Too Tasty

“Shiiiiiiiiit,” I shrieked in horror as I heard the storage door creak. No one was supposed to be coming in here.

I was about to change into faded blue jeans and a blouse when someone yanked the door open. I yelped, quickly covering my chest with my rust orange blouse. The light poured into the tiny storage room I was inside of, nearly blinding me.

I regret sitting on my Range Rover’s hood during the thunderstorm. I wouldn’t be in this awkward position if I hadn’t sat in the downpour.

“You’re the girl that Mario was talking about. Long black hair with short curtain bangs, forest green eyes, and porcelain skin. Flawless facial features and toned arms. Damn, he was spot on,” said a shocked muscular man as he glanced at me.

Who the hell is this delicious man?

He looks like he stepped out of an Abercrombie and Fitch advertisement. His body was well sculpted...at least what I could gauge from the form fitting white button down shirt he was wearing.

The man had tattoos covering his forearms all the way up to the side of his neck. It was clear that he went to the gym at least two or three times a week. His biceps and triceps were easily noticeable as he stuffed his hands into his navy blue dress pants.

The man's pierced earlobes showcased tiny silver diamond studs that vertically adorned his ears all the way up to the curves. He had three on each ear with each stud decreasing in size on the way up his earlobes.

Those earrings didn't suit his partially formal attire which made me wonder what he was doing here inside of a bakery's storage closet.

His mouth morphed into a pearly white grin that matched his shining bright sapphire blue eyes. His eyes were so beautiful; the light reflecting off of them made his eyes even brighter. And of course, his gorgeous jet-black hair with electric blue at the tips of his gelled hair further accentuated his eyes.

He was absolutely stunning and super handsome.

He really pulled of the formal attire well, even with the studs and dyed hair.

Impressive, not everyone could do that.

“Ah I see, you know Mario. What the hell are you doing here at 7 in the morning?” I responded in annoyance. My cheeks must have been flaming red by now from embarrassment.

I certainly hadn't expected to have a hot stranger stare me down as I remained shirtless. Mario, the manager of Too Tasty hadn’t even mentioned anyone stopping by this morning.

Tattoos laughed at my irritation and said, “Why am I not surprised that Mario forgot to mention that I’d be stopping by while he went on his trip to Italy?”

I raised a brow and glared at Tattoos. I was still top naked with just a bikini bra on and mortified by the fact that this stranger was still standing in front of me, his eyes raking my body in appreciation. The storage room was small so there was quite literally nowhere else for me to go...unless I wanted to join the Windex bottles and mop heads on the top shelf.

So, Mario ditched me here with a complete stranger.

Wonderful.

I hope he’s not a pervert.

“Turn the bloody hell around Tattoos. I need to put a freaking shirt on,” I spoke. My voice shook from fear of the man seeing the scars on my back of my neck and back.

Tattoos looked at me with his sapphire blue eyes and nodded as he complied.

He didn't make a single quip to get a second look.

Hmm, now that behavior just won him brownie points.

Respectful men are attractive.

“Why are you back here anyway? Mario didn’t tell me about a new employee,” I asked curiously as I yanked on my blouse and started tying the bow on my top. I shivered from the slight breeze that came from the doorway.

Tattoos chuckled and slowly turned around to face me so I could see his dimpled grin. I was fully clothed and so I stepped out of the storage closet in hopes that my awkward moment could be put behind us.

I hope he isn’t just a pretty face with a shit attitude like my father was.

I couldn’t understand why I wanted Tattoos to be a decent man.

Maybe it was that he was hot...or maybe it was because I was painstakingly lonely without my sisters here with me.

“I’m Knox Harrison, Mario’s grandson. I’m around at the bakery from time to time,” Knox aka Tattoos replied with a huge smile directed towards me. He extended his hand and I begrudgingly shook it.

A sneaky but seemingly harmless look crossed his eyes as he held onto my hand longer than what seemed necessary.

Copping a feel, are we Knox?

“Wonderful, I’m Karina. So how come I’ve never seen you arou--?” I started to say when I heard the bell connected to the bakery's doors ring. The sound reminded me that I had work to do and I swiftly dropped his hand.

I missed the warmth of his hand already but I couldn't allow myself to get close to a man.

Besides, I had to get ready for breakfast hours at the bakery.

Knox seemed confused by my reaction at a simple sound but answers, “Perhaps you weren’t looking hard enough. I haven’t seen you around, but I’ve definitely heard a lot of good things about you from Mario.”

I smiled at Knox as I walked into the back of the bakery to find the clean coffee pots and coffee beans.

“Maybe I’ll see you around more often Knox,” I said sincerely as I looked into his bright blue eyes. I yearned to run my fingers through his silky blue and black hair, but I refrained when I heard a voice that sent ripples of fear up my spine.

“Hello Karina, it’s been a while, now hasn’t it sweetie?” said a nasal voice.

Please don't be who I think it is.

Please please please.

I turned around to look in front of me and stifled a gasp when I saw who was standing in front of the baked goods display.

Of course, it was Seth, the demented asshole who watched my father ruin my family’s life. He pretended to be empathetic towards my siblings and I but in the end, he was supportive of my father's wicked agenda.

He was ugly from the inside and outside. Scars marred his face and trust me when I say that they weren’t from fighting for a good cause.

I felt Knox staring at my face, undoubtedly because of my ridiculous reaction. He moved closer to me as if he thought I needed protection. Deep down I felt comforted by his presence, but I pushed that thought aside.

I could fight my battles alone. I had been doing so for the past few years anyways.

I don’t want to talk to you Seth.

Just talk to Knox and walk away.

I wasn’t lucky enough to get my wish. Especially since I was the only waitress willing to work the early-bird hours.

