Don’t Go Away Mad by Lacey Black
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lyndee
“Happy birthday to Lyndee, happy birthday to you.”
I lean forward and blow out the two candles in the shapes of threes on top of my cherry chip cake, smiling as I get a round of applause. Besides Dustin, Dana, and Jasper, Jameson came too after finding out at work why Jasper was in such a hurry to get home. Apparently, all you have to do is say cake, and Jameson is there.
Jasper takes the cake and cuts it into healthy slices, handing a plate to each person. “I promised Numbers I’d save him a piece, if we have some left.”
“Where’s he tonight?” I ask, taking my first bite of cake. Of course, I can’t stop thinking about what happened in my kitchen while baking the cake, or what followed after we got back here after Dustin went to bed. Let’s just say I was cleaning sticky icing residue off almost every part of my body.
“Went to Savannah’s family’s for dinner,” Jameson grumbles, pulling a face.
“So, not a Savannah fan, huh?” I ask, teasing, though it’s clear my assumption is right on.
He snorts in disgust. “She’s not good for him and she strings him along. Plus, I’m pretty sure she cheated on him at least once over the last few years. I hate her.” He’s blunt and to the point, letting his dislike for the pretty woman known. Truth be told, I wasn’t that impressed with her when I met her on Sunday. She seemed very self-absorbed, barely paying Isaac or anyone else any attention. As the other newbie in the group, I tried to talk to her after dinner, but felt like she was just trying to get away from me to return to her phone.
“Oh my God, this is so good.” Dana takes a healthy bite of her cake and closes her eyes to savor the flavor. That’s always my favorite part. Watching the joy on their face as they enjoy something I created.
“What do you think of the icing? Doesn’t it make you want to stick your finger in the cake and lick it off?” Jasper asks, a smirk on his face, as he shovels a big bite into his mouth, looking all flirty and amused and…smug.
I, on the other hand, am not feeling as amused. I can only picture what he did with that icing-coated finger and the way I came hard as he sucked it off my body.
Is it hot in here?
Jameson snickers, as if he knows exactly what his friend was talking about, or worse, doing. Fortunately for me, Dustin and Dana seem oblivious to the thick sexual tension in the room and continue chatting, while enjoying their dessert.
When I finally glance back up at Jasper, I can read his thoughts as if he spoke them aloud. His mind has clearly gone into naughty territory. He licks his lips and gives me a very sultry look, elevating my blood pressure into stroke territory.
By the time we finish eating cake, my brother declares it present time. He wheels himself into the den down the hall and returns with a large gift bag with bright pink tissue paper sticking out of the top. “What’s this?” I ask, grinning as he brings me the present.
“Open it and find out,” he replies, setting the bag on my lap.
I pull the tissue paper and find a set of square canvas prints. There are four different images, all with different ingredients. “I love these,” I tell him.
“I thought they’d look great in your office, since the walls are still bare.”
“They’re perfect. Thank you,” I tell my brother, giving him a warm smile.
“Mine next,” Jameson hollers, pulling an envelope out of his inside coat pocket.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” I insist, taking the envelope from his outstretched hand.
“Well, it’s not much on short notice, but my mama raised me not to show up at a birthday party without a gift,” he replies with a grin.
I slip the sheet of paper out and read it over. “This is amazing, thank you!”
Jasper looks over my shoulder, reading the note. “Wow, pulling out all the stops, aren’t we?” he states with a laugh. “Do I need to be concerned about you stealing my girl?”
My heart hammers in my chest at his question to his friend. I glance over at Jameson, who just winks. “Not at all, but if Lyndee were to discover who the better man is, well, that’s on you, friend.” He’s clearly joking, but the statement gets a rise out of Jasper, nonetheless.
He leaps at him and puts him in a headlock. “Keep your hands to yourself,” he demands, laughing, while messing up Jameson’s hair.
When the guys are finished messing around, Dustin reaches for the paper. “What’d ya get?”
I hand it over and reply, “The first official beer tasting tour for Burgers and Brew, plus a variety case, once they have it ready.”
“Cool!” Dustin proclaims, showing the paper to Dana.
“You’re welcome too,” Jameson tells my brother, trying to finger-comb his messy hair while throwing glares at his friend. “It should be ready to start producing beer next month, as long as our inspections go through.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” I announce.
