Page 24 of Sweet Escape
He chuckles, ignoring the easy layup I just handed him. “I was actually hoping I could convince you to make some cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday. She’s turning three next month. My mom’s been plying her with sweets from Rosie’s ever since we moved back. She’s obsessed with your cupcakes.”
Oh.This is a business call, not a social one. He just wants me for my cupcakes, and unfortunately for me, that’s not a euphemism.
My stomach sinks.
Not wanting him to catch on to my obvious disappointment, I take a moment to center myself, pull out an order pad from the junk drawer, and ask my standard questions. “Do you have anything specific in mind? A party theme or anything you want me to go off of?”
“Not really. Fuck, I’m so bad at this kind of thing. This is something her mom would’ve been good at.”
The offhand remark about his late wife has me sucking in a sharp breath, and when I respond, my voice is sympathetic. “You’re doing the best you can. The fact that you even thought to order cupcakes is a great start. Does she have any favorite colors, cartoon characters, or things she loves to do?”
“I mean, she’s almost three, so she loves to wreak havoc and make messes.” He chuckles. “She’s a girly girl who loves bows, pink, and glitter, but she’s also a farm girl who loves mud and horses. I’m not sure you could even capture that in a cupcake.”
“Are you doubting my abilities, Big Guy?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” he says. “I happen to know you areverycapable.”
The innuendo isn’t lost on me, but I carry on like he didn’t dampen my panties when he deepened his voice. “Next question. How many people are you feeding?”
“Um…” He hesitates, and I’m speaking up before I can think better of it.
“Do you need help planning the party? I know you don’t know me that well, but —”
Wilder cuts me off mid-sentence. “Liv. Cut the shit. I know what you taste like and what you sound like when you come. I think, at the very least, we can consider each other friends by now, don’t you?”
Considering I’m pregnant with his baby, I’d say we’re a little past friendly.
My cheeks heat at the reminder of what happened between us. Another bout of nausea hits, and I’m choking back the urge to vomit.
I clear my throat. “That’s fair.”
“I’d love your help, if you’re offering. No pressure. I’m sure I could ask my mama, but I don’t want to add another thing to her already full plate.”
“I pretty much make my own schedule. I’d be more than happy to lend a hand.”Or a mouth or… anything, really.
“If you meet me at the ranch tomorrow, we can work on the party planning, and I can take you for that ride I promised.”
“Seriously?” The word is little more than an excited squeal, and Wilder’s laughter reverberates on the other side of the line.
“Yeah, Cupcake. How does one o’clock sound?”
“It’s a date. Wait. No. I just meant…”
He laughs again, and the sound goes straight to my greedy pussy. “See you tomorrow, Livie.”
Chapter 7
Cowboys, Cookies, & Confessions
?First Rodeo - Kelsea Ballerini
Olivia
I pullthrough the ranch gate, and my tires kick up dust down the long gravel drive. My chest squeezes as fear and anticipation war inside me. I’m about to drop a massive bomb on Wilder's life, and I have no idea how he’s going to react. What if he’s angry? What if he doesn’t want this child? What if I reallyamon my own?
I pull up outside a large red barn, and it doesn’t take long to spot the man in question. A riot of nerves courses through me. He’s holding the reins of a gorgeous dappled grey mare with a black mane and tail, and… lord help me, Wilder’s wearing a goddamn cowboy hat. His eyes light up when he spots me, and he hands the reins off to someone I don't recognize.
I look completely out of place here. I put my green sedan in park and stuff the ultrasound in the back pocket of my jeans before stepping out of the vehicle. The scent of fresh-cut grass,damp soil, and hay envelops me, thrusting me back into memories on this very ranch all those years ago. I used to ride a gelding named Dusty back then. He was my first love.
