Chapter 8
Violet had just stepped out of her shower when she heard her cell phone ringing. Rushing over to it, she lifted it up and smiled, her whole body relaxing when she realized who was on the other end. “Hello?” she answered, even though her caller ID had shown her Creek’s phone number.
“Good morning, beautiful,” his deep voice said.
The relief that flowed through Violet at that moment overwhelmed her. “Good morning,” she replied, biting her lower lip as she wondered where he was.
“What are you doing?”
She looked down at her towel, and her still dripping wet limbs. “I’m uh…making breakfast.”
His laughter was deep and husky. “Liar.”
Violet sighed, and struggled to keep the towel hugging her breasts. “Is that any way to speak to a woman that you…” she couldn’t finish that sentence.
“Made love to over and over again last night?” he finished for her, laughing again, and she could picture him in the bar, his feet propped up on the table and leaning back on the two legs of one of the wooden chairs.
“Well, yes,” she said, and laughed self-consciously.
“Tell me what you were really doing,” he challenged her.
She looked down again, and noticed that there was a puddle forming on the carpet where she was standing. “I just got out of the shower,” she finally admitted after a brief hesitation.
He made a deep sound that made her think of what he’d looked like last night as he’d stared down at her breasts. “Do you have one of those pink towels wrapped around you?”
Her fingers curled the towel into her fist as heat surged through her. “Yes,” she whispered. “How did you know that I had pink towels?”
He laughed again. “First, I’ve gotten to know you over the last six days, and I honestly couldn’t imagine you owning towels in any other color. You’re a very girly woman, Violet Jenkins. And secondly, I was in your bathroom last night. I saw the towels. Among other things.”
She gasped, her mind frantically trying to picture the contents of her bathroom. “What else did you see?” she demanded, her fingers clenching around the phone. Tampons? Oh goodness, she sincerely hoped that he hadn’t noticed those! The unopened box of condoms? She’d bought those the other day in anticipation of last night. Thankfully, he’d brought his own so she hadn’t had to admit that she’d been hoping that he would make love with her, had planned on it!
“My, that sounds interesting, Violet. Are you worried about what I might find in your bathroom?”
She could tell that he was smiling as he teased her, and her shoulders relaxed. “I’m terrified,” she came right back. “Of course there are things in a woman’s bathroom that she wouldn’t want a man to see.”
“What kinds of things are in yours? Naughty things? Perhaps some bathroom toys?”
Violet was stumped for perhaps a few seconds until his words made sense to her. And then she gasped. “No! There’s nothing like that in my bathroom!” she told him emphatically, horrified by the idea.
He laughed again, making her stomach quiver with expectation. “Where are your toys then? In the bedside table? Or maybe the closet?”
She rolled her eyes, knowing that he was only trying to shock her now. “Creek, I don’t own anything like that. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“Like any hungry wolf,” he came back quickly. “So what are you wearing? Is it the pink towel?”
Violet looked down again before she whispered. “Yes.”
There was a long pause. “And are you all pink and warm from the shower?”
Violet shivered with the cold, morning air. “Not since I’ve started talking to you.”
He laughed. “So you’re cold. Are your nipples hard and ready for me because of the cold?”
“Creek!” she squeaked, horrified by what he was asking her.
“Answer me,” he commanded, his voice rougher now.
“No!”
“No, they aren’t hard and aching for my lips? Or no, you’re not going to answer me?”
She shifted slightly, felt her face heat up and sighed with exasperation. “No, I’m not going to answer you,” she replied, wishing she didn’t sound like such a prude.
“Ah, then your nipples are hard and ready for my kiss. Nice,” he purred, and made a sound that sent shivers throughout her whole body.
“Creek,” she whispered, wishing that he were here with her.
“I know, I shouldn’t have left so early. Tomorrow I’ll sleep in.”
She held her breath. “Are you coming back tonight?” she asked, her whole body tense and hopeful.
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes!” she gushed. As soon as the word was out of her lips, she wished she’d held back, made some sort of sophisticated sound. But the truth was, she missed him! He’d been gone for maybe a couple of hours and she wanted to feel his strong arms around her, to feel his lips against her, everywhere!
