Bootscootin' and Cozy Cash Mysteries Boxed Set (Books 1-6)

by Scott, D. D.

  All Jules had to do was convince Sienna’s mother and the rest of the festival’s board of directors that Jacques was all ideas and no follow thru.

  Surely the idiot would blow it again. He would. He always did.

  Any good chef knew he or she shouldn’t promise then attempt to do too much — as in more than they were capable of.

  Oh yeah. It would suck to be Jacques on that note for sure, Jules thought.

  Biting-off more than you could handle only left room for too many errors. Although, to rock it outta the kitchen, a chef couldn’t be timid, he or she also had to make sure they had time to correct mistakes to ensure a smooth, decadent delivery. And they also had to have the drive to see an event through to perfection.

  All notions Jacques was bound to flop, fail and burn on — big-time.

  And in the mean time?

  Could it be remotely possible for Jules to put the buffoon out of her mind for just a few days?

  She didn’t know the answer, but she sure as hell was going to give it her best efforts.

  It didn’t get much better than living the moment she was now, standing on her private balcony taking in Los Cabos’ Baja Peninsula.

  Remembering the resort brochure’s claim that the world premier resort was a place of rediscovery, where one could rekindle their spirit and celebrate the joys in life, Jules chuckled. What an understatement.

  Her spirit was way beyond rekindling. Warm energy surged through her body, shouting ‘oh yeah, baby, you’re treating me well’. ‘I’m feelin’ the love’.

  Once a tropical hideaway for the likes of Hemingway and old Hollywood royalty like Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and John Wayne, Jules wished she were in Cabos to just hideaway - not work. However, despite the work ahead of her, the soft, sandy beaches and balmy climate offered a much better oasis than the imaginary, emotion-holding wall she hid behind back home.

  But work or no work, sandy beaches be damned, she couldn’t escape the questions plaguing her heart while she inhaled the peninsula’s salty mist.

  Would she pay the ultimate price for giving Cody her heart and making him its protector?

  Was there such a thing as ‘forever’?

  Were the promises made between two people able to last ‘til death do them part as with her parents? Or were they promises bound to be broken like Jacques had broken her?

  She so wanted to believe in her parents’ love, but was so afraid to succumb to that kind of temporary comfort.

  “Why the sad face, JuJu Bee?”

  Cody stepped out their balcony doors and handed her a glass of wine. “Look at this place? What’s to frown about?”

  Not sure how long he’d been standing there, heat fired-up Jules’ cheeks.

  What a trip she must be to room with. She couldn’t even smile in paradise with a gorgeous man at her side.

  Following Cody’s eyes to the sea, she saw gray whales rising from the water, the sun setting on their backs.

  “It is something isn’t it? Don’t worry about me, Sweet Man. I’m just a tad preoccupied with all I’ve got to accomplish these next ten days.”

  No sense in freaking him out about what she was really worried about. Cupcake wars aside, she knew damn well she was more concerned about taking their relationship up a notch or two.

  “I’ll worry about you ‘cause that’s my job. And it’s not what you’ve got to get done. It’s what we’ve got to do together.” Cody clinked his glass to hers.

  “But tonight, if it’s okay with you and your planner, I’m going to prove that we’re a team and a damn good one.”

  “So how are you going to do that?”

  A light breeze blew in from the sea and tickled her bare arms. But the chill was immediately replaced by an all-consuming warmth. The exhilaration and harmony Cody offered wrapped around her like her favorite pashmina shawl.

  “Since we’re chefs, I’m starting with your palate and stomach. Perhaps, with your permission, working both up and down from there.”

  He kissed her, his lips gently brushing hers then pressing deeper, teasing her tongue with a sweet hint of more to come.

  “I might consider your offer. Depends on how good the food is.” Jules smiled, basking in her witty response, knowing Cody would like her sass.

  “Good one.”

