Carried Away: A Small Town Romance (The Moore Brothers Book 2)

by Brooks, Abby

  He’s ready to leave because he wants to get you alone and kiss you some more!

  He likes you!

  He hates you!

  The bike roared to life and tore through the streets of Bliss, and Ellie’s heart sunk as she realized he was heading right back for the restaurant instead of his house. As he pulled up beside her car and put down the kickstand, nerves flipped around in her belly. She took his hand when he offered it to her and hopped off the bike, ready to run for the door as soon as he released her.

  But he didn’t release her. He kept a firm grip on her hand even as he swung his leg over the bike. And then he pulled her in close and kissed her. The kiss at the festival had been soft and warm, melted caramel poured over molten chocolate. This kiss was hard and insistent and his hands gripped her ass and squeezed, pressing her hips forward so she could feel his erection still bulging against his pants. Holding her tight, his mouth devouring hers, he walked her backwards towards the door to Good Beginnings while she dug in her purse for her keys. As soon as she got them into the restaurant, he was on her again, hot and insistent. He ran a hand up under her shirt and squeezed her breast, the rough skin of his hand leaving trails of heat on her flesh.

  “I’ve wanted you since you took me home from Fantastic Sam’s that first night,” he murmured against her mouth, before he trailed his mouth down to her throat and kissed along her collarbone and shoulder. “I’ve tried to ignore it, but I can’t. Not any longer.”

  She groaned and leaned her head back to give him more room to work while grabbing a handful of his hard on. Damn, he felt huge. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him. While James pulled her shirt over her head and lowered his mouth to her breast, she fumbled with the button on his jeans. James bit down lightly, then used his teeth to pull down on the lace of her bra, and then circled her hardened nipple with his tongue.

  Ellie finally managed to get his pants undone and slipped a hand inside, eager to feel the velvety hardness of his dick. She gasped when she found she could barely wrap her fingers around him, the space between her thumb and middle finger enough to completely steal her attention from what he was doing to her chest.

  “Holy shit, you’re big,” she said.

  “I’ll go slow until you’re used to it.”

  His words sent a tremor of desire through her body. She ran her hand across his sheath, and he moaned, throwing his head back. She needed to see more of him. All of him. “Take your shirt off,” she murmured, staring down at his dick.

  “Take me to your office,” he said. “Too many windows.” He was right of course, even with all the lights off in the restaurant, the chances of someone walking by and looking in were too great. Stopping to grab her shirt off the floor, she led James back through the kitchen to her office in the back, side-stepping the pile of mayonnaise drying on the tile.

  He was on her as soon as she flicked on the lights, unhooking her bra and sliding it off her shoulders. He stepped back and looked at her, his eyes roving her naked torso, the hunger in his gaze predatory. “You are fucking magnificent.” He licked his lips. “Take off your pants. I need to see you. I’ve been fantasizing about this too long.”

  “You first. You’re not the only one with fantasies. I need to know what’s under that shirt.”

  James shook his head. “Get naked, Ellie. Now.” Something in his tone set her on fire and her already damp panties got completely wet. Keeping her eyes trained on his, she undid the button and zipper in her shorts and let them slide down her legs to the floor. She hooked her fingers in her panties and pulled down just a little on the waistband, teasing him.

  He groaned in appreciation. “All the way.”

  She had never had anyone be this demanding before and it really turned her on. She did as she was told and stood naked before him, reveling in the hunger in his eyes as he took her in.

  “Now you,” she said.

  “I’m not used to taking orders, Ellie.”

  “Neither am I.” She stepped into him and slid her hands down into his pants again and smiled when she felt that little bead of moisture on the tip of his cock. She wanted him in her mouth. Now.

  Ignoring the fact that he was still completely dressed, she pulled his dick out and kneeled in front of him, curious to see just how much of him she could take. She swirled her tongue around his tip, amazed at his girth, and then ran her tongue down his shaft.

  “Stand up,” he growled, pulling his shirt off. “You’ve taken care of me every time we get together since day one. Let me take care of you tonight.”

