Chapter 40 – Brinley
brINLEY
“ Y ou’d really change the Copper Cup’s name?” Eden asks, aghast. We’re sitting on the couch, sharing a bottle of wine and a big bowl of M&Ms.
I shrug. “If I’m going to pivot to an all-romance store, I might as well commit to it. A new name, a new shop.”
“Do you have a name in mind?”
“I was thinking maybe the Peppermint Press? Or is that too crazy.”
Eden shakes her head. “It’s perfect. Your fans will love it, and it’ll get press to cover your opening.”
I cringe. “I don’t have fans .”
“Fine. Admirers of your work, if you insist. They know you because of Peppermint, so honestly, it’s just smart branding.”
“Did I show you the sketches from the interior designer yet?” I ask.
Eden perks up. “No! Show me immediately.”
I pull up the email and we both crowd around the phone while I point out the new features. “That’s where she wants to put the recommendation wall. And she wants to replace the wooden chairs with armchairs and couches, so people can curl up with a book.”
“I love the burgundy color for the café,” Eden says. “Wait—is that a picture of Fabio?”
I chuckle. “If by picture, you mean life-sized cardboard cut out, then yes. Fabio’s just an example, though. The idea is that we have a book boyfriend of the month, and people can come and pose for photos with him. We can also create special pop-ups for author signing events.”
“This is amazing, Brin. I can’t believe you got it all together so quickly. You went from idea to execution like that.” She snaps her fingers.
“Well, I’m still in the planning stage, but I think I’m close to finally making it happen.”
With Beau and Eden’s help, I was able to hit the ground running with my idea to transform the Copper Cup from a café that sells books to a destination for romance readers, built around community and women who refuse to hide what they love.
Beau’s already talking about expanding and multiple locations.
He’s getting way ahead of himself, but it feels good to have all his support.
“I hope I’ll be around long enough to help you open shop.” Eden sighs.
“Not if you stick to your original deadline.” It’s almost fall, and even though Eden was able to help out with a few events at the Whitmer, she still hasn’t found a permanent gig. “I’m all for you extending it, by the way. I love having you here, and you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“As much as I appreciate the offer, I can’t sleep at your place forever,” she says. “Eventually you’re going to move in with Beau, or he’ll move in here. Either way, you don’t need me around cramping your style.”
I throw my arm dramatically over my eyes. “Tell me you’re not leaving me, Eden. Not after all we’ve been through!”
“Maybe not. I might have an idea.”
“Oh yeah? What is it?”
“I don’t want to get into the details. It’s not a sure thing.”
I frown. “What, are you blowing all your savings on lottery tickets or something?”
“Or something,” she says vaguely. “Let’s just say that if it works out, I’ll have enough money to float myself all the way through until spring.”
Of course, I have a million questions. Is Eden getting into bank robbing, or getting a sugar daddy? Do I have to be worried about her? I had to force myself not to push her. She never pried when I was spiraling about Luke and Peppermint. I owe her some privacy–for now, anyway.
Eden’s phone buzzes. She checks it and laughs, angling the phone toward me. “Right on time. Jasper’s daily check-in.”
Jasper
Haven’t heard from you in two days. Sending proof of life request. Also, does your building have a carbon monoxide detector? I read an article.
Rolling her eyes, Eden takes a selfie with her glass raised. I make a silly face in the background. She sends it to Jasper with the caption, “alive, thriving, detectors present.”
I shake my head. “Your brothers are absolute madmen. They’re going to lose it when you start dating someone.”
Eden’s smile flickers a bit. “That’s a problem for future Eden. For now, I’m free, and I plan to enjoy it.”
The key clicks in the door, and Beau walks in, grinning. Immediately, he strides over and kisses me. Fiercely. I would laugh at the intensity of it if it didn’t make me feel all melty and dreamy.
“What was that for?” I ask when he finally pulls away.
“Nothing. Just happy. And hi, Eden.”
My friend laughs and shakes her head. “Well, it’s time for me to head to my room and put on my noise canceling headphones. Please, carry-on.”
Beau picks me up and hoists me over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. “Will do.”
He carries me straight to my bedroom and tosses me on the bed. I won’t lie—it still gives me butterflies when he uses his big muscles to toss me around, even though it probably makes me a bad feminist.
