Page 88 of Frosting and Flames

RACHEL

You are so fucking sexy when you come.

I shiver again, thinking about the way Nick had growled that in my ear, floating on a cloud of endorphins from the intense orgasm he gave me.

Even over a day later, I’m riding high on his words, unable to get them out of my head. Nick has been so respectful so far, keeping to the parameters I set. I hadn’t yet considered what he’d be like in bed. But with the way he took charge, masterfully touching me, working me up like he knew exactly what to do… I can’t wait to find out what other surprises he has in store.

I bite my lip, remembering how sexy he was unzipping my jeans, how much I wish I had touched him, too. I want to see his eyes light up with desire as I do the same for him, to hear what sounds he might make.

To have him tell me how sexy I am again.

By the time he dropped me off at my house, I was too tired to invite him in, and it’s a shame my day off yesterday had been aday he worked. I need to make sure our days off align from now on. That’s one perk of being the one to do the schedule.

“Earth to Rachel.” Sydney waves a hand in front of my face.

I startle, looking down at the dough in my hands. It was supposed to be cinnamon rolls by now.

Sydney leans her elbows on the workstation, a smirk on her lips. “You going to keep manhandling that dough, or should I give you two a moment alone?”

Over on the other side of us, Hailey snickers.

I scowl and roll out the dough, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sydney snorts. “Oh, please. You’ve been staring off into the distance all morning. And you burned a whole tray of muffins. Muffins, Rachel.” She pauses for dramatic effect. “That’s basic level baking. If you don’t want me to be suspicious, at least mess up something more complicated.”

I exhale slowly. “Okay, maybe I’ve been a little distracted.”

“Did you finally get laid?”

Hailey’s jaw drops at Sydney’s crass question, but she eyes me curiously, as if she wants to know the answer, too.

“That’s none of your business,” I tell them both.

Sydney and Hailey look at each other. “That means yes,” they say in unison, then crack up in laughter.

I can’t help but huff out a breath of laughter, too, at their ridiculousness.

“If you must know,” I say in a voice even I recognize as bordering on puritanical, “I did not technically have sex. Though we may have done other things that were equally good.”

“Equally good, you say?” Sydney looks intrigued. “Do tell.”

“Absolutely not. And it’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? It’s a major deal.”

My brow lifts in question.

“You finally have a guy who’s good for you,” she says in explanation.

Hailey nods in agreement, and I look between the two of them. “You guys like Nick?”

“Of course we do,” Hailey says.

“Duh,” Sydney adds, as if I’m the idiot. Maybe I have been with the way I never saw things clearly.

“Do you…” I pause, collecting my thoughts. “Are you still upset about what he did to the bakery?”

“The fire?” Sydney asks, and I nod.

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