“Good?”

“Very, especially coming off you.”

“I love mint chocolate. I think it’s the perfect union of flavors.” I dip another finger into the frosting and pop it in my mouth as he licks his lips.

“I think you’re the perfect union of flavors,” he responds, causing me to grin even wider.

“Want some more?” I go to reach my finger into the bowl when he grabs it, taking the bowl out of my hands and placing it next to me on the work station. Dipping his own finger into the bowl, he runs his tongue along his bottom lip as he swipes the hot pink frosting down the side of my neck to my cle**age. I whimper as his tongue licks off the line of frosting that he’s drawn, paying extra attention to the dollop that is now dripping between my br**sts.

“Lift your arms,” he whispers, grabbing the hem of my shirt and tugging it over my head after I obey him. His eyes enlarge and flick from my face to my shoulders, his face hardening instantly. Oh f**k.

“What the hell? What happened to you?” His fingers trail the small fingertip size bruises that graze over my shoulders and I wince at him. Moving my hair out of the way, he leans around me and I hear a soft grunt as he discovers the bruises on my upper back. Shit. I meant to keep my clothes on. This conversation could have been easily avoided. Damn him and his ability to cloud my judgment.

“Why the hell are you covered in bruises?” He moves back in front of me and eases in between my legs again, commanding my attention.

“Uh...” Do I tell him? What would he do? Would he go after Justin? Is that something your casual sex partner would do or is that strictly a boyfriend move? Did I want him to care?

“Dylan.”

My case of the word vomit suddenly rears her ugly head again. “Justin came by when I was loading Sam today to go deliver a wedding cake and he came on to me. He’d been drinking and he wouldn’t let go of me even though I was screaming at him and then he threw me up against Sam.” I watch his expression shift right in front of me to anger. His teeth clench tight, causing the muscles in his jaw to quiver and his nostrils flare. I move back a bit. Damn. Angry Reese is intimidating and sexy as hell.

“That ass**le put his hands on you?”

“Yes but---”

“And who the f**k is Sam? Did he bring another guy with him?” He slams his hand down on the worktop next to my thigh and I jump. “They’re both f**king dead.” Turning away from me, I grab his shoulders and prevent his escape.

“Don’t, just wait a minute.” His eyes meet mine and he raises his brows. “Sam is my delivery van. Yes, I named it. It’s stupid, I know. And yes Justin did this but he’s never put his hands on me before. I don’t think he would’ve actually forced himself on me. He was probably just upset that his wife cheated on him.” What the f**k? Now I’m making excuses for that ass**le? I run down his arms and pull his hands into my lap, squeezing them gently.

“Are you f**king serious?” His voice booms throughout the kitchen. “I don’t give a shit if he was drunk, upset, or whatever the f**k. He touched you, he’s dead.”

“Reese please, what would you do? You can’t hurt him. He could press charges against you. I mean, it’s not like its self-defense or something. Please just let it go. It really looks worse than it feels.” That is a complete lie. It hurts like hell. But I am absolutely terrified that Reese will end up getting into trouble over this and that will hurt a hell of a lot worse than the bruises.

He runs his hands down his face before he reaches out and holds mine, his expression softening. “You should have called me. Why didn’t you?” His thumbs stroke my cheeks as he studies me.

I shrug. “I had to go deliver the wedding cake and I was already running late. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to do something that could get you into trouble. He isn’t worth it.” I reach up and hold his hand to my face. “Promise me that you won’t do anything.”

He steps closer to me, bringing our bodies’ only inches apart and allowing me to wrap my legs around him. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

“Reese.”

“No, love.” He kisses me quickly, shutting me up before he continues. “I can’t and I won’t let anybody hurt you. He’ll never touch you again. That I can promise you.”

I nod slightly. The truth of the matter is, I like that he cares about me enough to want to protect me. And Reese is smart. He won’t do anything that could f**k with the career that he’s worked so hard for. I shouldn’t worry about this.

“Okay, but can we go back to the frosting now?” I ask, seeing his eyes light up at the memory of it.

He nods slowly, the desire sparking back into the green pools that glare at me.

Oh this is going to be fun.

Nine

I’m lying completely naked on my work bench, my thighs clamped tightly together in anticipation as Reese continues to remove his clothing. I’d never realized until now just how sexy it is to watch a man undress. But I’m quickly realizing that whatever this man does, he does it in a very sexy way. I bite the inside of my cheek as I watch him pull his T-shirt off with one hand, revealing his brilliantly sculpted upper body. I moan softly at the sight of him and catch his attention, seeing his lips curl up in the corner. His boxers come down with his jeans and he steps out of them, grabbing the bowl of frosting that he had placed on a nearby stool before he moves towards me. His hand grips my thigh and spreads it open, giving himself room to settle between my legs. I feel the tip of him push against my clit and I whimper.