Page 36 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

She didn’t start on the outside, placing a dainty bite on her fork like I would have expected. No, she dug in. She scooped a piece of cake right out of the center, one so large I was sure it wouldn’t fit in her mouth. But somehow, she balanced it on the fork so it wouldn’t fall and then she shoved it past her lips.

Her cheeks bulged like a chipmunk. Her lips were covered in cake crumbles and creamy frosting. Piper’s eyes drifted shut, her head lolling to the side. Then she let out a moan that was nothing but sheer pleasure, like the ones I’d coaxed from her in the camper’s bedroom.

The sound sent a jolt through my veins, stirring the lust I’d been fighting for days.

She finished chewing, opened her eyes and went back to the cake for another gigantic bite. But before she brought it to her mouth, she paused to look at me and raise an eyebrow. Then she pointed to my fork with her gaze.

Right. Cake. For dinner.

I unglued myself from the door and pulled out the other chair to sit. Following her lead, I scooped a bite from the middle of the cake.

“Jesus Christ,” I groaned as the flavor exploded in my mouth.

Piper grinned as she chewed. “Magic cake.”

This cake was magic. Any remaining anger or frustration or irritation evaporated. It was just me, Piper and the best cake I’d ever had in my life.

The texture of the cake was fluffy and moist. The flavor of the frosting was rich but not too sweet. It was like happiness in physical form. This cake had actual healing powers. I hadn’t felt this good since . . . well, since I’d last had sex with Piper.

I swallowed the first bite quickly, needing more. I scooped another heap from the middle of the cake, letting another groan loose as soon as I’d fit it in my mouth.

Across the table, Piper giggled with her mouth full.

We ate with abandon. There was nothing prim or proper about how we attacked the cake. She didn’t take tiny bites. She didn’t ask for a napkin. She just wiped the crumbs away with her fingers if she couldn’t catch them first with her tongue.

This cake brought out a relaxed and carefree side to Piper I’d never seen.

Magic cake.

Piper and I demolished the cake until all that was left was the outside ring with a hollow crater in the center.

“Please tell me you have milk.” She stood from the table and walked to the fridge.

As she opened the door, I gave myself a mental fist pump that it no longer smelled. Then I stood and went to the cupboard for glasses.

She poured from the carton and we each downed a glass. When her glass was empty, she set it down and leaned on the counter, smiling with a sigh. “I love magic cake.”

“You have a milk mustache.” I stepped closer to wipe it away.

The moment the pad of my thumb touched her skin, an electric shock ran up my arm. She sucked in a sharp breath, holding it in her lungs as I dragged my thumb from one corner of her mouth to the other. Her gaze was locked with mine.

Blood rushed to my groin and my heart rate spiked. Instead of my thumb, I wanted to kiss that milk away. I wanted to devour those lips and see if they tasted like chocolate.

I leaned in, seconds away from hoisting her onto this counter and fitting myself between her legs. But then she blinked, tearing her eyes away and aiming them at the floor.

“I, um . . .” She blew out her breath. “How about that tour of your shop?”

I dropped my hand and took a step back. Then another. The smell of her hair and the heat from her skin made me lose my mind, and I needed some distance to think straight. I took a few breaths to get my racing heart under control. I ignored the sting to my ego that she’d just shut me down.

We’d been seconds away from a hot, sweaty night in my bed, but she’d put on the brakes. If she didn’t want to go there tonight, I’d respect that. Though we needed to get far away from my bedroom and to a place

where nothing reminded me of sex.

“A tour sounds good.” I turned and crossed the room, taking the shop key off a hook by the door. With my back to her, I made a quick adjustment to my stiff cock, then held the door open for her.

Her heels clapped on the floor as she went outside. “I like your porch. I’m surprised you don’t sit out here.”

My eyebrows came together. “I do.”