Welcome to Wickedly Sweet, where each bite is sinfully delicious.
Noa Baudet has always longed to open her own specialist cupcake shop. So, when an opportunity arises at her favourite bakery in her hometown, Noa ditches her tailored suits for a flo...
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Dark eyes pinned me to the spot, and my mouth turned dry. I couldn't utter a word in response. Not that he had spoken yet, but it felt like someone should speak; break the spell so we could move and he could leave. The smile on his face confused me more than his presence in a place where I didn't expect him. Last I heard, he was working up in London. Not that I'd been keeping tabs on him.
His fingers laced around my upper arm like silken ropes, and my breath caught in my throat. He was just as devastatingly gorgeous as he was all those years ago; light brown skin, eyes that changed intensity depending on the light and made you forget all train of thought, and rugged facial hair that stopped him from looking too preppy in his fitted suits.
But I knew the real him and looks weren't everything.
He sank to his knees, his powerfully lean body overshadowing mine even from this new angle, and his exquisite, rich scent overwhelming my judgment. Not today. He wouldn't get the better of me. So what if my body betrayed me by the twists and rolls in my gut? My brain wouldn't, and knew to shut down any emotions before they took over.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you. Are you okay?"
Instead of turning away from his scrutinising stare, I held it behind the protective barrier of my sunglasses and pushed myself up despite the pain in my backside. "I'm fine."
"Let me help you with these." With one hand on the floor, he bent and collected my forgotten notes, grouped them into a neat pile and looked over the recipe at the top of the stack. "Oh, this looks tasty. Is that creamed chestnuts and meringue?" Daan beamed up at me from his crouched position. Oddly, there was something slightly satisfying at having him look up to me for a change.
I uncrossed my arms to snatch the papers from him, but he held onto them as he straightened up. My attempt to appear hostile went unnoticed, and that aggravated me more than the flirtatious smile that had no right to be plastered on his face; strikingly handsome face, but that was beside the point.
"Are these your recipes? I'd love to try one someday. If it's not too forward maybe I can see the rest of them over a cup of coffee?" The instant his gaze caught mine, I recognised that glint in his eyes that usually had every opponent and ally begging to be on his side. Well, I wouldn't fall for that again.
My jaw clenched, and I mentally forced myself to release it before reaching for my notes once more. My fingers brushed his as I gripped the sides, and he placed his other hand on my forearm to steady himself.
"This isn't funny anymore, Daan."
I didn't know what game he was playing, but I didn't like it. And then it clicked. He had no clue who I was. The confusion that flashed in his eyes made it apparent. Did I even know who he was anymore? University seemed like centuries ago when in reality it was a handful of years, but the disdain I harboured for him had never faded. Even if my judgement lapsed that one time. It only took once to make a fool out of yourself. His grip slipped down to my wrist and tightened.
