Chapter Twelve

 

* LOGAN *

 

I knew there were a lot of people on Driftwood Island who were skeptical about my ability to handle a cash register, but I had proven them wrong today. The joke was on them, because I’d spent most of my teen years working at a clothing store in the mall, and I actually had quite a bit of experience with cash registers. It had been a while, but I picked up the skill again quickly, and I managed to run Julia’s coffee shop for her all day without any major catastrophes.

I could have just hired someone to take care of the café, but this place was Julia’s baby. She was nervous about passing off operations to someone who might not love the place as much as her, so I rolled up my shirtsleeves and took over. She, at least, had still baked all of the pastries and cupcakes. After we tasted a few bites of the cake I’d made for the Summer Fair, we’d both agreed that I shouldn’t give up my day job for a baking career. The cake had been, quite frankly, the driest, worst tasting cake I’d ever had in my life.

But even if I couldn’t bake cupcakes, I could sell them. I looked proudly over at the pastry case, which was almost empty. Julia was going to be so proud of me.

The bell above the door jingled, and I looked up to see a tired-but-happy looking Julia walking in.

“Sorry, I’m closed,” I said, crossing my arms.

Julia just grinned at me. “Learn to lock the door, then.”

I hopped over the counter in one smooth leap, strode to the door, and clicked the deadbolt into place behind her. Then I drew her into my arms and nuzzled her nose with mine “There. Locked. Are you happy?”

She giggled and glanced nervously at the street. Through the glass windows, anyone could see us, and Julia was a bit modest about public displays of affection. Not me, though. I didn’t care who saw us. If watching us kiss made them uncomfortable, they could look the other way. I pressed my lips against hers, and relished the feeling of her soft lips. My cock instantly began to stiffen, and I had a feeling I was going to have to carry her into the back office to make love to her before I would be able to drive home. She could make me hard in a matter of seconds, and the only thing that relieved the pressure was thrusting myself deep inside of her. It was a wonderfully annoying problem to have.

But before we started any shenanigans in the backroom, I wanted to hear how her day had gone. The whole reason I had run the bakery today instead of her was so that she could be near Decaf when he had his hip surgery. I assumed, judging by the happy look on Julia’s face, that the surgery had gone well. But I was still nervous as I asked her about it.

“How’s Decaf holding up?”

Her smile told me everything I needed to know.

“Really well, considering. The vet is hopeful that he’ll make a quick recovery.”

“Good. He deserves to be able to run pain-free on the beach.”

Julia laughed. “That dog has you wrapped around his paws.”

I gave her a sheepish look. “What can I say? He’s a good dog.”

“And you’re a good man. Seems like a good combination.”

I put my hands on my hips and pretended to be indignant. “If you’re trying to butter me up for a free pastry, you’re wasting your time. I run a tight ship around here. No discounts just because you’re the owner.”

She glanced at the pastry case, which was almost empty. “Looks like you ran a productive ship, too. You sold out of almost everything.”

“I know. I’d like to say that it’s all thanks to my excellent sales’ skills, but I think it has more to do with the fact that everyone in town knew I was working behind the counter today, and they all wanted to come get a glimpse of the billionaire working a cash register.”

“You do look pretty sexy in that apron.”

The teasing way she wiggled her eyebrows at me nearly undid me. “Come on,” I growled. “I’ll show you what’s underneath this apron.”

I grabbed her hand and started dragging her toward the back office. She came willingly, not even pretending to protest. We’d been banging like bunnies since that first night on the beach, and even though the logical side of me told me it was just because things between us were so new, I knew that it was more than that. My need for her was so much more than physical. Her body was irresistible, yes. But so was her spirit. She completed me in a way I’d never thought possible, and I couldn’t get enough of her. I would never be able to get enough of her.

But that wasn’t going to stop me from trying. I growled again as I glanced over my shoulder one last time to make sure that the front door was, indeed, locked.

I definitely did not want to be disturbed right now.