Page 17 of Mr. Delicious
“Um…”
“I promise I won’t let the place burn down.”
“You can’t do all of that for me.” It was too much to ask of anyone.
“Not even if I insist?” A smile inched across his perfect lips. Lips I was sure would feel great kissing mine.
“Why would you insist?”
“Because it helps you.” He opened his palms and shrugged, looking at me like the answer was obvious.
“I have to pay you.” With what money? God I was so screwed.
“Yes, you can pay with a batch of chocolate chip and cinnamon cookies.” He nodded and did the sexiest thing by licking his lips.
Definitely not intended to turn me on, but he did. My nipples hardened and the butterflies that usually flittered in my stomach when I saw him flew a little further south than I wanted.
“Cookies.” The words fell from my lips in a mindless fashion.
“Yes, please.”
“You can’t do all this for cookies.” I smirked. It was ridiculous.
“I already have. Now go, line’s building up.”
I looked over at Stella. The line extended out the door and was starting to curve. She’d also started serving as well as taking payments.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” Tears stung the backs of my eyes. It was the kindest thing anyone had offered in a long time.
“Cookies remember.”
“Cookies.”
Getting some time away from work would give me the chance to brainstorm ideas and rest. The day before yesterday I had applied for a loan for eighty thousand dollars. Another secured loan that would consolidate Billy’s loans. Then I’d just have to find money to pay the business loan and everything else.
“I do need your digits, though.” He took out his phone.
“My number?”Oh my God, he was asking for my number.
Stella didn’t miss a beat. Her head snapped toward us when she caught sight of his phone.
I saw her overly intrigued reaction out the corner of my eye.
“Your number.” He confirmed, but the slow and purposeful manner in which he said it set off that nest of butterflies again.
I gave it to him, all the while trying not to show how nervous I was, or seriously acknowledge that Mr Delicious now had my number.
“Thanks again.” I felt like I should hug him, but could I do that?
The man had just given me the chance to rest. Time off.
A time out.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had a day off.
Screw it.I threw my arms around him and it felt like coming home.
“Thank you so much.” I whispered against the hard walls of his chest.
He held me closer, offering me more. A comfort I’d actually never experienced.
He lowered so he was close to my ear. “You’ll be okay Wren. Just give it time.”
Being so close I didn’t need to reach up to his height to plant the kiss I gave him on his cheek.
Then I left before the tears came.
