21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Nellie
“ A re you still open?” The man slipped through the door, ringing the bell before I could pull the string to turn off the open sign. “It’s my wife’s birthday, and she’s going to be so upset if I don’t bring her dessert.” He put his hands up like he was praying, and I sighed.
I looked at the already-empty cabinet and shook my head. “I’m sorry, but we’re closed.”
He clenched his jaw, locking his fingers together. “Please, lady. I’m begging you.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help you.” I half-shrugged, looking at the door he held open in silent hope he would let himself out quickly. Instead, his face grew red, and his jaw rippled when he started to grind his teeth together. “I wish I could, but…”
“Don’t be such a stuck-up bitch.” His voice was instantly cold, and I took a reeling step backward. The gentleman who had walked in was suddenly replaced by the harsh, rude man in front of me.
I took a deep breath to stop myself from shaking, and I straightened my back. “I told you, I can’t help you. I’m sold out. There’s nothing for me to sell you.” I pointed to the cabinets behind me, and his face only got redder.
“Fine,” he snarled, opening the still-open door even wider. “Last time I come into this shitty little bakery.” The door slammed behind him, causing the bell to jump and the windows to shake. Joke’s on you. We aren’t going to be here for you to come back to.
I hurried toward the door, turning the deadbolt and making sure the bright neon sign that welcomed people in was turned off. When I was sure he wasn’t going to come back out of the shadows covering the sidewalk and demand desserts I didn’t have, I turned around.
“What an asshole,” I muttered, walking into the back of the kitchen. I reached into the sink, grabbing a mixing bowl and turning on the water. “All of that over a couple cupcakes?”
I thought I heard a door close, and the hairs on my arm stood on end. I stopped scrubbing dried frosting from the metal bowl and froze. My mind flashed with images of the man’s angry face, but I locked the door. I knew I had. You’re being ridiculous.
Shaking my head, I returned to the dishes. When I heard footsteps, my heartbeat echoed against my eardrums. I took a deep breath, trying to convince myself it was all in my head. I chuckled. It didn’t make the consistent thud of somebody’s steps disappear, and I looked over my shoulder. The kitchen was empty.
I set the clean bowl on the drying rack, reaching in for a wooden spatula. I gripped the spatula harder when the footsteps I had convinced myself weren’t real got louder. When large hands closed firmly on my hips, I shrieked and spun around. My heart lunged for my throat, and the room around me went black. I gripped the wooden handle until my knuckles turned white and pulled my arm back, ready to swing and wishing I was prepared with more than a spoon. What was that going to do?
The surprise visitor grabbed my wrist in the air and squeezed. I recognized the familiar scent of vetiver and warmth before my blurry vision cleared enough to see his face. He tugged me to him, and my chest crashed into the hard muscles of his core. I gasped. “Nellie,” he said calmly.
“What the hell, Ronan?” I shrieked when the relief that flooded me was replaced with sudden irritation. “You scared me!”
“What would you have done if it wasn’t me?” Ronan looked amused, causing me to roll my bottom lip out in a pout.
I scrunched my nose, looking up at him. “What?”
Ronan chuckled, running his finger down my shoulder to my hand and taking the wooden spoon from me. “I said, what would you have done if it wasn’t me? Stir him to death?” He waved the spoon in the air before he set it back in the sink.
“I would’ve fought him.” I shrugged, lifting my arm and flexing. He lifted his brow.
“I overpowered you in a single move. What if they did too?” His voice was low and controlled, and he looked at me like he was equally concerned and thought my attempt was adorable. Why was he doubting me?
I shrugged, realizing he wasn’t wrong. What would I have done? “I don’t know.”
“Do you see why I want to protect you?” He brushed my hair behind my ear, and the gentle contrast between that and the intensity of his stare made me shiver. I blinked back surprise tears that lined my bottom eyelid.
“Because you think I’m weak.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. He hooked my chin between his finger and thumb, forcing my stare to meet his. “Not at all,” he said calmly. “I’ve never met a woman as strong as you, but these men are stronger. And they’re bad. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
Butterflies in my stomach danced against my ribcage, and when I swallowed, they didn’t calm. “Why?” I asked. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.
