“Did you need something, Archer?” She smirked.
“You weren’t reading,” he accused.
“With you trying to be sneaky? Of course not. Is there something I can do for you?” Delicia straddled him.
Archer could think of a whole lot of things. Although they’d been having sex over the last two weeks, he still couldn’t get enough of her. Every time they went somewhere, it was all he could do to wait until they got to one of their houses to have his way with her. Their breakfasts at The Enchanted after her shifts had taken on a whole new dimension. They ate leisurely, torturing each other into a sensual frenzy. Then went to one of their houses to relieve it. If it was one of his days to work the garage he would have to leave. The men had commented on his big goofy grin and his extra energy. They had no clue it was the idea of seeing Delicia that motivated him to finish so he could meet her. The weekend they’d planned for their overnight hiking trip was coming up in about three weeks—he couldn’t wait to have her by the hot springs.
He kissed her leisurely, building the fire. Delicia moaned, grinding against him slowly. The phone ringing shattered the air. Delicia pulled back.
“Crap.” She reached over his shoulder and picked up the phone. “Yeah…oh, Arissa.”
Archer kissed along her face, not really paying much attention. Delicia yanked his hair.
“Let me ask Archer?” Delicia covered the phone. “Quit that. Arissa is inviting us to dinner. She wants us to meet someone.”
“Me?” He was confused.
“Yeah, you. I told her about us. So is tonight good?”
“Sure,” he said cautiously.
“No retreat,” she warned.
Archer frowned. “I wasn’t going to. Why don’t you invite her over here? We can get some groceries and make dinner.”
“You mean I can.”
“No, we can.”
“You can cook?” Delicia asked dubiously.
“Of course I can. Why would you ask that? I’ve made us breakfast a few times.”
“We’ll that was just breakfast. I’ve always cooked dinner.”
“You get kind of possessive of the kitchen when you cook. I thought it best not to get in the way.”
Delicia scowled. “I do not.”
“You do,” he said.
“You do.” A voice on the phone echoed his.
Delicia glanced at the phone then put it to her ear. “Sorry, forgot you were there. Come over for dinner. Archer and I will cook.” She paused then said, “I do not get possessive of the kitchen… Fine, I’ll wait until you come and we can all cook together so I can prove it. Seven o’clock.”
She hung up then threw the cordless on the centre table.
“I don’t get possessive when cooking.” She pouted.
“You do, but it’s cute.” He kissed her wrinkled nose.
“Cute?” she said in disbelief.
“Yep. Are we going to Lewis’ for groceries?”
“Nope. Arissa and her mystery guest are bringing what we’ll be cooking. We’ll be cooking together,” Delicia replied.
“Hmmm.”
Delicia tapped her fingers on his chest. “Stop thinking about it.”
He knew the comment of being possessive was on her mind.
“Well it is bugging me. I didn’t know I got that way. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You never asked.” He shrugged.
“It’s a boyfriend’s job to point these things out. It’s in the handbook,” Delicia said.
Archer kissed her fiercely. Delicia moaned into his mouth. He pulled her tight against his erection, pulled out of her mouth and licked along her bottom lip. He met her gaze.
“What was that for?” Her voice sounded thick.
“You called me your boyfriend.”
“Hell, if that is all it takes to get you going then I’ll call you that all the time,” she promised.
Archer laughed.
Delicia enjoyed the sound and feel of his laugh. His massive chest shook where she lay on him. Archer sobered and his eyes got that glint she had come to know so well.
“You wanna do the deed,” he said in a decadent whisper.
Her pussy flooded in readiness for him. Delicia didn’t reply, at least not verbally. She leaned away pulling down his short pants and briefs, baring his big cock. Raising her housedress, she moved her pussy against his erection.
“You naughty woman. No panties. If I had known that I would have already had you,” Archer said.
“I like being prepared,” she whispered.
