Dirty Cupid Read online

  He read the card, amused at the poem he'd written and the tale he'd created for her.

  "What if you're wrong? What if I believe you and the next thing I know he attacks me and disposes of my body in a secluded dumpster for the CSI team to find?"

  "You have an overactive imagination.” He slid the card to her and met her eyes. “When's the last time you went out?"

  "I go out all the time."

  He snorted. “I live next door to you. I know better."

  "Fine. So what?"

  Wyatt stepped behind the counter, a huge grin on his face. Here was the opportunity to ask her out. To make everything official and end the Cupid routine. Jay frowned at his best friend's mocking and gave his full attention to Tiffani.

  "So what? After working ninety-nine percent of the day you deserve a night out."

  Tiffani shrugged. “I'm packed to the rafters with stuff that needs to be done. I don't have time for a night out."

  "You can take a couple hours for dinner and a movie. My treat.” Jay waited like a school boy trying to gain his first date. Rejection was hard at any age, especially since he liked the girl. Granted, he hadn't been rejected too many times, but nevertheless he didn't want to start racking up the numbers now.

  "You're asking me out?"

  "Why not? You're my neighbour. We've lived beside each other for a few months and I know absolutely nothing about you other than you work all the time.” He leaned closer to her and luckily she didn't pull away. “And besides, you need someone to protect you from the psycho killer who's stalking you."

  She giggled. “I suppose your right. I wouldn't want some psycho-killer-Cupid offing me and throwing me in a dumpster, would I?"

  "So that's a yes?"

  She nodded.

  "Great. I'll see you around seven."

  Tiffani smiled. “See you at seven."

  After she left, Wyatt shook his head. “You aren't planning to keep up this whole Cupid thing, are you? Isn't it kind of lame?"

  "She likes it.” Jay stood to his full height. “So I'll keep doing it."

  "What will it be this time?” Wyatt asked grabbing his order booklet.

  Jay read the list of rose colour meanings and picked the one he liked the best. Jay pointed to the picture and Wyatt's jaw dropped. The colour symbolised love at first sight. The perfect symbol of enchantment. Jay grabbed a card and scribbled down a few words.

  "One dozen, Wyatt.” He handed the card to his friend. “And have them delivered as well."

  Chapter Two

  Tiffani tidied her shop two hours after closing, nowhere near complete with Marie's gown. Sasha had worked on all the bridesmaid gowns and had them ready for the wedding. All that was left was the final fitting and the tailoring. The bridal gown however had a little more work to be done, making Tiffani regret planning the date with Jay.

  Sasha came in the backroom with her purse and jacket at hand. “Go have fun, Tiff. You deserve a night out."

  "Yeah.” Tiffani looked at the dress in question.

  The fabric was so delicate one wrong stitch would mean a total disaster and an expensive mistake. She couldn't afford that kind of mistake either, having ordered the silk from Italy and paying an arm and leg for it. Granted, she was getting plenty in compensation, but one screw up and it was the end. She'd breach the contract, lose the biggest client she ever had and gain a bad reputation for her disaster. Not to mention, the stupid dress was due by this Friday—the day before Valentine's.

  "Go have fun with the hottie you've talked about non-stop."

  Ten minutes until seven, Tiffani pulled into the drive and found Jay standing on the porch talking to their neighbour. Mr. Keller was an older man, widowed and famous for his flower garden which took up nearly all his back yard. From what she'd gathered after living there for five months, Mr. Keller enjoyed company though company didn't come around a lot.

  "Hey, Tiff,” Jay said in greeting, breaking his conversation from Mr. Keller. “You know Ken don't you?"

  "Yes. It's nice to see you again, Mr. Keller.” Tiffani gave the older man a smile.

  "It's nice to see you too, dearie. Work keeping you busy lately?” Mr. Keller's eyes crinkled at the edges offsetting his white hair and moustache.

  "Extremely.” She inserted the key into her lock while trying to balance her briefcase and the garment bag she'd carried home with her.

