"Chloe." His voice holds gentle reproach. "You can't keep undervaluing your work."
"I was trying to be nice—" And I want them to come back.
"Being nice is wonderful. Giving away your profit isn't. You work hard on those pastries. Your time and skill have value." He points the spatula at me. "Next time someone wants a big order, you charge full price. Or if you want to offer a discount, it's ten percent maximum. Understood?"
"Yes, Daddy."
The words slip out before I can think about them.
Tyler's eyes flash with something hot and intense. "Say that again."
"Yes, Daddy," I repeat, quieter this time.
"Good girl." He returns to cooking, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. The way his jaw clenches. "You have no idea what it does to me when you call me that."
"What does it do?"
"Makes me want to throw you over my shoulder and carry you to my bedroom to show you exactly what Daddy can do for his good girl."
Heat floods through me. My thighs clench involuntarily.
"But we're not there yet," he continues, his voice strained. "You're not ready. And I'm not going to rush you."
"What if I want to be rushed?"
He turns to face me fully. "Do you? Really? Or are you just responding to the chemistry between us?"
I think about it honestly. "Both?"
"Then we'll take our time. Build trust first. Make sure this is really what you want before we take that step." He comes around the counter, standing in front of me. "I'm not going anywhere, Chloe. We have time. All the time in the world." He seals his words with a kiss. Soft and sweet and full of promise.
We eat dinner at his small dining table, and the conversation flows easily. He tells me about his plans to visit his kids next month. I tell him about my dreams of maybe opening a second location someday.
"You should," he says. "You're good at creating a space people love."
"It's scary though. What if I fail?"
"What if you succeed?" He reaches across the table. "Don't let fear stop you from chasing your dreams, sweetheart."
By the time I need to leave, it's almost eight.
Tyler helps me pack up Mochi and her supplies, then drives me home.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asks as we stand outside my apartment.
"I'd love that. But you already came to the shop this morning."
"I meant after. When you close. We could grab dinner. Or I could come here and we could order in."
"You want to spend two days in a row with me?"
"Sweetheart, I want to spend every day with you. But I'm trying to pace myself. Not scare you off."
I rise on my tiptoes and kiss him. "You're not scaring me off. And yes. Dinner tomorrow sounds perfect."
"Good. I'll pick you up at seven."
"It's a date."
