Page 15 of Made For You
“Talon. It’s nice to meet you, Rory.”
Something about him felt familiar, and I couldn’t help asking, “Have we met before?”
Chapter Five – Talon
“You just seem familiar; that’s all.” She quickly pulled her hand away, and I yearned to reach out and grab it back. I wasn’t sure what possessed that reaction, but I knew I wanted to feel the warmth of her skin again.
Her question alarmed me at first, and I feared that somehow she was aware of my ruse to convince her to be my temporary wife. But then I remembered she would have absolutely no way of knowing that information.
“I don’t believe so,” I told her as I took a sip of my top-shelf bourbon, thankful I reminded Dean to have Fiona play it like I was a regular guest at the bar. It was something we’d done before when I took over to gain some information about our guests. Get them a few drinks, and they’d tell you about their stay, the hotel, and their entire family background.
“Hmm…,” she hummed, as Fiona placed Rory’s fresh drink in front of her, and I watched my bartender flush when Rory thanked her. It was a surprising reaction from Fiona. Not because she swung for her own team, but because she rarely let her attraction to a woman show. She kept her emotions as close to the vest as I did. Apparently, Aurora had that kind of effect on everyone.
The front desk manager had made me aware of how she came to Davey’s rescue this afternoon when an irate guest cut in line and talked down to my newest staff member. I didn’t believe him at first, because Aurora came across as a sweet Southern girl who held her tongue and only spoke when spoken to. But as I rewatched the security footage, I was almost proud of the way she stood up to the guest.
Gertrude Powers, of all people. Dean got a good laugh out of that one.
I spared a glance at my friend, who was keeping watch over the bar. He reminded me of a silverback gorilla hiding in the bushes, waiting for his prey. It was almost comical the way he stood out in the crowd.
“This is so good, Fiona. Give my compliments to the pastry chef or get me the name of the shop you guys order it from.”
Fiona explained we had an in-house pastry chef who made these each day, and I noted the downward turn of Aurora’s mouth at the news before she took another healthy bite of the treat. My cock jumped behind the zipper of my pants as her lips closed around the fork. I watched as Fiona scurried away quickly, probably experiencing a similar reaction to what I was.
“Wow, this is so good. Have you had it before?” she turned to ask me with another forkful poised at her mouth.
Biting back a groan, I replied, “Can’t say that I have.”
“You should really order one. It’s probably the best I’ve ever had. Just don’t tell my sister that.”
I couldn’t tell her that the simple dessert was made by one of the top pastry chefs out of France. The man was a genius but hated that this dish was his most popular.
“Why shouldn’t I?” I questioned as I turned to face her fully, leaning my arm on the bar with the glass of bourbon in my hand.
“Shouldn’t you what?”
“Tell your sister.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed before those plump lips opened to welcome the morsel of chocolate into her mouth. Her eyes closed with the bite, and I was seconds away from having Fiona take the dessert off the bar top before I came in my pants like a juvenile.“Sorry. I can’t stop eating this. Anyway, my sister owns a cake shop in our small town, but she gets orders in from all over the world.”
“Really? What’s it called?” I asked curiously. I didn’t care to read the background check on Aurora. It felt like an invasion of her privacy, and even though I wouldn’t be her real husband, I knew she’d be hurt if she ever found out.
“Show-Stopping Sweets.”
I sputtered after the announcement. “Really?”
“Yep. She opened it last year all on her own, though her now fiancée invested in the business.”
“I’ve had her cakes. They’re delicious.”
“They really are. She’s a great baker.”
“What about you?” I asked. “What is it you do?”
“I’m a teacher. I usually teach first grade, but this year they’re moving me up to high school.” Her body slumped as she said it, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the change in grade level or that she just finished her last bite of cake.
“You don’t sound too thrilled about that.”
“I love to teach. I’ve always been good with kids. I just have a hard time commanding attention from kids who aren’t much younger than I am. Hell, I get mistaken for a teenager all the time.”
