“I can’t believe it! I really can’t!”
“What? Tell me again?” he’d asked.
“I told you already.” She shook her head. “Weren’t you listening?”
“Just tell me,” he’d snapped back.
“Gosh, did you get out of bed on the wrong side, or what?” Jilly scowled for a second then her grin returned. “Never mind. I’m too happy to let you upset me this morning. Okay . . . so, as I said, I’ve won an all-expenses paid spa trip! Isn’t that great! Only thing is it’s really short notice, Rocky. But we don’t have anything big on. Do we? I can go. Can’t I?”
“When?” he asked, thinking he’d say yes just to get her out of the shop. His head was thumping and he was in a foul mood, although he had no idea why.
“I need to leave the day after tomorrow and I’ll be gone for four days, but I only work part-time and I’m off today and tomorrow anyway, and we don’t have any big orders in. But I wanted to come in and let you know so I can go and get organized and not worry about work.”
She spoke so fast that his head spun trying to keep up. Her excitement was palpable and as he worked it out in his head it meant he’d be on his own all week. It was doable though, if somewhat undesirable, but he couldn’t say no. Not when she was almost jumping up and down in front of him, and her face was scrunched up waiting on his answer. He gave a brief nod. “Away you go. I’ll manage by myself. I’ll sort out the weekend stuff beforehand so I’m not rushed off my feet.”
Jilly let out a scream, launching herself at him and jumping up to wrap her arms around him. “Thank you! You’re the best boss ever!”
He had no option but to catch her in his arms, patting her back before placing her back on the floor. “Yeah, right. Remember that when you get back and I want to leave early the next Saturday.”
“No problem!” She about turned and ran from the shop, her feet flying over the floor.
Rocky shook his head as she left, thinking that he’d quite like the peace and quiet of having the shop to himself for a few days. And that first day was perfect. With a steady stream of regular customers, but not enough to stop him from nipping into the back of the store to bake, and blissful silence to do it in. That was until the following day when the imposing Alpha, Theron, arrived.
He was friendly enough, and although Theron was a regular customer even though he lived miles away, and had even invited him to his Aunt’s annual Masquerade Ball before, which he’d attended on one occasion. Rocky always felt a little . . . off balance, in his presence. He looked more like the leader of a biker gang than an Alpha. What with the multiple tattoos, long hair, and overall look the Alpha appeared as if he’d walked straight out of that show that Jilly raved about . . . Sons of Anarchy. Albeit Theron was cleaner and far better looking.
Rocky’s lips tugged up. What the hell? He couldn’t stop himself from smirking at the wild route his mind was going as Theron stopped, canting his head to gaze intently at him with eyes that seemed to reach inside his head and read his mind. Damn! That’s what it was that put him on edge. The feeling that the Alpha could read him, but he couldn’t. He was Wolf and Rocky was a Lion. No way could Theron get inside his head. No damn way . . . could he?
Theron’s mouth lifted on one side, just briefly, before he spoke. Setting Rocky’s nerves on edge. “Hey, Rocky, how are things? Where’s that cute assistant of yours? What’s her name . . . Jilly?”
Rocky cracked his neck, refusing to believe that the Wolf could read him. No way, not happening. “It’s her day off, but she’ll be off all week. She’s going away for a few days.”
“Aww dang, that might cause me . . . and possibly you a problem.” Theron frowned, a finger rising to tap his chin.
“How so?” Rocky asked.
“Well, it’s like this, Rocky.” Theron tilted his head and shrugged. “Talia has decided to throw a little get together for her friends and she’s already told them that she’s going to amaze them with the most delicious cupcakes and pastries ever made. That’s the words she used. So, you see the bind I’m in . . . can’t you? I can’t let her down because, well, I just can’t. I need a big order and fast. I need an assortment of cupcakes as well as your Roller things that she loves, and also those, damn what’re they called? Those twist things I get all the time?”
“Heavenly Twists,” Rocky prompted.
