by Liz Woody
With a huff, she crossed the street and was confronted by the familiar smells of their bakery. She relaxed a little, frowning at Pansy who gave her a knowing look.
“What?” Josie demanded.
“Looks like you had your roll in the hay, or should I call it flour?” Pansy teased.
The image of Carson spreading her naked body out on the counter lightly sprinkled with flour rose to her head. She imagined him binding her limbs, spreading her legs, so he could get a taste of her honey again. Oh God. No. She blushed. What the hell? Now she couldn’t turn off the dirty thoughts pouring in her head?
“I don’t know what you mean.” Josie did though. Everyone else around her seemed to be keeping one fat secret from her but it didn’t matter. Pretty soon, she would get to the bottom of this.
Chapter Five
Thoughts of Josie pre-occupied Carson’s thoughts the rest of the day and night. Hell, that night, sleep eluded him and became an impossibility. All he could remember was his head between those soft buttery thighs and the taste of her cream on his tongue. Giving up on a goodnight’s rest, Carson went to work early. A quick glance to Josie’s bakery across the street showed him a glimpse of Josie, already hard at work.
“What are you doing with my sister?”
Carson jumped at a woman’s voice, not realizing someone walked up to him. Drawing similar physical resemblances between the young woman with the fire-hydrant hair, ink and piercings, and his Josie, he frowned.
“Pansy, right?” Carson saw twelve-year-old Josie in his mind’s eye and an eight-year-old Pansy tailing after her.
Pansy crossed her arms. “It’s a little different, but I remember your scent, the man my sister had a crush on.”
Carson couldn’t hide his surprise. He leveled his gaze at Pansy, who was probably merely acting overprotective of her older sister. “Did you tell her?”
Pansy lifted her inked shoulders for a shrug. “I think she knows. Her wolf does, anyway. I want to know if you’re going to end up hurting her.”
“Or else? Are you threatening me?” he asked.
Pansy gave him another look and laughed. “Well, I’m no longer worried.”
“Oh, what brought about the change in opinion?”
“I can sense your wolf, Alpha. It’s longing for my sister. I kind of envy her.”
Pansy walked away and Carson stared at her retreating back. Josie and his gaze crossed. She showed him the finger, he laughed as Josie questioned her sister. Not worried, Carson opened up his shop. While passionate about bread, affecting the business of the woman he loved had never been part of the plan.
Despite making that deal with Josie, he intended to move the shop anyway. Carson groaned, seeing the wall clock in the bakery. Damn it. Closing time felt like an eternity, but he would do what he could.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur as Carson busied himself with work, but his thoughts always went back to Josie. Glancing out the windows of the store, he grinned, seeing the sun set. Perfect.
“Kenny,” he told one of his employees. “I’ll be heading out early.”
He already had the entire evening planned. Whistling under his breath, Carson grabbed his coat and strolled leisurely into Josie’s store.
“Pricks aren’t welcome here,” Josie said, seeing him.
He grinned. “Aw, darling. Another arrow to the heart.”
“Closing time is still thirty minutes for us,” Josie said grumpily, clearly disappointed her insult didn’t do a thing to him.
“Go ahead, sis. I’ll watch the store and close up,” Pansy said by the cashier.
Josie bit her lip, looking between Pansy and him. Trapped.
“Do you two know each other?” She demanded.
Pansy sighed. “Josie, take a good sniff at him. He might have grown up handsome and bulked up significantly, but we both know him. He worked under dad before.”
To make her point, Pansy tapped one of the old framed photographs behind the cashier. Curious, Carson came closer, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Josie to see a picture of the old staff. Pansy and Josie stood next to their father and his teenage self stood to the right of their old man. Josie’s hand flew to her mouth.
“No,” she whispered, staring at the black-and-white photo and back to him. “It can’t be.”
“Carson Fox at your service. When I arrived in town, I didn’t know the bakery was still alive, but I’ve already signed the franchise agreement. Putting your sister and you out of business had never been my intention.”
