Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) (7 page)

Chapter Eleven

Mason

This past week has been amazing. Getting to know Beth and Isla has been one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. Something about the dynamic of our little trio just works. Beth is incredible…as a woman and as a mom. She’s witty yet still commanding, which is a complete turn on.

And Isla is the perfect picture of adorable. She still calls me Mr. Mason, but I’m working on getting her to just call me Mason, despite Beth’s mock glare of disapproval whenever I mention it.

Pulling into the lot behind the bakery, I find a spot near the front. Cody and Becca are chatting near the door. I give them both a wave, hoping I’m not walking into a firestorm. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey, Mason.” Cody waves to me then says a few more words to Becca before revving up his bike and pulling out of the lot.

My eyes follow him until he’s out of view. Turning my attention to Becca, I notice she immediately averts her eyes. I smirk as I open the door for us.

“So…” I’m trying not to tease her but I can’t help it. “That looked—”

“Nope, you don’t get to say anything.” She glares at me, but I can tell she’s slightly embarrassed and covering it with fake irritation.

“I’m happy for you. Whatever you want is fine by me.”

She looks at me suspiciously. “Really?”

“Absolutely.” I turn on the lights as we enter the back of the shop. “But I’m just sorry it didn’t work out with you and Joe. He seemed like a great guy.”

“Well…” Becca’s voice fades away.

Aaron’s voice comes from one of the work tables where he’s getting things ready for the day. “She’s seeing him too.”

“Aaron!” Becca cries out.

“Really now?” I ask, actually surprised. It’s not like Becca to play games with guys. She was so distraught after Cody went back to his ex that they couldn’t even work together afterword. And that was just one guy. Lord help us now if she’s seeing two men at the same time.  I groan out loud. “You’re starting to sound like my sister.”

Becca can’t keep a flush of pink from spreading up her neck. “It’s not like that. Yes, I’m seeing them both, but… separately.” She turns her angry glare from earlier in Aaron’s direction.

“Well, whatever makes you happy. That’s all I want for you.” I reaffirm my previous statement, realizing how insecure Becca is in this new situation.

“Thanks,
Mason
.” She stresses my name and continues to glare at Aaron. Aaron just laughs and goes back to his creation.

“Speaking of dates.” I wink at Becca and veer the conversation toward Aaron. “How are things with Paul?”

Aaron gets a dreamy look in his eyes. He’s barely twenty, but has recently started breaking out of his shell. I didn’t think he’d ever get up the nerve to ask Paul out after seeing him at gastro pub just down the street from Creamy’s.

“He’s good. I’m seeing him later tonight.”

“That’s great, man. I’m glad things are going well.”

“Me too,” he says before dipping his head back down to his work. He’s still a work in progress, but much better than he was.

I leave the two of them in the back to continue getting today’s baked goods ready for the display cases and walk to the office to handle a few administrative tasks before opening up. My thoughts wander back to Beth, as usual, when I finally get up and unlock the front door.

Several of the regulars come in, ordering items for their office staff on their way in to work. It’s not long before a steady stream of customers flow in and out of the store, keeping Becca and Aaron very busy in the back.

One guy in particular has been sitting at a back corner table for most of the morning. Although I’m not positive, I can’t help but feel like he’s been watching me and my team throughout the morning. I make a mental note of his muscular frame, black hair, and hazel eyes.

After several more customers make their purchases, I look back to the corner table where the man is no longer sitting. He must have left after finishing his breakfast. Ever since Aaron and I had to kick out some abusive and homophobic customers, I’ve been on high alert and on the lookout for any potential troublemakers.

The crowd finally slows and we get our first breath around ten thirty. My phone rings, and I take a quick look around the room before answering it.

“Hello, gorgeous,” I say, noticing Beth’s name on the screen.

“Hi.” She giggles and I can just picture her shy smile at the compliment. “What are you doing?”

“Just working. You?”

“I was finishing up some errands in town, and Amy’s watching Isla. I thought you might want to grab an early lunch.”

