Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
CHLOE
“How’s the book coming along?”
With my phone sandwiched between my shoulder and ear, I worked on putting the final touches on my coconut cake.
I’d had a particularly busy morning at the cake shop, but it was just before lunchtime, and things had slowed a bit. So, I took advantage of the lull and decided to work on a cake while I called my sister. I had news I wanted to share with her, and I didn’t want to wait any longer to do it.
“It’s coming along nicely now,” she shared. “Ever since you gave me those ideas, all the other specifics fell into place for the whole story. I’ve been writing like a maniac for weeks now.”
“Are you willing to share one crucial detail about it with me?”
“Like, one detail of my choosing, or are you looking for something in particular?” Mia countered. “You know I don’t like spoiling the stories for you.”
I finished frosting the cake and went in search of my shredded coconut flakes. “Well, it’s a romance novel, which means there are certain things that are expected. So, I would guess that what I’m seeking isn’t going to be a spoiler.”
“Alright. What do you want to know?”
Snatching up the shredded coconut, I carried it back to the perfectly baked and frosted cake. “When do they do the deed?”
“What?”
“How soon after the couple gets together does the fun stuff happen?” I scooped out a handful of coconut and applied it to the top of the cake. “Or does it take any time at all? Do they immediately hop into bed with one another?”
“No, it’s a slow bur—” My sister stopped speaking, waited a few beats, and asked, “Why do you want to know?”
I bit my lip as visions of Hawk danced in my mind. More specifically, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he kissed me and how it felt to have his hands roaming over my body.
“Well, do you remember me mentioning at Archer’s party how I did what you suggested and found ways to be in Hawk’s space?”
“Yes. You said you thought it was working until you tried to take things a step further and learned he wasn’t interested in you like that.”
I’d moved on to adding coconut to the sides of the cake. And as I did, I winced at the memory of what happened that afternoon I’d asked Hawk to have lunch with me. Needing to cut to the chase before someone came in needing to purchase or order a cake, I shared, “He lied.”
“What?”
Unwilling to worry her unnecessarily, I decided against telling my sister how some guy had attacked me outside the cake shop.
“Well, a few things happened, then I got a clearer picture of where his head was, and I was convinced there was absolutely no chance. Then my new furniture got delivered. Long story short, he admitted he’d not been entirely truthful when he said he had no interest in me. ”
“And?” With just a single word, Mia’s tone indicated she was hanging on by a thread, desperate for the juicy details.
My lips twitched. “We kissed.”
“Oooh, I love this. Tell me more. What happened? Is he a good kisser?”
The effort it took not to moan in my sister’s ear at the thought of how great Hawk was at kissing was tremendous.
“The best kiss of my life,” I sighed. “It’s great. He’s wonderful. But I feel like I’m going to lose my mind soon.”
“Why? Oh, this is why you asked about my characters.”
I released a frustrated groan. “Mia, the attraction I feel to this man is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. But he wants to take things slow.”
I could hear the smile in her voice when she replied, “Aw, I think it’s sweet. He’s being romantic.”
“Mmm, not really.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I think he’s incredibly charming. It’s just that… Well, he wants to take things slow because he wants me to be sure about him.”
Silence came through the line. Finally, Mia said, “That sounds like a good thing. I’m failing to see the problem.”
“There’s not necessarily a problem. But the things I want to do to this man, Mia. The things I want him to do to me.” I squeezed my eyes shut, imagining just how good it would be. “I’m not sure how much longer I can wait.”
“I want to meet him.”
“What?”
“When can I meet him?”
Hawk had some crazy idea in his head that with enough time of getting to know him, I’d suddenly no longer be interested. If he felt that way now, he must’ve believed we wouldn’t go the distance. And if that was the case, what were the chances he’d ever consider agreeing to meet my family?
“I’d love for you to meet him, but I need to talk to him. He’s not very comfortable around people he doesn’t know, so I don’t want to push him. Plus, until he’s feeling surer about us, I’m not sure it’d make much sense to get both Dad and Kingston worked up.”
Mia groaned. “Fine. I guess that makes sense. But it better happen soon.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promised. “Now, tell me exactly how long it takes for these characters to get busy.”
