Page 275 of His Virgin Romance Series

“Why do you have a fridge full of cupcakes?”

“Oh,” Mom said, and then she smiled. “My book club met last night, and everyone brings treats… except I overbaked.”

“That’s right.” I nodded, remembering that Mom told me about the book club a few weeks ago. “How’s that going? Are you liking it?”

“I like meeting new people,” Mom admitted. “Reading the books is a little hard to fit into my schedule though.”

I smiled. It was just like Mom to join a club purely to meet people. In a way I admired her. I wouldn’t have the balls to do half the stuff she did.

“Actually, could you do me a favor?” Mom asked.

“Sure.” I nodded. “What do you need?”

“I need to get rid of those cupcakes,” Mom said. “And I was hoping you could drop them off at the station on your way to campus.”

“You want me to stop by Seth’s workplace with a bunch of cupcakes?” I asked, in amusement.

“Well, why not?” Mom asked. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”

I smiled. “Okay, Mom, I can do that.”

“Excellent.”

“Does Seth know about Cliff, by the way?”

“Uh, no,” Mom said quickly. “And I think I should be the one to tell him.”

“Meaning… keep my mouth shut?”

“Please.” Mom nodded.

I laughed. “Fine,” I said. “But there’s no reason to hide it now. Cliff already knows about the two of us.”

“You know your brother,” Mom said. “He’s very protective… and he’s never really approved of my boyfriends.”

“Neither have I,” I pointed out.

“Which is why I didn’t tell you about Cliff either.”

“Ouch,” I said. “Not that I don’t deserve that.”

Mom smiled and moved towards the fridge to pack up the cupcakes for me. By the time I got my stuff together, she had everything all ready to go. She dropped me off at the station on her way to work, and because she was running a little late, she didn’t come inside with me. I managed to waddle up to the front of the station with the large box of cupcakes, but it was difficult to manage that and my book bag.

“Let me help you with that,” a deep voice said, and suddenly the burden of the box of cupcakes had vanished from my hands.

“Thank you so much,” I sighed, turning up to look at the man who had helped me.

I felt my breath catch in my throat as I took in his gorgeous features. He was an absolute Adonis. His hair was dark, almost black, and his eyes were a fierce and crystal-clear blue. He had a strong jaw that was clean-shaven and fine, straight features that made him look like he belonged to another time period.

“No problem,” he replied. “Happy to help.”

I hadn’t seen him around before, which probably meant he was a new firefighter… either he had transferred in from another department or he was a rookie. It was most likely the latter because he looked really young.

“I… um… I brought some cupcakes,” I said, tripping over my words because his eyes were so damn distracting.

“Oh… okay?” he said, and he seemed a little confused.

I smiled in embarrassment. “Uh, I just… we had an excess, and we thought… that is my mother and I… or rather it was my mother’s idea… she thought the firemen would like some… cupcakes, that is.”

I didn’t even know if I made sense. I probably sounded like a complete moron, but I couldn’t seem to speak in one coherent sentence. I wasn’t usually so tongue-tied… even when it came to handsome men, but somehow this time was different.

He looked at me calmly and smiled. “You have beautiful eyes,” he said, and I felt as though a bolt of lightning had just struck me.

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