“It’s different. Everything is slower, quieter, and more beautiful,” he replies. His piercing hazel eyes staring directly into mine.

  How does he know exactly what to say to make my heart race?

  I look away quickly before replying, wiping my hands on my jacket.

  “Think of Kastle Harbor as if it’s one of those romantic Christmas towns you see in chick flicks,” I tell him as I gaze out at the snow collecting on the sidewalks. When I look back, he’s smiling.

  “It’s definitely interesting.” His voice is like warm cup of tea, soothing and full of pleasure. “Would you like to go out again tonight?”

  “Two nights in a row? I don’t know if my sleep schedule could handle that,” I chuckle. “You know I get up at three in the morning most days, right?”

  “Damn.” He grimaces. “Although, we could pull an all-nighter if you’re interested.” I know my pulse is rapidly increasing with every breath.

  Keep your cool.

  It’s just a pick-up line.

  You’re only interested in a holiday fling.

  All the mantras in the world can’t dim how much I want to feel his bare chest against mine. To have the heat of his body cover me. To feel his lips on more than just my mouth.

  I finally know what to say. “You know what, I have Thursdays off, so how about we do dinner tomorrow night?” I take a long drink of my coffee before continuing, “That way we can see where the evening goes.”

  “Deal,” he reaches out lightly pat my hand. His touch is warm, gentle. I can’t wait for the next night.

  “We can figure out details later. I should get back to the kitchen. Lots of orders to fill for the different holiday parties.” I stand up to leave him and he rises with me.

  “I’ll text you,” he tells me and we shake hands. I want to linger, to stand near him just a little longer, but I have work to do. I want to wow him tomorrow.

  To take this flirty banter and goodnight kisses to the next level.

  I’m going to need Bethany’s help again with an outfit.

  SIX

  JAKE

  As I watch Violet head back to the kitchen area, I pull my phone out and sit back down at the café table. I text her, unable to wait until the evening.

  Jake: I’m thinking the Railway Tavern. Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven.

  I know she probably can’t reply right away. I imagine she’s already back to baking. All I can think of is her delicate hands kneading dough. I want to feel her hands wandering my body, gripping my shoulders. I can’t wait to spend an evening with her. It’s clear she feels the same as me in regard to a very casual relationship. She knows I’m only here for a couple of weeks to spend time with my grandmother.

  Why else would she agree to another date so quickly?

  I put my phone away, finish my coffee, and head home.

  After a few hours of putzing around and helping my grandmother get decorations from the attic and garage, I feel my phone buzz. I know it’s not my assistant Sally, she typically just sends me an email if it’s not urgent, otherwise she calls me. I see Violet’s name in the notification bubble and my heart double times.

  Violet: Excellent. Now I can wear my favorite heels.

  Jake: Not snow proof?

  Violet: It’s more that I can only walk short distances in them.

  I can only imagine the heels, and what they would do for her already well-shaped ass. The front of my jeans gets tight. A cold shower is next on my to do list. But first, I need to reply to Violet.

  Jake: I can carry you if needed.

  Violet: What a gentleman. Deal.

  Jake: Looking forward to tomorrow.

  Violet: Looking forward to seeing more of you.

  After a few more flirty texts, I take a shower. Freeing my throbbing cock from the confines of my jeans, I’m able to stroke myself under the warm spray of water. Using the daydreams of Violet and I naked together, her body tight against mine, I come in no time.

  Toweling off, alone with my thoughts, I contemplate the possible outcome of my time here. I’m thirty-two, up for a promotion, and definitely locked into living in the city.

  Violet is funny, confident, and knows what she wants out of life. Which is to run the pastry side of the bakery and grow old in Kastle Harbor. Our ideal futures don’t line up.

  The best situation for us to simply enjoy each other’s company these few weeks together. If my imagination is even a smidge close to the real thing, I just want a night alone and naked with Violet.

  ***

  Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon pass in a blur. I speak with my grandmother, confirm that I’m indeed spending time with Violet. She’s happy for me and expresses her desire for me to get married and settle down. She wants me to have the whole wife, house, and two kids path in life before she “grows old and dies.” Dramatic, but definitely a way to keep the topic popping up in my mind. It’s never been on my horizon, but things change.

  Maybe one day, with the right person of course.

  Wednesday night is finally here. This restaurant is a little less intimate than the one we went to the other night. I choose a pair of dark jeans and wear a steel blue cotton button down with a dark grey sweater overtop. I pull up to Violet’s house right at seven. As she steps outside, my breath catches. Her coat isn’t zipped up, letting me get a slight peak at the emerald dress underneath. The dress is a showstopper, showing off her ample cleavage.

  I remember her bit about wearing her favorite heels and lower my gaze to the black patent heels on her feet. Her legs are long, and as she walks towards the car, I can see why they’re her favorite.

  Violet, you’re stunning.

  I let out the breath I was holding and clear my throat before she gets in the car. It’s going to be a long dinner.

  ***

  Violet

  Of course, Jake would be on time. He’s used to rushing everywhere by living in the city. This small town has no traffic and everything is close by. I watch him park in front of my house. I’ve been dressed and ready to go for the last twenty minutes or so. Bethany was frantically going through my closet not even an hour ago.

