by Roma, Laurie
Dante surveyed the couple in front of him and let out a sigh. “Ah, it’s like that, huh? Never thought I’d see the Hammer fall.”
“Yep, it’s like that,” Jared replied in a firm voice.
Dante nodded, then turned those eerie ice-blue eyes on her. “Welcome to the family, sweets.”
Kalista jaw dropped open. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard and was saved from saying anything when Zoe came back over with their drinks.
“Here, eat this,” Dante said, shoving the basket of hamburger and fries over to her.
Zoe looked down at the food, then frowned at Dante. “What is this?”
“It’s food. Take your break and eat it.”
“I’m not hungry right now, and we have a crowd of people who—”
“The other bartenders can handle it. I won’t have you withering away behind the bar. You know you want it, so just eat the damn thing.”
Kalista knew her friend had a weakness for fries that were almost burnt to a crisp, and by the contents in the basket, so did Dante. Still, it was fascinating to watch the two strong-willed individuals glare at each other.
“You know, calling a girl too skinny is just as bad as calling her fat.”
“Then eat a damn burger every once in a while and I won’t have to call you either.”
“Do you know how annoying you are?”
“You tell me every damn day. Now, eat.”
Zoe rolled her eyes at him, then picked up a fry and ate it. Satisfied, Dante turned back to Jared. “See you tomorrow at the gym?”
“You know it.”
They bumped fists, and then Dante left. Zoe huffed out a breath as she watched him walk away. “That man is so irritating.”
“Yeah, how terrible,” Kalista couldn’t help but tease. “He brought you food and told you to take a break. What a horrible boss.”
Zoe shot a glare at her, then broke into a laugh. “I guess you’re right. He just always gets under my skin. I’m gonna go enjoy this in the back. There is a table in the far corner that is getting ready to leave if you guys want some privacy.”
“Thanks, Zoe. Put these on my tab for me, will you?”
“You got it.”
He picked up both of their drinks and led the way to the table that was just leaving. A group of men were just about to sit down, but they quickly departed after one hard stare from Hammer. Once she sat, Kalista blinked in surprise when he pulled his chair closer to her so that their legs were touching. He placed their drinks down, then leaned in, effectively closing her off from the rest of the room.
“So, honey. Tell me a story.”
“I…” At a loss for words, Kalista gaped at him.
Hammer sighed. He could see the confusion in her green eyes and knew he was suddenly acting very strange when he had previously tried to keep his distance from her. Used to women throwing themselves at him, he had never been good at this kind of thing. But Kalista mattered. She was different and he had to figure out a way to ease her into being with him without fucking up. “I want to know why you believe that bullshit your ex said and why you think you need self-defense training.”
Fuck!
Talk about subtlety like a damn hammer to the head. Jesus, he had just barked out that command like he did when he was training someone, and by the startled glance on her face it was not going over well.
She fidgeted in her seat and reached down to swirl her drink with the straw. “It’s not a bad thing to want to learn a little self-defense, is it?”
He used a finger under her chin to gently lift her head so their eyes met. He could stare into those green depths forever. “It’s not. I’d be happy to teach you anything you want to know. I just hope that you want to do this for yourself and not because some fuc—umm…I mean some idiot told you to.”
Kalista nibbled on her lower lip, making him want to groan as blood surged to his groin again. He was glad the table hid his erection from view or else he had a feeling she would think twice about asking him to teach her anything.
God, the things he wanted to teach her…
He cleared his throat, then leaned back to take a drink of his beer to ease his dry throat. Imagining all the things he wanted to do to her was not helping him gain control of his stubborn cock.
“I just…” She sat up straight and a look of determination settled across her face. “I’ll admit that I want to look good when I go to my cousin’s wedding, but I really do want to do this for myself.”
“Good,” Hammer said as he set his glass of beer back on the table. “So, you going solo to this thing, or are you gonna let me be your date?”
Kalista choked on her drink and he gently rubbed her back as she gasped for air. “You… what?”
Shit, that had just slipped out. He was going to have to be careful. Everything in him wanted to push, to stake his claim on Kali now that she was available, but he didn’t want to scare her off.
Patience, asshole. Get some…
“I was just thinking since you said you and Donald were done now, I could be your date for the wedding. That is, if you don’t already have one.”
“Ah…no, I don’t have a date yet, but I don’t think you really want to do that.” Kalista frowned at him. “And his name is David, not Donald.”
Hammer shrugged that off. “Whatever. Why wouldn’t I want to go with you? I would get to see you in a pretty dress, eat some good food, and have a few drinks. Maybe dance a little, although I don’t really do that sort of thing. You aren’t embarrassed to go with me, are you?”
Pure shock had her mouth falling open. “What? No! It’s just…my family isn’t very nice.”
He’d gotten that from what she had said about her mother earlier, but he wanted to know more. Hell, he wanted to know everything about his little fairy. “You can’t pick the family you are born with,” he said softly.
She looked startled for a second, then smiled at him. “That is something I tell myself all the time. My parents don’t like me very much. I’m sort of a disappointment to them.”
