Indulgence (187 page)

Soon we were in the country and the colors were
breathtaking. I ran my hands up to his chest and rested my head on his
shoulder. Suddenly my nostrils were assaulted by the smell of cinnamon and
apples. “OH, yum!” My stomach growled in response.

“You hungry?” I replied ‘yes’ in his ear. The cider mill was
right around the next curve.

After we parked, James grabbed my hand and intertwined our
fingers as we headed toward the barn. I glanced over at him to find he was
smiling which in turn made me smile. The cider mill was packed as was to be
expected on the Sunday before Halloween.

After waiting in line we made our way to the register to
grab some donuts. The girl working behind the counter asked us if we wanted
half a dozen, a whole dozen or more.

James looked to me and I said, “I’ll take a half dozen. I’m
not sure how many
he
wants, though.” James looked taken aback.

I could hardly contain my laughter when I looked to him. He
looked baffled. “I’m kidding. Half a dozen will do. I’ll share.” I nudged him
with an elbow in his side and he laughed. We also purchased half a gallon of
apple cider, snagged two cups, some napkins and made our way outside.

He led me back to his bike and away from the bustle of all
the families enjoying that lovely day. “Did you really think I wanted all six
donuts for myself?”

James looked as though he wasn’t quite sure how to respond
to me. “Umm, I don’t make it my business to question one’s eating habits.”

James looked at me mystified. I had just put him in
dangerous territory and I knew it. I couldn’t help but bust up laughing. “Don’t
look so serious. I’m just harassing you. I could certainly eat them all, but
you make me want to share.”

I started cracking up and he relaxed. I knew exactly what I
was doing. I reached in the bag for a donut and he snatched the bag away from
me, “Hey…” I puckered my bottom lip as James put our purchases in the
saddlebag.

I watched him as he opened a compartment on the side of the
bike and placed our purchase inside. He came out holding one donut and guided
it to my lips before snapping it away. He dared take a bite out of it as my
eyes got big.

Like the gentleman he was James handed me the remainder of
the donut which put a big smile on my face. “I know a little place right up the
road. Bear with me.”

He placed the helmet on my head before putting on his own.
He then turned to me and asked if I was ready. “You got a little something…”

I wiped his lips with my thumb and then proceeded to lick my
thumb clean. James let out a groan. It was sexy as hell and I knew exactly what
I was doing.

His eye color seemed to immediately grow more vibrant.
“Wait, I missed a spot.” I stood up on my foot rest to get a better angle on his
face and trailed my tongue across his bottom lip and finished with a soft kiss.
I was gazing down at him quite pleased with myself.

I probably would’ve let him devour me right then and there,
damn the audience of families. I was looking into his eyes with a big grin on
my face. He put his arms around me and grabbed my ass. “Be careful, Cassidy. I
wouldn’t want us getting arrested for indecent acts.” He then smacked my ass.

After he pushed me back down in my seat he raced down the
road once I had placed my hands around him. I ran my hands down to his hips and
was starting to trace them over his thighs before he grabbed my hand while
shaking his head.

James grabbed my hand before I reached his groin and placed
it to his abdomen, “Stop distracting me!” We were only driving for a couple of
short minutes when he pulled onto a back road. The road led to an empty field
and I noticed a sign declaring we were on private property. He ignored the sign
and drove onto the land. He steered us toward a big tree that sat on top of a
small hill and parked nearby. I got off the bike and admired my surroundings.
The fall colors were breathtaking.

I took in my surroundings while he pulled the donuts and a
blanket out of the saddlebag. I took the donuts and cider from him as he laid
the blanket out under the tree.

“The sign said private property.”

“I’m not concerned; I know the owner,” he responded casually
and I nodded in approval before I took my seat on the blanket. He sat down next
to me and proceeded to pour cider into the cups and then handed me one of the
cups. We opened up the donuts and each took one.

“Mm, it’s so good.” I was truly enjoying the donut and so
was James. “It’s so beautiful out here.”

