Marci nodded as she reached for one of the little cakes. “It's okay really. That also explains the really delicate details on the pink cupcakes. They're beautiful. My friend is going to be so happy, she loves strawberries right now, hence the cake flavor. I don't think she'd notice if the cakes were plain. As long as they are strawberry flavored.”
Turning each cupcake just so, a small part of her practically danced at the compliment. It didn’t take much these days.
A knock at the door jamb had both of their attention turning to see who it was.
Marci winked at Olivia. “Maybe your luck will change. There are a few single guys coming today. Feel free to stay." She walked away as she said, "excuse me.”
Olivia shook her head and lowered her voice. “I think I’m good. I don’t need anyone right now. I’ll just enjoy being single for a while.”
Something within her pulled her to look towards the door. There was no turning away once she saw him. Nearly dropping the cupcakes as her hands shook, she recognized the shifter from the fire station instantly.
Calm down, you idiot.
Deep breaths followed one after the other and didn’t seem to help steady the nerves quivering at his presence.
Why was he here? Why wasn't she wearing more makeup? Crap. Just Crap.
Dear Lord, she wanted to hide right now. Her body had hot flashes knowing Ethan stood feet away. Glancing around she realized the effort was useless. The open concept apartment left little to hide. She glanced over her shoulder, all cool and calm. Ha. Right.
Out of the corner of her eye, she nearly drooled over the muscles stretching the t-shirt he wore. His presence begged to be noticed. Something deep within her craved to be noticed by him.
Olivia turned back to the cupcakes. A spell to create a magic box would be nice right now. She could just crawl right in and stay there. Too bad that was beyond her scope.
A little girl ran by giggling to join other squealing kids.
“It's fine. He probably doesn't even know I'm here. I'm just a short, squatty little baker,” she said to herself. “There. That looks good. Maybe one more here-”
“You talk to your cupcakes now?”
Jumping at his voice, she dropped one, the poor thing landing with a plop. Glancing at the cake and back at him she nearly jumped. Magic zapped from her fingers unexpectedly.
“No...” Olivia mulled it over. What had he said? This had never happened before. What was her magic doing?
Conversation. This was a conversation with a hot guy. Right. “No. Don't be ridiculous. I talk to the voices in my head, not cupcakes.” She furrowed her brow. That backfired completely. Her attempt at a joke was just sad.
Heat started to creep up her chest. Could she have a heart attack just from being near Ethan?
Turning, she paused. He stood on the other side of the island, a giant ‘congratulations’ balloon bouquet the only thing between him and her. The balloons the only thing stopping her from the likelihood that she might forget all decorum and jump on him.
He chuckled, and the deep, smooth sound of it spoke to the long-forgotten muscles down below. Shake it off. She wasn't merely unnerved by him, she was damn near gutted.
“So, on that note of crazy, I'm done, and maybe it's time to go.”
Olivia piled extra cupcakes into a single box and placed it on the counter behind her. She needed to stay busy, her nerves kept firing and she didn't know what to think. Olivia grabbed the large empty boxes, breaking them down flat. All while pretending the walking wet dream behind her wasn't still there, his eyes on her every move. Like that isn't creepy. Who was she kidding though? All she wanted to do was stare at him.
Boxes broken down, Olivia realized she'd been on autopilot with no goal. Now what? “Any idea where the trash is?” she asked him.
Her fingers pricked again. Rubbing them together she focused on steadying her magic and her nerves. Magic misbehaving was new. She'd heard rumors of witches coming into their powers. Heard about the rush. She'd never felt that though. Not until today.
Ethan smiled, a motion that took him from burn your panties handsome to so hot the sheer possibility of her body incinerating from the inside out had her fanning away the flames licking at her cheeks.
“I think it’s under the sink.” His eyebrow cocked, and all she could image was that he knew. He knew what he was doing to her.
“Oh, of course.” She sidestepped over to the sink and opened the doors. The small trash wasn’t going to handle the over-sized cardboard.
“I don’t think she’d appreciate me leaving these in here. I’ll just take them to a dumpster.” A quick getaway was the ticket. Get away from whatever he was and the power he seemed to have on her. She needed to break away from him and stop thinking about how his muscles would feel under her palms.
Ethan hadn’t moved. He stood with his hands in his jean's pockets - just staring.
Olivia rocked her weight from one foot to the other and cleared her throat. Why wasn’t he talking to her? Why the crap wasn't she moving away?
“I’ll just take these down then,” she said, walking past him. He sidestepped and blocked the way.
“Excuse me? Did you need something?”
Ethan said nothing, his face blank.
Olivia stepped around him, and this time he didn't counter her. She made it to the door only to be stopped by Marci.
Damn it. She needed to get away from Ethan as fast as possible. If she didn’t, who knows if she’d finally grow a pair and just jump him. A quick
