“I have a wedding Saturday morning and a dance competition Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.”
“Is that what you like photographing the best? Competitions?”
“I’m not sure. I like people, but candid shots are my favorite. Unfortunately, taking candid photos of strangers isn’t a way to make a living.”
“The picture you took of the girl eating ice cream has gotten a lot of buzz.” He’d been following Hailey on her social media accounts and had read the hundreds of comments and the shares.
“I wish all my clients were like that little girl. Less concerned about their looks and more focused on enjoying life.”
“Have you ever thought about getting into the children’s business?”
“What do you mean?”
“There are models with special needs for clothes, shoes, and other stuff. Or what about foundations for different charities? They don’t want candid photos of those perfect people you despise. I’ve helped a few organizations start up their websites. There’s potential there.”
Hailey dropped her fork and stood. She then paced his kitchen, her hands on her head as if deep in thought.
“Are you okay?” He couldn’t read her face. Something between deep in thought, insecurity, and a piqued curiosity.
“Do charities and foundations hire professional photographers? I’ve been part of some fundraisers and always figured the pictures were taken by family members. But you’re right. There are always photos of the events, be they road races, art festivals, craft fairs. This could be a real thing.”
She covered her mouth with her hands and tapped her fingers against her cheeks while she paced some more before stopping in front of him.
“I don’t think you’re going to win this one.”
“What do you mean?” He stood and held her hands.
“This might be the best idea I’ve ever heard. I love it. And you’re totally turning me on by not knowing how smart and sexy you are. I know your game, and you want it all slow and sweet, but right now I kinda want you naked and at my disposal. You know, to thank you for coming up with the best idea ever.”
How the hell was he supposed to say no to that? “I mean, I guess if it’s a thank you it would only be rude of me to say no.” Keeping her hands in his, he wrapped his arms around her, resting their joined hands on her ass.
“That’s what I was thinking too.”
“I’d like you to thank me in my bed, though.”
“How about the couch?”
“How about my bed?” He walked her backward to the stairs.
“Does it have to be slow?”
If she wanted her release to come quickly, he’d appease her, but he was holding off for a good while. Not until he’d touched, licked, kissed, and massaged every square inch of her body.
Twice.
He told her just that as he kissed her all the way to his bedroom, and they fell together on his bed.
WHEN SHE COULD FINALLY breathe at a normal rate again, Hailey opened her eyes. “Okay. Wow. Your turn.” Her sweatshirt had vanished somewhere in the room, as had her jeans, yet Carter was still completely clothed.
“We’ll get there.” He kissed the tip of her nose and rolled to the side of the bed like he hadn’t just given her an orgasm of epic proportion.
She could hear him dig around in his nightstand. Right. Condom. A second later he rolled to his side facing her, a deck of cards in his hands.
“I’m at an unfair advantage for a game of strip poker.”
“These aren’t playing cards. Well, not that type.” He opened the box and showed her.
The blue, yellow, and purple cards from the resort. “I can’t believe you stole the Freemans’ sex cards.”
“They’re not sex cards, and I didn’t steal them. I bought them.”
“What?” She burst out laughing. “Did you buy the crystal collection as well? You’re really going to lose your man card when your buddies find out.”
“They can laugh all they want, but look where they got me.” He reached out and skimmed his hand down her bare shoulder and, tucking his hand under the covers, followed the path to her cleavage.
There was some truth to his statement. Granted, she’d still be in his bed even if he hadn’t bought the cards.
Carter held them out in front of her. “Blue, yellow, or purple.”
“Seeing how I just saw a kaleidoscope of every color in the rainbow, I’d say we’re way past the blue and yellow.”
“Sweetheart.” He selected a blue card and put the rest of the deck between them.
Hailey lifted herself on one elbow. She remembered the comment he’d made at the resort about not having to orgasm. He may be okay with giving and not receiving, but she wasn’t. She wanted him naked and inside her. Pronto. “Fine. I’ll play your game, but not while you’re fully dressed. At least take your shirt off.”
Carter’s laugh ran deep and touched her in places that it shouldn’t. Last week, it reverberated between her thighs, and laying naked next to him, it should have been doing the same. Instead, it touched her heart.
She laid down on her side and tucked her hands under her cheek while she watched him strip. When he settled again, she picked up the card.
“Favorite fruit?”
Carter made an elaborate, slow production of sliding his hand up and down her thigh and then squeezing her butt. “Pear.”
She rolled her eyes even though her heart did a little flutter dance in her chest. She may have mentioned a time or two at the resort how her pear shape was not meant for shorts. Her comment had backfired and made him ogle her butt every chance he got. She knew because he told her ... every chance he got.
“Your turn.”
He picked up a card and read it before bringing his gaze to her. “Other than a restaurant, where would you like to go on our next date.”
“Blue cards are boring? Where’s the sex stuff?”
“Answer the question.”
“So bossy. I could handle going back up that mountain.”
“Can’t be somewhere we’ve already been.”
“You can’t make up rules. The card doesn’t say that.” She ripped it out of his hand. Nope. It didn’t.
