Leap















Leap

Cindy Jacks

 

Just when Lila has resigned herself to the fact the most
exciting chapters of her life are over, a blast from the past walks into her
bakery. Six feet of gorgeousness named Gavin drops by as shełs closing up shop.
They were once high-school sweethearts and itłs been more than twenty-five
years since theyłve seen each other, but time hasnłt diminished the sweet heat
between them. Soon enough the sparksand the frostingbegin to fly.

As they rediscover each otherłs bodies, itłs clear Gavinłs no
longer a boy as he shows Lila the man and skillful lover hełs become. Though
Lila knows this whirlwind romp could be an act of insanity, his touch unleashes
the sensual woman shełs forgotten she could be. And she thinksmaybeshe has
one more leap in her.




 

An Ellorałs Cave Romantica
Publication



www.ellorascave.com

 

 

 

Leap

 

ISBN 9781419930096

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Leap Copyright © 2010 Cindy Jacks

 

Edited by Jillian Bell

Cover art by Syneca

 

Electronic book publication November 2010

 

The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of
Ellorałs Cave Publishing.

 

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not
be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written
permission from the publisher, ElloraÅ‚s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home
Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

 

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this
copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or
distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without
the publisherłs permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including
infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is
punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
(http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print
editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of
copyrighted material. Your support of the authorłs rights is appreciated.

 

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons,
living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The
characters are productions of the authorłs imagination and used fictitiously.




Leap

Cindy Jacks




Trademarks Acknowledgement

 

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark
owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Band-Aid: Johnson & Johnson Corporation

Camry: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor
Corporation)

Glenfiddich: William Grant & Sons
Limited

Jeep: DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Lady Gaga: Ate My Heart Inc.

The Police: Roxanne Music Ltd.

 








Chapter One

 

With perfect, even pressure, Lila piped flourishes of
buttercream around the edge of a four-layer chocolate cake. Shełd already
filled the confection with raspberry ganache and coated the outer surface with
chocolate fondant. Emotion clutched at her throat and tears threatened to spill
down her cheeks but she choked them back. Lila had made it to closing time once
again without breaking down. She wouldnłt give in now.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Lila did her best to suppress the
bubble of emotion pressing at her rib cage. Damn it. She threw the
pastry bag on the counter and wiped her hands on her apron.

“No crying in the kitchen," Lila murmured to herself as she
made her way to her office. “No crying in the kitchen."

Shełd promised herself she wouldnłt lose it in front of the
staff. Granted, most of them had left for the evening, but Franco was still
finishing up the mixers and Justine was closing up the storefront.

Struggling against the impulse to cry her eyes out, she sank
into her desk chair. Lila swiped at each tear that defied her will to stay
calm.

Alan had moved on.

It was over.

Another teardrop streaked down her cheek.

“Miss Lila?" FrancoÅ‚s deep voice intruded on her mental
breakdown. He stood in the doorway, chefłs coat half-unbuttoned.

She rubbed desperately at her wet lashes and cleared her
throat. “WhatÅ‚s up, Franco?"

“EverythingÅ‚s done. IÅ‚m going to walk Justine to her car."

“Okay." Lila stood up and smoothed her hair.

“You all right?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Yep. Peachy keen. Fucking allergies, you know?"

Franco gave a nod and wished her good night.

A sigh of relief escaped her at the sight of his retreating
form.

“DonÅ‚t forget to lock the front door," she called after him.

Alone at last. Itłd been a long day. Hand to her throbbing
head, she walked back to the cake shełd abandoned. It sat on its turntable,
only half-decorated. Lila had no idea why shełd started making the damn thing
in the first place. All the orders for tomorrow morning had been ready since
four in the afternoon and the display case would be filled with goodies made
fresh tomorrow morning. A cake without purpose, really.

She pilfered a fingerful of icing from the edge of the cake
and popped it in her mouth. Mmmdelicious purposeless cake.

Purposeless cake for a now-purposeless woman, she
thought. Tears prickled again at the edge of her eyes. No reason to fight them
now as she had all week. The crying jag had to come sooner or later. Might as
well give in. She sank her head onto the counter and succumbed to the swirl of
raw emotion that lay beneath her bravado.

The flood of tears started with a whimper. Then a couple
more spontaneous bursts of sound broke free from her throat, like a freight
train building up steam. Her shoulders shook and salty teardrops leaked onto
the sleeve of her chefłs coat. Lila could let go now, let it all out.

* * * * *

Ring-a-ling

The bell on the front door announced that she was no longer
alone in the bakery.

Fucking Franco. He always forgot to lock the front door.

Lila straightened her uniform and blotted her face with a
kitchen towel.

Opening the swinging door that led to the storefront, she
said, “IÅ‚m sorry weÅ‚re closed."

A silhouetted figure stood lit only by the street lamp
outside the bakery, his hand in the back pocket of his jeans. “I was wondering
if you could help me find someone. I think she works here."

“EveryoneÅ‚s gone home for the night." She took a shaky
breath. “Try back tomorrow, sir."

