Chapter Six

The chime on the café's door played a brief musical interlude at Marion's entrance. Everyone in the shop seemed accustomed enough to the sound that they ignored the appearance of a newcomer. All except the man behind the counter. He lifted his gaze from the coffee he was making to nod her way.

A little catch in Marion's throat made her swallow hard. This man could have been the poster boy for the MMC in the series she was reading. It was the first time since seeing the big red ‘CANCELED' on the last leg of her flight home that she didn't mind being stuck in Denver for a night.

She tore her gaze from the man to take in the store. Her heart lightened more at the organized chaos spilling through the building. The café area in the front was neat and clean as a pin, but from the first bookcase, books were everywhere. Stacked and lined on shelves in the cafe area in no particular order. Beyond the elegant, plant filled, iron trellises lay rows and rows of books.

The last thing she needed to do was add to her carry-on, but she imagined she could spend hours, and hundreds of dollars, in this place if she had the inclination.

No, you came to relax and read, not shop, she told herself.

That didn't stop her from wandering the shelves for nearly an hour, though. She patted herself on the back for only grabbing one book, a nostalgic fantasy novel she'd read in high school. She had the first three books but needed the fourth. It was amazing this store had it in stock. Then again, there'd been thousands of mass markets of all conditions. Broken spines and the smell of books had soothed the last of her temper enough that she smiled warmly when someone approached her to take her order.

Once again, her breath caught at the sight of the man behind the counter. She had to wet her lips to force them to speak when her brain made the connection that he'd asked her what she wanted. "Right. Sorry, I forgot to look at the menu first."

"No problem. Take your time." His voice held a deep rumble to it that made her instantly wet. Damn her four-month dry spell for making her so susceptible to five simple words that were definitively not sexy. Of course, the chestnut hair and broad shoulders sure as hell didn't hurt.

She tore her eyes away from her ogling to scan the menu and the pastry case quick as she could. "A regular mocha, and one of the chocolate scones, please."

"Someone's got a sweet tooth," he teased. The corners of his eyes crinkled just enough to show how often he smiled.

"It gets sweeter the more frustrated I am," she concurred. Frustrated, in so many ways. She used the time it took to hold her phone over the payment terminal to admire his unique eyes. A deep brown surrounded the pupil, ringed with a denim blue. Central heterochromia.

"Frustrated?"

"Flight got cancelled. The wonderfully vague mechanical issues." Her eyes drifted toward the stacks in the back. "I suppose if I have to be stuck somewhere, this isn't the worst place I could have ended up. This is a wonderful shop."

"Thanks. Lifelong dream. Worked for years to make it come true, but it took my gran dying to make it happen."

"Wait, it's your place?"

"It is." He offered that eye-crinkling smile again.

"Nice. I always dreamed of having a place like this, myself."

"I always seem to meet people that say that. It seems all book lovers have a common dream." He slid the mug and plate across the counter. "Enjoy."

"Thank you." She took the food to a table nestled in the corner out of the way. A spot where she could people watch if she didn't get too wrapped up in her book. It was no coincidence that her clearest viewpoint was the counter.

She'd done that to watch the people approaching not to take the occasional glance at the owner. No, not at all.

Marion smiled to herself as she lifted her cup for her first sip. No sense in lying to herself. After all, even if he didn't look like the dark knight of legend in her dragon story, he was a delight to look at. She was only in town for one night, she might as well enjoy the view while she had it.

She settled into the cushioned bench seat, barely resisting the urge to draw her feet onto the cushioned surface. That might be comfortable as hell, but it was also bad manners. She might be willing to ogle the man serving her coffee, but she wasn't willing to rudely drape her bare, and likely sweaty feet on the nice fabric. She wasn't a monster.

What she was, however, was horny as hell. Short of jumping the bones of the man behind the counter, she'd have to settle for the man in her book. She tugged the book from her bag and settled in for a good read.

