Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Most importantly, you’re safe.”
“Because of you.”
“No way. I wasn’t there. You dropped that man into the dirt. I just taught you how to do it.”
“I was pretty spectacular,” Lark said proudly.
“You were incredible.”
“Thank you.”
Wyatt drew her over to the couch, weaving around the boxes that dotted the floor, and sat down with her on his lap. “Do you want to talk about today?”
“No, not really. I mean, I might later on, but for now, I don’t feel too shaky about it. I’ve taken a lot of people to see houses. This is the first time anyone has touched me like that. Looking back, I see the warning signs.”
“Then we’ll leave it alone.” Wyatt pulled her close. “I want you to move in here, kitten.”
“I know. But I’m not ready to do that yet.”
Wyatt nodded and kissed her. “I’ll take the yet. What do you think of the house with furniture?”
“I like it. I’d move a few things around a bit. Maybe get rid of a few boxes.”
“You think?” he teased, looking around at the organized chaos that his team had left after the move.
Ding, dong! Ding, dong! Ding, dong!
The front doorbell rang with a vengeance as if someone was holding down the button. Wyatt lifted Lark to her feet before standing. As he opened the door, Daisy burst inside, followed by Ellie. Both women wore their working attire. Cupcake batter was splattered over Ellie’s apron.
“Are you okay?” Ellie demanded, wrapping her arms around Lark.
“How did you hear?” Lark looked at her two friends in astonishment.
“Daisy got an order for these,” Ellie announced from the doorway, holding a cute bouquet of sunny daffodils and hyacinths. She set them on the entryway table.
“And?” Lark asked, totally baffled.
“The customers added a card. Lark, we hope you’re okay! Stan and Tabby.”
“I’m fine, guys. I’m sorry you were worried.” She glanced at Wyatt. “Who are Stan and Tabby?”
He smiled. “The next door neighbors. I was talking to them when you called. I guess they heard enough of what happened before I drove off.”
“Tell us what happened,” Ellie encouraged again.
Quickly, Lark ran through the ordeal.
“I’m glad you gave it to him,” Ellie cheered when Lark got to the part about Paul’s bruises providing proof that the incident had occurred.
“Thanks to Wyatt’s class.” Lark held out a hand to the man who lounged against a chair back. He immediately walked behind her to wrap his arms around her waist. She knew he’d always have her back.
“Thanks for checking on Lark,” Wyatt said.
“So, this is your new house.” Daisy looked around. “I love it.”
“We do, too,” Wyatt answered.
Ellie glanced at Lark, wiggling her eyebrows, a grin on her face. She’d obviously caught the word “we” in Wyatt’s response as if the house belonged to both Wyatt and Lark. No way would Ellie let that go. She’d be calling to get more details first chance she got.
Ellie looked down at her watch a second later. “Crap. We have to get back. The evening rush is going to start. Teddy’s minding the store.” A mental image of Daisy’s immense Daddy handling a line of fervent cupcake buyers popped into Lark’s mind.
“Go!” Lark encouraged. “Thanks for bringing the flowers.”
As quickly as the women had flown in, they scampered back to the flower delivery van and headed back to the stores they had abandoned.
“I think I’m going to like our neighbors,” Wyatt commented as he closed the door behind their guests.
“Me, too.”
Lark hesitated a minute before meeting Wyatt’s gaze.
“What’s going through that gorgeous mind, kitten?”
She licked her lips. “I’m feeling really vulnerable, Daddy. Could you show me what it’s like to really be Little?”
“Of course. I bet you’re hungry,” Wyatt suggested without blinking at her request.
“I am,” she admitted.
“Let’s get you out of these big girl clothes and into something comfortable. Then, I’ll make us dinner.”
“I don’t have any clothes here.”
“Mine will be way too big, but I think we can come up with something for you to wear. Come on.” Wyatt held out his hand and led Lark into his bedroom.
Rifling through his drawers, Wyatt pulled out a T-shirt and a pair of fitted boxers. Within moments, he transformed her from elegant real estate agent to comfortable home dweller.
“Let’s roll this waistband over a few times to help them stay up,” he suggested.
He hadn’t let her help at all, but had simply taken control. His touch had been casual but loving, making her feel comfortable to be undressed and redressed. Now wrapped in the baggy clothes, Lark breathed a sigh of relief as she relaxed.
“I definitely need to go to the store, but I have a few things the squad moved from my apartment. How about mac and cheese for dinner?” he suggested as they headed back to the kitchen.
“They got all this done in one day?”
“Avery had it all organized. She unpacked the essentials while the guys lugged in all the furniture. I’m lucky to have her as a partner. You sit here at the counter and talk to me as I cook.”