Jules heaped his plate and sat near Tony. He filled a glass with orange juice and a mug with coffee. “Ran into an old friend. Talked and crashed.” Would the bare truth fend off more questions?
Tony arched a brow. “Do we know her?”
“How would I know? Maybe the she was a he. Remember I grew up in the area before I ended in the group home.”
“Forgot,” Tony said.
Lauren made a face. “Can’t imagine you wanting to connect with anyone from that home other than Grace or me.”
Jules lifted a fork. “People change.’
“I have and so have you.” She lifted her head. “You didn’t see Charlene Patterson and accept her hospitality I hope.”
Jules nearly choked. “Trying to kill me. She was the one female I ran from. Wouldn’t take her offer then or now.”
Lauren smiled. “She was one reason I hit the road. Fingers stuck to anything you had that she wanted. Her parents always believed her. I remember how she used to taunt Grace about being the good girl.”
“I wondered why Grace avoided guys. I know a dozen including me who liked her.”
Lauren propped her elbows on the table. “Her mother made her childhood horrible. Drugs, alcohol, sex. Wasn’t a good life for a child. Sometimes her mother even abused her.”
Jules straightened. Had any of the men her mother brought home hurt Grace? Explained some things but puzzled him, too. Why had she surrendered last night? Why had she trusted him?”
Tony spread jam on a piece of toast. The intercom sputtered. Jamie’s cries filled the room. Tony got to his feet. “My turn.”
Lauren studied Jules. “So you did like Grace when we lived at that place. For awhile, she talked about you a lot. Then she stopped.”
Jules stared at his plate. “I’m sure she did. All I’ll say is I acted like a jackass.”
“Really, I always thought it was because of Charlene. She bragged about having sex with you.”
Jules rolled his eyes. “Now that was a lie. She was one barracuda I avoided. She was after any male she could get. Never me.” He clamped his mouth with a tight line.
“She still plays that game.”
Jules drained his juice glass. “Enough about that time and place.”
Lauren laughed. “Sure you don’t want to go to the theater with us?”
“Lauren, we need you.” Tony’s voice boomed from the speaker.
She rose. “Guess there’s a mess to handle. Have Tony tell you about his first experience with one.” She paused. ‘What would you like for dinner? Sitter comes at seven.”
“I’m having dinner with Grace so I can explain the feature for Good Cookin’. If I can’t convince her to sign I’ll face Allie’s wrath Monday morning.”
“Enjoy.” Lauren dashed away.
Moments later Jules headed to the guest room. He changed clothes, grabbed underwear, sweater, socks and condoms. Downstairs he shoved them in his briefcase. When Lauren and Tony arrived with Jamie, Jules stood at the counter stacking the dishes.
For a time they worked together, then played games with Jamie until the football game between their college teams began. The last play of the game found Jules handing Tony a twenty. He hoped losing the bet wasn’t an omen for the evening with Grace. He rose. ‘See you later.”
“You have the key?” Tony asked.
“Yes.”
“If the sitter’s here, introduce yourself.”
“Hope to be a bit later,” Jules grinned.
“Good luck.”
“I’ll need all you can give me and more.” Jules put on his coat and grabbed his briefcase.
* * * *
Grace wiped sweat from her forehead with a wet paper towel. She’d finished the last batch of cupcakes an hour ago. She sprayed the oven and set the racks in the giant dishwasher. Once she finished the oven, she would mop the floor. As she worked she hummed a random series of notes. At five thirty, she emptied the mop water in the utility room and entered the shop to collect the accumulated receipts.
Bonnie pointed to the nearly empty cases. “Been a great day. Oh, Joe from the diner called. He wants to increase his daily order from a dozen to two at the usual price.”
Grace frowned. “When did he start an account?” She had several local restaurants who had ordered cupcakes every week.
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll look into this on Monday.”
“Is Mr. Hot coming this evening?”
