Over a year earlier, she had moved here to hide and lick her wounds after a nasty divorce. She remembered those dark days when she didn’t even have the energy to get out of bed, recalling the fresh dose of evil that her ex had heaped upon her. She had never been good enough for him: too fat, too skinny, too loud, too quiet, not good enough in bed, too slutty in bed, and the list went on. But one day she had decided that she wasn’t going to be a victim to her ex-husband, and now, over a year later, she was the proud owner of this increasingly famous bakery.
Lily was proud of the beautifully historic building that she had picked out. Its interior was warm, inviting, and handsome with dark mahogany wood that had intricate designs carved into its panels that shown from a fresh polish. Bookcases that her brother had built lined the wall and featured every book you could think of. Her brother, Matt, had been a huge help during her divorce and had jumped to support her when she had decided to open up the business. She honestly didn’t know what she would do without him.
With no one around, Lily began to immerse herself in the chores. She dusted the shelves, straightened books, and cleaned the tables and chairs. Her jeans hugged her rounded bottom as she bent over here and there to perform the various tasks
Lily had a body that was made to incite lust in to the hearts of men, and maybe even a few women. She had rich, dark red hair that revealed her Scottish heritage, emerald-colored eyes, and a classic beauty that could never be made at the hands of a surgeon. Now that she was away from her ex, she had come to love her body. She had always had a little extra to her due to her long-term love and relationship with cooking and baking, but with her careful workouts she was always able to ensure the “something extra” was distributed attractively.
As she finished the chores in the front of the shop, she heard a car door slam shut and looked with anticipation. A thrill of excitement went through her body as she watched Damien walk around his state patrol car and walk up to the door. He was absolutely the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on. He was tall, dark, deadly handsome, and had a body that Lily thanked the Marine Corp every damn day for. He made her drool. The bells above her door chimed as he opened it and walked in.
“How’s my favorite redhead?” His perfect smile almost blinded her.
“I’m terrific as always, Lieutenant.”
He chuckled. “How many times have I told you to call me Damien?”
“As many times as I have replied that I would if you came in out of uniform.” She smiled as he walked up to the bar to sit, placing his hat on the counter.
“Hmm. So, Red, what have you got for me today?”
“I have German chocolate cupcakes,” she said in a playful tone.
“Oh, talk dirty to me, Red. You know those are my favorite!” He looked at the cupcake she sat before him with a predatory look.
God, she wished she could be that cupcake.
Lily pulled out the crossword that she had been doing earlier for a moment’s distraction. The way he made love to that cupcake would do things to her and she often had to busy herself or she knew she’d give herself away. He moaned as he licked the last of the coconut frosting from his fingertips.
“Red, I think I’m in love with you.” His look was so comically sincere that she burst out laughing.
“Just wait until you see what I have for you.” His eyes were round with anticipation and excitement as Lily placed a small pink box in front of him. Lifting the lid, he revealed the four German chocolate cupcakes inside. “I saved them from the vultures for you. Can’t have my favorite lieutenant going without his fix during his shifts, now can I?”
“Scratch my previous statement. I am in love with you and may need to go to the jewelers.” He closed the lid and slid the box over, placing his hat on top of it. He loved her twinkling giggle as she picked up his plate.
“Can you please lock up the door for me? Then come into the back while I wash dishes.”
“Yes Ma’am!” He gave a salute and she laughed all the way to the kitchen.
**
Lily was elbow deep in bubbles when Damien made it back to the kitchen. His eyes immediately went to her jean clad ass and had to stifle a moan. She had the juiciest ass he had ever laid eyes on and his palms itched with the need to squeeze those cheeks. He walked over to the island by the sink, leaning against it as he watched her perform her task.
“How was your shift today?”
“It was pretty interesting. I was nearly propositioned by a group of seventy-year-old women returning from a trip to Florida,” answered Damien.
“Oh, Sweet Patrice, that is hilarious. Glad to see you made it out of there alive, though they may have been able to teach you a few things, I’m sure.” Lily had finished the last of her dishes and began to drain the sinks. Drying her hands, she walked over to the island to put away flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
“So, do you have any plans tonight, Red?”
“No. My neighbor, Sam, is out of town to visit his daughter, so I’m stuck with my fat cat.”
“You two are going to get into trouble one of these days,” he said. He eyed her as she continued to work around him. She smelled like sugar.
“Nah. He’s harmless. He just likes to come over and watch old movies with me, is all.”
“What about the time you two were nearly arrested for going “ghost hunting” out at the old Parris place?”
“I plead the Fifth.”
“Hmm-hmm, I bet you do.” He smiled at her as he picked up a bowl of coconut frosting.
“And just what do you think you’re doing, Mister?”
“Eating my frosting, woman.”
“Woman!?” She feigned indignation as she tried to reach for the bowl.
He raised it above his head out of her reach, causing her to collide with his body in her urgency. She gasped as her body came into almost full contact with his for the first time. The pins of his uniform scraped against her breasts as his utility belt dug into her stomach. She thought she saw a flash of something before she pulled herself off of him and crossed her arms.
“Fine, then. Have your frosting.”
As she started to turn, Damien grabbed her arm gently to stop her.
“I think we should talk about that,” he said. He set down the bowl of frosting.
“About what?” She wouldn’t look at him.
“Don’t pretend like you didn’t just feel that, Red; or have been feeling it for that matter.”
Her mouth formed an “o” as her face registered shock. “I just had the luxury of feeling that voluptuous body pressed against mine, and Red, I think I really need to feel more.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Lieutenant,” said Lily. Her voice sounded small and she still refused to look at him.
Damien pulled her towards him and turned them around so that her back pressed against the stainless steel table. Bending to grab her behind her knees, he lifted her up onto the table and placed both of his hands on the table beside her. She was doing a wonderful job at ignoring his gaze.
“Lily, I want you and if you can’t give me a good reason, I plan on taking you right here.”
Her eyes finally snapped up to look into his.
“I….I, we shouldn’t….my div—.