by Johnson, Cat
“How enterprising of you.” I stood back, straightened my spine, and took a deep breath. “All right. So, you found me. Why? What’s the point?”
Troy’s answering smile was crooked. “I wanted to see you again. To talk to you. Get to know you.”
“Hmmm,” I hedged. “Shouldn’t you be on the road to the next stop on your tour? I figured you’d be several states away by this morning.”
“Aha, so you did think of me.” His grin broadened. “That’s a point in my favor. And you’re right, usually we’d leave right after the last set, but I’d already planned to be in town a few days to hang out with Mason. If I hadn’t, I would’ve stayed to find you anyway.”
“Which brings us back to my original question—why?” Before he could answer, I went on. “Look. We had some fun last night. I’m not going to deny that I enjoyed myself. But that’s all it was. Like I told you then, I’m not looking for anything complicated. We hooked up, and we went our own ways. End of story.”
“But it doesn’t have to be the end.” Troy stepped closer to the glass case that separated the two of us. “I don’t want it to be.” He held up one finger. “And if you want to know why, and why I was laughing at your reaction just now, have dinner with me tonight.”
My stomach clenched. “Thanks, but no. I don’t date. I get up very early every morning to open, which means evening plans are out of the question. Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.” Troy chuckled. “You’re not sorry. You’re scared.”
My eyes flashed. “I am not scared. I’m not afraid of anything or anyone.”
“Glad to hear it. Have dinner with me. We’ll go early, as soon as you close, and I’ll have you home before bedtime.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll just stay here in the bakery all day, and I’ll keep pestering you. Your customers are going to ask questions, I bet. Small town . . . lots of talk.” He crossed his arms over the chest that I could still feel beneath my fingertips and leaned against the wall as though settling in for the day.
I was equal parts horrified, intrigued, entranced, and irritated. Toss in a healthy dose of horny, too, because even just standing there, the man did something to my lady parts.
“I’ll call the police and have you arrested for loitering,” I threatened.
Troy quirked one eyebrow. “Which will bring in the press.” He held up both hands as if framing a headline. “Country star arrested in small town bakery. And when they ask me why, I’ll tell them that I did it all for love.”
It was my turn to snort and roll my eyes. “You’re not in love with me.”
“Maybe not, but it could happen. I’m in serious like, and the lust goes without saying.” His gaze raked down my body, and even though most of me was hidden by the counter, I shivered at the heat in his eyes.
He must’ve sensed me weakening because he lowered his voice, let his eyelids drop to half-mast, and shot me the smolder. “It’s not a big deal, Kiki. It’s just dinner.”
“Fine!” I tossed up both hands. “Whatever. But I’m eating, and then I’m coming home. And that’s it. Nothing more.”
His answering smile was dazzling. “What time do you close?”
I sighed. “Five.”
“I’ll be here at four forty-five. With bells on.”
“Wonderful.” I scrubbed my hands over my thighs because my palms had gone suddenly damp. “Now get out of my bakery until then. I have work to do.”
“You got it, baby.” He winked. “See you later.”
* * *
I’d worried all day about going out to dinner with Troy—what people would think if they saw us together, how I’d handle my feelings toward him and his toward me. But in the end, everything was much easier than I’d expected.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said, sliding me a sideways glance as he led me to a pickup truck. “I was looking for somewhere special for us to eat, but it’s tough for me these days. If I’m, ah, recognized . . . it sounds cocky, but it’s actually just a pain in the ass. So Mason let me borrow his truck, and his friend Sam gave me directions to a perfect picnic spot on his farm just outside town.”
“That sounds like heaven,” I replied. “Sam Reynolds has a beautiful place, and I’m definitely more of a dinner-on-the-ground woman than a fancy dinner lady.”
We dined on fried chicken and biscuits from Kenny’s, sitting on a blanket in the grass near the river. To my surprise, there wasn’t any awkwardness between us. The conversation started in the truck on the drive out to the farm and never faltered once.
