by Piper Rayne
“I’m helping her out.” I shrug. “Starting a business can be hard.”
They share a yeah-right look but don’t argue. All three of us own our own companies in Climax Cove and know how difficult those early days can be. Garrett had the biggest uphill climb but he also didn’t have his dad breathing down his damn neck all the time like I do.
“She doesn’t like you though,” Marcus comments, dipping his fry into ketchup and popping it into his mouth.
“Why is that exactly?” Garrett chimes in.
Usually, I’m the first one to brag about getting laid, but with Ava, I kept it quiet because she’s Vic’s daughter and I do not want that to circle back to him. We’re acquaintances more than friends, but I have a lot of respect for the guy and I’d hate for him to think less of me.
“Somehow she’s immune to my charismatic personality.” I pop my own fry into my mouth.
Dennis, the owner of the diner, must have finally changed the oil in the fryer. This grub is better than usual.
“I’d say half of Climax Cove is immune to your unique personality.” Marcus sips his drink and studies me for a second. “Cat told me something interesting last night.”
Garrett shifts his attention away from his BLT double bacon sandwich.
I roll my eyes. “Whatever it was, I’m sure she’s wrong.”
Marcus’ eyes stay zeroed in on me while Garrett’s gaze moves in my direction, questioning.
“She said Ava was so squirrely after you left, she kneaded ten batches of fondant. Cat thinks you two might actually like each other?” He raises his eyebrows, revealing the blue eyes so many women swoon over.
“Really?” Garrett leans back, crosses his arms around his chest like he’d rather hear me admit I like her than eat his sandwich. If you knew Garrett, you’d know how huge that is. The guy is like a big, beefy mountain man. He needs a lot of fuel to stay upright.
I crumple up my napkin and toss it on the table. “Please. Ava Pearson screams commitment, and I think you both know by now, there’s only one person I’m committed to and he’s about this high.” I stick my arm out of the booth and raise it a little above my shoulder.
Again, they each share a look of whatever. “You do understand you committed to your dad when you took over the bar,” Marcus smiles and digs back into his plate.
“You also committed to this town by helping with the Fourth of July parade and the carnival at the end of every summer,” Garrett says, then sips his iced tea, waiting for me to agree.
“That’s different, and you both know it. I’m talking about anything beyond a hit and split.”
Garrett shrugs and picks up his sandwich.
“Neither one of you can talk,” I say.
Marcus tilts his head.
“Okay, you’ve committed to Cat now, but Garrett.” He never even looks up from his sandwich because he knows what I’m going to say. “You don’t commit.”
“He also doesn’t go on search and rescue missions for pussy either.” Marcus pushes his plate forward having devoured his Reuben sandwich.
“Anything else boys?” Debbie picks up Marcus’ plate.
“Thanks, Debbie,” he says.
“Hey, did you guys change the oil in the fryer?” I ask. “The fries taste awesome today.”
Debbie takes her free hand and slaps me on the back of the head. “I swear if I didn’t still see the cute sandy-haired boy with pinchable cheeks, I’d kick you out of here.” Bending over, she takes her forefinger and thumb grabbing my cheek and squeezing harder than I remember her doing when I was little.
She mumbles to herself as she walks toward the kitchen. I place my hand on my now sore cheek. Marcus and Garrett laugh sharing a look that says, ‘what did I really expect to happen?’
I shrug and dig back into my meal. Charlie’s covering the bar, but I need to head back for my appointment with the vodka supplier.
“What are you going to do with two dozen cupcakes anyway?” Marcus asks after finishing his meal. Not that I have a clue how he’s finished when all he’s done during lunch is stick his nose into my business.
“I’m going to sell them to my customers as dessert.”
Marcus’ forehead crinkles. I swear if we did a line up in a police station for someone to pick who out of us is a dad, they’d pick Marcus for sure. He’s got all the dad looks mastered like he’s practiced in a mirror or some shit.
