The Secret Ingredient Page 10

  * * * *

  The fact that he had gotten so into her he’d forgotten to cover made her want him all over again. If all they had going was sex, then she would take it. For now.

  He began to caress her again as she reached in to adjust the shower. She swatted his hands away.

  “Down boy.”

  “Too late.”

  Her eyes went from his grin down the length of his body to the erection already swelling. She smiled. He was huge, and she loved it. Forgetting the shower, she stepped up to him and rubbed her belly against him. He ducked his head and kissed her, his tongue teasing her lips until she let him inside. Her arms wrapped around his neck while she kissed him back, sliding her tongue around his until he groaned.

  Her hand circled his shaft and slowly stroked. “Is that what you want?” she murmured against his lips.

  “That and so much more. I want to come inside you, baby. Let me get a condom.”

  “I have some in here.”

  She opened a drawer and pulled out a box. She knelt in front of him with the package. There was something she had to do before she put the condom on. Wrapping her hand around his shaft again, she bent her head and took as much of him into her mouth as she could.

  He groaned, his big body quivering. His hands were flat against the wall behind him and his head was thrown back, his body and his hips arched toward her.

  “Oh, Becca. That feels so good. No one...” his voice trailed off in a groan. She glanced up and saw he’d turned his face to the side, a flush on his cheeks.

  No one had done that for him? Not even his wife? Becca swirled her tongue around the head of his shaft before licking her way down.

  “Please, Becca. Let me...”

  “No,” she murmured leaning her cheek against his hip. “Let me do this for you. I want to.”

  She had never been keen on this with any of the other men with whom she’d had sex, but Eli was different because no one had done this for him. His groans turned to harsh pants and his hands fisted in her hair. “Becca, baby.”

  “Come, Eli. Do it.” He was nearly sobbing. The condom was long forgotten. Becca focused only on his climax, her own excitement nearly as great as his just watching his reactions to her intimate caresses. She took as much of him as she could. As his hands held her head in place, he came, breaths erupting in harsh cries as he filled her mouth, and her own climax roared through her.

  Eli slid down the wall and pulled her onto his lap, burying his face against her hair as he continued to shake. Becca smoothed her hands over his broad shoulders. “It’s all right,” she whispered, feeling for some reason that he needed comforting.

  “Becca.” He whispered it again and again, his hands trembling as they moved over her.

  “Has no one...?”

  He shook his head. “It’s my size. I’m too big.”

  “You’re perfect.”

  He pressed her face against his chest, his heart beating heavily. He was too emotional, and she didn’t want him to say anything, not now, not when all it might really be was gratitude.

  “Shower,” she said firmly. “Before it gets cold.”

  Afterward, they dressed and went back downstairs, avoiding any more discussion of what had happened in her apartment. So much more than sex. No matter where they ended up, Becca knew they had already gone way beyond just being able to keep it at friends with benefits.

  She glanced at the clock, reluctant to let him go before he had to. “You still have an hour. Would you like some fresh coffee and some of Jared’s raspberry pecan cake?”

  He smiled. “Thanks. I seem to have worked up an appetite.”

  She laughed as she poured two fresh cups. “Imagine that.”

  As she handed him a mug and plate, he said. “I saw Caleb this morning.”

  She glanced at him from under her lashes. “And how did that go?”

  “He told me to stay away from you or he’d pound me. I told him to mind his own business. We’re both adults.”

  Becca nodded. “Pretty much what I told him last night. You know he’s staying?”

  Eli nodded around a mouthful of cake. After swallowing, he stared down at it. “Jared made this?”

  “His recipe. Can you believe it?”

  “You going to make him a partner?”

  Becca raised her brows. “I’ve thought of it, and you’re not kidding are you?”

  “Hell no. This is great.”

  She sipped her coffee. “He’s changed at lot in the last year. Before Luke and Rachel got married, he was so angry. Now he’s like a different kid. I guess his Mom had really done a number on both kids. Then Rachel came along. She’s really incredible.”

