Licked (L.A. Liaisons Book 1) (5 page)

I headed down the stairs that led to Licked and flicked off the apartment lights as I went. Yes, I live upstairs from my shop. How convenient, right?
 

Zoe, my morning manager, right-hand woman, and all-around saint, was already in the kitchen measuring vanilla and pouring it into a bucket.

“Morning, Zoe,” I said before tying on an apron. Nodding at the mixture she was prepping, I said, “I do love a fresh batch of Cookie Dil-dough for breakfast.”

A chuckle left her as she looked over her shoulder at me. Her lip piercing gleamed under the kitchen lights, and her bouffant ’do, shaved on the sides, was a fresh shade of royal blue. “You do know I only work here because the names of your creams makes it sound like I talk shit all day, right?”

“You do talk shit all day. Names of my creams?” I shook my head. “By the way, dig the hair.”

“And that’s the second reason I work here. When are you gonna let me give you some fuchsia highlights?”

I took the batch of Up-the-Butt-er Pecan I’d made yesterday out of the freezer. “I’d rather leave the bright colors to my clothes. And shoes. And face. Pink hair would just be overkill.”

“Good point.” Zoe popped the lid on the tub of the ice cream she’d just finished making and set it in the blast freezer before taking out another container and following me to the front of the store.
 

The lights were already on, displaying my penchant for times past covering the space. The floors were black and white checkerboard tile, always gleaming from a fresh wax. The walls alternated between snowy white and rich magenta, and brightly colored frames showcased caricature portraits of not only the ice creams and boozy shakes featured at Licked, but also some of my favorite shining stars from the thirties and beyond, like Laurence Olivier and Rita Hayworth.
 

I told you. It’s my thing.
 

We set up the featured flavors for the day, and I pulled out all the toppings that had been set from the night before. The theme today was Whack-off Wednesday, and all the flavors would reflect a wacky combination.
 

Yeah, this isn’t any ordinary ice cream shop, if that’s what you were thinking. Where would the fun be in that? Exactly. Though who doesn’t love ice cream no matter what form, amiright or amiright?

“You’re all dressed up today,” Zoe said, eyeing my ensemble. Well, what she could see behind the frilly apron with “Get Licked” splashed across the front of it.
 

“I’m wearing the same thing I always do,” I replied.

“No…no, something’s different. Did you get laid?”

Sweet…Jesus.

IT WAS WELL past two when Cameron walked through Licked’s front door, wearing an immaculately pressed grey business suit that was somehow tailored to his towering frame. I thought again of the Ken dolls I used to play with when I was younger. They never stayed in those suits for long. I had been much too curious about what was underneath all those clothes and then horrified once I realized the answer was—not fucking much.

Aaaand now I’m thinking of him naked. Good job, Ryleigh.

A smile crossed Cameron’s lips as he said hello, and his gaze traveled around the shop before landing back on me. “This is amazing. If the food is half as good as the packaging, consider me a lifelong fan.”

Oh, the responses I wanted to make to that. But I didn’t. I behaved.

“Well, what are you in the mood for?” I asked.

He licked his lips as his eyes scanned the chalkboard menu above me. “Crushed Nuts…Ground-Shaking Orgasm? Decisions, decisions.”

“Tell me you’re not a double dipper.”

“A what?”

My lips tipped up on the side. “A double dipper. Means you’re bored with just one and you need the fun of two. Flavors, that is.”

Cameron slowly shook his head as he kept his eyes on mine. “I can assure you. I’m more than happy with just one.”

I could feel the heat creep up to my cheeks, but I played it cool. Or in my head I did. “That’s good to know. So what’ll it be?”

“I think…” His eyes went back and forth between the two options. “I think I’d much prefer a Ground-Shaking Orgasm. I’m a sucker for those.”

Approved, naughty boy.

“Comin’ right up.” I smiled and scooped several dark chocolate balls of ice cream into the clear sundae bowl without bothering to ask how many he wanted. He could have the whoooole enchilada. Err, sundae.

After piling it high with crumbles of crispy bacon and topping it with whipped cream and a cherry, I walked over to where he’d been watching me from one of the barstools at the counter, though I suppose his eyes could’ve been on the dessert in my hands. As I passed Zoe, she inclined her head toward Cameron and mouthed
wow,
which for her was huge—we didn’t bat for the same team.
 

I slid the heavenly concoction his way, and his eyes grew large and hungry. “This might be the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. Though proud of my creamery prowess, I admit I wanted him to say it was the
second-
best thing he’d ever seen in his life. You know. After my face. Or my ass.

A huge spoonful went between his lips, and he groaned in pleasure.
 

Hot damn, is that what he’d sound like in bed? Because hell
.
 

“And it is
definitely
the most delicious thing I’ve ever had in my mouth,” he said around a mouthful of chocolate cream, and I couldn’t help but think,
So far…

That’s not too pretentious at all, right?

“I’m glad you like it.” I glanced at the register to see Zoe taking care of the customers who’d just walked in and then focused my attention back on Cameron.
 

He’d already shoveled in a few more spoonfuls, and I had to laugh at his enthusiasm. “Do they not let you out of the office for lunch?”

“No. I meant to come by earlier, but we were slammed. They’re trying to get me to fly to Hong Kong to meet with investors there, and—” He stopped himself. “Sorry, that’s boring stuff.”

“It’s not boring if it’s something you love. Um…what is it you do again?”

