Donut Be Shy (Men of Lakeview) Read online

  They ended up sitting there watching the sun fade away. Somehow, some way, they had just clicked. It felt like they had known each other for years.

  The sun sank beyond the horizon. It was time she went in for the evening. A slight chill began to envelope her sunburned limbs as Tanner helped her to her feet from her lounging position. The sinking sand slipped from beneath her sandals, and she found herself tucked safely in his strong arms. Something passed between them as their eyes met.

  “Let’s go,” he directed in a silky baritone hiss, the insinuation in his tone filled with promises she desperately wanted.

  Hand in hand, they made their way up the sloping sand dunes.

  There are no assurances in life. Nothing guarantees the sun will come up tomorrow or the day after. A future isn’t guaranteed. All we have is the here and now.

  Right now, Tanner Mason would be the one to fill her empty need. The need he had caused.

  Quietly, she followed him into the house, nervous about what was to come. Neither one of them uttering a sound. It was a reflection of things to come, and if either one of them spoke it out loud, the magic would disappear.

  As they reached the landing, he tugged her roughly into the bedroom he had claimed as his own. A small squeal of excitement released from her mouth. The mischief in his eyes captured her, which caused her body to ache in places she had long forgotten. An aroused excitement formed inside her, but also a feeling of uncertainty.

  Tanner grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close.

  Bemused seconds passed before he studied her shy and timid expression. "Are you afraid of me?” he questioned while he held her gaze and stroked her hair.

  All she could do was shake her head back and forth as she leaned into him. She was anything but afraid. Her attraction to Tanner was off the Richter scale.

  Amy’s breath hitched when Tanner’s moist tongue beckoned entrance and parted her waiting lips, locking their lips in passion. Her fingers clung to his biceps as her lips softened at his invasion. When she opened to him, a unique smooth taste of mint flooded her senses as she savored the moment for what it was: Domination. Need surged inside her, overwhelming caution warning her to slow down and proceed slowly. They were moving fast. She had only met the handsome Cajun mere hours ago. Then Tanner rubbed up against her, nipping and sucking her lips, and she forgot all logic and reason. She was lost in his passionate, mind-blowing kiss.

  Her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, sliding up the mass of muscles, tracing his tattooed, muscled pectorals. He tensed at her whisper-like touch, and she watched as his eyes flared open. His pupils dilated as she walked her fingers up his neck to bury them in his thick, soft hair, kneading his scalp and neck. She watched in awe as the tension from earlier drifted away from him.

  His forearms skated around her waist slowly, large hands purposely pulling her off balance and even closer to him. She watched his hooded eyes as they followed the rise and fall of her ample cleavage that peeked from the thin tank top and connected to his warmth.

  He pulled back only inches, his thumb hovering at a spot over the drawn, needy bud, then he stilled. He wouldn’t touch her. Frustrated at what felt like a loss, she threw her head back, clutched her legs tightly together, and rubbed her inner thighs together, hoping to lessen the ache he’d knowingly caused. A slow, needy moan escaped from her.

  Suddenly, her back connected with a firm, plush mattress. Tanner was between her legs at the junction of her thighs, placing his thick, long cock at her core. Even through their clothing she felt his burning desire. He ground down on her, causing wave after wave of pleasure to return to her nub.

  The firm hardness of his cock connecting with each stroke created tingles on her highly sensitive body. His touch was sensual and blazing with uncontrollable heat. Her pulse raced at the connection of their bodies. She wished their clothes would disappear. Never in her thirty-one years had she felt so much desire for one man. She literally wanted to kiss every inch of his delectable, well-built frame.

  A throat cleared, pulling her from the memory.

  “Ma’am. Excuse me, Amy. Hey, hon, I need to pick up an order. Can you help me out?”

  Amy could feel the warmth in her burning cheeks. She had been caught daydreaming about Tanner instead of doing her job. “Of course, sir. What’s the name? I’ll get that order right out to you.”