  Ellie had no intention of doing what he said, but as soon as his shirt was off, he bent and pulled her to her feet. Guided her to her desk and perched her on the edge, legs spread. She had a moment to realize that the tattoos on his arms met on his chest and back. That they were, in fact, just one big tattoo. A moment to appreciate the chiseled muscles in his chest and his tight stomach. And then he was on his knees, spreading her legs with his hand, and running his tongue up her slit. She leaned back on her elbows, her heavy braid bouncing on the desk behind her, papers sliding off to the floor.

  “I’ve wondered how you taste,” he said and then went to work driving her crazy. His tongue circling her clit, his scruff rough against the tender flesh between her legs, his fingers warm as he drove first one, then two inside her. She moaned, unable to speak through her pleasure. No one had ever gone down on her like this before. No one had ever made her feel this good before. Her orgasm built quickly and her muscles began to clench just in time for James to stop doing what he was doing.

  “Oh no, Ellie. You don’t get to come until I tell you to come and I want your first orgasm with me to be with my dick inside you.” She almost melted at his words, never thought she’d like being told what to do so much. She didn’t respond. Couldn’t. She licked her lips and panted as he dug in his pocket for a condom and then slid his pants off. She couldn’t pull her attention from his monstrous dick as it strained towards her and she smiled as she watched him slide the condom over his shaft. “Do you want me, Ellie?”

  She nodded, spreading her legs.

  “Say it. Say you want me.”

  “Oh god, James,” she managed. “Do I ever want you.”

  He moved in close, shoving her further back on her desk, papers and pens and who knows what else clattering to the floor. He pressed the tip of his cock against her opening and she gasped, her eyes locked on his. He pressed forward, his dick filling her, stretching her and her eyes rolled back into her head. He stayed true to his promise and started slowly while she adjusted to being so full and then, as his passion took over, he moved faster and faster. His thrusts grew harder and more insistent and her orgasm built inside her, strong and insistent, waves of pleasure like none she’d ever felt before.

  “James! I’m gonna come…” She trailed off and moaned, letting her head slide back.

  “Not yet, Ellie. Wait.” He pushed himself all the way inside her and she cried out, doing her best to wait, but there was no way she could hold herself back.

  “I can’t…” He thrust deep inside her. Again. And again. “James… I need … I can’t…”

  Finally, he spoke. “Come for me, Ellie. Come just for me.” His voice sent ripples of pleasure through her, and her body obeyed his command, clenching tight against his dick as he undulated his hips against her. She cried out, his name both a prayer and a reason to pray and he came, her name on his lips.

  12

  “Holy shit, Ellie. You’re amazing.” James leaned forward and nuzzled her neck, trailing kisses down her throat and over her chest before kissing both of those magnificent tits and straightening. He gathered his pants and boxer briefs from the floor and pulled them on.

  Ellie shook her head and hopped off the desk. “It’s a shame to cover that up. It’s a thing of beauty.”

  “Are you referring to my manhood?”

  “Why yes, I am.” Ellie looked around for her shirt. “And did you really just refer to your pe
nis as your manhood?”

  “I have a right to call my penis whatever the hell I want to.” James pulled her close before she could gather her clothes. “And for the record, my beautiful manhood…” James trailed off and lifted an eyebrow as if to dare her to judge him for using the word. “It pales in comparison to you. You’re stunning, Ellie Charles.”

  Ellie blushed and ducked her chin to hide a smile, a movement James found completely endearing. She gathered her clothes from the floor and sighed at the mess of papers on her desk. Tightness settled into her eyes. The space between her eyebrows bunched together and he could swear she was grinding her teeth.

  “What’s wrong?” James pulled his shirt over his head and worry set into his stomach. “Please tell me you’re not going to get all weird now.”

  “No,” she said and sighed. “It’s not that.”

  Everything about her posture said there was something wrong. “What is it then?”

  “Okay, it’s a little that. But that’s just a me thing that I’ll get over soon enough.”

