by Ella Fox
“You’re here,” she said shyly as she came around the counter.
I grinned at her as I did what I’d wanted to do every second since I’d seen her the first time. Without hesitation I reached out and linked my fingers through hers.
“Did you think I might not show up?” I asked.
She hung her head shyly before nodding. “I started to think maybe it had all been a figment of my imagination,” she admitted.
I squeezed her fingers. “This is all real,” I assured her.
Chapter Four
I was full of nervous energy the following day, something that was not lost on my boss. Gina commented right away about the extra pep in my step as well as my adorable outfit. I normally wore jeans and a shirt with the business logo on it, but I’d opted for a pair of black leggings and a floral tunic top that I’d paired with some cute ankle boots that had a little fringe around the top. I’d also styled my hair with my curling iron, so it was down and sexier looking than my usual ponytail.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting sucked into yet another blind date or one of those hellacious speed-dating things,” she grumbled.
I laughed as I shook my head. “Nope,” I assured her. “I said I was through with that nonsense two years ago and I meant it. Blind dates, matchmakers, four dating sites and one hour on tinder all failed me spectacularly. I wouldn’t go back to any of that if you paid me.”
“Then why’re you so dressed up?” she asked as we worked together on icing a four-tiered cake.
I grinned as I set my bag of yellow icing down. “Because I met the one I’ve been waiting for all of these years last night,” I announced.
Her eyebrows shot up as she gaped at me. “What? Where?”
“Right here,” I laughed. “You know, they’re right when they say it happens when you least expect it.”
I went on to explain about Ryan coming in with his nephew to pick up the robot cake, and I told her how surreal the whole experience had been.
“And you’re really positive he’ll be back today? Even though he hasn’t called?”
I’d known that realistically he couldn’t have called. I’d told him the night before that I was due back at work the following morning at six, which meant he knew I was going to bed early. And it wasn’t like he could’ve called me while I was working. Still, Gina’s questions caused a flicker of doubt. Maybe I’d somehow built up the connection between us the night before unrealistically.
“I think he’ll be back,” I answered.
Gina spent the next hour talking about how shitty and unreliable men were in general. I ignored her as much as I could, focusing on piping intricate decorative icing patterns around the wedding cake we were working on. As the day passed and we got closer and closer to two o’clock, my anxiety level started spiking. How awful would it be if he didn’t show up? Yes, I had his phone number, but would he want to hear from me if he didn’t bother showing up for our date?
All of my worries were, of course, moot. My anxiety drained away when I turned and saw Ryan getting out of his car; his gaze focused entirely on me. Gone was the businessman from the night before. In his place was a panty-melting man clad in jeans and a blue t-shirt. He looked relaxed and hot, and I liked it a lot. When he entered the store, he came right to me, lacing our fingers together before leaning in to kiss my cheek. It was electric, and I lost my breath for several seconds as I squeezed his hand. Being connected to him made me feel secure and complete. With Ryan next to me, everything was right in the world.
I introduced him to Gina, who was looking back and forth between us with an expression of wonder. When I went back into the office to get my stuff, she followed me in.
“Holy crap,” she whispered, “the chemistry between the two of you is giving off major heat! You weren’t kidding.”
I was giddy as I grabbed my purse and grinned at her.
“I told you! He’s really something,” I said.
“No, you two are really something,” she corrected with a cheeky grin. “You’re so lit up for each other it might be a little too sweet.”
I shook my head as I picked up a beautifully decorated box full of handmade chocolates.
“We both know there’s no such thing as too sweet,” I teased over my shoulder as I left the room and went back out into the shop.
Ryan was right there waiting for me. I beamed at him like some crazy pageant queen as I made my way around the counter to his side.
“I’m ready,” I announced happily.
He took my hand again as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Have fun today,” Gina called from behind the counter, “and then make sure to actually relax during your vacation!”
“I will,” I assured her, “but don’t be afraid to call if you need anything—”
Gina eye rolled as she shook her head emphatically. “I’ve got this. You’re the best employee of all time but you really do worry too much. I’m barricading the door if you get within a mile of this place. Don’t let me down.”
I assured her I wouldn’t, even though she and I both knew I’d come in to cover in a second if she needed me to.
Ryan held onto my hand as we left the store and made our way to his car.
“You’re on vacation this week?”
I nodded as we walked toward his car. “Gina is forcing me to take the week off. I get two weeks of vacation a year and I haven’t taken any of it in the four years I’ve been here. Even now that she’s forcing it, I still couldn’t decide what to do. I couldn’t be more boring if I tried. Other than a spa day, I’m just staying at home to watch Netflix this week,” I admitted.
Before he could open the passenger door, I handed the box full of chocolates to him. “I was experimenting with some new molds, so I made these for you today. It’s my own personal chocolate recipe.”
His eyes widened in surprise.
“I can’t believe you made me something,” he said.
“It’s small and silly, really. I made you robot shaped chocolates since you told your nephew you wanted to eat the robot legs. It’s not a big deal.”
He clutched the box of chocolates like it was a medal.
