In Full Bloom [Second Chances 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Michelle Roth

  She hadn’t been what he expected at all. She’d been so responsive and uninhibited. Normally she had this tension about her, like she was always on her way somewhere. Even when they had eaten dinner those few times, she’d seemed like that. Watching her fall apart underneath him had been indescribably sexy.

  He shook his head to dislodge the images and refocused his attention to the task at hand. He spent the next thirty minutes watering and feeding the plants. After he was done, he took a moment to gather some fresh herbs from the garden and then went back downstairs.

  When he walked back into the bedroom, she was sitting up. She gave him a sleepy grin and said, “Hi there.”

  “Hey,” he said, grinning. Then, glancing at the clock, he regretfully added, “I need to shower or I’m going to be late opening the shop.”

  She nodded and got out of bed. Stretching, she asked, “Want some company?”

  A grin spreading across his face, he glanced at the clock and said, “I’ve got thirty minutes until I need to be downstairs. I can make them count though.”

  She followed him into the bathroom and said, “I think we can work with that.”

  He turned the shower on and let it warm up. Turning to face her, he said, “I’m going to need my shirt back now.”

  She raised her arms and allowed him to pull it off her. Apparently she hadn’t bothered with her panties last night because she was now completely bare. Unable to take his eyes off of her, he drank in the sight of her nude body standing in front of him.

  He frowned when he saw the slight smudges of bruising on her hips. He brushed his fingertips against them and said, “Princess, I was too rough with you. I’m sorry.”

  “And I loved every minute of it. I liked that you were as lost in the moment as I was. Don’t apologize for that.”

  He must have been frowning still because she said, “I enjoyed every part of what we did last night.” A moment later she looked at him and added, “Last night was the first time I’d ever come with the help of a friend.”

  Warning bells sounded in his brain until he heard her tinkling laughter. She held up a hand and said, “Oh my god. You should have seen your face. It’s been a while but I wasn’t a virgin, so don’t freak out on me. It’s just that my previous experiences have been a little lackluster in comparison. You’re the first person I’ve been with that has had any idea about how I wanted to be touched. I’m not going to start shopping for wedding gowns or planning for a tattoo of your name on my ass.”

  “That’d be a shame, marking up this beautiful ass with a tattoo,” he said, stroking his hand over it. “I’m glad that you enjoyed yourself.”

  Leaning forward, he dropped a light kiss on her lips, then stripped out of his clothes. Pulling back the shower curtain, he gestured for her to step in and then followed after her.

  He immediately pulled her flush against him and lowered his mouth to hers. Nipping gently at her lips, he pressed his hips forward. As his erect cock jutted into her belly, he said, “I can’t get enough.”

  She moved her lips to kiss along his jawline and neck, agreeing, “I can’t either.”

  His body tensed under her touch as her hand drifted down his body. She ran her fingers lightly over his stomach, dragging a light groan from his lips. When her hand reached his throbbing cock, she gripped him firmly and began to stroke him.

  When he reached out to touch her, she pulled her head back from his neck. Giving him a wicked smile, she dropped to her knees in front of him. Wasting no time, she ran her tongue up and down the length of him, then pulled him deep into her hot, wet mouth. “Fuck,” he said. “Taryn. Your lips feel so good wrapped around my cock.”

  Gripping her hair, he rocked his hips against her mouth, completely lost. He realized that from this angle there was no way for him to possibly pleasure her. He desperately wanted her coming against his hands and mouth, or all over his cock as often as possible. Especially now, given her earlier confession. A woman as responsive and sensual as she was should have been easy to please. He had no idea what any of those idiots had been doing.

  Watching his cock disappear between her lips again, he bit back a groan and said, “Play with your clit for me.”

  He felt the rhythm she had been keeping with her mouth falter slightly as she slipped her hand between her thighs to rub. Not satisfied entirely with the view, he said, “Spread your thighs apart. Let me see you fuck yourself with your fingers. Show me how you like it.”

