Chapter 11 #2
With each push and every shove, I release another ounce of energy. The repeated motions are calming. Maybe that’s why he was drawn to chopping the wood in the first place. That seems calming, too.
I shake my head, huffing, and push my weight onto the bread again. Not having a stand mixer to do the job means I’ll be kneading for longer than usual. Five minutes always feels like hours when my hands start getting tired.
The front door opens. I don’t dare look up.
I bite my lower lip and press the heels of my hands into the bread.
Theo lets out a low sigh, dropping off the freshly chopped wood near the fireplace. “I’ll start the fire soon. I need a break first.”
I finally look up. His shirt is on, his hair is still sticky with sweat, and his cheeks are pink.
“All right,” I mutter. “That’s totally fine. I’ve never chopped wood, so I can’t help with anything.”
He steps closer, and I fight the urge to hide, continuing to knead the dough even when Theo leans on the countertop. He’s a foot away from me, and I can smell his strong, masculine aroma. Why does it smell good?
“What are you making?” he asks. “Bread?”
“Mhm.”
“Then I guess we’re even. I’ve never made bread, and you’ve never chopped wood. We both have our strengths.”
I giggle nervously. “I guess we do, but making bread is easier. All you have to do is follow the instructions. With the wood, I would probably… I don’t know… chop my foot off.”
“That would be hard to do.”
“But never impossible.” I look up and grin, willing myself to be normal.
We’ll be stuck in this cabin for over two weeks, and I have to keep my cool. I’m a realistic person. Being this close to him will only make my crush grow, but… I’m strong enough to keep fighting it. I have to be. There are no other options.
He doesn’t look at me the way I look at him, which is a good thing. I’ve never been the type to get involved with someone I’m working with. I’m not going to start with my boss!
“Let me give it a try,” he says.
He moves closer, and I lift a flour-covered hand. If Theo wants to take over the worst part of making bread, so be it, but first…
“Your hands,” I say. “Wash them thoroughly. They’re filthy.”
“I was planning on it.” He goes to the sink.
“Didn’t look like you were. Under the nails, please.”
“Fine. I got a little ahead of myself.”
“If you were working at my bakery, I would fire you for that.”
“Really? That fast?” He chuckles. “You’re a harsh boss.”
“Anyone seems harsh compared to you.” I roll my eyes. “You’re soft.”
Something tells me he has a harsh side when he needs to. I witnessed it with Rod—someone I never saw around the office again. Whether he’s been fired or put on probation, I don’t know.
He probably won’t be on this trip with us, either way.
“You say that like an insult,” Theo says, “but I take it as a compliment.”
I continue kneading while he washes his hands, scrubbing them thoroughly.
They’re clean and dry when he moves in my direction, but I stop him again, taking his hands in mine.
Touching him is natural. I don’t consider it until it’s already done, warmth radiating onto my hands. His fingers are surprisingly calloused.
Theo is nothing like I expected him to be when we met. Every time I learn something new about him, it’s a shock. He has the hands of a hard worker, not a cushioned businessman.
His nails are clean, and his hands are sparkling. I force myself to let go even though I want to pull him in closer.
“Good enough,” I mutter.
“I know how to wash my hands, Evie.”
“Apparently. Now, flour them,” I say. “And watch.” I push my weight onto the ball of dough. “Use the heel of your palm to push it out. Don’t be afraid to put your weight on it. We’re stretching it out.”
He dips his hands into the pile of flour and nods. “Uh-huh…”
I step back. “If it gets sticky, add more flour to your hands—but not too much.”
His eyes narrow with concentration as he steps forward, clumsily repeating the motions. It’s not hard, really, and he doesn’t seem to struggle at all. The hardest part is always when your hands start getting tired.
“There you go.” I flex my fingers and wrists, happy to give them a break. “Just like that.”
“You sure?” He looks up, and a dark curl falls into his eyes. I fight the urge to push it away. “You can let me know if I’m doing it wrong.”
“You’re not. Keep it up.”
Theo listens, going quiet as he diligently kneads the bread. This is somehow even more attractive than seeing him chop wood. He’s in my element now, and he doesn’t look at himself like he’s above the task.
He treats it seriously.
“You know, I never thought a CEO would be this willing to get, uh… down and dirty.” Nope. Those are definitely not the words I’m supposed to use when talking about my boss. What is wrong with me?
Heat creeps to my cheeks, and I’m fighting off the feeling again—the one that makes me want to flee.
Theo is too good at pretending I’m not making a total fool of myself.
He gives me the same charming smile he did when we first met—only now, it makes me throb between my legs. “You haven’t seen anything yet. This is nothing.” He grunts. “But it is quite an arm workout, I’ll admit.”
“It’s the only workout I get most days.”
He looks up, his eyes twinkling. “Then I bet you’re stronger than you look.”
I lift a shoulder. “Maybe I am.”
Even though there’s still heat around me, it feels comfortable. It’s not so bad. The urge to run flees as we work in the kitchen, bringing him into my world for once rather than being dragged into his.