  "Well, I need to get back home. It's getting a bit chilly out here. The weatherman called for snow tonight."

  Tiffani bit back a groan and waved goodbye to Mr. Keller. Snow meant problems and she couldn't afford problems until Marie Stewart was on her honeymoon.

  "Let me get that.” Jay grabbed her briefcase from her shoulder.

  "Thanks.” After unlocking the door and flicking on the lights she motioned for Jay to enter her home. “You can set that on the couch."

  Tiffani hung the garment bag on the closet door in the hallway and sighed. Too much to do in so little time. Valentine's Day was approaching and the dress didn't even resemble the garment Marie wanted for her wedding. Final fittings were approaching, and the intricate details needed to be completed tonight. Tiffani glanced at Jay who'd obviously put two and two together. She didn't have time for romance, date or sex for that matter. She didn't have time for anything but work.

  "Don't you dare back out on me, Tiffani."

  "I have too much to do. The dress doesn't even resemble something the bride would wear right now. It looks like a wad of white fabric. A very expensive Italian silk wad of fabric."

  Jay crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “You can make time for a meal. We'll skip the movie for now, but you need to eat. Hell, you're nothing but skin and bones as it is. When is the last time you ate a decent meal?"

  She hated that he was right. “I'm sorry."

  "One hour. You can eat at my place and spend one hour with me. After that you can work your heart out until your fingers are bleeding and your eyes are bloodshot.” Jay's expression was anything but understanding. She saw desire in his eyes. He looked at her as if she was a model, centred on the runway. She didn't feel like a model and sure as hell didn't understand what he liked about her.

  Her gaze roamed from the briefcase on the couch to the garment bag hanging beside her. What could she lose in one hour's time? And in all honesty, she did have to eat. Eating sounded good since she skipped both breakfast and lunch only a few snacks throughout the day. What could be the harm in having dinner with the handsome neighbour she'd lusted after since the day he'd moved in next door?

  "Fine. One hour, and then I have to work."

  * * * *

  One hour. The thought replayed constantly in his head while he checked his famous lasagne. Five more minutes. He'd suspected she'd pull some stunt like this, so he prepared everything beforehand so when she got home, the whole “one hour” plea would be legit. They'd eat, talk and hopefully, he'd convince her to stay longer.

  "Smile, Tiff, and relax. You act like you're about to face the firing squad.” Jay closed the oven door and smiled at her. Slowly, she ran her tongue along her lower lip. Her eyes darted to the clock as if she counted down the seconds until her hour was over. He needed to take her mind off it, off work or this dinner date would be a disaster.

  "Why did you ask me out? I mean I don't understand why someone like you would want to converse with someone like me. I'm totally boring and not much fun,” she said.

  Jay stared, amused. “I asked you out because I like you. I wanted to have fun with someone I find interesting. Plus, you need protection from Cupid, the psycho killer."

  She laughed and allowed her shoulders to relax. “What exactly do you do? You're always home when I come in so I never see you leave for work."

  The timer beeped and Jay focused his attention on the food. “I'm an agent at my family's real estate firm. I'm over the commercial properties division and maintain up-to-date information for our clients on the best places in the city to buy commercial p
roperty."

  Jay removed the dish from the oven and placed it on the stove.

  "That smells delicious. Do you always cook for your dates?” To his surprise, Tiffani stood right beside him peering at the dish he'd made.

  "Only the special ones.” He stepped behind her to grab a couple of plates. It'd been five years since he cooked for a woman, and the last woman was his mother who'd requested his famous chicken noodle soup when she was sick.

  Tiffani glanced over her shoulder at him, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. Her body was inches from his yet she wanted to have a civilised conversation? Jay applauded himself for keeping his hands off her, but the playful look shimmering in her eyes and the teasing hint of her smile tested him. His dirty mind didn't help matters. Cupid wanted to come out and play, in more ways than one. He swallowed hard. Don't make an embarrassing first impression by getting hard in front of her right now.