  “Tough too,” Eli chuckled. “I remember having her for English.” He sobered. “Are you okay with all this Becca?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He shrugged uncomfortably. “You’ve got your brothers all drawing in the wagons around you. I—I don’t want you to think my interest is just because of that. Because you were something out of reach.”

  She touched his hand where it lay on the table. “I’m a big girl, Eli. You and me? That’s our business, not theirs.”

  * * * *

  Later that evening, Eli was back in the office working on payroll for the week since most of the other diners had already left.

  Ruthie stuck her head in the door. “Is there something you need to tell me, Boss Man?”

  Eli looked up. “I don’t think so. What makes you ask?”

  “Oh, the contingent of frowning Allred brothers now parked in the dining room.”

  Eli refused to look at her. “Did you get their orders?”

  “Sure. Three teas, four cheeseburger plates – Caleb wanted two – and your head on a platter. I mean, they asked if you would join them.”

  Shit. It appeared keeping what was between Becca and him private was a lot harder than it seemed. Since he hadn’t taken Caleb’s warning seriously this morning, they were all there to do the arm twisting. Eli sighed.

  They’d practically grown up together. There were no secrets among them, especially between him and Caleb. They’d gone skinny dipping together, spent the night at each other’s houses and sneaked girls out in high school. That was probably why Caleb was being such an asshole. Who wanted a freak with his sister?

  Eli stalked out front.

  “Hi guys. Ruthie said y’all were out here. Mind if I join you?”

  He focused on Jake who seemed like the most level-headed of the group. Of course he supposed Jake had to be. He did have his position as chief of police to consider. It probably wouldn’t look good for him to be seen publicly beating one of the town’s merchants.

  * * * *

  Becca had gone to the park to walk. It helped relax her before she went to bed at night. She yawned as she rounded the corner on the square. Because she had been thinking about him, she automatically turned to look at Mercer’s. Eli would be finishing up for the night since it was already eight-thirty. But when she saw the four men gathered around the table in the middle of the empty dining room, Becca’s step faltered. Luke, Caleb, Jake, and Eli. Luke and Caleb scowled. Jake’s expression was impassive, and Eli leaned back in his chair with his arms folded across his wide chest.

  This was not good. Becca watched Caleb speak, his hand slicing through the air to emphasize a point. As he continued talking, Eli’s expression darkened and his brows came together. Even as she watched the signs of his anger, she realized her own anger was spiraling upward.

  Why wouldn’t they listen to her? She was not a kid in need of their protection! Shoving her door key back inside her hip pocket, Becca marched around the square. Enough was enough. It was time for her brothers to back off and stop trying to run her life.

  When she pulled open the front door with enough force to have it slam against the stopper, all four men turned. Eli’s dark eyes glowed for a moment with remembered heat, and Becca blushed as she met his stare. Then her gaze slipped to each of h
er brothers one by one until she stopped at Caleb.

  “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, Caleb Allred?”

  He slid his chair back and stood. “What my two older brothers should have already done...protecting your interests.”

  She braced her fists on her hips and glared at him. “And I told you,” she glanced around, “All of you, to stay out of it. It’s my life. It’s between Eli and me.”

  “Not when he disappears inside your business—your closed business—for two hours in the middle of the afternoon. For God’s sake Becca, do you want everyone in town saying you’re a slut?”

  Eli’s chair scraped back as he leaped to his feet. As tall as Caleb, he was heavier through the chest and shoulders and right now he was pissed.

  “Enough! Don’t you dare say that word again in reference to Becca.”

  Caleb jumped up too. “Then don’t make her into one.”

  Eli’s fist flew before Caleb barely had the last word uttered. Her brother’s head snapped back. Luke and Jake both leaped to their feet to separate the two men, but Becca was there first pushing in front of Eli to face her brother just as Caleb’s fist shot forward. Before he could pull back, Caleb clipped her in the jaw. Becca stumbled back and Eli caught her.

  As everything went in and out of focus around her, she vaguely heard swearing.

