Sarafina

Walking into Two Dudes on my night off wasn’t my idea of a great time, but there I was. Sally had ordered two dozen cupcakes for her daughter’s graduation and I couldn’t pass up the money. The bar was busy for a Wednesday night and I had to guard my cupcakes like a linebacker as I made my way across the room. I’d barely been able to afford the ingredients to make the cupcakes after paying the utilities and if some drunk asshole knocked them out of my hands, it was likely to end in murder. I knew I was stressed when I found myself thinking about jail and how it might’ve been a relaxing way to get away for a while.

I got closer to the bar and saw Sally slip into the back with Jeremy, our boss. Since I had no intention of talking to Jeremy, I figured I’d sit and wait for her. Jeremy was long-winded and I knew Sally had a crush on him so there was no telling how long the two would be gone. Glancing around for an open seat, I instead found myself watching a woman cling to a man for dear life. His face was hidden behind her hair but his shoulders were wide enough to stretch out on either side of her. From what I could tell, he was a big man, but he was having trouble getting the woman off him.

Being behind the bar usually meant I was used to snapping out orders at drunk patrons who were getting carried away but I wasn’t working and without a bottle of tequila in my hands, there was no way that woman was going to listen to me. I tried to tell myself it wasn’t my business but the longer I watched the man gently try to push her away, the more annoyed I got. She clearly couldn’t take no for an answer and if the roles were reversed, I would’ve had my soda gun on her already.

Growling out an annoyed sigh, I straightened my back and put a smile on my face. Striding over to the two of them, I wedged myself between them to put my cupcakes on the bar top andthrew my arms around the man’s very broad shoulders. “I made it, finally! I had to grab the cupcakes for Sally, but I’m here now, babe. Sorry for being—”

Somehow the tight squeeze between the woman’s boobs and his chest hadn’t stolen my breath, but finally looking up at the man’s face had. Oh, he was handsome. I instantly understood why the drunk woman was clinging to him. I wasn’t drunk and I wanted to rub my body all over his, too. The feeling of muscles under my hands was nice, but his eyes boring into mine had my lady bits singing.

His dark hair was a little too long and falling over his forehead, and normally I would’ve thought he should’ve shaved his stubble before coming out, but the salt and pepper in his beard was alluring. His olive skin was smooth and his intense dark brown eyes were countered by a full mouth that was a shade pinker than I would’ve expected with his coloring. He looked like a god and I was willing to bet there were abs, visible abs, hiding under his Henley.

One side of his mouth ticked up in a smirk and he easily wrapped his arms around my waist, tugging me close. Yep, abs. I could feel them against my stomach and damned if that didn’t make my panties combust.

“I never mind you being late, Cupcake. Not when you show up looking edible every time.”

The woman was still hovering at my back so I took the chance to run my fingers through his hair and feel the silky strands. His eyelids lowered enough to tell me he liked it, so I did it again and bit my lip. He had no business being so hot and I had no business touching him, but what could I say? I was a hero.

I glanced over my shoulder at her and smiled. “Who are you?”

The woman frowned and glared at where the stranger had nuzzled his face into my neck. His beard was rough on my sensitive skin but then I felt his warm, soft lips against my pulseand I wasn’t sure who was more shocked, me or the woman watching.

“Who am I? Who the hell are you?”

Brown Eyes trailed one of his hands lower until it was riding the top curve of my ass. “She’s no one I know. I was just trying to tell her I was meeting my girlfriend here. My habitually late girlfriend.”

Looking back at him was inevitable when his eyes were the exact color of my favorite chocolate when it was melted. I licked my lips and felt his fingers tighten over my ass. “I thought you didn’t mind my lateness.”

He zoned in on my mouth and moved closer. His breath caressed my lips when he exhaled and I inhaled the scent of mint. “I don’t. I was just worried you’d take one look at another woman trying to climb me like a tree and toss my sorry ass to the curb.”

The music changed to an older country song which had a sultry vibe to it and I felt my pulse rate jump even higher. I was already pressed against the stranger from crotch to shoulder but it didn’t feel like enough. Even though it was fake, my body’s reaction to him was very real and the first of its kind. I didn’t usually feel flutters. Brown Eyes was giving me full on dragon-sized wing flaps, though.

