Chapter 23 #2
That was not my story to tell, but I shared one thing. “She’s never had ice cream again. Can barely look at it.” We all knew to keep it away from her, but it wasn’t something she could avoid in the world at large.
“Were you close to him?”
“I was. I used to sit by his desk and watch him work whenever I could. Even at a young age of eight or nine. I wanted to be like him when I grew up. Running the company and living with a woman I loved. Then he was gone, and I was a little lost. Even though I was a teen, pain had never really struck our family before. We were, hell, we are, privileged. Money could protect us from a lot, but it didn’t matter in this case. Nothing could heal us.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, brushing away another tear. “It’s not enough, I know, but I am. I had time to say goodbye to my grandparents, and even that was hard. I can’t imagine losing someone in an instant like that.”
Raising my hand, I cupped her cheek, running my thumb under her eye, gathering the moisture that lingered.
All the joy had left her face, and I didn’t enjoy seeing her that way.
I hated that my story, my life, had made her sad.
I leaned in, taking the gentlest of kisses from her lips.
The moment didn’t call for anything more, just a simple connection.
Somehow it rocked me more than the night we’d had.
Danger, Clayton. This is dangerous territory.
“Come on. Enough of that for now. Show me how you’re going to turn this into a place a couple would want to get married in.”
Her smile lit her face again, and something in me eased. “Oh, don’t you know by now that I have talent, Clay. This will be a picture-perfect event space when I’m done.”
I knew all about her talent, and that’s what worried me.
“So, where exactly am I taking us?” I asked as Reese shut the car door after settling into the passenger seat.
“Head to town. We’re meeting at Pour Decisions.”
I glanced her way and almost swallowed my fucking tongue.
“Fuck. You look incredible.” She wore a denim miniskirt that barely covered anything and a green top that appeared as if it were wrapped around her breasts and little else of her torso.
Breasts that were on full display. A deep reddish/plum lipstick beckoned me to do my damnedest to kiss it off her.
For a second, I considered dragging her out and up the stairs to her apartment, setting her on the table, and finding out what she wore underneath.
At the very idea of tasting her pussy again, my cock hardened to steel. My suit pants would have been much more forgiving, but I figured I’d tried to fit in today. Jeans that were not stretched to the limit. If I came away without a zipper imprint on my cock, it would be a miracle.
Thoughts of her consumed me when she wasn’t near. I would never have said she was my type, but right now I couldn’t even imagine anyone else.
One time with Reese hadn’t even come close to being enough. The urge to take more was overwhelming.
I hadn’t been at all prepared for the way spending time with this woman hit me.
“You’re not looking half bad yourself. Who knew jeans and a white Henley would work for you.” Her gaze raked over my body, somehow making my cock even harder. “I’m going to have to beat the women away tonight.”
The hint of possessiveness in her words and tone pleased me. “Don’t worry, Little Trouble, you have all of my attention.”
I’d prefer to give it to her right now, preferably as she rode me, but we had a family outing to get to. “Buckle up and let’s go.”
Her mouth ticked up as she reached for the belt. “You know, you don’t have to do this. Ever was just trying to yank your chain.”
She would not get out of this evening that easily.
“Don’t you want to spend more time with me?
” I turned toward her and leaned in, instinctively following her as she tried to retreat further into the seat.
“Tell me you didn’t wear that outfit for me.
That you aren’t trying to tempt me.” Reaching over, I skimmed my hand up her bare thigh until it played at the edge of the denim.
“That you don’t want me to slide my hand up that skirt of yours and finger your pretty pussy. ”
“What? I always dress like this when we go to Pour Decisions,” her words bordered on breathless, making me doubt every one of them.
Jealousy slid through me at the thought of other men seeing her looking like the most perfect fucking snack in the world. It was primitive and decidedly not the way I acted. Never in my life had I felt jealousy over a woman, but something about Reese brought it out in me.
It made me want to hide her away and show her off all at the same time. Exclaim to everyone, this fascinating and beautiful woman was all mine.
Mine?
The word felt odd, yet strangely right at the same time.
Sitting back, I attempted to pull myself together.
