The Alpha Wants Everything Book 2 The Devil's Baker
Chapter 15: Declaring An Interest!

Adonis woke the next morning, it was still dark and he assumed it was early. He blinked a few times to take in his unfamiliar surroundings. When he felt something small move beside him, his skin was tingling and electricity jumped through him. A smile spread across his face, as it all came back to him. He spent the night in his mate’s bed. Rubbing his eyes with his free hand, he looked down at her sleeping peacefully with her head on his chest. His other arm was wrapped around her lower half with his hand resting on her hip. Something wasn’t right, the coolness of the early morning prickled his skin. We might want to leave now! What? She went to bed with a wolf! Yeah? She might freak the fuck out when she wakes up next to a naked man! Fuck! As carefully as he could he slid her off his chest and onto the bed beside him. She stirred a bit and he froze, until she settled back down. He continued to carefully climb from the bed, only to pause briefly, there had to be more to it. The bruise on her hip was big but it shouldn’t have hindered her movements that much. Watching her to make sure she was asleep he lifted her shirt to see the dark bruise on her hip, lifting her shirt slightly higher only to see another one lower on her torso with the same colouring. That would explain it, so many emotions ripped through his body as he stared at the two large bruises on her body.

Anger, sadness, shame. He should have found her sooner> He shouldn’t have left her that day in Algonquin Park. He should have taken her with him. He lifted her shirt higher to get a better look at it, but without turning her body he couldn’t see it properly just enough to know it was dark, and looked maybe a few days old. As gently as he could he slid down the side of her panties to get a better look at the one on her hip, it was dark purple, almost black with blue colouring around the edge. It was huge! No wonder they were still causing her pain. It’s almost bigger than my paw! Odin huffed. He’s a dead man if he comes anywhere near her again! Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead he hurried out of her room. Closing the sliding door behind him he walked quickly through the backyard to his own. He was thankful he kept his clothes stashed close, throwing them on as he walked into his house.

“Someone gettin in a lil late” Jackson’s raspy drawl rang out in the early morning startling him.

“Jackson! What are you doing?” He asked eyeing him,

“Hasn’t been to bed yet!” He replied, taking a drink of whatever was in his coffee cup.

“Didn’t get enough at the bar?” Adonis asked him,

“Didn’t do much drinkin! Was waitin for the boyfriend to show up, never did. Lil disappointed!” Jackson replied, taking another drink.

“I think he showed up at her house, I didn’t see him, but a man’s scent was in the air” Adonis said,

“Her ok?” Jackson stiffened when he heard that. The whole reason for them going to the bar last night was to stop him from injuring her any further.

“She’s got a few bruises on her, one on her abdomen and one on her hip almost bigger than Odin’s paw. Looks a few days old, might be from her previous encounter with him.” Jackson shook his head.

“What you wanna do?” He asked.

“He might not have shown up last night, but he’ll show up tonight, it’s Friday. Make it very clear to him that their relationship is over and if he touches a hair on her head again, it’ll be the last thing he ever does. But do it without laying a finger on him, and don’t kill him” Adonis replied. Jackson furrowed his brows.

“The fuck you expect me to do that?” Jackson asked,

“Get creative!” Adonis called over his shoulder as he walked out of the kitchen.

“Creative! I can get creative. This gonna be fun Ko!” Jackson smiled into the darkness, liquid gold swirling in his eyes as his demon laughed in his head.

2:30 in the morning on the dot, Kenzi’s eyes fluttered open. She had vivid dreams of running with wolves all night. Stretching out, an audible gasp escaped past her lips when her body spasmed and tensed up. The memory of the beating she took last night flashed in her mind and she curled back up waiting for the pain to subside. This is going to make working a little more difficult today, good thing she got a lot accomplished yesterday when she went in. Stretching out a little more carefully this time she put her hand beside her. Her furry bed companion was gone. A little disappointed by this but she understood, he probably got hungry and went to go replace himself something to eat.