“Because you’re in my life again. Whatever that means, I’m not letting you go now.” I gasped, inhaling his exhale before his lips met mine. Ronan curled his hand around the back of my neck, framing the side of my face with his thumb and weaving his fingers in my messier-than-normal hair. “I was never going to be able to resist you.”
My body warmed, starting in my core and working its way down, and when he ran his tongue along my bottom lip, my toes curled. I whimpered, snaking my arms around Ronan to deepen the kiss. My chest heaved beneath quick, shallow breaths, and my heart skipped a beat.
Ronan trailed his lips from mine along my jawline to the sensitive patch of skin behind my ear. His tongue was warm, and when I shivered, goosebumps decorated my skin. When he turned me between him and the sink, I didn’t resist. Instead, I leaned back against him, reveling in the feeling of his breath on my neck.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, about your lips or how you feel in my hands.” His voice was raspy and muffled against my skin. When he bit into the soft flesh, my quiet whimper turned to a shriek, and my knees buckled.
He drew his hands from my hips to my breasts, cupping them, and it was like the room started to spin. I was swept up in a whirlwind of arousal and growing need mixed with resistance. My nipples hardened against the fabric of my bra when he squeezed, and when he chuckled quietly, I knew he could feel the hard peaks through the padding and lace.
“I’d say I’m not the only one.” He swirled his fingertips over my nipples before he grabbed the hem of my shirt. The air felt cold on my exposed skin when he lifted it, pulling it over my head and dropping it to the ground.
My breath shook. “I can’t stop thinking about you either.” I didn’t want to think about him, and I didn’t want my entire body to react to the simplicity of his touch the way it was.
Ronan’s lips found their way back to my neck while his fingers unclasped the hooks on the back of my bra. When it dropped to the bakery floor, I felt exposed. I was standing in front of Ronan Moretti with my hard nipples pinched between his fingers. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
His hands were firm when they followed the curve of my side to my waistband, and I didn’t stop him when he unfastened the button. I held my breath while the sound of the zipper dropping filled the too-quiet bakery before Ronan was sliding the denim over my hips.
I knew I should stop him. There was a time and place to be naked in front of your brother’s best friend, and I wasn’t sure that the time was now. Or ever.
I gasped when the tips of his fingers separated my lips and the cool air brushed over my sensitive clit. The nervous butterflies fighting for my throat changed direction and rushed down, settling between my legs. I started to press my thighs together, stopping when Ronan put his feet between mine, forcing them further apart. I whimpered in anticipation.
“Is this okay?” Ronan asked, brushing his fingertips over my pussy and circling my hardening clit.
I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered, spreading my legs further and grabbing hold of the side of the sink.
Ronan growled against my neck, continuing to make soft circles around my clit. I leaned back against him before I could lose my balance. “Good,” he groaned. “Because I’m dying to feel you tremble.”
“Ronan,” I whined, pressing my ass against the bulge growing behind his zipper. He ignored it, sliding his fingers further between my legs and slipping one into my pussy. When he curled his finger, pressing against my G-spot, I hunched forward.
“You’re so wet already, sugar.” He added a second finger, and the wet sound of him stretching me accompanied my heavy breathing. “Is this all for me?”
I nodded, thrusting my hips forward when he moved his hand, continuing to circle my clit with his thumb. “Oh God, yes.” It was true. The more his hands moved, the more aroused I got until it felt like it overwhelmed me. I dropped my head back against his shoulder, deeply inhaling his scent and moaning. His cock twitched against my ass.
“I knew you were sweet on me,” he said with a chuckle, and I groaned. He slowly pumped his fingers in and out. “I’m dying to find out just how much.”
My mouth dried out when he pulled his fingers from between my legs and brought them to his lips. I could smell myself mixed with his scent, and my pussy clenched. When Ronan put his fingers in his mouth and sucked, I whimpered, and he smirked as he put his hand back between my legs.
“You are sweet,” Ronan said, hooking his fingers in my pussy and massaging my G-spot again. My legs shook, and I grew desperate. When was the last time I had come with someone who wasn’t battery powered? I flushed when I couldn’t, and the warmth in my cheeks traveled into my chest. “Do you know how sweet you are?”
