Food Fight - Final Read online

  I was agitated and frustrated and pissed at him for forcing me to face my shortcomings. Nobody wants their weaknesses thrown in their face. “You need to go to hell, Jesse.”

  “You need to get laid, Stefanie.”

  My mouth dropped at his words. For all our off-color exchanges, he’d never before resorted to such a rude personal attack. I stood there, gawking at him, speechless and infuriated. He stared back, unflinching.

  The energy crackled between us, tense and electrifying. His eyes darkened as he eyed me up and down, the look on his face feral and imposing. My heart started pounding a demanding staccato in my chest as we locked onto one another, neither one of us willing to break the heated standoff.

  Before I knew what was happening, Jesse closed the gap between us in three long strides. Suddenly, his arms were around my waist and his lips were slamming down on mine.

  What the hell?

  If I were a stronger woman with even an ounce of remaining pride, I would have pushed him away. I should have pushed him away. I should have slapped him. But instead, my traitorous body reacted involuntarily against the onslaught, and my breath hitched as his full lips slanted fiercely across mine. The kiss was forceful, punishing... and totally fucking hot.

  I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t want to stop it. Fact was, Jesse’s firm length pressing against mine was doing crazy things to my insides, and I didn’t ever want the feeling to end. I felt the tension drain from my body as my muscles relaxed and my eyes closed on their own, my brain going down in willing defeat.

  I breathed in, catching the sweet, fruity scent of him, and as his lips parted, I realized he tasted just as delicious. His tongue swept inside to tangle with mine as his hands angled down my spine, across my ass, pulling me tighter against his hard-on. Jesus. Feeling his hard cock rubbing against my pelvis turned me on more than I cared to admit. I stood on my tiptoes and slid my hands into his hair, prouder than I should have been at the groan that wrenched from his throat. Then again, I was doing some involuntary moaning of my own.

  I couldn’t control the hammering of my heart. I couldn’t keep my limbs from trembling. I couldn’t stop myself from grinding against that magnificent fucking cock.

  Once Jesse knew he’d won me over, he pulled back just enough to whisper, “So what do you say, Stef? Wanna fuck?”

  Idiot.

  His asinine comment was enough to break the spell. I pushed against his chest, separating his body from mine.

  “What?” he snickered. “I thought I could help you out!”

  My palms were itching to slap him, but I managed to keep my hands to myself as I turned on my heel and stomped off.

  I WAS AT THE wrapping station in the back room under the guise of “organizing,” but really all I was doing was looking for an excuse to slam things around. I shoved boxes back on their proper shelves, stabbed scissors into the storage block, and smashed paper into the garbage with blind fury. All the while, Jesse’s words were pinging around my brain: “You need to get laid.”

  Who says that? Who the hell did he think he was? Stupid, gorgeous, conceited fucker. Where did he get off?

  As much as I tried to push the conversation from my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about what he said. I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. I shook my head, ridding myself of the memory. The last thing I needed was to get all worked up. That’s kind of why I found myself in this position to begin with.

  I mean, maybe if Jesse wasn’t such a proficient slut, he wouldn’t have been able to get me to cave so easily. Then again, maybe if I hadn’t kept my hoo-hoo under lock and key for so damn long, I would have found it easier to resist him. The last time I had sex had been a looong time ago. I started to calculate the actual chasm, but the math got too depressing too fast.

  Shit. Jesse was right. I really needed to get laid.

  The question was: Why would he be the guy to break my dry spell?

  I mean, he was totally hot—well, I guess if you were into that whole washboard-abs kind of thing. Too bad those bumpy obliques were attached to an utter douchenozzle.

  Although, if I was going to be honest, I’d have to admit that he wasn’t a complete asshole. There were times when he and I would genuinely have actual human conversations. Even when he was being a cad, his daily teasing was more flirty than irritating. It’s just that I was such an insecure wuss that I always allowed his comments to get to me.

  Huh. Maybe I was the problem.

