Despite the anger that started to burn in her chest, Olivia smiled warmly, “Can I help you two?”
The woman looked at her and her face lit up with a smile, “Oh yes, that would be wonderful. I’m here for my grandmother and she absolutely loves chocolate. As in, she would eat chocolate for the rest of her life, forsaking every meal, would prefer to bathe in chocolate—”
“I think she understands, Beth,” her companion murmured. Olivia almost laughed at the woman’s enthusiasm, but when she met the man’s eyes again it died in her throat. His heated gaze was on her again and she felt liquid heat travel down to her belly. She felt an attraction to him like a tangible pull and she didn’t understand why, especially when he was engaged.
She quickly averted her eyes once again but she could see his steady gaze travel down her body.
Beth was apparently unaffected by his teasing comment. “The point is she loves chocolate. And a friend of mine told me that you have the best chocolate cupcakes in town, so naturally, here we are.”
Olivia smiled, genuinely pleased by the compliment. “Well, now I feel pressure to live up to my reputation,” she teased lightly.
Beth blinked, seeming surprised, and asked, “Oh, are you the owner?”
“I sure am,” she replied, feeling a little jolt of pride. She felt the mystery man’s presence like a touch but she refused to look at him again.
“Oh, wow, good for you. Your shop is so cute! I absolutely love the décor. It’s very vintage chic,” Beth complimented, nodding and taking in her surroundings. Olivia had no idea what “vintage chic” even meant but nevertheless she decided then that she liked Beth. Not only because of the compliment—although it certainly didn’t hurt—but because she seemed genuine.
“Thank you. A friend of mine is an interior designer. She was going for an English tea room vibe, but I vetoed a lot of her more floral ideas,” Olivia found herself explaining.
“My grandmother did the same thing for her living room, but it just ended up looking like a flower explosion,” Beth said, her hands becoming animated. Just then, her cell phone rang and she fished it out her purse. “Shoot. I have to take this. It’s the wedding planner. Alex, can you pick half a dozen out? I shouldn’t be more than five minutes.”
“No problem,” he replied smoothly, but she was already heading towards the door, her phone pressed to her ear.
Olivia could feel her heart pounding faster in her chest as she met Alex’s eyes briefly. “So, chocolate, right?” She found herself asking even though she knew the answer.
“Yes, chocolate,” he answered smoothly. It sounded more like a purr with his deep, rumbling voice and Olivia fought the urge to lick her bottom lip. She tensed when he slid his broad forearms—his nicely tanned broad forearms—onto the top of her counter and leaned forward a bit. “Anything particularly delicious you would recommend?” he asked in a low, husky tone.
Oh my God, she thought, her brain short-circuiting for a second while other parts of her body lit up and exploded like fireworks. How could he make discussing cupcakes sound like they were dirty talking in the bedroom? Olivia caught sight of his fiancée outside the shop window, talking animatedly on her phone and she shook herself mentally. Stop it.
Olivia swallowed and straightened up, taking a small step back away from the counter. If he noticed, he didn’t comment. “Well, did you want all chocolate for the half dozen? I have three different types of chocolate cupcakes in stock today. My triple chocolate fudge is very popular right now. I also have chocolate coconut and a chocolate chip and mascarpone cupcake.” She was starting to ramble but she didn’t stop. It was like her tongue was on autopilot. “But if you don’t want chocolate, then I have a wonderful red velvet and a seasonal pumpkin I’m well known for. Or if you prefer—”
“What’s your favorite?” he asked, stopping her mid sentence.
“Red velvet,” she said automatically, her eyes drawn to his lips. They curved up into a knowing smirk and she swallowed thickly, averting her gaze once again. “But if you’re looking specifically for chocolate, I’d go with the triple chocolate fudge. Especially if your fiancée’s grandmother loves chocolate so much.” There. She hoped that would make him back off.
Something flickered in his eyes and his lips pulled down into a small frown. “My fiancée,” he said, repeating the words slowly. “Her?” he asked incredulously, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. When she nodded, he laughed. If she weren’t so embarrassed, she would have appreciated the sound much more. “Beth’s my cousin, darling. It’s our grandmother we’re getting these for.”