Chapter Eight

MARIGOLD

After the awkward conversation between Reece and Maddox about picking a time to come in and taste test flavors for their parents' anniversary cake, Reece was a no show. I'm almost proud of her for sticking it to her brother. Something is clearly going on with them. But now that leaves just him and me.

And being in my shop, alone, at night, with Maddox is wearing on me.

"Goldie! Let's get a move on, yeah? My sister is obviously not coming," he grumbles out the last words and it reminds me of his attitude yesterday.

"Maybe she got stuck at the bar."

"Hmph." He pouts and leans against the doorframe. Why is that so hot? He actively studies his sleeves, rolling them up and exposing his strong forearms. "You should take a picture, it will last longer."

His words filter through my brain and I snap my eyes to his. They narrow as he says, "I don't mind, though. I like you looking at me."

His egotistical tone pulls me from my haze and I immediately change the topic. "Her not coming bothers you?" I continue my questioning, trying not to get distracted.

"I made time and she didn't." He switches his stance, crossing his arms against his broad chest.

"She's been making time."

"I have to work, Goldie."

"But you're off now, right? When's your next shift?"

"I have the next forty-eight hours off." He moves toward me and I move away. I try to keep my distance, like I already know if I get too close, he'll pull me in like a magnet. "I also need time to sleep. Someone's alarm has been pulling me from my bed at all hours of the night."

I keep my eyes down, arranging the cake on the platter, but I can feel him watching me, getting closer. He moves around the opposite way of the table, caging me in from the other direction. It's like he's circling prey. My body is tense and my heart races at his nearness.

"Everything okay, Goldie?" I watch him from my peripheral but his conceited tone has me keeping my eyes low. "You're always so put together. Specific with your time and work. Tonight you're off kilter. Why?" His smugness is irritating me and the fact he seems to be attuned to me so quickly is also annoying. I don't want to admit it's him that's throwing me off kilter. He comes to stop a foot away from me and picks up a piece of cake from the plate, popping it in his mouth. "You baked this?"

"Mm." I nod.

"It's delicious."

"It's dry cake. You need icing." Rolling my eyes, I go in search of the icing in the fridge.

"The flavor of the cake though. Peach. My mom is going to love this."

Hearing him say that relaxes me. "Yeah? I'm glad." Pulling out the large bowl of icing from the fridge, I give it a stir.

"Do you love what you do?"

I nod, still keeping my eyes low and my hands busy.

"I know you do. I can see that you love to bake. You love to make others happy with that baking?"

"Yes, Maddox," I drawl out the words. "Why all the questions?"

"Seems you need to be reminded of why you do all this to begin with. You should have fun with it. If you'd let loose and have fun you'd shine. I see it peeking through. You were having a fun time in the bakery with my sister the other day. You need to channel that every day."

I keep my eyes low. I don't like that he's seeing through me right now. Baking is the only time I've been truly happy in the last few months. Getting lost in a new recipe, or feeding those around me and watching their faces light up, it's helped lift my mood.

"Goldie! Look at me!" When I look up I see him with a spatula, just in time to hurl some icing at me. It hits me square in the chest.

"Maddox!" I exclaim, shocked that he actually just hit me with a glob of icing. "I'm doing you a favor. Your sister didn't show. It's late at night and now you're throwing icing!" I feign being mad and turn away from him.

"You're right, I'm sorry." He comes behind me and I turn with a scoop of icing in my hand and smear it over his lips, chin and down the front of his shirt, trying not to get excited over how hard his chest is.

Stifling my own giggle, his lips turn up.

"Are you having fun now, Goldie?"

"A little." I shrug.

"Just a little?"

I turn and scoop more icing into my palm and smear it down the front of his t-shirt again. He stands still, letting me do it, but his nostrils flare and his eyes dilate.

"A little bit more now—ah!"

He grabs me by the waist, sitting me on the counter and steps between my legs. He pulls his arms from his shirt and slides it over his head, dropping it to the floor. I'm breathless, he's moved so fast. And staring at his chest makes it even harder to catch my breath.

"Do it again."

My mouth drops open. "What do you mean?"

"Do it again. Paint me. You were having fun."

He leans in close, brushing my chest with his. I sit frozen in place, my heart beating wildly. He runs his finger through the icing dripping from his chest and paints my lips with the icing. "Have you tasted your own?"

If that isn't a loaded innuendo, I don't know what is. The atmosphere has just taken a huge turn. It's thick and heavy with lust.

I lick the icing from my lips. His breathing is ragged and it gives me a feeling of power. This is exciting. This is fun. I lay my hands on his chest and push him away, then swing my legs over the counter and slide off the other side. We face each other with the bowl of icing in between us.

He places his palms flat on the counter, his biceps and pecs are on proud display. "Are you challenging me, Goldie?"

I lean on the counter, mimicking his pose and I don't miss the way his eyes drop to my chest again. I stand a bit straighter and raise a brow. We both grab for the bowl at the same time. I give a tug and so does he. My lips turn in and he lets out a laugh.

"You're having fun now aren't you?" he asks and I try to deny it, shaking my head slightly. "You are. It's okay to admit it."

I pull the bowl to me again but he won't relinquish his hold. I make another grab for it and when I see him tug it back, I let go. He's a big guy and it's a tiny bowl so he doesn't get far but the surprise that I let it go makes his eyes flare. In one swoop, he hurdles the counter and lands in front of me, grabbing my waist and pulling me in close. My hands automatically go up, creating a barrier but when they land on his chest, all sense leaves my body.

"We shouldn't do this."

"Why not?" he asks.

"We don't know each other." He stares intently at me.

"I like what I do know. And I like what I see." Closing my eyes, I lean into his chest. "Do you like what you see?"

"Your sister is my friend. I don't want to upset her."

"That wasn't the question, Goldie."

I look into his eyes. I'm sure they show the trepidation I have but I can't fight what I'm feeling right now. I bite my lip, and nod ever so slightly.