Jasper disappears down the hall, only to return a few minutes later with a wrapped box. He sets it on my lap and starts cleaning up the cake mess. Am I supposed to open this now? He’s not even over here watching.
I glance up and catch Jameson’s eye. He winks at me and nods, encouraging me to open the gift. I pull on the ribbon and rip off the bow before digging into the paper. Inside, I find the most gorgeous journal. When I remove the book, I realize it’s not really a journal. It’s a recipe book, and it’s blank, ready for me to fill it in.
My gaze moves to the counter, where Jasper is working intently on sealing the cake into a container. When he doesn’t look my way, I stand and head toward him. “Hey,” I whisper, when I’m right beside him.
“Hi.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice clouded with emotion. “I love it.”
He shrugs, keeping his hands busy. “I just thought you could add some of your own recipes in it. I’m sure you have them all memorized, so it’s probably a stupid gift,” he stammers, seeming completely unsure of himself for the first time since I’ve known him. Jasper’s always so confident, but not now.
I set the book on the counter and slip my arms around his waist. I hug into him until he stops moving. I feel him relax as he wraps his arms around my neck and holds me tight. “It’s an amazing gift. Thank you,” I repeat, glancing up.
He smiles softly. “So, maybe you could show me your appreciation later?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
I giggle. “I think we used up all the icing.”
A heavy laugh spills from his mouth. “Good thing I have a whole pantry full of supplies then, huh?”
***
I’m snuggled against his chest, listening to the steady thunder of his heartbeat against my cheek. My body is completely sated, and I’m not sure I could form complete sentences yet. This man does things to me I’ve never experienced before. Not only in bed, but outside of it too. I enjoy running new ideas by him, different flavor options, or listening to him share about his day.
But what has my attention now is his words from earlier. Twice, he called me his girl. Right before he gave me that amazingly thoughtful gift. Considering the fact he just found out it was my birthday two days ago, he did well on short notice.
“If you’re able to still think that hard, I didn’t do my job right,” he says, a soft chuckle rumbling against my skin.
“You did your job just fine,” I mutter, placing a kiss on his chest and running my fingers through the dark hair peppered between his defined pecs.
“Fine. What every man loves to hear,” he teases with a hint of sarcasm.
Now it’s my turn to chuckle. “No, that part was more than fine.”
Jasper turns me on my side and faces me. “Then, what’s up?”
His deep brown eyes hold a touch of concern and wonder, and even though he hasn’t struck me as the “talking” type, I find myself opening up to him and saying what’s on my mind. “So…tonight you called me your girl.”
“I did. Twice, actually,” he replies, swiping a strand of hair off my cheek and moving it behind my ear. “Does that bother you?”
Does it? I realize quickly the answer is no.
I shake my head. “It doesn’t, but I guess I’m just curious as to what it means.”
He takes a deep breath and places his hand against my cheek. “To be honest, I don’t really know, but when I said it, I didn’t regret the words. I like you, Lyndee. I enjoy spending time with you, even though we don’t get that much of it. Between your schedule and mine, I find when we do actually get to share a meal or hang out, I enjoy it a lot.”
Jasper sighs. “I don’t date. I never have time, but with you, I find myself wanting to make time. And falling into bed with you after a long day is pretty fucking great too,” he adds with a sheepish grin. “If you want to put a label on this, we can—”
“I don’t need a label,” I quickly interrupt.
He relaxes. “I’d give it one if you needed,” he insists.
“I like spending time with you too.”
“Okay,” he replies, pulling me into his arms once more. “I know your condo will be done soon, but I was kinda hoping we could keep hanging out. You know, after you go back home. I have a crazy schedule, but I’d really like to keep seeing you.”
I offer him a smile. “I’d like that.”
He lowers his mouth and swipes it softly across mine. “Good. Now, let’s go back to this whole fine thing.”
***
Three weeks later, I’m just getting home from work, my legs almost too tired to carry me to my bedroom.
It’s a Saturday night, so Jasper’s working late at the restaurant. Dustin and Dana went to a movie, which means I have the condo to myself for a bit, and I’m grateful. My feet are killing me, as is my back from bending over my workstation and decorating cupcakes for an anniversary celebration at the furniture store down the street. It’s their twenty-fifth year in business, and they asked me to bake cupcakes for a week-long sale and celebration. I was honored and spent my entire Saturday evening making dozens of special cupcakes for the client.