  He leaned forward slightly, smelling a hint of her perfume. “Besides, I hear women love men who can cook."

  Jay set the plates on the counter behind her, conveniently pinning her in his arms. The tension and uneasiness from earlier left her body. Jay scooted closer brushing her arms with his. He wanted to kiss her and the look in her eyes said she wanted it too.

  "That's not the only trait women love about men.” Her voice turned husky, as the playful teasing continued. “Women also love men who can kiss. One who knows how to do it right."

  "Really? You the expert? Just how many men have you kissed?"

  "Enough to know the difference.” Before he could reply, she pressed her lips against his cheek and whispered. “I bet you taste as good as you look."

  Jay gulped when Tiffani started nibbling along his cheek. Of the two of them, he hadn't expected her to make the first move. Evidentially there was more to sweet innocent workaholic Tiffani than he knew.

  She slowly worked her way to his lips. Her hands fisted in his shirt, while he cupped her head and held her against his mouth. He parted his lips and her tongue traced his upper lip in a slow, seductive tease. Jay moaned and tried to deepen the kiss, but Tiffani stopped him. She played with his lips, nibbling along the lower one until finally, blessedly, her tongue met his.

  Jay tilted her head and took over, kissing her hard and demanding. In five seconds this woman broke all his control, all his good intentions. He wanted to fuck her right now in the kitchen, food be damned.

  His hands went to the front of her shirt, while her fingers dug into the muscles of his back. He ripped the garment open and cupped her breast, rolling her nipple beneath the lace of her bra. Tiffani moaned into his mouth and pressed closer, begging him for more.

  And more, he wanted to give her.

  He broke the kiss and took her nipple in his mouth. Tiffani arched her back and clutched his hair. “Oh, God, Jay."

  He pulled her away from the stove and pushed her against the cabinet, pelvis to pelvis. His hands worked on the clasp of her jeans. He returned his mouth to hers and pushed her pants down. He didn't bother speaking and lifted her onto the counter discarding her jeans and stepping between her legs.

  She tugged at his shirt before finally pulling it over his head. The next few moments were a frenzy. Both tugged and pulled at clothing until the only things Tiffani wore were her panties and bra, cups down exposing her breasts. She'd somehow managed to get his pants down to his knees and then her hands were in his boxers.

  She clasped him and a lightning bolt of pleasure shot throughout his body. Jay gritted his teeth in an effort to maintain control, but Tiffani's hand stroking his cock made it impossible. He removed her hand, sliding his own up her thigh. Jay kissed her again, slow and deep taking his time to explore her mouth.

  He folded his arms around her and pulled her to his body, a hand on each of her ass cheeks. “I can't hold back much longer, babe. Are you sure you want this?"

  She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him. “I haven't had sex in a really long time. Hell yeah, I want this, and I want it with you. Don't hold back."

  She meant what she said, and Jay took her at her word. If she hadn't been so aroused and needing him inside her, she would have laughed. Tiffani barely had time to admire Jay's cock before he pulled her to him. He kissed her, something she learned quickly he liked to do. Perhaps she started it and he couldn't get enough. His fingers brushed her panties, pulling the scrap of cotton aside. Her body blazed at his touch, seeking more.

  His finger brushed her bare pussy, dipping between her lips and into her moisture. Tiffani cried out in need. Her muscles gripped him, refusing to let him go.

  "You're drenched, baby, fucking wet.” He inserted another finger. “And so damn tight."

  Tiffani bit her lower lip arching towards him. His lips trailed down her neck, hitting every sensitive spot he could find and teased. A small scrape of teeth here, a sweet kiss there and a desirable lick in between. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer, trapping him.

  "If you know what's best for you,” she whispered against his lips. “You'll start fucking me now."

  Tiffani kissed him, curious as to where her sudden brazenness had come from. Never in her life had she demanded anything from anyone. She never took the lead in sex, never initiated the first kiss. She'd never even considered having crazy, horny sex on the freaking counter in Jay's kitchen. She didn't know if he liked or disliked her taking charge, but he obeyed her wishes.

