The Baker's Touch (8 page)

He hooked his thumbs in the elastic and dragged the triangle of silk down and over her hips. Cool air raced across her nether lips, intensifying the ache. He reached up and unclasped her bra, baring her breasts.

“Such beauty.” He circled one pert nipple with an index finger. “All this lushness.” He skimmed his other hand over her curves, before cupping her mons. “And it’s mine.”

She sucked in a breath as he stroked her swollen lips, slick with her desire. Up and down, over and over. She wiggled her hips seeking relief. When he finally dipped a finger in her moist heat she wanted to weep.

“After tonight, there’s no going back, Penelope. You’ve been in my heart for so long, I want you in my life and in my bed.” He curled his tongue around her nipple while fondling the other.

Tears burned behind her lids at his words. No one had ever spoken anything like that to her. He lifted his head. His breath fluttered against her skin.

“This isn’t some passing infatuation, Penelope.” He sucked hard on her tit and she felt the tug on her throbbing clit. He laved attention on the other one.

She whimpered from longing, arching her back to push the sensitive orb farther into his mouth. He left her breasts to trail kisses down her torso, over her soft belly where he lingered at her belly button and then moved on, feathering his lips over her mound.

Penelope sucked in a breath when he flicked his tongue across her hip then pressed a kiss to her inner thighs. She tried to close her legs, but he slipped between her knees, his wide shoulders holding her open.

The warm rasp of his tongue across her heated core shot her hips off the bed. Her world narrowed to the man tempting and teasing her. This was so much better than a dream. He traced her labia with his thumbs before holding them open and exposing the little button of nerves. A gentle lick. The saliva dried in her mouth.

“Are you always this responsive?” He swirled a digit up and down her nether lips, Each pass he’d tapped her clit.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on,” she admitted. Cool air replaced his body heat and she shivered. Clothing rustled. She shifted on the bed, closing her legs. She squeezed her thighs together in an attempt to alleviate the worst of the ache.

“Let’s see how hot you burn before you combust, shall we?” He grasped her ankle, skimming a finger along the delicate flesh. She clenched her hands into fists. Delicious shivers raced to all erogenous zones. He dragged a thumb along her instep. His lips followed. Lightning danced through her veins, zigged in her clit and hardened her nipples.

She whimpered as he sucked her big toe, writhing as he laved attention on each of her tootsies. Her cream trickled and slicked her thighs. He switched to her other foot. All she could do was squirm and moan against the sheets. Pleasure rocked her body with each nip of his teeth and swirl of his tongue until she was a quivering mass of need.

Each touch ratcheted her passion a little higher until she was more than ready for the foreplay to end and him to send her into oblivion. Instead, he worked his way up her legs, leaving butterfly kisses in his wake.

When he finally settled between her thighs, teasing her most intimate flesh with the tender caresses of his tongue and lips she knew this was reality and he was going to make all her dreams come true.

“Please, Avery.”

He chuckled. The sound vibrated through her center, adding to the silvery sensations sliding over and through her. He fastened onto her tiny pearl and sucked. Her breath caught in her throat as her hips moved of their own volition.

Penelope hummed, her cries growing louder. He drove two fingers into her wet heat, filling her but not quite enough. When he added a third, her world exploded. Each rhythmic pulse of her pussy sucked at his fingers, hoping to keep them within the haven of her body.

Avery moved up her body, leaving her quivering flower to trail kisses along her torso. He reached her lips, sharing her unique flavor with her. She eagerly accepted his kiss. His arousal pressed to the entrance of her core, she shifted and the head slipped in. She moaned into his mouth, yearning for more.

He entered her in slow increments, prolonging her pleasure and heightening her arousal. When he was fully seated, she twined her legs with his arching upward. Just that tiny movement nudged her toward another orgasm. He withdrew, almost leaving her body completely and she felt the loss. When he drove into her again she felt the merging not just in her heart but her soul as well.

She greeted each stroke with a thrust of her hips. Anticipation built, laying in wait ready to strike. He squeezed her breasts as he pounded into her slick heat, he tugged on her nipples and the world tilted on its axis. She focused on their intimate joining, everything centered on the slide of his cock across oversensitive nerves. The soft sound of flesh on flesh and their combined cries fueled her passion. Her world narrowed and she slid down the rabbit hole, her muscles spasmed and gripped the hard cock driving her over the brink.

