by Alexa Riley
Lovely Baker
Alexa Riley
Copyright © 2020 by Author Alexa Riley LLC. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email to [email protected]
http://alexariley.com/
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Edited by Aquila Editing
Lovely Baker
by Alexa Riley
Jenna has been running the bakery for a while now and she doesn’t need her grouchy boss telling her what to do. No matter how big his muscles are or how dark those eyes can be when he’s staring into her soul. Wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, she’s busy taking care of her little brother whom she’s raised since he was a baby and she doesn’t have time for men. No matter how sexy they are.
Reed has been playing the long game with Jenna because he knows she has a responsibility to her son. But from the first time he saw her, he’s been counting down the seconds until he can make her his. Her time of playing games is over, and a weekend away at a friend's wedding is just the opportunity he needs.
Warning: He’s pressing his luck and she likes the way it feels against her. Hot and dirty at the speed of happily ever after. What more could you want? Epilogues? Good thing the ebook has plenty!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
Epilogue
Epilogue
Epilogue
Bonus… Lovely Proposal
Giving Her My Baby
Chapter 1
Read Me Romance
Stalk the Author
Chapter One
Jenna
“I can’t believe this.” I stare at the beautiful ornate box. When I lift the lid I see the invitation inside and I shake my head. “This is so extra, girl.” I laugh and she joins me. “I love it!”
“I thought it was a little much, but Devin’s sister Ree talked me into it.”
I move the phone to my other ear and I can’t help but think Erin sounds so freaking happy. I was a bit worried when she fell so fast for this Devin guy and I haven’t gotten a chance to meet him yet. It’s not like I can pop over to her place anymore, and she’s not showing up to the coffee shop to eat all my sweets. We live hundreds of miles apart now, but she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.
“I’m really happy for you. You deserve this.” She really does after that crazy stalker came at her. Anytime I think about it, I start to get choked up that I could have lost her.
“You’ll come, right?”
“This isn’t a lot of notice.”
I’m not shocked she and Devin are rushing down the aisle. I think a brush with death will make everyone open their eyes and grab whatever it is they want most. For them it was each other.
“I know. That’s why I’m handling everything. I already got your dress and the seamstress will come by and do alterations right there. I also am handling your flights and hotels.” Gah, she’s so sweet.
“I can’t ask you to do all that.” Even if I really want to go, that’s too much. Neither Lucas nor I have been on a plane. He’ll be so excited because he’s obsessed with them. He keeps saying he’s going to grow up and be a pilot. Then he can take us anywhere in the world.
“Well, my soon-to-be husband is loaded.” I hear Devin laugh in the background. “And I want you there. You, Lucas and Grams are my family. I want you to come and have a great time and not worry about all the odds and ends. Relax for a few days.”
God, that sounds really nice. When was the last time I relaxed?
“You’re making it hard to say no.”
“That’s the point,” she laughs.
“Okay, I’ll come,” I blurt out before I have a chance to talk myself out of it.
“Yes!” she shouts, almost killing my eardrum. “Okay. I’m going to text you some stuff so we can pick dates and everything.” I hear the back door to the shop open and I know it can only be one person. One I don't want to deal with tonight.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll be out of work in a little while,” I tell her, so she knows it will be a few minutes before I can respond.
“Awesome. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I say before hanging up. When I turn around I run right into a wall of muscle. “Reed.”
I lean my head back to look up at him and he’s glaring at me. I think most are scared of his glare, but I’m used to it. He’s the boy who cried wolf; he glares and nothing happens. I inwardly laugh at calling him a boy because I bet he hasn't been called one since he was twelve.
“Where is Mandy?” He looks over my head to the tables in the shop.
“She got sick about an hour ago so I sent her home.”
I duck past him, needing to put distance between us. He always smells a little too good. Men aren't supposed to smell good, are they? I pull off my apron and grab the hand towel.
“You know the rules. No one works alone at night,” he says to my retreating back.
A moment later I hear his steps behind me and I toss the towel and apron into the laundry bag outside the small office.
“She was throwing up. What do you want me to do?” I sit down in my chair and put in the totals from my drawer.
