“I think I figured out how he got in,” Sullivan announces, momentarily eradicating my panic. It’s as though my racing pulse stills at the sound of his gruff voice, and other parts of me start racing instead. Naughty, not appropriate for public parts. God this man is such a distraction. Maybe it’s better that he primarily hides out in the woods. If he was a regular in town, Imight not ever get anything done.You know, when I’m calm and not about to lose my shit, that is.
“I can pick up some tools after I drop off the raccoon and get the hole patched up,” he adds.
“Will he be okay?” I ask of Roxi, suddenly concerned for the critter that did enough damage to sabotage this very important day. “At the wildlife rescue?”
“Why don’t you go with him?” Marley suggests.
Sullivan’s eyes widen for a second so brief I think I imagine it, but the message is clear. He doesn’t want to be stuck with me any longer than necessary. I’m the only one who’s still thinking about that night and craving more. Of course I am.
“I can’t leave. There’s too much to do around here,” I say, scanning the bakery with what feel like fresh eyes. Fear twists in my stomach once again. What if I can’t salvage the mess? What if this is already the end? Where will I go? What will I do? My bank account is so deserted there are literal tumbleweeds rolling through it.
Once Sullivan left to find a kennel, I got right to cleaning so I could keep an easy eye on Roxi. But I barely made a dent. I haven’t even inventoried what desserts are safe, much less started on the ones I can replace. That doesn’t take into account the ones I can’t. Panic takes hold once again, and tears press at the corners of my eyes.
Marley comes up to me, dropping her hands firmly onto my shoulders, forcing me to look her in the eyes.
“Lila, you’re overwhelmed right now. You need a breather before you tackle the day.”
“But—”
“No buts. I will clean up while you take a quick trip to the rescue with Sullivan. You’ll feel better when you see Roxi’s new digs. When you come back, your head will be on straighter andwe’ll get to work—together. We still have a few hours before we open. We can save this.”
I glance at Sullivan then, afraid of what I’ll find in his expression.
It’s unreadable, of course. But his exasperated tone hints at compassion when he says, “Come with me, Lila.”
It doesn’t matter if he means it or if he’s just saying it to be nice. I can’t seem to resist those steely gray eyes.
If I’m not careful, this man alone could be my downfall.
CHAPTER 6
Sullivan
“Would it be too much to hope that you’d be up for a quick, hard fuck?” Lila asks as we leave the city limits.
I nearly choke on my coffee. The unexpected image of Lila Hamilton, naked and coming apart as I hungrily feast on her pussy damn near sends me off the road. I can practically taste her sweet nectar on my tongue. The picture is so vivid it might’ve happened last night.
Fuck me, bringing her along was a bad idea.
“Sorry,” she says before I can effectively clear my airway to respond. “I say crude things when I’m stressed. It’s like those people who make inappropriate jokes when they’re uncomfortable.”
“Lila—”
“Thank you, by the way. For bringing me along. I’m sure you have better things to do, but I needed a beat, you know?” She steals my coffee mug, helping herself to a sip and nearly choking. “Damn. I knew you’d be a dark roast kind of guy, but I didn’t expect it to be bottom of the sea dark.”
My shoulders shake with silent laughter as I slow for the turn toward Great Aunt Edie’s rescue. Thankfully, it’s only a few short miles from town. Otherwise, I might be tempted to pull over onthe side of the road and fulfill Lila’s earlier request. I’d much rather fuck her in my own bed, but I’d take her anywhere she’d let me.
Except that fucking military grade cot in her apartment. The one I discovered when I was trying to figure out how Roxi broke in. I can’t believe she’s been sleeping on that piece of shit. That thing has to go. As soon as we get the raccoon situated and I drop Lila back off at the bakery, I’m headed back to the cabin to pack up the guest bed.
My dick twitches, the fucker convinced we’ll be helping Lila break in that bed.
Why not?
Ever since that night, I can’t seem to stop thinking about all the many ways I’d enjoy making her come. It’s like an endless fantasy loop that lives rent free in my head.
“Your great aunt runs this rescue?” Lila asks.
“Edie.”