Crystal Coast Love Connection (Crystal Coast Romances Book 3) Read online

  As he chewed, Jessica couldn’t take her eyes off his Goldilocks lips—not too big but not too small and not too-well defined, nor did they lack definition. God, they were kissable. Her brain was broadcasting a big red blinking stop sign, but the area between her legs was directing her to rev the engine. Before she knew it, her straw was making an obnoxious sound, signifying she had reached the bottom of her mai tai.

  “Want another?” Chase asked. “Or maybe you’d like to try one of the others?”

  Jessica bit down on her plump bottom lip, considering the question. “You don’t have to buy me another drink. We’re even now.” Especially since it really was my fault in the first place.

  “Oh, come on. I’ve probably got a hundred pounds on you, and I knocked right into you. You could have been hurt. Please, let me treat you tonight.”

  Jessica averted her eyes and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear as her tummy did a back flip. She glanced back his way, losing her sense in his inky dark eyes as they pierced her heart from beneath his thick black eyebrows. “Okay, this time I want a painkiller.” My heart could certainly use one.

  “That sounds like a party in a glass. I think I’ll get one for me too.” He motioned the waitress over and ordered for them both.

  When their cocktails arrived, Jessica sipped hers from through her straw, watching as Chase tasted his. As he grimaced, her eyebrows lifted, pulling inward as she repressed a smile into a smirk.

  “Coconut…” Chase muttered.

  A tiny muted snicker escaped her lips, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t like coconut.”

  “I can’t say it’s my favorite.” His jaw dropped slightly as she reached over and slid his drink in front of her.

  “I guess I get both then.” Jessica rolled her shoulders slightly as she laughed.

  “Ha, did you just scam me, little lady?” He tapped her arm lightly with his fingertip.

  She looked his way, widening her eyes to feign innocence. “Moi? A scammer? Noo. I can’t help that you didn’t know a painkiller is a twist on a piña colada.” She batted her eyelashes at him in an exaggerated fashion, and he chuckled.

  “Good one, but now I’m going to have to call poor Amelia over here again to bring me a decent drink.” He shook his head at her.

  Jessica was actually impressed he had taken note of the server’s name and not just her well-proportioned body. About that time, Amelia showed up with Jessica’s salad and the plethora of starters the men had ordered. As the waitress set Jessica’s food down, Jessica pointed toward Chase. “This one didn’t realize a painkiller contains coconut cream.” She paused as Amelia picked up on the playful vibe and tsked at Chase. “I guess he needs another beer to get the taste out of his mouth.”

  “Sure thing,” Amelia said, chuckling.

  Jessica picked up her fork, mixing the dressing and shaved parmesan cheese among the garlic croutons, ripe cherry tomatoes, and crisp lettuce. She placed the first bite in her mouth, appreciating the combination of flavors as she chewed.

  “Oh my God,” Chase said.

  Jessica watched as he ate his first shrimp hushpuppy, dipped in cocktail sauce. “Yeah?”

  “Hell yeah.” He pushed the basket toward her. “Try some.”

  “That’s okay. I’ve got my salad,” Jessica said, wagging her head.

  “Oh, come on.” He dipped a hushpuppy in the sauce and held it up to her lips. “You have to.”

  At one time or another, Jessica had tried just about everything on the menu, but it had been a long time since she’d eaten any shrimp hushpuppies. “Well, if you insist.” She opened her mouth and accepted his offering. “Mmm.” Yellow cornmeal, fresh-caught shrimp, and cheddar cheese with hints of cayenne pepper, onion, and chives tantalized her taste buds, whetting her appetite. She chewed slowly, swallowing it all down before shooting a smile Chase’s way. “Thanks; it’s been far too long since I’ve had one of those.”

  “Here, try some of this too, Jessica.” Brent pulled her attention away from Chase, pushing his crab dip her way.

  She plucked a single cracker from the adjoining basket and scooped up a dollop before popping it into her mouth. “Also yummy.”

  “Want some calamari?” Tanner offered.

  “I’m not a big eater. I need to save some room for my sandwich.” Jessica held her hands up in front of her in a halting gesture.

