Takes the Cake

by Lynn Chantale

  “She’s around somewhere. Probably at the grill or something searing the rest of the appetizers.”

  He wanted to go find her, but a quick glance at his watch showed his ten minutes were up. Since he didn’t want to annoy his sister when she was so obviously happy, finding Liz would have to wait. He smiled at the petite woman. “Thanks. Would you let her know I need to speak with her?”

  “Sure.”

  With regret, he turned and went in search of the wedding party to take pictures.

  Chapter Six

  Everything since the Murphy wedding had been a blur, and that’s the way Liz wanted to keep it. She’d left as soon as the last pan of leftovers was covered and didn’t bother to find Keegan to say good-bye. Not that it mattered anyway. When she was too tired to ward off the memories of their lovemaking, an ache twisted her heart, and she longed to be in his arms again. It didn’t help that every time she arrived at work there was a new bouquet of flowers waiting for her. The man was persistent.

  She slammed the heavy butcher knife across the wide brick of dark chocolate on the cutting board. The dull clang reverberated through the kitchen, and several workers turned in her direction.

  “What did that chocolate ever do to you?” George asked, a teasing note in his voice.

  “She’s upset over her boyfriend,” Dee chimed in.

  Embarrassment crept into Liz’s cheeks. “I don’t have a boyfriend,” she mumbled and hacked off another chunk of chocolate.

  “Then who keeps sending you all those pretty flowers?” Dee asked.

  Liz bit her lip against the answer, and another chunk of chocolate joined the first few pieces.

  “You know we have another party at that estate,” George said.

  Liz snapped her head up and stared at the man in disbelief. “What? Why?”

  “It’s on the schedule. There’s some sort of dinner party up there this weekend to welcome the newlyweds back.”

  She didn’t bother to stifle her groan. “It’s not too late for them to get another caterer for that event. We’ll just accept a loss on this job. Darling will understand.”

  “Well, they specifically asked for you, and you know how it is during this season. All other companies are booked solid.”

  Liz lifted a brow.

  “After all the friction the first time, I anticipated your reaction about going back to the Murphy estate.” George grinned.

  Dee perched on a stool. “You know that the bride’s brother was rather sad when he couldn’t find you. Maybe there’s something more to that friction.”

  Liz bowed her head as heat once again seared her cheeks. “That man was a royal pain in my backside.” She walked to the schedule. The weight of their combined stares was heavy on her back. Indeed they were scheduled for another fun-filled weekend, but this time only fifty people would be in attendance. As long as Keegan wasn’t around, she could get through the weekend. She didn’t think she was strong enough to walk away without saying good-bye again.

  Somehow, he’d moved from being just a mild fling to her dreaming about his body. That last night, the way he forced her to stop working and made her sleep; the old Keegan wouldn’t have done that. A faint smile creased her lips. She had been a little hasty and angry when he and the groom destroyed the kitchen.

  This time there would be no wedding, but there would be Keegan. The question was, could she resist his charms when all she wanted to do was sit back and enjoy the moment?

  Keegan sat on the porch swing nursing a beer. For a week, he couldn’t stop thinking about Liz. At any time, he could’ve gone to her job, but he’d sent flowers. He wanted to see if maybe she’d contact him first. When she didn’t, he couldn’t quite disregard the disappointment rolling around in his gut. Now she would be at the estate again.

  Tires crunched over the freshly graded gravel driveway, and he lowered the bottle to watch the progress of the pale-blue-paneled van as it ambled up the drive. His heart thumped a little harder against his rib cage. The van stopped, completed a half circle, and then backed up to the kitchen door before it cut off. Silence reigned while the slow tick of an engine could be heard.

  The doors opened, and a couple of workers he recognized from the wedding exited the vehicle. Disappointment flooded his limbs. He’d expected to see Liz. Maybe she wasn’t coming. This was ridiculous. What was wrong with him that he was standing on the porch spying on the catering staff, hoping to catch a glimpse of one woman?

