Savor (Cottonwood Falls, Book 5) Read online

  “Only when I’m teaching, and why does it sound dirty coming from your mouth?”

  “Because life is more than the Surface League.”

  “Justice League,” London corrected immediately.

  “Whatever.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Help me out here, Kendria.”

  Vance’s fiancée toasted them with her lemonade. “I want to hear more of the hot ass man who demanded you teach his son. Not Hawkgirl, Black Cat, or whatever their names are.”

  London heaved a sigh. “Shameful.” She ate the last bite of her banana cream pie then forked up the few remaining chocolate shavings. “So, I didn’t know he was one of those fake wrestlers.”

  Sarah and Kendria shared another look before laughing all over again. “My God, girl,” Sarah said. “You are truly oblivious. But you know about what character has what abilities.”

  Unrepentant, London shrugged. “That interests me. I’m a nerd. A geek. Fake wrestling with grown men hitting one another with chairs and forms of stupidity mean nothing to me.”

  “He’s not a wrestler,” Kendria informed her, grabbing at her sides she laughed so hard.

  London waved a hand. “Right, he retired.”

  “Lord love a duck.” Sarah shook her head. “He was a MMA fighter.”

  “Fighter. Wrestler. Whatever. They’re in a cage or ring. Trying to beat the snot out of someone else.”

  “It’s pointless,” Kendria announced. “She’s not going to get the significance.” She took another drink, and her large engagement ring on her hand flashed in the sun streaming in the café’s window. “She’s utterly clueless about this.”

  Happily so. “Why’s it important?” she asked her friends. “He’s retired, so, right now, he’s a father.” London did her best to ignore the spirals of heat that grew in her every time she thought about him.

  “Because he’s single, and you’re teaching his child.”

  “Sarah. I’m not about to get involved with one of my students’ fathers.”

  “Not one of. Him. Christ, have you seen his body? Can you sit there and honestly say you’ve not thought about what being in his arms would be like?” Sarah rotated the cup in her hand.

  Okay, so she couldn’t say that. “So, he’s hot.” They both raised their eyebrows at her. “He is. I won’t lie. But he’s off limits.”

  Kendria gazed past her. “We’ll see.”

  The overflow of amusement in her gaze combined with the deep tissue shiver that overtook London told her who neared. I will not turn. No matter how much she craved to lay eyes upon him.

  Turned out she didn’t have to for he walked by their table. She could smell his aftershave—rich, masculine, sexy. Yummy.

  “Ladies,” he said, one hand on his son’s shoulder. “Ms. London.”

  She ignored Kendria’s grin—Sarah’s, as well—and met Piers’ amazing green eyes. “Mr. Cuyper.”

  His firm lips kicked up a bit, and she knew he’d picked up on her tone.

  London smiled at Javier. “Are you getting some pie?” He nodded. London leaned nearer. Ignore how good the man smells and looks. “What’s your favorite?”

  “Chocolate.” His voice was rough, unused.

  She wanted to draw him in tight and just hug him. Instead, she leaned closer. “They make a terrific chocolate pie here. Ms. Lucy does an amazing job, and the piece is huge.” She demonstrated how thick it was. “You should try that if you like chocolate.”

  He gave her a small smile. “Did you have chocolate?”

  “I had banana cream pie today. Some days, I come for the chocolate, though.”

  “I like chocolate.”

  “Can’t go wrong with it, in my eyes.”

  “Mine, either,” Piers said. “Come on, son; we should get to our seat, so we can try the pie.”

  Javier tipped his head up to stare at his father. “Okay.”

  “Have a good day, ladies.” His gaze found hers, and heat flashed in its depths before he walked on with his boy.

  “Tell me again how you don’t think anything is happening between the two of you?”

  “Stuff it, Sarah.”

  Her friend’s retort was cut short by her phone ringing. “Captain Mallery.” Her expression grew serious. “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”

  London shared a look with Kendria, and they waved for the check, well aware of what was going to happen. They were ready by the time Sarah hung up. The trio walked to the door, paying at the counter, and stepped outside into the cool afternoon.

  “Be careful wherever you’re going,” London said.

  “Always am.”

  They hugged, and London stood beside Kendria as Sarah hastened to her bike and swung a leg over. She started the engine then waved back at them before rolling away.

  “What does she do in the Marines?” Kendria asked.

  “I’m not entirely sure. I know she’s one hell of a woman who has lots of accommodations for things that she can’t ever talk about.”

  Kendria slid her arm around London’s. “Let’s go walk off this pie, and you can tell me more about your hunky beau.”

  “He’s not my anything.”

  “Ten to one, he’s watching us walk away.” They headed down the sidewalk.

  “I can’t take you up on that bet, Kendria. I’d have to look back, and I’m not doing that.”

  “Chicken shit. You’re wearing Wonder Woman shoes and shirt. Doesn’t she have the balls?” Kendria poked her in the shoulder.

  London smiled. “Yes, she does. I, however, am not her.”

  She craned her head around. “I’ll look for you, and yes, he’s watching you.”

  “Liar.” London rolled her eyes.

  “You’ll never know; you won’t look.”

  “Why do I put up with you?”

