Page 4 of Devil's Dilemma

“Yeah?”

“Her cupcakes and muffins are to die for.” Brice smacks his lips. “Love Mondays after Melissa’s been cooking up a storm over the weekend.”

Now that’s going to put him off. Inwardly I roll my eyes.

I’m a thirty-four-year-old woman who tries everything that I bake. Well, someone’s got to taste test. I suppose eating nearly a whole tin full of muffins is a bit over the top, but it’s hard to stop. I know it’s turning my body into something resembling the things that I bake. When I wear anything with a waist, my stomach rolls out over the top.

I can’t complain about my life. I’m an only child with good parents who live up in Denver, and I try to visit when I can. I have my own small house, with dreams of eventually having a larger one with a big yard. Then I’ll get a dog, maybe a cat. They’d be good company.

Men? I’ve never had much luck with them and have decided I’m happy by myself. If I ever step into the relationship game, I want a man who wants me for my personality, not because I’d make a good unpaid housekeeper. Yes, I may have been there and done that with my one and only foray into living with a man, and it turned out a disaster. I’d gotten out fast, deciding I’d rather clean and cook for one. I don’t need a man to complete me, something I’ve learned over the years. My thoughts make me glance at Holly and Macey, seeing the hungry look in their eyes as they watch Skull speak. If their tongues start hanging out, I wouldn’t be surprised. One day, they’ll get taught that lesson too, I suspect.

Or maybe not. At least they’ve got something going for them which I haven’t. They’ve got the figures and looks that certainly broaden the pool they can fish in.

“Melissa, Skull asked you a question,” Beth chides.

“Oh? Sorry.” My face reddens again. It’s not like me to be so impolite.

“I asked if you’d like to go for a ride tomorrow?”

“A ride?” My voice squawks.

“Yeah, on my bike,” he explains as if I could misinterpret it in some way.Yeah, right, I was only just fantasising about another ride later on tonight.

But, me…on a motorcycle? My head automatically starts to shake.Impossible.“I’m sorry, I’ve got plans this weekend. Tomorrow I need to bake for Beth’s party on Sunday, and that day I’ll be tied up, as I’m going to the party myself.”

A snort comes from the other side of him, and Beth leans forward and twists her head so I can see the expression on her face, her wide eyes clearly signalling,what the fuck?

She’s quiet for just one moment, then she pipes up, her mouth forming a cocky grin. “Why don’t you come too, Skull? You’ve bought us drinks, it’s the least we can do to pay you back.”

Please be busy. Please.

Skull purses his lips, then pinches the brow of his nose. “Sunday, huh? Haven’t anything planned, so yes, that would be good Beth.”

“Chuck me your phone and I’ll put my number in it, then I can text you the address.”

My mind eases a little, and a small smile curves my lips at her audacity. She’s tricked him into giving her his number. I watch undisturbed as phones come out and ping as messages go between them. For a second I’m wistful, wishing it was my number he’d wanted instead, but knowing that would only lead to disappointment. Whatever reason he has for offering to take me for a ride on his bike was probably that he’d lost a bet. Someone like this biker could never be interested in an older woman, carrying too much weight.

My purse is lying on the table. It suddenly vibrates. Curious, I reach for it, and slide my phone out. My brow creases and I narrow my eyes and look to my side.

“I gave him yours too, just in case.” Beth sounds unrepentant.

Right now, I hate my co-worker.

Then I look down and read the text.

Skull:One day you’ll be riding behind me. That’s a promise.

I quickly shoot back.

Melissa:In your dreams.

Skull leans in. “I like women who play hard to get.”

Another phone pings the other side of the table, making me wonder if Beth had given him everyone’s number.

Holly starts getting her things together, stands and slips into her coat. “Right, that’s me. My brother’s waiting. You want a lift, Macey?”

The other girl nods and hurriedly gets up.

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