A Muffin Top Christmas
Page 6
Vincent kisses me back and wraps his arms around me. He holds me tight, gently rocking his cock along my wet slit until I feel his body tense up like mine. He comes with me, happily laughing between heaving breaths and irresistible groans as he fills the latex barrier.
I settle against the pillow, closing my eyes and moaning to myself. Vincent sits back on his ankles and I feel him lean over to the drawer again.
I open my eyes as he slides a fresh condom on his still-rigid shaft.
“Again?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah…”
“Already?”
“Uh-huh.”
Vincent grabs my hips and pulls me closer, aligning us for no longer than a second before entering me. I gasp, smiling with need as he begins to fuck me again.
The baby monitor comes to life on the bedside table.
Zachary cries out and the two of us freeze. We stare at it, holding our breaths as we wait for more screams to interrupt the moment.
The sound stops and I let out a blissful exhale.
“That’s my boy,” Vincent whispers, grinning wide.
I chuckle as he crushes his lips on mine.
Epilogue
Evey
“Evey?”
I stare forward, not really seeing or hearing anything at all other than the constant pounding of my heart against my ribs.
I’m getting married today. Yeah, me. Evey Ryan. Short, chubby, kinda stupid but good at faking otherwise… and I’m getting married today.
“… Evey?”
Vincent’s face fills my vision and I snap to attention the instant I see his black tuxedo.
“Huh?”
He grins. “They called us. Let’s go…”
I blink and look around. My brother stands by in a navy-blue suit jacket and jeans. Anna’s beside him in a sleek skirt and coat, holding Zachary in one arm and a bouquet of fresh, pink flowers in the other.
I look down at my white dress.
I’m getting married right now.
Oh, crap.
I shoot off the seat in the back of the courtroom. Vincent instantly takes my hand and I realize how clammy it is but he doesn’t seem to notice or care about that. He just smiles at me and leads me towards the front.
A bailiff waves us forward and we pass by a court reporter on the way towards the bench.
A silver-haired judge stands up from his seat and leans over his desk, his eyes laser-focused downward on Vincent’s face.
Finally, he grins, deepening the wrinkles surrounding his mouth. “We meet again, Silva.”
Vincent smiles back at him. “It’s nice to see you, too, Judge Geller.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far…”
I raise a brow and look at Vincent. “You know the judge?”
He hesitates. “Yeah, we’ve met.”
“In this very room, if I recall correctly,” Geller says. He steps down from the bench and walks over to us, standing tall in his black robes. “When I saw your name on my list this morning, I didn’t expect it to be for a wedding.”
“I don’t blame you at all, sir,” Vincent says, amused.
“I thought to myself, ‘Oh, lordy, what’s this kid gone and done now?’”
Anna chuckles behind us.
He sighs. “And then I remembered that you’re an adult now… but old habits are tough to break.” His eyes flick between him and me, briefly landing on Zachary behind us in Anna’s arms. “How’d that sentence work out for you in the end, Silva?”
Vincent squeezes my hand a little tighter. “Pretty well,” he answers. “It was just what I needed.”
“Good on you for taking it to heart. If you take what’s said in this room today just as seriously, then I’ve no doubts that this marriage will last.”
Vincent nods. “Thank you, sir. I will.”
“And you…” He turns to me and I flinch. “You’re the famous Evey.”
“I am?” I squeak.
“Are you sure about this?”
I take a quick and deep breath. “Yes. I’m sure.”
“Because there’s still time to run,” he quips. “No one would judge you. Not even me…”
I keep hold of Vincent’s hand. “I’m still sure, sir.”
Geller cracks a smile. “All right, then. Face each other, please.”
We turn and I look up into Vincent’s eyes. He takes my other hand and I feel his tight, unyielding grip. He’s not shaking at all. His eyes aren’t spazzed out with nerves. He’s firm as stone. Confident and ready to spend the rest of our lives together.
I fill my lungs and my knees stop quivering.
Geller clears his throat. “The person standing next to you is not your possession. They are your partner. In life and love. In business and pleasure.”
My smile digs deeper, igniting the muscles on my face but I don’t care.