There wasn’t a nicer way to say it, Kalista realized. Her parents never hid the fact they resented putting their lives on hold to raise her. Her mother didn’t hesitate to tell her that she wasn’t as pretty or as smart as her cousin Bethany, who was tall and slim as a reed, and her father was pretty much disinterested in having anything to do with her. She flushed at how that had sounded. This really wasn’t first date conversation material.
“How the hell can they be disappointed with you? You own a successful business and you are one of the nicest people I have ever met!”
Kalista held back the urge to wince when he called her nice. Yeah, nice wasn’t exactly how she wanted this attractive man to see her. She knew she wasn’t anything special, but nice was so…boring. “I was a surprise baby,” she explained. “My parents enjoyed their lifestyle, but my grandmother made it clear that she wanted a grandchild so they were kind of stuck having me. My father’s mother was very wealthy, and so they had me to please her.”
“Man, that sucks. It’s a wonder how you turned out so normal coming from that.”
Kalista laughed. “I spent a lot of time with my grandmother while I grew up. My parents traveled a great deal, and I loved staying with my nana whenever they left. In fact, I preferred it.”
“I don’t blame you. I can deal with your family if you don’t mind me tagging along.” Hammer knew he was pushing, but he wanted to show her family that Kali now had someone that would protect her…even from them.
“I would like that,” she said, smiling shyly at him.
He couldn’t help it. He reached out and took her small hand in his, linking their fingers together. “How about you come over to the gym tomorrow after you get off work and we can see what kind of training you are interested in?”
“That sounds great. I’m opening tomorrow, so I can take off in the afternoon anytime after three.”
“Let’s shoot for four. I have a meeting bef
ore that, but should be done by then. You work pretty long hours, huh?”
She nodded. “Yes, but it has been so much better since I hired on both Becca and Anna full-time. We now take turns opening the shop. I can’t tell you just how much I enjoy being able to sleep in.”
“I bet,” he said with a chuckle. “How come you were working so late tonight?”
“I wasn’t. I just got back from the hospital where I was visiting a friend.” She paused for a moment, debating whether or not to tell him what had happened, then decided to share. “There was an…incident a couple of weeks ago over the holidays. You’ve met Anna, right?”
“Sure, she seems like a sweet woman. I hope she’s okay.”
“She’s fine. Anna was a godsend when I opened up my shop. Her husband is the lawyer that helped me set up my business, and she was tired of staying home all day now that her daughter is away at college. She had a brother who died a few years ago.” She paused for a moment before speaking again. “We found out that Anna’s two nephews who live in Dallas were being abused by their mother and her new boyfriend. The oldest boy, Nate, came home from a New Year’s Eve party to find that the boyfriend had beaten, then kicked his younger brother down the stairs. The boyfriend was high on something and went after Nate with a kitchen knife. Luckily the police showed up and stopped him.”
“Jesus…” he breathed out.
“Yeah, I know. So, I just got back from visiting Shane in the hospital.”
Rage burned in Hammer’s gut at what she told him, and he slowly pulled his hand free from hers, not wanting to crush it in his anger. Flashbacks of his own childhood had his hands fisting under the table as he fought to control his reaction. He couldn’t understand how anyone could do something like that, especially to a child. The need to find the motherfucker who had hurt those kids and exact retribution with his own fists was like a compulsion. “Is he going to make it?”
“Yes. Shane had some internal bleeding that they want to keep an eye on. He’s only twelve and suffered so much. Thankfully, Nate only has a few cuts and bruises.” Her eyes took on a fierce gleam. “The asshole boyfriend was also in the hospital under police guard before he went to jail. While they were fighting Nate managed to hurt him, and he’s pretty strong for being sixteen. Their mother just took off before the police arrived. I think I blame her just as much as her boyfriend…if not more. She should have protected her children.”
“I was lucky,” Hammer said, trying to keep his voice light. “My ma protected me as much as she could.”
Sympathy swam in Kalista’s eyes as she reached out the stroke his arm. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“No, don’t.” He reached up to grip her hand again. “I’m glad you told me. I survived, and they will, too. And my ma has moved on and is very happy now. Let me know if I can do anything for those boys, will you?” Seeing her smile eased some of the tension that had built inside his chest.
“I will. Thank you, Jared.”
Hammer made a mental note to check in on the kid himself. He knew about the fury that could fester into blind hatred over something like this, and wanted to make sure that Nate didn’t lash out at anyone if he didn’t deal with his anger properly. He’d make damn sure that wouldn’t happen since the kid was going to be around his little fairy.
“I guess I should get going since I have an early start tomorrow,” Kalista said, sorry to have brought up such horrible memories for him.
“I’ll walk you back.”
They stood and she zipped up her coat as he put his sweatshirt on, then she let him take her hand again as he led her out of the bar. The gesture seemed so casual that Kalista thought maybe he held hands with whatever woman he was with and it wasn’t because he was interested in her.
Her heart clenched at the thought.
They walked in silence, both of them deep in thought. Stupid, she scolded herself. How stupid to talk about a tragedy when he had finally noticed her. It was certainly a way to kill any romantic notions that may have sparked from this encounter.
Still, it was good that she had told him.