Troy talked about growing up in Missouri, how much he loved his family, and his early years in the music business. When he asked me if I’d always lived in Burton, I told him about growing up in a small town in North Carolina.
“My big sister and I were the town hellions. We were the wild ones.” I smiled reminiscently. “We didn’t do anything that bad, but in a community that size, everything gets exaggerated.” I was quiet for a moment. “And then my sister died, leaving me her three-year-old daughter to raise. I decided that I had to get my shit together. So I packed up Sydney, moved to Burton, and bought the bakery. I wanted to start over in a place that didn’t know my past.”
“I get that.” Troy nodded, leaning on one elbow as he watched me. “Did it work?”
“I think so.” I shrugged. “I won’t say that I completely reformed—as you might have noticed last night—” I flashed him a grin, and he chuckled. “But I’m more selective about when and where I get crazy.”
“Where is Sydney now?” he asked.
“She finished school two years ago and has her own restaurant in Savannah.” I heard the pride in my voice. “She’s amazing.”
“Probably because she was raised by an incredibly strong woman.” He shifted until he was sitting closer to me, and in a panic, I tried to change the subject.
“You never told me why you laughed today when you first came into the bakery. You said you’d explain if I went to dinner with you.”
“Ah.” He chuckled. “It was your reaction. You sounded so unhappy to see me, and it was the opposite of how women normally act when I meet them.” He shrugged. “And that was when I knew I’d been right to hunt you down. There was just something about you last night, after . . . well, after. Most women wouldn’t have run away when they realized they’d accidentally hooked up with a singer. But you did.”
“Not because I didn’t have a good time. I just—” I shook my head. “I can’t afford to get involved with anyone. Not at this point in my life. I have my bakery, my friends . . . that’s all I need. Starting up something with a guy like you would be complicated. Messy.”
Troy reached for my hand, the first time he’d tried to touch me all evening. “Kiki, I don’t believe in love at first sight.”
Relief and an odd disappointment warred within me. “Glad to hear it.”
“But,” he went on. “I do think that sometimes, we feel . . . something when we meet the right person. A connection. A click. I’m drawn to you, Kiki. I want to get to know you better.”
I avoided his gaze, folding my paper napkin into tiny triangles. “That’s flattering, Troy. I like you, too. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to have . . . expectations that this could ever be anything more than what it is. We hooked up last night, and tonight we’ve had fun. But you’re at the start of a career that’s exploding, one that keeps you on the road almost constantly. I’m here in Burton. And then there’s the age difference.”
“Bullshit,” he murmured. “Nothing that you just said matters. It’s all details. If you’re interested in me the way I am in you, we’ll make it work. Yeah, my job complicates things, but there are phone calls and texts and video chatting—not to mention planes that can fly me here to visit.”
“I notice you didn’t mention our age difference.” I shifted uncomfortably. The last thing I wanted to do was to point out the pitfalls of a younger man with an older woman, but it had to be acknowledged.
“Because it’s not worth mentioning,” Troy shot back. “It doesn’t matter to me. You’re a beautiful, sexy, and fascinating woman. I want you, Kiki. That goes without saying. But even more, I like you. I want to call you before I go on stage and hear about your day. I want to video chat with you in the morning to tell you how the show went. I want to find out what you’re thinking when you get that little ridge between your eyebrows—yeah, that one, right there.” He touched my forehead with the tip of one finger.
“Troy.” I caught his hand, closing my fingers around his. “You say such pretty words, and I want to believe you. But . . . I don’t want to get hurt, and that’s the only possible ending I see for this if we try.”
“Then you’re not looking with the same eyes I am.” Troy nudged up my chin until I was gazing at him. “You told me this afternoon that you’re not afraid of anything.”
My lip twitched. “I’m not.”