Ordinarily Lila wouldłve offered the stranger a pen and
paper, asked if hełd like to leave a message or at the very least asked for
whom he was looking. But not tonight. In no mood to be helpful, she turned to
retreat into the back of the bakery but the stranger stopped her.

“IÅ‚m looking for a Ms. Stevens. La-La Stevens. Maybe you
know her?"

She froze and turned to face him again. “Who are you looking
for?"

“La-La Stevens."

Narrowing her eyes, Lila studied the man. “IÅ‚m sorry, do I
know you?"

One eyebrow arched, he gave her a hint of a grin. “I think
maybe you do."

La-La. No one had called her that since high school
except her older brother, Sam. In fact, it was because of Sam shełd gotten the
nickname. When she was born, he was two years old and couldnÅ‚t say “Lila". The
name came out “La-La", and the mispronunciation had stuck. But this tall,
slender man with dark wavy hair looked nothing like her ginger-headed brother.

Lila scooted out of the doorway, eyes still on her
unexpected guest. Something tickled at the back of her mind. She knew that
angular jawline, the high cheekbones, the Romanesque nose. His cocky contrapposto
stance. A lightning bolt of recognition broke over her. “Gavin? Gavin Reilly?"

His grin widened. “See, you do know me."

“Oh my God!" She rounded the counter and planted herself in
front of him. Jesus, hełd grown since last shełd last seen him. Or maybe she
was shrinking. No, she wasnłt at that age yet. Hełd definitely shot up a couple
inches since sophomore year of high school. Before she could stop herself, she
threw her arms around him. His crisp, fresh scent caught her off guard,
bringing with it a flood of long-forgotten memories.

“ItÅ‚s been ages, La-La," he murmured.

“It really has been."

Despite the urge to remain in his warm arms forever, she
released him and took a small step back. Lila looked up at him, her mouth a
little ajar. Was he really here or was he a figment of her grief-stricken
imagination?

“Is this a bad time?" he asked.

“CouldnÅ‚t be worse" She shook her head. “Or better,
depending how you look at it."

“And how do you look at it?"

She shrugged. “I havenÅ‚t decided yet. Sowhat brings you
back to Richmond?"

“Job transfer. IÅ‚m working for the city now."

“Still a paramedic?"

He furrowed his brow. “Now howÅ‚d you know that?"

“The mom network. Several years ago, your mom bragged to
so-and-sołs mom, who told my mom. The ęhandsome and braveł Gavin Reilly."

“Ha! And Momma still calls you Ä™the one that got awayÅ‚."

Lila chuffed a humorless laugh. “Yeah, IÅ‚m a real catch."

“So, how should we celebrate this reunion?" he asked.

“II donÅ‚t know." A lump formed in her throat. In no mood to
celebrate anything, she rubbed her forehead and studied the floor. “I donÅ‚t
think IÅ‚d be very good company tonight. Maybe another time."

His eyes widened and he tilted his head like a puppy dog.
“YouÅ‚re going to make me spend my first night back all by myself?"

“Oh, all right." She sighed and locked the entrance. “Let me
finish up. Come on."

Gavin followed her through the swinging door to the back.
With a low whistle, he looked around the kitchen and asked, “Is this place all
yours?"

“All mine."

She walked over to the Purposeless Cake and stared down at
it. Pulling a box from beneath the worktable, she started to put it away, but
then thought better of it.

“Are you hungry?" asked Lila.

“I could eat."

“Good." She pulled a knife from a drawer, cut slabs of cake
and served them up on heavy-duty ceramic plates. Gavin grabbed two
stainless-steel forks from a gray plastic silverware tub to his right.

She handed him his plate.

“This looks great," he said.

“Taste it."

He shoveled a bite into his mouth and moaned. “Oh my God.
This is Damn."

Lila grinned. “Thanks." She took a bite of cake. “Not bad,
if I do say so myself."

Pulling up two barstools, she sat and motioned for him to do
the same. Lila studied him as he moved to take a seat. Taller, broader. Gavin
had become fully a man. Though he was clean-shaven, she wondered what hełd look
like with a beard. Could he grow one now? His dark hair led to about an inch or
so of well-filled-out sideburns. Yeah, she was sure he could grow out his
facial hair and hełd look pretty damn good if he did. Not that he didnłt look
great as he was. The cropped, clean-cut look worked for him. A whisper of gray
touched each of his temples and he wore that well too.

Her gaze wandered down his frame. No excess flesh or jutting
bone. His tight musculature shifted his frame with ease. Clearly he took care
of himself, worked out often. A picture of him shirtless in some imaginary gym,
sweat dripping down a cut chest and abdomen, appeared in her mindłs eye. She
blinked away the thought, trying to focus on his words and ignore the pounding
of her heart. Her hand strayed to her matronly bun and the bobby pins holding
it in place. She picked them out of her hair, one by one, and shook out her
shoulder-length tresses.

“Mom said youÅ‚ve been at this location for the past ten
years. I can see why," said Gavin.

She cleared her throat. “Jack helped me set it up after we
got divorced."

“After?"

“It was a pretty amicable splitas divorces go."

“My ex, Irene, and I went through a pretty rough one a
couple years ago."

