Did he really not understand that I needed to be up off the ground? Psycho.
“Katie, come sit next to me, and you can have the cupcakes.” Exasperation and annoyance colored his tone.
“What kind are they?” I stepped closer, entranced by their crushed puffs of frosting, shimmering in the sun.
He looked in the box. “How the hell should I know? They’re cupcakes. Does it matter?”
Rolling my eyes, I stepped forward and snatched the box from his hands. “Of course it matters, you dillhole.” Mmm, dark chocolate ganache or snowy white frosting? Eenie, meenie, minie, mo...
“Katie?”
Hmm?
He had the strangest look on his face. “I cannot figure you out.”
“Are we back to that again? I’m not insane, okay?” I sat on the step below him, figuring any animals hell-bent on carnage would attack him first, giving me time to run. I placed the cupcake box on my knees and selected the chocolate.
“Wait!” I jumped up and handed him the box. “Do not touch either cupcake, mister! I’ll be right back.”
“If you’re getting milk, I want some, too.”
Like I had any milk in the house. My stomach rumbled as I quickly washed my hands. I wasn’t going to eat a finger food with dirty hands. A drink was a good idea, though. I filled a glass with water from the tap and then hurried back. I noticed another box on the dining room table and snagged it.
“Look what I found!” I held up the second box triumphantly.
He turned, watching me walk across the porch and down the stairs.
I sat, opening the second box. Pristine pastel pink and blue-frosted cupcakes glistened in the box. They were almost too pretty to eat. Almost. My stomach rumbled again.
“Katie, are you eating?”
“Not yet. For a cop, you’re not too observant.” Pink or blue? Strawberry or blueberry? Cherry or blue raspberry?
He moved his legs, pinning me between them as he leaned forward and tapped me on the shoulder. “Katie?”
“Don’t even think about it. These are mine. All mine.” I tipped my head up to find him staring intently at me. “What? Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve had a cupcake?”
He shrugged. “A week? Two?”
“P’fft. Try ten years. These lovelies are going to put me into a sugar coma, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.” Brown, white, pink, or blue? Decisions, decisions. I could go lighter to darker. That way I’d be ending on a known: chocolate. Hmm, which to choose first?
Tapping on my shoulder again, he said, “Are you even listening to me?”
“Apparently not.” Yes, white first. I reached into the box Aiden was now holding and carefully took out the dented white cupcake. “I’m so sorry I dropped you, my sweeting.” I slowly began to peel the wrapping off the little minx.
“If you like these things so much, why haven’t you had one in ten years?” He was studying me, and I didn’t like it.
“Could you look over there?” I gestured vaguely to the yard. “You’re making me uncomfortable. What we have needs to be shared in private. It’s a secret love. Isn’t it, my beautiful little cupcake?” I dropped the wrapper back into the box he was holding and stared at my naked lover. Mouth watering, I took a big bite, closing my eyes, flavors zinging my taste buds. I’m pretty sure I moaned. Whatever. I told him we wanted to be alone.
Aiden shifted, the boards creaking. “Why, Katie?”
My eyes popped open, and I found him right in front of me. Damn, he was hot. Angry and short-tempered, sure, but really freaking hot. I wondered if he’d notice if I bit his jaw right there. Or his neck. Damn, his neck. Maybe a quick lick? No harm, no foul, no teeth marks. I swallowed. “What now?”
“Why haven’t you had a cupcake in ten years?” His eyes were narrowed, like he thought I was lying.
“Please. I only got to have the bite of my wedding cake that they needed for pictures. Justin was very concerned about my not being bikini ready for our honeymoon. After that, it was all low-fat, no-carb, steamed, organic whatnot.” Aiden’s face was blank, so I went back to staring at my cupcake. I gave her a little lick. I’m almost positive I heard her giggle.
I flinched at what sounded like a growl. I leaned into Aiden and tried to see around him, through the open front door. “Did you hear that?” I whispered.
