"I'm trying to decide what to put in our window. Time is of the essence now.” Sighing, Jenna looked out the window again trying to picture what should go there.
"Have any ideas yet, Jenna?” Raven checking to see if they had more chocolate kisses and their special rum balls in the cases.
"No! I am getting frustrated. I'm not as artistic as you are and I just can't see what should go there. I am not sure how you do it; making up interesting windows and everything.” Jenna sat on one of the work stools behind the cash register, shrugging her shoulders at her lack of imagination and creativity.
"Cheri, it's ok if you're not creative as your strengths lie elsewhere. When will you stop trying to be me and just enjoy being you for a change?” Raven sat next to Jenna and took her hand. “Stop trying to see what I may be putting there and instead focus on what you want there. I think then your problem may be solved, ma Cheri."
"It's easy for you to say,” grumbled Jenna good naturedly, “I have tried to come up with different themes for the windows but they look like a child drew them on paper and I end up trying to get over the fact I am not that great in that area. I have a feeling I am going to have to leave it up to you to do all the windows from now on. Though I think it helps you are so damn beautiful that if I wasn't your friend, I would hate you."
"Oh Jenna, you're perfect just the way you are. One of these days you will meet the one man who takes your breath away and makes your knees weak with his touch. Don't worry honey; the windows challenge me to think out of the box. You continue making up some good business plans and we might be able to get to those 5 year goals even faster."
Patting Jenna's knee, Raven got up and as she walked back to the kitchen to work on more orders, she tossed back to Jenna, “You just might get a Christmas miracle if you wish hard enough. It is the season of miracles you know!"
Jenna shook her head as she wished for just one man to look at her with a passion so consuming it would take her breath away. Sighing at her fanciful thoughts, Jenna stood to stretch when she heard the bell ring.
Looking up, she could not believe what just walked in ... tall, dark and sexy as sin! He was absolutely the most striking man she had ever laid eyes on and she felt her mouth go dry as he looked around the gaily decorated store. Tall, muscular build with jet-black hair that fell to his shoulders in soft waves that made her want to run her fingers through it, he exuded strength and a sheer animal magnetism that made her pussy sit up and take notice. Jenna could not believe how damp her panties got just watching him walk into the store.
"Welcome to Candy Kisses. Can I help you find anything in particular?” Jenna was glad her voice did not crack under the nervousness of being this close to him. She really wanted to say I got something warm and sweet for you right here but you will have to unwrap it first...
Yeah right, like she would be able to say that to any man, especially this one who kept eyeing her like a mouth watering dessert.
"Hello there,” he peered at her nametag, “Jenna. I am looking for a unique gift for my mother. Do you think you can help me pick something out?"
"Sure I can help you. What does your mother like? Maybe we can make up a small gift box with her favorite treats?"
Marc looked down at the small sprite of a woman and felt his body tighten as he recognized the one who he had been looking for. Disbelief warred inside him as Jenna chattered on about different displays, gesturing to another case filled with candy canes stripped in an array of reds, greens, purples and the traditional flavor of peppermint. He never expected to find his mate in the small town his mother told him to go to. If it wasn't his family pressuring him to finally find her and his mother's prophecy, he would never have stepped foot in Devon Falls. Looks as if mum was right again in her prophecy Marc thought as he contemplated trying to make his for all time.
"Jenna, she loves candy canes and anything Christmas related."
Marc smiled at the memory of his mother baking tons of cookies for the holiday festivities and enjoying the sweets that came with the season as well as telling him and his siblings to keep out of the cookie dough.
"Well that narrows it down a little."
Taking a gift box out, she gestured to the case next to her. “Does she have any allergies to anything, like nuts or peanut butter? I want to make sure I don't kill a potential customer here. It is bad for business you know."
Amusement lit her eyes up as she decorated the box with gaily-covered tissue paper.
