Just Add Spice (The Spice Series Book 1)

by Calista Fox

  Rafe had not done that when it came to their marriage. He’d demanded a little more than equal say, admittedly. And that had pushed her right out the door. But not out of his life. She still loved him, she’d told him as much.

  He thought of his Aunt Vesta’s words about balance. Question was: How did he achieve it with a woman like Jenna Scarsdale?

  He bristled a little, having no concrete answers.

  Jenna kissed the side of his neck and murmured, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, Rafe.”

  A ray of hope?

  Rafe pulled her onto him and she straddled his lap. He said, “I can take it slow, Jen. No problem there. I just wish I could piece together what I’m supposed to do.”

  She stared down at him. “Don’t you think I feel the same? But Rafe… Not everyone’s relationship is simple and tidy. You seem to forget that, and you want me in a neat little package with a bow on top. That’s not going to happen with me. Ever.”

  “Yes, I do want that. Yet I keep coming back for more, don’t I? So maybe you being such a huge pain in my ass is really just great foreplay.”

  She laughed. “Way to cut the tension.”

  Rafe sat up suddenly and kissed her. Deeply. Passionately. His tongue tangled with hers and he didn’t miss that her usual hesitancy had vanished the night before when they were at his loft. She didn’t tense up when he held her, didn’t falter when he kissed her. She accepted his affection and attention. That ray of hope grew.

  When they came up for air, he said, “Much as I love the sexy nightie, I prefer you naked.”

  Jenna grinned. “Then take it off.”

  He grabbed fistfuls of satin and whisked the nightie away. Then he leaned back against the pillows and helped her shimmy out of the thong panties. He pulled her to him and she straddled his midsection, her dewy lips rubbing against his muscles. Her moist flesh on his skin drove him wild. He gripped her hips and rocked her slowly.

  “I want you,” he whispered in a strained tone. His cock pulsed behind the material of his black briefs and his heart pounded fiercely.

  She splayed her palms over his chest and arched her back as her slick folds continued to slide along his abs. His muscles flexed from the erotic touch and the need that coiled in his gut.

  “Remember that really early morning in Naples?” she asked in a breathy tone.

  “How could I forget?” His pulse skyrocketed at the mere mention of that steamy interlude.

  “How about a replay?”

  Rafe grunted. “We don’t want to wake Tad.”

  “I think our suites are large enough to keep my screams from reaching his ears. And I do have a corner unit.”

  “You really like playing with fire, don’t you?”

  “I’m just crazy about the things you do to me.” She kissed him, her tongue teasing as she continued to rub against him.

  Rafe’s hands skimmed over her ribcage and up to her breasts. He caressed them as their searing kiss went on and on. He toyed with her nipples, pinching and lightly tugging until her hips picked up a quicker rhythm in response. She broke their kiss and her head fell back, her hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes closed and he watched her pleasure herself against his body.

  When he couldn’t take much more of just watching, his hands shifted from her breasts. One slipped between her legs as she lifted slightly off him. He stroked her clit quickly and confidently. His other hand moved to her ass and he rubbed the cleft before easing two fingers into her tight pussy from behind. Her back arched further. He sucked a hard nipple as he fingered her.

  “Rafe,” she ground out. “Oh, God.”

  He worked her faster. Her hips pressed down as he gently pinched the swollen knot of nerves between her legs. She gasped.

  “Nice and wet,” he whispered against her breasts.

  “Make me wetter.”

  His fingers pumped inside her and he massaged her clit with more pressure.

  “Yes,” she moaned.

  She stretched toward the headboard and pressed a hand against the wood to steady herself. His tongue flicked over her nipple and then he suckled again.

  “Yes.” Her tone was laced with need and desire, and it ratcheted his own passion.

  “Come for me. Come all over my fingers.”

  “Christ, you make me lose my mind.”

  “And you’re making me hotter than hell. Do it, Jen. Now.”

  He felt her body tense and heard her breath catch. She squeezed his fingers tight. A shudder ran through her.

