Tied with Me (With Me in Seattle, #6)(13)

Glancing at Asher, I see he’s wearing the same.

I raise an eyebrow at Matt. “I don’t sell doughnuts here.”

His lips twitch. I had no idea he’s a cop!

“Maybe we need a change of pace,” Matt replies. “Besides, I told you I’d be in today.”

I nod and smile at Asher. “You sick of doughnuts, too?”

“I never get sick of doughnuts. But I’ll take that chocolate cupcake right there.”

I place his treat on a plate and hand it to him. He peels the paper off and takes a bite, his eyes rolling back in his head.

“Marry me,” he announces and stuffs the rest in his mouth. “Marry me right now. We’ll go to Vegas.”

I laugh and shake my head. “What can I get you, Matt?”

“Dinner tomorrow night,” he replies smoothly.

“Dude, you’re good,” Asher compliments him. “But she’s marrying me.”

“Who’s marrying who?” Tess asks as she returns from the kitchen then stops in her tracks. Her eyes widen as she takes in the two very attractive—okay, gorgeous—men chatting with me.

“Nic is going to marry me,” Asher announces with a wink.

“Or, I can just keep baking cupcakes and you’re welcome to stop in from time to time. That way, there are no messy contracts or things like commitment,” I suggest with a laugh.

“Yes, that’ll work,” Asher agrees.

“Tess, could you please box up a couple of the chocolate for Asher to go?” I ask her and then turn to Matt. “What would you like?”

“I told you. Dinner tomorrow night.”

My heart skips a beat then shifts into overdrive.

“I meant…”

“I know what you meant. I’ll take a dozen of the special and dinner tomorrow night.”

“Yes, she’ll go,” Tess answers for me.

“You, I can fire, you know.”

She waves me off like I just announced that she has something in her teeth.

Matt laughs as he accepts the cupcakes from me. “Can I talk to you somewhere more private?”

The shop is still empty, so I nod and lead him back into the kitchen.

“You didn’t have to buy a whole dozen just to ask me to dinner,” I inform him softly.

“I bought them for the guys at the precinct.” He shrugs and grins at me. Is this really the same man who had me tied up in knots—literally and figuratively—not long ago?

“So, you’re a cop.”

“I am.” He nods.

“So, if I need to file a stalking complaint, you’re the person to call?”

Matt takes a step to me and drags his index finger down my cheek to my jawline. “There’s a number you can call for that, but I hope I’m not the one you’re thinking of turning in.”

I smirk and watch him, waiting for him to dictate to me what we’ll do next or where we’ll go to dinner, but he just waits for me, watching me just as I am him.

“I’ll go to dinner with you tomorrow,” I finally murmur. My stomach clenches and nipples tighten when he offers me that megawatt smile and leans in to plant his lips on my forehead.

“Excellent. What time will you be finished here?”

“Four in the afternoon.”

“Pick you up at six?”

He’s asking, not telling!

“Sure.”

He cups my face in his hands and sighs as he looks in my eyes. “We will need to talk, little one.”

“That is usually a part of going to dinner with someone,” I reply with an innocent smile.

He laughs and plants a chaste kiss on my lips then turns to leave. “See you tomorrow.” He winks, and then he’s gone.

I lean on the countertop, trying to catch my breath. Good God, he barely touched me and I was ready to tear my clothes off and attack him right here in the kitchen.

That’s so not gonna happen.

I busy myself by wiping down the already clean countertops, trying to clear my head before I can face Tess or any potential customers.

One thing I can say about Matt is, he always leaves me off balance, not necessarily in a bad way.

Would it hurt so much to go out to dinner with him? To get to know him better? I lean my hips against the countertop and scrub my hands over my face.

“Did you forget to eat again? Are you okay?”

I whirl at the sound of Bailey’s voice to find her standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips and her pretty face pulled into a frown.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you closing soon?”

I check the time, surprised to see it’s already almost one, which is my closing time on Sunday.

“Yes, in just a few minutes.”

“Good, we’re going out for appetizers and wine,” she informs me.

“Nic has a date!” Tess shouts excitedly as she bursts into the kitchen. “With a hot cop!”

“Really?” Bailey asks and watches me speculatively. “We are definitely going out for wine.”

“I wish I could go, but I just got a call from Sean.” Tess grins as she grabs her purse and shucks her apron. “I already closed up, boss, so you’re good to go.”

“That was quick,” I reply.