“Yeah, those too, and can you throw in an assortment of everything else you do? She wants to make sure they sample everything.” Theron shrugged again. “You know how she loves everything you make, Rocky. That’s why I drive all the way here to get her fix for her.”
“How many do you need and when do you need them?” Rocky asked, knowing he wouldn’t say no to the Alpha, but also realizing he was going to be in a bind. Damn.
“A lot. She’s invited just about every female in the Pack and, well, you know I can’t let her down so I have to come through for her, Rocky. I’m gonna need at least a hundred assorted cupcakes, and a hundred each of those Rollers and Twists, and at least another hundred of your other items, but you can do a mix of your own choice for those.” Theron stopped, looking straight into Rocky’s eyes with a determined stare. “You can do that for me? Can’t you? I’ll drop by on Friday afternoon to pick ‘em up. Say about three?”
Rocky’s head ached as he thought of the hours he’d need to put in to get the order done and run the shop without Jilly. But Theron didn’t seem to notice as he pulled out a thick wad of notes and put them on the counter. “Oh, and Rocky, my Aunt was asking after you the other day. She said to tell you she was thinking of you and she hopes you’re doing well.”
Gerri Wilder. The woman scared the hell out of him. Rocky was sure she could see right into his soul . . . and more. When he’d met her she was friendly enough, but yeah, he was left feeling jittery and wondering if she was trying to set him up the entire evening. He’d left as soon as he could slip away unnoticed and hadn’t gone the following year when Theron invited him again. Rocky had politely refused. Thankfully he hadn’t pressed him for a reason and let it go, although he did send him another invitation, by post, last year, and again Rocky didn’t attend.
“I’m fine, tell her thanks, but I’m just fine,” he managed to reply, wondering why his aunt was taking an interest in him at all.
“I will.” Theron’s eyes twinkled briefly before getting back to business. “So, I’ll see you on Friday . . . right?”
Rocky’s jaw tightened. He hated being backed into a corner, but he didn’t want to lose Theron as a customer either. Talia, his mate, did send a load of business his way through word of mouth. “Sure. I’ll have everything waiting for you, Theron.”
“That’s great. Talia will be pleased.” Theron gave him a big smile before turning to leave, throwing over his shoulder as he opened the door, “And when Talia’s happy . . . I’m happy.”
Rocky let out a huge sigh as the Alpha finally disappeared, running through everything in his head. He’d be running around ragged for the rest of the week instead of the quiet, relaxing one he’d had planned. Dang it.
Chapter Eight
Her nerves were frayed as she stood outside the bakery. More so when a huge biker dude came out and strode toward her. Connie’s heart thudded wildly in her chest when he stopped and raised an eyebrow as he inhaled her scent.
“You must be Connie,” he drawled and that’s when her own senses picked up he was also a Shifter about two seconds before she realized he was also an Alpha.
Her eyes lowered automatically as she nodded, her voice coming out in a stutter. “Yes, that’s me . . . Connie.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” He reached over and tilted her head up. “No need to be nervous. I’m just here doing a favor for my aunt. You know her . . . Gerri Wilder?”
“She’s your aunt?” Connie spluttered, surprise in every damn syllable. “Oh, shoot, I’m sorry.”
He didn’t seem to be upset though, his eyes twinkling as he grinned down at her. “Yeah, she’s my aunt
. I’m Theron and you need to hustle in there. You know what to do? You’re looking for work and you can start immediately. Go. Now. He’s in a bind ‘cause I got rid of his assistant and just put in a big order so he needs the help.”
Connie’s heart stuttered and the words just tumbled out. She couldn’t help it. She really couldn’t. “You what? You got rid of his assistant? I just met her the other day! She was nice!”
Theron frowned. Looking at her as if she were crazy before he realized what she meant, a chuckle rumbling in his chest as he shook his head. “I didn’t mean that, Connie. She’s perfectly all right and will be back at work next week. She’s away on a trip, but stop talking, girl, and get your ass in there. Now.”