Rock took note of everyone leaving the store over the course of the last hour. He offered goodbyes to familiar faces and strangers alike. Through it all, the woman with the ebony hair remained lost in her book.

When she'd come up to his counter he'd been so caught off-guard by those stunning cognac eyes he'd rambled on like some fool teenager trying to impress the head cheerleader. By her tale of a cancelled flight, he guessed she wouldn't be in town but the night.

He'd actually picked this building based on its proximity to the airport hotels. Stranded travelers weren't an oddity around there. He hadn't ever pressed advantage before, but damn if she didn't make him want to.

Her long legs shifted, her lip pulled between her teeth as she drew her book closer. He had no idea what she was reading thanks to the cloth cover she had over the tome. Based on that alone, and the way she kept shifting about, ignoring the sweets she'd ordered, he thought it likely to be something smut-filled.

Gods, he could practically smell her arousal from where he stood.

Her gaze shifted briefly toward him, a light flush darkened her cheeks before she turned back to the pages.

Fuck. You're staring like some creeper. He tore his gaze from the woman to offer a farewell to the next departing customer. That left one more in the building besides her. He closed in five minutes. With any luck, the last customer would depart before he locked the doors. For the first time ever, he considered telling a customer he was closing and to get out. He had a feeling if he said something to the man, she'd take her leave as well.

Four minutes. Rock took the time to remake her mocha since she'd barely touched hers once she started reading. Normally he'd be cleaning his machine, but he needed an in.

Three minutes. The other customer, a businessman, finally folded his paper. He dropped the cup off at the counter, thanking Rock before leaving.

Two minutes. Perfect.

Rock set the espresso to brew before heading toward the door as the chime rang the last notes of its song. He turned the latch.

His general rule was that he never kicked a soul out until they were ready to leave, but he did lock the doors at closing time to avoid stragglers that didn't read door signs.

He made it back to the counter in time for the espresso to finish brewing. A quick glance told him she was still completely engrossed in her book. He compiled the mocha into a fresh mug, then grabbed the small bag of leftover pastries.

In the time he'd taken to steam the milk for her mocha, she'd pulled her feet up onto the bench seat, her nose practically buried in the spine of the books she held it so close. He swore her breathing was a bit ragged. A flush tinged a delicate burst of pink along her neck.

He set down the mocha on the table, but she hardly noticed him. After a few moments, he cleared his throat. For a moment the wide-eyed stare of a deer in headlights turned on him. She blinked a few times, the pink spreading to her cheeks as she seemed to return to the present. He must have interrupted one hell of a scene.

"Goodness," she breathed out the word in a raspy whisper. "You startled the shit out of me."

"Sorry about that. Seems to be no polite way to pull a person's attention from the much better fictional world to the present."

Her smile broadened, warm and full even as the blush remained brightening her cheeks. "Leave it a fellow bibliophile to understand. The worlds in books is always a draw over a world as messed up as ours is lately."

"Even the wars and battles the characters face are a welcome respite. Of course, much more enjoyable are their triumphs and pleasures."

"Most definitely." Her finger tucked into the pages of her book to hold her place.

"I brought you a replacement for your mocha. I don't think you've touched it, I thought you'd like a fresh cup."

"Oh. Oh, my. How long have I been…" Her gaze flickered through the now empty café, what she could see of it tucked into the alcove of greenery. Confusion creased her brow before she turned her gaze up toward him. "Where did everybody go? Are you closed?"

"It is a few minutes after ten," he acknowledged.

"I'm so sorry. I can leave."

"You don't need to. I make it a practice to let anyone stay as long as they like in the worlds they choose to inhabit. I only lock the door to prevent newcomers." He held up his hands to assume surrender at her cutting look. "It's easy enough to unlock. I'm no beast keeping Belle locked in a library."

"Pity," she muttered so quietly he almost didn't hear it.

He smirked, even more curious about what she was reading. "I'm Rock, by the way."

