Page 12 of Baked

“Because he knows how muchIcare about you.” He held her gaze until he was sure his words had sunk in.

How she didn’t know that by now was beyond him. He was wearing powder pink oven gloves, for God’s sake. He must look ridiculous. But it didn’t matter. Because he was doing this for her.

He’d do anything for her.

Maybe that was finally sinking in. Maybe that was why she was looking at him the way she was. And why her chest was heaving so hard, pushing her breasts up higher with every inhale.

Fuck me.

This was it. He couldn’t take it anymore. If she looked at him like that a second longer, he’d be eating something other than dinner tonight. Something way better.

Get a hold of yourself.

Clearing his throat seemed to help. So did a thorough head shake. It broke the spell and allowed him to whip back around. He needed to focus on the task at hand.

Reaching for the cupboard, he took out two plates.

“Right, dinner’s ready,” he declared.

CHAPTER FOUR

Rachel fidgeted onthe bright red cushion, causing a squeak as her jeans rubbed against the fake leather. They’d only just arrived at Molly’s diner, but it already felt good to be out. Away from the bakery. Away from her apartment. And away from the reminder as to why she was under twenty-four-hour surveillance.

She’d been allowed to meet her friends Cat and Libby for lunch. Although it hadn’t been easy. She’d had to threaten Hunter with bodily harm. Not that she thought she’d be able to take the hulking giant of a man. But it would appear that just the thought of his balls being in jeopardy was enough for him to concede.

“So, Hunter texted me,” Cat announced from the other side of the booth.

Cat was married to Cody. She was best friends with Libby, who’d arrived in town a year and a half ago. While Cat was a new friend, like when Rachel met Libby, they’d immediately connected.

Rachel’s eyes lifted just in time to see her friend tuck a strand of her long black hair behind her ear.

“I didn’t even know he had my number,” she continued, “but, anyway, guess what it said? My very first message from him?”

Rachel had a bad feeling. Libby simply rolled her eyes. They both knew full well Cat was going to tell them whether they guessed or not. Which was probably why neither of them bothered.

“Okay, spoilsports.” Cat huffed. “It said, and I quote, ‘Don’t you dare leave her on her own.’ That’s it. NoHey, Cat, how you doing? Dylan okay? How’s married life?Just an ominous one-line threat.”

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