“Some days, you’ll hate each other,” he continues, drawing a few laughs from Anna and Tommy. “Other days, you’ll adore each other. Today, you are making a commitment to stay by their side either way.”
Vincent doesn’t blink. He gazes down, his eyes soft and full of love for me and I have to remind myself to breathe.
“Do you have rings?” Geller asks.
“Oh—” Tommy raises a hand and stuffs the other in his jacket pocket. “I got’ em…”
After a few moments of shuffling, Tommy drops the wedding bands into Vincent’s open palm. He gives me his ring and I clench it so I don’t drop it. Vincent takes my left hand, gently touching my ring finger and I shudder through my toes as a lump swells in my throat.
“Vincent Silva, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife?”
Vincent slides the ring on my finger, nestling it beside the engagement ring he gave me the day our son was born. “I do,” he says.
“Evey Ryan, do you take this man to be your wedded husband?”
A tear escapes down my cheek as I take his hand. “I do,” I say, pushing the ring on his thick digit.
Vincent entwines our hands again, gripping so tightly my fingers turn numb.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Silva, you may now kiss your bride…” Geller leans forward to whisper, “and get the hell out of my courtroom.”
We laugh and Vincent pulls me in. He wipes the tears off my face and kisses me, firm and true. Blood rushes from my head, making me completely dizzy but he holds me up.
As we break away, he grins and dips me backward to kiss me again. Tommy whistles at us while Anna lets out a few whoops and hollers.
I laugh and cry, barely able to even stand. “I love you,” I whisper.
Vincent’s lips graze mine. “I love you.”
One more soft kiss and he pulls me up. Geller hands us our marriage certificate, complete with his signature and he happily watches as we sign our own.
Anna steps closer. “Here,” she says, lifting Zachary at me and sniffing the tears away. “I have to take some pictures…”
I hold my son, grinning wildly at his adorable suit and tie and he laughs with me.
Vincent kisses his head. “Happy New Year, buddy,” he says.
I look into my husband’s eyes again, realizing that I get to celebrate each new year beside him for the rest of my days.
New Year’s used to be so full of regret. I’d look back and see what I hadn’t accomplished or I’d tell myself that this year would be the year when I’ll do something amazing with myself.
Now, they seem so full of possibility. Each new year will be a new chapter in our journey together. In life and love. In business and pleasure.
One muffin at a time.
The
Muffin Top
Cookbook
Five recipes from
Boston’s favorite bakery!
Vincent’s Blueberry Muffins
“If I were on death row
and the warden asked for my last meal,
you can bet your ass it would b
e
a large coffee and a blueberry muffin
from Muffin Top in Boston.”
—Evey
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15-20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
Yields 18 muffins
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine (room temperature)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Topping:
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, mixed with
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Grease a regular-size muffin pan.
3. In a bowl, mix butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each.
5. Beat in vanilla, baking powder and salt.
6. With a spoon, fold in half of flour then half of milk into batter. Repeat.
7. Fold in blueberries.
8. Spoon into muffin cups and sprinkle topping onto each muffin.
9. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
10. Set one aside for Evey.
Vincent’s Cherry-Cherry Cupcakes
“The key to frosting cupcakes
is that you don’t want to go too slow.
But if you go too fast, you get sloppy
and make mistakes, so…
You find a happy medium.”
—Vincent
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 20-25 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
Yields 18 cupcakes
1 jar maraschino cherries, drained (keep liquid)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup maraschino cherry liquid
1/4 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks
Pink food color
Topping:
2 containers whipped vanilla frosting
18 maraschino cherries (stems removed)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a regular-size cupcake pan with liners.
3. Finely chop cherries with a knife. Place chopped cherries in paper towel-lined bowl to drain.
4. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
5. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well-blended.
6. In a glass measuring cup, stir together 1/2 cup cherry liquid, milk, and 2 teaspoons almond extract.
7. Alternately add flour mixture and milk mixture to butter mixture, beating well after each addition. (Beginning and ending with flour mixture works best.)
8. Stir in a few drops of pink food color until desired color is achieved.
9. Fold in egg whites.
10. Fold in chopped cherries.
11. Spoon batter into cupcake pan, filling each liner about 3/4 full.
12. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer cupcakes from pan and onto a cooling rack. Allow 30 minutes to cool.
