by Zoe York
Captivated.
The word whispered through her head and she had to fight a smile. That was the word he’d used last night to describe how he felt about her. She freaking loved that. And yeah, she wanted more. She wasn’t throwing a pie party in the park—and she also really loved that alliteration—but she did want to tell Evan all about that party. And yes, she also had the feeling that he’d jump right in on that good time and help her make it even better.
“But I do agree that it’s probably taking on too much too soon,” he said, picking up his wineglass and taking a sip.
Cori let that sink in. “You don’t think we should do it?”
“Not yet. Not if you’re not ready.”
Pop. Cori swore she could hear and feel her little bubble of excitement break.
“You need to get things at the shop going smoothly before you take on a big publicity stunt.”
“But it’s not a stunt. It’s a way to get people trying our pies, first and foremost. And we need something to do that. And in addition, this would associate our business with fun and show we want to participate in the community.”
Evan’s eyebrows rose. “I thought you didn’t like this idea?”
Oh yeah, shit. Ava didn’t like this idea. “Well, I’m just surprised that you are dismissing it so quickly,” she said honestly. “This seems like something you’d enjoy. I know you organize the 5K every year that raises money for the medical clinic here.” It was a satellite clinic to the big medical group in Great Bend, but it provided all of the basic care the people here needed as well as bringing specialists in on a monthly basis for consultations. She’d heard all about that from her coffee group as well. Walter was followed by a cardiologist once a month and Ben had just been in to get his prostate checked. She’d heard way more about that than she’s wanted to.
“I do,” Evan said.
“And I know that it’s more than just a 5K. You give it a theme every year and the runners and spectators dress up accordingly and the after party follows the theme as well.”
He nodded. “Running kind of sucks. Even if it’s for charity. I wanted to make it more fun.”
Yeah, she’d loved hearing about that. The guys that sat in the front of her pie shop and raved about her coffee and kept her constantly buying more whipped cream, had given her more insight into the town—and Evan—than she could have ever hoped for. She’d gladly buy sprinkles and caramel syrup out of her own account in exchange for the steady flow of information. And laughter. The guys were great, and she couldn’t help but think that if these guys had been her father’s friends, then there was definitely more to Rudy than she’d thought.
“And I know that you do a lot of your business meetings while hunting or fishing. And that you throw amazing tailgate parties…and have everyone throw in money toward the youth football program while they stand around and talk sports.”
Her heart thumped again as she repeated the story that Roger had told her a few mornings ago. Everyone knew about Evan’s fondness for a good party and having fun. But those extra things, like the fact that he preferred talking business while floating on the local fishing pond, or the fact that he found ways to make the fun into something more, were not as widely known. Or at least, they weren’t as widely talked about. Not every party or get-together turned into a client meeting or charity event, of course, but the idea that some of them did made her stomach flip. Evan was a good guy. Just as she’d told Ava. A really good guy. Who didn’t really see it about himself. This all seemed like something he just did without thinking about it. And she was incredibly grateful, again, that her sister was not attracted to him.
“It’s easier to get generous donations when people are full of beer and brats,” he said, again casually lifting his wineglass for a drink.
She nodded. “I’m sure. But my point is, you’re all about having a good time and you’re all about supporting this community. And,” she said, leaning in slightly, “you’re all about supporting me and my sisters. What’s with your hesitation on this park party?”
That bugged her. Sure, he thought she was Ava, and Ava had probably spelled out all of her concerns earlier. But still, this really seemed like something Evan would get into. She hated hearing he didn’t like it. She had bad ideas sometimes. She had crazy ideas a lot of the time. And she’d accepted the fact that sometimes people were not going to buy in. But she hadn’t expected it from Evan and it stung more from him. Whatever that meant.
And she didn’t really want to know what that meant.
Evan shifted on his chair, leaning in and resting an elbow on the table. He met her gaze directly. “It’s just a lot,” he said. “The stuff I do has evolved over time. The 5K was always for charity, but someone else did it for three years before I took it over.”
“They didn’t have themes or a big after party though, I’m guessing,” she said, knowing that those had to be Evan touches.
If he was surprised that “Ava” would have that kind of insight, he didn’t show it. He just smiled. “That started out because the prior Halloween, Noah told me there was no way I could ever get Parker to dress up. Doing it for charity was my only chance. And I won fifty bucks off of Noah for that.”
She laughed at that. She couldn’t help it. Surely Ava would too. If nothing else, the idea of Parker Blake in a costume of any kind was just too funny.
“But the tailgates were just an excuse to get drunk and be loud at the game at first,” he said. “And the fishing…I like fishing. One day a guy and I went out on the pond. We weren’t going as client and attorney, just as buddies. But while we fished, we got to talking. And I found that he was a lot more amenable to the other side of the case while the fish were biting.”
“You mediate a lot more than you actually sue or take people to court or whatever,” Cori commented, unable to help it. Walter had told her that little tidbit and it had fascinated her. Of course, Ava wouldn’t have said “whatever”. She would have known the right terms for all the legal stuff Evan did. But Cori could hope he didn’t know that.