“IÅ‚m sorry to hear that."

He took another bite of cake. “ItÅ‚s all good now."

Lila worked on her piece for a few minutes in comfortable
silence and then asked, “Why did you come here tonight, Gavin?"

He glanced around the room and gave a little shake of his
head. “To see you."

“I get that. I mean what were you expecting from me?"

He rubbed his hand on the front of his jeans. “No
expectations. Itłsitłs just good to be back. Youłre part of my memories of
home. I guess. No, I mean you are. Definitely." He grunted and rolled his eyes.
“IÅ‚ll stop rambling now."

She let out an amused huff under her breath. “YouÅ‚re fine."

She slid her fork over her plate and scraped up the last of
the frosting and crumbs. Her tongue darted over the fork tines and licked them
clean.

Gavin reached out his hand. “You got a little chocolate"

He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. She let her tongue
graze the tip of it. Shocked by her own audacity, she shied away from his touch
but he cupped her face in one hand.

Eyelids lowered, Gavin leaned in. Dark lashes rested against
his cheek. Warm lips skimmed across hers. The hand under her jaw slipped
beneath her hair and cradled her neck. Lilałs body relaxed into the kiss,
sliding her tongue over his. For a moment she lost herself in the scent and the
taste of himchocolate richness and the citrus undertones of his cologne, but
all too soon, she remembered the shards of glass lodged in her heart. Pain at
the memory of Alanłs departure stabbed at her.

“Maybe we shouldnÅ‚t be doing this," she murmured.

“Maybe not." He gave her a quick, soft kiss and then a
longer, more urgent one.

Shouldnłt be doing this, Lila thought. A list of
reasons she should rebuff his advances scrolled through her mind. She was still
getting over Alan. She hadnłt seen Gavin in over twenty-five years. Jesus
Christ, a quarter century. Nothing good ever came from rushing into sex.
But who said they had to go that far? Well, she did want to fuck him. No
denying that. But the last thing she needed waswas?

The feel of his heated mouth against hers overrode her
common sense. Oh, to hell with it. Why not?

“Give me a second." She hopped off her stool and ran to her
office.

* * * * *

Rifling through her handbag, Lila prayed to find what she
was looking for.

“Come on. Come on." She knew she had a couple condoms in her
purse somewhere. The telltale rustle of a plastic wrapper told her shełd found
one. She plucked it from her bag and then pulled out a makeup compact. Ay.
Not good. Her chestnut-colored hair sported a couple fierce snarls and dark
circles ringed her green eyes. She brushed out her hair and dabbed a little
powder onto her face. There. Now her skin looked milky smooth instead of shiny
and pale. After a couple swipes of lip gloss, it was time to get back to the
kitchen.

Gavin sat waiting for her, a look of concern on his face.

“Listen, IÅ‚m sorry if I was out of line. I just said I
didnłt expect anything but" Lila cut him off with a kiss and pressed the
condom into his hand.

He stood and pushed his stool out of the way. It clattered
to the ground with a loud crash. Gathering her into his arms, he crushed his
hard body against hers. She wrapped one leg around him and he wasted no time
responding. Hands beneath her ass, he boosted her up onto the counter, pushing
the cake out of way and easing her onto her back.

His mouth still on hers, he slid a hand under her chefłs
coat and pushed up the camisole beneath. Fingers toyed with one hard nipple,
gently rolling and pinching it.

Desperate to strip off her clothes, she worked at the
closures on her coat. Damn Chinese buttons. But with the little patience
she had left, she popped them free and shimmied out of the garment. Gavin
retreated for a moment and slipped off his T-shirt. Every muscle of his torso
pushed against the surface of his smooth, golden skin, his strong shoulders sloping
into a thick, sinewy neck, his broad chest accentuating his tight, narrow
waist. A neat patch of hair rested between his pecs and extended down his lower
abdomen in a thin line that disappeared into the waistband of his loose-fitting
jeans.

He unbuttoned her slacks, pulling them off along with her
underwear and casting them to the floor. A jolt of insecurity passed through
her. Gavin knew her when she was young and firm, fresh and dewy. Despite her
best efforts to keep in shape, her belly had grown softer over the years, her
muscle tone less delineated, not to mention the stretch marks Billy and Lauren
had given her. At least shełd shaved her legs the night before.

The moist heat of his mouth on her labia brushed away the
stray thoughts. She sucked in a deep breath as he pushed two fingers inside
her. He worked her clit between his front teeth and his tongue. Flexing his
fingers, he sent bursts of pleasure through her. She gasped and clutched a
handful of his hair.

Her body shook and her leg muscles contracted, the pressure
of an impending orgasm drawing her abdomen taut. Breath ragged, she panted
through the first tremors of the climax. But as the sensation peaked, she
quaked more violently. He didnłt ease off, continuing to lick and suck at her
despite her squirming. Finally, once the ecstasy began to recede, he slowed his
pace, finishing up with a few languid kisses between her thighs.

He worked his lips up her torso, meandering over her breasts
and then to her throat.

“I want you inside me," she said, her voice scarcely above a
whisper.

“Soon."

