by Vicki Green
Turning around in my desk chair, I go back to creating a work schedule, something I’ve never had to do before. It’s always been Molly and me working seven days a week. Now, we will be able to actually take a little time for ourselves, and I can get some major reading done while spending more time with Willy. God knows he’s doing better at home but I feel bad that he’s always alone. “The way you read, a new series will be out by the time you get to book three anyway.” I snort out loud. I swear she’s the slowest reader. I change a few things on the schedule and then make a couple more changes, my mind going in all different directions. “Molly?”
“Mhmm,” she answers, still working away.
“Have you noticed Addie looking at Jax, like every time he’s around?” I’m trying to act like it’s no big deal but it’s always in the back of my mind. “She’s a beautiful girl and he’s, well – he’s just….”
“A Hot Tamale?” She snorts. I knew I should have never told her about my run in with his – Hot Tamale.
Huffing, I go back to the schedule but my mind definitely isn’t on it anymore. Now it’s thinking all things Hot Tamale and by how large it felt against me, and how the hell it would ever fit inside me. Now I’m thinking maybe I should order a new B.O.B., one that’s larger so that I can get accustomed to a wider girth. And more batteries. A lot more batteries. And my mind just went to the Energizer bunny and how fast he goes, and goes, and goes, and I let out a laugh. When my mind then moves on to candy and canisters, filled with Hot Tamales and mints, I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will my mind to fucking stop. Sometimes, it’s really hard when you have an overly active imagination. I let out another snort. I said – hard.
“Oh, my God! Will you control your mind for a minute?” How does she do that? Sometimes I wonder if she can read my mind – or maybe she just knows me too well. I look over her way as she slides a large cookie sheet filled with delicious donuts into the oven, turns around and leans against the table. “Quit being paranoid.” She removes her plastic gloves and pulls out two new ones and proceeds to put them on. “Addie’s a sweet person, and she’d never do that to you.” She starts cutting up dough for the next round.
“I’d never do what?”
My head swirls, feeling kinda like that girl in The Exorcist as Addie walks into the room. I watch her go to her locker, turning the dial on the combination lock and setting her purse inside. I must remember that I need to give her a key to the front door since she’s going to help open or close on certain days. I really need to get my head out of the proverbial Hot Tamale gutter and back into business. Sigh. I need to get laid or spend some quality time with B.O.B.
“She’s thinking about her Hot Tamale and getting all jealous,” Molly laughs.
Addie turns around, her hands behind her back, tying her apron. “Her what?” She smiles and now I feel bad. “What have I missed?”
Clicking my mouse, I divert. “Nothing. She’s just being – Molly. Can you come take a look at this schedule I’ve been working on and see if it works for you?” She walks over, smiling. She’s so pretty and sweet. I don’t want to be jealous of her. Am I? Maybe a little, in more ways than one. She’s really beautiful. I’ve noticed the guys who come into the store give her more than just one glance and she seems unknowing to it all. I also love how well she, Molly, and I fit together. Makes me feel that much worse that I feel this way.
She leans over next to me, looking at the screen. “Hmmm. Yes, that works. I love that I’ll be able to have more time for studies.”
Looking up at her, I tilt my head. “Are you going to school?” Funny, she never mentioned it. But I guess who would talk about classes and studying. No one ever would be excited about that enough to talk about it.
She looks down at me and smiles. “I started taking online courses for a degree in business. I’ve actually been working on them here on my breaks.” Hmm, I hadn’t noticed.
I smile back. “Maybe you should be taking over my bookkeeping.” God knows I hate doing it.
She stands up straight and beams. “I’d love too.”
And from that moment on, I’d informed myself I’d no longer be jealous of her. Okay, well, I’m going to try not to be.
The day was uneventful, except we were super busy. No sign of HT all day and my nether regions felt closed off with no gorgeousness to look at. I watched Duncan whiz by, eager to please the customers. Addie was her sweet self, and Molly – well, she was Molly. Me? I tended to all things coffee and hid away on my breaks reading my book. I’d gotten to a great part and by the end of the day, I’m almost to the end.
