Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush

by Pinder, Victoria

  With a few swats of her palm, she tried to smooth her hair into place, but it didn’t work. She’d need a brush to fix herself, but with his hand waiting for her outside, that could wait. She shook her head to get the heat out of her body. Then she caught her breath, took his hand, and stood as gracefully as she could muster. Her knees went weak and she swayed, but Jay was close. She grabbed hold of his shoulder.

  After steadying her with his hands, Jay stepped away to speak to the driver. Reaching down, she took off her fancy designer shoes to hold in her hand and walked to the front door. Her heart leapt in her chest when she heard Jay’s feet running to catch up to her. He squeezed her hand at the door, pulling her with him, before he called out, “Race you to the elevator.”

  She caught his hip, pulling him back to her, while she figured out how to win. Running her hands up higher, she used that motion to push herself in front. “Dirty cheater, Pen.”

  She giggled. “Dimples, you were just getting a sample.”

  At the door, she turned a moment before he pressed into her. Her neck craned up his jaw line while she pressed the button on her right.

  He ran his hand through her hair, again, and stroked her face with his thumb. Stifling her moan took effort. She closed her eyes, daring herself. She could do this. Opening her eyes, she reached out to grab his sexy butt. Getting her to turn around. She followed his demands, being rewarded with a kiss that ignited every nerve ending in her body.

  The ding of the machine behind her rang, sending a shudder through her when he walked her backward into the elevator. She fished her key card out of the bodice of her dress while his eyes sparkled in surprise. She held in her breath, and her skin flushed before she swiped the plastic into the slit.

  He swallowed, licking his lips before he leaned forward to hold her, brushing against her exposed thigh.

  The skin under her dress craved his fingers running over her entire shivering body. He told her, “I will have you.”

  Arching her eyebrows, she dared him. “No. It will be the other way around.”

  His mouth fell open while he reached the inside of her leg. “Shameless and sexy. Challenge accepted.”

  Facing those sexy blue eyes, she ran her hand through his hair. Watching his skin flush, she admitted, “I spent years planning how you and I would be.”

  He used her dress against her, circling his hand in the fabric on her backside, pulling her into him for another kiss. A moan escaped her lips.

  The “ding” didn’t stop the heat inside her, though he smiled, keeping her body in sync with his while they exited the elevator into their apartment. He smelled wild, clean, with a faint calling to the outdoors. Taking another whiff made her inarticulate.

  At the door to her bedroom, he pushed the handle open while she smiled. “You going to undress me now?”

  His eyes widened again. “Is that part of your fantasy?”

  “Hell yeah it is.” She rolled her head back and laughed, giving him access to her neck.

  He growled out in between kissing her neck, “You won’t be disappointed, then. Your body and soul are mine tonight.”

  “Big talk.” She hugged his shoulder closer. He stepped back while he focused. Took him a second to get it. The dress was complicated. His fingers found the zipper underneath her arm, causing a gasp to burst out when he brushed against her gradually exposed body. Cocking her head up, she smiled. “Now show me.”

  “Stop talking, Sexiness.”

  He kissed the bottom of her chin while he unzipped the rest of the dress, leaving only the button holding her entire disheveled dress together. Boldly, he traced the back of his hands to her legs, lifting her up onto her bed while the dress fell, leaving her bra exposed to him. Opening her legs to kiss him closer, he stepped back, stood next to the bed, studied her dress, his forehead wrinkling until a smile built. Kissing her soft lips, he found the last button on her hip under the embroidery and unsnapped.

  She pushed at his suit jacket, which followed her dress to the floor.

  As he joined her on the bed, his lips kissed the upper portion of her breast, leaving her lightheaded.

  Her fingers trembled while she unbuttoned his white shirt that became a barrier to his body on hers.

  He trailed his mouth lower onto her breast, the bra offering no resistance, falling lower while he tasted her pink, swollen nipple. Her body bucked backward, pushing her chest farther into his mouth while she sighed.

