“Thanks.”
Sarah took the box of cupcakes and then turned to me. “Ready?”
Nodding, I then went to hold open the door for her. “Thanks again,” I called to Michael and Joyce.
“You're welcome,” Michael said almost hesitantly.
When we got outside, Sarah exhaled a ragged breath. “Oh my God.”
“See, I told you it would b-be fine.”
Her dark eyes popped wide. “Fine? The man I’ve known for years as a total teddy bear was about to pull a gun on us.”
“I’m pretty sure t-the g-gun was for me.”
“Yeah, well, he sure didn’t like the idea of me being a part of your world.”
With a smile, I replied, “Yes, I caught t-that.”
“I thought for a moment I was going to have to find another bakery to go to,” Sarah mused.
“B-But it all worked out.”
“I’m pretty sure things are going to be weird between us for a while.”
“Weird is better than blood-soaked cupcakes,” I teased.
“Maksim!”
Grinning at her, I held the door open. “Come on. Let’s get going before we’re any later, and your brother gets worried.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: SARAH
As I balanced the cupcake box on my lap, I tried regulating my out-of-control nerves. In the last half hour, I’d realized the extent of danger that went along with Maksim’s power. I couldn’t imagine having to call in a favor simply to enter a specific part of town. But it was just an everyday occurrence to Maksim. Not to mention being prepared for an innocent baker to pull a gun.
It felt especially jarring considering how mundane the last few days with him had been. Despite how our paths had originally crossed, I actually enjoyed my time with Maksim. Hewas such an enigma. On the one hand, he was this overwhelming man of strength of power. But then he was incredibly kind and thoughtful. He also had a dry sense of humor I really enjoyed.
Even though I wouldn’t admit it to him, I needed the emotional and physical break that my pseudo-captivity had brought. My life had been moving at warped speed for far too long. In many ways, my time with Maksim was like a vacation. I slept in, had someone prepare all my meals, and I swam laps in the pool on my off time.
After the past few days, I tried ignoring how much I enjoyed spending time with Maksim. And how some of that time felt like dating. We’d piled up together in the movie room to watchThe King’s Speech. I think it did him a lot of good watching such a high profile person deal with a stuttering problem.
We also practiced his speech patterns while taking long walks on the property.
Since our night together that first night at the house, I hadn’t seen the Beast. Well, at least not physically. He made his shadowy presence known. The last three mornings I’d woken to notecards telling me to have a good day or to work Maksim hard.
The thought that he was watching me sleep infuriated me and turned me on. It was like he was constantly edging me about when he would appear. Getting myself off in the bed or shower was becoming a regular morning occurrence.
Maksim’s voice broke the silence. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
Motioning to my lap, he said, “If you keep g-gripping the box that t-tight, you’re going to b-break it.”
When I glanced down, I realized he was right. I quickly moved my hands off the box. I gave him a sheepish look. “Thanks. Sammy would be so ticked if I arrived with smushed cupcakes.”
He smiled. “No problem.”
When we started slowing down, I peered out the window to see Sammy’s house coming into view. As we entered the driveway, I unbuckled my seatbelt. Oleg put the SUV into park, and I started to open my door when I realized Maksim was preparing to open his. “What are you doing?”