I power walked home after telling Molly goodnight. Addie and Duncan had left a little earlier. There’s a slight cool breeze tonight, one that makes me wish I had brought my hoodie. I’m feeling a little anxious to go home and finish reading my book, grateful that Willy’s taken to sleeping in his castle so his snoring stays muffled. I love the late hours. I enjoy our quaint quiet street and walking home when most people are in bed or maybe they’re watching TV with their family. I’ve always felt safe in my neighborhood. The hustle and bustle on other streets at this hour doesn’t touch mine. It’s serene. I reach my mailbox at the end of my walk, pulling open the lid. My heart does a little pitter patter at the feel of a larger envelope, the signs of my new paperback inside sends a quiver down my spine. “Just in time.” I smile to myself as I pull it out along with other paraphernalia and most likely bills.
Feeling lighter and excited as I walk up my steps with my key out ready to unlock my front door, I look down at a clay pot filled with lilacs. I look around, not seeing any movement in the darkness. Leaning down, I pick it up by the rim, fumbling with my key with my arms now full. After flipping on the light, I walk directly to the kitchen, setting everything down on the breakfast bar. The sound of tiny nails on the wood floor make me look down. Willy stretches his small legs then lazily walks over to the back door. Huh, guess he’s learning. I let him outside, leaving the door open a bit, letting the fresh air filter inside. Walking back over to the counter, I contemplate which thing I should look at first. My fingers itch to open the envelope and take out my new book, anxious to smell the newness of the matte finish but curiosity wins and I pull out a note from the potted plant instead.
What the hell? Why would I meet someone at the park just because they give me my favorite flowers? And how did they know lilacs had a special meaning to me? Gram always planted them outside the condo in the front and back to bring that amazing fragrance out each spring. I hear Willy walk back inside, past me and down the hall, probably going back to bed. I contemplate if I should go, not knowing who left such a sweet gift. Do I have a stalker? I let out a snort with such a notion. I mean, who would want to stalk me? Not able to stand it any longer, I pick up the manila envelope and rip open the top. As soon as I feel the softness of the fresh new paperback, I let out a sigh as I pull it from its comfy confines from between the bubble wrap lined envelope. Bringing it up to my nose, I breathe in a large dose of paper and whatever they use to make the matte finish, closing my eyes for a brief moment. When I look down, tracing the letters of the title – Chasing Dreams, I shiver in anticipation. As I’ve gotten close to reaching the end of the first book in the series, I can already feel the climax of the cliffhanger the author is about to leave me in. I take a deep breath in relief, holding the key to said cliffhanger in my hands. If only I knew when the third book would be released, finding out after searching the author’s Facebook page that there is still no official date as of yet. Sigh.
The anticipation becomes overwhelming so I quickly turn off all the lights, clutching my new prize, and walk to my bedroom. As I’d known, Willy is tucked safely in his castle, snoring to the beat of the band but my ingeniousness has the sounds muffled. I smile as I undress, do my bathroom business and crawl into bed, opening Dare to Dream where my bookmark lays and begin reading.
Chapter 9
I awakened with a headache and overly tired. It’s not that I didn’t try to sleep but after finishing book one, I just couldn’t stop at that fucking cliffhanger without diving into book two since I had it. Then I think I had a nightmare. I’m walking through Addison Park on a beautiful day, when all of a sudden the sky darkens, almost black, and two hands grab my arms. I woke up after that so I don’t know what happened. Dammit! It’s like another cliffhanger! Then my headache only got worse as I contemplate if I should go to the park or not and meet this mystery person.
“Is the shop on fire?” Molly asks groggily.
“I don’t think so,” I answer as I shrug.
“Are you on fire?”
I snort. “No.”
“Dying?”
“No.”
“Pregnant?”
I spit out a mouthful of coffee. “Not unless you can get pregnant by B.O.B.”
