The Magic Cupcake

by River Laurent

  “For what it’s worth, I agree with Danny. If it were my company, I would only give the job to the company most qualified and with the best solution to my problem. A shoe landing on my face would not affect my decision.”

  “I really hope Danny and you are right,” she says, sipping her cocktail and looking straight at me.

  It’s weird and beautiful and maybe I’m quietly going totally crazy here, but the way she looks at me with that vulnerable, open expression, makes me feel as if I can see straight into her soul. I’m trying to concentrate on what she’s saying...

  I nod and hold her hand, I love watching her talk. Her eyes twinkle and she’s so expressive, gesturing wildly with her other hand.

  “I’m finished. Next drinks are on me.”

  Before I can act macho and tell her I’ll get it, she is already up and away. I watch her walk to the bar, her hips slender and shapely in black jeans. Her hair long, so shiny and glossy, swishing against her back as she moves. My head might be scrambled with work and trying to get my apartment finished, but I have to admit to myself that the only thing I really care about at the moment… is her.

  She comes back and as she settles my drink in front of me, I get another whiff of her hair. And my dick is instantly hard again. What did they make her shampoo with? Sex hormones?

  “What is it?” she asks, looking at me with wide, innocent eyes.

  She has no idea where my thoughts are, of course. My filthy, filthy thoughts. If she did, she’d probably barricade herself in her house and call the cops. Oh, but the things I could do to this woman.

  I grin, and I can’t help how wolfish it is. “Would you believe I’m ready for more Appleton pie?”

  The way her cheeks become rosy is just beautiful.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Lauren

  He places two sliders on my plate, while I give him more than half of my fries. Just like I thought…we don’t have to talk about it. Like we’ve known each other for years.

  Jackson takes a bite of his mini burger. “Mmm. This is awesome.”

  “Not the healthy food I would’ve imagined you ordering,” I point out with an arched eyebrow.

  “Do you think a man wants to order a salad after watching a classic horror movie?” he asks.

  I have to stop myself before I remind him that he hardly watched any of it. “A genre-defining one, no less.” I smirk instead.

  “Exactly, smartass. I don’t want you thinking I’m some sort of health nut, either.” He shoves a few fries into his mouth at once, like he’s trying to prove his point.

  “There’s nothing wrong with being a health nut.” But I’d never be one myself, and I can’t imagine ever being one. Or being with one. It would get boring, I think, when I’m not super into cross training or veganism or any of that.

  “I still don’t want you to get the wrong idea. Like I said last night, it’s all about balance. I ate like a pig last night, so I spent an extra twenty at the gym today—and believe me, I struggled through it,” he grimaces.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “What are you apologizing for? I’m the one who went for seconds—I mean, granted, I wouldn’t have if you weren’t such an amazing cook, but I can hardly blame you for that.” His eyes twinkle.

  “It would be like blaming me for having brown hair. I just can’t help it.”

  His laugh rings out over the conversation around us, and my heart just about bursts. I love making him laugh. I’d stand on my head for the rest of the night if he would just keep laughing like that.

  “I happen to be a man who likes to eat.” He’s smirking behind the rim of his glass, so he knows what he said and how I could take it one of two ways.

  Absolutely wicked. My body responds at the mere suggestion.

  I need another sip of beer before I can speak above a broken whisper, “I-I think we’ll get along very well, then—so long as it’s not brains you’re hungry for,” I add, thinking back to the movie.

  “No,” he murmurs, still smirking. “It’s not brains. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  How is it humanly possible for one man to be so sexy? It’s enough to make me forget to breathe, I swear. He just exudes it. His charm, the way he smiles, the way his voice lowers into a near growl—I’m surprised my panties haven’t melted off.

  And I’m not the only one who thinks so. A high-pitched giggle from the bar catches my attention and I glance over purely out of reflex, because when something catches your attention you look, right?

  It’s a trio of blondes who all look like they’re taking the night off from being supermodels. Awesome. Just what I was hoping to see. Just the thing to make me feel really good about myself.

