“Momma, I’m hungry.” Olympia steps out of my office in her footy jammies, rubbing her eyes.
“How about some eggs and toast?”
“Yummy.” She walks over, and I lift her up as I dance around the kitchen.
“I’ll help,” Harley says.
Together, we get ready to open at six for the morning rush.
The bell dings, and I step out of the back with Oly. She couldn’t go to camp today because she started running a slight fever. I think she’s picked up a spring cold.
Harley is talking to Jerry. The guy is such a jerk, but she’s nice to him so he keeps coming back and buying from me. My eyes shift to the man stepping into the bakery. His gaze is focused on Harley and only her.
He walks up to Jerry. His deep, dark voice doesn’t show any emotion. “Excuse me.” He still doesn’t take his eyes off Harley, and Jerry steps back.
He moves closer and pulls her slightly over the counter, barely kissing her. My legs turn to jelly. It’s both hot and sweet in one move.
“Starlight, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at your brother’s. We’ll go for a ride and a picnic.”
“Okay,” Harley replies, breathless, and I’m with her on that.
“Damn, that was hot.” The words slip out before I can stop them. When I realize I said it out loud, I bite my lips between my teeth.
“Momma, who’s that?” Oly asks me.
“I don’t know, Oly.”
“I’m Aftershock. She’s mine,” he says before turning to glare at Jerry.
He just claimed her in my store. I’m stunned. It’s like something straight out of one of those dirty books I like to read.
“Shock, what time?” Harley asks him.
His back straightens, and he turns his attention back to her. He reaches for her hand and leads her along the counter until she’s standing directly in front of him, with nothing between them.
“Starlight, you call me Crue, never Aftershock.” He growls against her lips. Literally, he growls.
Something inside him must snap, because before I know it, he’s pulling her into his body. One hand is in her hair, the other around her back. He takes the kiss like it’s a challenge, proving she’s his. I’m about to fan myself; it’s that hot. I can’t look away as I watch them making out in my bakery.
When he finally pulls away from her, he looks down and says just two words, “Perfect, starlight.”
I don’t know what he means. The kiss? The way her lips look? Or did she say his name correctly and I missed it?
She asks him again what time, using his real name instead of his road name. They talk for a few more moments while I carry Oly to the back, then make sure the case is full of breads and sweets.
Jerry is still standing there, just staring at them. There’s a strange look in his eye, like he’s not happy with this turn of events.
Aftershock walks toward the door, and Harley stops him with another question.
“What changed your mind about dating me?”
He doesn’t turn around when he answers her.
“You’ve had enough time to get to know your brother. It’s my turn now.”
Once both men are gone, I say, “You know, I’ve seen the guys outside, watching you, but I had no idea you were dating one of them.”
She flushes as she turns to look at me. “I wasn’t. But I guess I am now.”