Gavin picked up the pastry bag and squeezed a dollop of
frosting onto each of her nipples.

She gasped. “What are you doing?"

“Nothing," he replied, but swooped in to lick at the icing.
She wriggled against the stainless-steel work surface. He piped more frosting
along her curves and laved at the trail of chocolate, eliciting a groan from
her. How many times had she imagined doing just this with the dark, untamed
mystery lover who populated her fantasies? Gavin ran his tongue over her hips
to her breastsgiving each nipple an extra dollop of frosting and sucking them
clean. Unable to hold back a girlish squeal, Lila nearly squirmed off the
counter while he worked at her ticklish abdomen. Clearly enjoying her reaction,
he continued to work diligently until he licked the last of the icing from her
collarbone. He pressed his body against hers and gave her a sticky-sweet kiss.

She took the bag from him and pushed him to stand up. Lila
moved off the counter and tugged at his jeans button. After sliding down his
zipper, she fished his hard cock from his boxer briefs. The shaft twitched as
she put a crown of icing around the head. Dropping to her knees, she took him
into her mouth. The sweet chocolate mixed with the slightly salty taste of his
pre-cum as she relaxed her throat, working him farther into her mouth until
shełd engulfed all of his long cock. A few more strokes and he pulled back, a
hungry smirk on his face.

“CÅ‚mere." He pulled Lila to her feet, turned her around and
bent her over the counter. She heard the wrapper tear and looked over her
shoulder to watch him roll the condom down his cock. Shełd forgotten how lovely
it was fully erect.

Gavin parted her labia and then pushed his shaft into her.
Just the head at first, teasing at the opening until she dug her fingernails
into his thighs. Then he buried himself inside her, his pelvis flush with her
ass. With smooth strokes, he set a fast but steady rhythm. His hands roamed
over her breasts and then he captured each nipple between his fingers, pinching
them with just the right amount of pressure. She groaned and tossed her head
back. Brushing her hair from her neck, he pressed his mouth to her skin.

He reached between her legs and rubbed her clit. Pleasure
rippled through her. With each thrust, she grew slicker and he pushed deeper
into her. Lila cried out his name as another orgasm ripped through her. Gavin
hooked his arm around her waist, bending her forward. She braced herself
against the counter. He drove himself into her until he too came, his body
shaking. Heavy exhalations grazed her shoulder.

After their bodies grew still, he carefully withdrew from
her. Lila turned to face him.

She looked into his dark brown eyes. A smile played across
his lips. He kissed her forehead and cradled her face in his hands.

“Of all the ways I expected to spend this evening." She blew
out a sigh and rested her head against his cheek.

She felt his grin widen. “ItÅ‚s a pleasant surprise for me
too. I was expecting dinner, a few glasses of wine. Maybe a hand job,
but thatłs it."

Lila gave him a playful shove. He leaned in and brushed her
lips with his. “YouÅ‚re amazing."

“YouÅ‚ve learned a few tricks yourself."

“Glad to hear it. IÅ‚d hate to think I still fumble around
like a sixteen-year-old."

“I donÅ‚t remember you fumbling."

“ThatÅ‚s because you didnÅ‚t know any better at the time."

Very true. Images of Gavinłs younger self flashed through
her mind. Hełd always been strong, handsome. Fearless. But now, with some
maturity under his belt, he radiated something far more intoxicating. Hełd been
her first lovertheyłd spent the whole summer of ł83 attached at the hip. The
roller rink. Making love to The Policełs Every Breath You Take.

When Gavinłs parents split that fall, hełd opted to live
with his dad. His father moved north to Alexandria and though the two vowed to
stay in touch, stay together, time and distance led the relationship to its
inevitable conclusion. She saw him a couple times around Christmas and once the
next summer. After that his mother moved to Maryland and Lila never saw Gavin
again.

“You broke my heart back then." The confession escaped her
before she had time to think better of it.

He pulled her close and caressed the small of her back. “I
was a stupid kid."

“So youÅ‚re not stupid anymore? Now that youÅ‚re all grown
up?"

“Ha, I didnÅ‚t say that."

Lila smiled and took his hand. “Come on. LetÅ‚s get more
comfortable."




Chapter Two

 

Lila led him through the kitchen to her office, stopping to
put on her panties. Gavin stepped into his boxers and threw the prophylactic
into the trash. Once behind closed doors, she took a pint of whiskey and
glasses from her desk drawer.

“Care for a drink?" she asked.

“Please." He reclined on the leather sofa across from her
desk.

She brought over two tumblers of Glenfiddich and settled in
next to him, lying across the sofa, her head against his shoulder.

Gavin took a sip and exhaled. “You keep single malt scotch
in your bottom drawer?"

“For special occasions," she replied. “And for serious bouts
of depression."

“And which is this?"

“Well" she took a gulp, swirling it in her mouth before
swallowing. “It was supposed to be a bout of depression, but turned out to be a
special occasion."

“Why were you down?" he asked.

She wrinkled her nose and chewed at her bottom lip. “ItÅ‚s a
long story."

Gavin brushed the hair from her cheek and tucked it behind
her ear. “WeÅ‚ve got all night."

