Mixed Connection (Cypress Lake Reunion #1)

12. Chapter 12

12

*General HOES group chat*

I invited Jameson to the bar tonight.

I really like him guys.

J-babe

Legs Up, Perfume On

This makes my heart so happy

Fuck my fucking life. Of course, the night I think Shaken Tropes is going to be easy, it just isn’t. B would normally be here a bit early stocking the bar, but she caught a terrible stomach bug and is out.

Paloma is never late, never. And yet here I am, without anyone else to help me on a surprisingly busy night as I scramble around trying to not look like I’m chasing squirrels.

I wasn’t technically on the schedule tonight, but I just had a feeling after B called, that I may want to jump in. Boy, am I glad that I did. Sending a quick “Are you okay?” text to Paloma, I stuff the phone in my pocket before handing a sweet older woman her drink. Not forgetting at all to grab the book suggestion that I think she just might love.

“Thank you so much! My granddaughter says she loves this place and that you lovely girls would give me the perfect—” She stops, almost pressing the book to her lips in a forgotten thought. “Oh! The perfect book boyfriend.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, taking with her the BDA martini and the small-town billionaire romance.

BDA is short for Big Daddy Apple, it’s a spin on a spiced apple martini and tastes just like an elevated apple tart. The flavors make me think of all those small-town characters and the billionaire ready to make their dreams come true. This particular book follows characters in their forties, as they realize they have a second chance at the love they missed out on. There’s an apple picking scene I think she’s going to melt over. Whew! Even just thinking about it makes me want to fan myself.

My nerves get the best of me and I pull out my phone again, hoping for a notification from Paloma, but there is nothing. Worrying myself won’t help either one of us, I’m just going to believe she is okay unless I hear otherwise. But if she doesn’t text me back before the end of the shift… then I am going to hunt her down.

A frustrated sigh escapes me before turning around and making eye contact with the most devilishly handsome man—it has to be a sin to look that damn good. I’m almost positive there is a law against it somewhere.

The stress from my face begins to melt away as a small smile curves my lips. Sliding my phone into my back pocket, I exhale a short breath and snap my eyes back up to the bar. I shift my eyes back and forth, assessing if anyone is in need of me before I see Jameson making his way to me in long, purposeful strides. He is eating up the distance between us with a look on his face that says he’s ready for duty. I almost salute him but think better of it.

“Hey Babygirl, where do you need me?” He waves his hand at the surprised expression that I know is on my face before pulling the deep-green towel off my shoulder. “You’ve got it written all over your face. Let me help you.”

“Really? I couldn’t ask you to do that. You came here to hang out, I didn’t realize it would be a night like tonight.” I sweep my hand out showcasing the blissful chaos of the night. His gaze meets mine, giving me a slight once-over as if to say, girl please.

“I came here to be with you and that’s exactly what I plan on doing, in any capacity you need me. Besides, you didn’t ask, I offered. So let me.” He rubs his lips together before shaking his head, and breathing out a laugh.

I stare at the man in front of me for just a moment before nodding my head and pulling him around the bar, a spark lighting up through my fingertips from our contact.

“Tell me if I need to slow down!” He nods his head in understanding. Pulling the sweatshirt up and over his head, he stores it away behind the counter and my eyes track the movement of him rolling the sleeve of his long-sleeved shirt up. Watching the muscles strain as he turns his arm just right. Why is that so fucking hot? Taking a deep inhale I give him a run-through on the register, instructing him on the ins and outs.

The night moves along as I mix drinks and tend to the tables that we set up in the dimmer areas of our bar. The only problem is, I keep catching myself stealing glances at Jameson when I should be focused on matchmaking customers to books. Though he got the barest of bones of training, that doesn’t seem to dissuade customers, he’s great with them, making them laugh with his jokes to ease the longer wait time. I’m not completely sure if it’s because he is a people person or if they just like the eye candy. One customer in particular is a bit more bold as she leans over the counter, closing the distance between them, batting her lashes.

Heat rushes up my neck causing me to loosen my shoulders from the tension of—dare I say, jealousy? Before I can take a moment to clear my head of that thought, that same customer runs her fingers lazily against his on the counter; he pulls his hand away quickly, but I’m already making my way over from the other side of the bar.

