by Candis Terry
“So you’re not mad?”
Judging by the hard thump of his heart, he was as far from mad as a guy could get. But before he gave in to the desire burning through his blood and covered her luscious lips with his, he slid his hand down to hers and intertwined their fingers.
“Come on. Let’s go.”
She blinked her pretty—and confused—brown eyes. “To the restaurant.”
He shook his head. “To complicate the hell out of things.”
Chapter 10
Drizzle turned to rain, but the foul weather on the walk down the hill to the restaurant did nothing to discourage Parker’s desire. In fact, it might have done just the opposite. In his mind he pictured more pleasurable things. Sweetly scented things. Naughty things. And heating it all up with a good amount of passion.
By the time he unlocked and opened the restaurant, he was ready to slip his hands beneath the black wool coat Gabriella wore and pull her hard against his aching body. He didn’t know who the coat belonged to and he hadn’t cared when he’d grabbed it off the hall tree and tried to escape before anyone saw them. Everyone would figure things out later. By then, hopefully he’d have things figured out too. Because right now, his body was doing all the reasoning. And it certainly wasn’t leaning toward the right thing.
Instead of giving in to instinct and removing the sweater dress that hugged all her delectable curves, he removed her wet wool coat and tossed it over a sawhorse near the door. Then he dropped his dry work coat over her shoulders.
“Thanks.” Standing there in the dark, her fingers curled into the Sherpa lining and she gave a little shiver.
“Guess I should have driven you over.”
“I’m a Portlander.” She gave the long damp curls down her back a little shake. “I’m okay with walking in the rain.”
As they stood there in the darkness with only a hint of light bouncing off the raindrops on the window, he looked at her long and hard. The more he looked the more he liked what he saw. He liked that she spoke up for herself. Liked that she’d been brave enough to accept Lucy’s dinner invitation. Liked that she was a woman who obviously knew her own mind. What he didn’t like was the way she turned him upside down until he didn’t know if he was coming or going.
“That was a very nice dinner,” she said, looking up at him with drops of moisture tipping her long eyelashes. “I really appreciate Lucy’s invitation.”
Curious, he asked, “What would you have done if you hadn’t come here?”
A shrug lifted her shoulders. “When I ran into Lucy I had a turkey breast in my grocery cart. I’d probably have roasted that and then had dinner watching the Hallmark Channel or something.”
In his mind he could see her inside her little apartment sharing Thanksgiving dinner with her cranky little fish. The scenario hit him in the gut as hard as if one of his brothers had thrown a punch. Even when he’d been at his worst as a teen, he’d had family to share the holidays with. No one should have to be alone when the rest of the turkey-eating nation were together.
“My family enjoyed having you at dinner,” he said.
“They did?”
He nodded. “I wondered how this year would go without our parents here and my mom leading the way. Even though she and my father apparently had their issues, she managed to set their differences aside and made a big deal out of the holidays. It was nice to see, in their absence, that our family is strong enough to continue with tradition.”
“It must be really hard for you without them here.”
“It is.” An ache spread throughout his chest. “I wish I could tell them how sorry I am just one more time.”
“Today’s a day to be thankful. What are you sorry for?”
“For being so selfish and treating them and the rest of my family like shit when I was a teenager.”
“But so much time has passed. Isn’t that all just water under the bridge?” She tugged the coat closer. “You all seem to get along so well now.”
“We do. But there was a time when I blamed my parents, brothers, and sister for everything that was wrong with me. I was impatient and selfish. In my mind, the world revolved around me and I thought I should have been getting a lot more attention. Ryan was older and had his own life going on so he didn’t have anything to do with me. Jordan was completely focused on hockey and seemed to be gone most of the time. Declan was always quiet and a little withdrawn. Ethan was this happy-go-lucky kid who didn’t want to hang out with someone who preferred darkness and anger. And Nicole was the little princess who stole all my mom’s attention. Eventually all of them went in the other direction when I came around.”
“I can’t picture you like that.”
He scoffed. “Believe me, I was even worse than I’m describing.”
“What did you do to get into trouble?” she asked.
The memories dog-piled on him and he wondered how he’d painted himself in this corner—confessing all his dirty deeds—when all he really wanted to do was touch Gabriella and all her soft curves.
“I got in with a bunch of other guys who felt like I did. They had resentment and hostility growing out of them like spider webs and I got caught up in it.” The despair of those days still turned his stomach. “I got into drugs and alcohol. And I was thrown in jail for driving under the influence.”
“That must have been really hard for you and for your parents.”
In her eyes he found no judgment, only compassion.
“Sitting on that concrete block in the jail cell changed everything. At first I was pissed I’d been arrested. I blamed the cops because, of course, I was innocent. But there was one officer who came into the cell, sat down, and talked to me. He didn’t get all preachy. He just said that he understood what I was going through and that I was young and had the opportunity to turn my life around.”
“He sounds like a nice guy.”