Meeting her family with a hard-on from hell was not the way to go.
Sucking in a deep breath, I pulled out from in front of her apartment and headed into town.
“Why do I doubt that? I am excited to meet everyone I haven’t already met before. It’ll be nice.”
“Oh, it’ll be something.” I caught her looking at me out of the corner of my eye.
“What’s it like growing up as part of such a big family?
” I only had my siblings, parents, and grandparents.
We were a small group, but remarkably close considering not all wealthy families are.
Now my group was even smaller, and I realized there was something very special about time spent around Reese’s.
“Crazy. Wild. Wonderful.” She grinned my way, happiness apparent on her face even in the low dashboard lights.
“We were always together. No matter where you turned, there was a cousin close in age, so we had built-in friends. The only ones who didn’t are the twins, but they had each other.
It was camping overnight amid the vines and hikes up the mountain and swimming in the creek.
I can’t even imagine growing up or one day raising a family anywhere else. ”
The thought of Reese with a family hit me like a sledgehammer. It wasn’t something I would be a part of, so why did it bother me so much?
“Now, we like to get together once a month for breakfast at the B&B, then once for karaoke at Pour Decisions. Even though we all see each other all the time, most of it’s about work or family stuff. This gives us time to hang out, though work always comes up.”
I couldn’t imagine having that type of relationship with so many relatives. Hell, I couldn’t imagine having that many relatives in the first place.
“I don’t have any cousins, and my siblings and I are always putting out fires all over the world. We spend more time on FaceTime or Zoom than at a local bar.” Then her words hit me. “Karaoke? No, absolutely not.” There were some things even this woman couldn’t get me to do.
“Yes. Absolutely yes. Unless you don’t want to go anymore. I’m sure no one would consider you that much of a chicken if I walked in alone.”
No fucking way was that happening. Not with her dressed like sin. “Does everyone know I’m coming?”
“Word travels really fast in our family. Ever sent a text telling everyone she invited you within a minute of leaving the table.” A flash of movement caught my eye, and I watched her slide her hand on her leg, exactly where mine had been moments ago.
“Karaoke was the one activity everyone could agree on, even if not everyone participates.” She inched her hand a little higher.
“I could probably make it worth your while later on.”
This woman would kill me.
Not only was she sexually torturing me, this was the first time she had even hinted at more time together. It was a far cry from waking up alone and trying to track her ass down.
I enjoyed this much more.
“Why don’t you make it worth my while right now?” My voice dropped low, letting lust take over. “Show me what you’re wearing under that skirt.”
With a raise of her brow and a tilt to her lips, she bartered, “What makes you think I’m wearing anything?”
“You better be.” The words came out of me with a growl.
“Oh, really?” A naughty smirk appeared on her face. “Why?”
“Because what’s under that skirt is mine.” Possessiveness like I’d never experienced rode me hard about this woman. The thought of other men looking at her, wanting her, damn near drove me insane.
“I believe,” she purred, “it’s mine.”
“You believe incorrectly.”
“Maybe.” Curling a lock of hair behind her ear, she looked at me out of the corner of her eye. “Get a move on, or we’re going to be late. You don’t want to be late. Trust me. Lateness gets you an automatic song, not of your own choosing. Mrs. Colson is serious about her karaoke night.”
Putting the car in drive, I headed down the driveway and onto the road leading to town. “Who’s Mrs. Colson?”
“She and her husband Kent own Pour Decisions. She was a teacher at the high school, but when a chance to buy it came up, she jumped at it. Apparently, she’d always wanted to own a bar, so they snagged it.
She spruced it up a little, so it wasn’t the ‘old man’s bar’ like we used to call it.
Then she added a karaoke machine, which let me tell you, is quite the hit. ”
She chuckled, the sound of happiness washing over me in a way that wasn’t familiar.
I adored my family, but there was less of a light-hearted feeling among us.
Money and power didn’t allow it. That’s not Reese’s world at all.
Would she fit into mine? Would she even want to?
Did I want her to? This thing between us was powerful, but it was fleeting.
In a couple of weeks, I’d head back to New York, hopefully with a deal in my pocket and a way to get Reginald out of my hair.
