Page 75 of Go Cook Yourself
“I’ve got to go.” I rush to the exit, shoving my hair back into a messy bun. That woman was right. I was unprofessional. “Don’t say a word,” I snap at Wicksy and Kath.
Kath’s sneaky smile makes it worse as I push through the glass doors. I haven’t got a coat or my car keys.
I don’t own Garett. We’re not a couple. My anger only warms me for so long, and soon I’m shivering.
Voices herald that the women are leaving the cookery school. I sneak across the frost-covered ground to hide from them, and my shame combines with cold as the shivers become full-on shakes.
“How embarrassing was that woman?” one of the hens says. I recognise her voice from when she was chatting up Garett. “Who does that in the middle of a cookery class? I’m going to give them a low rating online.”
My heart sinks. This was why I avoided letting my feelings spill over into the business.
The future bride, who wasn’t flirting with Garett, replies, “They’re obviously dating. I’d have done the same if you were flirting with my man, Caroline. Don’t you dare give them a low rating. Honestly, it makes me want to give them a higher rating. I’m heading home to jump my man’s bones and feed him cake.”
The rest of the hens cackle. I release a quiet breath. Thank God for brides. Their cars disappear into the darkness, but I still hide. I can’t go back in and face the team, especially not Garett. I lick my lips. I can still taste the orange cocktail. I still want him. It never stops. And I can’t forget that he called me his good girl. Fuck, I felt that between my thighs.
“Rubes,” Garett calls out in the darkness. There’s a worry in his voice, and I flatten myself against the wall. If I’m stealthy, he’ll give up. The light from a phone falls on my body. “Baby, if you’re going to hide, maybe don’t do it so close to the front door.”
“You’re teasing gets old quickly,” I reply frostily, but it comes out jumbled as my teeth chatter.
“You’re cold. Why are you out here? You’ll get ill, and you can’t get ill now.” I don’t know if he’s referring to the busyness of the cookery school, the competition, or Christmas being nearly here. “Come here,” he says softly, opening his coat.
I sigh as I slip inside and against his chest as he wraps it around me. He smells glorious as always, and the warmth instantly heats my body. “You brought a coat.” My words are muffled against his chest, but he understands me.
“I didn’t know how long I’d have to search for you.”
That hits my chest like lightning. I hold my breath. He was willing to search for a while. This relationship will destroy me if I let it, yet I snuggle closer and breathe him in again. I get on my tiptoes, and he leans down and brushes my lips with his. “I’m sorry for the way I acted.”
“It doesn’t matter, Rubes. I’m sorry for being weird with you over the last weeks.”
“I thought you didn’t want to sleep with me again.”
“It’s all I’ve thought about. That night was the best I’d ever had, but I’ve had stuff going on in my head, and I wanted to give you the best version of me.”
I can’t tell if he’s lying. I hate that Neil made it harder to trust. Garett kisses me again, stilling my fears. It’s soft and gentle, but then, desire kicks in, and his hands are holding me close as he sucks my lip and takes control.
“Can we stay late and maybe use the hideaway?” I’m breathless and trembling from the kiss.
“Not tonight. I’ve got plans, but I must take you to the wine warehouse first. That okay?”
“Sure.” Disappointment threads through my body like his hands thread through my hair as he kisses me again. I whimper into his mouth.
“Night, you two,” Kath shouts as she leaves the cookery school. The door bangs. Wicksy can’t be far behind her as his chuckles carry on the wind.
“I’m comforting her,” Garett grunts.
“Of course you are. The best kind of comfort, mate,” Wicksy replies with a snigger.
I bury my face against Garett’s chest. He pulls my hair out of its elastic and plays with it. “Don’t worry. I’ve told them not to say anything.” He softens my fears even when I don’t share them.
But the idea that my family might find out still terrifies me, and I pull back. “Cool. Thanks. Right, let’s get to the warehouse, as I have a date with my bullet vibrator tonight.”
My joke elicits a growl from his chest that makes me hornier.
Fucking Garett and his fucking plans.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ruby