Indulgence (5 page)

“Mm-hm.” The salt and pepper haired man shuffled over to the table to sit with his friends.

“What was that about?”

“Marie, the cutest thing ever. I think our guys are looking out for our non-existent virtue.”

“They’ve been coming every morning since you opened this shop three years ago. I’d bet if we opened on Sunday, they’d come then, too.”

“I enjoy them almost the most, and the cute couples that come in together and order the same thing daily, sharing pastries or chocolate, too.”

“I’ve been thinking, and don’t kill the messenger, that maybe there’s an upside to Pastry Goddess. We could market our chocolate there, give her an option to use ours in her products. That way, new customers will know about us, and the customers who frequent both can have variety. We could charge her.”

“I’m not ready to think about Dareia just yet, I’m still processing that he didn’t tell me, you know.”

Marie snorted. “You are so open minded with everything else, and close minded when it comes to matters of the heart. There are hard choices to be made. Imagine being stuck between you, the woman he wants to have, and the sister who depends on him and who he loves. That poor man was in a no-win situation, especially with you spouting off about how she’s wrecking your business. I mean, what was he supposed to do, offer up, ‘that’s my sister’s store’?”

Zoey bit her lip, grabbed the coffeepot, filled her cup, and added a shot of espresso. “When you put it that way, I see what you mean. But we’ve made out, what was he gonna do, wait ’til you know what to tell me?”

“I think you ruined the open line of communication when you bashed his sister.” Marie laughed and snuck a cupcake out of the display case. “What? You ruined my chance of getting some this morning.”

“It’s just, I mean, we’ve had one humongous misunderstanding, some hot petting and makeout sessions, then dick-in-the-face, and now this. What else is he hiding?”

“Besides being filthy rich, nothing. He’s all over the web, well, his family is, and Lysandros really is. I’m hoping to change his bad boy reputation and be the goddess who tames the untamable.”

“The man exudes good breeding, sophistication and power. Of course he’s filthy rich, which brings me to another point. We’re barely above the red with this shop. Why would he want to latch himself to someone who doesn’t come from money? Upbringing as different as night and day?”

“You are CEO of your own place, a college grad, you’re super smart, sexy as all get-out, and self sufficient. In baser terms, either you intimidate the hell out of a man, or a man is drawn to your qualities as his equal, not in monetary terms, but in drive and ambition. If only you could see what others do about you, and how you built your own brand from the love of your grandmother.”

“I guess I don’t see all that. I see a business that I love running, but which exhausts me.” Zoey sighed and took a sip of her cup of wake-me-up.

“Hire someone else to help, so you can get out of here earlier. There’s enough wiggle room, and you deserve to delegate.”

“I like prepping everything, and don’t really want anyone knowing my recipes. They’ve been in the family for generations, and now and then I like to play and add new ideas and spices to the chocolate base.”

“So, hire someone to make the basics that we use in cupcakes and cakes. You and I can prepare the super secret stuff together, you know. I should kick you out. I can handle the shop for the day. Remember when you had the flu and it was me all by myself for a week?”

“Yeah, I could go home and get ready to go to Khristos’ place.” The offer to take over came at the perfect time, if she’d let go and take a break from her baby.

“Go. I got this.”

“No closet sex with Lysandros, wait ’til you get off and get home.”

“Fine, busybody. But really, you should let big brother bang you here, I’m telling you, you’ll love it.”

Zoey shook her head, moved her phone from her apron to her pocket, lifted the frilly, bright decoration over her head, placed it on the counter, and folded it. “Fine. Not to the latter, but to leaving. Call me if you can’t hang.”

“Aye-aye, El Cap-i-tan.”

Zoey stopped by Mr. Simms’ regular table on her way out. “Have a good day, gentlemen, I will return tomorrow. Marie will make sure you get your refills.”

“Oh, the sassy one. I like her. Roger, I was telling you we should let them both do our refills, it’s not fair Miss Zoey gets all our attention.”

“She’s a mighty perky thang, we can discuss it over breakfast and coffee tomorrow. Have a wonderful time away, darlin’, you deserve it now and then. Be safe though, can’t tell ya young women enough times these days.”

