CHAPTER SEVEN

SIERRA

Is he for real?

I feel like I”m in an episode of The Twilight Zone. Any moment a spaceship will appear on the horizon with a message from another planet admitting to infiltrating the human species, and Caleb is one of their alien hosts.

Because I don”t know who this man is.

Granted, he”s upended my previous impression of him by working with me to help both of our businesses succeed, but how am I supposed to jump from previous archnemesis to potential boyfriend material?

Because I think that”s what Caleb”s alluding to.

This is a date.

He”s wooing me.

And I”m flabbergasted.

Shannon”s going to have a field day with this new development.

“Earth to Sierra.” Caleb flicks my shoulder. “You still in there or have I managed to finally stump that clever brain of yours?”

I swat his hand away. “Knock it off. I”m just absorbing everything.”

“I get it. It’s a lot to take in. A dashingly handsome and absurdly charming guy like myself can be intimidating, but you’re woman enough to handle me, Sierra Bear. I believe in you.” He winks then chokes on the drink of champagne he just chugged when I bump his shoulder with mine. Hard.

“You are incorrigible. And think way too highly of yourself.” Though a smile pulls on my cheeks at his antics. Caleb is silly, but then again, so am I. When I’m not stressed about work. I mean who else would cosplay as a Bond girl and break into their enemy’s business?

“Don’t pretend you don’t love me. I keep you on your toes, sweetcakes.”

“I gave up ballet when I was ten.”

There’s a pause, then Caleb’s deep laughter rumbles from the Jeep, his broad shoulders shaking and head thrown back in amusement. Popping a grape into my mouth, I contemplate a future where the man next to me isn’t my archnemesis. Where he’s my partner instead. A sexy, humor-filled partner that isn’t out to fuck my business over but wants to fuck me instead.

“I didn’t realize you were a dancer. Have you visited the new dance studio that opened up? One of the Reaper’s Wolves’ women runs it, I think.”

“You’re right. Amelie. I met her at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. But no, I haven’t attended a class. I’ve been too busy keeping the bakery afloat.”

“Has business really been that bad lately?” he asks, resting on an elbow at his side.

“Nah… It was just a joke.” My chest rises with a long inhale. “Though it may become reality sooner rather than later, if the Chain Who Shall Not Be Named continues to cut into my customer base. Suitor’s Crossing is loyal, but there’s no denying the fact that a drive-through off the interstate is more convenient than stopping by my shop.”

“Same could be said for Brewed, too.” He lifts a hand to gently nudge my chin up. “Just means we’ve got to stay creative and join forces instead of dividing our resources by fighting each other and the big bad corporation.”

“Sometimes you make too much sense,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest. Bright orange and pink paint the sky as the sun continues to set, and a blast of wind raises goosebumps on my skin.

“Are you cold?” Caleb unfolds a blanket and drapes it over my lap, tucking the ends under my legs like I’m a burrito.

“Thanks, but this is ginormous. We can probably share.” Now why did I suggest that? We don’t need to cozy beneath one blanket together. “Actually, nevermind… That’s a dumb idea.”

Caleb shifts closer, wrapping an arm around my hips to drag me into his warm, muscular side. “It’s a brilliant, beyond brilliant idea.”

“Parent Trap? Are you some kind of movie quote vault? Ready to spit out an appropriate line for any occasion?” The heat of his body seeps through my clothes as I focus on forming coherent sentences rather than relaxing into his embrace. An insurmountable feat, judging by the way my muscles immediately melt into him.

“Only with select films.” Caleb’s breath skims my temple, and I shiver, though I’m the furthest thing from chilled at the moment.

“Damn, you’re still freezing?” He roughly rubs a palm over my thigh as if to get the blood pumping, but my hand quickly falls to stop the movement—right at the crease where my leg meets my overexcited pussy.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I croak out some nonsense about the weather and body temperatures, except it’s obvious that neither of us are listening because our hands haven’t moved, our gazes locked on each other, waiting to see what happens next.

What do you want to happen next?

I flash back to last night”s almost kiss and lick my dry lips. Scruff covers Caleb”s chin and cheeks, highlighting his very kissable mouth. One that inches closer and closer until my lashes flutter shut with the first brush of his lips against mine.

“This okay, sweetcakes?” The murmured words vibrate between us as Caleb sticks to light, teasing kisses across my cheek and neck. My fingers tangle in his shaggy hair and scratch at his scalp.

“If it wasn”t, then you”d be wheezing from a punch to your solar plexus,” I manage to say through labored pants.

He chuckles. “My violent girl. Such a little spitfire.” This time he claims my mouth with more force, gripping my chin between his fingers and angling me just the right way for his tongue to sweep in and steal my breath.

Good lord, the man can kiss.

And I”m in massive trouble.