Two in the Afternoon (6 page)

Chapter Nine

Molly felt a little sorry for Lainey by the time they'd pulled up in front of the restaurant in Mumford. She's initially been broadsided when they'd arrived with Chris in tow, doing a double-take as she came out of her rental cottage. Chris had turned on the charm immediately, leaving Cal to grumble the entire drive over.

Thankfully, Lainey was smarter than either of the men were giving her credit for. As they were taking their seats on the patio of the bistro Lainey said, “So, Chris, I ran into your ex, Lexie, the other day.”

Cal perked up at her words, all ears for what was coming next. Chris, on the other hand, visibly cringed and gave her the side eye before speaking. “She's not my ex. A couple of dates does not a girlfriend make.”

Lainey turned in her seat, angling just enough that she looked like she was about to pounce on Chris. “Hmmm… Well, she had clear orders for the new girl in town.” When Chris didn't respond immediately, Lainey casually returned to her original position and let the subject drop.

The woman was an evil genius. Both Cal and Chris were watching Lainey sip her water, obviously waiting for her to continue. Instead Lainey looked to Molly with wink and said, “I wanted to ask you some questions about business at the lake.”

“Of course! Anything I can't answer I'm sure Noah could tackle when he gets back next week from his honeymoon.” Molly slid a glance at Cal, counting down the six or seven more days she would have with him.

“I'm really interested in how businesses stay afloat in the off season here. It seems like summer is obviously the peak tourist time, but how do the locals manage to make it through the leaner months.”

Cal looked like he was about to interject something and had his mouth half open, a slightly dazed look in his eyes. Molly quickly launched into her response before he could interrupt. “Well, it depends on the business. The pub hires seasonal help during the warmer months, but we stay fairly steady with locals throughout the winter. A lot of the businesses that cater to only tourists close down for the winter. Things like the boat rentals, campgrounds and such.”

Chris was looking at Lainey with a speculative stare when he finally said, “What kind of business are you really asking about?”

“Well, I noticed that the coffee shop downtown was for sale.” She turned to address Cal now. “And tomorrow I'm putting an offer in for it.”

Cal took a second before he spoke. “Have you talked to Dad yet?”

“I did. He told me to go for it. And to expect him to retire down here with me, so make sure I had room for him.” Lainey smiled at the memory, a soft curve of her lips that made her even lovelier. “I was hoping maybe Molly could give me some advice on surviving the winter and hopefully point me in the right direction for suppliers.”

Chris cut in, laying a hand over Lainey's before saying, “We'll all help. Noah's wife, Tennyson, has her own graphic design business. She can help you get a website and signage set up. Noah can get you with the right accountant, and I can help with any changes you want to make to the building layout. I know it's pretty dated in there, so we can get some plans laid out and squared away this winter before the busy season hits again.”

“That would be amazing! I'll need all the help I can get while I try to get the business off the ground.” Lainey looked over at her brother. “Cal, what do you think about all this?”

Molly glanced to her left where Cal held himself very still. Then his face broke out in a broad grin. “I love it, Laine.” He leaned over the table to give his sister a quick kiss on the cheek. “You're amazing. I couldn't be prouder.”

“Well, that brings me back around to Chris's Lexie.” Chris rolled his eyes at her. “She works at Keller Realty. I went in to ask about local properties and found this plot of land on the outer edge of the lake that I fell in love with. It's a great price and I'm thinking about purchasing it. I figure I don't have to build on it right away, but it could be a great investment right on the water.”

“Are you talking about old man Fisher's land?” Chris questioned. When Lainey nodded, Chris went on. “That's almost ten acres. It's a gorgeous spot, but pretty remote.”

“Exactly! I think it's perfect.”

Cal's normally natural scowl softened when he spoke, “Mom would be so proud, Laine. She always wanted you to do whatever made you happiest.” He glanced around, addressing Molly and Chris. “Our mom passed when we were teens. Cancer. Dad split her life insurance money into two trusts. One for each of us, with the promise we'd use it to reach our dreams.”

Lainey wiped her eyes with the edge of her napkin before speaking. “We both dipped into it for college, but I don't think either of us have touched it since. When I talked to Dad the other night, he just knew. Said it was about time.”

“What about the studio back home?”

Lainey looked a little surprised by the question, taking a moment before answering Cal. “I've been thinking about leaving for a while. I plan on keeping my equipment and some of my clientele that are willing to travel, but I don't think I want to be working in a tattoo studio in twenty years.”