Delicia pulled a condom out of the pocket of her housedress and smoothed it over his cock. The heated flesh of his shaft was like silken steel. Rising up slightly she rubbed the spongy head of his erection along her slit. Delicia moaned as Archer’s groan shivered along her skin. Moving forward, she lined him up and rocked forward taking him inside her. Archer gripped her ass.
Delicia moved back and forth against him, his hard length set off pulses of pleasure up her spine. She rocked faster and faster. Archer slowed the motions.
“Slower…deep…like that,” Archer urged.
She struggled to move faster but he held her effortlessly, controlling her movements. The slow, measured, controlled thrust was driving her crazy.
“Archer…pl…ease…more. Damn you.” She whimpered.
He chuckled, a wicked sound, moving even slower. He undulated his hips setting off a blaze of heat. Gasping, Delicia ran her fingers to her nipples, plucking at the tight buds.
“Play with them. Feed them to me,” he ordered.
She leaned over, cupping his head with one hand and using the other to hold her breast to his lips. Archer suckled the nipple hard. The contrast between that and him having her made her shiver. He bit down on her bud and Delicia moaned loudly as she came, trembling against him. Archer’s fingers tightened and he shuddered, coming with her. He continued to suckle her nipples as he rocked inside her. He collapsed back, relaxing. Delicia fell forward against him. He nuzzled the side of her face and kissed it gently. They lay there, calming slowly.
“I need to make a trip to my house. How does some homemade ice cream for dessert sound?” Archer said.
“Okay,” Delicia agreed.
“In a little while.”
* * * *
Delicia went around Archer, putting down the plates as he placed the glasses on the table. She grabbed the utensils and they finished readying the table together. She stood back and observed the table. It was laid with one of her favourite settings—cream plates with a blue and green mosaic pattern around the edge. Green wine glasses. A cream-coloured cloth covered the patio table and utensils sat next to napkins that matched the tablecloth. In the centre was a shallow earthenware bowl that served for the centrepiece of wildflowers they had picked up on the way back from Archer’s house. The ice cream maker was ready to make the dessert.
“It looks nice, Delicia.” Archer put his hands on her shoulder.
“It does. Thanks for helping.” She turned and kissed him softly.
“Why are you so nervous?” He draped his arms over her shoulders, hugging her close.
“I’m not.”
Archer didn’t say anything. Delicia sighed and put her head against his chest.
“It’s our first official dinner party we are hosting together,” she admitted.
“Why is that important? It’s just your sister.” Archer sounded baffled.
“I know. I’m being silly,” Delicia said.
She couldn’t admit the truth. She really wanted Archer to see that her family was just like everyone else. That he had no reason to think they would not accept him. He hadn’t brought it up again, but she didn’t want anything to ruin what they had.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
“Stop worrying. It will be fine,” Archer said.
“Okay,” she breathed, hugging him.
The sound of the doorbell made her pull away. “I’ll get the door. Check the coals for the
grill.”
Delicia left him outside. She walked to the door, running her hand over her sundress of various shades of orange, before opening it.
“Hey, Lis. Thanks for having us. This is Deiter Schneider.”
From his name alone she assumed he had to be German. Delicia stared at the gorgeous man with her sister. He appeared to be over six feet. Just like her brothers. Deiter was well muscled with tanned skin, blue-grey eyes and an amazing white smile. His blondish-brown hair was a little shaggy but still close to his head. A dark blue button down shirt open at the collar hugged his chest and the sleeves ended just above his elbows leaving the rest of his muscular arms bare. She struggled not to look lower. His name niggled at her memory.
“Deiter? Are you the one who Tarak talks about in his emails? Who moved here a few months ago when he did? Working at the university or something?” Delicia asked.
“Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you, Delicia. Tarak and Arissa have told me so much about you,” Deiter said.
“Lis, please.” She shook his hand and studied him, wondering why Arissa wanted her to meet him.