  He shook his head, bent to retrieve his bottle, and headed indoors. There were other, more productive things he could do with his time. Maybe a swim before dinner tonight would clear his head.

  Servers clad in white shirts, bow ties, black slacks, and maroon aprons milled through the guests offering canapés, other finger foods, and wine on silver trays. What couldn’t be placed on a tray overflowed from the lavish buffet spread. How the caterer managed to put together something so grand in such a short amount of time boggled his mind.

  Keegan filled a small plate with what looked like crab cakes, snagged a glass of wine, and headed for the veranda. Not once had he seen her. Somehow, he thought she’d at least have wanted to say hi to him.

  He slipped through the double doors, mildly surprised that no one else was outside enjoying the warm but breezy night, which was not unpleasant. He settled on his favorite swing and stared at the fireflies flashing their bright yellow light low to the ground while he nibbled on the goodies he’d procured from the table.

  A gentle breeze blew across the porch, bringing the subtle scent of sweet and a soft perfume that made him sit a little straighter. He scanned the area, and a caramel-skinned woman in a pink tank top and khaki slacks stood at the bottom of the steps. Keegan set his plate and glass aside and pushed to his feet.

  She paused, hand on the wrought-iron railing and one foot on the stone step. Her full, luscious lips creased into a smile, yet her light-brown eyes held a bit of uncertainty.

  “Word from my staff is you’ve been looking for me?” She tilted her head to the side. Her soft curls brushed one shoulder.

  He longed to slide his fingers through her silky tresses and hold her against him. Somehow, he managed to refrain from his impulses. Instead, he gripped the banister. “Yes.”

  “Mind if I join you?” She swept a hand toward the swing.

  He studied her a moment. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  She nodded.

  He bounded down the stairs and ushered her away from the house with a hand at the small of her back. His fingers grazed bare skin. Awareness sidled through his veins and settled in his cock. He caressed her flesh. Smooth temptation he could spend the rest of his days exploring. He dipped his head and swept his lips over the curve of her shoulder.

  She tensed beneath his hand but didn’t pull away.

  Lights, laughter, and the muted conversations from the house faded the farther they walked. The night seemed to close in around them, wrapping them in a secure blanket of intimacy.

  “I shouldn’t have left without saying good-bye,” Liz began.

  “No.”

  “But it was a very busy and hectic weekend.”

  “And I didn’t help with bombarding you with the cake thing—”

  “Or sex.”

  He chuckled, and she returned his smile. “Touché.”

  “Which was really fabulous.” Liz held her hair from her face when the wind blew across. Though she smirked, her eyes were serious. “But that’s not all I’m about. I don’t want to get in too deep with you if it’s not going to lead anywhere. We’ve been down that road before and there’s more to life than sleeping with someone because of a cute face and a smile.”

  Keegan cradled her cheek, caressing the fullness of her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. Her warm breath whispered against his skin and he longed to feel it elsewhere on his body. “I realize that. We should do this properly. Go out on a few dates, because you mean more to me than just a warm body and a cute face with a smile.” That e
arned him a grin.

  She curled her fingers around his wrist. He relished the warmth of her hand on his skin. “Why now? What’s changed? You used to be the center of attention.”

  “Broke my knee and tore all the major ligaments during the last match of the season. When that happened, I learned who my true friends were and realized how much of a fool I’d been. You’d been there for me during the hard and good times, and I never acknowledged how much you meant to me.” He lowered his head. “You are the only woman who has made me forget all rationale and just live in the moment.”

  “So what do we do now?”

  “Stay with me.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve got work.”

  “I know, but afterwards. Come to my room.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been surer about anything else in my life.”

