Twisted Deceit (Deceit #3)

Chapter 38

With headphones on, the volume up just a tad bit than I normally had it, I rolled the dough out to the perfect thickness on the counter. Working with cold dough wasn’t always easy, but after so many times, I knew the perfect temperature, perfect amount of pressure, to get it to roll out smoothly and not stick, clump up, or fall apart.

Dawn’s main office was having a family and friends get together thing this coming weekend, and I had offered to make treats. I didn’t have much else to do as the weather refused to warm up, even with the end of February.

Making treats for people was something I didn’t mind doing, as long as I didn’t have to attend the thing, too. Then I’d be great.

Well, as great as I could be.

I had yet to see Jasper, other than a glimpse here or there as he left or came. I was keeping my distance. He knew where I was, and he hadn’t made the effort to come see me.

So what? Life went on, just like it did before I knew the man. My heart could stay locked up and never show its face again.

Huffing at my thoughts, I took a deep breath. Jasper wasn’t allowed to be in them when I was making cookies.

Off to the side, the oatmeal and raisin ones were almost done cooling. Why Dawn requested those, I’ll never know. Oatmeal ones were good. But raisins did not belong in cookies. Ever. The textures did not go together.

At least the sugar cookies were easy. The decoration and frosting would take a bit longer, and that part I wasn’t the greatest at but I kept it simple.

I had the frosting already out, waiting to be used for the star shaped cookies.

I was ignoring the other shapes pretty well. The animal shaped cutters that I had come across one morning a few weeks ago on the porch stared at me. They had been sitting on the porch, like someone knew what days I had therapy.

I was tempted to use them, because if there were kids at the event, then they’d love some animal shapes. But I wasn’t going to use them.

Those could just stay there and…just stay there and look pretty.

Re-rolling the dough again, I mentally calculated how many more star shapes I could get out of it.

Just because Dawn pressed the issue that I didn’t have to go out of my way to make too many, I still was. I had to.

I couldn’t just sit in this house day in and day out, doing nothing. There had to be more to life, to my life, than trying to figure out what to do with said life.

Making cookies and other treats was something I was great at. Since Jasper had mentioned the idea that I could sell some at events a few years ago, it’s been at the back of my mind since then. I just hadn’t had the energy or opportunity to make enough.

Now, I did. I had a full week of crappy weather that kept me inside. The first day after Dawn told me about the event, I offered and began figuring out a plan. The second day, she bought everything I needed after work. And now, I was baking too much. But at least whatever was left could be frozen and reheated whenever I wanted one.

Except for the oatmeal cookies. And the banana bread that was also cooling off to the side. That bread was all mine and Dawns. I wasn’t sharing my newest obsession with treats.

At least Dawn couldn’t say I wasn’t eating. Bananas were healthy, and only if they were in the bread I made.

“Whatcha making?”

Instantly, my heart squeezed in a vice grip before it sped away, almost out of my chest. The rolling pin cluttered to the counter with a clang that could be heard through my headphones.

Crap.

My fearful look turned to a glare as I pulled my headphones off my ears, placing them around my neck.

“Whatcha making?” Noah repeated, putting his elbows on the counter and taking in the mess.

I couldn’t get my words to work as my heart still thumped in my chest.

Breathing in deep, I bent over to place my hands on my knees.

Why the heck didn’t he just freaking knock? No one ever came by, and those that did knew the back door was unlocked, but they’d still knock. Or flash the lights to get my attention. Not freaking touch me on my arm.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” Noah’s voice turned soft, and when I glanced up, he seemed to understand what he did. “Sorry, Kods.”

“Don’t do it again.” I glared, standing back up and pausing my music before setting the headphones on a different counter. “Why are you here?” I didn’t mean to be rude, but my tone was.

“You weren’t answering your texts. And I did knock, but no one answered. Jasper said you were home and that I could come in through the back door if you didn’t answer. So that’s what I did.”

That did not answer my question. But what else did I expect with him?

“Ooh. Animals!” Noah spotted the cutters I was doing a fairly good job at ignoring. “I want a doggy one.”

“Stars or circles only. They’re for Dawn. Not you.”

He gave me a pout, which didn’t last long. He slipped his butt onto a stool, only to grimace and stood next to it instead.

“What are they for?”

“Dawn’s place is doing a thing. I offered cookies.”

“Cool. Can I help?”

“No.” My cookies, my kitchen, my alone time.

“You’re grumpy.”

“You scared me.” I countered.

Noah stuck his tongue out at me. But he was right. I have been grumpy for weeks now. Months, really. But I wasn’t going to let anyone know that.

“Why are you here?” I repeated my question, pressing the star cutter into the dough once again.

“We came to see Jasper, since he hadn’t been at the munchies the last few weeks.”

