Page 62 of Forever Home

His dark hair hangs around his face, his hands setting down his tumbler on the counter as he pulls a hair tie from his wrist, gathering the loose strands of hair only to pull it back into a bun at the back of his head. Even in his white chef pants, and a black form-fitting t-shirt, I’m practically drooling. His white chef coat undone, leaving my eyes to gaze upon the ridges of muscles he conceals beneath his tight t-shirt.

And here I’m wearing black leggings and a bakery t-shirt with an apron.

“Jaxson,” I finally say, clearing my throat as I pull my attention back to his eyes, straightening my shoulders. “They’re still setting up, but the producer mentioned a specific dessert for today’s episode… he uh—said that you didn’t have one listed—”

My body is hyper-aware of how close he is when he takes a step forward. My fingers fiddling over my recipe binder in my hands as he stands directly next to me, peering over my shoulder into the book. The deep earthy scent of his cologne wrapping around me as I inhaled deeply, briefly closing my eyes as I try to focus on the conversation at hand.

“He what?” Jaxson asks casually. “Are you okay?”

Asshole… he knows damn well what he’s doing.

I glance up at him, watching the smirk form across his lips as I forcefully clear my throat once more and turn my attention to the book. “Lemon Meringue pie.”

“Your mother’s special Lemon Meringue?”

I nod slowly, glancing up at him from over my shoulder. Every bit of me wants to kiss his delicious fucking mouth, but I resist. Though with every second that our lips are practically inches away, I feel myself caving in. That is until he smiles and steps away, buttoning his top.

“Sounds delicious. I haven’t had that in years. Actually… I think since the graduation barbecue that Mrs. Kendall threw.”

I can’t believe he remembers she made it then, but honestly, it doesn’t surprise me. The man loved every dessert my mother ever made. He was always the first one in line, especially for her chocolate-chip cookies.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time.”

“There they are!” The producer calls out as he approaches us with his arms wide open. “My two superstars.”

The discussions are quick, and eventually, the team is ready. Jaxson begins the show with a simple stove-top grilled steak and special seasoned potatoes that I practically moaned over because they were so delicious. And before I know it… it’s time for dessert.

“Once the pie crust is done baking, remove it from the oven without burning yourself and allow it to completely cool… and I do mean completely cool. Don’t end up like Jaxson, who likes to fill things without making sure they are at the right temperature,” I say to the invisible crowd I’m supposed to be talking to.

“Hey… what’s that supposed to mean?” My attention turns towards the filling I have cooling on the side before turning to Jaxson, who I regretfully put on the meringue and cringe every time he says ‘uh…’ as if he had done something wrong.Please don’t be fucked up. Please don’t be fucked up.

“It means exactly what I said,” I reply as I approach him. My gaze casts into the large silver bowl where he’d been making the meringue. A breath of relief escapes me as I see the perfection he’s managed to create.

“And that, guys, is how you make quick, easy, perfect peaks. Even if Madison thinks I can’t keep things perfectly in order.”

Drama queen.

He pulls the mixing tool out to show the camera the perfect peaks, and my heart swells. That is until he runs his finger over the meringue and turns to me with a hint of a smile on the corner of his lips before sucking the meringue in a very suggestive manner off his finger.

“It tastes delicious.”

Anyone from the outside wouldn’t think much of it, but I know damn well what he’s doing, and my fucking pussy literally throbs at the suggestion. My heart races as I turn towards the stove once more, attempting to pretend like I didn’t just witness what I did.

The hell is wrong withme!

With the pie crust cooled as well as the filling, I gently pour the filling through a sieve and into the pie. “Now, if you want a smoother texture, you will want to pour it through a sieve to get all of the little bits out.”

“I agree,” Jaxson says behind me. “Having it smooth does make it ten times more delicious.”

His eyes twinkle down at me from over my shoulder as he brings over the meringue, making me completely question my sanity. “If you don’t stop…” I murmur to him beneath my breath, watching as he lets soft laughter escape him.

“What am I doing? I’m just making firm peaks.”

Asshole… I’m so going to make him pay.

By the time the pie is complete and finally pushed into the oven, I wipe off my hands and turn to the cameras once more. “Now, as soon as the pie filling has baked and you have added your meringue, you’re going to pop it into the oven for about ten minutes, or until the peaks have turned golden brown. Then we will pop it out, and let it cool for about an hour or two. But whatever you do, don’t put it in the fridge.”

“And—cut!” The producer calls out. “Amazing work, you guys! Let’s take a thirty-minute break and we will come back to do the last-minute session and then we can call it a day.”

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