Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43375 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43375 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
She hadn’t noticed me yet, so I took a moment to observe and appreciate her beauty. Inside and out.
Her gaze was locked on the pass-through from the kitchen to the front counter, watching the crowd as they devoured every last crumb she’d made.
I came up behind her slowly, letting my body brush hers as I leaned in.
“Told you,” I murmured, my breath causing the flyaway hairs on the back of her neck to dance.
She jumped, then let out a soft laugh and a little shiver. “You scared me.”
Grinning at her reaction to my touch, I cupped her hip and leaned a little closer. “Sorry. You were just standing there, beaming like you’d won the fucking lottery.”
Her smile grew as she looked up at me over her shoulder. “They really liked them, didn’t they?”
“Baby.” I turned her to face me. “They’re losing their minds out there. You should see what’s left. Or more accurately, what’s not left because I don’t think you’re going to find even a single crumb. Especially not those blueberry blondies.”
She pressed her hand to her mouth, shaking her head. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I almost didn’t put them out. I got nervous.”
I leaned in and brushed my lips over hers. “You need to stop hiding your light, sweetheart.”
She tilted her head back to meet my eyes, her breath shallow. My heart beat harder as heat crept under my skin. Her shirt clung to her in all the right places, and I wanted to strip it off and see if her skin also tasted as sugary sweet as her lips. Then I wanted to cover her pussy in frosting and bury my face between her thighs until she screamed.
Patience, Daughtry.
Yeah, I was so fucking done with that word. I slid my hand around the back of her neck and lowered my head to kiss her.
She melted instantly. Her mouth parted, and her hands fisted in my shirt as I deepened the kiss, angling my head so my tongue could sweep inside her mouth to taste more. All of her. Everything.
A little moan slipped past her lips as her body pressed against mine, all soft curves and heat, and I groaned into her mouth. Fuck. I was fast approaching the edge of my control.
Then the roar of laughter from the front broke the moment.
I pulled back with a low growl, resting my forehead against hers.
“When are you finally going to let me take you on a date?” I asked, brushing my thumb over her lower lip.
She blushed hard and spun around, pushing through the door without a word.
Grinning, I followed. “That wasn’t a no.”
We stood just off to the side, watching everyone devour her desserts like they hadn’t eaten in days. Raiden hoarded the last Sideline Bar like a dragon with a piece of treasure. Prentice had chocolate frosting on his tie. One of the rookies was trying to talk to Coach O’Hara with a mouthful of cookie and failing.
And as predicted, Huck shoved Sylas away from the last blueberry blondie, then snatched it and held the baked treat against his chest like it was the one ring.
“You did this,” I murmured. “You’re amazing.”
She swallowed hard. “You know, I almost went to culinary school.”
I turned to look at her, my brows rising. Almost?
“I had a scholarship,” she explained, shrugging. “But then the fund dried up, and I couldn’t cover the tuition.”
After chewing on that for a beat, I chose my next words very carefully. “Have you ever thought about trying again?”
She bit her lip and seemed to really consider my question before answering. “Sometimes, yeah. But it’s so expensive. And I suppose I don’t need it to keep The Tight Line supplied with desserts.”
I held up one finger. “Okay, first, at some point, we’re gonna talk about why you refuse to see yourself the way I do. But not today.” I held up another finger. “Second…”
I stared at her. She knew exactly where I was going with this.
Rylin turned to me slowly, her hazel gaze holding a warning I had no intention of heeding. “Don’t say it.”
Bending my knees, I stopped when my face was level with hers. “I’m going to say it.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“If you want to go to culinary school, I’d love to help.”
She didn’t say anything, but her lips were pressed tight, and she was practically radiating with stubborn energy.
“I know, I know,” I added before she could scold me. “You don’t want a handout. And you think letting me pay would make you feel like you didn’t earn it. Still, it was worth a shot.”
With a sweeping gesture, I indicated the crowd, laughter, and empty plates. “I also believe you don’t need school to make this your future. You just need a shot.” Turning, I gently took her by the shoulders and shifted her so she was also facing me. Then I pushed my fingers through the hair on both sides of her head, framing her beautiful face. “And I’m giving you one.”