  “Damn it, Caleb!” It was Jake. But that couldn’t be. Jake never swore.

  Then Eli’s voice just above her head. “Get some ice, Ruthie.”

  “Let me take a look,” Luke murmured.

  She closed her eyes as gentle fingers probed her jaw and told her to open and close. Eli held ice to her cheek while he cradled her against his chest and gently rocked her.

  “It’s okay, baby,” he murmured against her ear. “He didn’t mean it. Oh Becca, baby, open your eyes and let me see you’re all right.”

  In the background, Jake said, “Hey, Ruthie, bring some ice for numb nuts here too. His nose looks a lot worse than Becca’s jaw.”

  “Ow! Damn it, Luke, what are you doing?”

  “Checking to see if Eli broke it, idiot. It’d serve you right if he did.”

  “Oh yeah. Like it was only my idea to come down here.”

  Becca turned her face to Eli’s chest and began to cry. She was angry, embarrassed, and in pain.

  “Take me home, Eli. Please, just take me home.”

  “Anything you want. You want me to carry you or can you walk?”

  Becca gazed into his pale face. “I’ll walk. I’ve already been embarrassed enough tonight.”

  He helped her stand, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and tucked her close against his side as he glared at her three brothers.

  “I want you gone when I get back. Becca’s right. This is between her and me. We can’t stop people from gossiping. You might not like me, but you three could at least give her a little support.”

  “Eli...” Caleb began, but Eli cut him off.

  “Don’t say anything else, Caleb. Not tonight. You’re testing the limits of our friendship.” Over his shoulder he looked at Ruthie. “Tell my dad to bring Bash over to Becca’s and ask him if he can close up.”

  Becca hid her face and the ice pack against Eli’s broad chest, hoping no one else would be out to see. How humiliating! All of them gathered around the table talking about her as if she was incapable of thinking for herself. When her breath caught on another sob, Eli’s arm tightened around her. She drew some comfort from that.

  “Where’s your key, Becky?” he murmured, reverting back to her nickname when she was just a little girl. Becca dug in her pocket and handed it to him. He guided her upstairs and turned on the lights in her apartment. “What do you sleep in, baby?”

  Becca shook her head then winced. “You don’t have to do this.”

  Eli’s dark eyes held emotions she couldn’t even begin to deal with right now. “You walked in front of a punch for me. I owe you.”

  Her lip trembled. Eli knelt next to where she sat on her king-sized bed and wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t baby. Please don’t. I’m so sorry to have brought all this down on you. Let me help you get ready for bed. I know you have to get up early. I’ll go just as soon as I’m sure you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine.”

  He stroked her hair back from her face. “I just want to make sure. I’ve seen my share of punches and seen plenty of men end up with concussions from a blow like you got. Now let me help you change before Dad gets here with Bash.”

  The next couple of minutes were torture for both of them as he unbuttoned her blouse and went through the process of undressing her. Eli’s breathing was ragged and his hands trembled when he touched her. Becca put one hand over his. There was such remorse in his eyes as he looked into hers.

  “I’m such a pig,” he grated. “Here you are hurt, and all I can do is think with my cock. Your brothers are right, Becca. You’re too good for me.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” she whispered again, although right now she wanted nothing more than to have him there with her even if he was just helping her change.

  “Stand up, so we can get those jeans off.” When he pulled them down her thighs, she knew exactly the moment his gaze caught the lacy pink thong that just barely covered her bare sex. He went completely still, even his breathing coming to a halt.

  “Where’s your nightgown?” His voice was like gravel.

  “I sleep in the shirt hanging on the back of the door.”

  * * * *

  Eli grabbed it without much thought other than he needed to cover up what was on display at the moment. God, he was such a jerk for wanting her. She was hurt, for Christ’s sake. It wasn’t until he slipped it over her head that he saw it was his old football jersey. He’d given it to her as a joke when he graduated.

  “This way you can think of me every night when you go to sleep, Becky.”

