Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“People drive to a community location and park their cars with the trunk open. They bring chairs and sit by their vehicle to allow kids to move from trunk to trunk trick or treating safely,” Avery explained.
“That keeps them out of the streets and out of dangerous neighborhoods,” he deduced quickly.
“Exactly.”
“Okay, I’m going to clean up with you supervising from a counter stool at the kitchen island. Then, you’re going to give me a sweet good night kiss and go to bed.”
“It’s like eight!” she protested.
“It will be eight-thirty before I’m finished. That’s a perfect bedtime for a Little girl who’s going to be up early to run with me,” Trace explained as he carried his dishes over to the counter. He pulled out a chair and waved her toward it.
“I can clean up,” she assured him. “You’re a guest.”
“I’m a Daddy whose Little girl worked way too hard on this delicious meal that I devoured. Now, it’s time for me to take care of you.” He gestured again to the chair. When she slowly slid into it, he pressed a kiss against her silky hair. “Good girl.”
Her answering smile sent a lightning bolt through his heart.
Chapter Six
“Someone certainly has a lot of energy this evening.”
Avery spun around at the sound of that now familiar voice and smiled. When Trace stepped closer, she spoke soft enough not to be heard, even though it was very noisy in the crowded parking lot. “Someone insisted I go to bed so early that I got eight full hours of sleep. I haven’t done that in years.”
He grinned and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I’m glad someone listens when her Daddy tells her to do something. Someone’s cute bottom might be spared from a spanking tonight.”
Avery felt heat rise up her cheeks as she glanced around. No one had heard him.
“Don’t worry, Mae Bug. I won’t reveal your secrets in front of other people.” He took a step back. “I just wanted to say hi. You look busy. I’m going to mingle. Let me know if you need me to help with anything.”
“Thanks.” She loved the sincerity in his expression. He was already making a huge impression with everyone on the force. He didn’t have to show up like this every day before he officially started his new position.
Even though she’d seen him this morning when he’d shown up as promised to jog with her, she hadn’t had much time to do more than jog and hurry to get ready for work. They’d chatted and learned more about each other, but all she’d gotten from him after the jog was a quick peck on the lips on her porch before he’d left her.
Avery stopped daydreaming and shook herself back into the present. The trunk or treat event. For the next few hours, Avery was extremely busy, but always aware of Trace’s whereabouts. Every time she spotted him, she was more impressed. He helped out anywhere someone needed him. He was also amazing with kids, squatting down to their level to admire their costumes and listen to them.
Little Cakes had a booth at the event on one corner of the parking lot, and Avery joined both kids and adults in a round of their cupcake walk. She’d played this with them the other night at Blaze, but it was fun again tonight with actual children in attendance. Who didn’t like scrambling to find a cupcake decal to step on when the music ended?
She caught Trace smiling at her from the sidelines when she won, and he stepped closer to chuckle as she ate yet another witch’s brew cupcake. “Nearly every time I’ve seen you, your lips have been black,” he teased.
She giggled. “Maybe it’s a new look for me. I have the black lipstick left over from my witch costume. I could start wearing it every day.”
He laughed. “Are you planning a goth phase maybe?”
She widened her eyes as she tossed the wrapper in the trash. “Oh, that’s a good idea. I could also pierce my face in a few places and enter a bratty phase,” she teased.
His brows rose up high, and he glanced around before speaking softly. “I don’t have anything against Little girls expressing themselves with whatever fashion and accessories they choose, but bratty Little girls have trouble sitting down.”
She flushed as her body came alive in ways she wasn’t accustomed to lately. She was in uniform, for heaven’s sake. Good thing she had on a sturdy sports bra or everyone would see her nipples.
She licked her lips, deciding she liked this game they were engaged in. Maybe she was playing with fire and in over her head. After all, this was her boss, but she couldn’t help herself. She hadn’t been this affected by a man in a very long time. It was fun.