Divining Elise_Granite Lake Romance

by Jody A. Kessler

  “Do whatever you need. I’m perfectly fine right here.”

  Rob returned a couple of minutes later. “If I give her a small bottle right before bed, sometimes she’ll sleep longer. She doesn’t always want it, but I try.”

  “Good thinking.”

  Rob picked up the baby and fed her again. She drank the entire serving, but while Rob burped her, she spit it back up on his shoulder, then projectile vomited the rest all over his shirt.

  “That’s one way to attract women,” he said. “There’s nothing sexier than being covered in puke.” Rob’s face was priceless.

  Elise held back a snort. Rob wiped Allison’s face with the burp cloth but there was little to nothing on her.

  His grimace deepened as he placed Allison in her seat again. “It’s soaking through,” he said and stripped off his shirt.

  Elise swallowed the drool collecting inside her mouth. His muscle tone caused an instant reaction to her physically. She’d never had that strong of a visceral response to someone. She focused on the baby.

  “At least, she’s falling asleep,” he said as her eyelids drifted closed. “I’ll put her in the crib.” Rob lifted her again, cradled her in his arms, and gave Elise a look of hopeful patience. “Thanks for hanging out. This may be the strangest date I’ve ever been on.”

  “Don’t think I’m too weird, but I like hanging out here. Go take care of your baby,” she said and picked up the remote control for the television.

  Rob returned to the living room sans shirt. And she wasn’t disappointed. He could go shirtless for the rest of eternity if she had her way.

  “Can I carry Colton to the guest room or do you want to leave him on the couch?”

  Elise rose to her feet. “If you don’t mind. He’ll probably stay asleep if you carry him and I don’t want to wake him. He’s getting too heavy for me to carry.”

  Rob bent down and carefully scooped up Colton. She followed them into the guest room and pulled back the blanket for Colton. Rob stepped out of the room as she tucked him in and set up the monitor.

  They met in the kitchen. Rob drank a glass of water by the sink. “Do you want anything?”

  She wanted to lick him, starting with his full, wide mouth, then work her way down until she found other full, long, and hard parts of his exquisite anatomy. Elise kept her comments to herself—for now. “Water would be good after the wine and ice cream.”

  Rob filled a glass and handed it to her.

  “I need to shower. There’s still spit up on me.” He paused, then added, “More sexy talk. I’m really doing a great job at this tonight.”

  She swallowed the last of the water and set the glass down. “Do you want any help washing your back?”

  His eyebrows reached for his hairline. “I think I’d be stupid to turn down an offer like that.”

  “Then you shouldn’t,” she said and headed toward his master bathroom and the incredible oversized walk-in shower. With two shower heads and a bench seat, plans started pinging inside her head as to the best ways to make the most of such an inviting space.

  Elise pulled off her clothes and let them fall to the floor. As she reached for the glass shower door, Rob’s hands found her hips and his lips pressed to the pulse point on her neck.

  Eighteen

  ROB STEPPED OUT OF HIS PANTS and briefs before entering the spray of hot water. The door clicked shut behind him and steam rose from the tiles. Water streamed over Elise’s naked body and he suddenly forgot about everything else in the world.

  But he had to take things slow. Rob promised himself that if he had another night with her, he would take his time. The rush from their last encounter thrilled and intoxicated him, but he wanted to make their pleasure last. He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent down to kiss her slowly and thoroughly. She welcomed him by opening her mouth and sliding her tongue against his. He lingered on the kiss, exploring and savoring their connection as the water and her proximity heated his skin. He was already rock hard from just the sight of her and his length pushed against the softness of her body. Rob pulled back, but only enough to trail kisses down her neck to the hollow at the base of her throat. It took every ounce of willpower to keep his hands from dipping straight to her womanhood and prepping her for his length. He stroked the side of her breasts, traced around the curves, then cupped them in his hands.

  “Is the water too hot?” he asked.

  “No. It’s perfect.” Her hand roved over his side and wrapped around his erection.

