Baker's Dozen

by Wendy Smith

  “I know what you mean. My brothers and I still give each other shit all the time.”

  “I never would have guessed.” Her eyes sparkle, and she radiates with happiness. What I thought would be a road bump in our night has turned out to be nothing.

  But I’m not sure if that’ll always be the case. There’s still a lot for me to prove.

  The rest of the evening is quiet, and as much as I hate to say goodbye, I drive Ginny home. The whole way I’m replaying our interruption in my mind. Could I have handled it better?

  I shoot a glance at her. She doesn’t seem upset, but she is quiet.

  What’s going on with me? I never used to second guess myself.

  Maybe wanting something more has made the difference.

  When we get to her place, I get out of the car and open her door. Taking her hand, I close the car and we walk to her front door. “I’m sorry about our interruption.”

  Her eyes are sad, and I want anything to make them happy again.

  For the first time in my life, I think I’m about to find out what it’s like to have the person I’m keen on dump me.

  She nods, letting out a sigh. “I knew what I was signing up for when I said I’d go out with you. Your past is everywhere in this town, Owen, and I either have to accept that or walk away.” I close my eyes as she palms my cheek. “Just as well I like you enough to accept it. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  My eyes open to see her with the tiniest of smiles dancing on her lips. Thank God. She’s going to give us a chance. “I couldn’t stop what happened tonight, but I can promise you that while we’re seeing each other, it’ll only be you.”

  “That’s all I want.”

  I’ve been aching to kiss her and now I take my chance. I lean in, claiming her mouth with mine. She responds, her lips parting, her tongue tentatively touching mine.

  Yes. Her response gives me hope that things will work out, that what happened hasn’t ruined things.

  I could kiss her all night.

  Instead, I remind myself that this is my one shot with her. I don’t know where this is leading, but that last thing I want is to screw this up.

  When our kiss finishes, I press my forehead to hers. “Call you tomorrow, Miss Robinson.”

  “I’ll be waiting,” she whispers.

  With a brief brush of my lips against hers, I back off. “Get inside so I know you’re safe.”

  She lets out a sigh, a broad smile on her face, and takes a step back, pushing open the door. “Good night, Owen.”

  “Good night.”

  I wait until the door is closed before taking a deep breath and pausing for a moment.

  Despite our interruption, we seem to have survived the night. Maybe I should feel sad that I’m going home alone, but instead I’m excited that she’s still interested.

  I can’t wait to see her again.

  7

  Ginny

  My stomach drops when Nathan walks into my classroom the following day.

  It’s early. I like getting here well before the children arrive to make sure the lessons are prepared for the day, and the room set out for them. Often I’m the first one at school and the last one to leave.

  Since I had Max in my class, my focus has been on those kids who need a little more help. Max wasn’t getting what he needed before I got here, and there were a lot of people who wrote him off. Now, I couldn’t be prouder of the progress he’s made, and I know I’ve set him on the right track.

  Which is what makes it so hard to think about leaving.

  “Good morning, Ginny.” This guy’s so slimy, it’s a miracle he doesn’t leave a trail.

  “Mr Webster.”

  He sits on the end of my desk and smiles. “I’ve told you before. Call me Nathan.”

  I nod, but say nothing.

  “How are you feeling after the funeral? I couldn’t help but notice you with Owen Campbell.”

  There’s no way of telling where this is going, but it can’t be good. I try my best not to be alone with Nathan. There are rumours about him being touchy-feely, and while I haven’t experienced that, there’s been plenty of innuendo.

  My problem, is that he’s been here for years, and I worry that when it comes down to it, the newer teacher on the block won’t be believed. Not when there’s no proof.

  “I’m fine. It was very sad. And yes, I was with Owen. He needed comforting.”

  “You know, of course, that he was screwing Cara Mitchell. Along with so many other women in Copper Creek. Not the type you really want to associate with.”

  Anger builds in me. I’ve taken his comments about the way I dress, which is usually pretty conservative for school, but he’s made me feel exposed. I’ve blown off the odd comment he’s made about my body, usually in the form of a compliment, but not the type employers usually make to employees.

  That’s what drives me to think about leaving, despite my determination to help more kids here.

  “Owen’s a good man.”

  “I’m sure there are plenty of women to testify to that.” His lips curl into a cruel smile.

  “It’s not really any of your business.”

  His expression hardens. “There’s always a shoulder to cry on here when you need it.”

  “I won’t.” I’m usually so polite it takes everything in me to stop myself thanking him for his concern.

  “Anyway, the other reason I’m here is that there’s a conference coming up in Auckland about resources for special needs children. I thought with the way you took Max Parker under your wing that you might be interested in attending.”

  I’m staggered. The school has very little resources in that regard, and getting an opportunity to find ways to help would be wonderful. In the three years I’ve worked here, there’s been nothing like this on offer.

  “I’d be very interested. As you know, I think we can do a lot more.”

  He gives me a stiff nod. “I’ll work on the details and will let you know.” Standing, he takes a step closer. It’s way too far into my personal comfort zone. “And remember, Ginny. I’m always here if you need comforting. Any time.”

