She arched a brow. “You clearly underestimate how seriously I take today. There are display lights to test, chocolates to prep, and exactly zero time for your very distracting mouth,” she teased, handing him a mug. “Now sit, drink your coffee, and no distractions. I have cocoa to mix up.”
“Is that so?” he asked, watching her work.
“It is. I’m testing out flavors for my cocoa Advent calendar,” she said, pulling out a Mason jar labeled“Cinnamon Swirl”and setting it next to“Peppermint Bark”and“French Lavender.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You made all of those?”
She nodded, a little proudly. “From scratch.”
He leaned on the counter, sipping slowly. “What else you got?”
She pointed to the jars as she lined them up. “White Chocolate Snowfall, Gingerbread Spice, and Black Forest Gateau. Kit swears it tastes like chocolate-covered cherries.”
Liam took another sip of his coffee, eyes still on her. “You know, most people would’ve just stuck with regular cocoa.”
“Most people don’t care as much as I do,” she said lightly, but there was something deeper in her voice. She opened the lid of the Gingerbread Spice and inhaled deeply before spooning a bit into a mug.
“You trying to win over the competition or the entire town?”
She shrugged, pouring milk into a saucepan. “Both. Is that so wrong?”
“Not at all.” He stepped behind her and kissed her cheek. “Just don’t forget to save some of that care for yourself.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“You’re putting all this magic into other people’s cups,” he said. “Make sure there’s still some left for you.”
“Maybe I’ll make my own, call itCassidy’s Secret Blend.”
“Sounds delicious.”
She smirked. “Oh, it will be. If you’re lucky, I’ll let you try it on my light-up night.”
He leaned back and grinned. “I’ll bring the whipped cream.”
FORTY-THREE
CASSIDY
Thursday, December 18th
Late afternoon the next day, Cassidy and Liam were trying to decide what they wanted to do after closing up their shops. They had spent plenty of time alone together last night, and the only way she could describe it was as a sexual awakening. She felt herself blooming. The way he coaxed her with those wicked words of his undid something in her. She had never felt more beautiful or desired in her entire life. She wanted to explore that side of herself more. She trusted him. Maybe it was because she knew he was just as vulnerable as she was.
But there were only so many orgasms a woman could have in twenty-four hours. And with her light-up tomorrow night, and everything ready after a lot of hard work, Cassidy wanted to go out first.
“We could go Christmas shopping?” she offered.
Liam closed his eyes. “Not my favorite thing. I know I need to get started with it?—”
“Get started? You haven’t even started?” She was incredulous.
“Hey, I still have a bit of time. I’m one of those last-minute shoppers. Nothing like a deadline to help me feel inspired.”
“So no shopping?”
“Is that alright with you?”
She loved that he was looking to her for her opinion. She knew that if she said she really wanted to go, he’d agree if only to make her happy. Which was exactly why she didn’t push it.
