“Acting?”
“Acting like you ain’t feeling a brotha.”
Playfully she rolled her eyes and laughed.
“I’m serious,” he began with a smile. “I really like you. So you need to quit playing.”
“Who say’s I’m playing? Maybe I don’t like you.” She faked a pout.
Rance drew in close to her ear and whispered, “You like me. In fact, I think you like me a lot.”
“There goes that ego again,” Debra said with an exaggerated groan.
“Nah. Just a confident brotha who’s crazy about a certain thick sista who’s baking it up in Sheraton Beach.”
Pulling back, she met his eyes. “Is that so?”
Rance breathed a soft, “Yes.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips that was so soft and gentle a low moan slipped from her mouth.
“Where are you staying?” she asked.
“With you.”
Debra held her breath as excitement swirled in her belly. “Me?” she chuckled nervously. “Aren’t you the confident one?”
“I wanna hold you tonight,” he said between kisses. “That’s after I get done licking my way down your body.”
Debra wet her lips. Oh, my. Her entire body trembled at the thought of him lying naked in her bed.
Oh, why did her body crave him? Rance looked more delectable than any cupcake she could concoct. She tried to remind herself he was a celebrity, with women falling all over him. Off Limits, she reminded herself.
But her body didn’t care. All it could remember was how good he made her feel. Her heart couldn’t help but remember that despite how wrong he was for her, she cared about him more than he’d ever know.
And what the heart and body wanted…
“Say yes,” he coaxed. Her flesh heated as he gave her another dark, intense stare.
“Yessss,” she moaned a few hours later while Rance pounded with determination into her trembling body.
Chapter 15
Debra had been doing a lot of thinking these last three weeks, but after last night she was more confused than ever.
With Rance here, at her home, she realized he meant more to her than she could bear to admit. So much so that she was afraid she was falling for him.
There. She had admitted it to herself, hoping it would make her feel better. Instead, she felt worse. How in the world could she have let something like this happen?
She tightened the belt of her robe around her waist and padded across the hardwood floor into the kitchen. Reaching inside the refrigerator, Debra removed a carton of eggs and a package of thick sliced bacon. As she carried them over to the granite countertop, she heard the water turn on in the shower. She swallowed and tried not to think about Rance standing naked under the water. But it was impossible not to reminisce about the way his solid chest had felt beneath her fingers. She quivered at the memory of that luscious body lying on top of her.
Pushing the thoughts aside, Debra filled a microwavable pan with enough bacon for two and covered it with a paper towel before popping it into the oven. She then reached inside the carton and cracked five eggs into a plastic bowl. Returning to the refrigerator, she reached for a small carton of heavy whipping cream. While staying at a Bed and Breakfast in California she’d had the most amazing eggs. She practically had to beg the cook to give her the secret to such fluffy eggs. Debra poured in enough cream to make the consistency light, then added salt, pepper, cheese and whipped it all together until smooth.
She’d always believed there was nothing in the world she enjoyed more than cooking. That is, until she’d met Rance. Now she didn’t think anything came close to the enjoyment that man brought to her body. Her nipples tingled as she remembered him suckling hungrily at her breasts, stirring her from her sleep just a few short hours ago. That man did things with her body no other man had been capable of doing, and to think she had been moments away from settling for less with Sony.
She sprayed the skillet with cooking spray, and while she waited for it to heat, Debra shook her head. With Sony, she hadn’t had the slightest idea what love really was.
Well, now she knew.
She squeezed her eyelids together at the realization. The last thing she had ever wanted was to fall in love with a professional basketball player. Why couldn’t he have a normal career and be a regular guy? Although she had tried dating regular guys several times before, but it had never seemed to work out.
However, with Rance… things were different. She loved everything about him. He was handsome, cocky, funny, a great listener, and an amazing lover. She had never met a man who had affected her that way. Never. Just thinking about him turned her on. And when she was around him, her body became a ticking time bomb.
The microwave timer sounded, rousing her back to reality.
Being in love with Rance? No good could ever come of that. He had made it clear in the beginning that he wasn’t looking for anything long term, and she better not forget it. All she could do was not make more of it than it really was. and just enjoy the moment.
“Something smells good.”
Debra swung around as Rance stepped into the kitchen in a pair of faded black jeans that hung low on his hips and a wife beater t-shirt that strained against a pair of beautiful pecs. Stubble still covered his chin and jaw, and his feet were bare. Rance looked relaxed and sexy as all get-out.
“I’m making eggs and bacon,” she said. “I can make waffles, too, if you’d like.”
He immediately shook his head. “No, don’t go to all that trouble. A piece of toast is simple enough.”
She smiled at his being considerate. She was certain he was used to people waiting on him hand and foot.
“Matter of fact,” he suggested. “You scramble the eggs and I’ll make the toast and set the table.”
Nodding, she pointed to the bread basket on the counter and poured the bowl of eggs into the skillet. As Rance moved over to the toaster, she smelled the scent of her Shea butter body wash clinging to his skin and found herself inhaling the wonderful combination.
Snap out of it!
She blinked twice and vigorously scrambled the eggs. She was starting to get in way over her head.
