Making Bagels

"You haven't told me how your little tour went with Phil." Lyla said, finally having a moment to talk with her friend after a busy morning rush at the coffee shop.

"It went fine." AJ said casually, "I just showed him around and then we got pizza." She nodded.

It was very hard not to spill everything to our best friend. She was so used to telling her every little detail about her life, but part of her just wanted to figure out what was going on with Punk on her own. She wanted to trust her gut with it all and let it progress naturally. Although she was still on a high from last night, there was still nerves living deep within her. Nerves over something new happening in her life. Nerves over letting a man get closer to her. She just wanted to take some time to figure it out by herself.

"You got pizza?" Lyla smiled suggestively.

"Yes, we ate pizza and then he walked me home." AJ nodded.

"And no sparks were flying?" Lyla asked as AJ made a face at her.

"I enjoyed spending time with him." AJ said, "And I've offered to show him how to make homemade bagels. We're working on our friendship." She nodded.

"Alright." Lyla just smiled, "So you're not conflicted any more about how you feel about him? It's just… strictly friendship?" She asked.

"Yes." AJ nodded, "I… I enjoy his company. I just don't want to force anything. I've had enough of forcing myself to date."

"This seems a little different, though." Lyla pointed out.

"Don't make me say it out loud, Lyla." AJ scoffed.

"What?" Lyla laughed a little.

"You know I like him. It's very obvious at this point." AJ said, "But I just want to take things slow. Feel things out first."

"Feel things out first? Feel what?" Lyla teased as AJ rolled her eyes, "Hey, I'm just teasing. You seem happy and that's all I'll ever care about." She nodded.

"I know." AJ smiled.

"When are you teaching him how to make bagels?" Lyla asked her.

"Tonight. He's coming over to my apartment." AJ nodded, "I text him earlier."

"You have his number now?" Lyla smiled.

"Yes." AJ shrugged.

"What did he reply with?" Lyla asked.

"The thumbs up emoji." AJ said.

"God, he's so old." Lyla shook her head as AJ chuckled, "But… old is experienced, right?"

"Shut up." AJ shook her head as Lyla cackled.

"I hate all of these people." Daryl shook his head, sitting down at a table in the coffee shop after they'd closed for the day, looking through applications which had been sent in on Punk's phone.

"What about this guy?" Punk asked, "He's around your age. Seems keen."

"I'm pretty sure he's dating Shiv." Daryl shook his head.

"And that would be a problem?" Punk asked.

"No." Daryl said defensively, "It just means we wouldn't be able to openly talk shit about The Brewberry anymore." He said, "He could end up being a spy for them."

"Oh my God." Punk shook his head, "What about this woman? She's forty-eight. Can work any days." He showed Daryl his phone.

"No, that's Katrina." Daryl shook his head.

"And we don't like her?" Punk asked.

"She never sticks at a job. Always calls in sick. She used to work with my mom." Daryl nodded.

"Ok. No Katrina." Punk noted, "Honestly, I think this guy is our best bet." He said, bringing up the application of the boy that Daryl clearly disliked, "So what if he's dating Shiv? She's going to college soon. They'll probably break up." Punk shrugged, hoping to make Daryl feel better.

"Whatever, hire who you want." Daryl stood up.

"Hey." Punk said with authority, "If you really don't want me to hire him then fine… but I'm just saying, he's probably the best candidate out of all of these applications."

"Shouldn't you be hiring someone older, anyway? Why hire another kid?" Daryl said.

"He's nineteen. And honestly, it's mostly kids who have applied for the job." Punk said, "Someone's gotta give them experience. And if he works as hard as you, I think it will be great."

"Whatever." Daryl shook his head, walking over to the counter.

"Daryl, don't be a baby." Punk shook his head.

"I'm not being a baby." Daryl defended, "Hire who you want." He waved his hand, wandering into the kitchen as Punk rolled his eyes.

"I think I got all the ingredients." Punk nodded, walking towards AJ's kitchen after she'd let him into her apartment later that night, "I bet this thing cost a small fortune." He said, pointing to AJ's large mixing bowl.

"It did, but she's worth it." AJ said.

"I put a job ad out this morning." He told her.

"Any luck?" AJ asked, taking the ingredients from him and sitting them on the kitchen counter.

"Yeah. We got a few applications sent through. Mostly kids, though. What's the deal with that?" He asked her.

"It's Summer and kids want money to fund their drug habits, probably." AJ shrugged.

"That's comforting." Punk nodded, "I think I've decided on one, but Daryl isn't happy about it."

"Why?" AJ asked.

"Apparently the guy is dating Shiv. You know anything about that?" He asked her.

"She has been spending time with someone recently, but I don't know much about him." AJ said, "Daryl is mad about this?"

"Yeah." Punk shrugged, "His name is Finn. Nineteen. Seems keen for full-time employment."

"God, you're never gonna make a friend here, are you?" AJ frowned sadly as he rolled his eyes.

"I've asked him in for an interview tomorrow morning." Punk said, "But I don't think Daryl is going to play nice."

