“Another little drop.” He squeezes gently, his fingers resting over mine. I look up and watch him until he lets go and hands me the vanilla and raspberry powder, allowing me to add them. He mixes everything together, the sweet smell blooming in the kitchen as I watch the mixture come together. “One more drop.”
I gently squeeze out another as he mixes. Shoulder to shoulder at the counter with me, he stirs, the back of his arm grazing mine.
He’s just stirring.
Steady and calm.
While I feel like my stomach is about to erupt with butterflies. I feel sick. I look down and busy myself reading his notes, focusing on his writing and not the accidental touches that are unraveling me.
“Smells good,” he says.
“What?”
“The batter.” A soft smile hits his lips. “Here. Try.” He grabs a small spoon and brings it to my lips. I almost don’t want to taste it. Not because I don’t want to, but this feels intimate. Maybe that’s what the heavy air is here in the kitchen. Everything feels too warm, too something I can’t figure out.
Our kiss comes to mind. Well, comes to mind implies it ever left, but no, it hasn’t.
I’d never kissed anyone before, and if that’s the standard someone will need to meet in the future, I already know I’ll never be kissed like that again.
Not like it matters.
I’ve never wanted anyone. I’ve been on this earth for a quarter of a century, and I haven’t felt even an ounce of what I do when Sawyer’s around.
“Go ahead.”
My lips close around the spoon. It’s... perfect. The rich and floral notes meld perfectly. It’s bright and acidic but also sweet. Like most of the things he makes, it’s not too sweet. Perfect. Raspberry and chocolate come together with a touch of something else I’m assuming is the rose.
Sawyer’s right. It goes perfectly together.
“Well?” Sawyer smiles.
I exhale slowly, realizing my lips are still close to the spoon hovering in front of my mouth before he pulls it back. “It’s amazing.”
Sawyer smiles, and I like the way it looks on him. “Good. I want this night to be unforgettable.”
I can’t imagine anything about this man being forgettable. “It’ll be incredible.”
“We make a good team.” He rolls out the little balls, arranging them on a sheet of parchment paper.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “We do.”
“So...” Sawyer looks up at me. “Are we going to talk about the other night or just keep pretending that none of it happened?” Sawyer’s shoulders are near mine. He’s too close. I can feel his warmth. There’s a flicker of heat licking under my skin, my breath coming out too sharply.
That kiss. “Why?”
“Because, Aiden...” Sawyer smirks. “You keep looking at me in a way that makes me believe you want a repeat?”
There’s weight to this fire. If I were to be selfish, just for a moment, my lips would already be on his. I can’t ignore it. I’ve never felt anything like it. It’s powerful and reckless.
Then Sawyer licks his plump bottom lip, and I can’t fucking take it anymore. “Maybe.”
“What do you want?” Sawyer swallows.
I step closer. Not touching, but close enough to feel the heat from his bare skin.Why is he always shirtless?He always smells so damn sweet.
Hazard of the job.
Hazard to my health.