Running my hand up the side of his back, I twist myself just slightly so I’m but a breath away from being pressed against him.

There’s no moment of apprehension, no wonder of what’s going on or pause. He simply wraps his arm around my waist, closing the distance between the two of us and lowering his chin slightly to look me directly in my eyes and my breath hitches.

Recognizing her dismissal, she thanks him and walks away. I would look to see if she left but I can’t manage to tear my gaze away from Jameson. Especially not when he dips his mouth close to my ear. “You plan on explaining to me why I keep getting referred to as ‘Book Boyfriend?’” Jameson’s warm whisper of a question lingers between us as I fight the tremble coursing through my body from the feel of his heated words so close to the underside of my ear, so near my neck.

Instead of waiting for my reply, he continues on without missing a single beat, “Maybe after we finish up, we can grab a quick bite to eat and I can share my thoughts on the book you recommended to me.”

“You read it?” My core clenches at the thought of what he’s read. I didn’t think he would actually read it. Maybe he’d hold on to it or possibly lose it—I inwardly cringe at the thought of one of my books being lost. I also considered that he’d give it back to me and pretend he read it. My cheeks blaze at knowing what’s within its pages having read it myself—a few times if I’m going to be honest.

“Yes. No...” He pauses, tossing the green towel over his shoulder. “I bought the audiobook before I jumped in the shower. The narrators are very expressive .” His gaze darkens slightly as he finishes.

“Audiobooks totally count as reading,” I find myself saying as warmth spreads over my chest and down my belly. The smile on his face doesn’t hide the desire behind his eyes and I can only imagine the part he ended on. He squeezes my waist a bit before releasing me.

Taking another towel tucked beneath the bar, I wipe the counter down after the last drink I made and look out into the bar. Customers are starting to slow and the ones who are settled have their heads tucked into a book or are sipping away on their drink. My contentment is suddenly interrupted when Paloma rushes through the front door.

“I’m so sorry!” Lo says, eyeing Jameson behind the counter. She wraps her arms around me as she exclaims, “Promise I will make it up to you and will explain everything.”

“I was worried sick. What’s going on?” Side by side we make our way to an empty booth.

“I know, and I swear I will tell you what’s going on… just not right now.” If it wasn’t for the look of pure exhaustion on her face, I would be pressing her for more information.

“Shaken is about to close. Why don’t you take the rest of the night off and go do something with the finest barkeep in Cypress Lake,” she adds.

I take that moment to look around the bar. The night has dwindled to the last few lingering customers and our part-time worker came in about an hour ago.

Can I talk myself out of her offer and work for the rest of the night? Yeah, I totally could. But this is another yes that I’m going to give myself. Paloma knows if she absolutely needs me, I’ll drop everything to be here. I’m literally a knock away and in her case, she has the keys.

“Okay, but you’ll let me know if you need me?” She purses her lips. “Cool, but also, if you don’t need me that would be fucking incredible and don’t forget we’ve got to go pick out our girl tomorrow!”

Pulling myself from the booth I give her a quick side hug, I really am so relieved she’s okay. But I have a man who I would really like to scale like the mountain he is.

Toeing off my sneakers at the door, I take a step to the side to allow Jameson entry into my sanctuary. It may seem silly, but this is far more than just my home, this is the place where I can turn off the world and just be.

The walls in my living room are painted a green so deep that on most days it looks like a velvet black. Overlapping commissioned works by B, along with pieces by other artists, hang on the walls with gallery lights above them. A do-it-yourself installation I saw on Pinterest one day that turned out amazing.

Plants can be seen throughout the entire space—hanging, or occupying multiple surfaces—but what really livens up the room is the window seat. It’s my favorite space at night. A small stack of books is set on the side where plush pillows don’t overtake the area.

This home is my getaway, only my gran and the girls have been up here. Why invite someone into my peace if all they will do is bring havoc?

Reaching past Jameson, I brush against him as I flick the light switch that turns on the two small lamps placed on either side of the television. I watch his eyes take in my space and I wish I could say that I’m not nervous, but I am. Everything here is an extension of me, and I want him to enjoy what he sees.

