Chapter 2:

Stephanie POV

I stole a glance at the clock as I reached into the case to pull out a preordered birthday cake for Mrs. Buzick. 5:45. Only fifteen more minutes until close. I'd barely had time to enjoy any of the sweets myself what with all the customers today.

"Ronnie just loves the cakes from here. He said his birthday just wouldn't be the same without a layered chocolate cake from the Tasty Pastry," Mrs. Buzick droned on.

Ronald Buzick, or Ronnie as Mrs. Buzick called him, was pudgy, just shy of being fat. Give him another five years and I'd bet he'd blow up like a balloon. My mother and his mother were friends and they'd been trying to get us to go on a date for months. It was hard enough trying to act cool without being forced on a date with the fat kid.

"Well, I hope Ronnie has a happy birthday," I said with a fake smile, hoping to shoo her out of the store. I still had to wipe down the counters, sweep the floor, and clean out the cases before I could go home and I didn't want to be here one second past 6:00.

Mrs. Buzick leaned across the counter as she handed me her money, lowered her voice, and said, "Why don't you come over for dinner tonight, Stephanie dear? Then maybe you and Ronnie could go to the movies or something."

Over my dead body, I thought. "Sorry, Mrs. Buzick, but I have other plans." Like poking my own eyes out. Anything would be better than dinner and a show with Ronald Buzick.

"Maybe some other time then."

I just smiled and passed over her change. She picked up the cake box and headed to the door. Before she was even outside, I turned and went into the backroom in search of the broom. I was starving and had no intention of working late tonight. The bell jingled above the door and I heaved a sigh of relief to finally be alone. I was sweeping up the ever present flour and sugar mess when I heard someone clear their throat. The sound startled me and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I wheeled around and saw Joe Morelli causally leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, and legs crossed at the ankles. A slight grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Panic flashed through my belly as Mary Lou's warning to not be caught alone with Joe Morelli replayed in my mind. "He's got a tongue like a lizard," she'd said.

"What does that mean," I'd asked.

"Just don't let him get you alone, or you're sure to find out."

The panic subsided and I was left with an odd mixture of fear and curiosity. My heart rate kicked up at the sight of him and I could feel my face flush with the increased blood flow. The connection was broken somewhere between my brain and my mouth and I couldn't think of a single thing to say.

Joe's POV:

After I dropped Mooch off at home this afternoon, I cruised the Burg thinking about Stephanie Plum. I'd memorized the curves of her body and let my mind's eye trace them over and over until I was desperate to see them in real life again. Mooch had told me she worked at the Tasty Pastry everyday after school, so I decided to stop by close to closing time and see if I could give her a ride home. And if I was lucky, just maybe she'd let me trace some of those curves with my hands.

I pulled open the door to the Tasty Pastry just as Mrs. Buzick was coming out. I held the door for her as she hurried past. "Thank you, Joseph," she said with a nod. The store was empty when I went inside. In fact, I didn't even see Stephanie at first. I took a few steps further into the store and then I spotted her. She was bent over behind the éclair case, sweeping a pile of dirt into the dust pan. Her jeans were stretched tight across her round butt and the triangle Guess logo was as good as a target. My breath caught in my throat and all my blood drained into my growing hard on.

Stephanie stood back up and continued sweeping, giving me a moment to recompose myself. I leaned against the counter to get a better view of her, and when I couldn't feel my heart beating anymore, I cleared my throat to let her know I was there. She dropped the broom at the unexpected noise and whipped around to face me. Her blue eyes widened and her pouty pink lips parted in surprise.

Stephanie's POV:

"Hey, Stephanie," Joe said and smiled at me. Omigod! He smiled at me!

His voice jolted my brain into functioning again. "Hi, Joe," I squeaked. I'm such a fucking idiot! "Can I help you?" I took a mental inventory of myself: new acid washed jeans and Van Halen concert t-shirt covered by a white apron; worn out blue Keds; plaid Swatch watch; jelly bracelets; and silver hoop earrings. Not too bad if you didn't count my tangled hair and lack of makeup. I hadn't had a chance to even glance in a mirror since right after school, and I was sure that my bangs had fallen and my make up had melted off. Great. Just great.

