by Leslie North
She simply couldn’t get things together fast enough.
Taking a deep breath, she wiped her tears away and took a seat on the bench. She had phone calls to make and a lot of people to disappoint.
Twenty minutes later, she was drained. Everyone that she talked to was upset. She heard everything from tears to cursing.
The latter came from her mother.
Slipping the phone in her purse, she stood when a woman in sunglasses and carrying a Gucci purse walked down the cobblestone street. She weaved on her high heels and cursed the uneven bricks. Stopping in front of the group of people, she pulled off her sunglasses and looked them over.
“I’m Debbie Wells,” she said with a sigh. “I’m here to supervise you while you get your money or whatever. You have twenty minutes.” Carolina knew that William Wells had a new young wife, but she no idea just how young. Debbie Wells couldn’t have been any older than Carolina.
The owner of the coffee shop stepped forward. “We’ve paid rent for the next three months. Are we going to see our money?”
Debbie looked bored when she turned her gaze towards him. “You can take that up with my husband. Who is the owner of Maria’s Restaurant?”
“I am,” Carolina said as she raised her hand. “Well, I’m the manager. My mother is the owner.”
“Whatever,” Debbie said as she flicked her wrist. “Is this an Italian restaurant?”
Carolina frowned. Did the woman know nothing about the shops in the building her husband owned? “It’s Latin American Fusion.”
“Do you have wine? High end wine?”
“We keep a couple of nice bottles on hand, but we don’t usually draw in the kind of crowd who drink ‘high end’ wine.”
Debbie nodded. “I’d like to take a look at those bottles.” When Carolina stared dumbly at her, she snapped her fingers. “Hello?”
“Right, sure. Follow me.”
The woman stumbled on her feet a bit, and Carolina moved to catch her. Giving her an evil look, Debbie found her own footing and marched to the restaurant’s door.
She was at the very least tipsy. Maybe even borderline drunk.
Without saying anything, Carolina unlocked the door and let her in. Flipping on the lights, she walked behind the bar and unlocked the wine cooler.
“We keep the expensive special select wines in five of the brands that we normally carry. Chateau de Rouge Merlot. La Petite Court Pinot Noir. Bettinger Cabernet. Oakwood Chardonnay. Clockwork Black Pinot Grigio.” As she named each brand, she pulled the bottles out. Debbie’s eyes widened with delight as she touched the bottles.
“You get these shipped to you? I haven’t been able to find Clockwork Black anywhere.”
Carolina opened the register and pulled out the cash. “You like wine?” she asked as she began to count it.
“Only certain wines,” Debbie said as she picked up the bottle to examine it.
Carolina read between the lines. Debbie only liked expensive wines. That couldn’t be a cheap hobby, but if anyone could afford it, it would be William Wells.
“Can I buy these from you?” she asked. “I’ll pay the menu price.”
Arching an eyebrow, Carolina quickly jotted down the figure from the register. “All five of them? That’s almost three grand.”
Without hesitation, Debbie pulled a credit card and handed it to her. “And please pack them for me.”
Pack them? What kind of restaurant did she think this was? Ringing up the wine, she swiped the card and gave Debbie a copy to sign. She kept paper to-go bags beside the register, and she pulled one out and set the wine bottles in them.
“Sorry. I’m all out of fancy ribbon.”
Debbie looked up sharply at her and narrowed her eyes. “You’re upset. Your eyes are puffy like you’ve been crying. Did your boyfriend just break up with you?”
“No, my boyfriend did not just break up with me. I had to call all of my staff and tell them that they were out of a job. I had to call my mother and let her know that her restaurant was closed because we didn’t have enough time to find a new space. So yes, it’s been a trying morning.”
Debbie grabbed the bag of wine and smirked. “Well, now you are three thousand dollars richer. That should make you smile.” Her eyes swept over Carolina’s stained blouse. “By the way, it looks like you might have had a little accident. Be sure to put that in to soak when you get a minute.” She spun on her heels and stalked out of the restaurant. Carolina could only stare.
Must be nice to be rich.
11
The printer hummed in Nathan’s apartment, and he carefully glued the next building in place. The model’s grass and trees were already painted, and he had almost finished with the design of the individual buildings. There was a water fountain in the printer, and then all that would be left would be to print out the main building.
His fingers itched with excitement. This was far and away his most daring design yet. He’d managed to maintain some of the beauty of the original buildings but had mixed in some of the simple and clean lines typical of contemporary design. The park in the center would surround a giant water fountain, and people could shop, eat, and live in the two-story structures.
Just as he ran his paintbrush over the back line of buildings, there was a sharp knock on his door. Cursing, he jumped, knocking two of the trees off the board in the process. He glared at the door and decided to ignore it.
There was another knock. This was more insistent, and Nathan growled. Throwing his brush down, he stomped to the door and threw it wide open. “What the fuck do you want?”
Immediately, he clamped his mouth shut. “Carolina. I’m so sorry. I’m…Jeez, sorry. What are you doing here?”
Her eyes were red from weeping, and her hair was pulling out of its clip to hang in drifts about her face and neck. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I needed somewhere to go.”
