Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
All Tori could think about was his hand holding hers. Every once in a while, he’d squeeze her fingers to emphasize something he was saying. When he stopped at the car, Evan looked at her, and she realized he must have asked her a question.
“Um… Sorry?”
This time, her hand tightened around his as the handsome man wrapped his other arm around her to pull her body to his. “You captivate me, Tori,” he said for her ears only before leaning down to press a light kiss on her lips.
Surprised, she didn’t have time to panic as his lips explored hers softly. Automatically, Tori responded to his sensuous kisses as she tried to memorize this moment—his hard body against hers, the woodsy scent of his cologne, and his heat.
When Evan lifted his lips from hers, Tori slowly blinked her eyes open. She couldn’t misinterpret the desire in his gaze. He was attracted to her.
“You kissed me?”
“I did. I couldn’t wait any longer. Fair warning… I plan to kiss you often,” Evan assured her.
He opened the door and ushered her into the luxurious car. When the car door closed behind her with a solid thump, she watched Evan walk around the car. Oh, my God! He just kissed me!
She was still reeling as she watched him fold his long legs and toned body into the driver’s seat. Tori squeezed her thighs together, trying to stifle the heat building between them. Her body so easily responded to him. Keeping her gaze downcast, she glanced at his muscular thighs. Her breath hitched. She was pretty sure he was aroused too. Thank God, I can’t get an erection. He’ll never know how turned on I am.
“Ready to go make a stuffie?” he asked with a smile.
Frantically, she tried to pull her mind away from the spicy path it had raced down. “We don’t have to go to the Stuff-It store. It’s expensive.”
“Is that why you haven’t ever made a bear?”
“I make them online. I just don’t order them,” she shared. “By the time you add clothes and shoes, it’s way too much money.”
“Sometimes, you do things just for fun. So, what do you think? Bear or dog?”
“Bear or dog?” she repeated, not following his subject change.
“What kind of stuffie would you like to get?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She’d look and find the least expensive. Tori didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity.
“What do you like to do when you’re not at Little Cakes, Tori?” Evan asked as he turned into the mall parking lot.
“I love to draw and color or read. I live with my brother. He’s really nice and lets me live in the room upstairs. I try to stay quiet, so I don’t bother him because he works from home,” she replied.
“Do you enjoy living with him? Would you rather be in an apartment alone?” Evan asked as he pulled into a parking spot.
“I might be too scared to live by myself. I’ve never done that. My brother says I’ll do great.”
“It sounds like your brother is a good guy,” Evan observed.
“He is.”
Turning off the engine, Evan shifted to look at her. “Tori, I want you to pick out something that you love. This is now officially Spoil Tori Day. I don’t want you to look at prices. Choosing your stuffie is special. You don’t just make do.”
“Can you read my mind?” she whispered.
“No, Curls. Your thoughts are your own. Ready to go find your new best friend?” he asked.
“Yes,” she nodded, suddenly very excited to go. Tori reached for the door release but froze when Evan covered her knee with one warm hand.
“Stay right there. I’ll come help you out.”
Tori sat back against the seat and nodded. She held her breath when he squeezed her knee slightly before releasing it. Exhaling a shaky breath when he exited the car, Tori couldn’t believe the crazy way her body responded to his touch. After stepping from the car, she put her hand in his when he reached for it as they walked to the mall. To her delight, Evan swung their hands between them. He seemed as excited as she was.
Once in the store, Tori looked around, unsure what to do. A cheerful employee bounced up to greet them.
“Hi! Welcome to Stuff-It where all stuffies and dreams come to life! Are you making a bear for your daughter?”
“No. We’re choosing a very special friend for Tori today,” Evan answered smoothly.
“You’re so lucky. I love finding new friends. I’ve got several at home,” she confessed. “I’m Rose, the owner. If you haven’t been here before, the process is simple. Just follow the numbers on the floor and you’ll move through the steps. Wave if you have questions and I’ll come help.”
“Thank you, Rose,” Evan said.
When the saleswoman had moved on to greet the next arrivals, Evan pointed to the large number one in front of the bins. “Looks like we start there.”