Sweets For My Sweet Read online

  “Thanks,” he walked over and impulsively gave her a hug.

  She gave him a hug before she slapped at his hand. “Stop that before the neighbors talk. You come by sometime this week and I’ll make you a piece. If I recall, you used to love to steal my blueberries. This time you can sit in my kitchen and actually eat some that weren’t pinched.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Eric said then watched her walk back down the street.

  Soon after she left, the first of the new orders came in. Tall red tool boxes he ordered from Sears. He spent the rest of the day restocking them and cleaning older tools and signing for his equipment as it was were delivered. He ate a sandwich he’d ran into the house and made and all the while, more people came by just to say hey or to ask how he was doing. He even had more work lined up that would keep him busy through the end of the month. If it keeps up like this, I’m going to have to hire some help, he thought with a satisfied grin. He was a little disappointed that he didn’t see Sapphire all day. But she had a business of her own to run and when he looked down the street, he saw people going in and out her door, so he knew she had to be busy.

  He looked at the time and saw it was well after five. Sapphire and the drive-in were in his very near future. With a smile, Eric closed up the garage quickly and headed through the back to the house. He took a shower and put on a pair of jeans and white t-shirt. He had worn military attire for so long that he looked at himself in the mirror and felt strange. He lived on so many bases that sometimes it was just easier to get up and put on army fatigues and a t-shirt instead of regular clothes. He got in the car and drove the short distance to Sapphires place in only a minute or two and parked.

  BonBon was written in elegant script on the sign atop her shop door. Above her shop was where she lived. There was a little balcony that led to French doors and he could see wisps of white lace curtain been blown through the half open doors. He wondered if he could ask her to help him redecorate the house. He wanted to keep most of his parents’ things but he wanted to make it his home, including the upstairs. He slept on the couch the night before because he didn’t feel comfortable in his parents’ bed. The sign on the door said ‘Closed’ so he honked the horn.

  She peeked out of the French door and yelled down to him. “I left the door unlocked for you. Come on in. I’ll be down in a minute!”

  Eric nodded and got out of the car. The door gave a merry little jingle as he entered and looked around. The counters showed the sweet candy confections that were on the shelves behind the glass. Behind them were two big coolers that held anything from chocolate covered strawberries to roses that looked like they were sculpted and drizzled with color. He peered at some shiny candy globes that were meticulously airbrushed to look like skulls, and the globe, roses and butterflies. He had no idea that you could create such amazing things in a candy shop. Sapphire had an amazing talent as an artist and he could see why her shop was always so busy. He heard her footsteps coming down the stairs and the light smell of cherry blossoms followed her down.

  She gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I’m running a bit late, Eric. I had a big order for a wedding to get done and two baby showers, plus some more orders for tomorrow and the shop has been busy today.”

  “I saw that when I looked up the street from the garage,” he replied. “That’s no problem. Are you ready now?”

  “I just have to drizzle some chocolate S’s onto Sarah’s sweet sixteen éclairs and I can head out,” she explained.

  She put a white apron over the lilac dress she was wearing. Eric sat down on one of the stools beside the counter and watched her. The dress was form fitting, showing of her curves and very shapely ass. Did she dress this way just for me? he wondered and if she did he thanked the heavens for her choice. Her hair was straight and she wore her same cross necklace that she seemed to always wear. She skillfully mixed the chocolate batter and added in some kind of mixture until it turned this amazing pink color. He watched as she spooned the mixture into a piping bag. A little bit drizzled out and she caught it wither fingertip and put it in her mouth. Watching that simple action drove his temperature higher as her lips wrapped around her finger.

  “Where’s my taste?” His voice was gruff with desire.

  She dipped her finger in the remnants that were around the bowl and extended it out to him. Their gazes locked as wrapped his mouth around her finger and sucked the chocolate mixture off. The taste was delicious but nothing compared to the look in her eyes as he sucked at her finger and the soft gasp of pleasure she gave. She pulled away suddenly and went to the sink to wash her hands before going to work again.

