“Because we’ve gone through a lot of drinks tonight?” Willow suggested.
“You’ve got a point. I might as well restock them now, ’cause I’ll be doin’ it in another hour when the bar closes anyway.”
Willow offered, “No, I think it’s my turn. I’ll do it if you’ll keep an eye on my section.”
“Deal.”
Blake took a sip of Coke and waited a full minute before he followed Willow into the storeroom.
She was standing on the bottom ring of the metal shelving unit, trying to reach the package of napkins. She jumped when the door clicked behind him.
He didn’t move toward her. He purposely rested against the door because he didn’t trust himself not to bend her over the stack of boxes and fuck her until she screamed.
Her fingers curled around the metal shelf. “Blake.”
“Willow.”
Pause.
“Now that we’ve established our names—”
She launched herself at him. Her hands in his hair, her mouth hungry on his, her body plastering his to the door.
God. Yes. This is what he’d wanted. What he’d needed. To know she craved him as much as he did her.
Willow kissed a path to his ear. “Tell me you had another Boy Scout moment and stashed a condom in your pocket. Please.”
“Dammit. No. We used the one I brought to your place and the rest are upstairs.”
“No matter.” Her hands attacked his belt buckle. She had him unbuckled, unzipped, and was on her knees tugging his jeans and briefs down before he realized her intentions.
For a split-second, Blake thought about saying she didn’t have to do this. That he could wait to get off until they were together upstairs after the bar closed.
But the thought was fleeting at best.
Blake looked down at her. So eager and sexy and… Holy shit she just swallowed as much of him as she could.
It felt so damn fine he could only groan.
Willow’s hot mouth and flickering tongue worked him from shaft to balls. No breaks, just constant attention, constant friction. Constant heaven.
The echo of their combined heavy breathing and her sucking sounds kicked him closer to the edge.
Hold off.
No. Be greedy. Been an eternity since you’ve been blown to heaven and back.
He clenched his hands into fists at his sides, fighting the urge to grab her head and shove his cock deep into her throat.
She pulled off long enough to say, “Don’t hold back. I’m not as fragile as you think.”
That was all the encouragement Blake needed. He threaded his hands though her hair and held her right where he wanted her. Pumping his hips into that suctioning heat.
Willow didn’t balk at his rougher handling.
A humming noise reverberated up his cock, sending goose bumps up his thighs, which started that prickling sensation in his balls. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from Willow’s face, the splash of color in her cheeks, the perspiration dotting her forehead or the look of concentration that bordered on ecstasy.
She jacked his shaft at the base and focused on suckling the head.
When their eyes met, it was over.
Blake said, “I’m done,” as a warning in case she wasn’t the swallowing type.
But she was. Her tongue curled around the head of his cock and she sucked in time to each hot spurt. Her constant rhythm prolonged the pulses until he about jumped out of his skin.
He sagged against the door, blinding white spots dancing behind his closed lids. Blood rushed to his head, throbbing in his brain like an echo of his climax.
The
pop hiss
of a can brought him out of his sexual trance. He opened his eyes.
Willow sipped from a can of ginger ale. “Want some? I’ll warn ya. It’s warm.”
“Come here.” Blake hauled her upright and smashed his mouth to hers. Sweet soda mixed with the taste of his come and Willow. A potent combination. He kept kissing her until she squeaked a protest.
“Blake.”
“What?”
“You’re the bartender. People won’t miss me but they’ll be looking for you.”
“They’ll be fine for another minute or two.”
“It’s been ten minutes. You need to fasten your pants and get back out there.”
He smoothed a piece of her damp hair behind her ear. “I’d rather stay here with you.”
She just gazed at him with those shimmering brown eyes.
“What?”
“So did I prove it?”
Blake grinned. “You even have to ask?”
She smirked. “Just checking.”
Chapter Seven
Willow waited a couple of minutes before she headed up front with an armful of napkins. She hoped Mandy hadn’t noticed how long she’d been gone. Or noticed Blake had gone missing around the same time. Or that her lips had taken on an extra fullness and shine.
Of course you hope Mandy noticed. Then she’ll have no doubt that you’re woman enough to handle Blake West.
