Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
“I’m Tarson Kirkwood, a friend of Daisy Galante. She called me after she talked to the 911 operator.”
“I’m Daisy,” she said, walking forward to meet the officers.
After they introduced themselves, one asked, “I don’t suppose you have security cameras?”
Daisy clapped her hands together. She hadn’t thought about the cameras. “Flowers rarely put up a fight, but yes. I do. Maybe that will help catch them. The owner of the strip center might have some video too.”
“Who’s the owner?”
With Garrett Erickson’s information recorded, the other policeman asked, “Can you tell us what happened?”
Running through the story, Daisy tried to stay unemotional, but the invasion and destruction had taken a toll. When a familiar warmth approached her from behind, she backed up to lean against Teddy’s—um, Bear’s—hard body. She mentally corrected herself. Daisy needed to remember not to call him by the nickname some Littles used at Blaze, the BDSM club they belonged to. Her hand reached back for his and she unwound the tiniest fraction more when Bear linked his fingers with hers.
“I’ll file a report, Ms. Galante. Be sure to contact your insurance to make a claim for damages. There have been other incidents with this group. They seem to take advantage of unlocked doors, so stay vigilant about securing rear entrances—especially in off hours when no one’s around,” one police officer suggested.
“Thank you, sir. Believe me, I’m going to lock the door next time.”
When they left, Bear moved silently around the workroom to remove the trashed remains of the wedding bouquets. Unable to give in to the fright, Daisy went back to work, determined to recreate the bouquets she’d lost and finish the orders. “You don’t have to stay with me, Bear. I’ll be fine.”
Bear frowned at her. “I’m not leaving you here alone, Little girl.”
“It will probably take me most of the night to complete this order. I don’t want to put you out.”
He narrowed his gaze at her. “Daisy, you do realize I’m a Daddy, right?”
She swallowed, nodding.
“What kind of Daddy would I be if I left a Little girl alone in her shop all night after a break-in?”
“Okay,” she whispered. She had a lot of work to do, and her adrenaline was pumping hard. She was grateful that Teddy stayed to help clean up and keep her company.
Daisy jumped in her spot and turned around to stare at the back door many hours later when it opened.
Daisy blew out a breath of relief when she realized it was Erica. Was it morning already?
“I was joking about you still being here in the same clothes, Daisy.” Erica laughed. “Did you fall asleep?”
When Bear moved into view, Erica exclaimed, “Wow! Maybe sleep wasn’t what kept you from making bouquets.”
“Erica, this is Tarson. He came to stay with me after some men broke into the shop last night.”
Erica gasped, her eyes wide with concern. “You were still working?”
“I was working on the bridesmaids’ arrangements. When the men didn’t find money to steal, they destroyed several bouquets.”
“On it. Let’s get these finished.” Erica didn’t ask any more questions. She immediately got started.
Daisy knew Erica would inundate her with questions when the order was finished, but she’d shelved everything for now to concentrate on getting the arrangements done. Smiling gratefully at her irreplaceable assistant, Daisy tugged Bear to the back door.
“Thank you for coming to stay with me. I was pretty petrified,” Daisy confessed. “You were the best friend.”
“Call me if you need me again,” Bear sternly directed.
Daisy picked up that Bear wasn’t manifesting the dungeon master role he assumed at Blaze. That’s who he was—fierce and protective. She nodded, “I will.”
“Oh, and Little girl, I’m not interested in being a friend.”
She stared at him, unable to form a coherent answer to that statement. When he lowered his head to kiss her softly, there was no mistaking his meaning. Daisy clung to his broad shoulders, only releasing him when Bear stepped away.
“Go make beautiful flowers, happy Little girl,” he said as he disappeared through the door.
When it clicked behind him, Erica whistled low. “I’m going to have to make it cooler in here. That was hot.”
Chapter Two
Daisy hesitated outside Blaze. She hadn’t been to the club since the store invasion. Her thoughts had examined that kiss from all angles and she’d decided either Bear’s kiss meant he was interested in her or he’d just been reassuring a Little. Scared to find out which one it was, she’d avoided asking him every time he called.
Finally, Daisy decided she had to know. She’d driven like a wild woman to Blaze so she didn’t have time to talk herself out of going. Forcing herself out of the car, she straightened her braids over her shoulders and walked to the door. A new face answered the door.
“Password, please.”
“Um… Flames?” Daisy suggested hesitantly. Bear was always there to recognize her and let her inside. She hadn’t used the password for a long time.