Page 72 of Sweets and Sycamores
“Allie,” Dominic said like a plea. A prayer. His eyes darkened with something dangerous, watching her like she was something to eat.
Then he took his hazelnut cream-covered thumb to his mouth and licked it off in a luscious move, swirling his tongue around the finger without dropping Allie’s gaze. Green fire burned in his eyes, his nostrils flared, and he moaned like he was tasting it for the first time. This image of him was hot-ironed into Allie’s brain for eternity.
“Hello? Is anyone here?” A voice from the bakery carried to them, breaking whatever spell the powerful Mage had put her under. Allie fumbled with her apron, all too interested in the clean state of her fingers.
“Coming,” Dominic growled, low and annoyed. He left the kitchen muttering words about locked doors and murder.
Dominic had been surprised at the amount of restraint he’d shown by not licking the cream off Allie’s lips, especially as she parted them and fixed him with that innocent-but-secretly-naughty-for-the-right-man look. And he was. He was the right man for her, and she knew it by the glistening desire that sparked in her eyes. That look had been the confirmation he was waiting for, if sleeping together had not been enough of a sign.
But he wanted to be sure. Sure that she hadn’t stayed with him the past weekend just because he was sick. Sure that when he kissed her, she’d let him.
Brandon leaned against the edge of the counter with his stupid grin and his arms crossed, creasing the old, brown leather jacket he wore.
“What.”
“It’s impossible you’re already this broody,” Brandon remarked. “You’re not even open yet.”
“Exactly,” Dom snarled. “So why are you here?”
“Why is your face red?”
“It’s not.” Dominic rounded the counter and draped his arm over his friend’s shoulders, guiding him back to the exit. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Brandon dug his heels into the ground and stopped them in place. “As much as I love the warm welcome, I’m here for a reason.” Dominic doubted it was important enough to interrupt his moment with Allie.
“Hey, Dom?” Both men turned to face the counter, where Allie stood holding his notebook and a pencil. Her face was still deliciously red, and her chest rose with uneven breaths that told him she was as affected as him. His smirk faded when she said, “Brandon. Good morning.”
His friend looked between her and Dominic and gave him the smuggest look he’d ever seen on Brandon’s face. He greeted Allie, eyes still on Dom. Allie raised her index finger and turned back to the kitchen.
“I see,” Brandon said, the word longer than necessary.
“You see nothing. Why are you here?”
“Next weekend I’m going to visit the Sanders, and I want you to come with. Mrs. Sanders keeps asking about you, and she insists I’m the one who doesn’t let you tag along.” They scoffed in unison at the silliness of the thought.
“I’ll come,” Dom rushed the words out and urged Brandon to the door again.
“Wait!” Allie jogged from the kitchen. “Here.” She offered Brandon a brown paper bag, then stepped closer to Dominic. Like her place was next to him.
Damn right it is.
Her scent curled around him, and he formed tight fists to keep from pulling her into his arms.
“Thanks, Allie.” Brandon opened the bag and pulled out a croissant, biting greedily into it. “Hmm. What’s in it?” he asked around the full bite.
“Hazelnut cream,” Allie answered, then swept her gaze from Dominic’s fist up his arm, to his lips and eyes. “My new favorite flavor.”
Chapter 27
STAY AWAY FROM MY GIRL
Allie decided to open herself up to whatever was happening between her and Dom. No more excuses like her leaving, him being her boss, and the hundreds of others she’d conjured to fight this. His latest flirty actions gave her the courage to approach this as she deeply, truly wanted to: unafraid and unapologetically herself.
It had been different with Sam, and as much as Allie didn’t want to think about him, she had to remember their time together to make sense of her growing feelings for Dom.
She’d met Sam as he was passing through the Pearls Fields market. They both reached for the same piece of rhubarb at the vegetable stall, and he smiled at her brightly, curiously. Unlike everyone else, who scowled at the sight of her red curls. His short blond hair was tousled by the warm wind, and he shook her hand with his tawny palm. Sam had been on his way back to Green Creek and was supposed to be in Pearls Fields only for two days.
But two days turned into two weeks, then two months, and Allie loved having someone close in her life. Ever since Petra had passed, and with her power still not manifested so she could join a coven, she’d been pretty much on her own. Solitude was notthe worst curse, but it felt like it had been once there was another soul she could share her life with. Good food, walks in the forest, lying in the shade on a hot day… Everything was better shared. So when Sam asked Allie to come with him to Green Creek, she said yes without giving it another thought.
