Craving More (11 page)
Authors: Brandy Walker
Sam
grabbed his own beer, joining him at the table.
Jett
looked in her direction. He had to strangest urge to make her as uncomfortable
as he was. “Not bugging her. Just trying to get to know her one-on-one. Isn’t
that right Corrine?”
Her
back stiffened for a second before tossing an eye roll in their direction. She
let out a halfhearted irritated huff. “He wasn’t bugging me. Just standing
around clueless like most men in the kitchen,” she said, her voice light and
breezy.
“Clueless?”
he said questioningly. Waiting for her to turn her attention his way, their
gazes locked. “Next time you can give me a hands on demonstration of what you
like.” He winked before raising the beer to his lips.
CHAPTER EIGHT
After
a quick shower and cup of coffee she made her way down to the bakery. The short
walk to the building always helped her focus on the tasks for the day.
She
was popping the first batch of muffins in the oven when MJ sauntered through
the door. “Morning chickie. How great was it to sleep in your own bed?”
Corrine
wasn’t sure if the grunt that came from MJ meant good or bad. “Hey, you never
told me how things went at your parents’ place.”
“You
want to talk about my problems first?” Shaking her head MJ walked right past
her and straight to the fresh pot of coffee.
Setting
to work on the next batch of goodies Corrine grinned. “Yep. You told me you’d
tell me when you got home and I’m not ready to face my issues yet. Therefore,
its your turn to spill.”
MJ
snorted. “Let’s just say my parents have lost their minds and I’m not playing
along. Don’t get me wrong, the guy they want to marry me off to is a damn good
looking and fairly decent guy, but honestly, he didn’t have to look like he was
going to the gallows whenever we were forced together. Which completely pissed
me off more since this was his damn idea. Regardless, he isn’t the one for me
and I refuse to settle.”
“What
I don’t get is why they are trying to marry you off already? You won’t be
Dewasa
for a while and even then you
have some time.” Corrine moved about the bakery’s kitchen on autopilot, keeping
busy and her mind off her own problems.
“Come
on, Rini. You know my being a hybrid is an issue. My parents have been lucky
they’ve been allowed to stay within the Pride. When they met Devon a year ago
at his mate’s funeral, they found out how supportive Devon’s parents have been
of them. So when he approached them about marrying me last month, he told them
he wanted someone in his life and even though he would never fall in love
again, he would care for me and make sure all my wants were met. He knew my parents
lamented the fact that I would never find a mate. They thought it was the
perfect way to get those last few Purists off their
asses
and for their daughter to gain the mate she would never get on her own. In
their minds its a win-win situation.”
“Except
for you,” Corrine said softly.
“Yeah,
what does my opinion matter? They have it set in their heads that I will never
find a mate and would rather me be with someone who will provide and protect me
than for me to be alone. Personally, I think they’re just trying to soothe
their own guilt about having me.”
“Oh,
MJ, that can’t be true. They love you to pieces.” Corrine moved next to MJ,
placing an arm around her shoulders. She could feel her friend’s pain rolling
off her. It was true her parents loved her but they tended to shove their foot
in it most of the time.
“They
love me because they didn’t think they could have kids and I was their big
surprise. It never crossed their minds that I would be a hybrid and how that
would impact me. It’s no biggie. I told them it wasn’t happening and to just
get over it.”
The
timer on the muffins went off interrupting them. “What did they say? I can’t
imagine your parents just backing off. And what about – what was his
name? Devon?”
MJ’s
mirthless laugh echoed in the room. “They didn’t take it well. Thought I wasn’t
giving the idea the proper consideration. As for Devon, I’m not too sure. I got
the feeling he understood, at the same
time,
he wasn’t
giving up on the idea. Which is just strange. There wasn’t one moment when he
was happy to be around me.”
They
continued working like they always did. Getting the first batches ready for the
morning crowd. Corrine zoned out, clearing her head of midnight runs, hot alpha
tigers and sex that just thinking about made her wet.
A
thud shook the floor jolting her out of oblivion. Spinning towards her friend,
Corrine burst out laughing at the sight of MJ covered in a fine dusting of
flour from the sack that had fallen at her feet.
“Okay,
that does it. This is definitely a Monday—it’s break time. Take my mind
off
my
problems. Tell me about Jett
and what went down this weekend. And don’t leave anything out. Well, you can
leave talk of Sam out. He’s not interested in me. I mean he’s not very
interesting.”
Glancing
at her watch Corrine noticed the time. Happy for the reprieve, she dashed out
of the kitchen grabbing some trays of goodies. “It’ll have to wait. Time to
open up and the staff should be here in a few minutes. And don’t think I’m
going to let that slip of the tongue go.”
“Chicken,”
she heard MJ call out as the door swung shut behind her.
Depositing
the treats on the counter, she unlocked the front door then made her way back.
The
bell over the door jingled announcing their first customer of the morning. The
tinkling sounds always a pleasure to hear. To her it was a sign that the
business was doing well. They were a success.
As
she called out a greeting over her shoulder, the one thing she didn’t expect
assaulted her. Air stopped up in her lungs and her heart went into overtime. Her
body tingled from head to toe as Jett’s scent flowed over her.
There’s no way he came here today.
She refused to turn around. Not sure if she was
afraid he would be standing in the door or that he wouldn’t be and her mind was
playing tricks on her again.
All
through the night she swore he was lying next to her in bed. The heat of his
body draped over hers while in the kitchen was forever imprinted on her skin.
She even refused to shower before bed, using the lame excuse that she was too
tired, deep down knowing it was because she couldn’t bear to wash the lingering
spice, that was purely Jett, away.