Scanning the small group of customers who remain seated at one of the long tables, I feel comfortable taking a break. “Yeah, we’ve slowed down. I can get Aaron and Becca to cover for me.”

“Great. See you at eleven?”

“Eleven is perfect. See you then.”

I hang up, a huge smile spread across my face at the thought of getting to see Beth today. Suddenly, I find myself whistling behind the counter as I clean up and sweep the floor.

At exactly eleven, Beth pops her head through the front door.

“Hey, you.” I grin broadly and wave her in.

“Hi.” Her smile brightens the room and as I move closer to her, I realize how intoxicating her scent is.

“You look beautiful.”

“I’m a mess,” she says with a laugh. “I barely made it out of the house this morning without wearing a bowl of cereal.”

“Crazy morning with the kids?”

“Yes. I should feel bad for leaving Amy with them, but I don’t.” She shrugs.

I can’t help but laugh as an image of Amy with a pregnant belly and two kids clinging to her with a look of fright as Beth left the house this morning. “Amy’s great with kids. She’ll be fine.”

“She will be.” Beth nods and looks around the shop. “That’s probably why I don’t feel bad. She can use the practice of having two under her feet.”

“This is true,” I say. “Shall we go?”

“Yes. I’m starved. Where should we go?”

“I know just the place.” I hold the door open as I wave Beth through. Then I look back at Becca. “I’ll be back. Want me to bring you anything?”

“No, thank you. Have fun.”

Beth and I step out into the warm morning air and head down to the gastro pub where Paul works. The restaurant is fairly empty when we walk in and take a seat at one of the booths in the front.

Paul sees me and walks over to greet us. “Hey, Mason. Who’s the pretty girl?” Paul gives Beth a wink as he crouches down next to our table with a pad and pen in hand.

“Hey, Paul. This is Beth,” I say, making introductions. “Beth, this is Paul. He’s Aaron’s…”

“We’re dating,” Paul finishes for me with slight annoyance. “He’s not quite ready to call us boyfriends yet.”

I give Paul a sympathetic smile. “He’ll come around. He’s had a rough time.”

“I know and we’re good. Okay… Nice to meet you, Beth.”

“Likewise,” she says.

“What can I get you two?”

We both place orders for lunch and Paul heads off to the kitchen to get them started by the chef.

“I wanted to say thank you again for the other night,” Beth comments. “Isla hasn’t quit talking about the stuffed bear you helped her win.”

“Isla’s a great girl. You should be proud. You’ve raised her well and she’s very polite.”

“Despite your best efforts,” she retorts poignantly.

“Hey, I’ve got to do what I can to get the kid to like me so her mom will.” I stare back at her with bit of mischief in my voice.

Beth holds my gaze, her eyes drawing me in and pulling all of my attention to her. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“I don’t?”

Beth’s hand moves across the table and covers mine. “No, you don’t.”

I light up and turn my hand over so I can clasp hers in my palm. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all week.”

“Is that so?” She raises an eyebrow.

“Yep. It’s so.”

“What if I told you that I convinced Amy to babysit Saturday afternoon and you get to take me out?”

Thinking for a moment before responding, I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “Then I guess it’s my lucky week, because I’ve heard two pieces of good news.”

We have a brief interlude when Paul brings our French dip hoagies and fresh drinks. We both start eating and carry on conversations about Isla and her obsession with a new cartoon. All the while, my stomach is in knots over my feelings for Beth. I’m not sure if she feels the same way, but the fact that she wants me to take her out again this weekend is very promising for a future we may have together.

I don’t want to rush things, and I want to enjoy getting to know everything about her. Her quirks, her fears, her dreams. But I’m also anxious as hell to get to the good stuff. The part where she sleeps in my bed and wakes me up with a kiss every morning.

I catch her gaze and reflect it back, enamored with the woman in front of me. I just have to make sure I don’t fuck this up.