Another sip of scotch and Lila began to relay the details of
her difficult week. Alan had left last weekend. The demise of their relationship
had been a long time coming. Hełd been filtering out his things over the past
month, but finally ripped off the Band-Aid on Sunday. She saw him off at the
airport, one final kiss and that was that. Hełd called a couple times, but Lila
let the calls roll over to voice mail. At least theyłd never been foolish
enough to get married.

“Why did you two part ways?" asked Gavin.

Lila took a drink and swallowed hard. “It wasnÅ‚t due to any
animosity. In fact we get along really well. Wełre just at different places in
our life. He was offered a job in California. He wanted to take the position, I
didnłt want to move. My life is here, you know? My bakeryłs doing well My kids
are close by. Iłm done taking big leaps. I feel like itłs just little tweaks
for me from here on out."

“DonÅ‚t count yourself out yet. YouÅ‚re only forty-thr"

“Shh. I know how old I am." She waved off his statement.
“How old we are."

Gavin chuckled. His fingers traced the contours of her face.
“Remember when we were both sixteen and IÅ‚d coast on my motorcycle up to your
house?"

“And IÅ‚d climb out the window. Those summer nights by the
river. All we needed was a six-pack of beer."

“And a twelve-pack of condoms."

Lila clapped a hand over her mouth to contain her laughter.
“Oh my God. Were we ever that young?"

“Yeah. We were. But I think I like you more now." He leaned
in for a kiss.

When he retreated, Lila said, “Liar."

“ItÅ‚s true. YouÅ‚ve got this confidence now. You seem to know
what you want."

“I guess I do."

He kissed her again. “And I know what I want."

“Oh yeah? WhatÅ‚s that?"

Instead of telling her, he rolled her beneath him on the
sofa. Unlike the heated rush of their earlier lovemaking, Gavin took his time.
He explored her body with his fingertips and his tongue. Lila relaxed into his
ministrations. His movements slow and methodical, he seemed to take a survey of
every curve, every dip, every sensitive spotthe soft patch of skin between her
collarbones, along her rib cage, down to her bellybutton and behind each knee
and ankle. A shiver dashed through her.

His mouth engulfed the folds of skin between her legs,
suckling gently at first but growing more forceful as she responded. He
continued to flicker his tongue over her engorged clit and slid two fingers
into her, toying with the same spot hełd discovered earlier. Her body tensed
and shook, she grasped his hair to keep from sliding off the sofa. A sudden
climax gripped her and she clamped a leg over one of his shoulders, arching her
back.

She tried to repress a few boisterous cries but failed,
praying the folks in the bookshop next door couldnłt hear her and if they
could, that they didnłt think someone was murdering her.

Once the orgasm began to recede, she expected him to make
love to her again or at least come up for air, but he didnłt. He continued to
lave at her, a few lazy strokes when she was at her most sensitive, but more in
earnest once she relaxed beneath him again.

Her legs quaked as Gavin plunged his tongue inside her and
then licked upward. He repeated the pattern with a steady rhythm, setting her
afire, her abdomen tight from the gathering wave of pleasure. He closed his
lips around her clit and the heat of his mouth sent her careening over the edge
of another climax. Violent ripples of ecstasy broke over her.

She tightened her grip on his hair, but his only responsea
small grunt. Lost in the throes of a second orgasm, Lila couldnłt have released
him even if shełd wanted tobut she didnłt want to. Hooking a leg over his
shoulder, she held him fast between her thighs.

Gavin seemed to take the hint and worked his mouth against
her clitoris and labia. He made her come again and then once more for good
measure. The heightened sensation on her already sensitive lips sent another
jolt of electricity through her. She choked on a strangled cry. Tears stung her
eyes and her body rocked against his.

He took her down the other side of the crest with gentle
nuzzles and kisses between her thighs. Slowly, Lilałs breathing calmed and she
released her grip on him. Stroking his broad shoulders with her opened palm,
she let out a sigh. He rested his head against her belly and looked up at her,
a puckish smirk lighting up his face.

Eager to give as good as she got, Lila reached for the
waistband of his boxers. He caught her hand in his.

“This timeÅ‚s just for you." The edges of his eyes crinkled
in a gentle smile. “ThatÅ‚s the one thing I miss about being sixteen. Or, hell,
even twenty-six."

“Bite your tongue," she chided. “Do you know how much of my
twenties I wasted on bad sex?"

GavinÅ‚s eyebrows shot up. “Ouch. Somewhere, poor Jack just
sat up and cupped his balls."

Lila gave a self-conscious twitter. “Well, IÅ‚m not trying to
be mean. But it was one of the things about our marriage that didnłt work and
we were both too inexperienced to understand what we wanted."

“But youÅ‚re not inexperienced anymore."

She pursed her lips and made a locking motion with one hand.

“My bad. A lady never kisses and tells, right?"

“Right."

He circled his arms around her and her stomach grumbled.
“Yikes. I think I need more than a piece of cake to hold me over."

“This is your town." He ran one finger over the swell of her
hips. “You choose the place. My treat."

