nine
Beryl
An insistently ringing phone wakes us early after a night filled with rediscovering each other both sexually and through quiet discussions as we lay in each other’s arms. Noah’s sister had the foresight to remind him today is Saturday and he had orders to complete and filled chocolates to create today. He grumbled and made excuses that neither Tegan nor I would listen to.
While he’s in the shower I’m supposed to be fixing us breakfast. All I’ve accomplished is leaning on the island, staring at the bathroom door and imagining him in the shower. I think I’m jealous of water droplets.
Of course he invited me to join him. If I’d done that I’m not sure he’d make it to Choco-Love this morning. I shift and wince. And I’m a little sore.
Not that he didn’t take care of me. Each time he left to dispose of the condom, he returned with a warm washcloth and towel to tenderly clean my body. He rubbed lotion on my arms and legs, massaged it into my back leaving me feeling limp and wanting. I never imagined how something so simple could be so powerfully meaningful.
If this was something he learned in Europe I can’t be upset he’d traveled there without me. He’d done things last night that had never been a part of our lovemaking. Even lost in passion, I could sense he was holding back. Almost as though he was testing me. Gauging my reaction when he angled my head by tugging on my hair or capturing my wrists above my head as he stroked into me.
I enjoyed what he did, and I’m eager to explore more. I especially want to understand more about when he circled my throat with his long fingers. And my reaction, how I wanted more. I’ve read enough to know he probably has a bondage kink. Since I hadn’t had sex for so long, I never considered the possibilities of this kind of sexual play in my life before.
I’m considering it now.
The shower turns off so I lurch into action. I don’t want to be caught daydreaming about sex or we’ll never make it out of my apartment today. As much as I’d love to just say ‘fuck it’ and be selfish, Noah is responsible for a new business that needs his skills and presence.
While I watch the sizzling sausage links and prep eggs for scrambling I listen for his footsteps.
An arm snakes around my waist and he brushes my hair to one side and kisses the back of my neck. Turning in his embrace, I cup his cheek. The damp scruff of his beard tickles my palm when he speaks. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Oh, there it is.”
“What?”
“Your sex voice.”
“My what?” A wariness tightens his eyes. Like he knows what I’m going to say and is afraid.
“Sex voice. It’s lower. Sounds growly or rusty like it comes from here.” I touch the center of his chest. “It vibrates through me. Makes my nipples ache. Makes me wet. You used it last night when you told me to come. And other times. That pitch, those vibrations, god Noah, what you do to me.”
Now his eyes are dark with promise. He leans close to my ear and actually does growl softly before saying, “Is this what you mean, baby? You like this, hmm? I like it, too. Love how you respond. That’s good, baby, so good.”
My knees are wobbly, my lady parts tingling with renewed desire, and I can’t breathe. I whimper a denial when he straightens and steps back. “We can explore those possibilities more, if you wish,” he says in his normal voice.
I don’t know how long I stand blinking at him before he kisses my forehead and scoots me out of the way with his hip. “I need to replenish my energy and get to work. Would you make some toast while I finish the eggs?”
“How do you do that?”
“Now what have I done, Beri?” He chuckles and moves the sausages to a plate before adding the eggs to the skillet.
“Go from just you to sex personified and back to you? I can’t keep up.”
Giving me an enigmatic smile he arches his brows. “Guess you’ll need to work on that. Pour me some of that coffee, please.”
Fine. I’ll let him keep his little secrets for now. I’m going to enjoy learning more about this sensual, playful side of Noah Drake.
“Want to come to the shop with me?” he asks over breakfast. “I’ll teach you how to make a filled candy. Or you can help Tegan with the taffy. I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“With Devin at Mom’s until tomorrow afternoon, I don’t have any plans. I don’t know how much help I can be though.”
“Even if you’re just there for inspiration, I’d like you to spend the day with me. Then when I’m done we won’t waste any time being apart.”
Of course I agree.
Hoping to placate his sister, Noah suggests coffee from Caffeine Beach then, since there’s no drive through or parking spaces, circles the area while I run in for our beverages. Choco-Love already has customers when we arrive and the relieved look Tegan gives us when we enter supports my decision to come along with Noah. The simple joy in her expression when he hands her the tall cup exposes the love between brother and sister.
Longing to be a part of that loving circle, I stand to one side until Noah makes an official introduction between us. Then it’s time to work. I’ve some experience on a cash register, although not one as old as Noah’s, so I take over that position. At least there’s a price list laminated to the counter so I don’t have to ask about every order.
A steady stream of people explore the shop and buy candy this morning, and Tegan handles the business with smiles and courtesy. After squeezing my hand, Noah disappears to the back of the shop. A panel behind Tegan opens to expose the workroom. I hadn’t noticed that when I was here before. But I’d been focused on Devin’s birthday and the surprise of seeing Noah again.