  Getting his information, she turned to the large double doors that led into her gourmet kitchen. The place where her creations came to life.

  How could she have forgotten where she was? Simple answer. Tanner fried her brain and turned her into mush every time he was around. Hell, he didn’t even need to be present for her to react to him. She didn’t know what she was going to do.

  Chapter Three

  Tanner Mason

  The very next morning, he found himself back at the Purple PolkaDot asking for another rejection from the woman who had hijacked his world a year ago. He was certifiable. That’s a fact. Hell, he’d tried to hook up a few times with random women, but he couldn’t. He was unable to pinpoint the reason behind her unpredictable and stand-offish actions. Being with her came so naturally. She was genuine in every way.

  Today, she was wearing a ridiculous getup, a button-up purple flannel shirt that was three times her full-figured size paired with baggy jeans that had holes in both knees. But the icing on top was the fluorescent neon pink apron sporting a chocolate cupcake with the words ‘bite me’ landing directly over her rack. Damn, what he wouldn’t give to taste her delicious body again.

  Amy was a stunning woman. The sight of her rich, dark hair fanned out over the floral comforter, lying beneath him, took his breath away. Cupping her nape, he nuzzled the spot behind her ear, eliciting another moan of need from her.

  He needed to slow down. He wanted to savor every second of tonight with her.

  Opening his eyes, he leaned down to taste her mouth, stealing her breath and lighting a slow burn in the pit of his belly. He couldn’t get enough of her raw sweetness. She reminded him of juicy, ripe scuppernongs plucked from the vine on a warm summer day.

  A moan escaped her lips as her pelvis rocked in tune with his. Unbridled lust washed over him. He caught her mouth again, devouring the succulent woman splayed beneath him. The craving for more of her driving him forward. She had awakened something in him, something foreign. An allure, a pull with no reservation.

  With his free hand, he worshiped her body. Slowly, slightly, his hand travelled down the side of her tank, stroking her softly with each touch. He located the opening between her jean shorts and top, supple flesh beneath his palm. The velvety smoothness of her skin on his fingertips sent a haze of need and lust spilling over him. Amy sucked in a shaky breath and closed her eyes in reaction to the need his touch awoke.

  Steadily, his fingertips skimmed the edges lining the magnificent curves of her feminine body, up and down. Brushing stray wisps of hair from her temple, he placed velvety soft kisses on both sides of her swollen red lips.

  “I want you.”

  “I want you, too. It’s been a while since I’ve been with someone,” Amy told him.

  “We’ll go nice and slow, baby. We’ve got all night.”

  Bending down, Tanner caressed her forehead and the tip of her nose with feathery kisses, in search of his ultimate goal—her hot, wet mouth. Lips so soft and welcoming. Passion ignited when she nipped at his bottom lip with a devilish grin. The sensual kiss morphed when their tongues met, making love to each other with their mouths.

  Through halfway open lids, Amy studied his every move intently as he slid down far enough to lift the tank top up and off. The lacy blue bra taunted him, revealing pebbled nipples hardened with desire. With a flick of his fingers, he released the sexy creation and freed her breasts for his eyes only.

  “So beautiful.”

  Unable to wait any longer, his control slipping with every second, he leaned down and sucked the first pink nipple, suckling harder with every
moan she released, making the tip stiff and begging for more. Her legs thrashed under him as she lifted her pelvis and rubbed against him. Biting down wildly, lost in blissful rapture from her sweet taste, he relished in the rich, savory flavor of his Amy.

  He couldn’t get enough of her. Her fingers weaved into his hair, forming a firm grip as she brought him closer, urging him not to stop. He was insatiable for more, switching from one wet nipple to the other, laving them with his attention. Her firm mounds and bare skin open to his ministrations, causing his throbbing dick to harden and jump. He wanted to fuck her fast and hard. Relieve the pressure building in his groin.