“He was. And believe me, I was belligerent and did not deserve his kindness. But when my parents came to bail me out, and I saw the torment in their eyes, I understood what the officer had been saying. Because I was a juvenile and a first-time offender, the court gave me a chance. My parents gave me an ultimatum. That’s how I ended up at Life’s Kitchen in Idaho.”
“I’m not familiar with that. Is it a cooking school?”
“It’s that and more. They not only taught me how to cook, they taught me the skills I needed to secure employment and become financially independent. More importantly, they taught me personal development. At Life’s Kitchen I gained a sense of direction. I found what I loved to do. And that gave me the confidence I needed to turn my life around.”
She gave him a warm smile. “And you have turned your life around.”
“I have.” The pressure eased from his chest and shoulders.
“Then take today and be thankful that those days are behind you, and that you’re part of a loving family. Not everyone can do that.”
“I am thankful.”
“Good.”
“And I’m sorry that you almost had to spend Thanksgiving alone.”
“I wouldn’t have been alone.” She lifted her chin. “Don’t forget I have Basil.”
“Sweetheart.” He tucked his finger beneath her chin, wanting to kiss her so bad it hurt. “That bubbly little dude doesn’t count.”
For a long moment they looked into each other’s eyes as a sensual energy wound around them.
“You know, I can’t figure you out,” he said honestly.
“And why’s that?”
“Because you’re like no one else I’ve ever known. You can act like a total badass, but you’ve got this great big heart hiding behind all that sass. You’re a talented chef who spends half a day making macaroni and cheese for a women’s shelter. But then you come in here, pick up an electric drill, and put some of these construction guys to shame. You dress like every man’s fantasy and yet you seem most comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt. You’re one part sex goddess and one part girl next d
oor. So which one is the real Gabriella Montani?”
She sighed. “I could tell you but that would be boring.”
“Come on. I came clean with you about my past.”
“And I appreciate that. It makes me feel . . .” Her fingers reached out and touched the front of his shirt.
“What?” Damn, she wasn’t even touching his skin and yet he could feel her.
“Thankful.” Her tenuous smile said she’d been about to say something else. And he was disappointed she didn’t. “So how about you show me what’s new around this place. I assume that’s what we came here for, right?”
“Right.” Totally a lie. “Give me a sec. We still don’t have lighting.”
He turned on the work lantern, waited till it pumped up to full brightness, then held it up. “So what do you think?”
Her high heels tapped on the wood floor as she strolled around the room. “You’ve made some good progress.”
“It’s getting there. We’ve finally reached a point where I don’t have to help out as much, and I can start focusing on the details.”
“Like?”
“Furniture. Lighting. Table settings.”
She hid a gasp behind her fingers. “You haven’t selected furniture yet?”
“I’ve been too busy doing stuff like pounding nails and building shit.”
“Which makes me ask why you’re even having to do all of that. It seems like you have an adequate construction crew.”
“I hate giving up control.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him with a smile. “You don’t seem to mind it so much in bed.”
Heat swept through his veins as the memory of her on top of him with her head thrown back in ecstasy grabbed him below the belt. “That might be the only place I’ll let go.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you’ll have more time to focus on the details now.”
“That’s the problem. I really don’t. This time of year the food truck business usually slows down because there are less people walking outside during lunchtime, so I hire out for special events. I’ve got several lined up over the next couple of weeks. We’re also planning Jordan’s bachelor party.”
“So no rest for the wicked?”
He flashed a grin that probably gave her a hint of the wicked things going through his mind. “Not in the foreseeable future.”
“How can I help?”
He took a step back. “Why would you want to do that? You don’t work for me. And—”
“Maybe I just want to see you achieve your dream. Maybe I really like Lucy and Jordan and just want to see them have the reception they deserve.” She closed the small space between them. “Maybe I just . . . like you, Parker Kincade. And maybe I just want to make you happy.”
A delicious vibration danced through his veins. “I am happy.”
“With what exactly?” A slight tilt of her head made her dangly silver earrings jingle.
“Happy that you’re here.”
“Me too.”
“I didn’t want to leave that day at your apartment, you know.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. What I really wanted to do was this.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm as she parted them to let his tongue slip inside her mouth.
When she wrapped her arms around his neck, his work coat fell from her shoulders and her full breasts pressed into his chest. The chill in the air pebbled her nipples so hard he could feel them all the way through two layers of fabric.
Wanting, needing, desperate for more, his mouth left her lips and trailed down the side of her neck. He inhaled her like a bottle of fine wine. She smelled like pumpkin spice, rain, and warm, lusty woman. Gently he sucked her flesh into his mouth and her head fell backward, giving him better access.
“I need this, Parker. I need you,” she whispered roughly. “You’re all I’ve been able to think about. I need your mouth on me. Your hands.”
“Great minds think alike.” He hadn’t brought her here for this, but the hell if he’d walk away now.
“I need you inside me,” she said.
God. He did love a woman who knew what she wanted.
She pushed him back with one hand and started removing the clingy sweater dress with the other. “I’ve needed you since that night on your houseboat.”