  Complying, she rubbed herself quickly, her breath hitching as she continued to pull him into her mouth. When he felt her slight gasp around him, his hand tightened in her hair. Feeling her answering groan, he tightened it even more and rocked his hips. She let out a broken sob around his cock.

  Realizing she was on the edge, he forced his eyes down to watch her. She continued to rub her fingers against her clit. With each pass, she gave a slight whimper around his cock. He felt his balls tighten up in response. He said, “Fuck, like that. Come for me, come for me,” as he fucked her mouth.

  A moment later he felt the vibration against his cock as she gave a long, low moan of release and he exploded without warning. As he shot into her mouth, he said, “Oh god, that’s it. Just like that. Fuck.”

  He watched the muscles in her throat work as she swallowed and had vague thoughts of getting her name tattooed on his ass. Jesus Christ, her mouth.

  As she released him, he pulled her up and against him. His legs shook unsteadily.

  They leaned against each other, both of them still breathing heavily, until he said, “Your mouth…” and then trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

  She flashed him a grin and asked, “So that worked for you?”

  “I had plans that involved you coming against my mouth, but I don’t think I have time anymore,” he said regretfully.

  “I had fun,” she said, flashing him a sassy smile.

  A few minutes later, they left the shower. After she had dried off, she asked, “Can I borrow this?”

  He looked over to see her holding the T-shirt he’d lent her the previous night. Nodding, he said, “Sure.”

  “Thanks,” she said, pulling it over her head. “I didn’t want to put back on my slutty red riding hood costume.”

  Sliding on a pair of jeans, he said, “That costume. You looked like an erotic fairy tale. The minute I saw you I wanted to toss you over my shoulder and drag you out of there, Princess.”

  “That could’ve been fun,” she said, grinning.

  He quirked an eyebrow and asked, “Oh, really?”

  Considering, she said, “Maybe not in a place quite so public, but that’s kind of a fantasy of mine. To just be…taken.”

  The images that statement brought to mind made him go rock hard. Closing his eyes a moment, he said, “I seriously doubt I have any blood left in my brain right now.”

  She laughed and said, “Then perhaps I won’t mention that sucking you off in the shower was making me so hot I was about to start playing with my clit before you even asked.”

  He stared at her for a second and then said, “I’m going to make you beg. Know that.”

  She laughed and said, “You know where to find me.”

  Glancing at the clock, he cursed and then said, “As much as I want to stay, I can’t.”

  Taryn grabbed the rest of her clothes, her shoes and her purse from the living room. Holding them off to the side, she pressed a kiss to his lips and said, “Enjoy your day.”

  Watching her walk across the hall way barefoot, with his T-shirt and no panties on, he shook his head. He had no idea how he’d managed to resist her for so long. As she was unlocking her door, he said, “You, too, Princess.”

  A scant five minutes later he hustled down to the shop with his laptop bag in tow. In between customers, he’d set up the accounting software if it killed him. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket just as he rolled up shutters and unlocked the door. Moving inside, he shut off the alarm and then turned on the lights. Pulling
the phone out of his pocket, he saw Jamie had texted him.

  “Hey, bro. You busy tonight? I did want to hang out last night but you just took off,” he read.

  Quickly he responded, “I think I have something going on tonight. Tomorrow? Pizza and beer at my place again?”

  “Did you make up with Taryn? She took off pretty quickly last night, too.”

  “I didn’t realize you were so concerned with my love life, brother dear,” Evan typed, deflecting the question.

  Not buying the deflection for a second, Jamie responded, “Your non-denial will be taken as a yes. Invite her, too. I’ll check and see if Cora is free.”

  Smirking, he asked, “Is this a double date? How sweet!”

  Evan laughed when he saw the response flash across his screen. “Eat a dick.”

  He put the phone down and then moved into the back. Pulling out some of the newer stock, he re-organized one of the front cases, then settled in with his lap top. He reopened the accounting software.

