The Baker's Touch (6 page)

Warm musk enveloped her before a hand slid down the curve of her spine and settled at the small of her back. “Everything okay?”

Penelope half turned. “Avery? You remember Sam?”

“I do.”

The chill in her assistant’s voice was unmistakable.

“The assistant, right?”

“Right,” Avery said. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“Just a private place to chat with Penny here.”

Penelope shuddered at the hated nickname. She never would understand why he insisted on calling her that. With one hand on the display case and her cane in the other she followed around the furniture to the end, then pushed open the waist-high half door.

“We can talk in one of the consult rooms, Sam.” Even as she crossed the showroom floor she could feel the weight of Avery’s stare. What was with him? The tap-tap-tap of the cane echoed off the linoleum and then hollowed as she neared the hallway that led to the rooms.

“Do you have to use that thing?”

The quiet disapproval in his voice came through loud and clear. She frowned. “Really? Would you prefer I run into something or someone?” She kept her tone light, but infused enough annoyance to let him know she didn’t like his question.

“I’ve never seen you use that in the shop.”

“That’s because the shop is open and there are people walking around. It makes it easier for all parties involved.” She paused at an open door, felt the wall inside and flicked on a light. For a moment she blinked at the sudden change, but her world returned to darkness. “C’mon in and have a seat.” She folded the cane, dropped it in her pocket and made her way around the desk.

“You have really done well for yourself.”

“You sound like you expected me to fail, Sam.” The chair springs squeaked as it accommodated her weight. “Why are you here? After last night I thought I made it very clear I no longer wanted anything to do with you.”

“I was wrong.”

She settled on the edge of the chair, her palms flat against the smooth surface of the desk and turned her head in his general direction.

“Were you?” She didn’t believe that for a moment. He wasn’t even looking at her, but speaking down to the desk. “You can’t even look at me when you talk to me.”

“What? How do you know that? You can’t even see.” Surprise made his voice an octave higher.

“The direction of your voice. I’m blind, not stupid.” She inhaled, using the time to settle her nerves. “Why are you here?”

The chair creaked beneath his weight, a whisper of clothing and then his hand covered hers. “I miss you.”

Her laugh was brittle as she pulled her hand away, only he held on. “I sincerely doubt that. What’s the matter? Sheila not like moving to first chair?”

“You were good to me.”

“I was, and you disrespected me at every turn.” She succeeded in jerking her hand from his. “Spare me. You said, and I quote, ‘I don’t have the patience to care for someone of such high maintenance’.” She stood. “My sight is not coming back, Sam. This isn’t something that can be fixed or a specialist can cure. I will be blind for the rest of my life.”

“Penelope, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then how did you mean it? Because, to me, it sounds and feels like you want a perfect woman, one who doesn’t have any physical defects. And you introduced her to me on New Year’s, thinking I wouldn’t notice her perfume all over your clothes.” She shook her head. Anger replaced whatever hurt she’d harbored. “I need to get back to work.” She stood and maneuvered around the desk.

He caught her hand as she passed. “C’mon, Penny.”

“I hate that name. Why do you insist on calling me that?” She snatched away from him.

He cupped her cheek. “Because I like it and your hair reminds me of a copper penny.”

She huffed. “Don’t call me that again. I hate that name. As a matter of fact, don’t come to my shop again.”

“Then sell me the shop.”

“What?” There was no way she could’ve heard him correctly. She could’ve sworn he just asked her to sell him the shop.

“Sell me this run down bakery.”

“It isn’t for sale.”

“You’re making things very difficult. Downtown is a very lucrative area and prime location for my investors. Name your price, Penny. I can make you a very rich woman.”

She paused. Realization dawned and it fueled her temper. “You only dated me to get to the shop. What a prick. I bet you’re behind that wannabe break-in yesterday, too.” She planted her fists on her hips, if only to keep from hitting him. “This place will never be for sale, so take your offer and your investors and shove it.”

A knock on the door drew her attention. “P? You all right?” The scent of Avery’s cologne drifted to her.

