Page 16 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)

Chapter 16

Kenzie

U ntil Josh, sex had always been like baking. In order to get the result you want, you must precisely follow a recipe of sorts. And that’s how I’ve looked at my relationships too, but I found it left me unsatisfied. I needed more oomph or pizazz to uncover that thing that really sparkled, that diamond in the rough. Which is why I remained single and opened my shop.

Standard baking is fine. When done right, it yields items that are perfectly similar in appearance and taste. You get what you expected. But I want more. I long for something new and different. For me, baking is about following the recipe, but it’s also about making art. To me, art can be something more than what you see. It’s a full-body experience. And I strive to do that in everything I make.

Unfortunately, over the last few years, I’ve found myself pulled in far too many directions. My creativity stifled because of my responsibility to make sure CakeStop succeeds. But it’s finally doing just that, and I’ve been able to get back to the heart of it. Making edible art that not only pleases the tastebuds but the eyes as well. And just like the bakery is coming around, I am too.

When Josh and I finally had sex, it rocked my world. I can’t imagine anyone sweeter or more thoughtful. And can I mention the orgasms? Unless we count self-administered by my B.O.B., I’ve never had one. They’re absolutely amazing, but the best part was being cuddled in Josh’s muscular arms as I drifted off to sleep. In fact, now that I’ve experienced that, I find it incredibly hard to sleep when he isn’t there. Which makes for some cranky mornings when he’s on the road. Thankfully, I usually get my attitude in check before my employees show up for their shifts. Usually.

“Good morning, Kenz,” Toby cheerfully sings, entering the kitchen as I’m prepping another set of muffins for the oven. Was it really a good morning?

Josh has been gone for an entire week. I’ve survived because of texts and FaceTime calls, but it’s been tough. When I can finally fall asleep, I only get an average of four hours a night. Instead of replying to Toby, I just grunt.

Stepping farther into the kitchen, Toby asks in alarm, “What was that sound?”

“What sound?” I question as I set the timer on the oven.

He looks at me and puts his hands on his hips. “You didn’t hear it? It sounded like a bear trying to cough up a hairball.”

I scowl at him. I did not sound like that. “First off, bears don’t get hairballs, at least I don’t think they do.”

“And second?” he asks with a smirk.

“Huh?”

Shaking his head, he says, “You were giving me a list, but you stopped at one.”

I tilt my head to the side. “I was?”

Coming up to stand next to me, he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Kenz, how much sleep did you get last night? You have dark bags under your eyes. Josh must be out of town again, huh?”

I nod my head, exhaustion making it feel heavier than normal. “I only got a few hours.”

My mood is off-kilter, and I’m irritable and sensitive.

I’m dealing with bone-deep tiredness, caused by a lack of sleep because Josh isn’t sleeping next to me. I’m not feeling myself. I miss his scent and his soft snores. I miss his warmth curled up behind me. I miss his presence. And my body seems to notice he left a Josh-shaped hole in my heart. And my sleep cycle.

“Let me go make you a coffee. I’ll help you prep your last things this morning and then, when they’re all baked, you can go home and sleep.”

With my head buried in my arms, I flash him a thumbs-up. My eyes feel so heavy. I’ll just close them for a bit while Toby makes me a cup of coffee.

I feel a gentle rubbing on my back, and I don’t want to move and risk having it stop. “Kenz, wake up.” Is that Toby? I slowly blink my eyes open and recognize my surroundings. Why am I sleeping in the kitchen of my shop? Looking toward Toby, he’s standing there holding a coffee and wearing a sweet smile.

“Hi,” I say, a little embarrassed.

“Okay, let’s get baking so we can get you home.” I nod while reaching for the coffee. The first sip explodes on my tongue and I wonder what he did to it. I take another sip, trying to figure out what’s different. It’s silkier and richer than normal. I side-eye him and he laughs. “What?” he questions.

I hold the coffee up. “What’s different about the coffee?”

“It’s called Bulletproof coffee, and it’s supposed to fuel your day… or that’s what Greg, my friend, doing Keto, preaches.”

I take another sip. “It’s delicious.”

“Good. Now, let’s get you moving. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can go home.” So bossy.

“Yes, sir,” I mumble as I climb off the stool.

Toby isn’t able to stay in the kitchen with me as I finish the last few items, but he pops his head in frequently to ensure I’m staying on task. Then he ushers me out the door at noon so I can head home to sleep. It’s nice to know my shop is in excellent hands. I trust my staff and I know they’ll make sure they handle everything. Even though sleep has been elusive for the past few days, it comes easily when I get home, and I sleep until my alarm the next morning.

The next day goes by quickly, and I’m in much better spirits. The fact that Josh is back today may have something to do with that. In such a short time, he’s become my person, and every time he travels, I feel like a part of me is missing. I know I’ll have to figure out how to deal with it because he isn’t planning to retire anytime soon.

