Past Promises

Chapter Six

The next few weeks flew by at the speed of light for Linda. Past Promises was doing a brisk business as word got around about her shop and the number of tourists passing through Jamesville increased. Cyndi was promoting Past Promises at her B&B, Stone Manor. The two of them had worked out an advertising campaign where anyone who stayed a night at the B&B got a discount at the store. In return, Linda handed out brochures for Cyndi’s B&B to all her customers.

She’d also hired her first employee. Dana Sampson was finishing her last year of high school. The girl had presented herself the first week the business was open. Quiet but competent, she’d handed Linda a resume and told her she was available to work weekends now and full-time in the summer and maybe beyond. Dana was looking for a job to earn some money while she pursued her passion of painting. She could have had a reception job at her father’s auto body and repair shop, but she didn’t want that. It was the only time during the impromptu interview that Dana had acted like a teenager, screwing up her nose at the thought of working in her father’s garage.

Linda appreciated the girl’s honesty and had hired her a few days later. The girl had immediately become invaluable. She had a wonderful eye for display, was punctual, could follow instructions and was surprisingly good with the customers. The fact that Dana had grown up in Jamesville meant she knew everyone in town and the surrounding area.

As Linda had settled into a routine at work, she’d found time to socialize, getting together with her friends on several occasions for lunch or dinner. Amanda had tagged along with her last weekend when she’d gone to an estate sale an hour’s drive away. Both of them had scored big. Amanda had been in raptures over the boxes of books she’d bought. Linda recognized the enthusiasm in herself. They both loved the old and the unique. She’d taken home four boxes of china and trinkets herself, along with some good costume jewelry, two chairs and a small table.

People in town were beginning to know her on sight now, calling out a greeting to her as she picked up her mail or shopped. It felt…nice.

Linda glanced at the clock. It was almost time for her to open for the day, but she still had a half hour to enjoy her tea. She closed her account book, leaned back in her chair and stared out the front window of Past Promises to Main Street beyond. It was a beautiful May morning, the sun was shining and she was happy.

And Levi was a big part of that happiness.

Levi brought her lunch every other day, stopping to share it with her if she wasn’t busy with customers. He’d lugged boxes, made several furniture deliveries and put up several new shelves in the shop for her.

They spent evenings together just talking, watching movies or even playing board games. She’d discovered his passion for board games when she’d picked up a dozen at a yard sale and brought them upstairs one evening to check to see if they had all their pieces. The games were still being made today, but these were original ones and still in near-mint condition. She knew some collector would love them. They’d ended up playing two of the games. Levi was very competitive, but so was she. Linda had laughed until her stomach hurt.

Some evenings she had to work. With any business, there was always a ton of paperwork to be done. Levi would either leave her alone while she dug through the mounds of paperwork or he would sit in her living room reading or tapping away on his laptop. She had no idea what he was doing and didn’t feel she could ask. After all, they were having an affair, not planning a future together.

Partly, it was a defense mechanism on her part. She knew she was already half in love with Levi but had no idea how much longer he was going to be in Jamesville. She had no clue as to how much money he had, but even with the free rent he was getting from her for his work on the renovation, he had to be thinking about how he was going to live.

Then there were the nights. Her entire body clenched at the mere thought. Levi was an insatiable lover and a generous one. They’d made love everywhere. She could feel her cheeks heating as memories bombarded her. They’d had sex in the bathtub, on the kitchen counter, the table, the sofa and even one night in the stairwell.

He’d come in through the private entrance of the building just as she was locking the inside door to the shop. She’d smiled at him and started up the stairs to her apartment. He hadn’t said a word, but halfway up he’d stopped her, whirled her around and kissed her.

Clothing had been quickly discarded as he’d pulled her down and taken her on the floor of the landing, driving into her so hard she’d had to push her hands against the wall to keep from hitting her head. He’d taken her hard and fast and she’d loved it. It had been an intense and extremely erotic experience.

