Page 14 of Hex and the Kitty

Too romantic?

She placed it anyway. Candles were practical in a bakery with delicate magical energies.

At least, that’s what she’d tell him if he asked.

Small plates lined the back table, each containing a bite-sized sample of her specialties. Next to them sat several unmarked pouches and jars—exotic ingredients Warrick had mentioned bringing from his travels. She’d spent hours planning this tasting menu, imagining his reaction to each flavor, wondering which would make those serious lips curve into a smile.

The bell above the door chimed softly.

Molly’s heart slammed against her ribs as she spun toward the entrance. The greeting on her lips died instantly.

Warrick Shaw filled the doorway, his imposing height emphasized by the low ceiling of the bakery entrance. Dark jeans replaced his usual uniform pants, and a charcoal sweater hugged his broad shoulders. Without the structure of his fire chief uniform, he looked both more approachable and impossibly more attractive. The casual attire revealed the powerful physique she’d only glimpsed before.

Her mouth went dry. Completely, utterly dry.

“Am I early?” Warrick asked, closing the door behind him. His eyes scanned the empty street outside before settling on her face.

Those eyes. Tiger gold and just as wild despite his careful control.

“Right on time,” Molly managed, grateful her voice remained steady despite the sudden flutter in her stomach. “I hope you came hungry.”

A hint of a smile played on his lips. “I’ve never missed an opportunity for good food.”

He moved into the bakery with that liquid grace that made her wonder how anyone could mistake him for human. Each step measured yet fluid—predator wrapped in civility.

His gaze swept over the setup, pausing briefly on the candles before returning to her. Something flashed in those golden depths—appreciation, interest?—before disappearing behind his usual reserve.

“You look nice,” he said, his tone formal but with an undercurrent of warmth that hadn’t been there before. “Green suits you.”

Heat rushed to Molly’s cheeks. Not a flowery compliment, but coming from him, it felt significant.

“Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself.” She allowed her gaze to linger on his shoulders a moment longer than necessary. “I almost didn’t recognize you without sirens and disaster following in your wake.”

That earned her another almost-smile. “I left the disasters at the station tonight.”

“Promises, promises,” she teased, gesturing toward the back table. “I thought we could start with a tasting.”

“Lead the way.”

As they moved toward the tasting table, Molly felt his presence behind her like a physical touch. She caught him scanning the bakery’s perimeter, golden eyes lingering on windows and exit points.

“The bakery’s warded,” she assured him, pulling out a chair. “Nothing gets in without my knowledge.”

Warrick nodded, his shoulders relaxing marginally. “Old habits. I spent too many decades in less friendly territories.”

“Whispering Pines is pretty peaceful.” She settled into her own chair across from him. “Well, except for the occasional dough monster.”

That earned her a real smile—brief but transformative, lighting his features from within. “Or enchanted rolling pins with questionable taste in men.”

“My kitchen equipment clearly finds you irresistible.” The words slipped out before she could stop them, and heat surged to her cheeks.

Warrick’s eyes locked with hers, a dangerous gleam in them. “And what about the baker?”

Molly’s heart stuttered. “The baker is more discriminating than her rolling pins,” she recovered, lifting her chin. “She requires more than just a handsome face to be impressed.”

“Good to know.” His voice dropped an octave. “I’ll have to work harder, then.”

Was he flirting? The serious, stoic fire chief who barely smiled was definitely flirting. Molly tucked that realization away to examine later when her pulse wasn’t racing quite so fast.

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