A soft smile lights up his face, his mouth tugging to one side a bit like he has an inside joke. “Smells just as good as you do.” He continues to take in small areas I created in different spots of the room as he lifts his foot, slowly untying his sneakers and setting them to the side. “It looks like you. It’s perfect.”

“Thank you. Would you like something to drink or something to eat? We could order in.” Walking into the open kitchen, I pull out two glasses and try to keep my distance for a moment, in an attempt to calm myself. “And thank you for helping me tonight.”

“You thought I was going to turn down a night with you? I would rather be scrubbing down the bar than not seeing you at all, Babygirl. We can order out if you want...” His voice is right behind me lingering on the last couple words, allowing me to choose. But he’s so close that I pause, not missing him calling me “Babygirl” again. And why do I like it so much?

As if on autopilot, I pour us both a glass of tea. Before I opened the bar, I sat a pitcher of water and several tea bags out on the porch, with the sun shining bright it made the perfect pitcher of sun tea. It’s my favorite way to make sweet tea, it’s less bitter and smoother this way, it tastes like sunshine. Along with the glasses, I grab the container of lime wedges I keep in the fridge and honey from the cabinet. Squeezing two lime wedges into each glass, I blush realizing I didn’t ask what he wanted as I hand him his tea before sipping mine.

He takes a deep gulp and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as I take a swallow of my own. There has to be a hole in my lip, swiping my tongue out I lick at the drop escaping and see his gaze follow my movement.

I watch him appear almost larger, as he stops leaning against the counter, coming to his full height before he takes the few steps that are between us. Staring down at me as I keep myself rooted to the floor trying to convince myself not to climb up his body.

Biting at my bottom lip, I return the same heated gaze.

“If you don’t stop worrying that lip of yours, I’m going to have to find some other way to keep it busy.”

“Mm, really, like what?” The challenge is clear in my tone. One that he takes full advantage of as he grips the fullness of my waist, anchoring me to him.

His tongue slowly licks up the center of my lips and I gasp at the feel of it, then his mouth is on mine. His free hand wraps into my hair, pulling it slightly to give him more access to my neck. Hungry lips graze my collarbone, teeth skim over the skin of my neck where his tongue blazes a trail up to my ear and goosebumps cover my skin. Having him this close to me in my kitchen leaves me breathless. He peppers kisses to that one spot behind my ear that has heat curling low in my stomach. I run my hands up his arms, feeling every bit of thick muscle, and gently rake my nails down the back of his shoulders. A breathy moan escapes me as a tremble quakes up my back and down to my sex at the feeling of his strength. The smoky bourbon and citrus of his cologne flow through my senses at an intoxicating speed. I would drink him in if I could.

This man is in tune with the reactions my body freely gives to him because when he lifts me on to the island, he leans into my neck and bites down near my shoulder while his hand connects sharply against my ass. Pain and pleasure mix together, leaving me shuddering through a deep moan.

“Fuck me.”

“Not yet Cassidy, I’m just getting started and I’ve been dreaming about this since dropping you off after our first date. May I?” Looping a finger into my belt loop he tugs me into him and rubs his thumb over the button. Consent has never been so sexy and I nod my head. His voice is a low rasp as he says, “Need to hear you say the word.”

“Yes.” The only word I can say, caught up in his bourbon warmth and it’s the only word that matters.

He unbuttons my jeans, unzipping them and slowly pulling them down my thighs. If I had any insecurities about my body, they’d be thrown into the fire with the hunger in Jameson’s gaze.

His eyes dip low and I watch them go molten, taking in the triangle of bright red mesh between my thighs. We need to have this talk right now and get it out of the way. Running my hands up his arms—they seem to be my new obsession—I let the heat of the moment meld with every word that leaves my mouth. “I haven’t been with anyone since before my annual checkup a year ago, my results came back negative.”

Jameson’s big hands knead my ass as he lifts his eyes to mine before he responds, “My last physical was about six months ago, all negative, Babygirl.” He runs his hands up my thighs, his thumbnail grazing the soaked material and I purr my response. I fucking purr.

“Lean back Cassidy and bend your elbows for me.” His grip tightens almost painfully around my thighs and his hunger is evident as he licks his lips, staring down at my red mesh panties. God, I’m so fucking glad I wore these. Obeying his command, I lean back.

