The Baker's Touch Read Free

listened to him swallowing and tugging at his clothes.
    “Really, Penny, you’re imagining things.”
    She jerked away from him. “Sheila’s perfume is all over your clothes, Sam. Now I know why you wanted to be here this evening, and I’m glad it had nothing to do with me.” Penelope spun on her heel, stepped forward and met a solid wall of muscle. Heat burned her cheeks. On top of everything else, she couldn’t even storm out of the ball room without running into someone.
    “Ready for that champagne?” her mystery man said close to her ear.
    She swallowed. “You saw everything?”
    He lifted her hand and placed her palm on his cheek. His head bobbed up and down, but there was more. His jaw was tight and a corner of his mouth drooped. Was he upset on her behalf? The thought pricked her feminine pride, but at the same time he’d witnessed a moment of humiliation.
    She lowered her head.
    “No, don’t do that. Keep your head up.”
    Excitement buzzed around them and cheers rose. The crowd began counting down.
    “He is absolutely not worth your time and he didn’t appreciate you.”
    A tear slipped beneath her lashes.
    “I want you to know one thing, Penelope.”
    “Not fair. I don’t even know your name.”
    He hooked an arm around her waist and drew her against his solid frame. “All you need to know is this.” And as the crowd screamed “one” his mouth met hers.
    She stood frozen, lost in a kiss that melted her soul, stirred her desire and mended her heart. He coaxed her lips apart, his tongue darting along the seam. She curled her fingers in the lapels of his jacket as she opened for him, their tongues dueled for supremacy until she finally submitted.
    Time stood still, the chorus of voices singing Auld Lang Syne faded as he cinched her tighter. His mouth never stopped moving on hers, becoming the very air she breathed. To stay in this stranger’s embrace would be just what she needed, but a dance and a kiss did not a relationship make. Still, she wanted the passion and acceptance he offered.
    “Happy New Year,” he muttered against her lips.
    “Same to you. What’s your name?”
    He kissed her again. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
    Before she could protest, she was alone in the crowd. She touched her lips. If she didn’t do anything this year, she would at least find out who she just kissed.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Penelope allowed her head to fall forward as softness swept her skin in a caress. Each deliberate stroke sent a trickle of desire down her thighs. She squeezed her legs together in an effort to relieve the ache building. The small movement earned her a sharp slap on her bare behind. She bit back a gasp as the pleasure/pain rolled through her.
    “Be still.” His whispered command left her wanton, while his warm breath tickled her ear. He soothed away the sting with the palm of his hand and she fought her body’s urge to press against him. “Tell me what you want.”
    She bit her lip as he rubbed his chest to her back. The cotton of his shirt scraped across her sensitized flesh. One hand drifted up, over her ribcage to cup her breast. The other went south and dipped a skillful finger into her damp heat. Her head fell against his shoulder. She widened her stance to give him better access. He lingered for a moment. Rolling her nipple between his index finger and thumb, plunging a finger in and out of her slick heat and his lips grazed the spot just below her ear. A whimper left her lips.
    “My beautiful Penelope, you are so sexy to me,” he murmured against her skin. The rasp of his tongue sent more delicious tingles racing down her spine. She tugged on the fur-lined cuffs binding her wrists over her head. Abruptly, he stepped away.
    She tensed. Her heart skipping a beat as she realized, she’d moved.
    “You’re learning.”
    She could hear the smile in his voice. He brought his hand down on the rounded portion of her behind. The momentary sting rolled into pleasure. He spanked