Grace nodded. “We’re going to dinner and discuss that Good Cookin’ thing.” That wasn’t really the case. Jules had explained the contract last night. If Tony thought the feature would be good for business she would sign.
One thing bothered her. Could she trust Jules? Years ago he’d pushed hard for sex. Maybe he would stand her up? Last night he’d received her agreement to really consider the contract. Did they really need to meet? Did she want him to ignore her? Thoughts of the orgasm made her eager for a repeat.
She carried the cash, credit card slips and checks to the office where she entered the totals in her account book. She grabbed her to-do-list and jotted a note to call Joe at the diner on Monday.
The bell above the shop door jingled. Grace heard Charlene’s nasal twang and two lighter voices. Moments later Charlene started screaming. Grace stepped into the shop. Two girls from the home sat at a table with Charlene’s son. His shaggy blond hair stuck out from beneath his cap.
Grace checked the hot chocolate pot, filled a cup and set it on the table in front of the boy. She turned to the girls. “There’s more if you want to finish the pot.”
“Thanks.”
Charlene strode to Grace. She stabbed a blood-red fingernail into Grace’s chest. “Is this all you have?”
Bonnie stepped from behind the case. She held a box in her hand. “Busy day.” She returned to her station and pulled empty trays from the shelves and set them on top of the case.
Charlene grabbed Grace’s arm. “When you go back there, get me four of them fudge things, three Candy Canes. Mama won’t be happy with five cupcakes.”
“I’m afraid I can’t,” Grace said. “Won’t bake more until Monday.”
“Mama’s gonna be disappointed. You owe her big time for all she done for you. If she didn’t teach you to cook you would never have got that scholarship to the fancy cooking school. Mama should be your partner here.”
Grace clenched her hands. She had earned the scholarship by showing skills and knowledge. “Sorry. The kitchen is closed and locked. I’ll explain tomorrow when I come to help prepare Sunday dinner.”
“Don’t bother making excuses. Tomorrow will be too late,” Charlene said.
“Tell her I won’t be able to stay all day. I’ve a business meeting with Lauren about creating a cupcake display for her wedding reception.”
Charlene glared. “She ran away, lived on the streets doing who knows what and snags a rich man. I could of found my own but not with a baby in my belly. Some people have all the luck.”
Grace drew a deep breath. Things she wanted to say flooded her thoughts. Lauren had run away from the group home. Charlene had been part of the reason. Her “borrowing” clothes, jewelry and money plus her catty remarks had driven Lauren away. Lauren had finally taken steps to change her life because her sister and brother-in-law had helped.
The bell jingled. Jules walked in. Grace waited for Charlene to spring into action.
The other woman’s eyes narrowed as she studied Jules from head to toes. She ran her tongue over her lower lip. “You’re too late, handsome. We got the last of the cupcakes.” She gestured to the girls and her son. “Move it.” She sauntered to the door. Her tight jeans emphasized the sway of her hips.
The door closed. Grace drew a deep breath. She glanced at Jules. Had Charlene failed to recognize him? Doubtful. What did she plan?
Charlene’s whispered story one night years ago flowed into Grace’s thoughts. Could Jules be the father of Charlene’s son? There’d been no resembl
ance she could see. Back then Charlene had been a constant liar. Would she try that tactic again?
Bonnie lifted the cups and bundled the garbage. “I’ll finish cleaning and lock up. You can make the bank run.”
“Thanks.”
I wonder if Charlene’s anger over there only being five cupcakes left has anything to do with the call from Joe at the diner. You give her at least a dozen every night.”
"Why would you think that?”
“Would be easy money for her.”
“What are you talking about?” Jules asked.
Grace explained about the call from the owner of the diner. “He doesn’t have an account. I think he called the wrong bakery.”
“Could be,” Jules said. “Maybe another bakery is using your name.”
”I’ll handle this next week.” She went to the office for the deposit bag. “Let’s go.”
