Page 106 of Beneath the Quiet

She dashes away, and I can’t help but grin at the small businesswoman she already is. I jab the toothpick into the small bun and pop it in my mouth, and the moment the sweet and tart flavour hits my taste buds, I let out an appreciative moan and close my eyes.

“Good?”

I pop my eyes open and stare straight into Aidan’s smirk. I lick my finger and smile at the choked sound from his throat, please by his reaction. “Can’t you tell?”

He clears his throat, his eyes a raging storm as he fixates on my lips. “I’m glad,” he murmurs.

I glance around me to make sure I’m not holding back the next customer in line, but no one’s behind me. I place my basket on the counter just in time for Katie’s return. She’s wrapped up the jars and strawberries already and gingerly places them in the basket.

“It looks like you’ve run into a lull.”

Aidan nods. “Yeah, but hopefully not for long. As you can see, we’ve still got lots to offer.”

I point to the jars lined up on the counter between us.

“What are those?”

He picks one up and offers it to me. As our fingers touch, I stiffen, my gaze flickering up to meet Aidan’s. I narrow my eyes at his cocky grin but ignore it and read the label.

“Pickled walnuts?”

“That’s for cheese and crackers,” Katie jumps in.

Aidan’s eyes darken even further, and a delicious shiver runs down my spine. “And for figs, too.”

I lick my lips and place it carefully back. “Too bad I don’t like cheese.”

He shakes his head and puts it in my basket, and I raise my eyes at him. He shrugs. “Take one, anyway. I’m sure you’ll find another use for it.”

His rugged voice only adds fuel to the fire, heating my already raging libido, but I try to ignore the implications of his words. I can’t run away from the fact that my cheeks are flaming, though.

“Are you okay, Maeve?”

My head snaps in Katie’s direction, and I pull at the scarf around my neck.

“Yes. It’s just a lot warmer now than when I first got here.”

She frowns but then shrugs. “I suppose it is.” She glances between us before turning to her dad. “Dad, I promised to text Jamie about our sleepover. Is it okay if I do it now?”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

“Thanks.” She makes to leave but pauses and looks back at me. “I’ll see you later, Maeve.”

“Absolutely.”

I watch her retreating back for a moment, and once she’s out of sight, I look up at the infuriating man in front of me.

“You’re a fiend,” I hiss.

He leans a hip against the counter and crosses his arms. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

I glance around me to make sure no one’s around to eavesdrop on us and lean closer. “You were insinuating some hot and creative food sex with me in front of Katie!”

The urge to slap him only grows stronger when his smirk turns into a full-fledged smile.

“Relax, Mae. She didn’t notice anything.”

I sigh and rest my hand on the basket, pulling my shoulders up to my ears. “It’s not funny,” I grumble. “But I trust your judgment.”