Nervously, I wiped my hands off on my apron and walked around behind the counter, opposite from where Joe was standing. Get a grip, Stephanie! Probably Mrs. Morelli just wants something for dessert.

"I hope so. I'm hungry." Joe's chocolate colored eyes were focused intently on me. He didn't look hungry to me – at least not for pastries.

I broke eye contact so I could catch my breath and walked over to the case with the cannolis. "How 'bout a cannoli?"

Joe followed me to the case and stood behind me while I reached in to select one. "I like cannolis," he said.

I selected a chocolate chip cannoli – my favorite – and turned around to hand it to him, but I ran smack dab into his chest. My blood was rushing through my body so hard and fast that I could hear the roar in my ears. This was not the same rotten kid that I'd played choo-choo with ten years ago. Joe Morelli had grown up big and bad, with eyes like black fire one minute and melt-in-your mouth chocolate the next. The black fire in his eyes was currently smoldering and had melted his eyes to the color of melt-in-your mouth chocolate. I'm not sure which color was scarier.

My back was pressed against the cannoli case and my hip was lodged against the counter. Joe was standing three inches in front of me and rested one elbow on the cannoli case, effectively trapping me. Joe reached up with his other arm to take the cannoli from me, I assumed. Instead, he brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. "You've got a little flour on you." His hand lingered for a moment and I felt my legs beginning to give out. I wonder if this is what Mary Lou meant about virgins turning into slobbering mush. I wasn't mush – not yet – but if he doesn't move his hand, I'm afraid I might be soon.

Joe's fingertips brushed down my cheek and traced my lips. "You've got a great mouth, Stephanie."

I was completely at a loss. Other than being fingered by Joe Morelli ten years earlier, I had no experience with men and had no idea how I was supposed to respond. Feeling totally self conscious, I bit down on my lower lip and waited for his next move. Either that, or waited to faint. I wasn't sure how much more of this I could take.

Joe's POV:

My eyes zeroed in on Stephanie's teeth sinking into her lower lip. Hard teeth sinking into soft flesh was an idea I'd like to explore. Isn't that what Mooch had said he wanted to do? Take a bite out of Stephanie? Well, that's exactly what I was going to do.

I lowered my hand and took the cannoli she was offering me. Never breaking eye contact, I took a big bite, enjoying the flaky pastry, smooth ricotta cream filing, and bittersweet chocolate. Stephanie's eyes conveyed an emotion somewhere between fear and lust, but her mouth betrayed her. Her tongue darted out of her mouth and she licked her lips as if anticipating a bite. I had her just where I wanted her.

"Wanna a bite?" I offered. My breath was a little ragged and my voice was unusually low. Without waiting for an answer, I held the cannoli up to Stephanie's mouth. Tentatively, she took the proffered bite and closed her eyes as she chewed. God, she was hot.

Before she even opened her eyes, I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her into me for a kiss. Her eyes popped open at my touch and she gulped some air. She didn't resist exactly, more like she was surprised. I lowered my mouth to hers and kissed her gently – licking the chocolate from her lips and teasing open her mouth with my tongue – but one taste of the sweet cannoli mixed with Stephanie's heat shot my good intentions to hell.

I deepened the kiss, desperately exploring Stephanie's mouth with my tongue. She surprised me this time by moaning, just a little, and grabbing the front of my shirt in her fists.

Steph's POV:

My brain shorted out when Joe's tongue touched mine. I barely had time to think, "Omigod! Joe Morelli's kissing me!" before I surrendered to him, and his heat, and his kiss, and kissed him back. Hard! I grasped his shirt into my fists for some connection to reality because this had to be a dream. God knows it's played through my mind on permanent repeat for years!

