“What, the fire?” The officer, slightly overweight, looked back at the sign over the glass front doorway to my bakery. It read Temptations. “I can’t say yet. We’ll have to hear from those guys first.”
I looked at the firefighters rushing in and out of the building. I couldn’t tell one from the other, not that I would’ve recognized the mystery man even if he stood a foot away. I hadn’t seen his face. “Miss Wilson,” Deepa said, her raspy voice stern. “We need to get you to the hospital.”
“I’m really fine,” I replied, my soot stained hands leaving a trail of black in their wake. They hooked on the square shape of my cell in my pocket. I drew it out and checked that it was okay, that it hadn’t melted. “I need to call my—”
“Ally? Oh my God, thank God you’re okay.” Kelly rushed towards me, carrying a soot-covered lump.
“Codsworth?” I stared at the cat. He meowed from the safety of Kelly’s arms and I enveloped them both in a huge hug. The pressure of the embrace caused another fit of hacking that I couldn’t control and the heaving racked my chest.
“I’m afraid Miss Wilson has to go to the hospital now,” Deepa insisted, the impulsion flinging me backwards in to a prone position again. She rolled the stretcher towards the back of the ambulance.
“I’ll call you!” Kelly yelled. Pat appeared beside her and took Codsworth from her arms.
“Where did you find him?” I yelled, hoping she could understand my choked words.
“Some fireman gave him to me,” Kelly screamed as she waved.
Then they loaded me into the back of the ambulance. The doors slammed shut and all hope of finding my mystery savior disappeared.
Chapter 3
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Kelly gushed the minute I walked through the door of her coffee shop. It was Friday, and plenty of customers had bustled in to get their morning fix. A triple espresso with cream was calling my name. I couldn’t remember a shittier week. Well, I probably could, but I planned to take my internal pity party to the extreme.
Kelly and Pat’s coffee shop was one of the few independents left in Minneapolis. Everything else was either Starbucks, Caribou or swill, and they’d made a name for themselves with their aromatic flavor combinations. Sensations like Pecan Nut Pie Latte were all the rage. I preferred caffeine only. Shot down the back of my throat just like a needle straight to the vein.
Pamela, their favorite barista, was behind the counter orchestrating the various orders pouring in. I hoped I could find another Pamela with her hands flying through the air and a beautiful smile that never left her eyes. Customer service reigned supreme in any specialty café.
Kelly wiped her hands on a dishtowel and crooked her pointer finger at me so I’d follow her into the office. We entered and found Pat sitting behind the desk, feeding Codsworth soft kitty treats from the palm of his hand.
“Glad you’re okay there, Ally. You had us worried.”
“I had myself worried. God, that was all I needed the night before my grand opening. I’ve obviously had to delay it until everything’s fixed. I’m so sick to my stomach I feel like a walking puke factory.”
“You must be frustrated,” Kelly soothed as she stroked my arm.
I offered up a tight smile, then strode around the desk to stand beside Pat. I petted Codsworth on the head, and he rubbed up against my hand. Poor baby probably had no idea what the hell had happened to our home.
“Thanks for looking after him. One less thing I have to worry about is really good right about now.”
“No problem,” Kelly replied. “He’s been a little kitty angel.” She paused and studied me, then Codsworth. “So what’s the verdict?”
“It’s not a total loss. Just half of the kitchen. It’s fixable. It will take a while but I can’t afford to put off the opening for long, which is a total pain in the butt,” I said, walking to a chair in the corner and sinking down in it. “And you know the attention span of people these days. I’ll lose my buzz and probably not get another chance.”
My cat evacuated the desk and took up residence on my lap instead. I stroked his silky fur to sooth my frazzled nerves.
“Any idea what started the fire?” Pat grumbled the question in his usual dulcet tones.
I lifted a shoulder, answering the question I’d asked myself a million times. “My guess is a short or something, but I really don’t know.” I was so exhausted that I rested my head against the wall.
The honest answer was … I might never know.
