Wasted Vows Page 23

  “No,” Kelly said, her jaw dropping. “Tell me you said yes, Ally. Make my damn day. I’ve been begging you for ages to go out on a date with somebody.”

  “I told him I was busy,” I said and flopped my hands around in the air by way of excusing myself from it, like it was a crime. “Oh whatever, don’t look at me like that.”

  Kelly continued looking at me like that. She bucked her head forward and drew her lips into a thin line as she sighed. A deep, sigh of censure. “He sounds divine, and you just let him go?”

  “You weren’t there, you don’t get it.”

  “Then explain it to me,” she replied. She slurped some of her coffee and looked out her kitchen window at the snow falling outside. It was a light layer today, but it was still damn freezing. Maybe Pat would get stuck out on the lake.

  The kitchen was warm though, filled with the scents of toasted bread and steaming coffee. She’d laid out all the ingredients for our baking spree today. I’d promised I’d teach her my family recipe for Snickerdoodle Christmas cookies.

  I considered what to say that she’d accept as I ground my molars together in frustration.

  “Well?” she prompted, resting her chin in her hands.

  “It was too … intense.” That was one way of wording it. The connection we’d shared for a couple minutes had put the names of my cupcakes to shame. The raging chemistry unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Or probably would again.

  “Intense?”

  “Yeah. I felt naked just standing in front of the guy. I was lost in him in five seconds flat. Azure blue eyes, thick head of chestnut hair, rock hard body. Dimples.”

  “How is that a bad thing, again?” She swept a bagel off her plate and crunched on the end. “Sounds like heaven. Don’t get me wrong, Pat and I are absolutely perfect, but this all sounds so whirlwind. So serendipitous. So Young and the Restless. It gives me the chills.”

  “Me too,” I said, then blushed. Never in my life had I had a reaction to a man on that level. Matthew and I had done the deed; we’d been together for long enough. It’d been romantic the first couple of months, but there had never been that raging heat between us. Nothing that made me want to rip his clothes off and lick him. Like icing off of a Vanilla Vixen.

  I looked at Kelly and sighed. Apparently, that told her everything.

  “I think you should go for it. He’s clearly into you and he’s hot as hell —”

  “How can he be into me when he only saw me for a few minutes? More likely he’s some douche bag player. Who asks a woman out that fast?” I raised my palm to stall her before she really got into it. Kelly could be very convincing when it suited her. “You know me, I don’t have time for men anymore.”

  “Maybe he’s just a man who knows what he likes. What he wants. It’s been six months, Allegra,” she said, deepening her tone into lecture mode. “It’s time to move on. Hell, it doesn’t have to be anything serious with this guy. Even if it’s just a fling or something.”

  “I’m not the fling kinda gal. Besides, I need to focus on work, keep the bakery going. It’s early stages, Kelly.” I practiced my own lecture voice right back.

  She conceded the points with a bob of her head and another crunch of the bagel. “Yeah, I guess. But wouldn’t it be romantic if you guys ended up together?”

  “Oh please,” I said, rolling my eyes. I pressed my hand to my stomach under the table, trying to still the butterflies. It would. “Anyway, it was a one-off thing. I’ll probably never see him again.”

  “You will,” she said with certainty. She offered me the last bite of her breakfast but I waved it off. “You will definitely see him again.”

  “No way. I probably freaked him out with all my staring and gasping.” And lusting. Probably written all over my flushed face like a skywriter’s banner trailing behind a prop plane.

  “Gasping?” Kelly snorted, then choked on a bit of her bagel and cough-laughed her way back to fresh air. “You gasped? You didn’t?”

  “Well, yeah, I couldn’t help it,” I replied. Man, if I kept blushing like this, my cheeks would probably stay red forever. That’d be a look to remember. “He was that hot.” Then again, hot didn’t do him justice. Not even slightly.

  “You mark my words, Allegra Wilson. That man will be back for you. He’s got swagger.”

  I shook my head at her, but inside, I was a wreck. My intestines flip-flopped around on a trampoline at the thought of seeing that guy again.

