“Well, we might have to hire you to bake for us weekly so we don’t go into withdrawal in the meantime. I’m not sure we can survive without your breakfast,” Mr. O’Neill teased.
“Thanks, Mr. O’Neill.”
Mrs. O’Neill patted my hand and moved to their table in the corner. My eyes followed them and realized Lexi was leaning against the counter toward the end.
“How are you?” Lexi asked as she settled into a stool at the counter and looked around. She nodded, looking pleased with my decorations.
I poured her a cup of coffee in a black mug that read ‘I don’t give a sip’ and set a plate in front of her with two chocolate mousse cupcakes.
“I’m good,” I said brightly, walking away to do something, anything to avoid her gaze.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m great. Things are moving forward. Did you see the new bakery too? Is that why you’re here?”
Lexi stopped my constant motion by grabbing my wrist. “I didn’t, but that’s not what I’m talking about and you know it. Max.”
Just his name made me pause and my heart skipped. I didn’t want to talk about Max. Yeah, I liked him, but I worried I was starting to like him a bit too much.
“He hurt you, didn’t he?” Lexi asked sympathetically.
I looked up at her and knew she saw it in my eyes. I couldn’t hide the truth from Lexi. We’d been friends for way too long and there wasn’t anything she couldn’t see.
“He didn’t do anything.”
“That the problem, though, isn’t it? He spent the night Tuesday. Have you heard from him?”
“He’s in here every day, Lex. He hasn’t spent the night again, but he’s here.”
“Really?”
I nodded and raised my eyebrows at her as if to tell her to back off.
“So what’s with the face?”
I took a deep breath, wishing she hadn’t been the one to walk in when the O’Neills were there. I needed a chance to process what they’d told me. “There’s a new bakery opening across the street. In that site I looked at a few weeks ago. Mrs. O’Neill said it looks like they’re almost ready to open.”
“There are other bakeries in town. Why does this one bother you?”
I pursed my lips and glanced around as though I was going to reveal some big secret. “It’s called SkinnyCakes. They make healthy versions of baked goods.”
“So?”
“Do you know how many customers ask me if I have anything gluten free or sugar free or dairy free? Do you know how many people don’t buy anything when I tell them I don’t?”
“That’s not why you opened this place. Isn’t that the whole reason for the name?”
I smiled. “I know.”
“Are you sure? Because it sounds like you forgot what we said to all those people who doubted you. All those people who thought a bakery was too risky. Who thought you should offer more on your menu than cupcakes. What did we say we would say to them?”
I grinned, thinking back to the night Lexi and I got drunk and planned my future business. No extras. No variety. No fluff. Just cupcakes. “Bite Me!”
“Exactly,” Lexi agreed. “Bite Me! And that’s not going to change just because there’s someone trying to make cupcakes healthy. Now, forget about that place and tell me more about where you’re moving to and what we can do to help.”
Lexi knew I needed the subject change and I was more than happy to go that way. I felt myself getting excited all over again as I told her about the huge open space and how many tables I could have. I shared my ideas for the kitchen and gushed over the apartment upstairs.
Just when I was telling her about the other locations in the lot the door opened and Max walked through. His eyes met mine and I saw the desire in them before they flashed to Lexi.
He had the decency to look ashamed but didn’t leave. He took another step inside, letting the door close behind him. Without looking away from me he walked to the register, waiting to order.
Lexi squeezed my hand and snapped me out of my trance. I offered her a weak smile then walked to where Max was waiting. “Can I help you?”
“I think I’ll take the usual,” Max said with a smile. “Since there are other people here.”
My body heated up with his simple flirtation. I could still feel him hard between my legs like he was the last time we were caught making out on the counter. “Yeah, well, maybe we can get together when there aren’t so many people around.”
“Let me take you out. Tonight. Tomorrow. Whenever.”
“Why don’t you meet my friend, Lexi, and I’ll think about it?”
