The Sweet Shoppe: Tempting Prudence (2 page)

Chapter Three

Prudence’s breath caught in her throat the moment the door opened. She was used to seeing Jonas in conservative suits. The sight of him in a pair of worn jeans that hung on his lean hips, and an old long-sleeved T-shirt, took her by surprise.

“I thought this was a meeting?”

He frowned. Oh, great, Pru. Offend the man.

“I hope it’s all right with you that I changed. I don’t like to cook in my suit.”

He stepped back and allowed her to pass. Prudence wasn’t certain, but she thought
she heard him sniff as she walked by. As he relieved her of her jacket, the scent of onions and garlic made her mouth water. She’d skipped lunch, eating half of a half of a sandwich on the way to a meeting, and she’d only had oatmeal for breakfast.

He gestured for her to follow him through the living room to the kitchen. Although she tried not to be obvious, she couldn’t help noticing the fine leather furniture, the many shades of brown he’d decorated with, and knew he was a man who lived alone. There was a definite masculine feel to his house.

When she arrived in the kitchen, she noticed a small dining area with a table set for two, candlelight, and a bottle of wine chilling. Then it smacked her upside the head. She must be intruding. A man like Jonas didn’t spend his Friday nights entertaining nerdy accountants and talking over work. He probably wanted to go over the reports and then shoo her out the door before his date arrived. Prudence swallowed the disappointment, and a little pain with it. But soon, practical girl that she was, she remembered that she’d never stood a chance with him to begin with.

Jonas had moved to what looked to be a professional stovetop. Six gas burners and a wealth of stainless steel pots. He slid chicken strips into a skillet, then took the pan by the handle and flipped the food with the expertise of a professional chef.

“I won’t take up much of your time. I think we can be done and I can be on my way before your company arrives.”

He looked up and smiled. “But you’re the company I’m expecting, Prudence.”

For a second, his comment didn’t register. When it did, a rush of heat spiraled through her.

“Oh, Mr. Smith—
”

“I think since we’re off the clock, you can call me Jonas. As long as you let me call you Prudence.” His lopsided smile did funny things to her insides. Like making them do the hokey-pokey. “And I feel guilty about taking up your time on a Friday night.”

Prudence returned his smile; she couldn’t help it. Every time he smiled, she wanted to sigh. “Thank you. I’ll get the reports out and we can go over them with dinner.”

“No, we’ll do them after dinner. Unless you have other plans.”

Yeah, with her DVR. “Hmm, no.”

“Then sit and pour yourself some wine.”

She set her briefcase on the floor, feeling somewhat at a loss about how to behave.

Jonas was acting like this was a date. Prudence knew better, but she couldn’t fight the little flame that warmed her stomach. Inching her way to the table, and away from him, she thought about what a date with Jonas would be like. A man like Jonas would really know all the angles, just how to treat his dates. The last guy she dated had talked business so he could write the dinner off on his taxes.

“I hope you like Chardonnay.”

She jumped when his face brushed against her hair. How could a man so huge sneak up on her all the time? Drawing in a deep breath, she tried to calm her hormones. It wasn’t working—mainly because the musky scent of his aftershave made her mind go blank. Damn the man for looking and smelling so good. She turned her head and realized that he’d bent over enough so that their lips were even. Prudence licked hers.

The temptation to lean closer and press her mouth to his almost overpowered her better judgment. She stepped aside, trying to put some distance between them.

“Yes. I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I do enjoy a glass every now and then.”

He frowned, looking like a little boy denied a treat. She almost laughed out loud at the image, because no one would mistake Jonas Smith for anything but a full-grown man. Casually, she walked around the table to the wine, filling both glasses.

“Make yourself comfortable. I think the pasta’s about ready.”

As soon as he wandered back to the stove, Prudence took a huge gulp of wine. What the hell was wrong with her? From the moment he’d come to work at Triple T, she’d been attracted to him. She studied him as he worked. Happy satisfaction with what he was doing brightened his face. And that was what drew Prudence to him—Jonas was happy whatever he was doing. Comfortable. Confident. All things she lacked. The only time Prudence felt confident was when she was working. In every other aspect of her life, she felt awkward. Especially with Jonas.

She cocked her head to one side and watched Jonas drain the pasta. Each movement was economical but contained a quality of ... grace? He tossed the pasta in with the chicken and she studied his hands. At the moment, he handled the task with the skill of a chef, using even movements. His hands were calm, controlled ... almost gentle. Such a contrast to the size. What would it be like to have them on her skin?

Just the thought of all that quiet concentration focused on her pleasure had her body humming.

As he walked to the table, a slight smile curving his lips, she reminded herself she was there to work. In no way was this going to lead to anything. Especially tying him down and teasing him until he begged for sex.