We were both grinning like little kids. I leaned back on my
hands with outstretched legs and enjoyed the warmth on my face. He looked like
he wanted to pounce on me and was doing everything he could to resist. I
wondered if he was trying to prove that he could be a gentleman anytime,
anywhere.

“It is. I love it out here.” He continued assaulting me with
his eyes and I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“You’re not the only one admiring the view.” I rolled my
eyes and shook my head in disagreement. “You really can’t take a compliment,
can you Cassidy?”

“I don’t know. Guess I’m not used to it.”

“Not used to it?”

“I could try to get used to it.” I smiled at him as he
closed the distance between us.

James leaned in and brushed his thumb across my cheek. Ever
so slowly, he leaned in and paused with only a breath between our lips. I was
aware that I had stopped breathing.

My breath caught as James was about to press his lips to
mine; I wanted it so much. “I’m not going to kiss you again until I know more
about you.” I let out a moan as he leaned back against the tree.

He was really enjoying himself. “What do you want to know?”
I grabbed another donut and pulled a piece off, slowly putting it in my mouth
while locking my gaze on his. I tried enticing him but it was evident he wasn’t
going to give in. I decided to start talking before he started asking questions
I didn’t want to answer.

“I have an older brother who’s a cop. Dad’s a Ford retiree.
I grew up in the suburbs. I’m a party planner, but you know that. If you want
to know something specific you’ll have to ask.”

Then he asked the dreaded question. “What about your mom?”

I was pretty sure I visibly flinched at the mention of my
mom. Ugh. He didn’t miss a beat. “Mom’s gone, has been a long time. Next
question please.”

He must’ve figured I didn’t want to discuss it further
because he changed the subject. “Any past relationships?”

“Nothing serious, at least not mutually. You?”

“Nothing serious, at least not mutually.” He flashed me a
smile. “What do you want for your birthday? It’s Saturday, correct?”

That smirk flashed again and I couldn’t help but blush every
time I saw it. His question caught my attention. “How do you know when my
birthday is?”

“Purse. Elevator.”

“Oh. Um…I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.
It’s not like I expect any gifts. I’ve been so busy with work and the auction.”
It dawned on me then that he would probably be at the auction on Friday. It was
being held in
his
hotel after all. It was as if he could read my mind.

“I’ll be there,” he said. Going back to our conversation
about my birthday, he asked, “What about a new,
bigger
bed?”

I scoffed, “Ha! Mr. Benedict, don’t tease. I’ll take the bed
from 1204 if you don’t mind. Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.
Though, that
may
have had something to do with you.” I shivered just at
the thought of our time in that bed and flashed him my sexiest stare. He
brought something out in me that I couldn’t quite explain. I had never felt so
confident around a man before. I smiled at him, hoping that I was tempting him.

“I’ll have to see what I can do.”

I laughed because he couldn’t possibly be serious.
Could
he?
I got on my knees and crawled over to him. He didn’t move a hair as I
straddled his knees.

“I like a lady on her knees.”

“I
bet
you do. What about you? When’s your birthday?
Anything catch your eye that you want?” He grabbed the back of my thighs and
pulled me closer.

Grasping his shoulders to steady myself, he buried his head
in my neck and inhaled. I moaned and in turn buried my head in his hair,
running my hands up the back of his neck. He exhaled into my ear, “I have what
I want right here and now.” I moaned and brought my head down to his while
running my hands through his hair.

“You’re a temptress, Miss Charles.” He grasped my waist and
pushed me off and up to my feet as he followed.

“You bring it out in me.” I felt like I was going to combust
and let out a disappointed groan.

He popped another donut in his mouth, gathered some of our
belongings and headed back to his bike. I was horny as hell and was starting to
fancy the idea of James naked in the autumn sun. He was bringing out a whole
new side of me that I hadn’t known existed. I gathered the blanket and followed
him over to his bike.

“It’s getting late and we both have to work tomorrow.”

James handed me my helmet while taking the blanket from me
and put it away. I looked to the horizon and noticed the early signs of the
sunset approaching. “Shit, my car.”

