He smiled as Lexi drifted away from us. “Don’t worry about it. I hope I was a decent pillow.”
Heat climbed up my cheeks when he winked at me. I nodded shyly and decided I needed to get away for a minute. “How’s Mandy?”
“No word yet. Still pushing I guess. Claire?” he asked as he nodded toward her. I nodded that he was right and he continued, “She said it could be a while or it might only be a few minutes. Since we haven’t heard we’re guessing a bit longer.”
I rubbed my hands down my legs and stood. “I think I’m going to take a walk, try to wake up a bit.”
Max stood beside me. “I think I’ll go with you.”
How could I tell him I wanted to take a walk to get away from him? That I was starting to think of him as one of us, and it was throwing me off. And affecting my resistance.
We started down the long hallway in silence. My thoughts bounced around. Why was he still there? What was he getting out of this? Was he really that nice of a guy? Why didn’t he have anything else to do? Was he going to expect free food from me? Was he only doing this for the free food?
“Oh, what do I owe you for the pizzas?”
Max shook his head. “Nothing.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You bought twenty pizzas. I can’t let you just pay for that. You’ve been a lifesaver today.”
Max reached out and grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently. “I wanted to help. You’ve been so great to me and it’s the least I could do.”
His grin was contagious and I found myself smiling back at him. His dark brown eyes sparkled and the dimple in his cheek winked at me. Never in my life had I swooned over a gorgeous man, but in that moment I understood it. My knees softened and my heart pounded in my chest. The way he looked at me I thought he was going to kiss me. His eyes darkened as he glanced down at my lips.
Nervous, my teeth sunk into my lower lip and Max sucked in a breath. He leaned toward me and softly tucked a strand of my dark, wavy hair behind my ear, sending chills up my spine. His pink tongue darted out to wet his lips and I couldn’t deny how drawn to him I was. I wanted to kiss him, with every last bit of myself.
A slow burn started in my gut, anticipation. With each short breath we drew closer and closer to each other until I could feel the rush of his breath across my face like a gentle caress. My eyes fell closed and my face tipped up to his.
Then I was jostled, Max thrown into me and both of us tumbled, falling until my head hit the wall behind me.
Max was jostled into me, his frame pressed to mine, giving me a jolt of pleasure. His breath fanned out over my hair, blowing the strands away as I tried to figure out what the hell had happened.
Voices caught up to me as three people ran a gurney down the hall. My gut clenched at the thought of a woman in labor needing to be rushed that quickly down a hall and I said a brief prayer for the woman and her child.
My brain finally clicked into gear and I remembered where we were and why.
“Are you okay?” Max asked, cradling my head.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I sort of forgot where I was.”
“Me, too,” Max murmured. “Uh, should we walk?”
I nodded, relieved he was willing to let the moment go, although I was disappointed. I hadn’t had a moment like that, a moment where I wanted to kiss someone so badly, in a long time. Maybe ever. I could almost feel his lips on mine, and I felt the loss of his kiss like a physical ache. Like a weight I was going to carry with me.
Max reached for my hand again and led me down the hallway, further from the waiting room. “Why did you open a bakery?”
The question brought a smile to my face, like it always did. The joy I got from baking couldn’t be explained, but it could be felt. “Grams. She raised me and taught me how to bake. She used to tell me, ‘Everything in life can be solved with a cupcake.’ I owe her everything.”
“I bet she’s really proud of you. Are you two still close?”
Sorrow swamped me like it always did when I thought of Grams. “She’s been gone for eleven years.”
Max squeezed my hand again. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t. I don’t think it ever gets easier.”
We walked side by side for a few minutes, not saying anything. Silence was comfortable with Max, easy. I didn’t worry about filling it with needless chatter, just enjoyed being together.
“What’s your happiest memory of her?”
I was surprised he asked. Most people backed off the subject once I mentioned she’d passed away, but Max was different. And reminded me of that frequently.