Shaking off the erotic memory, she squirmed uncomfortably in her chair, trying to ignore the fact that her panties were damp. The man was bringing out a side of her she’d never known existed. Around him, she felt alive and sensual and free to take what she wanted.

And it wouldn’t last.

She sighed. But at least she could enjoy it for now.

“That was a big sigh, darlin’.”

Linda jerked around in her chair, her heart pounding. Levi stood behind her looking as sexy as ever in a pair of blue jeans and a faded blue chambray shirt. He perched on the corner of her desk and crossed his arms over his massive chest. She swallowed another sigh.

“I swear I’m going to get that bell for you.” She put her worries away and smiled at him, ignoring all thoughts of doom and gloom.

Levi tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers grazed the sensitive lobe before he trailed them down the curve of her neck. Her breath caught in her chest before resuming at a much more rapid rate. Her nipples tightened, becoming visible through her bra and the thin silk of her blouse.

“Wouldn’t do much good,” he informed her as he let his fingers slide over her collarbone.

“No?” Her reply was little more than a breathy gasp.

He shook his head. His dark hair shimmered and settled back around his shoulders. “Nope.” He continued the gentle caress, back and forth over her skin exposed by the V-neck of her blouse. “I’d just silence the bell.” One long finger dipped into her cleavage.

Linda bit her bottom lip, barely stifling a moan of pleasure. “Did you want something?” Now that was a stupid question.

“Oh yeah, I definitely want something.” He withdrew his hand and held it out to her. “I need you to see something in the storage room.”

“The storage room?” She felt like a parrot, but she couldn’t keep the disbelief from her voice even as she took his hand. Here she was, body primed, ready to explode and he wanted to show her something in the storage room.

“Yeah.” He pulled her out of her chair and led her to the storage room. The moment she crossed the threshold, the door closed behind them. His big body crowded hers back against the door. “I lied.”

“Did you now?” She grasped his shoulders for support as she peppered his neck and chin and jaw with kisses. He always looked and smelled so good.

He grunted and pressed his lower body against hers, rubbing his erection against her stomach. “Yeah. You don’t need to see anything, but I sure as hell do.”

His fingers made quick work of the buttons on her blouse and he carefully spread the silk back. A low hum broke from deep in his chest as he flicked open the front clasp of her bra. The lacy material fell away, revealing her breasts.

Levi clasped the globes in his hands and let his thumb circle the areolas. “This is what I wanted to see. So tight and pink. Like juicy berries.” He lowered his head, his breath warm and moist against her flesh.

Her core clenched and cream dampened her panties. Threading her fingers through his hair, she tugged his mouth closer. He gave a satisfied laugh, captured one peak in his mouth and suckled.

Linda gasped at the delicious sensations that surged through her. As always, the moment he touched her, all other thoughts fled except getting closer to the man in front of her.

His hands skimmed down her sides, molding her hips and thighs. She groaned when he touched her calves. He changed directions then, his fingers moving steadily upward, pushing beneath the hem of her skirt. The material bunched as he shoved it around her waist.

He released her nipple with one final tug and knelt on the floor in front of her. “Oh darlin’.” He raised his head and smiled as his fingers brushed her bare thighs. She was wearing thigh-high stockings rather than pantyhose. “You are so damn sexy.” His fingers skimmed the crotch of her lace panties.

She sucked in a breath as he barely touched her swollen clit.

“You’re wet and ready for me. Aren’t you?”

She nodded as he repeated the caresses, a strangled cry breaking from her lips. Her body was on fire. Her breasts were swollen, the tips wet from his mouth. Her skirt was shoved up around her waist, exposing her damp underwear. She was mostly dressed, yet felt more exposed than if she were naked. She felt wanton and voluptuous.

“Will you let me touch you?” His fingers skimmed the waistband of her panties. “Taste you?”

“God, yes.” She grabbed his head and tugged it closer.