  While I was stewing from Jesse’s comment, the jerkasaurus in question poked his head around the corner. “Hey, Keefecake. You forgot your strawberries.”

  Despite my indignation, the new nickname almost had me busting out into a laughing fit. “Keefecake?”

  He shrugged, offering casually, “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll let you make fun of my name, too. Just a suggestion: Most chicks refer to me as Jesse Miller: Pussy Killer.”

  That damn grin of his sucked me in against my will, and I suddenly found it easy to return his joking banter. “More like Pussy Chiller. Because the thought of you anywhere near that thing makes my blood run cold.”

  “Let’s just compromise and call me Pussy Filler. I’ll let you use your imagination as to why.”

  “Are you trying to say you have a big dick? I mean you are one, but I don’t think that’s what you were going for.”

  “Hey, I’ll have you know that my dick is a legend around here.”

  “Nope. Wrong again. Hate to break it to you, but everyone says you’re a legendary dick. Not the same thing.”

  “You’re the only one who says that.”

  His playful tone was gone, replaced by a look of hurt in his eyes. It was enough for me to call a truce. I’d already come to the conclusion that my perpetual negativity had at least partially contributed to the ongoing rift between us, and I wanted to make things right. “I don’t think you’re a dick, Jesse.” I ran a hand through my hair, stalling while I mustered up the courage to offer an apology—not just for the bickering this morning, but for a year’s worth of bad attitude. “And also... I’m sorry that I’ve been on the rag for an entire year.”

  Jesse accepted my apology with a silent nod of his head.

  Good. I hoped this would be a new chapter for us, a place to start from scratch. I was just so tired of finding reasons to be angry with him.

  The vibe between us was bordering on serious, and I smiled in order to lighten the mood. “After all, you did bring my strawberries.”

  The change of subject shook off the last of our awkwardness, and caused Jesse to perk back up. “You should try one.” His lip quirked as he added, “You know, just to make sure they’re good.”

  I had a feeling he was asking me to test drive something more than just a strawberry. That thought was confirmed as he plucked one from the box and held it toward my lips. It was a seemingly effortless skill of his, the way he always managed to steer our interactions toward sex. I hated to admit it, but I was learning to be okay with that. I could say it was because I was feeling all warm and squishy from our talk, but actually, I wanted him to see that I could play, too. Hell, he wasn’t the only sexy beast in the room.

  I leaned forward toward his outstretched hand and closed my lips around the forbidden fruit, looking right into his eyes as I took a bite. He couldn’t seem to find a way to stop staring at my mouth, and I swear I heard a low rumble coming from the back of his throat.

  “Mmm. Delicious.”

  His lids were lowered as his voice caught. “Can I have a taste?”

  Before I could stop him, he stepped closer and ran the pad of his thumb along my lower lip. His delicate touch shot a tremble across my skin and caused my brain to short-circuit. His eyes met mine as he sucked the juice off his fingertip, never once breaking my gaze.

  Despite my wishes to the contrary, my insides started throbbing at the look on his face, my heartbeat thrumming in a dangerous cadence. It was near-impossible to collect a breath into my lungs; I finally managed that
monumental task only for it to be released in a choppy exhale.

  “My offer was genuine, Stef. I can help you out. I can make you forget yourself for a little while.” He brushed the strawberry along my bottom lip before dipping his head closer to my ear, scratching out in a lethal whisper, “All you need to do is say yes.”

  When he pulled back, I could see the question in his eyes. I licked my lips in answer, and that’s all the invitation Jesse needed. Before I knew what was happening, his mouth was on mine. Again.

  My heart was beating out of my chest as he brushed his lips against my own, the sweet, slow caress of his mouth causing long-forgotten tremors to race along my spine. His hand went around to the back of my neck, pulling me closer as his tongue made a leisurely slide against the seam of my lips, coaxing me to let him inside.

  And when I did, the dam broke.

  Our tongues tousled in pure madness as my hands knotted into his hair, devouring him with a passion I didn’t even know I possessed. Jesse returned my hunger, sliding his hands underneath my ass and lifting me to sit on the counter before stepping between my thighs. I was already aching to feel him inside me as he shoved his hips against mine, pushing his impressive member insistently against the cradle of my thighs.