“Good. I’ll be there early. Wear something sexy,” he instructed, and clicked off the phone.
Violet couldn’t stop the silly grin that lit her face as she danced back into the bathroom to dry off. Another night with Creek! Gone were all of her insecurities and she felt as if the world was blooming again. Of course, looking out the window, she realized it was raining. But better than snow! There was a silver lining to everything!
She worked in her shop for the rest of the day, cleaning and organizing, helping the guys in the back room to get all of the newest orders ready for shipment. It was one of those days where it was nice to just stay inside and contemplate…heaven.
Heaven would be in Creek’s arms.
“What has you looking so excited?” George said when he arrived at the shop, three hours after when she’d scheduled his shift to start. He was staggering around and his eyes were bloodshot, almost as if…
Violet leaned towards him and sniffed. “George, get out!” she ordered as soon as she smelled the beer on his breath.
“Huh?’ he asked and stumbled over to the stool behind the counter. “I’ve gotta work today. And I want to hear about your date last night. How’d it go?” he asked. He slumped onto the stool and, within moments, his eyes closed.
Violet watched him, horrified and disgusted. When the bell rang, announcing customers, she pasted a smile on her face and pretended that nothing was wrong. But as soon as the customers were gone, both with packages filled with items for presents, she walked over to George and shook him.
“Huh? What?” he almost shouted, his hands flailing out as if he were trying to knock off a fly or a gnat.
“Get out, George!” she hissed, standing in front of him with her hands fisted on her hips.
“Why?” and he rubbed his shirtsleeve over his flannel shirt.
“Because you’re filthy and drunk, not to mention, I don’t allow sleeping on the job. You’ll have to sober up somewhere else,” she told him firmly.
She grabbed his arm, and almost lifted him off of the stool, escorting him to the door.
“But it’s raining out there.”
Violet didn’t care. “Not my problem, George. I pay you enough to grab a cheap raincoat. Go get one.”
George brightened up with that comment. “Yeah. Money! Hey!” he looked down at her and laughed. The sound wasn’t very pleasant. “Did you have a good time last night? Was the man everything you wanted?”
Violet was even more disgusted, and couldn’t understand what her mother had seen in this man. “George, go home. Sleep it off and shower before you show up again.”
Closing the door, she wiped her hands, but that wasn’t enough this time. Whatever George had gotten into last night, he must have rolled around in it. She walked to the small bathroom off to one side of the store and scrubbed her hands until she felt clean again.
What was it about George? Why did he spend all of his money on alcohol?
She supposed she should be more concerned. He was sort of family, she thought. But then more customers came into the shop, and she banished the man from her mind. At least for now. She’d wonder about George’s alcoholism another time. Perhaps he’d had a hard childhood, or maybe he had some mental issues that he needed help with as an adult.
Right now, she needed to focus on work and not on the man who didn’t seem to want her help.
And there was no way she could help him when he was inebriated anyway.
So for the rest of the afternoon, she worked both in the front of the store and in the back, stocking shelves, and almost dancing her way through the afternoon.
“What has you so excited?” Kevin asked, when the last customer was gone for the night and he bolted the door closed.
“I have a date!” she said with a grin.
Kevin smiled right back at her, crossing his arms over his chest. “Same guy that had you so excited that you couldn’t come into the store yesterday?” he asked.
Violet gave him a secret grin. “Maybe,” she said and twirled around. The effect would have been better if she’d been in some really sassy dress and the skirt flared around her legs. Jeans and rubber boots just didn’t have the same impact. “Maybe not.”
Kevin chuckled. “Same guy.” The others had already left for the day, having cleaned up before their shift ended. “So what’s his name?”
Violet grabbed a mop, wiping up the mud that had tracked in during the day from the rain. “His name is Creek and he’s the bartender over in Winthrop.”
Kevin stopped sweeping and looked over at Violet. “Creek Jones? At The Rotten Apple?” he asked.
