Page 180 of Fiery Romance

My heart starts to melt, but I slap a piece of duct tape on it and pray it holds together.

“It’ll take too long to get served. Look at this line.”

He takes my hand. “Come with me.”

Before I can protest, he drags me around the side of the bakery and to a back entrance. Savory smells fill the air and make my stomach gurgle. Bakers in white hats hustle around giant stainless steel ovens, working their magic with flour, sugar and chocolate.

“Clay!” A wiry baker with flour-dusted hands kisses both his cheeks.

“Renaldo.” Clay doesn’t return the kisses, but his eyes crinkle with affection.

“And this is?” The baker glances at me.

“The woman I love,” Clay says confidently.

My jaw drops.

“Ah,bella.” The baker kisses my cheeks and leaves an imprint of flour-dusted hands on my face. “You are a very lucky girl, noh? Come. Come. Let me feed you.” He takes my hand and leads me around.

I turn to look back at Clay.

His eyes soften and he nods, gesturing for me to follow Renaldo.

I’m in chocolate heaven, but that’s not the cause of my sudden brain freeze.

I press a hand to my chest as a horrific realization dawns.

This fluttering heart—

This heated pulse—

This irrational urge to be closer—

I didn’t have it with Taz.

I only have it with Bolton.

CHAPTER18

DANCING FISH ON A HOOK

CLAY

“Are you going to tell her?”

I shake my head and slip my sunshades on. “Keep in touch with Amy and find out where Island’s going next. Secure her parking as usual. Stay out of sight. She’s smart so use different cars going forward.”

“Yes, sir.”

I glance into the bakery again. Through the square in the door to the kitchen, I see Island smiling brightly and eating everything Renaldo shoves in her hand. She’s got her head tilted back. Eyes closed. Face glowing. She looks like she’s in heaven.

My own tiny smile leaks out.

I love seeing her happy.

“You didn’t eat anything, sir?”

Who needs food? I can live on Island’s smiles alone.

---