  It wasn’t enough.

  I wiggled closer toward him, an attempt to relieve the ache building behind my jeans as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He pulled us even tighter together, his hardened cock writhing against me, our hot breath mingling, a groan escaping from my throat.

  Holy fuck I’m dry-humping Jesse Miller.

  He swiped my hair behind my ear and leaned in, his breath tickling my skin, his scratchy voice wooing me with his words. “We could be great together, Stef. I’ll make it so good for you. No strings. Just sex. For as long as you want me.”

  I felt my brain liquefying, delirious from the images he was evoking. “You need this,” he whispered, peppering my temple with soft kisses. He circled his hips against me right in that perfect spot and added, “I need this. I don’t know how much longer I can wait to fuck you. Please don’t make me wait anymore.”

  Just as I was about to lose myself, he pulled back, a wicked gleam in his eye. “Just a taste for now, Stef.” He slid his hands over my thighs, his thumbs meeting in the middle, applying a bit of pressure to the spot in between. “Think about what I said. You know where to find me.”

  AS I WAS KNEADING some pie crust in the kitchen, the girls came in to start their day. They were a chatty bunch, even at the ungodly hour of six o’clock in the morning. I could hear them henning about in the storefront, stashing their purses under the counter, fixing themselves some coffee from the pot I put on for them ten minutes before.

  I loved my crew. I was proud of the family I’d assembled to help me run this place. Three great girls who were smart, friendly, and loyal: Andrea was the workhorse, wide-eyed and optimistic, and willing to do any menial task that would help improve her craft. Kerry was bright and smiley, a true asset behind my front counter. And Helene was a combination of the both of them, with a little bit of me thrown in for good measure.

  Normally, I’d find a few minutes to share a cuppa with my girls, go over the pickup orders, assign tasks for the day ahead. But that particular morning, I’d been hit with the bag of bricks otherwise known as Jesse Miller. He’d reduced my entire existence to a distracted, horny, frustrated, goopy mush. I’d been a hot mess all day.

  Helene popped her head in the doorway. “Morning, Boss.”

  I barely registered her greeting as I pounded the glutinous wad in front of me with the heels of my hands.

  “You okay?” she asked, her head tipping to the side, her blonde ponytail bouncing across her shoulder.

  “I’m fine.”

  Stefanie Keefe: Dirty Rotten Liar.

  Helene flipped a hand in the direction of my busywork. “Did you forget that we have a machine for that? Why are you hand-kneading that dough?”

  “Working out some aggression.”

  Helene shrugged before becoming distracted by the box on the counter. “New shirts?” she asked, peeking inside.

  “Yep.”

  “BAKIN’ WITH BACON. Cute.”

  “Yep.”

  I grabbed my favorite rolling pin and started flattening the crust across my work surface as Helene took note of the produce crate on the wrapping table.

  “Oh good!” she said. “Jesse remembered the strawberries. Who’s the poor bitch that has to clean them?”

  I stopped rolling and swiped a stray lock of hair from my cheek with the back of my floury hand. My eyes glazed over as I looked at the tainted box of fruit, reliving the sensual way Jesse had fed me an hour ago.

  “Helloooo. Stef, you in there?”

  I shook out of the vision to say, “Yes. No. What?”

  Helene rolled her eyes and asked, “Do you want me to prep them or can we get Andrea to do it?”

  “No, I—I’ll do it.”

  Her nose scrunched as she asked incredulously, “You?”

  My voice came out unreasonably cold as I barked, “Don’t talk at me as if I don’t know my way around my own kitchen, Helene. I’ve been covering for Becky all week and baking for my entire life prior to that.”

  “Whoa, take it easy, snippy! What’s with you today?”