  And they want his attention. They want it bad. All three of them keep trying to catch Jackson’s eye, but he either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care.

  Finally, just as he’s draining the last of his beer, one of them slides off her stool and walks over. She’s a little unsteady ‒ had a bit to much to drink, I guess ‒ and drunk girls always have more confidence. Or so I’ve noticed.

  Sometimes, drunk girls even buy love potions.

  “Excuse me.” Blondie ignores me entirely, focusing on Jackson. “Have we met before? I think we’ve met before. At a party at Pete’s?” She leans down a little, so her boobs can peak out of her V-neck sweater.

  I wonder how she’d feel if I punched one of them.

  I look at him, holding my breath to see how he’ll respond.

  He blinks, looking at her, then frowns a little. “Oh. Sure. Sorry, his parties are always so crowded.”

  She beams. “They are, aren’t they? I was hoping to see you again, but you haven’t been around.” She bites down ever so slightly on her bottom lip, hopeful. Teasing him.

  She sure wouldn’t look so pretty if I pulled her teeth out, would she? I’m not normally this violent, but it takes a certain level of bitchiness to walk straight up to a guy who’s clearly with another woman and pretend that woman doesn’t exist. This place isn’t even nearly crowded enough to pass that off as a mere accident.

  He smiles again, and I can tell he’s flattered.

  Well, damn, it was fun while it lasted. Why would he want to hang around with me when he’s got nearly six feet of perfect Nordic beauty—and her boobs—in his face?

  “Yes, well, I’ve been busy. It’s nice to see you again, though.” He turns his focus to me. “You ready?”

  Oh. I guess I am. Not that I have any beer or food left. It just seems sort of abrupt. I’m not complaining, however. Especially when Blondie falls back a little with her glossy lips in a pout. Poor thing.

  I make it a point to smile at her as we’re leaving—I mean, she looks so disappointed, I just want to bring her spirits up a little. She and her girlfriends want to spit nails, I can just tell. Maybe they should try not being so sleazy and obvious next time.

  He gave her the brush-off in favor of me. Me! Hot damn!

  “Why are you so smiley?” he asks as we step out into the cold.

  I can’t believe him. I really can’t. “You didn’t notice what just went on in there? Are you really that oblivious?”

  “Ouch,” he murmurs with a smirk. “Yeah, I noticed what was going on, but it was nothing.”

  “Yeah. I guess you’re used to random bombshells throwing themselves at you wherever you go.”

  He stops, taking me by the hand and pulling me closer. “Hey. Wait a second. I want to make something clear.”

  I look up at him and get a little lost in those eyes of his. They’re gorgeous—and intense, staring into mine. He means business right now. “What is it?”

  “I’m out with you because I want to be with you,” he murmurs, locking his fingers with mine. “You’re the woman I’m out with tonight, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the only woman in the world.”

  I’m dreaming. I must be dreaming. But his kiss isn’t a dream—firm, warm, tantalizing. T
he arm around my waist isn’t a dream, holding me in a vice grip against his body. It’s all very real.

  I can hardly hear the traffic rushing past us for the rush of blood in my ears, creating a storm in my head. He wants me. He really wants me. And damn… if I don’t want him more every minute we spend together.

  “Let’s go home,” he whispers when the kiss ends, our foreheads touching as our breath creates a fog around our heads.

  “Yes. Let’s,” I agree, ready to flag the first cab I see.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Lauren

  I’m still on cloud nine from the movies, my head a little light-headed from the two cosmopolitans. It makes it easier to ignore the fact that it must be the love potion that made him act so crazy. To get me off in public with his mouth when we hardly know each other? I mean, that’s sort of a big deal. Whatever Zelda sold me must’ve been the Extra Strength version. No wonder it was so expensive.

  I don’t think twice about accepting his invitation of a night cap. I’m curious to see the inside of his place. That’s what I tell myself, but obviously, I’m a flesh and blood human being, and he did mention something about being ready for more Appleton pie.