  “You’re a tiny little thing. You don’t need to diet,” Brent said.

  Jessica laughed. “I don’t diet, but I don’t want a stomachache either.”

  “Fair enough,” Chase said.

  Jessica had only worked through half her salad when her sandwich arrived, but she’d finished all of her painkiller and was working on Chase’s. “This drink is so good.”

  “Glad you’re enjoying it,” Chase replied, his cheeks tinting a slight pink as the pupils of his hooded eyes dilated and his lips formed a seductive pout. Why, I do believe he’s flirting with me.

  Jessica looked down at her plate and picked up her sandwich, nibbling slowly. As she stole another glance at him, her body quivered. This is bad. I’ve sworn off love and dating and definitely relationships—of course, sex isn’t out of the question.

  She squeezed her thighs together, attempting to squash the mounting temptation. After she finished her second painkiller, she switched to water. She couldn’t afford a pounding head in the morning. The men ordered another round of beer with only Tanner and Derrick abstaining.

  After finishing most of her salad and a little more than half of her sandwich, Jessica wiped her mouth and covered her plate with her napkin. She was just short of stuffed, and one more bite would push her over the edge. She sneaked another peek at Chase only to be caught staring, his own piercing gaze locked on her.

  Her tummy behaved like a python curving around a tree, twisting and squeezing, and her impulsive streak got the best of her. She leaned over by Chase’s ear. “Wait a couple of minutes and meet me at the ladies’ room. I’ll be waiting just inside the door.” She stood up and grabbed her purse. “Little girls’ room,” she said before walking off without looking back.

  As Jessica entered the restroom, a woman exited one of the three stalls and headed to the sink to wash her hands. Jessica checked the other stalls, relieved to find them empty. She stood behind the other woman, pretending to check her makeup in the mirror. Hurry up…please, hurry.

  Jessica stood in front of the mirror and played with her hair while the woman finished up and dried her hands. As she exited, another woman entered. Shit! I guess this was ill-advised. Jessica ducked out of the bathroom, finding Chase waiting just outside the door. She froze in her tracks and pointed behind her back with her thumb. “Occupied.”

  “Yeah, a public bathroom is kinda… I already called us a cab. Let’s go to my place.”

  A chill ran up her spine as she admired how well Chase filled out his cream-colored pullover sweater and gray slacks. Saliva filled her mouth, and she swallowed to keep from drooling. “What should we say?”

  “I already made an excuse about having a stomachache and needing to go home.” He pulled out his phone. “Add your number. I’ll sneak out the back while you go sit back down. Finish your water, and when our ride gets here, I’ll text you. Then you tell the table a friend needs you and leave.”

  Jessica’s smiled. “You’re a fast thinker.”

  A grin spread across his face, and he shrugged. “See you in five to ten.”

  “Count on it,” she replied before hurrying back to the table.

  She sat down and asked, “Where’d the captain go?”

  “Aw, poor Cappy got a tummy ache and had to go bye-bye,” Brent said with a laugh. “Some guys just can’t hold their booze like the rest of us.” A big goofy smile lit up his face.

  What a dork.

  Derrick spoke up. “Oh, he said to tell you he paid your bill. Something about owing you one.”

  “Yeah,” she said without elaborating. Je
ssica sipped her water, hoping her face didn’t give her away. She bantered with Derrick and Brent, holding her own while keeping one eye on her watch. As for Ryan and Tanner, they might as well have been at a table for two in some secluded area because after a couple of rounds, they didn’t seem to notice anyone else in the room.

  Jessica’s heart was already in her throat by the time her cell sounded off, and like an idiot, she jumped. Smooth girl, super smooth. Slicking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she reached in her purse and got out her phone, making a big show of looking at her text. “Oh sorry, guys. My friend needs me. She works just down the road, so I’ll just walk on over.” She grabbed her wallet and left ten dollars for Amelia. She wasn’t sure how well Chase had tipped, and after working as a server all through high school and college, she understood the importance of leaving a full twenty percent.

  She hightailed it outside and found Chase waiting for her by a running cab. “Ready to go?”