"Actually no, she doesn't have allergies to anything so please, pick some things out and make it look really nice.” Marc said. She looked so damn beautiful, looking up at him with those big brown eyes. He couldn't remember a time when he got this hard this fast all from watching a woman work. Marc closed his eyes and imagined running some of the chocolate kisses on her nipples. Feeling his cock go even harder from his imagination going into hyper drive, he shifted his legs a little to ease the pressure.
Jenna looked up and caught him shifting and noticed a nice size bulge in the front of his pants. Swallowing at the picture of peeling those tight ass pants down his body, Jenna tried to keep her mind on this sale rather than wanting him naked and at her mercy, though if you asked her, it was just hard work trying to not drag him to a supply closet for a quickie.
"Is there anything else you think she may like? I added our specialty treats like our flavored rum balls, Christmas cookie shaped candies and chocolate covered caramels. Would there be anything else she might enjoy as well, sir?"
Marc looked down and saw her nipples were hard points against her work shirt. He hoped he could make it through the rest of the evening before he devoured her whole. “Wow Jenna, that is definitely one of a kind gift box. It will be a hit with my mother and get me in her good graces this year. Thank you very much for your help."
Blushing as she placed the very last candy cane on top of the treats and closed the box up, topping it off with a big, bright red bow, she asked, “Credit or Cash?"
"Credit.” Marc handed her his credit card and watched her eyes widen. She must have felt the same sparks he did when their fingers brushed against each other. Marc tried to keep his breath steady but the sexual awareness simmered in his body like a bolt of electricity. This one woman made him want to ravish her bones yet at the same time he wanted to cuddle her close and savor her nearness. “I don't mean to be bold but do you think we can go for coffee or something tonight?"
"Um I am not sure on that one considering I don't even know who you are."
"Oh man, I am sorry Jenna.” Marc held out his hand, “My name is Marc du Bree and I am visiting my family for the holidays here in your lovely town."
Jenna took his hand and they shook in welcome. When he took her hand, face palm side up and planted a kiss in the middle, he looked deep in her eyes. She slid her hand out of his, and he felt the loss of her touch.
"I hope you have a wonderful stay here. Please let me know how your mom likes her gift.” Jenna said, trembling at the emotions tumbling through her like a kid on a sugar high.
Marc saw how affected she was as her body gave off its own signals to him. From her nipples hardening to points that made him want to lick and suck them, her female scent was driving him nuts. Her arousal literally grabbed him by the balls and wouldn't let go even if he wanted her to let go. “Can I take you for coffee tonight, please Jenna? I want to get to know you better and I can honestly say,” he leaned down to finish his sentence, “I never experienced this sort of attraction before in all my years."
Smiling softly, he swiped his index finger down the cleft of her chin and heard her breath hitch in surprise and as he looked in her eyes, he saw passion as well as a wariness that pierced his wary heart.
Leaning closer to her ear, he whispered, “Please, Jenna, say ‘yes'.” He swiped his tongue over the outer part of her ear and felt a shudder race through her body.
"Hang on,” she said breathlessly, “and let me see if my partner can lock up."
As she turned to walk away, Marc grabbed her hand and squeezed it in reassurance. “Thank you, cara mia."
* * * *
In case he was watching her, Jenna walked into the kitchen, making sure not to look back. What if he was a figment of her imagination? “Raven, I, uh..."
Raven looked up and a knowing smile erupted on her face.
Jenna wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans and cleared her throat. “Do you mind locking up tonight for a change? I think I may have a date.” Gulping, she waited to hear if Raven would do this one favor for her.
Grinning widely now, Raven replied, “Cheri, if the look on your face is anything, I will lock up for the next week if it gets you out of the house! Go, have fun and enjoy yourself! And remember; tell me all the details if you get some wild kinky monkey sex!"
She watched as her friend peered around Jenna and into the store.
"Wow girlfriend, when you wish for something, you got good taste! He is like a double dipped cone that makes you want to savor every last lick!"