“Then what because I was having an amazing dream about this guy and he was just about to….”
I can only imagine. I mean – I don’t want to imagine Molly and some guy doing whatever. “Okay! Okay! Someone left me a potted lilac on my doorstep yesterday with a note to meet them at Addison Park today.”
“Isn’t Addie’s full name Addilyn” What?
I scrunch my nose. “Uh, yes. But anyway. I don’t know if I should go or not.”
“Why not?” She sounds more awake now. I roll my eyes, thankful she can’t see me, an ugly trait I inherited from her. “Don’t roll your eyes.” She’s really scary. “I mean, what’s the harm? You go, hide behind a big oak tree, and see if you recognize anyone. Give it say half an hour, and if no one looks like they’re looking for anyone you leave. If someone weird and strange does, then you leave – quickly.” Hmmm, she does have a point. “C’mon, Ry! You never do anything fun and crazy. Let go for once. Maybe it’s your future husband.” Now she snorts, so much that she starts coughing. Serves her right.
So, I decided to go.
I told her I was taking the day off, proud that I can actually do that now, took my book and walked the two blocks to Addison Park. I didn’t know what to wear and had gone out onto the patio, noticing right away how warm it was already. So, I put on my bright blue tank top with spaghetti straps and a pair of my jean shorts. I got there about ten thirty, thinking I’d get in a little reading before this mystery person got there, and sat behind one of the big oak trees. Problem was, I had no idea which direction they’d be coming from so it wasn’t like I could hide behind it. It’d be my luck I’d be hiding and they’d come up behind me. So much for a future in detective work. Tired of sitting, I laid down on my back shielding the sun with my book and began to read.
He laid me down, feeling the softness of the sheets against my back. He stands, undressing before me, unabashedly. I lick my lips as he unleashed his hardened cock, stroking it once then twice, while staring into my eyes. I begin to squirm, the need for him inside me becoming overwhelming. Reaching out to him, he settles between my spread legs, thrusting into me quickly. We both gasp as he fills me completely. “Damien,” I whisper as we begin to move as one, my legs wrapping around his slim waist, my feet digging into his ass. Pushing. Squeezing. My body starts to burn with desire, our body’s slick with a light sweat, and the only sounds that fill the room are of skin slapping against skin. As my impending orgasm nears its peak, I squeeze his large biceps in preparation. “Damien!”
“Rylie.”
“Damien.”
“Rylie?”
“Oh, Damien.”
“Coffee Girl?”
My eyes open slowly. “HT?”
He’s only wearing jeans, a cowboy buckle laced through his brown thick belt. I swallow hard when my eyes roam up his flat stomach and those sculpted abs I’d dreamt about. To his broad chest, down his large shoulders and even larger biceps. He’s wearing a thin leather band around his neck and as I look into his normally brown eyes that are now near black, I feel his strong hand on my right thigh, his knee touching against my shorts where only B.O.B. has been. Okay, I’m not exactly a virgin but I don’t count the one time Billy Abernathy tried to take my v-card because right when he broke through my barrier reef, my leg pushed under his, and my knee came up in a reflex jerk. Got him right in the balls. Seriously, I should have a hazard label pinned on me.
My focus goes back to him as he begins to bend lower. I notice he’s wearing his Army cap, his free hand resting on the grass near my head. As he becomes closer, I watch as his muscles contract and flex, and I swallow hard, again, hardly able to breathe. In anxiousness and nervousness, my eyes wander over to my book, fanned out and keeping my place on the grass close to his hand. Quickly I look back up at him as he hesitates, questioning me with his eyes. He starts to lean back so I hurriedly grab hold of the waistband of his jeans, tugging him back. I barely notice his muscles rippling – okay, I totally noticed but concentrated on his lips as they grow near. Closer and closer until they’re on mine.
Jax kissed me twice before but this time his tongue peeks out, sliding across my lower lip then upper. Sexy as hell! Not that I’m an expert at kissing, in fact I base most of my experience from romance novels. I know. But as my lips part and his tongue moves inside, these funny little tingle sensations travel from our mouths all –
The.