While Gavin retrieved his clothes from the kitchen, Lila
changed into a pair of jeans and a red silk blouse. She excused herself into
the bathroom and brushed on a little powder, lip gloss and mascara. No blush
needed. Her cheeks flushed with a natural pink glow courtesy of Mr. Reilly.

Emerging from the restroom, she watched him pull his jeans
over his rounded ass. Her breath caught in her throat.

Breathe, Lila. Breathe, she told herself.

“Shall we?" she asked.

“Sure." He smoothed his shirt and offered his arm. “My
Jeepłs out front."

She hooked her arm in his. “ItÅ‚s a nice night. Is it okay if
we walk?"

“Sounds great."

They strolled out of the bakery and Lila locked up behind
her. Gavin stopped to feed the meter at his parking space.

“What happened to your motorcycle?" she asked.

“Oh, I got rid of that thing about the second time I had to
scrape an organ donor on a crotch rocket out from under an eighteen-wheeler."

“Sounds wise."

He nodded. “Yeah."

They walked to a diner one block over and took a seat in a
booth toward the back.




Chapter Three

 

Over dinner, they continued to catch up and reminisce. In
twenty-five years hełd changed so much in some ways and in others not at all.
True, his face was a little harder and his voice had grown deeper, but he still
punctuated his words with hand gestures. While he stopped to think about what
he wanted to say, his tongue would dart across his bottom lip, a signature
gesture shełd always loved. He wasnłt as quick to laugh as she remembered but
when he did laughlaugh with real abandonhis eyes lit up and he seemed not to
have a care in the world. The boy was there, just under the surface. It warmed
her heart that hełd managed to hang on to part of the young man shełd known.

He flipped through the song list on the tablełs
mini-jukebox. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He dug a quarter out
of his pocket and made a selection. Every Breath You Take began to play.

Lila clasped her hands together and shook her head. “Oh my
God. I was just thinking of this song earlier. I havenłt heard it in ages."

“Me neither. My daughter, Kelly, insists on that Lady Gaga
noise when shełs visiting."

“How old is she?"

“Fourteen. So itÅ‚s all, Ä™Rah rah, oh la la, blah blahÅ‚." He
mimed the video for Bad Romance. “Or however that stupid song goes."

She arched an eyebrow. “IÅ‚ll forget you just did that."

He grimaced and scratched the back of his head. “Yeah. Please
do."

Lila listened to Stingłs mellow voice crooning the suddenly
eerie lyrics. “You know, I used to think this song was romantic, but listening
to it now, I think a restraining order would be called for if some guy told me
this."

“ThereÅ‚s a fine line between romance and stalking." He
winked at her. “Learned that lesson the hard way."

She chuckled. “I bet."

The waitress appeared, offering coffee and dessert, but they
declined. Gavin settled up the tab and they headed out into the night air.

“Where to now?" asked Lila.

He took both her hands in his and shrugged. “My place?"

She pretended to think over the offer, but who was she
kidding? “All right. Let me pull my car around and follow you there."

“Or I could drive you to work tomorrow morning."

“At four a.m.?"

“Or you could pull your car around and follow me home," he
teased.

She rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. “IÅ‚ll be right back."

Her burgundy Toyota Camry sat in her parking space behind
the bakery. She started the engine and drove up to Gavinłs Jeep. Once she
stopped, giving him room to pull out, he headed into traffic. She followed him
downtown to a sparkling tower of newly renovated condominiums. They turned into
the parking garage. Gavin rolled down his driverłs side window, motioning for
her to come around. Lila stopped next to him and lowered her passengerłs side
window.

“The guest parking is up top, next to the elevator," he
said. “IÅ‚ll park in my spot and meet you up there."

She nodded and made her way to the roof. After settling the
Toyota into a space to the left of a bank of doors, Lila hopped out and waited
for Gavin to appear. A ding and a rustle of elevator doors yielded his smiling
face.

“Hey, you."

Her knee-jerk response came, “Hay is for horses."

He whinnied and tugged her into the elevator. The doors
shushed closed and Gavin folded her into his arms. He peppered her face and
neck with kisses. Half-tempted to press the stop button, Lila allowed him to
slide a hand into her jeans. He brushed his fingers along the patch of hair
just above her opening, stroking the very tip of her clit and pinning her
against the back wall. All too soon, the elevator came to rest at the fifth
floor.

She straightened her hair and he smoothed out his rumpled
shirt before exiting into a long hallway lined with sconces and oriental
carpeting.

“IÅ‚m up here, on the right." He motioned to unit E1260.

* * * * *

Gavin led her through the doorway to reveal a spacious foyer
and living room, mostly bare of furnishings except a sofa and a glass-top
dining table off to the side of the kitchen. Unpacked cardboard boxes littered
the glossy hardwood floors. French doors led to a balcony devoid of any chairs
or benches, but the panoramic view of the James River made up for all that the
interior lacked.

“I love what youÅ‚ve done with the place." Her voice echoed
in the barren apartment. “ItÅ‚s soSpartan."

“I just lugged everything in this morning. Give me a month
and youłll see what a pack rat I am."