  “Whisky?” he asks while I scratch Tyrion’s stomach.

  I screw up my nose.

  “Baileys?”

  “Mmmm, yes please. On the rocks.”

  “Coming right up.”

  I look around me curiously. “It all looks new. I wish our place was so polished and minimalistic,” I say with a hint of envy.

  He comes back into view holding a dog biscuit. Tyrion jumps up and runs to him. “To be honest, I prefer your place. It feels like more like a home.”

  “Aw thanks,” I say. “But it does get messy with Draco, sometimes though. His fur gets everywhere!”

  “Don’t I know it? I have the same problem.”

  I take a seat on his huge leather sofa and look around while he fixes the drinks. There’s a selection of hardback books on his pristine glass coffee table and I look to see what he has. One about sailing, another entitled, ‘Modern architecture: A photographic history.’ That makes sense. There’s another about architecture but without pictures and then I let out a squeal when I come to the last in the pile. “The Magic of Harry Potter.”

  “Find something you like?” he asks, smiling as he comes back with the drinks.

  I hold up the book to show him. “It’s my favorite film of all time!” I practically shriek, clasping my hands together in excitement. And then I shut up and sip on my drink as I remember Nina’s advice and that I’m not meant to act too keen. So many rules to the dating game, according to her. And apparently disobeying them could affect my whole future!

  When he opens a cupboard, and digs out a CD of the movie it’s all I can do to stop myself proposing to him right there and then. But…Nina advice is very firm in my head.

  “I can feel a movie night coming up…” I say, with my most sophisticated smile.

  “Sure. Why not?” He grins. “I enjoyed the last movie I watched with you.”

  I watch him put the CD into the player, dim the lights, and lower himself next to me. The heat coming from his big strong body is a turn on. I rub my hand up his thigh and across his package. He is deliciously hard beneath his jeans.

  He does not turn his head to look at me, but there is a tightness to his jaw.

  “You don’t want me to?” I ask softly.

  “Oh, I want you to,” he growls, and he looks at me, cocking an eyebrow, like he’s daring me to go ahead and better his performance.

  “Good, because I am dying to.”

  In the blue light from the TV screen, he tilts his head back and closes his eyes. My heart is hammering dangerously fast in my chest as I knead him lightly with my fingers. His mouth opens and I hear the moan he lets out in response to my touch. It makes me feel powerful inside. This man really wants me. A voice in my head says something about Zelda, but I shut it up.

  Slipping my hand under the waistband of his jeans, I pop his buttons open, and slide down the zip as I go, until I can wrap my fist around his girth. I bite my lip. Mmm… he is massive. I push down the desire to straddle his hips and ride him until we both come. My body is already hankering to have that big beautiful cock buried deep inside me, but not yet…I want to taste his cock.

  I lean down, close my eyes, and quickly slide my mouth over his shaft. A few drops of pre-cum glistens at tip of his shaft and I lap them up hungrily. He tastes good, of clean skin, and him. I hear him gasp from above me so I quickly slide between his legs and look up at him as I pleasure him. I want to see in the changes in his breathing, his expression, and his eyes.

  I slide my lips a few more inches lower so and he places his hand on the back on my head and guides me down slowly, tracing his fingers over the sensitive spot at the nape of my neck and making me squirm. Did he know how much this is turning me on? Probably. He seems to have a perfect read on my reactions.

  I wrap my fingers around him, holding him tight, and begin to stroke him in time with the pace of my mouth. I move up and down, up and down, losing myself to this, forgetting everything but this.

  I can hear his breathing getting labored above me as I move faster, working my tongue over every inch of him I can find, pausing and lingering at the top of his cock to swirl my tongue around him a few times. I can’t look up and watch him. In the dark, it would be hard to see him anyway, but for the time being I’m more than happy to just focus in on his other physical reactions. The way his cock twitches in my mouth when I hit a certain sweet spot.

