Recipe for Kisses

by Michelle Major

“You bought the building.”

  He nodded sharply. “I’d forgotten about the vendetta, but Cory called me right away. He’d refused all my offers of help over the years. This was the only thing he ever asked me to do. Your lease came up for renewal just as he was arrested. Shutting down the store was the only hope I could offer him.”

  “And now Cory’s kids are helping to save it. Does your brother know the two of them are working for me?”

  “Yes, but I promised I’d put a stop to it.”

  “Yet you haven’t. Why?”

  “You gave them a second chance. What if Stan Butterfield had done that for Cory? What if he’d looked past the things he thought he knew about my brother and seen a kid in a lot of pain who needed help? The story of my family might be different.” He looked at her, his blue eyes so dark they were almost black. “Abby and Zach needed something, and it turns out The Toy Chest was it. They need you, Chloe.” He started to move toward her then stopped. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Just like I do.”

  Her whole body reacted to his words, skin buzzing and heart pounding. “You told the cooking class that your actions had been fueled by anger. It feels like my whole life has been governed by fear.”

  “That’s not true. Look at all you’ve done to make a new life for yourself.”

  “In a box. I love the toy store, but what I love more are the women I’m able to help by owning it. It’s safe and insulated . . .” She paused, stood, and closed the distance between them. “And you aren’t, Ben.”

  “I want to be a safe place for you.”

  “I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  He reached out and traced a finger along her eyebrow and down the edge of her face. “You shouldn’t, but I want you to, Chloe.”

  “It’s not easy for me. I know what my issues are, and I’ve worn them like a suit of armor for a long time. But . . .” She lifted up onto her tiptoes, brushed her lips over his. “You make me want to try.”

  He returned her kiss, but pulled back after a moment. His hands lifted to cradle her face. “The store,” he said, searching her gaze. “I don’t know—”

  “We’ll figure it out,” she said, certain she wouldn’t let it come between them again. “I understand why you want the space.”

  “But—”

  She held a finger against his lips. “I still plan to win. I don’t want any handouts or for you to give up because of what’s between us. We both have reasons for what we want, but if the past few years have showed me anything, it’s that I need to take care of myself. You have to let me do that, Ben.”

  “Damn it, Chloe,” he muttered. “You’re putting me in a position where I’m going to hurt you.”

  “Not if I beat you. I’m tired of doing the safe thing, of expecting someone to bail me out like I can’t function on my own. You said you thought I was strong. Let me prove it.”

  He kissed her as an answer, but it was no longer gentle. This kiss was hot and demanding, but Chloe still wanted more. “In the cabin,” she breathed against his skin. “I need you, Ben. Now.”

  He lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around his waist. Darkness was quickly falling around them, yet he had no problem negotiating his way through the door.

  The cramped interior was even more shadowed than outside. Chloe had spent enough time there to know the placement of the furniture. She dropped to the floor and led him to the far side of the room, pulling back the covers on the small daybed there. Turning, she pushed Ben down then crawled into his lap, unzipping his jacket and pushing it off his broad shoulders. He tugged at the hem of her sweater and within moments they were a tumble of clothes and limbs, laughing as they jockeyed for position and power. Losing herself in this man and this moment was what she needed more than anything.

  It freed her, made her feel strong and powerful in a way she’d come to depend on from Ben. He pushed her boundaries, but never further than she was willing to go. As he trailed kisses along her neck then down lower between her breasts, she understood it was because she did feel safe with him. In his own rough and edgy way, he made her feel cherished but still allowed her the independence she’d never before had.

  He laughed as she pushed him to his back, straddling him and moving her hands over his beautiful bare chest. “Bossy,” he whispered then sucked in a breath as she traced his nipple with her tongue. A moment later, Chloe felt the clasp on her bra pop and Ben was on top of her, peeling the fabric from her skin.

  “I could look at you forever,” he said, as he cupped her in his big hands.

  The words spiked through her, making her body heat at the same time her heart swelled. She’d never considered wanting another forever after her divorce. In truth, she thought she’d sworn off men completely in the aftermath of that awful relationship.