His hand skated over my ass and then up again until it was gripping the back of my neck and pulling my face closer to his. Our mouths were a breath away from connecting but he stopped and hovered there as he held my gaze. “Where’d you come from?”

“He should’ve had a sign or something if he was so in love. Whatever!” With a bump of her shoulder to mine, the woman behind me walked away, breaking the spell.

I cleared my throat and pulled away, smiling while I tried to pretend like it’d all been an act. “You’re welcome.”

He shifted his body on the stool to follow me as I leaned over the bar and looked to see if Sally was back yet. “Thank you. I was concerned I was going to have to scrape her off of me.”

I looked back over at him and looked him up and down. His simple Henley was unbuttoned at the neck and his jeans were snug across his thick thighs. The boots he wore were lightly worn but an expensive brand. He looked somewhat familiar, but that didn’t mean anything to me. I’d been bartending at least six days a week, every week for three years straight. Faces had all started to blend.

“I wish I could say it’s not normally like that, but it’s a town with a lot of single women in the marrying age range. Any man not wearing a wedding ring becomes open game.” I looked down at his finger. “If you’re just trying to enjoy a night out without needing to bring your scraper, maybe buy a fake ring.”

He nodded and looked down at my empty ring finger. “And single women? Is it rough here for y’all, too?”

I smiled. “I’m normally on the other side of the bar with a soda gun as a weapon. No one bothers me.”

“Not sure a soda gun would be enough to make me want to keep my hands to myself.” His voice dropped an octave and the huskiness of it went straight to my core.

I tilted my head to stare at him and tapped my fingers on the bar top. He was painfully good looking. I wanted to hop onto his barstool and rub myself on his thigh. I was just too busy. “I’m pretty mean with that soda gun.”

His grin was devastating. Dimples popped out on his cheeks and his eyes lowered just enough to make me think bedroom thoughts. “And if I think you’re worth it? How’s a guy supposed to get past your soda gun?”

“Are you asking for yourself or out of curiosity?”

He lightly pressed his fingertips to my lower back and held my gaze. “I think we both know I’m asking for myself.”

Sally chose that moment to pop out of nowhere. “Sarafina! Thank you so much!”

I jerked my gaze around to Sally and forced a smile while leaning away from Brown Eyes. “Of course. Tell Bailey I said congrats.”

She glanced at the man next to me and her eyes widened. “Are congrats of your own in order?”

I felt my cheeks threaten to burn and fought against the flushing. “Nope. I’ll see you later, Sally. I’ve got to get back home to Rosaline.”

Brown Eyes gently caught my wrist and stopped me. “One drink. Have one drink with me and I promise I won’t plaster myself to you.”

I studied his sincere expression and chewed on my inner lip. He was hot and seemed nice, but I couldn’t date anyone. I especially couldn’t date someone who would break me without even trying. I leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek before whispering so he alone would hear me. “You’re beautiful but I make a point of not grabbing drinks with customers.”

Before he could say anything else, I waved at Sally and made my way out of the bar. My stomach twisted with the desire to go back to him, but I was doing the right thing. I was too damn busy and already had a million things to do without adding a man’s needs on top of everything.

When I glanced back at the bar just before exiting, it was only because I was curious. Sure enough, Sally and Brown Eyes were deep in conversation and she was giving him one of the cupcakes. I figured he’d moved onto Sally and left with an oddly disappointed feeling in my stomach.

Sarafina

Rosaline’s alarm had been blaring for far too long for me to stay sane. I kicked my sheet off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My eyes weren’t open as I tried to shove my feet into my shoes and couldn’t find them. I tapped the floor blindly with my toes until I had to open my eyes and what I saw just made me angrier. My bedroom door was open and I could see one of my shoes just outside of my room. I knew I’d find the other with Monster, my sister’s cat. It thought it was a dog and it’s favorite thing to do was chew on my shoes.

Pissed off and barefoot, I stomped out of my room and down the short hallway to Rosaline’s. Her door was locked, of course. She was almost sixteen and privacy was her middle name those days. I knocked on the door hard enough to hurt my knuckles and felt a small ounce of satisfaction when the cheap door rattled under my fist.

