“Why do you have ‘sweets’ in the name of your shop if you sell more than sweet stuff?” I pressed the edges of the hand pies together and glanced up at him.
The predatory smile he gave me made heat pool low in my belly, and I looked away, focusing on my work. “Who said it was the edible kind I was advertising?”
“And that’s where the phone number drawer comes into play?” I smirked, though I kept my eyes down. I couldn’t afford to fall into those Caribbean blue depths.
A bark of laughter told me I’d caught him off guard. “I like you, Lexi Sutton. I think I might keep you around a while.”
Pride welled in my chest. I’d gotten a real laugh out of him. But I shoved it down hard. Professionalism was a key ingredient to making this job work. Sam was sex on legs, but I didn’t want to quit my job because I couldn’t separate work from my libido.
It didn’t stop him from flirting a bit more. I tried to lighten up, but I was afraid if I reciprocated, things would go sideways. This was how things always started with previous relationships. They would flirt with me, ask me out, and then two or three dates later, they were texting me never to contact them again. Sophiee song, Sophiee dance, new partner.
No thank you.
I packed up the last of my baking tests—the ones we didn’t eat, anyway—and flipped the ovens off. Overall, both Sam and I were happy with the results of my experiments. I left the recipes on the counter to refer to later until I memorized them.
“You know, I’m really glad you walked into my shop.” He leaned against the door frame separating the kitchen from the front. “Be sure to thank your roommate for me.”
“I’m sure she’ll accept these as thanks,” I replied lightly, ignoring the husky tone his voice took on. “She adores my baking. She’s the one who bought me this chef coat when she realized my pattern of—uh, baking for fun.”
Shit, that would’ve been a stupid slip-up. Yeah, my roommate noticed I always bake when I get dumped, and it happens often enough that she bought me a coat to bake in!
“You’ll have another one in a couple of days. Company uniform and all.” He tapped on his chest, where his store name was printed in red on his t-shirt.
I opened my mouth to say he didn’t have to, but he narrowed his eyes and my jaw clacked shut again. He pushed off the door frame and stalked toward me slowly, like a predator trying not to frighten off prey. My pulse picked up as he came closer and reached for my face.
Oh God, was he going to kiss me? Was I going to let him? Hell no, I wasn’t. I took a step back, but he followed as if he’d expected it.
Sam swiped his thumb across my cheek, coming away white with flour, and he grinned his stupid, sexy grin. “Perfection.”
I nearly melted into a puddle on the floor and all cognitive abilities were on the verge of shutdown. A shower was at the top of my list when I got home. Possibly a cold one. Many cold ones. He stepped around me and I hurried out of the kitchen, desperate for fresh air.
Before I made it to the door, I heard a sharp squeak, a hard thump, and aloud[26]curse. I knew without looking back he’d slipped in something my stupid ass magic had melted. Biting down on my lip to fight back a laugh at his expense, I ran out the door and headed for home.
Harbor Point was a beautiful, if expensive, off-campus apartment community, mostly full of other students like me and Sophie. Everything I needed was within walking distance, including Sam’s shop and Sophie’s gym. When I unlocked my apartment door, I expected to see Sophie lounging on the couch watching a movie or twisting herself into a pretzel on a yoga mat before bed. I didnotexpect to see a dark-haired man sitting on my couch, reading one of my books like he owned the place.
Though, technically, his monthly allowance did provide my half of the rent.
He looked up and threw me an amused smirk as he held the book up. “Cookies for Satan? Really, Lexi?”
“What?” I walked into the kitchen and set down the bags of food. “It’s a holiday-themed romance book and there are cookies in the title. Don’t sound so judgy, Dad.”
He set the book down on the arm and held his hands up. “No judgment here. Just an interesting choice of books is all.”
“What are you doing here, anyway?” I asked, looking around. “Did Sophie see you?”
Sophie knew of my dad, but I didn’t talk about him. She didn’t know most of my powers came from him. I definitely wasn’t about to tell her he was the infamous god of mischief.
Loki stood and held his arms out. “No one was here when I popped in. As for why I’m here, do I really need a reason to visit my beloved daughter?”
“Could you please call before you drop by?” I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. I tried to keep the snipe out of my voice, but Sam had unsettled me and I wasn’t sure why. “I’m an adult now, Dad. What if I’d brought a date home or something?”
He snorted, then it turned into full-blown laughter.
Well, there went my restraint. I clenched my teeth and stomped past him, shoving my shoulder into his. “You don’t know! I’ll surprise you one day.”
Much[27]as I loved my dad, my shitty love life had always been a great source of amusement for him. I slammed the door to my room and changed into my comfy pajamas. The shower could wait until he left. Belting my fuzzy black bathrobe around my waist, I came back out wearing my best glare, but it didn’t last long. He was leaning against the arm of the sofa, waiting for me.
I stared at him, then choked on a laugh. “Are you wearing a cat collar?”
