Page 5 of Crave Me

His behavior came out of nowhere. It’s no secret how much he dislikes me, but he’s also not as sly as he thinks he is when he’s checking me out. The distillery has an insanely lax atmosphere, so I’m not worried about the fact that I told him to fuck off, but his behavior would probably get him in trouble if I wanted to report him.

I was supposed to be on my first date with Cole. We met at the end of summer bonfire at Grace Beach my first week in town, and he asked me out during a tasting yesterday. While I’m not overly interested in him, it sure beats spending another lonely night at home. Dallas being there was just the icing on the cake, and I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit how muchhis dominance turned me on. Something I need to dissect later, because that is usually a hard line for me.

I couldn’t imagine a sexual relationship that is built on having a trust so deep that one person can hand over their desires and needs to another with no reservations. I’m no virgin, but I can’t imagine being willing to let someone control me in the bedroom; I need to play an active part in controlling the situation. I’m sure that can be blamed on one person. For a kid who grew up the way I did, I consider myself lucky. My need to not take any shit from anyone and be in constant control are all coping mechanisms. Even if Dallas’ unexpected dominant side definitely turned me on.

I slowly rise and pull on some athletic clothes—a pair of black fleece-lined leggings, a long sleeve top, and a baggy sweatshirt. Tucking my wild hair under a beanie, I slip on my sneakers and head out. Aspen Ridge is breathtaking, especially in the morning. Fog kisses the ground, and it smells like snow is on the horizon.

The walk down Main Street is like a trip inside a Hallmark Christmas movie. Complete with brick sidewalks, light posts decorated in twinkly lights that give off a warm, festive glow, and wreaths hanging on doors. I can’t help but stop at each window display and marvel at the holiday cheer. I open the door to Bean Haven, welcoming the warmth of the shop.

“Morning, Blaire!” Hannah chirps from the other side of the counter. “I just pulled chocolate croissants out, would you like one with your coffee?”

Hannah Haven runs the town’s only coffee shop. To say she’s gorgeous would be a drastic understatement. She has beautiful violet-colored hair, styled in loose waves, and a full sleeve of intricate, fine line floral tattoos up one arm. She’s also the most genuine, sweet person I’ve met here so far, and I always look forward to talking with her.

“That sounds like heaven actually, please! Good morning, Ms. Nettie,” I say to greet Hannah’s grandmother, who is sitting at a small table in front of the shop window, her small dog lying peacefully in her lap.

“Mornin’,” the older woman replies without giving so much as a look in my direction. When I first moved to Aspen Ridge, she would sit outside just like that, watching everyone as they went about their lives around her. Now that winter has moved in, she sits right in the front window.

While I wait for Hannah to make my coffee, the bell chimes, signaling more customers, and Ms. Nettie’s dog loses her mind, jumping out of her lap and yelping loudly. I look over to find Ivy and Sawyer walking in holding hands. They’re the epitome of what two people who were made for each other look like, and from what little I’ve heard from people chatting, especially Ms. Nettie, they were together all through school and then were separated for ten years but made their way back to each other. It’s pretty romantic actually. Apparently, Sawyer waited for her—never even dated—and was convinced he’d get her back someday. Can you even imagine? That kind of stuff doesn’t happen in real life and is totally romance book material.

Ivy glows, happiness exuding from her. Her long black hair is worn down and makes all of her facial features pop. I absentmindedly run my fingers through my wild, untamed, red hair.

“Ms. Nettie, why? Why? Minnie, get off!” Sawyer drawls in an obviously irritated tone.

“It’s Winnie!” Ms. Nettie and Ivy yell at him. I laugh to myself while watching Ivy scoop the little dog up, her teeth planted firmly at the bottom of Sawyer’s pants. She wrangles her free and sets her back with Ms. Nettie before they turn in my direction.

“Hey, Blaire! Good to see you!”

“Hi, Ivy. Hey, Sawyer. What are you guys up to?”

“Ivy’s craving apple cinnamon muffins and these are the best.”

Ivy smacks Sawyer in the chest and gives him a pointed glare. I’m not sure what the issue is, it’s no secret how mouthwatering Bean Haven’s apple cinnamon muffins are.

“What about you? Any plans for the weekend?” Ivy asks me.

“Nope. Just kinda hanging around.” Alone. Cause that’s what you do when you have no family and haven’t made any real friends in your new town yet.

“Morning, you two!” Hannah sets my coffee and croissant on the counter and rings me up. “Usual?” she asks the pair.

Sawyer nods and confirms, “Yep.”

“Really? When are you going to stop this madness? Get something you actually enjoy,” Ivy says to him.

I watch as Sawyer leans down and whispers something into her ear. Her face flames in a vibrant blush and I can’t hold back a smile. They’re so in love.

“You and Charlie coming tomorrow, Han?” Sawyer asks. I grab my coffee and paper bag and turn to leave.

“Wouldn’t miss it!” she replies.

“Hey, Blaire, if you don’t have plans tomorrow, why don’t you join us? Sawyer’s parents host a mandatory Sunday dinner at their house. It’s super informal, usually pretty chaotic actually, but it’s good food and it isn’t just family. Hannah and Charlie usually come, and Reid is always invited but never shows. But it’s fun, sometimes others bring a friend or two. You should join us.”

I give her a genuine smile, but the idea of going over to my employer’s parents’ house for Sunday dinner doesn’t sound like the best idea. Dinner opens up getting-to-know-you questions, and questions are never good when you basically made up an entire story about your past to make yourself sound better andnot so pathetic and damaged. They think I’m a military child who grew up around the world, returning to Washington to live with my grandparents—who don’t exist. The last thing I wanted out of moving here was a pity hire.

“Thank you for the invite, honestly, but?—”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you need to come. Plus, the look on Dallas’ face will be worth it. You enjoy pissing him off, right?” Sawyer chimes in, slinging his arm around Ivy’s shoulders. I know my face brightens at the mention of my other boss. While Dallas is indeed a huge prick, he’s so sexy that it’s actually painful to look at him. Memories of last night flash through my mind—how his eyes were filled with a blazing inferno, how he looked at me like he wanted to devour me. But then the way he left me hot and bothered, confused, and shocked, yeah, I’d love to spend my Sunday pissing him off in retaliation.

“Actually, that sounds great. You convinced me.”

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