Shit! Trapped!
He lifted his hands and cupped my face, his eyes boring into mine and it felt as if the universe just stopped. His eyes had a way of doing that.
“Why are you embarrassed to be seen with me?” He asked quietly, and, for probably the millionth time that evening, my mouth dropped open.
“I…I’m not,” I sputtered, in complete and total shock.
“You sure acted like it when that couple walked by,” he countered.
“I didn’t want to take the chance of them recognizing you…and seeing you with me ,” I explained in a rush.
None of this made any sense.
“Why?”
Total deer in the headlights moment.
For this man to even be asking me that question was beyond hysterical.
It was just plain ludicrous.
I wanted to laugh, I really did, but the way he was looking at me, stopped me cold. It was a mixture of hurt and what I swore was…desire.
But, that couldn’t be.
“Well…you’re…you .” I husked, trying desperately to regain control of my senses and I wanted so much to kick myself right in the ass when my eyes lowered and fixed on his beautiful lips.
“And, you’re you,” he replied, a small smile curving up that glorious mouth of his at the corners.
“Exactly my point,” I muttered, trying not to notice the feel of his hands holding my face so tenderly.
Damn, for an actor, his hands were ridiculously firm and masculine.
“You really have no idea at all, do you?” He breathed, sounding almost incredulous.
I had to remain silent. Right then, I felt as if I didn’t know a single, damn thing whatsoever.
“Christ, Lacy,” he whispered, his voice low, and husky, sexier than anything I had ever heard before. “You are exquisite. Inside and out. Why can’t you see that?”
He pulled my face forward and kissed me for the second time that night.
Tenderly. With promise.
We stood there in front of my apartment building, with people walking by, and he kissed me as if we were the only two people on Earth.
I opened my lips to him, my tongue chasing his with gentle demand. He made a sound, deep in his throat that urged me on and the next thing I knew my hands were in his hair, pulling him as close as was humanly possible.
I don’t know how long we stood there making out like two teenagers on Prom night, but we finally came to our senses and broke apart.
Jack leaned his forehead against mine and groaned, deep in his chest.
“Damn, woman,” he pushed out in a tortured husk. He took a deep breath and smiled. “Okay, so, here’s the deal. I’m going to walk you upstairs, kiss you goodnight, and pick you up tomorrow at noon,” he informed me softly.
It was in no way a demand. It was just the most amazing statement of fact ever.
A soft giggle swept past my lips.
“Is that good for you?”
I nodded and tried to keep from pinching myself.
“All right, then,” he replied as he took my hand and led me up the steps to my building.
As promised, he walked me to my door and immediately swept me up into his arms, kissing me as if he were a man dying from thirst, and it was mind blowing.
After what seemed like only a few precious moments, he broke the kiss and hugged me against his body.
“Thank you, for an amazin’ evenin’,” he whispered into my hair, and I swear I heard him inhale. “I’ll pick you up at noon,” he reminded me as he reluctantly pulled back. “Dress comfortably, preferably jeans.”
I nodded, I was always nodding, like the biggest dumbass on the planet, and he snickered, his brow lifting.
“You do like motorcycles, don’t you?” He asked.
“Almost as much as trucks,” I replied on a squeak, then cleared my throat like the nerd that I was.
Nothing like drawing attention to it. But, honestly – I was dumbstruck.
“Good.” He leaned in to open my door once I had found and inserted the key, his body brushing up against mine in the most incredibly delicious way.
“Thank you, Jack.” I said, unable to think of anything more articulate.
I mean…he wanted to see me again.
And…he had kissed me!
He graced me with a lopsided grin that just about did me in and kissed me once more before turning and heading for the elevator.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Lacy,” he called out with a wave and a look over his shoulder.
I stumbled into my apartment and all but collapsed on the sofa, shaking my head and wondering…just what in the Hell was happening?
Chapter Four
I was dreamin g about bells.
And, they just wouldn’t stop ringing.
I sat up in bed with a start, realizing that it was my cell making the annoying sound. I looked at the alarm clock as I blearily tried to find my phone on the nightstand.
“’Lo,” I grumbled sleepily, not the least bit happy about being jerked from my sleep. I couldn’t help the tiny, contented smile I could feel creeping across my lips as the thought of what I had been dreaming about before the damn bells filled my head.
Holy crap! Last night had really happened!
“Are you alone?” Felix’s smoky voice filled my brain, tearing me from my musings with a sound yank.
“Of course! ” I practically screeched at her. “What do you think I am?”
She snorted very loudly into the phone before bursting out into a very unladylike fit of giggles. “I was hoping, for once in your life, you would have let your freak flag fly just a little bit. Christ, Lace! I would have bedded the man within the first fifteen minutes.” She huffed back at me and I could hear Christopher mumble something to her. “Yeah, yeah,” she grumbled. “You know you’re the only one for me, Baby.” I heard her tell him and couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “So, tell me everything.”
“Can’t I at least get my ass out of bed and get some coffee into me first?” I pleaded. “Felix, it’s only a little after eight,” I groaned, silently praying that she would take pity on me.
