Seducing the Baker (At First Sight) (6 page)

When his breathing slowed he left the bed and returned with a wet cloth and a towel to clean her skin. He slid the covers over them and pulled her into his arms.

* * *

The annoying jangle of the alarm woke Grace. With an automatic gesture she hit the plunger. She rolled on her side and encountered a warm body. A memory flooded her. She sucked in a breath.

Jules Grayson. What had she done?

Her face felt hot.
Dumb question. She knew what had happened.
The fog of sleep lifted. She and Jules had been intimate but they hadn’t completed the act. The climax had surprised her by the intensity. They’d done things she’d read about in books she’d smuggled into the group home to read after lights out.

Recollections of her mother and the many men who had arrived at the apartment for sex had tainted her life. Her vow to avoid men had been made and not broken until last night. Why had she allowed temptation to rule her actions? Only Jules’ refusal to consummate without a condom had allowed her to keep that vow.

She gulped a breath. She had agreed to have dinner with him this evening. He’d planned to explore the contract. The meeting was no longer necessary. She understood the terms. When they reached the bakery she would break the date. She slid to the edge of the bed.

“Where are you going?”

Jules’ voice heavy with sleep halted. “To dress, to shovel the walk and driveway and go to the shop.”

“Without me?” Did she plan to walk? He cupped her shoulders. “What about a morning after kiss?”

He tossed the covers aside. Grace noticed his heavy erection and gasped.

“Don’t worry. Always in the morning.” He slid from the bed, kissed her and strode to the bathroom.

Grace admired his retreating back.
Stop dreaming.
She hurriedly dressed. Downstairs she started the coffee maker, found the shovel and a broom. She pulled on her boots, coat and gloves.

Before long, Jules joined her. Together they cleared the walk and driveway. Back inside she filled two mugs with coffee. She warmed her hands on the pottery piece and finished the drink before going upstairs. She laid out her clothes, grabbed underwear and entered the bathroom.

As the water warmed her chilled feet, Jules stepped in behind her. “Thought we could share.” He grinned. “Practical. You’ll save on the water bill.” He laughed. “Last night was a first for me.”

“What do you mean?” She felt him rub soap on her back.’

“I’ve never slept over and neither has any woman remained all night at my place.” He turned so she could wash his back. “This is a definite perk.”

He stepped around her. His mouth covered hers. She stepped away. “We don’t have time for this.”

“I could show you we do but I won’t push. Get dressed. I’ll be right out.”

Grace stepped out and toweled dry. She scurried to the bedroom, dressed and dashed downstairs for a second cup of coffee. How many ways could she use to rebuild the walls Jules had smashed?

I am not like my mother.

“No breakfast?” Jules asked.

When she shook her head his expression amused her. “At the shop I’ll have a cup of mocha and a Cinnamon Roll cupcake.”

“Do you consider that a healthy breakfast?”

“I guess you always have hot cereal, eggs and all that.”

“Depends.”

“If you want healthy I have granola cupcakes.”

He followed her to the door. “I’ll try them.”

Chapter Four

During the ride to town Grace studied her companion. Neither of them spoke. She wondered if his thoughts were as confused as hers. She had acted in an unaccustomed manner and had gone far beyond her comfort level.

With a sigh of relief she slid from the seat of the Jeep and opened the shop door. She tackled the sidewalk while Jules used the power blower to clear the small rear parking lot. Before long they finished and kicked snow from their boots and entered the shop.

Grace turned to Jules. “Sit while I organize.” She changed to her sneakers and put the coffee and hot chocolate on. While they brewed she filled the display cases with the flavors of the day. She chose one cupcake for her and two for him. “Enjoy.”

Jules brought mugs of coffee and hot chocolate to the table. He took a bite of the granola one. “Oatmeal, cranberries, raisins and nuts. The honey glaze tastes great but what gives the unique taste.”

“You’ve a good palate. This week the glaze is cranberry juice and honey. When the season changes I use different berries.”

They had just finished when Bonnie arrived. She glanced from one to the other. “Am I missing something?”

“Not a thing.” Jules rose and put on his coat. “See you at six.”

Grace watched him walk away. Why hadn’t she cancelled? Foolish question. Being alone with him seemed right. She turned. “Let me know where?”

“I’ll pick you up.” The bell jangled.

Bonnie grinned. “Is he as hot as he looks?”

Grace shrugged. “Can’t answer that.” She hoped a blush wouldn’t betray her. Hot. No. Incendiary.

* * *

Jules left the bakery a frustrated man. If Bonnie hadn’t arrived he would have had a kiss to carry him through the day. Would Grace be eager for the hours to fly before their dinner date? He planned to arrive before the shop closed and help her finish whatever needed to be done.

His next stop was Tony’s so he could change clothes. And then…How could he smuggle his overnighter from the house. He didn’t want his friends to question his intentions. He wasn’t sure what they were.

He started the Jeep. Seeing Grace had resurrected dreams of the past and of the day she’d turned him down. He held no pride for his actions. Her response to his kiss had surprised him both then and last night. Years ago he’d seen her as someone who could fill the emptiness of his life. Those feelings remained. Though he had gained most of his desires he wanted more.

When he pulled the Jeep into the driveway of Tony’s house he sat and cleared his thoughts. There would be questions. He needed a way to finesse without naming Grace and changing his friends’ opinion of her.

He strode up the walk and opened the door. Lauren stood in the foyer. “The lost returns. Is Grace all right?”

“As far as I know.”

“Did you hurt her?”

“No.”

Lauren grinned. “She blew you off.”