  He lets out a growl and I know he is nearly at the point of climax. I stroke him with more intent, his cock lubed up generously by my mouth, and he thrusts back up to drive himself deeper into my mouth. His cock hits the back of my throat, but I can take it. I can take anything he gives me.

  Anything at all…

  Suddenly, I hear his breath above me seize, right at the moment the music from the movie swells and blots out the sucking sounds I’m making. His cock clenches in my mouth and he comes, running his fingers through my hair slowly and gently like he’s asking me to take every part of him.

  I don’t need telling. I want to taste him.

  I hold my mouth over him and swallow every drop of him, not wasting one little bit, satisfied with the knowledge that this time I’m the one in control, the one making him helplessly come. When I’m sure he’s done, I sit back up and snuggle into my seat, watching him tuck himself away. I playfully dab at the corners of my mouth, reminding him what we just got up to.

  “Wow, that was hot,” he murmurs, shooting me a devilish grin.

  “So were you,” I reply, and I turn my attention back to the movie.

  Or at least, I pretend to until he starts undressing me.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Lauren

  I wake up groggy and confused, feeling like something isn’t quite right. Then it comes to me all at once. I’m in Jackson’s bed!

  I turn my head and there he is, sleeping peacefully next to me, his breathing even. My heart melts. He looks, just…perfect.

  I, on the other hand, feel like a mess. I just know there is mascara all around my eyes, a thought which is confirmed to me when I guiltily notice the smear of eyeshadow on his pillow. I carefully remove myself from the tangle of sheets and tiptoe out of his bedroom, collecting my various items of clothing as I do.

  My purse is lying on the floor and I grope around inside to find my phone. It’s 6:21am. Phew, still early. I stand there in his living room and dress quickly, looking around me at the evidence of last night. Empty glasses on the coffee table. The sofa all messed up with cushions on the floor. I pick them up and take the glasses to the kitchen sink.

  I suddenly get a feeling that I shouldn’t be here. I need coffee and to take a shower desperately. I take a peek at Jackson and he’s still fast asleep. Is it wrong to just leave? But it would be worse to stay. I breathe a sigh of relief as I pull the door of
his house closed and it clicks shut almost silently. I don’t know why I’m so glad to escape.

  Danny is up and sitting on one of the bar stools in the kitchen, munching on granola. He eyes me with a smirk. “That’s a convenient walk of shame.”

  Draco’s at my feet, pawing for cuddles, excited to see me after my absence. “Very funny,” I say, scooping him up and dropping kisses all over his adorable face.

  “Give me details, woman.”

  “Ugh, I’m so thirsty,” I say, balancing Draco while grabbing a glass, filling it from the tap, and downing it.

  “Coffee?” he offers and starts pouring me a cup without waiting for my answer. He knows me. “So, are you going to tell me about last night? I gather it went pretty well? And you were so sure you were going to be tucked up in your own bed last night too...” He’s got a cheeky grin plastered across his face.

  I bury my face in Draco’s fur. If he only knew what shy, prudish Lauren had gotten up to last night!

  “Let’s hear it,” he prompts.

  So I tell him about my wonderful date, but I don’t tell him about how Jackson ate me out in the back-row of a movie theatre, or how he made me orgasm again and again like no other man before, or how we’d made love all night long, with only snatches of sleep in between.

  Thinking back on it all, it feels like a dream. Unreal and amazing.

  “And this morning?” he asks me, “I’m surprised to see you back so early! Or did Sexy and Mysterious have to go to work?”

  “His name is Jackson! And—I kind of—left,” I admit. “He was still sleeping.”

  “You didn’t say goodbye?”

  I chewed my bottom lip. “Yeah, I know. I just felt weird being there. It feels too soon to be waking up and having coffee together, like a couple, you know. I didn’t know if he’d want me there or not. And I look a state!”

  “You’re a natural beauty, sweets,” he tells me.