Page 83 of Someone You Deserve

Willow came through for me with fresh marketing materials and my employees can’t hand them out fast enough. The tables are full, boxes are being filled to the brim with new cupcake flavors andmuffins, and the fancy new cappuccino machine I bought is getting put to good use.

“Are you happy with the turnout?” Willow asks, stepping up to my side once I finish talking with a customer.

“This is insane. I’m going to sell out before noon.”

She nudges me playfully. “That’s not a bad thing.”

“I know.” I take in a deep breath and smile. “This is just so wild.”

“You deserve this, Astrid,” she says, just as Penn and Dallas walk up to us. “And you deserve him too.”

I smack her arm. “Shhh.”

“Still keeping things under wraps?” she whispers as Dallas pulls her into his chest.

“The place looks amazing, Astrid. Congratulations,” my former boss says, halting our conversation.

“Thank you. But it was all Penn.”

The man in question steps up beside me and I nearly gasp when I feel his hand on the small of my back.

Did I imagine that? He knows we’re trying to be discreet, so why on earth would he make a move like that in public?

“It was your vision, Astrid,” Penn says.

I glance over to see how Tanya, Anthony, and Vanessa are managing the crowd, but the distinct pressure of Penn’s fingers on my spine makes me jump.

“Uh, yeah. But you did the work.” I take a step away from him and brush my hair from my face. “I need to go help out. I’ll catch up with you guys later, okay?” But I don’t wait for them to answer before scurrying behind the counter, checking the display cases and making note of what we need more of.

I’m in the kitchen, grabbing an oven mitt to take a tray out of the warmer, when I feel someone behind me. And by the way my bodyresponds, I know exactly who it is. Penn wraps his arms around my waist from behind, inhaling against my neck. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I take the tray out and set it on one of the metal counters behind me with him still attached to me. “Thank you, but this is not the place for you to be so affectionate"

He steps back, his brow pinched, and gestures to the empty room. “We’re all alone, Astrid.”

“Yes, but there are eyes everywhere and one of my employees could come in here any minute.”

Hurt flashes across his eyes, but I can’t worry about that right now. My body is on high alert. This day, this moment was years in the making, and I can’t risk ruining it with a scandal that tarnishes my reputation.

Not today.

“We talked about this, Penn,” I say when he continues to stare at me. “This needs to stay between us for now. Bentley is finally getting back to normal, Lilly hasn’t asked any more questions, thank God, but I don’t want her to get more suspicious. Today is a huge day for the bakeryandI have that benefit to worry about. The last thing I need is added stress.”

I can see him struggle with wanting to fight me on this, but thankfully, he surrenders. Smart man. “Fine. Just promise me you’ll take out your stress on my dick when you need to.” I roll my eyes as he steps up to me again, gripping my waist once more and leaning his head close to mine. “And while we’re on the topic, when were you going to tell me about this benefit, huh? I had to find out about it from Willow.”

I scowl at him. “I’m sorry, but when was I supposed to talk to you about that? While we were fucking?”

The smirk he gives me makes me wet instantly. I’m annoyed, but I love that even though our relationship has shifted, we’re still not afraid to call each other on our shit.

“You could have told me that between all of the ‘oh my God’s,’ for sure.”

I push against his chest, but he just pulls me in closer. “Stop it.”

“I can’t. I love hearing you scream for me. It’s become my new favorite sound.”

I draw in a deep breath and let out a moan as he dips his head down and kisses my neck. “We can’t do this here, Penn. Please…”

“Fine. But tonight, you’re mine. Make time, call your mom. Hell, I’ll tell my mom to go over and watch the kids. But I need to taste you again. I need to hear you scream.” He lifts his head and looks me straight in the eyes. “I need a reminder that this is real.”

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