toward me, hooking two fingers into the waistband of my jeans to tug me into his chest. My hands splayed over his shirt, head angled toward his face. Still, I held every ounce of confidence as if I really felt it.
“I’m not backing down. It’s just sex. It’s my family’s business. I’ll do whatever it takes to get back my customers you’ve tried to steal.”
He rolled his lips together, no doubt hiding a grin. But the playful sparkle in his eyes hid nothing. “Elsie,” he adjusted himself. “You’re giving me a hard-on again. I’d be disappointed if you rolled over and surrendered. I like you on top … taking me down.”
My smart mouth had a comeback. I think the sex boosted my confidence. However, before I could spew more than a tiny sound, his hands held my head between them, and his mouth covered mine. That tongue did wicked things to mine. Even our intimacy felt competitive.
“Stop trying to jump me again, Mrs. Smith.” He abruptly pulled away and straightened his shirt like a better-dressed man would straighten his tie.
“Stop calling me Mrs. Smith. It makes me sound like your teacher or your best friend’s mom. Like a dirty old lady.”
“No comment.” He smirked and pivoted, taking his cockiness and swagger to the front door where he donned his jacket and boots. “Tell Bella I said hi.”
“I will do no such thing. And you will not tell anyone about this. It’s a one and done.”
“We did it twice, Mrs. Smith. And I let you lick my cock a few times because you wouldn’t stop gawking at it.”
No matter how hard I tried to subdue my reaction, my cheeks flushed with heat, crawling up to the tips of my ears. That heat evaporated all moisture in my throat along with my next words.
Kael opened the door and glanced back at me. “Don’t fret. I fully intend on plowing your driveway in the morning, and I’ll owe you a second one as well.” He winked and closed the door.
The next morning, I dragged my ass out of bed with less than an hour to get showered, eat breakfast, and get to work. As promised, my driveway had been plowed. Sex until one in the morning didn’t stop Kael from getting up early to remove snow.
When I arrived at the store, there were three customers waiting at the door. “Good morning. Sorry, I’m usually here thirty minutes before opening.” I cringed. “Not three.”
“It’s fine, Elsie.” One of the women smiled.
My gaze shifted to her hand and the Smith’s bag in it. I held open the door for her. “Do you have an exchange or return?”
“Yes. A return.” She stomped the snow off her boots and stepped inside.
The other two customers had Smith’s bags in their hands too. All three ladies lined up at the register as I flipped on the lights, the Open sign, and the jolly holiday music.
As I turned on the register, I caught a glimpse of the long line outside of What Did You Expect?
“Have you met the owner?” Lilly asked me as she set her bag on the counter with her unopened gift set in it.
“Who’s that?” I pretended not to know.
“Mr. Hendricks. He’s the nicest guy.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard okay things about him. Is there an issue with the gift set?” I pulled it out of the bag and inspected it.
“I found something else. It’s for my in-laws. But I get them the same kind of stuff every year. I just thought I’d mix it up and try something a little different.”
“Well, do you want to look around first? Or I can give you back a gift card with credit if you don’t have time to browse today?”
Lilly’s face wrinkled with discomfort. “Like I said … I already picked up something else. Can I just get you to refund my credit card?”
“Let me guess. Vinegar and oil?”
Lilly kept her scrunched expression in place as she nodded.
“It’s fine. It’s new. A fad. A novelty which will quickly wear off.”
“How is business since … well … Craig passed?”
I issued her refund. “It’s fine. Why do you ask?”
Lilly pressed her lips together and glanced around the store. Yeah, it was dead.
“Just … curious.”
I handed her the receipt. “Thanks. Happy holidays, Lilly.” The fake smile on my face nearly cracked it.
“You too, Elsie.” She shoved her wallet into her handbag and started toward the door. “Oh!” Pivoting back around, she smiled. “I’ve heard you’ve been quite the inspiration to your church group. Tillie