“Damn straight. Coffee and a donut or something,” she replied.
“Will do. I’ll see you in a bit,” he said, walking out, doing his best not to run as he headed for the elevator.
He was excited to see her. It was strange to miss someone so much. He didn’t think of himself as an overly-affectionate person, but when it came to her, his heart was all in. If he could spend every minute of the day with her, he would do it. He knew it probably made him a little bit of a stalker. He didn’t care. He had fallen for her—hard.
As he stepped onto the elevator, the implication of what he’d admitted to himself slammed into him. He would do anything to protect her. Now, he just had to convince her that he was nothing like Tim. He would treat her like she should be treated. Tim had torn her down, he was the man who was going to put her back together and build her up.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Katherine
KATHERINE WAS BUSY in the back room, putting more sweet rolls on the trays that would go into the display case up front. Mondays were always busy for them. The morning had flown by. It was her and Talia manning the shop and they had both been hopping around like crazy. Katherine’s stomach growled, reminding her she had missed lunch. She would be off soon and was already planning what she was going to make for dinner.
It was getting close to that afternoon rush, which left little time to eat as they prepared for the next influx of customers. Restaurants got busy at lunch and coffee shops got busy at the universal two o’clock hour when adults were feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders in serious need of a coffee fix. Katherine loved giving these people that walked in like zombies a nice pick-me-up. The moment the caffeine hit their veins they perked up and immediately seemed much friendlier. Than it was the moms picking up the kids from school and bribing them with sweet pastries before they headed off to whatever lessons or practice they had in their busy lives. The bakery was a familiar place for so many and it was her home.
She was humming along, softly swaying her hips as she went about her work. The song she had done her little striptease to was stuck in her head. It was a song that she would never forget. Every time she heard it, it would stir up some delicious memories. She found herself smiling as she worked. Everything was perfect. Her weekend with Ben had been amazing. She hadn’t wanted it to end, but the real world had beckoned. She loved her job, which was a good thing, or she would have never wanted to leave his bed.
Talia popped her head into the kitchen area. “You better take your break before we get the next rush,” she said, walking in and handing Katherine a cappuccino.
“Ah, thank you. I’m so used to making the drinks I forget what it’s like to have one made for me.”
Talia shrugged a shoulder. “I’m not going to lie. It was an extra.”
Katherine laughed. “Well, it’s the thought that counts, or the thought of me slaving away back here that counts I suppose.”
“I’m so glad I get to work with you.”
“Thank you.”
“No, really. Anyone else would have been moaning and groaning, demanding a lunch break. Not you. You’re a little worker bee. Take your break and grab something to eat. I’ll hold the fort down.”
Katherine nodded her head. “I am suddenly very hungry.”
Talia laughed. “I usually get that way when I have to fondle all the baked goods.”
Katherine laughed. “I’m not fondling! I’m making sure they look perfect.”
Talia winked. “Sure, you are.”
“Is it busy out there?” she asked conversationally.
Talia shook her head. “Nope, just a couple of the ladies from the library.”
“Good. I’ll finish se
tting up the tray and then I’ll take my break,” she said, adding a couple more pastries to the tray.
The bell on the door jangled, signaling a customer had come in.
“And that’s my cue,” Talia said and left the kitchen.
Katherine grabbed a biscotti and headed for the tiny breakroom to grab her book. She was going to enjoy the next fifteen minutes of solitude. She dipped her biscotti in the cappuccino and took the first bite. Flavor burst in her mouth, causing her to moan.
“Damn, this is good,” she mumbled, taking another bite, the biscotti exactly what she needed to soothe the hunger in her belly.
She was thoroughly enjoying her afternoon treat while reading a few pages in the latest book she had bought at the used bookstore when she heard a noise. Something wasn’t right. Her blood ran cold. She leaned forward, listening again and heard a raised male voice.
“Oh crap,” she muttered, the cappuccino suddenly not sitting well in her stomach.