Page 30 of Silver Seconds (Tempted in Texas)

He winks at me. “Of course, I want to help. I actually have some experience with baking, believe it or not."

"Making brownies from a box doesn't count," I say with a laugh.

"I'm serious." Sidling up beside me, his hip presses against mine, and a little thrill runs through me at the contact. "I used to help my mom with this stuff as a kid," he says as he squirts some soap into his hands. "Besides, things will go a lot faster with an assistant."

"Okay," I say. "But if you're going to help, you'll need to be properly dressed."

I grab my spare apron from my bag and hand it to him. It's pink and patterned with little unicorns. His eyes search mine as if trying to find the joke, and after a moment, he does that same old smirk.

"Well, I definitely want to be properly dressed." He takes the apron from me and pulls the loop over his head. Then he ties the belt around his waist. "How do I look, boss?"

I can't help but giggle. "You look so pretty.” I tease him.

He grins like he's impressed with himself and takes a step closer.

"So do you," he replies, brushing a strand of hair away from my cheek. But before I can register his touch, he clears his throat. "So, what's the plan? What do you need me to do first?"

My cheeks flush pink.

"Um, why don't you start by taking everything out of my bags and setting them up on the counter? Make sure to keep all the same-sized pans together.Andbe careful not to drop the piping tips. They can be a little slippery."

Brett gives me a cheeky salute. "Yes, ma'am."

Rifling through the cupboards and the fridge, I pull out the ingredients we'll need for the first batter. And just like he said, everything on my list is here. Even the almond flour and the freeze-dried strawberries. It's a simple thing, but a warmth spreads through me at his thoughtfulness.

"So," he says between the clanking of the metal pans, "how many cakes are we making?"

"Four," I answer. "I figure that's a pretty good selection for Tinsley to choose from. Normally, I would try to do more, but as you know, things are a little tighter than normal."

On the other side of the kitchen, I spot the coffee maker. Perfect.

He must notice me turning it on because he says, "Oh, coffee. Is that one of the flavors?"

"Yes and no." And even though I don't turn to see it, I can picture his look of confusion. It's the same one Brittany wore when I told her about this little baking secret.

"Uh oh," he says in a joking voice. "You're not making some weird flavors, are you? I was confused when you had me pick up mayonnaise, but I thought maybe you were hungry for a sandwich or something."

"No, that's for a cake too. But it doesn't actually flavor anything."

"But—"

"Look, just watch and learn from the master, okay?" I say, shooting him a smile. "Trust me."

Even when puzzled, his blue eyes are penetrating.

"I do trust you," he says gently.

His eyes pierce mine, and it sends another shiver through me. I'd forgotten just how blue they were. Cornflower blue. And just how hypnotic they could be. That tingle deep inside me buzzes to life once more, not the tingle of nerves but of something baser, more carnal. But by holding my breath, I manage to keep myself centered.

It's just a pretty face, Denise. Don't let yourself be fooled. Not again.

Thankfully, he breaks eye contact and turns away to work on the pans again. He asks, "What flavors are we doing, then?"

"Well," I say, taking a deep, steadying breath, "based on the list of the guests' food allergies, I've narrowed it down to some options I think will work. You've got to keep some basics, of course, so there will be a chocolate one. It will have an orange filling to tie it back to the sunset theme."

"Of course," Brett says sarcastically. "How could I have forgotten the almighty sunset?"

"After that, there's the strawberry cake with chocolate chips and a lime buttercream." I reach into one of the drawers and pull out a handheld citrus juicer before moving to the fridge and collecting a few oranges and limes into my apron's large pocket. "And then the cherry cake, which is an almond cake with cherry filling, covered in marzipan."

---