1. Alexis

1

The little bell above the door jingles constantly, never getting a moment's rest as customer after customer pushes through. The sweet smells of freshly baked bread and sugar glazes hang heavily in the air, whetting every appetite that passes by the bakery's windows.

Today was Half Off a Dozen Donuts Day, so the line snaked from the front counter, around the glass display case, and out the door. I watch as customers clamor by the display case, thrusting their fingers toward the remaining donuts.

Behind the counter, there's organized chaos. Store employees in their pink and white striped aprons and white hats pull tray after tray of golden donuts from the back, their enticing aroma wafting through the store.

"One dozen chocolate glazed donuts!" a customer barks at me, ignoring my polite ‘good morning'.

Okay, then.

My fingers fly across the register as I ring up the customer's order while Julia, a co-worker, hurriedly stuffs the donuts into a pink and white box embossed with the bakery's name, Cake My Day, in cursive font.

Even though the morning rush is hectic and the customers are rude, nothing can bring down my mood. Today marks five years since Mark and I started dating.

Five years. I can't believe it.

I wonder what Mark has planned for us. When I saw him yesterday, he acted like he had no idea what today was, but I know he's just teasing me. He's probably planning a huge surprise. Maybe he's going to take me to that new Italian restaurant that just opened up. I've been hinting about wanting to go there for weeks.

I can't fight the grin on my face as I imagine how the food will taste and how romantic the evening will be. Even though Mark isn't the romantic type, I just know he will be tonight. It's not everyday you reach half a decade with someone!

The hours fly by, and before I know it, my shift is nearly at an end and the bakery isn't as busy anymore.

"Are you excited, Alexis?" Julia asks me as we scrub the counters. "You've been staring at the clock all morning."

"Of course she's excited," Daniela calls as she brings out another tray of warm croissants, her round face shiny from the heat of the ovens. "Her boyfriend is most likely going to propose. Our girl's about to be engaged!"

Julia cheers, and my face warms as I continue to scrub the counter. It's nice to be supported by my co-workers.

I really do hope Mark proposes. I mean, it's been five years so it's only natural that I expect it, right? Plus, it would finally give me a real family, and that's been my one wish ever since my mom died when I was six years old. I don't even remember my father, and the authorities were never able to find him, so I was placed in the foster care system.

After bouncing from house to house, Dennis and Suzanne Carter allowed me into their home when I was eight, and I stayed in their house for the rest of my time in foster care. When I turned eighteen, I was terrified they would kick me out, but Dennis and Suzanne (they never allowed me to call them Mom and Dad) allowed me to stay in their home, as long as I cooked and cleaned for them.

"You don't know how to take care of yourself, Alexis," Suzanne would tell me. "Besides, we're the only people who can keep you safe. Do you want the bad men to come and get you again?"

I shiver as I scrub the already clean counter harder. When I was eight years old, I ran away from a particularly horrible foster family. After a few days on the streets, I was nearly kidnapped by a group of men. As they dragged me kicking and screaming to their van, Dennis Carter saved me after he witnessed the event.

I've been with the Carters ever since. Although they aren't the best, they keep a roof over my head and allow me to eat their food, so I'm grateful.

Besides, I owe them. Dennis and Suzanne frequently remind me how much it has cost them to raise and house me, so I won't leave their house until I've paid off my debt. By my calculations, that won't be for another five to six years if I decide to start giving them my entire paycheck. Ten years if I continue giving them half.

"You trying to scrub a hole into that counter?"

Gasping, I look up into the face of the most handsome customer I've ever seen.

His thick, tousled black hair frames an intensely chiseled face with high cheekbones, and a strong jawline dusted with stubble draws admiring glances. But it is his smoldering dark eyes that truly captivate, their brooding depths hinting at passions beneath his composed exterior.

He smirks at me, a dimple appearing in his right cheek, and I feel my knees weaken. Even standing still, an aura of powerful charisma seems to emanate from him.

"Oh! Uh." My face reddens as I look down at the rag in my hands. "I have to make sure the surfaces are clean. Can't be too careful with all the germs flying around. I don't want this to be called ‘Cake My Day and Go To The Hospital Bakery'."

Oh, God, that was so bad. I want to melt into the floor.

His chuckle is low and velvety, a seductive rumble that sends tingles down my spine.

"Well, I'm glad this bakery has you here to do the health inspector's job," he says. "But can I have a dozen glazed donuts and a coffee?"

Oh. Yes. My job. At the bakery. Yes.

Julia wordlessly hands me the full donut box, and I give it to him along with a steaming cup of coffee. The handsome customer pays in cash and deposits twenty dollars in our tip jar. With a smile to me, he leaves, the bell tinkling as he does so.

"Wow," Julia gasps, fanning herself as I lean against the counter, my eyes wide. "That man was sex on legs."

I nod, unable to speak. I didn't think it was possible for someone to be that attractive, but was I ever wrong.

