Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Maverick
“Okay, I need to know everything about your sourdough starter.” Genevieve said as she handed me a bowl of cookie dough.
I had watched while she mixed the first batch, working quickly and efficiently and leaving little mess behind. I’d have to ask her for some tips. When I rolled out my bread, flour went everywhere.
“I’ve had to learn most things on my own from a young age. I taught myself how to cook and bake and I always wanted to bake my own crusty sourdough. With a quick Google search, I started my own and I’ve kept her alive for over a year now.”
“A year? No way!” Genevieve laughed and unwrapped a stick of butter. “That’s impressive. You must take good care of her.”
“That I do.” I winked at her, my insides twisting at the way her cheeks flushed. She liked me too. It was easy to read her cues.
And I really enjoyed making her cheeks flush.
“It’s rather easy. I feed her the night before, I want to make a loaf, she’s ready by morning, and I’m good to go.
If I plan on making bread again within the next day or two, I feed her and leave her out, otherwise she gets fed and goes in the fridge.
I think that’s the key for making it last long. ”
“Wow. I think you know more than me. We briefly touched on sourdough and starters in my bread class, but most of the curriculum for my degree was heavy on desserts and cakes. I loved when I got to take a classic baking class, the focus on pies, cookies, and other less fancy desserts.” Genevieve handed me another bowl of cookie mix as I finished scooping the last of the dough on this first batch.
“I’d rather bake the classics, too. Bread pudding, pineapple upside down cake, chocolate cream pie. The list is endless.” I pushed the sheet pans to the side, grabbed a few empty ones, and a clean scooper. “Did you have to do any fancy French pastries?”
Genevieve made a face, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Two words. Not fun. Way too particular for me, but I enjoyed learning new skills and pastries. Pate a chou will forever be the death of me.”
“Pate a choux?”
“A French dough used in eclairs and puff pastries. It doesn’t have a rising agent.
It’s a very wet dough that turns puffy in the oven when the high moisture content creates steam.
You cook it on the stove at first and you have to stir it quickly while it’s on a high heat setting.
Talk about an arm killer. I’ll be fine if I never make it again. ”
“Sounds complicated. But I’d try it.”
“Watch some videos on making it and then get back to me.”
“Point taken. What’s your favorite thing to bake?”
“Definitely pie. I love to make it, bake it, and eat it, mainly fruit ones. A warm slice of pie with a scoop of creamy ice cream could turn any bad day into a good one.”
“Agree. But I don’t think pie beats cheesecake.”
“Mmm, cheesecake. With cherry topping.”
“Strawberry.”
“Nah, cherry is better.”
“Cherry is boring.” I teased. “Strawberry is perfection.”
She rolled her eyes, but I saw the smile she tried to hide and failed at it miserably.
We talked and worked quickly, as I scooped out the cookies and she handed me a new bowl of dough. The last dough we scooped out together and placed all the sheets in the ovens.
“This time, I’m setting a timer.” Genevieve said as she pressed the button on the oven and set it for ten minutes.
I helped her clean up and while she grabbed the cookies from the oven after the timer buzzed, I cleaned up the front area and flicked on the display lights, needing to test them out.
The cases lit up brightly from the inside, each one working like they should.
“Hey, Genevieve, check out the new lights.” I called towards the back and moments later, she popped around the front. Her eyes expanded into large saucers.
“Oh, my God! Maverick! These are gorgeous.” Genevieve clutched at her chest as her eyes scanned the area again. “So bright.”
“Yeah, the new halogen light bulbs are great. They last a while too and don’t use up much electricity. So, you guys should be good to go for a while.”
The timer in the kitchen went off and Genevieve jumped. “They look awesome, Maverick. Thank you, truly. I gotta grab those cookies before they burn again.”
I followed her into the back kitchen, not wanting to leave just yet. “Here let me help.”
“No, it’s okay. You’ve done plenty. I don’t want to take up anymore of your time.
” She waved her hand away as she grabbed two oven mitts from where they hung next to the stove and began pulling the sheets from oven and sliding them onto a large cooling rack on wheels.
“It’s late and you probably have to work tomorrow. Don’t worry about me.”
“I enjoy being around you, Genevieve. And I think you enjoy it, too.”
Her movements slowed as she pulled the last tray from the oven and flicked the switch to off, the large machine going dark. When she looked at me, I couldn’t read her expression and wondered if maybe I had overstepped.
I usually wasn’t so forward when it came to women, but there was something about her. I didn’t want to hold back, didn’t want to ignore my feelings. I couldn’t ignore them. They wouldn’t let me, almost physically choking me until I got what I wanted- her.
“Maverick…I…”
I stepped closer to her and took her hand in mine.
She gasped, but she didn’t pull away.
Crack. Sizzle. Pop.
Sparks popped off between us, the skin to skin contact unreal.
“Shh.” I pressed a finger to her lips. “Just let it happen.”
Why fight it only to lose in the end?
The heart wanted what it wanted when it wanted it.
Right now, it wanted Genevieve.
I wanted Genevieve.
I tipped her chin up and dipped my head down, the need to taste her unbearable. My insides wanted to explode, the tight knot in the pit of my stomach unleashing a carnal desire for her and only her.
Without asking permission, confident she’d say yes anyway, I kissed her.
So hard, I nearly lifted her off the ground. Her arms wrapped around my neck and mine wrapped around her waist, passion flowing between us.
It was the best kiss I’d ever had. And I only wanted more.
“Come over for a drink?” I asked after breaking our kiss and pressing my forehead against hers.
“I don’t know…” Genevieve whispered. “I really shouldn’t do this. I shouldn’t get caught up in something like this.”
“I think it’s a little too late for that. No drink then. Just see my starter. She’d be happy to see you.” I sounded like an idiot, but at this point I was desperate. I’d do anything to take her home with me.
“Bring her by the bakery tomorrow, then.”
“No can do. She doesn’t like to leave her environment.” I grinned. “What do you say? Let’s close this place and get the hell ahead out of here.” I kissed her again to remind her of what she’d be missing if she said no.
“You don’t make this easy, you know.” She said between spurts of breath.
“I don’t let go of the things that are mine easily.” I said and enjoyed watching the reality of what I said sink in.
Genevieve shook her head and pushed the rolling cooling rack next to the table. “Guess not. Help me wrap these cookies and we’ll go.”
A zing sparked through me from head to toe. “You got it.”