Free Novel Read

Evergreen Page 3


  CHAPTER 5

  Andi

  I felt the heat of his stare on me. I knew I was flirting with the devil, but I didn’t care. With him I wanted to be that bold woman who kissed a stranger. I led him to the back office and saw Turnip sleeping in his bed. Wasn’t sure if I should thank Dallas or scold her later. She lied so I would come back here with Mr. Sexy Muffin- Man. A shiver ran up my spine as I thought of the deep groan he’d made while he demolished the muffin. So hot.

  “This must be the infamous Turnip,” I heard him say from behind me. I turned to him and saw he was trying not to laugh. Did he know Dallas had lied?

  “Yep, that’s my little man. He had a bad start in life, and now he is a spoiled prince.”

  Turnip looked at me and then Ryder and then put his head back down to sleep. Vince came walking in and lay in his bed as well.

  My office was cozy. My desk had a bunch of invoice papers, for events I was doing this month, scattered everywhere. A little mini fridge sat in the corner, and dog toys were spread out around the room.

  “Lucky him that you took him in. Are there any other special men in your life I should meet?”

  I looked back at him and shook my head. He closed the distance between us. Now that I wasn’t wearing high heels, I only came to his nose. Half-panting, I looked up at him and waited to see what would happen. I wanted something to happen. I’d thought about him a lot, and my imagination hadn’t done him any justice.

  “I’ve thought about how sweet you taste. I’ve taken my cock in my hand the past few nights thinking about you and how when I found you I was going to lick every part of your delectable body.” His words went straight to my core, lighting me on fire. It made me so hot visualizing about him touching himself thinking about me.

  Time to bring out Candy Tease from the other night. I inched closer, bringing our lips centimeters apart. His eyes were dark with a hunger for me.

  “I’ve thought about you, and your lips while touching—” I didn’t even get to finished what I was saying before his lips were on mine and his arms were around me, crushing me to him.

  I gasped at the intensity of this kiss. Our other kisses had been passionate but teasing; this was full-on hunger for each other. He took advantage of my parted lips, and his tongue caressed mine. A shiver ran through me, and my knees went weak. His grip on me tightened as we moved against each other’s mouths.

  “Fuck, you taste so good,” he growled against me. His voice alone could make me come.

  “Want me to make you come with just my voice, cupcake?” He smiled as he kissed me.

  Oh no.

  “Did I just say that out loud?”

  He nodded and continued ravishing me, his lips on my jaw, then my neck. A soft moan escaped me. My body was on fire. I felt sexy. Oh hell, I just felt damn good. And this sexy man hadn’t even done anything.

  “I thought about you—in a red corset, lace panties, those ‘fuck me’ heels—decorating those cupcakes out front. I’d come up behind you, pull that sexy ass against my dick, let you feel how hard you got me just by looking at you.”

  He pressed his erection against me for emphasis. If he was working to make me come without touching me, he was getting me there quickly. I was so hot I thought I would burst.

  “You like it a little rough, don’t you? You would want me to grip your hair and arch those perfect tits out as I grind behind you.”

  I shuddered, rubbing my thighs together, trying to alleviate the pressure building between my legs.

  “No, cupcake, your orgasm is all mine,” he whispered against me as he slowly walked us back to lean against my desk.

  He wedged one of his knees between my legs, bringing it close to my sex. His hands skimmed up my back and weaved through my hair, bringing my lips to his. His mouth was hot and waiting. I gave into the feelings he was giving me. My body so close, I needed a resolution like my very next breath.

  “Ryder,” I moaned as a plea.

  He growled against me and brought his leg closer between me. I shamelessly rubbed against him. His hands left my head and gripped my hips, rhythmically pulling me against him. The sounds of our breathing and my little whimpers were all I heard before his hand left my hips and pressed against my clit bringing me over the edge. I cried out into his mouth as my release hit me hard.

  “What I wouldn’t do to be inside you as you clenched around my cock.” His words drove me harder. I gripped on to him, my nails biting into his skin.

