Page 19 of Rival Hearts
“Hey guys, this looks great.” Shannon and Cole approach our booth as the sound of a band outside wails in the background. One of the marching bands must have decided to provide people with an encore.
“Thanks. This is our moment of truth. Whether or not we totally fucked up our businesses, or if combining was a good choice.”
“It's a good choice. A smart one.” Shannon comforts me again. She's heard me go back and forth on this for the past couple of weeks. Like a broken record, I’m sure I’ve driven her crazy with my worries.
“Yeah, it's not like the two of you disappeared. Your businesses are still the same. Just in one convenient location,” Cole interjects, offering a closed fist for Caleb to pound with his own in greeting.
“That's what I've been telling her. But Sierra likes to worry.”
“No kidding.” Shannon laughs. “We’ll catch you guys later, okay? Willow is here with Rhys somewhere at a booth for his custom ironwork, and I’m curious to see it all displayed.”
After agreeing to meet up for dinner, Caleb and I turn on the smiles and greet everyone who passes by. A blur of new and familiar faces, all excited about Crossing’s Cups & Cakes, form a constant line around us, and every so often Caleb catches my eye and winks or smiles or mouths some kind of encouragement. In general, crowds don’t bother me, but with the stress of launching something new, meeting so many people can be overwhelming. Caleb’s calm presence and attention helps ground me in a way I didn’t expect.
People compliment our new name, the cute rebranding, the updated coffee and pastry flavors. All in all, it's been the best launch I could have imagined. And I'm grateful for Luna suggesting the idea. For Caleb pushing me to accept it.
***
“You're amazing, you know?”
“I do,” I say with a grin. After an exhausting day, we’re both leaning against the Crossing’s Cups & Cakes counter looking out the front windows at a glowing Main Street. Leftover candy and confetti—remnants from the earlier parade—litter the sidewalk where the garbage patrol missed some spots. “But why exactly am I amazing today?”
“You’re great with customers, as expected, and you've really trusted me these past few months. Something I never thought you would do, but I'm grateful for it.”
“It's easier to trust you when we're working towards a common goal.”
“True.” He laughs. “Have you thought about us anymore? Since our date, our relationship has kind of been on the backburner because of how hectic it’s been around here. But things aren’t going to slow down anytime soon.” Caleb faces me and cups my cheek. “If we want this to work, we’ll need to make time for it.”
He’s right. Ever since our date and that amazing night together, I've been thinking about what our future holds. Dating my business partner. Falling in love with my former enemy. And today helped me remember what good can come from taking a leap of faith.
“I agree.” I turn my head to plant a kiss in the center of his palm. “We may have started out rocky—mostly because of me and my theatrics.” I roll my eyes heavenward at the bark of laughter he tries to disguise as a cough. “But even when I referred to you as my archnemesis, I still had this pesky attraction to the guy next door.”
“Pesky?” Caleb mock frowns and slaps my ass before hooking me around the waist and tugging me closer.
“Yep. How could I have a thing for my enemy? The guy who drove me crazy? It wasn’t rational.”
“It’s hot. Everyone falls for the villain these days.”
“You're not a villain. You’re the push I needed to break out of my rut. A rut I didn't even realize I was in until you made me see it. So, thanks.”
“You're very welcome, sweetcakes.” Caleb takes a deep breath then slowly exhales, his tender gaze studying mine. “Thank you for trusting me and giving me a chance. I promise you won't regret it.”
“Oh, I'm sure I'll regret it sometimes. You can be very annoying when you want to be,” I tease.
“You make it so easy.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just kiss me already.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He presses a hard kiss to my lips, and I follow his mouth when he retreats, hoping for something a little longer, a little more passionate, which is when my frustrating but endearing man suggests, “Let's have a quickie in celebration for our first day in business.”
At first, I think he’s kidding, but then Caleb drags me back to our office, away from the front window where anyone driving by could see us.
“This is so unprofessional.” But I don’t fight him when he unbuttons my jeans. Or rips my CCC tee off. Not even when he bends me over his desk, my palms clinging to the edges of the heavy oak.
“You okay, sweetcakes?” Caleb pauses with the head of his cock at my soaking entrance, waiting for my consent.
“More than okay.” I rock my hips back in a silent plea. “Don't stop now. We were just getting to the good part.”
A rumble of amusement vibrates against my back before the swift thrust of his cock burying deep steals my breath. Holy hell, I knew he'd feel good, but damn… The stretch of his thick length pummeling in and out of my pussy is more than I imagined.