Sugar Shack Read online

  Sugar Shack

  by

  Paisley Scott

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Sugar Shack

  COPYRIGHT 2008, 2012 by Paisley Scott.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Visit www.paisleyscott.com to contact Paisley and find more hidden treasures!

  ALSO by Paisley Scott:

  Sugar Shack / Same Old Lang Syne

  Secret Santa 4U

  The Pirate and the Pussycat

  Dedication

  To Molly, my “labradorable” companion for nearly twelve years. R.I.P., sweet girl.

  To my DH, for living with a whirling dervish with mood swings.

  And to JD, my PPP!

  Reviews

  Ms. Scott’s prose is so good, I was alternately drinking hot chocolate to stay warm while reading her Vermont descriptions and fanning myself during the sex scenes. Sugar Shack is a sweet treat whether you read this holiday tale at Christmas or any other time of the year.

  ~R. Kyle, Amazon Reviewer, #157

  Chapter One

  Catherine Bennett tucked a stray brunette lock behind her ear and plucked a flute of Dom Perignon off the tray of a passing server. She shifted uncomfortably in her high heels and adjusted the thin strap of her green, sequined gown. God, she hated these get-togethers. On the other hand, Elsie Parker, her senior editor at Off the Beaten Path travel magazine, really loved them and knew how to throw a party. Christmas was still a week away, but Elsie looked for any excuse to host a bash at her swanky penthouse in the middle of downtown Chicago.

  Her gaze swept the room until it lit on Ellie’s short, silver bob. Typically, her boss was floating around the room, eavesdropping on everyone’s conversations. Catherine sighed. She didn’t really feel particularly festive this year. Maybe it was because she and Lewis had officially parted ways.

  She let her lips hover over the rim of the glass, ignoring the bubbles tickling her nose. She was hoping for something. Some kind of feeling to overtake her at the finality of their relationship. But nothing had happened. It was like reading the end of a perfectly mundane book. Nothing memorable—just something to occupy some time for a while. Lewis had been her ordinary little bedside read.

  She took a long pull of the champagne, swallowing slowly to enjoy the fizzy sensation as it slid down her throat. “Merry Christmas, Catherine Ann,” she muttered to herself, licking her lower lip. “Here’s to another year without Lucky Luke.”

  “Oh, pray tell, Catherine. What exactly is a Lucky Luke?” Her coworker Nita Graham sidled up to her and wrapped a slim, ebony arm around her shoulders.

  Catherine stopped another passing server and relieved the young man of his entire champagne-laden tray. “You don’t miss a thing, do you, Nita?”

  The woman tilted her head at Catherine and snickered. “Damn, woman. What kind of reporter would I be if I let the important stuff pass me by?”

  “Touché, m’dear.” Catherine allowed her friend to lead her to the leather sofa. She set the tray down on the nearby coffee table, took another flute of bubbly and sat back, smiling. “It’s a long, boring story, if you must know.”

  Nita’s dark gaze swung around the room before returning to her. “Get real, girl. This is another one of Mama Elsie’s puppeteer parties. She just wants to tug our strings and see how fast we’re dancing for her. Believe me, any one of your stories is a helluva lot more interesting than what’s going on here tonight. So spill it. Lucky Luke is...?”

  A giggle escaped Catherine’s lips as they touched the glass. She took a long sip, thinking it over. Finally, she swallowed. “Fine. But after I’m finished and you’re left sitting there, bored out of your mind, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Nita took a glass from the tray and nodded. “Noted. I have been warned. Yada, yada, yada. Start talking.”

  Inhaling a deep breath, Catherine paused a long moment, then launched into a story she hadn’t spoken of in over a decade. “Lucky Luke is the nickname of a guy I used to date named Luke Mackenzie.”

  “I take it Luke got lucky?”

  Unable to help herself, Catherine laughed. Leave it to Nita to cut right to the chase. There was no sense in beating around the bush with the woman. “Yeah. He got lucky many times.” She took another long pull of the champagne.

  It seemed like only yesterday. She’d transferred to the University of Vermont and had met her student advisor, Luke Mackenzie. She grinned at the memory. She’d been a month shy of her twenty-first birthday and still clumsy in the art of lovemaking. By the end of the following month, she’d learned quite a lot from Luke. An involuntary moan escaped her at the thought of his skilled hands gliding across her skin, his fingers sliding into her eager wetness.

  Warmth crept across her breasts as she closed her eyes and recalled his lips on her nipples, his tongue flicking devilishly across the swollen peaks before his teeth gently nipped. Her tummy tightened in response to the naughty memory.

  “Girl, I haven’t been half as turned on as you are right now when I had a man naked in the same room as me. Damn, I’m jealous.”

  Catherine’s eyes snapped open and she glanced quickly around the room. What had gotten into her? Luke, a wicked little inner voice answered. Mmm. No kidding. He sure had gotten into her, and the sex was always magnificent with him. Both had satisfied the other, but as soon as their blood cooled, lust would take over again. They could never get enough of each other. It was both a delight and a curse.

  “So what happened to him?”

  In an attempt to cool her suddenly dry mouth, Catherine took a gulp of champagne. When she felt capable of speech again, she said simply, “We wanted completely different things back then.”