All I want now is a bubble bath and a glass of wine.
When I push through my door, I’m surprised to find it lit with battery-operated candles on my dresser and nightstand, as well as a bottle of wine chilling in ice on a TV tray. Smiling, I head for the note sitting on my pillow.
Lyndee,
I’ve been watching you work all afternoon, even after you closed for the day, so I wanted to give you a night to relax. Your brother is gone, there’s food warming in the oven, and some fancy bubble bath in your bathroom. I hope you enjoy a little alone time, and if the mood strikes you, you can think of me while you’re in the bath. Just make sure you take pictures…
Jasper
A bark of laughter flies as I glance around, taking in the sight. For someone who doesn’t do the whole dating thing, he’s pretty damn good at it.
I go to the wine and pour myself a small glass before heading to the kitchen to see what’s for dinner. There’s a piece of lasagna in a dish, along with bacon wrapped asparagus and thick garlic toast. My mouth practically waters.
Deciding I need to eat something first, I dive into the dish, recognizing it as one of Jasper’s personal pans from his kitchen. That means, at some point today, he cooked me food. Considering he usually works all day Saturdays, that’s pretty amazing. As I shovel a big bite of food into my mouth and groan, I realize he’s not the only thing amazing.
So is this meal.
I inhale everything he left me before slipping down the hall and filling up the bathtub. The bubbles are lavender, one of my favorites, so I add more than enough and fill the room with the heavenly scent.
I grab my wine glass, take a sip, and search for my phone. There’s a playlist for relaxation, so I fire up John Mayer and strip out of my clothes. Only when I’m up to my neck in bubbles and warm water do I finally feel myself relaxing.
I sit for several minutes, trying not to think about what I need to do tomorrow. The bakery is closed on Sundays, but I always use that day to prep for the week. I place orders, bake bread, and fill any private orders for the upcoming week. Sundays are just as busy as any other day, except I don’t have the foot traffic.
But I refuse to think about that now.
I reach for my phone and pull up my camera. Making sure nothing shows through the bubbles, I snap a quick picture and fire it off with the caption “All that’s missing is you.”
I set my phone down on the toilet cover, knowing he won’t reply for a while. It’s just after seven, which means Jasper’s neck deep in orders. Smiling, I picture him behind the grill, his polo shirt stretched tautly over his arms and chest, as he barks orders to his staff. I can see where some might find him hard to work for, but I find it quite the opposite. I respect the hell out of him, as a businessman and a creator, and his work speaks volumes for both.
My hand slips below the bubbles and rubs across my clit. Sparks of desire race through my veins as I imagine it’s his hand between my legs. My nipples pebble as I hitch a leg up on the side of the tub and press two fingers inside of me. Pleasure takes over as I slide my fingers in and out, picturing Jasper’s intense face as if it were his hand moving beneath the water.
I reach for my phone and pull up the camera. Never having snapped a picture like this before, I boldly lift my hips up so my breasts are above the water and you can see where my fingers are. It’s difficult to take the photo, especially when I try to keep my face out of it, but I manage. As soon as I send it off with the one from earlier, I drop my phone on the rug and let the pleasure take over.
Being with Jasper these last few weeks has meant I’ve not been short in the orgasm department, but there’s something so sexy and liberating about doing it myself. Especially knowing he’ll find out what I’ve been doing when he looks at his phone. I can picture his face now. Those intense chocolate eyes and how they burn with desire and need.
When I come apart, it’s only him that I see, his name I whisper. The water swallows me, as my body coils tight and then releases in bliss. Waves of pleasure ripple through my body, finally leaving me exhausted and ready for bed.
Before I climb out of the tub, I grab my phone and fire off a quick text.
Me:Sorry you missed it. Maybe next time.
Satisfied with the quip, I release the drain and dry off. Smiling, I head back to my bedroom, throw on an oversized sleepshirt and pants, and snuggle beneath the blankets. As I lie there, I imagine the look on his face when he sees my messages. First, the innocent one, then the dirty one.
I know I’ll pay for that later.
At least I hope I do.