  Caleb had punched him then. In fact, it had been their biggest fight until tonight. Caleb had just suspected what Eli had felt. Noah was the one who’d truly known, but Noah had always been a little different than his brothers. When he’d discovered Eli’s secret fantasy, he’d given him a hard look and asked, “You gonna do anything about it? She’s still a kid. She should stay that way for a few years.” That, more than any punch, had knocked sense into Eli, and he’d backed off...except for giving her the shirt.

  But God she looked beautiful in it, and he was floored that she still had his old jersey.

  They both heard the bells jingle on the door downstairs.

  “Get in bed. I’ll just do down and get Bash from my dad and let him know what’s going on.”

  She lifted wary green eyes to him. “Please just go, Eli. I’m so embarrassed.”

  He stroked her forehead. “You have no reason to be. I do. Your brothers do, but never you. I’ll be right back.”

  He heard her suck in a shaky breath as he let himself out of her bedroom and sprinted down the steps. His father stood just inside the darkened bakery with Bash holding his hand.

  “Where’s Becca, Daddy?” Bash asked, his big blue eyes gazing around curiously.

  “She’s upstairs in bed. Why don’t you run on up there? Her room’s at the back. I know she’ll be glad to see you, sport.”

  With a quick grin, Bash stomped up the stairs as fast as his little legs would carry him. Eli turned to his dad.

  “Wanna tell me what’s going on?” his father asked. “I stop in at the restaurant and find the Allred boys looking stone-faced, well except for Caleb who’s well on the way to having two black eyes and a nose swollen up like loaf bread, and you’re over here with their sister who is in bed?”

  Chapter 7

  Eli raked his hand back through his hair and sighed. “They heard I was seeing her. Hell, I guess everybody’s heard that.”

  “If you mean that lame story about her giving you the Heimlich maneuver that’s all over Facebook? Yeah. There’s even a few people that might believe it
.”

  “But not you.”

  “I’ll believe what you tell me, son,” Greg Mercer stated. “But I’d prefer you didn’t give me the Heimlich maneuver tale.”

  “We have a relationship. I don’t think either one of us knows where it’s headed yet, but her brothers are taking exception to it. They stopped in to confront me. Becca saw them on her way back from her evening walk, I guess, and came in. She and Caleb got into it. I punched him in the nose and Becca stepped in between us just in time to catch Caleb’s uppercut.”

  “Jesus!” Greg’s eyes went toward the stairs. “Is she all right? You think she needs to go to the hospital?”

  Eli tugged at his ear. “Maybe, but she’s too embarrassed. I figured Bash and I can keep an eye on her for a while until I’m sure she doesn’t have a concussion.”

  His dad nodded. “I’ll close for you.” As Eli began to turn away, his dad laid a hand on his arm. “You have feelings for her?”

  Eli nodded. “Yeah, Dad, I do, and it scares the hell out of me.”

  “Good. If it didn’t, I’d be worried. Becca’s a beautiful woman, Eli. I know you’re leery of involvement after Heather, but don’t shut Becca out because of that.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  He locked the door after his dad and sprinted back upstairs. When he entered Becca’s bedroom, he found Bash curled up next to her, helping her hold the ice pack to her face.

  “Becca’s got a boo-boo,” his son informed him. “Her bwother gave it to her. I think he should say sowwy.”

  Eli nodded and looked at Becca, relieved to see a twinkle in her eyes.

  “I think he’s very sorry, Bash,” she murmured.

  “Do you want Daddy to kiss it and make it better?” Bash asked soulfully. “It always helps me.”

  “I think that’s an excellent idea, Bash,” Eli murmured. As he bent over Becca, Bash removed the ice pack so Eli could gently press his lips against her jaw. “Is that better?”

  “Yes.” He liked the breathiness in her voice.

  As their eyes met, he realized he’d like nothing better than to spend all night long kissing her and making it better. He cleared his throat. “Run along into the living room, Bash. I’m going to tuck Miss Becca in, and then you and I will stay for a little while to make sure she falls asleep all right.”