Violet looked up and smiled. “Yeah, do you know him?”
Kevin laughed. “Of course. Everyone knows Creek Jones. He’s a legend.”
Violet had no idea why Creek would be considered a legend, but Kevin’s approval just made her feel better. “Yeah, he’s a good guy,” she said as she continued to mop the floor.
“So what are you guys doing tonight?”
Violet laughed. “Well, I’m not cooking him a roast or apple pie! That was a disaster last night!”
“What are you making for him tonight?” he asked, and looked over at her. “Don’t make lasagna,” he warned her.
Violet looked up. “You don’t like my lasagna?”
Kevin cringed, but shook his head. “Sorry, Violet. But your lasagna…” and he shook his head again. “Something else.”
Nothing could get her down today, so she didn’t take offense at his words. “Okay, so what should I make for dinner?”
“Brownies,” he said, still looking down and getting underneath the countertop. “You make awesome brownies.”
She stopped mopping, and savored the glow of Kevin’s praise. “What else?”
Kevin swept up the debris to the dustbin and stored the broom in the closet. “How about that chicken casserole? The one with the spicy sauce?”
“Yeah,” Violet said, nodding her head as she considered the idea. “Spicy chicken. That one is easy enough to make.”
Kevin smirked as he grabbed his rain jacket and changed into his rain boots. “Good luck tonight, and I want details tomorrow!”
That night, when her doorbell rang, Violet wasn’t the nervous mess that she’d become the night before, but it was pretty close.
At least the dinner wasn’t burned, she thought as she rushed over to the door. Reaching out, she realized that her hands were still covered with oven mitts and she yanked them off as she swung the door open.
“Creek!” she sighed happily when she saw his huge body standing in her doorway.
His eyes immediately moved up and down her body before he smiled and leaned against the doorframe. “I hope you weren’t expecting anyone else,” he said as he looked down at her.
“No!” she gasped. “Not at all!”
She stood there smiling at him, her happiness consuming her. And then she realized that he was still standing in the rain. “Come in!” she gushed. “I’m sorry! I was just…”
He stepped into the room and took off his rain gear, hanging it on the hook by the door. “Thanks,” he said, and took her into his arms. “You look like a spring flower,” and he bent his head to kiss her.
When he lifted his head to look down at her, he felt himself bracing for her to demand another check. When she only smiled up at him, he relaxed slightly. “I don’t have money tonight,” he told her, waiting to see her reaction.
Violet immediately thought of the pizza from the night before. “Oh! No! I cooked tonight!” she said and looked behind her at the oven, checking to make sure smoke wasn’t billowing out of it tonight.
“You cooked?” he asked, looking warily into the kitchen.
Violet laughed at his expression. “Don’t worry. This time, I didn’t leave, so nothing burned.” She glanced over at the oven again, and turned away from him. “I don’t think.”
She walked to the kitchen and looked into the oven.
Creek stood frozen in place while he looked down at her perfect, round, delectable bottom. Once again, he wondered if she was doing that on purpose, trying to entice him. And once again, he knew that the move was completely unnecessary. He had been enthralled and titillated from the moment she’d laughed on the phone this morning. His body had been primed all day, and just the sight of her smiling face made his body harden with need and anticipation.
Why wasn’t she demanding money for the night? Had he gotten things wrong? Or had she assumed that he’d already given a check to George?
When she spun around, her lively, blue eyes smiling up at him, he preferred to assume that he’d misunderstood George. Yes, the man had taken the check the other day. And yes, he’d seemed to be quite direct about things.
But Violet had been a virgin last night. He’d been her first lover. As she looked around nervously, he realized that he wanted to be her only lover. Her last lover.
Where that thought came from, he had no idea. He wasn’t the kind of man who committed himself to one woman. But Violet was different in ways he didn’t completely understand. So he was going with these new feelings, the new cravings. And just enjoying the time with her tonight.
“Dinner smells delicious,” he commented, as he continued to watch her. “What is it?”
