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His beady eyes move toward Aurora. “And she’s mine.” I hear from beside me. I know without looking it’s Marshall’s voice.
“Fucking figures,” the guy mumbles, grabbing his bag and stalking out of the bakery.
Marsh and I watch him go. “What are you doing here?” I ask my brother.
“I saw your SUV outside. I thought I’d stop and grab something too.”
“I’m not eating. I’m just here for Aurora.”
“Suit yourself.” He turns his attention to the girls where they’re still standing behind the counter. “Hey, Aspen, what’s today’s special?” he asks, his eyes dropping to scan the display case.
“Apple fritters.”
“Perfect. I’ll take a dozen. Might as well get some for everyone,” he says, pulling his wallet out of his pocket.
“You good?” I keep my eyes trained on Aurora.
She nods. “He was harmless.”
“You looked scared to death.” I give her a pointed look, daring her to argue with me. She’s only given me bits and pieces about her douche ex, but I’d say the fear in her eyes isn’t from the guy who just stalked out of her bakery. My guess it has everything to do with the ex who she refuses to talk about.
“I wasn’t scared. I’ve dealt with guys like him in the past.” Something flashes in her eyes, and my suspicions are confirmed.
“Well, now, you don’t have to. I’m just down the block. If someone fucks with you, they fuck with me. You call me.” I turn to look at Aspen, who is boxing up Marshall’s order. “Aspen.” She stops to look up at me. “You ladies need me, you call the office. If I’m not available, one of my brothers will be.”
“We got you,” Marshall says. “Besides, that gives us an excuse to grab a sweet treat.” He winks at Aspen.
“We’re big girls, Grant,” Aurora replies defensively.
I release a heavy breath. “I know you are, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Not anymore.”
She closes her eyes, and I’m ready for her to fight me, but she surprises me when she nods, those hazel eyes slowly opening and staring into my soul. “I’ll be at your place at five,” I say, leaning over the counter for a kiss. Today is Valentine’s Day, and I have plans for us. For her.
“I’m working,” she says, trying to refuse my kiss.
“And I need to go to work, but not until I feel your lips against mine. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I tell her with a smile.
She rolls her eyes but leans into my kiss. Her lips press to mine, and it takes more restraint than I knew I had to not deepen the kiss. Hell, I want to say fuck work altogether.
“Have a good day, baby.” I kiss her one more time.
“I should get another dozen on the house for having to see that,” Marshall jokes.
“Oh, hush,” Aspen tells him. “It’s sweet.”
I laugh, and the smile on Aurora’s face tells me she’s not the least bit upset with me for my insistence to kiss her. “Call me if you need me.”
“Yes, dear,” Aurora replies, her sugary voice sweet.
“Have a good day, dear,” Aspen tells Marshall, mocking us.
“Thanks, snookums,” he croons, and the four of us explode in laughter.
I hold the door for Marshall as we exit onto the sidewalk. “You’re fucked, brother,” he says with a laugh.
“Yep.” There is no point in denying it. I’ve fallen hard and fast for her. It’s amazing the way your heart can latch on to someone in just a few short weeks. Now, I can’t imagine my life without her. I refuse to dig deeper into what that means. I’m not ready to admit it. I know that once I do, I won’t be able to hold back with her. So, instead, I pretend that the beat of my heart doesn’t pound her name in my chest.
I’ve been sitting at the back of the bakery for the last thirty minutes. I left the office a few hours ago to get everything ready for our date tonight. It’s the first Valentine’s Day, where I’ve had plans with a woman who I care about. It’s a big deal. My brothers, the younger two, gave me shit. The older two were too busy thinking about their own plans to worry about mine. That’s fine. I can take the heat. Any amount of time spent with Aurora is worth it.
When the clock turns over to read four-fifty, I can’t take it anymore. Pulling the keys from the ignition, I make my way to the back door. I buzz, and Aspen’s voice greets me immediately.
“Is that you, boyfriend?” she asks.
I chuckle. “Caught that, did you?”
“Yep,” she replies as the buzzer sounds and the lock releases.
I take the stairs two at a time, anxious to get to Aurora. I’m excited about our date and to show her what I have planned for us. I rap my knuckles against the door, and it’s immediately opened. Aspen stands there with a smirk on her face.
