by Julia Bright
Her spine stiffened. “So what?”
“Sexy.”
“Really?” Jen sat up, her brows bunched together. “But you’re the hot one.”
Jen ran her hand down his chest to his flat abs and hesitated. He wanted her hand on his cock even if it wasn’t hard, but how to ask her for a touch? God, he had the hardest time asking for anything in his personal life.
He shook his head. “I don’t see myself that way. You’re the one who is so sexy.”
“Me?”
“I don’t know what is wrong with those other guys, but Jen, you’re hot. You’ve got all the right curves.”
She dropped to the mattress and pulled the sheet over her chest. “You don’t think I have too much in the curve department?”
“No way. You’re just right.” He lifted up on one elbow then tugged the sheet away. He stared down at her lush body, taking in every curve, dip, and valley. “Every inch is just perfect. The first time I came into your shop, it was a mistake. I was looking for another building and I stepped inside so I could see my phone without the glare. Then you stepped out of the back area and wow, I was hooked.”
“Is that why you’ve been coming into my shop every day?”
“Yeah, I base my day around you. I wake up earlier, schedule my meetings so I can stop by before I go into the office. Everything I do is so I can see you.”
She shook her head, looking like she didn’t believe him. “Are you sure?”
He moved closer, his gaze connected with hers. “About what?”
“You could have any woman, why me?”
“I don’t think you’re the best judge of what you have to offer.”
She laughed and sat up. “Come on, we need cake to have this conversation. Where are my clothes?”
He pulled a t-shirt out of his drawer and handed it to her. “Just wear this.”
Her lips turned down in a frown. “But I’ll stretch it out.”
“Hopefully.”
“What does that mean?”
He chuckled and pulled her close. “That I hope your breasts stretch the shirt out and every time I wear it I can think of your nipples straining against the material.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and he brushed a kiss over her lips, hoping he would recover quickly because he wanted to be balls deep again. He watched as she slid the t-shirt over her head and pulled it low, loving how it stretched across her breasts. No doubt, they would have sex again soon.
“It looks ridiculous,” she said.
“Oh no, it looks perfect he said as he palmed his cock.”
Jen glanced down, and her cheeks grew darker. She licked her lips and her gaze shot to his. He liked the look in her eyes as she stared at him. They’d had sex, and she hadn’t run off. Being run out on had happened to him a few times. Usually women only wanted him for sex and had no issue leaving once they’d come. Just because he had muscles, people thought he didn’t have feelings. He didn’t believe Jen was shallow like that, and she didn’t seem to be the type to dismiss him because he was fit. He could be wrong about her, but whatever this was between them, didn’t seem like what he’d ever had before. He cared about Jen, not just about how much they could have sex.
“So, this cake, it'll mess with my nutrition, won't it?” She was about to pull on her panties when he stopped her. “That little strip of lace won't do much to cover you. Could you wear my boxers?”
“Your boxers?” She leveled him with a gaze which told him she didn’t believe his screwy motivations.
Worry filled him. Maybe she would bolt after all. “Um, yeah, you could wear your underwear under them.”
“You’re funny.”
“No, I just don’t want you dressed so you can rush out.”
Disbelief covered her face. “Rush out, who would ever do that to you?”
Reality hurt. He’d had it happen enough times the thought of her running out without getting to know her better and have a second date nailed down was too disturbing. He wanted her to stick around but didn’t want to get into how bad his dating luck had been. Sounding desperate would only sound desperate.
He lifted his brows and smiled as he shrugged. She rolled her eyes and reached for the pair of loose plaid boxers in his hand. They were the type of underwear he wore under some of his slacks and sometimes jeans. Though this pair, he would have to save them for special times when he wouldn't be spending much time in public because he sure as heck would bone up thinking about her.
“Okay, I’ll pull on your boxers,” she relented.
She had on his t-shirt, her nipples showing, and his boxers. He felt amazingly lucky. She was beautiful. Lush, like a perfect woman he needed in his life.
“Cake now?” She lifted her brows when she asked. He realized he would do anything to get her what she wanted.
“Yes, cake.” They moved to the kitchen where she washed her hands before opening the cake box.
He washed his hands and pulled out two plates, a knife, and two forks. “Do you want ice cream with your cake?”
“No, I usually don't. Unless it’s a cake that needs ice cream. There are a few, not many, where the ice cream complements the flavor so well I pair them together.”
“Good, because I realized I don’t have any. But if you wanted it, I would have gone out and found the ice cream you wanted.”
She laughed and shook her head. “So not necessary. Okay, so this is my Mocha Love Cake. It’s something I came up with drinking coffee one morning.”
“There’s coffee in it?”
“A little espresso. And if I’m making it for an adult’s party, I can add chocolate liqueur to the filling.”
“Did you do that today?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t do it often, but it’s one of those cakes I can adjust if someone asks. I do require the buyer to sign a waiver stating they will take responsibility for the attendees of the party and monitor how much alcohol they consume.”
“Wow, there’s that much alcohol in it?”
“No, not at all, just a shot spread through the cake. But if someone is ordering a cake with alcohol as one of the ingredients, they probably are providing a lot of alcohol to their guests.”
