by Terra Kelly
She looked hesitant as she sat down. “old fashioned.”
“A woman after my own heart.” I raised my hand to grab the bartender’s attention. “Can I get an old fashioned for the lady and I’ll take a refill.” I tapped my hand on the rim of my glass.
“What are you drinking?” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the bar.
“Bourbon, neat.” I took the last swig resting at the bottom of my glass.
“Neat?” She scrunched up her nose.
“No ice or water, just straight up bourbon.”
“Huh, yeah, I think I need something mixed with my bourbon.” The bartender sat the cocktail in front of her. “Unless it’s a high quality bourbon, then I may change my mind.”
“I only drink the best.” I slid my glass over.
She eyed it and then looked up at me. “Only the best, huh?” Then she took a sip and sighed. “Okay, you have me. This is caramel heaven.” She didn’t sit the glass back down.
“Should I get another one?”
“If you want your own drink you should.” She was holding the glass in between both hands and had the rim of the glass close to her lips. “This is really good.” The way her hands were wrapped around the glass made my mind wander. All I could see as I continued to stare was her mouth wrapped around my cock. I wanted her to give me as much attention as she did to that glass.
I flagged the bartender down again and ordered another bourbon neat. “It’s funny, I didn’t take you for being a bourbon girl.”
“What did you think I liked? Wine?”
“Maybe.” I winked and took a sip of my bourbon.
“I like to bake with booze and I work with a lot of men who drink hard liquor.” She sat the glass down and swirled the contents around. “I need to hold my own.”
“Which restaurant do you work at?”
“Firehouse 47.”
“Wait, is that a new restaurant?” Now I was completely confused.
“I don’t work at a restaurant. I’m a firefighter.”
I straightened and I knew my eyes went wide. “But you have a culinary background, right?”
“Does practicing culinary techniques with online videos count?”
“Well, with what you created today for the challenge, practicing definitely counts.”
“That’s very kind of you to say.” She smiled and took a sip of her drink. “What about you? What restaurant do you work at?”
“I’m in between jobs right now.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I nodded. “Instead of going into a restaurant, I fill special cookie orders daily. My client list has increased over the past few months, so I’m really busy right now.”
“Wait, I do know you.” She gasped and slapped her hand on the counter. “I don’t know how I forgot. You’re Mr. Sugar Cookie?”
“The one and only.” I held my hands out to the side.
I didn’t have a business technically. It was slowly becoming one though. Noah had started requesting special frosted cookies for his restaurant. Then a few other restaurants placed some orders. The word was slowly getting out there.
“I think I caught an article about you recently.” She placed her hand over her forehead. “How did I miss that?”
The moment she realized who I was, she seemed curious. We sat at the bar and talked about booze, sugar cookies, and the competition. When the bartender let us know they were closing, I finally looked at the time on my phone. “Wow, it’s past our bedtime.”
“Oh no, what time is it?” She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. “Oh shit.” She hopped off the barstool. “We have a ten-hour day tomorrow.”
I handed the bartender my card and slipped off the barstool. “It was worth it.” I placed my card in my wallet and turned to face Millie. “After how we started our morning, it was the perfect way to end the day.”
We were walking side by side toward the elevator. “I guess it makes sense we were on the same flight.” She shrugged her shoulders and stepped onto the elevator. “Everything else is weird though.”
We stayed quiet on the ride up to our floor. I was trying to absorb my time with her. She was not like other women. When the elevator opened at our floor, she stepped out first. She stopped in the middle of the hallway and looked over at me. Her ocean blue eyes were shining bright and I had the urge to kiss her. I made sure to keep my distance. Kissing Millie would be a very bad idea.
“I’m glad you joined me tonight.” We were almost at my door. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah, bright and early.” She shuffled her foot back and forth.
“Who knows, one of us could be relaxing after a long ten hours for the rest of the week.” I leaned my shoulder against the wall and found myself transfixed on her lips. My urge to kiss her was growing, just like my cock. I really needed to keep it together for a few more minutes.
“I won’t be relaxing.” She lifted her head and looked right at me.
“I won’t be either.” I pushed off the wall and stepped closer to her. “I guess this could happen again tomorrow night then.”
She surprised me and took a step closer. “Yeah, the bartender will know exactly what we want by the end of the week.”
“What will we want?” I reached for her hand and laced our fingers together.
“Kris.” She looked down. “I–”
I didn’t think my next move through. Millie was messing with my mind. Before she could get her thought out, I dropped my head and captured her lips. Just like I envisioned, she tasted of caramel. Right as I touched my tongue on the edge of her lip, she placed her palms on my chest and leaned back.
“I’m sorry,” I quickly said because I thought she was upset.
“Why are you sorry?” She smiled and slid her hands up my chest.
“Oh, you’re okay with this?”
