[2nd draft] 16b & C: I got you under my skin

I was just finishing the late-night shift at The Coffee Barn. My feet ached, between my thighs ached... well, just about everywhere ached. Places I didn't even know about ached, and I was dead tired-had been at the start of the shift. For the last time that night, I mentally beat myself up for not having called off. The gentle protests that had trailed off Ethan and Seth's lips when I'd finally extracted myself—for good this time—from Ethan's bed only made me more determined to go for some reason. I wasn't financially out of the woods yet. I needed this job. I needed this income.

Yet still, that determination wasn't enough to get me successfully through the day. Thank God for the smell of freshly brewed coffee, for the whips, dings, and suck-scratching noises of the cappuccino machines, and for the delectable whiffs of cakes and candies being made hourly by the best baker in the world—in my opinion anyway. Mason, The Coffee Barn baker, and husband to the owner had the delightfully delicious combination of crispy, moist, and cakey all-in-one down to an art.

My mouth watered at the thought of the homemade peanut butter banana cupcake with a choice of chocolate or coffee-flavored frosting. I was hangry. Hungry and starting to become angry because I was so hungry, therefore I was 'hangry'. It had been too busy for a break so I opted out and told Megan, the owner—who'd been working a shift because three people called off at the last minute—that I didn't need one. She argued at first but seeing as she wasn't taking a break either, relented. Since there was no coverage it was just easier, plus people had been coming in left and right. The Coffee Barn, a pretty new establishment, was getting more and more popular, and frankly, it was warranted. This place was like the Willy Wonka factory of gourmet coffee and cakes.

"Cassie, since it's slowing down I'm going to do some inventory. If you need me call me," Megan said, whipping off her green apron and heaving a sigh as she headed towards the back. "And remind me to never hire teenagers again."

Cassie chuckled. "It's the weekend. They're good workers... when they're here."

Megan snorted. "Keywords: 'when they're here.' And it's Sunday. Who counts 'Sunday' as the weekend?"

"When you party hard on Saturday night, Sunday is definitely part of the weekend, the recuperating let-me-sleep-off-this-massive-hangover and then the oh-my-gawd-I-woke-up-to-that part."

"Ha! They aren't even twenty-one," Megan scoffed with disapproval. "They shouldn't be drinking and they're definitely too young for sex."

I raised an eyebrow and batted at a stray strand of curly hair tickling my nose. "I know that never stopped you before."

"Hey, I was a good girl... mostly," she informed me. "Tried pot for the first time when I was twenty-seven, and I've never had hard drugs." She stuck her nose in the air and gave me a playful look.

"Well, your parents were too strict for you to even stay out past nine on the weekends. So, the rebellious teenager hiding deep down in the depths of my soul grieves for you."

Megan scoffed and made a 'stop-it' motion with her hands. "Don't be overdramatic. You're barely in your twenties!"

I shrugged. "Over dramatization is a talent of mine. What can I say?" I paused and tilted my head to the side. "After I close do you want me to stay and help with inventory?"

Megan nodded. "It would go faster. I'd appreciate it. Then I can get out of here by eleven and not twelve-thirty."

"Sure. We're pretty dead now. Wanna close early?"

Megan let her eyelashes flutter against her cheek and gave a grunt of satisfaction. "Such wishful thinking you have." She opened her eyes and pointed at the door. "Speak of the devil!"

I gritted my teeth and tried not to scowl at the dinging door. We closed in fifteen minutes, but there was always that straggler that would come in and order everything and then some. Usually, it would take twenty minutes to finish the order too.

"Welcome to The Coffee Barn. Would you like to try our famous peanut butter and banana muffin with chocolate cream cheese frosting? It has chunks of real bananas too!"

"Sure, I'll take them all!" a deep, gritty—slightly familiar—male voice said.

"What? Are you kidding me? I want at least one when I get off! I—" This guy was just being stingy, but I quickly cut-off my disappointed tirade and lifted my gaze.

His fingers tapped patiently on the counter and when I got to his face, his pine green eyes surrounded by black lashes grinned at me devilishly. His skin made me hungrier... for something besides muffins.

"You know," Seth said, the corner of his mouth twitching, "if you're gonna push a product simply because it's on your mind and you want it you can't be upset if that very product is purchased."

I scowled. "What are you doing here? And what in the world are you wearing?"

He was dressed to the nines—well the tens, the elevenths... I never really understood that saying, but whatever it was, Seth was dressed top-notch—in a black tuxedo with a not-fully-buttoned top underneath. The crisp white of that top against his caramel-colored skin made him look model gorgeous, well even more so than usual.

He leaned down, settling his elbows on the counter and resting his chin sideways in the palm of his hand, staring at me with such tickled amusement that my fingers itched to pinch his cheeks. "I'm here for those muffins."