“Makes sense.” Brent quirked up his lips on one side. “How did we go off on this tangent?”
“The cake.”
“Goodness, the cake looks delicious.”
“It is.” Jen shot him a wicked smile which sent tendrils of heat through him.
He drew in a breath and let it go. He couldn’t believe they’d had sex. She was wearing his clothes, which was amazing. Few other women would have ever stuck around for something like this, and they sure as heck wouldn’t have slipped on his old boxers. Jen was special, but he had an idea that she didn’t think she was.
Five
Brent held the knife over the cake and began the process of slicing into the moist, delicious goodness. She wanted to moan as she saw how smoothly the knife went through the cake. It had been months and months since she’d had one of her cakes. Usually, she didn’t have leftovers, and she already baked enough her need to create was filled.
“Sweetheart, if you gave me the look you’re giving the cake, I would be your slave.”
She laughed and moved closer to him. “I can say I’m close to begging to be yours because of the way you did that thing with your tongue.”
His pupils dilated, and he stilled as his gaze raked lower, pausing at her chest. After a short moment, his gaze flicked up to her face, and he licked his lips.
“I like licking you.”
His words made her wet. How could just the words he said get so deep into her mind that she had such a strong animalistic reaction?
“I’m not perfect at all and you’re so…” She waved her hand at his body, taking in his bulging biceps and broad chest.
He quirked up his lips as he looked at her. “I’m what?”
“Your body is near perfect.”
He shook his head and put do
wn the knife. His hands came up and framed her face so he was cupping her cheeks. “This body is just an outer shell. There’s nothing here that can’t be changed. My gut could expand, my thighs could shrink. The muscles in my arms could go away.”
Worry filled her. “You said you were attracted to my body. What if I expand to the point I’m no longer recognizable?”
He leaned in and brushed his lips against her cheek, but he didn’t move away. Instead, his lips came close to her ear, his breath tickling her senses. “Yes. Your curves are beautiful, and you have an awesome set of boobs, but what kept me coming back, was how nice you were. Every day, day after day, I would come in and your smile would make me feel better. You didn’t always have time to chat, but when you did, you asked about my workout, my day, how I was doing, and you remembered each time what was going on in my life.”
“That’s just good customer service.”
“No, Jen, it’s the light inside of you. You’re a good person. That’s why you turn me on so much I almost lose my mind. So yes, your body is nice, but really it’s what’s inside making me so freaking hot for you I can’t think straight.”
She had no response. He turned back to cutting the cake and served them both small slices. With both plates in hand, he moved to the patio door and glanced over his shoulder. “Come with me, and we’ll get lost in this cake before I take you back to bed and show you again how much I want you.”
She chuckled but her heart wasn’t light. His words still twisted through her. Everything she’d ever thought about attraction was being challenged. How could this man see past her flaws? Was she too shallow to be with him? He saw her inner beauty, and all she saw was how sexy he was. But that wasn’t the whole truth.
“You’re thinking hard,” Brent said.
“I’m still mulling over what you said.”
He’d placed the plates on opposite sides of the table and she took a seat, watching as he stuck his fork into the cake and broke off a piece. He lifted the treat slowly, then met her gaze, sliding the fork with its delicious contents into his mouth. His eyes lit up and his chest rose as he drew in a deep breath. Then Brent closed his eyes as the cake sat on his tongue. Finally, he swallowed, and his eyes popped open.
“Jen, I’ve got to say this is the best cake I’ve ever had. It’s fresh, moist, perfect.”
A thought formed at the back of her mind and she wanted to give it a voice, but maybe she was making a mistake. “You know, it’s hard to not be confused about all of this, the attraction thing and all when we seek perfection in everything from the food we eat to the color we paint our walls.”
He nodded and took another bite before setting down his fork. “I get what you’re saying. And for some people, they’ll never get past the outer shell of attraction. They have this fascination with what they think is beautiful. But for me, the heart matters more.”
“How do you know what is in my heart?”
He picked up his fork again, and she picked up hers. She stared down at the cake she’d made, not sure if she could take a bite. What if it didn’t live up to her expectations and Brent thought it was perfect? Dissatisfaction swirled, and she hadn’t even tasted the cake.
“You’re thinking too hard on this.”
She glanced up, “What?”
“I can’t explain why I’m into you, but I am. We’re in Hollywood where looks seem to matter more than other places. And yes, there are a lot of people—women, who tweak their looks to make them seem perfect. And yes, I look. I’m not a saint and I’ve had sex with women who were pretty on the outside, but their lives were hollow. But real life that is lived in backyards like this, for it to last, it has to be deeper than just what we look like. The outer shell cracks so easily, like an egg.”
She glanced around, taking in the fairy lights on the trees hanging over the yard. The setting was amazing, near perfect, just like Brent. “I wonder if I’m only with you because you’re perfect.”
“Jen, I can honestly tell you you’re not with me just because of my looks.”
She shook her head. “How can you tell that about me, because I can’t?”
“Eat your cake and then after you take a bite, we can sit out here and talk about it while you drink wine and I consume enough water to clean me out.”
