Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Thiago knew he didn't have to physically be there each of the days Jerricka's studio was using his property. It would've been easy to designate someone to be there to guard his interests. But there was something about them going to sleep in the same bed every night, waking the next morning and driving in to work. Together.

For some, that might be a little too much face-to-face time, but Thiago loved it. Nearly as much as he loved Jerricka Bishop. Once the three-day shoot was completed, it was the weekend. So, at least he had two days to gear himself up to returning to their previous routine of playing musical houses.

Only, Thiago didn't want to do that. Making changes required pushing his Dulzura a little farther out of her comfort zone. He knew she was brave enough to take the leap. She would simply need the appropriate incentive to do so.

Their last day of shooting wrapped early, and they decided to come back to his place. He left Jerricka in her nest of pillows on the couch with her laptop and snacks. As he did regularly when he needed to think, Thiago walked out to his workshop to let his hands shape something while his thoughts came together.

Lost in the flow of things, he didn't track the time. Flipping the off switch on the circular saw, he secured the piece of mahogany in a set of clamps and picked up the nearby sand paper. Picking a sharp corner on the wood, he began the process of smoothing it.

"Don't they have automatic sanders?"

Thiago looked up to see Jerricka standing just inside the doorway, leaning against it like she'd been there for a while.

"They do. Sometimes, I like to do things the old-fashioned way."

"This explains how a guy who sits behind a desk most days has callouses on his hands."

Jerricka came to a stop next to him, allowing her alluring scent to tickle his nose. Making a show of pulling off the leather apron, then his gloves, Thiago observed her.

"So, are you saying my protective gear does a shitty job of protecting me?"

Taking one of his hands in hers. She ghosted her fingertips over the roughened areas on his palm.

"No, but you obviously aren't loyal to using them." Putting his hand to her face, she rubbed her cheek against it. "I'm not complaining though. I like them."

"Oh yeah?" Thiago immediately began searching for the cleanest spot in the space. Once he found it, he snatched her up in using his favorite way to carry her—with his hands cupping her ass and her legs wrapped around his waist.

"Oh!"

Jerricka's yelp of surprise was captured by his kiss. Shoving the loose papers to the side, he lowered her to the table. Only then did he release her lips. Latching on to what she said about liking the rough parts of his hands, he used it to his advantage. He lifted the lower edge of her top and slid his hands along her bare skin.

"Mmm..." Moaning her appreciation, his Dulzura began her own exploration, mirroring his actions.

Trailing kisses down the side of her neck, he lingered near the sweet spot below her ear. Passion laced her words when she spoke.

"If I'd known this was the kind of reception I'd get for intruding on your woodworking, I would've done it a lot sooner."

Cupping her breasts, Thiago dipped his fingers beneath her bra to tweak her nipples.

"Is that so? Well, since you've interrupted, I have some wood you can help me work."

Chuckling at his own corny joke, Thiago recaptured her lips, delving his tongue into her mouth. His cock strained against the zipper of his jeans, begging to be released. Grudgingly, he released her breast to free his hands to get them as naked as they needed to be for what was next.

That was when Jerricka's stomach emitted a growl loud enough to penetrate their lust filled fog. Pulling back, Thiago peered down into her face.

"Now I remember why I came out here in the first place. I wanted to know if you were ready for dinner."

Easing her breasts back into the cups of her bra, he pecked her lips.

"Sure, Dulzura. Let's get you fed. You'll need the fuel."

Stopping him before he could lift her from the table, Jerricka held his face in her hands. Her thumbs stroked the thin line of hair along his jaw.

"You always take such good care of me. Thank you."

Leaning until his forehead rested on hers, Thiago maintained their stare.

"That's what I'm supposed to do, isn't it? A man doesn't let his woman starve when he can do something about it."

Sliding her fingers around to the back of his head, Jerricka threaded them through the shorter hair, gently scratching his scalp.

"This is true. And you are the best kind of man."

"Oh yeah? What kind is that?"

"Mine."

Stealing another kiss, Thiago lifted her from the table and began walking toward the door.

"Yours? Okay. I can get with that. Better than your book boyfriends?"

Nuzzling the side of his neck, she gave him a nip before pulling back to stare into his eyes.

"You can't be better than my book boyfriends."

Thiago's steps halted. He stood midway between his workshop and the back door to his house, searching Jerricka's face for any trace of humor. Still an avid reader, he didn't mind when she immersed herself into what she called her spicy reads. It usually meant she was already partially primed for a night of trying the different positions she'd just read about.

Seeing no humor in her expression, he finally responded to her statement.

"Why can't I be better than your book boyfriends?"

"Because, silly." Jerricka stroked the back of his head. "That means you would have to be better than yourself. You are my real-life book boyfriend. My construction book boyfriend."

Her words had Thiago eating up the remaining distance with long strides. Giggling, Jerricka snuggled deeper into his arms.

"What's the rush?"

As if she didn't know. Thiago shot her a glance, but didn't continue eye contact. It was dangerous at the moment.

"We need to go inside so I can get you fed, then fuck you to sleep like a good book boyfriend is supposed to do."

Opening the backdoor, he strode inside. "Now, please be quiet before I change the order and fuck you first."

Cuddling into his chest, Jerricka released a sighing giggle. "Whatever you say, Mr. Dominguez."

Thiago groaned. He was gonna fuck that pretty mouth. Then feed her food before he fulfilled the rest of his promises.