  It felt good to feel alive and wanted. She might be damaged, but she wasn’t as broken as she’d once believed.

  “What do you want, Chloe?” Ben’s voice was a harsh rasp. He wanted her to say the words, to tell him how she wanted to be touched and where she was willing to go.

  “Your mouth,” she said on a hiss. “On me.”

  With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he obliged her. His tongued circled her nipple, and she moaned as he pulled the tight peak into his mouth. “Here?” he asked, moving his attention to the other breast.

  “Lower,” she whispered and earned a husky laugh.

  He licked and sucked his way down her rib cage to the curve of her belly. When he paused, she arched underneath him, lifting her hips off the twin-size mattress. “Tell me, Chloe.”

  “More.” She was too charged to care that she was panting. “Please, Ben. More.”

  He eased farther down her body, pulling her underpants over her hips then moving between her legs. The first time he’d looked at her so intimately, Chloe had almost died of embarrassment, but now she reveled in the desire clouding his eyes. He felt that way for her, and it was more than she’d ever dreamed of having.

  When he touched her, she nearly exploded, came even closer to dropping over the edge as his mouth followed his fingers. She was lost within minutes, stars and fireworks and a thousand meteor showers exploding behind her eyes. But still it wasn’t enough, and when he reached for his wallet, she grabbed it from him.

  “In a hurry?” he asked with a smile.

  She ripped open the condom and rolled it over his length, her fingers trembling at how he was both hard and soft under her fingertips.

  She met his gaze and didn’t bother to hide what she felt for him. It was complicated and confusing, but this man had changed her, and, although she wouldn’t say the word out loud, she let him see the love shining in her eyes. “I need you,” she whispered. What she meant was I love you.

  He stilled for a moment then drove into her, wrapping his arms around her back and pulling her close. They moved together, Ben’s face buried in her hair, and it was perfect. She felt herself rise again, her body racing toward another release. Just before she reached the ultimate peak, Ben lifted his head, cupping her face between his hands. His beautiful blue eyes held hers, then his gaze opened and for an instant he wasn’t hiding either. Everything he was feeling was right there, and when they came together and he whispered her name like a prayer, it sounded like I love you.

  Later that week, Ben felt happier than he’d ever imagined as he and Chloe walked toward the Mexican restaurant in downtown Denver where they were meeting her friends. It was a celebration dinner, although his dad had thrown a fit wondering why Ben would willingly be celebrating Chloe’s success at making the toy store a household name in the Mile High city.

  The morning before Ben came back to town, Chloe’s friend Kendall had shown up with a camera crew to film campers having fun with merchandise from The Toy Chest. Kendall talked to Sam about the camp, the toys she’d donated, and the volunteering Chloe did with the kids. Then the reporter interviewed Chloe about the shop, the classes and family activities she sponsored, the store’s history in t
he neighborhood, and why it was important for people to support local businesses.

  She’d also interviewed some of the kids, including Zach and Abby, about the toys and about their experience at the store. Despite Ben’s negative feelings about the store, he couldn’t help but share in their excitement. The kids felt like they were part of something, probably for the first time in their lives. He discovered that Chloe hosted several minireunions for campers throughout the year. It was another reminder of her dedication both to The Toy Chest and to the community she served.

  Overall, it had made Ben feel like the biggest ass on the planet for trying to shut it down. He’d tried to talk to Chloe again, but she brushed aside his concerns. Yesterday the feature story had aired on Kendall’s highly rated morning show, and families had flooded the store looking for toys and activities to entertain their kids during the last weeks of summer vacation. His niece and nephew had stayed at camp for a few extra days, but he knew they’d be thrilled to see the increase in business.

  A few people pointed at him as they walked into the crowded restaurant, and the hostess asked for his autograph and a photo before she seated them. Ben would have liked to refuse, but Chloe was continually entertained by his celebrity status and had gamely snapped the picture, encouraging him to throw an arm around the young girl’s shoulders.