She
jumped when Jett’s thick tanned arms enveloped her. Letting out a squeak when
his lips landed on her cheek.
“Morning
kitten,” he rumbled in her ear. “Is anyone else in the shop yet?”
She
wiggled out of his arms, moving a few steps away. She faced him, hands clasped
in front to keep from grabbing him. She plastered on her best professional
look. “The staff is in back. Is there anything I can help you with sir?”
Jett’s
eyes narrowed as he stalked toward her. Taking a step forward for every two she
couldn’t help take backwards. “Don’t you sir me, Corrine. We’re way past
formalities. Now stop backing away and give me a proper good morning since I
wasn’t able to get one when I woke up.”
She
bumped into the serving counter stopping her motion. Her feet were rooted to
the spot, paralyzed by the hungry look in his eyes. He planted himself in front
of her, placing his hands against the counter on either side of her, trapping
her in. The familiar heat she was becoming accustomed to radiated from his
body, enveloping her.
Her
nipples beaded beneath the thin cotton of her shirt and apron. The latter
hopefully covering up his effect on her. The man was drop dead gorgeous in his
khaki pants and dark blue polo shirt. A hint of his family crest tattooed on
his chest peaked through the unbuttoned collar. She had the sudden urge to lean
forward and lick the base of his throat.
“Wish
me the good morning I couldn’t have cause you weren’t in my arms when I woke
up,” he whispered a second before he slanted his head taking her lips in a
searing kiss. No other part of his body touched her and it was driving her
insane.
Giving
up all pretenses of the indifferent woman, she curled her fingers into the
front of his shirt, pulling him against her. Her body sighed in relief the
second she was nestled against him. She ached to get him naked again. This time
she would spend time exploring each and every inch of his body. Learn exactly
what she could do to drive him over the edge.
After
Saturday afternoon’s encounter in kitchen, he’d kept his distance. She didn’t
know whether she was relieved or disappointed that he didn’t try to get her
alone again. She spent the rest of the day recalling the feel of his body
pressed against hers. His stiff dick nestled against her ass and wishing like
hell he would take her there. A place no other man had ventured, not for a lack
of trying though. It just didn’t seem right with any of them.
She
opted out of the Saturday night run. Letting the guys run amuck without having
to watch out for her. She needed the time away from Jett just to get her head
back on straight.
Sunday
he hung around watching sports with her brother while drawing her into idle
conversation about everything from when she was young to how she came to love
baking.
There
was the occasional touch from him, nothing more than it being the normal, pass
the butter kind though. Jett never made a move to get her alone that day. As
frustrated as she was with his lack of interest, he was able to charm her with
stories about Sam and him during college. He got further under her skin when he
talked about his younger sisters and family. The love he had for them matching
the love Corrine and Sam had for their parents.
Somewhere
along the way she got comfortable with him being around, finding she wanted to
learn more about him. Craving more of his voice and wondering what it would be
like to be able to curl up next to him on the couch and cuddle without Sam or
Jett flipping out.
By
Sunday evening she was on edge, sexually and emotionally. Her human side afraid
she was falling in love with a man she barely knew. Her tiger side knowing
Jett’s tiger was her mate and clawing to break free.
When
her brother and Jett finally took off to head to Jett’s place she breathed a
sigh of relief and immediately took care of her sexual needs. The emotional
needs were too much to deal with yet.
She
was done recalling the feel of his touch. She was getting the real thing and it
was better than ever.
The
gentle flick of Jett’s tongue against her lips had her opening in welcome. He
was slow and methodical, taking his time exploring her mouth. The sensual slide
of his tongue over hers triggered a moan. As it escaped he took possession of
her mouth. Pressing harder. Delving deeper. Claiming her.
The
jingling of the bell over the door broke them apart. Jett stepped back a
fraction. Looking down into her face. His pupils dilated, eyes glowing gold.
Corrine’s fingers were still curled in his shirt. Wrinkling it without a care.
“Good
morning,” she said barely audible to her own ears. Thanking heaven for his keen
hearing and not having to repeat
herself
.
The
corner of Jett’s mouth kicked up in a satisfied smile. “I’ll take two dozen
mixed muffins and a coffee to go please,” he said. Voice steady, without an
ounce of arousal.
Corrine’s
jaw dropped open before she remembered the customer that just walked in.
How could he act like nothing happened?
She
let go of his shirt. “Your shirt is a little wrinkled. You might want to smooth
it out a bit.” Silently pleased her tone came out low and calm, nothing like
she was feeling inside.
“Thanks,”
he said before proceeding to smooth the garment out.
Walking
around the counter she grabbed a box, filling his order. Glancing up every few
seconds to keep an eye on him. Not that she expected he would do anything to
draw attention, but she did wonder if he was paying attention to her. From the
way he was studying his shirt she didn’t think so.
Ringing
him up she pushed the two boxes of muffins toward him along with his large
black coffee. Just like he took it when he was at the house.
Jett
looked up, a sly grin caressing his lips, tossing enough money on the counter
he winked before collecting his order and left without a word.
It
was all Corrine could do not to find something to throw at his retreating back.
Fortunately for him she had customers that needed help and could take her mind
off him, even if only temporarily.
Tuesday
rolled around and she was walking on a cloud. Jett called just as she was
falling asleep the night before to wish her sweet dreams.
She
was dumbfounded that her voice was the last thing he wanted to hear before he
went to sleep. What she didn’t tell him was that she wished to hear his as
well. A whispered good night left her relaxed and content. It was one of the
best night’s
sleep
she had ever had.
