Once they had everything loaded, Harper dusted off her hands and turned to him with a satisfied smile. “That should do it. Thanks for all your help today.”
He shook his head. “No, thank you. You’ve helped me more than you know.”
“How so?” She eyed him curiously. “I was the one who took up your day.”
He hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. “No, you’re the one who made my day. Just by being here. It’s been a while since I felt so at ease with someone.”
Her expression softened, and she reached out, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. “Well, I’m glad I could be that person today.”
His chest tightened, but in a good way. “Me too,” he said quietly.
For several moments, they stood there, the air between them filled with heat and unspoken possibilities. And because he wanted to pull her close again, to see if that spark between them was real, he held back, shoving his hands into his pockets. He could wait. He knew instinctively that Harper would be worth it.
Cas expected her to back away and climb into her truck, but she stepped forward instead. His heart rocked, and he held her gaze. There was a soft vulnerability in her eyes, something that spoke of silent fears and uncharted hopes.
She hesitated for a moment, and Cas stopped breathing. The beauty was standing so close, the warmth of her presence was almost palpable.
Come on, baby, he silently urged.You can do it.
Before he even finished that thought, Harper stepped forward, closing the gap between them. Then she reached up and her fingertips lightly brushed his jaw, and a jolt of electricity coursed through him. Holding his gaze, she tilted her head, and he could see the flicker of resolve there. A decision made.
Cas held still, not wanting to spook her, letting her take the lead. And then, with a gentle boldness, she leaned in, her lips finding his in a soft, tentative kiss. Cas’ heart surged as he responded, his hands moving to rest lightly on her waist, drawing her just a little closer. The kiss was tender, sweet, and filled with a quiet intensity that spoke volumes. Need rushed through his body, surging, demanding, but he ignored his needs. Harper was in control. She was the one to set things in motion. He was following her lead.
He kissed her back, nibbling and tasting, loving the way she was not clutching his shirt while melting against him. No woman had ever kissed him this way before, like he was more than a quick, hot romp. Like he meant something to her.
When they finally pulled back, Cas set his forehead against hers, working to find his damn footing because the woman hadjust knocked him on his ass. Harper’s breath mingled with his, and he could feel the flutter of her heartbeat against his chest.
“That was nice,” she whispered, a shy smile on her lips.
Cas responded with a grin. “Yeah,” he murmured, his voice sounding thick and dazed to his ears. “That was more than nice.”
She drew back, and he watched her expression shift from the warmth of their kiss to a flicker of uncertainty. Worry clouded her eyes, like she was already second-guessing what had just happened.
“I—uh, I’m sorry,” Harper stammered, a flush creeping up her cheeks as she quickly turned away and climbed into her truck. “I shouldn’t have…”
Before Cas could say anything, she started the engine and drove off, leaving him standing there. But Cas was smiling, a quiet confidence settling in his chest. He knew, deep down, that Harper felt what he did. That kiss was no mistake.
And now, he was more determined than ever to prove it to her.
Chapter Six
Harper stared into her coffee cup, the rich aroma mingling with the comforting warmth of the back room at Champion Bakery. Loni walked in and set down a fresh plate of cinnamon rolls, while Lori placed an open box of donuts on their small breakroom table. Sadie leaned back in her chair, watching Harper with a curious expression. The usual chatter and clinking of dishes filled the main bakery area beyond the closed door, but Harper was grateful they’d chosen the privacy of the back room this morning. She wasn’t in the mood to be around people—not after yesterday.
She couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss with Cas. It had been incredible, unexpected, and the fact that she’d been the one to initiate it had left her in a whirl of emotions. Her heart fluttered at the memory of his lips on hers, the way he’d held her so gently, but also with a certainty that had sent goosebumps down her arms. But the moment she’d pulled away, doubt had crept in. She wasn’t sure what she was doing—what she was feeling—and it terrified her.
Loni nudged her gently with an elbow, pulling her out of her thoughts. “You’re quiet this morning, Harp. Something on your mind?”
She forced a smile and absently reached for a cinnamon roll. “Oh, just thinking.”
Lori exchanged a knowing glance with Sadie before turning her attention to Harper. “Come on, spill. We know you too well. Something’s bothering you.”
Harper bit into a delicious roll, hesitating to answer as she glanced at the three of them. They were her closest friends, theones who’d always been there, but she wasn’t sure how to start. She sighed, taking a sip of her coffee as if hoping it might give her the words.
It didn’t.
Sadie leaned forward with a soft expression. “Is it about Cas?”
She lifted her chin, surprised at how quickly her cousin had zeroed in on the truth. “How did you—”