Maybe I’d see her again as her plans progressed, but chances were I’d move on to other deals, and she’d stay here in her home working with someone else from Montgomery.
The thought of leaving here and not seeing her again didn’t sit well with me, and that was something I didn’t really want to consider.
I pulled into the bar’s lot, turning to Reese as I opened my door. “Stay there.”
Whether too shocked to move or actually paying attention, she remained seated as I rounded the car, opened her door, and extended a hand. “Grandfather taught me well.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything, I guess.” She placed her hand in mine, turning to extend her legs out and stand. “The men I’ve dated haven’t been big on chivalry.”
With a tug, I pulled her flush against my body. “I really don’t want to hear about any other damn men.” The words came out harsher than I intended, but they felt right.
“Well, now. I think I like that.” She backed up a step, and I reluctantly let her move.
She slipped her hand in mine, surprising me, and led me to the entrance.
“Anyhow, every week she hosts karaoke night, each with a different theme. I think she makes it ‘80s night on purpose when she knows we’re all coming in.” A smile played on her lips, and I couldn’t help but join in her merriment.
It felt oddly good to be so relaxed. “So, we sing songs released before we were born, make fools of ourselves, and laugh at each other. It’s a good time.
Sometimes the parentals even come, but lucky for you, not tonight.
” She licked her lips, a move that had my dick thickening once again.
“And maybe if you’re good, you’ll get to see what’s under my skirt. ”
I wasn’t exactly sure karaoke sounded like the definition of a good time, but Reese was quickly showing me I may not be that well versed in the concept.
In my mind, a good time would be quietly sitting and watching the blonde-haired, blue-eyed spitfire who made me crazy show me exactly what she wore under that excuse for a skirt.
That sounded like the perfect time.
Reese reached for the door, and I couldn’t resist the urge a second longer.
Something, hell, everything about her, spoke to me in ways I didn’t understand but was having a hard time avoiding.
I put a hand on hers to halt her movement.
With my other hand, I tunneled through her hair, gripped the back of her head, and tipped it back.
Placing my lips on hers, I whispered, “I’ll try your good time now, if you let me show you mine later.
” With my tongue, I parted her lips and dove deep.
Our tongues tangled, and I deepened the kiss, wanting her to be as off-kilter as she made me.
Minutes dragged on, her taste and scent invading me.
Releasing her mouth slowly, I ended the kiss with a final nip of her lip.
“And I’m definitely going to find out what’s under that skirt.
Right before I spread you open and lick you until you moan my name.
I didn’t have nearly enough of a taste. You want to come on my tongue again, right?
You liked it the other night. After that, you can get my cock again. ”
Reese’s eyes widened, her breath coming in quick pants as she licked her lips. “I loved it.” This woman was a revelation at every turn. Giving as good as she got, sometimes better. “You think you can make me scream again?”
“Oh, I know it,” I responded before capturing her lips once again in a bruising kiss. She reached her arms around my waist, her fingers grabbing my ass and pulling my body closer to hers.
“Really, Reese? In the middle of town?”
Slowly, I lifted my head, worried that her cousin catching us would embarrass her. Opening my mouth, I got cut off before I could speak.
“Yes, really. Sometimes the mood just strikes, Beck. Get a damn woman and you may realize that again.” Reese pulled away, opened the door and stepped through, leaving me alone with her cousin.
“You’ve got her lipstick on you.” He slapped me on the back. “Good luck, man. You’re going to need it with her.” He too opened the door, turning back and adding, “One warning though. Hurt her and die.”
I let the door close a second time and stood alone in the sultry night air. Only a few families lingered by the restaurant several doors down and the ice cream shop farther down the street.
I wasn’t sure what had possessed me to haul her to me and take her mouth like I had. Not true. Reese possessed me.
The words felt right. From the beginning, something felt different. About me. About this deal and this place. About Reese. It felt as if she’d taken possession of a part of me I never knew I had. A part that wasn’t all business and money, status and power.
The door opened, and Beck stuck his head out. “You coming in?”
Grabbing the handle, I strode through the door, ready to use all the luck I had to handle my Little Trouble.