Cameron put down the spoon and laughed. “I work for my father’s production company.”

“Oh wow. You know, everyone always thought you’d go into the NFL or something.”

“Nah. I mean, football was fine for school and stuff, but I’ve always been interested in the behind the scenes of the movie business. I never really thought about doing anything else.”

“I had no idea. And you go on exotic business trips overseas.”

“My trips usually entail finding backers for our projects and talking them into giving us millions of dollars from their own pockets. So it’s not that exotic, I promise. But…yeah.” He shrugged. “I love it. If you cater, maybe we could get you to do our next company event.”

“It’s a little messy to go on the road,” I said, gesturing to his melting ice cream. “But you’re more than welcome to have something here any time you want.”
 

“I appreciate that.” He smiled, one of those ultra-white, blinding smiles. Then a thought seemed to cross his mind, and he furrowed his brow. “Listen, I have to apologize for the other night—”

“Oh, don’t worry about—”

“No,” he said, holding his hand up. “My behavior was inexcusable, and, if you’ll let me, I’d like to make it up to you.”

Ding ding ding. In bed?

I pretended to take a minute to think about his offer before saying, “Yeah, okay. Sure.”

His smile came back. “Great. How’s tomorrow night?”

Oh damn. I was covering the late shift for the next two nights for one of my staff who had a family emergency. “Actually, I have to wor—” I started before Zoe knocked into me from behind.
 

“Sorry, boss, I didn’t see you there. Hey, I was wondering if I could pick up more hours this week. Like, maybe tomorrow evening?”

That tricky little woman. Bless her.
 

“You sure you’re up for a double shift?” I asked.

Zoe scoffed. “Seriously?”

Yeah, okay. She pretty much lived at the shop anyway. I owed her one.
 

She winked at me as she walked away, and I turned back to face Cameron.
 

“I guess it’s a date,” I said, trying not to cheesy-grin too hard until he left.

“Great. So I’ll pick you up…where, exactly?”

“Oh, here’s fine. My apartment is upstairs.”

“Really? So you weren’t kidding when you said you lived at work.”

I shook my head. “In more ways than one.”
 

Cameron nodded at the ugly tarp I was hoping he wouldn’t notice. Which was like asking someone not to pay attention to an elephant in the room. Maybe I should paint the stupid thing.
 

“You expanding?” he asked.

“I am. The booziery side of the business has taken on a life of its own, and we need more space. I was hoping it’d be finished by now, but the guys are running so behind, and I’m not sure it’ll be done for the Expand Your Empire contest in a couple months.”

“Is that the one
Wake Up America
is doing? Damn, that’s huge.” Cameron gave a low whistle. “So the expansion isn’t just limited to next door?”

“Nope. Hoping to take Licked nationwide.”

“That’s incredible, Ryleigh. You should be proud.”

As my eyes wandered the room, taking in all that I’d accomplished so far, I had to agree. “I am.”

“You know,” he said, looking back at that damn tarp. “I could get Hunter to stop by and take a look, see what’s holding up the renovations.”

“Oh, you don’t need to do that, I’m sure he’s booked—”

“No, it’s no problem. He owns his own construction business, so maybe he can light a fire under their ass.” Cameron winked, and I melted into a puddle. Checking his watch, he stood up and pulled a few bills out of his pocket before pushing them my way. “I’ve got to get back to the office, but I’ll pick you up tomorrow at, say, seven?”

“Seven’s perfect. And it’s on the house,” I said, shaking my head at his attempt to pay. He stuffed the bills into the tip jar on the counter and gave me one last gorgeous smile before heading out the door.

As the deliciousness that was Cameron walked out, a new recipe took hold in my mind.
A Sex God Sundae: a king-size banana split, salty nuts, extra cream…

THE NEXT DAY, I was scooping balls of Like a Virgin vanilla bean into a Coke Whore float when the front door chimed, and in walked Cameron’s roommate.
Hunter
. Sporting another pair of worn jeans that sat on his hips and looked like they’d been dark to begin with.
 

He looked… Well.
Fucking hot.
Not that I had noticed.
 

Okay, fine, so I noticed. It was hard not to with the way he sauntered into my shop. I handed the Coke float to the last customer in line and then wiped my hands on a wet towel.
 

“Let me guess,” I said. “Your Ass is Grass?”

When he raised an eyebrow at me, I noticed how impossibly long his lashes were. Why do guys always get the perfect ones, and women have to pay for them?

“Excuse me?” he said.

I shrugged. “You look like a mint chocolate chip with brownies kind of guy.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“It’s my job to know these things.”

He smirked and then glanced around the store. “Cameron mentioned you needed help with renovations.”

“I’ve got some guys on it already, but they seem to be taking their sweet-ass time.”

When Hunter’s eyes landed on the tarp, he inclined his head. “They working today?”

“Should be.”

He walked over and lifted the edge of the cover to peer into the workspace. Over his shoulder, he asked, “Mind if I go in?”

“No, give me a sec and I’ll join you.” I untied the apron I’d chosen to match my burgundy swing dress and placed it on a hook. “Be right back,” I told my staff.

I followed Hunter into the empty space next door, the smell of woodcuttings greeting my nose.
 

“How long have they been on the job?” he asked as he walked slowly around the room, taking in every inch of the space from wall to ceiling. It was a mess. Even I could see that. It would’ve been in better shape just to leave it like the retail store it had been than to have them tear it all apart so it was a big pile of nothing.