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“I, ah, well, it’s all fresh.” I ran my gloved hand along the display and put on my sweetest smile. “What’s tempting you?”
His gaze travelled along the glass cases, rolling up and connecting with me. “Something sweet.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I swallowed. What a flirt this guy was, and my body reacted to it. Every. Single. Time. Although I was playing it up a little too, it was a fun way to pass the time.
“Sweet, you say?” I wiggled my brows and leaned on the counter, smiling seductively. Sweetness may sell, but sexiness sold more. It was a proven fact in this bakery. I battled my lashes just enough to be charming, “Then I would have to recommend the chocolate danish. Sylvia uses a special chocolate blend of Callebaut with a secret rum flavouring. Plus, it’s one of my favourites.”
“A worker’s favourite, eh? That’s a great recommendation.” He rested his taut forearms on the glass and peered over the counter, giving his lips a quick lick. “I’ll take half a dozen of those please.”
Tearing my gaze away from his strong build, I grabbed a box and filled it with his request, checking him out from the corner of my eye as I dipped down to the bottom of the display case where I had an unedited view of his lower half. Damn. I added in the last of the pastries. They were always a sellout, and if you didn’t come before noon, you were shit out of luck, and Mr. Tanned and Muscular Legs just cleared us out.
“Any other favourites you’d recommend?” His voice was as smooth and melty as the chocolate mix Sylvia used.
“Depends on what your needs are.”
He sidestepped over to the counter where the cash register was, his smile stretching from ear to ear and lighting up the sparkle in his grey-blue eyes. “Curious.” He let the word linger as he cocked his eyebrow, but when my brain couldn’t offer a retort he continued. “My brother is putting together a small impromptu surprise mimosa and pastries brunch for his wife and her friends. You see, a friend of theirs,” he paused, and head-bobbed as if retracing his words to make sure he got them correct. “She’s getting married in a few weeks and the ladies are getting together to pour over wedding details. Figured since I was on my way over, I’d grab them some baked goods, especially since these are the best and the service here is always top-notch.”
A faint blush heated my cheeks. “Sylvia’s really are the best around. A bridesmaid party sounds like fun.”
Having never been to one, I had to assume. I didn’t have many friends, and none of those were remotely close to tying the knot. The closest would be Erin, but she was still fairly fresh in her relationship. I highly doubted a proposal was in her future.
“Sure, that kind of thing is fun for the ladies.” He waved his hand through the air. “What’s not to love? Deciding on the dresses, the place settings, who’s going to sit where. Yadda-yadda. It’s not so fun for the guys involved though, so we’re flying out for a round of golf.”
I spied a ball marker clipped onto his cap. That was something I knew more about. “Golfing is fun too. Especially in a group.”
“You play?” Total disbelief washed over those chiselled facial features and his tone went from fun and playful to serious.
“Not as much as I’d like.”
The season was almost over, and I’d only managed to go out a dozen times, and never a full round. Had to sneak out at sunset and play the local holes after the paid players played through. If I was lucky, I’d get in four holes before dusk made it damn near impossible to see the ball, but it was free, so I wasn’t going to complain. Or admit where I went illegally.
I dropped my plastic gloves into the receptacle under the counter.
He tipped his perfectly whiskered chin up, the flirtatious sound weaving through his words. “What’s your average?”
I squared my shoulders, readying for the pushback. Knowing the course I played on, and my average on playing those holes in minimal daylight, and then doing the math to make sure it lined up with a full round of golf, I spit out a number which sounded like it should be good. “Ninety-three.”
His jaw dropped. “Wow, impressive.”
Well, shit. Maybe that number was a little too good. However, I made sure to draw attention to my idiocy with a full-out curtsy, my hands stretched out holding an imaginary skirt, leg tucked behind. “Why, thank you.”
“Maybe one day you can join me, we’re always a man short for a foursome.” His gaze never broke away from mine, and the flecks of blue almost seemed to impossibly brighten.
“Perhaps.” Holy hell my heartbeat increased from this guy’s sultry words, and it was a constant battle to remind myself this was what he was – a charming flirt. It didn’t mean anything, and he was like this with everyone. It was who he was.
Based on what I’d heard the odd golfer in the bakery said, I added more comments. “If you’re up for a day away, Victoria has some great golf courses, as does Courteney. But the local courses are pretty decent too, except for the back nine on Lewis Creek. Those holes suck. It’s like they don’t care to maintain the greens properly.”
He pressed his left hip against the counter, leveling himself to me as he rested on his left forearm. “You know, I’m sure my brother could fly us over to Victoria one day. I’d love to watch your strokes.”
Steadying myself, I swallowed and tried to act like the double entendre was having zero effect on me. “Oh yeah, who’s your brother?”
“How familiar are you with this town?”
I rolled my eyes and tipped my head. “Oh, please, it’s Cheshire Bay. Everyone knows everyone, or at least has heard of them.”
He laughed, and it was the sweetest, most melodic sound. It made my day hearing it, although it was usually directed at someone else when he’d visit. “I suppose that’s true.” His gaze danced between my eyes. “Do you happen to know Eric Morris? He runs a charter out of the Cheshire Bay airport.”
Boom. Boom. Bam. My heart skipped a beat, but I inhaled slowly, pensively, so as to not give anything away. For once in my life, lady luck was on my side.
