Alex stood in his kitchen for a moment before he rounded the counter, searching for a fork. He figured he would at least try it. He remembered his grandmother’s blatant appreciation for the chocolate cupcakes, even as she gave Beth the silent treatment after hearing the news of the engagement.
The fork sank into the moist cake and Alex brought it up to his lips. He pictured the wide-eyed gaze of the blushing baker when she had realized he was hitting on her. He almost chuckled but it turned into a faint moan as the taste of the dessert exploded on his tongue. It was rich and decadent. He could understand why it was her favorite.
Five minutes later, the cupcake was completely gone and Alex’s thoughts were fully centered on Olivia. He remembered her heated gaze when she first saw him. It had stirred his interest almost immediately. While he was used to women looking at him with blatant invitation, Alex saw vulnerability and cautiousness in her eyes. She reminded him of a skittish cat, one that needed taming.
When his eyes had landed on her curves, his interest had multiplied exponentially. He could still imagine the soft curves of her breasts and generous hips. And her eyes. Clear, blue eyes that seemed almost too big for her face. But they only added to her allure in his opinion.
Alex felt himself begin to harden in his slacks so he pushed away from the counter, cleaning up a bit before heading into his bedroom.
She hadn’t said she was seeing anyone. At least that’s what he took her silence for. And as he undressed, he knew he would see her again soon. Something about her intrigued him. And he knew he wouldn’t be able to get those hips out of his mind anytime soon judging by the now-prominent erection he was currently sporting.
I guess work can wait a bit longer, Alex thought.
The following Monday Alex waltzed back into Livy’s Cupcakes with his mind made up. It was near closing time for the shop and Alex immediately noticed Olivia at the counter. She was helping a customer and smiling politely. He sensed that same cautiousness though. It was in the way she held herself and the guarded look in her blue eyes.
He walked towards the counter. Olivia had yet to see him and he heard the customer in front of him say, “I saw you at the bookstore on Main Street this past weekend. I waved, but I don’t think you saw me.”
Alex watched as Olivia frowned. “I’m sorry, Mr. Miller, I don’t remember. I wasn’t feeling very well, so I must have not noticed.”
Mr. Miller nodded, his head bobbing up and down almost too rapidly, “Oh I see. You look great now. Prettier than ever.”
Alex raised his eyebrows slightly, noting the way Olivia’s mouth tightened. It was a small detail, but one that was telling. “Thank you, Mr. Miller.” She handed him a receipt and pushed the small box on the counter towards him. “I’ll see you soon. Have a good evening.”
Mr. Miller nodded again with the same intensity and said, “See you tomorrow.”
Olivia watched as Mr. Miller walked slowly out of the shop. She still hadn’t spotted him, but he noticed the way she bit down on her lip, a small crease appearing between her brows.
“Admirer of yours?” Alex asked slowly, a teasing smile forming on his lips. He watched in amusement as her gaze snapped to his and her lips parted. Alex’s gaze fell on them, watching as she nervously dabbed her tongue to her bottom lip. His body tightened at the action and he forced himself to meet her eyes.
It took her a moment to respond. She cleared her throat, getting over her shock. “Oh, he comes in almost every day. He’s just a regular.” She paused, but then said with more confidence, “I hope your grandmother enjoyed the cupcakes.”
Alex walked closer to the counter and leaned his hip against it. “She refused to let us have one.” Not that he or Beth even had the guts to ask her in the mood she was in. He lowered his voice, “But mine was delicious. It was the best thing I’ve tasted in a while.” He watched with satisfaction as her eyes briefly unfocused.
She nervously licked her bottom lip again. “I’m glad you liked it. Are you here for another one?” Well, I’ll be damned, he thought. He could swear she was flirting with him. Her voice was husky and low and it was seriously turning him on. But then she said, “I think I still have a few left somewhere in the back. If not, I still have the pumpkin flavor I was telling you about.”
Damn, false alarm.
But it didn’t change the fact that she was still turning him on just talking about something as innocent as cupcakes. What the hell was wrong with him?
His mind was definitely made up. He leaned towards her a bit. “Actually, I came here to take you out to dinner right now. But we can always have that pumpkin flavor for dessert if you like.”