“It’s a big deal to me,” he said. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
My stomach was full of butterflies as he opened the car door and helped me into the passenger seat. I grinned after he closed the door and I watched him walk around to the driver’s side. I’d been on thirty-seven horrible dates during my fruitless search for Mr. Right, and never once had any of the men opened the car door for me.
I breathed in deep as he slid into his seat and closed the door. The scent of him was just as sensual as I’d thought it was the night before. Being so close together in the car felt intimate, especially when he turned toward me so he could lay the box of chocolates down on the back seat. His gaze held mine as he did it, the air thick with tension as we stared at each other.
Arousal pulsed hot in my veins as countless seconds passed. I sighed when he cupped his hands on either side of my face and held me in place as he leaned into me. When his lips covered mine, everything suddenly made sense. I knew everything in my life up until that moment had been leading me to Ryan.
He expelled a guttural sound when my lips parted and our tongues touched for the first time. I leaned across the console toward him, anxious to be closer. Never in my life had I been so affected by a kiss. I was a romantic at heart and my dreams were big, but kissing Ryan was more than I’d ever hoped for, mostly because I hadn’t known anything like it was possible. It was too much while also being not nearly enough. His tongue caressed mine slowly as he explored me passionately. He tasted like rice crispy treats, cake, and something else indefinable that was just him.
The console between us jabbed into my side as I slid my arms around his back and held on as the kiss continued. Kissing Ryan was the equivalent of finding an oasis in the desert. It was everything that was right in the world and I never wanted to stop. It was a
ddictive, and I loved it. The entire time we kissed, Ryan cupped my face in a way that made me feel desired and treasured all at the same time. We kept up like that until there was a knock on the window.
When we pulled apart, I turned and found Gina standing next to the car. I giggled nervously as I pressed the control to roll down the window.
“Did I forget something?” I squeaked.
She laughed and shook her head. “No, I just needed to break it up before your audience came back.”
I glanced around but didn’t see anyone staring.
“What audience?”
“There were a few teenagers watching from the sidewalk.”
“That’s crazy!” I sputtered.
“Well in their defense, you’ve been going at it for more than ten minutes,” she teased. “I think they were amazed.”
Ryan and I both chuckled.
“Sorry,” he said to Gina.
“Don’t apologize,” she said dryly. “Just keep making the girl happy.”
“You can count on it,” he answered.
My entire body tingled with happiness at his word. After saying goodbye to Gina again, we both buckled in.
“Have you eaten lunch yet?”
I shook my head. “Nope, and I’m starving.”
“Me too. The only things I’ve eaten today were the eggs I had for breakfast and the unbelievably delicious cake at Emmett’s party.”
“I’m so glad you liked it.”
“I didn’t like it,” he said, “I loved it. Best cake I’ve ever had. You rocked it, sweetheart.”
His praise meant the world to me.
“Thank you, Ryan,” I murmured.
“What do you feel like eating?”
“I’ll eat anything. Uh, except for Winston’s Pub,” I cringed. “We had three staff members out with food poisoning from their wings yesterday.”
Ryan grimaced. “Okay, consider Winston’s crossed off the list for life. How about Chinese food? I know a great place that serves the best egg rolls I’ve ever had.”
“Ooh,” I squeaked, “are you talking about King Fu?”
He nodded his head. “I am! I eat there at least once a week.”
“I go every Tuesday after work to pick up the General Tso and cashew chicken dinner combo.”
His eyebrows. “Holy shit,” he laughed, “me too. It’s insane that we never ran into each other.”
“I go early,” I chuckled. “Typically I’ve got my stuff by three o’clock. The life of a baker runs a little earlier than most.”
He nodded as he put the car into gear and reversed out of the spot. “Yeah, I can see that. I normally squeak in just under the wire right before they stop serving the special at eight o’clock.”
“I’m normally in bed at eight. I might not go to sleep until nine or ten, but I need to be up by four thirty at the latest. I’m a real pill after a few days of little to no sleep.”
Ryan glanced over at me before pulling out onto the road. “I go to sleep after midnight and wake up at six. I try to set a sleep schedule but the next thing I know it’s almost one in the morning. I focus on work too much,” he admitted.
“What do you do?”
I didn’t have to be a genius to know he made good money at whatever it was. The suit pants and the dress shirt he’d been wearing the night before had a high-end look and his Mercedes was top of the line, the leather almost as soft as a baby’s bottom.
“I own a digital gaming company,” he answered.
“What kind of gaming?”
“I was always interested in video games, so in college I took a bunch of development classes. It became a passion, and with the trajectory for technology being as good as it is, I knew the earning potential was limitless. When I graduated I worked at a Microsoft company creating games. I was happy enough there, but I needed more. I took out a small business loan and started my own thing. We hit the big time three years ago with Ancient Air Ops.”
I wasn’t what you would call super tech savvy, but I knew the world of Ancient Air Ops. I’d have to have lived in a cave not to.
“I’ve made dozens and dozens of cakes with that theme,” I laughed.
