“See, that's where you're wrong." Charles lifted her into his arms, his lips thinning in exasperation. "Come on. Let's get out of this weather, and then we'll talk."
Charles carried her down the path and across the open field of wet grass toward the greenhouse. The wind and rain picked up, drenching them both to the skin by the time they reached the glass enclosure. He set her down gingerly, and she wiped her eyes as she reached for the door.
Tropical air surrounded them as Charles helped her inside of the greenhouse. Celeste winced as her ankle screamed in protest.
The soft lighting was welcoming, and Celeste relaxed a bit as Charles led her to a small seating area. The chill of her wet clothing caused an involuntary shiver as she lowered herself onto a wooden bench.
Chapter Ten
"You need to get out of those wet things." Charles looked around and found a folded towel on one of the gardening counters. "This isn't very big, but you can wrap yourself in it."
"In your dreams, buddy." Celeste snorted.
She wasn’t far from wrong. He was just glad he caught up with her. Thunder boomed in the distance and he frowned, thankful the greenhouse was still here.
He’d spent many hours as a teenager watching her and wishing he had enough courage to do something besides what his friends thought was cool. It wasn’t surprising she’d thought he was pranking her with his invitation to the dance.
It was something he would have done then if his buddies had put him up to it. The only problem was, they hadn’t. He’d just woken up one day with the resolve to finally ask her and she rightfully threw it back in his face.
Charles yanked the sodden sweater from his body and laid it out on the counter. "I'm not going to sit here and freeze, and I won't let you either."
"What are you going to do? Strip me?" Her gaze was glued to the rippling muscles of his chest under the tee shirt.
His lips turned up in a devilish smile. "Now, that isn't a bad idea. I have half a mind to turn you over my knee and give your ass a warming for leading me on a merry chase through the woods. And now, you've hurt yourself for the trouble. You haven't changed at all, Celeste Duvall."
"Huh. How would you know?" Celeste turned away.
“I know more than you think.” He replied, his gaze raking over her.
“Really?” She asked him waspishly. “Then you should know moving back here wasn’t the best idea you’ve ever had.”
“I disagree.”
Chapter Eleven
If she wasn’t looking at the man, she might be able to think. Here he was, half naked, threatening to give her a spanking. Her pussy clenched and her clit throbbed in time with her ankle.
"Because when I asked you to prom, you ran like a scared rabbit. Just like you're doing now."
The sound of a zipper and the shuffling of fabric caught her attention.
"I am not scared." Celeste stood up, trying her best to ignore the spike of pain threading through her ankle. Desire and anger warred in her blood. She pulled off the wet sweater and tossed it on the bench. Her shirt came next, leaving her clad in her bra and the drenched jeans and shoes. She didn't look at him. Not once. Not even when she heard the flop of a pair of shoes on the ground or the shuffle of what sounded like denim. Jesus. He was probably in his underwear.
If she looked, she was going to be a goner. Her underwear was already wet and not just from the rain.
Celeste shivered again. She had to get the rest of these clothes off so she could warm up. She wanted to get the sneakers off, but bending down was going to be a problem.
Shit.
“I...err...might need some help with my shoes."
"How is the ankle?"
"It hurts."
"No kidding." Charles came around and caught her as she wobbled and almost fell back onto the bench. “Easy...” Clad in only a pair of red and green boxers, he was a vision of her Christmas fantasies gone wild.
"Thanks."
Don’t look. Turn off your mind. He's just helping you. That's it. La la la la.
Fuck.
"Don't mention it. Now... let me get these shoes off."
He knelt in front of her, and Celeste's mouth went dry. Her lips parted as his hand gently unlaced the sneakers and released her uninjured foot from the shoe.
Why did his hands have to feel so good?
"Okay. One down. Now the kicker."
He touched the back of Celeste's shoe, and she yelped and almost came off the bench.
"Owww! That hurt."
"I know." Charles' eyes were narrowed in concern. "Just hold still for me."
"Are you kidding me?" Celeste blinked back the sting of tears that once again threatened to escape her eyes.
"No." Charles leaned forward and brushed her lips with his.
Startled, she barely registered when the shoe was gone.
He moved back and placed the shoes to the side. "There. All better. Now, we need to get you out of these clothes."
Celeste gaped at him. "Did you kiss me to distract me?"
"I kissed you because I wanted to. Now, try to stand. I need to get your jeans off."
I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Nope. Just to the ones who matter.” He bent down and pressed his lips to hers again.
Still in shock, she did as he asked. His fingers tugged at the snap, and the zipper went down. Charles' slid the wet jeans from her hips and eased them down her legs, revealing the delicate and see-through pink panties.
Oh God. Why had she worn those today of all days? Her face burned and she swallowed.
"Brace yourself against my shoulder."
Celeste just looked at him. Touch him? On his naked skin?
Lust snaked through her belly. No. She could balance on her own.
"I'm fine."
His lips quirked into a mischievous smile. "Suit yourself."