My sister laughed before she gave me the scoop on her book. While she didn’t give me any major spoilers, there was enough to satisfy my curiosity. And by the time she finished, I’d gotten done with my cake.
No sooner had we said goodbye, the door to my shop opened.
Glancing over my shoulder, I was surprised to see Hawk striding in. Just one look at him sent a shiver running along my spine. I turned fully to face him with a smile on my face. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
“What’s going on? I didn’t expect to see you here this afternoon.”
Hawk came to a stop on the opposite side of the counter and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I wanted to see you.”
Oh, my heart.
Without saying another word, I dropped what was in my hands, walked to the opposite end of the display case, and came out from behind the counter. Then I moved back toward the front of the store in Hawk’s direction.
He turned toward me as I made my final approach and pulled his hands out of his pockets when I reached out to slide my arms around his waist. I pressed my body to Hawk’s, relishing the feel of his arms around me, and tipped my chin up to look at him. “You’re the best guy.”
The corners of his mouth tipped up in a smile as he gave me a squeeze. “Just for stopping in to visit with you on my lunch break?”
I nodded. “I love the surprise.”
“Hmm. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, if that’s the case, why haven’t you kissed me yet?”
Giggling, I lifted onto my toes and touched my lips to his. After giving—and getting—a kiss that left me wanting more, I asked, “Have you already had lunch?”
Hawk shook his head. “No. I didn’t want to delay coming here to see you.”
“Want to join me for a slice of cake?”
“For lunch?”
“You make it sound like that’s a bad idea.”
He chuckled. “Of course not. Who can’t live off sugar? I’d love some cake.”
I bounced on my toes with excitement, grinning at him. “Any particular flavor?”
“I think I’d love a surprise today, too.”
“Grab a seat. I’ll be right back,” I ordered before giving him a peck on the cheek and taking off in the opposite direction.
Before I even made it behind the counter, I’d already decided which cake I wanted to give Hawk to try. So, I wasted no time pulling it out, cutting two slices, and plating them. I returned to the table with a smile on my face and said, “Dark chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream frosting.”
“Oh, wow, this looks amazing. And it sounds rich.”
“Well, you said you didn’t have lunch yet, so I thought it’d be better to go with something a bit denser,” I explained. “This might be my fudgiest cake. I promise it’s delicious.”
With that information in hand, Hawk didn’t delay. He picked up his fork, slid it through the cake, and took a bite. I watched and waited for his reaction, and my guy didn’t disappoint. The groan that escaped him should’ve been forbidden outside the bedroom.
“God, Chloe, is there anything you do that isn’t perfect?” he asked, his voice a desperate plea.
My heart beat a little faster. “So, you like it?”
He sent a disbelieving look my way. “I’m not even going to dignify that ridiculous question with a response.
But I will say this…” Hawk took another bite, savored it as I watched his mouth, and swallowed.
“If you don’t start eating what’s on your plate before I finish what’s on mine, I won’t be held responsible for you not having lunch today. ”
I would’ve given him the entire cake if he wanted it. But since I was inclined to share what was on my plate, I slowly drove my fork in and took a bite. When he finished his slice, I’d just feed him from mine.
We took a few bites of our cake, and somewhere in the middle of it, Hawk covered my hand with his. When I lifted my gaze, I found his eyes were twinkling. He was so happy, and it made him look so handsome. More than usual.
I hadn’t really thought much about these little tables I’d purchased beyond wondering if they were too small. But now I had my answer. They were perfect, creating the most intimate setting.
Hawk had gotten through at least two-thirds of his cake when he asked, “Working by yourself today?”
Nodding, I shared, “Kara wasn’t feeling well this morning, so I told her to just stay home.”
“Is it tough on your own in here?”
I shrugged. “Obviously, it’s easier having a second set of hands, but I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I’ve got a system worked out.
Plus, since this is more of a specialty shop and not a traditional bakery, I don’t get those morning rushes that you might expect.
This is totally doable for one person as long as I stay organized. ”
He jerked his chin down in understanding. “That makes sense. So, I had another reason for coming to visit you this afternoon.”
I perked up. “Oh? What is it?”
“Well, I planned something,” he revealed.
“Planned something?”
“A date. But I’m not telling you what it is, because I want you to be surprised again.”