Chapter 6
OLIVER
The Monday before Valentine’s Day feels a little like war.
There’s tempered chocolate cooling on every available surface, my prep list is a mile long, and the front case is a sappy shrine to hearts, ribbons, and red foil.
I’ve got two part-timers in the back boxing truffles, and my phone keeps buzzing with last-minute “do you have anything gluten-free?” texts.
But I’m not thinking about any of that. I’m only thinking about Jenna.
I’m thinking about the way she looked last night—hair spread over her pillow, lips swollen from kissing, eyes soft and dazed from a night full of orgasms. I made her come with my hands, tongue, and my dick. And I can’t wait to do it all over again.
I’m trying to focus as I drizzle dark chocolate over a tray of raspberry creams, but my mind’s back in her bedroom, replaying every sound, every tremble, every time she said please in that breathless voice.
I’m so lost in the memory that I don’t hear the bell when someone walks in. But as soon as I hear their voice—the matured but unforgotten voice of someone I despise more with each second I spend with Jenna—I snap out of it.
“Hey! I need to talk to whoever’s in charge here.”
Bobby. Fucking. Jones.
I set my piping bag down and wipe my hands on a towel before stepping out of the kitchen.
He’s standing in the middle of my shop like he owns the place: tall, broad, still coasting on the last fumes of his high school glory days.
He’s in a tight, team-branded T-shirt that doesn’t hide the soft beer gut starting to show.
His hair is gelled within an inch of its life, and his sunglasses are pushed up on his head like it’s the middle of summer instead of February.
He’s holding a box. I know that box. The thought makes me smirk, but I hide it.
“I’m in charge,” I announce, standing behind the front counter. “What can I do for you?”
He narrows his gaze, his eyes raking over my tattoos, my fitted black T-shirt, and the shop name printed on the left side of my chest. I’m tempted to flex my pecs since he can’t seem to take his eyes off them.
Then he sneers at me. “You the guy who made this?”
He points the box in my direction like I’ve personally insulted his bloodline.
“That’s my logo on it. Guess it’s mine,” I deadpan. “Something wrong with it?”
He flips the lid open with a snarky flourish and shoves it toward me.
The life-size chocolate dick stares up from its bed of custom tissue paper, all shiny and glossy from its ghost pepper glaze.
It’s a masterpiece, honestly. Except for the bitten off piece missing from the tip. Not surprised he’d go in headfirst.
I cross my arms over my chest with a stifled laugh.
“You think this is funny?” Bobby demands. “You think this is some kind of joke?”
“That’s exactly what it is. It’s a real gag.”
His brow furrows as my pun flies over his head. “I almost choked on this thing. I could’ve died, asshole.”
I barely refrain from rolling my eyes. “Calm down. It ain’t that serious. Just a customer sending you what you deserve.”
“Yeah. And I bet I know exactly who that customer is.” His upper lip curls into a snarl as he mutters, “Crazy bitch. If I had known she’d grow into a chubby prude, I never would’ve married her.”
My vision flashes red, and I fist my hands at my sides as heat crawls up my spine. “Call her anything but her name again, and we’re gonna have problems.”
“She’s my ex-wife and I’ll call her whatever the fuck I want.”
If this man had any brain cells left, he’d shut his mouth. Clearly, he’s taken too many hits to the head over the years to think straight.
“Her name is Jenna.”
He looks me up and down, sizing me up. “You know her?”
“Yeah, you could say that.” I can’t help the smirk that appears on my face. “Matter of fact, I’ve gotten to know her damn well lately.”
He straightens his stance when he finally catches my meaning. Then he leans in my direction as he studies my face. “Wait a minute. I know you,” he says slowly. “You’re that weird kid with the sketchbook. Ain’t you mute or something?”
My face scrunches with disbelief. “What the fuck?”
“I never heard you say two words until now. Just always lurking around. Being all weird and shit.”
Now I do roll my eyes, annoyed with this idiot’s lack of vocabulary. “Just because I didn’t have anything to say to you, doesn’t mean I was mute, jackass.”
“Well. Whatever,” he huffs. “You were nobody then, and you’re nobody now.”
With an exaggerated frown, I rest my hand over my heart. “Your words cut me real deep.”
He glares at me as my patience runs out.
“If that’s all you want, get out. I got a lot of orders to fill.”
“That’s not all I want. That bitch had this sent to my work,” he gripes. “Everybody saw it. My boss. My team. The girls in HR. You know how that makes me look?”
