CHAPTER 5
SCARLETT
I’m exhausted as I finish closing up the bakery, flicking the lights off being the final task. Soaking in the accomplishment of the day, I take a deep breath. It was another good day which has my heart soaring.
I wasn’t sure Crescent Sugar would be a success when I opened. It’s not like it’s the only bakery in New Orleans; far from it. Why would anyone take a chance on my bakery? There are many more to choose from and some of those have bakers who are renowned and lauded for their skills. That’s not me. It’s not even like I went to culinary school.
I’m just a normal girl who has a deep love for baking and recipes that I’ve worked on or have been handed down to me. I guess it’s good enough because every day I step into the bakery, I can see my dream coming true.
If only Mom was here to see it. In so many ways, she is here with me, but it’s only in spirit. Every time I make one of her recipes, it’s like she’s standing right next to me and encouraging me to keep going and enjoy my dream coming true.
But it sure as hell isn’t one of my mom’s hugs.
When I walk out the back door of the bakery, part of me wants to slump against the wall but I know I can’t. I need to keep moving because once I get home and sit down, I won’t be moving for a while. My back is aching, and my feet are screaming at me.
We aren’t open super late, and the sun is still out, but my days are always very long because of how early I get in. Today was worse than other days because I struggled with going to sleep last night. I couldn’t stop thinking about Frenzy.
“Why are you leaving alone?”
The question is barked from behind me, and I whirl around so fast that I trip over my feet. I start to fall and put my hands out in front of me hoping that I can brace myself while knowing this is going to hurt like a fucking bitch.
Before I hit the ground, two strong arms wrap around me, and it feels like electricity shoots through my body. It’s a sensation that I’ve never felt before.
My eyes snap up and meet Dean’s dark gaze. I start to pant because I’m far too close to this man and he’s far too good looking. It’s almost painful to look at him, but I also can’t seem to look away.
The way he’s touching me is gentle, but there’s a firmness to his touch that makes me want to melt into a puddle of goo at his feet. Which wouldn’t be a good look.
“Wh-what are you doing here?” I stutter through the question, the words hushed as if speaking any louder would break the spell between us.
I certainly don’t want that. Being in his arms is a sensation I could easily get used to, but I know that it would be dangerous. Not only could I become addicted, but there’s no way this sexy biker is interested in anything more than keeping me safe.
His mouth twitches as if he’s trying not to smile and just that little movement transforms his face. Without thinking about it, I reach up and run my fingertip along where his brow is furrowed together.
“Can’t let you fall, Sugar,” he rumbles, and I feel the words just as much as hear them.
Frenzy settles me back on my feet before letting go of me, but his movements are slow as if he doesn’t really want to let me go. I’m sure that’s all in my head, though. I shake my head, trying to get my thoughts and the lust I feel being this close to this sexy as fuck biker under control.
My voice sounds steadier when I ask, again, “What are you doing here?” This time, Dean does smile, and my eyes widen. “Holy shit,” I mutter under my breath.
“Like what you see, Scarlett?” There’s a tease in his voice that has me scoffing. His smile doesn’t disappear, in fact, I think that it widens. “To answer your question,” he starts, “I’m here to make sure you get home okay and to let you know what the plan is to get better security installed at the bakery.”
I blink up at him, surprise filling my voice, “You were serious about that? About security and whatever for the bakery?”
He cups my cheek, and I have to lock my knees to stop myself from melting into him. “Of course, Scarlett. I’m going to do whatever is necessary to keep you safe. You being in danger and people trying to destroy someone you clearly care so much about is unacceptable. I won’t allow that shit to continue.”
“Woah,” I breathe out.
Dean smirks at me before he starts to lead me toward my car, his hand resting on the small of my back. The contact is both not enough and too fucking much. I can feel the heat from him seeping into me.
“You’ve been here all day, Sugar. We’re going to have a long talk about that too.”
I look up at him, my eyes going big and round with surprise. I scrunch my face up, “How do you even know that?”
“I’ve been watching you all day,” he tells me like him admitting such a thing wouldn’t be creepy.
Honestly, it’s not. Warmth spreads through me at the idea that he’s been keeping a watchful eye on me. I’m aware that’s probably not a normal reaction, but maybe that’s okay.
“You’ve been watching me all day?” I glance up at Frenzy to find him already watching me. We stop next to my car, and he reaches for the keys in my hand without looking away. I barely register when he opens the door. My voice is small, “You didn’t have anything better to do than watch over me?”
“There’s not a damn thing more important than making sure you’re safe. Whoever has been doing this might wait before fucking with you again, but I wasn’t going to risk it. I got with my brother, Hacker, and we’ve put together a plan.” He nods toward the car. “Get in and I’ll follow you back to your place. I’ll fill you in on everything.”
I swallow hard because the thought of this man being in my home has chills running through me. It also has my panties getting wet. I’m so turned on, more so than I’ve ever been before.
How is it possible that this guy has this affect on me? I’ve dated, I’ve been in relationships, I’ve had sex. But there’s something about Frenzy…or Dean…that does something to me I don’t even know how to deal with.
I want him.
I want to climb him and wrap my body around him and cling to him like a koala.
I want to never let go.
