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“What’s the closest thing you have to it?” the customer asked.
“To what?” Grace forced herself to look away. It hadn’t occurred to her to bring up exclusivity. Not with the way he looked at her. Devoured her.
What the hell?
Is he like that with everyone?
She’d thought they were on the same page—that they both felt lucky to have found this outrageous chemistry and connection. Maybe in the bedroom, he let go… with everyone?
How many women is he seeing?
Is that why he’s hiding me?
But she was jumping the gun, making assumptions. She was sensitive because she’d known all along she wasn’t his type. That summer when they’d docked in the harbor, Ian made some crack about Jaime not liking wholesome women, and it had stuck with her.
Because that’s me. I’m “wholesome.”
And the red-haired woman was in a whole other league. She oozed sexuality.
Just like Jaime. From his growly voice to his athletic prowess, he reeked of dirty, raunchy sex.
She forced her attention back to her customer. “The closest thing to the caramel and chocolate cream puff, huh?” She glanced at her pastries. “How about this? It’s a chocolate choux with a salted caramel filling.”
“That sounds good. I’ll take that.”
“Great.” She had to force herself to handle the transaction and not look up.
Don’t check Jaime out.
But after she bagged up the treat, she couldn’t help herself. She found the woman easily, thanks to the rhinestones glinting on her belt. It was dark, though, and while the lights lit up the meadow in some spots, it left shadows in others.
Jaime wasn’t touching her, but the woman’s familiarity left no doubt they were together.
Why would he act like he just had to have her, like she was the most special woman he’d ever met, and then parade another woman around her the next night?
I mean, he’s right there. He has to know where my truck’s located.
It hurt to see him so comfortable with another woman when he’d been nothing but uptight with her. Well, except when they were having sex. He certainly wasn’t uptight then.
And isn’t that all he wants from me?Sex in the middle of the night when no one else could see them together?
Wait, wait, wait.She knew him better than this. He didn’t have a cruel bone in his body.
If she calmed down and paid attention, the sexual energy came from the redhead. Jaime was focused on his friend.
“I gave you a ten.”
“Excuse me?” She snapped out of it, realizing she’d given her customer a twenty-dollar bill. “Sorry. Here.” She reached into the till and brought out a five. “Enjoy.”
“Thanks.”
She had to shake it off. She got so much joy from her beautiful pastries.That’s why I’m here.She had the opportunity of a lifetime. She wasn’t going to freak out over aguy.
Well, of course, he wasn’t just a guy. He was Jaime Dupree. Sexy, strong. An amazing dad and devoted son. Come on, he’d built a house for his parents so they could retire in comfort. He’d considered every angle of the aging process in the design. He listened when she spoke, and he gave her more pleasure than she’d ever imagined was possible.
So, okay. Shewasfreaking out. Because she’d never felt this way for anyone, and she was scared he’d hurt her. But she couldn’t let fear guide her. Hooking up with other women while seeing her in private was a dealbreaker, and she’d have to address it the minute she had time alone with him.
The next customer stepped up, and it took a moment for Grace to make sense of what she was seeing. “What on earth are you wearing?” She laughed at Lorelei’s latest disguise of bright orange overalls, combat boots, and a hot pink boa around her neck. “You’re just dying to get noticed, aren’t you?”