  They approached the table where Kendall sat with a tall man with lighter hair and a suntan that spoke more of working outside than a life of leisure. He stood and gave Chloe a friendly hug before Kendall grabbed her and squeezed tightly.

  “It was so good,” Kendall confirmed. “We’ve gotten more hits on the station’s Facebook page today.”

  Chloe couldn’t hide her smile. “The store was crowded all day, and sales were at an all-time high on our website.”

  Kendall gave Ben a tiny wave and apologetic smile. “I hope it’s ok when she foils your dastardly plans for ruining one of Denver’s new favorite local businesses.”

  “That’s not how it is,” Chloe said, nudging her friend.

  The other man straightened and stood taller, as if he expected Ben to start screaming at the cheeky journalist.

  “It’s fine,” Ben said, earning a doubtful stare from all three of them. “I’m proud of her.”

  He was rewarded with a brilliant smile from Kendall. “Then welcome to the celebration, chef. This is my fiancé, Ty Bishop.”

  Ben stuck out his hand and shook the other man’s, which was strong and callused. “I’m a fan of your show,” Ty told him as they sat back down.

  “That makes one of us.”

  Ty laughed as a waitress came by, taking Ben’s beer order along with Chloe’s request for a glass of sangria. “Our chef would like to make you something special, items that aren’t on the menu.” When she winced as Ben opened his mouth, he understood she also expected an outburst of temper.

  Instead he smiled. “This is her night,” he said, pointing to Chloe. “She’s in charge.”

  The waitress switched her gaze to Chloe, who nodded even as she blushed. “Please tell the chef thank you.”

  “Between everyone staring at these two,” Ty said to Chloe with a wink, “you and I might as well be invisible.”

  “Never to me,” Kendall told him and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

  Ben felt Chloe shift uncomfortably next to him. He draped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. “You’re the star tonight,” he whispered against her hair and she relaxed against him.

  They talked a little more about the feature, then the conversation switched to Ty’s work with conservation efforts around Denver. It was obvious that despite her local fame, Kendall was just as happy to let her fiancé have the spotlight. Ben liked getting to know people who weren’t impressed by celebrity status, his or anyone else’s. This was also the first double date he’d ever had, and the normalcy of it gave him a strange feeling of contentment.

  The waitress brought a round of appetizers to the table.

  “I can see how you’re useful to have around,” Ty said around a bite of black-bean-and-goat-cheese quesadilla. “This is fantastic.”

  Ben laughed and took a bite himself. In addition to the quesadillas, there were blackened jalapeños stuffed with cheese and artichokes. They were simple, but the cheese mixture perfectly balanced the heat of the peppers. He appreciated the efforts the chef had gone to and made a quick appearance in the kitchen to personally thank him and the rest of the staff.

  When he returned, Chloe excused herself to go to the bathroom. Ben continued to talk with Kendall and Ty, but when the main course arrived and she still wasn’t back, he glanced toward the hallway that led to the restrooms.

  “I should check on her,” Kendall said, following his gaze.

  “I’ll go.” He stood, a sick feeling trying to take hold in his stomach. He pushed it away, telling himself that he was overreacting, but had no problem brushing past the other patrons, who called to him as he moved through the crowded restaurant.

  As soon as he turned the corner from the main dining area, he saw Chloe in the small room obviously reserved for private events. He released a shaky breath then noticed the man standing across from her. Everything about him was average—his height and build, his slightly receding hairline and wire-rimmed glasses. Next to him was a short, plain woman with her hair pulled back in a tight bun. For a moment Ben figured the couple had seen Chloe on TV and stopped her to chat. As he got closer he realized Chloe’s posture was rigid and the man was looking at her through eyes narrowed with rage.

  Ben had a feeling he knew exactly who the guy was to Chloe, and he charged forward, the door to the room rattling on its hinges as he slammed it open. Three sets of eyes flicked to him, but all he cared about was Chloe. He expected her to look relieved to see him, but instead there was a warning in her gaze. He ignored it, of course.

