Page 10 of A Taste of Trouble

“Would you like me to join you?”

His gaze locked on hers. Even in the dark, he could see the sparkle glistening in the chocolate depths of her eyes and, for a split second, he toyed with the idea of giving up on his plan.

As his face moved closer to hers, she parted her lips with hungry determination. He caressed her neck with his lips while he moved his hand down and grabbed the handle of the car. The click of the door echoed around them, then he pulled back, bringing the doorframe with him.

“Good night, Liv.” He rested his left arm on top of the frame, waiting for her to refocus. He did have willpower, after all. “I know where to find you.”

She swayed on her feet, taking in his words, her eyes glued to the ground. Eventually, she looked up and whispered good night, then ducked her head and shuffled into her car. It wasn't his intention to cause her discomfort, but his actions were strategic.

She had no idea she would be seeing him tomorrow.

Chapter Three

Stepping into the shower, Liv couldn't stop the images of Jake from popping into her head. Jake sitting at the bar. Jake bending over the pool table. His tight butt and strong shoulders too impressive for words.

She'd eyed him all night. Admired how his suit molded his body perfectly, the crisp material accenting his sleek, muscular build. She studied him as he swaggered around the pool table, and the way his gaze roamed the length of her body, as if undressing her. Her skin tingled as she imagined the naughty, sweaty things she wanted to do with him. When his hand searched out the small of her back on their way out of the bar, she nestled into his touch, confused at the comfort she drew from his protective nature.

She'd tossed and turned all night, trying to figure out what she'd done to warrant his quick rejection of her proposition to slip into his bed. She was even more baffled at his invitation to attend the book launch.

But this morning she pushed those thoughts aside. Jake had been a nice distraction, an exceptionally hot and sexy distraction, but it was time to get back to what was most important.

Despite the to-do list that had grown with Nancy's survey of the bakery, she had agreed to help her out. The frantic message on her voice mail last night tugged at her guilt strings. Nancy was begging for help with a couple of orders she couldn't handle on her own. And Liv couldn't possibly say no.

After her shower, Liv put on her most comfortable pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, then headed out the door.

It was six in the morning and the streets were quiet. She loved the city at this time. Everything seemed so at peace. Until the noise, chatter, and exhaust turned the city into a chaotic mess. She strolled into Sweet Creations, inhaling long and deep. The sweet smell of chocolate never failed to fill her with a sense of calm, a sense of purpose. Her body relaxed, her brain perked up, her fingers itched with anticipation to create something unique. This bakery enticed her, always sparking an excitement i

n her stomach as if she was baking for the very first time.

On the right sat an L-shaped counter where Nancy's teenage daughter Corey leaned, half asleep, with her usual expression of teenage indifference. Straight ahead sat a showcase that would display an assortment of freshly baked goods. The left wall was adorned with pictures of cakes, examples of what people could order. The square footage was bigger than Cupcake!, but good things did come in small packages.

“There she is! My favorite little elf has come to save me.” Nancy shot up from behind the showcase.

“I'm happy to help, but I can't stay all day.” Denying Nancy help was the equivalent to ripping out her heart, but Liv would have to live with the guilt.

“I know, dear.”

Sliding behind the counter, Liv plunked her chin on the shoulder of the young brunette who was strumming her fingers on the white surface. “Shouldn't you be going to school today?”

Corey stared back with disdain. “You would think a parent would want her child to get an education. Not mine.”

“You're getting an education, dear.” Nancy eyed her daughter. “An education in real life. How many kids your age know how to run a business? Huh?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Corey was not amused.

Deep down, Liv knew she was thankful for the break from school—what sixteen-year-old wouldn't be—but she was sure Corey could think of other ways to spend her time. “You going to hang with me in the back, Corey? I could use the help.”

“Sure. Anything not to have to deal with the public.”

“I don't know where this girl came from. She certainly couldn't be my daughter with an attitude like that.”

Corey stalked to the back room, leaving Liv to chuckle at her dramatic exodus. She grabbed an apron from the wood peg and put on a hairnet, then headed to the back.

Nancy followed, giving instructions. “We've got a busy morning ahead of us. Two hundred and fifty cupcakes need to be baked, as well as four cookie bouquets and ten sweet baskets.”

“The busier the better.” Liv did her best work under pressure.

Liv walked around the island in the kitchen but didn't make it all the way around. Nancy pulled her into a big hug, the scent of her strawberry shampoo flooding her senses. “Olivia, I really do enjoy our time together. I don't know what I'm going to do without you.”

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