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I arch a brow, waiting for whatever his suggestion could be. I imagine it’s got something to do with sex, but he surprises me when he speaks. He looks around the place, then shifts his attention back to me.
“Have you held any giveaways or classes?”
“Classes?”
He nods his head. “A kids’ baking class, a cookie decorating class. I’ve seen that shit before, and people love it. Gets people in the door.”
I thought I’d done everything. But when he mentions those things, I realize I haven’t.
“Weekly farmers’ market?” he asks. “It’s huge in Pineville. Everyone fucking goes every goddamn weekend. Hell,” he says. “Atomic goes every week.”
I blink.
I’m trying to picture Atomic at the farmers’ market. I don’t ask what he buys because I’m too shocked that he even goes. I just stare at Elvis, my lips parted, unable to close them at all. He chuckles, no doubt finding my surprise hilarious. I do, too, but I can’t even laugh at this point. I’m not there yet. I’m still trying to process the whole thing.
Elvis finds this hilarious. I know because he bursts out laughing at my reaction. “He doesn’t bring his own canvas bags or anything. He goes for this homemade mead he likes and buys some grass-fed beef for the club.”
Again.
Shock.
“The club eats grass-fed beef?” I ask.
“Yeah, babe. Tastes better than that other shit. Besides, he funds that farm and free beef is our cut.”
I blink again, my mouth hanging even more open than it was a few moments ago. The more I learn, the more I am completely knocked off balance. I’m not sure what I should be saying or thinking. So, I stare.
“Anyway,” Elvis continues, “I know it’s quite a bit of prep, but I think it would be worth it. Your crowd is at the farmers’ market,” he says, and he’s right.
I know they are. I just never thought to do it if I had my own shop. But now that he’s suggested it, I can see it’s a really good idea and something that I should have done well before I even opened my own bakery. I probably would have had more success that way.
“Well, that’s a great idea,” I mutter.
I fucked up.
“Sweetness,” he murmurs. “You’re a phenomenal baker. You’re going to be just fine. Retail is hard as fuck, but I got your back.”
I’m quiet for a long moment, searching his gaze, and he closes the small distance between us, wrapping his fingers around the front of my throat before he speaks again. “I got your fuckin’ back, sweetness. You’re going to be goddamn famous in this shithole town.”
Then his mouth slams against mine. I’m breathless, thoughtless, and completely consumed by him.
KING
The wheels turn in Shawn’s head. I can tell she’s thinking about my suggestions. I like that. I need her to be tethered to this place, to this town. And then there’s this building.
It’s comforting, even though I hated every single fucking second of being here as a kid. It’s different now. Maybe it’s spite because I want to fuck with my parents, but mostly, it’s because it’s where I spent my entire childhood.
“Now let’s get to your place and pack you another bag,” I state.
Shawn tips her head backward, her eyes finding mine with a small smile. “I have a lot of work to do. And brainstorming. I should stay home and come to work early. I licked my wounds. It’s time for me to get back on my feet.”
Fuck.
This damn woman. I want to fuck her right here, but I know I was really rough with her earlier, so I have to tamp that down. Nodding my head, I inhale a deep breath and let it out slowly, then take a step backward.
“Okay, sweetness. I got some shit to do later, but I can hang out for a while.”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine, Elvis. I promise.”