“Ugh!” She groaned right back at me. “Fine! Go! Go get your caffeine fix, you little addict, but call me back! You have ten minutes.” With that she hung up, and I knew the timer had been set.
I threw back the covers and forced myself out of the comfort of my bed when it suddenly hit me…I had another date with Jack today.
I stopped. Oh my God, I had another date with Jack Freaking Dupree today!
I couldn’t help it. I danced around the room squealing in delight at the thought.
For all of my insecurities and worry about how the two of us going out would affect him , I was pretty damn excited.
I mean, I really liked the man.
I ran into the kitchen and hastily made a cup of coffee, throwing out a thank you to the universe and the inventors of the single cup brewing systems.
I breathed that Heavenly scent deep into my lungs before taking a sip and thinking nothing had ever tasted so good.
An asinine little giggle burst from my lips as the thought that Jack’s lips tasted much better.
Holy Hell ! Jack Dupree had kissed me!
I heard my cell ringing from the bedroom and knew my allotted ten minutes were up. Still giggling, I set my mug down and ran to retrieve my phone.
“Hello!” I answered happily.
“Damn, woman!” She laughed in reply. “I have never known anyone who gets so happy from a single cup of coffee.” There was a slight pause before she asked. “Or, is it a certain lickable male that has you so bright-eyed this morning?”
“Both,” I replied honestly as I made my way back into the kitchen and my waiting cup of java.
“Oh…my God! So?” She was bursting with excitement, and I hated to admit it, but it was infectious.
For the nex t twenty minutes I told her all about my date.
She squealed and laughed, and, of course, lectu
red me about my total lack of confidence.
“Damn it, Lacy,” she snapped. “The man obviously likes you. Why can’t you see that?”
I knew that her outburst was because she loved me, but I also knew that she just didn’t get it.
“Felix,” I replied, completely exasperated. “How could you ever even begin to understand? I mean…you’re gorgeous ! You have men falling at your feet all the time.”
“So do you,” she insisted. “You just don’t notice it because you have this total mental defect thing that causes you to think you’re this plain, unattractive loser,” she was growing frustrated and I felt a moment of guilt. “I hate to tell you this, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth! You don’t see the men who stare at you when we go out because you firmly believe that there aren’t any! Damn your mother.” She finished with a huff. “I just want to punch that woman in the throat!”
Hoping to lighten the mood, I decided to tell her the best part. “Well, regardless of what you believe and what I know to be the truth, he’s picking me up at noon for another date.”
“Yes!” She screamed, her anger slipping away, and I found myself stupidly grinning from ear to ear. “Well, get your ass moving and go get ready! I want all the juicy details as soon as you get back.”
I promised her I would and went to shower. Wondering just what in the hell I was going to wear.
By eleven-thirt y , I was pacing my apartment nervously. I guess it wasn’t so much nerve’s, as it was excitement. I just couldn’t seem to help myself.
I had decided to wear my favorite pair of jeans and a light sweater, not having any idea what we would be doing. I slipped on a pair of black boots and looked at myself in the hall mirror. I had pulled my hair back in a braid, thinking that if we were going to be on his bike, I certainly didn’t want to end up with helmet head. That’s really not a good look for me.
I nodded at my refection and took a deep breath. Crap! I shouldn’t be this damn giddy! Things like this never worked out well for me. I had dated a bit here and there, but usually the men I ended up with were just looking to see what they could get from me, and once they knew who I worked for…ugh!
I’d practically lived like a monk ever since coming to California.
If they weren’t weirdo’s or wanna-be-actors looking to score an appointment with Hal, they were just so into looks that I was off the radar.
I enjoyed my solitary life. Now it seemed as if Jack Dupree was blowing all of that right out of the water!
I nearly jumped out of my skin when there was a knock on the door. I glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled.
Twelve on the dot.
I checked myself in the mirror for good measure, before turning and opening the door. My knees about gave out on me at the sight standing there. I swear to God; this man’s deepest ambition was to have me falling on my ass at his feet!
He was wearing faded blue-jeans, a black t-shirt that fit him like a frigging glove , and a leather jacket that probably cost more than I made in a month.
To say the man looked amazing would have been a complete lie – he looked off the charts incredible.
“Hi,” I choked out, feeling my stomach flutter. He just had that effect on me.
“Hi.”
“Um…come in,” I stammered, taking a step back and ushering him inside.
He walked past me and into my apartment, glancing around briefly before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on my lips.
“I like your place,” he murmured, his eyes locking with mine. “It’s warm and cozy. Oh, I almost forgot!” he laughed as he lifted up his hand and held up my silver sandals! “Here.”
“I can’t believe you went back for them,” I breathed, taking the shoes from him before meeting his gaze. “Thank you.”
“I know you said you were goin’ to toss them,” he explained, “But, I couldn’t, in all good conscious, just leave them there. It’s really no big thing.” He smiled and looked just a bit embarrassed at my continued stare. Finally, he cleared his throat, “Shall we?”
