Rugged Daddy

We pulled up to the restaurant, and I watched her gawk. It told me she’d never been to a place like this before, and that sent a thrill gushing through my veins. Introducing a woman to something new had always been my kink. I loved watching the surprise and awe of experiencing everything for the first time.

“So,” I said as I pulled out her chair, “what would you like to drink?”

“Water will be fine,” Heather said.

The waitress came by to take our food and drink orders, and then I settled back into my seat.

“How was business today?” I asked.

“I was busier than normal today, so that was nice.”

“Do you get a lot of traffic into your business? Or is it fairly new?”

“It’s not new, no,” she said.

I watched her eyes fall to her lap before she pressed her napkin against her thighs.

“What’s your most popular order?”

“My cinnamon rolls, by far.” There was confidence in her smile when she talked about her baking that made her all the more attractive.

“Oh, my daughter likes cinnamon rolls. She can devour three of them in a sitting.”

“What’s your daughter’s name?”

My heart dropped into my stomach even before I spat it out. “Rebecca,” I said. “I’ll have to bring her by sometime. She loves walking around downtown.”

“Well, it’s Heather’s Bake Shop. It kind of sits on an odd corner, but the front door is right there on the side.”

“I’ve passed by it a few times, though I did ask myself where the front door was. It’s on the side?” I asked.

“You’ve been past it before?”

“I have. I’m not a sweets person myself. More savory like chips and pretzels. But my daughter? She’s got a sweet tooth.”

“Well, you should come in sometime. I’ve got this maple bacon cupcake that’s really good.”

“Maple bacon. Interesting combination. I’ll have to try that side door sometime. Maybe bring my daughter in as well.”

“It’s quirky but quaint. I like it.”

“I’m sure we will too,” I said with a grin.

I watched her cheeks flush as a nervous giggle fell from her lips.

“I hope I’m not making you nervous,” I said.

“It’s just new. It’s like a date, but not really a date? So I’m not sure what to do with myself.”

I’ve got a few things I’d do to you.

“Trust me, I know what you mean. In the truck, I kept batting away things I’d normally do on a first date.”

“Like what?” she asked.

I swallowed thickly as I stretched my leg out. I figured it was as good of a time as any to test the waters. I rested my foot against hers and felt her flinch, but she didn’t move away. A beautiful crimson tint rose up her neck, crawling across her cheeks as her back straightened.

Then, I laid my hand out on the table with my palm up, silently asking for her hand. To my surprise, she gave it to me, sending electricity jolting up my arm.