"Dressed in that? And are you really gonna buy them all? I do want one. I'm so hungry and I haven't had a break at all today!"

"Is a muffin really what you want to eat then? It could make you sick eating something so sweet and decadent on an empty stomach." He paused and heaved an exaggerated sigh. "I suppose we'll just have to take you to dinner."

I shook my head. "I want a muffin. My stomach knows what it wants."

"I'm buying all six and I'm going to eat them after I eat lobster soaked in butter and sour cream covered baked potato. Sorry sweetheart. I am the customer here, after all."

"Seth, I'm gonna take one," I warned him, swallowing quickly as my mouth watered and my stomach protested its hunger. My belly was about to go on strike against me.

He nodded. "If you're a good girl and eat your dinner first, I might give you a bite. Please, place them in the box carefully. I'd also really appreciate some of the green and brown tissue paper."

"Have you ever heard the expression: "biting off more than you can chew"?" I asked him, pursing my lips and folding my arms across my chest.

Seth swiped his tongue over his sparkling white teeth and mirrored my stance. Sometimes his model perfection grated my nerves... and took my breath away, but I'd never admitted it out loud.

"You think I can't handle all the food?" he questioned, playing ignorant.

"Really? No. I think you can't handle me when I'm this hungry."

He nodded. "Maybe not, but I bet I can make you hungry for something else."

I shook my head. "There's no way. You're not that good in bed to make me forget."

Seth snorted. "And you have so many guys to compare me too." He sounded more pleased than he ought to be by that statement and I couldn't help but give him a sheepish smile. "I'm the best in bed you'll ever have. Ethan will agree. Seriously though, let us take you to dinner. Ethan's waiting in the car, keeping it nice and toasty. It's a little cold out."

I frowned. "You really came here to take me out to dinner?"

"Yes. Why is that hard to believe?"

Shrugging, I walked towards the dark green boxes and popped one open to start placing Seth's order inside of. "I thought you were joking, but I guess that's why you're dressed like a penguin."

"You don't like my tuxedo? Gotta snazzy gold dress for you too."

"I don't do dresses."

"Well, you will tonight. Fancy restaurant, roses, wine... it's a dress material occasion."

"Seth, in the years that you've known me exactly how many times have you seen me wear a dress?"

He didn't answer.

"Exactly."

"Baby, this is not up for discussion. We're taking you out on a date and you're wearing a dress... and maybe a little make-up."

The loud snort I let out startled the customer that had just walked in. "Make-up? I don't think so. I don't even know how to put on make-up." It's not like I had a mom long enough to teach me after all, and all the girls from school caked it on way too much for me to even bother. I tried mascara once and nearly poked my eyeball out. I'd screamed so loud from the pain that Ethan's mother had threatened to call an ambulance until she'd figured out what I was doing. She'd chuckled, got me a wet cloth to soothe my swollen stinging eye, and offered to help me. I'd declined. Beauty wasn't worth that much pain.

"We'll see," he said, offering me a mischievous smile as I placed his box of muffins in front of him.

He brought out his Visa Platinum and as I handed him the receipt, he picked the box up and gave a small nod to the gentleman beside him as he walked out, but not before shooting me an I'm-gonna-win-this-battle type of look.

With a sigh of defeat, knowing he probably would win, I turned my attention back to the older man with white hair and fluffy, cotton ball-like eyebrows. "Hello and welcome to The Coffee Barn..."

----

16C: I got you under my skin

I'd just flipped the open sign to close and was about to start shut down the register when I heard a gentle tapping on the window. I glanced up, a wad of cash held limply in my hands, to see Seth holding the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen in my life up to the window. He wiggled it and nodded to the locked door.

"Whoa," Megan mumbled as she walked up to me. "I don't think I've ever seen Seth dressed that way. I'm assuming the dress is for you?"

With a suddenly dry mouth, I nodded.

"Even if it wasn't for you, I'm pretty sure Seth could do it. That man could definitely pull off drag and still be sexy to everyone he's ever met, like ever."

The attraction was evident in Megan's voice and I found myself eyeing her. "Megan, does Mason know you lust after one of my best friends?"

She shrugged. "We swing. It's no big deal."

I frowned at her. "You swing? What does swinging on a swing sets have to do with what I asked you?"

Megan patted me on the shoulder. "No dear. Not that type of 'swing.'"

Still puzzled, I tilted my head and my frown deepened as I watched her walk towards the door, opening it for Seth. "Well hello, gorgeous!" Megan greeted Seth. "Are you coming to take the best help I ever had away?"

"Oh puh-lease," I grumbled, quickly counting out the ones.

"Megan, you're looking as beautiful as ever!"

