by Shyla Colt
“No problem.” Ryan stepped back and held up his hands. “We were just having a lively discussion.”
“Right. Remember what I said.” Alaric stared the man down as he left the store.
“What was that about?” Josh asked.
“A guy who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. Rosaleen mentioned her ex had shown up. I didn’t realize he was so pushy.”
“He bugging her?” Josh questioned, standing taller.
“I think so. He hasn’t taken her no for an answer. He thinks if he keeps pushing the issue, she’ll give in.”
“And they think we’re backward out this way,” Josh drawled. “You want us to pay him a visit at his hotel?”
“No, just hang back. I think we could keep an eye out for him on the strip though.”
“Yeah. I’ll pass the word on to Chris tomorrow, too,” Josh said.
The best thing about living in a small town was that they looked after their own. He debated on whether he should bring it up to her or not. She was trying so hard to move forward and create a new life. I’ll sit on it for now.
DANGLING THE TO-GO bags from Salvatore’s in one hand he knocked on her door. The door swung inward, and he grinned.
“Food delivery.”
“You knew exactly what I needed today.” She smiled up at him. He saw the strain in her eyes.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen at lunch?” he asked as he stepped inside and she closed and locked the door behind him.
“Only if you count delusions. He did apologize and explained where he was at the time, which was nice. He took it as a sign that I wanted to pick up where we left off. I told him flat out I didn’t.”
He hesitated. Now isn’t the time to add more stress.
She rolled her eyes. “I forgot how stubborn and bullheaded he could be.” Pausing, she exhaled. “But enough about him. We have everything we need to have a nice, relaxing evening, which I think we could both use.”
“If lunch went okay, why the stress?”
“My numbers are down again.” She frowned. “It stresses me.”
Setting the dinner on her cocktail table, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to rest against him. “It’s going to be okay.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come on, let me serve you tonight, yeah?”
“If you insist,” she sighed playfully, leaning back against the couch, and he winked. Moving confidently in her kitchen, he grabbed plates and glasses, transferring the food from the takeaway containers. The strain around her eyes and the tension in her shoulders pained him. Starting up a new business took a lot out of you mentally and physically. He’d had the support of the community to back him in his endeavor. She was still struggling to solidify her spot here in the tight-knit town. Though she would deny it, she was well-liked by those who’d gotten to know her. He kept telling her to give it time, but every day counted when you had loans to repay, monthly bills to handle, and your dreams weighing in the balance.
I might not be able to make the situation better, but I can take her mind off it for a while. Setting up a spread, he sat down beside her.
“Dinner is served, m’lady.”
Leaning over, she tilted her head up, and he swooped down to kiss her lips. “Thank you for this.”
“I figured a date night in would be just what the doctor ordered for both of us.”
“Was your day as taxing as mine?”
His thoughts drifted to the confrontation. “I had some disgruntled potential customers.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Gross. They hadn’t even purchased anything, and they were complaining?”
“We had a difference of opinions.” He shrugged.
“I’m sorry, babe.”
“Now that I’m here with you, my day is infinitely better.” He nudged her shoulders with his own. “Eat.”
Huffing, she rolled her eyes. “So bossy, hero.” Balancing her plate on her lap, she cut into her crisp chicken smothered in the best pasta sauce he’d ever tasted. Cutting up his lasagna, he watched her anxiously as she brought the first bite to her lips. Her surprised moan made him grin.
“Right?”
She held a hand up to her mouth as she chewed, then nodded. Swallowing, she turned to him. “Okay, they live up to the hype.”
Pleased, they tucked into their food. The quiet between them was peaceful as they refueled and unwound.
“You brought the food, at least let me help you clean up.”
“Nu-uh.” He shook his head.
Sighing, she frowned. “Alaric.”
“Nope. I’m treating you tonight, sugar. Just let it happen.”
Pouting, she leaned back.
“It’s a shame you aren’t used to being spoiled. We’ll have to fix that.”
