CHAPTER FIVE
ALEX
The fluorescent lights buzz overhead as I ring up the last few items of the night. The store feels strangely quiet, just a couple of people over in self-checkout scanning their groceries.
I lift my gaze to greet the next customer.
Finley.
Tall, broad, and brooding. Always brooding. I paste on a bright smile anyway.
“Hi, Finley.”
His expression doesn’t change. Not even a polite nod. Just that same scowl he always wears.
Still, I keep smiling. I refuse to let his foul mood bother me. He walks up to the register after placing his items on the belt.
He finally speaks, his voice low and rough. “Why are you always so damn happy?”
The question takes me off guard, but I laugh softly. “Why are you always so grumpy?”
His eyes narrow, and he shakes his head. “Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I’m not grumpy. Maybe, I just don’t particularly like you.”
The words hit like a slap. My smile falters, but I hold my chin up. I steady my voice, refusing to let him see the sting in his words.
“Has it ever occurred to you,” I say slowly, tilting my head, “that maybe you do like me… and that pisses you off?”
The register continues to beep, and my hands continue to work, but I don’t break eye contact. My smile edges back, softer this time, daring him.
To my surprise, he moves closer. The distance between us vanishes in a blink, and then he’s stepping behind the register.
My breath stills.
He looms over me, tall and broad, his chest so close it nearly brushes against my cheek.
Then his hand comes up, rough fingers firm on my chin. He tilts my face up with a pressure I can’t ignore, forcing my eyes to land on his. His grip remains, his stare unrelenting.
“If that were true,” he growls through clenched teeth, “I’d fuck that smile right off your face. Right here, right now.”
My mouth drops open, stunned. His blue eyes burn down into me, fierce. Oh, he’s serious. “I would never in a million years let that happen,” I grit.
His lips twitch into a dark smirk. Before I can even process what’s happening, his large hands are at my waist. He effortlessly lifts me and sets me on the counter, the cold edge digging into the back of my thighs.
He leans in closer, eyes locked on mine, his presence overwhelming. “The way your legs are trembling says otherwise.”
Heat floods my face, and my breathing comes in short bursts. “Have you ever thought for just a moment, they tremble because I’m afraid of you?”
His hands grip my knees, pulling my legs apart as he steps between them “Good,” he growls, “you should be.”
With our faces now inches apart, the heat of him sends a shiver down my spine.
And then, his lips are on mine.
It’s firm, rough and deep. So unexpected and consuming. My hands clench at the edge of the counter for balance as I kiss him back.
When he finally pulls back, his teeth catch my bottom lip, a tug that sends a tremor through me.
I stare at him, lips tingling, chest heaving. My brain screams that this is wrong. He is my vendor. And yet, my body betrays me. A knot forms low in my stomach and all I can think about is his mouth against mine.
His hands move up my thighs, under my skirt, fingers hooking around my lace panties. And then they’re gone. He shoves them into his pocket and reaches for something in one of the nearby grocery bags.
My heart sinks to my gut.
A cucumber.
“Finley what are you—”
“Shhh.” The sound is low and commanding. And a single calloused fingertip presses against my lips.
My legs shake as they dangle off the counter. Why am I letting this happen? Why do I… want this?
His palm presses against my chest, guiding me down until my back is flush with the counter beneath me.
His hands grip the backside of my knees, lifting my thighs and spreading my legs wide. He doesn’t say a word before plunging the thick cucumber deep into my throbbing core.
A moan tears from my throat as Finley rapidly slams the makeshift dildo into me over and over. His thumb finds my clit, and I nearly unravel as he moves in small fast circles.
My body arches and my muscles tense as the pressure builds. He moves faster, harder and I have to focus to keep the screams inside.
Just as I reach the edge of pleasure—my vision blurs, the space around me twists and warps.
I jolt awake. Darkness swallows the room—my room, my bed. Sweat clings to the mattress beneath me. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my heart pounding, cheeks burning. It was a dream.
Of course it was a dream.
In what universe would Finley the farmer fuck me with a cucumber. And in what universe would I let him.
I grab my phone from the nightstand. 4:57 a.m. Rolling over, I pull the blankets tighter and close my eyes.