  I shook my head. I couldn’t let him distract me from the bakery. I had loans to pay off and the insurance agent would be over to assess the damages soon. What if the policy didn’t cover all of the damage? I might be living in a ditch or tent city if any more unexpected expenses rolled in.

  I rose from the table and carried my coffee cup to her sink, then stood there staring out over her snow covered lawn. The pristine white reflecting back a perfection that I didn’t feel. He wouldn’t be back. He couldn’t come back and that was that.

  Chapter 6

  I lay in bed that night, tossing and turning. Codsworth had gotten irritated and opted for the sofa because of it. I didn’t blame him. Thoughts of Gabe had driven me to distraction.

  “Come on,” I whispered. “This is ridiculous.”

  I pummeled the pillow with both fists, folded my hands across my chest and closed my eyes.

  There was smoke again, enfolding me in its grey haze. The kitchen was filled with it. The flames crackled and I gasped for air, then choked on the foul, thick smog. It tasted burnt, like death or worse.

  Darkness filled my vision and I dropped to the floor.

  This didn’t feel right. There was a fire in the bakery again. Again? Had there been a fire before?

  “Help,” I croaked, clawing at the grout between the tiles with my ragged fingernails, dragging myself away from the flames. They danced after me, growing and spitting embers threatening to consume me.

  Had to get away before they took me.

  Had to get out of this kitchen.

  The doorjamb was two feet away. If I could just reach it … I stretched my fingers, grasping desperately, but … nothing. The exit wasn’t two feet away after all, it was ten feet away, and the fire licked at my heels.

  “Please, help me,” I cried, tears stinging my skin like acid. “Please.”

  “I’m here, don’t worry,” a man spoke in my ear, then gathered me in his arms and lifted me high above the flames. “I won’t let you get hurt. Is there anyone else in here?”

  “No,” I murmured as I squeezed my eyes shut tight and rested my head against his hard chest. He smelled of woodsy cologne and smoke.

  He carried me through the kitchen, the front of the bakery and into the street outside. But instead of ambulances and firetrucks, the street was empty, coated in a blanket of thick snow. He sat me down in it, but it didn’t hurt my bare feet.

  I clutched at my bare arms, rubbing them. They weren’t cold either.

  The fireman stood before me, except he was different. He smelled right, but he didn’t wear the uniform. He had on a quilted black jacket and a white cotton t-shirt.

  He stepped towards me, hands tucked into his pockets.

  “Gabe,” I murmured.

  “Allegra.” He raised a finger and trailed it down my cheekbone. “I’ve been looking for you. Where were you today?”

  “Huh?” I’d been at the bakery as usual. What was he talking about?

  Gabe slid one hand down the side of my neck and rested it on my shoulder, with his thumb on my throat. “You must be freezing.”

  Now I was. The snow made my toes icy, my skin prickling with goosebumps. But inside was scorching heat. Fire.

  “Let me keep you warm,” he said, then wrapped me in those strong arms.

  I slid my hands up his chest, feeling the hard body beneath, the solid pecs poking at the fabric. “Oh God,” I whispered. “You’re so perfect.”

  I reached up and brushed my fingertips along his lips. He caught one and suck
ed it lightly into his mouth, sending waves of pleasure through my very being. Like I’d never been touched. Until this moment. Until this man.

  “Make love to me,” I said.

  He moved like he’d waited an eternity for me to say it. He covered me on the bed of snow, so slowly the ache became unbearable. Equally slowly, he stripped off my nightie. I wore nothing but a thong underneath. Lacy. Black.

  Gabe hooked his finger underneath the fabric and stroked the smooth skin below it. “Are you ready for me?”

  “Yes,” I murmured as I arched my back and dug my fingernails into the frozen ground below. My nipples were pebbled and I was wet for him. So wet, the slick heat radiated off my body like breath on a frosty day. He’d barely touched me, but I was on fire. I needed him inside me. To fill me. Like I would never feel complete until he did.

  He stripped off his shirt methodically, slowly revealing the chiseled body underneath. I stared at it, at him. Words gone. Desire ripping through my very soul. I moaned, low and long.