Jared had never hidden his past. He had spoken of what had happened with his father when he had been in the spotlight fighting for the CFL, and she had read articles about how many young kids had been motivated by the story. It would be good for Nate to see firsthand what a successful man Jared had made himself after coming from a similar background.
Holding back a sigh, she figured she would have to get used to friend status. Jared was being nice enough to meet with her tomorrow to help her set up some sort of training. She was surprised that he was even willing to suffer being around her family, offering himself up like some sort of sacrificial date for the wedding. Despite how pathetic it would make her look, she was anxious enough about the whole event that she was ready to take him up on his offer, even if it was made out of pity.
When they arrived back in front of her shop she started to thank him for the drink, but was caught off guard when he spoke first. “Do you still miss dickhead or are you over him yet?”
She choked on a laugh. “If you mean David, I don’t miss him. It’s over and I’m glad it is.”
“Good.”
Kalista barely had time to gasp as he hauled her into his arms and claimed her lips in a searing kiss. He took advantage of her shock, pushing past her parted lips so his tongue could stroke deep, taking possession of her mouth.
Her back hit rough brick as he suddenly shoved her against the building, his large body pressing against her so she felt the steel-hard length of his cock against her stomach. She felt branded by the heat of his touch and a soft moan of pleasure tore from her throat. His answering growl had lust coiling in her belly, and it had her body softening against him, wanting, needing to be closer.
Time seemed to stop, the world simply dissolving around them as he took the kiss deeper. Jared kissed her like a man starved, stroking, tasting as if he wanted to own her. The thought of this powerful man taking her had her knees going weak. She would have fallen, but strong arms wrapped around her before she could falter, securing her against his hard body.
Kalista’s hands came up to grip at his biceps, but his bulging muscles were too big for her to hold onto. Feeling his strength under her hands made her feel safe, and she gave herself over to the storm of passion. He let out another growl as his hands cupped her ass, lifting her so his rigid cock rubbed against her pussy. With every thrust, the hard seam of her jeans pushed against her swollen clit, making her jerk as electricity shot through her body.
He tore his lips away from hers, his massive chest billowing for air so it brushed against the hard peaks of her nipples. “Damn it…”
He pulled back, but kept his hands on her hips as he lowered her until her feet once again touched the ground. Blinking up at him, his penetrating gaze burned into her. Heat swept through her body, leaving her weak in the aftermath of his kiss as she remembered that they were standing in front of her building on the street where anyone could have seen them.
Unable to speak, she watched his nostrils flare and his jaw clench as his hands on her hips tightened before releasing her completely.
“Tomorrow, my little fairy. Go inside and lock the door.”
When she just stood there he growled low in his throat and gave her a gentle push toward her door. She fumbled into her pocket for her key, following his instructions without thinking as she opened her door. Kalista looked back to find him watching her with an intensity that had her body humming. She wanted to invite him in, but something had her holding back.
“Tomorrow,” he said again.
She couldn’t decide if the one word sounded like a promise or a warning.
Kalista nodded and walked inside, shutting the door behind her. Leaning back on the closed door, she looked at the stairs in front of her and let out a shaky breath. Her lips felt bruised by his possessive kiss, and she raised her fingers to touch them as if she could savor the feeling. She was goin
g to have to wait a minute for her legs to stop shaking to climb up to her apartment.
Dear God, the man could kiss.
Chapter Three
“Try it.”
“I don’t wanna.”
Kalista laughed as she watched her friend Zoe frowned down at the steaming cup of liquid in front of her. “Try it, you’ll like it.”
Back in the kitchen of Sinfully Sweet, Zoe sat on a stool next to Kalista as she skillfully transferred a batch of cookies from the cookie sheet fresh out of the oven to the cooling racks set out on the marble counter in the center of the room. The lunch rush had just ended, and Kalista was using the time to try out a few new recipes she wanted to start selling.
“Lavender white hot chocolate? It doesn’t sound remotely appealing.” Zoe heaved out a sigh, then picked up the cup and took a tentative sip. She paused and took another taste, then narrowed her eyes on Kalista. “How in the world did you make this taste so good? Your talents are just not natural.”
Kalista chuckled. “I told you that you would like it.”
“I know, but I thought it was going to taste like soap or something.”
“Would I ever give you something revolting like that?”
“I don’t know…maybe if you were mad at me,” Zoe muttered before taking another sip.
Kalista let out a delicate snort as she set the empty pan down in the large sink to be washed later. She wiped her hands on her apron, then smiled at her friend. “Okay, now do you want to try the lavender cookies or the white chocolate cupcake with lavender buttercream frosting?”
“Duh, both. What a stupid question. And you are so not changing the subject. I want details about you and Hammer.”
Kalista turned to the refrigerator to give herself a moment to think. Details? It would be easier to explain things if she knew what was going on herself. She pulled out a cupcake, setting it on a plate, then took two cookies from the cooling rack and set it down in front of Zoe. “I just don’t understand him.”
“What’s there to understand? You’re a beautiful woman, he’s a hot guy. You practically melt into a puddle whenever he’s around, and he looks at you like he wants to tie you to his bed and fuck you for a week. So, did you let him?”
