That wasn’t the first time I’d come with her name on my lips and her beautiful body burned into my brain.
Or the second.
Or the tenth.
Being that attracted to a woman you couldn’t stand was a years-long mindfuck. I’d become angry at myself every time for letting her have that power over me, but the notion that maybe she wanted me too messed with my resolve more than anything else. I didn’t think she was luring me in to humiliate me with a rejection. Her hooded eyes and swollen lips begging me to keep kissing her, to touch her wasn’t Olivia goading me like when we were kids. It seemed real.
And if it was, I was so fucked.
I got ready on autopilot and texted Olivia that I was on my way. I hadn’t even gotten to her apartment yet and this was the most stressful date—fake or not—I’d ever been on. Although the air conditioning in the car was turned up to arctic level, I had to wipe my damp palm on my suit pants at each red light. Damn this woman and what she always did to me.
I pulled my truck up to the front of Carla’s house, making sure to roll into the spot slowly. The cake was more than secure thanks to Eli, but I’d still ride the short distance to the hotel in the right lane at the low end of the speed limit. This wasn’t my first delivery, but it was an important one. I wanted to do something nice for my cousin and not allow my screwed-up life to screw up their big day—at least with this.
“Don’t you clean up nice!” Carla called from the driveway where she had just parked. “Is the cake secure?”
“Couldn’t be more secure if I had an armored truck.”
Her shoulders jerked with a chuckle. “Must be nice to have a baker in the family. I know you’d be my favorite relative.”
I barked out a laugh. “My family mostly thinks my business is a joke until they want something at a discount. Only a few think owning a bakery is a mark of success.”
“As I’ve known your family for years and the good few you’re referring to, I can attest that they’re the only ones that count.” She nudged my shoulder. “You make and measure your own success. So enjoy tonight and don’t pay them any mind.”
“Oh, they’ll be talking about me for a whole different reason tonight, I’m sure.” I stuffed my hands into my pockets, glancing over her shoulder in search of Olivia.
“Maybe you can even enjoy that part too.” She crossed her arms, peering up at the sky. “Javier would have gotten thebiggestkick out of this.”
“Yes, I think he would.” A smile, despite all the tension surrounding tonight, stretched across my mouth. “He was the only one who didn’t hope we’d just naturally stop fighting like you and my mother did.” I lifted a brow, leaning back on the passenger’s side of my truck. “He was our referee all through middle school.”
I stopped laughing when I met her watery gaze.
“I think if both of you could let go a little bit, you may have a better night together than you’d expect.” She shrugged. “Wouldn’t hurt to try, right?”
“Sorry I’m late!”
We both turned toward Olivia’s voice as she fumbled with the lock on her front door. A rush of air left my lungs when she turned to make her way toward us. That dress was painted on, all right. And low. Her perfect breasts filled out the deep neckline, taunting me already. Red sequins lined the bottom and brushed against her ankles. As she came closer, the high slit opened and stole the rest of my breath. She was stunning, and there was no way I’d be able to take my eyes off her tonight.
And to think I was worried about us looking forced. If I had to appear that I was into her, zero acting would be necessary.
Olivia’s face softened when her eyes locked with mine. She eased closer and skated her hand down the lapel of my suit.
“You look hot, Tyler. Or maybe I just haven’t seen you in anything not dotted with flour recently.” Her lips stretched into a smile, red lips that I wanted to taste again—along with the rest of her.
“Thanks. I thought I’d leave the apron at the bakery tonight, even if I’m bringing the cake.” My eyes canvassed every inch of her before I could help myself as my fingers itched to touch her. “You don’t look too bad either.”
The corner of my mouth ticked up when her brows raised.
“Wow, that game gets better and better.”
“Do you really need to hear how gorgeous you look right now or how the bride may get pissed that no one will notice anything or anyone once you walk in? If your ego is that delicate, I guess I can tell you.” I shrugged. “I just didn’t think you were the type to fish for compliments, Sanchez.”
Her lips pursed before they twitched into smile.
“I’m not, Bennett. Let’s get that cake delivered and shock some people.” She slid her hand into the crook of my elbow. “Lead the way.”
Carla beamed as she looked between us.
“Glad to see after all these years, the both of you figured out how to get along. Have a good time and be careful. A bad storm is supposed to hit later tonight.”
