I need to get a grip. Not everything has an underlying sexual innuendo, though that absolutely did. “Well,” I start to break up this mess of a conversation and walk toward the door to shuffle them out. “We should get out of here before our reservation shows up.”
Baylor says, “I’m the reservation, Shortcake.” Both of us dart our gazes to my mom to see if she caught the nickname. He holds up the box, and adds, “Shortcakes need to be delivered to the ranch.”
But I’m still stuck on the other thing he said. “What do you mean you’re the reservation? A Mickey is listed.”
“I thought you were joking earlier.”
“About?”
He comes closer, but the way he moves so fluidly across the floor makes me wonder if it’s the volition of our connection instead of this conversation. “I thought you were just giving me a hard time.” He sets the box next to me on the counter. “Mickey is my assistant. He booked it for me. My name should be listed somewhere.”
I look from him to my mom. “Did you see Baylor’s name listed anywhere?”
“No, I just looked at the bill paid section.”
Taking my phone from my purse I’d set on the floor nearby, I pull up the reservation app and read over the details. Baylor chuckles before crossing his arms over his chest. My eyes slide from the screen to him. I’m not sure why relief comes over me, but my shoulders drop the tension and slight panic that had begun to build over this potential error. “Mickey was on the credit card. Baylor Greene is listed in the notes as the guest.”
“Happy to be the first guest.” His smugness is easily detected, but that smirky smirk says it all.
“If you hadn’t been sneaking around to make a reservation, I would have given you a discount.”
“I’m happy to pay full fare.”
I shrug and set my phone down. “If you say so, money bucks.”
He looks at my mom, and says, “I’ll come down and pay for the shortcakes.”
“I have the bill downstairs when you’re . . .” She glances between us once more as if she realizes she might have interrupted something, then walks to the door, throwing her hands up. “When you’re ready. No rush on my account.”
Oh lordy.I won’t hear the end of this unless I come up with a darn good cover story. As soon as she’s gone and we hear the last of her steps down the stairs, we still wait until the door to the shop slams closed.
I run into his arms again, our mouths crashing together in a flurry of sexual gratification. But then I rip my mouth and body away again. Wiping the corners of my lips, I say, “We can’t do this.”
“She’s waiting on me to pay.”
That sobering thought does the trick. “Right.” I take a deep breath and lick my lips. “You rented my place.” It’s not a question, so I don’t know what I’m asking. I’m still just surprised. Pleasantly so.
“Yeah. I’m hoping the landlord stays to keep me company.”
I lean against the counter, still facing him with my breath racing like my heartbeats. “I’m not sure how I’ll pull that off without her knowing or figuring it out.”
He comes to me, taking hold of my hips. “We’ll figure that out later.” I watch as his tongue seduces his bottom lip and lean against him. When his arms come around me, I feel that same relief I did earlier when I discovered he’d be here for the weekend.
“My family is expecting me. You want to come out and have an early dinner with us?” Tapping the box, he laughs. “And shortcake? I have plenty to go around, though this wasn’t the shortcake I’m craving.”
“Oh yeah. Tell me more about that.”
Bending over me, he kisses my neck. “How about I show you?”
I don’t want to stop. I want to feel him showing me everything until I scream his name. But I know that can’t happen at the time being. I snuggle into the crook of his neck, breathing him and the woodsy cologne in that makes me go weak in the knees. “I’d like to go if the invitation still stands.”
His eyes find mine, and he nods. “The invitation still stands.”
“When are they expecting you?”
The grin on his face widens, and those eyes are bluer than a Texas summer day but hold the intensity of a devil at play. “I didn’t give a time, but I’m thinking they meant around three or four.”
“That’s hours from now,” I whisper.