“She doesn’t need to know. I’m experimenting with something. If it works, believe me, it’ll only benefit her and her company.” I wipe my mouth with my napkin, crumple it up and place it on my plate.
“You’re playing with fire if she already doesn’t like you.” Garrett finishes his own meal, digging into his pocket for his wallet. He’s on a deadline to get two cabins finished before winter hits so he can make bank by renting them out. The guy might just be a secret millionaire who buys stock in flannel shirts since that’s all he ever seems to wear.
“Hey, for those of us like me,” I point to myself, “tourist season is drawing to an end and she just opened up a business. Happy Daze makes the majority of its profit from April to October.”
They each stare blankly at me. I’m sure they assumed that was the case, but it was a hard lesson I learned the first year I took over the business from my dad—a lesson that almost closed our doors.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re very committed to Climax Cove.” Marcus laughs and Garrett soon joins in.
I shake my head, slide out of the booth and walk over to Debbie to pay my bill.
“Oh, don’t be so sensitive, Dane,” Marcus is behind me now as I pull out my money and focus my attention on Debbie.
“You know I was joking, Debbie. I wouldn’t be your number one customer if I didn’t love your food.” I walk around the counter and hold my hands out for a hug. She tries to get away, but I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her snug against me.
“Salad for you next time.” She’s laughing, knowing the day I eat a salad is the day I can’t bring a fork to my mouth. Not going to happen.
“I love you, Deb.” I smack my lips on her head and make the exaggerated noise as I back away from her. “See you tomorrow.”
I walk by Marcus and Garrett as I head for the door. “Jackasses.” I nod to them and walk out of the diner and head straight to the bar. And I somehow manage to do all that without sneaking a look at the bakery.
Later that night after I’ve closed up Happy Daze, I’m going through my mail on the bar when something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. Investigating where it’s coming from, I stand up and look across the street. It’s pitch black in the bakery except for a flashlight in search of something.
I jump over my bar, swiping my keys from the counter on the way. Hustling out of the bar, I glance up and down the street. It’s once again vacant of anyone, which proves my point to Marcus and Garrett. Tourist season is already drawing to a close as October approaches. I lock the door and peer over to the bakery. The flashlight is still there.
Clicking Ava’s name on my phone, I hear the faintest ring of her cell, meaning she’s in there somewhere. There’s no turning back now even though I only have my fists to protect myself with. Hopefully, I can channel Bruce Lee or something.
The glass door to the bakery opens when I pull on the handle and I mentally pocket the advice to tell Ava to lock her doors when the business is closed. Climax Cove police officers earn their paychecks by directing traffic during the summer.
I slide in and search for any sign of the spunky brunette who’s always on my case. She’s nowhere to be found, so I tiptoe further back, noticing to my dismay the cupcake case is empty.
A thud echoes throughout the quiet space. “Fuck!” There’s some more grumbling I can’t make out and then, “Where the hell is it? Stupid, Ava, so stupid. Why did you ever think you could do this?”
I should let her know I’m here.
“Hello? Yes. This is Ava Pearson from Mad Batter.” Another
pause. “My power just went out. Yeah. I don’t know where the fuse box is.” The flashlight moves and shines right past me.
You’re being a dick. Let her know you’re here and help her, my inner self keeps repeating.
I click the green button on my phone again.
“Ugh. Hold on a second.” The lighted phone pulls away from her face, she presses ignore. “Ugh, asshole.” Then places it back to her cheek. “Sorry, where would I find the fuse box?”
“My guess is back in the storage room,” I say.
She jumps so far back, she trips over something and falls, her phone sliding across the floor.
I bend down and pick it up.
“Ma’am? Ma’am?” Frank’s never sounded so scared.
“Hey, Frank. It’s Dane. No, I got it, no need for the fire department to come down. Yeah, I saw from across the street. We’ll call back if we need you guys. Yeah, see you on Trivia night.”
