Page 55

I nod and his gaze trails down to my hips before climbing back up again.

“I did. Very much.”

Oh, God.

Are we talking about me or the damn cinnamon roll?

“Well,” I offer, my belly flipping. “I won’t keep you from your mission then.”

He nods but takes a step closer and I suck in a breath as I meet his cobalt blue eyes. “I will in a minute but I just wanted to make sure you’re doing okay?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice sounding far more breathless than I intended it to. It’s hard to think when he’s in my space like this.

“He hasn’t still been bugging you, has he?” he asks, the concern on his face making my chest ache. “Or coming by again?”

I arch a brow. “Are you suggesting that you would have missed it if he had?”

“No,” he says, with a grin. “But just making sure.”

“Yes, you’re very… thorough.”

That damn grin grows. “I try.”

My mind goes blank.

I can’t think of one single thing to say to this gorgeous man in front of me.

His gaze drops to my lips for just a second before meeting my eyes again. My pulse is pounding in my ears and my tongue darts out, wetting my bottom lip almost like I might taste him there.

“Will you promise me something?” he asks and I nod, unable to make my mouth work. “Will you promise to call me if you need anything?”

I cock my head to the side as I stare up at him. “Why do you care so much, Dalton?”

“I just do,” he answers and I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes. That is so not an answer. “Promise me.”

Not a question this time.

“Okay,” I answer and he studies my face for a moment before nodding and stepping back. As soon as there is some space between us, I remember where we are.

Thank God, we’re the only two people in the bakery right now. The indie pop song playing over the speakers and the hum of the lights above me bring me back to the present and I take a deep breath.

Promise to call me if you need anything.

Well, hell…

As it turns out, I do need something.

“What is that look for?” Dalton asks and I glance up at him, my belly flipping for a whole new reason as my mouth goes dry.

“Uh,” I say, wringing the rag between my hands. “Yeah… there actually is something I could use your help with.”

He nods, takes one step closer like he’s ready to jump into action. “What do you need?”

My heart leaps into my throat.

“Some of my stuff got left behind… at my old apartment with that guy who was in here the other day… he’s my ex-boyfriend.” I sound like a fucking lunatic. “Anyway, I need to go get that stuff and I’d feel better having someone there with me in case he’s there.”

Dalton doesn’t even say anything, just nods and pulls out his phone. I watch as he opens an app that I can’t quite make out before locking it again and shoving it back into his pocket.