Don't Go Baking My Heart

Her mouth twitched. “Are you saying you’d write notes to your boo? How sweet.” She grinned. “So there’s a romantic beneath all that, huh? Colour me surprised.”

“Look, we’re getting off-track. I would’ve liked the courtesy of you not just leaving after, well, everything.”

“After we fucked,” she said matter-of-factly.

Yeah, that.

She’d dozed off when he returned from throwing away the condom. He’d pulled on his pants, but when he moved to cover her with the blanket, she tried to tug him down next to her. He had told himself it was best he left and went back to his own room, and yet he had gotten in next to her anyways.

“Just for a while,” she’d mumbled.

Just for a while had turned into hours with them snuggled up against each other. His body had stirred to life again, but he’d ignored it. They both needed the rest. He hadn’t woken up until now. And when he did, he’d found her gone from the bed.

“We’re supposed to be baking today too. It makes sense to stay. It’s week three already. Four more weeks seems like a lot, but it isn’t. Not if I want to actually be able to do this cube.”

That was much better, he thought, than him acting hurt about her leaving. It was best he stayed on a more reasonable point. She didn’t have to leave when they already had a standing baking appointment. He could also make them breakfast, which would shave down any time she might take to go looking for something to eat.

“So, that’s what you’re really upset about, then? Because you think I’m backing out on our deal?”

He nodded because what else was he supposed to say? That he missed the feel of her warm body against him? Fuck no.

She reached for the door handle. “I’ll come back later. I promise, but I need to go.”

“Why do you need to go? I thought you’d want to stick around to gloat. You got what you wanted, after all.”

She spun around. “Now I know you’re not implying this was all one-sided. You definitely wanted this.”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying, but let’s not pretend you haven’t been trying to get me out of my comfort zone since we started this.”

“So what? Stop framing this like I’m the bad guy or something since I’m supposedly ditching you. You expected me to be clingy the morning after? Because that’s what you’re used to?” She laughed. “Newsflash, buddy, I assessed the situation and figured this was the best course of action. I thought you’d appreciate that? The fact that you’re arguing against it is pretty unexpected.” She poked him in the chest. “And don’t give me this bullshit about our baking deal because the level of emotion you’re pushing out here, it’s not adding up, sweetie. If you want to go back to bed and tussle, just say so. I can spare a minute or two.”

He closed the space between them. “A minute or two? You know that won’t be it.”

Reba shrugged. “Quickies are a thing, you know. And dresses offer easy access.”

“How convenient. Is that why you leave one in your bag?” He dipped his hand under her dress, trailing up her thigh to the edge of her panties.

She bit her lip, finger dropping from his chest to curl around the strap of her bag. “Three compelling reasons why I should stay. Go.”

“I can feed you.”

“Your dick?”

He rubbed at her with the pad of his index finger. “No.”

She pouted. “Then bye. Although…” She pressed her head back against the door when he pushed a finger inside. “This isn’t so bad. Nothing like a good fingering to start the weekend right.”

“How can you just say things like that?” he asked, enjoying the clasp of her against his finger. Everything was going off the rails—his usual morning routine shot to hell—but he wasn’t going to stop unless she wanted to.

“Life’s too short to not say what you’re thinking. Mmm, like right now, I really want to come all over your face.”

“Fuck, Reba, just…”

They both jumped as the doorbell rang. Who the fuck? Reba shook her head and ground down on his finger one more time before muttering a curse under her breath.

“Yeah, if that isn’t a sign,” she added. He pulled his finger away, wiping it under his t-shirt. “Yeah, I really should just go.” She turned away.

“Wait, don’t…”