  So much for taking their time. She massaged up and down his erection, then lowered to her knees.

  “I want you in my mouth, Rob. Do you mind if I have my way with you?” She tasted his tip with her plump lips then swirled her tongue around his head.

  Rob placed one hand on the wall and one on the back of her head, holding on for dear life. “Hell no, I don’t mind.”

  “Good. You taste so fucking amazing.” She slid her mouth down his shaft and back up again.

  He watched her take all of him into her tight wet mouth. No little feat, and was absolutely amazed at how beautiful she was, dark hair streaming down her narrow back to the curves of her hips and ass. Her long lashes laying against flushed cheeks. She looked up. Their gazes met and held as she moved up and down his length. She wrapped one of her delicate hands at his base and used her hand and lips to drive him crazy. Hot water pounded against his back and the rain showerhead poured over Elise’s body.

  She was a wet dream come to life. He was in awe and wonder as she teased and sucked him and he nearly forgot his promise to take things slow.

  “I’m about to come,” he said and tried to pull away from her.

  “Hmm...” she hummed around his member and felt his precum release.

  Elise applied slight pressure with both her mouth and hand.

  “I mean it, woman.”

  “Come for me, Rob. I want it.” She took all of him in again. Her eyes closed and he came so hard, he thought he may have blacked out for a second. Rob remained conscious enough to feel her squeeze his ass and watch her swallow every drop. His cock pulsed slower and slower. He lifted Elise off her knees.

  The desire to explore her entire body from head to toe made Rob reach for the bar of soap. He traced the bar over her shoulder and between her breasts, letting the slipperiness guide his movements. The small seductive smile she had perfected graced her lips as her head fell back and the spray of water ran over her hair and down her back. Rob ran the soap over her stomach and around her ass, then dipped the bar between her legs. Elise separated her feet to give him more space.

  Forget the soap. He needed more of her. All of her. Rob set the bar of soap down and lifted her leg, placing her foot on the bench and opening her even wider. He dipped his mouth to her nipple and took the taut and heated bud into his mouth. He groaned as his tongue toyed with her perfection. His hand slid down her abdomen to her triangle and slipped into her folds. Even with the streaming water, he found her slick and ready.

  Elise’s hand ran over his shoulder, along his neck, and into his hair. She gripped a handful.

  “I need you inside me. Your fingers. Your tongue. Your cock. Fuck me, Rob, and don’t stop until I scream.”

  He groaned again. “God, you’re making me so hard again.” He slid his finger into her and added another.

  “Oh, yes! That’s exactly what I need.” Elise made a sound that sent his teeth on edge in the most nerve tingling way. His heart pounded and he bit the side of her neck and sucked in response. He worked his fingers in and out, crooking one finger, and stroking her nub with his thumb. Her hips moved in time against his hand and another sound rippled out of her. Goosebumps rose over her body.

  Rob felt her begin to tense. Her nails dug into his back. He eased up slightly, wanting to make this last. He stopped coaxing her and shifted around, placing her back against the shower wall. Rob moved lower, taking his time to kiss every inch of her as he took his turn and came down to his knees. He gripp
ed her thigh and held it in place over his shoulder.

  “It’s my turn to return the favor.”

  She held his head and his shoulder as he flicked his tongue over her sensitive button, once, twice, then swirled his tongue over her. “Oh, God... thank you!”

  He took his time to make sure her orgasm was just as good or better than the one she’d given him. Rob alternated between finger fucking and tongue fucking Elise until she screamed.

  When the water went cold, he led her from the shower and they toweled each other dry. Naked and unencumbered, Rob bent down and kissed her until he had to come up for air.

  “Come to my bed, Elise,” he said against her neck. “I need to bury myself inside you.”

  She took his hand, threading her fingers through his. The glaze over her eyes from her orgasm still lingered hazy and thick. Elise ran the fingernails of her free hand over the hard planes of his abs to his erection.

  “And I want you inside me,” she said.