  “Oh, God, Rafe!” She came hard against him, contracting around his fingers, her body shaking. She cried out again. He kept up the stroking. Her breath came in raspy, heavy pulls.

  Rafe withdrew from her and coaxed her further up his body, until his head was between her legs. His tongue glided over her pussy lips and her body bucked. She gripped the top of the headboard as he tongued her clit, inciting a wave of sexy sounds that fell from her lips and filled the quiet room.

  His finger slipped into her wet canal again and he stroked her inside and out. As she panted louder, the pad of his thumb circled her anus, jolting her.

  “Make me come again,” she whispered in a hoarse voice.

  He put extra effort into it, and moments later, she shattered the silence once more with her cry of ecstasy. She came against his mouth and he suckled harder, drawing out the pleasure.

  Her body quaked above him, but Rafe didn’t stop until her breathing slowed a bit. Then he had her on her back. He was out of his briefs in a flash. He draped one of her long legs over his shoulder and thrust into her.

  “Rafe!” she called out.

  He drove deep, his body leaning into her. She was close to the edge of the bed, her hair spilling over it. He gripped the ledge of the mattress with one hand and pushed further into her with the added leverage.

  His other hand cupped her ass cheek to angle her hips as he fucked her hard, wrenching near-animalistic sounds from her. Beads of sweat popped along his hairline and his muscles strained as he continued to thrust into her. His own breathing turned harsh as adrenaline pumped through him and his pulse shot into the stratosphere.

  “Jen,” he barely managed to grind out. “Oh, Christ.”

  He massaged the rim of her anus again, then pushed his finger deep inside. She screamed his name as she came, a violent tremor wracking her body.

  Rafe couldn’t hold back. He exploded inside her, convulsing and surging and losing all coherent thought for several blissfully erotic seconds.

  Oh, yeah. He had it way bad for this woman.

  There was no way in hell he was ever getting over her.

  So he absolutely had to find some way to keep her…

  Chapter Nine

  Around seven a.m., Jenna woke with Rafe’s hunky body curled around her, his erection pressing against the cleft of her ass. She grinned in her groggy state. He wiggled against her, already awake himself.

  “Remember Venice?” she murmured in the dark.

  He chuckled. Then he unraveled his arm from around her waist and his hand slid between her legs. As he rubbed her clit, he eased into her pussy from behind. They moved together, slowly, languidly. His chest pressed against her back. She spread her legs wider, almost sprawling onto her stomach.

  Rafe’s tongue teased the side of her neck and then he nibbled her earlobe. When he kissed the tender spot below her ear, she sighed dreamily.

  “It’s a wonder we ever saw any sights,” she said. “We spent so much time in bed.”

  “We weren’t just doing it in bed, babe.”

  She laughed. “No, we were not.”

  He plunged deeper and his full, aggressive strokes felt heavenly. Her orgasm built gradually, the glorious sensations seeping through her veins until they rippled outward and she came on a long rush of heat and wetness.

  “Jenna,” he whispered into her ear. “Jesus.” And then his orgasm erupted within her.

  She clenched him tight, making him groan. He rode out the cl
imax, holding her firmly against his body.

  Heat to rival the burn of her martinis consumed her.

  Reminding her… “Thanks for taking care of me last night, Rafe.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “Thanks for letting me.”

  She considered that little nugget. She’d actually been okay with him getting her the aspirin and water. Helping her through a disparaging part of her evening.

  Yet another interesting development. Normally, she would have brushed him off to fend for herself. But last night—

  “Hey,” she said as his sinfully delicious body still covered hers and he nipped gently at her throat.

  “Hmm?”

  “How’d you end up here, anyway?”

  “Tad called me. You cried yourself to sleep on his sofa.”

  “Ugh. How humiliating.”

  Rafe said, “No. You clearly had to get it out of your system.”

  “So if I was asleep, why didn’t he just leave me there? Why call you?”

  “Why do you think he called me?”

  “Oh.” Jenna’s eyelids fluttered closed. “Right. Cupid wanted you to see me all vulnerable and in need of someone to comfort me. You, specifically.”