  “I’ll get this done soon and we can go.” Her voice sounded shaky and a little breathless.

  “Okay, cutie. Take your time.” Eric liked that he had that effect on her. She finished quickly and put the éclairs in the glass counter to harden before grabbing a white paper bag.

  “I made us a few extra treats for the show,” she said as she stepped out from behind the counter. She threw her apron over the back of the stool and stepped out of the candy shop in front of him.

  She might have treats in the bag but Eric knew the real delight was her by his side for the rest of the evening. Coming back to Paradise to make it his home had brought something else in his life and he was looking forward to seeing where it would go.

  * * * *

  In the car, Eric pulled her close to him in the long front seat. She was completely aware of his hard thighs next to hers and the muscles that bulged and flexed under the t-shirt as he steered the car. More than once he looked over at her and gave her a familiar smile that made her heart tumble. She had been so infatuated with him from such a young age she wondered if this was just the stupid little crush that was rearing its head again. No, she thought. The way she felt when he kissed her, and when he licked chocolate from her fingers, was not a teenage crush.

  He parked in the already packed drive-in and found a spot near the end where they could still easily see the screen. Sapphire watched as he jogged to the concession stand to pick up snacks. He stood in line with all the other patrons and talked with a few people while he waited. In a matter of minutes, he was back and handed her a box before getting into the car.

  He got in easily and looked at her with a grin. “I forgot how great this old place is. Do you know old lady Shaw still works in there? How old is she, like one hundred and thirteen?”

  Sapphire laughed. “I think she’s about ninety.”

  Eric shook his head adamantly. “I have to stay with my original assessment. She was ninety when I was a teenager—or so I heard.”

  “What did you get?” she asked

  “I got us some beers, and chili cheese fries.”

  “That’s going to be an extra run tomorrow for me,” Sapphire commented.

  He gave her a look that sent fire running through her veins. “I can’t see one thing wrong with you.”

  The speakers sticking out of the ground came on, heralding the start of the movie.

  “I’m going to put the top up so we can drown out some of the background noise,” Eric said. “What’s showing anyway?”

  “Um, I think it’s Iron Man Two,” she replied. The creamy beige top to the convertible came up slowly and he attached it easily to the front windshield. Then he plucked the speaker of the stand and hung it through the window before closing them up.

  He pulled her close when the movie credits began to roll and the movie began to play. Eric made a sound of delight when he popped the first hot fry in his mouth and then hissed when the heat of it burned his tongue, making Sapphire laugh.

  “Be careful with that,” she said.

  “I thought you would kiss it and make it better,” he teased.

  His comment made heat pool between her thighs. She could find a few things on him she would like to kiss. But instead she changed the subject. “This place still makes the best fast food. It shouldn’t be legal.”

  He took the queu
e and nodded. When all their snacks were gone, he grabbed her, pulled her close and rubbed his fingers over the smooth skin of her shoulder over and over again. They shouted at the screen when the bad guys came on the scene and cheered when Iron Man showed up. She became acutely aware of Eric’s silence and when she looked over he was staring at her.

  “Don’t you like the movie?” Sapphire asked. She was amazed her own voice sounded so breathless.

  “The movie is fine. I like what I am staring at much better,” he replied. “Do I make you nervous, Sapphie?”

  “I thought I told you not to call me that.” She gave a shy laugh and admitted honestly. “You make me a lot of things and yes, nervous is one of them.”

  “I like calling you Sapphie., No matter how much you tell me not to, I’m going to still do it. Not because it irritates you but because it gives me something no one else has,” he murmured. “What else do I make you feel?”

  “Flushed and tingly, like I have butterflies in my stomach,” she whispered.

  “So if I kissed you again right now, what would happen?”

  She raised her eyes to meet his gaze. “I would kiss you right back.”

