“Is everything all right? I saw your car still parked out front.” He walked around the store, making himself right at home as he perused the merchandise in the display cases.
Jessamyn mentally counted to ten before answering him. “Everything is fine. I was just working late.” They’d been next-door neighbors for a year now, and ever since their fateful first meeting, Caleb had taken an interest in her, always checking on her or stopping to talk with her. They’d even served on some town committees together. Even though he always spoke like a gentleman to her, she suspected that he still pitied her because of what had happened and that made her feel worse. “I was just on my way home,” she added pointedly, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.
“Good. I’ll walk you to your car.”
Enough was enough. “This has to stop, Caleb.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at her. She tried not to notice how the fabric of his coat pulled tight against his shoulders. “What has to stop?”
“This.” She waved her hand in front of herself. “I know that you feel responsible for me because of what happened last Christmas. How many times do I have to tell you, it’s not your fault that Bennett left you to deliver his news? I don’t need your damned pity.” There. Maybe this time, he would get it.
“Pity?” His voice was a low growl that skittered across her skin like a caress.
As always, whenever she was around him, her body responded immediately to his mere presence. It wasn’t to be borne. “Yes, pity.” She stood her ground as he stalked toward her. “I’m over Bennett and have been for a long, long time. There’s no need for you to keep treating me like I’m made of glass.”
“That’s good to know.” The words were barely out of his mouth when he stopped in front of her, yanked her into his arms and captured her mouth in a searing kiss.
Heat. Her whole body was effused with warmth as he nibbled her lips before tracing the seam with his tongue. When she opened her mouth to gasp, he slid his tongue inside. He tasted of peppermint and coffee.
She never even thought of resisting. She’d wanted this to happen for such a long time. For the past year, her nights had been filled with erotic dreams that all starred the man currently kissing her senseless. Placing her hands on his shoulders for support, she kissed him back with all her pent-up passion, stroking his tongue with hers. She’d wanted to experience his kiss for so long, and the reality of it was far better than anything she had dreamed.
Caleb consumed her. His hands framed her face as he tilted her head slightly to get a better angle. She whimpered as he sucked on her tongue. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her head was spinning when he finally pulled away. They stared at each other, both gasping for breath.
“Does that seem like pity?” She shook her head in denial, but Caleb didn’t seem to expect an answer from her. “If anyone is to be pitied, it’s me. I’ve watched you for a damned year now, waiting for a sign that you were ready to date again, that you were interested in me.”
She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Well, after that kiss, she knew he felt something for her. And if the bulge in the front of his pants was any indication, Caleb was definitely aroused. The man was as hard as a rock. It had taken every ounce of self-control she had not to rub her mound against his erection to ease her own growing ache. She needed some space in order to think. She tried to step back, but he locked his arms around her waist, holding her captive.
“Oh no you don’t. I’m not letting you run away this time.” He walked her backward, whisking them both out of the light of the store, past a display shelf and into the shadows of the short hallway that led to her office.
“I don’t understand.” She could feel the wall behind her and leaned against it for support. Caleb loomed over her, surrounding her with the heat from his body.
“I can see that, Jessamyn.” He shucked his jacket and dropped it to the floor behind him. “But I’ll put it as plainly as I can.” Cupping her chin in his hand, he tilted it upward with his thumb. “I want you. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you lying beneath that Christmas tree with the firelight dancing behind you. But it wasn’t my damned tree and you weren’t there for me.”
He leaned down until his lips hovered just above hers. She could feel his breath against her mouth and yearned to close the tiny space between them. But his words held her captive. “I didn’t get what I wanted for Christmas last year.”
“What did you want?”
“You.” His lips nuzzled her ear. “I want you spread out on a rug beneath my Christmas tree. I want to fuck you hard and fast and then slow and long, and every way in between. I want to lick every inch of your body.”