Chris leaned in closer to Lainey before asking, “You're a tattoo artist?”

Lainey nodded, but Cal pulled up the sleeve on his tee. Pride shining on his face, he said, “This is all her work.”

“Isn't that a traditional Polynesian style?”

Lainey arched a brow at Chris's question. “Good eye. Our dad's Samoan. Part of our culture.” She shrugged, dismissing the comment.

“And you're just going to give it up? You're obviously very talented.”

“Thanks. And no, I'm not going to give it up. I'm interested in being a bit more exclusive, taking larger scale pieces by appointment only. Sticking with custom work and not being tied to a studio all day every day. There's a small space above the coffee shop that could be a great studio at some point. It could be a way to stay afloat in the colder months, I think.”

Obviously impressed Chris said, “Solid business plan.”

“Of course it is. My sister's wicked smart.” When Cal tossed an arm casually over the back of her chair and winked at his sister, Molly knew another little piece of her heart had just tumbled into the abyss. Damn him.

Nearly two hours later Cal finally had Molly to himself again. Lunch with his sister and Chris had been great, but as everyone else had enjoyed a coffee on the patio after their meal Cal had been anxiously counting the minutes until he could politely request the bill and hustle them all to the car.

He had plans for the rest of their afternoon. The kind of plans he couldn't reference in front of his sister. He wanted to make the most of what little time they had together. With her busy work week and his imminent departure the following weekend, Cal was feeling the pressure to make every second count.

When they reached the apartment Cal backed Molly against the door they'd just entered through. Her breath hitched when he pressed against her from hip to chest. Caging her face with both hands he took her mouth gently. Teasing along the crease of her lips, worshipping their perfection.

When he pulled away she licked her lower lip slowly, seductively. “Cal. Let me taste you.”

Molly's words almost brought Cal to his knees. Instead she lowered herself, letting every curve of her body caress his hard edges.

She waited as he released his erection and then slid his hands into her hair. When she pursed her lips in a perfect bow and kissed the tip he nearly lost his load right then. Molly gave a wicked, pixie-like smile when his cock bumped her lush bottom lip, as if begging for her tongue.

She was enjoying the control. As much as he was enjoying letting her control him at the moment, he couldn't release his hold on the back of her head. There was something unbelievably erotic about her hair sliding through his fingers as she moved forward to taste him again. It also gave him a level of control in the situation, to have her under his hands in any way.

Molly's mouth wasn't tentative. She was licking around the head with sure, swift strokes that made his knees want to buckle. She was teasing him and if she didn't get down to business quickly, he was going to come all over that pretty face before he really felt her mouth.

She took the tip in her mouth, letting the moment stretch out before running her tongue against the ridge. Watching her swallow his cock was enough to cause his balls to tighten, but the intense sensation from her tongue was enough to have him losing control. Her milky white skin was a stark contrast to his darker skin, adding another layer of eroticism to the moment.

He was a thick man, and she was a petite woman, and even though she tried to take in more of him, she was only able to accept the first couple of inches. As she struggled to stretch her mouth, she locked eyes with him. She was gripping the base of his erection with both hands and doing her damnedest to please him.

He was so close he could feel the orgasm gathering as his fingers flexed in her hair. She moaned at the movement, letting her eyes dip closed for a second. Moments before his orgasm broke through, he let his control go. Lightly gripping Molly's face, he held her in place as he moved into her mouth with short, heavy thrusts.

He was careful not to hurt her, but he took control as he fucked her mouth, grunting with each forward movement. She relinquished control as quickly as she'd taken it earlier.

She released her grip on the base of his cock and allowed him freedom to control the situation as he liked. She moved her hands to his ass and squeezed and kneaded there. Cal was fighting for a few more seconds of bliss when she gave a hard swat to his ass, sending a jolt of pleasure from the point of impact straight to his dick.

Immediately he jerked with his release, spurting thick ropes of come into Molly's mouth and forcing a growl from his throat. She took the last of his thrusts before pulling away from him and wiping her mouth with the back of a hand.

He leaned down to capture her mouth. When his tongue tangled with hers, he could taste his essence, which brought a surge of possessiveness to the forefront of his emotions. Not surprising, since he'd felt possessive about Molly the second he'd laid eyes on her.