  Running her hand through her hair, she shivered.

  He unhooked her bra. His eyes shone while he memorized every part of her body. She stroked his neck while he took his shirt off. Sitting up, she refused to let him go, and explored his strong chest while he threw off his pants. She kissed his bellybutton, forcing him to moan. “Penny.”

  Impatient now, she squeezed his butt to get him back on top of her. She needed his muscular body to erase any distance between them.

  His fingers pushed her panties to the side. “You’re more than ready.”

  Whispering in his ear, fighting off a moan, “I’ve been like this for you since the day we met.”

  His lips came closer to hers while his fingers went deeper inside her. She released that moan while his dimples grew. “Damn. I was a stupid fool.”

  Tugging off her underwear in one shot, she played with the waistband of his boxers. She reached behind him and squeezed his tight backside, then stepped up him closer to him. “More, Dimples. I’m on the pill.”

  The dimples next to his smile showed and she rolled his boxers to the ground. He stepped out of his clothes then claimed her lips in a fiery kiss.

  Soon enough he found a condom and pushed himself inside her body.

  Her body bucked with tremors of delight before she lost all sense of herself, calling out his name.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Jay smelled of warmth and cedarwood in her bed. He snuggled closer under his arm, his hand slipping down her back. Sighing, she relaxed hearing his heartbeat. His fingers traced her arm, warming her when he kissed her shoulder. “Penny.”

  Turning her head, she met his baby-blue eyes while she yawned. “Dimples.”

  He kissed the top of her forehead while she adjusted to lie flat on her back, then let her hand trail down his muscular chest. Pushing her head up, she met his lips with a kiss. Growling, he held her closer. “Morning.”

  Her hands tugged at his shoulder. “Is this is dream?”

  His cheeks scratched the skin on her face with his stubble. Both of his hands reached down, pulling her on top of him. “If it is, I need another sample.”

  Laughing, she pushed her legs over his, straddled him, and her body heated up. His morning hard-on caused her to grin and bite down her lower lip. Tracing his shoulders to pull him toward her, she whispered, “Good, ’cause I need you.”

  Heat in the apex between her legs sent waves of hot desire coursing through her body. His erection grew beneath her, before she pushed her body down on his. He let out a groan before he moved her hips lower, adjusting himself to semi-sit up. “Greedy this morning, Sexiness.”

  Her skin must have pinkened in a blush while she touched his body until he pushed deeper into her. Throwing her head back, she trembled, unable to say anything.

  Soon she lost all sense of control.

  ***

  Her head lay on his chest while they caught their breath. He laughed, hugging her. “Damn. Every day should start like this.”

  Sitting up fast, she met his eyes. “Yes. Are you hungry? I’ll make us breakfast.”

  Grabbing her arms before she ran off, he tilted his head. “You don’t have to cook for me. Let’s go to the bakery down the street for a bagel and hot coffee.”

  Batting her eyes, she crawled back toward him. “Let’s get a coffee at our favorite spot instead. They have bagels.”

  Claiming her lips for one more kiss, he let out one of his sexy growls. “Sounds good.”

  She rolled away, getting off the bed, and walked to her close
t. She swayed her hips, knowing he watched. She breathed with her chest higher, but she dressed with a pair of shorts and a tank top. Brushing her hair, she pushed out her chest to let out a sigh as she watched him leave.

  Her eyes stayed on his body. He’d been hot before, all lean in high school, but those defining hard muscles turned him smoking hot.

  Gazing in the mirror, she saw her eyes appeared different. Smiling, she giggled. Did hot sex transform her? Standing up, she thought herself silly.

  Heading to the living room, she met him when she bounced toward him. His eyes widened. Her heart banged in her chest, though she didn’t know what that was when she told him, “Let’s go, Dimples.”

  “We have to stop at the convenience store.”

  Looking up, she shrugged. “Why?”

  “Something was different about those condoms. I want to buy another box.”