Just as I was really getting into this kissing thing, Joe broke away. His chest was heaving from the effort to keep his breathing even and his eyes were the delicious color of liquid chocolate, dilated and fixed on me. "Closing time," he rasped. Sure enough, I looked up at the clock and it was 6:01.

Disappointed and relieved all at once, I said, "Oh yeah, I need to lock up. See ya around, Joe."

Joe smiled at me like the cat that ate the canary. "I don't think so."

He doesn't think so! The hell he doesn't! He's the one that came onto me. "Listen here, Morelli. You kissed me. Now, you're gonna act like you're too good for me? I don't think so!" My hands were on my hips and my eyes were narrowed. He might get away with that kind of crap with other girls, but not with me.

His eyes darkened and his smile faded and he said, "I'm not good at all, Stephanie. I'm bad." He tucked my hair behind my ear and then held out his hand. "Now, give me the keys so I can go lock that door."

Dumbfounded once again, I absently dug the keys out of my jeans pocket and handed them over.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." Joe took the keys from my hands, turned around, and made his way to the front door. He had a tight-assed, narrow-hipped swagger and I watched the best ass in Trenton lock the door, trapping me inside, alone with him. Now that there was considerable space between us, some of the earlier lust was clearing, leaving plenty of room for insecurity, uneasiness, and self-doubt.

What the hell was I thinking? Joe meant business here. Kissing wasn't gonna be enough for him. He was used to girls like Terry fucking Grizolli who knew their way around a man's ding-dong. I was in way over my head here. I needed some air. I needed Mary Lou. I needed chocolate!

I heard the lock click in the door and I didn't think I could go through with this. Joe sauntered back over to me completely cool and confident while I was having a full blown panic attack. He was inches from me again and had that look in his eyes like he was about to eat a whole birthday cake.

"Joe, I don't think this is such a good idea. What if someone comes in?"

Joe leaned forward and kissed my neck. "The door's locked."

Good point. He trailed feather light kisses up my neck to just below my earlobe. "Mary Lou warned me not to be alone with you. She said I'd be doomed." I was babbling now. His hands were on my back and were moving lower and I was having a hard time remembering why this was such a bad idea.

"Doomed? Is this so bad?" Joe nibbled my earlobe and then sucked it into his mouth.

No. No. Not bad at all. "I'm a virgin," I blurted. My God! Did I just say that out loud?

"Don't worry, Stephanie," he purred. "I'll be gentle."

That's what I was afraid of.

Joe's POV:

"Okay," she breathed. Her arms wrapped around my neck and she wiggled her body closer to mine. My mouth found hers again and this time, I gave her everything I had. She was a great kisser. My hands slid the rest of the way down her back and over her firm ass. Her body responded to each kiss, each touch – a slight shiver, a shuddering breath, a quiet moan - and was driving me nuts. Christ, she's gonna make me come in my pants. I had to have her now.

I broke the kiss and pulled her toward the éclair case. "We'll be out of the view of the front window," I explained. Her face was red and her eyes were glazed over. Probably she'd have gone anywhere with me.

I reached behind her and untied the dirty apron. She pulled it over her head and set it on top of the éclair case. She just stood there looking at me, clearly unsure of what to do next. Damn, I think she meant it. This really was her first time. This is a mistake. I gotta get out of here. "Look, Stephanie, you were right. This is probably a bad…," and then I looked into her eyes and they were so big and blue and I felt like I was drowning in them. "Jesus, you have the most beautiful blue eyes." And suddenly my hands were on her hips and then they moved higher, under her t-shirt, touching her bare skin. It was hot to the touch. I grabbed the hem and pulled it over her head.

Stephanie's tits were small, but round and perfect under a plain white cotton bra. I bet she had on plain white cotton panties too. Mmmmm. Another wave of desire rushed through my body and my erection throbbed under my tight jeans. She followed my lead and tugged my Blue Claws t-shirt over my head. Her eyes dropped to my chest, and without hesitation, she reached her hand out to trace the eagle tattoo on my chest. Probably surprised by herself, she jerked her hand back and looked back up at me. "Sorry," she whispered.