“Like the dick that you are?” I offer, and his face reddens.
“You got a big fucking mouth for a guy who used to eat lunch in the art room so he wouldn’t get his ass kicked.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve also got about sixty pounds of solid muscle on the kid you remember from high school, Bobby. And I don’t have time for your bullshit. So unless you’re here to buy something, get the fuck out.”
“Or what?” he scoffs.
Before I can respond, the bell over the door jingles again, and a familiar voice fills the small space.
“Hey, you. I brought—”
Jenna stops dead when she sees him. The cardboard drink carrier in her hand tilts, the two iced coffees sloshing dangerously. Her other hand tightens around the strap of her bag. For a second, she goes pale. Then the color rushes back to her cheeks, furious and hot.
“Why are you here?” Disgust drips from her tone. As she sets the beverages on the counter, she sees the confectionary box and puts two and two together. “Oh. I see you got your gift. Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart.” She feigns a saccharine-sweet smile.
“Your name wasn’t on it, but I knew it was you who sent this garbage.”
“Well, it made it to the right trash can, so I guess it all worked out.”
Bobby’s shoulders tense as he clenches his jaw. “That’s rich, you calling me trash. At least I traded up with someone younger and prettier.”
That’s it. I’ve heard enough from this loser. “You didn’t trade. You lost. Now, you’re just a pathetic, grown-ass man who’s so threatened by his ex’s happiness that he storms into a chocolate shop waving dick-shaped candy like a toddler having a tantrum.”
Jenna muffles her giggle behind her hand.
“You think you’re funny, huh?” He puffs his chest like a boozy, arrogant peacock.
“I think I’m honest,” I reply. “You had your chance with her. Ten years of chances. You used her, lied to her, disrespected her, and expected her to stay quiet and grateful. That’s over now.”
He shifts his attention back to Jenna, ignoring me. “You’re crazy if you think this guy is better than me.”
She cooly crosses her arms over her chest and juts out her hip. “Oh, I know he is. The number of orgasms he gave me last night is enough to prove it. Especially when you…” She jabs a finger at him. “…could never give me one.”
Fuck, I love seeing her confident like this.
“You lyin’ whore.”
The words are barely out of his mouth before I jump the counter and get in his face.
“I told you to watch how you talk about her,” I warn.
“You were lucky she stayed with you past your expiration date.” At my full height, I tower over Bobby, and it’s obvious he hasn’t seen a gym in years.
But he’s too dumb to back down. “You never deserved her.”
“And who does?” he sneers. “You?”
He takes a step forward, the top of his head just reaching my chin. Stupidity makes him brave. Too bad it’s also about to get his ass beat. From the corner of my eye, I see Jenna shifting her weight with a furrowed brow. I don’t like seeing her upset, and it tempers my anger, if only marginally.
“Bobby…” She releases a loud exhale. “Just go. You’ve done enough. The least you can do is let me be happy for once.”
He ignores her, his focus narrowing on me. “You want me to walk away? You think you’re tough now without your braces and glasses?”
He looks away with a mocking laugh, but I see it coming from a mile away. Every tell telegraphed in the bunching of his shoulders, the shift of his weight, the change in his expression. He cocks his arm back in the most obvious windup I’ve ever seen. I’d laugh if it weren’t so pitiful.
He lobs a sloppy punch at me that I easily side-step, letting his fist cut through empty air. Then I tag him with a clean right hook to the jaw.
Just one hit.
That’s all it takes and he goes down like a sack of flour, hitting the polished floor with a solid thud.
Jenna gasps. “Is he… is he unconscious?” Her shocked gaze volleys between me and the sorry excuse for a man on the floor.
We both snap our heads toward the front entrance when the bell over the door dings loudly for a third time.
“Jesus Christ on a bicycle. This wasn’t the treat I had in mind when I decided last minute to come in here.” A tall, broad-shouldered uniformed officer steps inside with a shit-eating grin on his face. His gaze sweeps the room, then lands on a knocked-out Bobby before he lets out a quiet whistle.
Recognition and relief relax Jenna’s pretty face. “Jace! Perfect timing.” She steps around her ex-husband’s body and gives the cop a quick hug.
“Hey, Jenna,” he replies, looking her over like he’s checking for injuries. “You good?”
“I’m fine. I’m being well taken care of.
” She glances at me with a reverent smile.
