Chapter 11
SERENA
Istand in my living room, staring at my phone and wondering if I’m about to make a monumental mistake. It’s been a week since we almost kissed in the kitchen, and each day that I’ve seen him since has been laced with more sexual tension.
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him outside of the pecan side of things.
He’s funny, and intelligent, and has a huge heart that is full of love for his daughters.
They are the reason why he is so determined to make this new business venture a success.
As if he wasn’t already hot enough, that elevated him to another level.
My feet take me back and forth as I practically wear a hole in the tile.
Me: Hi Burke. Are you free tonight? I was hoping I could talk with you about some business stuff.
I continue to walk back and forth, nervously cracking my knuckles and chewing on my cheek.
Two minutes tick by, then five, then ten and he still hasn’t replied.
Who do I know that can hack his phone real quick and erase that text?
Actually, can someone come erase his memory instead? That would be better.
While I’m contemplating moving to a desolate mountain top, my phone dings with an incoming text.
Burke: Hello Ms. Leòn. The only plans I have for tonight is eating a bowl of cereal for dinner in my pajamas. But I guess I can rearrange some things.
I gulp loudly thinking of Burke in lounge pants and nothing else. Does he have chest hair? Tattoos? Are his abs ripped, or does he have a soft dad-bod? Honestly, I wouldn’t matter. He’s reached a level of silver fox hotness that outweighs anything else.
Me: Please don’t change your plans on account of me. That sounds like a pretty wild night.
Burke: Oh trust me, Ms. León. You are worth changing plans for. Send me the details and I’ll be wherever you want, whenever.
I fan myself off and blow out a puff of air.
Having Burke Steele wherever, whenever I want is quite the fantasy.
Maybe one that will come true. But before I let myself get too far ahead in thinking about Burke laying in a tub of peach ice cream where I lick him clean and go in search of his pecans, I respond.
Me: My place? Around six? I’ll cook.
Burke: I won’t say no to a pretty lady cooking for me. I’ll be there. What can I bring?
Me: Got any ice cream or cranberry pecan bars?
Burke: I got you covered. See you a little later.
I finally sigh with relief. The hard part is over. I asked and now I just need to figure out what I’m going to make, go to the grocery store, get myself ready, and have my place looking perfect before he gets here. It’s okay because I have…
“Shit!” I look at the time on my phone and see that it’s already one p.m.
Time to get cracking.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had enchiladas that good. Thank you, Serena.” Burke stands up and grabs his plate before taking mine.
“Oh I got it,” I tell him but he gives me a look that only a father can.
“You so graciously cooked for me. The least I can do is help clean up.” I open my mouth with a reply but he shuts me down. “I don’t want to hear anything about me being your guest. I think we’re beyond host and guest.”
I smile and concede, letting him take the plates. My eyes follow his steps, trailing up his body and stopping to admire the way his jeans hug his ass. I scoop up the dish with the remaining enchiladas and join him in the kitchen.
“Why don’t I pack these for you to take home. You can share them with the girls,” I tell him and he throws me a look over his shoulder. “Or not share and keep them for yourself.”
Setting the dish down, I bend over a cabinet to grab some Tupperware and when I right myself, I find Burke staring at me.
The water in the sink is running and the dishes hang in mid air as he holds them, but his eyes are stuck solely on me.
When our eyes connect, he quickly sets the dishes down and turns off the water.
“We didn’t get to talk much over dinner, but what is the business stuff you wanted to talk about?” Burke folds his arms over his chest and leans against the counter.
I fill the tupperware with the remaining food and pop the lid on.
“Well, I was thinking,” I stick the container in the fridge and point at the door.
“Don’t forget those.” He nods and I continue.
“From how well your ice cream has done, and how delicious your chunky pecan and cranberry bar is, you’re going to be busier than you probably expected. ”
He looks more intensely at me as I forge ahead. “The part time kitchen space isn’t going to work for much longer, and I assume that you’ll need more help to fill your orders. So I thought–”
“You thought I would just roll over and sell you my business now that you’ve buttered me up? Wow. I wasn’t expecting this from you Serena, but I guess I really should have given your father’s insistent track record.” He throws his hands up and begins walking away.
