“We’re the only people in the shop.” He covered her hand, drawing tiny circles on her skin with his thumb. How did she manage to keep her hands so soft?
“Oh.”
“Something wrong?” He studied her, noting the slight inhale and how her eyes widened just a bit at his caress. “Your skin is so soft.”
She shook her head. “Avery?”
“Hmm?”
“Did you send those gifts?”
“What do you think?”
A smile creased her lips. “Why?”
“I thought it was obvious.” He moved from her hand to her wrist. “I like you, not just as my friend, but as something far more intimate, Penelope. You have strength and vibrancy and all I want is a chance to prove that I can be your lifetime Valentine.”
She ducked her head, her hair hiding her face. “I don’t even like that holiday.”
“Yeah, you do. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be out here wanting to know who sent you those gifts.”
“You made sure I could read the cards,” she said, a catch in her voice.
“Of course.”
“Why didn’t you say something before?”
“That’s what I was going to do New Year’s Eve, but things didn’t work out so well.”
“Did you know what was going on? I mean with Sam and Sheila?”
“No.” He twined his fingers with hers. “I realize this isn’t the ideal situation, but I can’t let another day go by without you knowing how I feel about you.”
She inclined her head. “You never said.”
“I’m saying now.”
She was silent.
“P?”
“Every night since New Year’s all I could think about was that moment when my mystery man—you—kissed me. I’ve been looking for you.”
He leaned across the counter. “Well, look no further.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I’m right here and not going anywhere.”
****
“You don’t have to wait with me, James,” Penelope said as they stood in the vestibule of Avery’s building. “I’m perfectly capable of standing here by myself.”
“Have you ever been here before?”
“No, but—”
“After what Kassie said, I think it’s best if I wait with you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What did Kassie say?”
“Sam was making a nuisance of himself.”
“Yeah. He’s trying to buy the bakery.” Footsteps echoed on the tile. “As long as he stays away from me, the business and home, I’m fine.” Crisp woodsy smoke with a hint of chocolate wafted to her nose.
“Thank you for bringing her, James. I’ll make sure she gets home.” Avery slipped an arm around her waist.
James coughed. “The uh—yes. The missus wanted me to give you this.”
Fabric rustled and the faint chime of metal on metal reached her ears. What was going on?
“Oh. Oh.”
Even Avery sounded a bit surprised to her ears.
“Tell Mrs. Tilman I said thank you. Penelope’s in good hands.”
A hand touched her sleeve. “Enjoy your evening, Miss Penelope.”
Before she could answer, Avery propelled her forward. Their footsteps sank and were muffled in thick carpeting. “What did he give you?”
“Something for tonight.”
“Well, that’s helpful.”
He chuckled. “Stand here for two seconds.”
“If your intention is to blindfold me, I’m already blind.”
He swung her around and pressed her back to a cool, solid surface. She rested her palms on his chest. The silk of his shirt was smooth beneath her fingertips and she lingered, relishing the softness of the material. With reluctance she moved on, finding his tie. She longed to explore more, but decided she may not have the willpower to stop.
His breath mingled with hers as he moved closer. “You’re rather incorrigible too.”
She wound his tie around her hand and held him in place. “You started this, remember? All you had to do was tell me the truth while you were waltzing me around the dance floor; instead, I’ve had hot, steamy sex dreams and no relief for six weeks.”
Avery swept his lips over hers in a barely-there kiss. She felt the brush of his mouth as if he’d lingered and nibbled. “Is that all?”
A click sounded to her left and she was hauled forward. The door to his condo closed behind them. Rosemary and chocolate scented the air. He pressed closer and the spiciness of his cologne wrapped around her, dragging her attention back to him.
“That’s more than enough.”
“Imagine how I’ve felt, watching you every day.” He unbuttoned her coat and brushed the garment from her shoulders. “Wanting to hold you close.” He trailed a finger along the swell of her breasts above the low neckline of her dress. “This shade of blue compliments your hair and your skin.” His lips followed the same path his finger had.
