Swoon Worthy (Curvy Cafe Book Club 6) Read online

  Ever since I left that damn emergency room, I can’t get Ariel out of my mind. She’s absolutely perfect. Her gracious smile and beaming blue eyes are burned into my brain. I know I should call her, but women need strong men, and the fact that our first meeting was her tending to me…well, that’s not the way it should be. I should be taking care of her. Making sure she’s safe, not the other way around.

  My family was incredibly traditional and fell into seriously antiquated roles. I thought maybe I’d outrun that part of my past, but after meeting Ariel like this, it’s clearly part of my programming that I’d like to work on. But how?

  By calling her, you idiot!

  I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to clear my head. Thinking about the situation to death won’t change it or make me feel any calmer. The only thing that helps is work. Using my hands, sanding wood from its raw form to a smooth piece of art makes me believe everything is possible.

  My workshop is actually a shed in the back of my house. It’s a gorgeous day, and there’s a custom countertop that still needs some attention before it’s freight-shipped out. I run my hands along its smooth surface, imagining it was Ariel. How I’d love to handle her, make her beg for me to stop, and then keep going until she cries out in pleasure. It makes me hard just thinking about it.

  All I have to do is call the hospital. I don’t know why I’m so hesitant. I’ll just put one more finishing coat on this countertop, and then I’ll make that call. When I lift the can, I realize it’s too light.

  “Shit,” I mutter to myself. I didn’t plan on going into town today, but hell, it looks like I’m going to have to do just that. I rush into the house, grab my keys and head out. Agitated, I take the roads a little too quickly. I thought for sure I had another can of that stuff, but I know it’s not just the lack of supplies that’s got me all hot and bothered. It’s Ariel…it’s always been Ariel.

  I stop at the red light and run my hands through my hair. If I turn right, I’ll be at the hardware store in no time. But if I turn left, it’ll take me straight to the hospital.

  Are you crazy? A stalker? You don’t even know if she’s there.

  I don’t, but it’s worth the risk. Before I can change my mind, I make a left as soon as the light turns green. My heart races in my chest, and I try to squash the fear rising in my throat. Until this gorgeous nurse stepped into my life, things were calm. Now, it’s like my world is spinning right off its axis.

  I pull into the parking lot and head inside. The same woman is at the counter who took my paperwork. She smiles at me, and I work hard to bring the words from my brain to my lips. I open my mouth, but before I have a chance to say a word…

  “Fletcher?” I turn around and find Ariel in the doorway. She’s not in her work clothes. Instead, she’s wearing a pair of boot-cut jeans that cling to her hips and a little sweater that dips low enough to show the slightest hint of her billowing cleavage. Her hair is down and longer than I thought. She brushes it back over her shoulder and throws me a warm smile that falls as soon as it arrives. “Are you okay?”

  Great, she sees you as weak.

  “Never better,” I say. I don’t tell her that this cut has hurt like a bitch the last few days, but I refuse to up my pain meds. Like all things in the world, pain, too, will pass.

  “Whew!” Her hand flies to her chest. “Then what are you doing here?”

  Jesus, I’m a grown-ass man, not a teenager. Why is it so hard to be forthright even when the worse that can happen is a little rejection? “Well, I um…” I look over my shoulder and find the receptionist watching us with great interest. I take a step toward Ariel, breathing in her sweet, lavender scent. It scrambles my brain a bit, which isn’t a bad thing considering what I need to tell her.

  “I came to see you.” I manage to say. “And not because I need to up my pain meds.” A beat of silence passes between us, and for a moment, I think this is all one big mistake. That I was just in a vulnerable position, causing me to misread the signals. Or worse, that she’s like this with all of the people who come into the E.R., and she really does see me as some weak man who can’t take care of himself.

  “Wow,” she finally says, glancing down at the ground, lips in a twist. “That’s funny.”

  “Funny, how?” I don’t mean to sound so curt.

  She lets out a little giggle, and I see now that her face is turning pink. I will the tension in my body to relax. “Because I’ve been thinking about you.”