“Oliver, this is Officer Jace Stevens. I worked with him and his wife, Mia, on their insurance claim last year. It was a nasty accident on I-75 involving a jack-knifed semi-truck. They were my favorite clients to work with.” Jenna moves closer to me and gestures in my direction.
“Jace, this is Oliver Jacobson. He grew up here too. You remember the Jacobsons, right?”
“The name sounds familiar.” Jace gives me a polite nod, then looks down at Bobby, who’s starting to come to with a groan. He nudges Jenna with his elbow. “This your handiwork?”
She giggles as we exchange a look. “I didn’t want to hurt my hand so I let this guy handle it for me.”
For a moment, I worry I might be getting arrested until I see Jace hold back a grin. “He came in here talking trash. Got in my face and tried to pick a fight,” I explain.
“Now why would he do that?” Jace folds his arms over his chest and widens his stance, but his tone remains relaxed and unbothered.
I answer him truthfully. “Because he fumbled the most beautiful girl in Maple Ridge and now she’s mine. Simple as that.”
The corners of Jenna’s mouth turn up as she blushes by my side.
Jace nods knowingly. “Makes sense to me.”
“I swear, he took a swing at Oliver first. He was just defending himself. And me,” she adds.
The officer doesn’t even pretend to be surprised. He just turns the full weight of his unimpressed-cop stare toward the man finally getting up off the floor.
“They’re both fucking liars, man. He got lucky with a cheap shot.”
“Bobby Jones,” Jace tsks, shaking his head. “Don’t forget I grew up here too. I know your brother and your mama and your whole damn family. You’ve been a pain in the ass for years. Guess it finally caught up with you.”
“Oh, c’mon, Jace. You can’t believe—”
He raises his palm and cuts off Bobby’s words. “And I heard why Jenna divorced your sorry ass. No one likes a cheater. You were lucky to get her when you did.”
“This asshole attacked me for no reason!”
“Yeah… I call bullshit on that one.“ Jace snorts. “Go home, Bobby. And try not to get your ass kicked again on the way.”
Bobby glares at all of us before storming out. Jenna fights to bite back a laugh.
Officer Stevens addresses me with a more serious tone now. “Look, man. Welcome back to Maple Ridge and all, but try not to knock out any more washed-up jocks. I hate doing paperwork.” He claps a firm hand onto my shoulder, then shoots Jenna a wink.
I’m secure in my masculinity and not ashamed to admit he’s a good-looking guy. I remember now why he seemed so familiar, and it’s because half the women in town—single and married—have crushed on him for years. It’s a good thing he’s married or I might have to worry about him taking my girl.
“Alright, now that the excitement’s gone, I actually did have a reason for stopping in here. I need something sweet to add to my wife’s Valentine’s gift.”
“I’ve got just what you need.” I kiss Jenna’s forehead before walking behind the counter. “I was finishing the final touches on this before fight night broke out.”
Jace quirks an eyebrow at me, and I grin.
“Here. Two dozen of my most decadent truffles. Each one is an expert pairing of European chocolate and unique flavors like blush champagne, balsamic creme, earl grey, and roasted habaneros.”
“Wow, Mia’s gonna love these. Thanks, man.”
“It’s the least I can do. For your… professional courtesy.” I tie the silk ribbon in a loopy bow, securing the box. Then walk to the other side of the counter and hand the treats to Jace.
“Happy Valentine’s, guys.” He gives a small wave before heading to the door.
I tug Jenna into my side and she wraps her arms tightly around my waist as she says goodbye to Officer Stevens. “Happy Valentine’s! Tell Mia I said hello!”
Finally, it’s just the two of us.
Jenna cranes her neck as she looks up at me with an adorable, dopey grin. “I’ve never had a guy fight for me before.”
I shift her to stand in front of me, selfishly wanting to feel her curvy body against mine. “That’s ?cause you’ve been with the wrong guy.”
“Guess I’m with the right one now… Daddy.” A mischievous grin slowly spreads across her face.
“Careful, Princess. Or Daddy will have to show you the error of your ways.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad to me.”
“No?” I tuck a wispy tendril of hair behind her ear. “We’ll see what you think when I cover your sinful body in chocolate and lick every inch of you clean.”
“Um… still waiting to hear the downside.” Her brows knit together as she tilts her head.
“Oh, did I forget to mention you can’t come?”
She gasps and her eyes widen.
I take her hand and lead her to the kitchen. “C’mon. You can remind me how good you taste.”