“I do,” Evan confirmed. “This is a small town full of people I’ve known and cared about my whole life. I don’t like when they fight.”
He gave a little smile, and Cori felt that flip in her stomach again.
“And don’t you want these people you care about to have an amazing pie party in the park?” she asked.
Evan’s smile dropped and he took a deep breath, his gaze going to his wineglass instead of holding hers. “I just think you girls might get in over your heads with it. Maybe next year.”
Yeah, well, they weren’t supposed to still be here, running the shop next year. And Cori couldn’t deny that she felt a stab of sadness at that idea. Sure, things were anything but smooth and easy, but she couldn’t say she’d hated her time in Bliss so far. Hanging out with her sisters at the shop all day, painting and stitching with Brynn, coaching Ava and resisting the urge to just push her sister out of the way and take over, listening to the coffee club, watching Noah and Brynn pretend not to flirt, watching Ava and Parker face off, anticipating seeing Evan…it had all been fun.
She shook all of that off. There was a long way to go before this year was over. She might feel differently by this time next year.
Okay, this party thing was a lot. And her sisters didn’t love it. And Evan wasn’t sold on it. But it was a good idea, dammit.
Cori took a drink of water, then said, “Well, Cori isn’t very good at very many things, but she definitely knows how to throw a party. Maybe we should let her develop the idea a little bit.”
Evan nodded. “Yeah, a huge, blowout good time seems right up her alley. But—”
“But?” Cori asked.
“I wouldn’t say Cori isn’t good at very many things.”
“Oh?” Cori set her glass down, her palm suddenly feeling a little tingly. “What do you mean?” She was very good at kissing this guy, that was for sure.
“She’s very good at making the
coffee guys feel welcome even when they’re completely underfoot. She’s very good at making you and Brynn smile. She’s very good at being absolutely exactly who she is, even when we’re all telling her to pull back. And she’s very good at winding me up tighter than any woman ever has, simply by laughing, or wetting her lips, or taking a drink of water.”
His gaze was focused on her mouth now, and Cori wet her lips without thinking as her heart pounded in her chest. His eyes darkened and he reached out for her hand, then tugged her close as he leaned in as if to whisper in her ear.
“In my dreams, your nipples taste like whipped cream,” he said softly, huskily, against her neck.
Shock—and lust—shot through her. Followed immediately by confusion. Before she could speak, however, he lifted a hand and traced his finger over the C tattooed behind her ear.
Oh.
She turned her head and put her lips against his. “Funny, your cock tastes like whipped cream in my dreams.”
He gave a soft groan and kissed her. Not deep and hot the way she wanted, but more like a promise of the deep and hot to come.
“When did you know it was me?” she asked, when he lifted his head.
“When you walked across the restaurant toward me.”
“Really?”
“You and Ava move differently. And…”
She pulled back to look in his eyes. “And?” she asked, arching a brow.
“The skirt is a little more snug on you than her,” he said, almost hesitantly.
“Dammit, I knew it,” Cori said. “I gotta lay off the pie.”
“Cori,” Evan said seriously, looking into her eyes. “You’re perfect. I love every fucking curve. And I’d like to love them even more. Up close and personal. With my hands and lips.”
She blew out a breath. “Well, I’d say all of this is much more convincing than what you and Ava were trying to pull off.”
“And I think I should take you home,” he said.
“Okay.”
“And fire up the gossips about how long we sat in the truck in your driveway before you got out with your hair messed up, your blouse buttoned wrong, and a very big smile on your face.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. “I can probably pull that off.”
“I can definitely help.”
They stood simultaneously and linked hands as they started for the door.
“Fuck.” Evan pulled up short all of a sudden.
“What?” Cori felt almost breathless and it wasn’t from the quick walk to the door.
“I should probably pay.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “Kind of got distracted there.”
She laughed and watched as he pulled his wallet out and headed for the waitress to settle the bill. She caught her sisters’ gazes. They looked amused. And happy. For her. And Cori felt a warmth in her chest. The shared looks, the knowing what they were thinking from across the room, the joke that the rest of the town wasn’t in on, the fact that they wanted her to be happy…it was all just really good. And it was thanks to being forced to be together. By their father.
“You ready?” Evan was back at her side.
She gave him a huge smile and linked her fingers with his again. “So ready.”
Chapter 9
Evan worked very hard to drive carefully to the Carmichael house. But he cussed every single stop sign and other driver between the restaurant and their driveway.
By the time he pulled into the drive and parked just past the sidewalk, he was wound tight and had only three things in his mind: how Cori smelled, how Cori’s breast felt in his hand, and how she sounded when she moaned.
He turned off the truck and started to turn toward her, but before he’d even shifted an inch, she was already crawling toward him.
“Let’s steam up these windows already,” she said playfully as she started to lift her leg to swing it over his thighs. But she got stopped mid-swing. “Dammit,” she muttered, putting her knee back on the seat.
