Chasing Carly (Holiday Cove 3)

Spending the majority of the morning together was just what we needed to get back on even footing. The questions and doubts that had ravaged my mind the night before after the phone call were eased back into silence and while I was sure if I sat and obsessed about it, I could dig up new worries. I was too distracted by the many different things I wanted to do with…and to…Carly once I got her all to myself for a night.

One night.

When five-thirty rolled around, I raced home and hopped in the shower to get cleaned up so I didn’t smell like grease and metal. I rubbed one out in the shower, thinking about Carly’s lush curves and what they would look like without anything covering them up. I knew as soon as she walked into my house, I’d be horny as hell again, but by releasing a little pressure, I could take my time with her and not pounce like a wild animal that had spent too much time in a cage.

Even though we’d only known each other a short while, my mind was filled with fantasies, drowning out any other woman I saw or had known. I was consumed by Carly—and had been since the first time I’d seen her.

23

Carly

* * *

“Are you sure you don’t need anything? Now’s your chance,” I reminded Alesha as she lounged on the couch with Lady sleeping on her chest. “I’m going out with friends for a while tonight.”

I hated lying to her, but she was upset enough that I didn’t want anything to set her off. I was pretty sure she was over the whole Nick thing, especially after we’d all gone to the boardwalk carnival together, but I wasn’t going to risk stirring up drama right before going over to Nick’s for the night. Especially if things headed the way I was anticipating…I didn’t want Alesha anywhere near my thoughts while I was with him.

“I’m all right, Carly. You don’t have to worry so much about me.”

“Oh, really?” I crossed my arms and pursed my lips at her.

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean! I’m not going to do anything stupid right now. I’ve been eating, drinking tons of water, and I’m obviously not going to sneak out and go party.”

I dropped my arms and skeptical gaze. Alesha had been wracked with guilt over the nights she’d sneaked out to go drinking as soon as the doctor had told her she was pregnant. She disclosed the incidents and both her doctor and Gemma had assured her that the baby would be fine, but that she obviously couldn’t continue to drink or smoke anything.

“I know you’re not.” I pushed off the chair beside the couch she was occupying.

“Where are you going? I can’t even remember the last time you dressed like that,” Alesha said, eying me from her place on the couch.

I glanced down at my outfit, a pair of skin tight dark wash jeans, high heels that gave me a four-inch boost, and a glittery silver tank top that was cut low with a black lace camisole underneath that gave the appearance of a black bra showing. “It’s been a while, I guess, but it’s not like I could wear this to the shop!”

Alesha laughed and stuffed some popcorn into her mouth from the bag on the floor beside her. “You’d probably rake in more tip money if you did.”

I rolled my eyes. “I highly doubt that.”

“You should see some of the old guys checking you out,” she argued, smirking. “You think they’re there for the scones, but they’re really hoping for a slice of something else if ya catch my drift.”

My mouth dropped open. “What? Who?”

Alesha cackled and Lady jerked awake and immediately started to wag her tail, eager to join in the fun. Alesha stroked her head. “Mr. Williams likes to watch you steam milk.”

“You’ve got to be joking!” I laughed. Mr. Williams was pushing seventy.

“I’m not! You do this little jiggle dance thing when you steam milk and I’m obviously not the only one to notice.”

“Oh my God! I dance?”

“Uh-huh,” Alesha said, still laughing as she chowed down another handful of popcorn. “Little bit.”

“Good grief. Well, I’ll have you know that I’m not going out with Mr. Williams tonight!”

Alesha roared and Lady jumped down and started eating popcorn out of the bag, her fuzzy little rear end sticking out of the bag. Alesha stopped laughing and pulled the bag away from the puppy who came out with the buttery kernels stuck to her face.

“Maybe Lady is the perfect practice baby after all,” I joked as Alesha swiped at the puppy’s face. “All right, well I’m off. Call me if you need anything, but only if it’s a true emergency, okay, Leash? I don’t want phone calls for pickles and ice cream.”