  Directing his cock to her, he spread her pussy wide with one hand and thrust to the hilt. She screamed out and Jay gave her no mercy. As quick as he entered he retreated, each hard thrust followed by a slow withdrawal, igniting a delicious friction inside her. At some point, Jay lifted her off the counter, his fingers like steel as he took her in sweet, strong thrusts and pounded his flesh inside hers.

  "God, Tiff.” He panted and grunted, with his eyes closed and his teeth bared. “I'm going to come."

  She was almost there, too. The harder he thrust the closer he pushed her. She cupped his cheeks and forced him to kiss her, taking his mouth like he took her body. She needed more, though, and she needed it now. She reached between them, finding her slippery clit, and rolled it between her fingers.

  "Oh, fuck.” Before Jay could finish his two word sentence he came hard, his eyes glued to the spot where they were connected and what her fingers did to her body. She came after him undulating her pelvis against him. Her upper body fell back against the cabinets while her back arched in nothing but pleasure.

  "I'm not done with you, babe.” Jay brushed her hair from her face and kissed her nose. “You got to be bossy this time, but next time I call the shots."

  A sinful smile graced his mouth. She could imagine what he had in store for her. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm hungry—for food,” she added quickly. “And that lasagne is probably cold by now."

  Tiffani shivered a bit and looked down at her dishevelled state. The thought lingered in her mind as she watched Jay, that she needed to work. The longer she stayed away from the sewing machine, the more stress it would create about finishing Marie's dress by the deadline.

  Jay tempted her in more ways than one and staying here only promised that she'd eventually give into that temptation. It was all too easy for her to picture the two of them curled up by the fireplace waiting out the supposed snowstorm Mr. Keller mentioned. Jay would lie beside her, holding her close to his body. They might kiss and make love again on the floor, this time slow and sensual, taking their time to explore and memorise each other's bodies. She sighed. No matter how great the fantasy, it couldn't happen. Not tonight.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I-I need to go. I've got a really tight deadline to meet and I have plenty of work to do.” She slid off the counter and gathered her clothing. “If my customer wasn't paying me a huge amount I'd ask Sasha to take care of it, but this is one of my biggest clients. As a small business owner, I depend on the big clients to keep me in business. I have to get this dress done tonight.” S
he pulled her panties into place and resituated her bra. “Please understand, Jay. This is really important."

  She stepped into her jeans and pulled on her shirt only buttoning the two that remained on the front. He stood to the side in his boxers staring at her as she dressed. He didn't say anything, simply waited for her to leave, she supposed. For any other guy she'd say ‘screw ‘em’ but for some weird reason, she actually wanted more with Jay. What—she didn't know, but she did want more.

  "Say something."

  "What's left to say? Your hour is up. I get the picture."

  Tiffani stared dumfounded. “Jay, it's not like that. We're just a two person team who makes custom formalwear. I swear if I didn't have to work—"

  "Just go."

  Tiffani pursed her lips and turned to leave. Her plans for the evening hadn't transpired as she'd hoped. She couldn't ignore the hurt on Jay's face or the fact she'd practically used him. That was never her intention, but that was the way she'd made it seem. That was the way Jay had taken it. She stepped inside her darkened house and immediately felt the loneliness it provided. Normally coming home to work made her happy. She loved what she did and did it well. But as soon as she opened her door, the last thing she wanted to do was sit at a sewing machine and create an elegant dress for someone that would soon have everything Tiffani wanted.

  Chapter Three

  Jay entered Cupids Arrow's at eight the next morning scowling at Wyatt who stood behind the counter. “From the look on your face, I take it the date didn't go well?"

  "Shut up.” Jay grabbed a barstool and sat. “She came over, we fucked in the kitchen and she left."

  "So you got off. Why are you pissed?"

  "I don't know.” He'd been asking himself that question ever since she stepped out of his house. The sex was great, but he should have taken more time with her. At least carried her to the bed or couch, something to keep her mind on him and off the clock.