The initial investigation didn’t reveal outdated electrical systems or arson and the fire wasn’t bad enough to warrant more digging. If I wanted to know the true cause, I’d have to hire my own investigator and that cost wasn’t in the budget. A fire in the kitchen and plenty of paper work to file with the cops and the insurance companies was plenty enough to deal with.
And yet … I couldn’t get the mystery firefighter out of my mind. I kept having flashes of the sound of his voice and the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me so tightly. The smell of smoke and his cologne were permanently lodged in my nostrils.
“We could help you fix it up,” Kelly said.
I smiled at her, loving her for her offer. “No, that’s okay, I’ve got to file a report with the insurance dude and if they think anyone’s tampered with the scene, they won’t pay out.”
Pat nodded as his brow furrowed. Then he rose from the chair and lumbered to the door. “I’d better keep an eye on things out there. Fridays are always hectic.” He wrapped his arms around Kelly’s waist, pulled her close and proceeded to PDA until my cheeks turned red.
He left her weak-kneed and shut the office door behind himself.
“Well,” Kelly said, patting her long brown hair back into place as she blew a kiss to his retreating back.
“You guys have the perfect relationship,” I said. From anyone else, it would’ve been a swoon. Of envy. But I’d seen the ass-end of a dysfunctional relationship and I didn’t need another one anytime soon.
Gucci Black and smoke. I pressed my lips together and tried to force thoughts of him from my mind.
“You’re acting strange, Ally. What’s going on?” Kelly walked to the desk and sat down, swiveling from side-to-side in the chair, her hair floating around her shoulders.
“I —” I checked the door, then looked at her again. “I didn’t tell you everything.”
“Oh my God, gossip? Spill, girl, you’ve got me intrigued already.” She leaned forward and planted her hands on the desk. She kept her nails long and they were a different color each week. This week was red with Santa Claus faces.
“There was a firefighter.”
“A firefighter?” she whispered, her eyes going round as dinner plates.
“A firefighter,” I repeated. “I was passed out and he saved me. But here’s the best part … I didn’t get a glimpse of his face.” I kept the whole cologne and smoke thing to myself since I was embarrassed by my inability to whisk it from my mind.
“Why?” Kelly asked, licking her lips and squishing forward in the chair.
“Because my eyes were all teared up and I couldn’t open them through the smoke without a cascade of tears,” I said, stroking Codsworth again. “He was so strong.”
Jesus, had I just blushed? Kelly knew me so well, she’d see right through any façade. I really hadn’t been interested in men in a long time and I wouldn’t make an exception for some hero firefighter. He just fascinated me because I hadn’t seen the face attached to the voice. Probably looked like Jared the sandwich creep instead of Jared Leto.
But, he’d saved my life. And Codsworth’s. And he smelled and felt amazing. Sounded utterly scrumptious.
“Allegra, you naughty girl, you’ve got a crush,” Kelly purred.
I rolled my eyes at her. “I have not. I just — I don’t know. Who did you say gave you Codsworth?” I bit the side of my bottom lip.
“A firefighter. But I didn’t get a good look at his face. He just kinda shoved C
odsworth at me and ran back into the bakery.” Kelly pursed her full lips and shared in my disappointment.
“Ah well,” I replied, “that’s as far as any mental fantasy I might have been harboring is going to go.”
It was a good thing. I didn’t need any distractions. I had work to do.
Kelly gave me a knowing look, but I ignored it.
“Come on, let’s get you your daily shot of caffeine,” she said.
I followed her out into the shop. As I stopped and inhaled the scent of coffee grounds, I couldn’t help searching for the scent of his cologne at the same time.
Chapter 4
Two weeks had passed since the fire, and I’d managed to scrub down the kitchen and move the burned pieces out back, for inspection by the guys from the insurance company. They still hadn’t been by to check it out, and I couldn’t wait longer to officially launch the bakery.
Luckily, the firefighters had managed to save the wall before it had gone up in flames. Most of the damage was contained to a small section and I worked around it. Looking at it gave me a pang of sadness. I hoped all of my dreams hadn’t gone up in smoke along with one of my ovens.