“Rosaline! Get up!” I banged on the door one more time before finding Monster and my other shoe. The front end of my fuzzy house shoe was wet with the cat’s drool, but it was salvageable. I took it from him and got slapped for my efforts. “Hey! You little shit. No scratching! I feed you. I water you. I provide you with all the things you love to chew on. The least you can do is keep your claws to yourself!”

He glared up at me and then kicked his leg over his head to lick his backside. Doing it right in my face was definitely an insult so I mentally took away one of his kitty treats.

Rosaline’s alarm shut off and a few seconds later, her door banged open. “You don’t have to come banging on my door!”

I turned back to glare at my little sister and put my hands on my hips. “Your alarm has been going off for so long, Rosaline. How else do you suppose I wake you up?”

She growled and slammed her door shut, cutting off any chance of communication between us. I was awake after everything, despite the late shift I had worked at the bar. The fridge was pathetically empty, except for a bag of extra icing and a jar of pickles.

I scrolled through my phone while eating spoonsful of icing and drinking a flat bottle of Diet Coke which had been in the fridge for too long. I checked the social media pages for my business and gritted my teeth when I saw I had no new orders.Sweets by Sarafinawas something I’d been trying desperately to do for so long that the disappointment wasn’t new or unexpected, but it was always the same. I never gave up hope.

“That was my Diet Coke, Sarafina!” Rosaline glared at me from the doorway, her backpack slung over one shoulder and a fully black outfit adorning her small body.

I looked down at the bottle and frowned. It’d been in the fridge, half empty, for weeks. Looking back up at her, I pointed at it. “This one? It was half gone and flat.”

“It was still mine.” She opened the fridge and scowled. “Of course, there’s nothing. Are you going to do the shopping?”

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Yes, Rosaline. I was just waiting for my check. Eat breakfast and lunch at school today. I’ll make sure there’s something here for dinner.”

“Breakfast at school sucks. It sucks here, too, though.” She slammed the fridge shut and walked away without saying anything else.

I followed after her for some dumb reason. “Rosaline, I’m doing my best.”

“Yeah, well, your best sucks.”

I threw up my hands. “I guess everything sucks.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I’m going to school or do you have a problem with that?” She yanked open the front door and a wave of heat rolled inside. “God, I hate this town.”

I glanced out the door to see that she was glaring at a group of teenagers walking by. Judging by the amount of shiny, happy vibes coming off them, I guessed they were a part of the wealthier crowd. They looked up at us and giggled to each other, making it more than obvious they were laughing at us.

Feeling Rosaline shrink beside me, I stepped farther out on the porch and looked the kids over. “Hey, y’all. I know you’re a little young for aMean Girlsreference, but you know how it ended, right? The worst of them got hit by a bus.”

They looked at each other in shock, trying to figure out if I was implying something.

I smiled sweetly. “Y’all be careful, okay? Have a good day and look both ways!”

Rosaline snorted from next to me and elbowed me lightly. “You know they’re going to tell everyone you threatened to run them over with a bus, right?”

I shrugged. “Maybe I did.”

She looked up at me and a real smile crossed her face for a split second before she regained her composure and her typical scowl. “I’ll see you later.”

I nodded. “Let me know if they give you shit. Bus rentals aren’t too expensive.”

She shook her head and took off down the steps and towards school. I watched for a few more seconds, feeling the same sense of helplessness I always felt over Rosaline. I was twenty-four, trying to raise a fifteen-year-old. I was in over my head in so many ways.

Stepping back inside, I shut and locked the door. I went back to my bed with my phone, ready to spend the morning scrolling mindlessly. There were so many things I needed to do. Cleaning, budgeting, shopping, more cleaning, but I just couldn’t do any of it. I felt too overwhelmed. I considered calling my best friend, Giovanna, but that even seemed like too much in that moment.

There was just something about arguing with Rosaline that exhausted me. Between that and worrying about how other kids treated her, I was tired before I’d even gotten started with my day.

I’d wasted an hour or two looking through recipes for cupcakes when a call came in from a number I didn’t recognize. It was only the hope for a new client that made me answer. I put on my professional voice and answered with a bright hello.

“I had one of your cupcakes last night. You’re talented.”

Sarafina

I sat up and felt an odd rush of endorphins from hearing the familiar voice on the other end of the line. Brown Eyes. “How’d you get my number?”