“You call me and I show up.”
“It was only an hour. I don’t need help, I’ve got it.” He grabs my chair and spins it around to face him. I try so hard to keep eye contact but fail miserably.
Along with smelling too good, he is one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen. It doesn't matter if he’s in an expensive suit or wearing boots, jeans and a shirt that lets me see all those glorious tattoos. He always looks good, but he’s in a suit tonight and it’s bittersweet that I can’t see his ink.
“That’s your problem. You don’t let anyone help.”
He’s not wrong. It’s a hard habit to break when I’ve spent my whole life taking care of myself. It’s not as if I had a choice. I took care of my mom and then Lucas came along so I had to take care of him too. Not that I would change that for anything in the world. He might be my little brother, but it’s been me that’s raised him since the day he was born. He’s mine.
“I’ll call next time. I thought I was doing you a solid. It’s Saturday night, go have a life,” I throw out as I power off the computer.
Since Reed bought the shop a few months ago from Bob and Martha he’s been all over my ass. I’ve been here for three years now and I know what I’m doing. He’s the one who knows nothing about coffee shops.
I don’t actually know what he does, to be honest, because I don’t ask. That said, he shows up here with a variety of cars that cost more than some homes. That’s not coming from owning this place. His clothes scream money too, even if he doesn’t say a word.
I reach down under the desk to grab my purse then get my keys.
“Who do you love?” he asks, and I blink up at him in confusion.
He heard me on the phone with Erin? I try not to fidget with my hair as he stares at me, waiting for an answer. It’s be
en a long day and I know I’m a hot mess. I’m guessing my makeup isn’t far behind. I wouldn't bother putting it on but it can hide the dark circles under my eyes when I don’t get enough sleep. Last night was one of those nights.
“Are you going to answer me?”
“Why do you care?” I snap as I stand up.
Reed knows absolutely nothing about me. A few times I thought he might be into me with all the staring, but he’s never made a move. I think he stares at me because he doesn't like me and is annoyed that I don’t fawn all over him. We don’t run in the same world and that shit would never work between us. He also doesn't know I have a kid because I don’t tell anyone about Lucas.
I grab a pen off my desk and walk over to the calendar. I write in the days I know I’ll need time off for the wedding without saying a word.
“I care, that’s why.” I can feel him come up behind me. “Why do you need all those days off?”
“I haven't taken a day off in forever.” I would always switch with people if I could so that I could have the hours. “I’ve got a ton saved up and I want to use them.” I’ve been stockpiling them in case of an emergency.
“I didn’t say you couldn't. I asked why.”
“I need some time off, okay?” I slip past him but I can’t help when my boobs graze his arm. He’s the one who stood so close up my ass. I go back to the front and grab the ridiculous invitation from Erin while Reed is hot on my heels. “I’m leaving. You got the door?”
“Yeah,” I hear him murmur as I push it open and keep on walking toward my car. I need to get home and get Lucas. During the day he stays with Mary, who lives across the hall from me.
I unlock my car and put the invitation on the passenger seat. When I turn around I once again run right into Reed. It’s dark in the back alley at night and we’re alone. I should probably be scared since Reed is three times my size, but my body is anything but.
“Jenna.”
“What are you doing?”
“When it comes to you I never know what I’m doing.” He lifts his hand and his thumb traces my bottom lip. I’m so shocked by the contact I don’t say anything. “Drive home safe.”
He looks pained as he takes his hand away from me and takes a step back.
“Good night,” I mumble as I get in the front seat and start up my car.
Reed stands there watching me the whole time as I pull out. My heart doesn't stop racing until I’m almost home, but it’s not from fear.
I guess we’re more alike than I realized, because when it comes to Reed I never know what I’m doing either.
Chapter Two
Reed
I check my watch again and then close the laptop. It’s almost time to go. Stretching my arms above my head, I walk into my closet and try to decide what to wear. My boxer briefs are tight even after getting off twice. I readjust but it’s no use.
It’s hot out today, which is probably why Jenna wanted to wear her threadbare tank top. Not to drive me wild, I’m sure. But after watching her on the security cameras, I could only jerk off and think she did it for me.
