from the fire station. We have something for you.”
Yeah, okay, I know them. Jordan prefers extra icing on his cinnamon buns and Mitch loves cannoli’s.
“Okay, hold on a second.”
I wonder what they want. Is Jace okay?
I unlock my door for the second time tonight and open it up for them.
“Everything okay? I ask wondering why they are carrying bags and a huge box.
“We came here for two reasons.” Mitch says reaching my door first.
“Jace and half of our guys are out of town helping set up an emergency camp. An apartment building was completely destroyed last night and there are many families without a roof over their head tonight. Our guys are over there helping set up temporary shelters and making sure everyone has a bed to sleep on.”
Oh. Well. That makes me feel like a spoiled brat. He is kicking butt somewhere around here to help people and I’m here missing him and wishing he would call.
“Do you know how long he will be there?”
Country Wishes Page 58