Judging by her stubborn look, Carson knew she didn’t believe him for a second.
“Nothing changes,” she said.
“No. It’s chilly outside. Why don’t you get your coat?”
She fumed at him. Carson didn’t budge. Turning on her heel, she disappeared into the employee’s room and came out minutes later, without her apron. Josie was dressed to kill in a faded leather jacket that didn’t fail to hide all her flawless curves and matching tight skinny jeans, boots and tight shirt that emphasized the generous curves of her breasts. When she unbound her hair, Carson licked his lips.
“Let’s get this over with.” She strutted her hips on the way out, and Carson took time to admire the perfect rounded globes of her ass. Oh, very nice indeed. Pansy snorted.
“Remember my threat, Carson,” Pansy reminded him.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing,” Carson told her, following Josie out.
She blinked when he led her to his Harley.
Planting her hands on her hips, she sighed. “Why am I not surprised you ride a bike?”
“Why darling? Daunted?” Carson couldn’t help but tease. God, he shouldn’t be enjoying teasing her so much, yet he did.
“You wish. I’ve never ridden one though,” she admitted.
“Don’t worry. You don’t need to do a thing, except hold onto me tight.”
Carson took out a spare pink helmet from the back of the bike. Instead of handing it over, he placed it on her head and buckled it while she frowned at him. Tempting lovely lips. He kissed her again, just because she was so open, vulnerable, and because he could do it.
When he pulled back, she bit her lip.
“Speechless, babe? No matter. I’m told my kisses are lethal.” That earned him a punch on the shoulder, but she was smiling now, even let out a sexy little laugh. Score for the Alpha.
Mounting his bike, Carson waited until she was behind him. Hesitantly at first, she wrapped her arms around his waist. His cock stirred in his jeans when she gained confidence, tightening her hold on him.
“Good girl.”
Even riding up front, Carson could imagine her scowling. He wanted to kiss her again. Turn that frown upside down. God damn it. When she leaned into him, he could feel her amazing tits, pressing up against his shirt. He groaned.
“Two can play at this game, Alpha,” she whispered against his ear.
What a woman.
“Don’t, Josie. Anymore and I’ll fuck you against this bike and you’ll only beg me for more.”
“You—” Josie began.
Carson didn’t let her continue. Starting his engine, the bike gave a purr and they were off. She let out a ‘whoop’ behind him. He’d always known there was a certain wildness in her and he liked it as much as he loved the rest of her.
“So confident you’re going to make me beg for more, Alpha?” her breath tickled against his ear.
“Absolutely.”
“We’ll see.”
When Carson passed the streets with most of the town’s restaurants, he felt her shift behind him.
“Where are we going?”
“To my place, I’m cooking us dinner.”
Josie didn’t say anything else all the way to his house. Carson parked his bike outside the driveway, watching her dismount. Taking the helmet off, Josie curiously looked at the single-storey home.
“Nice house.”
“This used to be my parent’s home. When they died in
a car accident, I lived with my aunt and uncle. That was about the same time I worked at your dad’s bakery,” Carson explained as he dismounted. “When I came back to town, I learned this place was on sale. So I bought it. I’ve been renovating, so excuse the mess.”
She paled. “I didn’t know that, about your parents I mean. I’m sorry.”
Carson shrugged. “It was a long time ago. Sentimentality made me buy the house, and it doesn’t hurt property prices are so low these days. Come on in.”
Leading her into the porch, Carson opened the front door and switched the lights on. He helped her take her jacket off and hung it on the rack beside the door.
“Back then,” Josie mused.
Carson groaned. “I was a bull-headed and angsty teen, I know.”
She grinned. “I thought you were cool.”
“You had a massive crush on me.” Carson grinned when she crossed her arms at him again, neither confirming nor denying it. “Would you like something to drink? I just need to shove the bird in the oven.”
“Sure.”
After placing the chicken in the oven along with roasted potatoes, Carson handed her a drink. She ended up following him into the kitchen, watching him make a salad.