“I guess that would have to be our last Christmas together. She had gotten sick, just the flu, but because she was in her 70’s, having the flu hit her hard. She ended up in the hospital for a few days and was so weak when she got out she couldn’t cook dinner for us. She’d taught me how to bake, but I’ve never enjoyed cooking much. Grams, still in bed, told me not to worry about Christmas dinner and just to bake some cupcakes.”
Max laughed and I smiled at the thought. “Grams never did anything in a normal way, she always put her own spin on it. She came in the kitchen with me and we made up our own Christmas cupcake recipe. Grams talked me through a red velvet version of a cupcake and a batch of peppermint icing. With the red cake and the white icing, and crushed candy canes on top, it was like Christmas in our mouths.”
We walked a little longer, me lost in my memory, and Max letting me remember without pressuring me. “We ate way too many cupcakes and fell asleep together in her bed. When I woke up the next morning Grams, who was always a last minute shopper, didn’t have any presents for me. She felt so bad, but I told her I didn’t care. It was enough of a gift for me that she was there and not in the hospital. I had a few gifts for her, but she refused to open them until after she’d shopped too. We had our second Christmas on New Year’s Eve. It was our own special celebration.”
“That sounds like a great Christmas. I can’t imagine not having my grandma, mom, and sister around. Christmas isn’t as much fun if you don’t have someone to share it with.”
I nodded, feeling the familiar pang of loneliness. Since Grams died I never had anyone to share the holiday with. Lexi had her family so even when we got to be friends, I spent holidays alone. All our other friends were the same. My bakery was closed on the holidays so I didn’t have my customers to keep me company either, to help me forget how alone I was.
Pushing aside my sorrow, I said, “Tell me about your family.”
A smile crossed Max’s face before he started speaking. The love he felt for the women in his life was plain in his eyes. “My dad died when I was little, and it was just us. My mom moved in with my grandma to save money. Mom had to go back to work, but she struggled to find something that paid well and had decent hours. Abby and I spent a lot of time with our grandma growing up. She’s a lot like your Grams, she taught us to cook and bake, but we both took to cooking a little better. Abby loves to bake, but she’s a great cook too. Mom and Grandma still live together, but Abby moved in with me a few months ago. She just got out of a messy divorce and didn’t want to move back home so I agreed to put her up.”
“Aw, that’s nice of you.”
He shrugged as if it was no big deal. “I’d do anything for her. Plus, she wanted to start up a new business and needed to save her money. You two would get along well.”
“She sounds great. What business is she trying to start?”
Max hesitated long enough that I looked up at him. He looked uncomfortable and I couldn’t tell if he didn’t know how to explain it or if he didn’t want to tell me.
“It’s a bakery, but not really like yours,” he added quickly. “She does more breads and different baked goods like cakes and pies and cookies. She doesn’t even offer cupcakes.”
“Max, it’s okay. There are lots of bakeries around. I know I have competition. I just hope there’s enough for all of us.”
I he
ard my friends talking before Max had a chance to respond. They were cheering and all talking at the same time. I rushed into the waiting room and grabbed Lexi’s arm. “Mandy had a girl. They’re moving to a recovery room and then we can all go see them. Xander said everything went well. And they’re naming her after you, Charlie.”
Nine
“What?” I gasped. I couldn’t have been more shocked if someone told me Grams had walked in and asked for me. I adored Mandy and Xander but I never would have thought they’d name their kid after me. I never thought anyone would.
“What’s her name?” Max asked, beaming at me.
“Elise Marie. Elise is Charlie’s middle name,” Lexi explained to Max, “and Marie is Xander’s mom’s middle name. Claire said they never could have gotten through Mandy’s pregnancy without you, Charles, so they wanted to honor you with Elise’s name.”
Tears sprung to my eyes at Lexi’s words. It felt like I had a family for the first time since Grams died. These friends, the seven women I’d come to call my closest friends, weren’t really friends. They were my sisters. Women I could trust and would be there for me, no matter what.