“Honey. Go on through the kitchen and take the steaks to Archer. Introduce yourself.”
Delicia eyes widened at the ‘honey’.
“Okay.” Deiter kissed Arissa then left.
Delicia stared after him as he walked away. His black slacks hugged a fine looking ass.
“No ogling my man.” A hand smacked her on the arm.
Delicia continued to look as she replied, “I can’t help it. He is fine. Not as fine as Archer, but damn, that is one sexy piece of man. What is with all of us getting such fine men? Katiya with Warwick. Now you and Deiter. How do you know him anyway?”
She returned her attention to her sister. Arissa had a rueful smile on her face. It piqued her curiosity. “Rissa.”
“We met on my cruise a while ago.”
“It must have been strange to meet him that way. Tarak talked about him often enough, but none of us met him,” Delicia said.
“I didn’t know who he was until I moved to McKingley.”
“What?” Delicia could tell there was a story.
“I’ll fill you in another time. Let’s go out to join the men.”
“You better tell me everything later,” Delicia said as they walked towards the kitchen.
“I will.”
She paused and put her hand on her sister’s arm, stopping her before they entered the kitchen.
“Is it serious, Arissa?”
“Very. He asked me to marry him and I said yes.” Arissa raised her left hand.
Delicia gasped and pulled it down so she could see the engagement ring on her finger. The starburst pattern amethyst was offset by four rows of diamonds on each side and had a band of braided white gold.
“Oh my God. That is a beautiful ring. Does the rest of the family know? I’m so happy for you.” Delicia hugged her.
“Thanks. Told Mom and Dad. I wanted you to be the first of the siblings to know. Well, Tarak knows since Deiter showed him the ring before asking me. And Deyon, since we’re living in one of her apartments until we get a place of our own.” Arissa returned her embrace.
Delicia squeezed her tighter. Arissa and she had been inseparable until she’d moved. Being the youngest, Delicia usually went to Arissa—who was the closest to her in age—when she had problems. She still did, in a fashion, by email when Arissa had been in Chicago. But when she needed someone closer she’d gone to Deyon, whose blunt attitude helped her immensely. At the thought, she realised she hadn’t spoken to Deyon in a bit, which wasn’t normal. No matter how busy they were, they kept in touch. Even if it was simply Deyon calling and leaving her a rude message on her machine for not calling her.
“Haven’t heard from Deyon for a bit. I have to call her.”
“Oh yeah, she mentioned she called a few times. Last time she left you a message and got no return call,” Arissa said.
“She did?”
“Yep. Left it on your machine.” Arissa nodded.
Frowning, Delicia walked over to the table under the phone. She checked the answering machine—it didn’t seem to be broken. “My machine seems fine.”
“Sometimes they mess up. Maybe you need to get voicemail instead.”
“Maybe,” Delicia replied.
Perhaps it had been when she’d been with Archer. But if so, why hadn’t she got the message?
“The other times she left a message with Justin.”
“With Justin? What was he doing in my house and answering my phone? I kicked him out,” Delicia said.
“You did? Why?”
“He was acting the ass about Archer. But why was he in my house?”
“Does he have keys? If he does, you need to change the locks. He’s always given me the creeps.” Arissa sounded concerned.
“He d—” Delicia thought about it and cursed. “Damn, he does. I gave them to him to pick up something for Aunty, but never got them back. That was months ago.” Delicia frowned, thinking of when she had come home with Archer the first time and Justin had been there. She wondered if he had been coming into her house that long.
“I’ll have the locks changed and sign up for voicemail.”
“I think you should tell Leo. If Justin has been coming here without you knowing, it’s a problem,” Arissa aid.
“No. It is fine. No big deal. I’ll change the locks and it will be fine. Please don’t tell Leo, you know how he is.” She gripped Arissa’s arm.
“Fine. If you promise to do it tomorrow.”
“I will.” Delicia glanced out of the bay windows to the back patio. “And no word to Archer either.”
