Chapter 2

Billie

The Fall Festival is in full swing, and the bakery booth is a madhouse. Pumpkin spice everything is flying off the shelves, and I'm barely keeping up with the orders. People are practically swarming my booth, eager for cupcakes, muffins, and cookies, all infused with that magical fall flavor. I should be focused on the task at hand, but there's a distraction standing a few feet away.

Rayne Miller.

Leaning against a nearby fence, arms crossed over that broad chest of his, and wearing that damn cowboy hat. He's watching me. I can feel his eyes on me, sending a shiver down my spine. I try to focus on the customer in front of me, but it's damn near impossible when Rayne's just standing there, looking all rugged and delicious.

I tell myself to keep it professional. I'm here to sell baked goods, not flirt with brooding cowboys, but when I glance up and catch Rayne's eyes, my heart skips a beat.

Shay appears at my side, nudging me with her elbow. "Your cowboy's back."

I huff, trying to hide my nerves. "He's not my cowboy."

"Sure, he's not," she teases, winking at me before handing a customer their order. "But you've been staring at him like he's on the dessert menu."

"I have not," I protest, but the heat rising to my cheeks betrays me.

Shay smirks. "Whatever you say."

Before I can reply, Rayne pushes off the fence and starts walking toward me, his strides long and purposeful. My pulse quickens, and I can feel my hands trembling slightly as I hand a muffin to a customer. Great, now I'm all out of sorts.

He reaches the booth, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Need any help?"

I blink, momentarily thrown off by his offer. Help? That's new. "Uh, we've got it covered. Thanks."

Rayne doesn't move. Instead, he reaches for an empty crate next to me, lifting it with ease, his muscles flexing under his shirt. "Looks like you could use a hand."

I try not to stare, but damn, the man is built. "Fine, but don't think you're getting paid in cupcakes."

His lips quirk up in a ghost of a smile, but he doesn't respond. Instead, he sets the crate down and starts helping organize the packaged baked goods on display, his large hands surprisingly gentle as he moves things around.

Shay gives me a knowing look before slipping away to help another customer, leaving me alone with Rayne.

"So," I begin, trying to keep it casual, "enjoying the festival?"

Rayne shrugs, his eyes never leaving mine. "It's alright. Better now."

I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to suppress the smile threatening to spread across my face. "That so?"

"Mhm," he hums, the sound low, sending a tingle down my spine.

There's a moment of silence between us, thick with tension, and I'm suddenly very aware of how close he's standing. His arm brushes against mine as he reaches for another crate, and I swear I can feel the heat radiating off him. It's ridiculous how much just being near this man affects me.

Rayne leans in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've been thinking about you, Billie."

I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. Did I hear him right? I turn to look at Rayne, but his face is unreadable, calm as ever. "You have?"

He gives a slight nod, and for a second, I'm convinced he's about to say something more, but then a customer interrupts, asking for a dozen cupcakes. The moment is gone, and I'm left feeling like I've been splashed in cold water.

I force a smile and turn back to the customer, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.

* * *

Rayne

I never liked these kinds of events, too crowded for my taste. But when I saw Billie was here, I couldn't stay away.

She's reacting to me, and I'm trying hard not to let that smug grin pull at my lips. I can tell she's feeling the tension between us, and hell, it's taking all my control not to just pull her behind this booth and kiss the living hell out of her. But I play it cool. She deserves all the time in the world, not some rushed moment in the middle of a crowd.

I offer to help, mostly just to stay close to her, but it's worth it when I catch the way her eyes linger on me, like she's sizing me up. She can try to act all professional, but I know I'm getting to her.

I move a little closer, brushing my hand against her waist as I reach for a crate. Her breath catches, just like I thought it would. Good. I want her feeling the same fire that's been burning inside me for too damn long.

The booth's busy, but it doesn't matter. I'm only focused on Billie. I lean in just enough for her to hear me. "Been thinking about you."

Her eyes widen, and I can see the surprise written all over her face. It's cute. She tries to play it off, but I know I've got her attention now. I like watching her squirm, seeing her struggle to keep things casual when the heat between us is anything but.

A customer cuts in, asking for cupcakes, and I step back, giving her space. But not too much. I like watching her work, her hands moving quickly as she packages the goods. Her lips part just slightly as she focuses, and all I can think about is what they'd feel like pressed against mine.

Patience, I remind myself.

But I can't deny it any longer—Billie's more than just some passing attraction. She's got me hooked, and I'm done pretending otherwise.