Violet felt herself warm even more under his intense gaze. “It’s a spicy chicken recipe someone gave me a while ago. Pretty simple,” she said, her eyes moving from his gaze to his mouth, wishing that he would kiss her again. She loved it when he kissed her. When he stood there looking down at her, she felt nervous and anxious about what she’d chosen to wear for the night. But when he kissed her, all of her anxious thoughts stopped, overwhelmed by the crazy feelings that his kiss made her feel.
So, why was she just standing here waiting for him to kiss her? If she wanted something, she went out and got it. She normally stepped up and did it herself, got what she wanted, made things happen. How was this situation any different?
Stepping closer, she lifted herself up onto her toes and kissed him, her lips moving softly against his mouth. She shivered when he lowered his head even more, deepening the kiss, even though his hands weren’t touching her in any way.
She pulled away and licked her lips, thinking that the man tasted delicious.
“What was that for?” he asked her, his eyes smoldering so that she knew she’d done something right.
Violet shrugged and spun around, feeling saucy and confident. Slipping her hands back into the worn out oven mitts, she bent down and pulled the chicken casserole out of the oven, setting it on top to cool down a bit.
Creek watched her, feeling that caveman sensation hit him again. Her hips swayed just a bit more when she walked away from him this time. The action was even more alluring than he’d thought possible.
That’s when the scents hit him and he almost groaned as he realized how hungry he was. He’d been working since before dawn this morning, trying not to acknowledge his need for this woman. But in the end, he’d called her, needing to hear her voice, to make sure she was okay after last night. He’d felt guilty after taking her virginity and then walking out in the morning before she’d woken up.
Taking her hands in his, he stopped her from moving around the kitchen. “Are you okay?” he asked, wanting to know if he’d hurt her last night. Needing to hear that she wasn’t still tender. He never should have left her this morning. He should have woken her carefully with gentle kisses, and asked her before he’d left.
Violet loved the concern reflected in his dark eyes. “I’m fine. Happy now that you’re here.”
“No, Violet,” he said, squeezing her hands slightly. “I didn’t hurt you last night, did I?” He shook his head. “Wait, that’s a stupid question. I know that I hurt you, but it wasn’t too bad? If you’d told me…” he started to say but then stopped himself. George had indicated that she’d been a virgin, but that conversation hadn’t made any sense. How could Violet be a high priced call girl, and still be a virgin? Nothing made sense after last night. Besides, her shyness, her blushes couldn’t be faked. No one was that good of an actress. And her wonder at each touch, each caress, and new way of making love had been genuine. He hadn’t been that clueless last night.
“I’m fine,” she told him, even as her face blushed once again. “It was one of the most amazing nights of my life,” she said, as she stared down at their hands.
He cleared his throat. “I might be more convinced if you looked at me when you made that claim.”
Violet laughed, feeling self-conscious, but still warm and wonderful. Looking up at him, she wasn’t aware of her feelings for him shining through in her eyes. “I loved last night,” she told him, with sincerity in her voice. “I loved everything about it. You didn’t hurt me. It was the sweetest way to learn about making love any woman could hope for,” she told him.
His grin made her stomach tighten with anticipation. “You loved it, eh?” he asked, pulling her closer as his arms wrapped around her waist.
“Very much,” she purred, her hands sliding up his chest and loving the way his muscles flexed under her touch.
“I’m not sure I like being called sweet, though,” and he bent to nibble at her earlobe, causing Violet to jerk in surprise.
She laughed even as his mouth moved lower. “I like sweet,” she replied, with a shiver.
“I don’t think you understand how damaging those words can be to my reputation,” he explained, his hands slipping underneath her sweater. “Are you wearing something sexy for me?” he asked, his hands skimming along the soft skin of her back.
She leaned her forehead against his broad, muscular chest as she tried to hold onto him, to remain standing. His touch was devastating to her use of muscles. “I don’t have sexy underwear,” she admitted, then inhaled sharply when his fingers slid against her sides. “I think that tickles.”
