Chapter Nineteen
The rest of the day passed in a blur of baking and prepping for tomorrow. When she was sure there were customers, but it wasn’t too busy, she snuck out and put a help wanted sign in the window. Kieran made no comment.
Even being in the kitchen, normally her happy place, she couldn’t shake the combination of anger and sadness weighing her down.
David was proving to be stubborn. Not that it surprised her.
He was demanding, used to getting his own way, either by cajoling or outright bullying.
It was strange how hindsight and distance made things clearer.
Then there was Kieran. For a man she’d known for such a short time, he’d become entangled in every aspect of her life.
She’d forever see him quietly working alongside her in the kitchen and tending to the shop, freeing her to bake.
It would be worse at home. How many nights would she lie awake, desperately replaying memories of their lovemaking, both tender and frantic?
She feared he’d ruined her for other men, had set a standard impossible for anyone else to meet.
“That’s it.” The object of her thoughts stood in the doorway, dark and dangerous and more tempting than her double chocolate fudge brownies. “I put the closed sign on the door and locked up.”
It wasn’t his place to make that call, but she couldn’t be angry with him. He’d put in almost as long a day as she had. “Is there anything left in the case?”
“A handful of cookies. I wrapped them like you showed me and put them in the discounted basket for the morning. The customers were like locusts. I thought a fistfight might break out when I sold the last cake and the next woman in line wanted it.”
Pleasure bubbled up inside her. Having people love what she created always left her both satisfied and proud. “Dare I ask what happened?”
“The first customer informed her that she should have gotten there earlier. I tempted the second lady with the last half dozen strawberry tarts.” His words were light, but there were tiny grooves at the corners of his eyes and mouth, indicating how tightly he was holding himself.
She glanced at the clock, surprised to find it was almost four o’clock. She’d lost track of time. “You should head out.”
“Not without you.” Before she could protest, he added, “I don’t trust David.”
“Surely you don’t think he’d try anything else.
He’s already been through my home.” That fired her anger again.
It was a total violation. It also meant she’d need to clean the place from top to bottom to remove any trace of her ex.
“After Cal’s warning, I figure he’ll lose interest soon and go back to Boston. ”
“You don’t know him as well as you think if you believe that.”
She slammed a metal bowl down in front of her. “I know him a hell of a lot better than you do.”
Kieran’s lips flattened. He clearly didn’t like the reminder that she and David had been lovers.
“I don’t trust him.”
Not paying full attention, she reached for the premeasured cup of sugar.
Her hand knocked it. It hovered on the edge of the counter before tumbling over and slamming onto the floor.
Fine white powder exploded in a sugary spray.
“Damn it.” Just what she needed, more work.
She headed toward the broom closet, but Kieran blocked her.
She placed her hands on her hips. “Look, I don’t have time to get into any of this now.
I’m tired and upset. I want to get my work done and go home.
” Tears welled in her eyes. Appalled, she blinked them back.
It was all too much. She wanted her calm, ordered life back.
“I don’t mean to upset you.” There were only a few inches separating them, but neither of them was willing to take the final step to bring them together.
She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. “It’s not you.” He was part of it, but it wasn’t fair to lay blame. “It’s the situation. It’s…everything. Let me pass.”
“You have much more to do here?”
The abrupt change in subject threw her off-balance. “Ah, not a lot. I want to get a head start on tomorrow with some cookie batter. I can get things prepped to go into the oven in the morning.”
There were already three different kinds of cupcakes, layers for four cakes, and tart shells in the refrigerator.
That would allow her to sleep in tomorrow morning, since all she’d have to do was make muffins, bake the cookies fresh, and concentrate on fillings and icings for the rest. Having Kieran here had freed her to bake, and she’d taken advantage, focusing on easy and popular treats.
“I’ll sweep in here and then do the shop. You finish what you need to do.”
She licked her bottom lip. His gaze zoomed in on her mouth, his eyes darkening. The temperature in the room soared. Her nipples hardened while the rest of her softened. “Kieran.” Her voice came out as a husky whisper. “You don’t have to stay.”