She smiled and walked out the door, powered on her phone, and dialed Khristos.  His baritone voice rasped a sexy “Hello, Sunshine,” making her melt.  Clutching the phone to her ear, she spoke before backing out of the door. “I’m free for the day and night. Marie kicked me out of the shop.”

“You’re killing me, beautiful. Give me a second, okay? Don’t hang up.” He put her on hold before she could utter a reply. Time ticked so slowly, seconds felt like forever. She ambled over to a bench near her shop and took a seat, crossing one leg over the other.

“Where are you now?”

“Sitting on a bench in front of my store, why?”

“I’m swinging by to pick you up. Change of plans, we’ll head out to my other place a few hours away.”

“Kidnapping me?”

“Something like that. Do you have time to pack some clothes and things you need? I’ll be wrapping up what I’m working on within the hour.”

“Sure, that gives me the perfect time to grab what I need.” And shave and things, she hadn’t been expecting an overnight getaway. Dashing to the side entrance of her shop, she ran up the stairs to her apartment, kicked off her heels, and slammed into the bathroom with the clock ticking.

You can do this.

The pep talk didn’t help, she stared at the mirror, trying to decide what to do first, pack so she wouldn’t forget anything, or shower and shave quickly. She opted for shower and shave, and completed the task at warp speed, making Trekkies proud. Looking in the mirror, she lathered on lotion, scrubbed her toenail polish off, and then applied a fresh coat. Her hair a hot mess, she ran the flat iron over it to smooth out the frizz, and applied light makeup.

Her phone chimed, giving her a five-minute warning that time was running out. She wrapped the towel around her body, dashed to her tiny bedroom, and began whipping things out of her dresser and closet.  She called Marie. “I don’t know what to take with me to wear. Khristos cleared his day, and is taking me to his house a few hours away, not the one here in town.”

“Calm down, sister. Now, take a casual outfit, a nice dress, and heels, in case you go out to dinner, and every man loves a woman in T-shirt and panties, wear that to bed like you do every night, unless you’ve changed and have pj’s now.”

“No. I sleep in band T-shirts and underwear. Okay, I’ll wear a shirt and yoga pants, they make my ass look great, with some flip flops, and will bring my little black number and the silver-and-black zebra-striped peep-toe stilettos, and a band T-shirt.”

“And at least two pairs of underwear, don’t forget your toothbrush and vitamins, take some light, but sexy, perfume too, and you’re good to go. Leave the b.o.b. at home, if you get lucky, you won’t need the fake one.”

Zoey laughed. “I would never play with that in front of him. That’s something a girl does alone.”

“Or with a partner, the right one. Have fun and for heaven’s sake, please take condoms with you, in case he forgets. Does he know how to get to the apartment?”

“No. Why?”

“He just walked in and waved.”

“Tell him I’ll be right down.” Zoey squealed and ended the call. She grabbed her empty duffel bag and began stuffing toiletries in it. Then she added her sleep shirt, underwear, and extra shoes, folded the dress, and placed it on top, hoping it didn’t wrinkle too badly.

After locking up her apartment, she jogged down the stairs, and to the front of the store. Seeing him took her rational thought away. He’d changed from a power suit to a tight T-shirt and body-conforming jeans, that hugged all his masculine yumminess to perfection.

“Ready, Iliahtida?”

“Should I be afraid?”

Khristos chuckled. “Not at all. If you’d rather stay here in town, that’s fine. The place is not as spacious, and I share it with Lysandros when he’s in town from Greece or New York.”

“I’m up for an adventure, let’s get it started.” She linked her arm in his as he walked them to his car. She loved how he opened the door, saw her settled, and then held back from reaching over to buckle her up. She pulled the seat belt on and sank into the decadent leather cushioning her body. “Feels good.”

“Yeah? The seat heats, too, if you’re cold. The button is on the side.” He slipped in and buckled up.  “Go to sleep Iliahtida, you work so hard, I’ll get us there while you nap, you’ll want to be well rested for what I have in store for us.” Khristos started the engine and pulled into traffic. The smooth ride relaxed her, and she sank back against the softness, the back of her head and neck cradled by the body conforming headrest and closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before the Sandman came for her.

