When I hear the clicking of heels nearing, I jump up and wipe away the sweat that forms on my forehead. Just the thought of her has my heart racing. I watch the doorway and when she appears, I almost choke.
Serena appears in a long cream colored sweater dress and cognac colored boots. The color of the dress makes her olive skin glow, and the slicked back bun –I think Aster called it a chignon one time– brings all the attention to her beautiful face. Her cranberry colored lips –fitting– black winged eyeliner and thick lashes are simple but striking. This woman could be wearing a face mask and smell like a three day old hangover and she’d still be the most beautiful one I’ve seen.
“You got something for me to taste?” She chuckles, rolling her lips between her teeth to keep from full on guffawing.
The sparkle in her eye has me relaxing and I drop my head between my shoulders. “That was bad. I’m sorry. I left the house in a hurry and I guess my brain is still trying to catch up.”
Serena walks closer and stands across from me, her hands pressed flat to the cold surface. “Everything okay?” She asks, looking concerned.
I wave her off and open up the ziploc bag. “Yeah. Just me and my girls having some fun that turned into a tense stand-off.” She arches a brow in question, but I don’t explain any further. “Anyway, I was hoping you could give me your opinion on a new recipe.” I pull out the wax paper covered bars and set one in front of her.
“Aren’t you afraid I’llsteal your idea?” She jokes.
“Nah. I trust you.” She lifts her big brown eyes to meet mine and the look is one I have yet to see on her. It’s vulnerable.
She clears her throat and takes the bar in front of her. “So tell me what this is.” Her delicate fingers unfold the wrapper, revealing the chunky pecans and cranberry bits. “Oh my gosh. Are those cranberries?”
I nod. “Yes. It’s our new crunchy pecan and cranberry bar. Aster and I came up with the idea after we bought too many cranberries for Thanksgiving dinner.”
Without hesitation, Serena breaks off a piece and pops it into her mouth. I watch as her muscles work, chewing and swallowing, and make the foolish mistake of looking at her eyes. I see a brief flash of wonder in them before they’re rolling closed. It’s a horrible image because I can envision that’s what she looks like when she reaches an orgasm.
“Oh my god, Burke,” she moans and it feels like a kick to my balls because I’m reminded of just how long it’s been since I’ve heard a woman purr like that. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but this may be better than the ice cream.” She takes a bite of another piece and when she licks her lips, my cock twitches.
Jesus, I need to get laid.
“Better? Really?” I rest my elbows on the counter, pushing my growing bulge out of eyesight. “Well then I’ll tell Aster this one has the green light.”
She smiles and I’m floored at just how quickly we went from rivals to tolerating one another to…I guess you call this a friendship. I’ve never really had female friends so I can only assume that this is what it’s like.
“Green lights all the way. I can’t want to smell this baking in the halls.” She reaches over to grab another one, then pauses.
With a grin, I push another one to her and when she picks it up, she brushes her fingers against mine. We both freeze. It’s a small touch but it feels like a thousand volts of electricity surgingthrough my body. Her smile falls and I see her chest moving up and down with heavy breaths. Her breasts are pressed together and my thoughts wander to what it would feel like to slide my dick between them.
The spell is broken when she quickly stands, abandoning the bar, and clears her throat. “S-so,” she stammers. “Is Aster coming to help you?” Serena stares at her hands, inspecting her cranberry colored nails like we both didn’t just feel a spark.
“Not today. I came in to ask your and Santiago’s opinion on these.”
“Oh. Did he already come and go?”
I shake my head and look into her eyes. “No. I haven’t texted him yet. I wanted you to try them first. I really value your opinion.”
“You do?” She’s in disbelief.
“Yeah. I do. You’re a savvy business woman. You’re honest –sometimes brutally– and incredibly intelligent. We may be rivals but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect you.”
Serena walks slowly around the steel workspace, dragging her hand on the surface as she moves. “We’re not rivals, Burke. I know it may feel like it, but we’re not. We’re equals. We’re peers. We’re proud San Sabans with the same goal; to provide for our family and support our community.” She comes to stop right in front of me and we share a quiet moment.
We’ve traded flirtatious looks, joked and even let a few gentle touches pass between us. She cracked the hard shell that I built around me after my divorce, and it’s the time I’ve wanted to let someone in. There’s no denying the tension between us, but I think we’ve both just brushed it aside, not wanting to admit what was simmering.
I feel chills run up and down my spine. This woman has me, for lack of a better word, absolutely nutty. I’m twisted up worse than tree roots over her. I feel silly because honestly, it could benothing more than just flirting for her, and here I am with googly eyes for a woman far too young for me.
“I know I’ve never told you, but I admire everything you are doing. You’re a wonderful role model for your girls, and I hope that this new venture is really huge for you. I want your business to thrive, Burke. I truly do.” Her voice is low and smooth.
Our bodies step closer and a small tendril breaks free from her sleek hair. Without thinking, I take it between my fingers and rub it before pushing it behind her ear. I hear a small gasp fall from her lips. A small voice whispers in my ear to go for it.
My hand falls from her hair and I brush it across her shoulder and down her arm. She shivers and I tell myself now is the moment. I begin to lean in and she starts rising to her toes, both of us knowing what is about to happen and not wanting it to stop.
“Hey Burke.”POP. That’s our bubble exploding when Santiago enters the kitchen.