I tried smiling reassuringly, but it probably looked more like I was in pain. If we didn't get on with this quickly, I was going to explode without her. "Don't be sorry," I said and kissed the back of her hand before laying it back on my chest. "I like the way your fingers feel on me." She blushed and then her hands roamed over my body, running over the bumps of my chest and stomach muscles, but avoiding the "path to paradise."

I rested my hands on her shoulders allowing her access to my body, and then leaned in to kiss her shoulders and teased her bra straps down. The cups stayed in place, so I circled my arms behind her and unhooked her bra. Her pink nipples were hard, contracted into small little nubs. I couldn't resist anymore. I lowered my head and took one of her nipples in my mouth and played with the other one with my fingers.

Stephanie's POV:

Somewhere between walking to the éclair case and standing naked from the waist up, I stopped thinking, "Omigod! This is Joe Morelli!" and gave into the pleasure that he was giving me. I could analyze it and regret it tomorrow, but right now, I was just going to follow Joe's lead and enjoy it.

Joe's mouth was on my boob, sucking on the nipple, tugging at it with his teeth, and then licking and blowing on it. The combination was giving me sensory overload. I never knew something could feel this good and I didn't know if I should laugh, or shiver, or moan. My body was contracting in unfamiliar places and my panties were damp. I had a brief moment of panic when I thought I'd started my period before I realized what it was. What's Joe gonna think? He'll think I'm dirty. Omigod, I'll be so embarrassed. Then, he slowly drew my nipple back in his mouth and I forgot to be embarrassed.

Instinctively, I guess, I reached to feel him hard against me and tugged at the fly of his jeans. He grabbed my hand and the fog of lust cleared for just a minute. "Are you sure?" he asked. His eyes were glazed, and his breathing was ragged. I could feel his heart beating through his touch and my hand through his jeans where my fingers wrapped tighter around him. I didn't know much, but I knew this had to be taking some serious restraint! I stared back at him and whispered, "Yes."

We fumbled with buttons and zippers, shoes and socks, and peeled our jeans down and off. Joe was completely naked and I couldn't believe my eyes. His dick was rock hard, standing at full attention, and was bigger than I could ever have imagined. No way was that going anywhere inside of me! I'd just started wearing tampons six months ago!

Joe grabbed the apron, spread it out and pulled me down to the floor and lay down on the cold tile next to me. He must've seen the shock and fear in my eyes. He smoothed my hair and whispered in my ear, "I'll be slow and gentle." He kissed me reassuringly on the lips. "It'll only hurt a little. I promise you, Stephanie."

A promise from Joe Morelli? Could I trust him?

He was a man on a mission now, lavishing my body with attention, roaming hands and mouth. He was poised between my legs and I held my breath, thinking, "This is it," but he trailed kisses down my body starting with my mouth, then chin, then neck. He moved to my nipples and further down to my stomach. He tucked his fingers inside my white cotton underwear and pulled them down over my hips. His kisses moved lower still, over my pubic hair to the insides of my thighs. I couldn't think. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.

Then, Joe moved right between my legs and covered me with his mouth. His tongue was like magic. For a fleeting second, I thought about Joe having a tongue like a lizard and silently thanked God for the animal kingdom. Just wait 'till I tell Mary Lou. Then his tongue wiggled and my mind blanked. What was happening to me? I could feel pressure building inside me in waves. Growing tight and then tighter, tingly and then more tingly. But it wasn't enough. I had to do something, so I moved my hips, rubbing against his mouth and then Joe slipped a finger inside me and I rode the next wave to shore.

I could feel the pressure building higher and more intense, and this time, it kept going until I thought I was going to explode. And then, all at once, I did. My body clenched around Joe's finger, my hips bucked into his hands for more contact, heat and warmth spread through my body outward from my center to each extremity. My breath came in short pants and without warning, I moaned loudly with the release. The moaning brought me back to reality and I nearly died on the spot from embarrassment. I spared a look down at Joe. His eyes were focused intently on my face and he didn't look concerned about the moan. In fact, he looked…dangerous.