He ran the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. The zing went straight to her core. Her tongue touched the tip of his finger. He inhaled sharply and leaned forward. She went up on her toes until their lips were almost touching, their breath mingling.
It would be easy to close the tiny distance, to give in to the overwhelming physical attraction that sizzled between them.
It would also complicate an already messy situation.
They couldn’t keep playing this game of hot and cold, heating up the sheets one moment and detaching the next.
It wasn’t easy, but she pulled away and took a step back.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll get the broom.”
Most men would have bitched, maybe accused her of being a tease. Not Kieran. He diligently swept the floor before disappearing into the shop to do the same there.
Cookie batter done, she scooped it onto pans, covered them with plastic wrap, and set them in the fridge. By the time she’d cleaned up and stored everything properly, he was leaning against the back door, patiently waiting—her own personal guard dog. The image made her smile.
“What are you thinking?” He held the door and stepped outside, waiting as she secured it.
No way was she sharing. “You don’t want to know.”
“I like it when you smile.” His voice was rough but tender. Hand at the small of her back, they headed to the front of the building.
“There hasn’t been much to smile about lately.” The truth of that stopped her in the middle of the sidewalk. It was a perfect September day. The air was warm, the sun shining. And they’d spent all of it inside. “Let’s do something fun,” she blurted.
“Fun?”
It was as though she was speaking a foreign language.
“Yes, something to relax.” Despite the brave front she was putting up, she didn’t want to face the mess at home.
Not yet. But it wasn’t fair of her to monopolize Kieran’s time.
He’d given so much of it already. “You don’t have to. You probably have other plans.”
Shut up, Georgia. God, she was babbling.
Interest gleamed in his eyes. “What do you have in mind?”
What did she have in mind? Nothing. It had been a spontaneous idea. “How about a picnic?”
“At the park?”
“No, I know a place.” The idea had taken root. Regardless of what he decided to do, she was going. She needed a break from the bakery—something she’d never thought she’d say—and to get away from people.
“If that’s what you want.”
Her heart sank. She should have kept her mouth shut and snuck off on her own.
But he’d gotten angry with her for doing that last night.
She resumed walking, embarrassed for even suggesting it.
What man wanted to go on a picnic after working all day, especially with a woman who’d made it clear she wasn’t going to sleep with him again? “Forget it.”
The house came into view, and she picked up her pace. “Thanks for everything again today. I appreciate it.” She needed to sit down and figure out his hours so she could pay him for his work. There was no telling when he’d be leaving town.
“Listen.” She stopped at the gate. “Last night I told you to vacate the apartment, but you can stay, if you want.” She’d been mired in guilt all day.
She’d practically kicked the man out, and he’d spent the day working to keep her business afloat, not to mention sticking around when her ex had come calling. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“What about the picnic?” His hands were in his back pockets, and he rocked back on his heels.
“You want to go on a picnic?” He hadn’t seemed the slightest bit interested.
“You invited me.”
So she had. “Ah, okay. Give me twenty minutes to get things together.”
“I can help.” Rather than wait, he opened the gate and headed up the walkway to the front door.
“He can help,” she muttered. Had she really expected him to let her enter the house alone? In most ways, he was an enigma. In others, he was predictable as the sunrise. Regardless of what he said, he had a protective nature.
Giving in to the inevitable, she unlocked the door and they went inside. Kieran prowled through the space, disappearing down the hallway and returning quickly. “It’s empty.”
“Did you expect to find David hiding in the closet?” she teased.
He caught her chin in his hand. “Don’t underestimate him.” His seriousness sank into her bones. He was truly concerned.
“I won’t. I’ll be careful. I promise.” With a grunt that she took for approval, he released her.
“Feel free to dig through the refrigerator. I’m hot and sweaty after working all day.
” Sexual awareness flared in his eyes, causing her to momentarily lose her train of thought.
“Uh, I’m going to get cleaned up and changed. I won’t be long.”