I snort-laugh. “Understandable.”
She sorts through the cooling cookies, tosses two aside, and throws one away. “I’m really thankful you and your friends came to help. I don’t know what I was thinking when I failed to set a cap on orders. That’s a mistake I won’t make again.”
I bite my lip, concentrating hard on the white piping before I respond. “Do you have a website that will do all of that for you?”
“Sorta.” She shrugs. “I can adjust things, but I also know it could be better. I’ve just been overwhelmed with the requests that I keep forgetting about all the other things that would probably make my life easier, but that I also don’t have time to work on.”
I nod. “I get that, but that’s why you need to hire people to do things you no longer have time for.”
“Funny. That’s not the first time I’ve heard that today.” Her face glows as she says the words and I’m intrigued.
“Oh, yeah? Who is the other genius in your life?” I ask innocently.
Celia glances back at her brother and finds him covered in flour and not paying attention to us. “Well, he’s someone I hired to do some marketing things for me, but has also asked me out on a couple of dates. One of which I might have said yes to this week.”
I grin and keep my voice calm. “Are you going to tell Bentley about him?”
“I kinda already did, but I hadn’t gone on a date with the guy yet. I’ll give it another date or two before I decide, but from how last night went…” Her cheeks flush. “I’d imagine they’ll go well.”
I nudge her with my elbow. “Good for you. Your secret is safe with me for now. Unless Bentley outright asks me, but the likelihood of that isn’t high.”
Celia laughs softly. “I don’t imagine my brother likes to ask questions about my sex life.”
“No, I bet not.” I pick up the piping again while my smile still spreads from ear to ear.
I glance around the room before resuming decorating and let out a happy sigh. I could have never predicted my life would go from mundane and sexually frustrated to lively and satiated within a matter of months, but ever since the day of my promotion, things have only been looking up.
A lot is because of my hard work, and a little is because of the man across the room. My eyes find Bentley, and I watch the corded muscles in his forearms flex and loosen while he handles the dough like he’s been baking his whole life.
His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and he’s wearing that sexy pink apron, but he’s still filthy. Thoughts of taking him to “clean up” consume my mind. At least, they do until he finally feels me staring and looks up.
Our gazes lock, and my heart slows while my chest expands.
My grumpy businessman. He’s more like a firm teddy bear with a soft center and perfect blue eyes and a sexy five-o-clock shadow and full lips and rippling muscles and a dick that’s to die for and…
“What the fuck?” I sputter and swipe at my face until I can see again.
Flour is everywhere, and I’m the only one in the room not laughing.
Piper leans in closer. “Next time, don’t eye fuck your boyfriend when you’re supposed to be working like the rest of us and you won’t get anything thrown in your face.”
Her sweetly spoken words are accompanied by an even sweeter smile that only Piper is capable of, but she hasn’t embarrassed me.
I grab one of the cookies Celia set aside and swirl my tongue over the tip. “Would you rather I be more direct in my desires?”
Piper’s smile fades away, and she gags, turning her attention back to the counter. “Never mind. Keep doing whatever you want.”
I walk over to her and throw an arm around her shoulders. “I’m proud of you for trying to call me out, though. Next time, don’t let it be about anything sexual and you just might catch me off guard.”
“I think I’ll just focus on what I’m supposed to be doing and go home before you,” she mutters.
Girl has a point. If I want to fuck Bentley in the shower later, we better start moving our asses, or I’ll be dead on my feet before we make it back to his place.