  “Okay, but it will be late.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Liz paced the short expanse of hallway before Keegan’s door. His earlier admission gave her hope that maybe this time—just maybe—he would be there for the long haul. Yet she didn’t want to set her hopes too high. They’d been through this before—where she’d built dreams based on the promises Keegan had made to her. Where had all those promises and dreams gotten her? Alone and pacing in front of his door, wishing their relationship had been different. If she let him in this time, she didn’t think she could survive that type of hurt again.

  With a sigh, she brushed a curl from her face. She’d taken a few moments to freshen up and change her clothes. Every time he’d seen her, she was always in uniform, and since this was a conscious decision, she thought a nice sundress would be appropriate. She smoothed a hand down the knee-length skirt and adjusted the V-neck bodice. This time, she wouldn’t sneak out. She adjusted the strap of her overnight bag on her shoulder and lifted her hand to knock on the wood. The door opened.

  Keegan stood on the threshold, linen shirt open, the snap on his black slacks undone. She allowed her gaze to travel the length of his body, sucking in a breath when she caught sight of his erection straining against the material of his pants. She returned her attention to his face.

  “You seem happy to see me,” she greeted, a hint of humor in her voice.

  “Oh, very. For a moment I didn’t think you’d actually make it here.” He grabbed her by the hand, led her inside, closed the door, and then took her bag. “What’s this?”

  “Things I’ll need for the morning. I didn’t want to sneak out, run down to the guesthouse, and then hurry back to the kitchen.”

  He set the bag on a nearby chair. “No need to worry about anyone seeing you. This is my wing of the house, and even with all the guests, no one is here.” He twined his fingers with hers. Liz stared at her smaller digits tucked next to his, and being with him now felt so right. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks.” She tried not to preen at his compliment. He’d noticed her dress.

  “When this is all over, I’ll take you on a proper date. I’ve always loved seeing you in a dress.”

  She ducked her head as a flush crept into her cheeks. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”

  “I would too.”

  She stepped farther into the cavernous room. Her first visit was hazy. She hadn’t seen much, but now that she was fully awake, his bedroom reminded her more of a hotel suite rather than a bedroom. Expensive rugs in rich, vibrant colors dotted the smooth wood flooring while watercolors of landscapes adorned the beige walls.

  They passed through a sitting room, and she caught a glimpse of large urns on pedestals and lush potted plants. He stopped on the threshold to a bathroom that rivaled anything she’d ever seen. Lit candles lined the room and trailed the tiled steps of the enormous tub.

  A silver bucket waited on the lip of the tub, the neck of a green bottle visible above the rim. Two delicate crystal champagne flutes waited to be filled. This wasn’t a scene she expected to see. This held romance and a bit of seduction.

  “What’s all this?” She waved a hand to encompass the room.

  “Just because I ravished you on the kitchen counter doesn’t mean I can’t seduce.” He lifted his hands and brought them to the thin straps of her dress. “And we never did get to drink that bottle of wine I brought to your room the first night.”

  Desire hummed through her veins at his honesty. “I see.”

  He brushed the material from her arms and tugged it down her hips until it pooled at her feet, and she stepped away from the dress. She skimmed his flesh, shoving the shirt down his arms. The garment rested on top of hers on the floor. He grasped the waistband of her panties and shoved them over the curve of her hips to her knees. Once there, she wiggled out of them and slipped out of her low-heeled sandals.

  Keegan stepped away from her long enough to shed his pants and underwear in one fluid motion. Her gaze fastened on the erection jutting from a short nest of reddish-brown curls. Large and impressive. She swallowed hard.

  “This is crazy.”

  “Is it really?” He placed a hand at her waist and maneuvered her toward the tub. “We’ve always had chemistry, Liz. My heart has always beaten for you. No other woman has ever excited me as much as you.”

  She stopped walking backward when her heels touched the cool tile of the steps. He brushed past her, causing the candlelight to flicker, and stepped into the tub. He offered his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she accepted and joined him.

  Liz sank into the steamy, scented water and couldn’t quite stop the contented sigh from easing past her lips. She hadn’t realized how sore and tired her muscles were until the water hit her body.