  His cocked twitched. Rob picked her up and carried her to the bed. He needed to feel her wrapped around him. He needed her so badly it almost scared him.

  * * *

  Rob woke in the morning ridiculously satisfied. His body resembled the consistency of a limp noodle. Not that he was limp. Even with three rounds of incredible sex, he woke with a stiff cock and ready for round four.

  He’d been awake twice with Allison, but the night had passed shrouded in a satisfaction fog. Was that a real thing? After feeding Allison and putting her back to bed, Elise snuggled her ass against his hips and reached for him. He’d taken her from behind as they lay side by side. Her orgasms were the most glorious thing he’d ever experienced. Her inner thighs shivered against his balls and her womanhood milked every last drop from him. She’d sigh, kiss him with incredible tenderness, and make these contented sounds that made him want to start over again from the beginning.

  Rob rolled out of bed and once again found the crib empty. They were in the kitchen like the last time she stayed the night. He could get used to this. Waking up to a beautiful woman, cute kids, and hot food on the stove. Damn. That thought had never crossed his mind before. But he knew she wasn’t ready to commit to dating, let alone the idea of anything permanent between them.

  “Good morning.” He made sure Colton saw his greeting.

  Colton returned the sign for good morning. Rob wanted to kiss her but held back. According to Elise, and as far as Colton knew, they were only friends. He respected her wish to keep their intimacy behind closed doors when it came to the boy. He was young and impressionable and since she wouldn’t admit or acknowledge their relationship—yet—he would keep his hands to himself when others were around.

  “I made huevos rancheros if you’re hungry.”

  Rob glanced at Colton before answering. The boy was focused on driving a toy truck along the edge of the island. “I’m hungry for more of you—and famished. Thank you,” he said.

  She winked. “I must have worked up an appetite last night because I was starving. Hope you don’t mind that I took over your kitchen.”

  “After three rounds, I think we deserve to refuel. Can we test this theory again next week?”

  Elise broke eye contact and began putting ingredients back in the refrigerator. Every time he tried to ask her out, she would do this. The aloofness. Her walls would go up... and yet somehow, he was getting through to her. Patience seemed to be the key with Elise. Rob didn’t press, but dished out huevos rancheros onto a plate and waited.

  “Okay. Same time and place?” she asked, still not looking at him.

  “If that works for you,” he said and took a bite. The eggs in combination with cheese and salsa threw a party in his mouth. “Hello there, breakfast goddess. How do you make normal food taste this good?” he asked and shoved another bite into his mouth.

  “It’s a natural-born talent,” she said, the demure smile turning the corners of her mouth up.

  “It must be. You’re going to ruin my taste buds for any other food.”

  “That’s a covert operation that I can’t discuss at this time,” she said. “Maisie Allison’s had a bottle and I need to get going. I’ll cook for us next week.” She rounded the kitchen island and stopped. Her hand moved to the mail Rob had left sitting out. Elise’s fingers tapped the stack of envelopes. Her gaze met Rob’s.

  “It’s going to be okay. You’re worried about the home visit, but she’ll like what she sees.”

  “What are you talking about?” Rob asked.

  Elise blinked. Her eyes had been unfocused even though she was staring right at him. She looked at her hand resting on the mail then back up to Rob. “I’m sorry. That was weird.” She stared out the window and pressed her lips together. Her hand slid off the counter and she wrung her hands in front of her waist.

  “How did you know I am going to get a home visit from Child Services?”

  “A dream or a vision. I’m not sure how I knew. Did you tell me?”

  “I didn’t tell you. I planned to let you know, but haven’t said anything yet. This whole custody investigation has me—” Rob started to shake and his blood pressure rose internally. Externally, he held a calm facade. “I can’t talk about it yet, which is the reason I haven’t spoken up. I just received the letter yesterday. There was a phone call with the case manager.” He started shaking on the inside. “They want to see my house and how we live. My life is now under scrutiny by the Department of Child Services. Michaela claims I am a closet drunk and an unfit parent of an infant who she has legal custody of.” His eyes began to tingle as his blood pressure rose.