  As I get into his car, I thank every minute that Bethany had spent helping me pick out an outfit. Jake is looking at me with hungry eyes, as if I’m everything he’s ever wanted. I subconsciously lick my lips as I buckle in. I’m pleased with my choice to not zip my coat up, giving him just a little taste of my outfit.

  “Careful, Violet,” he says, his eyes looking me over, “we may not make it to dinner.”

  “Save it for dessert, Jake,” I retort. The flirty banter between us the past few days heavy with desire now.

  “I’ll be sure to save room,” he replies and we drive to the restaurant.

  Sexual tension hovers low and heavy between us.

  The Railway Tavern isn’t far, about a ten-minute drive, nothing is too far apart in Kastle Harbor. Jake opens the door for me when we arrive and he takes my coat, his hands lingering on my bare shoulders. I’m wearing one of Bethany’s emerald dresses. An off the shoulder velvet bodycon knee-length dress. It has a sweetheart neckline, drawing attention to my modest cleavage and highlighting my legs with its thigh high slit. My hair is loose, falling over my shoulders. And my makeup simple. Once again, as I catch Jake’s hungry gaze skimming my body, I’m thankful for my friend’s assistance.

  As we settle into dinner the conversation flows. We catch up on our days and talk about our holiday plans for the next couple of weeks.

  “By the way, my grandmother extends her invitation for you to attend our Christmas party next week,” Jake states.

  “That actually sounds delightful, I’d love to go.” I smile at him, reaching out to touch his hand and squeeze it gently. “Your grandmother is sweet to think of me. I make the cookies for her party every year but now I can see them be enjoyed by the partygoers.”

  He asks me about the favorite things I’ve baked, my most hilarious mistakes, the ridiculous requests I receive, and what I see myself doing in the future.

  “You can’t really see yourself doing the same thing in the same bakery forever, can you?” Jake questions me and it hits a little too close to home.

  “I don’t see what’s wrong with it. I get to create pastries to my heart’s content in a wonderful work environment. I have a home, a great boss and best friend, and everything I could ever want is right here in Kastle Harbor.” My reply is slightly defensive but honest.

  “Surely not everything,” he replies.

  “Not everyone wants to work themselves to death and have nothing to show for it.”

  “I’m up for a promotion to be partner in my firm. Soon I won’t be working the hours I do. I can enjoy the city more, travel, relax.”

  “But see, you’d still stay in the city. You’d be doing what I am, just a different location.” I point out, gesturing between us.

  Sometimes distance is more than miles…

  SEVEN

  JAKE

  This isn’t how I saw our evening going. We’re both flustered from words, not intimate activities. We’re stubborn, set in our ways. More alike than I thought.

  “Violet, it’s not the same,” I say, hesitant to actually agree with the truth of her words. I’m in my thirties, single, and planning on working and living in the same city as long as I can imagine. “One day I plan on running my own firm.” I throw the thought out there. It’s something I’ve considered but not necessarily need out of life.

  “So, we both know exactly what we want from life? And it’s not conducive to having a significant other, is it?”

  “At least not each other,” I practically whisper. We’ve known each other less than a week, but it’s like we already know everything there is to know.

  “True. I’ve done the whole live in a big city, fall hopelessly in love, and dream of a perfect future,” she maintains eye contact. “I’m not doing that again.”

  “Despite feeling like I know you, you’re full of mystery Violet,” I smile wickedly at her, changing my tone to something more playful. I’m hopeful that we can savor this time together.

  “It’s a story for another time, or perhaps never. Tell me, have you ever been in a serious relationship?”

  I take a moment before replying. I think about all the women I’ve dated these past few years. Almost all of them were just brief stints of dating, and while sex was involved, serious feelings weren’t. At least not on my side.

  I’ve never been in a serious relationship.

  The realization hits me. I thought maybe perhaps there was one girlfriend that I had truly loved, who I had maybe daydreamed about marrying and growing old together. But there hasn’t been a single girl. I went from dating infrequently in college to sporadic dating in law school. Mainly just shared evenings of drunken stupors or passionate flings. After law school it was straight into the job force. I never slowed down. I never took the time.

  “Jake?” Violet pulls me from my spiral. Her hand gently pats mine. The action is simple but comforting. I look into her eyes, the stormy ocean blue holding mine.

  “Actually,” I clear my throat and take a sip of wine. “I’ve never been in a serious relationship. Just too busy I guess.” Hoping that the sudden pang of emptiness I feel is masked by tone. “Flings and casual dates are all that fits in my schedule.”

  “I understand that feeling. I’m usually only game for a few dates or so. Most people don’t like bakers’ hours anyways.” She shrugs as she finishes her sentence.

  We’re both on board with causal hookups or flings. This is good knowledge to have for the rest of my time here in Kastle Harbor.

  After this the conversation goes back to more superficial topics as we continue enjoying our meal together. Violet asks me about my grandmother and her party preparations. I ask her about baking and the differences in certain pastries. We seem to be avoiding the heavy topics from earlier. The chatter returning to its once flirtatious tone. Suddenly the waiter is telling us about the dessert options.

