Edible Espionage (7 page)

Pick it up, Arnold. Too many sweets.

Gavin’s breathing labored as he wove his way through the downtown pier area on his evening run. The nights were cold and damp, causing him to sport black stretch running pants and a black half-zip, long-sleeved shirt along with his black beanie.

He’d taken to running twice a day. The longer he stayed in Haven on this job, the more restless he became.
Don’t get caught up. Your mission is almost over.
His new mantra was getting a lot of use lately. He wasn’t sure why he repeated it now, he’d clearly already failed.

Most of his interactions with people were hostile by nature. He liked the contact with Sarah better. He liked her warmth and the way the smell of lilacs and sugar lingered after she left a room.

Gavin found himself getting caught up in the whole Sarah Zion package. He could see it happening from the outside looking in, yet he couldn’t stop. He could only watch. Warning bells constantly chimed in his mind.
Stop while you can, she’ll never understand. Walk away. Walk away.

Despite his misgivings, he couldn’t help himself from wanting to dance with her at the reception set up. He wanted to hold her close…and he had…and her touch had been amazing. Damn it all to hell—he wanted more.

After looking into Sarah’s eyes and seeing them filled with unabashed desire, he found continuing to lie harder and harder.

Damn those eyes. I deserve to run in the rain.

Events of skin and the smell of her flowery perfume consumed his thoughts as a light rain drizzled down. Gavin picked up his pace.

Developing feelings for his target was the last thing he expected.
Lust isn’t a feeling. Jackpot! I’m just caught up in the flirtyness of it all. Wanting something I can’t have. Classic.

As desire clouded his vision, he ran faster. Lust, he understood. Feelings, however, he’d shut out long ago. Tia took care of that when she’d shacked up with the skinny loser, Vinny, while he served overseas for his country. Coming back to an empty home and divorce papers will take the need for emotion and feelings right out of a person. In that moment, he vowed to never find himself in a marriage, or even a caring, predicament ever again. He could, however, justify lust.

It’s not enough, though. What kind of a man leads on a woman and steals her secrets? She’s not a terrorist. She’s a business woman making a living.
And a fiery woman who made his skin burn with a yearning to be touched.

He pushed on, maxing out his speed, not seeing his surroundings anymore. He wanted all of his thoughts to go away. He wanted to completely exhaust himself and his mind so he wouldn’t be tormented another night by his actions. Surrounded by a blur of rain, gray and road, he used every last ounce of will power to keep going.

****

Sarah detoured into her favorite specialty cooking store by the bay in downtown Haven on her way to pretend she’d just found Gavin’s cell phone. She needed a new spatula set and figured maybe if she carried a bag she’d seem nonchalant. As she stepped onto the sidewalk…BAM! She flew backward and pain radiated through her body.

“Ah!”
Dammit
. Her eyes opened a slit at the sound of a close, loud voice. She could only make out an outline of a man kneeling beside her.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you. Are you hurt?”

Someone’s hands were on her body. “Get away.”
What in the hell is this fool doing?
“Get your hands off me!” She squeezed shut her eyes and the throbbing intensified.

“Sarah…dammit, I’m sorry.”

Gavin?
She tried to focus and breathe deep as she moved upward to sit. Pain zinged her body.

“Yeah, it’s me. Just breathe. You’re okay.” He braced her back with his arm and held up his hand in front of her face. “Sarah, how many fingers do you see?”

Scowling, she looked up. “Seriously? Are you holding fingers up in front of my face right now?”

He softly laughed and hung his head.

She stood, with his help, and brushed off her light wash jeans.
Great, now I’m dirty and sore.
She glanced at Gavin, standing arm to arm with her.

His lips were pursed and eyebrows furrowed. He looked her up and down all while keeping his hand on her back. He moved his palm up to the back of her head.

“Ouch, stop!” She jerked away but the sudden movement made her a little dizzy.

Gavin steadied her with both of his hands. “You have a pretty good bump started.” He shook his head. “Damn,” he muttered. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine,” she snapped as she gingerly bent to pick up her shopping bag and purse from the sidewalk. The clothes she wore were soaked, her head needed aspirin, and her temper needed alone time.
Dammit, the phone.
She rifled through her purse and grasped the rectangle.

“You hit your head really hard. You might have gotten knocked out.”

“I didn’t. Here.” She thrust the phone toward him. His puzzled look prompted further explanation. “It’s your phone.”

His somber expression turned into wide-eyed surprise. “I’ve been looking for this everywhere.” Gavin took the phone, but stayed close. “Where’d you find it?”

“Um…”
Way to think ahead.
“The van…I found your phone in the van today. It must’ve gotten displaced when you unloaded the van or something.”

Their gazes locked.
Are you worried I snooped?
She tried to read his face to answer her own question. Instead of finding fear, she found concern.

“You might have a concussion.” He slipped his phone into his back pocket. “Are you nauseated?”

“I’m sure you’re overreacting.” She shrugged out of his grasp.

“Better to be safe than sorry.” He looked at his watch. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

“No.”

“Let’s get something.”

“I’m okay. I’m on my way home anyway.” With a wave, she faintly pointed north.

“I’d feel better if you weren’t alone right now. We can pick up something on the way.”

Sarah frowned. “You’re all wet from the rain. Well…now we both are.”

He looked back toward the water. “We are right by my place. I’ll change quickly then I can take you back to your house.”

“That’s really not necessary.” She turned to leave, but felt him catch her arm.

“Bottom line…not taking no for an answer.” His grip loosened. “You fell hard and I heard your head hit the concrete. I need to make sure you’re okay.”

Why? So, I’m healthy enough to steal from? Maybe I can use this to my advantage.
She blew out a long sigh. “Sure. Fine. Let’s go.”