Turning on the bedside lamp casting the soft light around the room before she crawled out of the bed. Stopping in front of the mirror in her room she looked at her reflection. The scar above her lip, the one on her right leg, her wrists all constant reminders of how she burdened people. Lifting her shirt to take in the new damage she knew it was going to be bad. The sight of the ghastly bruises she saw in the mirror were just more reminders. At least these would fade, they always did. She made her way to the bathroom turning the water on as hot as she could stand in hopes that it would relax her sore muscles. Stripping her shirt off she trailed her hands down her arms she could see the bruises Adam had left when he grabbed her. Wishing she could just stop making him mad all the time. Lately he was always mad, he would come over mad and he would leave madder. She would get showered and head to the bakery to get started on everything. She was going to be slow this morning, her body would spasm if she moved the wrong way or moved too fast.

The light coming from next door cast a warm glow on the wall in his room. Checking the clock and seeing the time he sat up on the floor. Yeah this was bullshit he was getting a new bed pronto. No way in hell he was sleeping on the floor. He could hear Odin howling in his head. This is your fucking fault! Yeah, not really sorry! Fuck you, of course you’re not. You never are! Nope! Glancing towards the window he couldn’t help but wonder what she was doing up at this time. He knew she said she had to work early but it wasn’t even three in the morning. Sitting in his chair opposite the window he watched as she disappeared into her bathroom. His mind was racing with a million thoughts, how was he going to keep her safe while he was in the city was the front runner. Maybe she could come with us! That was an idea. Jackson and Tyler will watch over her today! Then there was a welcome party for him on Saturday. The boys could bring her up with them when they came. She doesn’t open the bakery on Sunday’s! We could spend the day together! Sounds like a plan! Sounds like a good plan! He would go see her at the bakery this morning and invite her, she could be his date to the party. Hate going to those things alone anyway! He did as well, seeming to be an open invitation to every single lady there to hang off him.

When she came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, he saw the dark purple marks on her arms. HE DIES! Odin’s anger verberated through his body. His blood boiled at the sight of more bruises on her. Dropping his head he knew he smelled the boyfriend last night, he saw the older marks on her, he didn’t think to check for any other damage after he saw the swelling of her cheek. That son of a bitch, I’ll break every bone in his fucking body! ….grRRrRRRrRRrr…. His fingers dug into the arm rests of the chair he was sitting in. The fabric easily gave way under the pressure he was putting on it. ….grRRrRRRrRRrr…. His growls were bouncing off the walls, anger rolled off him in waves. Then he heard it, soft, low and distant at first but growing louder and louder with every note she sang. His head snapped up and there he saw her, a big smile on her face as she started slightly moving her body in time to the music playing.

All I need is a head full of hope

And a love, and a home, and a car, and a loan

And I wish I had a pocket full of gold

All I need is a laugh

And a drink, and a couch, and a shrink, and a moment to think

And I wish I had a pocket full of gold

So throw your sticks and throw your stones

Cause you ain’t gonna break my bones, yeah

If I’m a sinner

Then I don’t feel ashamed

Life goes on, and if I’m wrong

I guess I’ll burn in flames

Been up the river

And I’ve been down the drain

But life goes on, and if I’m wrong

I guess I’ll burn in flames

(Pocket full of gold - American Authors)

As quickly as his anger was there it was gone as he listened to her sing. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face when he saw her moving around her bedroom to the song she was singing. Not even holding back his laugh as he watched her use her hairbrush as a microphone. Girls actually do that! Clearly! He did notice she was holding back on her moves, every once in a while she would pause as her body tensed up. Are we missing something? I think we might be! What else happened to her last night, that her body would do that. She was digging through her drawer and he watched as she held up a few shirts trying to replace one that would cover the new bruises. Settling for a black and grey raglan style three quarter sleeve top. She fell to the floor when she went to grab a pair of pants out of the bottom drawer. Her face twisted as the pain tore through her, she sat for a few minutes holding her side waiting for it to diminish. What the fuck is going on? Why did she do that? Why is she in more pain? Odin whimpered more in his head as they watched her go through it.

Adonis started getting to his feet, this was bullshit. He had to know why she was in pain, he had to know what happened. He stilled when she stood up, fixed her smile back on her face and grabbed a cotton bra and panties and she set about getting dressed. Watching her slide her panties under the towel he could feel his eyes blacken and his breathing increase, then she dropped the towel. THUD! He hit the floor with it. Odin roared with laughter in his head. That’ll teach you, perv! This coming from the wolf that wants to bite her ass! I still want to bite her ass! I’m allowed to look, she’s ours! When he sat back in his chair she had just finished pulling down her shirt, he let out a string of curses, causing Odin to laugh harder. Keep laughing, you missed it too! That’s your fucking fault, you couldn’t keep your pervy ass in the damn chair!

