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“Well let me add to your repertoire then. You’re obviously good with your hands.” She only thought of the innuendo after it slipped out of her mouth and just barely managed not to choke on her own tongue as he moved intimately close to her, the sides of their thighs touching.
She spent the next twenty minutes showing him how to make roses on the tops of the cupcakes. His first couple were a bit misshapen and lopsided, but he caught on quick.
“See how easy it is,” she said, her heart beating fast from the heat of his proximity. When she looked up at him, his face was only inches away.
One half of his mouth tipped up. “It’s a piece of cake.”
“Ha ha,” she said, bumping his shoulder with hers. She couldn’t believe how easy it was to be with him. Easy and charged at the same time. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so comfortable with anyone. Even back when she hadn’t sequestered herself off from the world. Her teenage years had been full of anxiety-ridden experiences and fear of panic attacks.
She shook off the memories. “All right, now that I’ve taken out the price in trade, we can finally stop and enjoy the fruits of our labors.”
She picked up two of the cupcakes he’d frosted, handing one to him. Then she toasted his cupcake with hers. “Enjoy.”
His eyes stayed locked on hers as he brought the cupcake to his lips and took a bite. She swallowed hard.
Damn, she’d never understood what the attraction was for clients who paid to watch her eat—but seeing Nicholas take that one bite, she finally got it. She licked her lips and then took a bite of her own cupcake. He never took his eyes off her and she suddenly felt overheated even though she didn’t have the thermostat as high as normal since she knew she’d be wearing clothes all afternoon.
“Delicious,” he said, eyes still on her.
Her heartbeat started racing in her ears, but for once, it wasn’t because she was about to have a panic attack.
It was… excitement. Having Nicholas here, in person, with no idea what would happen next… God, it made all sorts of foreign feelings rush around her chest. She didn’t understand why. Usually not being in total control of a situation would freak her the hell out. She didn’t know why this was different.
But then, no, that wasn’t true. It was Nicholas. There was just something about him. Something special.
They sat down at the table with their cupcakes and Sloane poured them some coffee. “Cream,” she said, smiling as she handed Nicholas the carton of cream she’d been using for the frosting.
“You remembered.”
Of course she remembered. Not like she was going to forget having someone sit at her table for the first time in years. She’d run every moment of that encounter over and over in her head, not wanting to lose a second of it. She knew later she’d do the same for this magical afternoon spent with him.
They sat enjoying their cupcakes and coffee and chatting easily. All too soon, Nicholas was looking regretfully toward the clock on the kitchen stove. “I’ve got to be getting back to finish up some work for the office tomorrow.”
“Oh, of course,” Sloane said, embarrassed that she might have been keeping him longer than he meant to stay. She stood up abruptly and took his plate and coffee cup. “I’ve got a late shift tonight myself.”
“I had a great time,” he said. When she reached for his cup to go put it in the sink, his hand stopped hers. Her breath caught at the touch. It was still such a novel sensation. “I’d like to do it again, if that’s all right by you?”
Again those bright hazel eyes locked on hers. She swallowed and could only manage a nod, not trusting her voice. Not when he was looking at her like that.
He grinned. “Well all right.” He pushed his chair back and stood, so close that again Sloane was overwhelmed by the masculine scent of him. “Next time I’ll have to treat you. I’ve discovered this fabulous little diner in town. They’ve won best hamburger in the county three years running, or so the sign out front claims.”
And just like that, all the wonderful endorphins she’d been riding all afternoon crashed to a screeching halt.
What did she think would happen next? Of course he’d expect her to go out in the world like a normal girl. God, she’d been so stupid to invite him back. Where exactly did she think this could go?
But that was the thing. For once in her life, she hadn’t been thinking. Or rather, she hadn’t been over-thinking every possible outcome to death and then freaking out.
And the afternoon had been so wonderful…
But it was over now. Back to real life.