Shivers of want rippled through her and dampened her panties. Desire made her voice breathless. “Thank you.”
“Do you trust me, Penelope?”
She lifted a hand and palmed his cheek. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
He threaded his fingers through her hair and tilted her head back. “Your kiss has haunted my dreams.” He moved her hand and placed it on his erection. “You’re not the only one wanting here.”
“Ave—” His mouth dropped on hers, demanding all she had to offer. She sank into his kiss, opening for him, sighing when he deepened the kiss. Penelope learned the shape of him through his slacks, but it wasn’t enough, she needed no barriers.
With practiced ease, she unbuckled his belt, unhooked his pants and fumbled with the zipper on his fly.
“Be sure,” he murmured against her cheek, before trailing kisses along her jaw and to the sensitive hollow of her shoulder.
Her answer was to plunge her hand down the waistband of his boxers and curl her fingers around his shaft. Such a contradiction. Velvet encased iron. There were some fantasies that needed to be lived.
She tore her mouth from his and dropped to her knees, shoving his underwear down as she went. A couple of shimmies later and his pants were free of his legs. His fingers tightened in her hair when she blew a stream of air across the broad smooth head. She brought the tip to her mouth and curved her tongue around it. His taste exploded on her tongue. Crisp, clean and all male. An addictive aphrodisiac and she had to have more.
A tremor ran through his body as she moved her head back and forth. She gently cupped his sac. Above her, Avery went still.
She continued her slow exploration, licking and sucking. His guttural noises and his fist in her hair, spurred her on. She wrapped a hand around his now slippery cock, timing her strokes with each intimate kiss, then drifted the other hand between her thighs, and shoved her panties aside. Her fingers delved between her dewy folds, finding her little pearl hard and ready.
She made a noise in the back of her throat as she swallowed him and flicked her fingers over her clit. He held her in place; her nose buried in the fine tangle of pubic hair before he released her and withdrew. Reluctantly, she allowed him to slide from her mouth with a final lick and kiss.
He helped her to stand, before claiming her lips. He nibbled from corner to corner leaving no doubt his intention for the evening. She opened to him, meeting and dueling with his tongue, sucking it a moment before submitting to his dominance.
“Wrap your arms around my neck, P.”
She rushed to comply, allowing her head to fall back as he kissed the slope of her throat. He lifted her, cradling her to his chest and moved forward. A moment later she was settled on a bed. Avery’s scent rose around her and he followed her down.
He swept her dress and bra strap from her shoulders, his mouth warm and moist on her skin as he kissed his way from shoulder to shoulder. For once, she was glad she wore a wraparound dress. Easy on, easy off. And he was taking his own sweet time peeling her clothes off. She mov
ed to unknot the belt and he shackled her wrists.
“My treat. I get to unwrap the goodie,” he murmured.
A ripple of anticipation sizzled through her body, tightening her nipples. With his free hand, he untied the belt at her waist. When he jerked on the end, she shifted and felt the material pull free of its loops. She pulled her arms from her dress and it was removed from her fingers. A moment later the cloth was being wound around her wrists.
She swallowed hard. Her hands were her way of exploring the world around her. If she couldn’t touch anything, it didn’t quite exist for her.
“Do you trust me?”
He straddled her thighs, the smoothness of his slacks tickled her skin while he cupped her breasts and swiped his thumbs over her nipples. He’d asked her that before he carried her into his bedroom. She did trust him. Always had. She allowed the tension to seep from her body and settled into the bedding.
“I do.”
He leaned forward, his erection brushing her abdomen. His tie skittered over her flesh only to rest across her lips and nose as he raised her arms above her head. The slip of silk lifted from her face and he sat back. A moment later his weight left her completely and she shivered without his heat. She wiggled her legs, drawing her knees up and planting her feet on the comforter.
