Not that she had any idea what Kathy had ordered.
Clearly clued in to big news by Pandoras dinginess, Kathy leaned forward on both elbows and demanded with her usual rapid-fire pace, Whats going on? Youve got news, dont you? Hows the store doing? Have you put your stamp on it? Do you love the café angle? Are people doing the deed on the tables thanks to that menu we came up with?
Pandoras fingers tapped a rhythm on the table as she pondered.
Well? Kathy used one perfectly manicured finger to poke Pandora in the arm.
I was waiting to see if you had more questions, she replied with a wicked grin.
Cute. Now spill.
Shed called Kathy to meet her for lunch for just this reason, to spill the dirty deets about Caleb Black and his hot lips. Her friend was the only person she could tell, because not only was Kathy a great sounding board, she was sane. Shed be the voice of reason and keep Pandora from doing something insanely stupid, like chasing a man who was totally wrong for her. But shed also keep Pandora from chickening out if her idea-and Caleb-were actually doable.
But now that the moment of truth was here, she couldnt quite share. Wasnt sure she was ready for this kind of risk. So she sidestepped.
The store is actually doing well. Theres a ton of business. The new café is bringing in lots of customers. Theyre shopping in the store, heck, even the online storefront is getting a lot more traffic. Sales are up forty percent over this time last year and Ive banked almost enough to cover the quarterly tax payment.
Pressing her lips tight to stop the bragging, Pandora waited for a reaction. She was a little embarrassed at how proud she was of the store. Even more embarrassed at how much she wanted people, any people-but especially people in Black Oak-to know she was kicking butt. To know that she wasnt a failure.
Wow, Kathy said with a huge grin, clapping her hands together in delight. I told you it would work. Youre totally rocking the businesswoman gig. Im excited for you.
I wouldnt say rocking it, Pandora said, blushing a little. But it is going so much better than Id expected. I thought I was going to have to work a lot harder to convince people that oysters, strawberries and asparagus would make their love lives more exciting. But I barely had to advertise. Just opened the café, showed the menu and once word got out, its been packed.
Beats little blue pills, right?
Pandora laughed, leaning back in her chair and letting the soothing elegance of the restaurant wash over her.
Oh, yeah, I have it on good authority that Im way ahead of the little blue pill, she agreed with a grin. Do you know how much I now know about sexual aids for the elderly? I mean, yes, the customers are all ages, but its the elderly that want to share.
Pandora paused while the waiter set a basket of sourdough bread and a dish of roasted garlic and olive tapenade on the table. As soon as he left, she continued.
They are so grateful and excited about the aphrodisiacs-and to give them credit, about a place to get killer desserts-that they seem to have a need to fill me in on their newfound vigor, enthusiasm, length?. Its TMI run amok.
Kathy choked on her wine. Length?
Pandoras brow quirked, then as she realized what Kathy must be thinking, she giggled. Eww, no. I meant how long their little trysts are lasting now. Apparently chocolate cake is accredited with an extra twenty minutes of good lovin.
And they never discovered the power of chocolate before?
Not naked.
This time it was Kathy who wrinkled her nose.
It sounds like youve had plenty of entertainment. Leave it to Black Oak to stay lively.
Yep, the town is chock-full of characters. Pandora hesitated, then took another fortifying sip of wine. Including Tobias Blacks kids. Do you remember them?
Ooooh, baby, Kathy said with a low-throated growl. I had one memorable night with Gabriel right after graduation, remember? I still consider that my introduction to real pleasure, if you know what I mean.
Pandora winced. Maybe she really did have a sex-confessional sign floating over her head. Before Kathy could share details, she changed the subject. Did you know the rest of his family?
Not so much. Maya is a little younger than we are, Caleb a few years older than Gabriel. Their mom died when they were really little and I think their aunt tried to get custody but Tobias wouldnt let them go. I remember my mom saying he might not have done them any favors since the boys ran pretty wild. He used to travel a lot, and sometimes he took the kids, but mostly they stayed home on their own. She frowned, sopping up oil with her bread before picking it apart in tiny little bites. They had a few minor brushes with the law, teenage things, but nothing major. I remember they were scary smart in school, though. Like they didnt even have to study to ruin the curve, you know?
Mulling this over, Pandora nodded.
Why? Are you selling bed-y-bye snacks to old man Black? Now, thats a guy whos aged well. Talk about a hottie. Id think hed have little need for a chocolate-coated pick-me-up.
