Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
She was flirting and feeling courageous and outgoing. So she decided to keep the banter going. Test him. “I’m not really into the kind of pain that probably accompanies piercing my eyelid or septum, but I might consider this bratty plan.”
She flushed deeper as she glanced at his shocked expression. Had she gone too far?
As she bit her lip, he chuckled. “Are you the sort of Little girl who enjoys getting her bottom spanked?”
She looked down so she didn’t have to see his face as she admitted, “I’m not sure.”
There was a moment’s pause before Trace spoke again. “I thought you said you’d had a Daddy before. Didn’t you say he abused the privilege?”
She swallowed and met his gaze again, glancing around to make certain no one was listening to this exchange. She would be mortified to be overheard. Everyone in the vicinity was engaged in the many activities or trunk or treating.
When she returned her attention to Trace, she decided now wasn’t the time or place to discuss this subject. “Can we talk about this later?”
“Of course, Mae Bug.” He looked concerned. “I hope I haven’t upset you.”
“No. Not at all. It’s just a long story, and I’d rather not talk about it here.”
“We’ll table it for later then.”
“Thank you.” She took a step back as she realized they were standing far too close to each other. “I should go see if Ellie needs help with the cupcake walk.” She made that up on the spot. Ellie had most of her employees here with her. She didn’t need any help.
“Go ahead. I’ll continue making my rounds and catch up with you later.”
She hated that she couldn’t lift up onto her tiptoes and kiss him. She’d known him only a few days and already she wished she had that kind of liberty.
She shook that thought out of her head fast. She’d never have that liberty. What was she thinking? She was a detective. He was her boss. In a million billion years she wouldn’t be kissing him in public.
Avery took a deep breath and turned to find Ellie. She at least needed to speak to the owner of Little Cakes since that had been her escape excuse. Escape from testosterone and temptation.
“Hey, Ellie,” she began as she approached and glanced at the table. “Wow, you’re almost out of cupcakes.”
“Yep. It’s been a great event. Thanks for letting us set up a booth. If there was anyone in town who hadn’t heard of Little Cakes before tonight, they have now.” She beamed.
Avery chuckled. “I seriously doubt anyone hasn’t heard of Little Cakes.”
Lark, Ellie’s best friend and Wyatt’s Little girl, skipped up next to Ellie. “She’s not kidding. I keep telling her she needs to hire more staff. Business is booming.”
Ellie wrapped her arm around Lark. “I’ve told you to join my team whenever you’re ready.”
Wyatt sidled up to his Little girl a moment later. Not shocking. Wherever Lark was, Wyatt was usually close by unless he was on the clock. He wasn’t on the clock tonight. He was in street clothes, enjoying the event with his Little. “Don’t encourage her, Ellie. She works too many hours as a real estate agent as it is.” He kissed Lark on the cheek.
Lark rolled her eyes. “I do not, silly. I could fill in at Little Cakes on my days off. It would be fun,” she exclaimed.
Wyatt shook his head. “When did you last have a full day off?”
Avery couldn’t help smiling at their interaction. She knew from working closely with Wyatt that Lark had trouble saying no to clients and had a tendency to meet them to look at a property on a moment’s notice.
Lark shrugged. “I could take a day off if someone let me spend it selling cupcakes.”
“Or…” Wyatt suggested in his firm, dominant Daddy voice, “you could spend a day off standing in the naughty corner with a sore bottom for being argumentative.”
Lark sighed. “Sorry, Daddy.” She let him lead her away with a wave back toward Avery and Ellie.
Ellie smiled at her friend as she skipped along beside Wyatt. “The two of them are so cute together and so perfect for each other.” She turned back to face Avery. “I’m glad you came to the costume party the other night at Blaze. Did you have fun? You left kind of early. I was worried about you. I was hoping maybe you might meet a Daddy of your own.”
Avery flinched and looked away. She didn’t want to reveal anything about her relationship with Trace yet. Could she even call it that? She’d only known him a few days. Already he seemed to have claimed her as his own Little girl. When Avery thought about it, it felt absurdly too soon to be talking like that and pondering the things she had going through her mind.