  He took off his belt, undid the top button of his jeans and slid them down to his ankles.

  Then he lay down on top of me, his erection pressing against my thong, demanding.

  I moaned again, aching to have him. “Please, I need you now. Don’t make me wait any longer.”

  He kissed me, a drugging kiss more potent than heroin and my world shattered into a million pieces. He forced his tongue into my mouth and tasted me. Taking. His pleasure and turning it into mine as well.

  I grabbed his back, digging my fingers into his flesh and gripping him to me, my bare breasts rubbing against his chest. I couldn’t get close enough.

  He hadn’t even entered me yet and I was already close to the edge. Writhing against him, rubbing my clit against him straight through the lace barrier between us.

  “You’re mine,” he said into my mouth then sucked my bottom lip.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  My eyes flew open and I sat up, clutching my fevered fingers at the oversized t-shirt I’d worn to bed. I glanced around the room. Searching. For something to ease the ache, fill the hole.

  For him.

  “Just a dream,” I chastised out loud into the silent room. I slumped back against my pillows and sighed. “Just a dream.” This was insane. I had to get this guy out of my mind. He’d consumed my thoughts and now I couldn’t even rest without him intruding.

  I rolled onto my side and stared at the alarm clock on my bedside table. It was one of the old school ones, with the bell on the side and a white clock face. I’d picked it up in an antique shop on the way to Treasure Island one day. The black hands pointed to the twelve and four.

  “Shit,” I whispered. I’d have to be up in like an hour, and I’d hardly gotten any sleep at all. I closed my eyes and drifted off again. Gabe waited for me on the other side.

  Chapter 7

  I stood behind the counter and stared at the door, breathing through my nose to calm myself. I’d been tense the minute I’d come down to start work, and being out front made it even worse. After the incredibly vivid sex dream about Gabe, it felt like it was inevitable that he’d materialize into flesh and blood man. In my bakery. Or my bed.

  I couldn’t afford anyone to take my place, and Tess was best in the back, working on the baking and icing. She wasn’t the friendliest woman on the planet, and I didn’t want to drive customers away with her bristly demeanor. Tess was a back of the house employee, and she was great at what she did in the kitchen. Someday, I might be able to afford a part-time cashier. Someone like the person Kelly had. Pamela with a head for organization and a heart for the customer.

  “No,” I murmured to myself. “Don’t worry about Gabe. Because he’s never coming back here.” I lowered my head and stared at the rows of cupcakes beneath the glass of the counter. They were like sugary little cherubs, sweet gifts for any occasion.

  I loved what I did. I’d loved designing the recipes for them. Creating the names.

  The door over the bell rang and I snapped my gaze back to the front.

  No, no, no.

  After last night, there was no way I could ever look this man in the eye again.

  Gabe stood in the doorway, one hand on the glass, the other hanging loosely at his side. “Nice to see you again,” he said, then ambled in and let the door swing shut behind him. More confident than he’d been the last time he’d arrived.

  I stared at him in utter disbelief. “What are you doing here?” Way to go, Ally. Insult the man. Just because he scares you doesn’t mean you need to be rude.

  But, I didn’t want him to come any closer. I wanted him to go away. I needed to focus on work. Like a professional. Like a real businesswoman.

  Gabe walked right up to the counter and leaned on it. He had a blue button-up on today, and the same jacket thrown over it. “Now, is that any way to greet your best customer?”

  “Hello,” I breathed, trying again. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to draw myself back to reality. I couldn’t stare into his eyes for too long, because I would get lost in them. “How can I help you?” I put on my winning ‘welcome to the best bakery in Minneapolis’ smile.

  I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered anymore.

  “I think you know how you can help me,” he replied. He inched his fingers closer to mine.

  “Two Red Velvet Raptures?” I bent to get the box.

  “No, just you,” he replied, cocking his head to the side to expose his perfect jaw line again, his blue eyes alight with pleasure. At seeing me. Me with my fat ass and masses of wavy hair that wouldn’t quite behave. This was a man who would look perfect standing next to super-models. This couldn’t be happening to me. What did he want with me?

