Page 426 of Savage Bosses

She didn’t know anyone who was happily married or dating. Everyone she knew was together for either financial reasons, because of their children, or because they were comfortable with one another. Most were having affairs. She’d thought she and Bryce were happy and in love because they weren’t like those couples.

They actually enjoyed being together. But enjoying each other didn’t add up to love. So, what was love? Was what she felt for him love? Or was it a friendship that grew stronger and stronger over the years? Tati sighed. She hated it when her mind went down this path and questioned her feelings for Bryce.

Was she holding on to their past happiness because he’d been her comfort blanket? And was he mad at her for leaving because she’d taken away his comfort blanket? Tati shook her head to clear it. She’d figure out her emotions later. For now, she needed to bake.

But even that was hard to do with Bryce breathing down her neck. Tati thought she’d have an okay day at the café. She’d thought wrong. It seemed Bryce was on a war path today. And she was his target.

Chapter Six

Tatianna

S

he set to work immediately, her hands flying over the countertop as she mixed and measured ingredients. The sweet scent of sugar and butter filled the air as she expertly whipped up a variety of decadent desserts for the day.

"Vanilla bean panna cotta," she murmured to herself, pouring the silky mixture into small ramekins. "Chocolate ganache tarts next."

She thought she'd have a good day until Bryceson stepped into the kitchen like a hurricane approaching the gulf, landfall eminent. His dark eyes scanned the workspace with an intensity that made Tatianna's heart race.

Then he approached her from behind, so close that the scent of his cologne wrapped around her and held her hostage.Damn, he smelled good.He leaned over her shoulder, examining each dessert with a critical eye. It was clear he wasn't there just to check on the progress.

"Is this what you were going to serve our customers?" he asked, jabbing a finger into a freshly piped éclair.

He put his finger into his mouth to taste her dessert. She caught a glimpse of his tongue. Her pussy clenched, remembering what that tongue felt like against her. Tati swallowed and ignored the pleas of her pussy that was begging for a feel of his tongue.

"Too sweet," he complained before touching another dessert. "And these? Lumpy. Start over."

What the fuck?Tatianna bit back a retort, her vision momentarily clouded by anger. She knew Bryce was only criticizing her work to make her suffer for leaving him. But she couldn't afford to let him see how much it affected her.

She simply nodded and forced out a strained, "Of course, sir."

"You made these lemon tarts?" Bryce asked.

"They're at my workstation, so..."

"What?" he growled.

"Yes, sir. I made them."

"They're off balance. They taste too lemony."

Tati bit back a chuckle. He had no idea what he was talking about.

"My mom claimed you were an amazing pastry chef. Where's your focus today?"

"Sorry, sir. I'll do better." Her cheeks burned as she tried to keep her voice steady, focusing on her task instead of Bryce's proximity or the anger he was trying to elicit from her.

"See that you do," he growled, stepping back and shoving his hands into his pockets. He hovered nearby, watching her every movement, ensuring she felt the weight of his presence. He was hard to ignore. She kept chancing a glance at him from the corner of her eyes.

He'd put on some weight over the years.All muscle. And it looked good as hell on him. He'd been sexy before. Now, he was downright irresistible. If only he'd look at her the way he'd looked at her in the past. Instead of love, right now, all she saw was darkness in his gaze.

Tatianna's hands trembled slightly, but she refused to let Bryce's glare get the best of her. She worked on recreating the desserts she'd already spent hours creating. With each criticism he threw her way, she swallowed her pride and pushed herself to create something even more exquisite.

"Is this what you want?" she asked, holding up a tray of newly refilled éclairs for his inspection. He tasted the dessert and then tossed it onto the tray.

"Is that the best you can do?" Bryce grunted, his tone still ice-cold.

Don't stab him, Tati. Don't do it, girl. It ain't worth it.

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