He gave her a shove and her feet stumbled before she caught herself, taking a few deep breaths, straightening her shoulders, lifting her head and walked toward the store. All she knew was that Gerri had called her last night and told her she was to be here this morning, bang on time, and ready to go into the bakery and ask for a job. Connie had no idea why because when she asked, Gerri had snapped that she owed her for setting Cyndi up and that this was the payment. So here she was and she’d do it because Gerri was right. She did owe her.
Connie stopped at the door, turning to see Theron standing with his arms crossed over his massive chest watching to make sure she went in. He gave a curt nod and she returned it, her hand reaching forward, trembling but she had no idea why. Hell, she wanted a job, she needed one. So what was the big deal? All she had to do was walk in and do as Theron had said.
Why he’d done her a favor wasn’t clear but she wasn’t going to question it. He scared the hell out of her. His size, the tattoos she could see on his neck and forearms, and not to mention his Alpha power . . . yeah, she was going to do exactly what he said. No question about that.
Her hands were clammy as she entered the bakery to find it empty. The delicious scents of the baked goods swarming over her and making her mouth water. Goodness, what a place to work . . . heaven. The name of the place was perfect. Heavenly Scents. What a great name for this amazing bakery and she wondered, again, why she hadn’t known about it. Then again, she didn’t know a hell of a lot about most of the stores in town. Not until she’d moved here and taken the time to walk around and actually go into them.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself she gave a shout. “Hello, anyone there?”
She could hear someone in the back, moving around and mumbling. Someone big going by the noise her sensitive ears could hear as footsteps came her way, a door opening to reveal a huge guy wiping his hands on an apron tied around his waist. His bulk taking up the entire frame of the door, he was massive, with shoulders that barely made it through the door, and muscles rippling as he strode toward her. His dark blonde hair was shaggy, hanging longer at the back over the collar of the tee that seemed to be struggling at the seams, and then his eyes lifted and damn, Connie’s heart skipped several beats in her chest.
He was a Shifter. She could tell that from the way he carried himself, his scent, his aura, but what kind she wasn’t sure. He definitely wasn’t a Wolf. That was certain. Golden orbs with flecks of brown met hers and he stopped right where he was, frowning, before barking. “What can I do for you?”
Her mind went blank. Totally and utterly blank as she stared at him and she was damn sure her mouth was hanging open too. Shoot. What was she here for again?
“Well?” he prodded. His voice low, husky, and so damn sexy her mind was all over the place.
Connie wasn’t sure she could talk. Her mouth was dry as a bone and her heart was doing the strangest of things inside her. She had no freaking idea what was going on and this guy must think she was a complete idiot just standing here staring at him. She had to say something but no words would come. Nothing. Nada. Not one dang word could she form and that’s when the door opened. Her head spinning around to see . . . Theron. Oh shit!
“Ahh, I see you’ve arrived, Connie.” Theron smirked down at her, walking over and patting her shoulder. “Hey, Rocky, I hope you don’t mind, but when you said Jilly was on vacation and I landed you with that big order, I thought you might need some help, so I called Connie here. She’s new to town and needing work and can start right away. Isn’t that right, Connie?”
Connie nodded, her voice returning, albeit low and not her own at all. It was nervous and quiet. At least she knew the guy’s name now. “Yeah, that’s right.”
Theron carried on as if she weren’t there, addressing Rocky directly. “She’s a friend of Aunt Gerri and thought I’d get in her good books if I helped her out . . . what do ya say, Rocky? You need help and Connie needs some work. Sounds like a win-win to me.”
Connie’s beast started to prowl around inside her head, pawing at the ground and acting strange, very strange. Great, just what she needed right now. She needed to keep it together and do what Gerri wanted: get this job so she’d paid off her debt to the Paranormal Dating Agency. Why Gerri wanted her to work here was irrelevant to Connie. And the fact that Theron, her nephew, was in on the scheme told her that something big was going on. Connie only hoped that they weren’t doing something shady.