Levi swore and yanked at her panties. She heard them rip, but didn’t care. He pushed her legs apart and dived between them. His mouth was on her, hot and wet. He pressed two fingers inside her, pushing them deep.

“Yes,” she panted. She hooked one of her legs over his shoulders, opening herself wider for him.

He gave a murmur of approval as he continued to eat her up. He flicked his tongue against her clit, circling it several times before he took it between his lips and sucked. He worked his fingers in and out of her core, stretching her, filling her.

Her scalp tingled. Her body ached, strained for release. He’d barely started, but already she could feel the familiar feelings racing through her body. This was going to be over quickly.

He stroked into her again, grazing her sweet spot on the way out.

Linda screamed, her hips pumping hard as she came. Heat flashed over her, through her. Levi continued to suck and lick her pussy, driving his fingers hard. Her orgasm seemed to go on forever. Finally, she couldn’t bear it any longer. Tugging at his hair, she tried to pull him away. “Enough,” she gasped.

His actions grew gentler, more soothing, until he finally released her and sat back on his heels. He licked his lips and smiled. Another shudder went through her and more cream slipped from her core.

It took her a second to come back to her senses. Levi was still obviously aroused. The front of his jeans had an obvious bulge. She started to slip to her knees, but he stopped her.

“No time.” He gave her a rueful grin. “You’ve got to open up in five minutes.”

“Ohmygod.” She’d totally forgotten about work.

Levi pulled a couple of tissues out of his pocket and handed them to her. After she cleaned herself up as best she could, she held the tissues up, not quite knowing what to do with them. He calmly took them from her and stuffed them back into his pocket. He eased her skirt back down. Goose bumps broke out on her skin and her sensitive flesh quivered.

“Sorry about your panties.” He held them up. They were ruined, the band ripped in several places. He tucked the material in his other back pocket.

She tugged the ends of her bra together and fastened it. She didn’t want to think about having to go for part of the day without underwear. A quick glance at her watch told her that, if she was fast, she had time to run upstairs, grab another pair of panties and freshen up. She’d only be a few minutes late opening.

Levi pushed aside her trembling hands and quickly did up her buttons. Linda tucked the garment back in where it had come out of the waistband of her skirt. She straightened her skirt and took a deep breath. Levi raked his fingers though his hair.

He looked exactly as he had before this started. Well, except for the prominent bulge in the front of his jeans. She, on the other hand, felt hot and sticky. A complete mess.

“You look fine.”

She narrowed her gaze and glared at him. The man always seemed to know what she was thinking. It was disconcerting. His eyes, usually so solemn, seemed to twinkle in the light from the overhead fixture. She sighed, knowing she couldn’t really be mad with him. And why would she be? The man had just given her an incredible orgasm. She felt relaxed and loose, in spite of feeling ruffled.

He leaned down and kissed her. It startled her. What had happened between them had happened so fast they hadn’t even kissed.

His lips were warm and firm against hers and she could taste herself on them. Her pussy clenched. Levi groaned and pulled away. “Later. There’s no time now.”

“Right.” Throwing her shoulders back, she turned the knob and opened the door. “I’m going to run upstairs for a minute. Can you open up?”

“Sure.”

As she started for the inside entrance a heavy banging came on the front door. “What in the world…” She automatically glanced toward the sound and froze, her insides turning to ice, as she saw who was standing on the other side of the heavy oak and glass door. She so did not need this. Not now.

“Who is it?” Levi was beside her, his face set in its usual stark, unemotional lines. The playful lover from moments ago was gone.

“Someone from my past.” The banging came again. She knew he could see them. There was no escaping upstairs to change. Whether she wanted to or not, she’d have to deal with him now.

“Who?” Levi repeated, as she sighed and headed to the door.

“Simon Dyson.”

Levi’s gaze narrowed as she unlocked the door. She had no doubt he recognized the last name from the letterhead of the note her brother had sent her.

Yanking open the door, she came face-to-face with her ex-fiance. “Hello, Simon.”