Nathan stepped back, concerned and pulled her into the apartment. After he closed the door, he reached out to frame her face with his hands, but he instinctively knew she was here as a friend, because she needed someone to talk to, to listen to her. Instead of kissing her, he straightened, cleared his throat and led her into the room.
“You’re welcome to stay here. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
Carolina sat on the couch and took a deep breath. “Wells had the buildings condemned. We’re all shut down.”
“What?” Nathan frowned in disbelief. “The sale of that property isn’t even finalized yet. You should have at least had another month.”
“I found all these great places where we could move, but Momma doesn’t understand that we’re going to have to pay more for a good location. I want to buy something. I don’t even want to rent anymore. We have a solid clientele. We could buy, but she won’t even hear of it. Now all of my employees are out of a job, and even if I do find a new location that momma would approve of, I don’t have any staff left to run the business.” Carolina shook her head. “How did everything come to this?”
The printer beeped, and Nathan turned his head towards it. He still had a lot to do before the presentation tomorrow, but Carolina looked completely lost as she stared off into space.
Blowing out his breath, he turned his back on the project and sat next to her. “Why don’t you talk to Wells about renting another space when he’s done with construction?”
“We already did. We tried to talk to him about being grandfathered in at our old rates, but he won’t budge. He’s planning on charging four times as much as we pay now. At those rates, even if I had any staff, the restaurant would go under in six months. Wells is looking for expensive boutiques and five-star restaurants to move in. Mom-and-Pop businesses are out.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he put his arm around her. Carolina sighed in contentment and cuddled even closer. Nathan felt his body stirring in reaction, but not only was it not an appropriate time, she’d made it clear that she wasn’t looking for anything mo
re than a one-night stand.
And he didn’t have time to bury himself in her warm, wet body again.
“Maybe taking some time off will be good for you.”
“I can’t take time off. I have too many mouths to feed.”
He almost mentioned that he could help tide her over until she got a new job, but he had the feeling that was not the answer she was looking for. “How can I help?”
“Distract me. Please.” She lifted her face towards his, and he gazed at her inviting mouth.
“You may have to be more specific about how you want to be distracted. Because the ideas running through my mind aren’t exactly PG.”
A seductive smile curved over her beautiful face. “I might be okay with things that aren’t exactly PG,” she said softly. She pushed on his chest until he leaned back in the cushions, and then she straddled his lap.
“That is definitely not PG,” he grunted as he bucked his hips. She slid over his hardness, and desire spiked within him. He reached out and tugged at the fabric of her shirt. As his finger brushed over the stain, he gave her a questioning look. “Coffee?”
Reaching down, she pulled her shirt off and gave him a smug smile. “Better?”
“Much.” Leaning up, he pressed his lips to the hollow of her throat, and he heard her whimper. Walking his fingers up her spine, he unsnapped her bra and slid the straps down her arms. “I don’t think I paid enough attention to these last time.”
Carolina arched her back as he took her right breast in his mouth and slid his tongue over her nipple. She tangled her fingers in his hair and whimpered. “That feels good.”
“Yeah?” he murmured with a smile. “What about this one?” He turned his attentions to her other nipple, and she began to squirm in his lap. His cock hardened even more, and he bucked his hips against her. The ridges of his pants raked over her damp panties, and she gasped.
“I like that too,” she moaned as she pulled his head back and pressed her lips to his. Her tongue snaked in, and he wrapped his hands in her hair. He let her take the lead for a few minutes before enough was enough.
Growling, he shoved his hands up her skirt and dug his fingers into her thighs. He pulled her roughly forward and anchored her on top of his pelvis as he thrust several times. “Nathan,” she exclaimed as she reached down and grabbed at his hands.
“I let you have your fun the other night. Now, it’s my turn.” She shrieked and clung to his neck when he picked her up. All of his drawings were splayed out on the kitchen table, but he didn’t hesitate to lay her on top of them.
“Nathan?” she asked him questioningly. Propping up on her elbows, she tried to rise up, but he simply pushed her back down.
“I told you before that I wanted to take my time with you. I told you the other night that I wanted to savor you. What we did at the party was amazing, but it’s not what I wanted.” If she wanted a distraction, he was going to give her a distraction.
Gripping her skirt, he roughly pulled it down. Today she wore black lace panties, and his gut tightened as he gazed at her. Displayed on his table, she was a goddess, and he was going to fuck her senseless.
With one hand on her chest to hold her down, he began to lightly strum her pussy from outside her panties. Her hips jerked at the touch, but he was more interested in her face. Every jolt of desire showed in her eyes. Every little whimper that passed her lips turned him upside down.
And he was just getting started.
Pulling the fabric of her panties aside, he leaned over and lightly darted his tongue out over her clit. Carolina moaned and pulled her knees up. She tasted as good as he knew she would, and he bent down and flicked his tongue over her again.
“Nathan,” she gasped and tried to sit up. Immediately he lifted his head and pushed her back down again.
“I will tie you down.” His voice was dangerously soft, and she stared at him pleadingly.
“But,” she whimpered. “I need…”
Dipping his head, he gave her a nice long kiss. “I know what you need, baby,” he whispered. “And I’m going to give it to you, but you have to behave.”