Joe's POV:

Stephanie's body reacted to my touch like nobody else I'd ever been with. Even Terry never had an orgasm like that. It had to be that spirit of hers – exciting, adventurous, and ready to jump off a garage to fly. Well, she flew today...at the mercy of my hands. I knew the second she came back to her senses. She looked at me like she was embarrassed. Embarrassed? Hell, I wanted her more now than ever.

I snatched the rubber from my wallet, and rolled it over myself while Stephanie watched. Her eyes were as big as saucers and I knew she was scared. I climbed back up her body, with my throbbing erection poised between her legs, holding myself above her with my arms on either side of her head. "Ready?" I asked.

Stephanie just nodded in response. I pushed against her with my head and felt her tighten and wince beneath me. "Relax, Stephanie," I soothed her. She did…some, so I pushed a little further inside. She was tight and wet and I wanted to ram myself deep into her, but I went slowly for her benefit. I covered her mouth with mine and kissed her gently and breathed, "Relax." I pushed further inside until she completely sheathed me. She sucked in a shuddering breath and I asked her, "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay." She smiled at me and then she kissed me. I felt her body adjust to me when I deepened the kiss and I began a slow steady rhythm. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around my back. I left mine open so I could watch her while I drove into her. After just a few strokes, her hips began to move with mine and she met me thrust for thrust.

Now, it's been a long time since I was a "one pump chump," but it didn't take more than a couple minutes until I was ready to explode. "Look at me, Cupcake," I told her as I drove into her one final time and exploded inside of her, her eyes focused on mine.

I laid on top of her for a couple beats to catch my breath. Her hands were still on my back and we'd moved to the awkward after sex scene.

Steph's POV:

Now what, I thought. I mean the sex was incredible and it didn't even hurt that bad, but now what? I held my breath because Joe's weight had forced most of the air out of my lungs anyway. After just a few seconds, Joe rolled over and sat up. He reached for his t-shirt and jeans and slid them back on. Like he just remembered I was laying there naked, he tossed me my clothes, too, and I hurried to get dressed.

I wasn't sure what to say, so I said what I was feeling. Big mistake. "That was awesome, Joe." I reached my hand out to touch his back and he flinched at my touch.

Joe stood up and looked down at me sitting on the floor. He reached out his hand and helped me up. "That was fun, kid. See ya 'round." He chucked me under the chin, grabbed his cannoli and my keys, and walked to the door.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" That was me, from zero to pissed in seconds.

Joe's eyes were distant when he said, "It was awesome, but I'm not looking for anything serious right now." He looked up at the clock and back at me, "I'm late for dinner. I've gotta go."

Joe's POV:

Damn it! What the hell was I thinking? I leave for the Navy in less than a week and I talk Stephanie Plum out of her pants and her virginity. One more heart broken by Joe Morelli. Damn it!

"That was awesome, Joe." Shit. Fuck! She had it bad. Time for some damage control.

I pulled her up off the floor and said, "That was fun, kid. See ya 'round." Her blue eyes were so sad; I couldn't help but touch her one more time. I chucked her under the chin, picked up my stuff, and headed to the door.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" she yelled.

Damn if there wasn't that fire that I loved about her again. Shit, this wasn't the way it was supposed to be. This was supposed to be one for the road and now I would be thinking of her during my two years in the Navy. It wouldn't be fair for me to lead her on, though. I kept my emotions masked when I said, "It was awesome." That was the truth. Better than I'd ever had it. "But I'm not looking for anything serious right now."

Stephanie looked crushed and I couldn't bear to see the hurt in her eyes anymore. I looked up at the clock and made my excuse to leave. "I'm late for dinner. I've gotta go."

Man, I really blew it! God, I'd miss her.