Gathering their garbage, he started up a small batch of dishwater. He didn’t have enough to fill a dishwasher, and he didn’t want her to have any work to do.
“You know there’s something sexy about a man wrist-deep in soapy water.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. He leaned back against her, soaking up her lavender scent before he continued with the dishes.
“I aim to please, sugar.” She rested her head against his back. Finishing, he placed the plates on the drying rack. “I think it’s the bubbles that do it for you,” he teased.
“I think you do it for me, hero.”
“Why don’t we explore that theory more closely, hmm?”
“What?” She released him, and he spun, pinning her against the sink. Plopping a pile of bubbles on her nose, he smiled as she giggled.
“I still can’t tell if it’s me or the bubbles.” He leaned in and captured her lips in a slow kiss, ignoring the tickling sensation as the bubbles popped on his skin. Her soft lips yielded, and he slipped his tongue inside, savoring the sweet flavor of the cannoli. Parting her legs, she cradled his body with her own. Her eyes darkened with desire. She nipped his bottom lip and tugged, pulling a moan from his throat. Cupping her face, he smeared the lingering bubbles across her cheek as he sucked on her tongue. She ground her hips against him, whimpering into his mouth.
Pulling back, he brushed her lips with his and hummed. “Still not sure.”
“Alaric. Don’t tease.” Her breathy response and the feel of her curves pressed against him made his pants uncomfortable.
“Tease? I’m simply conducting an experiment.” He nibbled his way down her neck.
“It’s you.” Her raspy tone made him twitch. She wiggled.
“You keep squirming, and I’m going to end up showing you more than the relaxing evening I had planned.”
Her lips curved up into a wicked smile. “I want you to show me, hero.”
“You sure about that?” He leaned back, studying her face. They’d gotten hot and heavy, but this would be a foray into new territory.
“So, sure.” She rocked with every word. Gripping her hips, he lifted her up onto the counter beside the sink and devoured her lips. He slipped his hands beneath her soft sleep shirt, and caressed the smooth, heated flesh beneath. Skimming around to her front, he teased the curve of her breast, learning the shape and weight with light touches.
“Alaric,” she wrapped her legs around him, “I need more.”
“Tell me what you want, sugar.”
She arched her back. “Touch me.”
Stroking her beaded nipples through her silken bra, he pinched the distended pebbles lightly and tugged.
“God, yes.” Her head fell back, and he watched the passion that painted her face.
Pushing her shirt up, he latched onto her right breast, massaging the other. Jerking, she clutched the back of his head as he took as much of her into her mouth as he could, suckling while he teased her opposite breast, rolling her swollen nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Heat seeped from her thin sleep shorts, nearly scorching him. He released her.
“No.”
“Shh.” Unbuckling her bra, he released the golden-brown mounds with dime-siz
ed peaks. “I need to taste you.” Cupping her breasts, he tasted one and then the other, feasting on her supple flesh. The scent of her arousal reached him, and he inhaled deeply.
“If I touch you right now, how wet will you be?” he purred.
She spread her legs. “Why don’t you find out?”
He kept his gaze locked with hers as he slipped his hand into her shorts, beneath her underwear. Her hot nectar coated his fingers. Moaning, he gathered the slickness and circled her swollen clit.
“So wet.” Closing her thighs around his hand, she swiveled her hips. “That’s it, sugar. Let me make you feel good.” A fresh gush of wetness accompanied his words. “You like it when I tell you what to do, don’t you?” Teasing her entrance, he pushed the tip of his finger inside of her core. Her walls clutched at him greedily.
“More,” she demanded.
“Are you going to take my fingers deep?” He eased farther inside of her tight sheath. “Whatever sugar wants, sugar gets.” Tilting his finger, he started a slow rhythm her hips quickly caught on to. He added a second finger and curved his digits, issuing a come-hither gesture that wrung a strangled cry from her lips. “That’s my good girl. I want to feel you come all over me.” The wet squish and her throaty cries were music to his ears. Her muscles fluttered around his fingers, and he increased the speed.