Making it to the bakery a little before 3:30 in the morning Kenzi started on everything she needed to do. Today’s tasks seemed daunting this morning with her body hurting, but she didn’t have much choice she needed to get it all done. She might have to look into getting another set of ovens. She already had four but six might not be a bad idea, she had the space in the kitchen for them. She’d talk to Harvey, see what he had to say about it. It would make the bakery much more productive. She worked through the early morning as fast as her body would allow her to. But she didn’t look anywhere near completing anything, if anything the work ahead of her was multiplying. Trays out of the ovens, trays in the ovens. Bread cooling on the racks, donuts and cupcakes cooling on the counters, muffins on the tables. She still needed cookies and pastries and pies and cakes and she still needed to come up with something for the Falling Star Festival in a few days. 5:30 am her body started protesting her movements and she became slower and slower. She needed a break, but didn’t have the time to take one. She had to keep going, keep moving, and had to get it all done. At six she was tired and sore and almost on the verge of collapse when she heard a knock at the back door.

Must be Julio for the morning deliveries, usually he just comes in but she must have forgot to unlock the back door.

“Adonis! What are you doing here?” She asked, surprised when she opened the door to replace him standing there.

“I thought you could use some help. You made me dinner last night and I wanted to repay the kind gesture. I knocked on the front door, but when you didn’t answer I figured you had your music on and couldn’t hear me.” He replied, smiling up at him Kenzi held the door wider for him to enter.

“No music today. I’m a liddle sore and music makes me wanna dance,” She said.

“If you’re sore you shouldn’t be wearing pants” he commented, she looked up at him rather confused then her eyes widened at what she thought he was insinuating. Her mind went blank, opening her mouth to say something to him.

“I’m not taking my pants off in front of you” was the first thing that popped out of her mouth. They both stared at each other for a second, before he cleared his throat to say something.

“Not what I was thinking.” Though he wouldn’t be opposed or object if she did. “Looser clothes like a dress wouldn’t put pressure on your body.” he said, clarifying his statement, while trying to hide his grin at the look on her face.

“Oh!” The pink blush hit her face hard and only deepened when she realized she made an innocent helpful suggestion into something more than what it was. Hiding her embarrassment behind her hands, she turned to walk back into the kitchen.

“Don’t you has bus-is-ness in the city today?” She asked, peering at him over her shoulder when she noticed he was following her. She went back to what she was doing, but even he could tell she was hurting more than she admitted. She was working at a much slower pace than usual and every movement had her fighting back the pain she was feeling. He watched as her body stiffened a few times. He heard the small hitches and strangled gasps she would take.

“Not till later in the day. How did you get hurt?” He asked, growing concerned with how tense and stressed her body was becoming.

“I fell into the counter last night. It’s ok, it was a as-ass-cident. It’s not important.” Kenzi didn’t look up at him as she frosted cupcake after cupcake. Fell or pushed? Odin grumbled in his head. Adonis came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips. Kenzi jumped a tiny bit at the electricity that struck her from the contact. Her body tensed at the sudden movement and her gasp was more audible as the pain raked through her and a small whimper escaped past her lips.

“What are you doing?” She asked, about to turn around to face him. Her center stirring at the feeling of him touching her.

“Let me see, maybe I can help. Where does it hurt?” He was trying to ignore the sparks that were jumping up his arm. Trying to resist the urge to pull her back into him. Shaking her head she didn’t want to tell him, but when his hand touched her side he felt her body tense up and she couldn’t fight back the whimper that tumbled out of her mouth. Lifting her shirt the edges of a dark purple mark came into view, this one was fresh, not even 24 hrs old. Turning her more to face him and raising the shirt a bit higher the mark kept going, he saw the edge of the other one on her lower abdomen and he turned her to face him fully. No wonder she was in pain. That son of a bitch! Odin was furious. They didn’t think to check the rest of her body. He heard her hitches of breath last night, but didn’t think to look for anything. They thought it was just the after effects of her crying.