The implication that this was more than a one-night stand
sent a jolt of excitement through her.

Gavin took her hand and led her to the bedroom. An austere
mahogany bedframe held a plush king-size mattress set covered in white cotton
linens. A matching nightstand stood next to the bed, a wrought iron lamp its
only occupant. A couple half-opened boxes of clothes and books sat in the
corner. He walked over to the window and pulled the blinds. They lowered with a
snap that reverberated through the room.

Easing himself to sit on the mattress, he caught her wrist
and pulled her to him. He folded his arms around her, hugging her midsection.
Lila slid to her knees, now eye to eye with him, and ran her hands over his
thighs as he cradled her jaw with one hand, drawing her into a deep kiss.

She broke away, her breath coming in shorter, faster bursts.
Tasting his fragrant neck, she traced a path to his lips, then his collarbone.
He tugged his shirt over his head and cast it aside. She continued down his
torso, fighting with the button on his jeans. Once it popped free, Lila
unzipped the pants. Gavin took over and kicked off his sneakers, taking off his
jeans and boxers too.

She wasted no time engulfing his erection with her mouth. It
grew harder with each pass of her tongue. But to her surprise, he pulled back.

Wiping her mouth, she said, “I was going to pay you back for
earlier."

“Some other time. Right now, I want you in my bed."

Lila crawled onto the mattress. “You donÅ‚t have to tell me
twice."

After he rummaged in the nightstand for a condom, Gavin
wasted no time himself. He stripped off her jeans as she unbuttoned her blouse
and took off the camisole beneath. Covering her body with his, Gavin lowered
himself between her legs. His arms bore the brunt of his weight, as he pressed
down on her just enough to meld their abdomens together. His mouth captured
hers, his breath hot and urgent against her cheek.

He pressed his cock between her thighs and she arched upward
to guide him inside her. A groan rumbled in the back of his throat. Tearing
away from the kiss, he sucked at her throat and breasts.

Lila spread her legs more and grasped his ass, pulling him
deeper with each stroke. He moved his pelvis forward and up, the base of his
shaft sliding against her clit. She dug her fingernails into his back, heat
surging between her legs.

Gavin lowered himself onto his elbows, grazing his lips over
hers. He nuzzled her cheeks, her eyelids, her chinan endless trail of kisses.
She sought out his mouth, hungry to taste him and inhale the scent of his skin.
Threading a hand in her hair, he cradled her against him. His body heat
enveloped her and she clung to him, desperate for release.

She grew slicker each time he plunged into her, the pressure
of his pelvis sending bursts of pleasure through her. Exquisite tension built
between her legs and she ground her hips against him. Her body tensed and
trembled the closer she grew to coming. He kept up an unhurried pace, his
abdomen contracting and relaxing, each muscle working with the same steady
rhythm until a massive shudder overtook her. Then he pressed close, pulsing his
hips rapidly to push her over the brink.

Ecstasy broke over her body and gathered into a sharp peak.
Even then, the orgasm grew in intensity. She gasped and tilted her head back.

“Gavin," she moaned.

He pushed into her with more urgency, working through her
climax. Still caught up in a tide of sensation, writhing beneath him, Lila
panted. She wouldnłt be able to bear the stimulation much longer. One more
thrust. His cock delved deep inside her, his shoulders tight and arms shaking.
He closed his eyes, expression slack as he too came.

Once his breathing became less ragged, Lila felt his muscles
relax. She melted against the bed. He gave her a lazy kiss and carefully
withdrew. After snapping off the condom, he wrapped it in a tissue and tossed
it in the wastebasket.

“My God." Gavin wiped his brow and flopped onto his back.
She scooted next to him, lying on her side, one leg draped over him.

Lila mumbled, “IÅ‚m going to be so sore tomorrow."

His hand caressed her backside. “IÅ‚d apologize, but IÅ‚m not
really sorry."

“Me neither. IÅ‚m just sayinÅ‚."

He brushed his lips against her brow and nose. Her fingers
tripped over his large chest, playing with the hair between each pec. The
natural scent of his skin brought back memoriesflashbacks really. If she
closed her eyes, Lila could imagine shełd sneaked over to his house in the
middle of the night and they were ensconced in his attic bedroom. Holding up
his hand, she compared it to hers. As a teenager, she used to marvel at its
massive size. Even now, she half-expected to see his high-school ring there.
Funny to think theyłd taken such different paths only to wind up back where
theyłd begun.

Apparently, hełd been thinking along the same lines. Out of
the blue, he said, “You know what IÅ‚m wondering? HowÅ‚d the girl who got a D in
home ec wind up as a baker?"

“Pastry chef, thank you. IÅ‚m a pastry chef," she replied
facetiously.

“Right. Sorry. How did the girl who got a D in home ec wind
up as a pastry chef?"

She interlaced her fingers with his. “Who knows? It was just
one of those things. One year Lauren wanted a princess castle cake. Jack was
still in law school, we couldnłt afford to buy something so elaborate and I
decided to give it a go from scratch. How hard could it be, right?"

“Did it turn out well?"