He swallowed. “In a way.”

“So your charm failed.”

Jules hung his coat in the closet. “I took her home.”

“If you hurt her I’ll be unhappy.”

Jules glared. “I’m not in the habit of hurting people. I will say you were right about her tires.”

“You took her home and then what?”

“You’re not her mother or mine.” Jules walked past her. “I should have called to say I wouldn’t be back.”

“There were a lot of accidents last night.” She entered the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.”

Tony handed him a plate. “He always says that. Manages to put enough away for two men and never gains an ounce.”

“I work out. Exercise is good.”

Tony removed lids on the warming section of the center island. “I won’t ask what kind of exercise. Ham, scrambled eggs, hash browns.”

Jules heaped a plate and filled a glass with orange juice and a mug with coffee. He sat beside Tony. “Ran into an old friend. Talked and crashed.” Would the bare facts fend off more questions?

Tony arched a brow. “Do we know her?”

“How would I know? Could be she was a he. Remember I grew up here before I ended in the group home.”

“Forgot,” Tony said.

Lauren made a face. “I doubt you would want to connect with anyone from the group home other than Grace or me.”

Jules lifted a fork. “People change.”

“I have. So have you.” She raised her head. “I hope you didn’t run into Charlene Paton and accept her idea of hospitality.”

Jules nearly choked. “Trying to kill me. Rather run into a piranha. No taste for her years ago or today.”

Lauren rested her fork on the plate. “She was one of the reasons I hit the road. Her fingers stuck to anything she wanted. Her parents always believed her lies. She used to tease Grace about being a good girl.”

“I always wondered why Grace avoided guys. I know a dozen at high school including me who liked her.”

Lauren propped her elbows on the table. “Her mother made her childhood horrible. Drugs, alcohol, sex. Wasn’t a good life for a child. Sometimes her mother abused her.”

Jules straightened. Had any of the men visiting her mother hurt Grace? Might explain some puzzling things. Why had she trusted him when she surrendered to his kisses?

Tony spread jam on a piece of toast. The intercom sputtered. Jamie’s cries filled the air. Tony rose. “My turn.”

Lauren caught Jules’ gaze. “So you liked Grace. She used to talk about you. Then one day she stopped.”

“I’m sure she did. Let’s say I acted like a jackass.”

“Really. I thought she shut up became of Charlene who bragged about having sex with you.”

Jules rolled his eyes. “Definitely a lie. No way would I have gone near her. She was after every male in town. She hit on me and I walked away.” He clamped his lips in a tight line.

“She hasn’t changed.”

Jules drained his juice. “Enough about that time and place.”

Lauren laughed. “Sure you don’t want to go to the theater.”

“Lauren, we need you.” Tony’s voice boomed from the speaker.

“Guess there’s a mess to handle. Have Tony tell you about his first experience with one.” She paused. “What do you want for dinner? Sitter comes at six.”

“I’m having dinner with Grace to explain the Good Eatin’ contract. If I don’t convince her to sign I’ll have to face Allie Sunday morning.”

“Enjoy.” Lauren dashed away.

Moments later Jules headed to the guest room. He changed clothes, grabbed underwear, sweater, jeans and condoms. Downstairs he folded them into his briefcase. When Lauren and Tony arrived with Jamie, Jules stood at the counter loading the dishwasher.

While Lauren fed Jamie, Jules and Tony cleaned the kitchen. She left for school. Tony and Jules amused Jamie until the football game between their colleges began. The final play of the game found Jules handing Tony a twenty. He hoped losing the bet wasn’t an omen for the evening with Grace.

He rose. “See you later.”

“Do you still have the key and the code?”

“Yes.”

“If the sitter’s here introduce yourself.”

“Hope to be a bit later,” Jules said.

“Good luck.”

“I’ll need all you can give me and more.” Jules shrugged into his coat and grabbed his briefcase.

* * *

Grace wiped sweat from her forehead with a wet paper towel. She’d finished the final batch of cupcakes an hour ago. She sprayed the oven and set trays of finished cupcakes in the industrial freezer. Once she finished the oven she would mot the floor. As she worked she hummed a random series of notes. At five thirty she emptied the mop water in the utility room and entered the shop to collect the accumulated cash and charge slips.

Bonnie pointed to the nearly empty cases. “Been a good day. Oh, Joe from the diner wants to increase his daily order from one dozen to two at the usual price.”

Grace frowned. “When did he start an account?” There were several restaurants who ordered cupcakes every week. The diner wasn’t one.

“I don’t know.”

“I’ll look into this on Monday.”

“Is Mr. Hottie coming this evening?”

Grace nodded. “We’re going out to dinner and discuss that Good Eatin’ thing.” That really wasn’t the reason. Jules had explained the terms last night. If Tony thought the article would be good for the business she would sign.

One thing bothered her. Could she trust Jules? Last night she’d agreed with his view of the contract. She had slept with him and done things she had only imagined. Things she wanted to repeat and feel the shocking sensations again.

She carried the case, credit card slips and checks to the office where she opened the computer. She counted and entered the totals and then prepared the bag for the bank deposit.

The bell above the shop door jangled loud enough for her to hear. Charlene’s nasal twang and two lighter voices called greetings. Moments later the bleached blonde started screaming. Grace hurried into the front.

Two girls from the group home sat at a table. Charlene’s son was with them. His shaggy blond hair inched below his cap.

Grace checked the hot chocolate pot, filled a cup and placed the beverage on the table in front of the boy. She turned to the girls. “There’s more if you want to finish the pot.”

“Thanks.”