  He slowly brought me back to planet earth, his kisses sweet and gentle. He leaned back and looked at me, running his fingers down my cheek. “You are so beautiful.”

  God, who was this man? I needed to know more; this level of sex appeal and sweetness was unheard of except in fantasy.

  “Do you like tacos?” I blurted out. Strange question, but I wanted to see him later. I didn’t care if I sounded desperate; right now all I wanted was to touch him, to lick him.

  He gave me a half-smile, his green eyes lighting up with excitement. “I do.”

  I released my grip on him and ran my hands across his hard body, his muscles flexing under my touch. I only hoped I affected him as much as he did me.

  “I’m making tacos tonight. You should join me.”

  I moved my hands up and down and then lightly across his strained zipper. He sucked in a breath, and the hands on me tightened. Yep, I was playing dirty.

  “I’ll be there.” His eyes were hooded with a promise of good times tonight.

  “I’ll text you the address. Do you have a card or something?”

  He let go of me and took a step back. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “What is your number? I’ll message you.”

  I rattled off my number to him as he put it in his phone. I heard the beep of my phone from the front a few seconds later.

  “Thanks, I’ll send you the info. Um, thanks for…” I didn’t really know what to say now.

  He smirked and broke the tension.

  “Don’t feel awkward, making you come was the highlight of my day. Well, so far.” He winked.

  I tried to have a serious face while speaking my next words.

  “Just because you are coming over for dinner, doesn’t mean I’m gonna let you get a home run, bud.” Yeah, right. Even I knew that was a load of crap coming out of my mouth, but I could try, right?

  He just laughed.

  “Of course not. I think it’s time I made my exit.”

  He motioned for me to come to him, and I did. I tilted my head to look into his eyes.

  “I will see you later, cupcake.” He leaned down and gave me a yummy, but too short, kiss. With that he walked out toward the front of the store and left.

  I took a few minutes to compose myself before heading out front. As I made my way behind the counter, I could feel the goofy grin coming from Dallas. I just shook my head and tried to look busy putting some chocolates out on display.

  “So, was it really as good as it sounded?” she burst out.

  At that moment I had never been so thankful that no one was in the shop. My face turned beet red. I slowly faced her, unable to hide the blush. I had to talk to someone.

  “Oh my God, seriously, Dallas. It was … oh God. It was amazing. He barely even touched me.” I was on cloud nine.

  She giggled. “Well, that’s impressive. When are you going to jump him again?”

  I did a little dance I was so excited. “Tonight!”

  She shook her head, laughing at me. “You are turning into a super McHottie. First the guy from Nikki’s wedding comes in and flirts with you. Then you have super-sexy stud muffin make you come in the office. Without really touching you, I might add. I swear, with these real life wet dreams coming in to see you, I am going to have to buy extra batteries.”

  I rolled my eyes at her comment, but she had a point. I looked at myself in the mirror across the room. I hadn’t changed anything. Nothing that would scream, “Hey, come talk to me, sexy boys!” Oh well.
>
  “Gavin was just being nice. I didn’t think he was flirting.” He was sweet and good-looking for sure. But he didn’t light my fire like Ryder.

  “Uh-huh, whatever you say. Anyway, what are you making for the stud muffin tonight?”

  I felt warm thinking about everything I was going to do with him tonight. I moaned thinking about it. “Tacos.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Ryder

  I pulled up to the house at the address Andi had sent me. It was a nice Florida-style home with a view of Tampa Bay across the street. I could envision her in a tight, bright-ass swimsuit, playing in the water with her dogs. I got out of my truck and knocked as soon as I got to her door.

  Her dogs started barking on the other side immediately. Finally the door swung open, which led me to be swarmed by those barking dogs. I squatted down to greet them and then brought my gaze up to the redheaded bombshell smiling down at me.

  “You got quite the welcome committee,” I said while still petting her dogs. She smiled more brightly; I really liked her smile.