I’m too stunned to argue as I slide into my car. I have a feeling that it wouldn’t do me any good to argue with him about what is about to happen anyway.
The entire time I drive toward my place, I’m very aware of the rumble of the bike behind me. I’m also very aware of the way my body is buzzing. It’s like I can still feel his touch on my back.
I desperately want to feel the echoes of his touch everywhere.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s telling the truth about keeping me safe, but I’m not sure why he wants to. My heart wants to beat out of my chest with the notion of Frenzy watching over me. Will he like what he sees? Or will he get bored with me?
I’m on the verge of being a zombie by the time I park, climb out of my car, and head toward my door. I barely register the feeling of Frenzy walking up behind me. My hand shakes slightly as I try to slide my key into the door.
A large hand wraps around mine and steadies it. I lean back against the large, solid chest of the man behind me. He doesn’t step away and he doesn’t tell me to stand on my own. He’s just there, a presence that I desperately want to rely on.
Maybe I can.
Maybe he’ll stay.
Maybe we can be more and more of my dreams will come true right before my eyes.
“I’ve got you, Sugar,” he rasps against the shell of my ear.
He takes over getting us into my place. When he picks me up, seemingly effortlessly, and I let out a squeal as I wrap my arms around his neck, and he cradles me against his chest.
“Put me down,” I insist, my voice firm.
Frenzy throws his head back and laughs, the sound so deep and rich that it reminds me of melted dark chocolate. The way he carries me, like it’s so damn easy, has me staring up at him. There’s not even a hint of strain on his face as he heads toward the couch and sits down with me on his lap.
“Frenzy,” he growls, the sound filled with displeasure, and I clear my throat, “I mean, Dean.” He grins at me like he’s won something; it’s kind of adorable. “Let me up, I’m too heavy.”
His eyes narrow dangerously and I still on his lap even though the look he’s giving me makes me want to squirm. His legs are thick underneath me, but I also feel something else that is very stiff.
My eyes widen. Is he hard for me? Really?
I’m tempted to ask, but I also don’t want him to tell me that I’m only imagining things.
“You’re not too heavy,” he insists. “You’re fucking perfect.”
I scoff and shake my head. I’m about to argue, but the heat in his eyes has me pausing. I whisper, “I’m not perfect.”
“I disagree,” he lays out there with a shrug, “but we don’t have to agree about this.”
With a sigh, I ask, “Why are you here, Dean?”
His chest puffs up like he enjoys hearing his name from me, but then he turns serious. “I’m going to make something very clear to you, Sugar.” I nod mutely, trapped in his dark gaze; I don’t think I want to ever be free again. “I knew something very important yesterday when I saw you.”
“What did you know?”
He closes the distance between us, our lips almost touching. It wouldn’t take much for us to be kissing. Do I want to kiss him?
Hell yes. Close the distance and kiss him until we both can’t breathe.
Sometimes my inner voice is a real hussy.
“I saw you and one thing became very clear to me.” He looks deep into my eyes, his voice rough and filled with sincerity. “You’re mine. You were always meant to be mine, Scarlett.”
I gasp and jerk away from him in surprise. He doesn’t let go of me; his hands hold me steady.
“I can see that I’ve surprised you,” he teases.
“You could say that,” my voice is high and tight. “You can’t be serious,” I try and deflect from what he’s just said.
He reaches up and gently pulls the band from my hair. My long curls spring into place around my head and I know it probably looks messy and unkempt. The way Frenzy is looking at me tells me that he doesn’t care. There’s a look of awe on his face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look at me the way he is right now.
Frenzy gently runs his fingers through my curls and the stiffness in my body dissipates. I melt against him and let the comfort and warmth he’s offering wrap around me.
“I’m very serious.” He chuckles under his breath and shakes his head. “Maybe the Old Ladies didn’t tell you, but the men of the DSMC fall hard and fast. When we meet the woman who is meant to be ours, we don’t second guess it. We’re also loyal as fuck.”
“You’re crazy,” I murmur.
The rumble of laughter that comes from him has me wanting to give him more reasons to laugh. It’s relaxing and at odds with the fierce don’t fuck with me vibes he gives off.
“Not crazy, determined,” he corrects me. “We aren’t just loyal,” he informs me while gripping my chin and turning my head toward him. My gaze bounces between his eyes, studying him in the hope to see the truth in his words. “We’re also territorial, possessive, and protective. We can be assholes, but that’s only because we want to make sure our women are safe and happy.”
I giggle, everything he’s telling me is not easy to believe, but, somehow, I do. “I can see the asshole part. Have they all just bulldozed into the lives of their women and not taken no for an answer?”
He smirks and winks. “Something like that.”
I make a humming sound, uncertainty about this whole thing making it hard to process what is happening right now. Before I can even figure out if I have any questions or if I’m going to argue about what he’s saying, his lips are on mine.
The kiss starts out sweet and soft, but something simultaneously clicks in both of us. Everything turns feral, his hands diving into my hair and holding me in place.
When his tongue pushes past my lips and starts to explore my mouth, I moan. Loudly. Then Frenzy is standing with me still in his arms. And we’re moving.
But the only thing I can focus on is the way his lips feel against mine.