“I doubt he’d say no to you, Megs.”
She shivered under his gaze but kept her tone light and playful. “Good, because I have ideas.”
Caleb’s grin turned wicked.
“For the bookstore, I mean,” she added quickly.
“Mhm.” He licked his lips and Megan tracked the movement.
“Um…” She trailed off, her head empty.
“Maybe we could set up some kind of arrangement. Books and baked goods – who doesn’t love that combination?” Caleb snagged another pretzel from the bowl.
“How do you mean? Like run a bakery in the bookstore?” Megan appreciated his offer but that wasn’t what she had in mind for her business.
“No. We’re not set up for that. Maybe one day. I was thinking more like selling cookies or some kind of small treat from your bakery at the cash register, or even on a small table of their own.”
Megan had to fight to keep the shock off her face. “You want to sell my desserts? At the bookstore?”
Caleb smiled, a goofy grin that made the wall around Megan’s heart crack. “I’ve had your desserts. They’re incredible. If you ask me, more people should eat them.”
It wasn’t a bad idea and would be an interesting way to drive customers to her bakery. But she wasn’t anywhere near ready for that kind of discussion. There were other ramifications to think about, too, if anything between them went sour.
“It’s an interesting idea. But it’s thirty steps ahead of where I am, even with planning ahead. I don’t even have a storefront yet.”
“Consider it an open offer for whenever – if you ever want to discuss it.”
Megan gathered her things together and returned the binder to the backpack. She turned back to Caleb. “Your turn. What are you going to do with the store?”
Caleb sighed and looked down at his hands. “I’m not sure. I have to take a closer look at things, but I do know we need to pull in new customers.”
“That seems to be a universal struggle.”
“I do have a couple of ideas I’d like to bounce off you.”
“Me?” Megan asked. “I don’t know anything about how to run a bookstore.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe not, but you’re a frequent customer.” Caleb placed a hand on Megan’s thigh, just above her knee. He flicked his eyes to hers as he moved his hand up her bare skin, the movement torturously slow. “Feedback is important.”
Megan struggled to get in a breath as she said, “I agree with you on that.”
“Is there any comment you have for me right now, Megs?” He trailed his fingers down again, to graze the underside of her knee.
Her desire was reflected in Caleb’s eyes, and she opened her legs wider. “Yes, actually. I’d like your fingers higher.”
“That can be arranged.” Desire darkened his gaze as he complied. Megan’s breath caught as he brushed his knuckles against her core.
“Should we turn off the light?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Caleb growled. “I want to see every part of you, Megs. I want to see exactly what my touch does to you, as I make you come undone.”
“Oh.” She swallowed hard.
Caleb’s grin was wicked as he captured her mouth.