“Oh, there you are, Willow,” Mandy said breezily. “Thanks for grabbing those.”
That’s not all I grabbed.
“No problem.”
“Table four needs another round.”
“Cool. I’ll take care of it.” After taking the order, she wandered to the waitress station by the cash register.
Blake offered her the dimpled grin that weakened her knees. “Hey, sunshine.”
“Hey. I need two bottles of Coors Light and two Captain and Diet Cokes.”
He said, “You got it,” but he didn’t budge.
She waited. For some odd reason he was fascinated with her mouth.
Hah! You know the “odd reason” he’s looking at your mouth.
“Blake?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll be back for those drinks.”
“Uh. Yeah. Right.” He beamed another goofy grin. “Remind me again what they were?”
She repeated the order. She was still smirking a little when Mandy caught her eye and smirked back at her.
“What?”
“Only one thing puts a smile like that on a man’s face.”
Willow feigned innocence. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, sugar, don’t play coy.” Mandy pursed her lips and glanced down. “And wow, you’ve got dirt on your knees.”
She blushed, angling her head to look at the front of her pants…and saw nothing. She met Mandy’s amused eyes.
“Gotcha.” Mandy’s smile widened. “And aren’t you glad you took the bull by the horn, so to speak?”
Then Willow knew. She laughed out loud. “You sneaky be-yotch. You never had designs on Blake.”
“Nope. A little jealousy is a good motivator.” She sighed. “I am such a sucker for romance. Too bad I’ve got none of it in my life.”
“No romance? So how did you pick up on the changes between me and Blake so quickly?”
Mandy shrugged. “All in a day’s work, but there’s no denying you’re the head waitress tonight.” She winked saucily and sauntered off.
The clock slowly ticked toward last call. The place finally emptied out. She and Mandy cleaned the front while Blake wiped down everything behind the bar.
Their section didn’t take long, but Blake was still slaving when they finished. Mandy shoved her tips in her purse and waved good-bye to Willow, protesting that Blake didn’t have to accompany her out to her car. But Blake was a genuinely good guy who made sure everyone on his watch was safe.
So Willow was surprised to see Mandy scowling as Blake followed her back inside the bar five minutes later.
“What’s going on?”
“Stupid piece of shit car. Damn thing won’t start. Again.”
Blake grabbed his keys. “We’ll get it looked at tomorrow. Lemme lock up and I’ll drive you home.”
“Don’t you have to close out the till and stuff? It’s already late.”
“I’m used to late nights. No biggie.”
“I can take you home,” Willow offered.
“Will—”
She faced Blake. “It’s okay. I’m done.”
He crossed over to her and touched her cheek gently, but the fire in his eyes was unmistakable. “You
are
coming back?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Of course.”
“Now you have an incentive to finish fast.”
“Seems I do. Lock the delivery door behind you when you get back and come find me, all right?”
“Sure.”
Outside the air was losing the sultriness. Willow rolled down the window as Mandy climbed in her truck.
“I appreciate this, Willow.”
“Least I could do.”
“You know, you’re nothing like I thought you’d be.”
Willow glanced at her. “Same goes. But naturally I’m curious as to what you mean.”
“I see you around town and I’ve always envied your confidence.”
Was Mandy implying she came off cocky? “Yeah?”
“Yeah. But I can’t fathom what it’d be like to run a construction company, especially being a woman.”
“It has good days and bad days, just like any other job. I’ll admit I have a rougher time being taken seriously than my male counterparts. And since I work around men ninety-nine percent of the time, I don’t get much chance to indulge in the girly type stuff other women take for granted.”
“Is that why you entered the Miss Firecracker pageant?”
Willow shook her head. “This nasty woman I went to school with put my name in as a joke. I had too much pride to back out.”
“You won. That had to feel good.”
“It did. Doesn’t mean I learned a thing about becoming more ladylike, as so many gossips in this town have pointed out to me.”
And to my mother.
“Turn here,” Mandy said. “You’d think since I’m on the receiving end of snap judgments I wouldn’t do it, but I do too.”
