The Alpha and The Baker

by Roxie Ray

For the ones who know that love is built in the quiet moments — in soft laughter over spilled flour, the comfort of a hand at your back, and the kind of kiss that tastes like frosting and forever. For the bakers, the believers, the ones who dare to dream even when the oven’s cracked and the bills are due. And for every soul who’s ever craved a love that’s slow to rise… but utterly impossible to resist once it does. May you find someone who looks at you the way Cas looks at cake… hungry, reverent, and a little bit unholy.

“Man, this smells so good,” Felicia said as we sat down, doing that little wiggle some women did when they were enthusiastic about what they’re going to eat. I loved that it was a little trait that spanned species, from shifters, to humans, to dogs, to guinea pigs. There seemed to be some sort of inherent, primordial wiring that said happy plus food equaled wiggles.

Nope, it was real. The wonderful date. The best sex of my life. Cas pulling a runaway bride off into the night. I’d heard of “wham-bam thank you ma’am”, but he’d taken it to a new level.

“What? No!” I lied like a lying liar who lied.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but believe me when I tell you that I want nothing more than for you to sit on my face so we can see how many times I can get you to scream my name before we accidentally bleach my stubble.”

“Ah, that makes sense. But what does your dough have to prove? Has it committed a crime?”

I didn’t lose my temper that often, but when I did, it made me feel like crying and punching something.

“All right, ladies, gentlemen, gentlethems, and assorted goblins, let’s kick things off with a favorite of the kiddos here, the cookie round!”

“Shouldn’t I take a shower first? I’ve been sweating in the sun all day.” The way Cas’s eyes burned as he looked up at me stole what little breath I had. “I may not be an expert cook, but I know all the best recipes need seasoning.” Oh. My. God. I was gobsmacked, genuinely gobsmacked, and it must have shown on my face because Cas stood and wrapped his arms around me. “We can take a shower if you’re not comfortable,” he murmured, kissing the top of my head as his strong biceps squeezed me just enough to feel supportive. Encouraging. “I never want to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”