I’d already iced this morning’s feature and set them out in the glass shelves. My assistant, Tess, was hard at work making a second batch. Last week’s launch had gone off without a hitch and we’d gotten plenty of customers in the first week of work.
I stood behind the counter and admired the cupcakes. Red Velvet Raptures with cream cheese frosting and Dark Decadence with gold sparkle sprinkles twinkled in the morning sunlight. I grinned and rubbed my hands together. Today would be a good day. It had to be.
The bell above the door tinkled and an old woman entered. She had a sky-colored hairdo and a sweet smile. “Hello, dear, how are you today?”
“I’m well thanks, Mrs. Atkinson, and how are you?” One week and I already had a regular. It was awesome. The whoop of excitement in my belly translated to a wide smile on my lips.
“I’m wonderful, just wonderful. I’d love a few of the red velvets. Rapturous Red Velvet, I mean,” she corrected with a wink.
I grinned and nodded before bringing out the specially designed boxes which had the bakery’s name printed across the top in gold foil, then packed in the cupcakes and rang them up behind the till.
Mrs. Atkinson accepted the box with a lick of her lips and handed over the cash. “You keep the change dear, these cupcakes are worth every penny.” She shuffled out, grasping the box in her wrinkled hands.
Even the elderly loved the concept of my cupcakes. I couldn’t believe it. I’d thought the more staid members of society would’ve been upset by it, but they weren’t at all. The older the customer, the more they seemed to get a kick out of Temptations.
Everybody had a naughty side, apparently. Even Mrs. Atkinson.
I giggled at the thought and smoothed my hands over the counter. It was still early, the time between the early morning work rush and the brunch hour was pretty quiet.
I scratched my chin and moved to go help Tess in the kitchen, but the unexpected tinkle of the bell stopped me in my tracks. I plastered a smile on my face for the next customer as I swung back around. A flush stole up my neck and settled into my cheeks. I gasped out loud, then clamped my mouth shut in embarrassment at my reaction.
Six months of celibacy was knocking on my vagina.
The hottest guy I’d ever laid eyes on stood about ten feet in front of me, hovering in the doorway like he wasn’t sure if the Red Velvet Raptures would bite. He shoved his hands in his pockets as his eyes drifted over the décor, landing on the crystal centerpieces.
It was true that Temptations catered to a more feminine clientele, but my cupcakes were delicious and he’d figure that out. Once he tried one. If he tried one. The rigid pose of his uncertainty outlined the angle of his broad shoulders and straining biceps against the sleeves of his North Face coat.
Just when I thought he’d turn to flee the girly environment, he unzipped his coat. I blinked rapidly in a futile attempt to clear my head and tore my gaze away from his chest, the ripple of abs visible beneath the thin, white cotton.
“Hi,” he said and flashed a smile with perfect white teeth and dimples. Oh my God … dimples. “I’m told you’re good with cupcakes.”
I swallowed twice. “I — uh, yeah. You could say that.” Come on, what was wrong with me? I had to get it together. He was hot, divine actually, but I couldn’t let that get in the way of business. With my new customer.
“Great,” he replied, then sauntered forward a few steps. He pulled his massive hands out of his jean pockets and placed them on the countertop. “What are these?” He pointed.
I stared at his dark brown hair, the stubble on his chin, the straight nose and clear blue eyes. Like the sparkle of the ocean on clear day. “Pardon?” I breathed.
“These, over here. What are they?” He spoke it as a command more than a question, but the skin around his eyes crinkled with amusement. At my bemusement.
I shook my head and followed his finger. That perfect finger attached to that perfect hand. A flash of what that hand might be able to do raced through my addled brain. Somehow, I found the words to answer. “They’re Red Velvet Raptures,” I replied.
“Sounds delicious,” he said and I watched his lips form the word. Full and lush. Lips made for kissing. And other things.
