Page 114 of Invisible String
The door creaks open, and a little pitter of paws clacks on the floor. Daisy jumps on the bed. I lift my head. Daisy lies at Max’s feet. How cute is it that this broody man has a dog curled at his feet? I love Daisy already, especially since Max gave her to me. She licks his toes, and he wiggles them. I giggle.
Max peels one eye open. “Bed.” His voice is low and husky. He then lies me on his chest. I drift off in Max Canos’ arms.
“You’re smilinga little too much. It’s freaking me out.” Isabella adds food coloring to the paste for the concha.
I pop an elbow on the prepping table. My grin never falters, and I can’t stop.
“See…tell me, sweetheart, what has put back a smile on your pretty face?”
I take a large bite of a cinnamon roll, licking the icing off my lips. My memory conjures an image of Max smearing it between my legs.
“Oh, it’s a who. Finally,gracias a Dios.”
“We spent the weekend together,” I tell her. I don’t tell her my legs were spread on the table. I warn her about Daniel because I want her to be safe.
“He hired bodyguards for when he’s not around?” she asks, her brows raised in shock, looking around the room. Her gaze lands on Johnny.
I nod, letting her know the man sitting at the table is the guard. I just opened five minutes ago, and he walked in. I didn’t charge him since he’s taking the trouble to babysit me like I’m a celebrity.
“Max must truly care about you for him to hire men to protect you.”
Even when he left me four years ago, I saw the pain and confusion in his eyes. But it didn’t excuse the heartbreak I went through. It proved he had a heart, just like this morning. I tiptoed to get dressed at three a.m. and was careful not to wake Max up. He was sound asleep, with Daisy curled up next to him.Too bad I couldn’t go in late so I could rest beside them longer. When I was out of the shower, he was getting dressed. I told him to sleep in, but he insisted on driving behind me to make sure I was safe. Then he kissed me against the wall, his thumb running circles on my beating pulse.
“He does,” I admit. Max can be grumpy, broody, and have the “I don’t give a fuck” face, but on the inside, he’s a ball of mush—for some at least.
“Let’s cross our fingers and hope those men don’t go looking for him.”
I nod in agreement.
“Those men are all about money, like if thependejodoesn’t have enough,” she says angrily, sliding a tray into the oven. “So, are you two dating, or whatever you young kids call it?” Isabella asks over her shoulder.
Dating? Although he slept in my bed two nights in a row, his hands were all over my body, whispering sweet nothings. I would be lying if I didn’t say it feels as if we’ve been together much longer. As we are more. “No, not there yet,” I tell her, because I’m not ready and he knows, but does he want more? He did say, “I want you to tie me down,” but does he really, really mean it?
She hums in response, busying herself with another batch. I make my way to the front to check on my new employees. Katie is at the front, ringing up customers while Travis is serving customers.
“How’s everything going?” I ask them both to check to see what I need to refill.
Travis glances at me over his shoulder. “Good. I do need to refill some of the cookies and doughnuts.” He grins at me, and I return it. He’s been doing that a lot, staring, and when I catch him, he jumps up startled. It’s harmless, really.
“Sure, I’ll bring them out.”
The front door swings open. I wait to greet my customers. My brows rise when Leo walks in. The last time I saw him, I acted like a raging beast. My stomach erupts into a thousand flutters. Max enters behind Leo. He gives me that “hot as hell” smile. Leo gives a frightened look like I’m about to toss a slice of cake at his face. Poor guy.
“Hey, baby.” Max walks straight to me as if I’m the only one in the room.
Leo goes still. His focus is on Max when he leans in to kiss my lips.
Leo’s mouth gapes open as he peers at Max in shock. Then he looks over at me. “Baby?” he says to Max, grinning.
Max gives him a look that could slice him in half. I laugh no matter what. I love the broody side of him. Max comes around to the back of the counter, and Leo follows. Max pecks another kiss on my lips. I love how open he is.
“So you’re dating the baker?” Leo asks.
I snort.
Max groans. “Her name is Rainey, remember? Stop calling her the baker.”
Leo smiles. “Hey, Rainey. I’m glad things are working out for you two. Maybe he won’t be so grumpy now that he has you back.” He scratches his cheek and laughs. “Did Max tell you he called you a thief and threw your cinnamon roll in the trash?”
