Crashing into Love Page 13

  “I know, I know. But it’s late.” I stand up to clean, but I sway slightly on my feet. It’s a good thing I don’t have to go anywhere tonight.

  Chari gives me a knowing smile. Tonight was confession night, and they were my confessors. As soon as they walked in the door, Charlie decided that my love life was on tap for tonight’s discussion instead of the book. But she promised we’d get together again soon to talk books. Even Wren called in and spilled a bit of what I’d told her the last couple months. Usually she’s fairly good about keeping my secrets, but with these ladies I was fine that she shared. We’re family and I’m thankful that I have them.

  “You’re right. But don’t think we’re finished with this topic. I’ll be checking in after your date tomorrow for more dirty details,” Charlie laughs and McKinley pulls her to a standing position, making sure she doesn’t pitch forward, and she’s solid on her feet.

  They all help clean up a bit before McKinley promises to help Charlie get home. Chari gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

  I crawl into bed, knowing I’m going to dream of Baker.

  I decide to get ready for work as if there is nothing special about this day. As if I’m not bursting with joy and nerves waiting to see what Baker has planned for us tonight. He refused to give me any details. But that’s okay, I have all day to wear him down and find out as much as I can.

  I decide on a pair of gray cigarette pants and a white short-sleeve button down, with a pale pink cardigan and gray stilettos. I want to look nice at the office, but I’m really saving the good stuff for tonight.

  It’s interesting because I’ve never been one to worry about what a man thinks about my wardrobe. I dress for myself and if they like it, that’s even better. One of the biggest things I’ve learned in the last couple years is if I live and dress for someone else, then I’m never going to be happy. So, I don’t. I focus on doing what makes me happy including eating all the cupcakes I want.

  My day is finally over and I’m ready for tonight. The only thing I was able to get out of him is that he’s picking me up at eight. That means I have just enough time to take a bubble bath and make sure everything’s shaved and soft.

  At 7:59 the bell rings and I open the door to a heart stopping, gorgeous Baker standing in front of me. His dark jeans fit him like a glove, enhancing his thighs and booty, and his pale pink shirt pops under his navy blazer. I bite my lip and give him the once over, looking him up and down, knowing that he’s probably doing the same to me as I stand there barefoot in my floral mini dress. There was no way I was hiding my body tonight, so my cleavage is on full display and my legs are satiny smooth.

  I tied my hair up, so he has extra access to my neck, because there is something about those neck kisses that turns me on.

  “Damn, Red. You look fucking amazing.”

  I didn’t think I’d ever like that nickname, but if he’s going to use it like this, I could get used to it.

  “You look pretty good yourself, handsome.”

  He gives me a short and sweet kiss hello. I pull back and hold the door open for him, before sliding my feet into my heels and grabbing my bag.

  He pulls me to him and gives me another kiss, and I allow the door to shut behind me. When he breaks the kiss this time, I turn around, locking the door.

  Baker grasps my hand and walks me down to the car. “Aren’t you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask as we make our way to the highway.

  “Nope.”

  Should I be worried? Maybe. But I’m not. I listen to the soft music playing and he holds onto my hand the whole drive. We arrive at a quaint colonial home in the suburbs and immediately I know it’s his home.

  “This isn’t forward at all,” I murmur to myself, knowing that he heard me. “Are we skipping right to the good part?” I giggle and wiggle my eyebrows at him.

  I don’t even know if I’m a girl who has sex on the first date. Considering I jumped into bed with him before our first date, maybe it doesn’t matter. The rules were meant to be broken and since I’ve already done that, all bets are off.

  “I thought I’d make you dinner and woo you with my knife skills.” He smirks at me and then tugs me into the house. Immediately, I’m hit with his scent—it’s everywhere. His home is just like him. Classic with a touch of modern. We walk into the living room, which is flanked by the dining room and the kitchen off to the right. The staircase is to the left of the entry and I don’t have time to take any more in as he drags me by the hand to the kitchen.