  Nita snickered. “Y’all sure seemed to have one thing you both wanted.”

  Catherine groaned. “God, no kidding. I can’t deny the sex was un-frickin’-believable. It was like Fourth of July fireworks every time we slept together.”

  “Slept?” Nita cocked her head and winked. “Doesn’t sound like y’all were doing much sleeping to me.”

  “Sleeping was not high on our priority list back then.” Her blood heated another ten degrees at the thought of the all-night lovemaking sessions she and Luke had shared. Leaning in, she dropped her voice and confided, “Once, during a flag football game, Luke and I snuck away and hooked up under the bleachers.” She gave a low, satisfied moan. “God, that was good.”

  Neither Luke nor Catherine were interested in playing the silly game at the park with about twenty other students. Once the game was underway, beer flowed, inhibitions dissolved and, soon, Luke was taking every opportunity to tumble her to the ground. His hands were all over her. Just as eager to have him, she led him off the field and they made it as far the wooden bleachers before they were yanking off clothes and groping at each other’s sweat-slickened skin.

  She’d never had sex outdoors before and the temperature was brisk. The slight chill against her bare nipples was a major turn on. And the chance of them being discovered made it even more exciting. They were standing up and Luke turned her around so her back was to him, her ass pressing against him. Her fingers gripped the cold, steel post as his thick, hot cock entered her. She wanted to melt into him at the moment; to become one with her lover.

  While crimson and gold leaves crunched beneath their sneakered feet, they fed each other’s passion. His hand
s cupped her hot pussy, fingering her clit while his wondrous cock pumped into her aching wetness, harder and faster with increased need. Her throat grew hoarse from her cries of pleasure.

  Finally, with one last thrust that impaled her to the hilt, Luke came in a hot burst, his seed trickling down the back of her cool, bare thighs. Sanity slowly returned, and both of them were a mess, but they didn’t care. They’d been gone too long and their friends were hollering for them, but it didn’t matter. Neither cared as they caught their breath after those timeless moments of bliss. It could have been five minutes or five hours, neither cared.

  When they emerged from the cover of the bleachers, the other players were standing around, waiting for them. A slow clap began and then loud whistles and catcalls. Before long it was a cacophony of applause, all directed at them.

  “Congrats on getting lucky, Luke!” one of the guys hollered.

  “No, congrats on getting Lucky Luke!” a female voice had added.

  “And that’s how he got the nickname,” Catherine said, grabbing another glass off the tray and leaning back into the sofa.

  Nita laughed. “What a wild little thing you were, Ms. Bennett!” Her gaze lifted above Catherine’s head and she instantly transformed back into the professional, ex-runway model Elsie had hired the same year as Catherine. “Head’s up,” she whispered.

  Elsie sidled up beside them, a crimson smile tilting her lips. “Hello, ladies.” Strategically, the older woman leaned over the side of the couch rather than risk a single wrinkle to her flawless silk suit.

  “Wonderful party, El,” Nita said, raising her glass toward the hostess.

  “Hear, hear.” Catherine imitated Nita’s toast.

  “So what are we talking about in the far corner of the room, hmm?”

  “Oh, Catherine was sharing some memories of her college days in Vermont. Weren’t you, darling?”

  Catherine nearly choked on her sip of champagne.

  “And it sounded absolutely charming. Especially the way she described the quaint little parks there. And the trees painted in vibrant watercolors during autumn. It certainly makes me want to visit the place.”

  “Really?” The severely tweezed dark eyebrows lifted above Elsie’s glacial blue eyes.

  Catherine could almost see the gears beginning to spin in her boss’s head.

  “I’d always been under the impression you didn’t care much for Vermont.”

  “I was what, twenty-four years old?” The fragile straps fell away from her shoulders as she shrugged. “I was dying to stretch my wings, Elsie. Leave everything behind and see what the world held for me.” A dark curl fell over her forehead and she shoved it back in place. “I didn’t dislike Vermont. It’s a very charming place, actually. I simply wanted to experience more.”

  Elsie’s blue eyes widened. “Oh. Well, if that’s the case, why haven’t you ever done a piece on it? I think that would be right up your alley.” She tapped a red-tipped fingernail against her chin thoughtfully. “As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I’d like your next assignment to be, Catherine.” Her bobbed hair swung gracefully against her jawline. “Yes, yes. I like it. We’ll have the whole theme of the New Year be in magical places that evoke Currier and Ives. Anywhere with quaint, snow-dusted places straight out of a Dickens’ novel. Your Vermont story will be perfect. I love it. Let’s go with it. I’ll get Mary on it now so you can head out first thing tomorrow.” Elsie turned and wandered back through the crowd without a backward glance at Catherine or Nita.

  The two women stared after their boss until the partygoers completely engulfed the woman. It was Catherine who broke the quiet, poking an elbow into her friend’s ribs. “Why did you have to mention Vermont?”

  Nita had the grace to look embarrassed. “Hey, I got you a free trip home for the holidays, sweetcheeks.”

  Catherine couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out. “You’re lucky I like you so much, you smug tart.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Laughing, they raised their glasses in a toast.

