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Again, he nodded, not liking where he knew this was heading. “She says she was ready to retire five years ago.” He didn’t believe it, either, but he’d been pushing the issue out of his mind. It wasn’t his decision or anything he had control over. He refused to let it have anything to do with him. Over the years, he’d kept in touch with his family, but he’d successfully distanced himself from any drama. This would be no different.
Lia leaned forward. “Dad says he asked you to take over running his practice.”
“He did and I declined.” His spine stiffened.
“You won’t even consider it?” She frowned as though that was surprising.
“No. I gave up a private practice, remember? That’s not what I want.” The same thing day in and day out would make him restless. Same patients, same clinic, same office… He shook his head. He’d done that before. It wasn’t for him.
But of course, his lawyer sister looked ready to argue her case. “Look, if you took over, Dad wouldn’t have to give it up completely. He could still work part-time, or maybe after a year or two off, he could return to work.”
Mitch frowned. “Did he say he wanted to do that?”
Lia’s sigh was full of exasperation. “He didn’t have to. This is his life. He’s not going to know what to do with himself after he retires.”
And that was suddenly on him? Mitch swallowed hard as he collected his jacket and slid out of the booth. Lia shot him a questioning look, but he kissed her forehead as he passed. “Dad’s decision is his decision,” he said in a tone that he hoped told her the issue was settled. “And my life is mine.”
…
Take the offer and travel the world with Mitch.
Maybe if she kept repeating the option to herself over and over, it would feel right. It didn’t feel wrong. But there was definitely hesitation on her part. Giving up everything she ever wanted, everything she’d worked hard for wouldn’t be an easy decision. Knowing she’d be embarking on an adventure with him made the idea a lot more appealing than simply selling her bakery and venturing out on her own. But they’d only been dating ten days. Life decisions couldn’t be made that quickly over a man.
She opened the walk-in freezer door and carried a cake shaped like an elf riding a reindeer inside. She placed it on the shelf and stared at the Jameson Nightmare Christmas Order. She’d started on their desserts the day before.
He’d invited her to the family event. That had to mean something. He never brought anyone home.
Mitch’s arms around her waist made her jump as she turned to face him. She hadn’t even heard the freezer door re-opening. He laughed as he pulled her in for a kiss. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
She moved closer and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. Would she ever get enough of these lips? He tasted better than any dessert in that walk-in freezer, and seeing him always helped to calm her frantic, overthinking mind.
“You’re early,” she said, checking her watch. He’d offered to help her with her window display for the Night of Lights that evening. She’d been so busy, she’d left it literally to the last minute.
“You’re lucky I wasn’t here at noon.” He shivered slightly. “It’s freezing in here…”
“I know a way to warm it up,” she said, surprising herself with the innuendo.
His eyebrow rose as he held her tighter. “Oh yeah?”
She nodded, slipping her cold hands up under his sweater. His breath caught. “So far, that’s not working,” he said with a laugh.
Taking his hands from her waist, she lowered them to her ass.
He massaged gently, then with more force. His fingers digging into her flesh beneath the thin fabric of the skirt she wore. “Okay, now I’m heating up a little,” he said.
Jessica slid her hands around his back and massaged the thick, solid muscles there as she kissed him again. He felt so incredible. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man as sexy as Mitch. She didn’t want to think. She just wanted to feel.
She slid her tongue between his lips and savored the taste of him as she pressed her body to his. The cinnamon and coffee combination had never tasted so good.
She could feel him harden under his jeans and her pulse went wild. She loved that she had this effect on him. Their attraction was mutual, and giving in to these sensations felt right. Overdue.
His hands moved to her breasts and she moaned against his mouth. The hardened buds grew tauter at his fondling. Despite the freezing air around them, her body was on fire.
He pulled back slightly, his gaze burning into hers as he gently bit her lip and murmured. “I want you, Jess.”
“I want you, too,” she said, nearly panting. She’d never wanted anyone so badly in her life.
He still hesitated, searching her expression. “You sure you want to do this?”