  The set-up process was so elaborate. He’d had to stop the installation to do research a few times. He’d been a financial advisor for Christ’s sake. He couldn’t even imagine a novice trying to answer some of those questions.

  By three in the afternoon, he’d successfully installed the software and made several sales. He was getting a surprising amount of foot traffic. He’d kind of banked on the idea of web sales and phone orders. He hadn’t planned on having much in the way of walk-in clientele, so it was an added bonus.

  He decided now that the accounting was done, he’d make some updates to his website. The website had been ridiculously easy to set up. He was in the middle of adding the additional stock when the bells on the door jingled.

  He looked up to see Taryn standing there with an armful of groceries. She set the bag on his counter and said, “You look super busy playing on the internet, there.”

  He shot her a bland look and said, “Updating my website, Princess. What are you up to?”

  “Dinner in a bit and then, not sure,” she said, wringing her hands.

  “Want some company later?” he asked.

  She nodded and then said, “Sure. Stop by when you’re through here. I can stretch dinner, too, if you want.”

  Peering at the grocery bag, he asked, “What’s for dinner?”

  “Stuffed pork chops, mashed potatoes, something green. I haven’t decided yet.”

  Surprised, he said, “That sounds elaborate.”

  “I subsisted on instant soup and pasta all through school. Now that I’m not broke, I try to eat real food a few times a week. Tomorrow it will probably be tater tots. Don’t be too impressed.”

  “Fair enough. I close up at five. I’ll be over shortly after.”

  She stopped wringing her hands long enough to grab the bag off the counter top and said, “Kay. I’m gonna go put this away. I’ve got ice cream in here that’s gonna melt. See ya later.”

  He moved to hold the door open for her when she grabbed her grocery bag, then watched her walk around to the side entrance of the building. Frowning, he went back to the counter. She’d seemed a little tense when she came in.

  Maybe she was having second thoughts? He didn’t think so, though. She’d seemed relaxed this morning. He’d certainly need to investigate that later.

  By five fifteen he was locking up the shop. He’d made a few more sales and booked an appointment with a bride. Not bad for a Saturday.

  He dropped his laptop off at his place along with his phone and wallet. Locking the door, he walked across the hallway and knocked on the door. He heard her muffled, “Just a minute.”

  He stood there, waiting. Finally he heard a muffled curse along with the flipping of the locks. When she opened the door, she said, “C’mon in.”

  “Did I come at a bad time?” he asked.

  She waved him off, and said, “No. Not at all. I was in the middle of stuffing the pork chops, so I had to wash the stuffing and pork off my hands.”

  She was still tense, he realized. Wanting to get to the bottom of it, he asked, “What’s with the fidgeting?”

  She blinked and then looked down to where she was wringing her hands. A second later, she laughed and asked, “What fidgeting?”

  He patiently said, “Tell me what’s on your mind, Princess.”

  She took a deep breath and said, “Last night and this morning were great, but you basically told me you didn’t have anything to offer, so I guess I’m wondering what we’re doing here.”

  “That’s not what I said at all,” he said, “But that’s beside the point. What do you want to be doing here?”

  “I’d like to see where it goes,” she said.

  Stepping forward, he put a hand on her cheek and said, “Okay. Good. That’s what I want, too. What I meant last night was that I wasn’t sure what I had to give. I wouldn’t have been with you at all if I didn’t at least have the inclination to try, though. You make me want to try.”

  Her features softened. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked almost shy when she said, “Okay.”

  He brushed his lips against hers before pressing his mouth chastely against hers. Then he pulled her the rest of the way into his arms and said, “I had a depressingly dried-out peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Tell me more about this dinner.”

  She shifted so her cheek lay against his chest and asked, “So, you’re just here for the dinner, huh?”

  A grin spread across his lips as he said, “Nope. That’s a nice side benefit though.”