“Kenzi, these look really bad, you shouldn’t be here. You should be home letting them heal.” He brushed his hand over the bruise on her side, saw how it wrapped around her ribs, she released a small whimper as she gripped the table behind her. Her ribs better not be broken! Odin growled in his head.

“I can’t leaf Maggie alone to take care of all of this. It’ll be ok, I’ll be fine, it’s not important” How many times has she said that in her life? With how easily it falls out of that perfect little mouth….I’m going with a lot! He brushed the bruise again, eliciting another whimper from her. He couldn’t even help give her relief from them, if simply brushing them with his hand caused pain. Touching the bruises would torture her.

“Who did this to you?” Though he already knew, he wanted her to say it.

“It was a as-ass-cident” The fear, the pain, the hurt, he saw it all swirling in her eyes, he felt it flooding around him, but her panic was the worst. If people knew what that son of a bitch was doing to her….! Who says they don’t! It was Odin’s remark that had him almost seeing red.

“Ac-cident” Adonis enunciated the word for her and she nodded her head.

“ Ada….he di-dint mean to. I made him angry” She whimpered, as he brushed past the bruises again. He has her convinced this is her fault! What’s going to happen to him will be his!

“You made him angry?” Adonis asked, if his hand wasn’t touching her bare skin at the moment, his anger would overtake him and Adam would be ripped limb from limb, instead he chose to focus on her. Her skin was a beautiful natural golden colour, it was delicate and smooth under his fingers. Grazing them over her midsection, the softness he felt enticed him, but it was the slight gasp he heard that encouraged him to do it again. She shivered slightly under his touch, a light smile played at his lips. He could see how much he was affecting her, her skin was heating up, turning pink from the attention it was receiving.

“How did you make him angry?” He asked, grazing the area around the mark. It didn’t appear to be as sensitive, but her body tensed slightly when he applied a little bit of pressure to it. Moving in small slow circles over her skin, trying his best to relieve what pain he could. He watched her close her eyes, felt her body relax and lean into his touch. If he could touch the actual bruise he knew the bond would make it feel much better.

“He came over last night, I di-dint ezen know he was coming, he said he wasn’t, but he was mad. He scarded me, I shou-dint has told him, but I did. It jus made him madder. It was jus a as-ass-cident”

“Ac-cident” Again he helped her with the word. Questions, so many questions about his little mate entered his mind.

“Ass-cident. It was jus a ass-cident he di-dint mean to, I made him mad and he pushded me away from him and I fell into the counter.” She replied. So the boyfriend wasn’t supposed to be there! Wonder why he showed up? Wonder why he showed up mad?

“Did he say why he was mad?” Adonis asked,

“He said sum-one thr-thretended him at the bar the uther night and he th-th-ough-t I tellded….I di-dint, I di-dint tellded no one, they were jus ass-cidents” Adonis’s eyes snapped to hers. They caused this. No, he did this and he’ll never touch her again!

“You need to put some ice on this one sweetheart” he ran his hand over her skin again, before he gently lowered her shirt, wrapping one arm around her, he held her to his chest and left his other resting on her hip. “Now tell me how I can help you,” he added. Kenzi melted into his embrace, pressing her body tight to his, resting her head against him, clutching his shirt. She found comfort and safety with his arm around her. Her scent washed a wave of peace and calm over him. His mind though swirling with thoughts was at ease, his stance relaxed, he needed her as much as she needed him.

“It’s ok sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere” holding her closer to him he wrapped his other arm around her resting his hand between her shoulder blades. She nodded her head, not fully understanding his words, but believing them and not knowing why she did.

“Cupcakes and donuts need to be frostded. Cookies need to be bakded, cimanone buns and pastries need to be made. Pie crust needs to be rollded out, there’s a few cakes and I has to create sum-thing for The Falling Star Feztisval” she replied, still holding tight to his shirt.

“Ok then let’s get started” he bent down and placed a gentle kiss on the side of her head. Her body hummed to life, the butterflies soared inside her. It was an innocent act, something between friends but she couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. He never moved away from her, never broke contact, he waited for her to make the first move. She stayed cuddled into his arms a bit longer before she turned to face the table she was working at earlier.

