Page 11 of Peaches & Cream
She pulls at her bottom lip with her teeth. “Afraid. When I look at you I see a world of possibility. And that kind of scares me. I mean, what if I jump into this the way you seem to want to and then I get my heart broken? I’ve waited so long to find the right person, I don’t want to make the wrong choice and lose myself unless I’m absolutely sure.”
“Then let me help you decide,” I say, hooking my finger under her chin and pressing my mouth to hers. At first the kiss is gentle and slow, but it doesn’t take long before it becomes intense and insistent. Her arms wrap around my middle, and my hands go into her hair. She’s making tiny sounds that are getting me harder than the concrete floor, and all I really want to do is fuck her where we stand and feed her pecan pie when we’re through.
“Wait,” she says, placing her hand against my chest. “Wait.”
I pull back from her slightly, concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you OK?”
“I’m fine,” she pants, closing her eyes and putting one step of distance between us. “I just think we should cool it until the competition is over. If we keep doing this, neither one of us is going to win that first prize. And honestly, it’s the only prize that’s going to get me out of the mess I’m in. So I need to win it. Second or third isn’t going to cut It.”
“What do you mean it won’t cut it? It’ll still be thousands of dollars.”
She presses her lips together, running her fingers along the edge of the stainless steel bench. “Yes, but I need many many thousands to save this place. If I don’t win, it’s over. I won’t be able to operate.”
“Shit,” I say, running a hand over my face. “It’s really that serious?”
Her eyes fill with water, and she nods. “They said we need to fix the wiring before the end of the month or the fire department will shut us down.”
“OK.” I nod slowly. “New plan then. We make sureyouwin.”
“Ben,” she says, letting out a sigh. “I don’t want you to throw this competition for me.”
“Shelby, the prize money for second is enough for what we want. Sure, the prestige of winning will help. But in case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty fucking awesome. I reckon I can make a go of this bakehouse thing off my own back.”
She rolls her eyes. “That ego of yours…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know I have a huge head. But it doesn’t change the sentiment.”
“No, Ben.” She shakes her head and sighs. “I appreciate the offer, I really do. But it doesn’t feel right. I need to win this on my own merit, and if I don’t, well…it just wasn’t meant to be. Maybe then I’ll come work for you at your fancy Aussie bakehouse?”
“It won’t get to that.”
“Promise me you’ll do your best tomorrow.”
It takes me a while to respond, but in the end I nod. “OK. May the best man—or woman—win.” I hold out my hand, and we shake on it, and then I pull her in and kiss the living crap out of her, promising it will be the last time until the competition ends.