I went to take his hand, forgetting that I was still holding the sandals until they slapped against his palm and he laughed, and I blushed red from head to toe.
“Oh God. Sorry. Hang on one second.”
I turned to find a place to stash the shoes. I could put them in my closet where they belonged. Maybe he’d follow me, get a nice tour of my apartment, my bedroom, preferably my bed…
My cheeks flared hotter.
No. I wasn’t raised like that!
I dropped the shoes next to my couch.
“You might want to bring a jacket,” he said when I turned back to him, checking out the thin sweater I wore. “We’re going up into the mountains and it might get a bit chilly.”
“You aren’t going to go all Grizzly Adams on me, are you?” I asked with a grin before I could stop myself.
“I might,” he chuckled in reply. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
I grabbed a jacket from the hall closet and let him lead me downstairs, feeling as if I was walking on air.
I looked o n in shock, and, I’ll admit, envy, when I saw his bike sitting out front.
It was spectacular! All black and chrome…and power !
He walked over and handed me a helmet which I took eagerly and started to slip on, but he stopped me.
“Wait.”
I stopped dead, the helmet held in place above my head and stared at him, wondering what was wrong. He took a step closer and leaned in, his mouth brushing against mine, his tongue whispering along the line of my lips.
“Just needed to do that while I had the chance,” he growled with a grin. “It’s about an hour’s ride and I’ve been thinking about it all morning.”
Hot holy snow balls from down under!
I mean, seriously! How much more could a girl take?
He put his helmet on and slung a leg over the bike, his jeans leaving nothing to the imagination.
I dropped the helmet over my head, silently grateful for the full visor. Not only because I really didn’t want bugs in my teeth, but also because the last thing I wanted was for him to see the look on my face.
I took a deep breath and sat behind him.
He reached back, took my hands and wrapped them around his middle.
I swear he shivered when I obliged.
Or was that me?
He looked back over his shoulder and gave me his damn grin. “Ready?”
I nodded and pressed myself against him a little closer.
What can I say?
I was taking all I could get.
The bike kicked into life with a loud roar and off we went, with me wrapped around his munchable body like a damn second skin.
Life was really good.
He pulled of f onto a small dirt road and stopped at a beautiful, out of the way clearing up in the mountains.
I jumped from the bike and tore off my helmet, breathing the crisp air greedily. The place was amazing!
And the view wasn’t half bad either…
I watched in awe as he slid from the motorcycle, my body heating at the sight of him.
Good Lord!
He had to be the most graceful, sexy man I had ever seen.
He moved like a damned panther…fluid, sleek, and dangerous .
He opened one of the compartments on the back of the bike and grabbed a picnic basket and blanket. He smiled when he took the helmet from my trembling hands and dropped it on the bike seat.
Jack took my hand and led me over to a spot in the middle of the clearing.
He spread the blanket on the ground and dropped down, holding out his hand in invitation for me to join him. I hesitated, just needing a moment to enjoy the sight of him lying there on the blanket, propped up on one elbow while his ink black hair shimmered in the sun like a raven’s wing.
I sat down beside him, silently praying that my restraint would hold, and I wouldn’t jump him right then and there, and smiled.
“This is unbelievable,” I said, glancing around at the sheer wonder of the place.
I looked back and found him watching me, his lips turned up with satisfaction.
“I love it here,” he replied, his eyes lowering to my lips and I unconsciously pulled the bottom one between my teeth. I heard a small sound, much like a groan, escape him before he leaned forward and placed his hand at the base of my neck, pulling me down to him.
Our mouths met in a desperate, primal way that had heat rushing through my veins like molten lava.
His lips on mine were strong and demanding…and by God, I held my own in our kiss!
Our tongues danced and dueled as he explored my mouth. The hand at my neck moved and cupped the back of my head. He tilted his chin ever so slightly and deepened our kiss.
It was magical!
He shifted suddenly, and I was on my back with him leaning over me, our mouths never breaking apart.
How in the hell had that happened?
My hands slipped up into his hair and tugged, amazed at the silkiness of it, and I moaned into his mouth.
His one arm pillowed my head and the other rested at my waist. I silently wished that it would do a little exploring. I was quaking with the need for him to touch me.
His hand traveled up slowly from my side, moved to my breast, and, I swear on that damn stack of cupcakes… I heard bells.
I arched my back, wantonly urging him on, and heard him growl, deep in his chest.
That sound reverberated through his entire body, and right into mine.
I don’t think, in all my twenty-nine years, anything had ever felt so good.
His mouth tasted amazing, all mint and spice, and I drank greedily, as if I had been condemned to death, and he was my very last meal.
With a tortured sound, he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine. “Christ,” he husked out. “I could kiss you forever.”
Really? Me ?
My heart pounded in my chest at his words.
This man really enjoyed kissing me ?
I mean, yeah…kissing him was beyond incredible, and I could only imagine what doing more would be like, but, I totally figured it was only on my part.
For him to admit that so honestly was mind-blowing!
Sinfully Delicious: Six Scintillating Stories of Sweets, Treats, and Happily Ever Afters Page 14