  As he leaves, I find myself shaking and unsure of what that was.

  But I do know I can’t think about leaving town yet. Not if I have the opportunity to help more children.

  Besides, Owen Campbell might just be another reason to stay.

  8

  Owen

  She’s making me work for it, and I love it.

  I don’t know why this is different, as she’s not the only woman who’s ever been in my life who’s done this. With the others who tried playing hard to get, I proved to them I could play harder by moving onto the next willing body. But Ginny’s worth the wait.

  Maybe it’s because I never just stepped back and let nature take its course. I’ve always tried to take charge and steer things to what I always thought was the natural conclusion. Sex. There was never any “love them and leave them” because I didn’t love.

  Ginny’s teaching me how.

  We don’t spend every evening together, but we are seeing each other at least three times a week. I want more, but I need to be patient for the first time in my life. It’s surprisingly easy.

  Seven weeks in, we still haven’t had sex, but we are into the heavy making out sessions. She leaves me hot and bothered, and I have to take care of myself, but I take great satisfaction in knowing she’s suffering too.

  I can sense it.

  Like me, she wants to give into it, and the fight is getting harder. But I know more about her than any woman I have ever slept with. I long to see the face she makes when she comes, to hear the sounds she makes when she’s being touched, to feel the rake of her fingernails down my spine.

  All I want is her.

  Seeing the result of that car accident brought a lot home to me. I don’t want to die alone and unloved. I mean, I know my family love me, but finding one person to be with for the rest of my life doesn’t seem too stra
nge anymore. It’s not just something everyone else does—I could do it too.

  Is this love?

  I don’t know yet, but I do know I think about Ginny at night, and throughout the day. Mel teases me because I’m so easily distracted at times. It’s just as well our ad attracted an assistant to help her. There are definitely times when I’m of no use.

  Tammy appeared like a godsend. She’s finished high school, but isn’t going on to other studies. Plus, she loves baking. Between Mel and I, we’ll teach her the job, and in the meantime, she’s working in the store.

  With a little more training, Tammy’s presence will lighten the load, and I’ll be able to spend more time with my girl without the constant tiredness during the week that’s been the norm for so many years.

  Thursday night is movie night, and Ginny and I are on the couch in front of the television. Not that either of us are watching.

  Ginny lies on top of me, her legs straddling my hips. Fully clothed, she grinds against me.

  I stroke her breasts, and she gasps as I pinch her nipples through her clothing. This is about as far as we’ve gone, which leaves me aching, but I’ve slowly gotten to know her body and what she likes. By the time I get her naked, I’ll be a master at Ginny Robinson.

  “Damn, woman, you’re gonna make a mess of me.” I kiss up her neck as she leans over.

  “It’s payback for what you’re doing to me,” she whispers.

  “What’s that?” I take a gentle bite of her earlobe.

  “Making it hard to hold back.”

  She sits up a little, and I meet her gaze. “Then don’t.”

  “I should go.” Her lips are pouty, still begging to be kissed. I could keep kissing her all night.

  “Do you have to?”

  She smiles. “I should.”

  “Does that mean there’s a chance you’ll stay?” I take her hand in mine. “We don’t have to have sex.”

  Her eyes sparkle with warmth. “Is that ever going to work?”

  “You mean because I can’t keep my hands off you?”

  She shakes her head. “I was thinking the reverse, actually. Maybe I’m the one with impulse issues.”

  “You can be as impulsive as you like with me.” I grasp her chin and graze her lips with mine. “You know I have to be up at four, and it’s after eleven now.”

  Ginny’s mouth falls open. “It’s that late?”

  “Time flies when you’re making out on the couch.”

  She laughs. “I really should go, then. Five hours’ sleep isn’t a lot.”

  “I’d sleep better with you.”

  Rolling her eyes, she pulls away. “Maybe next time.”

  I scan her expression. I’m happy with the pace we’re going, and if she’s not ready for sex, it doesn’t matter to me. What concerns me is if she’s holding back because of my past.

  “Gin, you know it’s only you, right? If that’s what you’re worried about.”

  She shifts her gaze to the ceiling. “I know. It’s just—”

  “You’re scared I’m going to hurt you.” My tone is flat, and I can’t help it. I want things to be different for us, and it’s been easy so far. I’m not interested in anyone but her, and that won’t change when we do start a sexual relationship. How do I convince her of that?

  “I’m sorry, Owen, but I am. Just a little.” She drops her gaze back to me. “When we’re together, it feels really good, but there are so many stories.”

  Shit. “Ginny, I can’t stop the past, but I can promise you that I don’t just want a fling. All these weeks I’ve tried to prove that this thing with us, it’s different. Please stay. I just want you in my arms tonight. We don’t need to have sex.”

  I mean every word. I know I need to earn her trust, and I’ll do anything for it. She’s so worth the effort.

  “Okay.”

  “Really?”

  She nods. “I love whatever this is that we have, and maybe it is different.”

