One of the execs had slapped the conference table with a loud smack, making Ember jump. Kai had almost leaped at him for scaring his mate but managed to keep himself under control.
“Let me finish,” Ember ordered. “You’ll let this man, Kai, be a contestant on the show. That way, there will always be a member of security with me. I’ll feel safe, and the show will go off without a hitch.”
Kai’s face fell. His jaw was on the ground, and anxiety clutched his gut. He could grill a steak like nobody’s business. But baking? That was finesse work he was terrified of undertaking, especially on camera.
Even if his mate was asking it of him, he didn’t know if he could do it.
“Now, look here. We can’t have the head of the network’s security being monopolized by your whims because you know some people.”
“Right.” It was obvious by Ember’s slight deflation that she hadn’t realized that Kai wasn’t just a security guard but the head of the whole department. “Well, those are my terms. Your employee was going to use an accident that could have been fatal to his own advantage. Not to mention the negligence that your crew demonstrated by not using the right bracket to hold up a heavy fixture. The ball is in your court.”
Kai couldn’t quite believe it. It was all a little bit insane. Is this what finding your mate did? It left you in situations that you would never have thought possible?
Probably.
Though he had never seen his parents, brother, or any other member of his pride being roped into being a contestant on a televised baking show.
Ember had expertly negotiated the deal. She had earned Kai’s respect, even if he was slightly queasy at the thought of being on television while performing a task he wasn’t comfortable with. Thankfully, Ember had explained to him and the network’s executives that she would train Kai up a bit.
“I do feel bad for blackmailing my way onto the show,” Ember said, tying an apron around her waist. “I swear, that isn’t the kind of person I usually am. I was just so angry at them. I need to do this. This leads to my dream. I couldn’t let them stand in my way.”
“They were terrified of you.” Kai chuckled with pride and humor. “I don’t think anyone has ever told them how to run their shows before. It was fascinating to watch.”
“You must think I’m pretty stupid to want to go on with the show when I received a threatening letter.”
“Stupid? No. Gullible and innocently optimistic? Yes, absolutely.”
“That isn’t a compliment,” she chided with a frown.
“It is, though. Don’t get me wrong, it is dangerous as hell. And all for a bakery? Bank loans exist, you know. But I get it. You have chosen this course, and you’re not willing to back down. Just so you know, as a security expert,” and as your mate, “I’ll have to go to your place and assess the possible security risk. Any chance you have a roommate or someone you could stay with?”
She shook her head. “First, bank loans are given to people with collateral. I have none. I could ask either one of my sisters for the money. Both have offered to be silent partners, actually. But that is not how I want this to go. And to your second point, no. I don’t have a roommate. I guess I could stay with Sparx. She has a security guard, plus she lives in a secured building, complete with Pinkerton security guards.”
“Fancy,” he teased. “But seriously, after this, I’m going to your place. You should also go to the police with the letter.”
“When Sparx had a stalker a few years ago, they didn’t do anything.”
“Probably because your sister gets a lot of fan mail. And she has a security detail. You don’t. If you don’t want to stop by the precinct tonight, we should go in tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’ll go in the morning before coming in for filming. First, we need to get you ready for tomorrow.”
Thankfully, filming had been paused for a day because of the accident, but it was back to business tomorrow.
Well, not back to business for him.
For Kai, it was the start of a whole new thing.
“What are you going to teach me?” he asked.
Ember threw him an apron. “I think it would be best if we start with the basics. Things like how to properly measure ingredients, and what tool to use for which task. You don’t have to be a good baker, right? You just have to look like you know what you’re doing.”
He tied the apron and crossed his arms to keep himself from reaching out to her. Ember was tying her hair up, and a small curl had escaped. He wanted to tuck it behind her ear, but not before letting the smooth silk of the strand run through his fingers.
“I wouldn’t mind actually learning a thing or two. I never learned to bake, but I would like to be able to make a few things.”
“Oh. I guess we can do that too, then. What do you make?”
Kai shrugged. “I buy cupcake mix and ready-made icing.”
Ember gasped, her hand going to her chest. “That is not baking, you barbarian! You like that stuff?”
“Hey,” he said defensively. “It’s not that bad. It’s actually pretty tasty, and it sure beats having to stop by a bakery every time I want something decent. I always have a few cupcakes in the freezer.”
Her eyes went huge, her mouth agape. “Please tell me you do not freeze cupcakes with the icing on—”
“Well, yeah. Why not?”
“Because it completely dries out the cake and ruins the taste of the icing.”
“Tastes fine to me,” he assured her.
Her shocked glare was adorable. Kai had to fight the urge to kiss her senseless or bend her over the counter for some more naked fun.
“Okay, we’re going to make my signature triple chocolate cupcakes. Afterward, when I give you the recipe, you’ll promise me never to buy another boxed mix ever again or to freeze the cupcakes.”
“Triple chocolate?” he asked, drooling nearly half as much for the promise of pastries as he did for his mate.
Ember rolled her eyes. “That is all you heard, isn’t it? Just the chocolate bit?”
“You said triple chocolate,” he corrected. “And that is pretty much all I care about. I have a sweet tooth,” he admitted.
She’s sweet as hell, so devour her. Can’t you smell that? We could put chocolate icing on her for a real treat.
His lion wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t the smell of the baking that was making his mouth water and his cock strain against his pants.
It was the scent of Ember’s desire.
She was just as amped up as he was. His mate wanted him.
“I have a sweet tooth, too. I can’t help myself.” Ember shrugged. “I’ll dirty a second spoon or spatula by accident just to have something else to lick.”
He gulped audibly as she spoke the words. He would give her something to lick and not a spatula.
Ember must have caught the shift in his demeanor because she gave him a shy smile. “I like licking the icing clean off. Can’t waste all that goodness.” Her blush deepened. “I’m trying hard to not make it sound like an innuendo, but whatever I say is making it worse.”
She was right. It was making it worse. It was also making his dick harder than it had a right to be.