Now he just wanted to possess her body, every deliciously toned inch of it.

She shoved his boxers and shorts down his legs, and he stepped out of them before stripping her tank off. Baring her breasts to his view. He watched her nipples peak at his gaze and felt an equal reaction as his cock twitched.

She was still backed against the door, the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows to her right. Her skin became luminescent under the warm light as he lifted her and brought her to her feet next to the French doors leading to the patio.

The light spilled over her body as he tugged the long skirt down her hips, exposing a pair of black lace panties. Once free of her hips, the skirt fell in a puddle at her feet, and Cal leaned in to place his lips on the sweet center of her being, inhaling the musky scent of excited woman.

He took in the old scars, one below her left breast that was about two inches wide and another near her left hip that was nearly as thick as his thumb. The scars were the only blemishes on her pale skin, and it enraged him to know that some sick asshole had hurt her. He caressed both scars with a soft finger before turning his mind away from anger and back to the woman before him.

The lace hugged her pussy perfectly, leaving very little to Cal's imagination. She was bare under the lace, and he licked a path from the v of her legs to the top of the lace. Her breath caught as his finger traced the curve of the panty against the inside of her leg.

“Stop teasing me, Cal.” She was a little out of breath and that ratcheted up his desire.

“Good things come to those who wait, darling.”

She was pressed against the patio doors, a stunning lake view just beyond. Her body clad in only a pair of lace panties, her rounded breasts begged for his touch with each shudder of breath, and the scent of her filled his senses.

She bit her lip. “Hurry.”

From his position on his knees, he left her panties in place, prolonging her agony as he moved his mouth from her taut belly to pert breasts. Laving a tongue across one peak had her shuddering and caressing a hand against his bare scalp. When he pulled the tip into his mouth and gave a light nip, she scored his scalp with her nails.

“Callum Eversman, you had better start the fucking before I tackle you to the ground and begin running this show.” The breathiness had left and was replaced with a bossiness that brought a smile to his face.

He nipped at her breast again, showing her who was in control at the moment. “I'm just making sure you're ready for me. When I finally get inside you, I'm going to lose all control.” He nipped at her again, leaving a small mark on her creamy, unblemished skin. “I'm going to fuck you so long and hard, you're going to forget your own name. I need you hot and wet before you can take all of me.”

She gave a soft moan and undulated against the glass door. “If you don't hurry, I'm going to come with my panties still on.”

Chapter Ten

It was no lie. If Cal didn't rip off her panties in the next thirty seconds, she really was going to come without him. She'd been ready to explode since the first touch of his lips. Hell, she'd been ready since the moment he'd filled her office door that first day.

She was dripping wet, aching for him, and he was worried about making sure she was ready. If she weren't so frustrated, she'd think he was gallant. Instead, she wanted to force him on his back and ride him into oblivion.

He moved away from her, gaining his feet again and turning her so she was facing the lake through the sun-warmed glass of the patio doors. Unsure of what he was doing, she peered over her shoulder as he loomed over her.

Pressing into her body, she felt his erection press against her lower back. It made her feel very small that he couldn't even rest his erection in the cradle of her bottom in this position. Cal caressed her arms, taking her wrists and placing them high above her head, forcing Molly into an arch that pressed her breasts against the glass.

He held her wrists with one hand, ensuring the position, even though his grip was light. With his other hand, he slid a finger under the elastic of her panties and tested her wetness there.

Cal's cock slid down to press against the lace of her panties when he bent at the knees to envelope her smaller frame, his legs on the outside of hers.

“Spread your legs for me, honey.”

She followed his orders, giving his fingers room to move against her aching flesh.

“Yes. Just like that.” A groan reached her ears as he eased two thick fingers in. “A bit more. Yes.”

He spread her wide, filling the ache, but not enough. She could feel the heavy weight of his cock pressed into the crack of her ass, making her crave it more. She was so wet his fingers moved easily through her pussy with a soft sound, and she clamped down on his fingers.

“If you don't fuck me, I'm going to come on your fingers instead.” She released and gripped his fingers again. “Cal.” His name came out like an order, demanding him to take action.

She felt his cock slide farther down and meet his fingers at the entrance of her pussy where he'd pulled her panties off to the side. She couldn't keep a sigh from escaping. She was seconds away from begging for it when he let a vicious curse rip through the air.