Chapter Five

“Hey, sleepyhead, we’re here.” Khristos watched Zoey stretch her arms above her head. The action made her top ride up, showing the smooth expanse of her toned stomach. When she opened her beautiful, brown eyes, he found it impossible to turn away from staring at her sleep-tousled hair and face.

“That was a good nap.” She yawned. “How long was I out for?”

“Two and a half hours. Really, from the time we hit the highway ’til now. You ready for that adventure to start?”

“If I said no, would we go back to Kansas City?”

“Nope. You’re stuck in the Ozarks with me for at least tonight, and who knows, you may find you want to stay an extra day.” He slipped the keys into his pocket and opened the door. Climbing out, he hip-checked his door shut, and crossed over to open hers. She accepted his hand and stepped out next to him.

“Wow. The air smells so fresh out here, and it’s quiet.”

“Yeah, come on, I’ll show you around.” Growing up near the backdrop of the Aegean Sea had spoiled him, and while this in no way compared to the saltwater sea he’d grown up around, the serpentine lake, dubbed the Magic Dragon, gave him the serenity he needed when business and family weighed him down.

“I smell water. Are we near a lake?” She slipped her hand in his, and together they walked up the forked steps leading to his house.

“Yeah,” Khristos unlocked the door and led her inside his entryway.

“Are those ceiling fans on your veranda?”

“Yep. My ma wanted them installed when I had this house built. She likes to sit on the porch and watch the neighbors, but when it’s muggy out, the fans give her a reprieve from the intense humidity. Come on in. Welcome to my home.”

“God, if I had a home like this, I’d never leave. Forget running a business.” She walked past him as he opened the front door.

Khristos walked a few paces behind her, taking in her delight in his décor as they moved past his foyer into the main room on floor one. Her shoes squeaked on his wood flooring as they made their way to the kitchen. He’d called ahead and had his groundskeeper shop for him.

“I’m in love. Look at this kitchen. Two full ovens and two stovetops, an island, and everything is stainless steel. It’s official. I’ve died and gone to heaven. Do you cook in here?”

“During family holidays we generally convene here. My ma loves this kitchen, too. She’s the cook in the family. I can do basics, but my ma and sister are superb cooks. Dareia is always feeding me and Lysandros, even this past week, I got dinner twice and breakfast every day.”

“That’s sweet. What do you eat for breakfast? I usually have coffee and a Danish.”

“My sister makes a traditional breakfast for her bakery every day, along with the American pastries she makes. My favorite is spanakopita, it’s made with filo dough instead of being sweet like baklava, it has spinach, eggs, onions or scallions, and cheese in it. You could say, it’s like a quiche or egg soufflé, only Greek, not German or French.” He led her outside to the glass-enclosed deck overlooking the lake. “Sit outside with me.” He led them to his cushioned porch swing. She took a seat, and he sat next to her. “We can try the hammock sometime.”

“I’m speechless. Tell me again why you live in Kansas City and don’t just video conference call from here?”

“Doubt I’d appreciate it as much. I enjoy the city life. Kansas City is not nearly as busy as New York or West Virginia. When we ended up moving here to be closer to Dariea, I found this land and had to have it. Sunset and sunrise are beautiful here. I miss the smell of the sea, though, but this will do, plus it’s safer to play in. My brother and I take out the jet skis and the pontoon.”

“So you’re not all business all the time?” she teased.

“No, everyone needs a break. Do you swim?”

“Yeah, learned when I was little. I don’t have much time to do so now, though, the closest to swimming I get is taking a bath.”

“We’ll have to fix that. Not now, of course. But, later on.” He grinned. “Maybe we can take the boat out on an extended trip. For now, how about some food. Hungry?”

“For you, not for food.”

“Bold girl.” His dick hardened with her hand inching up his thigh. He’d brought them both to his place to get away from their time consuming professional obligations. That, and well, hell, he just wanted her in his home. The thought didn’t terrify him, though it should. The only women ever in his home previously, were his ma and sister. Easily, he could imagine Zoey moving in with him, sharing a life with him, maybe with a small house in K.C., but here, when time allowed. Her hand approached his dick. Khristos let her take the lead, wanting to know if she’d call a halt, or keep going. For weeks, he’d imagined being buried deeply in her tight pussy.