  Fuck. James raked his hand through his hair and took a step back. Sure, he could admit that he found her more and more attractive with each passing day. And sure, he could admit that he enjoyed spending time with her because she wasn’t afraid to challenge him. But, damn it. Why did everything have to be so complicated?

  Ellie held up her hands. “No need to freak the fuck out. I can see it written all over your face. I get that this relationship isn't really a relationship and it isn’t going anywhere.” She gathered a bunch of papers that had fallen to the ground and started to organize them. “I can’t help it if that was the best sex of my life and I know I’m gonna want more. And I’m sorry that makes me worry, but given how this relationship has an expiration date, I just got a little worried about how you might ruin me for all other men and I’ll end up having to forsake sex altogether because no one can live up to you.”

  “Well, I guess that doesn’t sound so bad,” James said, even though he was busy searching her face for any signs that she was lying. “Although, I guess we can both agree that it sucks to be you.”

  She caught the joke and laughed and James was caught by how beautiful she was. How infectious her happiness was. She looked down at his crotch and gave him a wicked grin. “Not until December, my friend. Until then, I think I won the sex lotto.”

  That strange look tightened her eyes again and James decided to ignore it. He held out his elbow. “Shall we?” he asked, indicating the door.

  Ellie shook her head. “You go ahead. I’ve got this mess to deal with,” she said and waved her hand over the desk. “Plus, there’s still the kitchen to clean up. And, I’ve got to solve for missing a cook tomorrow.” She crossed her arms over her gorgeous chest and perched on the edge of the desk. Her shoulders rounded forward and she swallowed hard. “I’ll walk you to the door though.” Ellie stifled a yawn.

  “No way. Not gonna happen.” She paused with her hand on his arm and he recognized the admiring squeeze she gave his bicep. He flexed a little, couldn’t help but show off. “You left the kitchen a mess because I had my hard head set on leaving at two. You closed early because I wanted to be at Shrimp Fest for as long as possible. And hell, that cook went bonkers and walked out because of me, too. You’re not cleaning up the mess by yourself when I had such a hand in making it.”

  She tried to protest, but he wouldn’t have it. Seriously, what kind of guy did she think he was? The kind of guy like Ethan and Oliver, who had no qualms about using women for their own needs and just discarding them when they were done? Except, isn’t that exactly what he’d been doing since Erin left? He’d had a string of one night stands to make up for his ridiculous faithfulness over a decade to a woman who hadn’t even had the grace to be faithful in return.

  James thought back over the weeks of blurry nights and headachy mornings. The booze and the women and the weekends at The Pit. He heard Ethan and Oliver egging him on, cheering when he was at his worst. Maybe Ellie did have a reason to misjudge him.

  He scrubbed the floor while she did the dishes, dancing in place to the music streaming over her phone. With the two of them working together, it didn’t take long at all to get the kitchen put back to rights. James’s head was a mess of thoughts, all tangled up and twisted and painful and confusing. He tried to smile around them. Didn’t want Ellie to see them and think they were because of her.

  “Thanks,” she said, a wide smile making her eyes so sweet and gentle. “I’d still have several hours worth of work ahead of me if it wasn’t for you.”

  “What are you going to do about your missing cook?”

  “Don’t you worry about that. I’ll call someone in tomorrow and start looking for a replacement. Tomorrow might suck, but don’t you worry about me. I’m not afraid of hard work.”

  James watched her yawn and thought that was probably very true. In fact, it would probably do her some good to develop a fear of hard work. Take some time off. Breathe a little deeper. Smile a little more. He didn’t say any of that, though. He just offered her his best smile and held out his hand. “Walk you to the door?”

  Ellie shook her head. “I still need to do a little paperwork—”

  “Ellie,” he said, unable to keep the bossy factor out of his voice. “It’s late. And I’m guessing you’ll be here very early.” He paused while she nodded. “The paperwork will be here in the morning.”