He chuckled, deep and sexy. “You think? And how can you not have anything sexy?” he asked, another aspect of her call-girl status that didn’t make sense. But then her fingers tightened on his shoulders and she pressed herself against him. He was lost as she shifted her softness against him, and the light, teasing touches weren’t enough any longer.
“Can dinner wait?” he asked urgently as he bent to nibble along her neck. Damn he loved those sounds she made when he touched her!
“Dinner?”
He smiled slightly but the smile vanished when she moved her hands down his chest, stopping on his stomach. He waited, hoping that she might move her soft, delicate hands lower, but her fingers curled into fists and stopped at his stomach.
“I’m taking that as a yes,” he growled, and lifted her up into his arms. Carrying her into her bedroom, he didn’t stop until he was right next to her bed, lowering her feet to the floor as he kissed her.
When he lifted her sweater over her head and tossed it onto the chair in the corner, she almost laughed with the joy that flooded her. But then his hands reached around to her back, about to release the clasp on her bra, and she stopped him, her eyes pleading for him to understand.
“Would you mind if we…if I…,” she licked her lips, and stared at his chest, her fingers moving over the buttons. “Last night, you touched me in so many wonderful ways. But tonight, I was hoping…” she hesitated, and then just blurted it out. “If you take my bra off, then I’ll be too self-conscious to touch you. And I’d really like to explore…you,” she trailed off.
Creek could barely speak for a moment. The idea of her soft hands running over his skin made him almost pant in heat and need. “You want to touch me,” he asked, trying to clarify, and make sure he wasn’t assuming anything. Even though her words were perfectly clear, the idea made his mind spin.
“Yes, if it is okay with you.”
He let his head fall backwards for a moment before he looked back down at her. “I would love for you to do that. But why can’t I touch you at the same time?” he asked.
She smiled nervously. “Because if you’re doing that, then I get consumed by what your touch makes me feel, and I forget about how much I want to touch you.”
He could understand that feeling. “By all means, then,” he said and lowered his hands so they were resting against her waist. “Explore away.”
Violet’s tongue stuck out the side of her mouth as she moved closer, her fingers shaking as she unbuttoned his shirt. It took a while, but eventually, she had them all undone. When her fingers parted the material and she could see the dark skin of his chest, her fingers ran along the skin, feeling, testing the different textures. “You’re so incredibly strong,” she said, almost as if she were talking only to herself. “And so different.”
Her fingers lightly ran along his chest, feeling and exploring. When she leaned in and gently kissed the small indentation of his sternum, she heard his breath hiss slightly. “Ah, Violet. Don’t stop,” and his hand moved into her hair, his fingers tangling in the waves.
She smiled slightly, but was too fascinated by the man. “I don’t plan on it,” she murmured as she moved the material further out of the way. Impatiently, she pushed it off of his shoulders, wanting to see all of him. When his flat, male nipples were revealed, she remembered how he’d driven her crazy last night by kissing them and wanted to know if he reacted the same way. When her lips touched the sensitive flesh, she smiled slightly, but not enough to pull away from this interesting reaction. Thinking of how he’d teased her last night, she pulled at the flesh with her teeth and felt his fingers tangle in her hair, twisting and trying to pull her head away.
“Violet, I can’t…”
She laughed up at him. “I seemed to remember saying the same thing last night, but you didn’t show me any mercy,” and she moved her mouth to the other side, her fingers growing bold with his reactions. She loved the way he groaned or hissed depending on where she touched him, kissed him. Her tongue tasted all the various places on his chest, even moving lower, following the dark line of hair that was now hidden by his belt. When her fingers stopped there, she looked up at him from her lower position, her breath catching at the heat in his eyes. And the hope.
He wanted her to do this! He was waiting to see what she would do! It was a heady feeling to have this much power over a man as large and strong as Creek. Her smile widened as her fingers moved to the buckle of his jeans. Slowly, with great deliberation, she eased the buckle loose. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly and she took that as another sign that he was just as turned on about what she was doing as she was.
“What are you going to do?” he asked, when she hesitated, his voice even more rough.
