“We have so much business to talk about, but we will do that once you’ve left. I’m so excited, I can’t believe it. I don’t know why we didn’t think about it sooner.” She grins widely.
I can see the excitement lighting up her face making her look even more beautiful, so I squeeze her hand, showing my support. “Congratulations, that’s brilliant news.” I raise my glass in her direction. She does the same, and we clink them together.
“Firstly, we need to speak to a lawyer to write up a contract. We trust each other with our lives, but it’s better to be safe, right?”
“Yes. I can give you my lawyer’s number … he deals in these matters all the time,” I tell her.
“Thank you. Yeah, that would be great.” Eloise grins. “Next thing I need to think about is … do I continue markets, or do I take the leap and set up a proper bakery?”
“What is your dream?” I ask.
“I always envisioned this gorgeous girly style bakery. Pink and flowery-filled beautiful pastel cakes and other sweets. But maybe that isn’t what sells,” she adds, biting her lip as uncertainty begins to cross her mind.
“Who wouldn’t want to buy cakes in a gorgeous shop. Will people be able to eat there?”
“Like a café?” she asks, and I nod. “Maybe. I hadn’t even thought about that aspect.” Her eyes widen as panic begins to take over. I know how overwhelming it can be starting from scratch.
“If you want, no pressure, I can put you in touch with some of the best shop fit-out designers. They can help bring your vision to life.”
“Don’t think I can afford them,” she mumbles quietly.
“They will be happy to chat for free. I promise you they would love to help in whatever capacity,” I reassure her.
“Thank you, Ali. I mean it,” she says, reaching out again and squeezing my hand. “I’ve been so self-reliant for so long that I forget to ask for help. You’re an expert when it comes to the hospitality industry. I’d be stupid to think that you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’ve always said, Elle, that I’m happy to help, and I’m not talking in a monetary kind of way. I’d love to be your sounding board. I can’t wait to see things grow from an idea to reality right before my eyes. That shit gets me hard,” I joke, which makes her smile. “I mean it. Don’t think I’m helping because I want to keep whatever this is going on between us. Sure, that’s a bonus, but I’d still help you even if you friend-zoned me. You can bake. These past six months I have dreamed about your cupcakes as much as I have your pussy.”
“Is that so?” Eloise raises a brow, not quite believing me.
“Who knew I’d have a thing for buttercream frosting.”
Elle breaks out into laughter. “Don’t give me ideas,” she says.
“Now, you’re the one giving me ideas. Didn’t know frosting was on the cards.” I chuckle.
“You’re crazy,” she declares, shaking her head at me.
“About you, yeah, I think I am,” I confess.
She nervously takes a sip of champagne, and I notice the faint pinkness in her cheeks. Does she like knowing that she drives me crazy?
“I think the oysters are going to your head.” She smiles.
“I think it’s more the company than the oysters.” Our jovial conversation begins to heat up as the sexual tension becomes like an inferno.
“It’s not even been twenty-four hours since you’ve come back into my life, but it feels like a lifetime,” she whispers as she looks down at her plate, embarrassed over her words.
“I feel it too,” I tell her.
This has her looking up at me, and relief slides across her features.
“Whatever happens after this week, I’m glad that I got to spend it with you.” The next thing I know, Elle is up out of her chair and is sitting on my lap.
“I’m glad I’m spending it with you too,” she says. Elle wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me slowly.
We aren’t in a hurry. We aren’t waiting to take things further. It’s nice to slow things down now that we know we have the week together, so there’s no rush, unlike earlier today.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but I’m sorry about that night for leaving you the way I did,” Elle apologizes again.
“You don’t have to keep apologizing, baby.” I look up at her and run my hand down her face. “The past is in the past.” She slowly nods. “Are you ready for the next course?”
Elle moves to get off my lap, but I hold her closer to me. “You’re not going anywhere. I like feeling your ass against my dick.” Elle wiggles making me groan, the cheeky little thing. “I told you earlier, that’s dessert,” I whisper in her ear.