Chapter 7

chapter

seven

Caroline

I will admit to no one how wet my panties are right now. Not that anyone would ask, but good heavens, that man is a walking, talking sin.

I wasn't very kind to him, but just being in the same room with him made my skin heat and feel too tight.

He's disarmingly attractive. Yes, he's definitely sexy, but he also has this boyish charm about him. Probably from the freckles. But then there was the tightly trimmed beard and those unusual green eyes. His face was a study in contradictions, yet still unbelievably handsome.

Admittedly, I don't have a ton of experience with men, but I've never had anyone affect me this way. Especially that quickly. The heat coming off his body and the low-pitched growl of his suggestive words made me feel nearly feral with lust.

Which, I gotta be honest, is … new.

I don't lose control. Ever.

Never in my life have I just been swept away with passion. At most I've been dusted with interest. No sweeping involved at all, let alone passion. But something tells me this man could sweep me away. Make me forget myself and dive head first into disaster.

So yeah, maybe I wasn't terribly friendly to him, but he's dangerous. Definitely someone I need to keep at arm's length.

Before I can devise a plan, my phone dings.

Gracie: So? How did it go?

Kelsie: What's he like in real life?

ME: Kind of obnoxious, if I'm honest. Clearly, he thinks very highly of himself.

Gracie: Boooo! I do not love that for him. Or you.

Kelsie: Could be bad first impressions.

Kelsie: Kinda like when Ethan broke into my house, and I nearly decapitated him with a lamp.

Gracie: Babe, that's legit not even possible.

Kelsie: Whatever. It happened.

Kelsie: Okay, be honest, how bad is it? You know if he's a real jerk, you can back out.

ME: Back out?

Kelsie: Yeah … you could just come home.

ME: Um … I signed a contract. I can't back out.

ME: It's fine. I can handle it.

ME: The good news is we should have no problems working together.

Gracie: Think you'll develop some decent on-camera chemistry?

Enough to light up an entire city. But I'm sure as hell not confessing to that.

ME: We'll be fine.

ME: Also, I'm certain he's younger than me, which I guess I wasn't expecting.

Gracie: Ohhh, reverse age-gap. I like it.

ME: NOT what I meant.

Gracie: Bygones.

Kelsie: Like how much younger?

ME: Not like a decade or anything. But I'd guess four or five years.

Gracie: So perfectly legal.

Kelsie: Why are you like this? Who hurt you?

ME: LOL. I miss y'all.

Kelsie: Yes. The bakery isn't the same without you.

Gracie: So what's the plan?

ME: Focus on the competition and ignore the rest.

Gracie: But he's so pretty. Can't you focus on the competition and then play with him when cameras aren't rolling?

ME: Cameras are always rolling.

Gracie: Not in the bedrooms.

Kelsie: Horny much?

Gracie: Often.

Kelsie: What has you all riled up tonight? You're like a teenage boy.

Kelsie: Wait, weren't you at Ace's earlier?

Kelsie: Yeah, I know you were because Henry texted me to say he saw you there.

Gracie: Your brother needs to mind his own business.

Kelsie: Were you dancing with someone?

Kelsie: Tell me!

Gracie: We are talking about Caroline right now, Kels. Focus.

ME: It's actually time for me to unpack and get settled so I can get a good night's sleep.

Gracie: Boring!