Sugar & Spice

Chapter 31

Crissy woke to Quinn pressing feather light kisses to her shoulder and up the length of her neck.

"Cinnamon rolls," he whispered. "Strawberry shortcake with fresh whipped cream. Hot, steaming brioche."

She opened one eye to look at him. "I smell none of these things and that means you haven't made them yet. You're a terrible person for teasing me."

He laughed softly against her skin. "That's your department, sweetheart. I'm just planting a few seeds of suggestion to get you moving."

"What if I don't want to get moving?"

"But what about that surprise I promised you?"

She groaned and rolled over to look at him. She placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him close with a light kiss.

"Do I get another hint?" she asked.

He brushed his nose against hers and hummed.

"I'll think about it," he said. Then his smile faltered and he drew back, studying her for a moment. "Unless you're really not feeling up to it today."

She sighed and propped herself up on her elbows. "It's fine. Probably a good idea to get out for a little while. I needed an excuse to ignore responding to Andrea's messages for a few more hours anyway."

"You really don't want to just find out what she says?"

"No...okay maybe a little. I'm getting there."

His hand settled on her leg with a gentle smile.

"I know you are, sweetheart," he said, brushing his thumb over her chin. "But you need to hurry up, a tiny, tiny bit because Amy is due back in three days and I really want to show this to you before she sweeps you away from me."

"Then give me a hint and I'll have more incentive to hurry up."

He grinned as he kissed her. "I love you but no."

She bit back a growl of frustration and pushed the covers aside, heading for the bathroom. "I'll be grumpy until you tell me what's going on."

"Fine by me. You're adorable when you're grumpy."

"I'll tell Amy you said that and she'll beat your ass with a rolling pin."

"She will completely agree with me."

Crissy frowned. "You're probably right."

Quinn caught her hand and pulled her to stand in front of him, his hands skimming up her thighs.

"I promise, it's a good thing today," he said. "And I don't want to give you anymore hints because I don't trust myself here. I feel like I'm about to spoil the whole thing at any minute. So I'd rather show you instead."

She smoothed her hand over his hair and nodded.

"All right," she said. "Do I have time to make breakfast?"

He tipped his head to the side, considering. "I might be able to hold out for breakfast. But no longer than that."

"Will you help me?"

His eyes brightened and he opened his mouth but she placed a finger against his lips.

"And not just taste testing. Actually making the food. You did an incredible job when you made dinner for me. It's only fair since you won't give me anymore hints."

He sighed and kissed her fingertip. "I guess I could be persuaded to help if you're going to say it like that."

After Crissy showered and dressed, she set to work alongside Quinn in the kitchen, making beignets. Roughly a week had passed since she had made anything and it felt so good, so comfortable and familiar to settle into the rhythm of cooking. The smell of vanilla and melted butter and sugar floated up, wrapping around her like the hug of a long lost friend and she felt a little lighter, a little happier. Part of her thought she should have been back in the kitchen as soon as she left the wedding but a bigger part of her knew that wouldn't have been possible. She needed that time to crumble, to slowly let herself hurt for a while before she faced the world again.