  “You dressed up just to come back home?” I question him and he just nods his head at me.

  Baker pours two glasses of wine for us. “Would you rather I be naked?”

  I flush. “Is that how you normally walk around?”

  “Well, it is my house.”

  I sip on the wine for a little while Baker works his magic searing a couple of steaks covered in butter and roasting veggies. What a phenomenal dinner.

  “My favorite meal,” I say as he places a plate down in front of me. The smell of seared meat coupled with Baker’s scent may be my new favorite.

  “Steak?”

  “Yep.” He winks and then makes the sign of the cross with his eyes closed. I almost feel like I should do the same, but I can’t pretend.

  “I didn’t know you were religious.”

  “I think it’s mostly a habit now. I grew up doing it even though we only went to church on Easter and Christmas.”

  We laugh together because if I went to church it was with friends growing up. My father didn’t deem us in need of anyone else telling us what to do. That was his job.

  “Thank you for dinner. It’s amazing.”

  Dinner flies by. We talk about all kinds of things and it’s nice to be able to let go and not mind my Ps and Qs. The wine flows and I know he’s probably counting down the minutes until he can finish the tour of the house ending in his room.

  “You have no idea how sexy you are.” He nips at my neck and my heart is beating so hard, I know he can feel it.

  “Let’s take that tour now.” I allow him to lead me up the stairs and into his bedroom.

  “Your body, your lips. You are my crown jewel,” he growls as he unzips my dress, allowing it to fall to the floor, then picks me up and throws me on top of the bed like a caveman.

  His eyes appreciate my navy lingerie and I know he’s as ready for this as I am. Baker quickly undresses, revealing every chiseled inch of his ripped body and glorious cock. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful until his. Perfect length and girth. I reach out to touch him and sit up to taste him. I languish long strokes over him and taste the saltiness of him as he groans.

  “Fuck.” He clutches my hair and pulls me away from him. “I need to be inside you now.”

  My breath hitches at the urgency in his voice. So rough and raw. I nod and take off my bra. He watches every move I make. Baker pushes me back and kneels between my legs, kissing up and down my inner thighs.

  “Baker, please . . .”

  Twenty-Seven

  Baker smothers me with kisses, and I’m convinced this would be the best way to die, as the streetlights flood a warm light into the bedroom. Immediately I realize we fell asleep, arms and legs intertwined. My body is now lit up like a firecracker. His warm breath blows across my ribs and his head turns, allowing his hair to tickle the underside of my breast. My nipples say hello to the combination of cold air and his touch.

  My fingers dance through Baker’s thick and luscious hair. I don’t allow myself to focus on what my red hair may look like spread out all over his satiny gray sheets.

  “What are you doing?” I laugh when Baker walks his fingers across the other side of my ribs.

  I really do love his hands. The veins, the roughness of his knuckles and the size of them—so strong and soft. Just like the rest of him. The mixture of his easy-going nature and his sheer presence can’t be ignored. I’m thankful he’s mine—all mine.

  “Counting
your freckles,” he says, desire blazing from his eyes.

  I groan, slightly mortified. I’ve always hated my freckles, but it comes with being a ginger baby.

  “Well, then.” He found them and is touching each one, inadvertently making me squirm.

  He turns his head, smiling at me, and I’m entranced by his eyes. I allow his smile to distract me. His eyes hold mine as his lips kiss my sternum. I stir beneath him, continuing to ride this endless wave of arousal. This aching inside me, ramps me up even more.

  He flashes a devious grin before his other hand disappears and I don’t know where it’s going until I feel it on the soft skin above my pulsing sex. It’s a bit tender from our earlier romp, but Baker really knows how to . . .

  His grin widens and I feel his fingers slip through me. My legs part even further for him and I try to inch closer.

  “Baker,” I pant. He has an endless supply of energy and doesn’t seem to tire out.