Way.
Down.
My.
Body.
I’m freaking out a little bit only because I thought this only happened in books, never did I think it could actually be real, that someone could make you feel this way. I’d felt them a little before with him but these are like electrical jolts, zapping its way to the motherland. His lips are soft, his tongue wet, and he tastes like – mint. I’m thinking of weird things as his tongue dances with mine like – I wonder if that’s from his toothpaste, or if he sucked on a mint. Sucked. Oh. My. God! Then I’m thinking – he must really like clean breath. The kiss is over sooner than I like but he just stays here, leaning over me, his eyes smoldering.
“I’d love to continue this.” His voice is lower than normal. “But we are out in public.” Oh, I hadn’t noticed. “But who is Damien?” Oh. “And who is HT?”
I swallow, not sure how to answer. “Uh….”
He laughs as he leans back. “Never mind. “C’mon, Coffee Girl. I’ve got a surprise.” What could be a better surprise than what he just did? He offers his hand to me and I accept readily. Once standing, I feel the need to pull on the hem of my shirt, covering my exposed stomach and belly ring, then watch him lean over and pick up my book, his finger stuck in my place. Can I be jealous of a finger? Most definitely! With my hand still in his, he leads me over to the other side of the tree, my eyes widening at the display on the ground before me. A large red and white checkered pattern blanket laid out on the grass, holding a picnic basket, small cooler, and another clay potted lilac in the middle.
“You,” I whisper. How romantic! And I’m a bit relieved to find out it wasn’t some crazy sex perv who gave them to me. “How did you know lilacs are my favorite flower?” I turn and look at him leaning back against the tree, my hand still in his not unnoticed. He’s all kinds of sexy – in that mysterious like – hunk of a God sort of way. If you’re into that kind of man. Damn! I never could imagine one of my book boyfriends looking this gorgeous in the flesh.
He smiles, and I swear I’m gonna have to go buy more panties. In bulk.
He shrugs. “Good guess?” I laugh as he stands up and leads me to the blanket. I seriously can’t believe he did this for me. What a romantic. Sigh. “Get comfortable, Coffee Girl. I’m about to knock your socks off.” He looks down at my bare feet in my flip flops and laughs. “Well, if you had socks on.” I can’t stop grinning like a freaking Cheshire cat as I sit down on the blanket, removing said flip flops, and sit cross-legged. I watch him
with fascination as he kneels down and begins taking things out of the picnic basket. A bag of grapes, assorted cheeses, crackers, and….
“Are those sandwiches from my shop?” My brows raise in wonderment of how he got all this together.
Jax looks up. The little crinkly lines on the outside of his gorgeous eyes appear as he laughs then winks. And oh! There’s that damn dimple. I want to lean over and trace those lines with my tongue. Too much? Maybe or maybe not. You would be thinking the same thing if you were sitting where I was. “Only the best for you!”
“Aww,” I say with a playful bat of my lashes.
Okay! Stop everything!
Have you noticed I haven’t stammered even once or even caused a disaster? Me too!
Okay, you can go on now. Where were we?
I smile as he fixes a plate and surprised when he hands it to me. He fixed my plate! Setting it in my lap, I start to pick up a grape only to be surprised again when one appears before my mouth. Oh. My. God. He’s feeding me a grape! He touches my lips with the wet and cool goodness, and I part my lips, closing my eyes as I suck it into my mouth, his fingers just happened to come with it. Unashamed, I let out a moan, and my tongue licks across the tips of said fingers and after leaving them in there for a minute – or two, it could have possibly been seconds, he pulls them out in time before I chomped down on them. I open my eyes to his – dark, burning, longing. Is it getting really hot out here?
I start eating and let out a deep breath, trying to lower my racing heart. I watch him fix his own plate then he settles down onto his side lying on the blanket, raised up by his arm. He’s the epitome of sex and God knows I’d give anything to get me some of that.
Sex I mean.