She smiled as her fingers fumbled with the buckle. “I’m still exploring. So I don’t know what I’m going to do exactly at this moment.” Her fingers accidentally rubbed against his erection, and she pulled her hands away when he jerked, but he shook his head, gritting his teeth as he pulled her hands right back to him. “Please, Violet, don’t stop!”
She couldn’t believe what an incredible turn-on it was to have this strong man beg her to touch him! She wanted to…dare she…?
She stood up, but then slipped her fingers inside of his jeans and boxers, pushing both down his legs. She then put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him down onto her mattress.
“You’re still wearing clothes,” he said as she bent lower and slipped his shoes and socks off, then tugged at his jeans and boxers.
“I know,” she whispered, feeling more powerful as she looked down at him.
When he was fully naked, she knelt in front of him, her eyes moving down his chest once more. When they latched onto that part of him, she licked her lips even as her hands reached out. She couldn’t brazenly touch him, but she slid her hands up his muscular thighs, fascinated by the rough texture of his skin on her palms. But she was even more excited at the idea of touching him…there!
Unaware of her labored breathing, she skimmed her fingers closer and closer to her goal, wondering if she would chicken out. When her fingers hesitated, she looked up into his face. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were squeezed closed, almost as if he were waiting for her to…
When her fingers lightly touched his erection, she jerked her hand back, thinking that she’d hurt him in some way. But his response was to groan and put her hand back. With fevered eyes staring into hers, he showed her how to touch him, how to wrap her hand around his erection and stroke him.
Violet gave him control of her hands, accepting his tutelage and trying to learn everything he was willing to show her.
“You’re different,” she finally said, her mouth dry and her lips barely able to form the words. He felt so strong and powerful in her hands, and yet, she sensed that she had an enormous amount of control right at this moment.
Creek looked down into her blue eyes and almost lost it right then and there. She was so fascinated, so excited by this, and he could barely hold back. He had to pull her hand away or embarrass himself.
“My turn,” he said and stood up, lifting her under her arms and spinning around so that she was lying on the bed and he was looming over her.
His fingers quickly dispensed with her shoes and socks, then he unsnapped and unzipped her jeans, pulling the denim down her long, slender legs. That damn bra had to go, he thought and reached out, grabbing her hands and pulling her into a sitting position again. With deft fingers, he opened the closure and tossed the offending cotton bra out of his way.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his mind dismissing the possibility that this woman was a call girl. There was no way Violet could be a prostitute. Not this woman.
With that in mind, he bent down and ran his hands over her chest, following the same path that she’d done on him. First down the center and then over to her breasts, teasing her nipples with his fingers before following that up with his mouth. But he was much more voracious as he sucked and nibbled, soothed and caressed. And much more merciless.
As he moved down her body, his hands leading the way and his fingers teasing every inch of her delectable body, he almost laughed with delight. But the need was too strong for something as ludicrous as laughter. It was all about showing this woman that she was his, that he would give her what she needed.
When he entered her this time, he pressed into her heat, groaning at how wet she was, how tight and perfect. All he wanted was to press deeper into her heat, to lose himself in the feeling. But he also wanted to make this as special as possible for her.
Ah, he shouldn’t have let her touch him, he thought. Even thinking back to the way she’d looked, her delicate hands on his body, made him want to move faster.
Pulling her closer, he lifted her legs, pressing himself deeper.
Violet could barely breathe, couldn’t think, and couldn’t even see straight. All she knew was that Creek was moving inside of her and she wanted to splinter apart with his touch. When she neared the cliff, she didn’t want to go over. It was too wonderful, feeling him like this. But then his hands moved against her body and she screamed out, losing herself in his caress, and loving him even more. Putting her hands around his neck, she arched her body against his as she felt him pounding into her, loved the way his whole body made love to her.
And when she could open her eyes again, when she could see, if still a little fuzzy, she looked straight up into his eyes. “Thank you,” she breathed, her hands moving to his jaw, so hard and powerful, and yet he still turned his head into her hand, wanting more of her caress.