  Elise reached out to him with a compassionate gaze. Was that possible? Somehow, she soothed him with a look. His anger subsided as quickly as it had flashed through him. That was the only way he could explain the shift in her expression and his reaction to her.

  “Everything with Maisie is going to be fine. She’s your daughter and there’s nothing to fear. I promise.” She unfroze from her stance at the end of the island. “And I really should be going.” She wrapped Rob in a quick but tight hug then moved toward Colton. She got his attention and said, “It’s time to go home.”

  They were out the door and pulling out of the driveway before the eggs were cold. Rob glanced at his daughter in the swing. “Elise is more confident about this custody investigation than I am. Who would you rather live with?” The baby stared back at him but didn’t respond. Did he really expect a reply? She was an infant, for crying out loud. He let it go and moved onto his new normal morning routine. “Well, it looks like it’s just the two of us again. What should we do today? Spit up perfectly good formula? Soil your diapers?” He paused to give her another chance to answer. She hiccupped. “You may not be able to answer the hard questions, but I knew you’d be up for that.”

  Shit. He needed his life back... But what life was that exactly? A woman who shows little interest in him other than talking dirty and having her way with him, and an infant who needed him twenty-four seven. His life had definitely altered course. If he could take the helm and steer in the right direction, he could figure out where he was headed. Elise and Colton would be a nice addition to his schedule, but he didn’t have a reliable schedule. Trying to work between diaper changes, naps, and washing bottles didn’t leave much room for getting to know someone.

  And what did he really know about Elise? She was open with him and closed at the same time. She wanted him on her terms. Did that remind him of Delaney? Scratch that. Elise was nothing like Delaney. Except Delaney didn’t trust Rob with the knowledge of their child. Elise didn’t divulge anything that made her uncomfortable. He sighed. Comparing the two women was like comparing a Ferrari to the moons of Jupiter. Elise was definitely the Ferrari, and he’d drive that any day of the week, however foreign she might feel in his presence.

  Time and patience were the only plausible answers to the riddle that had become his life. He didn’t know if he had a large enough supply of either.

 
* * *

  A week later as the evening sky turned golden, Elise and Colton arrived on his doorstep. She carried bags of groceries and Colton held a board game. He wore the black helmet again and his blue backpack.

  Rob waved and grinned at the boy, then reached for the grocery bags. “Can I grab anything else from the car?”

  “Sure,” Elise said. Her eyes shined with what Rob thought was happiness.

  Elise touched Colton’s shoulder. “I’m going to get my bag from the car. Watch the baby for one minute.”

  Colton gave a thumbs up. Rob glanced at Maisie in the playpen to reassure himself that she was safe while he stepped outside.

  As soon as they were next to the car, Rob spun Elise around and moved into her personal space. He placed his leg between her thighs and leaned down.

  “You look gorgeous today.”

  Her eyebrows rose high on her forehead. “You’re not too shabby looking, either. Did you get a haircut?”

  “I did, but who cares. You’re so beautiful.” He lowered his lips to hers and fulfilled a silent promise he made to himself to kiss her as soon as possible.

  Elise gripped his back and moaned into his mouth. When he had a decent taste of her, he reached inside the car and retrieved her overnight bag and the remaining grocery bag.

  “Is your offer to cook tonight a way of telling me I’m not up to your level of culinary ability?” Rob asked as he helped unpack the food.

  “You’re onto me.” Elise pulled a frying pan out of a cabinet and placed it on the stove. “I ate half of your pizza last week because it was awful. The worst I’ve ever had.”

  “Do I detect sarcasm?” Rob said as he reached in the refrigerator and pulled out a couple of beers.

  “Who me? I’m not sarcastic,” she said with innocence and excessive sarcasm. She pursed her lips and lifted a brow.

  “You’re hard to read. Has anyone ever told you that?”

  “I know. And I’m weird. But you’re going to keep the thoughts about my strangeness to yourself. Remember our deal?”