Remy
The café was slammed. Emma was out of state for the day, her college student employee had class until three, and Jasmine had been so sick Remy had had to send her home.
She flicked another glance towards the ever-growing long line at the door—good for business, but bad for her sanity on a day like this. She just needed to get through this rush and then she could breathe. Oh, to put my aching feet up. She’d been here since five this morning and it was only noon now.
“So sorry about the wait. What can I get you?” she asked the next customer.
“A venti latte with half the foam. Can you make that with half two percent milk and half skim milk? Oh, and a shot of caramel.”
Remy smiled and wrote the picky customer’s order on the cup as the door jingled, signaling yet another customer. She was drowning here. People were going to start walking away soon and she would lose business.
“Hey, beautiful.” His voice was like a breath of fresh air.
She made the woman’s coffee as she turned and smiled at him. “Hey yourself. I’m a little busy right now.”
“I can see that. That’s why I’m here. Put me to work.” He smiled.
“Don’t you have to help Andre today?”
“I took the rest of the day off. It’s just paperwork that I can do this weekend instead. Jasmine told me you were slammed.”
She wiped the steamer off and placed the lid on the latte as his firm fingers kneaded her stiff neck. Sure, he’d have no idea what he was doing, but any help would be better than no help. Mikel had always been a fast learner. A weight lifted from her shoulders as she handed the woman her drink.
“Okay, can you ring her up?”
Mikel stepped in front of the register as she walked him through the touch screen.
“I’m going to give everyone a ten percent discount for waiting so long today,” Remy said, loud enough for all the patrons to hear.
“Oh, I really appreciate it,” the first customer said.
Mikel got to work, bagging baked goods and ringing up customers as she filled the drink orders. The line moved along much quicker, to her delight, and every customer left with a smile.
Remy let out a sigh of relief as she wiped the counter down. His warm arms embraced her from behind as he breathed in at the base of her neck.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Remember what I said: I’m gonna take care of you. Next time you get like this here, just give me a call.”
She nodded, her heart full, nearly bursting—a feeling she’d had so much of lately. This was too good to be true. Mikel was beginning to be the partner in her life that she’d always dreamed about.
“Why don’t you have a seat and eat something while I clean the tables?” Mikel asked.
“I gave Jasmine my lunch, hoping it would help settle her stomach.”
“Then it’s a good thing I ordered you Thai food that should be delivered in about two minutes.”
“You … when?” She turned around to face him.
He held up his phone. “They make apps for that now.”
The urge to kiss this man was too strong for a place of business. She grabbed his hand and dragged him into the back room before plastering a kiss on his mouth. He tightened his grip around her, pulling her closer. All the things she wanted to do to him required privacy and time—two things they didn’t have in that moment.
“Wow.” He chuckled. “Is that my thank you?”
“That’s just the preview.” She winked.
His mouth curved up into a smirk as his eyes darkened. “I’m just taking care of my woman.”
“Your woman, huh?”
The door chimed from the café.
“Mm-hmm.” He placed his palms on both sides of her face and kissed her forehead before walking back out to the front counter.
She couldn’t stop the smile that bloomed. She wasn’t alone in this anymore.
* * *
At three thirty, Remy waved goodbye to her closing staff and walked to her car.
“I’ll meet you at home?” Mikel asked, pulling his truck keys from his pocket.
“Yeah. I’ll get Lyra from my parents and then head over.”
“Drive safe.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips.
By the time Remy unbuckled Lyra and got her inside, her feet and her back were throbbing.
“We’re home, Daddy!” Lyra said, running up as Remy shut and locked the door.
He picked her up and swung her around as she giggled. “How was your day at school?”
“It was sooo good. Miss Piper said I could be the next one to feed our pet turtle.”
“That’s awesome, princess,” Mikel said, kissing her cheek before he set her down.
“What smells so delicious? Did you order something?” Remy searched the empty counters, focusing on the sink of soapy dishes that were half done.