  He pulled her close and initiated a fierce kiss, one that melted her like glass and sent her into a tailspin. His tongue was buried in her mouth and he pulled her so close not even a breeze could get between them. Eric’s hands were everywhere, molding the curve of her hips, cupping her breasts through the material of her dress. His hands are big and warm, she thought as he encased her breasts in his hand. When he rolled and plucked at her nipples, she shifted restlessly at the sensation.

  With a low, hungry groan, he pulled her up took her nipple into his mouth through the material of her dress. Sapphire cried out softly when it went straight to her core and made her pussy wet. He took her lips again and ravaged her. Sapphire had never been kissed like this in her life. She could feel the strained intensity of him as he held on to his control. The hunger in him to consume her travelled along each of her nerve endings. Eric’s hand went under her skirt and cupped her ass. Lord help her, she wanted to be naked under him in the car at that very point. She was in the middle of such ecstasy she could not even form the words to tell him her thoughts. She lay her head back against the leather of the door panel.

  Eric’s body was half covering her as he touched her. She spread her legs wantonly to his hand cupping the mound of her pussy through her damp panties.

  “I want to touch you, Sapphire,” he said in between kisses.

  “Oh, yes, Eric. I ache. Make it stop,” she gasped

  Around them, the movie music built in anticipation and so did the fever inside her. He slipped his fingers between her skin and panties and found her wet. He rubbed at her clit and Sapphire grabbed at anything she could hold on to so she would not fall off the seat. Somehow he had managed to get her dress up high and as he played with her clit, his mouth was at her nipples. He plunged his fingers into her soaking wet snatch. She pushed against his hand, grinding against his fingers and taking them deeper inside herself.

  “I can make you come, Sapphie,” he whispered. “Do you want that?”

  He moved his fingers with slow deliberation, pressing them against that place that made her shiver with pleasure.

  “Yes, yes.” Her face was pressed against the hard muscles of his chest while her body arched to meet his fingers.

  His movements became more intense. He plunged the digits inside her faster and harder. Sapphire grabbed his shoulder tight and muffled her cries against his chest. She felt the orgasm building inside her until it crested and she gave a tiny scream of release. She reached for the bulge in his pants and rubbed his hard length. Even through the material of his jeans she could feel how long and thick he was. Eric gave a groan and pulled her hand away. He sat up and with gentleness fixed her clothing before pulling her close to his side.

  “Why didn’t you let me touch you?’ she asked. “Is something wrong? Did I do something to turn you off?”

  He leaned over and gave her a hard swift kiss. “No, this was about me giving you pleasure. If you touched me right now, Sapphie, I couldn’t stop myself from fucking you in this car and that’s not how my first time with you is going to be.” He gave her an intense gaze. “But I will have you, Sapphire. There is n doubt that you will be mine.”

  It thrilled her to know he wanted her so much and wanted to take his time with her. His intensity was almost a little frightening mixed in with the thrill. She had been reading up on soldiers home from the war and everything about the environment of home was going to be heightened for him. They watched the rest of the double feature snuggled together in the car. His fingers idly caressed the skin of her shoulder and more than once he kissed her temple in an affectionate way.

  By eleven-thirty, everything was over and they followed the line of cars out of the drive-in lot and back into Paradise. The streets were dark when he pulled in front of her house and took her into his arms for a passionate kiss that started the fire again. Like a perfect gentleman, he walked her to her door and made sure she was safe before heading home. She watched the car pull into his driveway from the French doors on her balcony. He jogged up to the front door and before he stepped inside, he seemed to look down to the street as if he hoped to see her. He went inside and closed the door then she saw the lights go on in the living room.

  Sapphire smiled and stepped back into her bedroom and left the doors open a crack to let the cool breeze inside as she dressed for bed. She flopped back against the thick down comforter and a grin crossed her face while she played back the night in her head. Maybe it was destiny that she picked him up from the side of the road the day before. It already felt as if he was her soldier now. Her eyes grew heavy as her body relaxed and just before she fell asleep she ran her finger across her lips. She could still feel his powerful kisses. In a few days she would make him a romantic dinner and show him that the sweets she had were not just in the candy shop.