“I’m wound so tight, I can’t take any more anticipation.” She licked her lips, and walked her fingers up his zipper to the button. Using the palm of her hand, she pushed him back, giving her the access she wanted, to free him. “Mmm. Commando is so sexy.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hm.” Zoey leaned over, and ran the tip of her tongue over the smooth crown. His dick jerked as she slipped him into her mouth and began working him. Soft suckles turned to long, slow glides, base to tip, repeating the action as she saw fit. He let out a groan, and then placed one hand on her curvy ass, the other on the nape of her neck, to show her how he enjoyed being sucked. She caught on to the tempo and switched up quickly.

“I want to swallow.”

“Fuck, Sunshine, you’re gonna be the death of me. Nah, I need to be inside you, we’ve got time for this later. Come give me another taste of your sweet pussy.”

Khristos tugged her ponytail, pulling her from the last slow deep throat. A pout adorned her face as she locked eyes with his.

“I promise you can suck my dick all you want later…after I’ve had my fill of you.” He trailed his thumb over her protruding lip as she straddled him. “Let’s get these off you.” The yoga pants came off with ease, her silky underwear rolling off with them, as he yanked them off her ankles, leaving her naked from the bottom down.

When his fingers stroked into her pussy, he found her soaking wet. “Sucking my cock made you so wet. Climb on my face.” He reclined all the way in the cushions, leveling them as she moved as he bid. Damn, she smelled delicious, and as he took his first savoring stroke of tongue along her glistening slit, he reveled in the sweet sigh escaping her lips, the way her fingernails dug into his skin, and how she wiggled to have more on her time, not at his slow and leisurely pace.

Cupping her ass in his hands, he delivered a stinging blow to each cheek. A torrent of cream cascaded into his mouth. “Damn, Sunshine. You like a bit of sting, don’tcha?” Her thighs trembled in anticipation. Two solid blows stilled them moments later. He rubbed the burn while his scruff played havoc with her clit as he ghosted his stubble across her sensitive nub, flicked his nose over it, and then sucked her distended bundle of nerves into his mouth. His dick, aching to be buried in her, wouldn’t be denied much longer.

Working to bring her off, he slid his digits into her core, first one, then two, finally three, stretching her in a corkscrew motion, his mouth still bringing her to the brink of orgasm. Her body tensed for him, locked up nice and tight, her tight cunt muscles gripping his digits and refusing to let go as she came hard, giving him the sweetness he demanded. “That’s my girl. Such a sweetness. Condom or no condom? I’m clean, and I wanna feel you bare when I sink into you.”

“I’m on protection. I want to feel all of you too.”

Lifting her in his arms, he carried her inside the house. “Fuck, won’t make the bedroom, I need to be in you too badly.” He chose a wall to brace her back on, lined his dick up with her pussy and thrust in, nice and slow. Her slick heat enveloped him. He’d never gone without protection, and fuck, now he knew why others had. Zoey threaded her arms around his neck. Tight warmth sucked him in deep, and he let out a guttural sound, tightening the hold on her thighs, driving in reckless abandon. She took his punishing thrusts, drenching him with each staccato drive. Under her T-shirt, he felt her nipples tighten, and wanted to have his hands and mouth on her ample tits. Her hands moved to grip his hair. She thrust her tongue into his mouth, taking her own semblance of control. Khristos chuckled, her sweet breath and shy kissing turning wicked, wanton, as she parried with fervor, her ardor growing exponentially, matching his need to possess her.

“Khristos.” The musical way in which she called out his name brought out his primal beast. Flexing his back, his arms, he lifted her on and off his cock, alternating thrusts with soul-devouring kisses, the scent of sex and the sound of flesh meeting flesh carrying them closer to the brink.

“Come for me, Sunshine. Give over.”

“I can’t. I mean, I want to, I’m so close, but I can’t just cause you tell me to.” She screamed as he hit deeper in her.