  She pulled away from his embrace and moved back toward the kitchen as she said, “Stuffed pork chops and mashed potatoes, and I decided on roasted asparagus.”

  He peered down at the counter and saw an array of herbs and seasonings on the counter. He said, “By the way, there’s an herb garden on the roof. Feel free to use it. I doubt I could go through it all myself.”

  “Cool,” she said. “Thanks. What are your thoughts on Gorgonzola?”

  “I don’t think about it often, but when I do I wonder what the hell it is,” he said, smirking.

  “It’s like blue cheese but Italian,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “Interesting,” he said. “I don’t mind blue cheese. Why do you ask?”

  “I’m going to roast it on the asparagus,” she said.

  He looked at her and said, “I’m sure it will be okay.” He couldn’t imagine the combination in his mind. He was not at all sure it would be okay.

  She smiled at him, clearly seeing that he was uncertain. “I’ll make some without, but if you like blue cheese, then you’ll like this. I promise.”

  “I trust you,” he said.

  Oddly, he realized, he did trust her. That was kind of a strange realization. They hadn’t known each other for very long, but she was really down to earth. She didn’t seem the type to be dishonest or play games.

  Forty five minutes later, they sat down to dinner. He’d run next door to grab a bottle of wine. They split the bottle and ate. The Gorgonzola she had put on the asparagus had been really good. He’d been prepared to take a few bites for posterity’s sake but she’d been right.

  When he stood up to clear the table, he walked the dirty dishes to the dishwasher, opening it.

  She said, “Don’t bother with the dishwasher. That thing hasn’t worked since I moved in.”

  “You have to tell me about these things. It’s my responsibility to fix them,” he said.

  “Actually, it was hers, and she sucked at it. The last thing I wanted to do is to run to you with all the shit that’s broken. Not when you’re doing all the renovations on the store and the roof, just starting out.”

  He set the dishes down and approached her, running a thumb over her bottom lip and said, “I appreciate the thought, but make me a list.”

  “If you’re sure,” she said, looking uncertain.

  “Make me a list.”

  Together, they washed the dishes from dinner and then moved into the living room.
They sat on the couch for another hour, talking about the huge bridal appointment he’d booked today, and she brought him up to speed on everything that had happened at the zoo. He perked up slightly when she mentioned the yoga class she’d missed this morning.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a class,” he said.

  “No complaints about how I spent this morning, Evan,” she said, smiling as she remembered. “I can catch a class Monday.”

  “Well, just know that I wholeheartedly support any sort of class that helps increase flexibility,” he said with a lascivious grin.

  “I’ll bet you do,” she said, laughing.

  When she looked up at him, it was almost like he’d been sucker punched. Her eyes were so incredibly expressive. At the moment, they were filled with desire. It practically radiated off of her in waves.

  Signal received, he leaned in and cupped her face. His lips pressed against hers as he gave her a series of quick nips until she opened her mouth under his. Tangling his tongue with hers, he continued to kiss her until they were both breathless from it.

  Once he was able to speak again, he said, “I don’t know how I thought I was going to be able to resist this.”

  As he traced his hand traced lightly over her back, she said, “You were driving me insane. The day you gave me the flower.”

  He winced and said, “I was shitty that day.”

  She nodded at him in agreement and said, “You were, but you apologized. It happens. The hug, though. You didn’t have a shirt on. You smelled all clean from the shower. Your skin was so smooth and warm. Christ. It’s kind of making me hot just thinking about it now. That’s why I left so abruptly. You were driving me insane.”

  He nodded and said, “I didn’t think about the dynamics until your cheek was pressed against me. I was hard as a rock. I was hoping you didn’t notice. Needless to say, there was a lengthy cold shower right after. Even that didn’t help.”

  “I didn’t notice. I was too hell-bent on getting out of there. If I had, I probably would have attacked you and taken us both out of our misery,” she said, laughing. “I was still so frustrated the next morning. Then you came up on the roof and gave me that sexy sleepy grin.”