  He took the bottle of wine the staff had chilled in a carafe and refilled her glass. “But lucky for me or you, depending on how you look at it, I’m even smarter than that. You are picking the restaurant. That way, I don’t take the heat or miss out on dessert if the meal doesn’t meet your expectations.”

  “Well-played, Sweet Man. That should get you laid,” Jules said then coughed, an electric current charging her insides with an energy she’d kept idle too long.

  Not quite sure from where her power-play words came, she was damn proud of her spontaneous seductress bravado.

  Cody choked and sprayed wine from his mouth as if he were one with the gray whales spouting for air in the sea. “All right then. Good to know.”

  Once recovered, he stood tall, seeming to feed off her tease. “Your choices are really about location. ‘Cause you know that’s important. Both spots I’ve scouted have a celebrated chef using local ingredients and classic Mexican flavors.”

  He ushered her through the wrought iron gates leading from one side of their balcony back into their suite.

  With the night sky closing in, Jules reveled in the glow of the candles and lanterns lit throughout their villa. The warmth in the room matched the sweet heat surging through her body, lighting her soul with a desire she’d long repressed.

  Cody grabbed his linen dinner jacket and opened the massive, weathered-wood doors leading out of their great room and into the villa’s foyer.

  “One restaurant overlooks the Sea of Cortez where we’d dine alfresco on a private terrace. Your other option would be eating inside a quaint bistro by the glow of a fireplace with musicians serenading you.”

  “Tough choice. But you know I’m a sucker for alfresco.”

  Jules couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than dine with Cody on a Mexiterranean menu under the stars dancing across the sea.

  Cody took her hand in his as they left the villa for the short walk to the restaurant.

  Narrow paths wound through lush, tropical palms lit by thousands of white lights. Glass and tin lanterns dangled from the trees and hung on shepherd’s hooks lining the walk-ways.

  In the silence of their moon-lit and candlelight stroll, Jules took in more of what drew her to this incredible man.

  She thrived on his tough, cowboy cook-under-the-Stetson image and the pride he took in always doing the right thing. But more than that, it was moments like this, when he let her see behind his strong man shield and showed his vulnerability. Something neither of them gave freely.

  Talk about messed up people. Between the two of them, they had the market covered for love short-lived.

  Could they make it everlasting together? Should they even try that unsure path when everything could be taken from them in a second?

  When Cody had first suggested they share a suite, Jules hadn’t been sure. Even though she wanted to take their relationship to another level, she didn’t want to lose his friendship if it didn’t work.

  Normally, she was more afraid of the unknown than facing her fears. She’d always been like that in her career choices at least but had long since abandoned that philosophy when a chance at love was at stake.

  Like she’d been born and raised to do, however, she’d decided she had to finally go after that unconditional, forever-yours love, the kind of love her parents would have encouraged her to flourish in, nourish, and above all, protect.

  Now at the restaurant, the host took them out to their private terrace.

  “Cody, this is magical. I can’t imagine anything more perfect.”

  “I agree, honey,” he said, kissing her cheek then helping her settle into her chair.

  Too amazed b
y the fairy-tale like romance of the Mexican dreamscape surrounding them, Jules could care less about the menu. This night, regardless of the food, was sure to forever take up a special compartment in her heart.

  With homemade chips, salsa, and guacamole being served, Jules was living in a culinary lover’s dream. Nothing beat fresh, local cuisine. And it just couldn’t be replicated. But more than that, the man sitting across the table from her was the only thing she could never replace or duplicate.

  From the minute she’d stepped onto this resort, she’d felt she and Cody belonged here and vowed to come back when she could leave her planner behind or at least tucked away in her tote bag.

  As if she’d entered a sanctuary for her soul, the panoramic views of the Pacific meeting the Sea of Cortez had put her in a meditative mood from the start. Focusing on the sparkling lights of the town across the night-darkened bay, she didn’t want to move.

  Here, she could revel in her head full of dreams. And with Cody next to her, she could share her deepest secrets and desires.