Creek rolled over, still intimately attached to her and buried his face in her hair as he slowly returned to reality. “That was incredible,” he whispered in her ear as his hands smoothed down her back, cupping her bottom just the way he’d wanted to do that first night when she’d been trying to grab mugs by herself.
“I agree,” she finally whispered. When she turned her head, propping her chin up on his chest, she tilted her head slightly. “Are you just trying to get out of eating my cooking?” she teased.
Creek looked into her blue eyes, worried for a moment that she was serious, that he’d somehow hurt her feelings by not eating dinner first. But the glint in her eyes assured him differently, and he growled as he rolled her onto her back once more. “Dinner is served,” he said and moved lower.
Violet wasn’t sure what he meant for a long moment, but when she figured it out, she burst out laughing and tried to wiggle away from his seeking mouth. “No!” she gasped when he captured her hands and pulled her back underneath him. “Really! You don’t…!”
“I do!” he argued right back.
She shook her head, unable to stop the lock of hair from falling across her face. “You’re funny,” she said, sounding slightly surprised.
“Why is that such a shock to you?” he asked and moved higher, propping his head on his upraised elbow and looking down at her naked glory. “Some might think I’m very funny,” he quipped.
She smiled as her fingers moved in his hair. “You seem too large and scary to be funny,” she told him honestly. “When I first saw you, I thought you were the most handsome and terrifying man I’d ever met.”
“And now?”
She looked down at his magnificent chest, covered with layered muscles. “And now, I know that you’re the most handsome and terrifying man I’ve ever met,” she said in all seriousness.
Creek had been expecting another teasing remark so when he saw the sincerity in her eyes, he had trouble breathing for a long moment. Instead of blowing off her comment, he bent lower and gently kissed her lips. “You’re beautiful too,” he said softly.
She smiled up, the vulnerable feeling dissipating with his words. “And are you enamored enough with me to try my cooking?” she asked.
He threw back his head and laughed, delighted with her sense of humor and timing. “Yes,” he finally said. “I think I am deep under your spell…deep enough to try your cooking.”
She was just about to jump up from the bed, eager to prove to him that she wasn’t a horrible cook, but then realized that she was completely naked. When she was in his arms, she forgot to be shy, to be aware of her nakedness. But as soon as she stepped away from him, she remembered and all of her insecurities about her figure came rushing back to life. “Um…could you…”
Creek knew exactly where she was going with her question and immediately stopped her. “Not a chance,” he told her, and walked to the bathroom, his eyes watching her the whole time. He was only in the bathroom for a moment, giving her just enough time to get out of the bed and think that he would be in there longer, but he popped back out as soon as he was done and watched as she grabbed the comforter to cover up, not sure what to do. He almost laughed at how adorable she looked as she tried to decide if she wanted to dive back under the covers or run for her closet. He looked inside her closet, keeping his eye on her and enjoying her anxiousness, amused by her shyness. But when he saw her robe, he was horrified.
“What the hell is this?” he demanded, holding up the thick, flannel robe and the enormous flannel nightgown. His eyes moved back to her adorable backside and shook his head. “Please, Violet, tell me that you don’t wear this every night to bed. I have fantasies that need to be maintained, and this,” he said, jerking both items in his hand with disgust, “is blowing the image I have of you.”
Violet’s eyebrows went up with his words. “You have fantasies about me?” she asked, almost forgetting that she was naked and feeling extremely awkward.
“Hell yes!” he exclaimed. He moved closer, tossing the robe and her nightgown into the bottom of the closet, obviously dismissing them. “Don’t you fantasize about me?” he asked, pulling her against his body once more.
Violet opened her mouth and closed it, but she couldn’t stop the blush that burned her cheeks.
“Ah, I see that the sweet, delectable woman does have fantasies!” he teased and bent to nibble on her neck. “Do tell,” he commanded.
“You’re just nervous,” she laughed, holding his shoulders and trying to pretend like her body wasn’t revving up for another round with this man. It was becoming embarrassing how much she wanted to be with him in the most intimate and wicked ways.
“Nervous?” he snickered and moved to the other side of her neck. “I don’t feel nervous.”