Max smiled and winked at me. He paid for his coffee and cupcakes then took the seat next to Lexi as I went in the back to get his coffee. I took my time knowing Lexi would be reading him the riot act while I was gone. I couldn’t have been more shocked when I walked back out front and saw Lexi throw her head back laughing at something Max said.
“What did I miss?” I asked, not willing to be left out.
“Max was just telling me about some of Abby’s contractors. Those people sound horrible. No wonder you’ve been doing so much for her.”
“You haven’t told me about Abby’s store. Where is it?”
Max shifted, seeming uncomfortable. “Oh, it’s not far from here.”
“What does she do?” Lexi asked.
“It’s similar to here, but different stuff. She has some pastries and breakfast quiches. She’s also planning cakes and different desserts, with a few sandwiches. She thinks her big sellers will be her cakes though.”
“You two should get together. I bet you could trade recipes and get along really well,” Lexi gushed. “How cool is it that you do such similar things? No wonder Max likes you so much,” Lexi mused before slapping her hand over her mouth.
My eyes flashed from Lexi to Max and I wondered what made her change her mind about him so quickly. Something passed between them but neither of them spoke again. Lexi’s pleading eyes stopped me from asking her more, and Max’s sweet look made me forget all about Lexi.
“Anyway, you were telling me about the other stores in the shopping center.”
“What shopping center?” Max asked.
“Oh, Charlie finally found a place to move to. She only has a couple weeks left here before she has to be out, but she’ll be out of business for a month.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah,” I answered. “I was looking for a while. I love the new place, but I hate that I’ll be closed for a month.”
“Hey!” Lexi said brightly. “You should see if you can borrow Abby’s kitchen to do that one order. Do you think she’d be willing?” Lexi turned her attention to Max.
He paused. Why didn’t he answer right away? What was there to think about? Did he not want his sister to know about me? Was he that ashamed of me?
“Uh, I don’t know. I can ask her.”
“It’s okay,” I stammered, feeling hurt and confused. “I’ll figure something out.”
“Anyway,” Lexi said brightly. “I guess I should head out. Mike should be out Christmas shopping by now and I need to go snoop a little.”
I laughed, knowing she was telling the truth. Lexi didn’t handle surprises well and was always trying to figure out what her gifts were before she opened them. I felt bad for Mike, but he was a good sport about it. He learned early on to wrap all her gifts in huge boxes that she couldn’t figure out, forcing her to change tactics. He still hadn’t figured out that she tried to find where he hid gifts before he had a chance to box and wrap them.
“By the way, the place looks good,” Lexi said with a wink. She nodded up to the mistletoe I had above the door and the tree in the corner then walked out with a shit-eating grin.
Max followed her gaze to the front door and spotted the mistletoe. “I truly hope you don’t get a kiss from everyone who comes through that door.”
I laughed and shook my head. “It’s more of a joke than anything. Besi
des, I haven’t gotten a kiss from anyone who came in today so I guess it’s not working.”
“Then I think we need to change that,” Max said as he leaned toward me. He beckoned me with one finger. As we got closer Max sucked in a deep breath then whispered, “I’ll talk to Abby.”
I nodded less than a second before his lips brushed mine, softly. His kiss wasn’t demanding or controlling. Instead it was questioning, asking permission. With every touch of his lips against mine I gave him what he was asking for, granting him all the access to me he could want.
Max’s hand slid to my cheek, gently tilting my head as his tongue teased my lips. I opened for him and he glided into my mouth, still not in a hurry. His kiss was long and slow and sweet. I quickly got lost in him, his kiss drawing me into another world. One where I wasn’t afraid of letting him in, where we could be together, where there weren’t secrets.
The kiss ended too soon for me, but since we were at Bite Me! it had to end. Max pulled back reluctantly and rested his forehead against mine. He kissed my nose and I felt his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. It was good to know he was as affected as I was by what should have been a simple kiss.