Jules helped her with her coat. He held the door. “Thanks, Bonnie.”
“No problem. Have fun.”
“Where are we going?” Grace asked. “Should I go home and change?”
“Might be a good idea.”
“Why so mysterious?”
“You’ll see.” His dimple appeared.
After dropping the deposit, she turned to him. “I’ll need to take the van. Tomorrow I help out at the group home. You could come with me.”
“Not on a bet. I’ll follow you to the condo.”
At the van he waited until she started the engine. As she drove home she wondered where they would have dinner. She pulled into the garage and left the door open for him.
Chapter Seven
Jules waited until Grace ran upstairs to change before carrying the pair of Styrofoam containers, a blanket and the bag with the wine and glasses into the unit. He heard the shower. Flashes of her naked body lured him to the foot of the stairs. His hands itched to cup her breasts. A groan flowed from his chest. His throbbing dick urged him to climb the stairs and invade her space.
Patience, dude.
With reluctance he studied the living room area. He walked to the wide sliding door and found a stack of wood covered with dark plastic. After carrying in an armload, he started a fire and spread the blanket in front of the hearth. He knelt on the carpet to open the containers and placed the dozen cold and dozen hot appetizers, the wine and the glasses on the newly created picnic place.
When he heard Grace on the stairs he walked to intercept her. She paused on the landing. His breath caught. His heart seemed ready to explode. A bright blue dress hugged her curves. The side slits revealed the long line of her leg. She reached the bottom step. Jules grasped her hands and kissed the fingers of one and then the other. The dude pressed against his fly.
“You are beautiful.” The heels she wore added enough height so their lips met. The scent of vanilla wafted from her skin. His lips met hers and the kiss rocked him. What was happening?
“Where are we going?” She ran her hands down the side of her dress. “Hope this is all right.”
“Perfect.” He led her around the corner where the firelight revealed the scene. “A winter picnic catered by Five Cuisines.” When they reached the blanket, he sat and patted the space beside him.
Her soft laughter brought warmth and maybe regret. “Do you mind staying here?” he asked.
“This is perfect.”
He kissed her hand and ran his tongue over the palm. “If we’d gone to a restaurant there might have been a fight for your attention. I wanted this evening for you and me. He rested his hand on the silky fabric of her dress. His fingers caressed her thigh.
Grace caught his hand, “Not so fast. I’d like to taste some of this feast.”
“What’s under your dress?”
“My skin.” She grinned. “Bra and a thong.”
A jolt shot to his cock. He leaned forward and feasted on her mouth. She melted against him. His hand cupped her shoulders. Finally he raised his head. “Sure you want to try the food.”
“Yes.” She slid back.
He lifted a curried shrimp and held it to her lips. She bit and chewed.
“Delicious.” From another container she selected an oyster. “Not that you need this.”
He laughed. “So true.” He sucked the morsel into his mouth. “The salty taste of the ocean melded with the bite of cayenne. He reached for the wine and corkscrew. “Hope you like rose.”
She shook her head. “I don’t drink alcohol.”
“Why not?”
Sadness filled her eyes. “I saw what happened when my mother drank. Men paid her for sex with booze and drugs.”
He recalled Lauren’s words about Grace’s childhood. “Tell me.”
“Didn’t matter who the men were. I crouched in the closet so I couldn’t see what they did. I couldn’t escape the sounds, the smells and the fights.”
Jules hugged her close. Not a good life for a kid for sure. At least there’s been no violence during his early years. The shame and guilt had come later.
She nodded. “Every night I cowered and prayed for an escape. Sometimes a man hit her. Other times she screamed and attacked them. If they didn’t pay she hit me. She was only twenty-eight when she died from combining drugs and alcohol.”
Tears spilled over her cheeks. Jules set the wine aside. He kissed her lightly and blotted her tears. He rose and filled the glasses with water. “This is what we’ll drink.”