She chuckled and put the first forkful of her own creation into her mouth. It was delightful in a way which could only be described as perfect. She had done it again. This was why people kept coming back to buy her expensive cakes. Box cakes were okay, but her creations were as close to chocolate heaven as you could get.
“Do you like it?” Brent asked.
“God yes. It’s perfect.”
“It is. But it’s a cake and only has a short shelf life. You'll last longer, so the outside will change, it’s a fact of life. We grow older and there’s nothing we can do about it. I know here in Hollywood people fight the change brought on by age, but I’m not so entrenched in the life here that I can’t see what is good.”
She wanted to ask, to find out if Brent thought she was good enough, but she knew she couldn’t handle the truth.
They ate, mostly in silence except for their moans of delight as they finished their slices. Brent pushed his plate to the side, put both elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands.
“That was amazing.” His voice was low, caressing her and drawing her in.
She nodded and took the last bite of her cake. “It was. I love the cakes I create.”
Brent stood and stretched. Her gaze stayed on him, thinking about how good he’d felt on top of her.
“I’ll grab you another glass of wine.”
She shook her head. “I need to drive home.”
He paused and lifted his brows. “You could stay the night.”
She bit her lower lip and met his gaze. “Are you sure? I don’t have to go in tomorrow, but I’m used to waking early.”
His lips turned up and his eyes narrowed as he squinted from his smile. “Yes, I want to wake up with you lying next to me. We don’t have to have sex again if you don’t want, but Jen, I’m kind of hooked on you and if we wake early, well, we’ll find something to do.”
She chuckled as she stood and grabbed his plate. “Fine, you’ve convinced me. But I think we'll want to have sex.” How she’d gotten this amazingly sexy guy was beyond her.
Brent poured her more wine, and he drank a glass of water before they even left the kitchen. He made a detour to his bedroom before following her outside. She relaxed in one of the lounge chairs as she watched the lights twinkle in the wind. Millions of people surrounded them, but none of that mattered here in this sanctuary Brent had created.
Brent was a welcome surprise. He seemed to want her, and maybe she read him wrong, and he wasn’t really into her, but he’d voiced his desire for her more than once.
“You look deep in thought,” Brent said as he took a seat on the chair beside her.
“I was thinking about how quiet your yard is considering there are millions of people surrounding us.”
He chuckled. “I like it here. Sometimes, after a long week, I’ll relax and read in one of the lounge chairs. My favorite times are when it cools off and I need a sweatshirt. I love sitting outside with a cup of hot tea or coffee, just getting lost in a story.”
She closed her eyes and imagined how nice it would be to relax in his yard, the wind blowing in her hair. She wasn’t sure how long she sat with her eyes closed before she felt Brent’s hand on her thigh. His touch felt good, and she uncrossed her ankles and let her legs fall apart a little. Brent’s hand moved higher and she spread her legs even more.
He adjusted on his lounge next to her, but she didn’t open her eyes. His fingers slid under the material, brushing over her pussy lips. She pressed into his touch as he moved even closer, his fingers seeking her clit. She blew out a breath of relief when he found it.
The man was masterful with his fingers and had her panting in no time. Her body was on fire and clo
se to orgasm when he moved and slid two fingers into her as he ran his thumb over her clit. She clutched the sides of the lounger and pumped her hips. Brent moaned and moved away.
She glanced up and saw him strip off his clothes, his cock pointing up. Emotions swirled as she thought of licking him. His body was very nice, but that wasn’t why she was thinking of spending the night. He’d been so sweet. There was more to this guy than his looks and she liked what she’d found so far.
He tugged at the boxers she wore, stripping off her underwear too before pulling the shirt over her head. He shoved one hand into the pocket of his jeans then pulled it out, holding up a condom wrapper. Fear rose at the thought of his neighbors hearing them, but Brent didn’t seem to care as he pulled her to standing. He settled on the lounger where she’d been before tugging her hand. She squeaked out a laugh as she adjusted so her knees were on either side of his body. He helped her move so she was right over his cock. Brent held onto her waist as he guided her lower. She hovered over his cock before sinking down. The position made her feel every glorious inch of him. The moan on her lips was automatic.
“So good,” Brent growled as she lifted then lowered again.
The lounge chair made it a little awkward, but she adjusted, and it wasn’t too bad. Brent cupped her breasts and squeezed her nipples, sending sparks along her spine. She lifted a little then sunk down, gasping as his cock speared her. She looked up, staring at the black sky. Few stars shone in the city, but she imagined them in the middle of nowhere, stars shining bright. She’d never had sex outside like this. Maybe she should care about someone hearing, but nothing other than the two of them mattered.
Brent’s hands felt good on her, and he was taking her higher. Then he lowered on the lounge chair an inch or so and it made all the difference in the world. He was deep inside when her orgasm struck. She pressed her fingers against his chest, holding on as he ground against her.
Brent was breathing hard as he grasped her waist and thrust into her. Sweat coated their skin, and she was about to drop to his chest when he came, shouting her name. After his orgasm, she dropped lower, resting her head on him. It felt magnificent to be stretched across him. The wind was low and soft as it tickled her damp skin. Neither one of them moved for a long moment.
