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I put away my phone and get back to work but after Tempest returns, I can’t stop glancing at her. This chaotic situation and my chaotic thoughts…I brought it all on myself.

Now all I have to do is figure a way out of this tangled web.

Chapter 5

Tempest

Touching his beard wasn’t my smartest move because now I know what it feels like. And it makes my dirty imagination starring him and that beard more vivid.

Who would have thought I’d ever think that way about Maverick? And that fantasy of him devouring me was incredibly hot. So hot that when I think about it now, it makes me get wet again.

I take out the ingredients for the cookies I promised his mom we’d make, glad that I have something to do to keep my hands busy.

After the conversation with Maverick’s grandmother, I’m a little less concerned about going to her house. But I am concerned this night will get back to my family.

I have to find a way to end the charade tonight. I’ll do so politely and gently to protect his grandmother, but I will do it. And then Maverick and his delicious beard can go away. I don’t need my life motto to end up becoming save a cock, ride a beard.

I’m searching my aunt’s refrigerator to see if there are any eggs when I hear a truck pulling up in the driveway.

Seconds later I’m letting my reluctant boyfriend into the house. “Put your Stetson there.” I point to a small table in the foyer.

As he moves to set it down, I notice a large bruise on his inner forearm. “What happened?”

“Showing concern for the enemy? That’s not like you.”

“I’m showing concern for my boyfriend slash future groom.”

He sighs, ignoring that. “I hit my arm on a fence. Now let’s get this over with.” He strides past me into the kitchen.

I follow and pick up the recipe from the counter. “Gather these items listed here and I’ll get the cookie sheets ready.”

“It would have been easier to stop at Perks & Buns and get something.”

“Sure, but these cookies will be made by us with all our love.”

He rolls his eyes and I grin as I take an apron off a hook in the pantry. “Tie this around me.” I wag the apron strings.

Maverick ties them carefully, making sure he avoids touching me. Which is laughable considering I dragged my ass down his face as I backed off the ladder. That was embarrassing but I think I covered it well.

“Where’s the brown sugar?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Search.”

He mutters something under his breath, but I ignore how thrilled he is to be here.

I melt the butter slightly before adding it to the batter. “Two tricks to making sure cookies are softer is to melt the butter completely before adding it and make sure not to cook the cookies too long.”

“Uh huh,” he says.

“Pass me the hand mixer.”

He’s paying attention to his phone and doesn’t move.

“The key to a happy relationship is listening. You’ll need to learn this before we get married.”

He puts his phone aside. “I swear, Tempest, you’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Yeah, I am. When will I have another opportunity to be your special someone?”