"Well, you gotta tell him to be professional." AJ said, "You're the boss. Take charge."

"I told him to stop being a baby." Punk shrugged, "Is that bossy enough?"

"Oh, sure." AJ nodded sarcastically, "So you're really going to try and make fresh bagels every morning for the breakfast sandwiches?" She asked curiously.

"Yes, key word try." Punk nodded.

"Didn't take you long to catch onto making donuts. I'm sure you'll manage it just fine." She nodded encouragingly as he smiled.

"Thank you for showing me." He nodded sincerely as she looked up at him, "I was… glad to see you text this morning." He said with a small smile.

"Well, I know you want to get the breakfast sandwiches rolled out next week so…" AJ shrugged modestly.

"Right." Punk nodded, "How come you don't do any kind of sandwiches?" He asked curiously whilst she told him to weigh out the flour on the scales.

"I guess I just enjoy baking cakes more." AJ shrugged, "It's like my therapy. After I was attacked, I didn't leave my Aunt's apartment for about two months, that's when I started baking." She explained, "Helped take my mind off of everything for a short period of time, I guess."

"You moved back in with your Aunt after?" Punk asked.

"Yeah. I couldn't go back to my dorm." She shook her head, "I stayed with my Aunt and eventually had to drop out of college. Luckily, Lyla hated the degree she was doing so she ended up dropping out, too. We eventually got our own place in New Jersey before moving here."

"They sound like a good support system." Punk nodded.

"They are." AJ smiled, "Did you live with your girlfriend before coming here?" She asked, "Weigh out the yeast and add it to the flour." She said as he done so whilst talking again.

"Yeah we had an apartment but she moved out once we broke up." Punk said.

"Was it a friendly break-up?" She asked, whilst adding some other ingredients to the flour, showing Punk before inserting them.

"Not really." Punk said, "Mostly because of the disbarment, especially because she had to be investigated throughout it all. She was pretty mad about that."

"I bet." AJ nodded.

"We're a little bit friendlier now, I suppose." He shrugged.

"That's the woman that's been here a couple of times?" She clarified, "With the really nice car?"

"Yeah, that's her." Punk laughed a little, "I think she's doing ok without me, honestly. We were together for two years and I think she was starting to expect a little more from me. But I just… I've never really saw myself getting married or anything like that." He admitted.

"Why not?" AJ asked, "Little bit of warm water. Add it a bit at a time." She said as he nodded, taking the jug from her.

"I don't know. I think it's an outdated concept." He said.

"Marriage?" AJ asked with confusion.

"Yeah." Punk nodded.

"I can see why she dumped your ass." AJ teased as he smiled.

"I broke up with her, actually." Punk said.

"Maybe you just couldn't see yourself getting married because you've never met anyone to make you think about things like that." AJ suggested.

"Yeah, maybe." He nodded, "Ok, what am I doing now?"

"You're gonna mix it in the bowl and then take it out to knead." She explained.

"To what?" He asked.

"Knead. With your hands." AJ said, "I'll show you." She nodded, turning the mixing bowl on as Punk watched a dough begin to form.

Once formed, AJ took it out and put it on the board, showing him how to knead the dough properly, but all he could do was stare at her hands.

"This is definitely where your muscles come from." Punk nodded.

"You try." AJ laughed a little, watching him begin to push the dough around. Her heart warmed because she knew he was trying so hard, but he just wasn't getting the hang of it.

"Is this right?" He asked her.

"Try like this." AJ said, putting her hands over his and showing him the motions, standing with her arm pressed against his. She could tell he was staring at her, a stare that made her feel hot inside.

"Ok." Punk said quietly, trying it again as she removed her hands.

"That's better." AJ nodded encouragingly.

"And after this?" He asked.

"It needs to rest in the fridge for a little while." She told him, placing the dough in a large bowl, covering it with a towel and putting it in the fridge whilst Punk cleaned up the surfaces.

"It's similar to the donuts, I guess." Punk nodded, washing his hands at the sink.

"I honestly think it's a little easier than donuts." AJ admitted, washing her hands after him, "Help yourself to a soda."

"Thanks." Punk nodded, opening her fridge, "You want one?"

"Yes, please." AJ nodded, watching him wander over to the sofa with two cans.

"I take it you got bombarded with questions from Lyla." Punk said once she joined him on the sofa.

"Not as many as I thought I would." AJ admitted, "I know she's not stupid. I think she knows something is going on."

"Something." Punk nodded to himself as she looked at him.

"Making bagels." AJ shrugged as Punk chuckled.

"Yeah, that's all we're doing." Punk nodded, "Forgive me if this doesn't come out right but… sex is like… a healthy part of life." He said as AJ looked at him, "And in six years you haven't had that urge to…"

"I've had the urge." AJ nodded, "But it's different for me. The last time a man touched me it was… violent and awful. It's hard to forget about it. No matter how much I want it." AJ shook her head.

"You think every man will hurt you like that if you get close to them?" Punk asked her.