Her breath was coming in harsh gasps now as his words aroused her unbearably. Pictures of them, their naked, sweaty bodies entwined, flashed through her brain. Him covering her with his large body, clutching her close as he drove his hard, thick cock deep into her body. She’d dreamed it all before and could see it, taste it, hear it. Her breasts grew heavy and her pussy pulsed with need. God, she wanted him.
And why not? The words popped into her brain. Why shouldn’t she have sex with Caleb? He wanted her, she wanted him and they were both adults. No one would get hurt. She ignored the small voice that warned she might very well get hurt again. There was no way she was risking her heart. This was strictly about two people satisfying their sexual needs.
“I want to taste your sweet pussy until you scream with pleasure.” His teeth nipped her earlobe, making her gasp. “I want to fuck that sweet mouth of yours and feel your lips wrapped around my cock.” Her fingers clutched at his shoulders for support as his words turned her legs to jelly. “I want to bury myself deep in your hot cunt.”
“Yes,” she moaned. She wanted it all and more. “Oh, lord, yes.” Arching her hips into him, she rubbed her mound over the hard ridge of his cock. His hands gripped her ass, pulling her tighter against his erection.
Caleb groaned and then trapped her legs between his, holding her immobile. “Are you sure, Jessamyn?” he rasped out.
“I want you.” Leaning forward, she bit his neck and then licked the small sting away.
Rearing back, his hands went to the front of her blouse and he tugged. Fabric ripped and buttons flew as he shoved the fabric out of his way. His eyes almost burned her flesh as he stared at her. “You do have fine taste in underwear.” Using his thumbs, he rubbed the puckered nubs of her breasts that were outlined against the satin cups. “So perfect. I’ll bet your panties are wet too.”
Liquid desire seeped from her core as his words fired her growing need and she bit her lip to keep from moaning. If they hadn’t already been damp, they certainly would be now. She raised her right leg and hooked it over his thigh as she moved sinuously against him, trying to bring him closer to ease the emptiness within her. His erection was hard and thick, straining against the front of his jeans.
Tugging his shirt out of the waistband of his pants, she slid her hands beneath it. His flesh was warm and the muscles jumped underneath her fingers as she stroked him. She could feel the pounding of his heart against her palm as she explored the wide expanse of his chest.
Her own breath was coming faster now as his hands continued to pleasure her breasts. She quivered with need as she slid her hands lower.
Caleb’s fingers plucked at her nipples through the satin fabric. She tipped back her head and moaned, her fingers clutched at his shoulders. He’d positioned her against the wall where he could see her in the glow from the security lights. He’d waited too damned long for this and he wanted to see every delectable inch of Jessamyn.
The bra she was wearing was the color of ripe strawberries and he’d bet his last dollar that her underwear matched. He couldn’t wait to strip off her skirt and find out if he was right. When her hands slid down over his chest toward his erection, he reached out and grabbed them. He was too close to the edge to allow her to touch him.
Slipping her hands out
from beneath his shirt, he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed each knuckle in turn, sliding his tongue between them. “I’ll come in my pants if you touch me, sweetheart.”
Her eyes widened at his words, but then she smiled with obvious pleasure. “Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Really.” He placed her hands back on his shoulders and turned his attention back to her breasts. She had generous breasts that more than filled his palms. Flicking open the front closure of her bra, he shoved the cups aside. “Beautiful,” he breathed as he lowered his head. He traced his tongue over the soft mounds of flesh, tasting her, learning her shape.
“Caleb.” His name fell from her lips as she arched her back, bringing her nipples closer to his mouth. Her fingers sifted through his hair as she clutched his head and tugged it closer to her body.
Being the gentleman he was, he immediately obliged the lady. Plumping one breast with his hand, he stroked her nipple with his thumb while he drew the other one into his mouth and sucked hard. He captured the puckered nub carefully between his teeth, flicking it with his tongue.