“As the card flipper, I reserve the right to amend the question.”
“That’s not amending.” She stuck her foot out to give him a nudge and decided at the last second to slip it between his legs. Maybe it would speed up the card game, so they could get to the end.
“I know your tricks, Ms. Webster.”
“Fine. I’ll play by your cheating rules.” She ran her foot a little bit higher until he clenched his knees together, stopping her from where she really wanted to go. “Hiking. I like hiking.”
“Perfect.” He flicked the card over the bed, watching it land on the floor. “Your turn.” He held the deck out for her.
Hailey took one from the middle. “What is your favorite smell?”
“Easy. Vanilla and brown sugar.”
“Sweet tooth?”
“Only recently.” He reached out and played with the end of her ponytail.
Her favorite lotion and body spray set was Winter Sugar Cookie, and she’d recently found a shampoo and conditioner set in a similar scent. Vanilla bourbon. Just because she didn’t drink it didn’t mean she couldn’t wear it. She stocked up after Christmas, making sure she had enough to last her the year.
Carter brought the tip of her hair to his nose, closed his eyes, and inhaled like he was breathing in heaven. Those goose bumps that were sexual signs not too long ago made their way to her chest.
Too much. Too soon. She flicked the card as he’d done earlier. “Let’s speed this up. Yellow now.”
Carter withdrew a yellow card. “Where do you like to be kissed?”
“The mouth,” she said, quickly reaching for the card.
“Besides the mouth.”
“Hey, I didn’t amend my card.”
“That was your choice.”
Today had been the first time she’d been kissed down there, but she wasn’t ready to tell him that. He’d shocked her when he’d trailed his kisses between her breasts, across her round stomach, and between her legs. She was embarrassed at how much she liked it. How much Carter made her feel like a beautiful, sexy woman.
“Fine. The neck. Next.”
He took the card from her and moved in closer, placing his lips on her lower neck close to her shoulder. “Here?”
Closing her eyes, she sank into his warmth. “A little higher,” she sighed.
“Here?” His lips touched just under her chin.
“Back,” she moaned.
He pressed his lips right under her ear. “Here.” This time the word came out as a statement instead of a question. He didn’t touch her anywhere else, yet she could feel his heat on every inch of her body.
Her foot tried to slide higher up his jeans. They needed to go. She lowered her hands, searching for the button of his jeans, and he rolled away.
“Your turn.”
She opened her eyes and scowled at him. “You already did the foreplay thing. Now it’s just teasing.”
“Is it working?” That adorable smirk filled his face.
“No. Now I’m frustrated.”
“That means I’ll have to work harder to make sure you’re completely satisfied.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, intentionally killing the moment, and picked another yellow card. “Boxers or briefs?” she asked without even looking at the card.
“It doesn’t say that.”
“I amended.”
Carter lowered his eyes at her. “I’ll play. Boxer briefs, but you already know that.”
She glanced at the card and read. What’s something you want to tell your partner, but you’re afraid of his/her reaction. Nope. Not going there. “Great. Moving on.” She flicked the card away.
He took a yellow card, read it, then tucked it in the front pocket of his jeans. She was still annoyed that he hadn’t stripped down all the way to his birthday suit.
With a smugness she’d seen plenty of times before, he said, “Where do you want me to touch you right now.”
Hailey blinked away her surprise. “I thought these cards were meant to prolong sex. Oh.” She nodded in understanding and approval. “Amendment.”
“Nope. That’s what it says.”
“Does not.”
“Don’t trust me?” He sounded so cute and sweet she could practically feel the cavities forming in her teeth.
“Should I trust you?”
His grin softened to somber and serious. “Yes, Hailey. You can trust me. Always.” He shifted closer to her and cradled her chin in his hand before he kissed her softly.
“Perfect,” she sighed into his mouth. “Right here is perfect.”
He withdrew slightly. “Full disclosure. There’s a part two to the question. It says I can’t touch you where you want me to right now. It’s for me to hold onto until it’s time.”
“Rule breaker.”
“Sometimes. Only when it benefits both of us.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“You sure?”
“Totally.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Why don’t you invite your new friend over for dinner?”
“My new friend?” Hailey changed her phone to speaker mode and set it on the counter while she cut the fresh Brussel sprouts in half.
“The Eggersons said you’ve had a gentleman caller.” Rosie laughed. A sound Hailey found comforting and entertaining at the same time.
“The Eggersons are awfully nosy for being people of God.”
“They’re looking out for you. They promised your father they would.”
“Carter picked me up for a work trip last week and brought me home.”
“According to Mrs. Eggerson, he’s quite smitten with you.”
“How could she know that? He literally introduced himself and left.” She added the sprouts to the prosciutto and seasoned them with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
“That woman is quite intuitive. Now, tell me about this Carter. Does he have potential?”
Oh, he had way more than potential. Their lovemaking a few days ago proved that over and over again. They went through a dozen more cards, sharing secrets, laughing, and flirting. She’d never experienced a relationship like this before. A guy who honestly wanted to get to know her, and didn’t act like he was suffering through the ritual of dating and mindless conversation just to get to the sex.