"I did for a long time. It's a form of PTSD, I guess." AJ nodded, "I know not every man out there is evil." She assured him.

"It's just… frustrating that you've not been allowed to feel good like that in so long." He shook his head.

"I've gotten good at taking care of myself." AJ nodded, taking a sip of her soda, looking over at him whilst doing so, noticing a small smile forming on him.

"Right." Punk nodded to himself, looking down at the ground as AJ smiled. It was enjoyable to see him a little flustered.

She sat her soda down on the coffee table, moving closer to him on the sofa as he watched her, sitting his own soda down and turning his body in her direction a little more.

"Kiss me." She nodded. It was all she'd been thinking about all day.

He gave her that glorious, charming smile of his and leaned into her, cupping her cheek and pressing his lips against hers. It felt so good to feel those butterflies in her stomach again, just like last night, a feeling she'd craved for so long.

She felt him deepen the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down with her as she lay back on the sofa. She felt the heaviness of him on top of her body and miraculously, didn't want to immediately shove him away. In fact, feeling his body pressed against hers was just as exciting as the kiss.

She felt him pull back from her lips, feeling him kiss down her jaw and towards her neck. She could have sworn every hair on her body stood up as she felt his warm tongue around her pulse point. It felt so good that all she could do was close her eyes and moan quietly.

"Just tell me if you want me to stop." Punk said softly as she nodded, cupping the back of his head to make sure he knew she didn't want him to stop. Not anytime soon.

He kissed up her neck and back to her mouth, feeling her tongue battle with his longingly. Every part of her body felt heightened, especially when she felt him cup one of her breasts through her t-shirt.

Punk did not take it lightly that she hadn't been touched like this in six years. It infuriated him that she hadn't been allowed to feel desired like this. It was all he was interested in… making her feel good. It was just as thrilling to hear her moans against his mouth.

He leaned a little to the side, running his hand down her stomach, watching her chest rise and fall in quick rhythms. He stopped his hand at the top of her jeans, pressing his lips back against hers and running his hand back up to her breasts.

Not a single bone in her body wanted to run in the opposite direction. In fact, she wanted to run straight into this, whatever this was.

She reached down to the button of her jeans, undoing them and pulling the zip down as he broke away from their kiss and looked into her eyes.

"I trust you." She nodded, cupping his face and leaning her forehead against his.

He nodded, going back to kissing her passionately whilst he moved his hand back down her body, slowly moving it inside her jeans and panties, finding her so wet between her folds.

He broke away from her lips, wanting to look her in the eyes as his fingers slid between her folds and found that sensitive spot.

"Is this ok?" He asked, slowly beginning to rub her clit in soft circles, watching her roll her head back a little and nod with desperation.

"That feels really good." AJ whispered, panting and moving her hips up against his fingers which he so expertly knew how to use. She was amazed.

Punk made use of his mouth on her neck again, kissing just below her ear whilst he stoked her beneath her panties, building up a steady rhythm, increasing it ever so slowly as he listened to her moans which seemed to get louder and louder.

"Fuck." She whispered, biting her lip as she felt the blood rushing to her head, her senses disappearing with her only thought and focus on the pleasure that was creeping up on her.

Punk watched her, not being able to stop himself as he took in the pleasured look on her face, her moans and panting like angels singing to his hears. He'd never saw a woman come undone like this in front of him, and the fact she hadn't allowed anyone to do this to her until now, until him… he didn't want to make her regret that.

"Let yourself go." He whispered close to her ear, focusing all his attention on giving her the pleasure she deserved, hearing her moans get louder and louder until he felt her grab his arm and shudder under his touch.

"Fuck." She whispered breathlessly. It was almost too much to bear. She had pleasured herself countless times, but that didn't come close to feeling another's hands on her. Even more so because every part of her body felt ready for him.

Punk watched her closely as she came, holding his arm steady as she drowsily opened her eyes and looked up at him, her breathing still harsh and loud as her body tingled and relaxed completely.

"Are you ok?" He asked with a smile.

"Yes." AJ nodded breathlessly, "That was…" She said, not finding the word good enough to describe it.

"Pretty good?" He laughed a little, taking his hand out from her panties and jeans as she nodded and laughed quietly.

"Pretty good." She repeated as he smiled, leaning down and kissing her softly as she cupped his cheeks. Her body came alive under his touch, not just because he clearly knew what he was doing, but because she trusted him entirely. Her head was buzzing.

"This is exactly how you deserve to be treated." He said quietly once breaking his lips from hers.

She couldn't help feeling how hard he was beside her and she hated that she felt like she couldn't go all the way with him just yet. Tonight was a huge step. A welcomed step.

"I don't think I'm ready for…" She shook her head, "I'm sorry. I want to but-"

"It's ok." He assured her, "This isn't about me."

"That's not entirely fair." She whispered.

"What's not fair is you've not gotten to feel like this in six years." Punk said, "I can wait for my turn." He assured her with a smile as she smiled back, cupping his face and bringing his lips back to her own, "Plus, we got those bagels to make." He spoke against her lips as she chuckled.