  He chuckled. “Okay.”

  “He’s so sneaky. Taking advantage of the porcupine and exposing her soft underbelly.”

  Rafe’s laugh was much heartier this time. “Do porcupines have soft underbellies?” He rubbed her stomach. “Hmm…indeed they do.”

  “Funny.”

  He said, “I already know you have a soft side, sweetheart. You helped my cousin Margaret through her last year of high school French when you were hellaciously busy.” He paused, then added, “Speaking of… Aunt Zelda said you haven’t stopped by the bakery yet.”

  “I did just get into town, Rafe.”

  “Yes, but Mags has taken over because Aunt Rose Marie is helping Lucy with the twins while Tonio’s at the restaurant. And you know how Mags looks up to you…”

  “I’ll go see her. But first…” She shifted slightly. He withdrew from her and she rolled toward him.

  “Yes?” he asked, eyeing her curiously.

  “I’m having one small problem with Sampogna’s. I don’t want to alarm you,” she was quick to say as she lifted a hand when he opened his mouth to speak. “It’ll work itself out. But… I’m not envisioning a color scheme, Rafe. The décor is a complete mystery to me right now.”

  His brow furrowed. “That’s always the first thing you see.”

  “I know. But the remodel isn’t completely gelling in my mind. The layout and the big-ticket items that need to be upgraded or replaced or fixed, yes. Those are easy to identify. The palette and linens, however, aren’t clicking in my mind. I don’t have a niggling of a direction to take.”

  His fingertips brushed along her temple. “It’ll hit you. Out of the blue. You always nail the décor, sweetheart.”

  “Oh, my God.” She gasped as realization dawned. “You watch my show.”

  He sighed. “Guilty.”

  “Rafe.” She swatted playfully at him. “You’re a little sneak too.”

  “Who you callin’ little? Have I not satisfied you multiple times this week?”

  “Why, yes you have.” Her skin tingled. “Still… Why have you never told me you watch my show?”

  His fingers whisked lower, over her jaw and down her neck to graze her collarbone. Every light touch felt intimate and stimulating, keeping Jenn aroused; but also physically connected to Rafe, which pleased her.

  Of her question, he asked one in return: “Doesn’t that just condone the biggest issue between us?”

  Jenna considered this a moment. Then, gazing into his eyes, she told him earnestly, “My show is not the biggest issue between us. My job takes me away from you, yes. But even if there wasn’t a show…”

  “You’d still flit about?”

  She sighed. “I honestly can’t say right now, Rafe.”

  He slipped from the bed. Breaking that intimate connection between them. Jenna’s spirits dipped.

  “I’m gonna shower,” he said. “Why don’t we order room service?”

  “Sure,” she simply replied, feeling the impasse creep in on them.

  They ate breakfast on the balcony with Tad. He and Rafe talked about San Francisco, and Jenna admired the view of the Financial District and the water beyond.

  Setting aside her issues with Rafe for the moment, she thought instead of her sister. Was Linney out there somewhere? she wondered. Close by…down the street… around the corner… A BART ride away?

  Did she ever think of Jenna?

  Mentally shaking her head, Jenna wondered if there was any point to her ruminations. Did it even matter anymore where Linney was or whether she wished to reconnect with Jenna? After all these years?

  Jenna didn’t know. Nor did she allow herself to dwell too much on the fact that she would be easy for Linney to track down. A call into the show. An email to one of her assistants. A query through the website… Jenna was not a wraith. She was a highly visible, public figure.

  If Linney wanted to see her again, it wouldn’t take much trouble.

  So there’s your answer.

  With dismay clawing at her from all directions, Jenna finished her eggs and showered before she and Tad headed to the restaurant. Rafe told them he had a stop to make and would meet them there. She had a strong feeling she knew where he was off to…

  * * *

  The house smelled of rum toast—an Italian creation that put your typical French toast to shame. Vesta whipped hers up with bananas flambéed, vanilla, cinnamon and rum. It had been a treat for Rafe since he was a kid. They’d sit at the kitchen table sometimes when everyone else had left the house and he’d tell his aunt whatever weighed heavy on his mind while they ate. Ironic she’d made his favorite this morning. Or perhaps…just her usual intuitiveness.