“Need an extra pair of hands?” she asked.
“Don’t think a man can cook?” Carson asked.
“You obviously can, seeing you’re a good baker.”
“Oh, I have Josie’s stamp of approval on my bread?”
She huffed. “Forget I said that.”
“I’d like your help,” Carson admitted. “Breads have always been my one true love, but cooking eludes me.”
She grinned. “A true man admits his weakness.”
Carson didn’t point out his true weakness was her. They busied themselves in the kitchen and to Carson’s relief, Josie began relaxing around him. At least for the moment, she seemed to forget the ridiculous notion they were enemies. They retreated to the dining room, chicken, potatoes and salad in hand. Josie eyed the amount of bacon bits he added to his salad.
“Salads are supposed to be healthy.”
“Who made that silly rule?”
She snatched the bacon bits and added some to hers too. Man. Carson missed a woman who loved and enjoyed food. He’d had enough of skinny bitches who didn’t eat a thing and starved themselves to death. Food was meant to be enjoyed with a loved one.
“I love what you’ve done with the place,” Josie said, nodding to the unpacked boxes and half-painted walls.
“It’s a work in progress. I like being busy.”
They finished dinner. Carson couldn’t help but say, “Did you notice we don’t have dessert?”
“I was hoping you’d say you’d have an amazing pie in the fridge.”
“It’s because,” Carson said dramatically. “You’re it.”
“What?” Josie furrowed her brows. So fucking cute.
“You’ll be my dessert.”
Josie’s mouth opened, and then closed. “You’re no gentleman.”
“You hate gentlemen,” Carson pointed out.
“That’s true,” she admitted.
“What more is there to say?” Carson rose to his feet smoothly. He loved it when she shuddered under his gaze. Carson let everything show in his eyes—his intent, his hunger and wondered if she knew all the filthy things he wanted to do to her body. “Come darling, it’s time I enjoyed you in the privacy of my bedroom.”
Chapter Six
Even before Carson stripped Josie off her clothes, he’d already undressed her with his eyes. Josie felt the burn of his gaze throughout dinner, as if he was imagining all the dirty things he wanted to do to her body. He frightened her, excited her. Josie didn’t know why her body reacted this way to Carson, or how it was possible he played her like an instrument. By hand, he led her to the bedroom.
This entire thing might have started out as a dare. By the end of the evening, it had the potential to turn into something more dangerous. How it escaped Josie that Carson was her father’s former apprentice, she didn’t know.
They entered his room now. She didn’t expect him to be neat and tidy. Josie’s gaze lingered on the king-sized bed, which formed the center piece of the room. She could already see Carson leaning over her figure, while she spread her legs for him and begged him for more. Josie shook her head.
Focus, Josephina.
“Tell me one thing,” Josie said, before they went any further.
Carson raised his brows.
“Why did you open Howling for Bread across my bakery?” she finally asked, desperately needing to know the answer.
“What else? To get your attention, Josie. Believe it or not, I’ve been keeping tabs on you. My mother’s been sending me news clippings of you ever since you won your first regional baking award.”
She stared at him, sitting on the edge of his bed, still recovering from the shock of his words. He was waiting all this time for her?
“All this, to get my attention?” Josie couldn’t keep the skepticism out of her voice.
Carson neared her, pupils a pure beast-yellow color. The temperature in the room suddenly went up. Josie flushed, skin turning fever-hot. She was glad she was sitting otherwise she would have swayed from his smoldering gaze alone.
“Can’t you feel our beasts, Josie? They know the truth you deny.”
“What truth is that?”
Yes, Josie knew. It wouldn’t hurt for Carson to say the words out loud though, absurd as they sounded. Hard to believe a man, an arrogant Alpha like Carson would want her. Then again, she’d never found another man able to stand up to her, or was worthy of her.
“That we’re meant to be. That you’re my mate.”