“For now.” She giggled and laced her fingers behind my neck. “If you don’t continue I may change my mind.”
“Is that so?” I wrapped my arms tighter around her body and moved her body backwards toward the wall. “Then I better continue.”
“You should.” She pulled my head closer. I liked how she took control.
I slid my tongue across her bottom lip and she immediately allowed me to take the kiss deeper. Just like in the bar, time slipped away from us. I’m not sure how long our bodies were plastered against the wall, but she finally placed her palms on my chest and gently pushed me away.
“We should get some rest.”
“Yeah.” She slipped under my arm and took a few steps away from me. “We have a long day tomorrow.”
“Good night, Millie.” I turned and unlocked my door. Before I stepped inside I took one more look in her direction. Somehow she was stealth and was already at her door. We looked at each for a few more moments and then stepped into our rooms.
I dropped down onto the bed and threw my arm over my eyes. What the hell just happened?
Now we had to compete against each other for another ten hours tomorrow.
This week just got very interesting.
Eight
Millie
“Good morning.” I heard his delicious voice from behind me.
I spun around and took a second to enjoy the view. “Good morning.” Without thinking I took a step closer to him. “Did you sleep well?”
“I had some pretty memorable dreams.” He winked and reached for my hand. “Are you ready for our second ten-hour day?”
“I think so.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m trying to get mentally prepared for the surprises.”
“Just wing it.”
“And mix up the wrong ingredients in a recipe.” I laughed and thought about what a train wreck it would be if I made a recipe wrong.
“Fake it until you make it.” He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from my eye.
When I started my day yesterday, I was pissed at my ex and anxious about the championship. Never did I exp
ect to end my day kissing one of my competitors. I’m not complaining though. Kris woke up a part of me that I had kept dormant for several months. It felt good to feel this way again. My body craved more.
I swore off men for way too long. I bought extra baking supplies and whipped up some recipes to help keep my mind occupied. Until last night…when those fingers touched my skin…I knew I was fucked.
“That’s what they say.” I couldn’t pull my eyes away from him.
“Millie.” He brushed the tip of his finger down the side of my face.
“Hmmm…” Was the only sound that managed to escape my lips.
“Whatever happens today, would you like to have a drink with me again tonight?”
I shook my head. “No…I mean…”
“Oh, okay.” He stepped back.
“Wait.” I laughed at the way I was getting my words and thoughts mixed up. “Let me start that all over. Ask me again?”
He turned his head to the side and looked curious. “Um, Millie, will you have a cocktail or two with me tonight when we get back?”
“Yes, but–” I held my index finger up– “I don’t care what the outcome is today. I want to still have a drink with you.”
“Oh, okay.” His face lit up and he moved back closer to me.
“In fact–” I placed my hand on his chest– “I want to plan a date when we get back to Charlotte.” I threw my hand over my mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
I dropped my hand and rolled my eyes. “Was that too forward. Did I just mess with your Man Card status by asking you out?”
He burst out laughing and I immediately fell in love with the sound of his laugh. “Well, I guess there was an argument to be made that you switched things up, but I kinda love it.” Then he surprised me with one of his panty melting kisses. I loved how soft his lips felt. If I could take him to my room and continue this kissing session I would, but we had a competition to prepare for instead.
I pushed him away and pointed my index finger against the center of his chest. “This is bad.”
“Is it?” He captured my finger and circled his hand around mine. “I’m finding it to be pretty good.”
“Just good.”
“Well, fucking fantastic was what I was really thinking.”
“That’s better.”
He grabbed my hand and tugged me down the hall. “Let’s get this day started. I’m already looking forward to the end.”
We were waiting for the elevator holding hands. I loved how we would glance up at each other and then quickly looked back at the elevator door. The moment it dinged and slid open he tugged me inside. I stumbled and fell against his chest. “Well, hello there.”
He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and kissed the tip of my nose. “Good luck today.”
“Right back at ya.” I leaned up and kissed him gently on those delicious lips I found extremely irresistible.
Somehow the competition was not as important to me. Getting to know this man seemed like a hell of a lot more fun. Then the twenty-five thousand dollar prize ran through my mind.
Five hours into the ten hour day…
“Two of you really achieved exactly what the judges were looking for with the first competition of the day.” The host was staring at me as he was talking. “Millie, your apple brandy compote screamed holiday with the judges and complemented your gingerbread cake perfectly.” Kris was standing at the end of the row. I wondered what was on his mind at this very moment. “And Kris, your raspberry gelée in the center of the dark chocolate cake really wowed the judges.” The host laced his fingers together. “There can only be one winner though.” He paused for a beat and then looked right at me. “Millie, you have won the advantage going into the elimination round.”
I threw my hand over my chest and let out a heavy sigh. “Wow, thank you so much.”
I was nervous to look over at Kris. Everything suddenly felt awkward. The moment in the elevator played over in my mind. We were in the heat of the moment. Our hormones were in overdrive.
