As soon as I lean far enough back and our bodies touch, it’s like an electric current goes through me. I let go of the knife and turn in his arms. I’m looking up at him, and I know he can read the look in my eyes. I’m begging him to kiss me without even saying a word.
His nostrils flare, and he grunts as he lays his forehead on mine. “I would give anything to be alone with you right now.”
I blink because just him saying that fills my head with images of what I want to be doing with him.
He pulls away. “Fuck.” He has my hand in his, and he brings it to his chest and holds it there. His heart is beating rapidly under my palm. “After dinner, I need you to stay.”
I start to shake my head, but his hand goes around the base of my neck. His thumb is stroking over my pulse. “Please... I’m not asking you for anything more than you want to give. We can just talk. I just need to be around you, that’s it. You decide what happens.”
I nod my head, but he shakes his side to side. “Say it. I need to hear you say it. I won’t make it through the rest of this unless you tell me you will stay after dinner so we can talk.”
I take a deep breath. Run, you need to get out of here. That’s what my head’s telling me. I’m thinking about the pictures of him with other women that are online. I’m doing everything I can to make myself strong and not give in to what I want. But that’s just it. I want this. I want to stay and talk to him. I’m drawn to him like I’ve never been drawn to another man before. “I’ll stay after dinner so we can talk.”
He lets out a deep sigh as he pulls me in for a hug. It may not be the kiss I wanted, but being held in his arms is good too. “We need to get back out there. Thank you for this. I really appreciate you helping me.”
I pull from him and grab the cake. “Can you grab those plates? And you’re kidding me, right? This has been so good. I’ve loved meeting Trevor and Lacy. He’s a great kid, and I can only imagine what Lacy has been through. She’s a wonderful mother, and I know you’re doing this for Trevor, but look at how happy she is that her son’s dream is coming true. I’m just glad I get to be a part of it.”
He grabs the plates. “Me too. I’m glad you’re here, Violet.”
He’s searching my face, and I turn because I’m almost afraid of what he’ll see there. In just a few hours, I’ve already fallen for this hot football player that is probably going to break my heart.
“Cake is served,” I announce as we walk back into the dining room. “Trevor, Josh told me that you liked an apple cake that was served to you at the hospital. Well, I tried to recreate it so I hope you like it.”
He’s nodding his head looking at the cake, and his mom is just smiling all around.
I slice the cake as Josh holds out the plates for me to fill. Of course, Trevor gets the first piece. He cuts into it and takes a big bite. His moan literally makes my heart smile. “It’s soo good. It tastes just like it.”
I just smile back at him. “I’m glad you like it.” I don’t mention that it’s my restaurant that donates the cakes to the hospital for their monthly celebrations.
Once everyone has a slice, I turn to Lacy and talk to her while Josh gets some one-on-one time with Trevor.
Lacy points at her almost gone cake with her fork. “All right, what is that cinnamon taste? It’s so good.”
I lean in as if I’m giving her the details to a huge secret. “Blaze Whiskey.” Her eyes get big, and I hold my hands up. “Don’t worry, the alcohol burns off, but it leaves the most unique cinnamon taste I’ve ever eaten. I’ve tried using extracts, but it just doesn’t come close to the taste.”
She puts another bite in her mouth. “It’s so good.”
“Thank you,” I murmur to her.
At some point, Lacy and I just sit back, bellies full, sipping on coffee and watching Trevor and Josh interact.
“He’s a good man, ya know.”
Lacy’s words are soft next to me. I look over, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. “Yeah, I know. But I’m just here to cook, that’s it.”
But before I can finish, she’s already shaking her head. “That may be the reason he gave you, but the way he’s looking at you, it’s more than that.”