Page 20 of Only for the Season

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

She sets the piping bag on the table before stretching out her wrist and wiggling her fingers.

“Are you hurt?”

“Fine. Just cramping from working on this monster of a cake all morning.”

I don’t hesitate. I grasp her hand and begin to massage her fingers. She moans and my cock twitches. It wants to hear her moan while I’m massaging other parts of her body. Its vote is for her breasts, but it wouldn’t mind her ass either.

Her eyes close and her head falls back, exposing her neck I want to nibble on. My cock is on board with this plan.

“I should hire you to massage my hand after every cake decorating session.”

I grunt. “Sorry, darling, you can’t afford me.”

She snatches her hand away. “Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Moneybags.”

My cock deflates and I sigh. “I was joking.”

“Joking about money isn’t funny,” she snarls.

“Sorry. Sometimes I forget….”

“Forget what?” she asks when I trail off. “That not everyone in the world is made of money? That money doesn’t actually grow on trees? Pray tell. What do you forget?”

I run a hand through my hair. “All of the above?”

“Whatever. If you want coffee, grab yourself a cup from the machine. It’s easy to use. An idiot could figure it out.”

I get the hint. I’m the idiot.

“Thanks. I could use some coffee.” I start toward the café but then there’s another loud bang. “What is happening outside?”

I don’t wait for her answer before heading out the back door. Parker follows me. I search the area for the cause of the noise. There’s a truck with a ladder rack parked in the middle of the street.

“What is the truck doing?”

Parker sighs. “I love this time of year.”

She hasn’t cleared up my confusion one bit.

She smiles up at me. “They’re hanging up the Christmas lights and decorations.”

“Now? It’s past Thanksgiving.”

“Which is the whole point.” I must appear confused – I am confused – since she explains. “The businesses of Smuggler’s Hideaway have an agreement. No Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.”

“Meanwhile, the rest of the world has been buying Christmas candy since before Halloween.”

Her nose wrinkles. It’s adorable. I want to kiss it. “I doubt every single country in the world has been eating Christmas candy since Halloween.”

“Nah. Just the civilized ones.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and I try not to look but my eyes slip and I get a glimpse of her cleavage. It’s magnificent. I fear I’m going to be spending a lot of time fantasizing about it while in her bed above her bakery.

“I forgot you think Smuggler’s Hideaway is Podunk central.”

I cringe. I never should have used the word Podunk. In my defense, I was lost and annoyed at being sent on a wild goose chase.