Page 43 of Her Maine Distraction

“I’ll take a piece of apple cinnamon crumb cake, a chocolate donut, a blueberry muffin, and–”

“And? How much are you planning on taking?” I laugh, placing everything neatly in a to-go box.

“And…” he emphasizes, drawing out the word, “I’ll take a chocolate cupcake.”

“Figures.” I smile, adding one to the box and taping it up. “Here you go.” I hand it to him, our fingers brushing.

“See you soon.” He winks, sauntering out the door.

Chapter 10

I’ve covered my tracks well. No one was the wiser that Tyler and I did dirty, filthy things in the kitchen the other night.

I’m staying late again today to experiment with a new recipe I dreamt about last night. Mini chocolate lava cakes with a chocolate ganache and raspberry center, drizzled with a raspberry coulis sauce, and then garnished with powdered sugar, a mint leaf, and a fresh raspberry.

In my dream, I was putting on the final touches when Tyler strolled into the kitchen all shirtless and sexy. He laid me out on the table and stripped me down, covering my body in drizzles of raspberry sauce – licking me clean.

Oh, it’s hot in here…

Shaking the dream away, I pour the batter into the silicon molds and place them in the oven. Setting a timer, I get to work on the coulis sauce.

I love raspberries, and just as Tyler licked this sauce off of me in my dream, I would love to return the favor in real life. I’d drizzle it in the divots of his abs to form little rivers I could suck dry.

Oh, Lord.

Shaking my head clear of dirty visions again, I blend the syrup and raspberries together, and then strain the thick mixture through a fine mesh strainer. It takes a little effort, but it’s always worth it. I have a secret ingredient, too. I add a little Chambord at the end for a kick.

When my phone starts ringing across the kitchen, I jump at the sound. I forgot I put that damn thing on loud earlier when I had the mixer going.

Picking it up, I see the name on the screen and drop it back on the table like it’s made of fire.

Why the hell is he calling me?

Now?

When the ringing stops, a text message alert chimes. With a shaky hand, I pick it back up and read it.

Ellie, please pick up the phone, I need to talk to you. I haven’t heard from you. I just want to know you’re okay.

I bark out a sarcastic laugh. He’sworriedabout me? Yeah, sure, okay.

When my phone starts to ring again, I steel my spine and swipe to answer, ready to give the lying piece of shit a piece of my mind.

“Ellie?” he says right away, his voice grating on my ears.

“Why are you calling me, Kyle?” I ask harshly.

“You quit the restaurant, cleared out of the apartment when I wasn’t there, and I haven’t heard anything from you in weeks.”

“Of course I quit and moved out. You made it crystal clear that it wasyourplace and I had to leave. And why would you hear from me? I have no desire to see or speak to you ever again.”

“I didn’t want you to leave. I miss you, Elizabeth.”

Laughing without humor, I walk through the swinging kitchen doors and start pacing around the café.

“Kyle, you’ve got to be kidding me. You miss me?” I balk. “It’s been two weeks, and this is the first time you’ve tried to contact me.”

“I knew you needed time to think.”

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