  “You have?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She meets my gaze, and everything around us goes fuzzy. There are only the two of us. It’s the strangest thing to see your future in someone’s eyes, especially someone you just met. Someone you barely even know, yet somehow, someway, you already do.

  Chapter Five

  Ariel

  I’m meeting Fletcher at his worksite in the woods. Not the most romantic first date, but I guess it doesn’t matter. The idea of seeing his cabin, what he makes with his bare hands, turns me on in an almost unhealthy way. If he can do that with material, imagine what he could do to me?

  I squeeze my thighs together to stop the tingling as I pull down the rock-laid path leading toward the lake. The scenery is beautiful. Trees surround me on both sides, blocking out the afternoon sun, which peeks through the leaves overhead. I could get used to a place like this. I love my job, but having a peaceful escape when I’m off work would be magical. A girl can dream, can’t she?

  I take a right, per Fletcher’s directions, and note the freshly paved driveway. This must be it. I gasp when the house comes into view, a gorgeous A-frame cabin with solar panels and floor-to-ceiling windows. I put my car in park and allow myself to moan, basking in its glory. It’s my dream cabin facing the lake.

  The wind picks up the second I hop out of the car, blowing my hair right into my face. I push it away and notice Fletcher standing on the front porch. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the scene. Fletcher, smiling at me, looking hot as holy fuck in his destroyed jeans and fitted flannel rolled up to his forearms.

  “You found it,” he says, moving closer to meet me.

  “Your directions were spot on.” He doesn’t move to hug or kiss me, which is fine.

  It’s fine. It doesn’t mean anything.

  “You want to see the inside?”

  “That’s why I’m here.” I tease, nudging his shoulder, then roll my eyes at myself the minute he turns his back.

  I know I shouldn’t be nervous. Clearly, he wants me here. He sought me out before I had the chance to do the same to him. But it all seems a little too good to be true. As much as I want to fully let my guard down with him, I don’t know anything about him. I could be setting myself up for yet another heartache, of which there have been many. My tendency to fall too hard too fast could bite me in the ass once again.

  Please, God, don’t let that be the case.

  My jaw nearly hits the floor when we step inside. A vintage-inspired orange fireplace sits in the corner of the surprisingly spacious living room. My gaze floats upward to the loft and the solid wood spiral staircase that takes you there. The cabinets, the floors, the white wood shiplap paneling…everything about this place is pure perfection. It’s enough to bring tears of envy to my eyes.

  “Holy shit, Fletcher.” My hand flies to my mouth. “You built this?”

  “I did.” He says, trying to hide his pride. It doesn’t bother me at all that he’s beaming from the inside out, showing me his work.

  “And you designed it?”

  “Yeah.” He follows me toward the side sliding door facing the lake. “I always knew this plot of land deserved something special. It took me five years to get it exactly how I wanted it.” I slide the door open, and we step onto the deck. The afternoon light pings off the lake, making it sparkle like it’s riddled with diamonds.

  “Oh my God, that view.” I let out another gasp, partly because of the view but also because Fletcher’s arm brushes mine when he stands beside me. “It’s bea
utiful.” I was so caught up in the house that I didn’t quite digest his words. I turn to him, brow furrowed. “What do you mean how you want it?”

  He turns to face me, towering over me. I feel like a delicate flower compared to him, which is not a common occurrence for a woman of my size. “This is my house, Ariel.”

  “What?” I take in every last inch of the beauty and tranquility of the property. “You’re lying.”

  He smiles, showing off a dimple in his left cheek. “Nope, I’m telling the truth.” He leans in a little closer. “It would’ve been a little strange to just ask you over to my house though for our first date.”

  “So you lied about it to get me here?” His mouth hangs open, but I don’t let him suffer in the awkward moment for too long. “I’m kidding.” I roll my eyes playfully, butterflies swimming in my stomach. “You can make it up to me, though, by getting me a glass of wine.”

  “I’ll bring it to you.”