  “Let me guess,” he growled. “You’re the ex-husband?”

  The man’s gaze zeroed in on Chloe. “This is a private conversation that is none of your business.”

  “I’m making it my business,” he bellowed, pointing at the couple. “You need to get the fuck out of here.”

  The woman started to move toward the door, but the man clamped a hand on her wrist.

  “Who are you?” he asked Ben.

  “I’m your worst nightmare,” Ben spat back and thought he heard a snort from Chloe. He ignored that, too. After weeks of keeping his temper in check, it was almost a relief for anger to coalesce inside him, to channel all his latent frustration at the man who had hurt the woman he loved.

  Whoa.

  He opened his mouth but no words came out as the implications of that realization zinged through him. He glanced over his shoulder at Chloe, who looked at him as if he were crazy.

  Crazy about her.

  “Did you hire a meathead bodyguard now?” the man said to Chloe.

  Ben snapped to attention. That little pissant had just called him a meathead.

  He took a step forward, but paused when Chloe curled her fingers around his arm. She moved around him, her spine straight as she faced her ex-husband.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Chloe stepped forward. “I don’t need a bodyguard, Jonathan.” She hated that her voice shook. She cleared her throat and said more firmly, “I have a permanent restraining order that you’re violating.”

  “I don’t give a damn about the restraining order. It was bullshit back then, and it still is. I thought you moved to Milwaukee.”

  “I lied.”

  Something flashed in her ex-husband’s gaze, as if he was happy she’d tried to deceive him.

  “Hiding out, like the mouse you’ve always been.”

  Chloe felt energy surge off Ben and was certain if it weren’t for her gentle pressure on his arm, he would have launched himself at Jonathan.

  “I’ve stopped hiding. You have no claim to me. No power anymore. I let you knock me around, destroying my pride and my heart for too long. I’m stronger than tha
t now, and I’m not afraid of you.” The woman next to him stiffened and visibly swallowed.

  “Thatta girl,” she heard Ben whisper behind her.

  “Whatever.” Jonathan scoffed. “You needed me more than I ever needed you. Hell, the only reason I married you was because I felt sorry for you. We got in some fights. It’s what couples do. If you wouldn’t have blown it out of proportion—”

  “You hit me, Jonathan.” Her tone was quiet but sure. “It was abuse, and I’m guessing I wasn’t the first or last.” She turned to the woman next to him. “He’s an abusive man, and if he hasn’t yet, he will hurt you.”

  The woman’s mouth thinned as her gaze dropped.

  “He already has,” Chloe whispered.

  “Shut up, Chloe.” Jonathan gripped the woman harder. “My life is none of your business.”

  Chloe ignored him, speaking directly to the woman. “You can reach me through the toy store. We have a website with all my contact information. If you need help—”

  “Shut up,” Jonathan hissed through gritted teeth. If Chloe had been paying closer attention to her ex-husband, she would have heard the change in his tone. Jonathan’s tell before he lost it had always been his voice. He became almost preternaturally quiet before he snapped.

  “It doesn’t have to be like this,” Chloe said quietly. “You deserve better.”

  Jonathan’s hand shot out like a rocket, grabbing a fistful of her hair before she could step away. Her months of self-defense lessons flashed through her mind, how she should lift her knee at the same time she tried to drive her knuckles into his Adam’s apple. She wasn’t the same person she’d been during her marriage, when she’d been afraid that fighting back would make it worse. But somehow she couldn’t move as he wrenched her forward. Couldn’t breathe as the smell of his sweat clogged her nostrils, and panic finally made its way into her consciousness. Then he was gone and she stumbled back, her hip slamming into the corner of a table before she righted herself.

  A woman’s scream pierced the air, and Chloe shook her head to clear it, focusing on her ex-husband’s limp body now sprawled along the ground. Ben was standing over him, his broad back bristling with angry energy. She caught a glimpse of his face, the fury in his gaze as he lifted Jonathan by his shirtfront. Her ex-husband moaned as his head snapped back, blood gushing from a nose that was clearly broken.