At three, as I’m prepping for the next day, a familiar voice I’ve been craving carries through the shop. In mere moments, the kitchen doors are flapping and I’m being lifted off my feet. “Hi,” I squeal excitedly while wiggling in his hold.

Strong arms tighten around me, and a gravelly voice rasps, “I missed you so much, baby.”

“Then set me down and show me,” I tease. He laughs and sets me on my feet. With the flick of his wrist on my hip, he spins me and then lays the most incredible kiss on my lips. I rise on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck, threading my fingers through his hair. He dips and lifts me again, and I wrap my legs around his waist. While continuing to ravage my mouth, he walks toward the counter I’d just been working at and presses my ass into it. He pushes his erection against my center, and through my thin leggings I can feel everything. He’s hot and hard. For me. I flex my hips forward and he groans into my ear. “You’re dangerous.”

“No,” I say before I do it again. I’m playing with fire and I don’t care.

His growl registers deep, heating my core, before he speaks again. “Do you want me to take you right here? Let all your customers and employees hear you scream my name?” I suck in a sharp breath. Let’s do that. Or maybe not. My lust-soaked brain finally sobers and I decide that probably isn’t a good idea.

“I’m almost ready, and then we can go home.” Home? We don’t live together, officially. Sure, when he’s in town, he sleeps over most nights. I’ve been to his place too, but mine is closer to the shop, so we usually end up at my apartment. It isn’t much, but it’s enough. Josh’s house is absolutely incredible. But I wouldn’t feel right about being there without him, so for now, my place has become home base.

Josh heads out front to grab a coffee and a cookie while I finish up. When it’s almost closing time, Josh and I box up the items for donation. The bell above the door chimes, letting me know a customer has come in. I turn around, giving her a smile. “Welcome to CakeStop. What can I get you?” She’s familiar looking, but I can’t place her. Where do I know her from? When she orders a skinny iced latte, I see Josh’s shoulders go tight. He’s turned away, so I can’t see his expression, but based on his body language, he’s uncomfortable. I ring up the order as my barista, Jen, makes the woman her drink. Watching as Josh slowly turns around, I’m surprised by his reaction. When his eyes land on her, his frown morphs into a snarl. Who is she?

The woman’s eyes go wide and bright. Then she gets a sultry look on her plump red lips. She licks them and then purrs, “Hi, Josh. It’s so great to see you.” Jen hands over the woman’s drink and she doesn’t even acknowledge her or thank her. Rude. Instead, her eyes are laser-focused on Josh. She moves closer to him, and I stand back, watching their interaction. It’s like a car wreck. You can’t look away.

Dread swirls in my stomach.

“It’s so weird running into you here,” she chirps while dramatically flinging her hand around.

Josh grinds his molars and bites out, “What are you doing here, Kayla?” I freeze and my eyes go wide. It’s her. Live and in living color.

The woman fake laughs, touches her visible cleavage, and answers, “I needed an afternoon pick-me-up. The real question is, why are you here? This isn’t exactly on your special diet .” Her syrupy-sweet voice goes acidic on her last comment.

Josh tightens his hands into fists. “It’s none of your business why I’m here. Now, if you got what you needed, you can leave.”

She smiles lecherously and counters, “If you’re here, maybe that’s for a reason. Maybe I should try something?” She turns and struts back to the counter. The air in the shop feels frigid.

Forcing myself to move, I meet her at the counter and ask as nicely as I can, “What can I get for you?”

Looking at Josh, then at me, she asks, “What does he order? I want to try whatever brings him in.” I don’t miss the snobby, judgmental dig she layers in her comments.

Unsure what to do, I answer truthfully, “He’s tried everything on the menu.”

She gasps. “That’s not possible. He doesn’t eat this… stuff,” she scoffs while pointing at the items still on display. She thinks she knows Josh, and yes, when we first met, he didn’t eat sweets often. But things have changed. Now he just eats them in moderation.

Annoyed at her blasé diss, I straighten my spine. Speaking clearly, I answer, “I assure you, he has.”

I feel Josh move closer and place a possessive hand on my lower back. The woman sees and her eyes go wide. Then he speaks up. “Not that it’s any of your business, Kayla, but this is Kenzie, my girlfriend. She’s an incredible baker, and she owns this shop.” Then he adds, dropping his voice, “And I eat everything she offers.” Is he suggesting what I think he is? At the thought of him pleasuring me, I look up at him. He looks down at me and smiles before dropping a tender kiss on my lips. Lost in him, I barely register the click of her heels as she leaves.

“Damn, that was intense,” Jen mutters as she goes back to cleaning the coffee machine.

“I’m going to lock the front door. We don’t need to let any more crazy in here.” Josh forces a laugh. I hear the tension in it and I’m worried about him. I don’t think he’s seen her since their breakup. She was just awful afterward, dragging him and his reputation through the mud. I hope he’s okay after today’s uncomfortable encounter.