  Chapter Two

  After arriving in Burlington the next afternoon, Catherine checked in at the car rental office. The harried fellow behind the counter was nice, but kept checking the weather outside the huge glass windows. He must not be a native, she thought with a grin. Vermonters never worried about the weather changing, because they know for certain it will. It’s clear skies one minute and before you turn around, you’re in the midst of a snowstorm. Get used to it or move south, her grandmother always said.

  Keys in hand, she hurried across the skywalk to the economy car Elsie’s secretary, Mary, had rented her for the week. After loading her luggage into the hatchback, she jumped in and cranked up the little car’s heater full blast.

  Winter in New England was a picture in itself. Snow lay like a quiet blanket across everything. Buildings, trees, rooftops, everything was covered in white. It was beautiful. And as much as she’d avoided coming home over the years, she’d missed it here.

  She pulled out of the airport parking lot and headed toward the university. Such a long time had passed since she’d been here and even longer since she’d seen the campus.

  The snow that had been gently falling when she’d landed now splattered against her windshield in large, sticky clumps. The sky was gray and snow blew across the road in front of her. A storm was definitely brewing. With that in mind, she detoured away from the school and headed in the direction that would eventually lead her to her parent’s house. Another smile tugged at her lips. It really would be good to be home after all these years. She’d entertained her family in her tiny Chicago apartment during a few major holidays since she’d left Vermont. But after ten years, it would be nice to give her parents a break and spend Christmas where they were most comfortable.

  She hadn’t even called to let them know she was coming. This was going to be a surprise to end all surprises. Her dad would love the fact that she’d gotten him good this year. Her laughter filled the tiny car. Edward Bennett was the biggest practical joker she knew and they were forever trying to one-up each other.

  A wave of snow blew from the shoulder of the road and washed across the asphalt, covering it in white. Catherine downshifted to maintain traction. The farther down the country road she went, the more snow crunched softly beneath her tires. Gray clouds above grew darker and more ominous.

  She checked the time. Only 2:18 in the afternoon. She’d been on the road over an hour and had four more to go before she reached her parent’s house.

  Time seemed to tick backwards as she remembered the last time she’d traveled this road. Luke had come to Burlington to bring her back to his family’s maple farm. He took over the business immediately after his graduation the previous year. Although Catherine visited the farm many times, she never saw him at the helm. Watching him manage the whole, intricate operations filled her with pride, and to be honest, it had been quite hot to see her man in charge like that.

  Mackenzie’s Maple Farm was located in the small town of Maple Knob, about a ninety-minute drive from campus. A slow grin curved her lips. How many times had she and Luke pulled off this main road and traveled down the bumpy dirt path toward Hawk Talon’s Lake? A giggle bubbled out of her as she recalled one time in early autumn when they’d visited their secret place and made love in the backseat of Luke’s SUV. The vibrant forest of red, orange and gold had surrounded them, the gentle ebb and flow of the river the only sound. Well, she amended, it had been the only sound until Luke found her sweet spot with his devilishly skilled hands. He always knew exactly where to touch her to set her body on fire. She came alive under his masterful strokes that day and screamed in wanton pleasure when his fingertips caressed her clit until she was mindless with need.

  He was her first lover, and what an introduction to sex. Even now, no man compared to him. The way he was always gentle, yet assertive, had made it all the more exciting to her.

  Catherine turned down the heater a bit. T
he tiny car’s interior was suddenly uncomfortably warm.

  Her thoughts floated back to Luke and his lovemaking prowess. Unbidden, her mind conjured an image of him standing over her bed, as he had done so many times before crawling in beside her. She never grew tired of looking at that beautiful man. Every feature was seared into her memory. The sun-streaked blond hair. Eyes the same shade as the rich maple syrup he made. Lips so sinful they could tempt a saint. Her heart fluttered at the memory of his perfect body. Six feet of lean, corded muscle. Between his legs was the most amazing prize of all. Nestled against a dark patch of hair between his muscular thighs, his long, thick cock demanded attention and she was always happy to oblige.

  A rush of heat burned her cheeks as she remembered one exceptionally risky performance they’d shared in the back of a movie theater. As soon as the lights dimmed, Luke’s lips covered hers and their tongues probed the depths of each other’s mouths, stroking and tracing every contour.

  Luke’s hand trailed down her body until he reached her knee, then his fingers lifted the hem of her skirt and slid up her thighs. Skillfully, he moved her panties to one side and slipped past the lacy barrier. When he stroked the lips of her pussy, his mouth caught her low moan.

  His kiss deepened as his finger entered her. Her hips rolled to meet him. Another moan vibrated through her, captured by his lips. His finger began a slow, intoxicating rhythm inside her. Soon it was joined by another finger. God, she wanted more! His hands were magic, weaving a spell around her, inside her. The tempo changed, grew faster and faster. Her hips rose and fell, riding his fingers in the cramped confines of the theater seat. A groan of pleasure escaped her, breaking through their joined lips. She was past caring if anyone heard them or saw what they were doing. All she knew was that she had this gorgeous, sensitive man pleasuring her and she wanted to come. She had to find sweet release.