Sweet Tooth (Little Cakes, #11)(7)

Playfully, she skated a ring around them before stopping. “Hi!”

“I’m stealing your produce man,” Ellie exclaimed and then added, “Or at least a bunch of his carrots for our cupcakes.”

“Great idea, Ellie.”

“I’ll stop by with a proposal tomorrow,” Tom promised. “This afternoon, I’m taking some time off.”

“Enjoy the day, you two,” Ellie encouraged before heading back into the bakery.

“Are you ready to give me some pointers?” Tom asked.

“Sure. Let’s go. The store is close.”

“This street is pretty busy out front. Let’s jump in my truck and I’ll drive us over there. Then, I can stash this there as well,” Tom suggested, lifting the cupcake box.

“Okay.”

Elizabeth rolled slowly next to Tom as they approached the big truck. It was obviously used for work. There were dings and scratches on the exterior here and there, but it was scrupulously clean. Elizabeth rolled up to the passenger door and froze. There was no way she could climb into the seat with her skates on.

“I got you,” Tom said and lifted her easily into the high seat.

“Oh!” Elizabeth gasped, her hands automatically wrapping around his biceps to steady herself. The bulging muscles under her touch didn’t seem to strain at all to handle her weight. “Do I weigh more than a bag of potatoes or a crate of carrots?”

“You are as light as a bunny,” he assured her, fastening her seatbelt and making sure she was tucked safely inside before closing the door.

Elizabeth watched him circle around the hood and climb up into the seat beside her. “The store is right over there,” she said, pointing.

“Got it.” Tom checked the mirrors to see around the large truck before moving. He was very vigilant as he maneuvered through the heavy traffic. “It looks like everyone is headed home. Hopefully, we’ll make it to the skate shop before it closes.”

Crossing her fingers, Elizabeth leaned forward to help him spot the way. A tiny sportscar darted in front of them. Tom braked suddenly to avoid rolling over the top of the car and flung a hand out to hold Elizabeth safely back against the seat.

“That was close,” she breathed when it was clear they were safe.

“Unfortunately, people see a big truck and they do silly things.”

“That wasn’t silly. That was suicidal,” Elizabeth said, rattled.

“We’re almost there, Bunny. Do you need me to pull over now?” he asked, scanning the traffic for an opportunity to turn off the road if she needed him to.

“I’m fine. It’s silly to be so scared.”

“You can’t control what frightens you, Elizabeth. Any more than you can control who you love or how your heart needs to love.”

Before she could comment on his wisdom, Tom pulled over into the parking lot of a large skating shop. After parking, he turned without a word and unbuckled her seatbelt to haul her into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, Tom hugged her tight.

“I’m sorry that sportscar scared you. Are you okay?”

Surrounded by his warmth and masculine scent, Elizabeth melted. It felt so good to be cuddled next to him. How long had it been since someone had cared enough about her to give her a hug?

She whispered, “I’m okay.”

“Then, let’s go have some fun. What color skates do you think I should buy?”

“Purple,” she answered without considering any other color.

“You look cute in your lavender skates. I, on the other hand, might look silly. Let’s see if we can find a good pair that makes me look cute,” he suggested.

“You’ll look cute in anything,” popped out of her mouth.

She looked at him in horror and gasped. “Oops! I meant for that to stay in my head.”

When he laughed, she couldn’t help giggling along. The humor dispelled the last of the lingering worry from her mind. She was ready to have some fun.

Tom hugged her close again and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Daringly, Elizabeth lifted her lips to offer them to him. Without hesitating, he tasted her. His mouth tantalized her with soft kisses that thrilled her.

Taking his time, Tom didn’t rush her but allowed Elizabeth to set the pace. When she opened her lips, inviting a deeper kiss, his tongue traced her sensitive inner lips before delving inside, humming his enjoyment of her flavor. Inviting her to respond, he teased her and rewarded her thoroughly when her tongue tangled with his.

As he lifted his head, Elizabeth opened her eyes to stare into his deep blue ones. She felt like she could see into his soul. “Yowza!”

“Yowza! Indeed,” Tom echoed.





Chapter Four





Twenty minutes later, Elizabeth skated back and forth in front of a park bench, waiting for Tom to get his new dark purple and black skates fastened. She’d found the only pair in that color combination stuck way back on the shelf and jumped for joy when they were his size and fit. Now watching him adroitly snap the last buckle in place, she crossed her fingers that he wouldn’t hurt himself.

Standing up, Tom circled his arms like he was having trouble regaining his balance before he stood at ease on the wheels. She stared at him.

“I guess I should have mentioned that I started playing hockey at three.”