Page 2 of Melody’s Little Secret

“I’m not in a rush, Melody. I think occasionally combining specials or promotions between the two businesses could work out well for both of us, and this is the first chance we’ve had to talk.”

“You haven’t even tasted my treats yet.”

“No, but that’s why I’ve requested samples. I’d very much like to taste them.”

Are we still talking about my baked goods?

A smirk played on his lips accentuating the dimples on his cheeks, inching his allure up an additional few notches.

I think he’s flirting with me. Is he really flirting with me?

I was looking way too far into the interaction, and I desperately needed to get out of there.

“Sounds like a plan.” I accepted the bills and the card. “Sorry for sneaking in through your backdoor.”

“No worries. I might have to sneak in yours one day.” He winked.

We were close, really close. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm myself. Had he made an overtly sexual reference or was he being coy referring to my actual actions? I took a deep breath which did nothing to help my brain at all. I caught a whiff of his earthy, citrusy cologne mingled with his unique scent and nearly drooled. Boldly leaning into his personal space, drawing closer to him, I smirked and decided to give as good as I was getting. “I’d totally be down for that.”

Not allowing him to have the last word, I scampered down the two steps into the narrow alley. It was just big enough for a delivery truck to drive down between the necessary dumpsters. I sauntered away, putting more swing in my hips than usual, hoping he’d chase me. I didn’t mean physically, but he’d thrown down the gauntlet metaphorically speaking, and I was ready to accept the challenge, at least I thought I was. It wasn’t until I reached the safety of my shop that I leaned against the counter, holding the container against my chest and really thought about what had just happened.

Giddiness prickled through me. For the first time in my life, my chaotic disarray had led me to the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on. And he’d flirted with me!

Humming, I skipped over to my workstation. I had cupcakes to make.

Bosco

I went back to preparing the pizza dough for the day with a smile on my face. The sweet little baker had certainly made my morning more interesting, and I looked forward to her phone call. I’d give her a week to get back to me about the samples before I went on the hunt. I loved a good game of cat and mouse and it had been a while since a woman caught my interest like this one had. No way was I letting her get away with avoiding me without getting to know each other a bit first.

“That dough got jokes?” My brother came into the kitchen with a box of fresh produce we procured from a local vendor. Everything we cooked with was locally sourced. We were proud of the fact that we could give back to the community that gave us so much.

“What?” I was thoroughly confused by his question.

“You’re smiling at that dough like it just told you the best damn dad joke you’ve ever heard.” Enzio set the box down on the counter and started to unload it. We had a couple of employees who helped in the restaurant during the lunch and dinner hours, but he and I did most of the food prep ourselves.

“Nah, have you stopped by the new bakery yet?”

“Been meaning to, but not yet. Why?”

“The little owner came in today. She needed to borrow some salt. She’s pretty fucking adorable.”

“Yeah?”

“Yep. I gave her fifty bucks and asked her to make us a sample platter. Would be nice to offer our customers some decent desserts for a change.”

“What’s wrong with Nonna’s cake recipe?”

“Nothing, people love it, but if we could expand our variety a bit and help out a neighbor then why not?”

“Our fucking adorable neighbor,” he teased as he took the pan of dough balls from me and put them away for later use.

“Exactly.” I washed my hands and wiped down my station, getting it ready to slice up vegetables.

“You think her personality will meet your… special needs?” He wiggled his eyebrows like my proclivities that I was a Daddy Dom and liked to be in complete control inside the bedroom and out were some state secrets.

“Myspecial needs. You have the same needsfratello.”

“But we aren’t talking about me right now, we’re talking about you.”

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