“Do you member how to frost cupcakes?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at him.

“I do!” He replied, moving to stand behind her again, both hands on her hips. He couldn’t help but notice how they almost made it all the way around her. Harmless flirting! He thought. He saw how easily she melted into his touch, the smile that tugged at her lips when he kissed her, how comfortable she was with him touching her. She was accepting what was happening between them and he couldn’t be happier.

“Then after you wash your hands you can frost those ones green and those ones pink” she replied, enjoying the feeling of his hands still on her. She was trying not to envision his hands all over her, but her mind was running wild as currents rippled through her. Curiosity struck him and he couldn’t help wondering what she would do if he dropped a small sexual innuendo.

“I’d rather frost you pink” He whispered in her ear. She gasped slightly, her body stilling and he saw the flush spread to the tips of her pointy little elf ears. Kenzi pressed her lips together, she was not expecting him to say that to her. Removing his hands from her hips he walked over to the sink and started washing them. She might be sweet and innocent, but she picked up his meaning just fine. When he moved back towards her, it encouraged him to see her eyes slightly dancing.

“You stay on that sigh of the table, you are not frosting me pink” she stated pointing to the other side of the table.

“Are you sure? It might be fun….especially when I cleaned it off” He picked up the piping bag and started frosting the cupcakes in front of him. The flush across her face darkened. He could see her fighting the smile that was threatening to take her. Harmless flirting! Shameless flirting! Odin remarked. Maybe, but she likes it! They worked through the remainder of the morning, the blush on her face never leaving due to his relentless flirting. Every chance he got to put his hands on her he did. Light touches here and there, he found a few spots that made her shiver, but he never crossed the line into inappropriate.

He was coming back from putting the last of the cinnamon buns in the oven while she worked on a few pastries. One of them had chocolate and she ended up with a smear of it across her face.

“A chocolate coated baker….tasty” he placed his hands on either side, caging her to the table. The smile spread across her face at his closeness. Every time he touched her, stood close to her, brushed past her a ripple of excitement would dance through her body.

“Why are you flirting with me?” She asked, acting on its own her body leaned back into him. Her skin cried for his touch, even if it was the briefest of contact.

“Because I like to. If you want me to stop then I will, but I don’t really want to. Beautiful girls should be flirted with, it makes them feel special, and beautiful girls should feel special” He replied,

“Why can’t you jus tell them they’re bootiful?” She asked.

“Because if I walked up to you and said you’re beautiful would you believe me?” The look that crossed her face gave him his answer, she wouldn’t. “The truly beautiful ones don’t know how beautiful they really are, it’s what makes them beautiful. They won’t believe it when you tell them, they need to be shown. And flirtings a fun way to do it. Now what are you doing?” He leaned more into her, taking in more of her scent. He could feel the small shivers roll through her body. With her hair piled in a messy bun on her head her delicate neck was exposed to him, he couldn’t help but wonder what she would do if he trailed kisses down it, if his teeth grazed the tender skin where his mark would sit. He wanted to. He wanted to taste her skin. Wanted to feel it heat up under him, but he also knew if he did that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from going farther. But how he was so tempted. How easy it would be right now to run his hands down her body, while he tasted the back of her neck. She was his, he was allowed to taste, allowed to sample, he wanted to hear her moan and call his name. It was getting harder and harder to not just take what he wanted. Virgin! Odin reminded him, one word that was all it took and he snapped out of it. Thanks! First time should be special, not quick in a bakery kitchen! Tell her to stop being sexy and making it hard! She’s making something hard! Shut up! Odin started laughing in his head.

“Making chocolate turnovers. Those ones need an egg white wash and sugar sprinklded on top then they can go in the oven” she replied, her voice breaking him from his thoughts.

At quarter to eight they got everything done and fully stocked and she was free to think of something for The Falling Star Festival.

“So when do you has to leaf for your bus-is-ness in the city?” Kenzi asked as they were sitting in the kitchen having coffee. She was holding a bag of ice to her side mostly because he insisted she needed to.

