CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jenny contemplated the display case in Megan’s coffee shop. Today was definitely a muffin day. Ronnie and Abel were due to drop off the herbs for the sensory garden, and Jenny had a long day of planting ahead of her. With all the outdoor labor she was doing these days, she was in danger of getting almost toned.
At the very least, she could afford the muffin.
“Stop drooling all over my display case,” Megan said. “You know my no-smudge rule. And we both know you’re going to have the chocolate chip.”
“Yes, I’ll have the chocolate chip. But I’m feeling daring today. Throw in a banana and walnut.”
“Living wild.”
“I am indeed.”
She really, really was.
Wild with Derek.
In the week since she’d booty-called him, they’d been together three more times.
Once, he’d brought a picnic lunch to the community center and driven her out of town to a local hiking trail and picnic spot. He’d jumped on her the moment she finished her sandwich, and she’d experienced her very first outdoor sex, with the twigs, leaves and dirt in her hair and clothes to prove it.
Once, after dropping Kate off at school, Jenny had surprised him at the garage. She hadn’t trusted the lock on his office door, so Derek had dragged her through to the attached bathroom, held her up against the wall and driven her out of her mind.
And the third time, they’d passed on the road as he was heading to her house at the same time as she had been driving to the garage. Technically this one didn’t count as full sex.
He’d followed her home, leaped into the car with her before she’d even had the chance to open her door, given her a brutally quick orgasm courtesy of some dirty talk and fast hands, and ridden off for a meeting at his bank before she could return the favor.
She was living wild, and loving it.
Jenny straightened, bumping into the person queuing behind her. Before she could turn to apologize, she froze. Along with the coffee shop’s scent of vanilla and cinnamon and chocolate, another delicious scent filled her nose. Distinctive.
Like sunlight, pine, motor oil, and happiness.
Derek.
Warm hands caught her upper arms to steady her, lingering a second before letting her go.
Jenny’s heart slammed in her chest. Pow.
Derek moved closer. She felt his attention lock on the back of her neck, his heat sinking into her.
“Coffee with that?” Megan asked her.
All her senses attuned to the man behind her, Jenny struggled to reply. “Mm-hmm. Yes. Please. Thank you.”
Megan’s eyes flicked up to Derek, back down to Jenny’s face. Jenny glared at her. Megan shook her head and turned to make the coffee.
Jenny stood there, breathing him in. Derek’s chest brushed her tense back, and her stomach twisted at the erotic memory of the last time she’d felt him there.
Naked.
Hot.
Holding her down as he moved inside her.
Crap. Now she was sweating. She didn’t speak to him. She couldn’t. If she opened her mouth and tried to say anything, all she’d do was moan.
Derek shifted his large body behind her. Under cover of the messenger bag she wore slung over her shoulder, he slid a hand around her hip. The curve of her hipbone fit in the hollow of his palm. His fingers spread wide, and tantalizingly low. He held her, grip firm.
Heat rushed through her.
Don’t freak out. No one can see. Jenny stared at the display case as if the meaning of life rested within.
Why was Megan taking so long to make her coffee?
One of Derek’s boots tapped Jenny’s heel. Without thinking, she widened her stance.
Big mistake.
He nudged her foot farther to the side, and eased a leg between hers. Subtly. It wasn’t like he bent her over the display case or anything. The line behind them was packed tight enough that everyone was crowded close. He hadn’t done anything outrageous.
It just felt that way.
Jenny heaved in a breath and cautiously turned her head, making it seem as if she was looking for a free table. As she did, Derek turned toward her, making it seem as if he was looking down into the display case. She could see the scruff on his jaw, the steady pulse in his strong throat.
And the dimple in his cheek.
Bastard was enjoying himself. Standing there, examining the muffins and pastries, turning her on like nobody’s business. Turning her on with one hand on her hip, and one foot between hers.
That’s all it took.
All right. She was game.
Jenny shuffled back and leaned against him, full-length. “Oh,” she said, blinking up over her shoulder. “I’m sorry. How clumsy of me… Well, hey there, Derek.” She stepped forward, obliging him to release her hip.
“Jenny.”
“How are you?”
“Good. You?”
“Great. How’s your mom?” she asked brightly.
“Also great. Dad, too.”
Jenny clutched the strap of her messenger bag. “Come on, Megan,” she called. “Are you grinding the beans by hand? Individually?”
“I’m down a barista today. You’ll have to wait.”
The people in the queue behind them groaned.
“You’ll all have to wait,” Megan said.
“Excuse me a minute.” Derek slung a muscled arm around Jenny’s waist and tugged her into him as he leaned over and pretended to study the display case. “You’re blocking my view.”
He held her easily, tipping her off-balance and to one side so he had a clear line of sight to the display. “I’m in the mood for something sweet. Any suggestions?”
Jenny dug her fingers into his strong forearm. “Try the muffins.”
“Which one would you recommend?”
Jenny glanced around. No one seemed to be paying them any attention. “Chocolate chip.”
Derek sucked his teeth and made a tutting sound. “Not a huge chocolate fan.”
“Psychopath. Try the banana and walnut, then.”
“Eh.”
“Lemon and cranberry.”
“Well…”
“Blueberry.”
“Blueberry, huh? Sweet and juicy.” He turned and looked down, his eyes gleaming. “Just how I like it. Thanks.” He returned her to her original position as Megan set her coffee and muffins on the counter.
Jenny swayed and caught herself against the case front.
Scowling, Megan reached under the counter and pulled out a cloth, tossing it at Jenny. “Wipe your paw prints off my glass.”
Jenny snatched the cloth out of the air a second before it smacked her in the face. “What?”
“No-smudge rule. I’m serious. Paw prints off. Or I shall withhold.”
“Come on,” someone in the queue behind them said in a whiny tone.
“I shall withhold from you, too, if I hear another peep,” Megan called.
The whiner didn’t say anything else.
“You’re a jerk, Megan.” Jenny bent at the waist to clean the glass. Derek groaned as her butt made accidental contact with his groin. “Oops.” She turned and looked over her shoulder.
Derek’s eyes were dark and narrowed.
“Watch out back there,” she said. “I need some room to work.” This time the contact wasn’t accidental.
A possessive hand landed heavy at the base of her spine before he snatched it away.
Gotcha.
“Jesus,” Megan said. Then, “Think you’re done, Finley.”
Jenny tossed the cloth back at Megan and dug out her wallet. “What do I owe you?”
“Nine bucks.”
Jenny handed the money over. “Thanks.”
“Yeah. And next time, can you two be more subtle with the foreplay, please? This is a family place.”