My lips curled into a pout as a bit of jealousy reared its head in my gut. He hadn't complimented me at all, but I wasn't gonna be one of those girls that searched for them. Still, he could've said something nice. It didn't really matter that my hair was in a messy ponytail or that it was unnaturally curly from the sweat that had accumulated on my skin throughout the day. I could always spout off what Megan says about women not being able to sweat, but that was a load of shit I couldn't spout.

"Can we use your bathroom?"

"I have to help Megan with inventory, Seth," I interrupted.

"Nonsense. I'll do it."

"I thought you wanted to be out of here before twelve?"

She shrugged. "It's not like I have far to go. Besides, Mason texted me and our plans fell through. So please, go be young and have fun. You can use my shower if you want to."

Megan didn't have far to go because she lived on top of the two-story building that housed The Coffee Barn.

"I just need a sink and a mirror," Seth said. "Don't have time for a shower, Cass."

"Why not? If it's a fancy place I'd better take one.'

"The last movie playing is at twelve. We have an hour and half to eat and it takes at least half that to get the food out."

"We're going to a movie too? What is this, a date?" I asked, frowning as I started re-counting the drawer. "Five-hundred over, Megan... I'm counting it again."

She pushed a hand over and covered the drawer. "It's fine. We were busy and it was just you and me for most of the day. Go get ready!"

I scowled at her. I knew Megan and Mason felt uneasy about having extra cash on hand. The Coffee Barn wasn't in the best neighborhood and they'd put signs in the window claiming to not have cash in the safe after hours. While the building was attached to her very large apartment, she still had to go outside to get to the door and elevator that led to her place, which meant she'd be hauling over a thousand dollars with her as she went out.

"Mason's coming down," she said as if reading my thoughts.

I pursed my lips together and placed the money back in the drawer. "If you're sure..."

"Yes, yes. Now hurry, I wanna see you work that dress!"

"I don't know if I have the cleavage to work it," I said, scowling at the top of the dress. The darker, golden design on the bodice curled around the breast cups that plunged a little lower than I would've liked. I did like the train of the dress. It had poof that made me feel giddy, and for once I found myself a little excited. The closest I'd ever gotten to something like that was The Coffee Barn skirt uniform. Other than that it was usually shorts, jeans, and leggings. The easy stuff.

Seth rolled his eyes and waited for me to walk out past the counter before pulling gently at my arm.

"What's that bag?" I asked, pointing to the black and purple pouch tucked under Seth's arm.

"A make-up bag," Seth said, pushing me towards the bathroom and following me in.

"I really don't do make-up. That last time I tried putting it on I almost lost an eye."

Seth scowled at me. "You're hopeless. I'll do it. I happen to be an expert at putting this stuff on."

I leaned in close to Seth, eyeing his face. "Doesn't look like you have it on."

"Not on myself! I had a sister, thanks very much."

"You do? I thought you only had mean-ass brothers you don't talk to anymore because they're like in the mafia or something."

Seth shrugged; the happy expression on his face fell as he carefully placed the bag on the porcelain sink countertop. "I had a sister. She died when I was fifteen."

My mouth fell open and I just managed to catch a glimpse of myself looking like a fish blowing bubbles in water as I tried to think of something to say. "I-I'm so sorry, Seth. I didn't know."

He shrugged his shoulders again and offered half a smile. "Let's get you fixed up."

My heart hurt for him, but I nodded. As I walked closer to him, and more into the light, I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck. He stiffened as I hugged him tightly, smashing the side of my cheek into his. Seth seemed cautious as he loosely wrapped his arms around my waist and squeezed. It was like he expected me to morph into a snake and bite him.

"I'm really sorry about your sister, Seth," I whispered into his ear. "It hurts so much losing family, but it hurts worse when you actually get a chance to know them." Seth knew about my biological parents, so I knew he understood what I was saying. He also knew about the untimely death of my adoptive parents too. If anyone understood where he was coming from, it was me.

He placed a light kiss against the curve of my jaw and pulled away to cup the side of my face. He brushed his thumb over my cheek. "Let's get you ready."

I frowned and gave an uneasy look as he unzipped the make-up bag. "You really know how to put it on?"

Seth smiled and nodded.

"But you're a guy."

"I was always watching her put it on," he whispered. "The sweep of the blush brush, the way the color of the lipstick spread on her lips... I wanted to be a cosmetologist for the longest time."

"That is the furthest thing from a law degree. What changed your mind?"

Seth reached out and turned my face as he applied something wet and skin-colored to my face. "I wanted nothing to do with the family business. After my mom was shot that was it, and lucky for me school came easy."

"And you got your scholarship," I finished for him.

"Yes. It was a full ride, but not for make-up school—I applied for any scholarship I could, anything that would get me out of there. I decided I needed the money to get out of it permanently, and I wanted to help the victims in that type of lifestyle. Not everyone chooses it; most of my brothers were forced into it because they had no other options."

