Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

S elena

I was out of my mind. Completely. Entirely.

Without question.

Yes, we'd texted on and off for hours, our conversation bordering on filthy but to tell him where I'd be today? I was freaking out of my mind.

Sure, Willow had supposedly vetted him but that didn't mean much since she was technically getting back at me for the horrendous date.

I glanced at my watch, both anxious and excited at the same time.

The Lone Ranger had been suave enough to convince me that we'd meet in public and that should be much easier. If only I hadn't sent him a sexy picture. Okay, so it was only of my leg but still. The illusion was that I didn't have any clothes on. Ugh. I was so out of my element.

"Can I have four of the frosted chocolate ones?"

Broken from my spell, I immediately plastered on a commercialized smile. "Of course you can." As I prepared a box, dashing hot purple in color, I allowed my thoughts to drift to the pic he'd sent me in return. A chest picture. And hubba, hubba, I'd needed to cool off in front of my fan for fifteen full minutes. Talk about six-pack abs. He had a full twelve-pack and then some.

However, that didn't mean his face matched his stunning physique. No siree. I'd been burned like that before when I'd used an online dating service. I'd thought for certain I'd met my Prince Charming, but he'd turned out to be a frog complete with warts. Oh, I was such an idiot.

At least there were only thirty minutes to go of the festival and I could dash away with my head between my legs like a scaredy cat.

"Here you go. That will be twelve dollars."

"For four cupcakes?"

"Yes, ma'am." I wanted to point out the big purple sign on the table but refrained from doing that or anything worse.

She huffed and puffed, which almost made me recommend she didn't need any cupcakes in the first place, but I was a good girl.

"Take that. Highway robbery," she snarked before snatching the box from my hand after tossing down the money, mostly in change.

As the pennies and quarters started rolling off the table onto the concrete surface, I almost called her a dozen not so nice names.

Instead, I called out, "Have a lovely afternoon."

I'd need more than a single glass of wine after this fiasco. I'd made ten dozen cupcakes and had sold only four dozen. What was I supposed to do with that many leftover goodies? I had to head to the other side of the table to squat down and collect my hard-earned money.

When suddenly a hand was right there, a very masculine hand helping pick up the nickels and dimes, I sucked in my breath. And the moment I lifted my head, I was staring into the bluest eyes I'd ever seen in my life. They were unearthly, like a perfect, blue-skied sunny day or the intense, deep blue underneath the tropical waters of the Caribbean. Or a perfectly ripe blueberry.

Whew.

"That's the kind of customers you're forced to deal with?" he asked, his voice so deep and husky I was thrown completely.

By that point, I was certain a tiny bit of spittle had dripped from my lips.

Get it together, girl. He's just some corporate dude pretending to be a regular guy.

Yet he was dressed in the most festive Hawaiian shirt I'd ever seen, the colors of purple, tangerine, and aquamarine highlighting his eyes.

And his lightly stubbled chiseled jaw.

And the thick cords in his long neck.

And…

Whew, I was unusually hot.

After blinking several times, I forced myself out of my ridiculous state of mind. "Yeah, well, it comes with the fact I'm working in customer service." I managed to grab most of the money, trying to stand even though my legs were shaky. As he rose to his full height, I found myself glancing up and up and…

Yep. He was tall, at least six foot three or four. It was tough to say given the concrete pad my little stand was on was sloped.

"I would have decked her," he continued as he placed the money carefully on the table. His comment forced me to laugh.

He laughed with me.

"Would you like to purchase a cupcake?" I asked after a few seconds of awkwardness. "I have a yummy red velvet, a sizzling buttercream, and the most luscious blueberry surprise treat you've ever experienced."

"You have a way with words. I think I need to try that blueberry one right now." His grin highlighted two perfect dimples.

I tried to act as if his big, bad presence didn't bother me, taking my time to find the right little box.

"Oh, no. I'll eat it right here," he said in an even deeper voice.

"Oh, okay." The guy was odd but whatever floated his boat. I placed what I hoped to be the delicious treat on a napkin, pushing it across the table. I couldn't help but hope this was the man. The Lone Ranger. Couldn't be. Good things didn't happen to bad girls. Right?

The light breeze allowed me to gather the scent of his aftershave and I'd be damned if I wasn't swooning. There was a dash of citrus, a dazzling hint of deep timber, and more than a sprinkle of exotic spices. Wow.

He grabbed it quickly, peeling the paper cup aside and in one bite, pretty much consumed the entire cupcake. I was shocked. And impressed.

As he munched, his eyes rolled back in his head. The sounds he was making, as if he was having the most incredible orgasm almost immediately drew attention.

He'd consumed the entire cupcake in the blink of an eye, and I was fearful my mouth was open enough it would draw in flies. When I noticed he had icing in the corner of his mouth, threatening to drop to his chin, I involuntarily gathered the sticky goo with my finger.

I had every intention of grabbing a napkin but before I had a chance, he wrapped his massive hand around my wrist, lifting my arm. He wasn't a man of hesitation at all, slipping my finger into his mouth and sucking with the same kind of fervor and growling noises he'd made before.

‘Holy crap' were the two words that came to mind.

The crowd was building.

Women panting.

A few moaning.

A couple doing God knows what with their hands.

And me? I was wet and hot all over, the throbbing deep in my pussy catching me so off guard, I couldn't focus.

Only when he pulled my finger from his mouth with a decided popping noise was the spell broken.

For everyone.

"I'll have what he's having. How about a dozen," a woman said, fanning her face.

"Me too," another said.

"Make that two dozen for me and please dear God, including whatever frosted goodness that hulk of a man consumed."

Their voices were full of raucous sin and longing, which pulled another group of women toward the table.

Now the gorgeous mystery man was grinning. He knew exactly the trouble he'd caused, although I was giddy inside since I had a feeling the cupcakes would sell out quickly. If only he were in a sexy apron, I had a feeling I could sell an igloo to an Eskimo.

Down, girl. Down.

"Oh, okay. Of course." I turned my head toward him before grabbing two boxes, shocked when a line started to form. "It seems you're my good luck charm."

"You're welcome," he said gruffly, his eyes twinkling.

Over the next ten minutes, I almost sold out of every cupcake. I was thrilled and shocked. Meanwhile, he'd positioned himself behind the table, playing my helper in retrieving boxes. The guy was a whiz, putting them together in seconds.

When the last customer had walked away, I stared down at the four cupcakes left and sighed.

"Only four left. You were a godsend. The cupcake from before is on the house."

"Oh, no," he said as he pulled out his wallet. "You're running a business and should get paid what you're worth."

As he laid down two hundred-dollar bills, I slowly lifted my gaze. "For one cupcake?" Who did this man think I was?

"Oh, I want the remaining four."

I wasn't certain how to react as I boxed them for him. "Just so we're clear here. I very much appreciate your help. In fact, more than you know but that doesn't mean anything… you know like… extra."

"Extra?" There he went lifting a single eyebrow, which just made him sexier.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not that kind of girl."

"What kind of girl is that, Cupcake?"

And just like that, I was tossed into a strange abyss where breathing or seeing clearly was not possible.

"You're the Lone Ranger?"

"At your services, ma'am. What do you say after you're finished, we get a drink?"

"Well, I'd say… Yes."

Hell, yes to be exact.

Maybe I would need to thank Willow after all.

The man wasn't just a catch; he was the entire bakery and then some.

Maybe it was my chance to devour something sweet for a change.

Yummy.