  “Because I’m an amazing person.”

  “And so modest,” she teased smacking her in the arm.

  “But it’s all well deserved.”

  London rolled her eyes as they went shopping. She was lucky to have friends who looked beyond her tendencies to lose herself in Star Trek, superheroes, and more things others deemed geeky.

  ***

  Piers stared at the woman walking through the park. He’d not expected to see her here. He came daily to run and hadn’t seen her yet. Now, as it grew dark, here she was, meandering as if she hadn’t a single care in the world.

  His pants tightened as he stared at her. She partially danced as she listened to something in her mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. At school, she was totally proper and a damn impressive teacher. Each day, Javier had something good to say about what happened in class. It was when Piers saw her at times like this, though, that something happened deep inside him. She wasn’t like some of the other teachers who had tried to ply him with food and promises of things they could do together.

  Hell, if he didn’t know any better, he’d say Ms. London wanted nothing to do with him. Except he could read the desire in her gaze the few times their eyes met.

  He stepped into her path, so she’d have to acknowledge him. The one thing about her was she was unfailingly polite.

  Her brown eyes widened as she stuttered to a stop. “Oh,” she said, shock obvious. “It’s you.”

  He crossed his arms and gazed at her. “Is that a bad thing?” He raked his gaze over her attire. “What are you wearing?”

  “TARDIS pants and a TARDIS shirt made from the Doctor’s phrases.”

  Was it his imagination or did he pick up on irritation at his question? When she sidestepped, he flowed easily to the left, effectively blocking her.

  “You’re in my way,” she stated the obvious.

  “I know.”

  She frowned. “You know. Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Cuyper?”

  “Yeah.”

  He grabbed her about the waist and held her flush to him as he claimed her mouth for his own. Lust raked him over coals he thought long dormant, but with her taste inflaming them, they blazed
to life. She tasted fresh, pure. He couldn’t get enough.

  Her fists rested on his chest, and for a moment, he believed she was going to push at him. Then, she canted her head to the side and moaned as her hands flattened along his sweatshirt.

  His cock went rigid, and he tightened his hold on her. Her fingers dug into the material as she held him as hard as he did her.

  “Oh damn,” she uttered when he found the wherewithal to drag his mouth from hers.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I agree.”

  Her tongue darted out to swipe over the lips he’d just sampled. His dick gave a jerk in his pants.

  “What did you do that for?”

  He didn’t let her go. In fact he brought her closer to him. “Why do you think?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sure there are plenty of women in this town who want you to kiss them. Plenty at the school.”

  “I don’t give a damn. The teacher I want is in my arms.”

  “But I’m in your arms.” He gave a small smile, waiting for all the cylinders to fire. Her eyes grew wide. “Oh.” Then, she frowned and shook her head. “No, oh no. No, no, no.”

  He turned them off the trail so a tree trunk was at her back. The evening had become chilly, and he didn’t want her to be cold, so he shared some of his heat with her. “Why no?”

  “I’m teaching your son.”

  “Doing a great job, as well. He loves your class.”

  “I don’t intermix the two.”

  “Good to know I’m the one you’ll break that for.” He read some of the phrases on her shirt.

  “Yes, wait, what? No. I’m not breaking that rule. It’s a hard and fast—”

  He kissed her silent. Her whimper was fire to his blood. Hips bucking against her, he nipped at her invading tongue before he broke the kiss. “Yes, you are.”

  “What makes you think that?” Her fingers remained clenched in his thick sweatshirt.

  “Because you’re as hot for me as I am for you.” He lowered his face until they were nose to nose. “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you don’t finger yourself at night thinking about me and how it will be to have my cock filling you. Tell me you don’t use your vibrator and call my name out to the empty room.”

  Her body trembled. “Confident? And what makes you think my room is empty?”

  “You keep to yourself. The men in this town are foolish to leave you alone. I see beyond what you’re showing everyone else. Past the teacher as well as the woman who’s obsessed with Dr. Who, Trekkies, and superheroes.” He flicked his tongue along her lips. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

  “Lust is lust.”

  “You’re not telling me.” God, he loved having her in his arms.

  “This conversation isn’t happening.”

  “Yes, it is. I’ve been attracted to you ever since I first saw you. I’ve waited for you to approach me like others have, but I see now it’s not your style. That’s fine. I’ll come to you.”

  “Why? What about your son? In fact, where is he?”

  “He’s fine. Hanging out with his grandparents tonight; he went with them after school today. I’m all alone for the weekend.” He kissed her again. “It’s Friday night; you should be out.”

  “I am.”

  “With a man. Going to dinner, a movie. Having mind-numbing sex.”

  “Who’s to say it’s not going to happen?”

  “Exactly,” he muttered.

  “What?”

  “Just agreeing with you that it’s going to happen.”

  “What’s happening?” she asked, her eyes large and wide with desire.

  “My fucking you. Mind-numbing sex. Holding your gaze as I press my cock deep inside your pussy. Feeling the heat surround me as I slide in inch by inch. Lacing our fingers and putting your hands over your head as I do. Staring at your exposed body while I make love to you.”

  Her breath caught. “Why me?”