Josie’s mouth went dry. Needing a reminder that this was real, she bit her lip. The pain felt real enough, so did Carson’s touch. Tilting her chin upwards, he thumbed her lower lip, thoughtfully stroking it. Opening her mouth slightly, Josie sucked on his finger, enjoying the sound of his groan.
“Show me.”
“Let’s get those clothes off you,” Carson suggested.
She rose to her feet and he reached for the hem of her shirt. Lifting up her arms, Josie let him take off her shirt. Some men didn’t like a woman with curves, but Carson looked at her as if she was something edible. Breaths hitching, Josie took off the rest of her clothes, until she stood only in her underwear.
“Very nice,” Carson said in appreciation.
“Your turn.” Josie smiled when he mimicked the gesture, lifting his arms so she could peel off his shirt. Moving downwards, she paused by the button of his jeans. She could see his raging erection, poking through the denim.
“Go ahead, baby. Unless you’re daunted?” he teased.
“Yeah right.” She unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans. His boxers, Carson took off last. For the next few seconds, Josie stared, appreciated his thick and curving member.
“So huge,” she whispered.
“We can do this another time,” Carson said. “If you changed your mind—”
“No, I know what I want.” Josie knelt between his legs, liking his sudden change of breathing as she blew against his throbbing hard-on.
Groaning, Carson said, “You’re going to be the death of me, baby.”
“Don’t die on me too soon, Alpha. You haven’t taken my virginity yet.”
That got a growl from him. Threading his fingers into her hair, he nudged his cock head between her lips. Tongue darting out, Josie licked away the pre-cum on his tip and tongued his slit. She tasted him from crown to base all the while he let out a rumble of approval. Not neglecting his balls, she sucked on each one. Carson gave her hair a tug.
“Josie, take me in your mouth.”
Opening her jaws wide, she took him inch by inch. Gagging at first by the sheer size of him, Josie recovered and tried again. She applied careful suction, liking the taste of saltiness, of Carson on her tongue. Some women might not like giving blow-jobs, but she was an exception. There
was nothing quite like holding a man’s privates captive in her mouth.
“God, baby. You’re unexpectedly good at this,” he murmured.
It was a compliment coming from the Alpha Josie guessed had been with plenty of women before. She would have been jealous of those women, but not now, when Carson’s sole attention was on her.
He didn’t just want her for one night either, but called her his mate. Josie’s wolf responded to his large male beast, so that proved he wasn’t lying or simply placating her.
Could she truly make it work with Carson? She had a feeling he was telling the truth about opening the bakery in front of hers. Would a man really go to that extent, to win the heart of his fated mate?
Didn’t things like this only happen in movies or romantic novels?
She bobbed her head up and down, determined to make this powerful Alpha come. Gripping her hair tight, he let out a growl and she knew he was coming. Throwing his head back, Carson shot his load into her waiting mouth. Refusing to let go, Josie sucked on his softening prick, cleaning him up in the process.
“You’re damn amazing,” he murmured, offering her a hand up. “Now it’s my turn to make your body fly. Lie on the bed, on your back.”
Josie obeyed, watching him from the corner of her eye. Carson headed towards the drawer by the bed, pulling out a box of condoms. After sheathing one over his straining shaft, he returned by her side. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek, before positioning himself once more between her legs. By now, her pussy was soaking wet and her tits were hyper sensitive.
“Thank you for this gift, baby. You don’t know how much this means to me,” Carson said.
If he was indeed her mate, Carson would be the first man in her and the last. The thought gave her shivers, but the good kind.
Blanketing his body over hers, Carson took her lips again, creating a line of kisses down her throat, her collarbone. Reaching her breasts, Carson took her left nipple into his mouth. The Alpha sucked on the bud until it peaked, before moving on to her right. Groaning, Josie clawed at the sheets, needing something to hold on to. Carson placed kisses down her belly, her inner thighs, before going down on her.
Sinking her fingers into his hair, Josie moaned when he flicked his tongue across her clit.
