Chapter 12

Billie

After that little escapade at the overlook, I'm floating on cloud nine. My legs still feel a little wobbly, and I can't stop grinning like a fool. Rayne took me to places I didn't even know existed, and now all I can think about is how much more there is between us.

The next few days are a whirlwind of work and stolen moments with Rayne—texts that make me blush, phone calls where his voice alone sends a shiver down my spine. But it's not just the sex. There's something growing between us, something more real than I ever expected.

Today, we're back at the bakery, but this time, it's not just work. Rayne's here with me, leaning against the counter like he belongs here, watching me with that smoldering look that makes my heart skip a beat. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off those strong, veiny forearms that I've spent way too much time thinking about.

"Alright, cowboy," I say, tying my apron around my waist. "You ready to get your hands dirty?"

Rayne raises an eyebrow, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "Depends on how dirty we're talking."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the grin that tugs at my lips. "We're baking, Rayne. Not whatever filthy thing you've got running through that head of yours."

He chuckles, pushing off the counter and stepping closer, his body heat radiating off him in waves. "Oh, I can multitask."

I bite my lip, trying to focus as I hand him a mixing bowl. "You're gonna help me bake pumpkin bread. That's it."

"Uh-huh." He takes the bowl, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Let's see what you got, then."

We fall into an easy rhythm, Rayne helping me mix ingredients while I give him directions. It's surprisingly fun, watching this big, brooding cowboy try to navigate the kitchen. He's not half-bad, but I can tell he's more interested in teasing me than anything else.

At one point, I catch him staring at me, his dark eyes trailing down my body as I move around the kitchen. "What?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugs, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Just enjoying the view."

I laugh, shaking my head as I turn back to the dough in front of me. "You're impossible."

—-

Rayne

I've spent a lot of time watching Billie work, but seeing her here, in her element, baking up a storm—it does things to me. She's focused, moving around the kitchen like it's second nature, her hands skilled and confident as she mixes, kneads, and rolls. And fuck, she looks good doing it.

It's not just the way she moves, though. It's the little things—the way she scrunches her nose when she's concentrating, the way her lips purse when she's measuring ingredients. It's all so… Billie.

I can't help but grin as she bosses me around, telling me what to mix and how to do it, her voice all serious like we're in the middle of something critical. And hell, maybe we are. This pumpkin bread could be the most important thing I've ever made, if it means I get to see her like this.

"You're doing alright," she says, glancing over at me with a playful glint in her eye. "Maybe I'll keep you around."

I smirk, stepping up behind her, my chest brushing against her back as I lean down to whisper in her ear. "Keep me around, huh? I like the sound of that."

Her breath hitches, and I feel her body tense for a second before she relaxes into me. "Rayne…"

I chuckle, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck, just below her ear. "What? Just trying to be helpful."

She swats at me, but there's no heat behind it. "You're supposed to be helping with the baking, not distracting me."

"Oh, I can do both." I grin, sliding my hands around her waist, pulling her back against me. I feel the warmth of her body, the way she fits so perfectly against me, and it takes everything in me not to just bend her over the counter and—

Focus, Rayne.

I clear my throat, stepping back before I do something that'll end with us covered in flour and sugar. "Alright, alright. Back to work."

—-

Billie

I can still feel the ghost of his breath against my neck, the way his body pressed up against mine. It's a miracle I haven't dropped anything yet, because Rayne Miller has me all sorts of flustered, and I'm supposed to be the one in charge here.

But somehow, we manage to finish mixing the dough, and I'm about to slide the trays into the oven when I catch Rayne out of the corner of my eye, smirking like the devil himself.

"What?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

He just shrugs, all casual-like. "Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?"

His smirk deepens. "About how you're gonna owe me for all this hard work."

I raise an eyebrow, trying to play it cool even though my pulse is already racing. "Oh yeah? And what exactly do you think I owe you?"

Rayne steps closer, his eyes locked on mine, and I can feel the air between us crackling with heat. "I can think of a few things."

Before I can even think of a comeback, his hands are on my hips, spinning me around to face him, and his mouth crashes down on mine. The kiss is hard, fast, full of all the tension we've been building up for days.

His tongue slides against mine, and I moan into his mouth, my hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer. He tastes like cinnamon and something else, something rough and raw and so damn good.

He pulls back just enough to murmur against my lips, "I want you, Billie."

I shiver, my pulse racing. "Then take me."

—-

Rayne

Her words go straight to my cock. I've been wanting her for so damn long, and now that I've got her right here, all soft and needy in my arms, there's no holding back.

I kiss her again, deeper this time, my hands sliding down to grab her ass, lifting her up onto the counter. She gasps, wrapping her legs around my waist, her hands gripping my shoulders like she's afraid to let go.

"I'm gonna make you come so hard, you'll forget your own name," I mutter against her lips, my hand sliding between her thighs, teasing the heat I can feel through her jeans.

Billie moans, her hips rocking against my hand, and fuck, the sound of her voice, the way she moves—it's all too much. I pop the button on her jeans, sliding my hand inside, feeling the slick heat of her pussy as my fingers find her clit.

"Rayne…" she moans, her head falling back as I circle her clit, slow at first, then faster, harder.

Her juices coat my fingers, and I can't help but grin as I feel her body tense, her thighs clenching around me. "You're close, aren't you?"

She nods, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "Yes… fuck… Rayne, don't stop…"

I won't.

I keep going, teasing her clit with just the right amount of pressure, feeling her body tremble against me. And then she's falling apart, moaning my name as she comes, her body shaking with the intensity of it.

I hold her through it, watching the way she falls apart in my arms.