He reached for her, mostly because he had to touch her now, than because he thought he could be a lot of help with…whatever the problem was. His hand skimmed her side to her hip as she braced herself on all fours over his front seats. “You okay?”
“This skirt is too tight,” she said with a sigh.
He gave a soft chuckle. “Lose the skirt, Cori.”
She looked up at him. “Yeah?”
“Unless you don’t want me to put my hands where I intend to put them as soon as humanly possible.”
She wet her lips and, as always, the action sent aching heat straight to his cock. “I want your hands everywhere.”
“Then we are definitely on the same page.”
“Well, we have to do this,” she said. “for the sake of the neighbors.”
Holding her gaze, he reached for the zipper on the side of the skirt. Yeah, he’d made a note of where the skirt zipped up. A guy had to be prepared. The rasp of the zipper going down filled the cab as Cori’s breathing got faster.
She pushed back to kneel on the seat and slid the skirt down over her hips. Then shifting side to side, she moved out of it and tossed it on the floor. She started toward him, but then paused. She looked at the skirt, sighed, picked it up and then folded it over the back of the seat.
She caught him watching her with a smile and shrugged. “It’s Ava’s.”
“Right.”
Evan was grateful to the city of Bliss for positioning the streetlights where they had. And for whichever sister had turned on the porch light before leaving tonight. Along with the moonlight, they provided just enough light for him to see Cori’s face as she knelt on the seat in only her panties, heels, and the white silk blouse. She looked turned on, if not slightly hesitant.
He held out his hand. “What are you waiting for?”
“I was just thinking,” she said. “I’m not sure the last time I made out in a truck.”
He smiled. “That’s a semi-regular thing around here.”
“And I’m not sure the last time I did this with a guy I like as much as I like you.”
His smile died. There was suddenly an ache behind his breastbone and he wasn’t sure if it was because his lungs had stopped working or because his heart had just taken the hardest beat of his life. Evan cleared his throat. “I like you too.”
She nodded. “I know. That makes this different too.”
The happiness he felt knowing that she knew he liked her was strange. “I find it impossible to believe that the other guys haven’t liked you.”
“They liked what they knew,” she said. “But they didn’t know much.”
She was going to kill him. Just when he thought he might be at risk of dying of pent-up lust because of this woman, she made him realize that he might just die of wanting. And not wanting physically. At least not wanting just physically. But wanting everything. To be everything and give her everything and do everything she needed.
“Cori,” he finally said, aware that his voice was rough and that he probably looked like a man in pain, “I really need you to come over here.”
With a deep breath, she took his hand. As corny as it sounded, the moment their hands touched, Evan felt a shaft of need and this is perfect knife through him. He tugged her forward and she knee-walked across the leather.
This time when she swung her knee up, she had plenty of range of motion and she quickly straddled his thighs. Evan reached for the lever that would move the seat back, giving them extra room. Then his hands settled on her hips, the heat from her skin seeping into him from his lap and palms.
“Kiss me.” His voice was still rough, but he knew she could hear the raw desire.
She put her hands on either side of his face, looked him directly in the eyes, and said, “I really need to do more than kiss you.”
“Yeah?” He was definitely on board with that. Whether or not he should be. At the moment, with Cori Carmichael on his lap and in his hands, he simply couldn’t care about anything else.
“I’ve
also never kissed a guy as much as I have you without doing a hell of a lot more,” she said with a smile.
That smile made things knot up in places Evan didn’t even know he could feel knotted up. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that if you want to get lucky tonight,” he said, trying desperately for teasing rather than going completely serious and deep. Because he sucked at serious and deep, and he was going to die if Cori climbed off of his lap before he’d seen and touched and kissed a whole lot more than her lips.
“No?” she asked, tipping her head.
Evan reached up and squeezed the clip that was holding her hair up. He tossed it on the dashboard as the long blonde tresses fell to her shoulders and he pulled his fingers through them. “It kind of makes me want to just keep kissing you,” he said. “I like being different for you.” On one hand, he wanted to consume her, to brand her, to make sure there wasn’t an inch of her that hadn’t been touched by every inch of him. But on the other hand, being the guy that she wasn’t immediately seducing sounded damn good too.
Though he definitely felt seduced. By things other than her amazing body and her playful daring in the bedroom. And he didn’t need to ask to confirm that Cori was playfully daring when it came to sex. That was as much a part of her as her laugh and her sassiness and her love for sweets.
“Evan,” she said, her voice soft and serious.
He felt his frown. Cori wasn’t soft or serious. “Yeah?”
“You are different. No matter if everything from here on out is stuff we’ve both done a million times. You’re different.”
His heart gave one of those almost painful whumps and he had to swallow before saying, “Thank God. Because I’m sitting here feeling like a regular, dumb-ass guy who just happened to rub a lamp and ended up with a goddess genie in his lap and I was hoping to get a really good taste of you before you figured out how much better you could do.”
