Page 29 of Blood Sugar

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, smiling sheepishly as she stepped back. One manicured finger wiped over her lip, checking for blood. She was perfect, of course.

Coughing, I straightened. “Alright, prepping for the Pumpkin Festival. It’s still too early to bake everything, but some items we can get started on.”

It was like trying to walk through frosting, gathering up my thoughts and trying to function after having her body against mine and her mouth on my skin.

“I’d like to try baking something all on my own,” Sadie said, rubbing her lips together nervously.

“Okay.”

“Just give me the recipe. Maybe something on the easier side, but I’m confident I can do it.”

“I think you can too,” I agreed, unable to help the twitch of my lips. Her confidence in the kitchen was growing. “Most items we can’t bake yet. We’re still four days out. But the quick breads freeze beautifully, so we can make those now. How about you start the pumpkin bread, and I’ll work on the pumpkin caramel sauce we will need for basically everything.”

“Perfect!”

Bouncing on her heels, Sadie riffled through the recipes until she found the pumpkin bread. I dragged my focus away from Sadie, forcing myself to stare instead at the stovetop as I set the thick pot in place. Cast iron held magic better, and I was spelling the sauce, but the stainless steel was much easier to clean.

Yes, keep thinking about crockery and not the way Sadie’s lips would look—Fuck!

“Rowen? Does this—” she started to say, but stopped herself. “Never mind. I know what I’m doing, for real this time, I swear.”

Her laughter rang out in the bakery, and I couldn’t help the small smile curving my lips.

For the next thirty minutes, she mixed and then baked a batch of pumpkin bread. I finished my caramel sauce and was setting the last of it into containers to cool when Sadie let out a shriek.

“It’s ready!”

Exhaling, I pivoted to face her, fighting the instinct to scold her for scaring me. With a flourish, she opened the oven door and pulled out three trays of pumpkin bread. Each little loaf was perfectly domed. At first glance, I saw absolutely nothing wrong with them.

“I think I did it!” she said, grinning at me. “I can’t wait to check one.”

That was something I could help with. Moving to her side, I selected a loaf and muttered a cooling spell, pouring more of my magic energy into it.

Grasping the mini loaf pan, I slid the pumpkin bread out and sat it on the counter. “Go ahead and try it. I could use a snack,” I said.

Sadie wasted no time. Biting her lip, she sliced into the bread and then brought a sliver to her mouth. I watched as she popped it between her red lips. Her lashes fluttered closed as she ate the bite. I could already tell it was perfect.

Fuchsia eyes popped open, wide with wonder. “It’s actually good. Like I didn’t fuck it up. I can’t believe it!”

Her entire face lit up, and she bounced on her heels, a wide grin overtaking her delicate features.

“Of course—” My praise was cut off as Sadie threw herself into my arms.

I caught her on instinct, and she grabbed my face in her delicate hands and yanked it to hers. I went willingly. Our mouths crashed together for a few glorious seconds. Sadie released me, leaning back as much as she could with my arms scooped around the small of her back, lifting her up. Her grin was replaced with a look of shock.

“I’m sor—”

Before she could properly apologize, I slanted my head and brushed my lips over hers again, softly.

“Don’t apologize. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to kiss you.”

“What?” she murmured, blinking at me when I pulled back.

“I can’t help it,” I admitted. “I tried to shut it off because of the job, but I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you in that bar.”

“Rowen,” she whispered.

“I didn’t want to pressure you,” I said wryly. “But if you want me too, we can—”