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“Yeah…” I think about my internal debate last night and the conundrum of having a family and going through with my plan. “Kids change everything.”

“Not just that, I’m building my business, taking classes… I can’t leave before this bakery gets up and running. Not to mention it’s eating all my money fixing up the upstairs so Coco and I can live there.”

Emberly inherited this old storefront when her aunt died, and she’s spent every dollar and every day painting and scrubbing and cleaning out so she can live upstairs, over the shop.

I hit save on the business website, then pull up the email alert tool. “Did you know they think Madagascar is where Eden used to be?”

“Is it a nudist colony?”

I start to laugh. “I swear, our brains are just alike.”

“What’s a nudist colony?” Coco hops back into the room.

“Something to learn about when you’re older.” Emberly grabs the plastic bin. “Come on. Time for school.”

Our little kangaroo’s shoulders slump, and she groans. “I want to stay and eat more cake.”

Sliding off my stool, I grab a napkin and wrap up one of the fresh scones from the tray. Then I slip it into a Ziploc and tuck it in her backpack when Emberly isn’t looking.

“For later,” I whisper, kissing her cute little nose.

She hugs me, and the two of them head out the door. I look up at the clock, wondering how I’m going to get through three more hours without climbing the walls.

The email alert is sent in a few clicks. I putter around the shop a little while, arranging and rearranging the ingredients, making sure the orders are organized, and checking our supplies.

Finally, with an hour left, I jot a note to Emberly that I’m running errands and will be back after lunch.

Sixteen

Tabby

It’s straight up noon when the knock comes on my door. My heart thuds in my chest, and I run to open it, catching my breath when our eyes meet.

“Hey, beautiful.” Chad’s low voice sends a zing right to my core, and I pull him inside quickly.

He’s on me at once, cupping my face in his hands and kissing me hard, forcing my lips apart and plunging his tongue into my mouth. I let out a little whimper. He’s so demanding and aggressive.

“I’ve been going crazy all day thinking about your tight, wet pussy,” he groans against my skin. “Don’t tease me like that again.”

My stomach flips at his dirty mouth. “Stop bossing me around.”

“I’ll boss you around.” Stepping back, he unfastens the top two buttons of his uniform shirt before pulling it over his head, leaving his thick brown hair a sexy mess. His white undershirt is next, until he’s standing in front of me, heaving muscles and raw sex wearing only his boots and pants.

I pull the tie on my wrap dress, ready to be naked immediately and all over that. It falls open, exposing the black lace bra and thong I’m wearing. I’m about to reach around and unclasp it when he catches my hand.

“Not yet.” Pulling my body against his chest, he scans my small house. “I’ve been thinking about this for months.”

“Months??

? I lean forward, running my nose along the side of his neck, inhaling his scent, slipping out my tongue to taste his salty skin. “We haven’t been together that long.”

“You think I wasn’t watching your sexy ass?” He backs me toward the bedroom. “I wanted to do this standing up. I guess the bed will have to do.”

Out come the handcuffs, and my heart beats so fast. “I’ve never been handcuffed before.”

His brown eyes darken. “I’ll have to make it memorable.”

“We don’t have much time.”