Beau crawls on top of me, my favorite lopsided smile spread across his face. “Hi,” he says.
“Hi back.”
We grin at each other like idiots for a moment, then his mouth is on mine, hot and hungry.
He tastes me like I’m the dessert at a five-star restaurant while he tugs off my shorts and underwear.
He only stops kissing me to take off my shirt, then his.
Then he’s back on top of me, his weight deliciously heavy.
I’ll never get over how good it feels to drag my fingers over his defined chest, built by hard work at the gym, which is no longer driven by anxiety. Sometimes, I can’t believe how gorgeous my boyfriend is. I can’t believe he chose me.
Then he’ll do something like kiss my neck and whisper, “I’ve been waiting to do that all day,” and all my doubt disappears.
The hard line of his cock presses against me through his jeans. I reach between us to undo his button, and Beau sits up for long enough to take off his pants.
Long enough for me to climb on top of him, too. I straddle him, flattening my palms against his pecs and leaning down to kiss him. His hands rove over my thighs, my ass, my back, my breasts. He touches me like he can’t get enough of me.
I gasp when his fingers find my clit. He circles it slowly, deliberately.
“Sit back up so I can watch you, Brinley baby,” Beau says.
Because I love the way he looks at me, I follow orders without an argument.
He strums my clit with one hand while he teases my nipples with the other.
His cock strains directly under my core, adding an exquisite pressure against my sensitized pussy.
Electric heat shoots through me in little jolts as he coaxes me towards an orgasm.
The whole time, he looks up at me like I’m something precious. His eyes move from his hand on my pussy to my face and back again, watching for my pleasure. Anticipating it.
His thumb angles slightly, and I gasp, my head falling back as a quiver of pure bliss shoots through me. Beau chuckles.
“That’s right, Brin. Show me how much you love it when I touch you.”
I grind my hips against his cock. My eyes fall closed as a cord inside me tightens. My breathing grows fast and heavy as heat licks up my spine. Beau’s rhythm never wavers as he draws my climax out from deep inside me, the way he always can.
The cord snaps and my orgasm hits me like a wave, crashing over me with overwhelming force. The only things that exist in the world are me and Beau and how fucking good he makes me feel.
Gently, Beau shifts me forward so he can fist his cock while I come down. His knuckles brush against my back as he pumps himself lazily.
My thighs still shaking, I pull myself up to hover over the thick head of his cock.
Never taking my eyes from him, I slowly sink down onto the tip.
Beau swears under his breath, his eyes fixed on the place where we’re joined.
Stretching around him stings, but only for a second before my greedy pussy begs me for more.
Beau’s hands close over my hips, supporting me as I pull back and slide further, inch by agonizing inch. I get impatient sometimes, wanting to be full of him, but he always forces me to slow down. To ease his way into me.
We both groan when my hips finally meet his. The ridge of his head rubs against a spot inside me that makes me see stars. I rock my hips gently, not wanting to pull back too much. It’s just so good to have him fully inside me, and I’m not ready to give it up yet.
He reaches for my clit again, stoking the fire inside me as I grind against him. I lean slightly forward, pieces of my hair falling over my shoulders, and Beau smiles.
“Have I ever told you how much I love your hair when it’s down?”
“Yes.” I lean down and brush my lips against his once, twice. “Every time you see it down.”
“Because it never looks less beautiful.” His tongue presses into my mouth, scraping against my teeth, coaxing me to kiss him harder.
I’m too busy kissing him to ride him, so Beau takes over, thrusting his hips up against mine.
Over and over, pressing that spot inside me that he can only reach at certain angles.
Angles he’s spent hours finding. My inner muscles clench tightly around him as another orgasm looms.
“I’m close,” I murmur against Beau’s lips. “I want you to come with me.”
He growls. “Every time, Brin.”
We press our foreheads together, gazes locked, as white heat spirals inside me. I gasp in a breath and Beau thrusts in just the right way, and I’m coming again. My back arches as pleasure sweeps over me. Beau groans, not bothering to be quiet as he follows right behind me, filling me as he comes.
When we’re done, we don’t move. There are no more rules, no careful timing, no listening for someone at the door, no choreography of pretending. We have all night and nowhere we need to be.
And of course, when I fall asleep, Beau stays.