by Marie Tuhart
Clearing her throat, she said, “Since we’re going, let me check non-perishable supplies.” She scooted over to another door.
“Got it,” Cameron said.
She picked up the small clipboard and began checking stock.
“Organized little thing, aren’t you,” he said, standing in the doorway of the supply room.
She threw him a grin over her shoulder. “You have to be in this business. You can’t tell me as a professor you’re not organized every week when you walk into class.”
“That I am.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind going with me to pick up what I need?” She checked off the items she needed. “I don’t want to take up your time.”
“I was coming to see if I could convince you to come to lunch with me. I want to spend time with you.”
His words warmed Kristen’s heart. She turned, and he was right in front of her. Her breath caught in her chest at his nearness. A warm finger traced her cheek. “Are you ready to do some serious shopping?” Those weren’t the words she planned on saying, but his touch short-circuited her brain.
He laughed and kissed her cheek. “How bad can it be?”
****
Cameron shook his head two hours later. What had he gotten himself into? Kristen had filled a flatbed and an oversized grocery cart with flour, sugar, butter, spices, water, juice, soft drinks and assorted fruits. When the total came up, she didn’t even blink. She just ran her bank card.
“I didn’t realize how much some of this cost,” he said as they pushed the carts toward his SUV. He’d been to the wholesale store before, but he’d bought nothing like this.
“It can get expensive, which is why I buy from local vendors as much as possible. But when a vendor misses a delivery, I have to find an alternative source.”
He put the seats down in his SUV so they’d have more room. “I’ll do the heavy stuff.” He gestured to the bags of flour and sugar.
“Cameron, I lift these all the time.” She blew a piece of her brunette hair away from her eyes.
“I know.” They’d had a brief argument in the store, but he’d given her a pointed look, and she’d shut her mouth. “But I’m here to help.”
“Fine.” She waved her hands at the car before crossing her arms over her chest.
Cameron was sweating by the time he finished loading everything into his vehicle. Kristen put the carts back into the corral then jogged over to the passenger side and climbed inside.
He glanced over at her. Her arms were still crossed over her chest. “Are you still annoyed with me?” he asked as they pulled out of the parking slot.
She let out a sigh. “A bit. I’m used to do things on my own.”
“I get that, but as your Dom, I’m here to help you with whatever you need help with. I’m not taking over, Kristen. I’m helping.”
“I get it. I don’t have to like it, but I get it.”
He grinned at her disgruntled words. As he drove to her café, he glanced over at her. Her hands rested in her lap. She fit his vehicle. She wasn’t afraid to climb right up into it without help, or without a comment about how high up it was.
“What the hell?” Kristen said as they pulled around the corner. There was a line out the door of her café.
Cameron quickly pulled around back. He’d barely stopped his SUV as she opened the door and jumped out to run inside.
He shook his head and followed after her. The raised voices when he walked in the back door made him wince. He strode to the front of the café, stopped, and stared.
The noise of the line of people snaking through the café was deafening, plus the opened door allowed street noise to enter as well. His sister’s hands shook as she tried to work the coffee machine.
Kristen put her fingers into her mouth and whistled.
The room went silent.
“Okay, folks. Sorry, it seems my normal help didn’t arrive today. Give me a few minutes to sort things out.”
The crowd grumbled but settled down. Skye finished with the coffee and handed it to the waiting customer before turning to Kristen. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Nothing to be sorry about.” Kristen patted her shoulder. “Where’s Tim?”
“His mom fell and broke her hip. I told him I could handle it. And I could have, until half the campus showed up. I forgot it was freshman day.”
“No worries.”
“What can I do to help?” Cameron was impressed by the exchange between his sister and Kristen. Most owners would be yelling and screaming, but not Kristen. She had handled the situation like a pro.
Kristen looked up at him and smiled. “Okay, here’s the game plan. I’ll handle the register and orders. Cameron, you get the food orders. Skye, do coffee orders.”
“You got it, boss.” Cameron gave her a salute.
“I’ll get Cam an apron.” Skye scurried into the kitchen.
“Do I really need one?” Cameron asked.
“Yep. Besides, you’ll look cute.”
Skye returned with the apron.
Cameron took it from her and slipped it on. “What do I do?” he asked.
“I’ll tell you what food the customer wants,” Kristen said. “Just use the tongs. If the order is for here, use a plate, which are stacked on the shelf to your right. If it’s to go, the bags are on your left.”
He glanced up at the crowd. “Let’s do this,” he whispered, dropping a kiss on Kristen’s cheek. He could handle this.
“We’re ready,” Kristen said as she began taking orders.
Three hours later, Cameron leaned against the counter, more tired than if he’d been teaching all day and then spent the evening at the club. The café was fairly quiet now with just a few people sitting at tables. He marveled at Kristen and his sister. They’d finally worked through the entire crowd plus the others who’d shown up.
“Remind me to tell Mom and Dad how hard you work,” he said to Skye.
“Thought this was all fun and games, huh, big brother.” Skye bumped his hip.
“Is it always like that?” he asked.
