Page 36 of Just One Spark

"Pancakes," she said, and I moved away to grab the mix, milk, and eggs.She pulled out the bowl, and we worked together to make the batter.Then I poured it into the pan.

"We'll have to wait for coffee until the power comes back on," I said.

"I can wait."

"Are you going to work today?"I asked her as I kept one eye on the pancakes.

"I'll probably head out when the roads are clear.Snow is always good for business."

"I wish you didn't have to go out when the roads are questionable."I'd prefer she worked on the property like I did.Then I wouldn't have to worry about her.And I had a feeling she'd prefer to work in one place, not using a truck as her business.

"That's the business I'm in.I drive a truck after all," she said brightly.

"Have you thought about setting something up at the inn?You could offer hot chocolate in the afternoons.I bet it would do well."

Hattie's brow furrowed."That's not something you just do.I'd have to work something out with the owner."

I smiled and pulled her into my side."Then you're in luck because I am the owner."

She rolled her eyes."You own the brewery."

"The family owns the inn and restaurant.I'm sure there's something we can work out.Besides, you're practically family."

She patted my chest."It's pretend, remember?This isn't real."

"My dick in your pussy felt pretty real."

She gave me an exasperated look."Don't be crass."

I patted her butt."I think it's called dirty talk, and you seemed to like it last night."

I liked this back-and-forth.The morning after great sex.We were having a hearty breakfast, and then maybe I could convince her to take a shower with me.I wasn't willing to let her go.I had a feeling that as soon as she was alone, she'd start thinking about the logistics of our relationship and decide to pull away.

I didn't want that to happen.I wanted to convince her that we were right for each other "I have to feed you so I can have my way with you again."

Her lips curved."You're insatiable."

When it came to her, I was afraid I was.The key was not to overwhelm her.I needed to convince her that this thing between us was good but, at the same time, not push her too hard.I knew she'd run eventually.It was only a matter of time before something triggered her.

A memory from her childhood, thoughts that she wasn't good enough for me, or that she didn't need me in her life.I liked to think I'd be prepared for whatever she had to throw at me, but I wasn't so sure about that.Her life experiences were different from mine.

I needed to slow down and take one day at a time.

We ate our pancakes at the counter.Hattie convinced me to add chocolate chips on top when I wanted to cut up strawberries.We finally agreed to do both, and the combination was delicious.

Afterward, we showered together in my bathroom, which was larger.We didn't have sex this time.I just washed her with soap and helped her lather her hair.I'd never done anything like that before with a woman.

I wanted to take my time with Hattie, show her how a relationship should feel.I wanted her to be supported and cared for.I wanted her to learn to trust someone to be there for her.I just hoped I'd be able to make a difference.

After we got dressed, I checked my phone.

Malcolm: Do you know if the brewery has power?

Rowan: My house is out, but the brewery has a generator.

We'd never tested it before though.Was it working?

Malcolm: Shouldn't you be at the brewery then?