Okay, I was in serious depraved mode, but it wasn’t every day I saw a guy who looked like this. He was fit, but not in that body builder kind of way. He was more lean muscle — balanced, and his eyes were a little close together. The blue eyes that twinkled like the sunbeams in July.
I liked that. There was also a scar on his chin. I wondered how he’d gotten it and was about to ask when I suddenly realized how inappropriate that would be.
Shit. I needed to stop this …
“Would you like one?”
“I’m pretty certain one wouldn’t be enough,” he replied. “It’s never enough.”
I bent to reach one of the boxes, but he caught my hand and stopped me.
Electricity sparked across my skin and my breath hitched in my chest. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. No quirky remarks or questions. Just breath. And desire.
He stared at my lips, as he tilted his head to one side, exposing the line of his jaw. God, how I wanted to reach out and touch it. Touch him. Run my fevered fingers across every plane of his face. “What’s your name?”
“I, uh,” I stammered. What was my name? I would’ve told him, but he’d pretty much reduced my brain to mush and my body to a liquid pool of lust.
“I’m Gabe.” He said it, and it was the best syllable I’d ever heard.
Gabe.
“Allegra,” I whispered, staring at his hand on mine. Heat prickled down my spine and spread through to my core, pooling wetness in my lacy panties before we’d even been properly introduced.
“I’m sorry?”
The way he said that made my skin sensitive. I pictured his lips whispering over my collarbone, kissing and licking their way to the exposed valley of skin above my V-neck. Then, he’d use one of those perfect fingers to pull the fabric down and …
“My name is Allegra,” I said, louder this time.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, “I’ve heard good things about your bakery.”
I had to stop this. I had to get free of his iron grip because he’d driven me to a place I didn’t like to go. I wouldn’t go. Not again.
Not ever.
I slipped my hand from beneath his and deliberately broke the spell, and he raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll get the cupcakes for you.” I got a box out and slipped two of the Red Velvet Raptures inside, then taped it closed and rang it up.
He handed me the money, but didn’t take his change or the box.
“Allegra.” My name fell from his lips, and he licked them shortly after he said it.
I stood and held the box out. Waiting. For him to ta
ke it. For something else. I was so bemused and pissed at my body’s traitorous reaction to his physical closeness that I just wanted him gone. Never to return. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Yeah, actually,” he replied, finally taking the cupcakes. “A … date. Drinks? Dinner? Walk in the park? Whatever would make you happy.”
You.
“What?” I dragged my teeth over my bottom lip. “Sorry. I’m busy.” I had to cut this off before it got too far. I wasn’t ready for anything with anyone. Not a fling, and certainly not with a man who had the potential to reduce me to a puddle of quivering desire at the mere sight of him.
“I didn’t say when,” he said as his face burrowed into a frown and he clutched the box to his torso.
“I’m always busy. Brand new business. Fourteen hour days.” I stammered the excuses sounding ridiculous even to my own ears. I had to get away from him before I went up in flames of mortification so I waved my hand and fled to the kitchen. The double doors swooshed shut behind me, blocking off any more sightings of ‘Mr. Holy Shit That Man Is Fine’.
I hid in the kitchen until I heard the bell ring. He was gone.
Chapter 5
“What was his name?” Kelly asked, sitting across from me with her palms folded around a mug of Hazelnut Heaven coffee.
It was a Sunday morning and Pat was in the icehouse fishing with some buddies. Of course, most Minnesota icehouses were like cabins. Or better. Pat’s had a kitchenette and a big screen with cable. If they were actually fishing, it would be a miracle.
Man caves on ice were okay because it allowed for girl time. The coffee shop was closed and Kelly had taken a welcome break from it all.
I swallowed. “Gabe,” I said, burying my butterflies under a layer of false bravado. “His name was Gabe, but Kels, you should’ve seen this guy. He was like…”
“Like what?” She stirred the coffee absentmindedly, wearing the same rapturous expression she had whenever we talked gossip. And not just about my love life.
“Something out of a movie. He was gorgeous and mysterious and he asked me out on a date.”
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