“Do you want honesty or something sexier?”

I bit back a smile. “Honesty. Always.”

“I bribed the other bartender.” He cleared his throat. “Yep. I’m not exactly proud of myself, but I’m not sorry, either.”

Scoffing, I hugged my pillow to my chest. “Sally gave you my number because you bribed her?Andshe gave you one of the cupcakes?”

“I paid for both. We didn’t clarify the bribe up front so I paid her for just your name at first. She really made me work to get your number. I hope it’s less creepy and more flattering, but I’m afraid it’s leaning towards more creepy.” He sounded like he was smiling, despite somewhat scolding himself. “Your cupcake, though. It was fucking delicious.”

I found myself smiling and flopped back in bed. “Thank you. Did you call for an order of cupcakes?”

His laugh was low and husky. “As much as I liked the cupcake, I’m calling for you. I know you said you didn’t grab drinks with customers, but I’ll make a promise to you that I’ll never come back to the bar. Problem solved.”

My blush was childish but it’d been a long time since anyone madeanyeffort for me, so I was more than a little flattered that the drop-dead sexy stranger from the night before had worked to get in touch with me. “What’s your name?”

“Now we’re getting somewhere. Daniel. And I know your name is Sarafina Morgan, but I especially think Cupcake is more than fitting after knowing how talented you are.”

“Daniel. What if I just said I don’t date customers to let you down easy last night?”

“Wrong direction, Cupcake.” He was definitely still grinning. “Let’s focus on the way you saved me last night. I should properly thank you for that, over dinner and drinks.”

I laughed. “You thanked me last night. If anything, we should focus on how handsy you were with your hero.”

“You’re walking into this one, Cupcake. I’d love to talk about how handsy I was. In graphic detail. Since I’m a gentleman, however, I’ll refrain.”

“Oh, my god. You’re impossible.” I felt my bed shift lightly and looked down to see Monster staring at me with a pair of my panties in his mouth. “Drop those, you little pervert!”

Monster spit out my panties and proceeded to rip me a new one in a series of angrymeows. He was as sick of my shit as I was of his. Apparently, my refusal to let him eat my panties was his limit.

“What the fuck is that sound?” Daniel sounded genuinely concerned for me and I was thankful someone was finally paying attention to the terror that was Monster.

“My sister’s cat, Monster. He’s a terror. He makes it his mission to chew on everything I own. Currently, it’s panties. This morning, it was my house shoes.” I snatched the panties and shoved them under my pillow. “Go away, Monster.”

“Does it have rabies? What’s with the sounds?”

I snorted. “He’s just pissed and talking back. We rescued him from an alley behind a strip club in Memphis. He’s got a big personality.”

“I’m still not convinced you shouldn’t call animal control.”

“Rosaline would murder me. She likes two things in the world and Monster is one of them.”

“Is the other one you?”

I laughed a little too hard at that. “Sorry. No, I am definitely not the other thing she likes. She’s fifteen and being raised bysomeone barely nine years older than her. She definitely does not like me.”

“Wow. You’re raising her? That’s got to be hard.” He hesitated. “Also, I’m doing the math and you’re twenty-four? I’m too old for you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Are you canceling the date with me that I haven’t accepted yet?”

“I should. I’m thirty-seven. I should apologize for bothering you and let you go.” With a pained sound, he continued. “I’m an asshole, though, and I’m not going to.”

A shiver of excitement worked its way down my spine. “You’re acting like I’m even going to agree to a date with you. Which, I’m not.”

“No?”

“Didn’t you hear? I’m raising a fifteen-year-old. I’m busy.” Reality set in a little and I swallowed my flirtiness. What the hell was I doing? Giggling with a complete stranger on the phone like I was Rosaline’s age with no responsibilities or concerns? “Matter of fact, I should go.”

“How busy?” His voice took on an edge of concern. “Do you give yourself breaks?”

“Breaks? What are those?” I sighed. “I don’t have time for breaks. Or money for breaks.”

“Sarafina, I don’t know you, but you’re too young to burn yourself out. If you won’t go out with me, at least take yourself out.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Sorry. I realized I’m overstepping. You just sounded so much older when you said that and I’ve been there myself. Overworked and pushed to the limit. It’s not good.”