“Nope." She chuckled at the memory of a heap of chocolate
rubble that had served as her daughterÅ‚s fourth birthday cake. “It was a
freaking disaster. The whole thing fell apart while I was trying to construct
it. I guess then I kept working at it because it was a challenge. The next year
I made her a three-tier palace complete with chocolate fountain. The more I
learned how to do, the more I wanted to learn. I took some classes, worked with
a pastry chef. I learned how to sculpt with gum paste and marzipan. He taught me
how to make mille-feuille by hand. Several years later, I decided to
open my own shop."

“It must be great to learn you have a talent you never
suspected you had."

“I donÅ‚t know. I think in this case my only talent has been
that IÅ‚m too stubborn to quit."

“Hey, tenacity goes a long way."

She rolled over to face him. “Did you ever want to be
anything besides a paramedic?"

Gavin blew out a long breath. “No. To be honest, I never
wanted to be a paramedic. You remember after my parentsł divorce, I was angry a
lot. I started getting in trouble. When I went to stay with my dad, he gave me
a choicefind a positive outlet for all the pent-up energy or hełd put his foot
up my ass. On my seventeenth birthday, I started as a junior member of the
volunteer rescue squad. I think at the time, the blood and guts appealed to me.
But in the end, it was the other guys, the older ones, who pushed me to get my
certifications and make something of myself. It was like I had ten fathers, all
of them with a foot at the ready to kick my ass if I stepped out of line. Once
I passed my first test and got my first paid position, that was it. I knew what
I was going to do for the rest of my life."

“Hmm." She nestled her head against his chest. “I should
send Billy your way. Hełs floundering in college. Almost flunked out last
semester."

“Sure. The city has a youth recruit program." He smoothed
her hair away from her forehead.

She had more to say but the words dissolved in her mouth.
Lila closed her eyes. His strong heartbeat thumped out a muted rhythm against
her ear. She drifted on the warm comfort of his embrace, the scent of their
bodies commingled. There were a thousand questions she could ask, doubts and
fears that would have to be addressed, but not now. Passion and warmth, thatłs
all she wanted tonight. And a good nightłs sleep.

* * * * *

Beep beep. Beep beep. Beep beep.

Lilałs cell phone intruded on her slumber. Three thirty
already? Lila felt as though shełd just closed her eyes. Still cradled in
Gavinłs arms, she was loathe to disentangle herself. Theyłd slept in the nude.
His body heat tempted her to stay. Franco could get by without her. Though she
longed to blow off work, she knew she needed some timea little distance to
process the events of the night before. Lila forced herself from the bed and
trudged into the bathroom.

Her tangled mass of hair startled her. Raking a comb through
her Bride-of-Frankenstein tresses, she thought about how shełd thrown caution
to the wind. What the hell was she thinking? The body of her last relationship
wasnłt even cold yet and here she was, waking up in the arms of another man.
Stupid. Very stupid. She knew better than this, didnłt she?

Lila met her own gaze in the mirror. To her surprise, a
strange woman looked back. She stared not at Lila Stevens the pastry chef,
mother of two, ex-wifeex-lover. La-La stared back at her. La-La
Stevensfresh, adventurous and full of hope. Yes, hope. Screw the
self-recrimination. She deserved to enjoy herself no matter the outcome. Right?

She gargled with mouthwashproper oral hygiene would have to
wait until she got to work where she kept a spare toothbrush. As quietly as
possible, she pulled on her bra, undies, jeans and blouse.

Gavinłs chest rose and fell with the regularity of deep
sleep. In its relaxed state, his face appeared as smooth and unlined as it had
twenty-seven years ago. Her stomach did a flip-flop. Not in a million years
would she have thought

Lila leaned down and gave him a gentle kiss.

He stirred. “Hey, you leaving so early?"

“Sorry, I gotta get to work."

“Right." He caressed her cheek and drew her into another
kiss. “Do I get to see you later?"

“Yeah." She nodded, suppressing a ridiculous grin. “IÅ‚d like
that. Now, you get some sleep."

Rolling over, he said in a joking tone, “DonÅ‚t have to tell
me twice."

One more kiss and she let herself out.

On the way to the parking garage, her thoughts raced a mile
a minute. What was she doing? What had she started? Wasnłt she too old to jump
intointo whatever shełd jumped into?

She sat in the driverłs seat and buckled her seat belt. As
she turned over the engine, Gavinłs words from the evening before replayed in
her head. Perhaps she had counted herself out too soon. Maybe more lay
ahead of her than just little tweaks. Despite the darkness of the early
morning, the day to come felt bright and sunny, replete with endless
possibilities.

Maybejust maybeshe had one big leap left in her.

Lila could but hope.








About the Author

 

Prior to becoming a multi-published writer of romantic and
erotic fiction, Cindy went to college at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and
graduated with a BFA in Art. After a brief attempt at an art career, she
decided the “starving artist" life wasnÅ‚t for her. She worked for ten years in
the corporate arena, but now spends her days as a full-time author.

When not chained to her laptop, she enjoys hanging with her
family, belly dancing and exploring the culinary arts.

 

Cindy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email address on her author bio page at
www.ellorascave.com.

 

 

 

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