  He found her at the sink, cleaning dishes.

  “Looks like you had a full house for breakfast,” he said as he joined her and kissed her cheek.

  She smiled up at him. “Reesa and Sammy brought the newborn. Vinny and Macy wanted us all to sample a new crab cake recipe. Margaret and Bethany had mock-ups of the flyers for the church community sale I needed to approve. And Marco is home on military leave. Though I’ve only seen him a handful of times this week—always during a meal.” She laughed softly. “He’ll be a ‘growing boy’ until he’s seventy.”

  At eighteen, Marco was her youngest of five. And the apple of her eye.

  “I caught up with him a couple days ago. I’ll make it a point to see him again before he heads back to Fort Collins.”

  “I should have a party for him before he goes. Get everyone together. Jenna will come, yes?” She gazed up at Rafe again, a hopeful look on her face.

  “I don’t know, Aunt Vesta. Maybe.”

  She frowned. “Have a cappuccino while I dry these plates. There’s more rum toast. You’ll have a couple slices?”

  “My stomach started growling as soon as I walked through the door.” Despite the fact he’d already eaten. There was no passing up Vesta’s food. She was the family’s best cook.

  “Where’s Uncle Frank?” Rafe asked as he settled at the table with his food and coffee.

  She joined him with an espresso in her hands. “Off to Sonoma with your grandparents. They wanted to pick up some wine from Viansa.” A quaint winery they frequented.

  “I’m sure they’ll spend the day sampling,” he said with a chuckle.

  “That’s why they personally buy cases instead of having them shipped.”

  Rafe ate half the toast while Vesta watched him. Waiting patiently. When he set his fork aside, she asked, “Problem with Jenna?”

  He sat back in his chair. “I have all of these thoughts in my head that aren’t coming together. They’re taunting me, and I know I have to figure them out.”

  “Tell me.”

  He sighed. “Aunt Zelda and Uncle Joe came into the restaurant last night
with their brood. They completely overwhelmed her. She had to spend a few minutes in the kitchen regrouping.”

  “But she’s used to being surrounded by people.”

  “It’s not the same. The people she’s surrounded by are all involved in her work projects. They have something to do, not dote on her. And her fans don’t pick at her and hug her and kiss her. She’s never really dealt with the touchy-feeling stuff. I suspect her parents weren’t very affectionate, and so she’s not used to being around such demonstrative people.”

  “Hmm. I hadn’t noticed her discomfort. She hides it well.”

  Rafe thought back to some of the family get-togethers Jenna had attended and said, “She smiles and nods, but then she slips away for some breathing room.”

  “Well.” Vesta stood and took her empty cup to the counter.

  “Don’t be offended. She adores you. She adores everyone. This is just a lot for her to deal with.”

  “I’m not offended,” Vesta said over her shoulder, looking surprised he’d inaccurately surmised that. “And I know Jenna is sincere. What I was thinking, tesoro mio, was how do we make her feel more comfortable? If I tell everyone not to be so ‘touchy-feely,’ as you say, she’ll know one of us has said something to the family.”

  Rafe nodded. “And that’ll put her even more on edge. She wouldn’t want anyone to act differently in front of her, or curb their natural tendencies, just because they unnerve her.” Rafe finished his toast before adding, “It’s more than this, Aunt Vesta. She has a sister she hasn’t seen in thirteen years, and she hasn’t spoken to her parents in I don’t know how long. So maybe being around our family makes her more painfully aware of how estranged she is from hers.”

  “Interesting observation.” Vesta poured glasses of water and returned to the table with them.

  Rafe told her, “Jenna also has a best friend who doesn’t know much about her life in the RV. He was upset to learn about Linney. I don’t blame him. I was upset when I found out she’d been suffering in silence at our family functions.”