  “Sutton.” He makes his way up my body to the bare space between my breasts. Then he trails more kisses across the top of them, and I sink lower into a state of bliss.

  “You’re insatiable,” I whisper.

  Baker chuckles. The sound bounces off my skin as he glides down my body. He stops and places a kiss on my navel before travel traveling further south. A shot of electricity zaps through me, and I hiss audibly. My body is already screaming for my release and we’ve barely gotten started.

  His warm hands grasp my thighs and he settles his face between them. I smile down at him and he winks at me as his tongue spreads me open fully. He seems to know each and every part of me intimately, in tune with exactly what I need.

  “You make me that way,” he says, not missing a beat.

  My muscles are as sore as when I finish a dynamic yoga class. I did it once and never went back. However, I never plan on giving this up. I take a deep breath, recognizing Baker’s scent on the sheets, and a slow smile spreads across my face as I stretch and slowly wake up. I curl up and stretch out one more time, like a well-rested princess. He sure treated me like a princess last night. A dirty, filthy one . . . but a princess, nonetheless.

  Eventually I get up and seek out the bathroom. It’s the second door I open, realizing the first was his shoe closet. Assuming there is a separate one for clothes, I’m in awe of the fact that he has so many shoes he needs a space just for them. The bathroom is dreamy; the cabinets are a light wood, the counters a pale granite, and the floors are a dusty colored tile. The shower is huge and made of natural rock, while there is a door separating the toilet from the rest of the space.

  I take care of business quickly, but I’m in desperate need of a shower and it’s spa like quality is screaming out to me, so I hop in. I look down at my body and see all the love bites Baker has left as little presents for me. I wash up quickly and wrap myself in the huge robe hanging on the back of the door. Opening a couple drawers, I find an extra toothbrush.

  When I feel more like myself, I go in search of Baker, but it’s a long quest with my stomach growling all the way to the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Red.” His smile is wide, and he’s standing there shirtless, hair tousled and dreamy. Those words sound so different here rather than in the office.

  “Good morning.”

  He moves to pour me a cup of coffee then striding over to plant a hot, hard kiss on my lips. Well, it certainly is a good morning, isn’t it?

  “Sleep well?” He arches his thick brow as his eyes light up.

  “Yes.” I blush. “Thank you.”

  “I have half a mind to call in sick,” he sighs and props himself on a stool.

  I join him. “You can’t. You have the meeting with Mr. Langston today.”

  Baker groans in response. Langston is in business with Alexander Lake, and my gut tells me he’s the bad guy in this scenario.

  “Sometimes I wish people trusted cops more.” He rubs his temples and I watch the beauty in front of me unfold. Standing here in the morning light, half dressed, he’s as deliciously sexy as he is in a suit.

  Our company deals with private investigations for that reason. High profile companies want to stay out of the press or keep things secretive. Cops don’t always have the option to let it happen. So, companies like ours complete the investigation on the down low.

  “Yeah, but they don’t.” I glance at the clock and realize it’s already six forty-five.

  “I have to get going.” I stand up and Baker stops me.

  “What? Why?”

  I laugh. “I need to get home and change for work. Didn’t you notice I’m usually the first one in the office?” I smirk at him, tilting my head in curiosity. He pouts, and it’s the cutest thing ever. That and the feeling of him missing me before I even leave.

  “I hadn’t . . .”

  I giggle and run my hands up and over his bare shoulders until I come close and he hugs me to him. I feel him inhale deeply beneath my touch before he leans away.

  “You can drop me off and then come back to put your power suit on.”

  He chuckles at me. “Oh, is that what it’s called?”

  I nod in response. “Yep.”

  He shakes his head at me and we both laugh. He leans in to kiss me once. Then again. Then he gives up on sweet and kisses. Deep and slow, our tongues lace together, lips churning. I pull myself away, breathless, staring into his gleaming eyes. I wish every morning could be like this.