  Chapter Three

  The easy way she fell asleep was too good to be true. Sapphire had always had trouble sleeping. Her brain never seemed to shut down and by three in the morning, her eyes popped open. It was Sunday and while others slept in, she was instantly awake and sat up with a frustrated sigh. Just once, I would like to sleep until nine or ten in the morning. She got out of bed to go make coffee, knowing full well she would not be able to go back to sleep. Sapphire made her usual plan to put the extra light she had out on her balcony on, sit and drink her coffee while readying a good book.

  While she made the strong dark brew and sliced open a croissant to spread cream cheese and jelly on the flaky pastry, Eric’s face came to mind and she smiled. Yesterday when she came back from getting her groceries and supplies for the candy shop, she saw him walking into the back of the garage carrying a huge tractor tire as if it weighed nothing. His muscles bulged under the thin white t-shirt he wore and Sapphie could not deny he made her mouth dry watching him. He looked delectable. Maybe she stared too long but he noticed her and casually dropped the tire to wave. A cold shower was needed after that, she thought with a grin. The man had the power to make her wet just with a crooked smile. Their relationship had been going well and almost too perfect. She kept expecting something to go wrong. Since their date to watch movies at the drive-in, she got up to little notes hung on her door and he had come over with flowers and candy.

  The candy incident was hilarious because he sent one of the ten-year-old boys in the neighborhood to her shop to buy them. He told her one of these days he would do it just as a joke and it proved that Eric never said anything he didn’t mean. The boy he had sent, Jimmy Peters, was bouncing around so much behind the counter she had to ask.

  “Why are you so excited, Jimmy? Is this for your new girlfriend?” Sapphire teased.

  “No Miss Sapphire, I got paid by Eric Dawson to buy these for his girlfriend!” Jimmy babbled excitedly. “He gave me a whole ten dollars to walk down here and I would have done it fo
r two but he just said ten bucks. Who says no to ten bucks? I can go to Wal-mart and but a new Bayblade and extra fighting spinners with that! I can totally rule Charlie and Leo’s battles now!”

  She nodded sagely while he talked, having no clue what a Bayblade was, and couldn’t resist asking, “Uh, Jimmy, who is Eric’s girlfriend?”

  “Why it’s you, Miss Sapphire!” he exclaimed. “My mom says the way you two are going, you’ll be married by December and having babies by June.”

  Jimmy finally caught on that he told too many secrets and flushed under his dark skin. The look of remorse on his face was so pitiful. Sapphire promised she would not tell and gave him a bag of her hard candies for him and his friends to share. He even promised to give a few to his little sister, Chanella. Sapphire quickly told him not to do that because she was too little for hard candy but instead gave him two pieces of chocolate that the five-year-old could eat safely. She watched the boy skip happily away with all his purchases and later, when Eric gave her the candy again, they both laughed at the event in the shop and them being a piece of neighborhood gossip. After a kiss, he pronounced that she deserved the best candy to be had in Oklahoma and that was hers. All in all, she could not argue with that.

  She picked up her steaming cup of coffee and her perfectly made pastry. The plan of a good book was soon put on hold when she went out to the balcony and looked up to where Eric’s house was. She assumed he would be asleep but instead she saw him running up and down the front steps, stretching, doing push-ups and an assortment of other exercises like he was demon possessed. Alarms went off in her head and without thinking she rushed inside to put her slippers on. She threw a robe over her pink pajamas and didn’t even tie the sash. She rushed downstairs and out of the house and up the street to Eric.

  Something is very wrong. How many times was he out here doing this with such concentration? She wondered. There were mornings she got up after four or five and went straight downstairs to work and did not even look outside until it was time to turn the sign on her door to open.