“Would you show Sam out, please? He’s not to return.”

“Penny.”

“She really detests that name,” Avery said. “This way.”

“But I’m trying to help you out.”

Penelope firmed her lips. “I don’t need or want your help.”

“You remember that when someone comes to tear this place down. You’ll regret you didn’t stay with me.”

“I regret having met you, Sam. Don’t come to the shop again and threaten me.”

“It’s not a threat, Penny. I will watch your precious bakery crash and burn then you’ll come begging.”

She scoffed.

“Enough.”

Clothing rustled followed by a few grunts as if they were shoving one another before footsteps stomped out. The door slammed and she sat on the edge of the desk covering her face with her hands. She counted each shaky breath as she inhaled and exhaled. Begging indeed. Her eyesight would return before she begged Sam for anything.

Of all the nerve, thinking he could come in here and make demands. The bakery was solid. She and Avery made sure of that and business was seeing a very high profit this quarter. More than enough to see them through any of their slow periods.

She clenched and unclenched her hands at her side. Still, Sam’s words had shaken her. Her parents had entrusted her with more than a business, this was their legacy, her heritage, and no matter what she couldn’t lose it. PB and J Bakery had been founded by her great-great grandparents.

And not just that, proving to her parents that she could run the business and keep it a success was still a challenge. Even though they’d long accepted she was more than capable, she still felt she had to press her advantage and strive for excellence. She couldn’t allow Sam to tarnish the shop as well.

The door whispered open and then closed. “Are you okay?” Avery’s voice was full of concern.

She pressed the heel of her hands against her eyes before standing. “Yeah, yeah. Just peachy.” She knew he was close and didn’t want to risk running into him, so she held out her hand.

He grasped it and tugged her off-balance.

“Hey.”

“You forget that I can see you.” His thumb grazed the corner of her eye. “He really isn’t worth the tears.”

She shoved at his chest, but Avery retained his hold, drawing her closer. He shouldn’t be holding her in such an intimate embrace, but goodness, his nearness was just what she needed. She relaxed, resting her head against his chest as he squeezed her a little tighter.

“I just want you to be happy, Penelope. Sam was never the one for you.”

With a sigh, she untangled from his arms. “I know that now.”

Silence stretched between them. What was she going to do now? Just forget about what Sam said and concentrate on work? She lowered her head.

“Are you in some sort of trouble?”

“What? No.”

“Then what did he mean about the bakery?”

She shrugged. “At that point I think he’d say anything to keep me from throwing him out.”

“Don’t worry about it then, P. The guy is a jerk.”

She nodded. Using the desk as a guide, she worked her way around the furniture, trailed her fingers along the roughness of the wall, until she came to a window. She laid her palm on the beveled glass, the coolness seeped through her skin.

One of her favorite things to do was to stand at a window and imagine the view. She’d never seen snow or ice until she moved to Michigan just before she completely lost her vision. But she adored the winter stuff. The cold came with its own special beauty. From everything her parents described it was magic and they always indulged her hours of outdoor play.

“What does it look like?”

Soft soled shoes squeaked across the floor, until a warm body met her back. She held her breath as longing whispered through her veins. A hand covered hers, while an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close.

“There’s frost on the windows.” He lifted her hand and dragged her fingers over one corner of the window, a fine glaze of chilliness met her fingertips. “Just outside the window several icicles are hanging from the eaves, like glossy sugar cones. Beyond that is a field of white. A copse of trees surrounds the area and all the snow is untouched.

“The sun is just beginning to set, such brilliant oranges and reds. It’s like watching a flame burn across the sky and when it hits the snow just right the world shines like diamonds, just like your eyes.”

She stiffened against him. Did he just pay her a compliment? “Really?”

He turned her in his arms. “You heard me.” He grazed her cheek with his knuckle. His voice dropped to a familiar whisper. “I admire you so much.”

She knew that voice. How many nights had it riddled her dreams. “Avery?” Pleasure stole through her. She’d worked with Avery for several months now, but he’d always kept their banter light, just friends. When had everything changed? She chewed her lower lip. New Year’s Eve. Ever since that moment he’d taken every opportunity he had to touch her. Her mystery man had been here all along. “It was you.”