“Are you sure you want to take that off? It’s cold in here.”
“Then heat me up.” When she was down to nothing but black lace underthings, high-heeled boots, and goose bumps, she reached for him.
He caught her hands in his. “Who says you get to call the shots?”
Challenge widened her eyes, but her smile never faltered. “I don’t like to give up control either. Only for you.”
Clasping both her wrists in one hand, he moved in close and picked up where he’d left off. His mouth moved down her neck and across the swell of her breasts that were pushed above the black lace bra. A deep moan rumbled in her chest as he slipped his tongue beneath the lace edging. Needing to touch as well as taste he let go of her wrists and cupped her breasts in his hands. Lifting them slightly, he pulled the lace down with his thumbs and sucked an erect nipple into his mouth.
“Mmmm. You taste as good as you smell,” he said against her soft skin while he slid a hand between her legs and cupped her moist heat. “I’m betting you taste this good all over.”
“I’m betting if you don’t do something more than taste, this could turn . . . ohhhh. My. God.”
He loved the way she moaned so full of passion as his fingers snuck beneath the laced edge of her panties and slid home. He moved them the way he knew she liked with a slow, circular motion, and then a teasing dip inside. “Are you heated up enough now?”
“Almost.”
He gently pinched her clit between his thumb and finger then retracted for another rub. “How about now?”
“How about you take those pants off and make sure.”
He licked the side of her throat again and moved his mouth back down to her nipple. “I’m pretty happy where we’re at right now.” Which was a fucking lie if he’d ever told one. He wanted inside of her so bad his dick was throbbing an SOS message.
“Really?” She reached between them. Her fingers covered his erection and she squeezed. “Because this very big part of you is displaying some dissatisfaction.”
Unable not to, he pushed against her hand. When she squeezed him again his eyes nearly crossed.
“I think some equal attention is necessary.” Reaching around, she slid her fingers into his back pocket, pulled his wallet out, and handed it to him. “And we need to make it fast.”
Before he’d removed the condom from his wallet, she had him unzipped and both his pants and boxer briefs pushed down over his hips. Hastily, she grabbed the foil packet he held between his fingers, tore it open, and rolled the latex over his erection.
Damn that was sexy.
Nothing made a man feel more wanted than when a woman couldn’t wait to have him inside her.
He cupped her sweet lace covered ass in his hands, lifted her, and laid her back on the makeshift worktable.
“Hurry, Parker.” She slid her fingers down into the lace that covered her mound and touched herself.
“Fuck. You keep that up and I’m not going to make it.”
“Then take them off.” With the hand that wasn’t busy, she curled her fingers into his still-buttoned shirt and pulled him down until they were nose to nose. “Take me.”
“Greedy woman.”
With both hands he pulled off the little scrap of black lace and exposed her. For a moment he watched her fingers dip between her slick folds and rotate faster. She made him so hard he almost burst.
“You’re so fucking beautiful. So fucking hot.” Unable to stand the pressure, he fisted his cock and gave it a couple of hard pumps to release the pressure. Then he pulled her fingers away and replaced them with his own as he guided himself inside her slick channel.
/> As badly as he wanted to pump fast and hard, and come even harder, he entered her slowly, enjoying the feel of her body stretching to give him room. He swept the pad of his thumb around her clit and watched as her eyes fluttered closed.
“All of you.” Her words came out in a breathy pant and she locked her legs around his hips. “I want all of you, Parker. Hot. Hard. And fast.”
“I thought I was the one in control.” Hell, neither one of them was in control. Still, he gave her what she wanted, pumping into her steadily harder and faster. Her whimpers and moans increased in intensity. He watched her nipples harden. With her panting breaths and an “oh God” thrown in here and there, he knew she was on the threshold and he was right there with her. He increased the pressure of his thumb on her clit, drove harder, and was rewarded when he felt her inner muscles clench around him.
She inhaled a sudden gasp and her body gave a long, satisfied shudder.
When he knew she’d flown over the edge, he allowed himself to let go too. A hot tingle shot up the backs of his legs and into his balls. When he came, it was more intense than ever before and made it almost impossible to stay on his feet. He had to lean down, wrap his arms around her, and kiss her softly swearing mouth just to hang on. Her body pulsated around him as the orgasm subsided and he was able to take a real breath.
For several minutes they stayed like that, her tight in his arms, their hearts pounding together.
Yeah.
He’d fucking died and gone to heaven.
When speech became possible, Gabi sighed. “Can we do that again?”
He chuckled and kissed her mouth. “Absofuckinglutely.”
Still semi-hard, he pumped into her a couple more times and she sighed. “We definitely need to do that again.”
“You’re lying here naked. Not that I mind. But aren’t you cold?”
“Cold?” She wrapped her arms and legs around him and squeezed. “Best heater in the world right here.”
She opened her eyes and found him looking down at her with an emotion she couldn’t quite name. And frankly, she was so freaking content right now she didn’t even want to try.