The translucent red mesh must surely show the wetness at this angle. His thumbnail runs up my slit, over the mesh, creating a delicious feeling that has a breathy moan falling from my lips. Jameson slips a finger through the side of my panties and rubs his thumb into my wet folds before circling the bundle of nerves with a soft pressure. “Is this all for me, Cass?” His hands ghost up the outside of thighs and grasp my panties, gently pulling them from my legs and pocketing them.

The devilish grin he gives me tells me I’m never getting those back and fuck if I care. I watch him spread my thighs wide before he takes in a deep inhale and looks back up at me.

“Eyes on me, Cassidy.”

My brain very well may have short-circuited hearing those words. The same words I’ve read in books until the sun was threatening to rise. The same words I’ve come to in my shower.

Now those words have me dripping at the sound of his deep, velvety voice speaking them as he spreads my legs. The concrete countertop is smooth and cool in contrast to how hot his palms are on the fleshy part where my ass and thighs meet.

Before I can consider his next move, his mouth is on me. Licking up my center, he dips his tongue into my wet heat as he presses my thighs further back. Leaving me open and completely at his mercy.

“Fuck,” he growls, sucking on the lips of my pussy, he kisses each side before devouring me completely. Driving sounds out of me that I’m unfamiliar with. “You taste as sweet as I imagined.” I become increasingly aware of my own heartbeat, the need to touch and explore him is overwhelming as he tongue fucks me.

I can feel his teeth graze against my clit as he softly bites down before sucking my sensitive bud into his mouth… hard.

“Oh, oh my God! Yes.” My body shudders beneath his ministrations. This is another yes—another yes to myself—and fuck if it doesn’t feel incredible to be worshipped with abandon.

“That’s it, Baby, give me those beautiful sounds.” He presses his tongue flat against my center while sliding two fingers deep inside of me, fucking me with them slowly at first.

Picking up speed, he curls his fingers nudging against the spot that will send me over the edge and my back bows off the counter. His other hand leaves a trail of heat behind as it travels up the side of my thigh, gripping on the thicker areas.

“Jameson, I’m so close.” Guttural moans pour out of me. Screaming his name feels like the puzzle pieces are connecting and shattering all at once.

“Not yet, Cassidy. Don’t you dare come yet.” His calloused hands pinches and pulls at my nipple as his tongue laps up my juices. My toes curl, holding my breath as I attempt to hold off my oncoming orgasm. As if he knows what I need, his hand slowly glides between my breasts. Higher and higher it climbs until it braces my neck before he grips it. Not tight enough to cause panic but enough to bring my attention to him. “Leaving you breathless is my job. Need you to breathe for me, Baby.”

He squeezes my neck once more before I beg him for more, “Please.”

Still between my thighs, he looks up at me. “Please what? Use those beautiful words of yours.” I gulp, pushing down any hesitation I have.

“Tighter. Please.” My voice is barely audible given my need for release. His hand tightens around my throat and I plead with my eyes that he will stop edging toward a cliff that I want to free fall over. Feeling the weight of his hand against my neck sends shivers over my sweat-soaked skin.

My eyes are still watching him, taking the command he gave me seriously. Never being ordered around before I have nothing to compare his request to, but it heats my skin and makes me giddy all at once. Lingering, he slowly runs his tongue through my folds, pumping his fingers at an agonizingly slow pace. Once. Twice. My orgasm is so close that I can feel the tingle starting in my toes.

“Give it to me, Cassidy.” My head drops back, chest heaving, and I let it take me completely over in a silent scream, my walls clenching around his fingers before my body turns to jello.

“You’re so fucking beautiful coming around my fingers.” His entire focus is on me, but mine, no mine is on his glistening fingers. The same ones he is currently licking. “But I need to feel you around my cock now.” My chest rises and falls from my uneven breaths, from both the incredible orgasm Jameson just gave me and also from his naughty words.

“Yes, please.” I sit up, my voice needy and heavy with lust. This man is created of pure sin and I say a quick thank you, barely stopping myself before I say it out loud.

Holding his hand out to me, I take it and pull him back to my bedroom. I don’t know if I’ve ever been spread open quite like that—on my counter no less—but I am far from done and I need him to know that.