Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I guess I was lucky you held the store open for me two nights ago, but it probably hadn’t been a safe choice for you. I could have been dangerous.” He frowned as he faced her.
Rose shrugged. “You didn’t put off a creepy vibe like that man. After my initial shock, I felt safe with you.”
“Still. It worries me that you might face a predator here at night. Do you walk out alone?” Adam asked.
“Yes. I’m always a bit scared. I’ve got the cash from the day for the bank deposit,” she admitted.
“I don’t like that, Little girl.”
“One of the responsibilities of the job. I could have a security guard walk me out, but Johnny isn’t always available, and his presence seems to draw more attention to me anyway.”
“I think you’re going to get tired of me, Little girl. Plan for me to be here to walk you to your car each night. Did you get any dinner tonight?”
“No, I’m running on cupcake fumes.”
“That’s not acceptable. You need to take better care of yourself,” Adam commented. “Will you come with me for a late-night snack?”
“I’d like to, but I need to stop at the bank and head home. I didn’t sleep too well last night. I was sure I’d ruin our cupcake date,” she admitted.
“I enjoyed our time together. I don’t live far away. How about if we go to my house after you close up tomorrow for a bedtime snack?”
“Like I’m going to sleep there?” she asked.
“You could. But I think you’d like to move slower to make sure I’m your Daddy. I’m not rushing you, pet. You are worth waiting for. I just want to feed you.”
He approached slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop him. Without saying any flowery words, Adam wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He cupped her cheek just as he had at Little Cakes. His thumb rubbed softly against her skin. Rose felt so cherished.
Rising to her toes, she pressed her mouth against his. Immediately, his hand wrapped around the back of her head and pulled her closer. Adam deepened the kiss, dipping inside to taste her sweetness. His soft moan of desire made her press her body closer to his chest as sweet heat developed inside her. She loved the feel of his hard chest against her. Adam held her as if he never wanted to let her go.
When he finally lifted his head, Rose could only stare at him. Her mom had always told her that she knew Rose’s father was the one for her when he kissed her in the hallway at school. Adam’s kiss made the men she’d dated before look like rank amateurs. The thought flashed in her mind that she couldn’t wait to make love to him. She felt her cheeks heat in response to that racy thought.
“I’d pay money to know what’s going on in your mind,” Adam whispered.
A clanking noise made them both jerk their attention toward the mall. Johnny, the security guard, stood with a large flashlight in his hand. He yelled loudly to be heard through the glass. “You okay, Rose?”
“I’m good, Johnny. Thank you for checking on me,” Rose hollered back and then looked apologetically at Adam.
“I’m glad he’s vigilant. He’s a nice friend to have.” When she nodded, he pivoted to look into the store with his arm still around her waist, holding her close. “What else do we need to do?”
“I think I’m ready to go after I empty the cash register.” Rose stepped away to grab the money pouch from her office and her large purse.
Adam automatically moved to block the view from the mall into the store as she removed the cash and coins from the tray. She loved that he thought of so many ways to take care of her. Peeking up at him as she put the last handful of bills into the bank deposit pouch, she found him watching her closely.
“Did those kisses seem different to you?” she asked. When he raised one eyebrow in amusement, she realized how he could take her question wrong. “I mean, were they special?”
“Yes, Rose. They were much more precious. I’m glad you felt that way, too, because I plan to kiss you often.”
Nodding, she answered honestly, “I’d like that.”
They gathered everything and went out the back entrance. Rose double-checked every step in her closing process. Having Adam there was a distraction.
The employee entrance was empty, and she was pleased to have him with her as she walked through the eerily quiet hallway and into the parking lot. There were a few groups of teenagers standing around the parking lot. Rose was used to their presence. She remembered being young and having nowhere to go to hang out with friends.
“Night, Stuff-It lady!” one called and waved.