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Her apartment was plain. An old roll-top desk, probably a family heirloom, a sofa and side chair, and a flat-screen TV on a stand in the corner. I looked into the kitchen through a pass-through window, and though the cabinets and fixtures were dated, it was obvious this was the room where she spent money. Cuisinart and Kitchen Aid gadgets edged the clean counters, and well-used stainless cook-wear hung from a serious pot rack mounted above an open space in the center. It was meant for a dining table, but in true Jo style, ease of cooking took precedence over eating. A small café table with two chairs was relegated to a side corner and held a stack of binders. Some of the bins and pans I recognized from the farm meals sat in boxes on the floor.
She locked up, and I carried her bag to the car. The sun was out today, and with the windows raised and seat heaters on, it was warm enough to ride with the top down. This month started out with snow, and now we had bright cloudless skies. Springtime in the Pacific Northwest was a crapshoot, and days like this were the payoff.
Jo settled in and looked up at the blue sky.
“Let me know if you’re cold,” I said.
“No, I like it. I’ve never ridden in an open convertible.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” Her captivating sense of adventure seeped out as she ran her hands along her jeans-clad thighs and sighed. One of several firsts to come this weekend, I hoped.
“Coffee from Shakey Grounds?” I asked.
“Of course. I’ll buy.”
“No, baby, this weekend isall on me.” I telegraphed the double meaning in my words to her deep brown eyes. She sucked in a breath, her lips forming that mesmerizing O.
We were getting an early start. The launch party was at Hill & Ocean from four to six tonight. There would be mingling and book signing, and I planned to touch her as much as possible.
Recently, she’d let her anxiety about the event slip out, and I wanted to help. I asked why her parents and best friend Annie weren’t making the trip to help her celebrate, and she’d shrugged it off, saying Reef had made it clear the book was about him and the restaurant, not her cooking. She said there was no reason for any of them to get on a plane to watch Reef pat himself on the back.
I was glad I was with her. If the ex-boss son-of-a-bitch said something out of line, I’d be there, and I hoped some of my plans would relax her. By the time she entered the restaurant, she would be confident and ready.
“Who’s making the desserts at The Elliott this weekend?”
“I did. I made extra yesterday and stored them in the walk-in. Miles is putting more Island Dairy ice cream flavors on the spring menu with some special sauces I whipped up, and then Kalie can cover any slack.”
“Good. You can relax, then.”
“I certainly plan to spend a lot of time in bed.” She said it with a straight face, looking out the windshield. The slight smile that lingered was the only hint of her true meaning. Damn, I liked her.
By the time we made it north of Seattle, the morning traffic was loosening. The HOV lanes helped. The waters of Lake Union glistened in the sunlight as we approached downtown, and even a few boats were out, taking advantage of the uncommonly warm day.
I pulled into my parking spot in the garage of my building.
“Nice place, Hot Shot,” she teased.
My condo on the twelfth floor faced west with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the waterfront and Sound. Two bedrooms, a nice kitchen I now knew how to use, and an open floor plan were the selling points. After a couple of months away, it looked a little sparse. Maybe Jo and I could wander through some furniture stores or art galleries this weekend and buy something to warm it up before heading back to Perry Harbor. I wasn’t sure what it needed, but I knew Jo could help.
We removed our coats, and she kicked off her pink Chuck Taylors by the door before ducking into the kitchen, her comfort zone, and looking around. “Pike Place Market’s a few blocks south, and shopping is a few blocks east. Hill & Ocean is even walking distance.”
“My fancy car makes a little more sense now, right? Most days, I walk everywhere. Taking the car is special.”
I stood with our bags in the entry, and the silence stretched between us as she took in the space.
“Bedroom’s this way. I’ll take our bags back.” I nodded my head to the side.
“Lucas.” I stopped, and my heart stuttered. Did she want the guest room?
She lunged, and on instinct, I held her against me. Instantly, she was a crush of softness with her body and tongue against mine. Finally. I buried a hand in her hair, and with the other, I pulled one of her legs up to wrap around my waist. I was rock hard as she ground herself against me.
“Jo, you feel incredible.” My palm glided along her leg and cupped her ass with a gentle squeeze.
She looked up at me through her lashes. Sexy. As. Fuck. Her lips were already plump from my kisses. “I’m ready. I don’t want to wait anymore.” She ran her finger down the front of my shirt.
Struggling to clear my lust-fogged brain, I checked my watch and leaned my forehead against hers. “We don’t have enough time right now.”
