“Good,” she replied with a gravelly whisper as she slumped against me. “It’s mean to turn on a pregnant woman and leave her hanging.”
I laughed and turned her around, cupping her face. “I have no intentions of leaving you hanging, sugar. Just warming you up for later,” I whispered as I inched closer.
“You better get back to work.” Her hands skated down my back, stopping at my waist. “I know I just said it, but I am proud of you.” She brushed her lips over mine. “Go kick some ass today, and I’ll see you later.”
“See you later,” I said, taking her mouth in a kiss too deep and wet for the middle of a busy morning, but I didn’t care. Her lips against mine, her body pressed up against me was all I could think about and all I wanted.Shewas all I wanted. When she whimpered into my mouth, I hooked her leg over my hip and rubbed my cock against the sweet heat between her legs. She smiled into the kiss when I squeezed her legging-covered ass.
“Hey, we got copies— Oh shit, sorry.”
We broke apart, swiveling to where Eli stood, holding up a paper.
“Didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll find the article myself.” He laughed, looking between us as he headed back outside.
“I think you just ruined your hot eligible bachelor reputation.” Olivia coasted her hand down my chest, peering up at me with a wicked grin that made me want her lips all over again. “I’ll be waiting for you and your boyish good looks tonight.” She gave me a quick peck and headed out the back door.
I smiled at her departure and the exaggerated sway of her hips that I knew was purely for my benefit. She’d started doing that when we were teenagers, and although she aggravated me on the daily back then, I was just as hypnotized watching her walk away.
I’d been under her spell for longer than I cared to think about, only now I enjoyed the shit out of it.
Sundays always went by fast, but this one seemed to slip by in the blink of an eye. Tegan had already framed the article and hung it right by the front entrance, at Eli’s suggestion, insisting it was good for business. I wasn’t thrilled at the notion of seeing my awkward mug every single day after I opened but couldn’t stop the pride flooding my chest whenever I’d glance at it.
“What a day,” Staci sighed as she locked the door behind the last customer.
“The best day,” Tegan said, nudging my side as she cleaned up the front register. “We work with a celebrity now.”
“Right,” I said although my cheeks ached with a wide grin. Itwasthe best day, and I couldn’t wait to close up the bakery and have the best night.
“Did you guys notice all the… women in here today? I didn’t realize that many people still get a newspaper.” Staci crinkled her nose as she swept the floor near the entrance.
“It was an online piece too, according to the reporter anyway. I haven’t checked, but a few customers keep up with it on Sundays I suppose.” I shrugged, trying to sound flippant and not think of the customers who slid their phone numbers to me while I was covering the register. The article and its popularity could only help us, but I hoped whatever attention I’d personally get from the article would fade quickly.
“Get out of here,” Eli said, slapping me on the back. “We have this handled, and I think you have somewhere to be, no?” He raised a brow and jutted his chin toward the door.
“Thanks. I just need to grab the pie that I set aside. And thanks for being the pain in the ass I need around here.”
“Well, boss. I’m touched.” He clutched his chest. “Judging by how this place keeps blowing up, we can chat about an increase in my pay for such services. Until then, have a good night.”
I waved a quick goodbye, and I headed out and to Olivia’s. Tomorrow was the first time I didn’t need to be up before God to start baking and setting up, but I had the feeling my hours would be even longer starting this week. And even when I brought in new staff, we’d run out of room for all the extra items and bodies.
I wasn’t ready to think about expanding yet. I’d celebrate my little place doing well for the moment—and the woman who kept changing my life in unexpected but amazing ways.
TWENTY-SIX
TYLER
“Hey.” Olivia greeted me in what looked like a sweatshirt dress after I knocked on her door. She met my gaze through the locks of hair that had fallen from the bun on top of her head. “I was hoping you’d bring dessert.” She kissed my lips and plucked the box from my hands.
“I saved the last one for you.”
She stilled, sucking in a gasp. “If this is chocolate cream pie, you can do anything you want to me tonight.”
She set it on her counter and came back to me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“Does that mean I couldn’t before?” I coasted the back of my hand down her cheek. “That’s disappointing.”
“Was it a good day?” She framed my face, but I had to look away for a minute. Olivia always frightened me a little, but the pure adoration in her eyes combined with all I felt for her now terrified me.
“It is now.” I cupped her neck and pulled her in for another kiss.
