“Why aren’t you throwing your standard answers at me?”
“Standard answers?”
“This is the part of the conversation where you remind me you and I have different priorities in life, hence why fucking has dropped to the bottom of your list, while it still tops mine.”
“We are at different stages of our lives.”
There’s a long pause before he speaks again.
“You’re usually a straight shooter. Why do I feel we’re doing this weird dance?”
I let out a long sigh. “I wasn’t all that celibate last night.”
“What?” Beckett shrieks on the other end. “You had some pussy?”
“I met someone,” I correct him.
“Whoa. What kind of language is that?”
“The way you said it is disrespectful.”
“What’s gotten into you? That’s usually how we call a once and done.”
I remain silent.
“Holy shit. Are you telling me she isn’t a one-night stand?”
I ponder on my words. “I want to see her again.”
“Who is this Melisandre who has you speaking a foreign language?”
To this day, Beckett remains a die-hard Game of Thrones fan.
“You’re an idiot, you know that?”
“Yeah, yeah. Why don’t you answer my question?” he challenges.
And just like that, I flash back to last night.
Everly was gorgeous the first time I laid eyes on her at her shop.
Breathtaking in her tuxedo.
Stunning tied up and under my control.
A goddess when she came the first time all over my cock.
Sexy as hell when she begged me to tie her up again.
But, sleeping soundly nestled inside my arms, naked and a little vulnerable, she was magnificent.
Unfortunately, it had come to an end. I made a promise to Naomi and I don’t break promises to my child. Ever.
“Holt?”
Beckett’s voice brings me back to the present.
“I’m still here.”
“I know this isn’t a video call, but it feels like you just traveled across the world just there. This girl must be something else.”
“She is, Beckett. She’s nothing like most women in the industry. In fact, she didn’t know who I was even after telling her the name of our band.”
“So she isn’t a groupie or a wannabe?”
“Far from it. Everly is sexy, smart and sweet. But, there’s a whole other feisty side of her that’s also very attractive. In other words, she’s a breath of fresh air.”
“Wow, that’s quite the impressive list. Was last night the first time you guys met?”
“No. I met her last Friday. Had it not been for a chaotic morning, I still wouldn’t know this amazing woman lives in LA.”
“What happened last Friday?”
I tell my brother about the cupcakes.
“That’s funny. Did you hookup at her place last night?”
I share with him the highlights, keeping the most sensual parts of the story to myself.
“As you know, I never spend the night––”
“No way. That sets a precedence,” Beckett practically growls.
“Exactly. And in my case, I want to avoid drama at all costs. I have a little girl to think of.”
“Damn right. Who needs a clingy hookup?”
“And, I never extend it either. Once we’ve both taken our pleasure and had a little conversation, I’m good to go. Not last night. Even at 4 o’clock in the morning, it was hard to walk away from her.”
“What kind of voodoo witchcraft spell has this woman put on my big brother?”
Beckett’s comment catches me off guard.
“Only you would ask a question like that,” I laugh. “On second thoughts, Jace would ask the same crazy question.”
“It’s only fair. She sounds too good to be true. Speaking of the devil, Jace is going to drill right through you when he finds out.”
“This conversation is between you and me.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks. I don’t know where things are going to go with Everly. I don’t need Jace breathing down my neck or breaking my balls.”
“You’re right. He’d be all over you.”
“I wouldn’t be able to get the guy to shut up.”
Beckett laughs.
“So Everly doesn’t mind you’re a single dad?”
It’s a legitimate question. Jagger and I might not put ourselves out there, but Jace does. You’d be surprised how quickly a child becomes a deal breaker for some women.
“We haven’t talked about Naomi much. I usually keep that part of my life guarded. A casual hookup doesn’t need to know that much about me, but my daughter is the reason why I met the cheeky baker.”
“I can’t wait to meet this woman when I’m back in LA.”
“Who says I want you to meet her?” I tease.
“Fucker.”
There’s a long stretch of silence between us before my brother speaks again. “There hasn’t been a woman in your life or in Na––”
“Don’t go there,” I warn.
CHAPTER 18
Everly
“Thanks for being such a great cousin,” I say as I let Ainsley in.
“It’s my way of saying thank you for asking me to be your plus one last night,” she says, walking by me.
“Let me help,” I say, following her.
“I got this,” she throws over her shoulder. “Mother of God, that enormous bouquet looks phenomenal. It’s far more spectacular than the photos you sent me.”
“I know, it’s pretty fabulous,” I blush.
There’s no way I was going to leave Holt’s gift at the shop. The crystal vase is so heavy, I had to ask Callum to bring it up to my apartment. The gorgeous white flowers against my neutral palette work like a charm.
“At least he didn’t dash off and forget all about you,” she quips.
“He’s a perfect gentleman.” And a fucking insane lover. There I go blushing again.
“Looks like you raided Trader Joe's,” I say, taking stock of the number of bags weighing her down.
“I figured you’d be starving by now,” she drops the bags on the counter.
