Whatever He Wants (42 page)

 
     
There was so much pain and heartache in
his story she couldn’t imagine how he felt. Though she didn’t excuse his
treatment of her, she now had a different perspective. She reached out and
touched his knee.

 
     
He placed his hand over hers and their
eyes met.

 
     
“Noelle….no matter what happens between
us, I’ll always love you.”

 
     
“I love you too James.”

 
     
“What happens now?” he asked tentatively.

 
     
“We heal.”

 
     
“James, you’re messing up my kitchen. What
the hell are you
doing?”Noelle
exclaimed after seeing
the various dishes and ingredients laying everywhere.

 
     
He grinned when he looked up from what he
was doing. "I’m making dinner for, my lady."

 
     
Noelle shook her head as she walked into
room and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “You’re going to make me regret
giving you the keys to my house. I’m grateful for you taking the initiative to
paint and work on all the little projects that need to be done around the place,
but I draw the line at you messing up my kitchen. You know how anal I am about
it.”

 
     
“Well, I was hoping I’d have the meal
ready and the kitchen cleaned before you got home. Speaking of which, what are
you doing home so early? I thought it was your turn to close the bakery today.”

 
     
“Paul’s taking care of it. I wanted to
come home and take a long soak. I’ve been in the bakery since five this
morning.”

 
     
“Why don’t you go ahead and take that bath
and by the time you’re finished, everything will be ready.”

 
     
“I’m kind of scared to see what you’ve
whipped up considering your culinary experience is limited to grilled cheese
sandwiches, frozen dinners and peanut butter and jelly.”

 
     
He flinched in mock pain. “I’m hurt you
have little faith in me but I forgive you. Go ahead and have your bath.”

 
     
Noelle was reluctant to leave him alone in
the kitchen to wreak more havoc, but a warm bubble bath was calling her. She
gave him one more quick peck on the cheek before heading upstairs to her room.
Noelle drew a bath for herself and poured in a capful of scented bubble mix.

 
     
She let out a long sigh as she sunk into
the bubbles in her bathtub.
In her bathroom.
In her house.
She’d bought her three-bedroom colonial for a
steal. It needed some work but she was looking forward to fixing it up. She was
a homeowner and every time she walked through the door, she felt a sense of
pride. This past year had bought many changes. The bakery was doing so
well,
Noelle and Paul decided to hire a few more people to
do the bulk of the baking and handling non-specialty cake orders, while Noelle
focused on what they labeled the designer cakes. She was in charge of training
and teaching new techniques. She still helped out where it was needed and came
up with new recipes to introduce. Noelle and Paul were thinking of expanding
their operation to open a second location and decided to take a cautious
approach. Instead of opening a new store, they decided to find a bigger space
and make one side a bakery and the other side a café. If business continued to
do well in a couple years they intended to open that second bakery.

 
     
Paul was so much more than a business
partner to her but a close friend and confidant. Though it was clear to her he
still had a crush on Simone he had recently started dating. Noelle was sure if
her cousin gave him even the slightest indication she was interested in him,
he’d drop anyone he was dating for her. As for Simone, Noelle worried about her
cousin. Her boutique was doing well but it had become her life. Noelle could see
the signs that something was going on with her cousin, but Simone would shut
down whenever Noelle inquired if anything was the matter. Noelle hoped in time
Simone would open up to her.

 
     
After admitting they still loved each
other Noelle and James decided they needed to start over again and get to know
each other as friends while they both sought the professional help they needed
to better fight their demons. In the beginning, they hung out platonically,
deciding to leave the sex out of the relationship as they got to know each
other. It was an unofficial trial to see how compatible they actually were.
Their time together changed how Noelle felt about James. Her love grew deeper.
It was no longer a love she felt for a man she believed him to be but a love
for the man he actually was. James was considerate, made time for her,
complimented her frequently, listened when she had a tough day at the bakery
and found ways to make her smile. He let his guard down, was open and had no
problem telling her how he felt. Finally after a few months, they decided to
make things official, although they decided to go slow.

 
     
The year had been amazing. Therapy had
taught her how to love herself, her business was successful and she was
especially proud to be a first time homeowner. She and James did discuss her
moving in with him but she liked the idea of living on her own for a while. It
filled her with a sense of accomplishment. James spent most nights at her place
anyway. She’d even made room in her closet for his things. She was truly
grateful to have James, not because he completed her life but because he
enhanced it.

 
     
Noelle didn’t realize she’d dozed off in
the tub until James entered the bathroom with a glass of wine in hand.

 
     
“Sweetheart, you have to be careful not to
fall asleep in the tub.”

 
     
Noelle sat up and took the glass of wine
he handed to her. “I didn’t realize I was so tired.” She took a sip. “
Mmm
, you spoil me.”

 
     
“You deserve to be pampered. You’re a
queen.”