Topping:
1. Transfer frosting to a decorating bag fitted with large star tip.
2. Hide the cherry! Set one cherry on the top center of each cupcake. Start from the outside and pipe frosting around the outer edge towards the cherry in the center.
Evey’s Muffin Bombs
“What the hell did I just put in my mouth?”
—Vincent
INGREDIENTS:
Yields 1 shot
Your favorite Whiskey
A dollop of Sweet and Sour Mix
A dash of Hot Sauce
Blueberry Schnapps
DIRECTIONS:
1. Fill a shot glass 1/2 Whiskey.
2. Add Sweet and Sour Mix and Hot Sauce.
3. Top off with Blueberry Schnapps.
4. Give to your favorite baker and watch him squirm.
Vincent’s Candy Corn
“Hey, you actually taught me
how to make candy corn.
Together, we can do anything.”
—Evey
Total Time: 65 minutes
Prep: 60 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
Yields 80-100 pieces
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 1/4 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange and Yellow food color
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix the confectioners' sugar, dry milk, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Set aside.
2. Mix the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium pot. Place over medium heat, cover, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the butter, clip on a candy thermometer and bring the sugar syrup to 230 degrees F, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the thermometer.
3. Add the vanilla and the dry mixture and stir continuously until well-combined. Pour onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, until the mixture is cool enough to handle.
4. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Add 2 or 3 drops of yellow food color to one piece and knead until the color is consistent throughout. Do the same with the second piece, using orange food color. Leave the third piece white.
5. Roll each piece of dough into a strand about 1/2 inch thick. If the dough becomes too hard to handle during these steps, you can put it in a microwave for a few seconds to soften.
6. Lay the strands side-by-side (orange, yellow, then white) and press them together using your fingers.
7. Use a knife to cut each part into individual candies (wide orange on the bottom, white tip on top). Lay the candies on a piece of parchment until dry, at least 1 hour. Store in an airtight container.
8. Hide from Evey. She loves this stuff.
Mary Silva’s Peppermint Snickerdoodles
“You’ve never had one? Please, I insist.
One bite will change your life.
Half of my bakery’s yearly
revenue comes from these things.”
—Vincent
Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8-10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
Yields 18 cookies
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla vodka)
1/8 teaspoon mint extract
1 egg
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup crushed candy canes
Topping:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup crushed candy canes
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, and mint extract in large bowl. Beat on medium speed until creamy.
3. Reduce speed to low. Add in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until well-mixed.
4. Stir the crushed candy canes into the dough.
5. Mix your topping in a separate bowl.
6. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls and roll in sugar/candy mixture to coat. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly-browned.
8. Keep the vodka-spiked cookies away from the kids!
NOVELS BY TABATHA KISS
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THE SNAKE EYES SERIES
Stand-alone romance. Interconnecting stories.
One unforgettable adventure!
Bodyguard: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance
The Hitman’s Dancer: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance
Love and Wargames: A Bad Boy Hacker Romance
Bloodlines: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Romance
Hard Bounty: A Bad Boy Bounty Hunter Romance
No Fury: A Bad Boy Romance
THE BAD BALLER BOOKS
Irresistible Stand-alone Sports Romances!
Whiplash: A Sports Romance
Johnny Deeper: A Sports Romance
Home Run Baby: A Sports Romance
THE MIDWEST ALPHAS
MMA Suspense at its very best!
Untouched: A Bad Boy MMA Romance
Unbroken: A Bad Boy MMA Romance
Undying: A Bad Boy MMA Romance
The Complete Trilogy PLUS a bonus epilogue
STAND-ALONE ROMANCES
Guaranteed to hit the spot!
Blind Girl: A Dark Billionaire Romance
Ruin Me: A Stepbrother Romance
Muffin Top
A Muffin Top Christmas
Tabatha Kiss lives in Chicago, Illinois. You can probably catch her huddled up in a hoodie, reading a good romance beneath a tree in Jackson Park with her trusty husky by her side. She enjoys roller derby, sushi, and is always searching for her forever bad boy. In the meantime, she writes.