He glanced over and smiled. “Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah. People are obsessed. The intricate detail work on the soldier uniforms has taken up hours and hours of my life,” I teased. “Those suckers are no joke to make in fondant.”
Ryan threw his head back and barked out a laugh. “I never thought about how difficult something like that would be, but having seen your robot work, I can tell that you’re a perfectionist.”
“Guilty as charged,” I admitted.
“How’d you get into baking?” he asked.
“My dad’s mom, my nana, owned a bakery in the city when I was a little girl. My dad was the bookkeeper for the store, and that’s how he met my mom. She ran the front of the store. I spent so many hours in the kitchen with my nana perfecting the ultimate buttercream and learning how to make my own molds. My mom split when I was twelve, shortly after Nana died. Dad sold the business and set money aside for me to go to baking school.”
Ryan’s brows pinched together as he darted a glance at me. “What do you mean your mom split?”
The weird thing is that I never talked about my mom with anyone unless I absolutely had to, but with Ryan, I didn’t want to hold any of myself back.
“Mom is… an odd bird,” I said. “She was never like the other mothers. She wasn’t warm and fuzzy and we never spent a lot of time together. I think she stayed because she loved Nana so much, so once she died, there was nothing holding her back. She got married again about a month after the divorce was final. Since then, she’s gotten married four more times.”
“Hmph.”
“My sentiments exactly,” I agreed.
“How often do you talk to her?”
“She normally calls on my birthday.”
“Jesus,” he growled. “What a bitch.”
I shrugged. “It’s all I know. My dad is tops, though. I figure I got one really great parent, and that’s blessing enough.”
“You’re tight with him?”
I nodded. “I am. He moved to Orlando with his girlfriend Carla about two years ago, but I talk to him at least once or twice a week.”
“But you haven’t visited,” he said.
I looked over in surprise. “What makes you think that?”
“You said you haven’t taken a vacation in four years.”
“Oh! Right. Well, I haven’t taken a vacation, but I went to Florida for three days at Thanksgiving and four days at Christmas when the shop was closed. I’ve gone for the weekend three or four times, too.”
“So you do know how to relax,” he teased.
I laughed. “I do. It’s difficult because I have no one to go on vacation with. Gina is my best friend and unless it’s closed, we can’t both be out of the shop at the same time. First the rest of my friends were still away at college, now most of them are married, either with children or with them on the way. I’d feel silly on a beach somewhere by myself.”
“I’m not one to talk,” Ryan admitted. “I haven’t taken a vacation since ever. Growing up, my parents worked hard to provide, but there wasn’t anything left over for extras. Once I got to college the career ball started rolling and I felt I needed to follow it. Taking time off was never a priority. Until now.”
“What’s happening now?” I asked as he steered into a parking spot in front of the Chinese restaurant.
After putting the car in park and turning the engine off, he unbuckled and then turned and faced me.
“You are.”
The way he looked at me—the intensity and the sincerity of it—made me feel lightheaded for a few seconds. No one had ever focused on me the way he did. I’d never wanted anyone to, either.
“Really?” I asked breathlessly.
He reached out and traced his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Don’
t tell me you don’t feel what this is.”
I nodded. “I feel it,” I confirmed.
He smiled before he leaned in and dropped a soft kiss on my lips, right as my stomach growled. Laughing, he pulled back.
“If we don’t get out of this car, I’m going to kiss you again. And while I’d love nothing more than to do just that, I want to get you fed.”
He hopped out of the car quickly, coming around to my side and opening the door for me as I unbuckled myself. When I took the hand he offered, goosebumps broke out on my arms. I loved the way I felt when we touched. He held my hand as he guided me into the restaurant.
The hostess seated us in one of the crescent shaped booths, which allowed us to sit right next to each other. After opening the menu, Ryan slung his arm over my shoulders.
“What’re you hungry for, sweetheart?”
I figured it was best to be myself from the get go. I liked food, and loved to eat. I’d done the whole rabbit food act when I’d dated before, but it had been ridiculous. Besides, I was confident Ryan wasn’t going to have any problem with it. My curves clearly weren’t an issue for him. I had thick thighs and a booty—both of which he’d seen the night before at the bakery since I’d been wearing jeans.
“I’m starving, so basically everything,” I joked.
“Alright – sounds like we should order a bunch of stuff. Is there anything you don’t like?”
“Anything with duck.”
He shuddered. “Yeah, me too. I love all of the soups here. You up for one?”
I nodded. “I am.”
When the waitress came to the table Ryan ordered General Tso, cashew chicken, hot and sour soup, beef broccoli, eggrolls and a pot of Chinese tea. The tea came back first, and he poured for me and then asked how much sugar I wanted.
While we waited for our soup, we asked each other what felt like a million and one questions. It was speed dating on speed, really. It was clear we were both eager to know as much as we could about one another.
Over the soup course he told me about losing his parents and his little brother Steven, something that broke my heart. I hated knowing that he’d lost three people who were so important to him. I was glad that his sister was such a strong person. It was clear her taking control meant the world to Ryan, even though he still felt he owed her for doing it. My sense was that his sister did it because she loved him, and it was a choice she’d make again.