Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 7

The bell above the bakery door jingled as Kaelani slipped inside, heart pounding like she’d run the whole way. She spotted Tessa behind the counter, dusted in flour, sliding a tray of pastries into the display.

“Tess, I’m so sorry,” Kaelani blurted, rushing forward. “I should’ve called, I should’ve—”

Tessa cut her off with a wave, barely looking up. “Relax. I’ve been holding it down.” She dusted her hands on her apron, finally meeting Kaelani’s gaze. “Sales dipped, sure. People can tell when it’s not your magic touch, but I did my best.”

Kaelani opened her mouth, but Tessa’s lips curved into a sly grin. “Told them you were sick,” she added, making air quotes with her flour-smudged fingers and throwing in a deliberate wink.

Kaelani frowned. “…What’s with the winking?”

“Oh, come on.” Tessa leaned on the counter, eyes glittering with mischief. “I went by your place the other day when you didn’t answer your phone. And guess who opened the door?”

Kaelani’s stomach flipped. “Tessa—”

“Six-foot-something, built like a god, dripping sweat, and—” she spread her hands, grin feral—“packing a monster cock like I’ve never seen outside of p**n.”

Kaelani’s face went up in flames.

“And the best part?” Tessa pressed, eyes dancing. “He basically told me to fuck off. Growled it, actually. Looked like he was about two seconds away from bending you over the nearest surface.”

“Oh God,” Kaelani muttered, wishing the floorboards would swallow her whole.

“And,” Tessa went on mercilessly, “Mrs. Donnelly from across the street told me you two had been at it all day and night. Didn’t even bother lowering her voice, either.”

Kaelani dragged a hand down her face. “For fuck’s sake… did the whole neighborhood hear us?”

It would explain the looks she got this morning when she finally stepped out of her house. A few neighbors had smiled too knowingly. One old man had even tipped his hat. At the time, she thought nothing of it. Now, the heat rushing to her cheeks told her everything.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify