by Laura Brown
Me: Get off on. And I referred to porn. Don’t knock it. Billion-dollar industries don’t happen for no reason.
This was better, us teasing and flirting. I wanted to hold onto it for as long as I could.
Wrong Number: I’m more of a tactile than visual kinda girl.
I sucked in a breath, my dick all but throbbing now.
Me: Then close your eyes and feel me.
Wrong Number: Doesn’t help. I know the difference between my hand and someone else’s.
Damn. I wondered how far away her area of New York was, then realized she wasn’t there. I had no clue where she was. My luck, out on the West Coast.
Me: Shame. I had hoped this would be more enjoyable for you.
Wrong Number: It was. Is. A chance to be something other than myself, if that makes sense.
Me: More than you can imagine.
Wrong Number: What about you? You aren’t new to an area like I am. Why isn’t there someone special to be pissed at these texts?
Me: The mating habits of those who’ve lived in the same area their entire lives are complicated. There is someone, or the potential of someone, though.
Avery’s image came to mind, and the desire racing through me voted to jump ship and go find Avery.
Wrong Number: I’m shocked! You’re texting me while there’s the potential of someone. How dare you!
She followed that up with an emoji sticking out a tongue.
Me: It’s very, very new. Relationships take time.
I had to take it easy with Avery. No sense making things complicated for her at the bakery. Better to have a little fun here and let Avery call her shots.
Wrong Number: And yet, I saw your dick in that first exchange.
I grinned. If my dick could grin, he’d do so while puffing out his chest. Instead, he strained against the seam of my pants.
Me: Hey, you sent the boob pic.
Wrong Number: That I did. Momentary recklessness.
Me: And the second one?
Wrong Number: What can I say? You have sweet talking ways.
Wrong Number: So tell me about this someone.
I put my phone on my lap as I thought about Avery and couldn’t deny the smile that took over my face. I liked Wrong Number, but Avery was flesh and blood.
Me: She’s beautiful. Very sweet. And draws me in from across a room.
Wrong Number: Sounds like someone special.
Avery was special, to me and the bakery, a reason why I had to tread carefully. No sending the new baker texts like this.
Me: And what about you?
Wrong Number: Perhaps there’s a male specimen that holds some potential.
A small twinge of jealousy hit me, but I brushed it aside. I had no claim on her, and she had none on me. Better that way.
Me: And you’re hoping he can get you off where I can’t.
Wrong Number: Bingo. But it’s more complicated than that. I don’t jump into bed with anyone, our texts being the rare exception.
Me: Give me his number. I’ll share a few tips.
I had this woman figured out, at least to a certain degree, and if I passed that information along, she’d be very happy in no time, if the special someone had any skills.
Wrong Number: Down boy. There are certain things a man needs to learn on his own.
Me: We’re often slow and sloppy learners.
Wrong Number: Then it shows character and perseverance.
I laughed, holding up my hands in a surrender she couldn’t see.
Me: Okay. Okay. I give up. The offer still stands if you ever need it.
Wrong Number: You’re incorrigible.
Me: Guilty.
Wrong Number: Do you need some tips on how to handle the opposite gender?
My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. Did she really type that?
Me: I think I handled you just fine.
Wrong Number: Cocky.
Me: On that you have proof.
Wrong Number: Be good to her. No exposing yourself too early, you understand?
Me: Yes, ma’am.
How odd, this shift in our exchanges. The underlining flirting remained, but a friendship shined through. We got each other, partly due to our unusual start. With any luck, Wrong Number’s guy would do her right. As I hoped to do with Avery.
CHAPTER TEN
Avery
I arrived at work, large coffee clutched between my hands, sending whiffs of warm caffeine up to my cold face. A large yawn let in more caffeine, for which I was entirely grateful. Nice conversations with Dick Guy didn’t help me get any extra sleep, and I spent most of the night studying the streetlight glowing on my ceiling.
Might need to rethink how I handled those texts.
The bakery greeted me with the usual loud noises and high energy. I tried to absorb some of that energy as I settled into my station, coffee nearby and offering moral support. I got out my bowls and the first set of dry ingredients, ready to gather the wet items when Hannah came over. She was a rush of hands and vocals—turbo energy level—and I couldn’t pick up a word. With the urgency on her face, I knew I couldn’t play dumb. I set my hands into a “T” shape.
“Woah, time out. I can’t hear.”
Hannah took a deep breath. “Sorry, frantic. José’s out sick. Can you make some cookies today?”
“Of course.”
Hannah relaxed.
“Thanks.” She placed an index card next to my coffee. “Here’s the recipe. It’s a staple, so we’d prefer you stick to it.”
“Can do.” I added a nod for reassurance.
Hannah scurried off as I studied the recipe. Pretty straightforward for cookies, and I felt a few of the steps were a bit much, but I’d stick to them. Maybe I’d attempt some alterations at some point to see if the flavor changed.
Messing around with the recipe before trying it on my own was out of the question. Not when I needed to impress Nell.
The additional work meant my brain was finally fully engaged. I juggled cupcakes and cookies, kept a tally of where each was as I continued forward. The sounds were drowned out, became unnecessary background noise. I focused on my work, even my own internal chatter dialed down to nothing.
By the time I was cleaning up my space, not even an IV drip of caffeine could keep me functioning. Sleep promised to interrupt my television viewing for many hours, to the point where I contemplated going straight to bed.
At the last swipe of my rag, Nell appeared next to me, the first time she wasn’t a blur of movement and activity all day. She probably needed the caffeine more than I did. I thanked my lucky stars she was on my good side, as I barely had the energy to force my ears to focus.
“You did good today,” she said.
“Thank you. I enjoy a busy day.”
Nell laughed. “Oh, I know that feeling well. They get tiresome and then you crave them again. Would you be willing to do it all again tomorrow?”
I straightened my posture. “What happened to José?”
“Flu. He’ll be out for a few days. You up for it?”
“Of course. Though, with your permission, I’d like to tweak the recipe at home. I think I can shorten the steps, but I want to make sure it doesn’t affect the taste first.” I couldn’t tell if I was smart to babble that or testing how quickly I could get my ass fired.
Nell studied me for a long moment, long enough that I fidgeted and had to hold myself still. Then she nodded. “Try it but let me be the deciding factor.”
I exhaled as she walked away and tossed my rag into the laundry. My feet, back, and mind all had one thought: sleep.
I practically floated out the back door, and collided with a tall, hard body. Wobbly and unsteady, two strong hands went to my shoulders and held me upright. My body practically hummed at the contact, and I knew damn well who caught me. The ground needed to open up and swallow me whole. I raised my gaze away from a dark jacket to Jake’s smiling eyes.
“You okay?” he asked.
I tried to say I was fine, but a yawn worked its way out of me. Then I waved my hand, trying to get myself back to human status, only for my eyes to threaten to tear.
Jake’s smile vanished. “You’re not okay.”
“I’m just tired. Long day and I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m going to go home and conk out like a light.”
“Not like this you’re not.”
“No, I’m not. If you move, I’ll be able to, so…” I gestured for him to step out of my way. Instead, he moved into my personal space and any words I might have said backed up in my throat.
He pulled out his phone. “Not like this. I’ll drive you home.”
He put his phone to his ear and turned away, leaving me in the dark about whom he talked to and about what. Judging by the fact his shift started soon, I guessed he talked to someone inside.
Way to lose any impressions I made today.
He put his phone away and gestured for me to join him.
I dug in my heels. “Who did you just talk to?”
“Hannah. I’m taking you home.”
I crossed my arms to cover up the urge to deck him. “I was given more responsibility today. It doesn’t look good if I need a ride home.”
“It’ll look worse if you get into an accident and we’re down two bakers.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but nothing came out.
Jake tugged on my ponytail. “Come on, Tired Girl, tell me where you live.”
Too tired to fight, I followed him to his car, nearly moaning as I settled into the seat.
Jake got in behind the wheel. “Where to?”
I rattled off directions, then sat straight up as I saw my car. “How am I supposed to get to work tomorrow? I’ll need my car.”
Jake backed out of his spot. “I’ll either have someone help me drop it off or pick you up tomorrow morning.”
“You realize how early morning is for me?”
He laughed. “I know what your hours are. Now relax and let me do something nice for you.”
The struggle left me as the hum of the engine and softness of the seat lulled me to a calm state. My eyes closed and I hated to admit it, but Jake was right. I had been in no condition to drive.
I must have fallen asleep, because what felt like seconds later, Jake shook my shoulder.
“Is this it?”
I forced my eyes open and saw my apartment building ahead of us. I nodded, another yawn working its way through me.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
By the time I opened the car door, Jake stood on the other side, offering me a hand. I took it, and he pulled me to a standing position. “Which way?”
“I’ve got it from here. You have to go work.”
“Nope, I’ve got coverage.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Do I need babysitting or something?”
“No. But I would have hit traffic on the way back, so this was easier.” He angled my shoulders so I faced my building and spoke again, muffled by my hearing aid-less ear.
“What?” I turned my head, not realizing how close he stood to me. Our faces were inches apart. If I rose onto my toes, our lips would touch.
Jake didn’t say anything. His gaze traveled down to my lips and my heart damn near skipped a beat. We stayed like that, anticipation rising and swirling around our little bubble, until another yawn broke the moment.
“I said, which way?”
I nodded like a bobblehead doll. “Right.”
I headed into the building and up the stairs to my second-floor apartment, all too aware of Jake following behind.
Once I had my door opened, I turned to face him. “Okay, I’m here now. You can go.”
“You need anything?” he asked, eyes trained behind me on the boxes I still had littering my living area.
I wanted to point out they were far fewer than before but didn’t have the energy.
“Yes. You have to leave so I can get some rest.”
He ran a finger under my eye. “What if I’m worried about you?”
His concern soothed a spot deep inside, filling it with romantic thoughts. None of which got him out and me to bed, so I suppressed the emotions.
“Then you’re silly and need your mother and sister to remind you what it’s like to work in a bakery.”
He ran a finger under my other eye. “You don’t get much sleep, do you?”
If I could stop yawning and he would leave, my life would be great.
“The coffee wasn’t strong enough this morning.”
He stood still. Said nothing. An immovable presence.
I tossed my coat and purse onto the couch, not in the mood to get into this conversation.
“Fine. Stay. I’m too tired to argue.” I stalked off to my bedroom and slammed the door, before falling face-first onto my bed.
My hearing aid whistled when I pressed my ear to my pillow. I grasped the tubing and pulled it out, popped out the battery, and placed it on my nightstand. My ear was wet and itchy, but I couldn’t give a damn and settled my entire body into the bed.
My mad left as the soft cushions sucked me into their embrace. In a minute, I no longer cared whether Jake stayed or left. In two, I was fast asleep.
*
The room was dark when I opened my eyes. I blinked and stretched, slowly coming to and reveling in a body no longer riddled with aches and pains. A good stretching was called for as I got out of bed, raising my hands, shifting my hips, until everything fell back into place.
I changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt, taking my tangled hair out of the messy ponytail. The bedside clock announced the time in green lights. Five hours had passed. That was more sleep than I got on most nights.
My stomach grumbled, reminding me the last thing I ate was a cookie and that had been my lunch. I padded into the living area, intent on getting some nutrients, when I froze. My television lit the room in its glow. Not necessarily unusual if I had left it on, but never would I leave it on a sporting event. That had to be thanks to the figure who sat on my couch. Jake’s profile flashed in the varying colors from the game. He’d waited for me. And had fallen asleep doing so.
I darted into my bedroom and put my hearing aid back on.
Jake still slept and I crept up to him as if afraid to startle him. Long eyelashes brushed against his cheeks and a light stubble dotted his face. My belly clenched. He was so handsome. But why the hell was he still here?
A bit of my mad came back. I crossed my arms.
“Jake,” I said loudly.
He slept.
Oh boy. I walked over to him and shook his shoulder. “Jake!”
He shifted, muttered something I didn’t think a hearing person would catch, then grasped onto my arm and pulled me in. I somehow ended up next to him on the couch, with him burying his head into my hair. He cuddled me like a teddy bear, and I couldn’t deny it felt nice and slightly erotic the way his body lined up with mine. He said something again, sounded like, “yeah, that’s it,” but I couldn’t be sure.
I shook his shoulder, again, and yelled his name louder than the first two times.
He startled awake, pulled back and blinked at me.
“How did you get here?” His voice came out in a delicious sleepy tone.
“I’m still not sure. I tried to wake you and you pulled me in.”
A sleepy grin crossed his face. His hair was no longer perfect, more bedhead, and every bit as enticing. He made no move to disentangle us. “I guess I was tired too. How are you feeling?”
“Squashed.”
That got him moving. We shifted into upright positions, our thighs inches apart. He ran a hand through his hair, and it fell back to perfect status. I didn’t dare touch mine. I already knew it was a hot mess.
“Why are you still here?”
He ran his fingers slowly through my hair and I fought the urge to purr. “I was worried about you. I figured you might not sleep through the night and you’d be hungry. That would allow us to take care of the car situa
tion.”
“How did you get to be so sweet?”
“My mother raised me well.”
All the more reason to work my ass off for Nell.
“What do you say?” He settled his hand on the ends of my hair. “Should we get some food?”
Only he wasn’t looking at my eyes. He looked at my lips.
I licked mine on instinct and a grumble of some sort rumbled from his chest, the only warning I had before his soft lips touched mine in a demanding kiss. A tingle traveled straight through me and I melted into him, those hands in my hair, his chest pressed against mine, as his lips demolished me from the inside out.
My arms wrapped around him and he angled me back onto the couch, not quite on top of me, but not exactly chaste, either. I licked at the seam of his lips and he rewarded me with a light swipe of his tongue. I nearly melted.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine, our breaths dueling for air. “You taste sweeter than your cupcakes.”
I nearly kissed him again. “That might be the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Pun unintended.”
He grinned, one of those that encompassed his eyes and created creases in the corner.
“Then you clearly haven’t been praised enough.” He shifted until he was off me and there was a sliver of air between us. “Shall we head out and get some food?”
I almost rose, until it registered what I was wearing. I glanced down and, yup, no bra and a light T-shirt. “Umm, I should go change.”
I tried to move quick, but it was too late; he’d already caught my nipples pressing against the fabric. His tongue wet his bottom lip.
“Right, umm, I’ll be back.” I hightailed it to my bedroom, banging my forehead against the door once I closed it. My breath was out of control and my pulse not too far behind. My body begged me to go back in there and straddle him, rub against him, take anything he’d give me.
Bad. Bad idea. One date. Far too soon for anything. I braced against my door, my eyes falling on my phone. I blamed Dick Guy for my current state. One way or another, he was going to pay.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jake
I clicked off the television and tried to get my head on straight as Avery changed. The feel of her lips, of her beneath me, the way she looked in that T-shirt, none of that helped me gain a semblance of sanity.