“Was it the anal sex? Did I hurt you, sweetness?” He held his breath, afraid he’d been too rough and hadn’t realized it.
She shook her head and buried her nose into his T-shirt. He held her tighter, unwilling to let her go until he got to the bottom of what had her so pensive all of a sudden. “Talk to me, baby. You’re worrying me.”
After what seemed an eternity, Jeanette pulled back and stared up at him, eyes brimming with tears. “I-I don’t want this night to end.”
His brow kicked up. “That’s what’s got you so quiet?” She nodded. Relief poured into his soul. “Baby, I told you from the start this wasn’t a one-shot deal for me. I want to see you again. After work later, if you aren’t busy.”
“You really do? You’re not just saying that?”
“I’m not stringing you along here, Jeanette. I want to spend time with you. Get to know you.”
One corner of her lips kicked up. “We sort of skipped that part, didn’t we?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, but I’m not sorry.”
“Me either.” Her gaze filled with tenderness.
Hunter patted her on the bottom before releasing her. “Come on, let’s get your kitchen cleaned up so you can get a few hours of sleep tonight.”
“You’re staying to help?”
Hunter had no intention of leaving her alone at the café. It was a good neighborhood, but bad shit could happen anywhere. Still, he figured he’d keep that part to himself. “If I recall correctly, eating brownies and whipped cream off your hot little body was all my idea. So, yes, I’m staying to help.”
She laughed and the soft, lilting sound went clear to his heart. “I wasn’t exactly protesting, Hunter.”
“No, you weren’t,” he whispered. He cupped the back of her head and held her still for his kiss. The instant his lips touched hers, his cock jerked. She moved against him and Hunter’s kiss turned possessive, untamed. His lips forced hers open and his tongue delved deep. His fingers clutched her hair tighter before he traveled farther south. When he reached the bruise on her neck, he licked the little mark. Hearing Jeanette moan his name and hold on tighter brought him back to the here and now.
Hunter pulled back and released her hair. “If we don’t stop this, we’re going to get arrested for public indecency.”
Jeanette laughed. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“Minx,” he growled. Hunter forced himself to step away from her. “Come on, sweetness, we’ve got work to do.” He entwined their fingers and started toward the back entrance, his mind already teaming with ideas for the night to come.
11
“You didn’t answer either of our calls last night and that’s not like you. So, spill. Where were you last night?”
Roni and Lydia had come into The Coffee Shop right before closing. They’d parked themselves at the counter and Jeanette knew they were going to pump her for details the instant she closed. They hadn’t disappointed her. How much was she supposed to tell them? That she’d slept with Hunter? That he was coming for her tonight to do more of the same? Her feelings were so mixed up she didn’t know which way was up.
Roni whistled low. “Oh, boy, you slept with Mr. Motorcycle Man, didn’t you?”
Her face heated. “What makes you say that?”
“You turned red, dork,” Roni said.
Jeanette slumped against the counter. “His name is Hunter Trace and I came so many times I lost count.”
Roni and Lydia both cheered. Jeanette waited for them to finish before adding, “And now I think I’m in love with him.”
The cheers stopped. When they were both silent for so long, Jeanette said, “Well, don’t just sit there! Help me figure this out!”
Lydia blinked as if she’d been staring at a strobe light. “Was this, like, your third date with the guy or something?”
They knew her too well. Sleeping around had never been her style. Usually she had to be in a relationship at least a month before heading to the bedroom.
“No. I met him yesterday. He came back after hours and before I knew it we were headed to his house. I rode his motorcycle.” She groaned as she recalled what else she’d done. “And I let him videotape me.”
Lydia’s eyes bulged out. “Damn, really?”