Page 11 of Midlife Crisis

“Someone like me.” I quietly parrot him. What do I look like to him? Who does he see? What must he think of me for calling into the hotline? He doesn’t explain and I chew at my lip. His thumb reaches up and tugs the tender skin from my teeth.

“Don’t be embarrassed about calling in to the crisis center. We all need someone to talk to sometimes.” I wish I could believe him, but I am a bit ashamed. My call seems so frivolous, not a real issue. I’m typically stronger at handling things. In hindsight, I don’t remember what I said.

“How old are you, Middy?”

“Forty-one.” A twinkle sparks in his steely eyes, making them silver. I like how he’s looking at me.

“Time to walk on the wild side. Make a wish, little lady, and take a bite.”

Why does the nickname make my belly flutter? Moreover, what wish should I make?

I wish I may. I wish I might. I blow out the candle, blushing from the warm sunshine steaming through the window and the sweetness of this man.

He holds the cupcake up to me again, minus the candle, and I open wide, dragging my teeth over the whipped sugar. My lids lower, and I may have purred at the pure heaven exploding in my mouth. White chocolate and raspberry. Yum.

“Better than an orgasm.” I sigh. Then realize what I’ve said. My eyes snap open to find his enlarged, dancing in the sunlight and flickering with something I haven’t ever seen directed at me. Like a big, bad wolf, he looks like he wants to eat me, and somehow, I’m certain the pleasure will be all mine.

“You’ve got…” His voice trails off as he swipes at my nose. Cripes. Here I thought he wanted to devour me, and he’s only staring because I have frosting on my face.

“Oh dear.” I reach for my nose, but he grips my wrist. His knee slips between my thighs again. When did he scoot so close? He sets the cupcake down, pokes a finger into the creamy frosting, and looks up at me.

“You have more here.” Before I can speak, he coats my lower lip with the icing. A gasp parts my lips, and he leans forward. “Let me get that.”

Instantly, soft lips cover mine, sucking at the sugary treat and spreading the delicacy before his tongue sneaks out and licks along the line. I open without thinking, and it’s all the invitation he needs. A hand cups the back of my head, and his mouth takes mine deeper, rougher, stronger. Lapping at mine, he cleans off the frosting and adds a new layer of sweetness. I might have purred again, and his lips curl. He’s smiling while he kisses me, and I’m so turned on.

My hands lower to his knee between my legs, feeling the thin, slippery material of his track pants. My fingers outline the muscular bulge of his leg, and my thighs clench around the bulk. The curve of his knee hovers an inch away from where I need some friction. I’m already damp. If he presses any closer, I’m sure to leave a stain on him. His fingers comb into my hair, holding me in place to continue our kissing. Icing lingers on our lips while other areas grow stickier. I’m ready to hump his knee like a dog in heat when a strong cough comes from my left. Breaking apart, I turn away from the business owner, covering my lips with shaky fingers. I need a moment to regain myself.

“Thanks, Lily.” Sarcasm drips from Hank’s voice, but it isn’t really her fault. We are in a public place, in broad daylight, kissing like two teenagers on an afternoon date. Sweet cheese, if only.

Hank stands, blocking me from Lily’s view. I can’t look at the other woman yet, embarrassment hitting me hard. “How much do I owe?” he says.

This pulls me back to reality.

“No. I’ve got this. It was my mistake.” I fumble around me to remember I don’t even have my purse. This man has me so mixed up I walked away from everything: the fundraiser, my boys, and my belongings.

“It’s okay, Middy. This one’s on me.” I’m not certain if he means the cupcakes or the potential mistake of kissing me. I’m firing up to protest to the first option when Lily interjects. “Count it as my donation to Ivy.”

Ivy. She must be someone special. Everywhere I drop her name or others use it, people are giving her things. Twelve large boxes rest on the display counter, which means Lily allowed our kiss to progress for as long as she could before she interrupted us. I flush again with the thought while Hank takes a stack of boxes out to his SUV.

“Sorry about that,” I mutter, pointing toward the window.

Lily pffts me. “I’m so happy Hank has a girlfriend. How long you two been together?”

“Oh, I’m not—”

“Not long enough,” Hank interjects. I hadn’t noticed he returned inside the bakery. “And I’ve been waiting too long for her.”

The words sound like the lyrics from a song, but I can’t place the tune. My heart sings its own melody at the moment. A dangerous ballad which will lead to nothing.

6

Icing on the cake

[Hank]

“You want to tap that, don’t you?” I turn to Tommy as I unload a tower of cupcake boxes from the back of Brut’s SUV. Thankfully, Midge stands a few feet away and doesn’t hear him.

“Dude,” I groan. “Lower your voice. We aren’t fifteen. Show some respect.” Tommy’s brow rises as his lip twitches.