Good thing it was dark and Mandy couldn’t see the blush stealing across Willow’s cheeks. She’d prejudged Mandy. Misjudged her apparently. Yet they were on common ground because Mandy had done the same to her. “What do you mean?”
“Most people in this town think I’m a skanky barmaid biding my time to hook a husband so I can quit slinging drinks. I’m not looking for a man to take care of me. I get by fine and take care of myself. And I am not interested in dating. Especially not guys who hang out in bars.”
“Do you like being a cocktail waitress?”
“I’m not qualified to do much else and I am good at it. My ex split when our baby was six months old. Since he drives truck, and he changes trucking companies like some women change clothes, I don’t know where he is most the time so child support is a joke.”
“You can get his wages garnished. I’ve got a couple of guys who work for me who are in that situation.”
“I know. By the time they track him down, he’s gone again. To be honest, I’m relieved he’s not in our life. At least working nights gives me all day to spend with my daughter, Anya.”
“How old is Anya?”
“Four. She’s the light of my life.”
“Who stays with her when you’re working?”
“My sister, Roxanne. Our family situation…well, it’s not the best. I married the first bozo who came along to escape it and I didn’t want the same for my little sister. Roxy moved in with me three years ago when she was twelve so she could go to school here.” Mandy pointed at a tiny house set back from the road. “That’s it.”
Willow parked. “You working tomorrow night?”
“No. Mondays are my day off.”
“Oh. Well. Good. Enjoy it.”
“Thanks for the ride, Will.”
“You’re welcome.”
“It’s been fun getting to know you. Don’t be a stranger.”
“Umm. Would you like to get a cup of coffee sometime? You and Anya?” She froze. “I mean, Anya wouldn’t have to drink coffee. And you could bring Roxy along too if you wanted.”
Mandy laughed. “I’d like that. A lot. Take care.”
She watched until Mandy disappeared inside the house.
Willow was beginning to think that her stint working at LeRoy’s Tavern was one of her better mistakes.
***
Willow flipped the deadbolts on the back door. Blake wasn’t in the office. The overhead lights were off in the main part of the bar and it was spooky with neon glowing across the walls.
“Blake?”
“Back here.”
He sat on a barstool in the corner behind the bar. His shoulders rested against the wall and he stared at her hungrily from beneath those super long eyelashes.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Blake held up a chunk of denim and tossed it to her. “Put this on.”
She frowned at it. When had Blake grabbed her jean skirt out of her bedroom and hidden it in her duffel bag? The question died on her lips when she looked at him again.
This wasn’t the easygoing Blake she’d gotten to know in the past few days. This man was a…predator. A shiver rolled through her but not of fear, of anticipation.
He said, “I’ll wait.”
Willow had just turned the corner, when she heard him say, “Oh, and another thing. No panties.”
Not a request. A command.
Once she’d slipped on the skirt, she realized she didn’t have the right shoes. She didn’t carry a strappy pair of heels in her work truck. And she didn’t particularly want to walk through the bar barefoot. She laced up her steel-toed black boots.
Willow unbuttoned her blouse and tied the shirt ends in a knot below her breasts. After a quick look in the mirror, she released her hair from the ponytail, letting it fall around her shoulders.
She added an extra hip sway as she rounded the corner.
His gaze swept over her. Once. Twice. Then he finally met her eyes. Blake didn’t say a word; he merely crooked his finger.
Willow sauntered until she stood directly in front of him.
Blake’s knuckles traced the swath of skin exposed between her waistband and where the shirt was tied.
Her belly quivered beneath his teasing touch.
“The boots are sexy. You’re the only woman I know who could pull off this look.”
“Umm. Thank you.”
“You nervous?”
“Uh-huh. I don’t know why.”
He cocked his head. “Maybe because I’m bein’ bossy?”
“Or maybe because you look like you want to eat me alive.”
“There is that.” Blake smiled slowly as he tugged on the loose knot and the shirt fell open. “Undo your bra, Will.”
She popped the front clasp.
Immediately Blake’s hands smoothed over her ribcage, pushing the plain white cotton bra and shirt off her shoulders and arms. He bent his head and licked her left nipple.