“I'm not wearing any protection.” He didn't move but rested his head against her shoulder and bit there, in frustration, pent-up lust, maybe even a little bit of anger.

Everything in her stilled as a wave of excitement rushed through her when his teeth scraped against her sensitive skin.

“Tell me you have protection.” She began to pant as his cock pressed against her entrance more firmly. Impossibly, she felt him growing harder.

“Hold that position. I've got condoms in my bag.” He moved away, leaving her aching in his absence. The sun-warmed glass of the patio doors was cool against her breasts. She was so overheated and excited even the air conditioning wasn't enough to cool her.

She heard the rustle of Cal returning to his position behind her. Molly closed her eyes and absorbed the roughness of his touch skimming down one hip, gently tracing the line of her panties along her ass before pulling them aside to expose her to his view. Positioning his cock at her entrance, he fit snugly as she bathed him in her cream. Her panties were pulled tightly against her clit, fanning the ache within, and she almost cried in relief as the broad head finally pushed inside.

After his fingers stretched her, she mistakenly thought his cock would enter swiftly; instead, her body stretched to its limits as he pressed forward. The head of his engorged cock rested inside the tight confines of her body, and she wondered at the sheer size of him.

Cal caressed up one hip, across her quivering belly, to cup a breast aching for his touch. His hand pushed against the glass, forcing her into a deeper arch as he thumbed her nipple.

She absorbed every detail of their bodies meshed together. His hand, holding her wrists against the glass, was gentle but firm. The scrape of teeth along the tender flesh of her shoulder, followed by the laving of his tongue there. His work-roughened fingers cupping her breast, kneading the skin over and over again. The feel of his thick, massive body covering hers from behind.

Each movement swelled into the moment when he finally pushed fully home. His balls slapped gently against her pussy before resting there.

“Now I'm going to fuck you so hard you're going to forget your own name.” There was a smile in his voice as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and jerked his hips forward, seating himself even more firmly than she thought possible.

She gave a soft whimper, unable to do more. She was pulled so taut that she couldn't even push back. He was in total control, and she loved every second of it.

His hand moved away from her breast and curled across her chest to her shoulder, imprisoning her between his hard body and the unforgiving glass. His grip fell lightly against her collarbone. As he retreated from the swollen folds of her pussy, he firmed his hold at her neck. Not enough to hurt or scare, but just enough to excite.

His voice was a low gravel when he said, “Tell me you're ready, Molly.” He punctuated his words with a heavier grip at her neck and a short pump of his hips.

She couldn't form an entire sentence, too lost in the pleasure, so all she said was, “Please.”

As he surged forward, she begged again and again until she was practically sobbing the word. He was so thick between her legs that each slide and retreat spread her wetness against her inner thighs.

She was on the razor's edge and with each thrust home she felt him bottom out and offer a hard grunt with the movement. He was tightly wound but hadn't lost control, like he'd promised. She was the only one who had no control.

She began a rhythmic clasp of her inner muscles, urging him to lose control, but it only caused him to grunt longer and harder at her ear. The only other option at her disposal was her voice.

“I'm so close, Cal. Fuck me harder.” The forward surge was harder, more urgent. “Yes.” Her last word stretched out as he pounded into her, and she was forced onto her tiptoes to accommodate the change in pace. Instead of controlled thrusts, they were now wild and heavy. He dropped the hand at her wrists, setting her free, only to lift her at the waist. With one hand wrapped around her waist and another holding her at the neck, he lifted her from her toes and held her in place as he straightened his frame. His movement never stilled as he continued fucking her.

Molly used her hands to brace herself against the glass as his heavy body pulsed between her legs from behind. She had no leverage, was merely a rag doll as he took her fiercely. He held her at a slight angle. With her hands pressed against the glass, and his hand at her waist holding her tightly, he slid home over and over again.

She felt Cal shudder and reveled in the knowledge that she pushed him past the point of no return. That this warrior was totally in control of her smaller body, which had never hummed with such pleasure before. He owned her in this moment.

When she accepted that fact, right then, she broke into a million tiny pieces. Her orgasm brought a scream to her throat that escaped as a breath of air against the glass. She milked him with an intensity that brought tears to her eyes.

His pace never slackened, and another orgasm followed the first, breaking her in two as she convulsed in his hold. Every part of her body tightened when his hold at her neck grew heavier and he began a frenzy of thrusts that shook her tiny frame.