Munchies were a snack, but alright.

“You’re his neighbor, so I asked which house and he pointed it out. And now here I am. I was gonna make you go over there, but you’re busy. So I’ll stay here instead.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have let it slip to Noah of all people that Jasper lived so close. He’d never been over here before, though, so I didn’t ever expect him to show up now on a cold winter day.

“I texted ya on our way out here, but you didn’t answer. Asher said you were probably just busy. But you don’t work.”

“Making cookies.”

I’d been up early today, too, just to make them.

“So, when will you be done?”

“Saturday.” In three days. I still wanted to make cupcakes, too. Not everyone liked cookies. And I planned to make some high protein bars, too. Since those I ate when I wasn’t up to eating a meal. Which was like always.

“You’re boring.” Noah sighed, leaning on the counter again. “Can I help?”

“You just called me boring,” I muttered, flashing him a look. “And no.”

“Fine.” The word was drawn out on a sigh.

“Then I’ll just stand here and watch you.”

Yeah, no thanks . “You could go back to Jasper’s place.” I preferred to be on my own. It was easier. I didn’t have to think about pretending to be totally fine when I wasn’t. I could let the music blare out any of the thoughts that swam to my mind.

“Asher’s there. And Daddy Beckett. He’s nice, even though Asher wasn’t thrilled about him at first. But that’s because he’s a Dom and Asher likes to kneel.”

I blinked, trying and failing to follow along. “I have no clue what you are talking about.”

“Oh, everyone says that all the time,” Noah perked up. “I can explain. I have lots of time while the adults do boring talking stuff.”

“Not needed, but thanks.” I slipped the cookie sheet into the oven and set the timer for how many minutes they needed to cook.

“But don’t you want Jasper?”

“Nope.” I had to get over him. It was the only way now.

Ignoring Noah, I began to clean up. Flour went into the bowl I used to make dough. The cookie cutters and other stuff went to the sink. The cookies that were cooled off went into a tin foil container.

Noah chatted about everything. Literally, every little thing that came through his mind. He obviously had no filter.

He told me about his new bed that Beckett, a man I had yet to meet and didn’t exactly want to meet, got for the three of them to share. He told me about how they were thinking of getting a puppy, but Asher wasn’t sure about it. Noah told me about how big Asher’s family was, and named off too many names I’d never remember.

“I met Ashie in high school. At group therapy thingy, actually. His adoptive mom worked there,” he rambled. “And he has so many cool people in his family. Like Sage, who’s a lot like you and Ashie.”

More people I’d never meet.

“Then you’d know I won’t like people,” the words were out before I could think of not saying them.

“But I do! People are strange things.”

He was a strange thing , but at least that didn’t escape my lips.

“Are you done yet?”

“No, Noah.”

I turned my back to wash up the dishes as he pulled out his phone. It didn’t take nearly long enough to wash what needed to be hand washed, and others put it into the dishwasher.

Other than the sugar cookies needed to be cooked, they’d have to cool for a bit before I put the frosting on them. Then tomorrow was all about cupcakes.

Noah sighed dramatically.

“Yes?” I turned, leaning against the counter.

“My butt hurts.”

Why was he telling me? “Okay?”

“Daddy said I was being rude yesterday to Asher. So, I got punished. Although I was asking for it, now I just want to sit and your chairs aren’t comfy.”

I blinked, half worried that maybe Asher wasn’t as safe as I first thought. And I already didn’t like this daddy person.

“Oh, don’t worry. I can use my colors and not get punished if I really don’t think I should be. Or if I don’t agree with how, or where, or anything like that. No one’s hurting me just to see me hurt. I’m too cute for that.”

More blinks from me.

“You really don’t know anything about…well…the lifestyle.” When I didn’t have anything to say, because I really didn’t know anything about half the words he said, he went on. “That’s okay. I can help! Are you kinky? Do you like sex? What do you want for someone? Are you a little like me? I think you might be like me. Jasper is a daddy, even though he says he isn’t. He says he’s just a soft dom, but he really cares about you, and is kinda sad you haven’t gone to talk to him yet. But he needs to know sometimes, littles just need a daddy to be the big guy and take charge. Like with Ashie. Daddy had to put his foot down when things got a bit out of hand, and now we are all happy together. Mostly. I still annoy Ashie, but he loves me so it’s okay to be annoying.”

How the heck was I to answer anything? I think all the words jumbled out at once, overlapping each other.

“You lost me. And please don’t repeat any of that. I’m not looking for a lover, or partner or whatever.” I waved my hand in the air. “I’m happy on my own.”

“No, you aren’t. But that’s okay. I’ll- “

Whatever he was about to say was stopped as a hard knock came from the kitchen door.

Could my day get any worse?