Jessamyn keened and the soft sound shot straight to his cock. Releasing his hold on her, he buried his face between her breasts as he tried to suck enough air into his lungs. Damned, but she was so responsive to him, she drove him wild. His cock was throbbing madly, so he tore open the button to his jeans. Dragging the zipper down over his erection, he shoved his underwear aside, trying to alleviate some of the pressure. The relief was instantaneous.
He gripped the waistband of her skirt in his hands and shoved it down over her hips, all the while giving thanks to whoever had invented elastic waistbands. Kneeling at her feet, he lifted them one at a time and pulled her skirt free. A slow smile crossed his face. He’d been right about her underwear. They did match her bra. And darned if she wasn’t wearing thigh-high stockings with lace trim too.
“Caleb?” He could hear the question in her voice. He didn’t want to give her time to have second thoughts.
He stroked a finger over her satin-covered mound, sliding it between her thighs. “I was right. You are wet for me.” Satisfaction filled him as her cream dampened his finger.
“Yes, I’m wet.” Her hips flexed toward him. “I want you, Caleb.”
He fingered her pussy through the thin fabric. Her nails were digging into his skull, urging him toward her. Her eyes were closed and a stray lock of hair had come free of her bun and hung down over her shoulder. Her blouse and bra were wide open, exposing her breasts, which jiggled with every breath she took.
Damn, she was hot! He had to taste her.
Hooking his fingers into the waistband of her panties, he yanked them just down over her mound. Sifting his fingers though her brown curls, he spread the lips of her labia wide, exposing her wet, pink flesh and swollen clit. Jessamyn tried to spread her legs wider, but her panties held her captive, only allowing her to move so far.
“Again,” she demanded. “Touch me again, Caleb.”
Her breathy whisper sent shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes, struggling for control. He could feel the moisture seeping from the tip of his cock as it continued to throb. His balls were drawn tight to his body and ached for her touch.
Leaning forward, he licked at her slick folds. She squirmed and bucked her hips, trying to deepen his touch. Damn, she tasted sweet. Sweeter than any treat she sold in her shop. He eased a finger into her cunt and found her hot and wet for him. Just the thought of having his cock buried in her heat made his teeth ache and he gritted them against the growing desire firing his blood.
She easily accepted the second finger he pushed into her. “More!” she urged, rocking her hips toward him, taking his fingers deeper.
Caleb pulled his fingers all the way out. She whimpered at the loss, but that soon turned to a cry of pleasure as he thrust three fingers inside her. Her vaginal muscles clamped down hard and her hips pumped frantically. He watched her face, enthralled by the pure sensuality of her response.
Leaning forward once again, he captured her swollen clit between his lips and sucked hard. Her hands moved frantically over his head and neck, clutching at him desperately as she cried out her need and her pleasure. He drove his fingers deep into her, pushing her over the edge. Liquid pleasure gushed over his fingers and into his mouth as she came. She gripped his hair with her hands, holding his face to her pussy as she continued to spasm.
When her hands fell away and she started to slide down the wall, he eased his hand and mouth away and surged to his feet. It was his turn now. His cock was so hard, he knew he’d only last one or two thrusts at most. Jessamyn smiled at him as he reached for her panties to push them all the way down her legs.
A loud knocking made Caleb jerk backward. Jessamyn’s eyes widened and she shoved him away as she yanked the ends of her blouse together. Caleb swore long and hot, damning to perdition whoever was at the door. He’d been so close. But by the way Jessamyn was hauling on her skirt and trying to fix her hair, he knew the moment was lost.
More determined than ever, he stilled her frantic movements. Ignoring the knocking that was becoming more insistent, he caught her face in his hands, leaned down and kissed her. She stilled instantly and after a second, her fingers wrapped around his wrists, holding him to her. Moving closer, she rubbed her breasts against his chest.
Groaning, he reluctantly broke away. “This isn’t finished. I want to see you again.” He sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m working the night shift tonight. I get off at eight tomorrow morning.”
“I have to be in the shop by seven tomorrow morning. I’ve got customers picking up special orders for office parties.”
