Chapter Nine

Well, that had been unexpected.

Jameson fell into his host role as the evening wrapped up. His staff were already hard at work in the kitchen and had dismantled the buffet as the crowd moved out to the patio to sip after dinner drinks and complete the silent auction. He thanked the guests as they dispersed, and kept his face impassive, yet polite, as every single one of them asked about his new relationship with Devon.

He gave the same response each time. “We’re getting to know one another right now.”

No more and no less.

Even though, inside, all he wanted was to get rid of everyone so he could kiss her senseless.

“It was a wonderful event,” a deep voice said behind him. He turned and shook Gabe’s hand, who was with his lovely wife, Bella. Bella looked exactly like Zoe in adult form. Jameson immediately felt comfortable around the Sunshine sisters and their spouses. Each of the women emanated a warm energy and unique personality he appreciated.

Avery, as the oldest, seemed to be the leader. He’d caught her ordering her sisters around while Bella sweetly agreed and Taylor sarcastically challenged. Taylor, as the youngest, sported pink hair and a no-bullshit demeanor. Her husband, Pierce, acted relaxed and laid back. When Jameson had engaged them in conversation, they’d finished each other’s sentences and struck him as true soul-mates.

The same could be said for Avery’s husband, Carter, who’d carried their Yorkshire terrier, Lucy, around in a bold pink tote without apology.

“Thanks for coming tonight. Tell Zoe I said hello.”

Taylor leaned against Pierce and stared at him with curiosity. “I like the changes you made at Vintage,” she said. “Then again, I was never a big fan of the pancakes here.”

He laughed. “Appreciate it. We’ll see what happens. By the way, I heard the painting in Mac’s house was created by you. It’s seriously the only thing I love there. You’ve got serious talent.”

She brightened. “Thanks. That series was one of my favorites to paint.”

“Inspired by me,” Pierce added, earning a playful punch on his arm.

“How’s Bear doing? Why wasn’t he here tonight?” Avery asked.

“He doesn’t do well with other dogs. We’ll need to get him some training, so he’s home, destroying Mac’s house.”

Carter chuckled. “Sounds about right. Lucy refused to even look at Avery when we first met. They’re possessive of their owners.”

“But now she loves me more. Right, baby?” Avery cooed at the tiny princess like dog.

“Our puppy was a terror when we first got him,” Gabe added. “Bella was a bit put off that I’d let Zoe have her way.”

“But now I love him more,” Bella teased. “Dogs seem to do that. It’s hard to fight when all they want is to give and receive love with no other expectations.”

“True,” Jameson said. “I never had much exposure to animals. My place is tiny in New York, and my shifts are insane. Nothing lives for too long. I managed to kill a cactus.”

The sisters all shared a knowing glance. “Things change,” Bella practically sang. “Cape May is a great place to open up a restaurant.”

“Lots of open spaces to get creative,” Avery added.

Taylor groaned. “Cut it out, guys. Leave him alone and let’s get the hell out of here. He wants to be alone with Devon.”

Jameson refused to be embarrassed like a teenager but felt his ears turn red.

They all exited in a rush of chatter and barbs and he realized if he was in Cape May, they’d all probably become friends.

Not that he lived in Cape May. Or ever would. He was a city guy at heart.

Pushing away the thought, he kept busy and soon, the last of the guests had gone. His staff finished dismantling and cleaning, and finally, he was left alone in Vintage.

With Devon.

Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked over. “All set?” she asked lightly.

“Yep. Hell of an evening, huh?”

He noticed she avoided his probing gaze, turning slightly away. “Yes, it was. Heading home to Bear now?”

“Yep. Thing is, I’m terrified of what I’ll find when I get there. He may be frantic, and I don’t think I can handle it alone right now.”

That made her chin tilt up. “Do you need help?”

He kept his face neutral. “It would mean a lot to me. I think Bear could use the extra company. Can you come with me to Mac’s house?”

She shifted her feet. Paused. “Well, if you think I could help.”

“I do. Did you have a lot of champagne?”

She picked up the suggestion and gracefully volleyed. “I had a few glasses. Maybe it’s better if I left my car here and you drove?”

“Smart idea.”

They walked out to the car side by side. He brushed his fingers against hers.

The drive was short and completed in silence, but it wasn’t tension that stopped them from speaking. Jameson felt the sweet tight anticipation between them like a beautiful dance. Neither wanted to ruin it with words.

Bear greeted them with the mad fury of a canine scorned but after a potty trip, a snack, and some extra affection, the beast finally settled. Jameson took two cans of seltzer out of the refrigerator, poured them into glasses, and handed her one. She took it with a nod and prowled around the rooms, studying the various books on the shelves.

He tamped down a grin, allowing her the space, allowing her to feel comfortable about what was about to happen. And it would happen.

On her terms.

“The auction went well. We brought in a lot of money for the shelter. Judith cried.”

He nodded, sipping his seltzer. “You had some great items to sell.”

“Yeah, except that ridiculous portrait prize. It started at three hundred dollars. I doubted it’d sell to anyone. Who wants a caricature of yourself done over Zoom? Marilyn has a wonderful heart, but she does those drawings on the side and no one has the heart to tell her they’re awful.”

Jameson kept his expression mildly interested. “I hope she wasn’t hurt by not selling it.”

Devon tapped her lip thoughtfully. “That’s the thing that puzzled me. Someone did bid on it. At three hundred dollars. It’d be the most she’d ever made in her life.”