  The bell over the door tinkled and a group of ladies entered, pushing strollers, some of them with toddlers on their hips. Way to ruin the moment, soccer moms. They looked like they’d just come from yoga.

  He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “I’m coming back every day until you agree to go out. Got it?”

  “No, not in the slightest,” I said through my forced smile. The other customers drew closer, chattering about downward dog. One of the kids started wailing and his mom cuddled him close and stroked his hair.

  “I can make you understand.” Gabe leaned in closer, forcing himself into my personal space, even with the counter between us.

  “That’s enough,” I hissed, then raised my voice and yelled back into the kitchen. “Tess, come out here please.”

  She bustled out, dusting off her apron and scowling. She spotted the mothers and their offspring, and her distaste only grew worse.

  “Take care of them, will you? I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I said, gesturing to the women.

  “Fine, but you know I don’t like to be out front,” she muttered under her breath. “Customers suck.” Tess clapped her hands to draw attention, and the women froze. The toddler kept crying, his sobs filling the uncomfortable silence.

  I swept around the counter and grabbed Gabe by the wrist. He seemed amused at the gesture, but he let me lead him out into the crisp winter air.

  He stood in front of me, and I turned my back on the bakery so I wouldn’t have to witness Tess dealing with the women inside. It wasn’t five seconds before I started shivering, my warm breath filling the air between us in grey puffs.

  “This has to stop.”

  “I told you, Allegra. I won’t stop until you agree to see me,” he said as he stepped towards me. Ominous. His physical presence a danger to my equanimity. And sanity.

  I refused to take a step back, partly because I longed to be close to him, partly because I didn’t want him to see the extreme effect he had on my body. It was probably too late for that, though. I’d literally gasped when I’d seen him the first time. And I’m sure my attraction for him was written all over my face.

  Gabe raised his hand and reached for my shoulder.

  I smacked it away. “What the fuck is wrong with you
?”

  He grinned. “Nothing. I just can’t get you out of my mind. Like an apparition. You visit my dreams. And my fantasies.”

  My jaw dropped. Of course, I would never admit to his nightly visits in my own dreams.

  “And you think pursuing me this way is going to win me over? You’re being creepy, Gabe. Like a stalker. Coming into my bakery like you own the place, demanding dates, and, uh,” I said, but I’d run out of steam as the frigid air almost froze my blue lips shut and my teeth started chattering. He took his coat and wrapped it around my shivering shoulders.

  Rhetoric flew out of my mouth, but I was spitting lies. Falsehoods based in fear and shame. Lack of self-confidence. Self-esteem. In myself and my desirability. I didn’t think he was creepy and I wanted him to demand more. More time, more physical proximity, more me.

  Just more.

  He acted like a real man, and he smelled like one too. Familiar and warm, and his cologne was…Why did these damn Gucci men always seem to like me? Make me weak in the knees with their expensive scent?

  “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”

  “I swear to God, you’re like one of those cheesy dudes out of a movie.” I tapped him on the chest with my finger and instantly regretted it. It didn’t deter him, only made me itch to run my hands down the indents of his abs and then head straight south.

  Heat colored my cheeks a rosy hue. Hopefully, he’d think it was from the cold.

  “You’d better leave me alone. I’m never going on a date with you. Ever. Do you get that? It’s never going to happen,” I said, not sure who I was trying to convince with my little tirade.

  He moved closer, the body heat radiating from us both in the cold temperatures serving as two halves of a magnet. Drawing us closer. Closer. The warmth drove me wild; my mouth went dry. I stared up at him, dwarfed by his size, by his silence.

  “Are you done?”

  I swallowed. “Yeah.”

  “Thank God. I can think of only one way to shut up a woman who talks too much.” He swooped down like a hooded viper and captured my lips in a kiss so searing it bordered on wild. God, those full lips of his, so soft and warm controlled the pace and the pressure. He started to possess my lips with long, drugging kisses, then sucked my bottom lip in his warm mouth as he wrapped his arms around my waist.