Oh. That felt so good.
Blake kept licking, lapping the tips, never suckling completely. Nuzzling sweetly, not devouring her like she expected. He kissed his way up her neck to her ear. “You feeling adventurous tonight?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“How about if we switch places and I show you?”
“Okay.”
He gripped her arms and stretched to his feet and then plunked her down on the stool.
Willow’s face was on level with his crotch. She looked up at him and lifted a brow.
His dimples winked at her. “Oh, I could get used to having your mouth wrapped around my cock a couple times a day, but that’d be selfish. And I’m in a very…
giving
mood tonight, sunshine.” He dropped to his knees on the rubber mat in front of her. “Slide down. Put your hands behind you and hold on.”
Talk about feeling exposed. Willow gripped the edges of the round seat, which raised her hips higher.
“Now hook your heels around the rungs. Perfect.” Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he pushed the skirt up to her hips, baring every inch of her lower half. “Hold on.” Keeping his palms on the inside of her knees, Blake lowered his head. He kept his mouth above her sex, close enough his breath tickled the hair on her mound, but not nearly close enough.
Bump your hips so he knows what you want.
Blake knew exactly what she wanted, but he appeared in no hurry to give it to her.
These new power games were exciting. But Willow didn’t kid herself about who held all the power right now. Or who was the most excited.
And then that compelling tongue burrowed into her cleft.
She moaned.
He flicked her clit with the barest tip of his tongue then traced the seam down. And up. And down. Teasing swirls. Eventually he wiggled his tongue inside her, curling the end into her slick walls.
“Yes. Oh yes.”
Blake nibbled on her clit, then he tongued her deep. But there was no rhythm, just him tasting, teasing.
Torturing.
Willow’s legs started to shake. She was so close… If he’d just stay in one place long enough.
“Patience,” he said, then sucked her pussy lips into his mouth.
“Blake.”
His answering, “Mmm,” vibrated against her swollen tissues.
“Blake!”
He laughed and did it again before he backed off and looked up at her. “Trust me?”
Willow nodded.
His hands left her thighs. “Close your eyes. Keep ’em closed.”
She did. He moved but wasn’t gone long.
Silky strands of his hair brushed her cheek as he trailed hot kisses down her jaw. Her throat. He spent time sucking on the spot where her neck met her shoulder.
Chills erupted across her skin.
“Relax.”
Then he pulled back the fleshy part of her mound, revealing her clitoris. Something small and firm rolled over her clit. Not Blake’s tongue, as it was lapping her left nipple.
Willow’s breath caught at the direct stimulation. Not cold, not hot, just constant.
After a few more circles around the throbbing flesh, the ball passed over her slit to stop at her opening. Blake’s finger pushed the ball inside her channel, not deep, but far enough she knew it was there.
When she gasped, he murmured against her breast, “Bear down around my finger.”
She squeezed.
“That’s it. Damn you are so tight. And slick.” His mouth meandered up to her ear and he blew gently. “I like that I can make you wet.”
“Please. Blake—”
“Patience. It’ll be worth it, I promise.” He eased his finger out and began rubbing another one of those mysterious balls over her clit.
This time as he teased her with the ball, he suckled strongly on her nipples. Alternating sides with nips of his teeth and light, wet whips of his tongue.
He rolled it down her cleft, pausing at her entrance.
Willow held her breath as he inserted the second ball next to the first. She tightened her innermost muscles around his finger without him asking.
Blake groaned. “Jesus.”
By the time the third ball began sliding across her clit, in that same maddening, arousing rhythm, she noticed something else. The aroma drifting up from her body. Her musk mixed with something syrupy sweet, like…cherries.
Her eyes flew open and she glanced down.
He smiled at her. “You obeyed longer than I thought you would.”
“Are you…are those maraschino cherries?”
“Yep.”
“But you’re…”
“Playing with them. And playing with you. Let’s call it the bartender’s version of
Ben Wah
balls.” He rolled the cherry through her wet folds and pushed it inside her. “Plus, cherries are my favorite fruit. Next to tastin’ your sweet love fruit.”