“What do you have planned for today?” he asked while he popped two slices of bread into the toaster.
Debra glanced briefly over her shoulder and spotted him staring at her. She quickly turned away. “I’ve gotta do inventory for my orders this week. I’m now supplying baked goods for Clarence’s.”
He nodded. “I heard about that. Congrats.”
Goodness, there were no secrets in this town. She removed the pan from the stove and reached for two plates from a white cabinet on the right. She loaded the plates with the fluffy eggs. Rance carried them from the counter over onto the small bistro table near the window. Smiling, she tried not to think how comfortable he looked in her kitchen, or how well they worked together. By the time she had removed the bacon from the tray and carried it over to the table, Rance had filled the glasses with orange juice.
“There’s milk—Wait, you don’t drink milk.”
He winked. “Somebody’s been paying attention.”
More than you know.
Debra tried to concentrate and make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything. She retrieved the soft butter and grape jelly from the refrigerator. She moved nervously over to the freshly brewed pot and poured herself a cup, then carried it over to the table. Rance was putting the toast on a plate.
“You know your way around a kitchen.”
His brow rose. “You’re surprised?”
She shrugged as she lowered onto the chair. “I just—”
He nodded. “You just thought membership has its privileges.”
She laughed. “Something like that.”
Grinning, he pulled out the bar height chair across from her and took a seat.
“I’ll have you know Mama didn’t play that. All her boys had to learn their way around the kitchen.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Absolutely. Let me say grace and then I’ll explain.” He reached out for her hand and clasped it beneath his large fingers. Debra lowered her head and closed her eyes and listened to him give thanks.
As soon as he was done he reached for his napkin and placed it in his lap. “Now getting back to Bettye Beaumont. My mama didn’t play. She used to keep a schedule on the refrigerator door that was broken down by day and time. The seven of us—”
“Wait a minute, seven?” she frowned. “The Force MDs… I thought there were five of you?”
Rance nodded. “Yep. Rush, Roman, Remy, Reese and me. But we also have two sisters, Sedona and Sage.”
“Oh damn! That’s right. Okay, sorry. Get back to your story.”
“Thank you. Like I was saying, all seven of us took turns busting suds, sweeping, mopping, and even cooking.”
“Wow, really?” Debra managed between chews. “I thought y’all had full-time cooks and maids like Bianca had.”
“Puh-leeze. My mom is old school. She didn’t play that. She cooked three days a week in her own kitchen and one of us had to help her. She said that’s how she’d learned, and she wasn’t raising no lazy kids that dependent on somebody else just to eat.”
Debra smiled, loving the sound of his voice. “She sounds like my kinda woman.”
“She is something else.” Debra could see the love in his eyes. How she wished he felt the same way about her.
She pushed the ridiculous thought aside. “My mother was too busy trying to stay young to cook, so I used to spend hours hovering over cookbooks to come up with things for my little sister and me to eat. When we went to live with my grandmother, she’s the one who taught me how to bake cakes and pies and you name it. But my favorite thing had always been cupcakes.”
Rance nodded. “I had one of your cupcakes. You definitely have skills.”
“Thanks,” she replied, and blushed.
“I’d like to see your shop.”
“Why?” she asked, stunned by his request.
“Why not? I want to see where it all begins.”
Debra was flattered that he was interested in her work, but slightly intimidated at the same time. She finally replied, “Okay.”
*
“Not so much!” Debra laughed.
Rance looked up, grinning proudly. “Okay, so what do you think?”
Her brow rose as she gazed down at the six red velvet cupcakes he had decorated with cream cheese icing.
“There’s so much icing my customers are gonna think it’s an ice cream cone,” she said with another peal of laughter.
“Ha-Ha, very funny.”
She moved around the table, wiping her hand on her apron. “Actually, you did quite well for your first time.”
“That’s because I have an amazing instructor.” He grabbed her around the waist and leaned her back against the preparation table as he seared her with a long kiss.
He couldn’t get enough of her. The more time he spent getting to know Debra, the more he wanted her in his life. He didn’t believe in commitment, because as life had taught him, relationships ran their course and eventually fizzled out. But he couldn’t deny what he felt just because it wasn’t going to last.
They had spent most of the afternoon at her quaint cupcake shop, and he now knew more about cupcakes than he’d ever imagined. She was passionate about what she did, and took a great deal of pride in the quality of her work.
Debra had a brain. Something he hadn’t found in most of the women he’d dated. They were so busy worrying about their looks that he was lucky if they even knew how to boil water. But Debra cooked eggs better than his mother. Not that he’d ever tell her, that is. And she didn’t mind getting flour in her hair, or washing dishes. Some people would call it normal, but to him it was what made her sexy.
Now he was ready to go back to her condo and carry her back to bed and make love to her for the rest of the evening. Afterwards, he just wanted to hold her in his arms and maybe order in a pizza so they wouldn’t have to bother getting dressed.
And he was about to make that happen.
Taking Debra’s hand, he led her back to her office. Once there, he lifted her up onto her metal desk.
“Don’t tell me baking cupcakes has gotten you all hot and bothered,” she cooed as he lowered her shorts and panties to the floor.