“Soon! Elijah should be on his way to pick me up” he replied, he didn’t want to think about leaving her. Remembering the plan from this morning he was about to ask when Kenzi spoke first.

“Do you ez-zer give the bus-is-nesses back?” She asked,

“Sometimes I sell them back, sometimes I stay on as a silent partner with a 51 percent stake in the company” he answered,

“51? Why 51?” She inquired,

“Stops the other partner from being able to sell the company out from under me.” He replied,

“You don’t trust them?” He smiled at her,

“It’s not that the men or women I buy the companies from are untrustworthy, but sometimes they retire and give their share to their children. Sometimes those children can be greedy” he said,

“So it protects your….in-ve….in-vest….in-vest-tment!?” Both a question and a statement, she looked to him to see if she got it right.

“Yeah! Have you been reading up on invest-ments and acquisitions?” He asked her,

“I’m trying, I still don’t unerstand it but I’m trying,” she answered. Stop stalling and ask her already! Odin huffed in his head. I’m not stalling, she asked me a question! Well she’s not asking one now, so ask her! Before he could open his mouth her phone rang.

“It’s my sister, excuse me!” A wave of hurt crossed her face briefly before she stepped away keeping the ice pressed to her side to take the call.

“Hi Teagan!” Her voice was soft and waivered when she spoke.

“You sound upset?”

“No, I’m not ups….”

“Whatever, not like it was anything important”

“You’re right, it’s not important” he heard her saying. She sounded small and looked even smaller as she continued to talk on the phone. I hate this bitch! I do as well!

“James’s company is having a welcome party for the new owner tomorrow, you have to be there. It starts at eight”

“Tomorrow? I’m working tomorrow, the bakery closes at six. Does-dint James work in the city? That’s two and halves hours away”

“Kenzi stop being stupid. Close the bakery early you idiot, you have to be there. Tell whatever her name is, she has to close up.”

“Teagan….”

When he heard what the sister called her it took everything to not release the growl he was holding, the more he heard, the angrier he was getting. He just wanted to grab the phone, and it took digging his nails into his palm to stop himself from doing just that.

“Oh sure when you want something I’m just supposed to drop everything for you, but when I need something you’re always busy how selfish can you be?”

Did she just call her selfish? I’m going to enjoy destroying this vile bitch!

“I-I-I’m sorry Teagan, of course I’ll go. What’s the name of the company?”

“Are you really that stupid Kenzi? How do you not know this? I’ve told you the name multiple times. James has worked there for ten years. Beaumont Investments!”

He perked at the name of the company. That was the one he just purchased. That’s our party! So it is, change of plans Odin! She’s not our date anymore? Oh she is still our date we’ll just pick her up at the party! Take her back to the hotel room! Down you horny mutt! I wasn’t thinking that! Liar! So were you!

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll be there for eight”

“No, I’ll come pick you up, less chance of you screwing it up. You’ll need to buy a new dress, nothing flashy to stand out. Remember Kenzi your job….is to blend”

“I member” Blend! She can’t blend! I’d like to see her try though! It’ll be our first hunt! Who doesn’t like a good hunt?

“Make sure you tell Adam. At least with him there, there will be less chance of you screwing up”

The mention of the boyfriend’s name had his top lip curling. Too bad she can’t do that, he’ll be broken! A smile played upon his lips when Odin said that. He will most certainly be broken.

“I can’t….Adam….um….he ended things last night” Kenzi gripped tighter to the bag of ice on her side and shuffled her feet, she clearly did not want to talk about Adam anymore.

Again he perked at this news. Seems the asshole did him a favour. Wonder if this was before or after he beat her! Doesn’t matter he’s out of the way! She’s ours! Are you going to call off the twins? No! I want to make sure he understands!

“I’m not surprised, you probably screwed it up like everything else. How he put up with you for as long as he did I don’t understand, he really deserved better”

I’m gonna rip this bitch to pieces! Odin howled with anger. Relax Odin! Let’s figure out a better plan. Something a little more fitting! If that doesn’t work? Plan B! I like plan B!

“You’re right, I did! I’ll see you tomorr….”

Kenzi pulled the phone away from her ear and just looked at it. Teagan had hung up on her. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and she took a couple minutes to collect herself before she turned back around to join him at the table.