“What about the day after that?” But Jessamyn was shaking her head even before the words were out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry, but Gracie is taking the morning off and we’ll both be here until late.”
Caleb was beginning to feel desperate. “I’m taking you to the Christmas party at the country club night after next. I’ll pick you up at eight.” He didn’t release his hold on her until she’d nodded her agreement. “I’ll handle whoever is at the door.” Turning away, he adjusted his underwear and zipped his jeans, ignoring his painfully swollen cock. Grabbing his coat from the floor, he shrugged it on. “I’ll wait in my car and follow you home to make sure you get there okay.”
As hard as it was, he made himself leave Jessamyn. The last glimpse he had of her, she was still only half-dressed and was scurrying into her office. He heard the door slam even as he unlocked the door to the shop and faced one of his deputies, Jim Gower, whose frown of concern soon turned to one of apprehension as he came face to face with his boss.
“I’m sorry, Sheriff Morgan. I didn’t know you were here. I saw Ms. Parker’s car in the lot and thought I should check on her.”
Caleb took a deep breath and resisted the urge to shove his fingers though his hair. It wasn’t Jim’s fault that he was horny and frustrated. He should have picked a better time and place. “Not a problem, Jim. I had the same idea myself. Jessamyn is just getting her coat now. I’ll follow her to make sure she gets home safe.”
Deputy Gower nodded, but he was looking beyond him as he tipped his hat. Caleb sensed Jessamyn getting closer to him and every muscle in his body tensed when he felt the gentle touch of her hand on his arm. When he looked down at her, the cool businesswoman had replaced the sensual creature from moments before. Not a hair was out of place and her long wool coat covered any signs of damage to her clothing. The fact that he was painfully in need, and she looked calm and unmoved, made him unreasonably angry.
“Let’s get going,” he growled. Both Jim and Jessamyn stared at him, but no one spoke as she locked the store, and they all went to their respective cars and drove away.
Chapter Three
Jessamyn smiled nervously at Caleb as he walked her to her front door. “Would you like to come in?” It had been two nights since their sexual encounter in the store and she’d been unable to think
of anything since. She’d even been distracted at work and she knew that Gracie was worried. Nothing ever distracted Jessamyn from work. She smiled ruefully. Well, nothing ever had. Until Caleb.
“Yes.” His deep voice sent shivers down her spine as she unlocked her front door. He stepped in behind her, closing and locking the door behind him. Jessamyn hadn’t even bothered with the polite premise of asking him if he wanted coffee. They both knew they were here to continue what they started the other night.
He’d surprised her this evening when he’d showed up in a black suit that had obviously been tailored to fit him. If she thought he looked handsome in a uniform, it was nothing compared to how he’d looked tonight. His amber eyes had glowed their approval of her outfit as soon as he’d arrived to pick her up for the evening. Jessamyn was glad that she’d taken the time to shop for a new dress. The forest green velvet dress had long sleeves, a deep plunging V-neckline and clung to her curves as it draped her body and fell to just below her knees.
The entire evening had been magical. She knew Caleb very well after living next door to him for a year now, but even she’d been surprised this evening. Not only could the man dance, he truly seemed to enjoy it. After an exquisite five-course meal, they’d danced the night away beneath the shining Christmas lights and the tasteful decorations that adorned the Serenity County Club. The treats from Delectable Delights had been a hit, and she and Caleb had shared a smile when they’d danced past a couple who had been exclaiming over the chocolate torte they’d eaten for dessert.
Jessamyn had been caught in a low-grade sexual arousal all evening. In truth, it hadn’t left her since the other night. Even after her explosive orgasm, she’d gone to bed that night feeling needy and wanting more. Nothing would satisfy the ache inside her but Caleb. Being the practical, modern woman that she was, she didn’t see any reason why she shouldn’t have him. It had shocked her to realize that Caleb had seen her naked and touched her intimately, but she’d yet to really see any part of him. But that was about to change.
White Hot Holidays 18: Jessamyn's Christmas Gift Page 2