  “Okay, let’s get going.”

  Minutes later I’m dressed in his sweatpants, rolled up and tied so they’ll stay on and one of his white T-shirts, with last night’s clothes balled up in my oversized purse. The sun is bright, the city booming, and he holds my hand the entire way home. We entertain each other with our gripes about work.

  I don’t let the threat of my father finding out loom over me. If he does, there isn’t much he can do about it. Honestly, I’m his kid. Baker is his employee . . . but that’s all a big what if, and I only want to focus on the now.

  “See you soon.” Baker rolls to a stop in front of my building and I turn to him, smiling before he gives me a goodbye kiss that would melt my panties . . . if I had any on.

  Looking good for Baker is something I’m past denying. I choose a beautiful black A-line dress that highlights every part of my body in the best way. Adding in my black shiny pumps and I’m dressed for the funeral of my former life.

  It feels interesting coming to work where my . . . what is he? Love interest also works. It’s way too early for the L word but the picture is clear. My feelings run deep.

  I churn through my emails and answer all the questions from irate account managers. There is always one, and I can usually calm them down before anything gets escalated.

  I find myself wishing for a coffee break with Baker, only he isn’t available. His email is very pointed, and I find myself curious about what’s going on.

  Hey, Red—I have a meeting that is going to be longer than originally planned. How about a late lunch or early dinner?

  B. Hayes

  Sterling Enterprises, Inc.

  His email signature makes me smile. I like that he didn’t change it to some over the top romantic thing. I like him just the way he is, plus no one needs to see anything sweet on my computer.

  I respond to him via email, so he can read it when time permits.

  Hi, Baker—I’m fine with either one. See you soon.

  Sutton Sterling

  Sterling Enterprises, Inc.

  I sit back to relax a bit and decide to catch up on the blog and any new comments. I miss blogging, but I haven’t felt like updating it. I don’t know—it feels different now that I’m no longer talking about random dates. Now, with Baker in my life, I want to keep things a bit more private. I’m not familiar with all these feelings and it’s no one’s business but ours what we do—or don’t do.

  Chari stops by and I briefly catch her up on the day and my date with Baker. She loves the fact that he cooked for me and she’s totally on b
oard with whatever happens next with us. I’m glad I have her support and that of my friends. Hopefully, she’ll be willing to go to bat for us if my father finds out. Wren will give me an earful when I call her tonight.

  The office is quiet for a while until about four when things pick up again. Baker’s meeting must have gone incredibly long because I haven’t seen him all day. Inquisitiveness gets the best of me and I make my way to his office. There is a large open space with filing cabinets where the guys gather to chat between my space and his.

  Once I arrive, I notice he isn’t inside. He must still be in the conference room. I turn to make my way there and slam into a brick wall.

  “Oh!” I gasp, clutching my chest dramatically. I’m shocked in the quietness I didn’t hear this guy coming.

  “Sorry.” I compose myself and step back to see who or what I ran into.

  Looking up, the man is tall. His eyes are a weird dark hazel color, and a grin that makes me shiver contorts his face.

  “No worries.” He makes a show of licking his lips then looking me over—head to toe. I step back, the feeling of being sized up does not sit well with me. I clear my throat and he slowly stops his sleazebag review of me.

  “You one of the secretaries?” he asks.

  I roll my eyes. Maybe I should do something with my degree and try to move up in this place so I don’t have to answer this question a dozen times a day. No one really differentiates between a secretary and an assistant these days. Especially not here.

  “Something like that.” I try to step around him, but he stops me.

  “Are you in a hurry?”

  “Who are you? Why are you here?” I ask harshly. I know my father would be pissed if he could hear me now because he prefers we court our clients, but this guy gives me the Willies.

  He stretches his mouth like the Joker and an oddly creepy laugh comes out of it.

  “A client. Shouldn’t you be nice to me?”

  I furrow my brow. Yes, I should, but I’m so uncomfortable around him.