“Yep, it’s something about being around all that sugar that’s got me hungry for my own special DebbieCakes.” Rance unbuckled his jeans and let them drop to his feet. He look down at Debra sprawled on the desk, legs spread, eyes bright with desire. He licked his lips.
“Damn,” Rance growled, then nudged her legs further apart. He reached down and separated her folds with his thumb. Her clit was aroused and pointing straight at him
“What are you waiting for?” Debra coaxed, her legs trembling with anticipation. He slipped his hands beneath her thigh so they were resting on his arms, then lowered his mouth.
Rance glided his tongue between her engorged lips, up and down, back and forth, while holding her in place so she couldn’t move. Debra twitched, quivered and begged him to stop, but he refused to let up. He licked faster until the only sounds were her moans and the sound of wet flesh.
“Rance, please, let me go!” she cried, but he refused to stop. Instead, he buried his tongue deep, prolonging the foreplay, savoring the taste of her essence on his lips.
“Yes, yes!” Debra whimpered and brought her hands to the back of his head, bringing his mouth into full contact.
Debra was panting, eyes half closed with lust. She could hardly speak. “Please, let me go.” She tried to rock her hips toward his mouth, but he restrained her.
“And what do I get if I do?” he asked and flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue.
“The same,” she moaned. “I’ll return the favor, I promise.” She was pleading now.
Rance buried his face, nibbled at her sweetness, and finally released his hold so she could rock her pelvis, mimicking the rhythm of his tongue. Within seconds, she was shaking and crying out his name.
“My turn,” she said around a sigh.
“Later,” he said with a growl. Fully aroused, he lowered his boxers and lifted her legs over his shoulders and drove into her pulsing heat. A soft moan erupted from her. He growled, teetering on the edge of self-control.
Rance withdrew, then sank into her again. “Good and tight. I love being inside you.” He pumped his hips back and forth, and despite her cries he controlled the speed level of penetration. He was determined to hold on for as long as he could.
“I want you to open your eyes and watch,” he commanded. “Watch me fuck you.”
She raised up on her elbows and stared down between half closed lids, watching him slide his length in and out of her wet core. Debra drew in a long breath. “That looks… and feels… sooo good.” Rance braced himself as she brought her hand around and grabbed onto his erection, guiding him even deeper. When he began to pump harder, Debra fell back onto the desk, eyes closed, whimpers coming from between her lips.
With all the tension in his body, Rance was harder than he had ever thought possible
“Don’t stop,” she cried. Her hips rocked to meet his thrusts. Her green eyes closed. Her hands were clutching his back as Rance pumped harder, until Debra’s control shattered.
“Oh, yes! Rance, yes!” she screamed.
Blood rushed through his veins as Rance pounded into her, gripping her hips, drawing her closer. Debra fit like she had been custom-made for him, and when she tightened her female muscles one final time, he threw back his head and exploded. A shout escaped his lips, followed by several moans.
He felt like he could have stayed like this with her forever, but he knew that was a lie. He was caught up in the moment. But he felt it just the same. He wasn’t quite sure what it meant, and he sure as hell didn’t want to analyze it, either.
“Am I crushing you, Debra?” he hoisted his
body an inch.
Debra ran her hands along his back.
“No, not at all.” Smiling, she stretched on the desk, drawing his attention to her breasts. He lowered his head and nuzzled at her nipples.
Rance raised up just enough to slide his length out almost to the head. “He’s got a mind of his own.” He brought his lips down over her other nipple and teased.
With a groan, Debra wrapped her legs around his waist and urged him back inside.
Grinning, he sank deep into her body again. Then he lifted her over to a wooden chair and brought her down so she was straddling him.
Debra plastered her breasts against this chest and rained light kisses along his neck and collarbone.
“You taste good,” she whispered, and rocked her pelvis along his length. In no time he was jittery with heat.
“You taste like cake icing,” he teased, running his tongue along her cheek and neck. Within seconds he was fully aroused again and ready to guide her body for round two.
His phone rang. He scowled and fumbled for the phone in his jeans, which were on the floor. “Hello?”
“You’re back in.”
“What?” It took a moment for him to realize it was his agent, Garb Jacobs.
“I said you’re back in. I got word this morning that you’ve been medically cleared by the team’s doctor and now you can get back to playing.”
Rance released a slow breath. It was over. All those months of physical therapy and waiting for his body to heal. Finally, it was all over.
“About damn time,” he said with a sigh of relief.
“I agree. I spoke to coach. He wants you to get your ass to New York ASAP. They’re playing the Knicks on Tuesday.”
“Absolutely. I’ll be on the next plane.” Adrenaline started pumping in his chest. This was it! It was finally time to get back to what he loved. But when his eyes traveled over to the curious look on Debra’s face he suddenly felt a sense of loss. “Thanks, Garb,” he said. “I’ll have to call you back.” He ended the call before his agent could say anything further.
“You’re going somewhere?” she asked in a soft voice.
He swallowed. It was time to get back to reality. “Yep. I’ve finally been cleared to play.”
Do Me Baby (The Beaumont Series) Page 14