“Nope, I made it. It’s baking in the oven. Which means you have exactly forty-five minutes to soak in the tub I ran for you upstairs before we need to eat.” Mikel came over and kissed her neck.
He made dinner? He … ran a bath for her? He was doing dishes?
Mikel laughed. Her shock must have been written across her forehead.
“You go and relax. Lyra and I are gonna watch some Paw Patrol.”
Lyra jumped up and down. “Just you and me, Daddy?”
He tucked her stray curl behind her ear. “Just us.”
Remy was left utterly speechless as they made their way into the living room.
“Go before your bath gets cold,” Mikel called.
* * *
Remy studied her pruney hands. Suds gathered around her arms and breasts. The foam had left a milky sheen on top of the once hot, now tepid water. Lyra’s giggles could be heard every now and then. This was pure heaven. She could definitely get used to it. She hadn’t felt cherished since the day he’d gone out and bought all the baking flours she’d wanted to experiment with. That was a memory she’d replayed several times in the past when she’d wanted to remember what it was like to feel special.
“Knock, knock,” Mikel said, opening the door. “The lasagna just came out of the oven. Do you want us to wait for you?”
“I’m coming.” She smiled, sitting to pull out the plug.
He walked in and leaned down, cupping one of her soapy breasts in his hand. Remy gasped and checked the doorway for a possible little girl sighting.
“I hope to hear that a few times tonight.” He pinched her nipple and kissed her shoulder. Her breathing became ragged as her arousal bloomed. Need and desire tightened like a coil ready to snap. Ringing filled her ears as her blood rushed to her aching center.
Mikel got to his feet abruptly and turned towards the door just as Lyra came bounding inside. Remy had been too out of it to hear her daughter approaching.
“Come on. Let’s set the table. Mommy’s gonna get dressed and meet us down there,” Mikel said, steering Lyra out of the room.
Remy swallowed as she tried to rein in her demanding libido.
* * *
After dinner, they played a game with Lyra before getting her in the bath. At bedtime, Mikel read her a story and kissed her good night. Remy did the same. Lyra was out like a light.
Remy sighed as she sat on her bed. The man she craved walked through the door, shedding his shirt until he was only in a pair of black sweatpants. As exhausted and sore as she was, there was still energy to lick every ridge and line on that perfectly sculpted torso. The V at his hips was especially enticing.
Mikel grabbed a bottle of lotion and sat at the end of the bed, placing one of her feet in his lap.
“You don’t wanna sit up here next to me?” She furrowed her brow.
“Patience, woman.” He smirked, squirting some of the lotion in his hand before he got to work kneading and rubbing her feet.
She moaned. “Oh my god. That feels so good.”
“Do you think I can make you come from a foot massage?” He chuckled.
“If it can be done, I’m sure you’d be the one to make it happen.” She closed her eyes and enjoyed the way his strong hands worked out every last bit of tension in her feet before moving up her legs. She was soaking wet by the time he told her to get naked and flip over to her stomach.
His hard cock grazed her side as he moved along her sore back, rubbing all the kinks out. Her body was limp and boneless as he moved to her neck and scalp, leaving no spot untouched—pure bliss saturated her every cell.
His warm hands moved slowly down her spine, almost light enough to tickle her sensitive flesh, curving over her bottom before diving into her pussy. “You’re so wet.” He spread her thighs as she whimpered. “Time to fulfill my promise and make you come.”
“Yes, please,” she begged.
The bed bounced as he moved. A moment later, his bare thighs were between hers. “Put that beautiful ass in the air.”
She did as he said, eager for the pleasure and connection.
His newly grown beard scratched the back of her thighs as he licked across her hot folds. She bit her lip to hold back the moan.
“I’m gonna take care of you,” he said, before repeating the action.
If this was how Mikel Evans wanted to take care of her, she’d let him. This was so much more than she’d ever thought possible. He’d proven to her he was all in, that he loved her and their daughter. She loved him with every fiber of her being.
Mikel was her forever.