  “Yep.”

  He opened the door for her. She hopped in and then scooted over to the far side, allowing him to get in next to her. Jessica put on her seat belt while he closed the door. He cupped her cheek, surprising her, and she gasped just before he leaned in and placed a tiny peck on her lips.

  She closed her eyes, relishing the smoothness of his soft lips. Goose bumps lifted the tiny hairs on her arms, and she shivered.

  “Where to?” the driver asked.

  Chase hesitated, looking Jessica in the eye. “You sure about this? I can have him take you home and call you tomorrow.”

  Her brain cried out yes! But her pussy told it to shut the fuck up. Jessica reached up, grabbed Chase’s face with both hands, and pulled him in for another smooch. Their lips locked, and their heads turned as they deepened the kiss, their tongues twirling and twisting. After she broke away to catch her breath, Chase answered the cabbie with his address.

  The driver took off down the road, and Chase held Jessica’s hand, bringing it to his lips. A flutter started in her tummy and worked up to her chest as his lips brushed against her knuckles. She peeped at him but quickly looked away. He was so gorgeous it was like looking into the sun for too long. When she glanced his way again, she caught him staring, and this time, he shyly averted his gaze. Oh my God! He’s too much!

  “Here we are,” the driver said, and before Jessica could react, Chase handed him his credit card.

  She placed her hand on his arm. “You got dinner. You should let me pay for the ride.”

  “It’s okay. I know you’re an independent woman who likes to pay her own way, but I’m a man who likes to dote on a special lady.”

  Jessica’s jaw dropped, and for a moment she was speechless. Meanwhile the driver ran Chase’s card through the scanner on his phone and handed it to him to sign with his finger. She noted the generous tip he left, and realized she hadn’t needed to worry about Amelia back at the restaurant.

  Once Chase had his card back, he opened the door and stepped out of the car. He held the door for Jessica again, and as she got out, he pulled her into another kiss while slamming the door closed behind her with his free hand.

  As the cab sped off, Chase held her body close to his, devouring her while his hands grasped her hips. Simultaneously, they came up for air just before moving together again. Jessica balanced on her tip toes, pushing into the kiss while grasping at Chase’s shoulders as if climbing up his frame.

  He pushed his large hands downward, roaming them around her rear end. As one hand pushed between her legs, she broke the kiss on a moan. With that, he lifted her four-feet-eleven frame off the ground, and she wrapped her legs around him. Their passion continued as they made their way up the stairs to his porch, coming up for air in small bouts until Jessica’s back smacked against the wall. He held her with one arm while yanking his keys out of his pocket with the other.

  She rested her head in the crook of his neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent, a masculine and woodsy mixture of oak, lavender, and sage, as the keys rattled in his hand. The door burst open, propelling them into his foyer. The lights were off, so Jessica couldn’t get a good look at the place, not that she was interested in the decor. He carried her farther into the house, nuzzling at her ear as he fondled her back and ass.

  They entered a room, and he turned on the lights while holding her with one arm. Jessica blinked as he pushed her backward and dropped her. She fell, her gaze locking with his as her body bounced against his mattress. She watched with anticipation as he stripped off his sweater and undershirt, allowing her to drink in his sculpted pectorals and rock-hard abs. She bucked her hips as her pussy demanded to be sated.

  Using one foot, he pushed off his shoe, repeating the process with the other and kicking his footwear out of his way. Jessica sat up, reaching out and grasping his belt buckle. She unfastened it, yanking the accessory through the loops.

  Chase tugged at the bow holding her top closed, untying it and exposing her naked breasts. “Nice,” he said, leering while licking his lips.

  Jessica inhaled rapidly, pressing her hand against the bulge straining beneath Chase’s slacks. He moaned, and she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, yanking them down over his firm ass. As his pants fell, bunching around his ankles, she grasped his behind, caressing it over his white cotton boxer briefs.

  Before she could strip off his underwear, Chase knelt and started taking off her pants. He leaned in and nuzzled her breasts, his lips teasing the protruding nubs. “Mmm,” Jessica moaned. As he sucked, his black spiky hair tickled her skin. She sighed wistfully as she reclined.

