Page 14 of Sweet Valentine

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart, I have never forgotten before…never.” He looks so scared, as if he thinks I’ll storm out of this car and never speak to him again.

“It’s okay, Noah. I’m on the pill.” I take his hand in mine, and the instant relief that rolls over his body is noticeable. Before he has a chance to question what we just did, I take the opportunity to get out of the car and walk up the driveway. I look back and see Noah still in the car. “You coming?” I ask, loving the grin that crosses his face.

Yup, I’m gonna be tired tomorrow.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I don’t know what wakes me, but when I do, it takes me a minute to realize where I am and what happened last night. I grin when Val tugs me closer as I drop my gaze and groan at the sight in front of me. A white sheet covers the bottom half of both of us, yet I can still see her body through the thin fabric. My fingers trail down her spine, feeling the goosebumps on her skin as I get closer and closer to her ass. Her moan gives me pause, and I wonder for a second if she’s awake, but when I look down, her lashes flutter against my chest. She’s fast asleep.

I’m at peace here. As my fingers dance over her skin, I realize everything leading up to this moment was worth it. I might have gained ten pounds from all those butter tarts I bought as an excuse to see her, but feeling her naked against me after what happened last night? Worth every single minute I spent chasing her. The number of times I took her last night must be a record. At least four, not counting the one in the shower before we both passed out in each other’s arms.

Just as my hand grabs a fistful of her luscious behind, I hear her phone go off, followed by a sound that sends silent laughter through my chest. She blindly shoots her hand out and shuts off the alarm, and my hand continues massaging that delicious piece of flesh.

“Why are you obsessed with my ass?” she says, the sound muffled by my chest. I laugh again and wonder how this woman ever became single.

“Because you have a great ass, and I can’t seem to keep my hands off it. I mean, seriously…” I say, squeezing the flesh, making her jump. “This ass could rule the world one day.” She laughs, lifting her head off my chest. My eyes meet her tired ones.

“Well, let’s focus on ruling the baking world for today…sound good?” she asks, lightly kissing my chest and rolling over onto her back.

“What time do you have to be at the bakery?” I ask, looking at my watch and seeing that it’s not even five a.m. yet.

“I usually like to be there by 5:15, just so I have enough prep time and can put a few batches of everything in the ovens before we open at seven.” She takes a deep breath as if she’s steeling herself for the day, and I wonder how tired she really is. I have a sinking feeling that what we did last night…more than once, will ruin her routine.

“Can I help?” I ask, hoping my interest will help make today easier for her in some way. Judging by the bewildered look on her face, no one has ever offered that before.

“Seriously? You want to bake with me?” It’s like she’s looking at an alien as she gets up and rummages through her drawers for a pair of panties. My eyes drag over her naked body, and I think back to last night when I made her come so many times, she begged me to stop. The feel of her hands wrapped around my cock as I ate her out will keep me going for weeks. I never thought I would get a chance with this woman, and now that she’s in front of me, tired from the countless times I took her, and comfortable walking around naked in front of me, I wonder what I did to deserve her.

“Do you not want me to bake with you? I can send you my resume if you need it…” I give her a wink as I pull the covers off and bend to pick up my discarded clothes from the floor.

Val laughs as she fastens her bra and turns, holding what looks like a black shirt and leggings in her hands. “It’s not that I don’t think you can help, I can always use the help, it’s just I didn’t think you’d be interested.” She averts her eyes and starts to get dressed.

“Okay, let me ask you a question,” I start, sitting on the edge of the bed and tapping the empty space beside me. She sighs heavily, tilting her head back dramatically and making me laugh. Once she’s seated, I take her hand. “What is it about baking that makes you love it so much?” It’s a genuine question, one I didn’t get to ask the night before.

“Well, I love working with my hands.” I give her a knowing look, and she throws a pillow at me. I laugh but motion for her to continue. “I also love that I can create something that brings so much joy to so many people. I know it’s just sweets, but the smiles on my customers’ faces, the relationships I’ve created since opening, and the satisfaction I get from their approval makes every five a.m. wake-up, easier.” I smile as she averts her eyes once more, and I know from the last week that she’s embarrassed, but she has nothing to be embarrassed about. At all.

“Val, that’s why I’m interested in going with you today. I will always be interested in something that puts that look on your face.” Her eyes cross in confusion, and I take the opportunity to kiss her forehead then whisper, “don’t overthink it,” before I get up and finish getting dressed.

As we walk to the bakery, I feel her eyes on me. “What?” I ask as I take her hand in mine and place it in my coat pocket, keeping it warm.

“You can’t be real…” she mutters as my fingers tangle with hers, and I squeeze.

“I promise, I’m very much a real boy…” I wink, loving the blush that crawls up her neck. Eyes downcast, she avoids my gaze, and I wonder if I’ve said something. “You okay?” She nods but still says nothing, simply walks in silence. I stop us under a streetlamp, the shadows hiding her beautiful eyes from mine. I take her chin and lift, searching those grey depths for something that’ll tell me exactly what’s going on. When her gaze meets mine, I can see the doubt staring back at me. I want to kill the bastard who put it there.

“Val, look, I know last night was intense, and fast. But we can go as fast or slow as you want.” She gives me a shy smile that warms my chest. I cup her cheek with my palm and gently kiss her lips. “I hate that he made you question everything we’ve found. But I promise you, I’m not going anywhere.” She smiles and pulls me to continue walking.

After a few moments of silence, she says, “What about you? Any past lovers I need to worry about?” Cold chills run through my veins at the mention of my past, something I never wanted to bring up.

“Nothing you have to worry about.” I can see more questions in her eyes, but I just pull her closer, placing a kiss to her temple.

We have cookies to bake.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I’ve been watching her for the last ten minutes, and I’m mesmerized. She’s done three batches of cookies, mixed the dough for the croissants, and is now kneading it with the heels of her hands. I had no idea that watching someone punch dough could be so sexy, yet here I am, watching as Val leans over the table, ass in the air—and me, holding in a groan as I fight off my hardened cock.

“You keep looking at me like that, and I won’t be able to concentrate on baking much longer,” she teases as she sets the dough into a bowl and covers it with a damp towel.

“Sweetheart, I will be looking at you like this for as long as you’ll let me.” She blushes as she sets the bowl aside and goes to take out another batch of cookies. “How many of these do you make a day?” I ask, getting up off my chair and leaning into her back as she sets down the tray on the table. My hands find purchase on her hips as my lips trail lightly down the back of her neck.

---