For some reason, his concern dragged everything to the surface. Emotions threatened to bubble over and I ground my teeth together to keep them in check. “I took Rosaline in three years ago. I was twenty-one and I had all these big plans. Rosaline neededme, though. I bartend at least six nights a week, every week. I take as many baking orders as I can. I ate icing for breakfast because the only other thing in the fridge was pickles and Rosaline yelled at me for drinking a flat diet Coke she’d left there weeks ago. She also yelled at me for banging on her door to wake her up when she slept through her alarm.

“I’m broke, I threatened a few bullies with vehicular homicide this morning, and there hasn’t been a single fad diet come around that encourages people to eat cupcakes. I would love to go out with you for dinner and drinks. I’d love to skip all that and go straight to the orgasms I’m sure you’re an expert at giving. I haven’t had one of those in… Jesus, I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve masturbated.” I sucked in a huge breath of air. “I don’t know what a break is. Maybe when Rosaline graduates, I can take a break. Or when she gets a career and can take care of herself? I don’t know. I just know that right now? There are no breaks. It’s unfortunate, though, because you’re incredibly hot and our chemistry alone would make me come if I had the energy to touch myself. But I don’t.

“So, thank you for flattering me by calling, but I’ve just said all of this and now I have to go bury my head in the sand and be embarrassed for the next two to four years. Shit.”

I hung up before he could say anything and stared at my phone like it was a spider that had crawled into my hand and bit me. What the hell was wrong with me? Why had I said all of that?

Letting out a mortified scream, I pulled a pillow over my face and hoped I was going to wake up to Rosaline’s alarm. At least then the entire morning would’ve just been a terrible dream.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Daniel

“Daniel? Are you listening?” Paul Higgins tapped his fingers on the conference table and stared across at me. “Are you good?”

I looked up at him and shrugged. “Yeah, I’m fine. Go ahead.”

“I was mentioning I think something drastic needs to be done.” The shorter man looked at me and my two best friends like we hadn’t been the easiest clients he’d ever worked for. “Things are going good, but I think we need to do something to make sure it stays that way.”

Colton shifted in his seat, stretching his legs out under the table, and looked at me. “Something drastic?”

I frowned. “I didn’t suggest it.”

“You’re the one who said we needed to get a PR consultant, though.” His lips turned up on one side and despite his stern voice, I knew he was just trying to get a rise out of me. We’d been best friends since we were five years old. We knew everything there was to know about each other. Same with the man sitting on my other side, Paul.

I folded my arms and ran my hand over my jaw. “That was a recommendation from Samantha.”

Paul cleared his throat and leaned forward, focused completely on Paul. “What drastic thing are you talking about?”

“Why’d Samantha think we needed this? We’re squeaky clean. We’re downright boring.” Colton made a face at the mention of our manager. “Drastic… I don’t like the sound of drastic.”

Paul sighed and stood up, probably trying to make himself larger compared to the three of us. “Drastic probably wasn’t the right word. I’ve scoured through your socials and gone through every online forum available. Yes, you three are squeaky clean. You’re ideal clients. There’s a murmuring in the fan groups, though.”

I started to check out again. My mind was still on the sexy woman I’d met the night before. Sarafina Morgan. Just the thought of her brought an awareness to my nerves. Her eyes had haunted me all night.

“Because the three of you haven’t publicly dated, basically ever, there are women who are wondering if you’re maybe not straight.” Paul squirmed as he got my attention again. He stuck his fingers between his neck and his stiff collar and tugged slightly. “Obviously, it doesn’t matter to me if you are and I’m not implying anything.”

Paul was the first of us to speak. “Okay? They think we’re gay?”

I sighed. “Why would that matter?”

Colton rapped his knuckles on the table and shoved his chair away from the table. “Yeah, I don’t have time for this. Am I supposed to freak out and rip my shirt in masculine horror that people think we’re gay? I don’t give a fuck what people think, but if you’re implying that people thinking we’re gay is a bad thing, I’m going to have to politely suggest you fuck yourself and we can call this done.”

Paul’s face had taken on the color of strawberry compote. “No, no! Not me. I’m… I’m gay myself and it’s refreshing to hear your take on people thinking you’re gay.”