  “They are very excited to have company.”

  My gaze traveled up her body as I stood. She was wearing the same outfit she’d had on earlier and looked just as good as I’d been imagining her all day. My eyes locked on to those perfect lips. My body flared with desire to taste her. I planned on doing just that tonight. It was only a matter of time. I was going to taste every inch of her fan-fucking-tastic body. My thoughts must have been clear on my face because a faint blush coated her cheeks.

  Screw it.

  I walked and closed the space between us, wrapping my arms around her waist. Her body was flushed with mine as I brought my lips close to hers.

  “I’ve thought about your lips all day,” I whispered against her.

  Her body shivered; she liked it when I talked to her. And you bet your sweet ass I liked making her shiver from my words alone. She leaned in, trying to touch our lips together, but I held back just an inch. Keeping her just out of reach.

  “Ryder,” she groaned in protest.

  A chuckle escaped out of me, before I closed that little distance and molded my lips to hers. A soft moan came from her lips; my dick got hard as I thought about the sounds I was going to make come out of her. I teased her lips with my tongue, sucking on her lower lip and giving it a gentle nip. Her hands reached up to my head; her nails scratched along my skull, driving me nuts. She liked my little love bite.

  Good.

  I liked a girl who wanted it a little rough. My fingers dug into her waist, bringing her sexy little body close. Her soft breasts were pressed against my chest. I wanted to take her up against her door, but I wasn’t going to let any of her neighbors get a show. I slowed our kissing down to gentle pecks and pulled back.

  “So tacos, huh?” I tried to ease the sexual tension in the air. I would have her. Soon. But for now she needed to get in the house and get some food in her system. She was going to need all the energy she could get.

  Her eyes slowly opened and looked at me. She wanted me. Badly. Hm, I might have to ease her pain sooner than I’d thought.

  “Um, yes! Food! Come on in. Want something to drink? I think I’ve got tea, beer, and water, and I think that is it.” She turned and walked into her house, flustered as hell.

  I laughed as I walked in. She was fucking cute.

  Her house was nice. It was very open and had a homey feel. I could totally see her lying on her couch, cuddled up with her dogs and reading a book. And her kitchen was what I’d expected. A cook’s kitchen. The fantasy I’d had of her wearing her lingerie and leaning against the counter came to mind. I was definitely going to take advantage of that.

  “I’ll just have water for now,” I told her.

  “Great. So, Ryder, tell me about the man behind the stalker,” she teased as she set a glass on her island in the kitchen.

  I took a seat and answered, “I work for the FBI.” I smirked.

  Her jaw dropped. “No shit!”

  “Shit.” I laughed.

  She looked excited, and that enthusiasm came out when she asked me a bunch of questions.

  “Oh, wow. So you are like a real FBI agent? Have you killed anyone? Do you do a bunch of cool secret missions?”

  Like I said, cute.

  “Yep, I’m legit, yes, and yes.” I winked at her on the last answer.

  “That is so cool. I’ve never met a real agent. Only seen super sexy agents on TV. Are you working on anything now? Oh, I’m sorry you probably can’t tell me.”

  I laughed again at her excitement. I wanted to tell her about that asshat Gavin, but it was probably a chance meeting. But I would keep a close eye on that.

  “I’m working on bringing a drug lord down. Been working the case for a few years.” I had no reason to lie to her.

  She beamed at me. I shook my head and laughed again. It hit me that I hadn’t laughed this much in years. This girl was making me do things I didn’t do.

  “How about you? Sexy dancer by night, sweets maker by day?” I teased right back.

  “Oh yeah, money at night can be really good when I wear that outfit. Great tips.”

  A growl slipped out. I didn’t like the thought of her dancing at night.

  “I’m just kidding. I’m twenty-four. Obviously I am addicted to sweets, so I started my own business so I could eat them all the time.” She winked.

  “ Oh yeah… Andi. I thought I saw you at the Sweets Anonymous meetings. The one with chocolate in her teeth,” I said in a very serious voice.