“Yeah, he has potential.”
“Good. Invite him to dinner.”
“It’s kind of last minute. He may already have dinner plans.” She put the sprouts in the oven, set the timer, and carried the cutting board to the sink.
“Do you know that he has plans?”
Actually, she knew he didn’t. On Thursday morning when she woke from his bed to the smell of bacon and coffee, she’d slipped into her sweatshirt and a pair of his sweatpants and found him in the kitchen.
They’d talked about her busy weekend, and he told her about his work. Busy, but the great thing about his job was, for the most part, he could determine his own hours. He’d never mentioned anything about Sunday.
“Fine. I’ll ask him. But if he does come, tell Dad no funny business. Make sure he’s normal, okay?”
“Your father? Normal?” She laughed, which in turn had Hailey laughing.
When they hung up, she sent Carter a text asking if he wanted to have dinner at her parents. His reply was immediate.
I’m on my way.
“Crap.” She assessed her outfit. Leggings and a T-shirt. Fine for a family visit, but not for a family dinner with Carter. If he was literally on his way, she had twenty minutes to freshen up.
Her favorite jeans that gave her butt a nice lift were clean and still folded neatly in her laundry basket. Wiggling out of her leggings, she dropped to her bed and tugged on her jeans, then ripped off her old staff shirt from one of the events she’d photographed for a plain black tee.
Checking herself out in the mirror, she was satisfied with the look. It didn’t scream hot date, nor did it scream Sunday bum. Cute and casual. She darted to the bathroom and brushed her teeth, then ran her mascara wand across her eyelashes.
Her phone buzzed from the kitchen. She wrestled her feet into a pair of slide-on sneakers and answered. “Hey. I’ll be down in a second.”
“I take it I can’t come up.”
“Mr. Eggerson may be slow as molasses, but the Mrs. will beat you with his cane if she sees you even attempt to knock on my door.”
“While that piques my curiosity, I’ll wait by the truck.”
“‘K.” She hung up and slipped her phone into her back pocket. Grabbing her keys, she opened her front door and raced down the steps.
Carter greeted her halfway between his truck and the house. “Will I get the evil voodoo hex if I kiss you right now?”
“If she was a witch instead of a church lady straight out of a Little House on the Prairie novel, then yes. Either way, keep your paws to yourself until we round the corner.”
“In that case,” he bowed his head and held out his arm. “After you.”
She got to the truck then remembered her Brussel sprouts. “I’m such an idiot. I forgot something in the oven. I’ll be right back.” She darted back to the house, up the stairs, and opened the door to the screaming oven timer.
In an old house like this one, the place would have gone up in seconds if she had left the sprouts to burn all night. She turned off the timer and the oven, and slipped her hands into two oven mitts.
They smelled and looked perfect. Caramelized, sweet, and salty. Putting the mitts on the counter, she covered the dish with tinfoil and then set it in a whicker carrier Rosie got her last month. Every family dinner, Hailey brought either a salad or hot vegetable dish, but she never had a way to carry the hot stuff.
Her thoughtful stepmother got her the carrier as a sort
of housewarming gift, with a message that she’d really like Hailey to stay in Maine permanently. They didn’t talk about her temporary status at family dinners. It was a sore subject between her and her parents.
They didn’t understand why she couldn’t settle here. She had yet to run into one of her old classmates, but the thought alone brought out more anxiety than she could handle. She was finally in a decent place within herself, and hearing the hateful words, or seeing the judgmental scorns from people from her past was not her idea of a good time.
Traveling gave her the opportunity to start over, to start fresh. Only, she traveled in the same circuit for so long that her reputation followed her. Or rather, she stupidly brought it with her. Escaping back to Maine and not taking on the out of state jobs that filled her inbox was the only way to start over. Even if she hadn’t been running away from an abusive situation, she still would have found a new pathway for her photography.
Weddings were fun, but they wouldn’t satisfy her forever. She’d been lucky to find some impromptu ones, or be a fallback when the original photographer had to cancel.
And then came Carter and his beautiful, amazing epiphany the other night. It was a game changer. Tomorrow, she’d prowl the web and send out her resume and portfolio to nonprofit organizations.
Picking up her carrier, she made her way carefully down the stairs. Carter was at the doorstep and took the dish from her.
“You sure you got everything this time?”
“It’s your fault. You got here faster than I expected and made me forget I had food in the oven.”
“Made you forget, huh?” He kissed the top of her head.
“Hey.” She nudged him with her elbow.
“To be fair, you make me forget too.”
Dang, if her heart didn’t puddle right there. Carter was unusually quiet on the drive to her parents. The twenty minutes gave her time to calm her racing heart. Granted, it always raced when she was around him.
Before she was ready, he pulled into her parents’ drive. She didn’t grow up in the best area of town, but her parents did a nice job keeping up the trailer and small flower bed. It was as small and cozy inside as it was on the outside.
All of You (A Well Paired Novel Book 7) Page 18