“Why are you suggesting it’s a bad thing then?” I wondered if Sarafina knew who I was and ifshethought I was gay.

“Okay, that’s where this gets interesting. Most of your fanbase is made up of women. Research has suggested that women are more likely to tune into men who they are attracted to, but also to men who they feel are available.” Paul saw the sour looks on our faces and rushed on. “I didn’t write the research. I’m just telling you what it suggests. From personal experience, I’ve watched men fade into nothingness after coming out as gay. Theinterest in them drops unless they shift into gay bestie mode, which I don’t imagine any of you doing.”

“That research sucks.” Paul shook his head and leaned back in his seat. “I mean, really sucks. If we’re not fuckable, we’re not worth watching?”

“You should try being a woman.” Paul sat back down and folded his hands on the table in front of him. “I just heard a story about a teen actress getting turned down for a father-daughter role because the director didn’t think she was fuckable. The problem isn’t new or fresh. I’m just explaining to you that if the message that you three are gay keeps growing, it could hurt your brand. I don’t need to tell you if people stop watching you and lose interest, the storefronts suffer as well.”

My scowl was fierce. “What the fuck? Who was the director?”

“I’m sorry. Just like with you guys, I signed an NDA. I’m not allowed to say anything more than what I did.” He met each of our gazes, finding his groove in the presentation. “You just have to go on a few dates with women. Let there be a little commotion in the tabloids. Play coy with your audience.”

Colton was reaching his limit and then some, it seemed. “There’s a reason we’re not already dating women, Paul, and it’s not because we’re gay. We’re fucking busy. I don’t have time to put on a show for the tabloids.”

“Your other option is to do nothing.”

Paul grunted. “I like that option.”

“You can do nothing and eventually watch your brand go silently into the nothingness the way so many do. It’s a cutthroat world.”

I cut Paul off. “We bake fucking cupcakes and pastries. What are you talking about?”

He shrugged. “I ran the idea by Samantha already and she agrees with me. You three need to publicly go on a few dates. It doesn’t have to be all the time. I know you’re busy. Samanthasuggested I provide you a list of approved women who would agree to the dates and sign NDAs so nothing would come out after.”

I stood up then and walked towards the door with my best friends hot on my heels. “I don’t remember seeingpimpon your card, Paul. No, thanks. If we agree to this, we can get our own dates.”

“That’s a bigif, too.” Paul slammed the door behind us and we strode towards the elevators together, the three of us moving in sync the way we always did.

We’d known each other and been as close as brothers for thirty-two years. That sort of thing just happened after a while, especially since we spent nearly every day together. It suddenly felt a little strange, though, and I wanted to strangle Paul for that.

Colton, having the same thoughts I was, jabbed the call button and looked at us. “Do they think we’re gaytogether?”

Paul snorted. “You two wish. Everyone knows I’m way out of your fucking league.”

I was quiet as we got on the elevator. My mind was back at the bar, picturing the way Sarafina had thrown her arms around me and smiled like she had a million secrets to tease me with. She’d turned me down for a date, but she’d also said she knew I’d give her amazing orgasms. She was busy and had a lot on her plate, clearly, but if I could help her out while getting closer to her, wasn’t that a win-win?

“What’s that look about?” Paul narrowed his eyes at me. “You’ve been oddly quiet today. You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

“I might have an idea.”

“What kind of idea?” Colton reached forward and hit the emergency stop button. “Spit it out.”

“Her name’s Sarafina and you’ve got to try her cupcakes.” I jabbed the button for the elevator to move again and cut my eyes at Colton. “This isn’t our building, asshole.”

He shrugged. “Tell me more about Sarafina and her cupcakes.”

Sarafina

It was always the same. Sweets by Sarafina was slow until it wasn’t. I couldn’t complain about having money coming in, but it was hard when I couldn’t turn down any jobs, no matter how inconvenient they were. Just after I got off the phone with Daniel and spent half an hour cursing my big mouth, I saw I’d received an order request for a cake. The customer wanted to know if they could get it by the next day. I’d called them back and assured them I could get to the cake, but mentioned there would be a rush fee. However, after listening to the customer’s reason for needing a cake last minute, I waived the fee.