  The easy intimacy between them could be explored and set free in this paradise peninsula without contemplating what they would mean to each other when they got home.

  She admired the gorgeous fabric of the umbrella over their table, the gold tassels fastened to the frame rustling in the breeze. Everywhere she looked candles, lanterns and lit urns added to her passion and enlivened her soul.

  Feelings she couldn’t ignore pressed her to give Cody more of her heart — the same heart that ‘til now she’d so closely guarded.

  “So what do you think?” Cody dipped a red chip deep into the guacamole, leaving half the chip behind as it caved into the weight of the fresh avocado.

  “I think you’re going to have no trouble getting me into bed,” Jules said, laughing with a free spirit she seldom let run wild.

  “I wasn’t worried. You wouldn’t turn me down. Good food or not.” He fished the broken chip out of the dip bowl and shoved it in his mouth, licking off the leftover guacamole from his fingers.

  “That confident are we?”

  “You betchya.”

  She would be too if she were him. He had hot-in-bed all over his well-defined body, especially now that she was seeing more of it without his hat. His shoulders must be delicious to hang onto, his arms havens to be held underneath, and his chest smooth and cozy to cuddle into.

  And those narrow hips and nice butt — well — she had visions of having her hands all over those too. Not to mention where she’d like his muscular thighs and legs.

  Damn the flames from the candlelight were getting hotter.

  Jules sipped on her water, keeping a cube of ice in her mouth to cool off more than her tongue.

  “Seriously, though,” she said, getting another piece of ice.

  “I am serious. I got you right where I want and need you.”

  “I know. You do too,” she said then giggled, struck by Cody’s playful pout. “And you’ll get it. But I want to talk to you about something first.”

  “Oh, boy. Let me do my eye roll thing,” he said, then moved his big blues with drama enough to win a Thespian award. “Yes, dear?”

  “Do you still love Sienna?” Jules had to ask.

  She’d seen the pain in Cody’s eyes when he saw Sienna but she’d also seen a longing of what might have been.

  Cody took a deep breath then looked out to the sea. Turning back to her, he took her hand. “I will always love her and care what happens to her. We have a long history together. But I’m in love with you. And I’ve never loved like that. As much as that scares me.”

  Jules swallowed. She was rendered speechless, a situation she seldom found herself in. But the implications of his words, an admission she’d thought would send her running away from him, only made her want him more — as if that were possible.

  “Say something, sweetheart.” His eyes begged her to understand and accept his answer. “You’re making me nervous.”

  “I love you too, Cody. But I’m not sure I want or need that in my life.”

  “Ahhh. That’s right, JuJuBee. I’m dealing with Ms. I Don’t Need Anybody,” Cody gently mocked and teased, nailing how she’d say it, but not with the slightest bite to his words. His tone carried nothing but love and respect for her concerns mixed with his taunting tease.

  “Real funny, donkey butt,” she said, doing her best to keep the promise she’d made with Tulip to reign in her potty mouth. “What I need in my life is a best guy friend. I found that in you. And I don’t want to ruin what we have.”

  Cody fiddled with the chip crumbs left on his plate. “I know what you mean. But I think we should take the risk. I believe in us. Do you?”

  “I believe in you,” Jules whispered, her chest and stomach tightening in unison with her words, those nervous pulls of anticipation mixed with fear.

  She was at a crossroads. Unsure which way to turn.

  Although her libido, along with her heart and soul, were driving her straight into their bed.

  • • •

  Dinner done, Jules followed Cody through the clay-tiled foyer of their villa and into the master suite.

  Amidst the flickering lights of so many candles, she couldn’t tell where one flame ended and the next started.

  The patio doors had been left open to the sea the same way Jules had opened her heart to swelling tides of desire.

  The room was ripe for romance. And so was she.

  She turned to Cody and watched him remove his dinner jacket.