“So close.”
“Give it to me,” he crooned. Face flushed, eyes at half-mast and hips pumping wildly she came apart. He continued to stroke her, drawing out the shuddering release. Slumping back against the cabinets, she panted as he removed his fingers and brought them to his lips. She had a rich salty-sweet flavoring. Sea salt caramel. “You’re delicious. Want to taste?”
Sweeping his tongue into her mouth, he shared her essence. She hummed, sliding her tongue along his own before they parted to take in oxygen. Licking her lips, she smiled up at him.
“I think it’s time I return the favor. Don’t you?”
“Tonight was for you.”
“Then you won’t deprive me of the one thing I’ve been daydreaming about for weeks. My lips wrapped around you while you lose that careful control you always have over yourself.” The images she invoked made his tip leak. “You did say whatever I want.”
Easing from the counter, she sank onto her knees in front of him, a goddess with swollen lips and wicked intentions visible in her dark brown eyes. Her slender fingers made quick work of his pants. She released him from his boxers, and he sprang forward, swollen and dripping pearly liquid. Gathering the beads from his slit with the tip of his tongue, she had his eyes rolling into the back of his head. She wrapped her hand around his base and stroked him, steadily twisting her wrist as she took him into the wet cavern of her mouth. Hollowing her cheeks, she made good on her promise to test his control.
Burying his fingers into her thick, coarse hair, he thrust slowly. She sucked harder, and he bucked. Gagging, she opened her throat. He grit his teeth when he felt his tentative hold began to slip. Humming, she brought out the beast he’d tried to keep in a cage. Thrusting fast, he felt his spine tighten.
“Sugar, I’m close.”
She hummed louder, and he grunted. Over sensitized, he trembled when he exploded. Watching him with smoldering eyes, she took everything he had to offer. She stuck out her tongue, showing him her prize before swallowing it down.
Panting, he stroked her cheek, catching his breath before he helped her stand and pulled her close. Kissing her lips gently, he marveled at the woman he called his.
She nuzzled his neck and hummed. “Stay?”
“Absolutely. I have to leave early, though. I’m pulling double duty with my mom and a special project I’m working on.”
She nodded her agreement. Retreating to her bedroom, he stripped down to his boxers and joined her in the king-sized bed.
“What project are you working on?”
He loved her enthusiasm for his work. “I’m making a crib. My best friends from high school—”
“Charlie and Trisha?”
“Yeah.” Knowing she truly listened to him made his heart swell. “They’re expecting again. It’s been a rough road to baby number two, and I want to make it extra special.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“It’s going to be my god-child, so I have to go the extra mile. Plus, it helps take the edge off from dealing with my mother.”
“Wait. I thought you said she was doing better.”
“She is. She’s just roped me into going after the role of Pumpkin King.”
“What in the name of Jack Skeleton are you talking about?”
He chuckled. “The Pumpkin Queen is the title given to the winner of the fall bake off. The winner gets to ride in the pumpkin parade, light the first bonfire of fall, and take home a golden pumpkin statue.”
“Sounds adorable.”
“Oh, it is when I’m not involved. Mom’s the reigning champ, and she’s not about to let a pesky thing like a broken ankle ruin the Bulley winning streak. Never mind the tiny detail about how I can’t bake to save my life.” He shook his head. Propped up on their elbows, they faced one another in the dimly lit room.
“Sounds like you might need private lessons. I know a baker who comes highly recommended.”
“Cruel woman, teasing me when I’m in baking hell. You saw what happens when we’re in a kitchen together. Those are the only lessons I’m interested in from you, sassy.” Grabbing her, he rolled her onto her back and tickled her neck with his beard.
“All right. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she huffed.
Laughing, they settled in for the night. As he drifted off, he couldn’t help but like the feel of her head on his chest and the length of her body pressed against his a little too much. He was tumbling head over heels for her at an alarming rate, and he couldn’t bring himself to slow the process.