A flicker of a smile twitched across her lips. Those stunning eyes latched onto him now. "Rock? The wrestler?"

"Actually, no. It's a nickname for Rocky."

This time a small snort escaped whatever attempt at control she might have been making. "Moose and squirrel."

"No. Balboa. My dad was a big Stallone fan."

"Rocky Balboa is what he went with? Why not Sylvester? Or even Stallone?"

He grimaced at the question, although he didn't mind if it brought on her laughter full force, which he had no doubt it would. The story had amused a great number of people in his life. "I'd rather not say. You'll laugh at me more than you already have."

"Oh, you poor thing."

"Maybe it will make that pity genuine to tell you."

"Now I need to know." She leaned her chin in her hand. "Do tell."

"My last name is Sylvestri." He'd one hundred percent guessed right. Her laughter rang out through the hand she'd clamped over her mouth. "I told you."

"Oh no. That's too much. He couldn't have just left it to your last name and been done with it? He had to name you Rocky on top of it?"

"Is your pity genuine now, then?"

"A little bit." She pinched her fingers close together to accentuate the point. When she reached for her fresh mocha, she noticed the bag he'd set on the table. "What's this?"

"Some sweets still in the case. You said your tooth gets sweeter the more you're frustrated. I thought you could use some sweets for your hotel room and the wait for a new flight."

"You are a godsend." She tugged it close, opening the bag wide enough to stick her nose in. A deep inhale preceded a low moan. The sound put his cock at attention. He was grateful for the cover of the chair he leaned on. "I'm Marion, by the way."

He took her outstretched hand. "Marion. It's good to meet you. Sorry your time in Denver is marred by a cancelled flight and an unplanned night in the mile high city."

"Thank you, but I think things are looking up."

He curved one side of his lip into a smile. "Is that so?"

"I think it is."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not one bit."

Marion tucked her bookmark in her book. If the way this gorgeous man looked at her was any indication, she wouldn't need the scene she was in the middle of to find her pleasure that night. For that matter, she wouldn't need the toys tucked in her bag, either. Unless he wanted to play even more.

She noted the wall of windows at the front of the building, mostly obscured by the ivy covered trellises creating a little private area at each table. Still, someone could see where she sat if so tempted. She eyed the man before her. Oh, who fucking cared if it meant some relief from toys being her only pleasure?

Her mind made up, she dropped her book into the bag on the bench beside her.

The second her book thumped to the bottom of the bag, buzzing erupted from it. Strong enough she could feel it through the bench cushion. A glance behind her found her companion's eyes widening. A moment later, a sly grin slid across his features. "Is that what I think it is?"

"That wasn't supposed to happen. Not yet, anyway." She dug under the book to find the source of the buzzing. She was familiar enough with the toy to be able to hit the button to power it down through the bag it sat safely in.

"Yet? Does that mean you'll bring it out later?"

"Most definitely, whether sooner or later is still up for debate."

She turned back toward him. He'd inched closer on the bench during her distraction. His hip sat against her bent knee. His warm hand settled on her thigh, large and strong. If she hadn't already been primed by the scene she'd been reading, having that large hand inching toward her center would have done it.

He halted an inch away. It wasn't until she lifted her gaze from staring at said hand and found his intense look focused on her that she realized he'd stopped for permission. Good that he didn't assume her teasing meant an instant yes. His lips still maintained their wicked twist as he breached the silence. "What can we do to settle that debate? I'd like to see what you're hiding in that bag."

"I suppose that depends on you, and how well you handle things. If you need the help, I mean."

"I don't, but such things can still up the ante."

"You're awful cocky."

"How would you know?"

She chuckled at his turn of words. "Fair. I'd certainly like to find out if your cockiness holds across the line."

"Would you now?"

"Yes." Explicit permission granted, and she knew he knew it by the gleam his eyes took on. He licked his lips in anticipation. Her gaze focused on those lips for a moment before lowering to his hand again. "I have an IUD and a clean bill of health as of two months ago. I'm in a bit of a dry spell so there's been no one since that test."