Mandy had a crazy sweet tooth during her pregnancy. She’d sent Xander to Bite Me! a lot at the beginning for a cupcake or two before she gave in and just started getting them by the dozen. I could tell Xander was helping her eat them when he starting putting on a few pounds, too.
Around four months into her pregnancy I decided to save Xander the trip and started delivering cupcakes to them. Kendall would drop off a box to Mandy at work and another to Xander so they could have some when they got home. Some nights Mandy said cupcakes were the only thing she’d eat for dinner. I knew the feeling!
Max wrapped his arm around my shoulders and smiled at Lexi. “That’s really sweet of them. Did everything go well?”
Lexi nodded and glanced at Max’s arm around me. At that moment I didn’t care what she thought. I was glowing and nothing could bring me down.
“Mandy is tired, but Xander said everything went well, even if it took longer than they expected. Oh, and Addi and Joey will be here soon.”
I nodded, still a bit in a daze, and let Max guide me over to our seats. I fell into my chair, immediately feeling the loss of his warmth around me. How was it possible I’d gotten so comfortable with him, and so used to him, in such a short time? It wasn’t that he was a customer, or even the way we’d met, it was something else. Something I couldn’t put my finger on. Like I’d known him forever even though it’d only been a week.
“That’s a pretty huge honor. It sounds like your friends are as in awe of you as I am. You’re a pretty amazing woman, Charlotte.”
I blushed at his compliment and tried to brush it off. I’d never been good at accepting praise, except for my baking. Being an extension of Grams, I knew it was good. I was copying her work with my own and no one could deny how talented she was. But for anything else… I struggled to accept that people were being truthful. It was hard to sit back and think what I was being told was true.
No one had ever said I was amazing though.
When Mandy was finally settled we all piled into her too small room to get a look at the baby. Everyone let me hold her first and she was the most perfect little person I’d ever seen. She looked up at me with a sleepy grin. I was vaguely aware of Max taking pictures of us, but I didn’t care. I was in love, completely head over heels in love, with Elise.
“If you ever need a babysitter, please call me,” I told Mandy as I handed Elise off to Claire.
Mandy grinned at me and Xander leaned down to kiss her forehead. “We definitely will.”
As Elise was passed around to everyone I caught more than one look of longing from my friends and just as many looks of desire from the men in their lives. Something told me there was going to be another baby in our midst before long. Maybe a few.
Mandy started yawning as the sky outside darkened. Elise was cuddled against Xander’s chest, sound asleep. The looks the two of them were giving each other said they were beyond happy, and would have a hard time keeping their hands to themselves until Mandy’s six weeks were up.
Most of us walked out together, piling into an elevator to head down to the garage. Max’s hand rested on the small of my back, the heat from him penetrating my jacket to warm me up. When we got out into the cold Lexi asked, “Charles, can we give you a ride home?”
“I’ve got her,” Max said before I had a chance. “I, mean, uh, I don’t mind. If Charlotte’s okay with that.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly to him, smiling to myself, and hugged Lexi.
She whispered, “Call me later,” then released me and headed off with Mike.
Max led me to his Expedition, holding the door as I climbed into the vehicle, then closing it behind me. I watched as he walked around the front and wondered why he felt the need to take care of me. All day he’d been doing everything from getting my friend to the hospital, closing up my shop, and buying food for everyone. He’d been by my side, supporting me like I’d always wanted someone to do.
And it was throwing me off in a big way.
The ride back to my place was quiet. I suddenly didn’t know what to say to Max. We’d spent so much time together, but most of it was with the rest of my friends. The only time we were alone was when we went for a walk and almost kissed.
All I could think about was the way he looked at me before I got slammed into the wall. My body heated all over again at the thought. I’d wanted to kiss him. Hell, I still did. But I’d be damned if I initiated something. Max was probably just lost in the moment or something. There was no way a man like him would want me.