He tugged, and before she could stop herself, she was falling into him, her cold, soaked breasts pressing against his face. One jeans leg came off, and she shifted her weight for the second. Now she was only clad in the very wet underwear and bra. She might as well have been naked.
She wanted to be naked.
"You're freezing." Charles stood and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against him.
Her breath caught as his very obvious erection prodded against her belly. God, she wanted him inside of her. There was no bakery. No fighting. No twisted ankle. There was only this moment. A man and a woman in a greenhouse. She tipped her face to his and found him searching her expression.
"You don't know how many times I envisioned coming home again. In every scenario I had, there was always you."
"Why me?"
Charles smiled. "You always had a smile for me, even when I knew you were having a hard day. The other girls gave you hell, and the guys I hung around with were nothing but a bunch of hormones with feet. But you...you would still look up at me the way you're doing right now, and all I could think about was kissing you."
Celeste blinked. "I didn't know. I thought you were making fun of me."
"Not in a million years. You were the only sane one there."
"But I ran."
"Yep. The girl who ran away."
"I'm not running now." Her whole body tingled, begging for his touch.
"I can see that."
Charles moved his warm mouth to cover her water-drenched breast, drawing the water from her bra in such a way that for a moment her erect nipples felt as if he were suckling her in a way as old as time. The sensation ripped a moan from her throat and her nipples tightened to almost painful peaks.
Celeste reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. The garment fell loose, and she let it drift to the floor.
He crushed her to him; his massive chest was warm against her breasts. Charles' fingers spanned her waist and ran over the still-wet panties. "You need to get rid of these."
"I do." Celeste ran her hand between their bodies, deliberately stroking the length of him t
hrough the boxers.
He sucked in a sharp breath and pressed his hips into her, his fingers digging into her hips, as if it were all he had to hold himself back, remain in control.
“Careful. Or this will be over before it even starts.” He whispered into her hair.
“Really?”
She hooked her fingers into her panties and slid them over her hips and down her legs, kicking them to the side as they fluttered to the floor. She almost lost her balance, but caught herself before she went down.
"Now you." She traced her hands inside the elastic of the boxers and slid beneath.
"Ohhh." Charles allowed her to remove his boxers and they fell to the floor. His erection sprang free.
God. She wanted him. He made her crazy but his kisses made her head spin and her body ache for his.
Celeste slid her hand along his length, and palmed the blunt head, feeling the beads of moisture already seeping from the opening.
"I want to savor you." She backed up and sat on the bench, tugging him forward by the hand to stand in front of her, not letting go of her prize. His cock was thick, and she longed to taste him.
“Celeste...”
"Shhhh." She opened her lips for him, and he sucked in a gasp as she took him inside of her mouth. She wrapped her arms around him, stroking his well-formed ass as she licked and sucked his length. His manly musk made her want more, and when he pulled out, she protested.
"I want to be inside of you when I lose control. Can you stand?" Charles took the towel he'd intended to wrap her in and laid it carefully on the concrete surface. Ever the gentleman, he helped her up and lowered her down to recline on the towel.
She watched him through lowered lids, taking in the majesty of his amazing physique.
“Do you not eat the cookies? Is that it?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Too many. But I work out like a fiend.”
“Ah. So I have one of your secrets at least.”
“You’re about to have more.”
He reached for his jeans and riffled through the pockets for his wallet, yanking a foil packet free. He tore it loose and slid the condom onto his erection.
He sank down next to her and bent his head to brush his mouth lightly over her lips.
"You're beautiful." He moved to tongue and nibble over her neck, his heated breath sending shivers skating down her spine.
She needed him inside her. Now.
"So are you. Come here." Celeste tugged him forward and urged him between her thighs.
"Are you sure?" He hesitated, searching her eyes, looking for confirmation of her words.
"Give me your finger." Celeste grasped his digit and slipped it down over her mound, pressing it inside of her slick channel. She'd become so wet, so slippery, she could smell her own musky scent as it drifted upward from the dark curls nestled tight to the apex of her thighs and they'd only just begun. That fact alone sent heat rushing into her cheeks. Wet and ready, she took two fingers inside her the next time and heard him chuckle again.
“And I thought I was the impatient one.”
She gasped, sucking in a deep breath and biting hard on her lip as he drew his fingers from her heat, flicking her swollen clit along the way.
“I am not.” She protested, knowing it was a lie the moment the words passed over her lips.
"Okay. But next time I get to make love to you my way. And that includes some prep work on my part."
"Mmmm." Celeste sighed as he slid between her legs, notching the thick head of his cock at the entrance to her core. "How do you know there is going to be a next time?"
He thrust his hips forward, embedding his length inside of her to the root. He lowered his lips to her breasts and nipped and sucked.
She loved the weight of him on her and inside her and held him close, wrapping her legs around his hips.
"Because I do." Charles groaned, the vibration rumbling against her breasts. "I love how responsive you are."
Celeste purred and marveled at how well he filled her hollow places. Happiness and a sense of completion washed through her, and she glanced up at him from beneath her lashes.