A low grumble of approval erupted from him at her words. The closer he leaned in, the more his scent overwhelmed her. Coffee, cinnamon, and a hint of oak. "I like a woman who's prepared."

"If you often hit on your patrons, I don't doubt it." She inched closer so his fingers were close enough to touch her if he twitched them. Thank the gods she wore loose pants for travel, that would make things so much faster.

"Not as often as you might think." He slid his hand until he cupped her, his thumb pressed down into the bundle of nerves hard enough to send a shock of pleasure through her. "My last test was three months ago."

She bit her lip as his thumb circled her clit, the pressure never easing. Tingles coursed through her body. Her fingers clenched the cushion in response. Damn, it had been too long. She had to keep her head. "How many since?"

"Three. Wore protection for two." He leaned in closer, leaning her back onto the bench. "I've got protection if you want it."

His warm tongue swept along the sensitive bit of flesh where neck met shoulder. A teasing bite followed behind. She pondered her options. "No. If you checked with them, too."

"I did." His strong body now so close she felt the rumble of each word. The devilish hand had left her cunt to head for her waistband.

She arched into the touch of his fingers as they brushed along her bare skin. The touch stilled when they dipped below her waistband. He lifted off her a bit to smirk her way. "You did come prepared."

"I did not. I don't like underwear. It chafes. Especially when travelling."

He wasted no further time, making it to her clit in record time. His other hand lifted her shirt to free her breasts. She tugged it the rest of the way off as his lips closed over her nipple. Her back bowed when he slid fingers inside to accompany the pressure on her clit from his thumb. Fire coursed through her nerves, ramping up with every strong sweep of his fingers inside her. She buried her fingers in his hair, moaning at the rising pressure of release.

She gasped as the first climax hit hard and fast, her body shuddering at the release. He groaned slightly, hovering over her to meet her gaze. "That was awful fast."

"I told you, dry spell. Far too long of one, clearly."

He actually tsked. "Can't have that. I'm not done with you. I plan on taking my time here."

"Thank God."

Rock braced a hand against the bench, using the other arm to pull her to sitting. He captured her lips, need racing through him like fire. Her pants were easy to slide from her legs and toss aside. As he withdrew from the kiss he caught her lower lip in his teeth right as he slid his fingers inside again.

She jumped, gasping aloud, "Fuck me."

"Soon. Not yet." He rose to shed his shirt. He didn't miss the appreciative way her eyes grazed his chest, even as she fumbled in her bag.

She deposited a black velvet bag on the table by her once-again forgotten mocha. "A rabbit and a bullet. Should you feel the need."

"Not yet." He knelt before her. "Feet on the bench."

There wasn't a second of hesitation. She immediately did as he said, the action spreading her pussy wide before him. Already wet from his all-too-brief ministrations, the clit swollen. He licked his lips in anticipation. He noticed her edge a bit closer when he did.

He teased his fingers down her inner thighs, but only brushed past her cunt to slip his hands up to her small, pert breasts. They fit perfectly in his hands, and he pinched her nipples in appreciation. A small squeak and twitch of her clit was his reward.

He hummed low. She was divine. He moved one hand back down along her waist. The little sounds she made as he ran his finger toward her waiting pussy made his cock strain against his zipper. He leaned in, flicking his tongue across her clit.

His fingers drove into her moist heat, curling on their way out to give her as much pleasure as he could. He devoured her eagerly, drawing in her taste, her scent. The next pinch to her nipple had her slam her hand against the wall behind her. She scrambled for purchase, but with nothing there her hand lowered to his head.

The next fierce drive of his fingers got her tugging on his hair. The small pain made his balls tighten. He withdrew enough to slow her climb toward climax. She whimpered in protest. He chuckled against her flesh, beginning another slow push toward that pinnacle.

