Chapter 11
“Did you feel obligated to take over the shop, or do you really like it?” I asked River as I rolled out some cookie dough.
“Honestly, a little bit of both. I knew there was nobody else that could run it like my grandmother. She used to tell me stories about wanting to open her own cookie shop and how she got started, all the while showing me how to bake them. We would spend hours in her kitchen trying new recipes and just talking. It meant so much to her, so it was only right that I took over. I pray I have at least one child I can pass the torch to.”
The sun hadn’t risen yet, but River had me in the shop, baking cookies. It had been a couple of weeks since we spent real time together because she had been busy, and I had gone out of town for business. We talked every day, and even FaceTimed, but it wasn’t the same.
“I think it’s dope that you took on this task, and you are doing a great job. I’m sure Amelia’s will be around for years to come, regardless of who’s in charge. You have great, reliable staff here. Too many people have too much respect for your grandmother to let it fail.”
River’s grandma, Amelia, was one of the sweetest people I’d ever met. She treated me the same way she treated River and Jordan. I didn’t spend as much time with her as they did, but she never hesitated to call me her grandson.
“Thanks. I don’t see myself leaving any time soon, but I will take a step back when it’s time to start a family.” She put the pans of cookies in the oven that we had prepared already, then got some more dough from the industrial-sized fridge.
“And when is that going to be?” I asked as I kneaded the dough she passed me.
Her arms were working overtime, stretching out the ball of dough and then shaping it into cookies.
“I don’t have a specific timeframe, but I would like to be married first.”
Out of nowhere, the thought of marrying River popped into my head.
She was more than capable of being wifey material; I just needed to get past her brother.
I wanted to make sure he was good with it before we got to that point, but with her wanting to keep it a secret, who knew when that would happen.
“Would you be upset if you got pregnant before you got married?”
“Not upset, but it would bother me a little. I know a marriage doesn’t guarantee a lasting relationship, but I just feel like it’s more stable when bringing a child into the world.”
I was glad that she still had a positive outlook on marriage, even though her parents didn’t work out. I guessed it helped that they remained friends over the years.
“I can see that. Do you think you have any toxic traits?”
She glanced at me and giggled. “Yeah. I feel like every time I get upset, I have to buy myself something.”
“Something like what, River?”
“Don’t judge me, but usually some food or dessert.” She hid her face for a second, then focused on the batch of cookies in front of her.
The sound of my chuckle bounced off the walls. It was quiet in the shop except for the two of us since it wasn’t set to be open for another few hours.
“No judgment here. What’s your go-to meal?”
“The triple dipper from Chili’s, especially now that they have those hot mozzarella sticks. Hmm. So good.” She did a little shoulder shimmy.
“I haven’t had those yet. Maybe we can go try them one day.”
“We can.”
We fell silent for a little bit as we finished up the rest of the cookies. I never realized how calming baking cookies could be; it was a great way to start the day. I had a few things to handle at work, and then I would spend more time with River before the day was over.
Jordan had been busy with his family, so we hadn’t had much time to hang out, but we talked often.
So far, he hadn’t expected anything between River and me since the day of the party.
I wanted to tell him, but I had to respect River’s wishes of keeping it a secret, and I enjoyed having her to myself.
I left the shop a little bit before her employees came, then went home to get ready for the workday.
“Guess what I got?” I held up the bag of food as a smile graced River’s face.
Her eyes darted to the bag, then back at me.
“If you got the triple dipper, I will suck your dick right here.”
I damn near dropped the bag on the floor as I stepped inside the house.
“Babygirl, don’t play with my emotions like that.”
River giggled and took the bag from my hand.
“Okay, maybe not right this second because I don’t want the food to get cold, but add a blowjob to the itinerary.” She winked and walked to the kitchen.
I had to adjust myself before I joined her. She was at the counter pulling the food containers from the bag.
“Since you mentioned the triple dipper, I decided to get myself one as well,” I told her as I walked up next to her.
“You won’t regret it.” She passed me one of the containers, and I walked over to the table.
Once she had everything she needed, she joined me at the table. It was quiet as we ate. I could see this being our normal routine—eating and discussing our days at work.
“This was a good choice.”
River smiled. “I told you. I swear I get this at least once a week. It’s probably not a good idea, but I can’t help it. Comes in handy when I don’t know what I want to eat, because it gives me a variety.”