Chapter Twelve

Becca

Cody is waiting for me when I get off work. I pull into my drive, and my headlights reflect in the taillights of his motorcycle, sending out a red glow. After stepping out of my car, I walk to the front deck of my small, ranch style home. Cody is sitting in one of the rockers, his eyes closed as he moves back and forth.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” He smiles and motions for me to sit in the other rocker with him.

“How was work?” he asks, finally opening his eyes to look at me. I’m probably completely covered in flour and powdered sugar, but it’s a look Cody has seen many times before.

“Busy.” I rock to the slow rhythm he’s set. “Steady business for most of the day.”

“That should make Mason happy.”

“Yeah.” I nod and look out at the clouds. “I’m glad business is continuing to do well. I really like working there.”

“Mason’s a good boss and all around good guy.”

“He is.” We sit in silence for several minutes. Birds chirp and a dog down the street is barking but we don’t need to fill our little space with words. We’ve always been able to just sit and
be
with each other. But eventually, my bladder reminds me that I do need to go inside some time. “Do you want to come in?”

“Sure.” Cody stands up from the rocker and walks me to the front door. After a quick pit stop, I make us both a drink and we get comfortable on the couch. I really need to take a shower but decide to wait until Cody leaves before getting into my comfy clothes.

“What are you doing this weekend?” Cody takes a sip of his rum and Coke while he waits for my response.

“Working all day Saturday, but other than that, I can’t think of anything. Why? What’s going on?”

“I was thinking you might like to hang out… Maybe we could go see a movie and grab dinner?”

A laugh erupts from my mouth unintentionally.

Cody looks embarrassed. “What? Too cliché?”

“No, sorry.” I shake my head and take a drink. “I just can’t believe we’re doing this again.”

“What do you mean?” The look of sincerity on his face throws me for a moment, but I regain my composure, trying my best not to act like a teenage girl with a crush.

“You. Me. Dating.”

“Is that what this is?”

“Isn’t it?” I’m trying not to be annoyed at his ignorance.

“I like you, Becca. I always have.”

“Then why did we break up?” He made the decision. Not me.

“I was stupid. Young. Whatever you want to chock it up to. I didn’t realize what I had and… Well, now I do.”

I allow his words to settle in my mind. Taking a long sip of my drink, I use the time to think about what I really want.

Cody watches me intently, seemingly trying to figure out where I might stand on all of this. I’ve noticed a change in him over the past month or so. Not that we’ve been hanging out all the time, but he seems different. Maybe a bit more mature and assured in himself.

“We don’t have to make this a big thing. I just want to hang out with you and see where things might go this time around. Would that be okay?”

“I think so.” My mind drifts to Joe, his warm heart and southern drawl. But then Cody speaks and my brain changes gears. Cody’s always been fun. He’s a bit wild and carefree, always willing to go with the flow and taking life at a leisurely pace.

“Good.” Cody places his hand on my knee and his familiar touch sends a shiver up my leg and straight to my core. He leans in, his warm breath caressing the soft skin on my neck. Goosebumps scatter across my body as I instinctively respond to the memories his closeness brings.

His lips graze my neck and my insides clench. A trail of warm kisses moves across my chin and to my lips. My breath hitches and my lips part as Cody’s mouth is on mine, suddenly erasing any thoughts I had of Joe. As if I never stopped, my palm wraps around Cody’s neck and I hold him closer.

Cody growls as his tongue explores my mouth while my fingers rakes through his hair.

Before I realize what’s happening, his mouth trails down to my neck again and he begins to pull at my shirt. Without a moment’s hesitation, I pull off my top, revealing the lacy bra I’m wearing underneath. Cody gives me an appraising smile, his mouth moving quickly to the edge of the lace and licking along the pattern.

My nipples harden as his tongue explores my breasts. Reaching behind me, he releases the clasp, exposing my chest. He licks around my nipples, sucking at them, elongating them under his expert mouth. I tug on his T-shirt, revealing his soft, furry chest.