Her back arched, thrusting her breast back into his grasp. He squeezed, pushing his fingers as deep as he could as he sucked hard on her clit.

"Oh, God. Fuck." Her fingers twisted in his hair. "Right there."

She didn't have to tell him twice. He repeated the thrust and suck until she screamed, her delicious pussy pulsating with the orgasm.

"Fuck, you're gorgeous." He rose to kneel before her.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling his clothed cock toward her wet cunt. A low groan showed her frustration at the realization.

He brushed the fingers he'd used to make her scream over her lips. "Want a taste?"

She sucked in his fingers so fast and deep, he almost came right there.

"Fuck."

"That's what I'm asking for. Get your fucking pants off."

"Who said I was done with you?" He couldn't tell if it was fury or lust that lit her gaze, but he grinned. It didn't matter. She was fiery, passionate either way and he liked it. "There's still toys on the table. Literally."

Her lips parted, a shuddering breath wiping the momentary burst of control clean away. "Turnabout—"

"Dry spell?" He leaned closer, capturing her in another fierce kiss. She moaned, tugging him closer. Her nails raked along his back in delicious pain. He met her gaze. "Unless you want me to stop, that is."

"Not on your life."

"Didn't think so." He notched open the bag, spotting the pink rabbit immediately. Tucked in next to it was a bottle of lube. He pulled out the toy and lube, then fished for the bullet. It would come in handy later.

He flicked on the vibrator and pressed it against her perineum before she could offer any suggestions. She shuddered and moaned, leaning back against the wall again. Her nails dug into the fabric, her lips parting again as he moved slowly between her cunt and anus. A quick flick of his finger opened the lube.

A few drops had the toy sliding smoothly along that sensitive area. With a few more drops of lube he slid the toy deep into her pussy until the vibrating ears hit her clit. He held it there, playing with the settings until she twitched and moaned deeply.

He leaned forward until his cock pressed against those vibrations, adding pressure to her pleasures. Her swollen lips took him in eagerly. One flick of his tongue had hers parting for him and he drank her in eagerly. Her tongue battled his for dominance. He let her have it as the vibrations had his body coiling for release. He had to hold off. He wanted to be balls deep in her before he got it.

Her nails first scraped along his shoulders, then dug in as her cries released into their kiss. He clumsily reached for the device between them to flick it off. Fuck if he wasn't ready to have her. And have her now.

Marion couldn't stop her moan as he turned off the rabbit and pulled it free. Her body lax, she put all her focus on him as he rose. Finally he toed off his shoes and unbuttoned his jeans. The energy returned enough for her to sit up when his cock sprang free from its denim bindings.

The size was impressive, rivaled some of her best toys. God, her pussy ached for wanting him to fill her. She turned to lie down as he came toward her, welcoming the weight of him on the narrow bench. To help accommodate him, and to help with their pleasure she lifted her leg to the back of the bench.

His eyes were dark with lust as he hovered over her. A feral rush of need filled her and she looped her other leg around his waist.

He needed no further invitation than that, apparently. He thrust inside her deep and hard. She gasped, catching her breath as he stilled there. A frustratingly long time for her liking. She wiggled under him.

"Keep still or this'll be over far too soon." His lips trailed along her throat, one strong hand cupping her breast. He kneaded and teased until she whimpered.

"How long must we stay still."

"You'll know when you know." His throaty chuckle soothed her impatience. He continued to explore her body with his free hand, slipping it along her waist, thighs, ass. His lips never left her throat, tasting the salty remains of her pleasure.

Then he rose, lifting her hips high as he knelt on the bench. The shift in angle alone made the ache from his lack of movement turn into a wave of pleasure. She moaned low and deep. Rock shifted a little, but before she could ask why she heard the hum of the small vibrator.

He slowly withdrew his cock. At the same time as he thrust in again, the vibrator touched her nipple. Her back arched at the touch, the vibrations humming along her in tiny ripples. She whimpered.