They turned to walk around the corner to his room when she became aware of her hand.
He’s holding my hand.
Sarah focused on the sensation of protection from his strong grasp during the next couple of blocks as Gavin led her to his place. They walked, fingers interlaced, through the charming entryway filled with ship artwork and blue and white stripes. His room wasn’t much different, only with more flowers than the foyer.

“I’ll be quick.” He grabbed a pair of jeans and button-up shirt off the chair in the corner by the bay window and headed for the bathroom.

She meandered around the room.
Nice view.
The yacht club in all its glory looked like a framed picture from his window seat. The water had turned gray from the storm, making all the boats lined up look ominous as they gently swayed. She let the water mesmerize her.

The watch, a silver-band with a black face and a diamond for the twelve, he wore to the bakery lay on the nightstand. A couple dollars and change also occupied the top of the nightstand. She sat on the bed and a glimmer of black caught her gaze. Under his pillow lay a small black notebook and she snagged it.
I’m only looking because these are extenuating circumstances.

The sound of the door knob jostle startled her.
Dammit, that could’ve been helpful.
She returned the unopened notebook just as Gavin appeared, steam and the smell of bar soap following him.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yes.” She mostly nodded her answer…only able to focus on his hard and defined torso. Her body craved him. Without a second thought, she stood and went right to him, locking her lips on his.

He stopped buttoning his shirt and wrapped his arms around her.

The need to intertwine her hands around his neck took over.
Why does he turn me on so much? Maybe I’ve had a head injury since he arrived.
She broke the kiss, staying close to his bare body. “Shall we?”

Gavin narrowed his gaze.

“Go…” She held back her smile, raising her eye brows like she didn’t understand what she could’ve been implying. “To my place?”

I could have him right here and now.
She loved knowing she held the power.
Good, exactly how I like it and how I want it.
But, in the back of her mind, she knew she played a sick game. This guy’s interest didn’t set in her, he was acting. She reminded herself to behave accordingly. A tryst would surely be all fun and games right up until the point of ruin, which she needed to prevent.

“Right.” He blinked and resumed buttoning his shirt. “Yes.”

She moved away from him and toward the door. They found his truck, because he wouldn’t let her drive her car home, picked up Chinese food, and headed to the other end of town where Sarah’s one-story, khaki green house with white shutters stood.

“Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” Sarah left him in her oversized living room with hardwood floors and eclectic art donning the walls. She’d never really found one style she leaned toward because she loved them all. Somewhere along the way, she decided to buy the pieces she liked and not worry about how they would flow or work with the other items she found appealing. Somehow, the mix of them became her style.

Sarah tore off her damp clothes, threw them on her floor, and searched through her walk-in closet for black yoga pants and a slouchy red hang-off-a-shoulder sweatshirt.
Perfect.
She stopped by her vanity to refresh her makeup.
The rain sure took a toll. Such a sexy look I have going on right now with my mascara running everywhere.
The smudge problem she fixed with a tissue, rubbed liquid light pink blush over her cheek bones, and put a brush through her hair. She found her slipper socks and headed to her living room.

“This is the coolest spice rack I have ever seen.” He greeted her with a warm smile.

Gavin had already found plates and silverware in the kitchen for their Chinese dinner.

“I found it in Italy. A little
pasticceria
out of the way in Liguria. Let’s eat in the living room. I need the warmth of the fire.”

“In the area with Lerici? So beautiful this time of year.”

Sarah flipped on the fireplace switch, causing the flames to roar. They both found spots on the rug between the two couches.

He knows Italy, too? No one ever knows where that area of Italy is, let alone has been there. What can’t this guy do? Oh ya, run without knocking someone over…and be honest.

“I agree. The castles are beautiful to tour with the lush gardens.”

“Lerici and Liguria aren’t usual tourist spots. What brought you there?” He set down the food on the tray Sarah had brought from the kitchen, and they dug in.

“I was touring Europe and Chef Gallo has a villa there. He invited me to stay for a while as his apprentice. So I did.”

“You don’t live a normal life, do you, Sarah Zion?”

“Nope.”

****

Gavin inspected Sarah as she ate her dinner and talked about her time in Europe. The glow from the fire illuminated her face, amplifying her animation as she spoke about all of the culinary skills she’d acquired during her travels.

She wasn’t just some artsy freak who only talked about colors and cakes all day long. A brain mixed with beauty was the sexiest combination. He wasn’t one of those guys who could live off of the pretty face alone. The intellectual connection remained an important component to get his engine revved. Which, oddly enough, usually provided the downfall of his relationships…they were too smart to put up with his shenanigans.

“Then when Fi and I decided to start Crazy for Cake, Grams gave me the Zion secret ingredient. Zion magic…Zagic.”

Her last line cut into his focus on her lips. “Zagic?” He laughed, trying to keep his need for the information unknown. “How come every time you talk about baking you sound like an episode of Pinky and The Brain? The Lab. The secret ingredient. Zagic. Sounds like you are doing something devious.”

“I am.” She winked. “Creating addictions to confections is no easy task, ya know.” Sarah leaned back on the couch and started to twirl her hair.

“And what is this Zagic, pray tell?” He moved to sit beside her, leaning back on the same couch. “MSG? Maybe sugar-laced crack keeps us all”—he trailed off and softened his voice—“wanting more?”

****

Sarah liked the way Gavin closed in on her and looked ready to jump her at any moment. He moved and Sarah held steady, bracing herself to feel his lips again. Instead, he put his hand on the back of her head. She winced.
How can I feel pain and be this turned on all at once? And I don’t even think he took my Zagic bait.