"Just wait till you feed me cookies. I'll do anything for cookies."
"Oh. I plan on it. And this time, you'll take what I give you." Charles ground his hips against her, his body brushing against her erect clit.
Celeste cried out as the first flicker of orgasm rolled through her. She grasped his biceps, her nails digging into his flesh. Fireworks lit behind her eyes, and she convulsed as her pussy spasmed. She arched her back, bucking her hips and digging her heels into his back, encouraging him.
Charles thrust into her, his tempo increasing following her movements easily as she whimpered and shook as she released all the pent up tension, her desire for him, everything in a rush of juices from her core.
Her body was molten. Filled within and on fire without, she burst into a million stars.
Charles grasped her generous buttocks, buried his face against her neck, and held her tight as he pumped within her, his own orgasm filling the condom.
As the last of her climax retreated in delicious spasms, Celeste buried her face in his hair, her hands still holding his arms tight. He would feel those nail marks later.
The world went fuzzy. Her senses came back to her, and she found him smiling sleepily at her.
"Did I wear you out?"
“Oh... I don't think so. The night is just beginning."
"Don’t be too sure about that, cookie boy."
"Oh, I am sure. It's my Christmas wish. I already got the first one, so the second one can't be far behind."
Celeste blinked up at him, confused. "What?"
Charles pulled out and tidied himself up. He turned back to her, a curious smile on his face. "You asked me why I came home. I only gave you a partial answer." He sat down on the towel next her and gathered her into his arms.
"What was the other reason? You said you wanted something simpler."
"And I do. But part of that was you. I never forgot you. Not after all those years. I made up my mind that if you were available, I was going to do everything in my power to make you mine."
Celeste gazed into his eyes. "Did that include stealing my strudel recipe?"
Charles grinned. "No. That was to get you mad enough to respond to me. I want to help you, not ruin your business."
"How?"
"You focus on the things you do the best, and that, my dear, is strudel. I'm your biggest mail order customer. Believe me, I know."
Well, I’ll be damned.
"But you guys have the fancy new bakery." She protested, narrowing her eyes.
"I'll share."
"What?" Celeste moved from his arms and sat up.
Charles pulled her back into his arms. "I want you to be partners with me and Cally. Coming here was just the last piece of the pie. I mean, if you'd consider it. It has been a long time, but, I'd really love it if you would." He pulled back and looked her in the eyes.
Celeste blinked, a warm sensation working through her insides. He wanted her. Not the strudel. Her. And this time there were no asshole jocks to scare her to death. Just here and now surrounded by a room full of holiday cheer and a love that had been a long time coming.
"I know it's only been today, but I don't see a future without you in it. I came home to find you. To make you see that the time for running is over."
Happy tears prickled against her eyes. "Kiss me, Gingerbread Man."
It was a Christmas miracle. With cookies.
Turn the page for a taste from
Mistle Tie Me: A Shapeshifter Holiday
Romance (Shifting Hearts Dating App Book 1)
Excerpt
Shifting Hearts Dating App…where goddess power meets technology in the quest for love.
At least that’s what Rafe Matheson is trying for when his sister and part owner of Shifting Hearts Dating Agency approaches him about creating an app that will take them into the next level
of the dating stratosphere. There’s just one catch. It has to be ready for Valentine’s Day launch. Holy jingle bells!
Annoyed with her daughter’s annual trip to the Underworld, Demi decides to crash Hades’ party at the Elysian Club, but she finds out she’s not as immune to the hot, writhing bodies as she thought. Especially one body in particular…
Nick is a polar bear shifter on Hades’ indentured payroll. When he catches sight of a sexy goddess in the throng of festive nightclub goers, he knows this won’t be a holiday party he’ll soon forget.
Chapter One
“You want me to do what?” Rafe Matheson raised an eyebrow at his sister Paige. He was buried deep in his web design project and struggling to hide his annoyed scowl at the interruption.
The door to his office had been closed and that usually meant he was off limits and in the zone. Not that it stopped his sister. Ever. He borrowed space for his web business in return for his being the sole tech support at Shifting Hearts Dating Agency. And with her partner, Sylvia’s Harry Dresden like computer jinxing skills, it was practically a full-time job. He’d lost count of how many new computers he’d installed since he came on board. And that didn’t even include the phones.
“Design an app. You know, for the agency.” Paige grinned. “I’ve been researching. Everyone has one now and it will be perfect to launch over Valentine’s Day.”
Of course, she had. That was his sister…never letting a sleeping cat lie. If anyone had ever embraced the online shopping craze, it was her, as evidenced by the parcels continually being dropped off by a certain grey van with a very familiar logo.
But he really shouldn’t complain. If they didn’t have grocery and restaurant delivery options, he would most likely never eat again. It seemed like he never left his office these days, except to go home, sleep a couple of hours, wake up, gurgle some badly made k-cup coffee, and then he was out the door and back at the office.
The Gingerbread Man (Sinful Sweets Book 1) Page 3