“Tonight. What time do you finish? I’m taking you out. No more excuses.” He offered a humbled half-smile since all the excuses came from him.
“I close at eight. Today is my late day.” Kendall didn’t work weekends so I was there from open to close. It made for a long day and by the end of Saturday I was usually ready to collapse. Even the temptation of Max wasn’t enough to boost my excitement.
“Shit, you’re not going to want to go out, are you? What if I promise you we’ll go somewhere low key and you can dress casual and someone else will wait on you for a change?”
The excitement in his voice and the hopeful look on his face were enough to make me give in. I knew I couldn’t say no to those puppy dog brown eyes and that dimple. Not to mention the man who brought them to life. And who brought me to life.
“I’ll be here at eight-thirty. Unless there’s something I can do to help you clean up?”
“Why would you want to clean up?”
“I’d do anything for you, Charlotte. I’ll be here just before eight and you can put me to work while you relax or change or shower or whatever you need to do to get ready to go. And if you want to go to dinner in what you’re wearing right now… I have no problem with that but I probably won’t be able to take my hands and lips off you when you smell like cupcakes. Then again, it won’t matter.”
I blushed, imagining Max’s hands and lips on me all night long. He caught the look on my face and his eyes darkened, the pulse in his neck fluttering. He licked his lips and took a deep breath.
“Okay, I’m getting out of here before I lock that door and drag you upstairs. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I smiled and followed him to the door. He stopped right under the mistletoe and winked at me before leaning in to kiss me again. A rough, demanding kiss swept me off my feet and made my knees weak. He circled my waist with his arms and held me up as he ravaged my mouth, promising an amazing night.
He stepped back, letting go of me way too soon. “You’re like a drug for me. Something that makes me feel like I can do anything. I couldn’t quit you even if I wanted to.” He paused and looked down into my eyes. “Eight o’clock.”
I nodded and watched as he walked out the door. I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the afternoon, especially when he sent me a text saying, ‘Four hours, thirty-nine minutes, and sixteen seconds until I see you again.’
Could he be any sweeter?
Fifteen
I closed the door behind my last customer and flipped the lock. Max’s eyes darkened at the sound, like one of Pavlov’s dogs who knew he was going to get a tasty treat. I had to admit, between the lock and the look from Max, my body tightened and I felt that delicious tingle between my legs.
Yeah, it was time to get the hell out of there.
“Okay, so I’m going to run upstairs and change real quick. I can clean up later though so just relax. I won’t be long.”
Max moved toward me, his eyes dancing and his dimple peeking out at me from beneath the slight stubble on his jaw. The rough look made him go from cute, gorgeous really, to downright sexy. His dark jeans and black t-shirt gave him a dangerous vibe, but when he smiled his slanted half-smile he threatened to melt all my clothes off.
Before I turned into a puddle, Max reached me and cupped my jaw. “I came here to help. Put me to work. I can box up these last few muffins and cupcakes, sweep up, clean counters, whatever. Besides, it’ll keep my mind off you being only a few feet away stripping down to nothing. If I just sit here I might not have the strength to stay downstairs.”
I blushed and tipped my head up to him, offering myself for a kiss. He obliged, his lips coming down on mine hard and strong. His tongue forced its way into my mouth and his hand dragged my hips hard against him where I felt his erection already firm against my belly.
Max walked us backward until I hit the edge of the unforgiving stone. Max lifted me up onto the surface and settled himself between my legs. My back bowed into him and he growled before laying me back over the counter. His body followed mine down and when our lips couldn’t stay together any longer his mouth drifted over my jaw to my collarbone. One hand ran up my thigh and the other cupped my breast. I felt his teeth through my t-shirt, pinching my nipple. I moaned and arched into him.
Then he stopped.
He moved off me, stepping across the room and away from me. I sat up, feeling dazed and confused, not knowing what the hell happened or why. Max stood glaring at me, his hands tunneling through his hair like a high speed train. He drug a hand down his face, pulling his jaw down so he looked like Munch’s painting, The Scream.
