Chapter Eight
Aries
Holdingthe yellow-and-white striped box in one hand, I knock with the other.And wait.And wait.I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.Looking back, I see the truck parked in the same spot as last night.It makes me wonder if she worked here all night.
I hear the lock disengage and the knob turn.When it opens, I look down at her.I watch as she places her hands on her hips and a frown appears on her face.I decide to act fast.“Morning,” I say with as casual a voice as I can muster.It’s not easy because I’m not a casual kind of man.Holding up the box, I smile.“Peace offering.”
Her head tilts to the right and her frown turns into something else.Curiosity?I’m not sure since I don’t know a thing about this woman.One thing I can tell you, she’s pretty.Especially with the morning sun shining on her face like it is right now.It allows me to see a lot of things.Freckles, for one.Not a lot, but some.Also, she’s got unique eyes.Sort of blue green.They pop against her hair that’s sort of a reddish-blonde color.Last night, if I remember correctly, her hair was up, but this morning, it’s down, curly, and a little wild.I’d like to reach out and touch it.I shake my head because that notion is crazy.Having an urge to touch a woman’s hair isn’t something I do.Well, I do it sometimes.In bed.
She suddenly turns and steps into the house.The fact she’s left the door open rather than slamming it shut in my face is a good sign, I guess.It also gives me a chance to look at the rest of her.Curvy.Very curvy.Small on top with a narrow waist but wide hips.She’s built like a woman should be.
Stop.Why am I looking at her?I’ve got to knock that shit off.There’s no time or place in my life for a woman, especially this woman.
When she turns, I ask, “May I come in?”
She shrugs.“You brought me Bella’s; I guess you can enter.”
I’m immediately taken to a dirty place with her word, “enter,” and my dick takes note.
Looking around for a place to set the box, I see a stack of ceramic tiles and use that.“I brought coffee too.”Stepping back out onto the porch, I half expect her to take the opportunity to shut the door on me, but she doesn’t.Bending, I pick up both cups.“I brought cream and sugar since I didn’t know how you take it.”
“Cweamandthugar,” she says with her mouth full.She’s already taken the glazed croissant out of the box and has half of it gone.Damn.That was for me.
No matter.I’m glad I brought something she liked.
Handing her one of the cups, I place the sugar and cream next her.I take my coffee black.No need for any of that for me.Reaching into the box, I grab a pastry that’s glistening and covered in pecans.She finally speaks.“That one was named after me.”She points to the treat in my hand.
“Oh, yeah?”I seem to recall it being called Lou Lou something.“Lou Lou?”
“Yep.That’s what she calls me.”
“Who?”
“Bella.”She points at the box.“The baker.She’s my best friend.”
Nodding, I bite into the pastry and my eyes shut involuntarily.I moan because, goddamn, it’s delicious.
“Good, right?”She smiles.
I nod.Swallow.“Amazing.”
“You mean,fuckingamazing.”She laughs.“Everything she makes is great.”
I look down into the box and spot something else I’d like to taste.Something with lemon and blueberry, but before I get the chance, someone’s little hand reaches in and takes hold of it first.I notice her left hand.Her ringless left hand.Which means either she doesn’t wear a ring to work, or she’s not married.
Not that it matters.I’m not looking for anyone single or otherwise.Work is all I’ve got time for.
I make a whimpering sound when I see her lift the lemon treat to her lips.Her lovely, full lips.And I’ve got to be honest—I don’t make sounds like that.
She laughs and says, “I’ll split it with you.”
I wish she’d offered to do that with the croissant.But I accept.“Okay.”
As soon as we empty the box, she sighs.“You want to see what I’m doing here?”
I nod and wipe my hands off with the napkins I brought along.“I’d love to.”
She rolls her eyes, and I hold my hand out again.“Chase Ryder.”
