Verna smiles. “Welcome to Icing on the Cake. What can I get you?”
All but beaming, I place my order. “I’ll take a cupcake sampler box, please.” Just as she moves to get me one, I ask, “Can I freeze them?”
Verna nods. “Sure are, hon.”
I mentally squeal, jump, and clap, then adjust my order. “Make it two boxes, please.”
She places the boxes on the counter. “That comes to forty-six even.”
Yeesh! This habit is going to burn a hole in my pocket.
I mentally shrug. Meh. I’m so totally okay with that.
I hand over the money with a smile and reach for the boxes, when the other mature worker lady runs out of the kitchen and whispers something into Verna’s ear. As I reach for the boxes, Verna pulls them away. Her eyes apologetic, she asks, “Are you Helena Kovac?”
My eyes widen. I respond a slow and drawn out, “Yes.”
The other worker whispers loud enough for me to hear, “I told you so!”
Verna snaps at her. “How was I meant to know, Tammy? She looks different in the picture!”
Tammy argues quietly, “You old bat, wear your damn glasses.”
Verna squabbles some more. “You’re older than me! You’re the dinosaur!”
But I just want my cupcakes. “Excuse me,” I cut in. “Can I have my cupcakes now? I have to get back to work.”
Verna shakes her head, handing me back my money. “I’m sorry, dear. I can’t serve you.”
My heart speeds up and is soon racing. I’m confused. “What? Why?”
Tammy leans forward over the counter, and whispers loudly, “You’re banned!”
My mouth gapes. I sputter, “B-but why? What did I do?”
Verna’s shoulder jerks. “Not sure. But Max said we weren’t to serve you until he says so, and we look after our stockholders. If it weren’t for them, we’d never have opened this place.”
Tammy adds on a nod, “We owe them so much.”
My eyes narrow. “Who?”
Tammy and Verna look at each other a long moment before turning back to me. They say in unison, “The Leokovs.”
Sweet baby Jesus.
I’ll kill him.
I run back to the office, and panting, I sit at my desk and reach into my top drawer for my cell. The message is written so fast that I can’t help but be proud of my nimble fingers.
Me: Oh my God. You are dead. DEAD! Not just dead…dead meat! Don’t talk to me ever again. EVER!
I slam the phone down on my desk, fuming, and log back in to my computer. A few seconds pass before my cell chimes.
Max: Cupcake, don’t say things you can’t take back. I mean, ouch. You’re killing me with your words, babe.
Then,
Max: I’m guessing this has something to do with you being blacklisted at a certain bakery.
My eyes narrow at the screen. How dare he be cute? How dare he? I stomp my feet and whimper. Asshole!
Me: What do you want?
He must have been waiting by his phone, because only seconds later, my phone vibrates in my hand.
Max: For you to train with Ceecee.
I shake my head enthusiastically as I write.
Me: We’ve talked about this! I can’t! It would be a conflict of interest. Please understand, Max.
Max: You’re perfect.
I roll my eyes and growl, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach from that statement, then resume texting.
Me: I could get into a lot of trouble for training her. I could lose my job.
Max: No, you won’t. Besides, I can keep a secret. I won’t tell if you don’t.
I’m beginning to feel bad. The guy clearly wants to help his daughter. My gut coils in regret.
Me: Max, honey…I can’t do it.
Max: Name your price. I’ll pay anything. I’ll do anything, Lena. Name it and you got it.
He just won’t take no for an answer. I place my phone back in the top drawer and get ready to sit in on another session. It’s my last session of the day, as well as my last session assisting. Tomorrow, I’m on my own. I’m anxious, but eager.
From behind me, someone leans down to my ear and whispers, “I’ll do anything. Please.” My entire body jumps in fright. My hand flies up to my heaving chest and I turn to face a restless looking Max. “Please.”
Jesus C, he’s breaking my heart. I step closer to him and whisper, “I gave you my answer, Max. Give up.”
His eyes close. He shakes his head. “Never. I mean it. I won’t give up. I’ll wear you down. I won’t stop.”
My shoulders slump. “Max—”
My entire body stiffens when he pulls something from behind his back.
I hope that’s not what I think it is.
***
Max
Her eyes narrow down at the little white box. She places a hand on her hip and points at it with the other. Feigning boredom, she asks, “What’s that?”
I grin. “A cupcake.”
Her eyes flash. She quickly masks her excitement and shrugs dismissively. “And?”
I hold it in one hand and tap my fingers on the top of the box that holds the delicious treat. I tilt my head. “Well, if you don’t want it…” I open the box to reveal the most decadent looking double fudge brownie cupcake in the history of man.
Helena gasps.
I lift the cupcake out of the box. Hey eyes narrow and her jaw sets. Slowly, I bring it to my opening mouth. She fists her hands so tightly that her knuckles turn white. Just as the baked sweet touches my lips, she launches forward, snatches it out of my hand, and shoves the entire thing into her mouth.
Chewing animatedly, her eyes close in bliss. She moans long and low. And my dick hardens. Hey eyes flutter open. She glares at me and utters a garbled, “Do that again and I will cut you. Hard.” She turns and walks away.
I call out after her, “Does that mean you’ll do it?”
Her response comes in the form of her middle finger saluting me high up over her head, her round ass swaying seductively with every heated step.
Fuck me.
I’m in love.
“Max. What are you doing here, man? I didn’t think we had an appointment today,” states James from somewhere behind me.
I watch Helena walk away until she disappears down the hall. I turn to James. “We didn’t, but I figured if you had a second free that we could talk about something that’s bothering me.”
James checks his watch then smiles. “I’ve got time.”
I fight my grin.
She’s going to kill me.
***