His guttural moans mingled with her keening cry as his hips slowed then sped up. He shouted his release. Avery collapsed over top of her, resting his forehead in the damp hollow of her shoulder. He reached above and untangled the belt and tie from her wrists.

She wrapped her arms around him and he rolled her until she sprawled across his chest. Her hair slid over his skin, tickling his sides. He smoothed the silky strands, damp with sweat, away from her face and placed a kiss near her temple.

“I love you so much, Penelope. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and this will all be a dream.”

She chuckled. “This can’t be a dream. We never get this far.” She drifted her fingertips over his chest in restless circles. A damp kiss followed. “I love you too.”

Avery closed his eyes, savoring her admission. He tightened his arms around her and squeezed. He’d waited so long to hear those sweet words that he hugged them close as they wound through his heart and settled deep in his soul.

She shifted until she straddled his thighs, his cock stirring beneath her bare bottom. He gripped her waist. “How could I have not known how you felt?”

“I’ll forgive you this time,” he teased.

A smile creased her lips and she dropped her head, her hair sliding over her shoulders. “Will you? I may not forgive you for not telling me sooner.” As she spoke she ran her fingers over his body. Reawakening his desire. Heat pooled low and once more he was hard as a rock.

Her deliberate exploration left him breathless. Where her hands weren’t, her lips were. The warmth of her mouth slid along his nerve endings. His intention had not been to have dessert first, but she was so tantalizing, so... A groan of satisfaction eased from his lips as she seemed to swallow him. Her throat gripped his cock and then he was sliding from the wet haven of her mouth.

He threaded his fingers through her hair, enjoying their newfound intimacy.

Chapter Six

Shrill ringing sliced through the silence. Penelope bolted upright, reaching for her nightstand and finding nothing but air. She shifted and an arm curved around her waist, pulling her against a lean, hard body. That’s right. She wasn’t at home.

“Avery, your phone or alarm is going off,” she murmured. She moved again and found herself pinned beneath his body and his mouth covering hers. A moan stuck in the back of her throat as she opened for him. She wound her arms and legs around him, holding him close. Never had any man made her feel so complete, so safe and cherished as he did. And right now whatever was ringing could wait.

He abruptly stopped. “Wait. That’s the phone.” He untangled from her limbs. “Damn. It’s too early for work. Shay was opening today.”

Penelope sat up as the bed shifted beside her. Something clicked and a momentary flash of light flared before her world darkened again. She dragged the sheet over her breasts, drew her legs to her chest and rested her cheek on her knees.

“What?”

She resisted a giggle. He was just as grumpy as she was in the mornings when someone disturbed her sleep. He was silent too long and a finger of dread slipped down her spine. At the gentle touch on her right arm she twisted her head in that direction.

“The alarm was triggered at the shop again.”

She knew who was behind this now. All she had to do was figure a way to catch him. “All right.” She kicked off the sheet, scooted to the edge of the bed and stood. He was there before she could truly get her bearings.

“I wanted to make you breakfast in bed.”

“It’s okay.” She rested her hands on his chest. “You can do that another morning.” She didn’t think she’d ever tire of touching him. Slowly, she drifted one hand over his chest until she cupped his cheek. Day old stubble prickled her palm, then she swept her thumb over his lips. A moment later she rose on tiptoe to kiss him. “Let’s get to the bakery.”

****

Thirty-three minutes later they stood in the waiting area of the bakery. The police already did what they needed to do and the newly repaired door was intact. Thankfully nothing had been disturbed.

“Do you think it was a glitch with the alarm system? Maybe the battery for the thing is going?” She unwound her scarf and unbuttoned her coat.

“I don’t think so. Wait here. I’ll check things again.”

“Are the cops still outside?”

Footsteps scuffed against the floor. “Yeah. They’ll probably stay out there until we open.” Clothing rustled and he gripped her shoulders. “You know they’re fans of yours. You should give them a cupcake or something.”