His thumb caressed her lips and she felt the tingle throughout her entire body. Nipples puckered, while desire moistened her panties. Her breath hitched.

“Yes. I can’t resist this any longer.” His breath mingled with hers a moment before his mouth slanted over hers.

The kiss was unexpected, but welcomed. If she had any doubts before, they were erased. Desire flooded her veins and trickled between her thighs with every flutter of his lips. He held her closer, molding her soft front to his hard frame. How had she missed this before? Her breasts ached for attention.

She dreamed of being in his arms, his kisses, for too many nights to count and now she found him. She curved her arms around his neck, her fingers drifting over his smooth scalp. But why had he kept his feelings secret? Abruptly, she pulled away.

He sighed, lowering his head. “Yeah. You’re right.”

She clutched at his shoulders to keep him from moving. “Right about what?”

“I shouldn’t have kissed you.” The dejection in his voice tugged at her heart.

She chuckled. “That’s not it.” She sounded breathless to her own ears, yet she stepped closer. “In all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never taken a moment to know what you look like.”

“Please, take your time.” He rested his hands at her waist, holding her in place.

Maybe she was still a little muddled from his kiss, but she needed to know. She drifted her fingertips over his head. Completely bald...well, a few downy patches, as if he’d missed a couple spots. Wide forehead met thick, bushy brows. He had long lashes and deep eyes above a narrow nose and flared nostrils. His ears came next. They sat close to his head and studs hung from his lobes. She lingered there a moment, trying to decipher the stones.

“Diamonds,” he said to her unspoken question.

She nodded and moved to his strong jaw which tapered to a rounded cleft chin. He was simply handsome. She cupped his cheek and traced the outline of his lips. Not too thin, not too thick. Rising on tiptoe, she brushed her lips to his.

His hands tightened at her waist.

“No?” She stayed where she was, locking her fingers behind his head.

“Don’t tease me, Penelope. I can’t handle that right now.”

“I’m not the one who started this.” She pressed her mouth to his, not giving him or herself an opportunity to say no.

He tasted so good, like chocolate and sin, of decadence and indulgence, of promises better left unspoken. There was so much in his kiss; she wanted to stay right there, in the moment taking it all in.

He cinched her tighter as his mouth moved on hers, accepting her invitation and issuing one of his own. His erection pressed low against her abdomen. She wiggled her hips and he lifted her, bringing her core in full contact with him.

Lightning whipped through her veins and she clung to his shoulders as he thrust against her. Taking the kiss further would be a simple and easy task and one she could do without hesitation, but she needed to know why he kept his feelings a secret?

Loud knocking reverberated through the room, they broke apart, but Avery did not release her.

“Penelope, are you still in a consult? One of the vendors needs your signature and I can’t find Avery.” The voice belonged to one of the cashiers, Becky.

“I’ll take care of it,” Avery murmured against Penelope’s lips. “Be right there, Becky.”

Penelope rested her head on his shoulder a moment.

“Oh, okay. Thanks.” Footsteps faded.

“Seems as if duty calls.” He lowered her to the floor.

“Yeah.”

“We’ll talk later.” He rested his hands on her shoulders, then gently raked his fingers through her hair and smoothed down the front of her shirt. “Now it doesn’t look like you’ve been making out with your assistant in the consult room.”

She giggled while heat touched her cheeks.

He tugged on a lock of her hair. “I love the color you went with this time. A beautiful deep red.”

“Thanks.”

He pressed her cane into her palm and left. She touched her lips. He sure knew how to kiss.

Chapter Five

Avery bustled through the shop stacking the boxes for the last of the forgotten candy order. Now it was just a matter of waiting for someone to pick them up. The other workers were gone for the day and the shop was quiet, except for the occasional hum of equipment.

Stainless steel tables glistened in the low light. A forgotten apron marred the perfection of the room. He retrieved the wayward item and tossed it in one of the laundry bags hanging from a hook in the corner.