“You’re a savior. I had my head deep inside my refrigerator when you texted. It was a sad sight. My freezer isn’t much better. It’s been so busy this week, grocery shopping kind of fell off the radar. I dreaded the idea of having to go out to do grocery shopping at this late time. Takeout was my only recourse, but your idea is far better. And a whole lot more delicious,” I grin.
“It sounds like you had an interminable day. All good, but still, excessively long.”
Ainsley is right.
“Callum held the fort until I got here, but the second I slipped the apron over my head, it was balls to the wall––”
Ainsley lets out a loud laugh. “That expression always reminds me of Dad,” she says.
“Where do you think I stole it from?”
It’s my turn to laugh.
“Other than a short break for lunch, it’s been nonstop. I’m not complaining. It’s just a lot in one day. We’ve had an insane number of special orders for the next few weeks. Between the walk-ins and phone––that was ringing off the hook––we ended up closing at nine.”
Since Callum had a date, he had to escape early, leaving me to close the shop.
“What do you expect when you make the best donuts in the city?” she winks.
I love her so much for saying that.
I still can’t believe all the stars and celebrities who were able to sample my donuts last night. Unbelievable.
“Well, they are pretty darn good,” I say with a tinge of cocksureness. “You drove all the way out to Belloni’s?” I ask when I spot the name of one of my favorite restaurants.
“Belloni’s is untouchable… just like you.”
I can’t help my grin.
&n
bsp; “Is there any other way to end an epic day than with a sumptuous meal?” Ainsley says.
“Thanks,” I say.
Belloni’s is one of the best Italian restaurants in LA, but they don’t deliver and you won’t find them on any food delivery services’ website. You want their food? You have to show up.
“Holy shit, how much food did you buy?” I yelp, rummaging through the bags. “There’s enough here to feed a Caribbean island and still have some leftovers for San Diego.” I laugh.
“Something tells me the rest of your week is going to be as crazy-busy. Why not stock-up? One less thing to worry about,” she says with a shoulder shrug.
“You know what, I think you’re absolutely right,” I say, opening a container. “This is going to hit the spot nicely.”
“I got you a whole roasted chicken, house-made pork sausages and the best meatballs in LA for your freezer. For tonight, I bought us a salami calabrese and a gorgonzola pizza. I couldn’t choose. Oh yeah, I asked them to throw a salad in there. Daily vegetables and all. And for dessert, I got ricotta cannoli.”
“Half a dozen of them?” I ask when I open the box.
“As if we’re ever able to stop at only one?”
I laugh. “Good point.”
“You’ll have some for tomorrow. And I got you some tiramisu.”
“You do remember I own a bakery shop?”
“A girl can’t live off of donuts alone.”
“I beg to differ,” I wink.
We both laugh.
For the next few minutes, it’s all about the food. The beautiful smell of garlic filling my kitchen has my mouth watering and my stomach growling. While my cousin focuses on artfully displaying the Southern Italian spread on my small kitchen table, I focus on the bottle of Italian red Ainsley brought with her. Once everything is ready, we dig in. I didn’t realize how famished I was until the first bite of pizza. Three slices later, I’m stuffed.
“That was ridiculous,” I say, leaning against my seat and rubbing my protruding stomach.
“I’d drive to another state if I had to for that food,” Ainsley jokes.
“I fully support that!”
We sit in silence enjoying our wine.
“Soooooo.” My cousin’s eyes twinkle with mischief.
“Soooooo,” I parrot.
“About your hot hookup…”
“What about him? I think I told you pretty much everything this morning.”
“Liar!”
I knit my eyebrows together. “You lost me.”
“You didn’t tell me who Holt Christensen really was.”
“Did you talk to your brother? Sounds like he knows Holt’s band.”
“Nah. Google told me everything I needed to know.”
“You Googled him?”
“Of course. Didn’t you?”
“Not yet. I’ve barely had time to breathe today. I figured I’d do it a little later.”
“Had you done your research, you would’ve known you struck gold.” Huh? “Last night you had four toe-curling rounds with a sexy god of rock music.”
“Callum wasn’t pulling my leg?”
“I don’t know what my brother told you, but Google tells me, Mr. Christensen was the badass guitarist and sexy backup singer of Random Misconception.”
“Callum said his band was popular.”
“Not popular. Random Misconception was one of the biggest rock bands ever.”
“Wow.”
I kind of dismissed Callum.
“You, dear cousin, nabbed one of the most eligible single hotties in the music industry and in the great US of A.”
“Pfft. I did not.”
“You don’t believe me?” she asks.
She’s almost vexed.
“How in the world did I end up with a guy like that when I’ve avoided dating since Dalton called it quits?”
“Honestly, I’ve been asking myself the question since I found out who this guy is. I mean, seriously––”
“Thanks for the support.”
“I was just agreeing with you.”
“Ainsley,” I warn.
“Sorry. Of course, you would bag him. Look at you. You’re gorgeous. How many times have I told you that?”
I can’t help but laugh.
“I go from a pretentious stuck-up preppy without a heart to most eligible? No way. Not me.” I cross my arms over my chest and shake my head.