I was a sucker and I knew it. My biggest fear was that I didn’t have the heart for business. None of my worries or concerns mattered when I was baking, though. It was one of the reasons I loved it so much. It’d always been something I lost myself in. I could start a batter and forget everything else for a little while.

After hammering out the details of the order and taking a deposit for the cake, I’d checked ingredients in the kitchen and rushed to the store to do a baking run. I threw a few things in for Rosaline, as well, and then raced back home to start on the cake. I wanted them baked and cooled so I could immediately start working on the frosting and decorating the next morning. Or that night when I got off work, more likely.

They wanted a strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream and lemon curd filling. I avoided flavored extracts as much as I could so I’d already cleaned and chopped up four pounds of strawberries. They went in a pot with sugar and lemon to start the compote to flavor both the cake and the frosting. I didn’t own a double boiler so I started my lemon curd over another pan with a glass bowl balanced precariously on top of it. My hands were full with stirring but when my phone rang, I still dove to answer it, terrified it would be the customer, canceling their order.

“Sweets by Sarafina?” I realized I was breathless and took a breath before trying again. “Hi. Hello?”

Oh no, it's him!!!

“Hi. Hello?”

“I promise this isn’t a thing. I can normally take a hint, especially when the hint is so clear, but I have a proposition for you.” Daniel. He’d somehow already imprinted his voice into my veins and my blood pumped a little faster at the sound.

I held the phone between my shoulder and ear so I could stir both pots. “I’m afraid it is becoming a thing. After I embarrassed myself and hung up on you, you weren’t supposed to call back.”

“Consider me stubborn.” He paused and then lowered his voice. “You had no reason to be embarrassed earlier.”

My homemade double boiler was on the move, with the glass bowl trying to scamper off the pot. I swore and dropped the whisk into the bowl while steadying it, causing a small drop of molten sugar to splash up and hit my hand. I swore, licked it off my hand, and then swore more when it burned my tongue, too.

“What’s going on over there?”

I dropped the phone onto the counter and put it on speaker. “I’m making two things at once and one of them just burned me. Twice, because I’m an idiot.”

“What are you making?”

I was drawn out of my panic by his calm questions. If he was so calm, maybe I could calm down some, too. I took a few deep breaths and felt more settled. “Lemon curd on one burner and strawberry compote on another.”

“How’s your burn? Did you try to lick the sugar off your hand and burn your mouth, too?”

I froze and looked around. “How did you know that?”

He laughed. “I bake. You’re not an idiot. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to lick molten sugar off of my skin. Both the curd and the compote can take a second while you run some cool water over your burn.”

“I need to stir them.”

“Trust me.” His voice had taken on a commanding tone and I found myself doing what he said. “People have turned things like curds and compotes into a legend. If you know what you’re doing, and I’m sure you do based on the cupcake I tasted, you can make heated sugar your bitch. If you stop stirring it for a minute, it’s not going to go bad that fast. I promise.”

I turned off the water and dried my arm, my mind going too fast for me to catch any one thought at a time. Instead, I went back to the stove and saw everything was fine. “Who are you?”

He laughed easily. “That’s part of the proposition. Why don’t you finish up what you’re doing and call me back?”

I cleared my throat and went back to stirring, but I wasn’t as devoted to the task as I had been before his words. He was triggering all the puzzle loving parts of my brain and I wanted to know who he was and what he wanted. “I can listen and stir.”

“Whatever you’re making deserves your full attention. Finish up and call me back.” He hesitated. “Don’t add cornstarch to your compote. Just let it cook for longer.”

I scoffed. “I would never.”

He groaned quietly. “Hot. So damn hot.”

I heard the line go dead and stared at my phone. What the hell was that? Who was he? How did he know so much about desserts and what kind of proposition did he have for me? I wasn’t a patient person. I hated waiting for things, no matter what.

I didn’t want to seem desperate to Daniel, though. I’d already talked to him about my lack of orgasms and, despite what he said, I was mortified by it. I didn’t want him to think I was a complete loser.

I barely managed to finish the curd and compote before burning them. He’d thrown me off and my focus was on him, rather than my cake. I had to let the compote cool before I could make my cake batter so I set it aside and went back to my room.I lasted all of two minutes before I grabbed my phone and called him back.