I click the red button and turn on the flashlight on her phone.
She’s getting to her feet, brushing off her ass after tripping on a bag of flour.
“Here.” I hold my hand out for her, but she refuses to take it.
“I’m fine. Knocking would be the polite thing to do.” She blocks the light from the flashlight with her arm and I lower it a little.
“Well, I’m an asshole so you shouldn’t expect much.” I shrug, taking her phone with me into the storage room.
“You don’t have to help me. I’m sure the fire department would be willing,” she rambles as she follows me.
“They should be available for actual fires.”
“I imagine fires are like crimes in this town—almost nonexistent.”
I turn around, flashing the light toward my face so she can see me. “You’d be wrong then. Forest fires.” I tap my head and all I hear is her huff.
“You think you’re so smart.”
She’s embarrassed, I get it, so I don’t rub in the fact I am fucking smart.
“Would you rather me not know how to fix your breaker?”
She hems and haws for a second. “I don’t understand. I was in the middle of making a huge batch of frosting and then total darkness.”
“Was that your way of asking me for help?” I open the box, purposely not touching any of the breakers.
“I didn’t know I had to ask since you took it upon yourself to sneak into my shop, scare the crap out of me and then walk to the storage room.”
“And I haven’t even told you to keep your doors locked when you’re closed yet. But most people say please and thank you when they need a favor.” I give her a wide, condescending smile just to piss her off a little more.
“I’m not most people.”
I nod. “Agreed, but I have to believe that Vic taught you manners.”
“Seriously, you have my hands tied and you’re going to play this game?”
I step closer to her, the firmness of her breasts now pushing against my chest. Damn, she feels good and I don’t even have a hand on her.
“I can tie you up and play games if you like.” I raise a brow.
“Ugh. No. I’m not interested in your games.”
She says no with those plump lips of hers, but it doesn’t escape me that she’s still pressed up against me.
“I thought we played pretty nice together. No?”
All I’m able to hear in the darkness is her unsteady breathing—in and out as though it’s a struggle.
“I really need to finish this cake so that I can maybe get three hours sleep tonight.” Her voice is so low and tense. She’s stressed and I’m only adding to that state.
“Say please and it’s yours.”
“Please, Dane.” She even includes my name and by some small miracle, she didn’t even use a sarcastic tone.
I click the button and the lights flicker on. Her eyes widen and a genuine smile tugs at her mouth like I just pulled her up on my horse and rode us away from the monsters.
That smile could be addicting.
If you were a different type of guy.
“Thank you.” Her hand pats my arm and her chest lets out a long tension filled breath.
“So, Vic did teach you manners?” I smile and step away from her after handing her phone back to her.
“Yes, he did and your dad must have taught you how to fix things.” She follows me back out.
She slides by me once we reach the kitchen and starts working again.
“If you keep up this work schedule, you’re going to burn out,” I say.
A smirk crosses her lips as she looks up at me from the cake she’s decorating.
“You’re a business owner. I’d think you’d understand.”
I jump up on the counter to sit down, and she eyes me for a second but doesn’t ask me to leave.
“Who’s getting married?”
She scrunches her nose still concentrating on the cake.
“The cake. White tiered cake with buttercream. Wedding?”
She nods, her hands continuing to squeeze the icing onto the cake.
“It’s just something to take a picture of so I can use it for promo, show what I can do.”
“You’re telling me no one is actually going to eat that cake?” I hop down from the counter, bending over to get a better look.
She giggles, that heart lightening sound that makes me immediately want to hear it again. “Nope. I need to develop a portfolio, which means, I make and bake them, and they go uneaten.”
“That’s wasteful.” I frown, knowing that cake is way too delicious to go untouched.
“Would you rather I fed it to you?”
“As long as you were naked and we were enjoying it during post-coital bliss.” I raise my eyebrows up in a challenge.