"Will you stop drooling in the fudge, Raven? It will be ruined and we'll have to start from scratch. I am still awed at how he came into this candy shop for his present. Then again, I am not sure after today he won't want to come back or go out."
Dismal thoughts crowded Jenna's brain as she thought of Marc's invitation. She didn't know what to make of it and hoped she didn't make a mistake in accepting. Blowing out a puff of air, she ran a hand down her jeans and hoped she looked alright. “Okay Raven, I'm off for the night. Don't stay late. I know you have that hot date with Mr. Exotic at the Dragon Inn for drinks. Though how you can go you with some one with that name is one question you have to answer for me one day."
Sighing, Jenna turned and just before going through the door, she heard Raven call her. “Cheri, have fun. Forget your assumptions—he may be the one man you're looking for."
Waving goodbye, she was startled to see Marc looking at candy cane display, still in the shop. It was as if her imagination conjured him up all over again. Jenna watched in appreciation at the way his leg muscles flexed in the tightness of his pants and enhanced his drool worthy ass; all tight and firm. What it would be like to hang on to that as he slid his hard cock into her tight wet hole. God, I am turning into a nymphomaniac just looking at him. Get a grip Jenna. He's just a man, though what a fine figure of a man he is and you're only going for coffee, not wild, kinky monkey sex like Raven suggested!
Jenna saw Marc turn around like he heard her come in and gave her that sexy smile that would have her begging if he kept it up! He should mark that grin as a lethal weapon the way he used it on her. The look on his face literally made her wants to drag him to a dark corner and nibble on his full lower lip. Shaking her head to clear her lust filled brain; she grabbed her purse and jacket before stepping out from behind the counter.
"All set, my dear?"
"Yes, Raven will lock up. Since she has a hot date herself, I know it won't be a late night for her. Ready to go? There is a coffee shop close by if you don't know the area."
"Actually, I saw this quaint little café up the street. I believe it's called the “Dew Drop Café". Do you mind if we go there?"
Jenna was amazed that he picked the one spot she would be most comfortable in. It also helped that her sister owned it and ran it with a few cousins. She'd know if something went wrong, all Jenna had to do was make a gesture and help would arrive like Knights of the Round Table.
"Sure, I like the place. We can walk if you don't mind the snow."
"Sounds great, Jenna.” Marc picked up the bag that held his mom's present and walked toward the door. He let Jenna go through first, and then stepped through the door into the evening twilight after her.
Chapter Two
The wind lightly swirled the snow around the people walking along the sidewalk. Kids having snowball fights in the local park, shouts of laughter as one hit an unsuspecting person. Jenna saw all this through a slight haze as they walked to the Dew Drop Café. All she thought was that Marc was her dream come true, and how she could get him into bed.
All of a sudden, Marc grabbed her as a car skidded to a stop. She saw it was inches from where she was walking. Shaking and trembling she felt his arms around her. As her trembling eased his scent reminded her of the wild untamed yet equally primitive African jungle. It stole into her senses so that she was on a whirly gig ride at the carnival and she definitely didn't want to get off! Marc rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed. He leaned down, tipped her chin up and slowly slid one finger along side her pouty lower lip. Leaning down, he replaced his finger with his tongue and slowly slithered across her lips until she parted them.
Jenna didn't know what happened but the next thing she knew, she was pressed up against him wrapping her arms around his neck, sliding her fingers in his hair as the kiss became deeper, more primitive. Moaning softly, he slipped his hands to her waist. He softly broke off the kiss with a groan and his breath came out his mouth like a steam locomotive starting as he rested his forehead against her own.
"My god, mia Cara, you are intoxicating to me!” Marc said.
Blushing, Jenna made a show of wiping something off her jeans to still the trembling in her hands. Then she felt his fingers caress her face in a loving gesture and she unconsciously leaned into him before she could stop herself.