Max pulled into a parking space in front of Bite Me! and turned off the engine. I felt like I owed him something for his help and found myself asking, “Do you want to come in? I can make a fresh pot of coffee and I’m sure there are muffins and cupcakes left since I closed so early.”
“I’d love to,” Max grinned, showing that adorable dimple.
Max followed me through the darkened storefront back to the kitchen after I locked the front door. I flipped on the lights and propped the door open so I could grab some muffins and cupcakes from the case. “What would you like?”
Max groaned and my gut clenched, realizing how my question sounded. I spun to look at him and was nearly bowled over by the feral, hungry look in his eyes. He wanted me. I could see it, almost smell it in the heavy, sugar-filled air around us.
His eyes locked on mine and he knew I saw it. He stalked toward me, slowly, like he was approaching his prey. In a way I guess he was, but it shocked the hell out of me. I couldn’t think though, not with that look in his eyes, with that demand… that need.
Without stopping, pausing, or giving me a chance to question him, Max walked toward me until our bodies touched, until we were aligned in the most intimate way possible, until his lips crashed into mine.
His kiss was softer than I expected given his approach. He looked at me as though he was going to devour me, but his kiss was light and gentle, a finger dipped in the icing bowl instead of a spoonful. Just enough that I knew I wanted more.
Max angled his head and cupped my cheek. His tongue brushed against my closed lips and they fell apart like they’d been waiting for a good reason, allowing him entry and letting him take whatever he wanted. When his tongue touched mine my internals ovens went from warming to broil in a second. I couldn’t get enough of him and he seemed to feel the same way.
Max’s hands were all over me at once, like he couldn’t touch enough of me. He shoved my jacket free of my shoulders and it trapped my hands in the sleeves. I struggled to get free, finally releasing my hands as his kisses assaulted my senses. His mouth moved from mine to my neck and collarbone, open-mouthed kisses leaving a blazing trail of desire on my skin.
When his hands joined the party and cupped my heavy breasts I nearly lost it. I moaned loudly, my body aching for his touch, and arched into his hands. He smiled against
my skin as his thumbs teased my nipples to tight, hard peaks. “Can we take this upstairs? Put that big, pink bed of yours to good use?”
I nodded, unable to form words with how far gone I was. Max could have asked me just about anything and I would have agreed. Six months was entirely too long to go without sex, especially when one touch from a near stranger turned me into a puddle of goo on the floor.
Even if he was the sexiest man I’d ever seen. Maybe the sweetest too.
In my apartment Max wasted no time connecting with me again. He turned on the kitchen light which left the rest of the apartment in a faint glow. I would have preferred no lights, anything to hide my lumpy body, but I wanted to see him. If he was that good looking with clothes on, I knew he’d be a god without clothes.
Max guided me past the living room to the bedroom area of my studio apartment and stood in front of my bed rubbing his hands up and down my arms. I braced myself for the speech, you know the ‘I shouldn’t be doing this and I need to go’ speech. The one where he tried to let me down easy. The one that was going to both piss me off and hurt like hell.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered instead. Floored, I gave him a funny look. This was going to be a one-night thing, I knew that. A guy like Max wouldn’t be with someone like me, and that was okay. Compliments weren’t usually part of the one-night stand deal though. He was changing the rules. And I didn’t like it.
Without acknowledging his words, I leaned up to press my lips to his again. He let me lead the kiss for a few seconds before resuming his control. His tongue pressed into my mouth and stroked mine with long, firm movements. His hips ground against mine in the same rhythm and his hands cupped my ass, holding me against him.
With every movement, I got closer and closer to bursting. We still had all our clothes on and I was going to come apart before we’d even gotten to the good stuff.
I needed to see him, to feel him, before I lost it completely. My hands worked under his shirt and my fingers caressed the rippled muscles of his abs. His kissing slowed and his hips stopped while I touched him, drawing his focus away from anything else. When I pulled at his shirt he broke away from me to tug it over his head.
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