Page 40 of Sweet Hate (If You Dare #1)
HAVEN
“ Y our man’s here, Haven,” Jett sashays through the kitchen doorway, all hip swings, and dark red lips. I ignore the flutter her words spark in my chest. We are not fooling ourselves today, no ma’am.
“I don’t have a man,” I drop my gaze and focus on wiping down the counter where I spent the afternoon helping her Chef with food service after his assistant called off.
“Ohhh, I’m not so sure about that, darlin’. The look on his face says otherwise.” That damn flutter comes back, this time it’s brought friends.
“How does he look?” Dammit. That slipped out. Good job Haven. She smirks over at me as she examines the cupcakes on the counter. “Help yourself.” I nod toward them.
Sheila Merryweather came and collected their sampler, and it’s not like I’m going to eat the rest myself. I’m pretty sure Axel will be back at the firehouse tomorrow, so I was going to give him a bunch to take in.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She picks one and takes a huge bite, closing her eyes as she chews.
“Mmmmm Haven. These are better than sex! Damn, girl. No wonder the Merryweather’s insisted on hiring you. What do we have to do to keep you around?”
I laugh, not quite comfortable enough around her to question what bad sex she’s having—as if I can talk right now. Although, hopefully not for too much longer— but I’m just casually going to ignore her comment about staying too and hope she doesn’t notice.
Telling Axel was one thing—I couldn’t very well jump into bed with him without giving him the full picture—but telling anyone else makes it real. I spent so long waiting to leave this town that planning to stay still weirds me out.
“To answer your question.” She pauses to take another bite, and I swallow an impatient sigh. I don’t know why I’m so eager to know what she thinks, it’s stupid. It shouldn’t matter how he looks, we know what this really is. So why does her answer feel so important?
“Axel’s eyes haven’t moved from these doors since the second he walked in. I can tell it’s taking everything in him not to walk in here to find you. The guy’s practically vibrating on the spot out there.” I fight the urge to smile, the flutters full on raving right now.
I wasn’t expecting to see him tonight. I texted him telling him I’d make my own way home, but he clearly chose to ignore that. I probably shouldn’t be surprised.
“Go put him out of his misery, darlin’.”
I open and shut my mouth like a gormless goldfish, not entirely sure what to say.
“You sure you don’t need me to help till you close? It’s the least I can do.”
“Honey, you coming in here on the daily and baking these delicious treats is all you need to do to thank me!”
“Every day? ”
I don’t want to assume that would be ok, although I don’t want to be out of practice by the time the wedding comes around or the bakery reopens.
I’m not entirely sure which will be first at this point.
This place is a godsend in easing my anxiety over everything, but I just want to make sure I’m not in the way.
“If you want, we can add your cakes to our specials while you’re here. Earn you some money for bakery repairs.” She smiles widely before shoving what’s left of the cupcake in her mouth.
“I’d love that, but I won’t take the money. You keep it as a thank you for letting me use this place.”
She waves her hand dismissively and takes another cupcake before walking out front.
Excitement bubbles inside me at having a purpose again.
Since the fire, I’ve been in this weird limbo, not knowing what I really should be doing, with everything so wildly out of my control.
Being able to bake and having a fully functional space to do it properly is amazing.
It melts away any lingering doubts I have, excitement and ideas zapping through me for things I can bake for the bar.
And it’s all thanks to Axel.
I leave half the tray there for Jett and follow her out the double doors with the rest boxed up for Axel.
His gaze burns me before I even turn to see him.
Looking up, my eyes meet his piercing blues straight away. His grin spreads so fast you’d think he won the lottery. I wish he wasn’t so bloody cute right now.
Having this hot as hell man react this way to me could get addictive, and that’s the total opposite of temporary.
Six weeks, Haven. That’s all you’ve got. Don’t mix this up and end up broken hearted again.
He slides off the stool and walks toward me.
He’s changed since I saw him this morning, now wearing a gray T-shirt that practically hugs his pecs under his trademark leather jacket and ripped vintage wash jeans over his biker boots.
His slicked back hair makes my favorite white streak prominent against his dark waves.
He looks like my every biker romance MMC come to life, only better, and, you know, without the biker gang. I mean, I don’t think he’s in one of those. I let out a little giggle as he walks up to me.
“What’s so funny, Sprinks?” he asks with a smirk that immediately has my tummy fluttering again.
“Are you in a biker gang?”
His low, throaty chuckle draws Jett’s attention, who looks from him to me and sends a wink my way.
“No, babe. I am gonna take you for a ride tonight, though.”
Wait, what? My face flushes bright red, his mischievous grin widening as he brushes a strand of hair away from my burning cheeks.
“I meant on my bike Babe. Although, I’m happy to provide a full service at any time.” He winks at me and my brain just stops.
Haven, chill. You’re not a freakin’ virgin, why are you acting like one.
Right, yep. His bike. Whatever. But I’m not even dressed to be on the back of a freakin’ bike, and I have cupcakes.
“Oh no, Axel, I’m fine. I can walk home. Besides, these will get trashed on the bike. I thought maybe you’d want to take them to the firehouse with you tomorrow.” I lift the lid on the box to flash him the rainbow sprinkle frosted cupcakes.
“You made them for me?” He looks down at them in shock. Technically, they are his favorite flavor, but that wasn’t deliberate. I don’t think.
He grabs me by the nape and pulls me to his big chest, careful not to tip the box in my hands.
“Are hugs in public OK?” he murmurs into my ear as he leans down .
“Seems like that horse has bolted,” I say into his chest where my face is currently pressed between his very hard pecs.
Can you motorboat a dude? The temptation to try is strong right now. Damn he smells so good.
He chuckles again as he lets me go. It feels good to hear him laugh. He used to do it so much, and I’ve not really heard a whole lot of it since I got back.
“Come on babe, we’ll take these back to my place before I take you for a ride on my beast.” He swipes the cupcakes from my hands, not waiting for a response. Let’s be honest any argument I make right now would be weak at best.
Hooking his arm around my neck he calls out a goodbye to Jett as he steers us out of the bar.
It’s hard not to notice all the dirty looks I’m getting from random women.
They really don’t seem to like his arm around me.
It’s a stark reminder that as much as I want to pretend I have my Axel back, he isn’t the same boy.
Monogamy clearly isn’t in his nature, judging by the size of his fan club, although it’s not like I should be worrying about that long-term.
He’s a grown ass man who can screw whoever he wants. But I’m glad I was smart enough to put a time limit on this. The last thing I need is to catch feelings for my ex-best friend and local unattainable playboy. We might be a walking cliche, but this isn’t one of my damn romance novels.
Axel is very easy to love. I know that from being his friend, but if I hadn’t left town when I did, I probably would have fallen headlong into romantic love. Knowing I was leaving permanently was the main thing that kept all those feelings at bay. And thank god it did considering what happened.
I stiffen in his arms, but he just tugs me closer, his thumb stroking my jaw without uttering a word. This is a dangerous game I’m playing. It’s probably entirely stupid to even be taking this risk now knowing I’m planning to stay here .
I won’t be able to deal with the heartbreak if I have to see him every day. I barely got over the loss of his friendship when he was oceans away as it is.
The rules. I need to stick to the rules. That’s the only thing that will keep me safe.