“Lunchtime can be a little hectic.” Kristen leaned against the counter. “But as the kids come back onto campus, it’s crazy, especially on freshman day. I can’t believe I forgot about it.”
“Now what?” Cameron studied Kristen. Some of her brunette hair had escaped the confines of her pony tail and brushed her face. Her eyes were bright, and she had a smile on her face.
“Oh my God, the food.” She slapped her forehead. “It’s still in the SUV.”
“Easy.” His hand descended on her shoulders. “Remember that quick break I took a while ago? I got all the perishables and put them in the fridge.”
“You’re great.” She brushed a kiss over his cheek. “Can I hire you?”
“One job at a time,” he whispered in her ear. “My first job is teaching you about kink. My second is convincing you to have a relationship with me.”
Kristen’s eyes widened, and he grinned.
“Okay you two, no foreplay at work,” Skye said.
“And what would you know about foreplay?” Cameron frowned at his sister.
“Don’t ask, don’t tell,” Kristen piped up, nudging Cameron toward the kitchen. “Skye, if you’ll do a quick inventory, we’ll finish getting the stuff out of the SUV.”
“You got it.”
“But—” Cameron started to protest. He wanted to grill his sister for more details. She was his baby sister, and he didn’t want to see her hurt.
“In the kitchen, big boy.” Kristen pushed him in the back until she had him in the kitchen.
“Kristen.” He turned to face her once he found himself halfway through the kitchen.
She held up her hand as she stepped through the doorway. “I know she’s your sister, Cameron, but there are certain things you don’t ask your baby sister. Period.”
“I’m her older brother. I want to know who she’s seeing.” He crossed his arms over his chest.<
br />
“Really?” She sauntered closer to him. “Do you really want Skye to know how kinky we are?”
He sobered. “That’s different.”
Kristen laughed. “How? Because she’s a woman.”
“No, she’s my sister.”
“So that means you are going to tell her how kinky we are?”
Cameron shook his head. When had he lost control of the situation? “What’s between us is between us. It’s no one else’s business.”
She poked him in the chest. “And the same goes for Skye’s love life. You may be her big brother, but if she wants you to know, she’ll tell you. She has a right to her privacy.”
“Yes, but…” He sputtered as Kristen marched to the back door and opened it. Damn it, Kristen was right, but he didn’t have to like it.
“Now, let’s get that stuff unloaded.” She grinned at him. “I love watching the way your muscles bulge as you lift things.”
The mischief in her green eyes made him smile. She’d gone from resenting his help to accepting it. He was making progress.
****
Later that evening, Cameron sat in the café kitchen, enjoying the fresh baked smell of raspberry tarts as he reviewed his class schedule while Kristen baked.
“How often do you have to run out and get your own supplies?” he asked.
“Not often.” She slid another pan of goodies into the oven before striding over to him.
“That’s a good thing.” He snagged her around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
“Yes.” She let out a sigh and relaxed against him. “What a day.”
“It was busy. I’m happy we’re able to spend time together tonight.” After the crisis in the café today, he had figured their night together would be delayed.
“Me, too.” She started to sit up.
“Stay here,” he ordered.
She relaxed against his body, her head resting on his shoulder. “You were a trooper today, thanks for all the help.”
“You’re welcome.” His lips brushed her temple. “Have you thought about hiring more help?”
“Yes. But most of my help comes from the university, so I have to work around their class schedule.”
“What about someone to bake for you?” To him, that would make logical sense if she couldn’t hire more help for the café.
She shook her head. “That’s my baby. It’s relaxing, unless I’ve had a day like today.” She smothered a yawn.
“How often do you have days like this?” Cameron ran his hand over her back, gently caressing her muscles. She’d worked hard today. They all had, but he’d found some satisfaction in helping her.
“Not often, thank goodness. We usually just have steady business in the mornings from seven until about nine, then again from eleven until two.”
“But you stay open until six.”
“Yes, but when school resumes, we have a stream of customers from the university from two until four.”
“So close at four.” He was aware that a small business owner like Kristen needed to make money by being open when the customers wanted. But what drove her to do almost everything herself and keep such long hours?
She shook her head. “People stop by on their way home from work to pick up treats, and that’s usually when we figure out what needs to be baked for the next day, what we ran short of, check on supplies, all that other fun stuff.”
“I’m going to get nosy here. Who takes care of your books?” How much was she taking on herself?
“I do.”
“Why not hire someone?” He needed to understand her need for control.
She squirmed on his lap. “I’m not good at letting things go, Cameron.”
“I’ve noticed.” He chuckled. “But you let me help today.” Skye had convinced Kristen to let him help her with the shopping, and as for working in the café… He grinned. Kristen had ordered him to help, not that it bothered him. He kind of liked that side of her.
“It was crisis mode. All hands on deck when the ship is starting to sink.” The timer beeped, and she slipped off his lap. “That’s it. I’m done for tonight.”
He glanced at the clock. It was only eight-thirty, but he had an early meeting with the dean tomorrow.
