Tempt Me (Tattoos and Temptation #1) - Mia Monroe Page 0,33
I’m alone, I start making my sugar mixture, stirring until it’s at the right temperature. With my rubber gloves on, I pour it out onto the marble surface so it will cool enough for me to handle, adding color drops to get the right shade. As I work, stirring the melted sugar around the tabletop, I fall into my happy place where nothing ever bothers me, and I can be alone in my thoughts. When I’m deep in my sugar or chocolate work, the outside world falls away, but this time, Apollo is here with me, tasting my lips, holding me close.
It doesn’t take long for the shape I’m working on to form. The birthday cake has a mermaid theme, and I spent the morning perfecting the mermaid scales sliding down one side of the cake. Now, the tail is coming to life. I pinch the edges, working quickly before it cools too much, then smooth it out, curling the tail so it will appear to wrap around the base of the cake as if the mermaid herself is swimming into the cake. When it’s done, I put it in place and step back to admire it. It’s perfect. I only hope Briar appreciates it.
“He’s in back,” I hear Tate say from the hallway.
I look up to see Apollo sauntering toward me, and my stomach does a double somersault.
“Bonjour, Apollo.”
“Hey. You busy?”
I point to the cake. “Just finished. What do you think?”
He steps closer, gazing down at it. “It’s gorgeous. Where did you get that tail?”
“I made it.”
“You made that?” He leans closer. “By hand?”
“Yes. It is sugar. The teal color came out nice I think.”
“It’s amazing. You’re so talented.”
“Merci. How are you today?”
He bounces his shoulder. “Anxious.”
“Why?”
“I needed to see you again.”
“Here I am.” I put the cake in the fridge and then twist around. “How do you feel about last night?”
“Loaded question.”
“Good or bad?”
“Good. Definitely good. You?”
My jumbled stomach calms at his answer. “Very good as well.”
He searches my eyes, stepping closer until we’re nearly pressed together. My heart races, and if I weren’t afraid of being fired from a brand-new job, I would bend him over the metal table behind us, right now.
“I like how you’re looking at me, Felix. Like you want to eat me alive.”
“It is true.”
“I didn’t sleep very well. All I could think about was your kiss.”
“I share your affliction.” I smile, wrapping my fists in the hem of his shirt and pulling him closer. “I would like to do it again sometime.”
“You will get the chance.”
“Tomorrow perhaps? We are going out, no?”
“Yeah, we are. What are you gonna wear?”
“I do not know yet, but prepare yourself.”
“I don’t know if I can. You blow me away every time we hang out.”
“I have only just started. Did you eat lunch?”
“Grabbed a quick bite. Mostly coffee. Had a lot to do today. We’re getting a new electronic payroll system installed.”
“You should eat to keep your energy up.”
“I know. All I need is coffee though. I’ll eat a big dinner tonight, take a shower, and get some sleep so I’m ready for you tomorrow.”
“I will look forward to it.”
He leans in and steals a quick kiss. Just in time too, as Genesis and Cairo come in from lunch. We separate, but my smile lingers.
“I’ll see you later, Felix.”
“Yes, have a good rest of your day.”
“I think I will now.”
He winks and then he’s gone.
Briar comes in a few minutes later, and I pull the cake out to show him and Gen.
“I took the liberty to add some decoration. Normally, it would likely be an extra charge, but I could not resist. If you don’t like it, I can take it off.”
Briar studies the cake, gazing up at me then down at the cake again. “You made that tail while I was at lunch?”
“Yes. It is small enough.” I bite my bottom lip. “Do you not like it?”
“Felix.” He looks up at me. “This is fucking amazing. Are you kidding me? You just knocked that out?”
“It is not hard, Briar. This one is simple.”
“I love it. The client is going to love it. I bet they post it on social media, and suddenly, more sugar work than we can handle.”
I relax. “So, this is good?”
“Very good. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“Briar,” Gen says, leaning on the counter. “Remember we talked about doing the chocolate samples before you hired Felix? We could put them in the other shop. We have him now.”
Briar nods, twisting his lips in thought. “Can you