  “Yeah, but the cook won’t. And there’s no guarantee that the guy I’m gonna call will be able to come in on such short notice. There’s a high probability that tomorrow will be jam packed with too much to do. It's gonna suck. ”

  “Nope. I hereby deem it un-suck-worthy. You have officially found your replacement cook.” He surprised himself by offering to help her, but tried not to let it show on his face. The fact of the matter was he just didn’t like the thought of leaving Ellie in a lurch.

  “And just how do you think you’re going to run a kitchen? I doubt you even know how to cook.”

  “I am a Moore and my mother and brother are fantastic in the kitchen and I picked up a thing or two along the way. I’m sure, with some creative censoring of certain difficult menu items, that I’ll be able to keep up.”

  It didn’t take long for him to talk her into letting him help. She probably didn’t have a clue how she was going to get anyone to cover for that jerk who walked out on her today because she had a date with him. And, given what he thought he knew about her, she would have just put her nose to the grindstone and done all the work herself tomorrow. Probably would have managed to get everything done, even if she did just go home and fall into bed afterword.

  He got the details about tomorrow from her and pulled her in for a long kiss. He shouldn’t be at all excited about having to get up as early as he was going to have to in order help her out, but he was actually looking forward to spending another day with her. He pressed her body close to his and said his goodbyes. Watched as she climbed into her dinosaur of a car and followed her out of the lot until she took off towards her apartments.

  As he drove himself home, his mood darkened. What the hell was he doing? It was one thing to hang out with her in public places, another thing to lose control and fuck her brains out. She was hot after all, and he’d been attracted to her since that first day she brought him home and made out with him in his bed. But, coming to her rescue at work? Spending extra time with her because he wanted to and not because it would help make their relationship more believable? That was another thing altogether.

  Sure, having people come to Good Beginnings in the morning and see him there helping her out in a lurch would help further people’s belief that he had real feelings for her, but the fact of the matter was that he didn’t offer to help her out to make people think he was falling for her. He offered to help because he wanted to help her. And that was a slippery slope.

  That kind of stuff led to love and love was fucked up as all hell. When James was in love, all he wanted to do
was take care of his woman, sacrifice his needs to make sure she had everything she ever wanted. What good did that do him? Giving and giving and giving so much of himself only to have it taken from him. Ten years of taking care of Erin had left him with a broken home and a shattered heart. Letting himself feel anything even remotely like love or protection was a dangerous game.

  James ripped through the gears on his bike, edging the speedometer up close to one hundred. He fought images of Ellie clinging to his back this afternoon, her warm arms pressed so tightly around him. Images of Ellie smiling up at him as they danced on the beach. Ellie with her legs wrapped around him, his dick fully sheathed inside her, her eyes rolling back in pleasure.

  He fought them back. Let his hurt swallow them up. When he got home, he parked the Ducati in the garage, barreled through the house and poured himself a drink. Chugged it down and poured himself another. And another. And then, knowing he should be asleep, regretting his plans to help Ellie open the store, he started throwing punch after punch at his heavy bag. He should have taped his hands. Should have worn gloves, but he welcomed the pain in his hands and knuckles. Let the physical pain outweigh the emotional pain. When his knuckles split open and started to bleed, he kept punching, grunting and gasping for air until he was nothing but a raw nerve, shaking with pain and fury. Then, and only then, did he wander upstairs and collapse into a dreamless sleep.

  13

  Ellie woke half nervous and half excited about spending the day with James at the cafe. She was energized, her body humming with anxiety and she couldn’t decide if it was a good thing or bad thing. Part of her hoped he didn’t even show up. That she could write him off as the player he’d become instead of hoping he was still the hero he used to be.

  James did show up. And he was very good in the kitchen. But, his breath stank of whiskey and his knuckles were covered in bandages with bruises peeking out from underneath them. Whatever happened between the time he left the restaurant last night and the time he staggered in through the door this morning wasn’t good. She avoided him, only crossing paths long enough to give him some directions or to answer his monosyllabic questions. She would talk to him about what was wrong later.