  Her mother came to her. Staring at her feet, she remembered how her mother had tried to get pregnant a few years ago and had visited the infertility specialists to get drugs and trick the then-husband. Her mother had taken extreme measures, though thankfully it hadn’t worked. She shook it off. She’d never do that to Jay. Warmness stilled her heart when she stared back up. “Let’s do this.”

  He nodded, putting his hand on her shoulder. “Good. When we get back, we’ll shower together.”

  Laughing, she reached up to touch that infectious smile of his. “You’re adorable, Mr. Perfect.”

  He hit her shoulder in jest. “Who’s that? I thought I was Dimples?”

  Winking, she gave him a saucy smile. “You’re both. It’s what I called you for years in my head, though it wasn’t always nice. You’ve grown into the name so well, though.”

  Walking her to the elevator, he hit the button. “I like Dimples.”

  She let him brush against her shoulder. “Then it stays.”

  The elevator opened. He held her into his body and inside the elevator, kept his voice low. “Sexiness, you’ll be my undoing yet.”

  When the doors opened, she reached into her back pocket, “You drive my Jeep, Dimples. I’m not dressed for the bike this morning.”

  He eyed up her car and asked, “You sure you don’t want to drive?”

  She stepped away and nodded. “I’m positive. This way I can tease you, seeing how good of a distraction I am.”

  She tossed the keys in the air. He flexed catching them. Her heart hammered in her chest again. He laughed. “Wild woman. Let’s go.”

  Following her to the passenger door, he unlocked it and helped her in. Two seconds later, he joined her in the car. “We have a date soon…motorcycle to the beach and a picnic.”

  She grinned when he started the car. “You’re on.”

  ***

  Ten minutes later, they pulled into the coffee shop. She unlocked her door to get out before he had a chance to open it for her, though he offered his hand to help her out. She reached out squeezing his palm. “Sexiness. Let’s get that latte of yours.”

  Beaming at him, she couldn’t help her happiness. Jay was better than she imagined, keeping her close, while they made their way through the line. On their turn, Jay said, “One nonfat cinnamon dulce latte and one cafe Cubano for me.”

  The server typed in the computer while asking, “Would you like extra shots for the Cubano, sir?”

  Showing his dimples, he hugged her closer. “Naw. My girl here won’t drink the poor man’s crack. It’s too strong for her. Thanks.”

  She squeezed him in a hug while she laughed. After using his card to pay, they stepped to the side. She was bouncing up and down on her sneakers waiting when her mother’s shrill voiced called in the air, “There is Penelope, my baby girl. And Jay.”

  He froze at the new voice.

  She turned her head and he dropped her hand, standing deadly still. His eyes blazed and his nostrils flared in that split second when he spat out, “Mother.”

  His mother stepped closer, coming between them. “We were talking about the two of you.”

  Penny’s mother winked at her, taking her time to see what she and Jay wore. Did she turn white like she did when her mother plotted something to get a man? Her hands curled around her waist, where he’d been holding her a moment ago while her mother gave her a thumbs-up. Wincing, she saw a plan unfolding in her mother’s mind while she glanced away. She hoped the ground would open up and swallow her. She’d never be her. No.

  The coffee person behind the counter told them, “Order’s on the counter.”

  Jay picked up both drinks fast, taking a huge step away from his mother. She eyed the door, stepping right to his side. He ground his teeth to say something to his mother. Taking his hand, Penny tugged him back. “We’re on our way somewhere. Talk to you both later?”

  Grabbing her drink from his hand, she steered him out, though he kept cracking his knuckles. His mother had done something major. She’d ask him when he calmed down.

  Running his hands through his hair, he opened the car door. She brushed against him getting in, and he put his hand out to help her. Before he closed her door, he said, “My mother went to yours. This is bad, Penny. If my mother who hates yours is now talking about us, then she’s planning something.”

  The color of his face returned to a normal shade while she nodded. “Let’s just go.”

