Page 12 of Hensley Manor
“Thank you for bringing me to town. You didn’t have to. I could’ve walked or rented a car.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he said, returning his hands to his pockets and pressing his mouth against the top of his coat to warm up. The tops of his ears were pink, so were his cheeks. “I wouldn’t have let you walk. Not in this cold.”
I had the urge to wrap him up in my arms and press my face against his neck, maybe place a kiss there, too. He was gorgeous, and yeah, I wouldn’t mind fucking him to pass the time. Breaking my dry spell with a sexy bed and breakfast owner wouldn’t be bad at all. However, I doubted he felt the same about me. He probably had a wife or a girlfriend. Maybe several girlfriends. Or boyfriends.
“Are you married?” I blurted out like a fool.
Ian paused on the sidewalk, narrowing his brow, before dropping his gaze back to the snow. “No, I’m not. I was engaged before, but it didn’t…he…I suppose it doesn’t matter. Things didn’t pan out as I expected, and the engagement ended.”
I totally caught thehein that sentence. I had no right to be excited, though. Just because Ian liked men didn’t mean he’d likeme. I was of average build, far from a twink but not some muscled god, either. Maybe he preferred gruffer sort of men or pretty boys.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s okay.” Ian pressed his lips into a line. “Is there anywhere else you’d like to go before we return to the manor?”
“Nah, I’m good.” I didn’t know anything about the town and wasn’t sure what stores they even had.
Ian glanced around as a small smile curved his mouth. “I kind of have a sweet tooth. What do you say to making a trip to the bakery?”
“Let’s do it,” I said, finding comfort in his easy-going personality.
He led me across the street, and I smelled the bakery before I saw it. As we walked inside, I inwardly groaned at the Christmas decorations strung everywhere. Some of the menu items were even named after Santa and his reindeer. There was no escaping it.
“Mr. Hensley!” the man behind the counter greeted with a wide, toothy grin. “What can I do for you?”
“Afternoon,” Ian responded, approaching the glass case. “Do you have any peanut butter fudge today?”
“Just made a batch especially for you.”
As Ian talked to the man, I studied him. Some people forced kindness. They smiled and pretended to care, but they’d get a certain look in their eyes that showed their true intent. I’d become good at detecting those kinds of people, which was why I’d started keeping to myself and preferring to stay locked away in my apartment.
But Ian seemed genuine. People had called out to him several times that day, and he’d stopped to chat a bit with each of them, never once seeming bothered or irritated.
“Here you are,” Ian said, turning toward me with a bar of fudge.
“I’m not much of a fudge eater,” I admitted, my teeth already aching at the thought of the overly sweet treat.
“Humor me…please?”
His blue eyes held me captivated. How could I refuse him when he’d been so kind to me? I nodded and accepted the dessert before, slowly, biting off a small piece. He watched me as I chewed it, an eager smile in place.
“Wow,” I said, shocked at how much I actually liked it. “It’s not too sweet at all.”
“I’m glad you like it,” he warmly said before turning toward the man and ordering a box and paying.
Once we left the bakery, we didn’t say much. My mind was still reeling from the most confusing day I’d ever had in my life. Everything felt so real, though—the sights and smells. Evergreen Valley represented everything I hated; the snow, decorations, and jolly holiday shoppers. But I wasn’t nearly as miserable as I should’ve been.
Probably because of the sexy man at my side.
“We should head back to the manor,” Ian said. “Lunch should be ready by now.”
“Oh yeah? What’s on the menu?”
“Vegetable soup and sandwiches.” Ian’s blond hair ruffled a little with the breeze, and as a strand slipped free from its hold and curved on his forehead, I imagined myself brushing it aside. “Dinner is pot roast and fresh rolls, and I’m making pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.”
“Nice. I’m not much of a pumpkin person, but maybe you can convert me.”
He answered me with a chuckle. “We’ll see. I’ve heard my cheesecake is magical.”