  He released her supple nipple with a resounding pop. His gaze lifted, bewitched by the beauty spread under him. Her head lolled back; long, dark lashes rested on her flushed cheeks. He wanted and needed to see her pleasure as well as feel it. Popping the snap on her shorts, he lowered the zipper and yanked them and the tiny scrap of material covering her mound down her long, ample legs and feasted on the sight laid out in front of him.

  A bare pink pussy weeping with desire. He traced her lips with his forefinger.

  “Open,” Tanner rumbled in his deep, sexy voice.

  She silently obeyed.

  “Suck it.”

  He watched her cheeks hollow, in and out, coating his finger with her saliva. He pulled away from her mouth and found her budding clit. Slowly adding pressure, he played with her until she was writhing under him, begging him for more. She tried to close her thighs, but he was wedged in between them. Without warning, he plunged two fingers deep into her core, soliciting a scream from her as she erupted around them. Cream coated his fingers as he pulled them out. He shifted enough to remove his shorts, kicking them away to land on the carpet.

  Climbing up her length, he peppered her with kisses, stopping to savor her breasts once again. He cupped her nape and plundered her mouth while coating his throbbing staff with her juices. He was in sheer agony fighting his release. Bracing his elbows on the outside of her shoulders, he gentled his movements and began to breach her heated core. He stopped with only the crown of his cock inside of her, gasping for breath. Her channel was squeezing him so hard, and he had only started. Silently, he cursed, hoping he wouldn’t explode before he worked all of himself inside of her. The fit was tight and mind numbing.

  It was one of the best moments in his entire life. It just felt right and so fucking good.

  When his cock bottomed out, he bent his head and took one of her nipples into his mouth, sucking the delicious bud as he moved in and out of her moist little pussy. The intense pleasure bordered on torture. Her silky satin channel massaged him with each stroke. A tingling started at the base of his spine, and his balls tightened in anticipation. He was so close.

  He could tell by her movements and the quivering of her pussy that she was on the edge. She locked her ankles around his ass and ground her pelvis, matching his rhythm. Thrust for thrust. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent, and drove his hips into her.

  A man on a mission.

  Sweet oblivion.

  Nothing plain or simple about it.

  He pumped inside her relentlessly. Her pussy clamped down on his cock, and she screamed as her climax ignited and exploded through her. At the same time, his own release powered through him. His come jetted inside her tight little pussy coaxing every last drop from his body. The pleasure was so intense his arms weakened by the force of the powerful orgasm.

  He panted, gasping for life-giving air for his depleted lungs. Their sweaty bodies tangled, he maneuvered them into the center of the bed. His softening cock slipped from her still quivering frame. He pulled her close, spooning with her back and holding her tight. He grabbed the edge of the blanket and covered them both.

  Tracing her arm, he couldn’t stop touching her silky-smooth skin. He pressed his nose into the dip at her shoulder and inhaled her fragrant scent, citrus and fruity. Her long hair tickled his nose. Even after the most explosive sex of his life, he found himself wanting more of the magnificent woman in his arms. He reasoned with himself that tomorrow they would spend the day enjoying the beach weather and each other. By the end of the weekend, he was sure he could convince her to see him again.

  Soon, her breathing evened out and he knew she had fallen asleep. Following her, he relaxed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

  The Cheshire Cat grin Amy was sporting caught him off guard. What game was she playing? Then he noticed the plate she was carrying. A new creation was placed on the table in front of him. It was a dome-shaped muffin top. At first glance, he could see the multitude of chocolate chips. It was loaded with them. His mouth watered. Damn, she enjoyed irritating him. It was just too bad she didn’t understand it only made him want her more.

  Here we go again. Somewhere in the distance he swore he heard a bell ring.

  “Sweetie, what part has you so stumped when it comes to making a plain and simple chocolate donut?” he sweetly asked her and noticed a fine shade of crimson staining her rosy cheeks. He couldn’t resist the need to push her buttons more.