Kristen put the goodies away then turned to him. “What’s on the agenda for tonight?”
“Bed.” He grinned when her eyes widened. “You in your bed and me in mine.” Though he really wanted to explore with her more, he’d wait until she wasn’t exhausted.
“Tease.”
He laughed. “Come on. I’ll walk you up to your place.”
“It’s just upstairs.”
“Humor me.” He snagged her around the waist and led her over to the stairs, double checking to make sure the back door was locked before guiding her up to her apartment. Her feet dragged, and part of him was glad he had an early morning meeting.
“Lock the door after me and then go to bed.”
“Bossy,” she said then yawned.
“Just remember that.” He gave her a light kiss before opening the door. “Just wait until Saturday.”
Her eyes widened. “What is Saturday?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” He slipped out the door and waited on the landing until he heard the dead bolt being thrown. Saturday. Plans already ran through his mind.
Chapter Seven
Kristen pulled the spinach cups out of the oven and slid in a pan of cheesy bacon cups. She’d been wanting to try these recipes, and since she was up early for a Saturday morning, she figured it was a good time. She was excited about Cameron’s plans for the day. Since the crazy day on Wednesday, they hadn’t spent much time together. Thursday, Cameron had had a meeting at the university, and when he’d stopped by the café afterward, she had seen the lines of tiredness around his eyes.
And last night… Her lips turned up. She’d promised Skye the day off, so she was almost asleep on her feet when he’d stopped by as she was closing. He’d kissed her then told her to get some rest before escorting her up to her apartment and leaving.
The bell on the café door rang, and Kristen moved over to the entrance between the kitchen and front counter. Skye came bouncing in, locking the door behind her.
Turning, Skye let out a squeal. “Kristen, you scared me.”
“Sorry.” She pushed open the swinging door for Skye. “I was up early and decided to try out a couple of new recipes.”
“Excited?”
What did Skye know that she didn’t? “About what?” Kristen moved the now-cooled spinach cups off the baking sheet, putting four on a plate before sliding the rest into the fridge.
“Spending the day with Cameron, of course.”
“Is there anything you don’t know?” Kristen put her hands on her hips. She hadn’t mentioned her date to Skye.
“No.” After putting her purse and jacket away, Skye slid her apron on. “Besides, I think it’s great you’re seeing him. You two have…what is the word? Chemistry.”
Kristen ducked her head. Damn, what else was Skye seeing? What were other people seeing? Did they see her excitement, her desire? Would they judge her because of it? A bubble of unease slid up her spine. Was this relationship a good idea? “I didn’t realize it was that obvious.”
“Only to me.”
Kristen gave a sigh of relief. Skye’s words calmed her nerves over being with Cameron…at least for now.
Skye sauntered over and stared down at the food. “Mmm, those look good.”
“Try it, and give me your opinion.”
Skye snatched one of the spinach cups and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes grew wide.
“That bad?” Kristen asked.
Skye shook her head. “Oh my God,” she said once she swallowed. “Those are great. What are they?” She picked up another one and ate it.
“Spinach, garlic, sour cream, cream cheese, and grated cheese mixed together, then put in a pastry puff and baked.” The oven timer went off, an
d Kristen pulled the bacon cheddar cups out.
“Bacon.” Skye grinned. “These are going to be a big hit.”
“I hope so.” She playfully slapped Skye’s hand as she reached for one of the bacon cups. “Let them cool.”
“Are we putting them out today?”
“Yes, provided you don’t eat them all.”
Skye picked up a bacon cup and blew on it before taking a bite. “Dang, Kristen. I don’t know how you come up with these things.”
Kristen shook her head. “I saw the pastry cups the other day and bought them, and then wondered what I could fill them with. Breakfast for most of the kids at the university is on the run, and these are small enough.”
“Plus great for parties,” Skye said before she glanced at the clock. “Five to eight, I’ll get the coffee going and then open.”
“Thanks, Skye.”
With a wave, Skye went out to the café, and Kristen began making more of the pastry cups. They could sit in the fridge, and Skye could bake them if she needed. Now, she could experiment on a new cake recipe.
“Hey, it’s almost eleven,” Skye said, popping her head into the kitchen.
“What?” Kristen almost dropped the pan she was holding. It couldn’t be. She’d just looked at the clock a few minutes ago, and it had said nine forty-five.
“Wasn’t Cameron picking you up at eleven?”
“Crap.” She glanced at the clock. Ten fifty. She sat the pan down and took off her oven mitts. “Time got away from me.”
“Go. Tim’s already here.”
“Okay, if you need anything…”
“Yeah, I’ll call. Go.” Skye made a shooing motion with her hands.
Kristen jogged up the stairs to her apartment. Thank goodness, she had laid out clean clothes. Now, she needed a quick shower. As she dried herself off, she heard a loud knock on the door. She wrapped the towel around her and padded to the door. Looking out the peephole, she saw Cameron standing there with a frown on his face.
She fumbled with the locks before pulling the door open. “Sorry, time got away from me.” When Cameron didn’t say anything, she glanced up at him.