What if he really did care who won? He seemed like someone who was very competitive.
I had a feeling we were probably not going to see each other much this week after all. This competition was going to only get more heated as we got closer to the end of the week. The moment Kris walked past me, I knew I was right. He looked focused and maybe a little pissed.
I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Focus, Millie.
Nine
Kris
Fuck. Millie beat me in the first challenge of the day. That shouldn’t bother me, but somehow it was rubbing me the wrong way.
When I walked past her station, I should’ve congratulated her. Instead, I let my emotions get the best of me and became an asshat. I turned my head and never said a damn word.
I was focused for the rest of the day and had my eyes on the prize. I planned to move on to the next round. Thankfully for the elimination round I was lucky enough to receive vanilla and bourbon as my two special ingredients. Millie could’ve traded her ingredients out with one of us, but she was happy receiving cranberry and nutmeg.
At around the ten-minute mark I realized I made a crucial mistake. I had burnt my bourbon candied almonds. They were the crunch factor and would bring the whole recipe together with the perfect bite. I looked at ways to work with the candied almonds, but every time I tried one I cringed.
“Five minutes,” the host yelled.
“Fuck,” I mumbled and threw the whole pan into the garbage.
“Here.” I heard from behind me. When I spun around, Millie was standing on the other side of counter. “Use these.”
She was holding a pan with candied nuts. “What? No.” I shook my head and stepped back.
“I made them and decided on a different flavor.” She sat the pan down and walked away.
“One minute. Get your recipes on the plate.” The host yelled and clapped his hands together.
I looked over at Millie who was focused and finalizing her plating. Choosing to add her candied pecans was risky. What if the judges looked at that as a negative? I didn’t want to risk having us both eliminated, so I made the choice to leave them off. I knew not having a crunch factor could send me home.
“Kris, the judges wanted more from your recipe. They enjoyed the bourbon in your vanilla sponge and vanilla buttercream, but where it shined with flavor, it lacked texture.” It was hard listening to the host. I knew the judges were right though. If I made it to the next round, I would need to step it up and wow them.
Right when I thought the host would say my name, he said the other contestant instead. I immediately let out the breath I had been holding.
Holy fuck. I survived the elimination round.
Once the taping was finalized, the bakers made their way into the green room. I found Millie removing her apron. “Hey.”
She turned around and smiled. “You didn’t use the pecans?”
“Yeah.” I grabbed my jacket and followed her out of the green room. “There was no way I planned to risk you getting eliminated. It could look like you helped me if I used them.”
“You’re probably right.” She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m glad you’re still in the competition.”
We stepped outside and the wind immediately hit my face. I pulled my jacket higher around my face. “Honestly, I’m surprised I’m still in.”
“Well, Carla did serve broken buttercream.” She giggled and shrugged.
“True.” I leaned closer and touched her shoulder. “Thanks.” She scowled when she glanced up at me. “I was an asshole when you won the challenge earlier and you were still kind to me.”
“I’m not good at being competitive.” She sighed and lightly touched my arm. “I watched you throw the pan of nuts out and my heart sank.”
Who was this woman and how the hell did she get into food championships? Most of the competitors I had come in contact with were usually out for blood. They h
ad to win and would do anything to get that title.
“Do you usually compete in championships?”
“Never.” She burst out laughing.
I’m sure it looked like my eyes bugged out. “Seriously, this is your first time?”
“My sister and dear friend encouraged me to join.”
“You’re very good.” I waved down a taxi and opened the door. “Want to share a taxi?”
She slid onto the back seat and tucked her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “Thanks for saying that.” She turned to face me. “This is fun, but I don’t know if I’d do it again.”
“You’re a natural.” I winked.
We spent the next several minutes talking about competitions. I watched her expressions as she shared a story about baking and how she fell in love with creating in the kitchen.
There was a difference between competitors. Some fed off the adrenaline a competition created. Whereas some people just loved sharing their passion. Millie fell in line with the later. You could see from the way her eyes lit up she loved creating new recipes and sharing them with others.
“You’re just trying to butter me up?”
I leaned closer and whispered, “If I play my cards right, I plan to do that later.” She threw her hand over her mouth and glanced forward at the driver. “Don’t worry, he can’t hear us.”
“Kris.” She placed her hand over her chest and closed her eyes.
“Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me I overstepped the boundaries.”
Millie stayed silent for several seconds. Then she surprised me by sliding her body closer to me. “Kris.” She placed her hand on my thigh and slid it up a few inches. “I want to tell you no, but I can’t.” She reached for my hand and laced our fingers together. “But I think we need to wait until the competition is over.”
I brought her hand closer to my mouth and kissed each knuckle. “At least one of us is being good.” She actually groaned and threw her head back against the seat. “Did I say something wrong?”