She laughed. “They’ll think I’m flirting again.”

“They know you’re off limits.”

“Interesting. I didn’t peg you as the jealous type.”

“I’m not.” He slanted his mouth over hers. “Stay here while I have another look around. When we walked through earlier something was bothering me.”

“Where am I?”

“If I tell you that, you won’t be still.” His voice faded as he moved away.

Hinges squeaked. “Something smells weird.”

“Stay where you are,” came the muffled response.

She smirked. Did he really think that would deter her? She tilted her head, listening. The hum of the display cases reached her ears. With one hand thrown out in front of her she carefully walked forward. Something smelled off.

Her fingers touched cold glass and metal, then slipped in something wet and sticky. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. Totally gross. Why hadn’t the closing crew wiped down the cases? Someone was getting disciplined over this.

She rubbed her fingers together. The substance was tacky. It wasn’t icing or chocolate. Again, she dipped an experimental finger in the goo. There was something familiar about it. As much as she detested the task, she followed the sticky stuff nearly to the end of the counter and stopped. The odor was stronger here. Something familiar. A little sweet, but she couldn’t place the scent. She wiped her hand on her coat, then stopped and brought her fingers to her nose, sniffing. A frown teased her mouth. Lotion? Or maybe some sort of hand sanitizer? That’s what it was. Why would someone squirt that all over the display case?

“Avery,” Penelope called. “There’s some weird lotion/hand sanitizer on the counter.”

Avery stopped mid-stride. He hadn’t seen any lotion on the cases when he switched on the lights. He changed directions and headed toward the front again. Something didn’t feel right.

“And it feels weird too.”

He stifled a groan. What had she walked into this time? Stubborn female. The only time she seemed to follow directions was in bed. Just thinking about what they’d shared most of the night had his cock springing to life. A quick glance at his watch let him know there wouldn’t be enough time to indulge in her lush curves before the first employee arrived in thirty minutes.

Avery rounded a table. The odor hit him then, reminding him of an overheated heated car and a buffet line. A blur of red hair caught his attention above the swinging doors. What was she doing now? He picked up his pace, some instinct urged him forward.

“There’s a small box here. Did you leave another gift?”

Gift? His heart pounded. He hadn’t... “No.” Through the crack in the swinging gate, he watched her reach for a square-like object nestled between the register and a stack of bakery bags. The paper glistened with a bluish tinge. Warning bells clanged in his head. That’s what was off. She lifted the lid. “Penelope, no!”

A spark. That’s all it took and the entire display seemed to go up in flames. Fear and panic culminated in a scream as Penelope stumbled away from the fire, yet the blaze moved with her.

Avery’s world narrowed, heart stuttering as he realized the right side of her coat was on fire. Adrenaline shoved him into action. He slammed through the gates, leapt across the counter and tackled her in one smooth move. He rolled her, snatching her coat from her body and slapping out the remaining flames from her clothes.

“Are you okay?” He ran his hands over her body. She coughed and moaned, but nodded. Smoke quickly filled the space. Heat singed his face. Pounding and shouting reached his ears.

He twisted his head. The cops from outside crowded at the door. With an arm around Penelope, he helped her to her feet and hurried to the door. No sooner had he twisted the lock, uniforms blurred together as people spilled in and they were yanked out. A coughing spasm wracked his body.

Avery glanced around the rapidly filling street. Sirens shrieked their presence as a fire engine rounded the corner, an ambulance not far behind. Smoke billowed from the open door and Penelope was nowhere to be found.

Heart lodged in his throat, he pushed his way through the gathering crowd. “Penelope.” His voice seemed lost in the din of shouts and idling engines. “Penelope.” He had to find her. Make sure she was okay.

“Here.”

Relief coursed through his veins and sagged his shoulders. She was seated on the bed of a pickup truck, a blanket wrapped around her body. Her hands, palm side up, rested on her thighs. Soot and tears streaked her face, now reddened from the heat.

He palmed her cheek, leaned down and kissed her. Without hesitation, she fused her mouth to his, accepting what he had to offer. He pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.” He smoothed her hair from her face. A few of the strands were singed, but nothing serious.