“Is it serious, Lis?” Arissa echoed her earlier words.
“I’m hoping it will be,” Delicia replied.
“I’m here if you need me.”
“I know.” She hugged Arissa.
They walked out and joined the men. As the dinner progressed, Delicia watched the comfortable teasing and loving glances between Arissa and Deiter. She wanted that with Archer. Delicia observed him as he laughed and talked with Arissa and Deiter. He was such a sexy man. And she wanted him for herself.
“That was delicious, Archer. I’ve never had homemade vanilla ice cream in mango sauce before. What do you make it with?” Arissa’s comment brought her attention back to the conversation.
“It’s made with—”
She didn’t listen as they discussed the variations of the recipes. Delicia studied Deiter—he had a smile on his face. Deiter looked at her and leaned closer.
“She has a thing for food,” he whispered.
“She does. Even as a kid.” Delicia snickered.
“Tell me about it?” Deiter sounded curious.
Delicia filled him in on the misadventures of their family and food. Deiter chuckled and interjected in parts asking questions. Before she knew it, she was telling him about her job.
“Let me wash up,” Arissa said.
“I’ll join you. You all wrap up the extra food. Archer, make sure you give some to Deiter for them to take home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Archer winked then kissed her softly.
He walked away to the plates and bowls by the grill. Deiter stood, kissing Arissa, then went to join him. She and Arissa cleared off the table before taking the plates into the house. Arissa filled the sink and started to wash. She rinsed the dishes then put them on the drainer. Deiter and Archer brought in the rest of the dishes and placed them on the counter by them.
“Here’s the food for your sister.” He touched her back.
“Thanks. Go watch some TV or something till we’re done.”
“Okay. Come on, Deiter, we’re being banished to the living room so they can talk about us,” Archer said.
“Behave, you.” Delicia snapped a towel at him.
Archer dodged, laughing as he left the room. Deiter followed him out. She and Arissa watched for a while.
“I like seeing how you are with Arche
r. You all look happy.”
“You do too.” Delicia said.
“I am. Took some to get there, but it is worth it. Remember that, Delicia. No matter what,” Arissa said.
“I will.” Delicia was silent for a while then said, “I like Deiter. He knows how to get people talking and is a good listener.”
“He is. I love him, Lis. I really do.” There was a lot of emotion in her voice.
“I’m glad. And I can see he loves you too. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle. Have you set a date yet?”
“Not yet. We’re still enjoying being engaged,” Arissa said.
“Once the rest of the family finds out, that’ll change,” Delicia warned.
“Mom and the aunts love Warwick being so into the wedding. It’s driving Katiya batty. They’re too busy planning Katiya’s wedding to think about mine. Thank God.”
“Please, you know the aunts love…heck…live for the planning and execution of a wedding.”
“Oh, God. You’re right. Maybe we don’t have to tell them.” Arissa mused.
“Mom probably already called them. They’re lulling you into a false sense of security.”
“Shit. Maybe I’ll elope.”
“Nope. They’ll never forgive you if you do. The wedding is a better alternative.”
“Probably.” Arissa sounded forlorn.
“Buck up. It won’t be so bad.”
“I hope you say that when it is your turn.” Arissa glanced towards the empty doorway. “Which might not be too much longer.”
“I don’t know where we are going. We’re just letting it happen.” Delicia ducked her head.
Arissa didn’t say anything else. They finished cleaning the kitchen and headed to the living room. Delicia snuggled against Archer and Arissa sat in Deiter’s lap. They watched TV and chatted. After they left, Delicia got ready for bed. The sound of Archer in the bathroom reached her. She wondered what it would be like to have him as her husband.
* * * *
Days later, she waited for Archer in his living room as he got ready for their excursion. Delicia couldn’t get the thought out of her mind. The sound of the doorbell broke the silence.
Risky Pleasures Page 6