It”s difficult to keep my focus away from the workroom as Noah begins working on the day’s orders. His movements are precise, economical, and the display pieces come together quickly. Occasionally he looks up, catches my eye, and smiles. There’s no way I can deny the strength of his appeal. And no reason why I should.
Shortly after noon, the shop is finally quiet. We order in sandwiches and sit in Noah’s office with the door open in case a customer arrives. Tegan sighs, stretches. “Thanks for helping out, Beryl. I told Noah we need to hire help, especially for the busy times. We’re getting more and more of those. Good for business, bad on my energy level.”
Noah chuckles. “I’ve never seen you run out of energy.”
“Maybe not. We still need help. Someone to work the sales part so we can focus on product and marketing. I’ve got a couple of interviews Monday for part-time help. We can see how that goes, then maybe hire a full-time person or two.”
“Do you need me to sit in on the interviews?”
Tegan glances at me, then back to her brother. “Nah. Not as long as you trust me to make the decisions.”
The chime over the shop door sounds. Noah rises. “Trust no one better. I’ll get this. You two finish lunch.”
Once he’s gone, Tegan clears her throat. I know what’s coming. The sister ‘don’t hurt my brother’ warning. Instead she surprises me.
“Thanks for helping out today. I’m glad you and Noah are talking.” She arches one eyebrow. “And whatever.”
We both ignore the heat rising in my cheeks although now she has a knowing grin.
“Just so you know, he hasn’t told me much of anything about when he left you. I’m six years younger, so he had no reason to say anything to me then. He barely even acknowledged me. We’ve both grown up since then. I’m rooting for you. He’s happy. Calmer. I’ve seen these changes in just this past week. You’re good for him. I just hope he doesn’t mess up again this time.”
Her words settle around us. I appreciate her candor. “I’m kinda hoping that myself.”
She waves her hand in dismissal. “You two are going to be fine. I approve. Not that you need it. What about your son?” She clasps her hands together under her chin and sighs dramatically. “I would so love to be an auntie.”
After a second we both burst into laughter. Noah returns and stands in the doorway, hands on his hips. “I hope this isn’t at my expense.”
Tegan crumples her sandwich paper and tosses it toward the wastebasket. “Score. Three points for me. And no. Not this time.”
The afternoon is quiet and once the door shuts for the final time it doesn’t take long for the three of us to clean and set the store for tomorrow. Noah half-heartedly asks Tegan if she wants to join us for supper and she quickly declines making him smile. “Sorry bro. I’ve got plans. Going out with some new friends. I won’t be back until late. Just saying.”
After a pat on his arm, she disappears out the rear door and her footsteps skip up the outside stairs. Noah gathers me in his arms, glances toward the glass storefront then backs us out of sight of anyone on the street. His kiss is gentle and determined, leaving us both breathless. “We didn’t have a chance for me to show you the chocolate workroom.”
Now? He thinks about that now? When I’m ready to throw caution to the wind and make use of the couch in his office? Fine. I can play his game. There’s ways I’ll get even with him later. I take a deep, calming breath. “I watched you when I could. It’s almost like a dance, the way you move through the steps. It’s fascinating. You’re fascinating.”
“I’ve heard that said about my cousin. According to family legend, that flow of movement is part of us and the magic is only released when we discover our affinity to the chocolate.”
I’ve faced too many roadblock in my life to be a fanciful person. Yet this feels like an actual possibility. “You have a strong affinity then.”
He shrugs. “I do now. Come on, let me show you around.”
“Do all chocolate shops work like this?” I ask as he shows me his process, starting with a shelf holding a few burlap sacks of cacao beans.
“No. Some purchase paste and liquor instead of beans. Some do their own roasting. My family has agreements with a handful of smaller family farms in Ecuador. We’ve been in business with them since great-great-grandma Charity started the company. They grow ancient non-genetically modified trees and follow the specific fermentation and roasting processes Charity developed.”
“So you’re really making more than just craft chocolate here.”
His brows draw together. “What do you mean?”
“Your family started making chocolate when?”
“Early 1900’s.”
“That’s a long time. And you’re growing plants that are—what do some people call them? Oh, yeah. Heritage plants. So, I think you can honestly say you’re making legacy chocolate.”
“That’s a unique way to look at it. Might make a good advertising campaign. Remind me to tell Tegan about it. She can spin just about anything into good publicity.”
He lowers his eyelids and peers at me through his long lashes. That sexy growl rumbles in his throat. “Hmm. You need a reward for coming up with such a good idea, baby. Hmm, I have a few thoughts. I believe you’ll enjoy your reward.”