Page 7 of Gingerbread Hearts

I finally know what to say. “You know what, I have Thursdays off, so how about we do dinner tomorrow night?” I take a long drink of my coffee before continuing, “That way we can see where the evening goes.”

“Deal,” he reaches out lightly pat my hand. His touch is warm, gentle. I can’t wait for the next night.

“We can figure out details later. I should get back to the kitchen. Lots of orders to fill for the different holiday parties.” I stand up to leave him and he rises with me.

“I’ll text you,” he tells me and we shake hands. I want to linger, to stand near him just a little longer, but I have work to do. I want to wow him tomorrow.

To take this flirty banter and goodnight kisses to the next level.

I’m going to need Bethany’s help again with an outfit.

SIX

JAKE

As I watch Violet head back to the kitchen area, I pull my phone out and sit back down at the café table. I text her, unable to wait until the evening.

Jake: I’m thinking the Railway Tavern. Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven.

I know she probably can’t reply right away. I imagine she’s already back to baking. All I can think of is her delicate hands kneading dough. I want to feel her hands wandering my body, gripping my shoulders. I can’t wait to spend an evening with her. It’s clear she feels the same as me in regard to a very casual relationship. She knows I’m only here for a couple of weeks to spend time with my grandmother.

Why else would she agree to another date so quickly?

I put my phone away, finish my coffee, and head home.

After a few hours of putzing around and helping my grandmother get decorations from the attic and garage, I feel my phone buzz. I know it’s not my assistant Sally, she typically just sends me an email if it’s not urgent, otherwise she calls me. I see Violet’s name in the notification bubble and my heart double times.

Violet: Excellent. Now I can wear my favorite heels.

Jake: Not snow proof?

Violet: It’s more that I can only walk short distances in them.

I can only imagine the heels, and what they would do for her already well-shaped ass. The front of my jeans gets tight. A cold shower is next on my to do list. But first, I need to reply to Violet.

Jake: I can carry you if needed.

Violet: What a gentleman. Deal.

Jake: Looking forward to tomorrow.

Violet: Looking forward to seeing more of you.

After a few more flirty texts, I take a shower. Freeing my throbbing cock from the confines of my jeans, I’m able to stroke myself under the warm spray of water. Using the daydreams of Violet and I naked together, her body tight against mine, I come in no time.

Toweling off, alone with my thoughts, I contemplate the possible outcome of my time here. I’m thirty-two, up for a promotion, and definitely locked into living in the city.

Violet is funny, confident, and knows what she wants out of life. Which is to run the pastry side of the bakery and grow old in Kastle Harbor. Our ideal futures don’t line up.

The best situation for us to simply enjoy each other’s company these few weeks together. If my imagination is even a smidge close to the real thing, I just want a night alone and naked with Violet.

***

Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon pass in a blur. I speak with my grandmother, confirm that I’m indeed spending time with Violet. She’s happy for me and expresses her desire for me to get married and settle down. She wants me to have the whole wife, house, and two kids path in life before she “grows old and dies.” Dramatic, but definitely a way to keep the topic popping up in my mind. It’s never been on my horizon, but things change.

Maybe one day, with the right person of course.

Wednesday night is finally here. This restaurant is a little less intimate than the one we went to the other night. I choose a pair of dark jeans and wear a steel blue cotton button down with a dark grey sweater overtop. I pull up to Violet’s house right at seven. As she steps outside, my breath catches. Her coat isn’t zipped up, letting me get a slight peak at the emerald dress underneath. The dress is a showstopper, showing off her ample cleavage.

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