  “I told you. It’s been you since I first laid eyes on you. Lord knows I want to fuck you fast and hard, but damn, if I don’t want to savor every single inch of you, London Rhymes. I want to go slow and learn every inch of this body of yours. I want to lie in bed and learn more about you. Do you like to cuddle? What side of the bed you prefer to be on.”

  “I’m not supposed to get involved with—”

  “Come to dinner with me,” he offered.

  “Dinner?”

  “Yes. For starters. Make no mistake, I still want all those things I said, but I’m guessing you haven’t eaten yet.”

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “You should.”

  “Dinner.”

  “For starters.”

  “I should go home and change.”

  “No, this is you, London. I love it. Come on, I’ll give you a ride to my place.”

  “Then, I won’t have a car there.”

  “I know.” He wrapped an arm around her, and they began walking. The chill having been replaced by cold.

  He asked her teaching questions as they made their way through the park to his carbon black metallic BMW X5. He held the door for her and kissed her again when she slid along the seat.

  “How’d you know I didn’t drive?”

  “I didn’t.”

  She captured his face with her hands before he could back away. “You’re presumptuous, and normally, that is a turnoff for me, but for some reason, I can’t say no to you. So, if I get you out of my system, that should work.”

  He held her gaze, not touching her aside from where she initiated the connection. “I’m a lot of things. An ass, much of the time. A father, all the time. But I don’t lie, and it’s you I want.”

  “For now,” she uttered, releasing him.

  “I have a feeling it’s going to be a lot longer than ‘for now’.” He spoke to the air as he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.

  He had no reason for feeling that way, but he did. This elementary school teacher did something to him no woman had ever done before. Made him want to settle down. Even with Javier’s mom, he had only agreed for the sake of his son. London was different. All the way around.

  Chapter Three

  London gazed about Piers’ large entry room. Having grown up in Cottonwood Falls, she’d not spent much time on this end of town. The homes of their wealthy were here. She’d recognized the sprawling four-story Boshay home as they drove along the heavily tree lined roads. The changing leaves had since begun to fall, reminding the residents of how close Christmas drew.

  Piers’ house was very nice but didn’t have much in the way of personality, in her mind. There weren’t signs of anyone living there, much less a young boy in the second grade.

  The click of the door behind her made her recall she was in this building all alone with Piers. I should leave.

  “Care for a drink?”

  “Please.” So much for leaving.

  “Make yourself at home.”

  He led her to a different room, a living room, she assumed. A fire burned in the spacious hearth, and he left her there.

  She made her way to the couch and sat while pulling her iPod and earphones from her pocket to set on the end table. She took in the décor of this room and came to the same conclusion. Not lived in.

  He strolled back in, drinks in his hand. With a small smile, she took the glass of wine from him and watched him as he lowered himself to the other end of the couch she’d occupied.

  “Tell me about you, London.”

  He sipped what she would have figured to be bourbon. Her mouth watered for what he had.

  She took a small sampling of the wine before setting it on the table. “About me, let me see. I was raised here in Cottonwood Falls. Always wanted to be a teacher, so that’s what I went to be. I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d like to teach than here.”

  “And your parents?”

  “Alive and well, off traveling the world. They come home a few times a year to check on me then they’re off again.”

 
“Any siblings?” He took another drink, and the movement of his Adam’s apple mesmerized her. “London?”

  She shook off her musings. “Yes. One older sister and a brother who’s younger. My sister, Bristol, is an artist, and my brother Cardiff is a pilot for some private firm, and he’s always flying here or there.”

  He quirked a brow at her from over the rim of his tumbler. “Bristol, London, and Cardiff. Born in England or all conceived over there?”

  She chuckled. “Picked up on that, did you?”

  “Yes.”

  “We were conceived over there. Bristol and I were born there, but Cardiff was born once we’d moved here. My father got a job in Macon, but Mum refused to live there. She wanted a small town, so they found this one. Been here ever since.” She glanced to the wine and left it there. “Bristol is back over there, living with our grandparents.”

  “But your parents come back here?”

  “They make it a point to visit their children once a year. So, they head to England to visit there, then here to see me, and they always meet up with Card at some location.”

  Piers pushed up and reached out a hand for her. Her gut tightened with nervousness as she placed her hand in his. “Come on,” he said, drawing her smoothly to her feet.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I promised you dinner. I should get to making it.”

  She picked up her wine glass. “Make it?”

  His grin nearly melted her kneecaps. “Surprised you, didn’t I? Didn’t think I could cook?”

  She flicked her tongue over her lower lip. “I must admit, I have a hard time imagining you wearing a little floral apron in the kitchen.”

  He winked. “I only wear floral for special guests. You may get to see it yet. I don’t want it to clash with anything, so I’m nude beneath it.”

  Shit. She nearly dropped her glass. “I look forward to that.”

  “I’ll get naked for you, right now, if that’s what you want.”

  Lord help her, she did. “Food.”

  He plucked the wine from her hand. “Why didn’t you say you don’t drink wine?”

  “What makes you think I don’t?”

  “Your expression when you sipped it. Want some bourbon?”

  “Oh God, yes.”