 
     
“
Aww
, you’re so
sweet, James.”

 
     
“No, you are.” He leaned over and brushed
his lips against hers. Her nipples puckered and her pussy tingled. The man
drove her wild.

 
     
“Hmm, anymore of that and I think I might
join you in the tub. Besides, dinner will get cold.”

 
     
She raised a brow. “Since when did you
care about the temperature of dinner? As a matter of fact the last time I
cooked for you, we never got around to eating.”

 
     
“Oh I ate plenty.”

 
     
She giggled. “I’m not talking about my
pussy you
perv
.”

 
     
“I didn’t hear you complain. Okay, enough
chit chat, let me help you out of the tub.” He took her glass of wine and set
it aside before lifting her out of the tub. When he placed her gently on her
feet, James grabbed a towel, took a seat on the toilet and pulled her between
his legs. Slowly he began to towel her dry, letting his fingers slip over her
bare skin as he went about his task. His thumb grazed each nipple and he gently
cupped her buttocks and gave it a gentle squeeze. By the time he finished, her
body was dry but her pussy was completely wet. Her body practically vibrated
with need.

 
     
James then grabbed a bottle of her scented
lotion on the sink and slowly rubbed it into her body. He took his time
massaging the liquid into her skin. “James, you’re doing this on purpose,” she
groaned.

 
     
“I’m just taking care of you, baby.”

 
     
“If you really wanted to take care of me
you wouldn’t tease me this way.”

 
     
Her knees were weak and she didn’t think
she’d be able to stand any longer. As though sensing her need, James stood up
and lifted her on to the sink and then sank down in front of her until he was
eye level to her pussy. He spread her knees apart. He grinned. “I guess I can
make room for an appetizer.” He pushed his middle finger between her slick
folds and slid it into her hot core.

 
     
Noelle threw her head back and moaned in
ecstasy. Every time the man touched her, her body went up in flames. No matter
how many times they made love, touched or kissed, it was magic. She spread
herself wider, silently signaling him to taste her. James needed no further encouragement.
He leaned forward and flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue. He added
another finger into her pussy as he latched on to her sensitive bud and sucked
in earnest.

 
     
She dug her fingers through his hair and
held his head close, mashing her pussy against his face. “Oh James, that feels
so good.”

 
     
James gently bit her clit sending her over
the edge to her climax, but even as she convulsed and shook from her orgasm, he
continued to lick the juices from her pussy and inner thighs. More than anything,
Noelle wanted his cock.

 
     
“Make love to me, James.”

 
     
He gave her pussy one last lick before
pulling away from her. That’s dessert. Remember, dinner’s waiting.”

 
     
“You can’t be serious. You can’t leave me
here like this. I need you, baby.” She reached out for him but he backed away
from her.

 
     
“Later sweetheart.
Get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs in ten
minutes.”She
wanted to protest but he was already on his feet and heading out the bathroom.

 
     
Noelle was still pouting by the time she
joined him. “That was so mean James,” she took a seat across the table from
him.

 
     
“I promise I’ll make it up to you
sweetheart. Why don’t you eat dinner? If it’s not as warm as you like I can
heat it up for you.”

 
     
Noelle noticed for the first time that
James had set the table with her nice table setting she reserved for when she
had company. He also used her good china. On her plate was a large
juicy-looking steak, roasted potatoes and string beans. “Wow, James. This all
looks great. This is the nicest meal you’ve ever cooked for me. What’s the
occasion?”

 
     
He smiled. “Does there have to be an
occasion? Sometimes we should do things just because.”

 
     
“Well this is very nice. And I appreciate
you cooking dinner for me, but I’m still mad at you for teasing me like that.”

 
     
“Hopefully by the end of the night you’ll
forgive me.”

 
     
“I’ll think about,” she grumbled as she
cut into her steak.

 
     
The conversation remained light as they
finished their meals. They each shared how their day went and told each other
funny anecdotes. Once she was finished dinner, Noelle, pushed her plate away.
“That was delicious. Thank you for dinner, honey.”

 
     
“How about dessert now?”

 
     
“I couldn’t eat another bite.”

 
     
“How about another glass
of wine?”

 
     
Noelle giggled. “You don’t have to get me
drunk. I’m an easy date.”

 
     
“I insist.”

 
     
There was something in his tone that made
her hesitate for a second. “Uh, okay.”

 
     
“I’ll be right back.”

 
     
She wondered why he was being so secretive
all of a sudden but didn’t have time to dwell on it long because he was quick
to return but instead of two glasses of wine, he had champagne in hand.

 
     
“Wow, you’re being really fancy tonight.
What are we celebrating?”

 
     
He handed her a glass.
“Us.”
He took a seat and held out his glass for a toast. “You’ve made me very happy,
Noelle and I just wanted to let you know how much I love you.”