Our hands are all over one another, each of us clamoring to touch as much of the other as we possibly can. When Cody’s mouth begins to drift lower, I lay back and allow him to pull off the shorts I’m wearing. He slips off the lace panties that coordinate with my bra and throws them on the floor. My head tilts back as his mouth explores my naked body, kissing and nibbling my bare flesh.

My body pulsates as he licks and sucks on my clit, playing with my hood in a way that he knows drives me crazy. He continues to jut his tongue around my folds as he slides a finger to my opening and begins to fuck me gently with it. The stimulus of his finger and the wet heat of his mouth have my insides reeling in desire. Before long, a wave of pleasure courses through me. My hands fist the cushions surrounding me as I scream out.

Wave after wave of orgasmic ecstasy course through me, sending me over the edge. I’m not sure when Cody undid his pants, but he stands up to remove them and I take advantage of the naked cock pointed stiffly before me.

My mouth is on him in an instant. His body convulses as I take his shaft deep inside of me. Making sure to swirl my tongue around his head just the way I remember him liking it. I’m rewarded with a lustful moan. Cody’s hand finds purchase on the back of my head and he guides me up and down his length. I reach under his cock to play with his balls, which are engorged and heavy, ready to explode.

Before Cody can reach his climax, I pull my lips off his dick and stand up. Grabbing his hand, I lead him toward the shower, deciding to mix a little pleasure into my bath time tonight. His face lights up as we walk into the bathroom and I turn on the faucet.

Cody always enjoyed a good fuck in the tub, and I know his sexual preferences couldn’t have changed that much since we’ve been apart.

Once the water is warm enough that soft billows of steam are puffing up above the shower door, I pull him inside. We’re both coated with the warm spray as it cascades down my back. God, it feels so good to wash away the grime of the day.

Cody’s mouth is back on mine and he kisses me passionately as the water flows over us. Walking my fingertips down his chest and abs, I grasp his rock hard cock, stroking it beneath the flow of liquid.

Deciding I need a little something to help me clean him properly, I grab the body wash from the side shelf and place a large drop in my hand. Cody takes some too and begins to lather up my body, coating my back and chest in peach scented soap.

His eyes sparkle behind his gorgeous, wet lashes and they roll back in his head when I use my soapy hands to slide up and down his shaft. I continue to work his dick, moving faster and faster with the slick that has worked up in the lather.

“God.” His breath is low and throaty. “Fuck, Becca.”

That’s all the encouragement I need to work harder. I move quickly up and down his cock, swirling over the top when I reach his head. Cody reaches out to brace himself against the back wall of the shower while he moans. Warm come releases from his body in powerful bursts, landing on both of us before being washed away in the stream of water.

I continue stroking until his body is convulsing and he pulls back in a half laugh. “Okay, that’s too much.”

I bring a drop to my mouth and spread it over my lips like milky gloss. “It’s never too much.”

His lids are heavy as he watches me. “God, I’ve missed that.” He pulls me back to his chest as the water covers both of us. “I’ve missed you.”

I wrap my arms around him as he positions himself under the water to wash all the soapy mess away. Once we’re both fully rinsed, we turn off the shower and step into the steamy bathroom.

Cody’s grin is adorable as he stares at me while I’m drying off. “What?”

“You’re just beautiful. That’s all.”

“Thanks.”

He follows me into my bedroom. As soon as we step into the room, my stomach feels a pang of guilt as I remember having Joe over a few weeks ago. Here I am having sex with an ex, current, or whatever he is after just doing something with my other boyfriend. Suddenly, my desire to have a relationship has turned into more than I might be able to handle.

How the hell does Carly do it?

When I slip under the covers, Cody snuggles in next to me, wrapping his arms around me. I nestle myself into him, welcoming the familiar way he holds me. My mind becomes clouded in thoughts as I realize I have to make a decision about these guys. I’m not a girl who is made to handle two guys at once, yet somehow I’ve found myself with two great men.

One is a relationship that’s new and exciting while the other is familiar and comfortable.

One thing is for certain, I’m going to have to figure out what I want fast before I lose both of them and end up single and alone.