Jesus. She swallowed another gulp of wine and prayed it wouldn’t go to her head.

*  *  *  *

Jonas shifted in his chair, trying to find a more comfortable position. Kind of hard to sit with a woman during dinner and make conversation, with a raging hard-on. He hadn’t lacked this amount of control since he was a teenager, but something about Prudence always had him fully cocked and ready. It hadn’t helped feeling her study him while he cooked. Damned if she hadn’t been looking at him just the way she’d stared at those chocolate-covered cherries this morning. Like she wanted to devour him in one gulp.

“Where did you learn to cook like this?”

Her voice, relaxed from the wine, brought him back from his fantasies. When he focused on her face, he lost his concentration. She had the prettiest blue eyes. Not sky blue, but a deep, dark blue like sapphires. It made a striking contrast to the curly brown hair that spilled over her shoulders, and her porcelain-like skin.

And her lips ... She had smiled through most of the meal, and he’d gotten her to laugh a few times by reciting his favorite Monty Python quotes. Each time she’d laughed, he fell a little more in love. Because, somewhere between the cooking and the eating, he realized he’d been in love for months. He noticed she was staring at him expectantly and he remembered she’d asked a question. Oh, cooking.

“My mother and sister were not very much into eating, always on a diet.” Prudence frowned and deliberately set her fork down. “Dad was always on a business trip, so I hung out in the kitchen with the cook.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “The cook?” He shrugged. “Mom and Dad were from old oil money. Got out before the bust.” She fiddled with her napkin, then placed it on the fork. “Well, why don’t we get to
work?”

“You didn’t like your food?”

“Oh, of course I did.” Her face turned an adorable shade of pink. “But I’m trying to watch my weight.”

He looked at her incredulously. “Why?”

“Jonas, really. I understand you were being nice about dinner, but I know that I could stand to lose a few pounds.”

He shook his head. “What’s wrong with the way you look?”

She pursed her lips, tempting him. “I really don’t want to talk about this right now, if you don’t mind.”

He did as she requested, hoping he would get teach her exactly what he thought
about her body later. “I’ll clear away these things and we can get to work. Then dessert.”

“Oh, well ...”

“I bought something special. You can have a little, can’t you?”

She studied him. He tried his best sorrowful expression, the one that always worked on his mother. Her lips curved and then split into a full grin. He felt it all the way to his gut, and it took every ounce of control he had to concentrate on his task. Especially when all he wanted to do was grab her and lick her from her toes to those lips.

He sighed. Patience might be a virtue, but it was a pain in the ass. He glanced down. And various other body parts.

Chapter Four

Prudence took another drink of wine, the fruity tang now not so pronounced since she’d had four glasses. Or was it five? Damn, this was not like her at all. She believed in moderation.

“Some more wine?” Jonas smiled at her and Prudence found herself agreeing to another glass. What the hell was wrong with her? Nerves; had to be. That, or it was his freaking smile. Why was it all he had to do was smile at her and she was agreeing to things? Hell, he could probably ask her to participate in a murder and she would agree, as long as he smiled.

“So you think that the realignment and consolidation of our San Antonio plant worked out well?’

She cleared her throat. “Yes. Production went way up. Moving production to one centralized plant made sense.”

“Hmmmm.” He was already studying the next report. He’d put on his reading glasses. There was something so Clark Kent/Superman about Jonas wearing glasses.

“Is there anything else?”

“No. Actually this was easier than I thought it would be.” He set the papers on the table. “Ready for dessert?”

She licked her lips. “Well, I thought maybe ... it is getting really late.”

He frowned to the point he almost pouted, and crossed his arms over his chest. “But I bought these just for you.”

Guilt overpowered her nerves. “Okay. Just a little, then I really have to go.”

He practically jumped out of his chair, walked to the counter, and looked back over his shoulder. “Why don’t we go into the living room?”

She nodded and followed him. When she tried to sit in the brown leather oversized chair, he shook his head and motioned to the couch. “You’re going to make me think you don’t like me.”

Silently, she laughed. Not like him. No, not at all. She just wanted to munch on his body.

With a secret smile, he placed a gold box with a nice little red bow in her lap. She lifted it and noticed the name of the Sweet Shoppe on the box. Chocolate. She stifled a sigh. Did every man think they should get her food? When she didn’t react, he took the box from her.

“I knew you wanted some. I couldn’t help but go in and buy some for you.” “Thank you.” He sat back and studied her face. “I thought you would like them.” “I do. It’s just ...”

Oh, this was horrible. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but she refused to cry. It wasn’t like he had a romantic interest in her.

