Donuts and Handcuffs

“I’m not.” I couldn’t let him think I hadn’t wanted that incredible kiss. My belly was swirling with butterflies.

He shot me the strangest look, then his grin overwhelmed me. “Since you’re the patient, you’re supposed to be resting.”

“I’m barely moving.”

“You’re obviously still fragile, Bailey. Your heart was racing.”

Because of you, I mentally screamed at him. Because I haven’t been with a decent man in my entire life, and you’re too good looking to be in my apartment, much less have your arms around me. You’re also too good to be with someone like me, I couldn’t help thinking sadly.

Perhaps my heart galloped again, or perhaps he realized his hand was still on my chest, but he snapped it back. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you always so concerned about being perfectly appropriate at all times?” I teased.

“With a beautiful little angel like you, yes,” he whispered, kissing the tip of my nose before turning me back toward the TV. But he held me a bit tighter, his arms more relaxed around me, as I pressed my back against his chest in a subtle caress.

We settled into the program again for a few moments, then he hit pause. “Bailey, I don’t want to be intrusive. But when the hospital called me to pick you up, the nurse mentioned you didn’t have any contacts in case of emergency. You didn’t have any medical files at all.” His eyes were searching mine, and although I knew on some level he was simply concerned for me, wanting to know more about me, I couldn’t deal with the pressure at the moment.

Daniel instantly noticed my discomfort. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. It’s not my business.”

I nodded, taking a slow breath, trying to collect myself. I had been well trained in how to lie convincingly, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it now.

“Let’s just say... Bad boyfriend, moved across the country in a hurry, on my own and happier now.” Although it was the truth, it was only part of it. There was no way I could tell him more.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, kissing the top of my hair gently. “Thank you.” His fingertips trailed along my back sending tiny sparks through me. “I can’t help it that I have an inquisitive nature,” he grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “That’s what cops do. We ask questions. I’m always here to help if I can. But if I ever get too nosy, please tell me to back off, okay?”

“I’ll just jam a cookie in your mouth,” I joked, rearranging my face into a relaxed expression.

Daniel began to laugh, but then I turned, catching his lips against mine. This time my heart was pounding even more, as he held me tenderly, kissing me with a warmth that radiated thr

ough both of us. He pulled away too soon, running his thumb along my cheek.

“Bailey,” he murmured softly, and I felt my logic slipping away. “You’re deliciously tempting, do you know that?” I felt myself blushing, instinctively turning away from any compliment, but he tipped my chin up. “Don’t hide from me, gorgeous. It’s too late now. I might be addicted.”

My giggle sounded bizarrely girlish, but he grinned as if he thought it was cute. He turned me toward to the TV, and we fell back into the show while I tried not to think about the wall of muscle rising and falling against my spine with every breath.

I’d never felt a kiss reverberate through my entire body before. It had been hard to ignore my natural urges, but now they were all standing up and waving, trying to get my attention.

Daniel had shown more caring and warmth to me in the past two days than my family and my ex ever had. As soon as I was stronger, I knew I’d have to put my walls back up. But letting him take care of me right now felt perfectly right.

CHAPTER FIVE

I had promised both the nurse and Daniel that I would take it easy. But the thought of not opening the shop in the morning caused me so much stress that I had to find a way to create a happy medium. So I opened the store, carefully made coffee, and only sold the things I had baked yesterday.

Customers all noticed the large bandage on my arm, which I had cradled in a makeshift sling fashioned from a bright purple patterned scarf. Their slight annoyance at the mostly empty shelves instantly turned to kind concern. I sat on a stool at the counter with a cup of tea, letting people help themselves as much as possible.

Everyone seemed grateful that I was able to open the shop at all, but I swore that I would always get them coffee above all else.

Strangely, it became a beautiful morning of bonding with my neighbors. The gentleman from the shoe store down the street left his card, asking me to call if I needed help with anything at all. Ten minutes later, I saw his son Devin sweeping my sidewalk out front. I asked a customer who was leaving to deliver a little bag of cookies out to him.

Mrs. Whitley, a nice lady who always came in for tea and a muffin, insisted on brewing the next pot of coffee so that I could rest. It seemed like everyone was pitching in, and nobody was upset that they couldn’t have their usual breakfast treats.

The shop was almost completely cleared out except for coffee and tea around ten in the morning when Daniel came in.

The way his eyes lit up when he saw me filled me with a strange wave of softness that I’d never encountered before. Then he pretended to glare. “This is taking it easy?” his deep voice rumbled as he chuckled.

“I slept in and didn’t bake. I just put on the coffee,” I said quickly. “And look at me, sitting here. Completely lazy, I swear.”

He was standing awkwardly, and I realized his hand was behind him. He pulled out a small bouquet of bright pink and purple Gerber daisies, coming close to hold them out to me. I immediately began to reach out with both hands, then pulled the left one back, shaking my head.

“Wow, thank you,” I said, my voice becoming tiny as my throat suddenly closed.