I reach out and grab hold of his arm and stop him.
“Will you just wait a minute you stubborn bull, and let me explain. That is not what I was planning to say. Geez.” I release his arm and walk over to a cabinet, taking out two bowls and grabbing a couple spoons.
“I was not going to propose buying your company.”
“I apologize. Please finish. I promise not to interrupt again.” He sees what my intentions are with the bowls and spoons and digs into my freezer to retrieve the ice cream that he brought.
Like we’ve done a few times in the test kitchen, we begin working together as if it’s something we’ve been doing for years. He pops open the container, I hand him an ice cream scoop, and we serve two bowls.
“What I was going to say is would you be interested in using the kitchen throughout the weekend? I have a couple of employees who are great in the kitchen and would love to help you. We’ll pay them and you’ll have no time limits since we’re closed.”
He holds the scoop in his hand, just hovering above the container, and stares at me long past when my words have ended. I keep waiting for him to react in anger, always assuming I’m out to get him, but right now I’d take that over nothing at all.
I touch my face, wondering if something hideous is hanging off of it, that could explain why he’s silent and unmoving. I’m so close to lifting up my arm and smelling my pit in case I have a stench wafting off of me that has rendered him unconscious, when he finally speaks.
“Why would you do that? Are you after something?”
I take the scooper from his hand and roll it through the soft ice cream like a hot knife rolling through butter.
“I’m not after anything, Burke. I think we’ve moved past hating one another.
Dare I say we’re even friends. I genuinely want to see your company succeed, and this dessert line is definitely what will take you all to the next level.
This is me offering help in whatever way that I can that doesn’t consist of writing you a fat check.
Consider it continuing my father’s legacy of giving back to our family and friends. ”
I plop the last scoop of ice cream into my bowl and slide my finger into my mouth, licking the drippings that trail down my hand. My finger comes away with a pop and I see Burke’s pupils burst.
“I,” he starts, his voice slightly hoarse. “I appreciate that. It is a very kind offer but I don’t feel right not paying you something. It feels too much like a handout and I’ve never been one for accepting those.”
“I figured as much.” He’s honest and proud and I get why he would be hesitant to accept my offer. “Why don’t you think about it some. Talk it over with Aster and we can always amend our terms if it makes you feel better to pay for the space. I’m sure we can figure it out.”
Burke drops a spoon into each of our bowls and picks them both up while I stick the gallon back into the freezer. “I know what Aster would say, but I would like some time to think about all you’ve proposed.”
I dip my chin and fall in step behind him. “It’s kind of nice out. Want to sit outside by the fireplace and finish these?” I ask.
“As long as you aren’t too cold. I know how you ladies can be. Always walking around with giant blankets and thick hoodies. I’ve got a million of each around my house for the girls.” I smile at him and push open the large door that leads onto my patio.
“Normally I’m pretty hot blooded, but I’ll grab a blanket just in case the fire isn’t enough.” Burke walks out and I dip down and grab a blanket from the basket by the door.
He sits on the outdoor couch and I turn on the fireplace that comes to life with a whoosh. I take a seat next to him and drape the blanket over my lap before taking my bowl from him and immediately digging in.
“I can’t believe how warm it is. Here we are only three weeks out from Christmas and we’re still able to sit outside and eat ice cream.” He scoops a helping onto his spoon and wraps his lips around it.
My body starts to heat up and while I’d like to think it’s because of the fire and blanket, I know it’s all Burke.
“Yeah. I, uh,” I shake my head with a blink of my eyes and look down at my bowl. “I guess that’s good for our crops. Should be plentiful.”
I eat my ice cream without looking at him. I can’t. All I see when I watch his mouth and tongue is how I’d like for him to treat me the way he does that spoon. Wrapping his tongue around it and licking clean until it shines.
Images of him with his head between my legs while I dig my fingers into his thick hair begin to play on repeat.
I squirm, squeezing my thighs to ease the ache that is building, and inhale my ice cream so fast that I end up with a brain freeze.
I close my eyes and press the palm of my hand to my forehead, trying to ease the pain.
I set the bowl down on the side table and tuck myself under the blanket.