  Tiny arrows of want fueled her intense feelings for the man in front of her who was about to become much more than her best friend.

  Taking his cue, she slipped off her shawl and stepped out of her stilettos, welcoming the cold tiles to her feet. She’d soon have plenty of heat to compensate for the brief chill.

  “Let me help you.”

  Cody slid her dress over her arms letting it fall to her ankles.

  At his touch, every nerve ending in her body simultaneously tingled.

  While she stepped out of the stash of silk at her feet, Cody rubbed his hands up and down her arms, grazing her skin with sweet passes of tender pleasure.

  Running his hands over her bare shoulders, his fingers trembled as he swept her hair off her neck and kissed her freshly exposed skin.

  She unbuttoned his shirt. With each button opened, she ran her fingers over his warm skin, feeling his nipples and stomach tighten. Moving into him, she pressed her stomach to his and felt his groin harden against her.

  With the candles shimmering off his taught body, she couldn’t resist letting her fingers roam every part of him reflecting the balmy glow.

  His hands worked the clasp of her bra. With an adept sweep of the straps from her shoulders, he set her free.

  Pulling her by the small of her back against his chest, his smooth silky chest hairs tickled the drawn tips of her breasts, making her shiver.

  If his finesse undressing her was a hint of his skills yet to be discovered, Jules was about to experience never before felt satisfaction. The man knew a thing or two about foreplay. Taking things nice and easy was new to her but something she’d be asking for again.

  His hips moved in a slow and sensual twist against hers — side-to-side. With each turn and grind, she felt his body heat increase. Following his lead, she stepped back toward their bed. He leaned in so that the tip of his nose touched hers.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear then nibbling the lobe with his teeth, followed by teasing flicks with his tongue.

  “That feels incredible.” She couldn’t hold in a tiny groan, encouraging him, by turning her head, to continue his efforts on her other ear.

  “Tell me what you like,” he said gently laying her on the bed and moving in beside her.

  His breath hit the dampness left behind on her wet skin and about unraveled her desire for foreplay in favor of turning up the heat.

  She wasn’t used to
a man asking what she wanted, but hesitated only a moment as his fingers wandered up the inside of her thighs and found her moist and ready.

  “Is this the right spot?”

  Cody’s hand read her mind that he’d indeed found her hot zone. He caressed her using slow lazy circles, bringing additional moisture and heat.

  Under his touch, her body quivered and bucked until she lost all control and relinquished her command to the moment. He increased the pressure and quickened his strokes, pushing her closer and closer to an intense thrill of unparalleled proportion.

  Cresting the final climb to her release, she rested her forehead against his and abandoned all control.

  “Cody, you’re amazing,” she said, her voice hushed and breathy, barely able to summons enough air to make her words audible.

  Her body quivered against the tips of his wet fingers.

  “Are you ready for me?” He looked into her eyes, giving her unspoken confirmation of how much he wanted her.

  “I’ve been ready,” she said, more ready for him than she’d been for anything in her life.

  He moved on top of her and with tender nudges of his legs and hips nestled between her thighs.

  With trembling hands, he opened her to receive him. He entered her slow, making sure she felt every part of him touch her for the first time.

  Closing around him, she thought she might come again just from the erotic sensation of him moving smooth, hard, wet and perfectly tight inside her.

  She held onto his shoulders while their bodies settled into a rhythm all their own, rocking together in sensual strides. Pressing her pelvis closer to his, she arched her back, making him grind deeper against her feminine walls.

  Reduced to tiny gasps of ecstasy, she held onto his arms as he accelerated his thrusts, taking her from a fast idle to full throttle.

  Their bodies, damp from the physical exertion, slid against each other in an erotic workout.

  Jules nestled her nose into his chest, breathing in the sweet spice of his Armani cologne and hanging on for the ride of her life.

  “Could I get behind you?” He nipped at her ears once more with his teeth, damn near making her reach another orgasm.