Within seconds he was coming. As they shuddered together, he kissed her, from behind, sliding his tongue against hers. A few quick, shallow thrusts sent another flutter through her pussy, and he groaned, long and low, as she gripped his retreating cock.

“That was pretty hot sex.” Cal had to chuckle when Molly spoke, slightly slurring her words. “Could use a nap now.”

He lifted her in his arms easily and she tucked her face into the curve of his neck. After slipping her into the big bed in the other room he took a quick break to the bathroom to deal with the condom and toss on some clothes. After checking on Molly to be sure she was resting he gently pulled the bedroom door shut and picked up his cell phone to make a few calls.

It was full dark out when Molly finally woke. The apartment door closed quietly and she heard Bo pad across the tile floor in the kitchen area. A soft murmur of Cal's voice talking to the dog made her head thump uncomfortably. She was burning up and every bone in her body ached. Fate could not be this cruel.

Her one perfect day with Cal and she ended up coming down with the dreaded flu that was running rampant through every employee at the pub. Son of a bitch. And it was already dark, so her perfect day was officially over before it had barely begun.

Bo nudged the bedroom door open with his nose and peered in at her. “Hey, buddy.” She patted the edge of the bed and he moved forward to greet her. When he hopped up on the bed he licked her face and whined softly.

Then he jumped off the bed as quickly as he had arrived and disappeared back into the main room. Molly heard him cross the room again and give a soft bark. Cal's voice cut through the quiet of the apartment. “We just came in. There is no way you need to go back outside again.”

Molly really wanted a hot bath, maybe even some soup, but she didn't have the energy to even roll over and kick the covers off her naked body. Damn, she was sweating now.

Bo arrived back at her door and she turned her head to look at him. She closed her eyes, not enough energy to greet the dog a second time. And then the bed was dipping low and Cal was leaning over her.

“Molly?” She thought she grunted, but no noise greeted her ears. A hand smoothed the hair across her forehead, resting there against her warm skin for a moment. “You're on fire. Open your eyes for me.”

Finally, her voice returned. The heat wafting off of his large frame made her want to roll away. “Go away. You're hot.” When she forced her eyes open she was met with a fierce scowl.

“Come on. Let's get you into the shower. You need to cool off.”

It was her turn to frown. She wanted a bath, not a shower. But the apartment only had a shower stall. This stupid day was just getting better and better. “Cal, I don't feel very good.”

“I know, babe. Let's get you in the shower. Can you eat? I could heat up some soup.”

The man was a god. “Soup is perfect.” He pulled the covers away from her flushed skin and the air conditioning greeted her, bringing goose bumps along with it. She shivered and curled into his warmer body. “I'm cold and hot at the same time. Being sick sucks.”

He chuckled. Molly was just glad she was making sense, because her head was throbbing and she wasn't sure she even understood what she was saying. As she tried to swing her legs around to sit up Bo whined faintly. He pressed his nose into her hand and licked gently before pacing away.

Cal stood and swept her up, tucking her against his chest. “Let's get this shower done. You're stressing Bo out.”

It wasn't long before Cal was pressing her against the cool shower tiles and turning the water on full blast. It was the perfect cooler temperature for her overheated body. Molly didn't even bother soaping up, she just stood there and let the water soothe her aching bones.

Moments later the shower door opened and a deliciously naked Cal entered, crowding the already limited space. “If I wasn't ready for my death bed, I'd totally take advantage of you right now.”

He smiled, reaching for the soap before speaking. “Once you're on the mend I'll even let you.” Cal's soapy hands swept up her back, kneading the muscles there. “We'll get you scrubbed clean, feed you some soup, and then you can get some more sleep. You'll feel better soon. Promise.”

She hummed as his hands stole around and cupped her breasts tenderly. He moved away too quickly, scrubbing down her ribs and stomach with an efficient and deft touch. Molly was relaxed, feeling a bit less groggy as his hands moved down her legs and to her feet.

Cal rose behind her, rubbing against her back in the limited space of the shower. He caressed her neck and encouraged her to tilt her head into the water spray. She let him brush his fingers through her short hair, working the shampoo into a lather. He was gentle, taking great care with her, and she was boneless by the time he tilted her head to rinse the soap.

It wasn't sexual, nothing about his hands on her felt like a prelude to anything more. It was attentive and tender, like a lover's touch but without the sexual intent. Even sick with a fever she never wanted this moment to end.