  Unhurried but determined, he told her, “I would think you should have figured it out long before now, darlin’. Although there is someone far more delicious than the world’s finest chocolate and sweeter than anything you can possibly conjure up in your fancy kitchen back there. I’ve sampled it, so I’m definitely a believer of the finer things in life.”

  He couldn’t believe it was feasible, but her blush intensified, sending a direct hit below the belt straight to his growing cock. Containing the urge to haul her off and sink balls deep in her, he continued to watch and wait for her next step.

  Instead, she eyed him coolly, pivoted, and stomped back to her kitchen. He couldn’t help but notice the stricken look on her face. He worried he had pushed her too far, but he was tired of tiptoeing around. He wanted results. He wanted Amy in his damn bed. And if this got her attention, then so be it. Besides, who was he kidding? Watching her get all hot and bothered proved she had feelings for him. Even if she didn’t want to admit it.

  Standing, he left a twenty on the table and whistled as he left for work. It wasn’t exactly the result he’d been looking for, but he was one step closer. That’s all that mattered to him.

  Chapter Four

  Amy Young

  What the hell was all that about? Her body had betrayed her... almost. Every last molecule down to her minuscule atoms protested. Her insides were screaming for him to take her. Fill her. Make heavenly, mad, passionate love to her. She desperately wanted to crawl up on the spicy man’s lap and get lost. It took every last fiber in her body not to give in.

  Amy knew poking the Moose wasn’t smart, but hell, it was the only thing she could do short of throwing herself at Tanner and begging him to pick only her. She had learned early on that chocolate was a weakness for him. Every morning, he came in here asking for the same thing—a chocolate donut. She personally made sure he only received what she wanted him to have, secretly defying him.

  Her eyes blurred, and her nose grew stuffy. No flipping way. She wouldn’t allow the meltdown trying to surface.

  She’d beaten the odds when her parents told her she was crazy to drop out of law school to open a bakery. A service job working with your hands wasn’t exactly their idea of a successful career, and they’d wanted no part of her downward spiral into bankruptcy. Amy had shown them, and at the same time she’d proved to herself that her dream was legit.

  The Purple PolkaDot was not only thriving in Lakeview, but after only five years, she had managed to pay off the loan to her grandmother that she had needed to open the shop, and she was considering opening another one closer to the beach.

  Amy contemplated the swiftness her feelings for Tanner had developed. It had happened almost instantly. She had never met a man and landed in his bed that same night. It wasn’t her scene. Normally, she would go out on a few dates before she allowed anything to happen.

  Somehow, Tanner had
removed the flimsy barriers she had built to ward off men. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a relationship—hell, she was a living, breathing woman with needs. She just didn’t have the time to spare. Especially since her future depended on making the cafe a success.

  That night they’d shared was unlike anything she had ever felt before. She had felt so cherished, so needed and wanted with Tanner.

  The problem was, each morning he walked into her shop, he pushed deeper into her heart. He was proving to her with persistence what his body had told hers a year ago.

  Amy wondered what it would be like to be with Tanner, day in, day out. Would he still look at her the same way he had the night they met? He had made her feel like the most important woman in the world. Wow. Stomp on the brakes and stop right there, Amy, she chided herself. Remember what happened the morning after. She couldn’t forget the sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach when she’d heard Tanner on the phone.

  After spending a life-changing night with him, she had woken to an empty bed and his garbled voice outside on the balcony telling whoever was on the other line that he was enjoying some down time. Which was great. She shouldn’t have been eavesdropping on his conversation, but if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have heard how he really felt about her. Tanner said she was just a random chick he’d picked up at one of the bars on the island. It had almost brought her to knees, because she’d truly believed they had connected on another plane, soul to soul. She had felt so close to him.

  Gathering her inner strength, she had dressed, packed her things, and snuck out the back door like a thief, empty handed and hurt, while he finished talking to whoever the heck was on the other end of the line.