  “I understand your hesitation if it helps. I’d be wary of me too.”

  Ginny’s expression softens, and she gives me the tiniest of smiles. “You’re doing everything right.”

  I cup her cheek. “I’m trying. And it’s surprisingly easy, but you make it easy just by being you.”

  “I’ve already said yes. You know you don’t have to talk me into staying, right?”

  Laughing, I plant a kiss on her nose. “I’m not trying to impress you, but I do want to be honest with you.”

  “Just keep on being honest and we’ll be fine.”

  I can’t believe I talked her into staying.

  Taking her hand, I lead her to the bedroom where I drop my pants and pull my T-shirt over my head. I climb into bed dressed only in my briefs, and note Ginny’s eyes on my chest.

  She wriggles out of her jeans, dropping them to the floor, and I laugh as she reaches up inside her tank top and unhooks her bra.

  “You’re, uhh, pretty good at that.”

  “Years of practice while playing sport at school. When you’re self-conscious, you learn ways to hide while changing.”

  I don’t miss the lacy object being thrown on the floor, and she pulls back the bedcovers and slips into bed. “You played sport?”

  “I played netball. My brothers played rugby, and I was the least sporty one out of the three of us, but it was something to do.”

  I reach for her waist and pull her toward me. “None of us really played sport on a regular basis. Corey played rugby for a season before he started a brawl and got banned. He never bothered after that.”

  She laughs. “Are you close to your brothers? It seems like it.”

  I nod. “Yeah, we’re all pretty close. Adam was away for years, but he’s just slotted in like he used to. I was probably closer to Drew, as we shared a room until we moved here when I was twelve. Then we got a big enough house for us all to have space, but our relationships didn’t change.” I plant a kiss on the back of her neck. “What about you? Are you close to your family?”

  “Very. I’m the only one who left Carlstown, though. My parents and brothers are still there.”

  “That close? I’d love to meet them.”

  She laughs. “I don’t know if you want to do that.”

  Shrugging, I smile. “It can’t be that bad. You know my family.”

  “My brothers can be a little overprotective.”

  Chuckling, I pull her in tighter, pressing my lips to the back of her head. “Then I’ll just have to show them how much I respect their sister. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”

  “You know that’s the perfect answer.” She wriggles from my grasp and rolls onto her back.

  This moment feels so natural, so right. I want it to happen again.

  I want it to happen every night.

  “I really want to make this work.”

  Her expression softens. “So do I.”

  I lick my lips. “As much as I want you—and I do, there’s no doubt about that—I respect what you’re doing. You need to learn to trust me, and I need to gain that trust. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  She nods, and I bend my head to press my lips to hers. After all these years, it’s like coming home being with Ginny, and I don’t want the feeling to ever end.

  When I close my eyes, she’s in my arms, and all is right in my world.

  I groan as the alarm beeps, and reach behind me, slapping the stop button.

  Ginny’s moved in the night, and she rolls over to face me.

  “Sorry,” I murmur, leaning to place a kiss on her forehead. “What time do you need to get up?”

  “Around seven would be good. It’ll give me enough time to get home and change. One of my students will notice I’m wearing yesterday’s clothing, knowing my luck.”

  I chuckle and reach for the clock. “The alarm’s set.” I reach over and stroke her cheek. “Thank you for staying.”

  Giving her a final kiss, I fling my legs over the side of the bed and stand
. I grab a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from my drawers and pull them on.

  “Owen?” Her voice is husky, and such a big part of me wants to stay with her until she has to leave for the day.

  “Yes?”

  “You don’t work Saturdays, right?”

  “Nope. The bakery’s Mel’s baby then.”

  “Want me to stay tonight, too? Maybe we can do more than sleep.”

  I lean over. The room is dark, but not so dark I can’t make out her features. “Is that you propositioning me, Miss Robinson?”

  “You make me sound like the naughty school teacher.”

  I run my tongue across the seam of her lips before giving her a tender kiss. “Maybe that’s what I’m hoping for.”

  She laughs, propping herself up to reach over and slap me on the arse. “We’ll see. Get to work. Your town needs bread.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  Giving her a final peck, I head out the door with a smile on my face.

  I’ve won her trust.

  It’s the longest eleven hours of my life.

  Knowing what’s waiting for me tonight, or rather, who, leaves me on edge the entire day.

  Usually, I close the bakery at five, but by four, I’ve had enough.

  “Go home, you two. I’m shutting up for the day.”

  Both Mel and Tammy look at me with open mouths. I never close early.

  “Are you feeling alright?” Mel asks.

  “I’m fine. I’ve just got things on tonight, and I need to focus.”

  “Are those things about five-foot-six, gorgeous, and brunette?”

  I laugh. “Something like that.”

  “I’d close up early too if I had her to focus on.”

  Tammy’s still not used to the way Mel and I speak to each other, and she stands in the corner, her cheeks glowing red.

  “Well, this one’s all mine, so keep your eyes to yourself.” I chuckle.

  “Fair enough. I’m going to assume we’ll still be paid for the last hour.”