AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CJ takes his time answering, twisting his upper body to study me with his speckled eyes. “It means, my little Honeycrisp, that you’re perfect.”
Honeycrisp? CJ has taken Coldwater’s practice of naming things after apples to a whole ’nother level. I roll through my dusty apple variety index to figure out what this one means and come up short. My parents have a plot in the town’s orchard but they sure as hell don’t work in it.
“Honeycrisp? Oh my.” Ivette is blushing so hard you’d think he said it to her. “Sweet and juicy. I wish someone would say that about me.”
My cheeks heat up and I’m grateful that my darker skin tone hides my body’s reaction to his words.
“Somebody will,” CJ tells her still, staring at me like Bear does Tacie. “Damn, Velma, you’re so beautiful it hurts.”
His hand slides from my sex and curls around my waist, pulling me closer. I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of emotions when he slants his mouth over mine, kissing me so sweetly tears pool in my eyes. The diner and its occupants disappear, as I cling onto him, falling into the bubble of us that CJ creates whenever his lips touch mine.
“Your order is ready Dr. Jacobs… if you can pull yourself away, Velma.” Someone laughs but all I hear is a buzzing sound, which I ignore.
CJ sighs and slowly pulls away like it pains him to stop, then leans his forehead against mine. “One day I’m going to kiss you and not be interrupted. I hope you’re ready for that, angel,” he murmurs against my lips.
His words make no sense to me.
One day? Why not today?
Balling his sweater in fists, I try to get his lips back where they belong.
“Velma Freeman! Let that poor man go! If your mama could see you now.” That does it, freeing me from the spell CJ has me under. I push him away, feeling like a teenager caught down at Empire Lane making out. We seriously need to stop naming stuff after apples.
Mrs. O’Neal shakes her head, the tiniest of smiles on her lips. “You work fast Dr. Jacobs. A handshake is the furthest most men get out of Velma.”
“Velma knows a keeper when she spots one,” CJ replies, pulling me back into his arms.
I go without a fight, too embarrassed to pretend I wasn’t practically in his lap a moment ago. I’ll ride this out and then focus on damage control later.
Mrs. O’Neal says her goodbyes and then walks back to the counter where a line has formed. Not that anyone minds the wait. A quick survey confirms that I’m the star of this afternoon’s lunch show. All eyes are on our table, the patrons loving the fact the good Freeman daughter was caught with her hands where they don’t belong. They’re used to Irina being the wild child, not me.
I glance at Ivette, who hasn’t said a word this whole time. My abandoned plate of fries is in front of her now, being eaten one by one as she watches CJ and I like a movie.
“Ivette, stop eating my food!”
She shrugs and pops another fry into her stupid mouth, not all remorseful. “I had to do something while you were occupied. Georgie is right… he does maul you like a bear.”
I know it! I glare, all my anger and embarrassment pointed in her direction. “Georgie needs to learn to keep her big mouth shut. I’m firing all of the nosy-ass McClains. And you can just forget my number because…”
I’m lashing out, flustered that I behaved so slutty in public with a man clearly younger than me.
Two fingers land on my cheek, softly pressing until I’m facing him.
“You okay, angel?” CJ looks so concerned I almost tell him yes, almost fall into his arms again.
But I hold strong. What he’s doing to me isn’t right. Making promises he can’t possibly keep. We both know I’m too old for him and he’s too playboy for me. It’s time I put this stud in his place.
CHAPTER4
VELMA
I give CJ a hard shove,creating some much-needed space between us, and almost send him off the oak booth. Then I let loose a tirade fueled by embarrassment and just a dash of crazy.
“No, I’m not okay! You keep shoving your tongue down my throat every time we meet. It’s disgusting… and I hate it. I refuse to be your bit of fun while you’re on vacation.”
When did I turn into such a dirty filthy liar? I would have swallowed him whole if Mrs. O’Neal hadn’t stopped me.
“And furthermore, you, CJ Jacobs, are a cad,” I spit out for my big finish.