“Hey. I thought I would bring a smile to that gorgeous face, not tears.”

She sniffed. “I’m not crying.” But she wouldn’t look at him, afraid he would know just how much he’d hurt her. He hadn’t meant to.

“Prudence.” He sighed, then set the box on the coffee table. Cupping both sides of her face, he tipped it up. The gentleness in his eyes was almost her undoing. “Now, darlin’, tell me what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just ... well ...”

“Because I bought you candy?”

She nodded as two tears spilled over.

“Damn fool woman.” But his voice had no heat. He brushed away the tears with his thumbs. “Why?”

“It’s stupid, but ... people always think that giving me food will make me happy.”

“I don’t understand.” And she could see from his facial expression that he didn’t. Oh, she didn’t want to explain this one.

“Never mind.” She tried to move out of his grasp, but he tightened his hold.

“Prudence, I really want to understand. Listen, I just wanted to give you something you liked.” He sighed and his hands slid away. She immediately felt their absence. “Hell, I thought it would be a way to gain your attention.”

At first the comment didn’t compute in her brain.

“What?”

“I was trying to gain your attention. Okay, fine, I fucked it up.”

“You bought these for me because you thought I wasn’t interested in you?”

He looked down at the box. “Well, it seems kind of stupid now. But at the moment I
decided to buy them ... I know it sounds idiotic, but at the time it was solid plan.”

Her heart did a little tap dance. He was so adorable, sitting there looking rejected.

“Why don’t we have a few?”

His head shot up. “Really?”

“Sure. But just a couple.”

With the expression of a boy with a newfound toy, he opened the box. She held out
her hand. He looked down at it and then back up, his lips twisting into a devilish smile.

“No. Open wide.”

“Jonas.”

“Come on, Pru. Open up.”

Even though she was embarrassed, she leaned forward and opened her mouth. He held it out and never broke eye contact. Trying not to look like a pig, she bit into the treat without taking the whole thing in her mouth. The creamy milk chocolate melted against her lips and tongue. The gooey, sweet filling almost overflowed her mouth, overwhelming her senses. She sank her teeth into the cherry; the juice of it spurted out. Pulling back slightly, she closed her mouth and enjoyed the mixture of the different tastes. Chewing, she felt a strange sensation flit through her body. It was as if in that one moment, her senses went on alert.

His gaze left hers to watch her lips.

“You left a little there.”

His voice had deepened with sexual interest. Before she could react, he leaned forward and lightly licked away the rest of the
syrupy filling.

“Hmm.”

He pulled back and moved the rest of the cherry to her mouth. She swallowed what she had chewed and another strange zing shot through her. Opening her mouth, she leaned forward and took the rest of the treat. Again the same strange sensation swept through her, tingling along her nerve endings. Instead of making her nervous, as she usually was in situations with men, her whole body seemed to relax into a hazy sensuality. Her blood warmed, her nipples tightened, and the warmth in her tummy slid between her legs to her sex.

As he held another cherry up, she felt herself growing damp with anticipation. This time, he pushed the whole treat into her mouth. She closed her eyes against the flash of heat swimming through her blood. Her head spun with thoughts of her hands on his skin. Images of him lying on a bed, her on top, riding him, almost brought a moan to her lips.

Quickly, she opened her eyes, trying to dispel the image. But it was too late. Now that she had thought of it, there would be no getting rid of it. It would be tattooed in her memory until the day she died.

She realized she hadn’t finished the cherry in her mouth, so she chewed it, slowly. His gaze didn’t move from her mouth. His mouth opened. His tongue flitted out over his lower lip. The next image that rose was his tongue on her skin ... his mouth on her breast.

Finally, she swallowed and was going to refuse another one, until he held it up. The anticipation darkening his eyes, his absolute concentration on her enjoyment, had her opening her mouth for a third. Another image—him tied up, her torturing him with her hands, with her mouth, with her tongue ...

She finished the sweet and expected Jonas to offer another one, but he tossed aside the box and leaned forward. His hands ran up her arms and cupped her chin. She closed her eyes as he brushed his mouth against hers.

Once ... twice ... then she opened her mouth and his tongue invaded, tangling with hers.

A moment later, he drew away, a groan escaping from his lips. He kissed a path down her neck.

“You taste like chocolate-covered cherries, Pru.” His voice was deeper, more exciting.

She threaded her fingers through his hair as his hands moved to her blouse. But even as she felt the excitement growing, her body throbbed with a different kind of need. This was a need to direct the lovemaking.

Pushing on his shoulders, she said, “Jonas.” For a moment, he didn’t react. “Jonas Tobias Smith.”

His head shot up. “How did you know my middle name?”