  Chase striped off her jeans, leaving her wearing only a thin damp purple thong. Her chest heaved as her gaze focused on the swell beneath his undergarment. He was so hard and large the head of his cock was peeking over the top of the waistband. He parted her legs, moving between as he rested on top of her.

  She lifted her head, capturing his lips with hers. They kissed amorously, their tongues battling for dominance. Chase broke away and nuzzled at her neck, nibbling and kissing down to her collarbone while placing a hand on one of her breasts. He strummed the pink bud with his fingertips. When he applied just the right amount of pressure, she cried out, and he took the cue, coaxing more pleasure from the tender erogenous zone.

  Jessica closed her eyes, delighting in Chase’s touch. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had taken such time and care to fine-tune her body, testing her flesh to learn where to touch to make her scream. His mouth found her other breast, his tongue tracing the rosy circle.

  She squirmed beneath him, bucking her hips, her nails raking across his broad shoulders and down his muscular back. He blazed a trail leading him to her navel, which he nibbled and kissed, making her squeal. “Oh, God!”

  He peered up at her with a smug smile dancing on his lips just before he went to work on her belly button again. He dropped sensual kisses all around the tiny indention and then plunged his tongue inside. A shiver ran up Jessica’s spine, and she moaned.

  When he lightly scraped his teeth down her hip, grabbing her thong between them, Jessica lifted her bottom, helping him remove her underwear until he had scooted them down her thighs. He ran his thumb over her tingling slit, pressing down on her clit until she mewed loudly.

  Jessica panted as he grabbed the strings of her thong and snatched it all the way off before grabbing her knees and spreading them. A grin spread across his face, lighting up his eyes as he stared down at her pussy. Apparently, her trip over the bridge to the Brazilian wax goddess’s shop the next town over hadn’t been a complete waste. As he moved in, dipping his head, she lifted her legs. His warm breath fell on her pussy just before his tongue darted out to taste her.

  “Oh!” She moved her legs over his shoulders, lifting her bottom to his mouth. He traced her pussy lips, lapping at them before bringing his attention back to the throbbing button above her opening. His mighty hands grasped her thighs, fingertips pressing into the flesh as he ate her. His head wagged side to side i
n a flurry of movement as his tongue danced, rhythmically stirring her arousal.

  She cried out as he pushed two fingers into her dripping wet opening, and she squeezed against the welcome digits. He thrust them slowly, feeling around as if he were watching and listening for her responses.

  As he hit her sweet spot, Jessica screamed, “Yes!” He increased speed, pumping his fingers harder while slathering her clit with saliva. Her mind went blank as the pleasure surged, growing in intensity. She placed her hand at the back of his neck, keeping him in place as she let loose, writhing. A few more direct hits to her G-spot, and her body shook while she gushed in orgasm. “Fuck!”

  He stood up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Mmm, you were delicious.”

  Jessica released a tiny embarrassed laugh, looking away for just a second before covering her face with her hand. “Hey now, don’t you hide from me.” He pulled her hand away, entwining their fingers as he bent down and laid a big kiss on her.

  She parted her lips, and he took the bait, plunging his tongue into her mouth. Jessica lifted her head, pushing into the kiss. Hungrily, they devoured each other until Chase pulled away and panted for air.

  He stood again, reaching down to caress the seam of her pussy with the pad of his thumb again. He slathered wetness over the outer lips. “Very sexy…and smooth.” He palmed her hairless mons. As his gaze departed from her sex and moved to her face, his lips pushed out into a slight pout beneath his Roman nose and bedroom eyes.

  Jessica’s heart was thumping fast and hard, and the lump in her throat prevented her from uttering a word as he pulled down his boxer briefs, releasing his massive dick. Her eyes bulged as she stared at the long, thick monster and its bulbous head. Holy shit! Just eyeballing it, she estimated his cock was a minimum of eleven inches long.

  She swallowed down the invisible obstruction and spoke up, covering her pussy with her hand while closing her legs. “Whoa, wait…I dunno.”