Suddenly, guilt gnaws in my stomach. How could I be thinking about this customer when I have a boyfriend? Sure, Mark is nice looking, but he pales in comparison to the handsome stranger.

"He seemed to like you, Alexis," Daniela mentions, having watched the whole interaction. "He was definitely flirting."

"He was not," I say firmly, feeling nauseous at the thought of inadvertently flirting with someone other than Mark. "He was just a customer making polite conversation with the person standing in the way of his donuts."

Daniela shares a look with Julia but doesn't try to argue with me.

Once my shift ends, I take the train back home. The Carters live right outside downtown Chicago, nestled in a neighborhood full of Cape Cod-style homes. I let myself into the empty house and hurry to the basement that is my room.

Dennis and Suzanne are at work, and I have no idea where Emma—my foster sister—is. I like it this way as I can get ready in my own time.

Looking in the mirror, I quickly fluff out my curly hair, huffing as an errant piece falls into my eye. Although Mark and I don't have plans that I know of, I'm going to surprise him at his apartment.

Putting on my sexiest dress, I apply some red lipstick and darken my eye makeup for a more smoldering look. Shivering, I grab a coat and put it on, hugging myself for warmth.

The Carters were nice enough to let me stay in their home, but once I turned eighteen and my social worker stopped visiting me, I was forced to move out of Emma's room and into the basement.

Even though the basement is cold, drafty, and small, I'm grateful I have my own space and don't have to worry about Emma stealing my clothes or hiding my blankets.

Slipping on my heels, I put Mark's gift in my bag. Even though Dennis and Suzanne take half of my income, I've still been able to scrimp and save enough to buy Mark a beautiful new watch with our anniversary date engraved on the back.

But I have an even more important gift to give him.

Myself.

My virginity has always been a touchy subject. Mark's touched me in more ways than I was comfortable with, but I've resisted. Call me old-fashioned, but I've always wanted my first time to be with someone I truly care about and will marry.

But since I know Mark is going to propose to me, I've decided this will be another present for him.

I can't wait to see his face.

I hope it doesn't hurt.

My face warms at the thought of Mark touching me intimately, and I squeeze my legs together as my heart pounds.

I really hope Mark will be gentle with me. Sometimes, he grabs me too hard or squeezes my arms or face too tightly. Those bruises are hard to explain away when I'm at work.

The cold wind bites at my face and legs, and I shiver as I take the train to Mark's apartment. I really should have worn tights, but Mark likes it when I go bare legged.

I can feel the leers from other men, and I try to tuck my legs underneath my seat, but all it does is hike my dress up even more.

Mark picked this dress out for me and told me I had to buy it, even though I didn't want to. It was a very expensive dress and was more than I normally could afford.

But I bought it anyway because Mark said that's the type of dress he likes his woman to wear.

Honestly, the style reminded me more of what Emma would wear. My sister loves to wear tight, revealing clothes to show off her figure. I can understand why—Emma is a Pilates instructor and works out constantly. Her body is incredible.

"You meetin' someone, hot stuff?"

Hot breath touches my ear, and I instantly jerk away as a man sits close to me, eyeing me like I'm his last meal.

"Yes, actually." I sit up straighter, trying to appear confident and aloof even though I'm actually terrified. "I'm meeting my boyfriend."

The man laughs, which sets my teeth on edge. "I would never let my woman leave the house wearing something like that. Someone might get the wrong impression."

Something about his expression makes me believe he is getting the wrong impression of me. And that scares me.

Emma would have a sarcastic quip or witty comeback, but I say nothing, hoping the man gets the hint and leaves me alone.

Thankfully, I'm the next stop and I hurry off the train with a throng of other people, melting into the crowd.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I tighten my coat around me, wishing I had something to cover my legs.

No matter. I'll steal a pair of Mark's sweatpants in the morning.

All too soon, Mark's red brick apartment building comes into my view. I quickly hurry my pace, my feet throbbing as I totter about in my high heels.

My body starts to thaw as I head inside and step into the elevator. I relish the warmth of the heating even though the elevator smells faintly of weed.

I finger Mark's key as butterflies explode in my stomach at the thought of surprising him. He's going to be so excited.

So why do I feel like I'm going to my funeral? Shouldn't I be happy I'm going to lose my virginity?

I unlock his door and step inside the apartment.

Mark is nowhere to be found.

That's strange. His keys are on the counter.

A strange sound floats from Mark's bedroom, and I freeze. It sounds like a bed squeaking.

My heart pounds and my breathing becomes shallow. Moans float from his open door.

I know I should leave and tell myself that Mark had friends over who were taking advantage of Mark's kindness.

But I don't leave.

My feet feel like lead as I cross the length of the room to the door to see the source of the noise.

What I see makes me feel like I was just punched in the chest.

Mark is standing at the end of the bed, his bare ass facing the door, thrusting forward and backward, his hands gripping the hips of a woman crouched over the bed. Mark yanks the woman's hair and slaps her ass as the woman screams Mark's name in pleasure.

I know that voice.

It's Emma, my foster sister.