Grace stared at him. What he saw in her gaze heated his desire not for sex but to just hold her.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to.” He clasped her hand. When they made love he wanted them to have equal control. He brought their joined hands to his mouth. “My mother disappointed me. She was so ashamed of what my father had done and what other people thought of her she forgot about me and killed herself.”
He recalled the day he’d come home from school and found her and the dramatic note that only spoke of her pain, her shame and her anger. She’d never mentioned her son or her husband.
Grace squeezed her hand. “Something we share.”
“What about your father?” Jules asked.
“I never knew him. He could have been any one of the men who stayed a night or two.”
Jules cupped her chin. “My father was present for most of my life but I never knew him. He was a crook. He died in jail and I was left alone.”
“No relatives either?” Grace asked.
“No one who would take me in. Guess they thought my presence would contaminate them. They have started calling lately but I ignore those calls.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. Tightness gripped his chest. He didn’t know what was happening but he intended to ride the waves of passion until they ebbed.
Grace reached for one of the tapas and held it to his mouth. Jules drew her fingers inside with the food. Soon they fed each other laughing when they each bit into the end of a piece of crab leg dripping with butter and garlic. They nibbled until their mouths met.
Jules groaned when Grace reached for a clam dish. “No more.”
“Me either. Why did you buy so much?”
“Greed. Everything looked and sounded so good. I kept ordering one more. We’ve done a good job of demolishing what I bought.”
She met his gaze. “For me, it’s a left over from childhood. Eat when there’s food until you can’t take another bite. There may be nothing tomorrow.”
He stroked her back. “Wish that hadn’t happened to you.”
She moved closer. “I usually don’t gorge like this anymore but everything was wonderful. And today was a busy one. Nearly sold out all I stocked ahead.”
“I saw the empty cases.”
“Customers galore. Orders for the holidays, too. I’ll be baking non-stop the week before Christmas.”
“And you love it.”
She nodded. “I’m making money, not a lot but the bills are current and I’ve taken a small salary.”
He ran a finger along her arm. �
��Do me a favor.”
“And that is?”
“Monday morning buy tires for your van.”
“If I have time.”
“Make time.” He grasped her shoulders. “I don’t like worrying about you.”
She brushed her lips over his. “You can get in line behind Lauren. She lectures me daily about the tires.” She rose. “We need to put things away. I’ll have enough for several meals. Come to the shop on Tuesday morning. I need a customer who overbuys.”
“Unfortunately Tuesday morning I’ll be at work.”
She covered several containers and handed them to him. “What do you do?”
“Investigate. I do have a degree in accounting though.”
“What kind of things?”
“Nothing earth shattering.” He carried the leftovers to the small kitchen. “Computer searches. I began working for Tony’s law firm. Then I started searches for the Good Magazine Group. They refuse to have anyone advertise in the mags who are less than honest. Also have vetted the places they’re doing features on.”
“What did you learn about me?”
“Actually I didn’t. Allie tried your cupcakes, took Tony’s word. She checked your schooling. A couple of weeks ago Allie was married. She asked me to have you sign.”
When the last container was in the fridge, Jules pulled Grace into his arms. He kissed her gently and slid down the zipper on her dress. He stroked her smooth skin and opened her bra. The dress slid from her shoulders.
He stepped back. “I want to go slow but I’m tempted to see all of you.”
She stepped back. "Let me finish and I demand equal exposure.” She slid her dress to the floor.
Jules swallowed. “Beautiful.” The only covering she wore was the thong. He pulled his sweater over his head and opened his trousers.
Grace stepped closer and ran her hands over his chest. Jules grinned. “I want to taste every inch of you. He slung her over his shoulder. Feeling like an ancient warrior claiming a prize he strode to the stairs.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“But I am.”
* * * *
Grace bit her tongue to keep from laughing as Jules carried her up the stairs. When they reached the landing he paused and eased around. At the top of the stairs he slid her to the floor and kissed her with heated desire.
Spicy Seduction Page 5