He groaned. "Fuck, you mewl like a kitten. I love that sound."

She couldn't respond as the vibrator moved to the other side. His thrusts came stronger and harder. His own grunts of pleasure fueling her fire. The vibrator no longer touched her flesh, and a small buzzing near her head told her he'd dropped it. Well, that and the fact he now gripped both thighs.

She fumbled for the vibrator. Once in hand she set it first on her clit, then moved it down so it would affect them both. A low rumble from his chest showed his approval as the bullet hit his cock for the first time.

The pressure coiled in her belly, building as she neared release. "Fuck, I'm close."

"Me too, kitten."

Her legs tightened around his waist with each thrust. His fingers dug into her thighs as he gave one brutal thrust, then another. She moved the vibrator to her clit and followed his climax with her own.

"Fuck me. That's was good," she managed to mutter as the shudders eased.

"I did just fuck you. And is sure as shit was." His hands scooped under her back to lift her off the bench. He turned them so he sat with her straddled. She curled into his shoulder while the last bits of pleasure eased.

"I've never quite had a, pun intended, layover like this."

He chuckled warmly. "Is it a layover if your flight is cancelled?"

"It's a layover if I get laid."

"I accept your argument."

She laughed, sitting up straighter. "You have somewhere I can get cleaned up before I head back to my hotel?"

"I've got two options. I have a bathroom down here you can use, I can grab some towels and a wash cloth for you. Or you can use the one in my apartment upstairs, which already has the linens available."

Going into his apartment would be too personal. This was what it was. She nodded. "I'll wash down here. Thank you for the options."

He waited for her to settle on the bench before he hopped into his jeans. He walked to the front of the store, disappearing from view as he went toward the wall she sat against. A moment later he reappeared, trailing a curtain behind him that covered the windows.

"That was there all along, and you didn't offer to close them sooner?" Her scolding was likely marred by the grin she couldn't contain.

"Did you really mind?"

Marion couldn't lie. The fact someone might see them had been part of the excitement. She wondered if anyone had. If they'd end up on the orange and black site unknowingly. "Not really."

"Didn't think so. I'll get your towels."

She studied his well-muscled back, and the way his thigh muscles flexed against the denim on his way up the stairs behind the counter. She definitely didn't care about her canceled flight any longer.

While she waited for his return, she gathered her toys to clean them along with herself. Then she grabbed her clothes off the floor. She located the bathroom before he made it back, and happily accepted the towel and washcloth when he appeared at the door. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Need anything? A refresher on your coffee since you never did get more than a sip or two?"

"At this hour, caffeine isn't a good idea."

"I'll surprise you, then."

"Now I'm curious." She returned his smile as he wandered off. Marion cleaned herself, and her toys, then got dressed. Her hair was a mess, but he had a clip in her bag she could put it up with until she got to her room.

Back in the café Marion found that Rock had already cleaned off the table of her untouched coffee mugs. She reached for her bag, digging through for the clip. With her hair secured, she approached the counter where she found Rock sprinkling some cinnamon into a travel mug that had white foam on top of whatever he'd made. "What's this?"

"A hot angel. Warm milk with vanilla flavor, and a sprinkle of cinnamon." He clicked the lid in place. "On the house."

"Such top-notch service. Expect a five-star Yelp review." She accepted the cup. "Real hands-on owner, goes above and beyond."

"I do like to make my customers happy." He winked, a wolfish grin in place.

"And then some. Thanks again." She lifted the cup in salute and headed toward where the door would be found.

Rock came up beside her when she reached the curtain. He drew it back for her. "Wait. You forgot your pastries."

She glanced at the bag still sitting on the table. "No. I'm not quite so frustrated that I need them any longer."

He nodded. "Good night, then."

"Good night." She stepped out into the cool, crisp night air.

On this night she wouldn't need her book to help her fantasies before sleep. A wonderful reality would fill that void for a few days at least.