"I never felt this way before Marc.” Jenna whispered breathlessly, looking up from under her eyelashes. “You're amazing and to be attracted to me makes me wonder what is going on, or if am like Alice in Wonderland and dreaming it all."
"Sweetheart, it is something more than lust and I am willing to give you time to get used to it because you will be mine!” Marc said fiercely as his slate gray eyes looked into Jenna's.
"Now let's go on for our coffee unless you have another setting in mind for us to do some “talking",” Marc said as he lowered his voice and whispered in her ear “and you plan to get very naked and extremely wet with me."
Jenna knew she had a decision to make. If she didn't get him naked soon, she was going to break public decency law and have wild, passionate sex on the sidewalk!
"Jenna, I was just teasing about not having coffee together. Let's go and talk, get to know one another. That is unless you are having second thoughts about me."
Jenna shivered as she felt the cold through her jacket and slowly, let herself be pulled into his magnetic gaze. She was drawn to this mysterious but oh, so sexy man that made her body hums with in pleasure with just a touch. Fire raced through her veins just by him holding her hand. It was surreal yet so right to be with Marc.
What is it about him that draws me? He is stunningly handsome in that primitive sort of way. It really makes me want him to toss me over his shoulder and carry me off to his bed for weeks at a time. I won't want to leave him once I get a taste of his passion. I have a feeling he will be like an addiction that goes straight to my soul!
Jenna finally nodded, after watching and trying to figure out if Marc was playing her, “Yes, lets get to know one another and no, I am not having second thoughts at all; Actually, just the opposite.” Blushing, she realized what she revealed to him and dropped her eyes to stare at the swirling snow on the sidewalk.
Chuckling softly, Marc pulled Jenna into his arms and gave her a deep hug. “Thank you, Cara Mia. I appreciate the chance you are taking with me. Believe me; I am not thinking pure thoughts as well. I don't know what it is but I am willing to see what is happening between us. Now onward to coffee and warmth for us both."
* * * *
Walking into the Dew Drop Café was always a wonderful experience for Jenna. The sweet smells of baked goods as well as the aroma of fresh brewed coffee made her mouth water. Decorated for the holidays with candy canes hanging from the ceiling, silver stars in the windows competed with snowflakes for customers’ viewing pleasure. She could hear the softly piped Christmas music that her cousin loved playing on the sound system. With the snow falling outside and the lovel
y atmosphere in the café, Jenna felt the holiday excitement finally hit her.
"Jenna, this looks wonderful. Do you know who owns this establishment?” Marc asked looking at the decorations and the steady stream of customers at the counter.
Jenna saw his fascination with the wonderful details that made the Dew Drop Cafe so homey and inviting. It really was a place where you could relax, have a pleasant conversation and be safe from harm. “Actually, my sister owns it and with the help of my cousins, they make a tidy profit each quarter.” Jenna said as she heard squealing in the back and saw her sister give her the thumbs up sign and a big yet inquisitive smile.
Jenna mentally groaned; she knew that look anywhere. It meant that she would be getting the hundred questions about Marc later. Smiling, she waved and spotted an empty table in the back of the room. “Marc, there is a table over here. Why don't we sit? My sister will be serving us in a minute."
As soon as they sat, Jenna's sister rushed over with menus. “Marc this is my sister Alicia, the proud owner here.” Jenna made the introductions as quick and painless as possible, hoping to hold off the barrage of questions she could see forming in her sister's eyes.
"Happy Holidays and welcome to the Dew Drop Café! We have specials if you want or if you are ready to order, let me know."
Jenna already knew what she wanted and looked at Marc to see if he was ready as well. Nodding, he gestured for her to go first. “I will take a white chocolate hot chocolate with whipped cream please."
"And I will have a cafe latte supreme."
"Coming up.” Alicia smiled at Jenna and winked at Marc before setting off towards the counter area for their drinks.
Babes in Toyland II Page 11