She could feel the weight of his scrutiny as it drifted down her body. She wondered how she looked to him? Did he find her curves sexy or wished she were thinner? She tugged on the restraints.
“What’s the matter, Penelope?”
His voice came from her left and she turned her head in that direction. “N-nothing.”
“Liar.”
Heat cruised her cheeks.
“Tell me.”
“Do you like what you see?” She held her breath, waiting for the answer. Hoping it was what she wanted to hear.
“Immensely.”
A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. Was that enough? Somehow she expected him to elaborate. He laughed.
“And now you’re making fun of me.”
“I can show you better than I can tell you.”
“Why not do both?” The mattress dipped beside her. His hand rested on her knee before sliding down her thigh and back again. Everywhere he touched, her skin tingled. She craved more. His fingers skimmed the waistband of her panties, then trailed over the crotch. Desire danced along her damp folds and pulsed within her core. The light stroking continued and she squirmed.
He hooked his thumbs in the elastic and dragged the triangle of silk down and over her hips. Cool air raced across her nether lips, intensifying the ache. He reached up and unclasped her bra, baring her breasts.
“Such beauty.” He circled one pert nipple with an index finger. “All this lushness.” He skimmed his other hand over her curves, before cupping her mons. “And it’s mine.”
She sucked in a breath as he stroked her swollen lips, slick with her desire. Up and down, over and over. She wiggled her hips seeking relief. When he finally dipped a finger in her moist heat she wanted to weep.
“After tonight, there’s no going back, Penelope. You’ve been in my heart for so long, I want you in my life and in my bed.” He curled his tongue around her nipple while fondling the other.
Tears burned behind her lids at his words. No one had ever spoken anything like that to her. He lifted his head. His breath fluttered against her skin.
“This isn’t some passing infatuation, Penelope.” He sucked hard on her tit and she felt the tug on her throbbing clit. He laved attention on the other one.
She whimpered from longing, arching her back to push the sensitive orb farther into his mouth. He left her breasts to trail kisses down her torso, over her soft belly where he lingered at her belly button and then moved on, feathering his lips over her mound.
Penelope sucked in a breath when he flicked his tongue across her hip then pressed a kiss to her inner thighs. She tried to close her legs, but he slipped between her knees, his wide shoulders holding her open.
The warm rasp of his tongue across her heated core shot her hips off the bed. Her world narrowed to the man tempting and teasing her. This was so much better than a dream. He traced her labia with his thumbs before holding them open and exposing the little button of nerves. A gentle lick. The saliva dried in her mouth.
“Are you always this responsive?” He swirled a digit up and down her nether lips, Each pass he’d tapped her clit.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on,” she admitted. Cool air replaced his body heat and she shivered. Clothing rustled. She shifted on the bed, closing her legs. She squeezed her thighs together in an attempt to alleviate the worst of the ache.
“Let’s see how hot you burn before you combust, shall we?” He grasped her ankle, skimming a finger along the delicate flesh. She clenched her hands into fists. Delicious shivers raced to all erogenous zones. He dragged a thumb along her instep. His lips followed. Lightning danced through her veins, zigged in her clit and hardened her nipples.
She whimpered as he sucked her big toe, writhing as he laved attention on each of her tootsies. Her cream trickled and slicked her thighs. He switched to her other foot. All she could do was squirm and moan against the sheets. Pleasure rocked her body with each nip of his teeth and swirl of his tongue until she was a quivering mass of need.
Each touch ratcheted her passion a little higher until she was more than ready for the foreplay to end and him to send her into oblivion. Instead, he worked his way up her legs, leaving butterfly kisses in his wake.
When he finally settled between her thighs, teasing her most intimate flesh with the tender caresses of his tongue and lips she knew this was reality and he was going to make all her dreams come true.
“Please, Avery.”
He chuckled. The sound vibrated through her center, adding to the silvery sensations sliding over and through her. He fastened onto her tiny pearl and sucked. Her breath caught in her throat as her hips moved of their own volition.
