Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Good.” He waved a hand toward the enclosed room that would be his office. “Would you like to go first?”
Avery groaned inside but nodded. “Of course.” She followed the silver fox to his office.
He closed the door and motioned to a chair across from his desk. Instead of rounding to the other side of the desk, he took the seat next to her and crossed his legs. Inches separated them.
Avery made the mistake of inhaling deeply. The man even smelled good. Like his aftershave and soap and…she couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe it was just him. And why was she thinking about his scent. She shook her head to try to clear it.
“Relax, Avery. I swear this is just a get-to-know-you meeting. Nothing else. I have no preconceived notions about anyone on staff here. I like to form good relationships with my detectives. Tell me about yourself.”
Avery blinked. What? Tell him what? “Uh…” she stammered.
Suddenly she realized why he made her so nervous. It wasn’t simply because he was sexy and handsome and built with amazing hair and gorgeous eyes and the perfect jawbones. It was because he put off strong Daddy vibes that made her fidget.
She wiped her hands on her thighs and forced herself to hold his gaze. He was calm and in control. Dominant in that way some men just were without trying. She wanted to climb into his lap and rest her head on his shoulder.
What. The fuck. Is wrong. With you.
He glanced at her file and back at her. “Avery Mae Reynolds.”
She cringed at the mention of her middle name.
“What? You don’t like your name?” His eyes were slightly wrinkled in the corners as if he were teasing her. Was he?
She shrugged. “I don’t mind it, I guess. My middle name is kind of antiquated.”
“Mae? I like the name Mae.”
She had no idea how to respond, so she simply stared at this gorgeous man. Your boss, she reminded herself.
“What do you like to do on your time off?” he prompted, not looking the least bit fazed by her obvious nervousness. “Besides eat black cupcakes that turn your mouth black.” He was teasing her.
“I, uh, jog.” That was a safe answer.
He smiled warmly. “That’s kind of obvious. Tell me something I wouldn’t know.” His eyes narrowed. “Wait. Where do you jog?”
“Around my neighborhood,” she murmured, wondering why he was questioning her jogging habits.
“Alone?”
“Uh, yeah. Usually early in the morning.” Whaattt?
His lips parted again. He was about to say something, and then he sucked it back. He wasn’t sitting as relaxed anymore either. He’d stiffened.
Suddenly, she knew exactly what he was thinking and hadn’t said, and it confused the hell out of her. He didn’t like her jogging alone. A cop. A trained professional.
Her emotions were all over the place as she processed that information. Her first thought was fuck you and don’t you dare insinuate I can’t take care of myself. Her second thought was how sweet that he cares about my safety and wellbeing. Her third thought was yeah, this man is a Daddy.
It wasn’t rational. She didn’t have enough information. It was a gut feeling. Nothing more.
He planted his feet on the floor and leaned forward so his elbows were on his knees. He rubbed his hands together. Only a few inches separated them now. “Can I just say something?”
She nodded while thinking please don’t. She was fidgeting badly now, and she gripped the sides of her chair so tight with her fingers they were white. She was sitting ramrod straight, feet on the floor, back stiff enough she could balance a book on her head.
“When we’re at work, I will never ever treat you one bit differently than anyone else on this force. You’re equal to every man and woman in your position. I promise.”
Her breath hitched. When we’re at work… What the fuck? The implications were too many to ponder. She could not read him. She wasn’t sure she wanted to.
“How about if I tell you something about me, and then you reciprocate?” He lifted a brow.
“Uh, okay.” She couldn’t seem to think in full words. He was so damn dominant that she struggled to remain in her adult headspace. Did he know it?
“When I’m not at work, I like to cook. It relaxes me. I make a mean lasagna.” He smiled. “Your turn.”
She swallowed. “I like lasagna.” What the hell am I saying? She was concerned that her voice might have betrayed her. Had she sounded Little?
He smiled wider. “Good. I’ll remember that, but it doesn’t answer my question.”
Damn, he was certainly intent on finding something out about her. Apparently her workout and food choices weren’t enough. She decided she could at least counter him. “Sometimes I cook too, but sometimes I eat frozen dinners or takeout.”
He chuckled. “How do you stay so fit?”