  Noisy breaths preceded him closing her door. When he opened his door a minute later, he patted her knee. “We need to form a defense.”

  Penny bit her lip. She didn’t know how to tell him that her mother would cause the bigger problems. It was in her eyes. The perfect day was ruined fast. Her mother would love that she even hoped for a relationship with John Jay Marshall. He was everything in a man she always searched for but never found, but he was also everything she swore she’d never want in a man.

  And it might be too late for her, if she was falling for Dimples.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Sitting on the couch, he pushed his shoulders back, not finding any comfort. Following him, she held back, unsure how to start. Her eyes flew up to his when he met her gaze and spoke first. “Penny, I have to tell you, my mother intends to sabotage my company because she has a need to control me.”

  His mother? Sighing, she fidgeted with her clothes in an effort to explain herself. In a quiet voice, she told him, “My mother will not stop until I wind up pregnant with your baby, collecting child payments for the next eighteen years. I won’t do that. I’m not a gold digger.”

  Giving her a curt nod, he set his jaw. “Sexiness, no, of course you’re not. I trusted you even when I thought I lost the ability to trust anyone.”

  Putting her hand on her forehead, she had a small smile. His words warmed her. Sitting up, she scooted closer to him to put her hand on his knee. “Your mother is controlling. It doesn’t mean all people have that capacity.”

  Leaning closer to her, he commanded her attention with his eyes. “We have to focus, Sexiness. My mother must believe she can work with yours to get what she wants.”

  What question did she ask first? She should have asked a lot. Straightening her shoulders, she asked, “Which is?”

  His calm breathing was a good sign, though he tightened his fists. “Information. I have the ability to take out my own father in business. I decided against it because my dad does whatever Mom says, but he’s not a bad person either. She cannot believe I’d let Dad off the hook, and thinks I’m playing him in business. My company will make more than they ever did by the end of the year.”

  She rubbed his back. “That’s really good.”

  Turning toward her, he took her hand from him and held it. “Mom cannot use the trust fund she amassed to control me.”

  Lowering her eyes then looking back up, she nodded. “Good. Congratulations.”

  Shaking his head, he kept her hands in his. “Penny, they are going to use my soft spot for you. I need to know if I am being stupid when I trust you.”

  Her legs turned into his. “I won’t let them
manipulate me. I have enough issues at the moment.”

  His brow furrowed. “What issue is getting to you?”

  Now was not the time. Besides, her interview on Monday could solve the drama, and she’d not speak to her mother. Taking her hand out of his, she fixed his hair. “Like, will our mothers mean I will be showering without you?”

  A laugh erupted out of his mouth, followed by that smile. Leaning closer, he kissed her lightly. “Still tender and delicious. I wish I knew years ago that you were all I needed.”

  A silly grin must have spread on her face. She broke through. Yeah. “Keep talking like that and you’ll never get rid of me.”

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Waking up next to him after a small nap, she ran her hand on his arm, sighing. It was possible that she was falling for him, hard. His fierceness with the world only made him sexier. He stirred. She parted her lips, then debated. Should she tell him she’d lost her job on the first day and that she worked at a pizza place? Biting her bottom lip, she decided it could wait till Monday. If she had a new job, then it didn’t matter.

  Instead she whispered, “Dimples, it’s Sunday morning.”

  He traced her arm without saying a word, just a sigh.

  Peeking her head up at him, she continued, “Sandy invited us to her house after she goes to church.”

  “I don’t want to go anywhere. If we leave the house, I’m afraid something will end this.”

  He kissed her shoulder while his hands stroked her breasts. Licking her lips, she stifled a moan. “I’ll call her to cancel.”

  He pushed himself on top of her and held her hands, and his body only made her muscles relaxed and hot. Before claiming a kiss, he whispered, “She’ll understand if you don’t.”

  “Seven times?” She giggled the moment he rolled away the first time.

  His sexy dimples whispered to her, “Sexiness, let’s go for the double digits before the weekend ends.”