Page 54 of A Taste of Trouble

Liv giggled. “Oh, I plan to.”

She pulled out the third kitchen drawer and grabbed a white apron and placed it on the kitchen island in front of him.

“What's this?”

“An apron. Put it on.” She reached into the drawer and pulled out her own.

“What do I need an apron for?” He scrunched up his face in confusion. “Are we role-playing? Am I the sexy French baker and you're my apprentice?”

“Nope. This is the real thing.” She cleared some space on the island. “You're going to bake.”

“Bake?” His mouth fell open in disbelief. He was even cute when he looked like a carp.

“I want to know what you look like with flour all over your face.” Crouching down, she collected a few bowls and her cupcake pans from the bottom cupboard. When she straightened, Jake's expression told her he still hadn't gotten used to the idea. “This is probably the last time I'll be able to just enjoy myself and not have to worry about impressing or making ends meet. Just me, you, and my mixer.” She needed this. She needed to remember why baking was her passion and enjoy it without any strings. “Please?”

He took off his jacket, laid it over the counter, and walked around to meet her as he tied the apron strings around his waist. He smoothed out the fabric as if looking for reassurance that he'd put it on correctly.

When he finally looked up, Liv smiled. “It's perfect.”

“You know I don't do baking.”

She felt like a parent trying to goad their child into trying something new. “Can you measure?”

He nodded.

“Can you stir?”

He nodded again.

“Then you're hired.”

He didn't look convinced. He took tiny steps, like he was entering a haunted house. Careful. On edge. Just waiting for something to jump out at him. Fastening her own apron, she pulled a few ingredients down from the top cupboard, along with some measuring utensils.

“Don't be shy.” She motioned for him to move closer. “Last I heard, flour doesn't bite.”

His lips thinned into a nervous line, but he laughed.

“Can you go in the fridge and grab some eggs?”

He nodded and headed for the fridge. He fumbled inside, most likely moving things from one place to the next, then sidled beside her with a carton of eggs.

“I think we'll just make a simple chocolate batter and some white butter cream icing.” She looked up at him. “Does that sound okay?”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “I'm sure it all t

astes the same.”

Liv gasped. “Bite your tongue. It does not all taste the same. There are so many variations that we could spend days in this kitchen working out all of the possibilities.” She realized that she was waving her finger in the air, but it looked as though he found it amusing. As if he was trying hard not to laugh out loud.

“What?”

“You're getting all excited about something you love.” He caressed her shoulder. “It's cute.”

She swallowed hard at the warmth of his touch, but her need to set him straight won out over her desire. “Spend a little more time with me, pal, and I'm sure you'll be singing a different tune.”

His hand inched higher, making its way toward her neck, but she wasn't going to let her plan get derailed by his attempt at seduction. They had chocolate cupcakes to—

She rushed over to the bags, breaking Jake's hold on her shoulder, and squealed. “Maybe we'll make red velvet and cream cheese icing.” She picked up the bottle of red dye and held it up to him. “I'm dying to try this new tint we bought.”

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