I nodded then shook my head before nodding again. I leaned my head back against his shoulder and cried out.
“You taste even better when you’re so desperate to come for me.” He was methodical with his movements, slowly circling my clit and thrusting his fingers into me. Every time I got close and the warmth in my core started to tingle, he’d slow down. I sighed. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
“What?” I whimpered, rocking my hips with his movements in an eager plea for more.
“You want to come. You want me to turn you into a shaking, wet little mess. Don’t you?” he asked, and I zoned in on the sound of his hand and my wet arousal. I nodded eagerly, panting. “You have to say it, Nellie.”
“Please,” I whined in a high-pitched voice.
“Not good enough.” He slowed down, and my eyes widened. “Tell me you want to come.”
“Ronan, I’m so close.” My voice cracked. Ronan shook his head, clicking his tongue as he pulled his fingers from me. “No!” I gasped. “Don’t stop. Please.”
I pressed my ass back against him, trying to chase the orgasm that was quickly slipping away. “I want to hear you say it.”
“I need you to make me come,” I burst. “I need it so badly, Ronan, please!”
My knees locked when he returned his fingers to my clit. “Just like that. I love hearing how desperate I can make you.” I quickly reached the edge when he resumed pumping his fingers into me. “Now, come for me. Let me feel you running down my hand.”
When he bit down on my shoulder, the tension that was building in my core snapped. My body erupted in waves of pleasure that made my skin buzz with sensitivity. Ronan continued to pet me through each wave, and when I stopped shaking, he pulled his glistening fingers from between my thighs.
“Open your mouth,” he said, holding his fingers up in front of our faces. I listened to him, parting my lips and welcoming them. He ran them along my lips before sliding the digits over my tongue. I closed my mouth and sucked, tasting the semi-sweet, tangy flavor of my release. We hummed together, and I felt his cock getting harder against my ass. “Do you trust me now?” he asked, pulling his fingers from my mouth with a quiet pop.
My breathing was uneven, and I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “I want to.”
“Tell me why you don’t.” His hands were firm when he ran them down my sides. Even as my pussy clenched and my core warmed, my nerves returned. I shrugged.
“I don’t know,” I whispered.
Ronan pulled me flush against him until I could feel his heartbeat. “That’s not a good enough answer.” His voice sounded different—less full of lust and not nearly as stern as normal. He sounded almost gentle.
I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t actually know you.”
“Yes, you do.” Was he trying to convince himself or me?
I shook my head, preparing myself to take a step away from him. He tightened his hold on my hips. “No, I don’t. I don’t know anything about you, Ronan.” I swallowed.
“You know my family, where I’m from, and apparently that I like cupcakes more than I’ll ever admit to anyone else. You know I fucked up my knee falling out of a tree when I was younger and said I wrecked it on a bike. You were watching while it happened.” He chuckled, and the butterflies in my stomach raced to my throat. “And you know I’ll protect you at all costs.” The look in his dark brown eyes was serious—a look I couldn’t disagree with. I nodded.
Ronan turned me in his arms. “So trust me,” he said. I nodded again. “Say it.”
“What?” I asked, swallowing.
He cupped my cheek with his hand, and my attention went to the warmth in my cheek. “Say you know I’ll take care of you.” Ronan took a deep breath that I felt in my chest. “Say you trust me.”
“I trust you,” I whispered, closing the miniscule gap between us.
He used his other hand to frame my face, and he leaned closer. “Say it louder.”
“I trust you,” I said more clearly, earning a small smile.
Ronan pressed his lips lightly to mine. “Louder,” he demanded.
“I trust you!” My voice bounced off the bakery walls and rang in my ears.
He grinned. “That’s my girl.” Then, he kissed me, lifting me onto the counter and positioning himself between my legs. When he kissed me, I tasted his words. That’s my girl.
When he pulled back, I put my hands on his chest. “You know what we need?” I asked, sliding off the counter without waiting for his answer. He watched me with a single brow lifted, seemingly more confused when I walked into the walk-in cooler and returned with two unfrosted cupcakes and a large tub of frosting.
