Page 16 of I've Got You

“But,” he continued, “I do expect you to stop by every now and then. I’m always trying new stuff out and could do with a taste tester.” I grinned at that, more than happy to comply. “For now, take a seat, grab a fork, but no sampling just yet. Give me a sec.”

I did as he asked, my chest feeling light. Waiting as Davis stepped through another door just to the side, I picked up the fork and spun it around between my fingers. A moment later, I glanced up. Davis was back with a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

“Not perhaps what I would have selected to go with the sweets before us, but it’s wet and it’s red.” He shrugged and indicated the bottle. “Also, I’ve no wineglasses here.”

“A glass is a glass, right?” I grinned.

He nodded, his eyes connecting with mine and a generous smile flitting across his lips. “Good answer.”

Placing the glasses down, he then opened the bottle and poured.

“Thanks.” I picked up my full tumbler.

“No problem.” He chinked his glass against mine. I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip. “Good?” Davis asked.

“Red, wet, booze, and tasty.” I laughed and threw him a wink.

He snorted and shook his head. “I had you pegged for a connoisseur and half expected you to be talking bold and oaky.” He took another sip and lifted his brow in my direction.

I offered a small shrug. “In a previous life, maybe.”

“And not anymore?”

With a slight shake of my head, I answered truthfully. “Screw that.”

Davis guffawed. “Screw that indeed.”

With my eyes locked to his, I struggled to pull away. Not only did I remember the press of his lips against mine and the sensation of his tongue in my mouth, but having gotten to know Davis and having shared more than a few syllables with him, attraction tightened my gut and awareness sprang to life. I realized, and without the reaction I expected, that I would happily kiss him again.

But not yet. Maybe when I was ready, and maybe if I thought he’d reciprocate, and hell, maybe if I could get my head around the whole “Davis has a kid” announcement, then perhaps I’d consider it.

For now, cake and wine were in my immediate future. And while it would mean the continuation of many countless nights of sexual frustration by not testing the waters with kissing a guy again, it was cake. One of the best consolation prizes ever.

“So,” he began, sitting beside me, his fork raised and pointing at a pastry that had me already salivating, “this one is only my second test batch. Wanna taste?” He angled himself toward me, and I was already nodding before he finished. Davis’s laugh filled the small space between us. “You like pastries?”

I scoffed. “Like doesn’t even come close to how I feel about sweets.” My grin stretched my face as I drifted between ogling the deliciousness before me and the deliciousness that was Davis. He was fun, gorgeous, and I was sure—based on what I’d eaten via takeout—he was one heck of a baker or pastry chef. I had no idea of the correct term, but if the spread before me tasted as good as it looked, I imagined I’d be calling him god before long.

When I noticed he hadn’t responded, and just how quiet it had become in the room, my gaze flicked to Davis. He stared at me, his eyes roaming my face. Holding my breath, not quite sure what he was reacting to, I remained focused on him. Immediately, I became lost, my breath rushing out of me when his eyes connected with mine. Not quite sure how to describe the look or emotion in his eyes, I deduced enough to know whatever he was thinking wasn’t bad. It was enough to get me breathing once again.

“You okay?” After only just finding such freedom and normality with Davis, the last thing I wanted was to lose it. At the bar, he’d made it clear he was open, almost to the point of being so direct it made people uncomfortable, or at least unsure how to react or respond. I liked the concept, regardless of others’ reactions.

With a barely perceptible nod, his eyes searched mine before he said, “Smiling and laughing looks good on you. You should do it all the time.”

Despite my heart that had taken flight and was fluttering around like it was trying to escape, I raised both of my brows. “How do you know I don’t?”

His lips curled. “Call it a hunch.”

Mulling over how to respond, I didn’t waste time in pretense. “Thank you.” I gave a sharp nod. “I’ll try.”

Seeming pleased with my response, he looked away and placed the pastry down before me. “Pear tarte tatin. Admittedly, it’s much better when warm, but I’m sure it’ll taste just as sweet tonight. Dig in.”

I didn’t need a second invite. Cutting a piece off with the edge of my fork, I placed it in my mouth and appreciated the flavor before I started chewing and unapologetically groaning. “Holy shit.” I reached for another forkful and happily inhaled my second piece. The sweetness, the caramelized pears, teamed with the light pastry was pretty spectacular. Hearing Davis’s amusement, I cast him a glance. He wore a shit-eating grin.

“Don’t fill yourself up with just that one. There’s more.”

“I don’t think that would ever be possible.”

“What?” he asked, his voice light and amused.

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