“Charlotte, I’m so sorry. I didn’t come over here for that. I wanted to show you that I’m interested in more than sex with you and I screwed it up. Shit, I’m so sorry. Please, go upstairs before I attack you again. I’ll clean up.”
I started to move toward him to tell him it was okay but he jumped back like I was going to attack him. Or maybe he was going to attack me. “Charlotte, if you get close enough that I can smell you, or touch you, or kiss you… fuck. Just go, please.”
I nodded and went upstairs. When I was in my apartment I started smiling, thinking about what he said. As hard as it was for me to believe, it seemed Max was just as into me as I was into him. I couldn’t believe it, but the proof was right there in front of me.
Stripping off my work clothes I decided to jump in the shower to wash the day off me. If Max wanted me, I wanted to make sure it was me and not my cupcakes he was after.
Clean and fresh I walked naked across the apartment to my dresser on the opposite side. Pulling open my underwear drawer I wrinkled my nose, trying to make a decision. My friends had been trying to convince me, for years, to wear thongs, but I refused. I loved pretty underwear, but I never intended to wear a thong. I’d also never had a guy who turned me on as much as Max did to dress up for. I fingered the delicate satin of the hot pink thong Lexi had given me and couldn’t deny the silky feel of the fabric made me want to feel it against my skin. I pulled it from the drawer before I could talk myself out of it and slid it up my legs, settling the scrap of satin between my legs.
It was like wearing nothing.
Which made me feel sexy.
I grabbed a bra that matched well enough then pushed the drawer closed. Max said to dress comfortable so I went for jeans, my favorite pink sweater, and brown knee high boots. I fluffed up my hair, leaving it loose around my shoulders, and applied mascara and lipgloss.
With one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my purse and jacket and headed downstairs. Max was waiting for me in the shop, eating a cupcake. He grinned sheepishly before his eyes swept the length of my body, slowly, then met my eyes. The heat and desire in his nearly made me trip, but thankfully I was close to the counter and grabbed it for support.
“You look amazing. Stunning. Fabulous,” he grinned. I thought about the last time he told me that, when I complained about being fluffy. I could tell Max remembered it too. Before I got wrapped up in Max, or my own fluffiness, I asked if he was ready to go.
Max drove us to Nicolino’s, a great little Italian restaurant in the center of Winterville. As a kid Grams would bring me to Nicolino’s for special occasions and she became friends with the owner, Carla. I hadn’t seen Carla in years and wondered if she was still there.
“Two, please,” Max said to the hostess when we walked in.
She walked us to a table near the kitchen and I couldn’t help but ask, “Is Carla here, by any chance?”
“Yes,” she beamed. “Would you like me to send her out to see you?”
“Oh, um, if she has a chance. I’m not sure she would remember me though.” I suddenly felt embarrassed by asking.
“Carla remembers everyone, and I’m sure she’ll love to see you again.”
I nodded and she turned away to seat the next set of guests. Max reached over for my hand and said, “I take it you’ve been here before.”
I looked over the familiar space and remembered. The dark burgundy walls hadn’t changed. Neither had the gray carpet, the rich wood tables and softly padded chairs. Even the art, photographs from Carla’s travels around Italy, were the same. “Yeah, my Grams used to take me here when I was little. It’s been a while since I’ve been here though.”
A waitress stopped by and took our drink orders. She told us the specials and I couldn’t shake that I’d seen her before.
“Why did you stop coming?” Max asked when the waitress left to get our drinks.
“Um, when Grams died I sort of fell apart. I had a hard time finding reasons to celebrate, or people to celebrate with.”
Max squeezed my hand and offered me a half-smile. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. She must have been someone special.”
“She was. She was everything to me. She raised me when my parents decided I wasn’t worth their time or effort, but she never made me feel badly about it. Grams just loved me. She’s the one who taught me to bake.”
Fluffy & Fabulous Page 12
