Page 132 of Only Ever You

The kitchen finally went dark at seven-fifteen.

Faye had let Gem go to get ready for a party before the kitchen clean-up began, leaving Bash and Chandra to tag team the dirty baking trays and countertops whilst Faye closed up the day’s accounts.

Bash stumbled into the office and plonked himself down on the seat opposite her, unashamedly manspreading in the narrow space and throwing his head back in tired relief. A lemony scent of disinfectant coated the inside of his nose like a film he’d still be trying to expel from his system tomorrow, and he might’ve helped himself to some leftover ganache to help combat that bitter taste in the back of his throat.

He gave himself a minute then lifted his head and laced his hands together in his lap, letting his eyes wander while Faye was distracted.

In the corner of the office sat the box of things customers had left behind; scarves, glasses cases, children’s teddies. All reminders that there were people with their own lives outside of these walls. Bash wondered how long those things might stay here – if one day they’d all just be thrown away.

Face lit by her iPad screen as she clicked away on likely another email, Faye glanced over the device at him. “Thank you for coming today.” The exhaustion in her voice wrenched at Bash’s heart.

“You’re welcome, Peanut. I’m just glad I didn’t ruin anything.” His stupid brain didn’t stop his tongue from saying that before he realised what he’d implied.

Fortunately for him, Faye didn’t take his comment the wrong way. The lazy curve in her smile was tiny, but it was definitely there. A tease visibly working its way onto those lips.

“I’ve tasted your baking, honey,” she retorted. “Those skills are definitely a work in progress.”

Honey.She was adorable.

Bash put his hand over his heart in feigned hurt at her cheekiness. “Ouch. Have mercy, woman. My baking skills are fantastic!”

Faye laughed under her breath, and he remembered he’d happily make himself the fool, always, if it’d make that sound come from her lips. Acorn-like eyes twinkled and called him out on his bullshit.

“It’s notmyfault if the recipes I steal from online are poor,” he added.

Faye folded her arms on the edge of the desk, inadvertently drawing Bash’s gaze to where she’d undone the top couple of buttons on her blouse. Distracted, he almost didn’t hear her.

“Maybe you want to take over for me tomorrow then? I could have the day off.”

Did shewishfor her beloved bakery to crumble and die?

“On second thought, I’ll just stick to serving and wiping down.”

Faye’s lips twitched. “I’ll teach you how to bake without burning anything, if you want.”

“I’d love that.” He really would. JustwatchingFaye in her element was enough to make Bash’s heart trip for her all over again. He sat back and exhaled, working out a knot in his spine. “But not tonight. Pizza in my bathtub sounds good instead.”

“It does,” Faye echoed, still looking at him with those hazy eyes.

Come home with me,Bash almost said.Let’s just go home.

The cursory knock on the open door wasn’t enough to make him look away from her.

“Am I alright to take off now?” Chandra asked, pulling the giant clip from her black hair.

Faye’s eyes wandered, however, her smile flattening before she registered her colleague’s question. “Yes, of course. Have a good evening.”

They didn’t speak as Chandra swapped her work shoes for boots and gathered her things.

When she’d found out about their new relationship status, she’d been surprised, but had raised her brow at Bash with a look ofwhat took you so long?It’d been painfully clear what Faye meant to him when he’d bent down to her level at this very same desk, cupped her cheek, and kissed her lips in a way which left no doubt that he was hers.

His proposition for some shared bathing had put visions into Bash’s mind, and if they were in his thoughts then they were certainly in Faye’s too. He didn’t say anything in case they went away and the dream faded.

He’d already decided on ordering pizza on their way home so it’d be at their doorstep soon after they arrived. He’d peel Faye out of her clothes, kiss the back of her neck and her shoulders as steamy water filled up his freestanding tub. His hands would guide her to sit between his thighs in the delicious warmth, soaking up her knots and sores. A cheesy slice in her hand as he kneaded her breasts, her stomach, her thighs, then sink his fingers between them. She would melt back against him and they’d just exist together in a relaxing pool of pleasure.

That picture of tonight warmed up Bash’s neck as he gazed over the desk stacked with paperwork.

The tapping of rain began onBaked’s front windows was a distantpit paton the glass. Chandra said goodnight with a look of gracious relief and left them alone in the silence of the empty bakery.

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