  She put her hands up in surrender. “You got me. Hit the nail right on the head. Well, looks like dinner is done. Eat up.”

  We talked over dinner while her dogs played in the living room. Andi was so enthusiastic about her work. Pride came out of her in waves as she talked about it. After dinner we moved to the couch and continued talking. I could honestly say it was the first time in three years that I sat and talked with a woman.

  Andi was sweet and kind, but beneath that sweet exterior I could see another side. A fiery side. The side that drove her to kiss a stranger. I wanted to be the one that brought out that hellfire in her.

  “Want to walk over to the beach? I want to let my boys run around before bedtime.” She stood up and waited for an answer.

  It was getting late, but screw it. This night was far from over. “Let’s go.”

  We gathered the dogs and walked out to the little beach across the street. The weather was nice even though the air was humid, but that was Florida for you. The moon was high and bright enough that I could see everything. Everything seemed peaceful, calm.

  “I like nights like this,” she said softly.

  “It’s calming. The dogs look like they are enjoying it.” I watched as her dogs ran around in the sand.

  “Yeah, they like to chase ghost cra—”

  Turnip crashed into her, interrupting her and knocking her toward the ground.

  I reached out instinctively to grab her, catching her just a foot from the ground. I tightened my hand around her and pulled her up. Her hands gripped my shirt, steadying herself.

  “I’ve got you. You’re okay,” I whispered into her hair.

  Her hair smelled like strawberries. Her breathing, which had begun to slow, picked back up again. Her hands let go of their death grip on my shirt and started roaming over my chest. I brought my hand to her chin and gently lifted her gaze to mine. I needed to see in her eyes what she wanted. They didn’t disappoint. She wanted me to bring the fire out of her, to challenge her. I brought my lips to hers, ready to get burned.

  CHAPTER 7

  Andi

  He was so hard under my hands. I had thought about him all day: what I would do when I saw him, what he would do. I wanted to do things to this man. Lick every line of his chest. Taste his hard cock that was pressed to me. I wanted to ride him as he gripped my hips, pressing himself even further inside me. I licked his lower lip, wanting so much more from his lips. He happily obliged.

&nbs
p; A growl came out from his mouth as his hands moved down to my ass and lifted me to him. My legs surrounded his hips in a vise grip. My hands wound their way up to his head. I couldn’t help running my fingers through his soft hair. I was so hot for this man I could have exploded. While still holding me, he broke our kiss long enough to rip his shirt off and throw it to the ground. He slowly brought us down to the sand, laying me on his shirt. His chest was covered in moonlight. I could see his shoulders were strong and muscular. His abs were taut and flexed holding himself over me.

  “So beautiful,” he murmured.

  My eyes flew up to his. He stared at me with such intensity; it was such an intimate moment. I barely knew this man, but I felt like at this moment we were stripped bare before each other. Our souls were out in the open, every secret desire displayed. I brought my fingers around and lightly touched them to his perfect lips.

  His mouth opened up and nipped my fingertips. My body zinged. I quickly brought my hands down to his jeans and worked the zipper. I brought my hand flush with his cock, making him groan. Oh my! Excitement went through my veins. I couldn’t wait to explore that piece of him more. It felt strong, thick, and long. I couldn’t hold back the shiver of pleasure that ran through me as I stroked him. I pulled back and worked with determination on getting my jeans down and off.

  “Holy hell. You are perfect.” He leaned down and kissed across my stomach, swirling his tongue along my panty lines. My hips were moving as if begging him to come hither. “I will take my time running my tongue along every inch of this sweet body, but if I don’t get inside you right now, I’m going to go out of my fucking mind.”

  I moaned at the thought. “Oh, please.” I wanted that so much.

  I saw him produce protection from him wallet. He released himself from his denim confinement and sheathed himself. He then slowly and tantalizingly pulled down my panties, kissing and licking his way back up before settling between my legs.