Mr. Black? A hottie? Pandora wasnt sure what to say to that. It wasnt that she didnt agree with Kathy, because Tobias Black was definitely a good-looking man. But it was kinda creepy thinking about him that way when she was nursing a serious case of the hots for his son.
If hes as good a kisser as his son, Im sure he doesnt, Pandora agreed, nibbling at her own piece of bread and nervously waiting for the reaction. Once upon a time, shed have relied on her own ability to read a person, to gauge their body language, and had trusted her own judgment. But now? Now all she was sure of was that she couldnt be trusted.
The question was, did that mean she shouldnt trust her lust for Caleb? Or her fear of him?
Kathy gave a gratifying gasp, tossed what was left of her bread on her plate and leaned forward to grasp Pandoras arm. Spill. All the details. Which brother, how was it, whered you do it and were you naked?
Pandora giggled.
Caleb. It was amazing. In the café, and oh, my God, of course not.
But you wanted to be?
Absolutely, she admitted with a sigh. Her smile softened as she remembered his lips again. The taste of him, male, hot and just a little chocolaty. Their bodies hadnt even touched, yet shed been more turned on than the last time shed had full-on, two-naked-bodies and real-live-orgasm sex.
More turned on than shed ever been in her life, actually.
In the café? Kathy said, a naughty look dancing in her green eyes. Had you shared one of those sexy treats?
Pandora opened her mouth to say no, then closed it.
She hadnt put much thought into it, but hed had a few big bites of the Foreplay cake. So had she, for that matter. But their lust had been the real deal. At least, hers had.
Doubt, always lurking somewhere but now painfully close to the surface thanks to Sean, reared its ugly head.
A couple bites is all, she admitted with a frown. But a lot of the power of an aphrodisiac is in the mind, isnt it? My grammy always said that most magics require belief to work. The power of suggestion and all that.
Kinda like a low-cut dress, huh?
Pandora grinned, acknowledging Kathys point with a wave of her fork. A little.
Then her smile fell away. Do you think thats why he kissed me? Of course it is, she answered herself. I mean, he just got to town, hes so gorgeous he probably has women throwing themselves at him. Why else would he kiss a perfect stranger?
Why had she thought hed found her special? That was crazy. She wasnt the type to inspire uncontrollable lust. Heck, she rarely inspired a second look.
Seeing where her mind was going, Kathy shook her head and gave Pandoras forearm a chiding tap. Stop that. Youre counting yourself out before you even consider the situation.
Whats to consider?
The details, of course. Start at the beginning.
Pandora arched one brow. When the dinosaurs roamed? Or back further than that?
Smart-ass. When did you first meet Caleb Black?
Pandora picked at her slice of bread again, wishing shed never brought the subject up. For just a while there shed been riding high on the idea that a man so sexy he made her toes curl had been attracted enough for a kiss at first sight. But now? Now she figured she should raise the prices in the café, since her aphrodisiacs were that strong.
Deets, Kathy prodded. Has he been in town long? When was the kiss?
Two days ago, she finally confessed. He came into the store. There was this big confrontation between him and his dad, then I gave him a piece of cake and he kissed me.
Just remembering gave her shivers. Itd been so incredible. For a guy who came across as a total hard-ass, his lips had been so, so soft.
She took a shaky breath and brushed the bread crumbs off her fingers.
Maybe the why didnt matter. Shed had an incredible kiss. Wasnt that what counted?
Wow, talk about a lot going on. Ill want the details of all the rest later. But for now, how was the kiss? Kathy asked, her eyes huge. Was it amazing?
It wasspecial, she decided with a soft smile.
Uh-oh.
What uh-oh? Pandora saw the concerned look in Kathys eyes and shook her head. No. No uh-oh. Im not getting romantic ideas. Thatd be crazy, considering he only kissed me because of the cake. Im just saying, it was a hot kiss that didnt follow the standard moves, you know?
Standard moves?
Yeah. You know how usually the first kiss with a guy is more about the anticipation and, well, introduction to his style?
Kathy nodded.
There was no anticipation because, I mean, who the hell kisses a complete stranger in a café while sneaking out the back door? Kathys brows creased, but before she could ask, Pandora continued, And he wasnt so much introducing his style as he was
Waswhat?
Making me melt? Pandora admitted with a helpless little laugh. Honestly, I have no idea why he kissed me. I just know that it was amazing.
Once again, uh-oh, Kathy worried, apprehension clear in her eyes.
What?
Be careful. Those Black men are heartbreakers. They went through girls like crazy. They always left them smiling, sure. But they never stuck around. Still, you dont need that, Kathy warned.