Page 76 of Simply Yours

Jason smirked. “Not true. I care very much.”

She glared at him, jabbing a finger toward the oven she’d just tested. “If you aren’t picky and want top-of-the-line, then I think you should get this one.”

Jason tilted his head, playing dumb. “This one?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

Caitlin narrowed her eyes. “Should I test the oven once more?” she teased – and the slow, wicked grin that spread across his face had her rolling her eyes before he even said a word.

“Please do, Catnip.” His voice was low, teasing, but there was something softer beneath it. Something real.

Caitlin laughed, ducking her head as a flush crept into her cheeks. “Just for you,” she murmured, shaking her head fondly. “Are you ready?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement.

Jason locked eyes with her, his heart thudding in his chest, the playful warmth between them settling into something deeper.

“You have my complete attention.”

And he meant it.

Jason sighed happily once again, admiring and marveling at the woman before him. Yeah, she was stunningly beautiful to him but the fact that she was playing along with him, giving him this moment to enjoy an unobstructed view like this – especially when it was something so personal – and she was doing this for him.

She was the best person, an incredible girlfriend, and a phenomenal human being.

“We’ll take this one,” he said happily, sighing once more and not even bothered by her amused laughter as she turned to hug him, her face bright red with embarrassment. They stood there, sharing a moment, and he knew this was going to be the first of many between them.

“You’re the best, Catnip…” he breathed into her hair, kissing those locks as he hugged her once more.

Was this what falling for someone was like? Because if so, he was sinking fast.

And he never wanted to be saved.

Fourteen

CAITLIN

“How am I doing this wrong?”

Jason let out a frustrated huff, rolling his broad shoulders as he glared down at the dough beneath his hands like it had personally offended him. His brows furrowed, jaw tight, and—oh, heavens—Caitlin had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning.

He looked utterly, devastatingly adorable standing there, wearing a frilly, flower-patterned apron over his jeans and snug-fitting T-shirt. The sight of him, all rugged masculinity wrapped in something better suited for a sweet old grandma, was doing odd things to her heart.

“How exactly am I doing this wrong?” Jason grumbled again, throwing his hands up, causing a puff of flour to billow into the air.

Caitlin crossed her arms, amusement flickering in her gaze as she rocked back on her heels. “The flour is not a horse to be broken.”

Jason gave her a flat look. “I’m not breaking it. I’m working it.”

“You’resmashingit.”

“I amworkingit,” he insisted, his voice tight with impatience. “I’m watching you, and I want to love this, but it’s frustrating.”

“It’snotfrustrating. It’scalming.”

“It’sinfuriating.”

She exhaled a soft laugh, shaking her head at his stubbornness. Jason Baird was not a patient man. He was all action, all results. Baking was too slow, too delicate, too much about trust. And Jason—oh, Jason didn’t trust easily.

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