“Then prove it.” He threw down the challenge at the same time that he slid his fingers around to the nape of my neck, drawing me closer to him. His kiss was sweet and inviting. It teased, tempting me to believe him.
“Troy,” I breathed against his lips. “What are you doing to me?”
“Just say yes, baby.” He smiled up at me, and I knew I was lost. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just . . . getting to know each other.”
3
“Oh, my God. You’re dating Troy Beck.” Maureen dropped her coffee spoon with a clatter, staring at me. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me until now!”
I managed a smile. “I don’t think I actually believed it myself until recently. He lured me in, Maureen. I thought I was having a quickie outside the bar, and suddenly, I’m in a-a relationship.” I wrinkled my nose. “How the hell did that happen?”
“Uh, probably because he’s the hottest, sexiest man alive, and you’re just fabulous—you always have been—so it makes perfect sense. I’m so happy for you, Kiki. And I also want to know every little detail.”
I set two steaming cups of tea on the table between us. “Of course, you do. Well—” I shrugged. “He calls me every day, at least twice. We text back and forth all the time—about the silliest things. He’ll ask me a random question, and suddenly, we’re in a deep conversation.” I drew in a deep breath. “And he flies back here to see me every time he has more than a day or two off.”
“Which means sexy times?” Maureen asked hopefully.
“Um . . .” I shook my head. “Not so much. Troy insists that we need to get to know each other more before we have sex again. But we kiss—a lot. My God, the man can kiss, Maureen. We make out. I haven’t had so much over-the-clothes action since I was sixteen. And we talk. I think—” I bit my lip. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”
“Well, duh.” My friend rolled her eyes. “Who wouldn’t?”
“It needs to stop.” I crossed my arms on the table. “I can’t believe I let this get so far. Yesterday—” I hesitated. “Two customers were waiting while I boxed up a cake, and they were talking about Troy, about how he’s dating some young singer who opened for him. They raved about what a cute couple they are. And I know it’s not true—it’s just tabloids. Troy is the most honest, genuine man I’ve ever met. He wouldn’t cheat on me. But the way it made me feel—so angry and insecure—I can’t deal with that.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m ending it, Maureen. I have to.”
“Kiki, no.” She laid her hand over mine. “If he makes you happy, why would you do that?”
“He does make me happy, but how long before I’m miserable? How many years can I deal with a long-distance—whatever this is—before I either get hurt or hurt Troy? It’s inevitable.” I twisted my fingers together. “I called him last night, while I knew he was on stage. I left a message, told him I needed time and space. I asked him not to call me.” I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “He didn’t call me this morning at the regular time. No texts all day. Maybe he was relieved, Maureen. Maybe I did us both a favor.”
“No way.” Maureen’s rebuttal was strained, which only made me sadder. “He’s probably just confused. And probably frustrated that you broke up with him on a freakin’ voice mail, Kiki. That’s not cool. That’s cowardly.”
My friend’s words echoed in my mind for the rest of the afternoon, even as I pasted on a happy smile to serve my customers. I kept reminding myself that I’d done the right thing. Troy’s career was only getting hotter. The last thing he needed in his life was someone like me: a small-town woman who was definitely not some dewy-eyed girl. He’d be better off without me, even if he didn’t see that now.
Late that afternoon, the bakery was crowded with last-minute shoppers taking advantage of my regular Saturday half-off sale. I was running my ass off, sliding cookies into boxes and bagging up muffins. I could barely hear myself think with all of the noise in the shop, so when everyone suddenly fell silent, I glanced up to see what was going on.
It didn’t take me more than a second to spot Troy standing just inside the door. My heart leaped into my throat, and I dropped the struffoli I’d been about to slip into a bag.
“Kiki.” Troy’s familiar voice rang out. “I’m here to say just one thing, and I’m going to say it in front of all these witnesses so you can’t ever deny that you heard me.”
Murmurs rose as people began to recognize Troy, but neither of us paid any attention. Our eyes were fastened on each other.
