Page 27 of Such a Sweet Girl

Whimpering, I reached out to him, running my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck.

‘It’s a good thing your cock is as fat as your head. Otherwise, I might not believe you can live up to all these big claims.’

‘Mmm, big words for such a pretty little thing. Don’t let that mouth write a check your ass can’t cash.’

The memory of his tongue there swarmed into my head, making me inhale sharply.

‘But first…’ he whispered.

‘Yes?’ I thrummed with anticipation.

‘We eat.’

I swallowed down a growl of annoyance when he sat back, creating a space between us and dipping his hand into the basket.

What I wanted to do was to push him to the ground and make him take me. Would he let me?

Bravery fled when he handed me a croissant stuffed with pastrami and cheese, fresh green rocket spilling from the edges. Picking at the edges, I watched huffily as he devoured his own.

‘Oh my god, these croissants. I’m going to need to pack you up in my suitcase and smuggle you back to England. Lock you in my kitchen and have you be my personal baker.’

Furls of pleasure replaced my annoyance. I adored his praise.

‘You mean it?’

‘That I’m going to keep you as a little kitchen captive? No. There are much easier ways to get you into England. I’ll just marry you.’

Despite the knowledge of his jesting, my stomach flipped at the thought.

‘I meant about liking my cooking.’ My cheeks flushed.

‘I’d buy you out every morning if you had a store. Would battle any queues for this flaky goodness. You have an incredible talent, Francesca. Truly. I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass. Why don’t you believe in yourself?’

‘I’ve been told my whole life that my dreams aren’t important. My parents won’t even try my bakes. I need a real job.’

‘And you just blindly believe them? What upbringing did they have that made them experts on the whole world and which dreams are worthwhile?’ Alexander passed a beer to me, his eyes softening.

‘How do we know any different? Didn’t you believe your parents?’

‘I did. It took me a very long time to realise that parents aren’t all-knowing omniscient beings. They are human, with all their own failings, struggling through parenthood without a clue.’ He took a slow swig of his beer. ‘I’d know.’

A cool breeze flitted through the trees, leaving the damp smell of greenery in its wake. The sun had almost disappeared into the horizon, leaving the sky a deepening shade of blue.

‘I can’t just walk away from my life,’ I said.

‘The greatest rebellions start with the smallest of waves.’

‘I’m not the rebellious type…’

‘You let your ex’s dad eat your ass. You can do anything you put your mind to.’

The heat in my face burned brighter. Trying to suppress it, I pulled out the dish containing the delicate colourful macaroons in a variety of flavours.

‘If you could do anything, you’d run your bakery somewhere in Europe, right?’

My dream might have been cliche, but it had always been steadfast.

‘Right.’

---