Page 4 of Burning Desire

I can’t be around him much longer before I put my foot in my mouth again, so I use the small reprieve to try and get myself under control. Taking a deep breath to settle the worst of my nerves, I quickly pack him a box he can take with him, stuffing it with everything I know he will like. Salted caramel macarons, a death-by-chocolate cupcake, some giant chocolate-chip cookies, and a slice of black cherry bourbon pie.

“Here you go.” I hand him the box. He stares at me in confusion. “You’ll never be able to just pick one, and we both know it. I just put together a couple of my favorites.”

“You didn’t have to—”

But I cut him off with my hand in the air. “I know that. I wanted to do it. I like when people enjoy what I make, and I know you will enjoy these.”

It’s the reason I started the bakery, even though I’ve never said it out loud. My deep-seated need for approval drives me to be perfect in everything I do. Baking is just another way for me to get what I want.

“You’re the best.” Draven smiles before leaning over thecounter and placing a kiss on my cheek.

“What the hell is going on here?”

My world stops as the words flow over me. I feel like a kid who got caught with her hand in the damn cookie jar even though my brain is screaming that I didn’t do a damn thing wrong.

My gaze drifts over Draven’s shoulder to collide with my sister’s. I can see she is pissed off by the flush of red that spreads across her high cheekbones and I know things are about to escalate quickly. Luckily the lunch rush has passed, and the store is deserted except for the three of us and Darla in the back.

I quickly round the counter, close the door, and flip the sign. “Nothing is going on here, Aurora,” I say softly trying to placate her.

It is easier to stop her before she gets on a roll. I learned years ago that she is more manageable while she is screaming and mid-hissy-fit. Once she calms down the wheels in her head start turning and she becomes somewhat of a psycho. She is easy to cross and feels slighted by the smallest thing, seeking vengeance for the perceived insult. Most times it’s all in her mind but trying to point that out to her will just land me on her shit list as well.

“I saw you kiss my sister!” she yells, pointing a finger in Draven’s direction and completely ignoring my words. The pitch of her voice is enough to have me wishing I was deaf.

Draven stands calmly watching us with his hands in the front pockets of his dark blue uniform paints. “You saw me kiss her cheek,” he corrects as he rolls his eyes.

Draven has never been one to bow to the whims of my older sister. Even when they were dating and then later married, Draven was always the cooler head, the one who let logic prevail while Aurora went off the rails for whatever reason.

“What does it matter anyway? Draven and I are friends.”I try to defend something I know is none of her business anyway.

“He is my ex-husband!” She throws her hands in the air before turning her glare on Draven once more. “You!” She points. “Is this your idea of revenge? Screwing my fat little sister?”

I gasp as if she had physically slapped me. I know we aren’t the closest, but damn, that hurt like a bitch. I may not be stick thin like she is, but I love my curves. I have a great rack and a decent ass. I may need some exercise to flatten my stomach, but it has never really bothered me before and I have never considered myself fat.

“Don’t you dare talk to Harmony like that, you venomous bitch,” Draven threatens as he comes to stand beside me. “I’m not some vindictive asshole out to get you back for being a whore.” His words are harsh, and I see them land on my sister like physical blows.

“For your information,” I chip in. “I was going to ask Draven to dinner.”

“You can’t!” Aurora gasps.

“I’m an adult, Aurora. And I will do as I damn well please.” I am so tired of my sister looking down on me and demeaning me. “He was my friend before he was your ex-husband and I happen to like his company.”

When we were younger, I followed her everywhere, did everything she did, and basically worshipped her. But as we moved into adulthood, I realized that all her backhanded compliments were mean and hurtful, and we slowly drifted apart. I was also seriously pissed off when I found out she cheated on Draven but blamed all their problems on him.

Yes, I was going to ask Draven over for dinner. Eventually. I like him. He’s nice and kind and dear Lord, do I enjoy looking at him. I’m single and I assume he is too. So why the hell not? I didn’t intend to do it right at this moment butsometimes you just take a leap of faith.

Draven puts his hand down the back pocket of my jeans and retrieves my cell phone, sending a bright red blush rushing across my face as his hand inadvertently touches my butt cheek. “Unlock,” he demands, and I turn my face to let the facial recognition do its job. “Here’s my number. Send me your address and I will pick you up at eight.”

“I live above the store.”

The way he looks at me, the sparkle in his eye and the smirk pulling at his lip, has me forgetting we have an audience. For the first time in a long time, I wish a man would just throw caution to the wind and kiss me.

He chuckles before kissing my forehead, which was not what I had in mind, and grabbing his box of treats. Unlocking the door, he walks out into the afternoon sunshine, whistling a tune, and not turning to give my sister a second glance. This is another thing that pisses her off. She isn’t the center of attention.

“You can’t be serious,” Aurora continues as she follows me into the kitchen. I wish there was a door between the front of the bakery and the back that I could slam in her perfectly made-up face.

Darla is standing at the counter, using her finger to eat strawberry icing from a bowl. Her curly red hair frames her face as she scowls at my sister. I shake my head discreetly telling her to stay out of it.

“I am.” I start cleaning up hoping she will take the hint and leave. “Not that it is any of your business.”

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