Page 16 of Crushes and Confections

“Good, no?” I asked, moving to the sink to wash my hands.

“That’s an understatement,” she breathed out as she spun in a small circle, taking it all in. “This kitchen is the stuff of dreams.”

Again pride swelled in my chest. Having her like the space I put so much of my heart and soul into filled me with a sense of satisfaction I wasn’t expecting.

“The ovens are preheated, you just need to make sure it’s on what you need. Whatever I have is at your disposal, just tell me what I can do,” I encouraged her.

She nodded slowly, muttering a list under her breath of what she needed to do. “Okay, I’ve got the ingredients, he’s got the mixing bowls. We need to replace the scones, the loaves…” Claire trailed off as she started pulling everything out and getting started.

When she didn’t give me instructions, I rolled up my sleeves and stepped up next to her. She gave a soft gasp like she suddenly remembered she was not alone. I raised one eyebrow and waited for her to give me something.

“If you could help me knead, that’d be great. I know we have mixers, but I’ve always found kneading myself makes a big difference.” Her cheeks heated again as if that were something embarrassing. It was quite the opposite. It showed Claire had as much love for her craft as I did, and she added her own personal touches to keep it close to her heart.

“I can definitely knead,” I promised. “Should I flour the counters? I’ve already sanitized them.”

“Yes,” she said quickly before throwing ingredients into the mixer and letting them incorporate before turning them out onto the counter. My kitchen that usually smelled of rich chocolate and aromatic flavors, now smelled of peaches, cream, and fresh bread. It was pure heaven and I knew this afternoon would never fade.

We worked in silence for close to two hours, outside of her quick instructions. It was comfortable in a way I rarely felt. Usually when I spent any kind of extended time with anyone outside of Vance inevitably something would arise or frankly they would annoy me to no end.

Soon we had loaves of bread rising and baking, scones cooling and waiting for the final touches, and a few dozen cookies and pastries.

Just as I grabbed a pan out of the oven and sat it out to cool, I turned and nearly knocked her over. The bag of flour she was carrying slammed between us as I steadied her, a cloud of white powder rising in the air, before falling over us both.

Her plush lips formed an oh of surprise as it rained down on us. With her held this close to me, flour or not, I could barely hold myself back. I swallowed hard and licked my lips nervously. Her gorgeous eyes tracked the movement and her scent increased to the point I felt lightheaded. We both moved forward until the door slammed open and we practically leapt apart.

“I’m here for the… oh crap! Should I leave?!” The poor guy’s panic would have been humorous if not for the fact I could still barely breathe.

“Oh god, Corey, I’m sorry!” Claire gasped before pointing to the counter full of breads and pastries ready to go. “This is all for you to take. The last batch for the afternoon is just about to be done.”

“I’ll start loading,” Corey promised, shooting us both an amused look before carrying an armload out.

Claire’s eyes met mine and it was as if the dam broke, both of us cracking up at the awkward and tense situation we’d just created.

But Vance had been right. Claire drew me in just as much as he did, and I couldn’t get her scent, or her smile, out of my head.

He’d told me I’d have to take a leap of faith someday and standing here with her, even in something as mundane and simple as sharing a kitchen, it was hard to remember why I was holding back.

Sure I had yet to meet this beta they both are infatuated with, but that would come tonight. If he was even a quarter as endearing as Vance had raved about then I knew I would be just as ensnared with him as I already was Claire, no matter if I’d spent months trying to not pursue this connection. Plus, she had no idea I was the one she was meeting. It almost felt like a lie to not tell her. And that was no way to start a pack.

Just as my mouth opened to speak, Corey was bumbling in again, interrupting the moment. Instead of leaving him to his own devices, I grabbed a few trays and helped him out, eager for it to be just me and this omega in my kitchen again.

Then it struck me. The afternoon was over, she’d done what she needed to do and was about to leave.

“Thank you so much for this, Adrien,” she said quietly as we watched Corey drive off.

“But your plumber comes tomorrow morning, no?” I questioned. She nodded, her eyebrows wrinkling adorable in confusion.

“Yes?” I smiled at her adorable innocence.

“So would it not be smart to get a head start on morning stock and the items you’re producing for the auction? I cleared my schedule and we still have a few hours before you close. It sounds like it would be smart to get you to use the time,” I pointed out.

Her eyes widened as if that hadn’t occurred to her. I couldn’t blame the omega, she’d disoriented me so much from her presence that I could barely keep it together. And I was not an alpha who easily lost control.

“You’d do that for me?” Those doe eyes stared up at me and my mouth watered for a taste of her. This was the sweetest heaven and hell, having her so close, yet not being able to touch her how I pleased.

“Of course,” I said easily, when I really wanted to say I’d do anything for her.

Merde, one afternoon and I was basically a goner. She was going to ruin us. Hopefully in all the best ways.

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