Page 29 of The Night Ride
I glanced at the time and winced.“I’ve got to finish getting everything ready to open.You can eat the rest of your breakfast back here before you leave.”
“Do I make you uncomfortable, Beth?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”But he did, because I wanted him in ways I never had another man.And that made him dangerous.I wasn’t a woman who enjoyed the dating scene.It was all so fake.And I liked the hookup culture even less.
“Hmm.”Was all he said.“I’ll eat and get out of your hair.Then will hunt down the tech you’re going to need.What time does the bakery close?”
“At five.We’re only open during the daytime.Although I have been toying with a dinner menu for Friday and Saturday nights.”
“After tasting this,” he held up the last bite of donut, and that’s when I noticed he had already finished all the hash browns and a good portion of the breakfast sandwich, “I have no doubt you would hit it out of the park.”
“Uh, thanks.”
He popped the rest of the donut into his mouth.And I knew I should move.I had things to do to get the bakery ready to open.I couldn’t stand around and watch Aiden eat.But he ate with relish and a hearty appetite.
I hated when people acted like they didn’t like food.We had to eat to live.And while I understood the need to be health conscious, the extremes some people went to in order to be thin was unhealthy in my mind.
Food was meant to be enjoyed, even the health conscious stuff.There were so many spices that could be added to take a meal from okay to oh man this was the best thing I ever put in my mouth.
“I’ll get out of your hair, unless there’s something else you need from me.”His low bass slid like a caress down my spine.
The air became suffused with heat and not just from what was pumping out of the ovens.It took everything in me not to tell him what I really wanted—his hands all over me—but I somehow found the strength.I cleared my throat.
“No, there’s nothing else I need, other than to finish getting the bakery ready to open.”
“Uh huh, well, you let me know if you do need something else.”
“Yep.”I sidestepped away from him.
“I already looked for a local store that should have everything we need.I’ll go pick everything up.”
“I should give you some cash.”
“I’ll give you the receipt and you can reimburse me then.With the number of cameras needed I can’t give you an estimate.It’s easier this way.”
“All right, if you’re sure.Thank you.I can walk you out.”I grabbed another tray of eclairs and headed into the front of the shop.Laying the tray on the front counter, I felt him behind me every step of the way.
I unlocked the front door and held it open.
He walked across the threshold and turned at the last minute.“Hey Beth, you should be proud of yourself.You’ve done well for yourself.”
Pleasure burst through me at the unexpected compliment.And I watched the most gorgeous man I’d ever known stride to his motorcycle and climb on, while my heart quivered with longing.
His innuendo wasn’t lost on me.The question was, did I want to grab what happiness I could, before he left my life again, most likely for good this time?
As I watched him drive away, I was no closer to an answer.
Chapter ten
Idrovetothetech store I researched online last night only to realize they weren’t open yet.With time to kill I headed back to Beth’s house and let myself in with the spare key.
It felt odd being in her house without her here.And while I wasn’t one to snoop, I did invade her bedroom and bathroom to look around.On the walk through, her scent, that reminded me of a vanilla sugar cookie and roses, was everywhere.
It was a scent that would haunt me on the battlefield.
What was it about Beth besides her beauty?Why couldn’t I get her off my mind?I wanted to scream at the heavens.Was it the forbidden nature of my obsession?Because she was unattainable due to the vow I’d sworn her brother?
Her bedroom was decidedly feminine.But there were no soft florals for Beth, quite the opposite.She’d opted for jewel tones in bright blue and silver.I touched the shimmery satin azure bedspread and fluffy silver accent pillows.They were softer than silk.