“How’s your side?” He asked, his tone laced with concern not just for her injuries, but for her and the fact that she was trying to bury what she was feeling.

“I think it’s froz-zen” she took the ice off and placed it on the counter before she retook her seat on the stool.

“Tomorrow you should wear looser clothes, maybe a dress, it won’t put pressure on your bruises.” He said,

“Dresses and me and cars are not a good mix.” He arched his eyebrow at her waiting for the explanation.

“Last tine I tried to wear a dress to work, I gedded it catchded in the car door. I also lockded my keys and phone in the car. I had to rip the bottom halves of my dress off and walk across the parking lot in my panties and the top halves of the dress. I had to wear two aprons all day until Frank could unlock my car.” She bit her lip, his eyes widened and he was fighting to control his laughter.

“Well….at least you were wearing panties” it was the only thing he could think to say,

“Yeah lucky, sum-tines I forged” she replied before taking a drink of her coffee.

The images and visions that ran through his head at that moment. Questions so many questions. He couldn’t help but look down at her pants, he knew she was today. He saw her put them on under her towel. But was she wearing any the day he pulled her from the hole? He definitely wouldn’t be objecting if she took her pants off in front of him.

“Were they cute at least?” She looked at him furrowing her brow,

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m the one that has visions of you in your panties dancing around my head right now and they’ll be there all day. How am I going to focus on my meetings in the city with that little distraction? The least you could do is help me picture them.” Her cheeks pinkened again as she pressed her lips together.

“Or don’t tell me and leave me to my own devices. I have quite the imagination. I’m seeing something….black….and lacey. I like lace!” Her blush grew darker as her jaw dropped. The look she now carried told him the conversation with her sister was now a distant memory and the hurt she was trying to bury was long gone.

“You’re sha-me-le-ss!” She exclaimed, looking at him. He hadn’t crossed the line yet, her eyes still sparkled.

“Yes I am and I’m not sorry. Maybe they were blue, I like blu….”

“They were grey and coddon, with pink bunnies on the boddom” she cut him off before he could list any more colours. Her cheeks were flaming red at this point. If she wears those I will bite her ass, I like bunnies! He released a deep laugh.

“You do realize now everytime I see you, I am going to be wondering whether you are or aren’t and I’m going to want to know” he had moved closer to her, and his eyes leisurely travelled down her body landing on her bottoms for a few seconds before they travelled back up her and looked deep into her silver eyes. He didn’t think it was humanly possible for her cheeks to turn any darker, her whole face was now red including the tips of her ears. And not just any red it was the colour of her naturally crimson lips.

“I am, I am wearing panties today, they’re grey” she replied hurriedly.

“Do they have bunnies on them?” He asked.

Before he could get his answer the kitchen door burst open and in walked Maggie. As soon as she saw Adonis she fought back the smile on her face.

“Well good morning Mr. Bradshaw” she called.

“Good morning Mrs. Wendall” he replied back as he stood up to greet her, blocking Kenzi and her very red face.

“A little early don’t you think?” She asked, eyeing him up and down,

“I helped Kenzi in the kitchen this morning,” he replied, a smile on his face.

“Is that so? Now why would you go and do something like that?” How fun Odin, another interrogation! Is she ever not going to interrogate us? I don’t think so!

“Well she’s a sweetheart and made dinner for me last night. I knew she would be busy this morning and thought I would repay her kind gesture, and I enjoy spending time with her” He replied,

“She made you dinner did she? That was really sweet, and how was it?” Arching her eyebrow.

“She did and in all honesty it was the best thing I’ve ever eaten” he didn’t have to turn around to know the compliment would have made her cheeks turn pink if they weren’t already flaming red. Maggie narrowed her eyes on him, trying to decide if he was lying or not. Adonis stood his ground unwavering. With a slight nod of her head.

“I’m going to open the bakery now, have a good day Mr. Bradshaw!” She said and turned on her heel.

“You as well Mrs. Wendall!” He replied. Only when she left the kitchen did he release the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He turned back to her, seeing the red in her face toning down.

“I better leave now, before I’m tempted to see just how red I can make you go. I’m also wondering if your blush goes from head to toe.” He said, holding his hand out to help her to her feet after he watched her flinch a few times.