“I’m in accounting. I handle all the financial records.”

One dark blond eyebrow
rose.

“Okay, I looked it up.”

He smiled and bent his head, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Jonas, I want to do something different.”

His eyes darkened to molten gold. “Oh, yeah?”

She licked her lips, swallowed, and tried her best to gather her courage.

“I wanted
to play some games.”

This time, his lips curved. “Hmmm, what kind?”

“I ... I like a little ...” She could feel her courage evaporating.

“Ah, Pru, you can tell me anything.” His voice was gentle and understanding. That
touched her more than his arousal did. He nuzzled her neck, and she felt the touch of his lips.

“I would like to play a little bondage. N-Nothing hardcore.”

His hand slid to her waist. “You are a dream come true.”

“B-But, I want to tie you up.”

She wasn’t sure he heard her. Hell, her voice was so low, she wasn’t sure she heard herself.

“Hmm, sounds good.”

For a second, she wasn’t sure she heard him correctly. He pulled back from her and looked her straight in the eye. “If you want to have some fun while using my body, who am I to complain? And I have a few ... tools to help.”

A few minutes later, as she watched him undress, Prudence couldn’t believe she had actually gotten his approval. She’d never sat and watched a man undress for her pleasure. He did nothing special, nothing really over the top. Instead, he watched her, his gaze on her face as he pulled off his shirt. When his hands went to his jeans, she swallowed. He unbuttoned them and slid the zipper down. She watched as he tugged them off. The power of watching him strip for her pleasure wound through her. Her nipples tightened against the cotton of her bra.

When he straightened, she was amazed to see he was completely nude. Oh, my gawd. He was sheer perfection. Sculpted muscles, bronzed skin, her gaze dipped down ... Oh, my. His erection jutted out from a nest of curly, dark blond hair. She was experienced but never...

Before she could say anything, he turned and walked to his bedside table, affording her an excellent view of his ass. He pulled out a pair of black handcuffs.

She laughed when she noticed the pink fur inside of them. He turned, his lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. “I ... well. I bought these thinking to use them on a woman.”

“You’ve never used them?” He looked at her incredulously. “No.” She couldn’t help the warm satisfaction filling her heart. He handed her the cuffs

and got on the bed. The huge bed. King-size, with a wooden mission-style headboard with slats. A simple blue comforter dressed the bed. He stretched out, placing his arms above his head. Obediently. The thrill of being in control spurred her on. She kneeled on the bed beside him, attached one cuff and slid the other around a slat. When she had that one on, she straightened.

Gorgeous. There was no other word for his body. “Masculine.” His voice intruded in her thoughts.

“What?” Had she said gorgeous out loud? “I would prefer something more masculine than ‘gorgeous.’” She laughed and suddenly realized she was still completely dressed. It made her

feel deliciously ... naughty. She knew in that instant she wanted to drive him insane. Never before had she accomplished that. She’d always allowed the man to lead.

“So ... Jonas.” She skimmed her hand down his chest. Her breasts swelled, her nipples hurt they were so tight, and liquid coated her sex. She pinched his nipple and then laughed with delight when he shivered and moaned. “What drives you crazy?”

“You.”

She shook her head and trickled her fingers across his abs. Satisfaction rolled through her as she watched his muscles tense. “You have to do better than that.”

She slid her fingers to his erection. A drop of pre-cum wet the head already. She couldn’t resist leaning forward and licking it. The salty taste of him sent another wave of heat blazing through her.

His legs shifted restlessly and he groaned.

“Now, tell me what drives you crazy.”

“Your body.”

She sat back on her heels and eyed him suspiciously. “You know, I’m not sure
you’re telling the truth.”

His eyes widened. “I’m telling the truth. It’s all curves and hollows.”

“Hmm.” She bent forward and took the head of his cock into her mouth and twirled her tongue around the tip. Pulling back, she looked up at him. “Really?”

He nodded, apparently past the point of words, and she felt a zing of satisfaction. She took his whole shaft into her mouth this time. Her body responded the moment she tasted his salty cum again. Hot liquid drenched her panties as her stomach muscles tightened. Prudence continued licking, sucking, while she cupped his balls. The power
surged through her; her body throbbed with a need for release. His groans increased in volume and his legs thrashed against the bed.

She knew that if she didn’t stop, he would come. As much as she wanted to suck him to completion, her body wanted him inside her when he exploded. She released his cock with an audible pop and drew back.

She slid off the bed and began to unbutton her shirt. When he realized what she was doing, his attention locked on her. Instead of the old self-doubt that usually plagued her, a new sense of power had her undoing her blouse and bra. The moment she was completely nude, Jonas sighed. He looked down her body and then back up.