  Is it really time for dessert? How is the evening already over?

  I can’t believe how quickly the date went, even with the argumentative bit.

  “Actually,” Violet starts to tell the waiter, “I think we’ll just take the check please.”

  My heart sinks a little. I thought the evening was turning around.

  As the waiter leaves, Violet leans in, lowers her voice. “I was thinking that as a baker, you could come back to my place and I could teach you a thing or two. You mentioned you don’t really cook since you live in the city.”

  Her coy smile pulls me in, hanging on every word she says.

  “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

  We finish our drinks and wait for the bill.

  “Since you’re suppling the baking supplies, I’ll cover dinner,” I tell her as the waiter drops the check off.

  We get our coats and make our way to the car. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest as I drive us to her house. Once there she leads me inside and offers to take my coat. I take my sweater off too, draping it over the back of a couch. I start to roll my sleeves up as I hear her heels clacking on the hardwood floors. I’m not sure what Violet has in mind for baking, but I really hope that there’s more to it than just some mixing of baking ingredients.

  EIGHT

  VIOLET

  I take Jake’s coat and hang his up with mine. I start to make my way to the kitchen when I see him take his sweater off. I quietly move closer as I can’t help but be mesmerized as he starts to roll his sleeves up.

  Why is that so damn sexy?

  His sinewy muscles flex in the dim light. I should’ve turned more lights on when I walked in earlier. I want a closer look. I don’t which is louder, my heart beating or my heels clacking on the floor. I keep walking towards him, this statuesque figure holding my gaze. I take a deep breath and clear my throat.

  “I have everything to make gingerbread cookies,” my voice cracks as my eyes meet his. The hunger behind them ready to devour something besides dessert.

  Or is that just wishful thinking from me?

  I gesture for him to follow me to the kitchen.

  I wish I was leading him to my bedroom.

  I explain that I have all the ingredients we need from doing some testing for special holiday orders. Jake reaches out to brush my hair that’s tumbled into my face. His fingers gently stroke the side of my cheek as he pushes the hair over my shoulders. His touch lingering. Hovering slightly over my skin.

  “I like gingerbread, it’s not too sweet.” His deep bass voice causes a low heat in my stomach to start spreading. I’m barely wearing anything, just the emerald dress really, yet my body feels as if it’s on fire.

  I push past the rising feelings and dirty thoughts to show Jake what we need to mix to make the cookie dough. We laugh and flirt shamelessly while mixing everything together. His booming laugh fills my kitchen. It’s nice, welcoming to the small space. After rolling the dough out, and a lot of touching, we’ve cut out the cookies and placed them on the rack ready to bake.

  With the cookies in the oven and a timer set, I turn to face him. He’s unbuttoned his shirt to where I can see a little bit of chest hair peeking through the opening. My brain stumbles for the right way to describe his figure. Mouthwatering and jaw dropping sexy don’t quite cover it. I just know I want him naked.

  “I think, perhaps there’s something we could do to occupy our time while we wait.” I close the distance between us. “And it’s in my bedroom.”

  Before I can say anything else, Jake pulls me into his body, kissing me. His lips eager for more, a moan escapes me as he deepens the kiss. His tongue swirling with mine, hungry and wanting. He pulls away briefly, my body still close against his, as he murmurs into my ear.

  “Perhaps some physical activity while we wait?” he asks while he runs his fingers through my hair. The action sends shivers down my spine. I was prepared for a one-night stand, but I wasn’t prepared for the sheer amount of desire for him right now.

  Without saying anything I reach for my side zipper and remove my dress. As the fabric reaches the floor and I step out of the emerald puddle, I’m thankful for Bethany’s suggestion to wear a matching black lace lingerie set. The sheer lace fabric keeps just a little to the imagination while the color highlights my slight curves in any type of lighting.

  I step out of the dress, and walk towards my bedroom, removing my heels before sitting on the bed. The silk comforter like an ice cube against my bottom. I watch Jake with ravenous eyes as he starts to walk towards me, unbuttoning his shirt as he gets closer.

  The shirt falls to the floor, and soon his pants join. Jake in his boxer briefs is a sight to behold. My heart racing, my voice caught in my throat. My nipples tighten under his stare. He’s like a Grecian statue, muscles carved perfectly for his frame. I reach out, wanting to touch his chest, as he leans in to kiss me.

  Passion is mixed with a sense of urgency. His weight heavy against me as we lay back onto the bed. My hands explore his bare skin as he deepens the kiss. Our tongues wrap together as I run my fingers through his hair. The softness of the strands a stark contrast the stiffness of his dick grinding against my pelvis.

  Our hips rock together, his hard cock right at my mound. Jake pulls away briefly, lightly kissing a trail down my body. From my neck to my collarbones, his weight shifts and his hips hold me in place. I wiggle beneath the soft kisses, the tickling sensation stroking the fire in my lower stomach. I need to be naked.

  I want so much more from him.

  Yet he holds me in place as his soft lips continue down their path, making a way from my cleavage to my stomach. He lightly runs one hand over my entrance as his other hand plays with my nipple behind the lace bra. I moan with each stroke and pinch from him.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7