“Wow, I guess someone was trying to be nice. Good for her.”

Slowly, she put her glass on the table. He did the same.

“It was you. You bought that awful caricature for a stupid price and you used the name Frank James. Clever.”

He blinked. “Not very clever if you figured it out.”

She blew out a breath and faced him head on. Feminine energy sparked around her and turned her eyes to emerald fire. She clenched her fists and breathed deep, and the satiny fabric of her dress clung to her breasts like a gift from God, for his eyes only. His body tightened with a ravenous hunger, but he kept still, allowing her to set the pace. “Why are you doing this?”

His tone was mild but his body was at war, practically shaking under his clothes. “Doing what?”

“This!” Her hand cut through the air and she trembled. His gaze carefully took in her hard nipples and flushed skin, knowing he was so close. “You make this ridiculous donation to a cause you never even believed in, and you upgraded the appetizers and drinks and even added halibut to the buffet! You can’t make a profit on halibut at a charity buffet.”

“Yep, I took a bath on that one.”

“Stop, just stop. Then you say these…things about me over the microphone? When you know how this town gossips? Everyone will be bugging you about how you feel about me, and give you all this pressure, and you’re going to regret it. Big time.”

“Doubt it.”

She lost it. With a screech of rage, she stomped over to him and faced him toe to toe. “Why did you lie to me? Why are you so different from what I thought!”

Head thrown back, breath puffing through her pink lips, hair disheveled and coming out of her fancy braid, she was everything he’d ever dreamed of or wanted in a woman and he couldn’t wait another second.

Jameson moved, grabbing her around the hips, lifting her up so they were nose to nose, mouth to mouth, inches away. “Because somehow, some way, you make me want to do better.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Damn you for ruining everything.” Then she grabbed his shoulders, jerking him forward, and kissed him.

They exploded together like a tsunami hits the shore. Wrapping her legs tight around his hips, their mouths fused hungrily, desperate for each other, and Jameson wanted to drown in her taste and smell and feel until there was nothing left of him but her.

He walked her into the bedroom, palms roving over her back, never breaking the kiss. The fabric of her dress crushed around him, hiked up to her hips. Placing her on the bed, they shed their clothes in a frenzy, throwing each item on the floor, stopping to kiss and stroke every bare expanse of flesh as it was revealed.

He tugged down her dress straps and groaned as her breasts spilled into his hands. He stroked and cupped the heavy weight, loving the cherry red of her nipples, sucking tight on the hard nubs as he relished her cries. She pulled at buttons and the belt buckle, practically ripping off the fancy vest. Her fingers played in the swirls of hair on his bare chest, drifted downward, and then she shoved both hands in his boxers to cup his erection.

He hissed out a curse. Holy crap, he wouldn’t last long at this rate. This woman was pure fire. “Sweetheart, you gotta slow down.”

“Can’t. Keep up, restaurant boy.”

His half laugh, half groan was swallowed by her mouth over his, so he kicked his pants free of his ankles and toppled her down on the bed.

Slipping the dress free, he tugged the slinky fabric down her hips and stared at her gorgeous, mostly naked body. A tiny pair of black lace panties barely covered her. He’d fantasized of taking her panties off with his teeth, and teasing her until she was helpless and begging.

Unfortunately, he had no time for that.

He took the sexy underwear off and gazed at her perfect, bare mound. Pushed her thighs slowly apart. Tossed his glasses onto the floor. Dipped his head.

And licked.

She cried out, her hands buried in his hair as he pleasured her with his teeth and tongue and lips, drunk on her taste. He nipped at her swollen clit, laving it with his tongue, and her voice got hoarser as she arched up hard in feminine demand.

He gave her everything she wanted and more until she fell apart under his tongue, his name a ringing scream in his ear.

Jameson didn’t stop licking her until the last of convulsions had passed. He rolled half to the side, shoving open the night stand drawer, grabbed a condom and sheathed himself.

Propped up between her wantonly spread legs, he gazed at her with a raw hunger that made him feel uncivilized. Cheeks flushed, lips parted, hair falling across her naked breasts, she was a vision. He could spend hours just looking at her, exploring every dip and curve of her body, but right now, he needed to be inside her more than his next breath.

Devon slid down, hooking her legs around his hips, guiding him toward her damp heat. He took her lips in a rough kiss, and when he broke away there was a lust in her eyes that took away the last of his control.

She whispered the words in his ear. “Fuck me, Jameson.”

With a hiss, he pushed inside, slow and steady, sinking deep.

His entire body shuddered with pleasure. Muscles locked, he began to move, slow at first, then faster as she grabbed his shoulders, nails biting into his skin, urging him on. He took her on a wild ride and she met him at every thrust, every cry, every stroke. Watching her face, she fell apart piece by piece, biting her lip as the orgasm took her. He slammed his hips forward one final time and let himself go.

He didn’t remember much after. It was as if the sex was too intense to make sense of what had happened between them. Jameson disposed of the condom and brought her water. Bear trotted into the room now that it was safe, and lay by the bed, happily snoring away a few moments later. Devon was sprawled out in the sheets, one long leg falling partway off the mattress, face smashed into the pillow. He climbed in beside her, caressing her perfect ass, smoothing up her back and pushing her hair aside.

Pressing a kiss to the nape of her neck, he pulled her into his body.

And slept.