“You’re rel-ent-le-ss!” She replied as she accepted it.

“You have no idea how shame-less and relent-less I can be, sweetheart.” He enunciated the two words for her. He had a feeling she would be saying them a lot. “Don’t work too hard, and continue using the ice. You have my number, use it” instead of letting her go, he gently pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms carefully around her. Kenzi could feel the muscles under her fingers. She couldn’t stop herself, her fingers trailed and traced up his arm slightly getting a better feel for the definition of the taut bulges, she didn’t mean to. Her breath caught in her throat as the sparks shot up her arms, she didn’t understand why it was happening. She didn’t understand why his arms around her felt good, it felt right. When his hands squeezed her bottom she released a squeak when she gasped, her eyes snapping to his.

“I just had to see. I was right, that is a very firm behind, must be from all the dancing.” He said, a smile spreading across his face. He thought maybe he pushed her too far with that one until he saw the corners of her mouth turn up as a small smile hit her delicate face.

“A shame-less, relent-less man. Thank you for all your help, but now you has to ged out, you has meetings to go to.” He chuckled at her expression, she was trying to be serious, but the smile she was fighting was giving her away. One more squeeze had her squeaking again,

“I’m wearing some,” she said,

“Damn! Had to double check!” He laughed as he moved away from her towards the door. “Oh, before I forget” he turned to face her as he opened the door to the kitchen, “If you ever get the urge to take your pants off in front of me, feel free to do so I wouldn’t oppose or object. And the next time you get chocolate on you, I will clean it off. That’s a promise” He left her standing in the kitchen with her mouth dropped, eyes wide and her cheeks flaming red.

“You are shameless Mr. Bradshaw” Maggie said to him as he passed her behind the counter.

“I can be. I can also be quite charming” he replied,

“What are you doing Mr. Bradshaw?” Maggie asked, leaning on her arms on the counter. She arched an eyebrow at him, almost daring him to lie to her.

“Declaring an interest. I am aware that I am being watched, but I don’t really care. She is a truly exceptional woman and deserves to be with someone that not only sees her but sees her that way. She deserves to be with someone that will make her important and a priority, not an afterthought. She is not a burden Mrs. Wendall, she does not deserve to be treated that way. I am not saying any of this to impress you, though you can be quite intimidating and your interrogation tactics are on par. It is not your attention I desire, it’s hers. I wasn’t lying when I said I enjoy spending time with her and I have every intentions of spending more time with her” He answered,

“She has a boyfriend,” Maggie declared, her teeth clenched when she said it.

“Had Mrs. Wendall, she had a boyfriend. You and I both know, he’s an utter waste of skin and an idiot, he doesn’t deserve her. Their relationship has run its course. As of last night he’s no longer a part of her life. Tonight will just make sure he stays out of it. At least it will if he values his” he replied, Maggie arched her eyebrow at him.

“What do you mean had a boyfriend?” Maggie asked,

“I might have overheard her on the phone telling her sister the relationship ended last night” He replied, a crooked smile on his face.

“What are you going to do?” She asked, catching a glint of something in his eyes.

“Her body is hurting and she is moving slower today” He replied, he was not about to elaborate on what was going to happen.

“What did that son of bitch do to her?” Maggie’s eyes narrowed and her tone became harsh and cold.

“She has a few bruises on her the size of footballs. She says they were all accidents and I say after tonight if he dares to look in her direction let alone touch her again he will have a little accident of his own. I have no problems teaching him what it really means to hurt.” Adonis replied, he’d rather have her understand why.

“What’s tonight?” Maggie asked. The bell above the bakery ringing, he gave a brief glance over his shoulder to see Elijah standing there waiting for him.

“The lesson! Have a good day Mrs. Wendall!” He spoke as he turned to leave the bakery.

“Maggie! Mr. Bradshaw, call me Maggie. Someone else can be quite intimidating” Maggie replied,

“Adonis! If she needs anything, she has my number. Have a good day, Maggie!” He said as he walked towards the door.

“You as well, Adonis!” Maggie called back, as she watched him leave the bakery with the other man, who gave her a friendly nod. This town just got a lot more interesting! Maggie thought as she watched the two men disappear into the morning.