  “Yeah, you will. I’m not about to go inside now. I need to soak in this view.” I don’t add, in case this is our first and only date. When Fletcher heads inside, I press my palms against the railing and close my eyes, allowing myself a deep, cleansing breath. No matter what happens with this man, I’m going to enjoy this moment and not get ahead of myself. Soon a wave of calm washes over me, even though it’s interrupted by pings of excitement. I’m not perfect.

  “Hope white’s okay.” The gigantic man wiggles through the sliding door holding two glasses of wine. In his flannel shirt, brawny and thick with his woodsman’s beard, it’s like I’ve died and gone to fucking heaven.

  “White is perfect.” That’s not the only thing that’s perfect. So far, Fletcher’s shaping up to be the real deal. “Cheers,” I say, clicking my glass against his. “To your gorgeous fucking house!”

  Fletcher’s turquoise eyes cling to mine; his full lips remain slightly parted as though he’s going to say something. I sit in the moment with him, wondering what’s on his mind.

  “Cheers,” he finally says, and we both take a long cool sip. “Let’s walk down to the dock?”

  “Sounds good,” I say, and he helps me down the stairs. Walking out on the water with Fletcher does sound good, but knowing what thoughts were lingering in his mind right now sounds even better.

  Chapter Six

  Fletcher

  I can see Ariel in this house. She belongs here as if she’s already a part of me and always was. It’s the strangest feeling in the world, one I can’t quite express. Hell, it could scare her off before we even get anything started, and that’s the last thing I want to do.

  Down on the dock, the sun’s just beginning to make its descent past the tall pine trees in the distance. I’ve set out two Adirondack chairs, and Ariel seems impressed—which is what I was going for. “This is such a dream, Fletcher.”

  It will be once you’re here with me.

  “I meant to ask, how’s your arm feeling?”

  My body clenches. “It’s fine. Just a scratch really.”

  “Don’t downplay it. It was a deep cut.”

  “I’m fine,” I say a bit too curtly.

  “Can I ask you something?” Ariel shifts in her chair, tucking her leg underneath herself. “Why are you so sore about getting injured?”

  Damn, am I that transparent? This isn’t the conversation I want to be having. “It just sucks, that’s all.”

  “Um, that’s not all.” She brushes a stray strand of hair away from her face. “It just sucks isn’t actually a viable answer.” Her full lips are pressed into a straight line. “So spill it.”

  The breeze coming in off the water, mixed with the sweet afternoon buzz of white wine and the fact that the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on is here with me on my dock, wanting to know more about me, lowers my guard. “I don’t want you to think I’m weak.”

  “What?” Her tone indicates that I’m some kind of idiot. My face must indicate this because she winces. “Sorry.” She licks her lips. “What I meant was, why would I think that?”

  “It’s not very manly to get hurt.”

  “Ah.” Her light blue eyes widen, showing off her long, dark eyelashes. In this light, I can see every little freckle on her face. It’s fucking adorable. “This is a masculinity thing, huh?”

  “Yeah,” I say, wondering why she’s downplaying it. “I’m supposed to be the strong one, and women are supposed to be—”

  “Weak?” She tilts her chin, narrowing her eyes at me.

  “No, that’s not what I meant.”

  “Well, it sounds like maybe it was.” She pinches her thumb and pointer together, causing her bracelets to jangle against her wrist. “Just a bit.”

  “I don’t think women are weak. That’s not…” I let out a long exhale. “That’s not me. My father thought that way. Kept my mother under a rock to protect her from everything under the sun. He felt men needed to be the breadwinner, the ones doing the hard work, the ultimate protectors. But then, when he died, my mother was a shell. She couldn’t do anything for herself. She relied on him for everything.”

  “And did that make you see her as weak?” Ariel’s soft voice reaches straight into my chest. I never talk about this with anyone, not even my siblings.

  “No.” I finally say. “It actually made me see him as weak. His need to control everything and come off as the hero of his own life is what ended up weakening my mother’s will. She still relies on my brothers and me for so much.” A pang of emotion lodges itself in my throat. Keeping these feelings tucked away is one thing, but actually allowing myself to say these words out loud and feel the feelings that come along with them that’s a different story.