  The guilt instantaneously washed over me. My mind was entirely elsewhere, but that was no excuse to go full bitch. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I sighed, debating whether or not to bring my personal problems into the workplace. But ultimately, I needed a second head to help me sort out this particular problem, and Helene and I were pretty tight. “Let me ask you a question. Do you think it’s possible to have a purely sexual relationship with someone?”

  Helene’s entire posture shifted, thrown by the sudden change in conversation. “What do you mean? Like a friends-with-benefits thing?”

  “Yes, but without the friends part.”

  “So just a benefits situation.”

  “Just sex. Yes.”

  “Hmmm,” she mused, tapping a fingertip against her chin. “I suppose so. It would depend on the people involved, right? Why? You eyeing up some new guy to be your boy toy?”

  I bit my lip. “He’s not new.”

  Helene could read me like nobody’s business. “What’s going on?”

  I sighed, anticipating the reaction I’d be provoking by coming clean. I considered avoiding the topic entirely, but then decided to just spill it. I raised sheepish eyes to my friend and confessed, “Jesse.”

  Helene’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit! I thought you two hated each other!”

  “We kind of do.”

  “Oh my God. I have no idea what to say.” She leaned against the counter, swiping a palm across her hair. “Hmm. I guess there is something to be said for grudge fucking...”

  “True.”

  “And wow, he’s totally hot.”

  “Also true.”

  She gave a shrug and laughed out, “Then what the hell? I say go for it.”

  It didn’t necessarily take Helene to sway my thoughts on the matter, but I was happy to have the extra push to give myself the green light. It was also nice to have my opinion reinforced: Jesse was hot. I’d spent the past sixteen months trying not to notice, but let’s be real, here. The dude was unavoidably smokin’.

  I went about the rest of my morning without incident; my body was on auto-pilot even though my mind was on overdrive, trying to find a reason to talk myself out of sleeping with Jesse Miller.

  There were probably a million reasons not to go through with it, but ultimately, my questions boiled down to one: Why not live a little?

  I could do this.

  It was just sex.

  Nothing more.

  Once my decision was made, I figured there was no need to wait. Truth be told, I was wildly excited to tell Jesse that my answer was yes.

  I slipped out the front door and headed over to The Market. When I didn’t see Jesse in the store, I a
sked his checkout girl if he had stepped out.

  “Nah,” Nicole said dispassionately from her post at the register, lazily picking her nails and giving a nod as she added, “He’s in the back. Said he had to take care of something.”

  I bypassed the eyeroll and gave a quick scan through the maze of empty crates as I made my way through the stockroom. When Jesse was nowhere to be found, I figured he must’ve been out in the parking lot. I went to head outside, but before I reached the exit, I saw movement through the crack in the partially-opened bathroom door.

  I should’ve known that this is what demanded Jesse’s attention. The damn plumbing in this building had been a nightmare from Day One. All the store owners had complained at one time or another about the backed-up pipes that would plague us seemingly at random. I guessed it was Jesse’s turn to wrestle with the plunger today.

  I pushed the door open to find Jesse with his back toward me, head dropped toward the floor, one hand braced on the wall above him... the other furiously pumping away at his cock.

  Oh my God!

  I froze in place, shocked yet completely fascinated, watching as he strangled his meat puppet. The muscles in his arms clenched as his one hand jacked away at his massive erection, his other gripping into a white-knuckle fist against the wall. There was such strength in his powerful movements, such authority, such raw, animal sex-appeal in his every stroke. He bit his lip and dipped his head back to face the ceiling as a low growl escaped from his chest, the sound reverberating along my entire nervous system.

  I knew I should have made a hasty exit, but my body refused to leave; my eyes refused to look away. I shifted from one foot to the other as my thighs rubbed together, trying to relieve the pressure building between them. I let out with a shaky breath before swallowing past the invisible obstruction in my throat.

  Whatever misgivings I had about going to bed with Jesse disappeared in that instant. I knew that I wanted to fuck the hell out of that man as soon as humanly possible. I wanted every ounce of that power unleashed on me. I wanted him.

  But before I could take even one step in his direction... his head turned and caught a glimpse of me over his shoulder.