Chapter Seven
Rosaleen
Sifting through the reports, she cringed. The numbers were going down. It wasn’t the direction she wanted to see. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her eyelids and fought off the headache that threatened as she tried not to panic.
“Are you ready to close up shop?” Stephanie appeared in the doorframe of the office. “What’s wrong?”
“Business is slowing. The article and the auction helped, but the boost was temporary.” Rosaleen shook her head. “I know it takes time to become a part of the community, but bills don’t slow during the getting-to-know-you process.”
“Have you thought of entering the Pumpkin Queen Bake Off?”
“Alaric mentioned that.”
Stephanie snickered. “He would. His mother locked in the title a while back and since then has refused to let it go.”
“That’s pretty much what he said.” Rosaleen smiled, thinking of the night they’d spent together earlier in the week.
“Well now that she’s out of commission, bless her heart, you’d be a shoo-in.”
“Oh, no.” Rosaleen shook her head. “She’s coaching Alaric to take her place.”
Steph’s jaw dropped. “She didn’t.”
“Oh, but she did. Imagine his shock when she informed him. He’s a stellar cook, but baking ...” She cringed. “Not so much.”
“You saw what happened the last time you participated in a town event. This would really help.”
Rosaleen shifted in her seat. “It feels like a double-cross.”
“Why? He’s been with you from day one, and I can’t imagine him not understanding why this is important for you to do. The sign up is tomorrow. You’ve got the rest of the evening to think about it.”
Things had been going well with her and her hero after the bumps in the road, thanks to Ryan. She didn’t want to derail them. Yet, sacrificing my dreams for another has never been my style.
“There’s nothing wrong with a bit of competition. Seriously consider this. In the comfort of your own home, in cozy pajamas, with something warm to drink. You’ve worked all day long, and you can’t run
a successful business if you burn out.”
“You’re right.” She smiled as she forced herself to get out of her own head. Pushing away from the desk, she stretched her arms above her head. This would require a second opinion from her childhood bestie, Julie. The petite fireball had always told her exactly what she thought, whether she asked her opinion or not. Shutting down the computer, she quickly stored the reports in the filing cabinet under her desk.
“Ready to drop the deposit envelope and put the till in the safe? Everything’s balanced and accounted for.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Steph.” Kneeling, she opened the safe and took the till Steph handed her.
“That’s why you made me assistant manager, isn’t it?” Steph winked. “Besides, you kept me from going insane. With both boys in school full time now I was itching to get back into the workforce. Having it be a position I trained for was the icing on the cupcake.”
“The universe saw fit to bless us both, I think.” Rosaleen closed the safe and stood.
“Are you going to be okay? I can stay a bit longer if you need to talk.”
Rosaleen shook her head. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for checking in on me.”
“Of course. I know you’re my boss, but we’re friends, too.”
With the money locked away, Rosaleen walked Steph up to the front and unlocked the door.
“I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am. Evening.”
“Night, Rosaleen.”
Closing and locking the door behind her, Rosaleen turned out all the lights, except for the one in the window display and trudged up the stairs, grateful for the eight o’clock closing. She didn’t miss the late hours her previous positions came with. Half the time her work hours left her feeling like she existed on an alternate plane from the rest of her family and friends.
Stripping down inside of her apartment, she put the claw-footed porcelain bathtub in her aqua-themed bathroom to good use with a lavender bubble bar. Up to her neck in decadent bath care, she leaned her head back against the bath pillow and closed her eyes. Willing the stress away, she let her muscles relax one at a time. The intense regime of her previous job had led to ulcers and high anxiety levels. This new lifestyle meant leaving the majority of work stress at the door as much as possible. Remaining until she was pruney and her brain was less cluttered, she dried off, lotioned up, and put on her pumpkin-themed nightgown and slipped into bed. It was nine-thirty. Early enough for a chat, yet late enough for Julie’s little ones to be in bed. Curling up beneath her purple velvet throw, she dialed the familiar number.
