Page 42 of Baking it Merry

Her response?She kicked off her shoes and leaned forward, raking her hand through his hair again.“I’m very sure,” she whispered.“But I have one request.”

Of course she did.

“No business talk.Nothing negative.This is simply about…um…sex.”But she didn’t sound quite so confident when she said the word.“You know what I’m saying.No personal digs.Deal?”

Reaching up, he cupped her face.“Deal.”

Then they were both done talking.His hands slid up her thighs before he got up and joined her on the bed.Feeling her pressed up against him from head to toe was so much better than he imagined.The kiss went on and on.He let his hands roam all over her body as hers did the same to him.He had no idea how much time had passed when he finally lifted his head.Daphne looked like a sexy, tousled vixen—the complete opposite of the woman he saw almost every day.

And that sight nearly took him over the edge.

“We’re both a little overdressed, don’t you think?”

She nodded as her hands smoothed up over his chest.“Definitely.”

He smiled wolfishly.“Then let’s remedy that.”

Never in his life had Tristan eaten in bed—and certainly never dreamed of doing so after making love—and yet…here they were.

“You should have let my mother make you a sandwich,” he told her before taking a bite of his own midnight snack.

“Please,” she murmured around a mouthful of her ham and cheese sandwich.“We all know how uptight you are.If anyone had pulled cold cuts from your refrigerator and started making sandwiches, you would have freaked out.”

Apparently, now that the sex was over—temporarily, hopefully—they were back to speaking freely with each other.

“Had I known you didn’t have dinner, I would have been fine.No one expects you to starve yourself for the sake of a catering.”Pausing, he took another bite.“And I never would have reprimanded my mother.I’m not a monster.”

“That’s debatable…”

Sighing loudly, he twisted a bit to look at her.“Seriously?The sheets are barely cold and you’re back to name-calling?”

“You’re right.Sorry.That was incredibly rude of me.”Putting her sandwich down, she faced him.“In my defense, that’s been the foundation of our relationship.I wasn’t expecting…well…this.”Motioning between the two of them, she continued, “But I’m an adult and I should be able to control the things I say, so again, I’m sorry.”

Leaning in, he kissed her softly.“Thank you.”When he straightened, he grinned at her.“Now eat up.I have big plans for dessert.”

Eyes wide, she questioned, “Really?I would have thought you were done with all the cake after the last two parties.”

Leaning in again, he murmured, “I wasn’t referring to any cake.The only dessert I want is you.”

Her blush was adorable and even though the urge to kiss her was strong, he refrained so they could both finish eating.

The silence wasn’t awkward, and Tristan reveled in it.This last week had him completely out of sorts.Everyone knew he was uptight, and he liked everything to be neat and compartmentalized.Nothing about Daphne fit that description.She was his opposite in every single way and yet he was beginning to enjoy it.He was finding that there was a certain appeal to having someone who kept you on your toes and challenged you.

As long as it wasn’t in business.

No, if a client or colleague gave him the kind of grief she did, he’d cut ties with them.But with Daphne, even before he realized he was attracted to her, there was a small part of him that looked forward to their interactions.They made him feel alive when the rest of his days—especially lately—were boring.

And he hadn’t obsessed about the downtown project all week either.

Glancing at the woman beside him, he couldn’t help but smile—something he rarely did before he got to know her.

“Oh my God,” she said before falling back against the pillows.“I know it was only a sandwich, but it was so good!”Turning her head, she smiled at him.“Normally I love having chips with my sandwich—barbecue is my favorite—but this just totally hit the spot.Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”Carefully, Tristan gathered their plates and napkins before sliding out of the bed.“Do you want another drink?”

“I’m good,” she told him before yawning.“Sorry!I’ve been up since four, so this is way past my usual bedtime.”

He knew that and should just let her get some sleep, but…he wanted her again.

---