The Baker

Chapter 9

Cassie took a deep breath as she stepped out of the cab that stopped in front of the address Ben had given her earlier in the bakery. She looked up at the beautiful home, noting that it looked like something Ben would live in. She was taking out her wallet to pay the cabbie, the front door of the house opened, and a baritone voice, called, “Don’t you dare!” Cassie quickly turned to see Ben running towards her with cash in his hand. Cassie hastily paid the cabbie and, before Ben could reach them, he drove off. “I can pay my own fare, you know,” she told him, crossing her arms. Ben nodded, then said, “Note to self: new girlfriend can be very independent. Better let her pay for her own things on occasion, even though it nearly kills me.” Cassie’s flat lined mouth, turned into a wide grin. Ben chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. He dipped his head next to her ear, then whispered, “I’m sorry.” Cassie nodded and said, “It’s okay. You’re just being a gentleman.” Ben looked at her and said proudly, “I am, aren’t I? Trying to treat my girlfriend and getting shut down for it.” Cassie giggled, “Shut up.” She entangled her fingers into his hair and brought him down for a kiss. Before he could deepen it, she pulled back and asked, “So what’s on the menu tonight, Chef Cumberbatch?” He smiled and said, “Chicken Parmesan. I assume you like Italian, seeing your name is from their origins.” “I love Italian! It’s my favorite!” Ben held out his arm to her and said in a very good french accent, “Right this way, mademoiselle.” Cassie lightly laughed and took his arm, letting him lead her inside. Continuing in his accent, he asked, “May I take your jacket?” He slid it off her arms to reveal her white, summer dress. As he was hanging up her coat, he got a glance at her cleavage. He saw a white, lacy bra that made a tingle go straight to his groin. He accidentally dropped her coat on the floor, before he reached the coat rack. “Sorry, sorry,” he said quickly, picking it up with haste and placing it carefully on the rack. “You okay?” She asked him. He cleared his throat and said, “Of course. You just, um…you look very beautiful.” Cassie blushed and said, “I just threw this on, really—.” “Cass,” Ben said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Take the compliment. And please believe it.” She took a deep breath and nodded. “Good,” he smiled, then kissed her cheek. Going back to his french accent, he said, “Come with me, mademoiselle.” Cassie giggled and said, while she walked, “I didn’t think french went with Italian.” “Oh, yes, madam,” he told her, while pulling out a chair for her at the table. “We like a variety of things. Especially, the Italians. Now, wait here.” He disappeared into the kitchen and returned a few seconds later with a bottle of wine. “Will this suit your liking?” He asked, still going with the french. She nodded, “Very much so, thank you.” He poured some into her glass, and then into his. He left the wine on the table, but then went back into the kitchen. While he was in there, Cassie looked around and noticed that he had set everything up in his living room. It’s a very modern and simple setting. Nothing like other actors with lots of money would have. She heard Ben walk back in and she asked, “So, do you rent or own?” In his normal voice, he answered, “Own. Actually this is an adjoining apartment, really. I own both the upstairs and downstairs. More privacy and more room in case I have guests.” He set down a plate of delicious looking Parmesan in front of her and said, “Dinner is served.” “Wow,” she gasped. “This looks and smells very good!” “Thank you,” he smiled. He placed his own dish down on the other side of her and walked over to a draped window. “I thought we could use a little view with dinner,” he told her, while pulling the drapes back, reviling a full view of London. Cassie gasped. “That is beautiful!” Ben sat down next to her and said, “I knew you’d like it. We could eat dessert out on the terrace if you’d like.” “That sounds great!”

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A/N: Next chapter will have smut! You've been warned!