Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,26
she says, sliding in a fresh tray of muffins that are twice the size of any I’ve ever seen. “But we have a fresh supply of Ring of Fire… cinnamon, cloves, oats, and raisins… and a hint of cayenne pepper.” Her eyes light up as she’s describing the muffin and my traitorous heart hammers in my chest. “Sounds crazy, but I promise… they’re delicious.”
“I’ll take two.”
I watch as her creamy complexion turns a lovely shade of pink. “You, uh… you were,” she swallows. “You were at the…” Now she’s completely flustered and it’s fucking adorable. Somehow, she’s even more tempting and I wonder how far that blush goes… down to her chest? Tits? Are they just as creamy and delicious as what’s visible?
“Pink Pony,” I offer. “Cage Erickson.” When I reach my hand across the counter for her to shake, she hesitates for a moment and I wonder if she’s going to bolt or get sick, and that takes me back to putting her to bed the other night.
Finally, she takes my hand and I swear, heat travels from her hand to mine like a sizzling spark of electricity. “Tempest Cassidy.”
“I know,” I tell her with a smile. “I, uh…” I wonder if she has any recollection of me taking her home… or if I should tell her?
“You took me home.” The color now drains from her face.
I nod.
“Thank you,” she says quickly, tossing my two muffins in a bag and handing them to the girl at the register. When I see that she’s getting ready to run off to the back, I stop her, not ready for this conversation to be over.
“Were you alright… I mean, did you feel okay?” I ask, unsure of what to say.
“Fine,” she says, now unable to look me in the eye and I hate it.
Fucking look at me, Tempest.
Give me those gorgeous green eyes.
“Good,” I tell her. “I was worried about leaving you, but you went right to sleep.”
It’s then I realize the other girl’s eyes are as big as saucers.
“Uh, yeah…” She gives me an uncomfortable smile, side eyeing the girl. “Sometimes tequila makes me…”
Dance on bars, I want to tease, but I don’t.
“Sleepy,” she says, swallowing again.
“Five twenty-seven,” the girl at the register says and I realize I don’t have my wallet.
“Shit,” I murmur. “Uh, can you hold these for me? I just realized I didn’t bring any money… I was out for a run and—”
“It’s on the house,” Tempest says, taking the bag from the girl and handing it over to me. “Well, on me… I owe you one.”
I smile at her, wanting to say so much more… things like: I have ideas on how you can pay me back… I can make it good for both of us… let’s work out some of that obvious pent-up aggression… but I don’t say any of that. Instead, I opt for, “thank you” and then I walk out the door, leaving Tempest Cassidy and all the temptation that pertains to her behind.
She’s not on the menu, Cage.
End of story.
But these fucking muffins… I take a moment while out on the sidewalk to sniff the bag. When the aroma of cinnamon and sugar with a hint of spice hits my nose, I can’t wait any longer. Opening the bag, I take one of them out, observing its size once more. My hands are huge and it literally takes up the entire span of my palm.
As I take my first bite, the second the baked perfection touches my tongue, I groan.
Not only is Tempest Cassidy going to be a temptation, so are her muffins.
Chapter 7
Tempest
Stepping out of the truck, a warm breeze catches the bottom of my dress and I stop it just before it soars over my head. My daddy is letting me borrow his old pick-up until I can figure out something of my own. It’s not that I can’t get a loan or anything, but until the house is sold, I don’t want to make any large purchases. As I turn around, I make sure no one saw what just happened and quietly curse the blasted wind and Anna for making me wear a dress in the first place.
Trucks and cars are lined up in rows out in the pasture, just a half mile from the church. I spot my daddy's truck, surprised Mama didn’t make him drive the sedan. That’s their church car.
Everyone is congregating under a big white tent, but there are blankets scattered out in the deep green