She shakes her head. “Do you ever think of anything besides sex?” This time there’s no judgment or annoyance in her tone, more like mild curiosity.
“Around you? Not often.”
Her cheeks flush the lightest pink, matching the small flowers in the bowl next to the cake.
My phone rings in my pocket and I pull it out.
Shit. The babysitter.
I press the small green button on my screen. “I’ll be there in ten. Sorry.”
Ashley says it’s okay, that Toby is already asleep, but she was concerned because I’m usually home by now.
“Well, I gotta go. My babysitter must have some hot date. Teenagers. Can’t keep their hands off each other.” She places the icing down on the counter and wipes her hands on an apron that says, ‘Every adventure requires a first step.’
“Thank you for your help. I’m worthless in the electrical department.”
“You’re welcome. Do me a favor though and call an electrician. Norma was supposed to get that fixed. It’s happened more than once in the past year.” I open the glass door.
“Okay. I’ll call in the morning.”
I nod and hesitate in the doorway though I have no idea why. “And lock this door after I leave.”
She smiles and salutes me. “Yes, Dad.”
My gaze tracks every curve of her cute-ass body. She’s even sexier when she’s covered in flour and icing.
“Oh, I like that. Call me daddy though.” This time I can’t bite down my laugh.
She shakes her head, laughing lowly and takes my shoulders turning them toward the sidewalk and pushing me out.
“Good night, Dane,” she says, and flicks the lock on the door.
I leave knowing that when I picture her underneath me while I’m getting off later, she’ll be calling me daddy.
6
Ava
“I love the Alice in Wonderland theme, but I don’t think we want to teach the children these sorts of things.” Charlie picks up a cookie with Eat Me iced on it.
“Get your mind out of the gutter. There’s also Have One and Try Me.” I pipe the icing on the last of Dane’s cupcakes.
After he had come in like a savior last night, I felt bad I’d pushed off his
cupcake order, so I made him an extra dozen with more chocolate shavings than I’d usually use.
“You’re practically saying try my pussy and lick my tits. There’s sexual innuendos all over these things.” She winks and props herself up on the counter, chomping down on an Eat Me cookie. Crumbs fall to her breasts and she brushes them off.
“Um, no. The kids that come in here do not have dirty minds like you.” I point my icing tube at her.
“I teach kids about sex for a living. Believe me, the days of using hoo-hah and dinky to describe their private areas are long gone. Kids are growing up fast. Just wait until Lily asks Cat what a cock is.”
I laugh, making my icing bag move out of position, resulting in the icing oozing out and off the cupcake instead of on it. Charlie’s gig as a counselor is only part time so she works at Happy Daze to make up the difference.
“Looks like your cupcake pre-ejaculated,” she says. “No one likes a dishonorable discharge. Quick shots are for chumps.”
“Using the official terms now, huh?” I ask her, grabbing a spatula and wiping the cupcake clean.
I am a professional you know.” Charlie raises her shoulders and straightens her back, crossing her legs like she’s ready for high tea.
“If Lily ever says cock in front of Marcus, I have to be there. Cat will probably sit her down and explain the whole baby making process while Marcus cries in his office.”
We both laugh, but I’m careful this time not to make my cupcake look like it can’t hold its icing.
Cat walks in with Lily standing at her side, her big blue eyes on the cookies.
“What’s so funny?” Cat asks, grabbing an apron from beside the fridge.
“Nothing. Just thinking how fast kids grow up these days,” Charlie comments, grabbing a cookie for Lily and handing it to her.
Lily turns to Cat, and she scrunches her mouth.
“I don’t know,” she tells Lily, but Lily’s puppy dog eyes beg. “Your dad said you’re eating too many sweets.”
“Here.” Charlie hands Lily a Have Me cookie and when I quirk an eyebrow she shrugs. “Safest of the three.”
“Fine, but that’s it for today though, okay?” Cat’s hand brushes down Lily’s hair and the two share a look like it’s going to be their little secret.
