Page 13 of Blood Sugar

“I’m afraid I can’t do it as well as you do.”

“Try,” he murmured.

Heart racing, I picked up one of the soft, spongy cupcakes in one hand, and the pink piping bag in the other. Rowen stepped behind me, leaning over my shoulder. His hand came up to frame mine, guiding me to lower the frosting bag to the cupcake top.

“This one is easy. It’s just a swirl. Go slow and let it fill in smooth.”

All I had to do was follow his lead, letting him guide me to swirl the frosting over the top. When the cupcake was set on the tray beside its neighbors, I twisted to grin at Rowen.

“Easy peasy lemon squeezy!”

He cleared his throat, his gaze flickering with heat. It was then I noticed that one hand was still cradled in his, while the other gripped the apron over his broad chest. It was a little too similar to yanking him in for a kiss, just like I’d done the night before. Like I could do right then.

“Sorry,” I said brightly, smoothing down his apron and patting his chest. Geez, his pecs are firm.

Swallowing, I stepped back, gingerly setting the frosting bag on the tray.

“We should clean up,” he said. “Add the cupcakes to the case for me?”

“Of course!”

Ten minutes later, the bakery was clean and ready for the day. Rowen hung my apron up beside his, and then shifted his weight awkwardly, like he wasn’t sure what to say.

“Look, I really appreciate this, Rowen,” I said, clasping my hands at my waist. “I know I don’t deserve all this time and training when I was supposed to be experienced. But it means a lot to me. I promise you won’t regret it.”

One hand rubbed over his scruff. “I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I can tell you have a talent for this. As long as you, you know, keep getting better, it’ll be fine.”

Cocking my head, I quirked an eyebrow at him. “Um, okay, sure. Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Good night, Sadie.” He opened the door for me, and I breathed in his caramel scent one more time as I slipped past him.

The memories of Rowen’s mouth and hands continued to haunt me even after he dismissed me for the night and locked up the bakery. He watched from the door as I walked to my vehicle, making me feel safe.

As I sank into the threadbare seat of my old beater car, I let out my breath in one long, low groan. I was an idiot—an embarrassed, starving idiot. But I wasn’t a quitter.

There were still a few hours of night left, and I should be cruising the dating apps to find a partner and blood, but I couldn’t motivate myself to open the app. I would be imagining Rowen, and that felt icky. His scent clung to me, and I didn’t want to replace that sweet caramel smell with anyone else.

Shaking my head, I pulled my car onto the main road through town, past the post office and the adorable bed and breakfast. I’d give anything to stay there instead of the shady motel outside of town, but there was no way I could afford it.

Magic prickled over my skin as I left the city limits. Ten more minutes and I was pulling into the motel parking lot. It was two hours until sunrise, and everyone else was asleep.

Silently, I slipped into my cheap room. I’d be trapped in here for the next ten or so hours. At least it got darker sooner now that we were into late October. It gave me an extra hour of freedom. When I first arrived, I was trapped inside for over thirteen hours waiting for it to get dark. That had sucked.

Grabbing a granola bar from my stash on the desk, I flopped down and flipped on the television, keeping the volume at a whisper. Only another month or two and I’d be able to afford an apartment in town, and I’d be out of this shitty motel. The thought sent warm flutters through my chest. I’d be an official resident of Pumpkin Hollow, and my new life would be even better than what I lost when I was turned. I’d make sure of it.

Chapter 4

Lessons in Pastry

Rowen

Water streamed down my body in waves as I dragged my fingers through my hair, scraping my nails over my scalp. Goddess, I was so frustrated. All I could picture was Sadie’s wet lashes as she cried. It wasn’t really my fault. She’d lied about her bakery experience.

Groaning, I slammed my palm against the shower wall. Why was I so fixated on her? She was trouble, for sure, from the way she pressed her tongue against her fangs when she smiled or the way she fluttered her lashes. I couldn’t stop replaying the way she bent over to sweep up the mess she’d made. In that dress, she was nearly irresistible.

I was such a piece of shit. She was my employee.

Leaning forward, I pressed my forehead against my arm, letting the water rain over my back. I needed to get this little vampire out of my system—without touching her. A groan rumbled out of my throat, more feral growl than any noise I’d made before. Shoving off the wall, I grabbed the handle and twisted the water to cold, letting the suddenly icy stream pour over my face. My next breath was a hiss, but at least the heat coursing through my blood cooled.