Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“The bad guys won that day. I try to make sure that doesn’t happen again. I know CC misses Darren terribly. They were perfect together.”
“Sounds like you miss him, too.”
“Of course. He was one of us. My squad always has each other’s backs.” Wyatt took another sip of the steaming chocolate.
Instinctively, Lark wiped the dot of cream from the corner of his mouth. When his eyes lit with heat, she sat back to apologize, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. For once, I’m glad CC ignored my request for no whip.”
A black cat jumped onto their table to investigate the contents of his cup. Laughing, Lark scooped him up for a quick cuddle and returned him to the floor. She snagged a poof ball from under her chair and tossed it for the cat to pounce on. The game was on as the cat played from table to table.
“That must be incredible. Everyone wants a taste,” she joked.
“Try it,” Wyatt suggested, holding it up toward her mouth. “I promise, I don’t have anything you can catch. I get tested regularly as part of my job.’
His casual statement contained a subtle message that he would never endanger her. It also offered the possibility of intimacy. She appreciated his directness.
“I’m certified safe as well,” Lark said, trying not to blush. To cover her embarrassment, she accepted the mug and took a sip.
“Mmm,” she murmured as the thick, chocolatey mixture tantalized her tongue. No wonder it was his favorite.
“Take one,” CC said, interrupting Lark’s delight in the hot chocolate by handing Wyatt a bottle of pills. Her hands were full of foam cups and other supplies.
Lark noticed the tablets were allergy pills as Wyatt tapped a few onto his palm.
“Getting blotchy, huh?” he asked before sneezing.
“Just a bit,” CC assured him.
Lark studied him, trying to figure out what was going on. Tangerine hopped onto Wyatt’s lap, attracted by the activity. Instantly, the powerful policeman sneezed, earning a disdainful look from the large orange cat as the creature distanced himself from the erupting human.
“Hey, Tangerine. I’m sorry,” Wyatt called before reclaiming his hot chocolate to swallow the medicine.
“You’re allergic to cats?” Lark asked, astounded as she put the pieces together.
Wyatt nodded with a wink as he took the wet cloth CC offered him to wipe his eyes and hands. “You’d think a tough guy like me wouldn’t cry over kittens.”
CC adeptly poured their drinks into to-go cups. “Sometimes, he can make it for an hour. It depends on the cats that are here. Sorry, Wyatt. I shouldn’t have asked you to help with the kitten.”
“Fuzz butt needed a home. A few sniffles are worth it. I’m afraid I’ll have to get out of here, Lark. Would you mind moving our date outside?”
Wyatt stood and extended a hand to her. Lark jumped to her feet, eager to get him out of there.
“He’ll be better in a few minutes. Make him walk you down to the fountain,” CC directed as she snagged the cloth back from Wyatt.
“Good idea, CC,” Wyatt agreed. He linked his fingers with Lark’s to tug her back to the double-door entrance.
“Sorry about that,” he apologized after they were outside.
“Don’t be. I can’t believe you go there even though you’re allergic.”
“I like cats. They like me. Besides, I want to check on CC and the hot chocolate can’t be beat. She keeps an eye on me and sends me away when I get blotchy. So much for showing you my handsome side,” he joked.
“A few spots don’t distract from your charisma,” Lark answered before her face heated as she realized she’d just revealed her attraction to him.
The small boy from the café rushed outside with his parents. The mom carried a cardboard pet carrier that looked just like CC’s store front. As Wyatt and Lark watched, a tiny black-and-white paw reached through the box toward the excited child.
“She wants more pets, Dad.”
“No opening the carrier until we’re inside the house,” the father warned, taking his son’s hand and leading him toward a waiting minivan.
“Can Oreo sit on my lap?” drifted back to Lark as the family walked away.
“Fuzz butt no longer,” Wyatt said in mock despair as he led her away.
“Oreo is a cute name,” Lark commented.
“She’s a lucky kitten. They’ll take good care of her.”
“They wouldn’t have seen her if you hadn’t charmed her out of the corner.”
“Maybe not. Look, there’s the fountain. Supposedly, if you throw a penny into it, your wish will come true.”
“I don’t suppose you have a penny I can steal?” Lark said with a laugh.
“Of course, I do. I want to make a wish, too.”
“What are you going to wish for?” she asked as they approached the large concrete fountain.
Wyatt stopped next to the low wall and turned toward Lark. Without hesitating, he cupped her jaw and stepped forward to press his lips against hers. Tender at first, heat built between them as he deepened the kiss. When he finally lifted his head, Lark looked at him, totally thrown for a loop. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been kissed before, but Wyatt totally eclipsed her past experiences. His kisses should be illegal.