“You just came all over my hand, and you’re thinking about cupcakes?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and biting back a smile that creased the corners of his eyes anyways.
“I was hungry! Plus, it’s always the right time for cupcakes.” I jumped back onto the counter and scooped frosting onto my finger and put it to his lips, moaning when he sucked it into his mouth. He licked it clean, wiggling his brow at me.
“Mm,” he groaned. “You’re right. It’s always a good time for something sweet.” He winked, and my pussy fluttered.
Ronan took the other cupcake, scooping frosting onto his finger and smearing it over the cake. I laughed, throwing my head back and mirroring him. When he bit into the cupcake, my stomach flipped. Why did I suddenly want to feel his mouth on me so bad, as if he hadn’t spent the last twenty minutes putting his mouth and hands all over me?
“Can I ask you something?” I asked around another bite of cupcake.
He leaned against the counter, looking at me from the corner of his eye while he dipped into the frosting. “Go for it, sugar.”
“Why did you get so mad about the guy in the bakery?” I asked, and Ronan stiffened. “He was just buying cupcakes.”
Ronan sighed loudly. “I can’t tell you, Nellie.” The playfulness in his voice was gone, and even though his breath smelled like vanilla, the tone was serious. He sounded cold, and I shivered.
“Seriously?” My heart started to pound, and the butterflies in my stomach were replaced with annoyed nausea. “You don’t trust me ? How about that for irony.” I rolled my eyes, and Ronan grabbed my jaw, forcing my stare to meet his.
“It has nothing to do with trusting you,” he said, putting space between each word to emphasize his point.
“It has everything to do with it!” I put the lid back on the frosting and jumped off the counter, gathering my clothes. “You expect me to trust you, but you don’t even trust me enough to tell me why I’m supposedly in danger. I think you should go.” I ignored the objection that came from between my legs when I pulled my shirt back over my head, grabbing the frosting and moving back toward the walk-in.
Ronan groaned. “Nellie, you’re being unreasonable.”
“No,” I snapped, spinning around and hugging the frosting to me. “Trust goes both ways, Ronan. If you can’t trust me, why should I trust you? Maybe this was a mistake.” I looked at the sink still full of dishes and my pussy clenched, even while frustration swirled in me.
“It wasn’t a mistake,” he said. “I just need you to trust me. I promise I’m doing what’s best for you.” He didn’t press me while I found my jeans and pulled them over my hips, and the closer he got to the back door, the heavier my stomach felt.
I swore, I could still smell him even as the back door latched behind him. This was unreal. I leaned against the wall and sighed. When I heard the door open again, I stood up straight. “I told you this was a mistake—”
“Did I just see Ronan leaving?” Ava asked, turning the corner and interrupting me. I released a sigh of relief, throwing open the walk-in door and putting the frosting back. She looked at me, giving me a slow once over like she was taking inventory of every piece of evidence that told her what she wanted to hear.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said. I tried to ignore the images of his arms around me the closer I got to the sink. My best friend’s footsteps taunted me while she followed me, letting me know she wasn’t going to let it go.
“Oh my God! I did!” She skipped ahead, racing me to the sink and leaning against it anxiously. “What was he doing here?”
I shrugged, hoping I looked nonchalant even though I could feel my cheeks warming again. “Checking on me, I guess. Something about not liking that guy who was in here the other day.” I rolled my eyes, frustrated again that he wouldn’t tell me why he hated him so much. The man had seemed perfectly nice. A little odd, maybe, but not dangerous. Why was he overreacting?
“He’s kind of intense,” Ava said, looking around, as if to make sure he wasn’t still there. “What does he do for a living again?”
I scrunched my nose, trying to remember what I had read online. “He owns a chain of fancy pizza shops.” Then, I laughed. I felt ridiculous.
“Are you sure about that?” When I looked at Ava, she wasn’t laughing. She pursed her lips the same way she did when she was trying to solve the crossword puzzles she did in the mornings or on slow afternoons.
I nodded. “Yeah, I think so.” Didn’t he?
Trust me.