“Kiki Payton, I’m in love with you.” His eyes shone with the truth of his words. “I love every little thing about you. I love your sass, your strength, and your sweetness. I love talking to you, and I love kissing you.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “Nothing you say or do will change how much I want you. You’re the only woman in the world for me—the only one there could ever be. I want everyone to know that I love you.” He held out one hand. “It’s not a big deal, Kiki. It’s only love. Will you be mine?”
The focus in the shop swiveled from Troy to me as everyone looked my way. Blood roared in my ears, and panic threatened to overwhelm me. How could he do this, put me on the spot this way, force me into some kind of public declaration?
And then I looked into his eyes, and I found everything I needed to know. I saw truth there, and hope, but most of all . . . I saw love. It was shining for me, and it was undeniable.
“Of course,” I said, my voice stronger than I expected. “Of course, I’ll be yours, Troy. I think my heart’s been yours since the moment I saw you.” I remembered the first time I’d laid eyes on this man in the restroom at the Road Block. Somehow even then I’d known. It had just taken my head a long time to catch up with my heart.
Troy took one step toward me, and the crowd parted to let him through. I rounded the bakery case and met him on the other side. He pulled me against him, holding me tight for a long moment before he leaned back to search my face.
“I love you, Troy,” I murmured. “I’m sorry I let fear make me say things I didn’t mean. Can you forgive me?”
“Oh, Kiki.” He framed my face with his hands. “Don’t you remember? You’re not afraid of anything.”
And then he kissed me.
Around us, my customers, my friends, cheered for us, but I didn’t notice a thing. All I knew was this man whose arms held me tight even as his lips claimed me as his.
Forever.
Epilogue
“Isn’t this perfect?” Troy combed through my tangled hair with his fingers. His chest rose and fell rapidly and his heart pounded under my ear, which wasn’t odd, considering he’d just made me come three times and then fucked me to blissful oblivion.
“You won’t get any argument from me.” I turned my head slightly and brushed my lips over his pec. “The only thing better than the days we spend together talking and laughing and having fun are the nights we spend doing . . . this.” I slipped my hand down to circle his cock, giggling when he twitched under my touch.
“We’ve done a good job making this work,
this long-distance thing.” He rolled me over and buried his face in my neck. “I mean, I know it’s not always easy. Between my schedule recording the new album and how busy you’ve been here, we’ve had to compromise a lot. I’ve never been happier in my life, though.”
“There’s a saying that the clouds allow us to appreciate the sunshine all the more.” I twined my arms around his body. “We never waste a minute of our time together because we know how precious it is.”
“That’s true. Still, I’ve been thinking.” Troy dipped his head to rain kisses over my cheeks, my nose, my chin and my eyes. “The tour for the new release begins next month. It’s a crazy schedule—and it’s going to take me overseas, too.”
“Mmmmm.” I tried to ignore the twinge of apprehension in my stomach. “Not so easy to pop back to Burton for an overnight when you’re an ocean away from me.”
“Exactly.” He trailed his lips down my neck to my breasts, pausing there to suck one aching tip into his hot mouth. “Which is why I think you should come with me.”
“Oh, yes,” I moaned, lost in the feel of his fingers toying with my nipples as he moved lower down my body. “I mean—what? Go with you where?”
“On tour.” He paused just below my belly button to dazzle me with the smile that he knew—he knew—I could never refuse. “Just say yes, Kiki.”
“But—but—the bakery.” I was babbling, but I was sure I had a valid point. Didn’t I?
“Sydney’s restaurant in Savannah closed. She’s coming back to Burton, right? She could run the bakery for you. You know she could, and it would probably be a very good thing for her. And for us.” He sat up between my legs, his fingers drawing enticing circles on my inner thighs. “Baby, I love you. I’m tired of saying goodnight to a telephone. I want this—” He bent to brush a kiss between my breasts. “All the time. Not once or twice a month. Every single day.”