“Fine. I’ll prove it.”
Ainsley gets up and grabs her iPad.
“Check it out for yourself,” she challenges.
An hour later, a second bottle of wine polished off and four cannolis down, I know so much more about Holt Christensen.
“I can’t believe I let a bad boy rock star god tie me up and have his way with me,” I say.
“W—what?” Ainsley shrieks. “You did what?” She’s stunned.
Shit. That was supposed to be my inner voice.
“Didn’t I tell you?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Everly Reed Bickford-Smith. You know perfectly well you omitted that part.”
“There was so much going on this morning,” I defend.
“That’s a lousy excuse and you know it,” she rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe you left out that saucy bit. That’s the best part,” she swats my arm.
“I still can’t believe I went along with it. I guess I followed your advice to a T.”
“Whoa!” she raises a hand. “I never told you to go that far.”
“With him, it felt right, Ainsley.”
“Jesus, I’ve never even tried that myself and here you go from being celibate for––what? Three years?”
“Two and a half,” I correct.
I told you it had been a while.
“You go from no cock to riding a thoroughbred stallion who has a penchant for kinky sex.”
“I’m just following your motto. Go big or go home––”
“Whatever!” she shouts. “The bottom line is you went there and you didn’t tell me about. Of course, a regular guy would’ve been too much to ask for your debut. But, nooooo. Not you. Talk about getting back on the horse in a big way.” She let out a loud huff. “God, every woman needs to take a page out of your book.”
I open my mouth, but my phone chimes in, pulling my attention to it.
Ooohhh!
-----
Hey, precious—I hope you’re no longer at the shop.
-----
“Sorry,” I say, meeting my cousin’s inquisitive gaze. “I know it’s impolite, but I’m just going to reply to this text message real quick.”
Ainsley cocks an eyebrow. “Rock star god?”
I nod.
“Don’t just stare at me, answer the man,” she waves an impatient finger at my phone.
-----
Nah. I’ve been off the donut clock for the last couple of hours. I’m just here at my place, chilling with my cousin.
-----
Sounds like you had a busy day.
-----
It was ridiculous, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
-----
I’m happy for you. Since I’ll be close to your shop after dropping off my daughter at school tomorrow morning, I thought I’d drop by with your necklace. Does that work?
-----
Absolutely!
-----
Good. I can’t wait to see you again.
-----
Same here.
-----
It’s been nonstop for me as well. I’m going to call it a night. Just wanted to check in with you before I went to bed.
Oh my God! And to think, we’ve already exchanged four text messages today.
Good night, precious.
-----
Good night and sweet dreams.
-----
Of course, they will be. You’ll be the star.
-----
That’s a lot to live up to.
-----
I think you proved wor
thy of the title last night. Over, and over, and over again. It won’t be as good as having you in my arms, but it’ll have to do.
-----
You’re crazy.
-----
I’ll take the fifth. Good night!
-----
Good night!
-----
“And?” Ainsley asks.
I drop my phone on the table, pull my eyes away from it and look up at her. I try desperately not to allow my smile to crack my face in half, but I’m failing miserably. Honestly, I don’t even know why I bother trying to hide how giddy I am.
Ainsley lifts her hands up. “You don’t have to say a word. That stupid grin on your face tells the whole story.” She shakes her head. “My little cousin bagged a fucking rock star.”
She can’t get over it.
Frankly, I doubt I ever will.
CHAPTER 19
Holt
I wasn’t as lucky this week, so I had to park a little further away from Everly’s bakery. As I round the corner, the line-up outside is a dead giveaway. It’s Flashback Friday. To think, a week ago, I didn’t even know this woman existed. Now, I can’t seem to be able to fall asleep or get my day started without jerking off thinking of her heavenly body wrapped into mine. Our steamy night together has been looping in my head nonstop, keeping me company in an otherwise lonely bed.
As I make my way to the back of the line, my phone chimes in. I pull it out and smile. Jagger is on another creative roll. After a furious texting session, I tuck my phone into the pocket of my jeans just as it’s my turn to enter the bakery. Sure, I could’ve texted Everly to jump the line, but it was a short wait and Jagger and I were able to agree on a few important things before he goes back into hiding in his writing cave.
I’m hit by an incredible sugary aroma the moment I step inside.
Damn. What a smell.
My stomach growls as a reminder that I’m running on empty. Just as I was about to eat breakfast, I decided to text Everly and beg for my meal. Since I couldn’t sample her goods first thing this morning, her donuts would be the next best thing. She turned me down at first, stating they didn’t do special orders on Fridays. I promised to make it worth her while. Of course, I got my way.
Once again, the employees are adorned with outfits evocative of a past era. Two women behind the cash registers are wearing pink dresses with matching pink wigs. Everly’s cousin is wearing a loose-fitting suit with a guitar strap around his neck. The fact it’s a play guitar makes this even more comical.
Torrid Rush: A Single Dad Romance (Bad Boy Studs Book 3) Page 15