Free Knead: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 1) by Aspen Drake Page A

“Just my sister. I'll call her  tomorrow.” 
    Instead of watching the screen, he's watching me, looking for the tics he said I had in the past. He always knew when I was lying. God, I hope I've outgrown those. I slide my phone in back pocket then hook both thumbs around my belt loops. “Do you have a hotel or you heading back  tonight?” 
    He laughs. “When did you become such a prude? I gave you some time to get used to this, but my patience is wearing thin. I need you, baby. It's been too long. I want to see you...feel you.”
    I'm no longer whispering and any confidence I was forcing into my voice is long gone. Now, I'm scared. “You know nothing can happen between you and me, right. I understand you want to be in Isla’s life, and that's great, but we aren’t getting back together.”
    He holds his arms out wide. “I'm standing right here. We are together, baby. There's no more fighting it. This is happening.” He takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. “How about we have a drink first and then we both can relax a little bit.”
    And just like that, he's in his charming mode. His mood swings have always been scary, but now I have to worry about Isla being on the wrong side of one.
    “JR, let's be reasonable. It's been a long time. I'm not ready to just start seeing you again.”
    His thumb brushes my cheek, wiping away a tear I didn't even realize had fallen. “Let's have a couple beers and see what happens.”
    “Nothing is going to happen.”
    “Just get the beers.” I do as I'm told, hoping that maybe he's beginning to see reason. He’s sitting on the sofa with one knee up and facing me as I hand him a beer. As soon as I sit down, his fingers walk up my shoulder and he clasps them around my neck. “You're even more beautiful than you used to be.”
    “Thank you.” I try to sound genuine, but I know he can hear the disgust in my voice.
    “So tell me about yourself. What are you doing these days?”
    “Just trying to keep Isla safe and happy. That’s all I've ever done, JR. I hope you know that.”
    He scoots forward, placing his free hand on my thigh. “I know, baby. I was going through a bad time. My head wasn't on straight. I understand why you had to leave, but that's not me anymore. I've cleaned up. I've got a good job. We can be a family again.”
    “Isla and I,” I say, shaking my head, “will never be your family, JR. You and Isla can have a relationship, and eventually, she'll be able to spend more time with you. But right now, we have to get to know each other first. If you care about her as much as it seems you do, you'll want her safe and happy.”
    “I would never hurt her, baby. You know that.”
    “No, I don't know that, actually.” I pull away from his arm, but his grip only tightens around my neck.
    “See that.” Looking him straight in the eye, I grit my teeth. “You haven't changed that much. If you can hurt me, why would I believe you wouldn't hurt her?”
    His eyes narrow. “She's my flesh and blood. She's sweet and innocent.”
    “And I'm not? If that's true, why do you even want me back?”
    “Because Isla is my daughter.” He digs his fingers into my leg. “And as long as you have custody of her, I will be in your life… Closely in your life.”
    I shudder as a chill runs down my spine. “You can't do this to me anymore, JR,” I say quietly. “You can't hurt me. I won't allow it the way I used to.”
    An evil smile spreads across his face. “You won't allow it? Just what are you gonna do, baby? Call the police like you did last time? Maybe try to disappear. I hate to burst your bubble, but you didn't run away from me. I let you go. At the time, I really didn't need your drama. I had other shit going on that I needed to take care of. But that's all taken care of, and now, I'm back.”
    JR takes a long pull from his beer, chugging at least half the can before resting it on his knee. “Have a drink, baby. Relax. You’ll have more fun that