Page 3 of Burning Desire

A hand on my elbow grabs my attention and I turn hoping it will be Harmony once more. Wishful thinking. Instead, I am facing my ex-wife, Aurora, and my mood sours instantly.

“Aurora.” I nod before turning back around.

“Oh, don’t be like that.” She laughs, and the sound grates on my nerves. “I haven’t seen you in years. Let’s catch up.”

I glare at her with disdain. “Nothing to catch up on.” My tone is clipped, and I know I am being rude, but this woman tore my heart out and stomped on it for everyone to see.

“Don’t be a prick, Draven,” she hisses, quickly looking around to see if anyone is watching our interaction.

She has always been all about public perception. I pause for a moment to take her in. Perfect blonde hair cut to a straight, sharp bob, gaunt features, pale skin. She is wearing an all-white pantsuit with a thin gold belt around her waist and not for the first time I wonder what happened to the girl I fell in love with. The one who wore cutoff jeans and cowboy boots on our first date.

It took me a while to figure out I wasn’t the reason our marriage failed. Besides the fact that she was sleeping with my best friend behind my back, the reason our marriage failed is that she changed, she wasn’t happy just being a small-town girl married to a small-town boy. She wanted more.

“I thought you moved to New York,” I say.

“Derick’s mother broke her hip. We are here helping.”

She says this like she deserves some kind of award, and I can’t help but snort.

“Good luck with that.”

The line moves forward, and I quickly unpack my cart, hoping to all that is holy that she will back off and leave me the fuck alone.

“We should get together. Catch up,” she says again. She smiles that fake smile she perfected in the last year of our dyingmarriage. “You, me, and Derick. Just like old times.”

I turn around and scowl at her. “Are you fucking insane? Do you really think I am going to have dinner with my ex-wife and the man she cheated on me with?” Aurora pales. “Grow the fuck up and leave me alone. I’ve been done with you for years, take the damn hint.”

She huffs and turns on her heel before stomping away. The pimply teenager ringing up my purchases holds out his fist toward me. “She’s a total bitch. Everyone knows it.”

With a smile, I childishly bump my fist against his before heading outside and loading my shopping into the bed of my blue Ford pickup truck. Thank God this day is over. Now all I want is a cold beer, a bloody steak, and some peace and quiet.

****

Harmony

Three days after my run-in with Draven at the supermarket I find him standing in front of my counter as I round the corner from the back. My new assistant, Darla—yes, I gave in and hired someone—is flirting up a storm.

“Darla,” I call to grab her attention. “Please take this out to Presley’s car. She’s waiting.”

I hand her the lavender-colored box filled with dark chocolate cupcakes and watch as she walks out.

“You work here?” Draven asks by way of greeting.

“It’s my bakery,” I say with a wide smile, pride infused in every word.

He makes a sound of approval in the back of his throat. “Micheal Meyer brought in croissants yesterday and I thought I died and went to Heaven.”

I blush at his praise. I’ve never been very good at taking a compliment but hearing he likes my sweets is the bestcompliment ever.

“Michael comes in a couple of times a week to get some pastries for the firehouse.” I’m babbling again but this man brings out the worst in me and I can’t seem to get my verbal diarrhea under control.

“He mentioned that he got them from here,” Draven says with a smile. “He didn’t mention the bakery belonged to you.”

“Do you still have that sweet tooth?” I ask trying to act cool but probably failing miserably.

Draven nods while staring at some of the items I have on display and licking his lips. He could be here forever and still not be able to decide which one he wants.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back,” I say before slipping into the kitchen.

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