Seth’s cold, calculating eyes met mine and my heart skipped a beat as he treaded towards me.

I took a step forward and put my best acting skills to use.

“How can I help you, sir?” I drawled out in well-disguised contempt as I looked him up and down. He hadn't changed in years. He always dressed in all black but somehow still managed to dress with the fashion sense of a raccoon.

Seth's black clothes matched his black heart.

“I’m here to deliver a little message. Watch your back bitch... you don’t want to end up like your mother,” Seth drawled out, mocking my previous words.

I merely raised an eyebrow at his warning but inside, my emotions were raging fiercely. I was confused about what he meant but I was also incredibly pissed at him for mentioning my dead mother who had been the biggest role model in my life.

“Walk your bitch-ass out the front doors and shut the fuck up. You weren’t a man five years ago and you certainly aren’t one now. So do the world a favor and get lost,” I said with a calm façade.

I kept my hands flat on the counter in front of me, but it took every ounce of my self-control to remain cool and collected. Seth’s happy go lucky air dispersed, transforming into hatred directed towards me.

I leaned over the counter and whispered, “You think my father really cares about you? He has no honor so whatever he offered you, remember that the price is your freedom. You’re just a puppet...a means to an end.”

Seth's eyes narrowed in anger at my words but to be completely honest, I didn’t feel any better after snapping back at him.

I felt numb.

I was vaguely aware of the intrusive eyes on the whole scene, but I was too far gone to give a shit. I continued my work with the coffee machine and took a deep breath.

Why is Knox still here, standing by my side? A normal person would have abandoned me by now. Why is he supporting me?

I turned around and saw Seth engaged in a staring contest with Knox. Gone was the playful Knox that I had met a few minutes ago. There was a man whose eyes were shining with blistering rage that stood in his place.

Seth’s malicious laugh carried through the bakery, and I felt the goosebumps rise on my arms.

“He’s a free bird now, fresh out of prison,” snarled Seth in my direction as he whistled an ominous tune.

I fought to keep a straight face but obviously, Seth had spent years around me to know that I despised my sorrow excuse of a father. Instead, I rolled my eyes at Seth and touched Knox's back lightly to let him know that engaging with a mindless dummy like Seth was a waste of energy.

I walked past Knox with a heavy heart and headed into the bakery’s kitchen to get to work. I knew that if my father was out of prison, he would begin looking for my siblings and I.

After all, I did tell the police about the illegal business dealings he was involved in. However, I couldn't tell the cops about how my mother truly died because I had no proof and Seth used my sisters as blackmail to keep me silent.

I bit my lip so hard that I tasted blood in my mouth as I viciously slammed pots and pans in search of my muffin tray. I couldn’t think about the person who had murdered my mother in cold blood.

My mother had tried to save us from my father's cruelty, but Seth caught her trying to take all of us and escape to South Dakota. As a true lackey, Seth reported to his master and my father killed my mother mercilessly.

I miss her so much. Her smile and her twinkling eyes. I miss the feeling of having a family. Now I am all alone here without my sisters, Maven and Teela. They will be safer away from me.

My thoughts and loud clanging were interrupted by Knox who held up my muffin tray as a peace offering. The bright white lights in the kitchen must've highlighted the ugly tears brimming on my eyelids as I sighed in frustration.

I turned away from Knox to preheat the oven since I'd already left the batter for the chocolate fudge muffins ready last night.

Be strong. Strong women don't cry in front of others.

"Sorry about before Knox. I didn't expect Seth to be here," I said, slightly embarrassed once again this morning. I heard Knox put the muffin tray down on the kitchen counter and walk closer to me.

"I may not know you Karina but all I know is that I don't want that man to be around you ever. Give me your phone sweetheart," Knox said, emotion swirling in his eyes. There seemed to be a hint of anger in his voice, but it didn't seem targeted towards me.

I gestured towards my purse hanging on the hook near the kitchen's back exit.

"My phone is in my purse in the first zip," I replied in slight confusion. I still couldn't understand why he even cared. Most people run away from danger and emotional baggage.

I finished filling the batter into the muffin tray and slid the tray into the oven once I heard the preheated timer go off. I was so focused on cleaning up my workspace that when I turned around to walk to the fridge, I slammed into Knox's chest.

I rubbed my nose a little and Knox's warm chuckle made me smile. He stepped even closer to me and lifted me up to put me on a clean portion of the counter. I recognized the Dolce and Gabbana cologne he was wearing and basked in the scent. This man was winning me over slowly.

A man who smells good, looks good, and is respectful? That is a green flag.

Hell, he's probably a whole green forest.

I flinched slightly when he wrapped his arms around my waist and crushed my body to his but then relaxed. Knox's hands and arms were hot while my body was cold. The comfort he gave me made me feel welcome and safe.

I felt his heat transferring to my body so I held on tighter without even meaning to. I don't know how long we stayed in an embrace but I knew I had to pull away. The bakery wouldn't run itself. The oven beeped and I started to pull away.

"Knox, I---," I started to say but Knox pulled me closer and put a finger to my cherry red lips.

"I want you to text or call me every time you leave Too Tasty," he said to me. The intensity of his eyes raking my body made me want to combust again. If I thought his hug was hot, the concern for me in his eyes was even sexier.

I nodded and went to hop down from the counter but was stopped by Knox. I looked into his blue eyes and saw that he wanted me to trust him so I let myself relax in his presence for a moment.

He gently lifted me from the counter and waved goodbye with a huge smile.

HOLY SHIT, THAT MAN IS HOT AS FUCK. I FEEL LIKE I'M ON FIRE.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and went back to baking. There were only a few customers at the moment so I could focus on making some delicious treats.

These blueberry crumble muffins weren't going to bake themselves.

One thing was certain: I knew that I wanted to see Knox again.