Johanna laughed.
Blaze kissed her immediately after, deep and slow at first before hunger gradually took over.
The sound dissolved against his mouth as he backed her toward the bed, his hands roaming freely beneath the shirt while years of unresolved tension crashed between them all at once. Every missed chance, every restrained glance, and every night they had spent pretending this connection no longer existed lived inside that kiss.
He dragged the t-shirt slowly over her head before tossing it somewhere behind him without looking. Then he stopped just long enough to stare at her. Johanna’s breath caught under the weight of his gaze.
“Damn, you have no idea…” he said quietly.
Her hands slid up his chest. “I got a pretty good idea.”
“Cocky.”
“You like it.”
He laughed against her lips before lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Johanna wrapped her legs around his waist automatically, her fingers caressing his hair. Blaze carried her back toward the bed because he had no intention of letting her go anytime soon.
Chapter 12
By Wednesday afternoon, Johanna had convinced herself she was handling things well.
That belief lasted exactly twelve minutes.
Because ever since Blaze spent the night in her bed, her entire emotional support system had collapsed into staring at his text messages too long, smiling at absolutely nothing while trying to work, and replaying kisses at wildly inappropriate moments during the day.
It was embarrassing.
Worse still, her family noticed immediately.
Especially Paige.
As a full-time student at the University of Delaware and part-time manager at Debbiecakes, Paige spent most of her days juggling classes, customers, and cupcake emergencies. Apparently, that still left her plenty of time to monitor Johanna's love life.
“You’re smiling at your phone again,” Paige announced from across Debbiecakes while arranging cupcakes inside the front display case.
The bakery smelled like vanilla frosting, warm sugar, and fresh coffee, but none of it distracted Johanna from the dangerous little flutter that hit her every time Blaze’s name lit up her screen.
Johanna straightened her face immediately. “I am not.”
“You absolutely are.”
“I’m answering a text message.”
“From Blaze.”
Johanna slowly lifted her eyes toward her sister.
Paige gasped dramatically. “Oh my God. I’m right.”
Unfortunately, before Johanna could defend herself, thephone buzzed again in her hand.
BLAZE: Hey baby.
Joy spread instantly through her chest.
Paige saw the reaction and nearly climbed over the counter. “What did he say?”