Penelope hummed, her cries growing louder. He drove two fingers into her wet heat, filling her but not quite enough. When he added a third, her world exploded. Each rhythmic pulse of her pussy sucked at his fingers, hoping to keep them within the haven of her body.
Avery moved up her body, leaving her quivering flower to trail kisses along her torso. He reached her lips, sharing her unique flavor with her. She eagerly accepted his kiss. His arousal pressed to the entrance of her core, she shifted and the head slipped in. She moaned into his mouth, yearning for more.
He entered her in slow increments, prolonging her pleasure and heightening her arousal. When he was fully seated, she twined her legs with his arching upward. Just that tiny movement nudged her toward another orgasm. He withdrew, almost leaving her body completely and she felt the loss. When he drove into her again she felt the merging not just in her heart but her soul as well.
She greeted each stroke with a thrust of her hips. Anticipation built, laying in wait ready to strike. He squeezed her breasts as he pounded into her slick heat, he tugged on her nipples and the world tilted on its axis. She focused on their intimate joining, everything centered on the slide of his cock across oversensitive nerves. The soft sound of flesh on flesh and their combined cries fueled her passion. Her world narrowed and she slid down the rabbit hole, her muscles spasmed and gripped the hard cock driving her over the brink.
His guttural moans mingled with her keening cry as his hips slowed then sped up. He shouted his release. Avery collapsed over top of her, resting his forehead in the damp hollow of her shoulder. He reached above and untangled the belt and tie from her wrists.
She wrapped her arms around him and he rolled her until she sprawled across his chest. Her hair slid over his skin, tickling his sides. He smoothed the silky strands, damp with sweat, away from her face and placed a kiss near her temple.
“I love you so much, Penelope. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and this will all be a dream.”
She chuckled.
“This can’t be a dream. We never get this far.” She drifted her fingertips over his chest in restless circles. A damp kiss followed. “I love you too.”
Avery closed his eyes, savoring her admission. He tightened his arms around her and squeezed. He’d waited so long to hear those sweet words that he hugged them close as they wound through his heart and settled deep in his soul.
She shifted until she straddled his thighs, his cock stirring beneath her bare bottom. He gripped her waist. “How could I have not known how you felt?”
“I’ll forgive you this time,” he teased.
A smile creased her lips and she dropped her head, her hair sliding over her shoulders. “Will you? I may not forgive you for not telling me sooner.” As she spoke she ran her fingers over his body. Reawakening his desire. Heat pooled low and once more he was hard as a rock.
Her deliberate exploration left him breathless. Where her hands weren’t, her lips were. The warmth of her mouth slid along his nerve endings. His intention had not been to have dessert first, but she was so tantalizing, so... A groan of satisfaction eased from his lips as she seemed to swallow him. Her throat gripped his cock and then he was sliding from the wet haven of her mouth.
He threaded his fingers through her hair, enjoying their newfound intimacy.
Chapter Six
Shrill ringing sliced through the silence. Penelope bolted upright, reaching for her nightstand and finding nothing but air. She shifted and an arm curved around her waist, pulling her against a lean, hard body. That’s right. She wasn’t at home.
“Avery, your phone or alarm is going off,” she murmured. She moved again and found herself pinned beneath his body and his mouth covering hers. A moan stuck in the back of her throat as she opened for him. She wound her arms and legs around him, holding him close. Never had any man made her feel so complete, so safe and cherished as he did. And right now whatever was ringing could wait.
He abruptly stopped. “Wait. That’s the phone.” He untangled from her limbs. “Damn. It’s too early for work. Shay was opening today.”
Penelope sat up as the bed shifted beside her. Something clicked and a momentary flash of light flared before her world darkened again. She dragged the sheet over her breasts, drew her legs to her chest and rested her cheek on her knees.
The Baker's Touch Page 6