He gently turned my face again and briefly smiled at me when he put the liquid down and grabbed another container. When he was finished with the multiple shades of powder, he set the brush aside and took a step back, examining his work.

"I'm not even finished and already you look like art. Not that you needed make-up anyway," he said, mumbling the last part. His arm darted forward and his large hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me in for a quick, yet deep kiss that stole my breath. He stepped back quicker than I would have liked, but not before whispering against my lips how beautiful he thought I was.

I felt my face flush with pleasure. I wasn't a compliment seeker. Not usually anyway, but I had to admit it was nice. The 'free-reign' Seth now had on me seemed to have already changed the way he acted around me. He was touchy before, but he was all hands now.

He lined my lips with gold shimmering lipstick and then reached over for the thing I was dreading the most. I exhaled slowly, and bent my neck, lifting my face but unable to help the rapid blinking.

"I won't poke you in the eye," he said, his peanut butter and banana smelling breath fanning my face.

I let out an outraged gasp. "You ate the cupcake? What about not until we eat dinner?" The envious tone was clear as I pouted up at him.

He gave a warm, gut-deep chuckle and tapped the tip of my nose with his finger. "That rule doesn't apply to the adults."

"Pft. Adult smult, I want one of those muffins when I get into the car."

"Are they muffins or cupcakes? It doesn't really taste super cakey as a cupcake does."

"They're a crossbreed Mason made. It's a cupcake muffin."

He chuckled again. "Okay."

Seth put the mascara down once he was finished and his hands reached up to carefully pull at the tie holding my hair in a messy ponytail. I moaned in pleasure as he massaged my scalp, leaning into him so he would apply a little more pressure, but he pulled away too soon. He gave one last fluff and then reached over for the dress he'd hung on the door hook.

"Go get dressed. No bra."

I made a wide gesture with my arms and glanced down. "What's gonna hold these babies up then?"

"Do what I say."

I stuck my tongue out at him and went into the largest bathroom stall. The dress was surprisingly easy to slip on, but as I reached for the zipper in the back unsuccessfully the clichéd romance scene in all movies entered my mind. I bit my lip as I stepped out, the bodice lose around my chest. I gave Seth a nervous smile as his head tilted and the corner of his mouth lifted.

"Zip me up?" I asked and turned presenting my bare back to him.

He didn't dawdle or touch my back slowly. He didn't gently kiss down the length of my spine either. It was relatively romance-less as he pulled the zipper up. I was only slightly disappointed but cleared the pout off of my face as he quickly turned me around to examine the front.

"Ethan was right," Seth mumbled and he heaved a sigh.

"What was he right about?"

"We should've gone a size smaller."

"Smaller? Pft, this is tight enough," I said, patting my belly. And it was tight, at least around my hips and stomach.

"Easy solution," he said, gesturing towards my chest. He turned around and rummaged in the make-up bag, pulling out a small roll of duct-tape.

"Why in the hell would you have that in there?" I asked, but once I'd finished forming the question I already knew the answer. Gasping, I shook my head. "Oh no! I'm not doing that!"

"It'll make the dress fit you better in your chest area."

"Why do you want to torture me?"

"I don't want to torture you. I want to torture Ethan."

I frowned. "Huh? Tape on my nips won't hurt him!"

"I told you, Cassie. We both told you. He's sexually attracted to you and he doesn't really know how to handle it because he's liked men since he could remember. I can't wait for him to see how gorgeous you look, but those delightfully small perky breasts need a cleavage boost."

Seth quickly turned me around and unzipped the dress, pushing the top half of it down so quickly that I gasped. I turned back towards him and crossed my arms over my chest

"It's going to hurt, Seth," I complained, feeling the heat filling my cheeks at being naked in front of him.

He nodded. "It'll hurt taking it off, but I'll kiss it better. I promise. I'll put that chocolate frosting all over you and lick it better if you'd like."

I swallowed and held my arms up as he wrapped the tape around my chest. What else could I do? The idea of begging him to start with the licking now crossed my mind, but how inappropriate would that be here?

When he was finished and the top of the dress was zipped back up, Seth patted the now rising globes of my breast happily. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect..."

I wiggled uncomfortably. "At least one of us is happy," I grumbled.

"Two will be, once Ethan sees you. Here." He pulled off his tuxedo jacket and wrapped it around me. "I don't want him to get the full effect until after we're in the restaurant."

"I don't think it'll be that big of a reaction."

"He jerked off in my face calling out your name that first night."

The burn in my face quickly spread to my chest. "What?"

"You heard me. He wants you, Cassie," Seth said, taking a step closer to me, so close that when he looked down his nose brushed mine. "I want you too," he finished with a whisper as his tongue darted out and licked at my lips. He pulled away and held out his arm. "Ready?"