Page 67 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

“I don’t mind it like this,” I said.

She sipped her coffee, staring at nothing. She was a proud woman. And very stubborn. I got it, but she didn’t have to fight a corporation alone. I happened to know she was going to lose if she tried.

“You know what I do for a living,” I said. “I know a little something about this kind of thing.”

She looked up at me. For a moment, I thought she might give in. But then she shook her head again, her expression a mask of stubbornness. “I can’t ask you to get involved in this. It’s not your problem. Everyone else is dealing with it on their own. I have to as well.”

“Do you know what the plan is for the property?”

“Condos from what I understand,” she said. “Like one of those all-in-one deals. They’ll have the fancy condos on top and the expensive shops that only the residents that own the condos can afford. Places like my bakery or my neighbor’s antique shop or the guy that owns the pharmacy are all going to be gone. It’s a total takeover.” Dorie set her coffee cup down on the counter and turned to face me. “Are you hungry? I can make us something. I’m not much of a cook, but I can manage eggs and toast.”

“You’re a baker,” I said.

“A baker is not the same as a chef,” she said with a small smile. It looked like she was trying to hold it together. If making me breakfast made her feel better, then that worked for me.

“Eggs sounds amazing,” I said.

She moved to the fridge, pulling out a carton of eggs and a stick of butter. I stayed out of her way. I could still feel the tension radiating off her. Cooking was a good distraction. She cracked the eggs into a bowl, whisking them in a way that made it clear she’d done this a thousand times before.

The sizzle of butter hitting the pan filled the kitchen, and soon the smell of scrambled eggs joined the lingering aroma of coffee. I didn’t know why I was turned on, but I was. It was such a simple act. Her making me breakfast while we were both in our underwear. I loved that she was comfortable with me now.

Her tank top rode up slightly as she reached for the salt, revealing a sliver of skin at her waist. I found myself tracking that movement, remembering how that same skin had felt under my hands last night. She caught me looking and raised an eyebrow.

“What?” she asked, whisking the eggs again.

“Nothing,” I said, smirking. “Just appreciating the view.”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a blush spreading across her cheeks. Rick watched us from the cat tree, looking supremely unimpressed with the entire interaction. The cat was scary, but I wasn’t going to show any fear.

She popped some bread into the toaster and a few minutes later she was serving up two plates.

“Here,” she said, sliding one in front of me. “Nothing fancy, but it’ll keep you from starving.”

I took a bite and was surprised. The eggs were fluffy, perfectly seasoned. “This is really good,” I said.

She shrugged, taking a bite of her own toast. “Told you I can manage basic cooking. Just don’t ask me to make anything complicated.”

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Rick watched us from his perch, occasionally letting out a disgruntled meow.

“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help with this condo developer?”

“No. I’m good.”

After we finished eating, she slid off the chair and started to rinse the dishes.

I stepped closer, caging her in against the counter. “What do you need from me right now?” I asked, my voice low.

She hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. “I don’t want to think about work, or the wedding, right now,” she said softly.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I kissed her, my hands sliding down to her waist, and I lifted her onto the counter. She gasped, her fingers tangling in my hair. I deepened the kiss, my body pressing against hers. I could feel the tension in her shoulders melt away as she kissed me back, her hands roaming over my chest.

When I finally pulled away, we were both breathless. I rested my forehead against hers, my hands still gripping her waist.

I kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the feel of her lips against mine. I stepped between her legs. Her hands slid down my chest, her fingers tracing the muscles she had discovered last night. Her touch sent electricity coursing through my body.

My tongue teased hers as my hands slid down to cup her ass. She arched into me, her nails raking down my back, and she moaned into my mouth. She wrapped her legs around my waist and jerked me closer to her.

I tugged at the hem of her tank top, pulling it up and over her head. She lifted her arms obediently, tossing the garment aside. Her full breasts begged for attention. I obliged eagerly, taking one into my mouth while teasing the other with my fingers.

The sounds she made were delicious, spurring me on as I nibbled at her nipple.

Rick chose that moment to let out a loud, judgmental meow from across the kitchen.

Dorie burst out laughing. “I think someone’s jealous.”

I pulled back, looking at the cat. “You’re going to have to get used to me, buddy.”

Rick just blinked slowly, unimpressed. I ignored him.