She reached around and gripped the sides of the table. Confident that he had control of her, he slipped her panties completely off. Carolina widened her legs and planted her feet firmly on the table. As she lifted her hips invitingly, he chuckled.
“Want something?” he murmured as he brushed his fingers along her smooth inner thigh.
“Eat me,” she whispered. Her voice was barely audible. He thought about making her say it again. Louder. Bolder. But his need to taste her was too great, so he bent his head between her legs and nibbled gently.
Whimpering, she twisted under him, and as he thrust his tongue inside her, he had to grip her hips and hold her down. Her breaths came in short gasps and he felt her legs start to shake. Part of him wanted to pull back and make her wait a little longer, but he was addicted to the sounds she made when she orgasmed. Running his tongue along her clit once more, he plunged two fingers inside her, and she clenched her legs around his head and screamed.
Her legs fell apart, and he lifted his head to gaze at her. She was practically lifeless on the table, and her eyes had drifted shut.
“Are you okay, Carolina?” he asked gently as he ran his fingers over her abdomen.
She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Fuck,” she whispered.
Chuckling, he lifted her up and carried her to his bed. Her body nearly melted into the mattress, and he stood and slowly undressed.
Carolina rolled over on her stomach and watched him. As her eyes fell to his erection, her hips began to move slowly back and forth. It was almost as if she imagined him behind her, thrusting.
That was something he could deliver. His body ached with need, and he was desperate to slip inside her. Lose himself in her warmth. Bury himself in her slick folds.
Climbing on top of her, he pressed his heaviness to the apex of her legs and pulled her hair to the side. When he pressed his lips to her throat, she gripped the pillow in front of her and bucked her hips so her ass rubbed up against him.
Nathan moaned at the contact. “You are so amazing,” he murmured and pressed his lips to the back of her neck.
“You’re one to talk,” she gasped. “The things you do to me.”
He trailed his lips slowly down her spine, and when she lifted her hips in the air, he slipped one finger inside her as a test. “You’re nice and wet for me, Carolina.”
“Always.”
Smiling in satisfaction, he leaned over and ran his hands over her swinging breasts. When she whimpered, he forced her legs apart with his knees and slowly slid inside her.
The contact was intense. Nathan grunted as he slid in deeply and held his body there. She squeezed her muscles around him, milked him, and he gripped her hips and clenched his teeth.
Nathan wanted to take her slowly. He wanted to savor every moan and every shiver, but she was tempting him. As she pulsed around him, she moved her hips slowly in a circle.
“Carolina,” he moaned. “You are driving me crazy.”
“Payback,” she said coyly. Bending down to her elbows, she moved her whole body until he slid almost out of her and then rammed back.
“Dammit,” he grunted and gripped her hips. Pulling out, he flipped her over, pulled her knees up, and slid inside her. But he’d made the mistake of giving her too much control, and she was ready to take over. As her legs wrapped around his waist, she twisted until they fell over.
He rolled over on his back, and she fell forward on her hands. Without missing a beat, she rose up and back down and began to ride him.
Her tan body was slick with sweat, and her hair fell in tangled waves over her shoulders. He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life, and he leaned up to take one of her nipples in his mouth. As she moved faster, he knew that he wasn’t going to be able to hold out too much longer.
Biting lightly on her breast, he ran his hands down her body and slid a
finger over her clit. Her body jerked over him, and he knew that she was close. Gripping her body, he arched her back and forced her down.
Harder.
Faster.
Her mouth dropped open, and his gut tightened. When she shook and trembled around him, he surged his hips and let go. His orgasm hit him hard, and he held her tightly as he trembled inside her.
“Nathan. Nathan. Nathan,” she panted as she climaxed and fell on top of him.
It was a few minutes before she lifted her head and stared at him. “That was certainly distracting,” she whispered.
Nathan felt the world fall away as he stared at her. Wrapping his hands in her hair, he gently pulled her forward until he could kiss her. “If you let me, I’ll distract you whenever you want.”
She purred as he kissed her. “What are you asking me, Nathan Maxfield?”
“Take a chance on me, Carolina. We can make it work. I know we’re both busy, but I think I’m addicted to you.” Even as he said the words, he hardened.
She felt the movement and raised her eyebrows. “Really? Again?”
As he rolled them over, she shrieked with laughter. Instead of pushing him away, she raised her knees and ran one foot over his legs. “If you have the time, I’ll convince you why you should give me a chance.”
Spreading her palms over his back, she bit her bottom lip and studied him. Instead of answering him, she reached down and wrapped her hands around his cock.
That was all the answer he needed.
After Carolina left, Nathan sluggishly put in the dimensions for the last structure to print. Without any sleep, he finished painting the model. Three hours later, he reached for the model and only then did he realize that he’d put in the wrong measurements.
Cursing, he rubbed a hand over his face and stared. His meeting was in an hour. There was no way that he was going to be able to print out the right model. He wedged it into the space and stepped back to stare at it. It fit, but it spoiled the design, and it wasn’t the model he’d needed that would pull it all together.