My kitchen looks like the dessert table at a county fair exploded. The counter is lined with pumpkin cheesecakes, apple fritter loaves, and a dozen other half-baked ideas I couldn’t stop myself from testing out.
Opal twirls the stem of her wine glass, eyeing the spread before her. “If this is what a girl’s night out looks like, sign me up every week.”
Nova leans on the counter, already fork in hand. “I’ll take this over a sweaty dance floor any day.” She sinks her fork into a cheesecake and lets out a dramatic groan. “Oh my god, Alex. If you don’t win the festival, the judges need a mental evaluation.”
I laugh, taking a sip of my pumpkin cider. “So, what do we think?” I ask, leaning against the counter with my can in hand, watching them with mouths full.
Nova doesn’t even bother swallowing before pointing her fork at the cheesecake, cheeks bulging with the dessert. She nods furiously, eyes closing in bliss.
Opal stacks her plate with more apple crumble. “I vote all of them. Enter every single one.”
I roll my eyes, laughing “That’s not helpful, I can’t enter six desserts, I’ll look insane.”
Nova sets her fork down and leans back in her chair, her wine glass swirling lazily in her hand. She shoots a curious look at Opal. “So… how are things with your masked man?”
Opal’s cheeks turn pink, but she doesn’t hesitate. “Great,” she says simply, lips curving into a soft, satisfied smile.
Nova groans dramatically and takes a long sip of her wine. “I’m glad someone got something good out of that party. All I got was ghosted the next morning.”
I raise my can in salute. “Hey, same here.”
Opal laughs turning back to Nova. “Please. The way that goddess costume looked on you—you could have had anyone in that mansion.”
Nova snorts and waves her hand. “Apparently, I picked the wrong magician. All he knew were disappearing acts.”
I can’t help but laugh, nearly choking on my cider. “Have you read any of the books I’ve loaned you?”
Nova looks instantly guilty. Her dark curls bounce around her face as she tucks one behind her ear, tawny skin catching the soft kitchen light. Her caramel-colored eyes, framed by long lashes avoid my gaze. Her full lips pull into a sheepish smile.
“…No,” she admits.
I groan dramatically, “Novaaa.”
She shrugs, lips quirking like she’s trying not to laugh. “I don’t know Alex, I think maybe reading just… isn’t for me.”
Opal perks up, fork in hand. “What kind of books is she pushing on you anyway?”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare. Nobody needs your monster porn recs right now.”
Opal gasps, clutching her chest. “Everyone needs my monster romance suggestions.”
Nova snorts, almost spilling her wine. “Maybe she’s right, maybe the rom coms aren’t for me.”
Opal winks at her over the rim of her glass. “Don’t worry, I’ll send you a list,” she whispers.
Opal sets her fork down, eyes glittering with curiosity. “How’s the grumpy farmer?”
I let out a sigh. “The same brooding grump as always. He’s not even old, like I imagined.”
Opal leans forward on her elbows, chin in her hands, smiling. “Okay but is he… hot?”
I laugh, trying to wave her off.
Nova lifts her head instantly, putting her phone back down on the counter. “Ohhh, that’s a yes.”
I press my lips together, and I pause. A long heavy pause. Finally, I let out a groan and nod. “Unfortunately, yeah. He is. Probably the hottest man I’ve ever met, actually.”
Opal and Nova squeal in unison, clinking their wine glasses together. They exchange a glance.
Nova smirks, “So, how long until she sleeps with him?”
Opal bursts out in laughter, already raising her glass. “I give it a week.”
My jaw drops, heat flooding my cheeks. “You guys—he hates me!” I bury my face in my hands, groaning through my laughter. “Not that I wouldn’t, or anything.” I mumble.
Opal grins, pointing her fork at me. “You do love a good enemies to lovers trope.”
I shake my head, “you two are crazy!” I reach for my pumpkin cider, desperate to cool my burning cheeks with another sip. “Okay, okay. Enough about the grumpy hot farmer,” I say, waving them off. “Can we please get back to my desserts before you two marry me off to someone who can’t even smile?”
The kitchen still smells of sugar and spice; candles flicker against the kitchen backsplash. And I lean against the counter, smiling at my two best friends. “Alright, one more round of taste tests—then you’re both helping me wash dishes.”
Their groans follow me as I slice another piece of cheesecake, and the three of us fall into laughter.