She’d been here for only a few minutes but the thought of them taking advantage of Rocky didn’t sit well with her. No. Not at all. Her insides churned and her heart stuttered as his eyes left Theron and landed on her. The golden orbs seemed to caress her skin, slowly raking over her body from her feet, up her legs and finally landing on her face which was now scarlet. She could feel her cheeks burning when he locked eyes with hers, his head canting to the side as his brow puckered as if he were confused before he finally gave a curt nod.
“Fine. Can you start right now?” Rocky asked, his voice a low rumble that had her stomach clenching and her head bobbing furiously.
“Yes,” she managed to get out.
“Fabulous.” Theron patted her shoulder before striding to the door. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted and I’ll see you later, Rocky.”
She heard the door open, the bell tinkle and that was it . . . Theron was gone and she was alone with the owner of Heavenly Scents. The most amazing specimen of male hotness she’d ever seen in her life and she was standing with a red face and her feet glued to the floor like a teenager on a first date. She’d never felt like this before. Not once in her life had she felt so . . . unsettled. Her beast acting out wasn’t helping and Rocky’s intense stare was causing her to fidget so she stuck her hands in her pockets to hide the fact she was so damn nervous.
Finally he spoke again, breaking the deathly silence. “I’ll be baking most of the time, so I’ll need you out here, looking after things. There’s a list with prices next to the cash register and if you get stuck just give me a shout. You need to wash your hands first, there’s a sink there,”—he nodded over in the corner—“and make sure you use the tongs when picking up any of the merchandise. There’s also disposable gloves in a box next to the price list, we’re very particular here, so please bear that in mind.”
Connie looked around at the vast array of goods for sale and hoped she wouldn’t be busy, because if she were then she’d be in trouble. Luckily the cash register looked simple enough and she hoped she’d be able to figure it out without having to ask him how to work the dang thing. That would be too embarrassing. “Sure. I can do that.”
Rocky stepped toward her, the distance closing and BAM his scent cascaded over her . . . holy shit. It was the same one that she’d smelled the day she’d come to view her apartment! The one that had such an effect on her . . . and it was doing the same thing now as it enveloped her. Her nipples hardened, chafing against the lace of her bra, her breathing hitched, caught in her throat, and her thighs clamped together as desire swamped through her body. Hells fire! This was not the way to start a new job. Panting after her boss was a sure-fire way to get her ass kicked out the door and she couldn’t lose this job. Not now, not today, not five minutes after getting the damn job.
She had to
keep this position! She had to. If she were to pay off Gerri Wilder then she had to control herself and not offend the boss, who was right this second staring at her with a steely glare. His nostrils flared . . . was he freaking scenting her? What the god damn hell?
“What are you doing?” she spat out, her hands now on her hips and her voice high and indignant. She expected him to look at least embarrassed at being caught, but he didn’t, not one iota.
Rocky took a step back, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’ve caught your scent before. In town and I almost ended up on my ass in the middle of the road because of it. I wonder why, Connie, what’s different about you?”
She was shocked at what he said. What was he talking about? She wasn’t sure but she didn’t have a chance to ask him because he turned on his heel and disappeared through the door she’d first seen him appear from, kicking it firmly closed behind him, and leaving her to stand with her mouth open and having no clue as to what the hell had just happened.
Her anger still up, she was about to follow him when the bakery door opened and her first customer arrived. Connie was forced to attend to the elderly lady who wanted a small selection of pastries and who took her time in doing so, which gave her time to check the list for prices and to add it up on the cash register. All the while the woman chattered away, asking where Rocky and Jilly were and welcoming Connie to the store with a bright smile. She made her first sale easy and when she left, Connie felt more at ease and ready to deal with anyone else who arrived.
She took the time to memorize some of the stock and where things were, hoping she didn’t make any huge mistakes on her first day. The last thing she wanted to do was call on Rocky. No. She’d rather he stayed where he was so she could try and figure out what was going on. Why he affected her and why the freaking hell her Wolf was acting like a pup on crack inside her head.
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