The music blasting through her speakers made her happy she’d splurged on the wireless speakers she’d had installed. She bounced along to I’m a Slave 4 U while she brought the muffin tin to the sink, moving her hips like the famous VMA performance.

“Damn, Kitten. I didn’t know you could move like that.” A deep voice rumbled behind her.

Lila screamed, turning towards the door, holding the muffin tin up by her head like a bat. Her heart rate sky rocketed, eyes wide as she looked at the intruder.

A tall frame leaned against the doorway, arms crossed over his thick chest, and a white t-shirt straining against his well-defined muscles. Jeans hugged his muscular thighs that led down to his sneaker covered feet, which were crossed at the ankles. His dark blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes captured her attention, like they always did.

Why does he have to look so sexy all the fucking time?

“Travis! What the hell?” she said, lowering the tray and dropping it in the sink. “I could have killed you!”

Travis laughed. “Death by muffin pan. That’d be a new one.”

“What are you doing here?” She bit her bottom lip, holding back a laugh.

Okay, he can be funny.

He pushed off the door frame and strode to the middle of the room, swiping a muffin off the island.

“Hey!” Lila stomped towards him, trying to smack the muffin out of his hand.

Their height difference made it impossible. With her head only coming up to mid-chest, he held the muffin up out of her reach and unwrapped it.

He smiled down at her as he took a big bite. “Damn babe, this is good! What do you call this one?”

“Bite me,” Lila said with a sarcastic smirk.

“Hmm… I would work on the name of that. It doesn’t sound appealing.” He took another bite, closing his eyes and moaning. “This is delicious. Second thought, I want to bite this. Over and over.”

I wish he would do that to me… Fuck, stop thinking like that.

“One more time. What are you doing here?” Lila placed her closed fists on her hips.

She watched as he popped the last bit of muffin in his mouth and wiped it with his thumb, drawing attention to his pillowy lips, now covered in chocolate crumbs. The same lips that had haunted her dreams, and a few fantasies, since that weekend they spent together five years ago.

I want to lick the crumbs off those lips.

“I’m taking you to dinner.”

That snapped her out of her daydream and away from his lips. “What?”

“Dinner. Food. You know, the last meal of the day. Well, unless you finally take me up on my offer, that is. But that would be dessert,” he said with a wink.

“I can’t. I have plans.” Lila rolled her eyes. Heat radiated through her body, causing her to press her legs together at the thought of what he promised.

Fuck, I want that, though.

“Doing what?”

“That’s none of your business.” Lila turned and started packing up the remaining muffins in a box.

“Come on, babe. Don’t be like that.”

“What have I told you about calling me your silly little nicknames?” she asked without turning around.

His hard chest pressed against her back, hands on her hips. His warm breath fanned her neck before he spoke. “You know you love it.”

She hated how her body gave in to him. Leaning back, she relished in the warmth that ran up her back, spreading to everywhere they touched. As she gave in to his warmth, his hands slid along her stomach, resting just above her mound.

“It’s just dinner, Lila. Nothing else. I promise. I’ll even walk you to your door like a gentleman.”

Would one dinner really be that bad? I mean, it’s just food. I can put myself into a sugar coma after.

She thought of how she and Kade had just paid themselves a small amount from their profits that month. Surely, she’d be able to spare a couple dollars for an appetizer or drink.

Lila shook her head and stepped out of Travis’s embrace. “No, Travis. I can’t.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She refused to turn around, to let him see it upset her. If she looked into his chocolate brown eyes, she’d be done for. She would tell him everything, and that’s just not something she could risk.

What I wouldn’t give to go on a date with him. To let him in, let anyone in.

“Hey, what’s wrong, babe?” Travis asked quietly, placing his hands gently on her shoulder. “I want to help.”

“There’s nothing to help.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. “I’m fine. I just need to finish packing up these muffins and do my clean up. Please go home, Travis.”

“Don’t shut me out, babe. At least let me drive you to your hotel.”

Lila shook her head, “I’ll be fine.”

His arms circled her waist once more, drawing her back to him. He squeezed her gently in his embrace, bringing his lips to her temple.

The tenderness almost broke Lila. She squeezed her eyes shut against the tears that threatened to fall.

“Call me if you need me,” he said, pulling away from her.

The jingle above the front door and its quiet slam told her that he’d left. Rushing to the front, she locked the door and turned off the lights before watching as he climbed into his truck and drove away.

Covering her mouth with her hand, she let out the sob she’d been holding in from the moment he touched her.

Why couldn’t I be someone else? Someone who deserves a man like Travis?