“For sure. Now you gonna have me getting this shit. I better up my workouts in the morning.” I dipped one of the mozzarella sticks into the ranch dressing.
I had never thought about dipping mozzarella sticks into ranch dressing until River mentioned how good it was.
“I don’t know how you work out and do disc golf. I would be tired.”
Exercise was good for targeting specific muscles. Playing disc golf was to relieve stress, as well as help me stay in shape.
“The golf is only once a week. Working out is every day. Have you learned any new Spanish words?”
I thought it was cool that she was learning Spanish. I picked up a few words from different countries over the years.
River wiped her mouth and smiled. “I did. Dame un beso.”
“And what does that mean?” I didn’t tell her that I already knew what that meant, but I’d heard it before. She looked so proud to have learned it.
“Give me a kiss,” she said as she leaned forward.
We were done eating, so I pushed the containers to the side and leaned closer to her.
“You know I don’t have a problem with that. And I like the way you said that shit. Say it again,” I whispered against her lips.
My dick pressed against the front of my pants when she repeated it. I obliged her request and connected my lips with hers.
It was only a quick peck because there was a table between us. I broke the kiss, then leaned back in the chair.
“Come here.”
River wasted no time getting out of her chair and coming over to my side. When she got close enough, I pulled her onto my lap.
“Coye, my chair isn’t that sturdy.” She giggled as I kissed the side of her neck.
“I’ll buy you another chair, River,” I told her as I nuzzled my face in her neck. She smelled so good and was so damn soft.
“Coye.” She moved and laughed again. “Wait, I wanted to run something by you.”
I could tell whatever it was, it was serious by the tone in her voice.
“What’s up?” I focused on her eyes that stared into mine.
She looked down at my fingers that traced circles over her exposed thighs. She’d been home for a while from work, so she had on pajama shorts and a shirt.
“I was thinking we could go see my dad and talk to him about us. Like to get his opinion on things.”
I knew how important her father’s opinion was to her about the people she dated. I also knew that even though she didn’t say it often, she was still worried about what her brother would think.
“I think that’s a good idea. We can go tomorrow if you want.” I didn’t have much to do at work, but I would move some things around if she needed me to.
“Okay. Tomorrow is good.”
I pecked her lips. “Just let me know what time.”
She said okay and eased off my lap until she was on the floor. I didn’t protest when she reached for the band of my pants. She eased her hand inside and gripped my dick. I made it jump as she ran her finger over the head.
“I owe you something, don’t I?” She smirked.
“You don’t owe me, but I be damned if I turn it down.” I let out a low chuckle, then a hiss when she squeezed it.
I lifted my hips when she tried to pull my pants down. Once my dick was free, she licked the precum that leaked.
“Mm.” She moaned as she licked and sucked just the head.
I watched through hooded eyes as she engulfed my entire dick with her mouth.
“Damn.” I gathered her hair so I could see her face. With her hair in my hands, I helped guide her head.
“Just like that,” I encouraged as my hips moved to meet her mouth.
River moaned, and I groaned. When I was close to coming, I stopped her.
“I need to be inside you, now.” I picked her up from the floor and carried her to the living room. I laid her down on the couch and pulled her shorts to the side. I didn’t want to waste time pulling her shorts down. They were short enough, so I had enough room.
An audible groan escaped both of us when I entered her. I had one foot on the floor and the other one on the couch, with River’s leg over my shoulder.
“Shit. Baby. Girl. This pussy got my dick in a chokehold.”
“Coye.” One of her hands was on my chest.
I leaned forward when she pulled me close by the chain around my neck.
“You feel too damn good, River. Fuck.” I used a finger to apply pressure to her clit because I needed her to cum before I did. I was tempted to pull out and eat her pussy, but the shit felt too good.
I put my hand under when her back arched off the couch. I held her as close as possible while she rained her sweet nectar onto my dick.
Before she could finish, I came deep inside of her walls.
After releasing myself completely, I leaned down and kissed her lips.
“Let’s get cleaned up, and we can watch a movie.”
By the look on her face, I knew she wouldn’t be up for long.
“Okay.”
I chuckled as her mouth said one thing, but her body said another. She tried to get comfortable, but I picked her up and carried her to the bathroom.
I was curious to see what Pop Dean had to say about us, but regardless, I wasn’t stopping unless she wanted me to.