Page 33 of Witch Please

He was forty bucks poorer from losing at poker, but he was also glad that he hadn’t offered to cancel his plans to hang out with Danica. Taking it slow might be tough, but he sensed he’d scare her off otherwise. Clearly she had some personal stuff going on, drama between her mom and grandmother, and she might not have the mental energy to dive into a relationship headfirst right now.

But if he proved he was patient and willing to wait, he’d gain a friend at least, and he could always use more of those. Danica was worth having in his life, no matter what form their connection took. Nervously, he smoothed his hair, probably doing more harm than good, and then he stepped through the front door. The shop was open on Sunday, albeit for limited hours, just from one to five. As for him, he closed the bakery—not because he was especially religious, but both he and Maya deserved a day off.

I don’t even know if she’s working today.

But Danica emerged from the back with a professional smile that flickered when she recognized him. Something flashed in her eyes, too fast for him to figure out what. He held up the container, pulling the top off the tin to reveal the cookies.

“You offered to taste test, remember?”

“Sugar Daddy’s isn’t open today,” she said, like that mattered.

“I develop recipes in my spare time. During work hours, I focus on products that sell well. Sometimes I pull pastries that aren’t moving like I expected.” Truth was, he’d wanted to see her, and this offered a plausible excuse. Titus set the container down on the front counter. “Give them a try?”

He set down a latte, made just the way she liked it; he’d even checked with Maya, who had been fixing Danica’s drinks for much longer. Carefully, like she thought a snake might pop out, she pulled the cup toward her. After taking a cautious sip, she regarded him with wide eyes.

“This is exactly how I order my lattes.”

For a few seconds, he wrestled with how to respond. He could display confidence and say something like “I’m just that good,” but…that wasn’t his style. And part of him wanted her to know that he’d cared enough to ask about her preferences. In the end, the truth won out, even if it made him look dorky and try-hard.

“My sister clued me in,” he admitted.

Her smile dazzled him. “That’s so sweet.”

Danica selected a cookie and bit into it, tilting her head as she chewed. “These are delicious! They’re soft inside but crispy at the edges, and they give the same feeling as old-school gingersnaps. You said they’re healthy?”

“More so anyway. I used raw honey, coconut oil, and almond flour, among other things. Don’t even ask—I won’t give away my secret recipe.”

Not that he’d makeherpay for them. She could come into the bakery and he’d happily fill a box with whatever she wanted.

“Definitely add these as a test item,” she said, stuffing the rest of the gingersnap in her mouth.

“Yeah?” Titus became aware that he was staring at her lips. She had a crumb at the corner, and it shouldn’t have been cute. Only it was. He restrained himself from reaching out and said, “You have a little something there.”

“Here?” Seeming self-conscious, she brushed at her mouth with the back of her hand, but she still didn’t get it.

Knowing this was the cheesiest move ever, he dusted the cookie bit away from the edge of her lips, and oh God, they parted on a soft sound at his lightest touch. Her eyes darkened and she leaned forward infinitesimally, as if she might crawl over the counter to kiss him. Titus, shifted forward, leaning on his elbows just to get a bit closer. He hadn’t come here for this, but he might not have the willpower to resist if she made the first move.

Slowly, Danica lifted a hand and touched the corner of his mouth; then she traced the line of his jaw. Just a single fingertip, skimming along his features, a fluttering caress to his cheekbone, his eyebrow, and the curve of his ear. Desire roared through him, a flash fire completely disproportionate to the level of contact.

Her breath hitched like she felt it too.

His heartbeat thundered in his ears, and if there were any other noises, he couldn’t hear them. Danica eased a little closer, so he could breathe in her delicate scent. Flowers and…fruit? A hint of lemon. She smelled amazing, and it took real effort not to reach for her. Maybe it would be okay since she’d touched him first, but he feared frightening her off.

“I really want to kiss you,” she whispered.

He swallowed hard. “You have my permission.”

She reached across the counter and stroked his lower lip, the sexiest invitation he’d ever received, and then her mouth grazed his. Raw lust careened through him. God, he wasn’t evenproneto this. He’d wanted people before, but nothing so intense that it shorted out his brain. But he got hard just looking at Danica, and kissing her?

It wasn’t nearly enough.

Dilemma—he wanted to feel her body against him, but if he moved to get closer, he’d have to break this delicious kiss. Before he could resolve the issue, a sizzle and pop exploded around them. To his dazed senses, the cascade of sparks felt like an extension of his intense arousal. Belatedly, he realized that every damn light bulb in the shop had spontaneously exploded. Danica scrambled away, her eyes big and fearful.

“Damn. You should get an electrician in to look at your wiring. There must be a short somewhere. It could start a fire.”

Her laugh sounded strained. “I’ll do that. You should go. There’s so much glass dust, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I can help—”

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