“It will be back at your place by the time we get back.”
James motioned me to get on the bike. He fired it up and headed back to town. I
couldn’t help but wonder why he was suddenly being so distant. He was acting
all gentlemanly, like you would expect on a first date. Of course, that was our
first date, technically. I was thankful to be headed home because it was
starting to cool down quickly.

Anchors

~ CASSIDY ~

“Are you hungry?” We’d just walked in the door at my place
after I looked over my car. He even had my stereo replaced. He was too good to
be true.

“What did you have in mind?”

“We can order takeout or I have some Chinese left over from
last night. I can cook, but I don’t have much.”

“Whatever’s easy.”

I headed to the kitchen and pulled out some plates, forks
and got the leftovers out of the fridge. “All I have is champagne, water and
soda.” He took water and I did the same. After the food was heated up, I took
my plate and headed to the living room with him following behind me. I sat on
one end of the couch facing the opposite end where he took his seat. We each
had a few bites before he broke the silence.

“Why a phoenix and the blackbird? You have a thing for
birds?” he asked with half a grin.

His question took me off guard a little. I shrugged my
shoulders. “It’s silly, really.” I looked to him and his curiosity wasn’t
budging. I could tell by the look on his face he wanted to know. I sighed,
“When Holly and I met I was in the middle of reading all the Harry Potter
books. She was peering over my shoulder one day and saw me reading about the
phoenix. She had questions and I explained them. She said that we were both
like the phoenix, each in our own regard. Overcoming hardships in our past,
having to let it go so we could move on with our future. We were planning to
get matching phoenix tattoos before she died. She actually drew my tattoo. I
had it done on her birthday in September.” I looked at him and he was listening
intently to me with a sincere smile on his face. Slowly, James turned his smile
into that sexy smirk that turned me on and made me uneasy all at once. “I told
you it was silly.”

“It’s not silly. It’s lovely. When are you getting the
colors added?” He took another bite of his food and I did the same.

“I’ve been meaning to schedule the color appointment, but
I’ve been so busy with work. And I still haven’t decided what colors I want to
use.” I winked at him. “Why the dragon?” I looked at him nervously.

“Similar to you, it has to do with someone close to me that
I lost.” Before I had a chance to inquire more, he set his plate on the coffee
table, closed the distance between us and took my plate from me, placing it
next to his. He unfolded my legs before he sat back down on his end of the
couch grabbing my ankles and setting my feet in his lap before unlacing my
boots. “And the blackbird?”

Everything about him was smoldering. “A few things. I love
the song by Alter Bridge. My grandmother’s maiden name stands for raven, a
blackbird, or so she told me. Some people say they’re a bad omen but my
grandmother used to tell me that blackbirds were our ancestors watching over
us, like guardian angels.”

He nodded his understanding. “I like the song, too. Seeing
the tattoo on your wrist all those months ago reminded me. I listened to that
song over and over these past few months. Do you have any other tattoos?”

“Maybe.” He growled and I snickered. “Holly and I got
matching tattoos several years ago, my first, then the blackbird two summers
ago after my grandmother died.”

“Where is it?” Both of my boots were now off as he tossed
them to the floor. He locked his hands onto both ankles and yanked me closer to
him. “Tell me, Cassidy.”

I was already panting and feeling flush. “You’re getting
warm.” He grinned and removed my socks in unison. “Warmer.” James began running
his hands all over my right foot and I immediately tensed, trying not to bust
out in laughter.

“Maybe I’ll tickle it out of you.” He traced a finger from
my heel up to my arch and my hips bucked as I grasped the cushion beneath me.

“Please don’t!” He examined my entire foot before running
his hand up the back of my calf, massaging as he went. I rolled my head back
and savored his touch. He dropped my leg and started examining my left and I
knew when he had found it. I felt his weight shift and then the hot sensation
of his tongue as it licked the outside of my ankle. “Mmmm.” Goose bumps covered
my body.