Khristos lifted her off his dick onto her feet and led her into his living room. When they reached the couch, he bent her over the back of the couch and lit into her ass, giving her the incentive she needed to come for him. “I want you to come for me, beautiful, on command. You can do it again.” His fingers trailed along her clit, rubbing the soft bud. “Your pussy is the best I’ve ever tasted, ever fucked, so when I want your cream on my dick or mouth, you will comply, obey, and give me what I want. In return, you will feel so good, baby, so fucking good.” He slid back in, fucking her rampantly in ass-up position, her head bent back with his fist wrapped around her hair, while he whispered dirty words in her ears, told her how sexy she was, how her sounds brought him close to exploding.

Her soft moans turned to gasps as she struggled to feel, breathe and keep hold of her rigid control. He stripped that from her, commanded her to breathe through the siege he laid on her. Cool air met her core when he pulled out and bit her ass cheeks one at a time, and then trailed his tongue up her spine, slipping back in with rapid thrusts, his fingers strumming her nub. Zoey cried out, coming around his dick in waves, from strong convulsions to lingering aftershocks. Khristos nipped her neck, biting enough to leave his mark on her as he filled her womb with his seed.

Her legs buckled as he sank to his knees and gathered her in his arms. Turning her to straddle his lap on the floor, he rubbed the small of her back. Her face rested in the curve of his neck.

“You pack a mighty punch, Mr. Trakis,” Zoey murmured into his neck.

“You good for the moment now, Miss Impatient?” Who was he kidding? Hell, he’d wanted to take her in his car, on the stairs, and in his bed, she just beat him to the punch. “I didn’t bring you here for just this.”

“Well, damn. I was hoping the entire night would be crazy monkey sex with rest periods and junk food to energize us before we began all over again.”

He couldn’t tell if she was kidding or not, without looking into her overly expressive eyes. Letting out a grunt, he tapped the small of her back. “I don’t want to hurt you, Sunshine, and a fuckfest will definitely hurt you, even with lube and rest periods. That, however, doesn’t mean I won’t take you a few more times tonight.”

“I am yours to use.” She turned her face to his neck and bit. “Oh, and biting is fair play. Just no hickeys, we’re not teens.”

“My brave girl. Don’t resent those words in the morning, ’cause beautiful, enjoying your delights all night has now become my top priority after seeing to your needs by feeding you. There’s an apron in the kitchen you can wear, with you naked underneath, while we work together putting the food that was delivered here into some semblance of a meal.”

“Mmm. Cock-hungry is what I am now, but food sounds good.” She slid off of his lap and sauntered with that sexy sway of hers, back to his kitchen. After she donned his apron, leaving her bare from the back, she opened his fridge and began moving the trays of finger foods out, along with cold cuts, and a bottle of wine.

“I’m here to serve you.” She balanced the trays on her hand, untied the apron, and let it drop to the floor. “How would you like it?”

“Sunshine, if that ain’t a loaded question.” Khristos roved his gaze up her lush body, appreciating every inch of her, mapping the areas he hadn’t nibbled on, licked his lips, and patted the spot next to him. “Come closer.”

Zoey set the tray down on his coffee table and knelt at his side. “Yes, Sir?”

“I want you to grab your plate and glass of wine. Sit in front of me and eat. No foreplay, no flirting, just food and conversation.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he shushed her with the pad of his thumb tracing over her lip. “And if you’re good, Sunshine, and eat all of your food, then maybe, I will give you what you want. We have all night, beautiful.”

  A gleam of defiance lit her face, and her hand trembled as she moved to protest his order. He watched indecision wash over her lovely face, as she warred with what the consequences might be. He reached over and grabbed his glass of wine and a plate. While she warred with her indecision, he took a drink of wine, and ate a bite of his lamb gyro, savoring the tangy tzatziki sauce.

Zoey picked up half of her sandwich and straddled his lap, aligning her pussy against his semi-erect cock. She took a bite and leaned over to share his wine. A drop of red wine trickled down her plump bottom lip, onto her chin. Khristos ran the pad of his thumb over the wetness and sucked it into his mouth.