Page 29 of Always the Baker

I waved my hand dismissively, desperate to change the subject. “Yeah. She was just surprised to see me with you, and honestly, I’m surprised you posted it too.”

His mouth twisted to the side as he closed the space between us. “Is being seen with me too much? If so, we can just go to my place after this. I can show you my guitar collection, maybe play you something I’ve been working on.”

My heart skipped a beat. Brax’s place. Alone. The thought was both electrifying and petrifying.

“I, uh, um…” Part of me wanted to say yes immediately, to keep living this dream for as long as I could... But another part was screaming caution.

Brax must have sensed my hesitation. He held up his hands, his expression softening.

“Aye, no pressure. We could grab a late dinner instead if you prefer. I’m cool if you’d rather us stay in public. There’s this great pizza joint I know. We can just… ride around for a while then go there.”

I bit my lip, torn. “It’s not that I don’t want to,” I said quickly. “It’s just… this is all happening so fast. Like… I’m still processing you actually like spending time with me and now you’re posting me and inviting me back to your place.” My voice softened as I added, “It feels like a dream.”

Brax nodded, reaching out to cup my cheek. The casual intimacy of the gesture made me shiver. “I get it. We can take things slow, Billie. I’m just enjoying getting to know you. And I did post you faster than I’ve ever posted anyone before.” He shrugged and looked toward the sky. “I don’t know. I just wanted to share you with the world because you’ve made me so happy.”

I looked up at him, at his kind eyes and easy smile, and felt my resolve weakening. This man could ask me for a kidney at this point and I’d say yes.

“Okay. Let’s go to your place. But just to talk and listen to music, alright?”

Brax gave me a sneaky smirk. “Of course. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

I felt my nervousness start to take over as we made our way off the bay.

As we waited for the town car he’d picked me up in, I tried to quiet the voices in my head, Ember’s warning, my own doubts, the fear of what would happen when Brax found out the truth. For now, I just wanted to live in this moment, this impossible dream come true.

Instead of waiting for the driver, Brax opened the door, and I slid in. He did the same, and after we were buckled in, his hand found mine. The ride to Brax’s place was a blur of lights and nervous excitement. As we stepped into his penthouse apartment, my jaw dropped. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the glittering skyline. I wasn’t sure what part of town he lived in, but it wasn’t near the arts district or the beach.

“Wow.” I moved closer to the glass. “This is incredible.”

Brax chuckled, coming up behind me. “Not bad for a young hoodlum from Memphis huh?”

“You’ve done so well, Brax. I’m proud of you.” I turned to face him. “This whole weekend has been like a dream.”

“A good dream, I hope?” His eyes searched mine with a hint of vulnerability, as if he’d be crushed if I said otherwise.

“The best,” I whispered, and before I could overthink it, I stretched up on my toes and kissed him.

Brax responded immediately. His arms wrapped around me. The kiss deepened, and suddenly my back was against the cool glass of the window. I gasped, breaking away.

“Too much?” Brax asked, his breath ragged.

I shook my head. “No, it’s just…” I shook my head again. “I want this. I want you.”

A slow grin spread across his face.

“Good, because I want you too.” He captured my lips again.

We stumbled toward his living room, shedding clothes along the way. As Brax lowered me onto his couch, a fleeting thought of how out of my depth I was crossed my mind. But then his hands were on me, his lips trailing fire down my neck, and all coherent thought flew out the window.

“You’re beautiful,” Brax whispered against my skin, and I let myself believe it. I mean, I knew it, but hearing it come from him hit me in a deeper place.

“Are we really doing this?” A part of me, the tiny, usually sensible part, screamed that I should slam on the brakes. But I’d been the good girl for far too long, and now with Brax, it felt like my body was waking up from a long, passionless slumber.

“We are.” His eyes were filled with a mix of desire and something dangerously close to affection. It made me bold. Made me reckless.

His apartment smelled like money and success, but all I could focus on was the scent of him… crisp, intoxicating. I buried my fingers in his neck and pulled him closer. The way he moved against me, firm and unyielding, it felt like every cheesy love song had been written about this exact moment.

“Brax,” I moaned breathlessly. My voice sounded foreign to my own ears… breathy, full of want. As my lips traveled the expanse of his neck, tasting the distinct taste of his skin, I realized we weren’t just two people succumbing to attraction. We were a storm of need and longing, finally breaking.

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