“You don’t want my cooking. I promise it is good. I’m not a horrible cook, I swear.”
Creek pulled back and laughed full out. “Honey, I don’t think the male and female minds work the same way,” and he pulled way, lifting his shirt to drape around her naked shoulders. “But since you have challenged me, I’m going to eat this chicken casserole that you’ve so sweetly made for me and then…” His eyes leered as his fingers brushed against the sides of her breasts while he buttoned up his shirt. “Then we’ll see who is scared, and who is the man.”
Violet burst out laughing as well, amazed at this newest side of Creek. He was much more relaxed than he had been last night, more playful, and so much more passionate. And she had to chuckle at his statement that they thought differently. Perhaps she should continue to let him think that because she wasn’t sure her body could handle all of the fantasies that were zinging around in her mind right at this moment.
He took her hand and led her out of the bedroom. “Where are your plates, woman?” he asked as he opened and closed the cabinets.
She glanced over her shoulder as she pulled open a drawer and grabbed a serving spoon. “Behind you, second door on the left.”
He started to open the cabinet, but stopped when his eyes locked onto the plate on top of the fridge. “Woman!” he growled when he spied the plate of brownies. “Tell me that you didn’t make these today,” he said and lifted the plate, bringing them down to his nose. “Aw honey, you just made these,” he groaned. “They’re still warm!”
She glanced at him over her shoulder once again and her heart melted when he lifted one of her brownies and ate half of it in one bite. “You’re a chocolate man?” she asked, thinking he looked adorable in a rugged, powerful, mountain-man kind of way. Well, as adorable as a mountain-man could look. He really was too raw and rough looking to be labeled “adorable”.
“You’ll spoil your appetite,” she teased, and reached behind him for two plates. She then scooped up an enormous helping of her chicken casserole, then sliced a bit of corn bread, handing it all to him.
He took the plate and found the forks, handing her one and keeping one for himself. Leaning against the countertop, he looked down at her and lust surged through him. She was in his shirt and her slender legs had never looked sexier. Well, except when she was completely naked. Or wearing jeans. Or when…his body hardened yet again just thinking about those gorgeous legs wrapped around his waist. He’d like to see them….
“What do you think?” she asked, holding a bite of the casserole on her fork, but looking up at him with an anxious expression in her eyes.
He looked down at the untouched casserole and took a fast bite, thinking that the faster he ate dinner, the faster he could get her back into bed.
But then the spiciness mixed with a creamy, cheesy sauce hit him and he slowed down. “Wow! This is really good, Violet!” he told her, taking another bite. His stomach growled at that moment, telling him how hungry he really was. Everything got pushed to the back of his mind when Violet was around.
He ate everything she’d served him, and even took another helping, devouring all of it and was truly impressed with her cooking skills. While they ate, she told him about the latest art pieces she’d discovered from a new artist, as well as her idea of having a craft show in the summertime, a way to maybe encourage other artists to show their crafts to tourists. Creek was struck by how generous she was. Violet didn’t even care if the artists sold their items in her store or not, she just wanted to help them, to encourage them, and give anyone a chance to sell their ideas in an open forum.
She was sweet, generous and intelligent!
It struck him once again that he must have misunderstood George. There was no way that this woman was a prostitute! Creek shook his head, laughing at himself because he’d so completely misunderstood that conversation. It was absolutely ridiculous that this sweet, warm, caring woman would sell her body to the highest bidder.
“Come here,” he growled and pulled her back into his arms. “You’re beautiful,” he breathed a moment before he lifted her back up into his arms, loving the way she wrapped her own arms around his neck and curled up against him. “Grab the brownies, woman. I have some new ideas.”
Violet laughed, but she grabbed the plate of brownies as he carried her into the bedroom. She’d thought he only wanted to eat the brownies in bed and then have sex.
Oh my, she’d been so wrong! As she drifted off to sleep that night, she made a mental note to make another batch of brownies for tomorrow night. But she was too exhausted and too sated to do more than snuggle closer to Creek as she fell into a deep sleep.