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)
Ellie chuckled. “We have a celebrity in our little cupcake shop!” She clapped her hands together again and steepled them under her chin. “Wait until Sue finds out. She’s going to be so jealous. But you’ll come back again, right?”
Ellie spoke so fast it was hard to keep up. On top of that, Evan had his gaze focused on Tori. He cared far more about what she thought than anyone else in the room. He’d hoped she maybe hadn’t known who he was, and it would seem he’d been right. But unfortunately, the cat was out of the bag now.
Evan shook his head. “Ellie, you act like you’ve never seen me before.”
She shrugged. “When we’re at Blaze, I figure people might appreciate some anonymity, but we’re not at the club now.” She grinned.
The front door opened behind Evan, the tinkling of the bell causing him to glance over his shoulder. The man in the EMT uniform who stepped into the shop was Milo Dante, Riley’s Daddy and an amazing rope master.
“Hey, Evan. I didn’t know you came here,” Milo said as he approached.
“It’s my first time.”
Milo patted him on the shoulder on his way by, making a beeline for Riley. He rounded the counter before cupping her face and planting a possessive kiss on her lips. “Hey, Little panda,” he murmured when he was done. “How’s your day been?”
“Great.” Riley had that glassy-eyed look of someone newly in love, which Evan knew was the case. After all, lately, every time Evan saw Milo at the club, he was sitting at the bar flirting with Riley.
Evan looked over at Tori every few seconds. She was biting her lower lip and shuffling her feet. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. He kind of wished all these other people would disappear, but he wasn’t a rude person, so he put on his polite face.
Milo moved away from blocking the cash register, an arm around Riley as he looked back toward Evan. “Sorry. You probably came in for some cupcakes and I’m hindering you.”
Ellie giggled. “I don’t think he came in for cupcakes,” she joked.
Tori gasped softly and eased another step back. She was uncomfortable.
Milo’s eyebrows lifted as he glanced from one woman to another, finally settling on Tori before he grinned. “Ah. Well, I’ll get out of everyone’s way.” He kissed Riley again, focusing on her. “I just stopped by to let you know I get off at four today. I’ll pick you up, panda mine.”
Riley lifted onto her toes, grabbed his biceps, and planted yet another kiss on him before she whispered, “Okay, Daddy.”
Anyone else wouldn’t have noticed or heard her, but Evan wasn’t a vanilla sort of guy. He heard her just fine. Plus, Riley knew she didn’t need to hide her Little side from him. Evan was well aware she and Milo had a Daddy/Little relationship.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the kitchen doorway. “I’m gonna need a certain Little girl to get her rear back here and clean up these sprinkles or I’m going to tattle and someone’s going to get spanked.”
Tarson’s voice was its usual deep and masculine tone, but flavored now with mirth. There was no mistaking that source. Tarson could be a commanding presence as the main dungeon master at Blaze. Even Evan—who filled in for him when Tarson couldn’t be at the club—paid attention when he spoke.
Ellie’s reaction was a bit stronger. She spun around and rushed from the room immediately. “Coming, Bear.”
Tori looked like she wanted the earth to swallow her. She was mortified and beyond uncomfortable. Evan could only hope her discomfiture was strictly related to anxious embarrassment at being singled out and not because she didn’t like him.
“See you in a few hours,” Milo told Riley. “Nice to see you, Evan. I suggest you try the Red Velvet. It has recently become my favorite.” He chuckled on his way out.
Riley glanced at Evan and then Tori. “How about if you take your break, Tori. Maybe go for a walk.”
Tori shot her a look. “I’m not due for a break.”
Riley lifted both brows and stepped closer, whispering loudly, “Take a break anyway. I’m trying to help out.”
Evan was so humored he was struggling not to laugh. He schooled his face and focused on the very nervous Little girl who kept biting her lip with her gaze on the floor. He reached out a hand, hoping she would take it. “There’s a bench out front. Could we talk for a minute?”
She lifted her gaze and met his. Her hazel eyes were wide. She glanced at his outstretched hand and finally lifted hers.
Evan threaded his fingers with hers. “I’ll bring her back in a few minutes, Riley. Thank you.”
“No problem. Take your time. The shop isn’t busy right now.” She beamed.
Tori let Evan lead her out the front door and over to a bench. She tugged her hand free of his and sat with her palms under her thighs, swinging her legs. When she met his gaze, she licked her lips. “You didn’t tell me you were famous.”