  Keegan sat behind her, a muscular thigh on either side of hers as he rubbed the taut muscles in her shoulders. She allowed her head to fall forward as he worked the knots from her neck and slid his fingers down the curve of her spine, circling each vertebra as he went.

  “That feels so good,” she murmured.

  “I thought it might. You’ve been on your feet all day.” He stopped the massage, much to her disappointment. A moment later, a rattle and the splash of liquid pouring reached her ears. He reached over her shoulder; a flute of caramel-colored liquid fizzed, trapped between his fingers. “Try this.”

  She accepted the glass, holding it by the delicate stem, and raised it to her lips. Cool and refreshing with a smoothness that urged her to drink more. The flavors of honey-drenched tropical fruit rolled across her tongue while the full body and lushness reminded her that this was expensive.

  “What do you think?”

  “Lovely.”

  “Not as lovely as you.” He pressed his lips to the back of her neck as he wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her closer.

  Water sloshed over the sides as his arousal bounced against her buttocks, and she leaned into him. She rested her head on his shoulder. Part of her couldn’t believe she was in a bath sipping some fancy wine with a man she yearned to spend the rest of her life with.

  “How do you do what you do day in and out?” Keegan set down his glass and picked up a sponge. He squirted a liberal amount of bath gel on the surface and squeezed it a few times to work up a lather.

  She sniffed appreciatively as the scent of watermelon and lemon filled the air. He dragged the soapy sponge along one arm and then the other. Warmth spread through her as the softness soothed her body and the wine relaxed her. She rested her head on his shoulder as he moved from her shoulders and covered each breast in suds.

  Her nipples tightened as he circled each one in turn. She closed her eyes as he swept his lips over her jaw. He placed a hand at her throat, forcing her mouth to meet his while he continued to bathe her.

  She moaned at the slow, sensuous way his mouth moved on hers. She wiggled her hips and was rewarded by a low grunt.

  He broke the kiss and maneuvered around her in the tub until he faced her. She flinched as he grasped her ankle and caressed her foot.

  “Ticklish?”

 
“Just a bit.”

  He moved up her leg and used his free hand to dip below the water to tease the swollen folds of her vagina. A soft moan echoed off the tile as he circled her clit. Water sloshed around them with each thrust of her hips. Delicious tingles and silvery sensations caressed her nerve endings, bathing them in an idyllic bliss she seldom experienced, and she didn’t want this feeling to end. Liz let her eyes close as she savored the waves of pleasure coursing through her body. A familiar tension tightened in her belly, and she gripped the edge of the tub.

  Keegan abandoned the sponge to wrap an arm beneath her hips and lift them. Cooler air flitted over her skin, and she shivered. His other arm curved along her back as he settled her on his lap, and he poured water over her breasts, rinsing the suds from her body. His mouth followed the beads of water and closed over one pert nipple.

  Liz moaned and threaded her fingers through his hair. His erection pulsed at her entrance and she flexed her hips. He held her still as he explored her body with his mouth and tongue. A slow, torturous exploration that left her body humming for release with each minute kiss he lavished on her.

  His lips found hers as he slowly entered her. She closed her eyes, savoring each gentle thrust that brought them closer together. No man had made her feel so complete, and she didn’t want this to end—in or out of the bedroom.

  Keegan kept his pace deliberate, and she appreciated that. There was no need to hurry through this moment. She greeted each stroke with barely restrained passion. This wasn’t like their last few times. This held the tenderness of two souls melding together, of promises whispered in a lover’s ear on a moonlight stroll, and of a yearning that could only be fulfilled by a lifetime of living.

  She held him close as she slipped over the edge, basking in the delight of her orgasm as it washed over and through her. He tensed beneath her, following her in ecstasy. For several heartbeats, neither moved. Their ragged breathing echoed off the walls and slowly returned to normal.