  Ariel’s soft hand covers mine, forcing me to meet her gaze. “Hey, we all have outdated programming from our childhood we’re trying to fix.” She looks like an angel right now. In fact, I’m not convinced that she isn’t one. “But I can assure you, as someone who has chosen a life devoted to helping people, there’s nothing sexier than someone who can acknowledge when they need that help.”

  Is it really that easy? A connection forged in a simple conversation, years of pain and guilt and confusion pushed aside by the right person who actually understands it? It’s like a weight is lifted, and I’m not ashamed to say that it’s Ariel’s strength that’s responsible.

  “So you’re saying I’m sexy?” I narrow my eyes at her, challenging.

  “Wow, that’s all you heard?” Her face breaks into a beaming smile as the breeze kicks up, lifting her hair in the golden afternoon sunlight.

  I set down my wine glass and then help Ariel out of her chair. Frayed nerves circle my solar plexus as I watch her stand, then pull her close to me. For a moment, neither of us speak; we just gaze into each other's eyes. I’ve been waiting for this, so why am I still so nervous? I have to just speak from my heart.

  “You’re the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met,” I say, then tilt her chin upward. She melts into my touch as my lips meet hers, soft as rose petals. I part her lips with my tongue, and she throws her arms over my shoulders and rises on her tiptoes. We explore each other’s mouths as our kisses grow more passionate.

  “I’ve wanted to kiss you from the minute you walked into the E.R.,” Ariel moans into my mouth, her lips brushing mine as she speaks. “And…a lot more.”

  “Oh really?” I ask, pressing my hardness against her and holding her tight as I plant a trail of hot kisses down her neck.

  She gently grabs my face and looks me in the eyes. “Really.” She pauses as if deciding what to tell me. “I masturbated thinking about you.”

  I was not prepared for that. My cock lurches in my pants, thinking of this goddess touching herself and fantasizing about me. Of course, I’ve done the same.

  Without wasting another second, I lift Ariel up, cradling her in my arms. She lets out a little hoot, but I stifle it as my lips come crashing down on hers once more. “Take me to bed or lose me forever,” she teases, giggling as I make my way back up
to the house.

  From here on out, there’s no talk of losing her…ever. Ariel is about to be mine for the rest of my life. This is just the beginning of forever.

  Chapter Seven

  Ariel

  I can tell by the way he touches me that Fletcher works with his hands. His caress is gentle with an underlying strength that makes me weak in the knees. He carries me like a bride over the threshold, kissing me the whole way. My body liquefies at the power of his seductive tongue. No one’s ever made my body this eager.

  “You’re so fucking sexy.” Fletcher sets me down, unable to pry his lips from mine. His words send chills across my flesh. “I can’t wait to see all of you.”

  A wave of self-consciousness washes over me, but it doesn’t last long. His fingers fumble with the zipper on my jeans, and he slowly takes them down so that I’m standing there in only my panties. The chill from the open window stiffens my nipples to rock hard peaks, poking through my thin sweater as Fletcher presses a series of hot kisses on the soft of my stomach.

  He grips my ass, and I spread my feet wider for him as he presses his face against the crotch of my panties, inhaling deeply. “You smell so fucking good to me, baby.” My body aches for his touch; I don’t have to wait long. He hooks his thumbs into my panties and rolls them down over my hips until there’s nothing but air between his lips and my steaming center.

  I inhale sharply as he runs his finger along my opening. “I love how wet you are.”

  “Only for you,” I say, taking a gentle fistful of his thick hair between my fingers.

  “Forevermore, you’ll only be wet for me.” He cups my mound, dropping to his knees. “This pussy belongs to me now. You’re mine, Ariel.” He massages my tiny bundle of nerves with the base of his hand. “Only mine.”

  Stars dance before my eyes. “Only yours,” I repeat before bringing his mouth to my dripping wet slit. Fletcher pleases me with his expert tongue, sliding one finger deep inside me as he licks and sucks at my silky folds. My eyes open wide, and for a moment, I catch a glimpse of us in the window’s reflection, the lake still sparkling in the distance.