Six months ago I was in town on business and stopped for a coffee. One look and I was done for. Jenna was behind the counter and the place was packed. Someone else got my coffee order and I don’t even know if she looked my way. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and I ended up ordering food. I sat in the corner out of her sight and watched her for hours. I was late for my meeting, but I didn’t care. I watched how she moved, how she smiled at people. It was like seeing sunlight for the first time in my life.
After I snuck out, I found out who owned the place and made them an offer five times over asking price. They agreed and even though it took far too long for my liking, I got the deed in hand with the strict instructions that the staff had to remain.
Joke’s on me because even now, Jenna doesn’t see me. I’ve been big since I was young and there isn’t a day that people don’t stop and stare when I walk down the street. My tattoos don’t necessarily offer much to be desired, but I’ve never tried to attract someone’s attention before.
I walk down one side of my closet and see suits. I bought this house right after I bought the coffee shop and relocated my security business here. There’s still almost nothing here, but I had hoped over time that a certain brunette might help me make it a home.
Yesterday I had a meeting so I dressed for work. When Jenna sees me in a suit her eyes always go to my neck and chest. When she sees me in a T-shirt she keeps them on my arms. I can’t decide if she likes what she sees, but today I want her to see my arms.
I grab a pair of faded jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt. It’s a nice day, so I decide on taking the bike, and images of her behind me, holding on tight, make me hard again.
“Fuck.” I curse myself as I get ready, unable to stay away from her any longer.
Last night I almost lost control. Where is she going? Why is she suddenly taking time away? I was so worked up I touched her, and I’ve never done that before.
I don’t know shit about running a coffee shop, but I don't need to. Jenna makes that place twice as profitable as the older couple before her, and I don’t even think she knows it. I’m a numbers guy at heart, and seeing the first month of business after I made her manager was shocking. The one thing I hate is trying to keep good staff in there with her. She works too fucking hard and doesn’t share the burden with anyone around her.
It probably has to do with her son, and why she thinks I don’t know about him. Of course I’d looked into her and found everything I could. I knew that she had a little boy and worked every second of the day she could.
So why all of a sudden take five days off? Is he okay?
Once I’m on the bike I drive across town to the shop. It’s close to quitting time and I like to be here even if she’s not alone. But once again she’s by herself and anger rises up the back of my neck.
I park the bike in the alley and go in the back door. When it slams behind me she turns around and grabs her chest.
“You scared the life out of me.” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
“You’re alone again,” I accuse, and she rolls her eyes. I want to bend her over my knee and I clench my fists at the thought of it.
“For exactly ten minutes. Sheila had to run and pick up her kids before daycare closed.”
“That’s not your responsibility.”
She sighs as she walks away from me, and I watch her round ass bounce. Fuck, why does she have to be so damn thick? I want to sink my fingers in her hips and hold on to her while… I let those thoughts trail away as she goes into the office and turns around to glare at me.
“Why did you cross my days off?” She points to the calendar, and I shrug as I stuff my hands in my jeans. “I need those days off, Reed. You can’t stop me.”
I did it in a fit of anger last night after she’d left. I regret it just a little now that she’s here and I see the hurt in her eyes.
“Tell me why you need them.”
“That’s none of your business.” She crosses her arms over her chest and it pushes her big tits up
My eyes stay on them and I see her fidget as she uncrosses her arms, revealing her beaded nipples behind the thin material. She glances down as if noticing them too and turns away from me.
I move in closer because I can’t help myself. She’s like gravity and I can’t stand back. I fist my hands in my pockets because I ache to touch her.
“Tell me everything's okay,” I say softly, and she turns around to face me.
She misjudges how close we are and her body is an inch away from mine. I can feel heat coming off of her and it has nothing to do with the hot day.
“Why do you care?” She looks at me like it’s a challenge.
I think of all the things I could say to her in that moment. Because I feel protective of you, because I want you more than my next breath, because I’ve fallen in love with a woman who won’t look at me.
Inst
ead I simply say, “Because.”
She lets out a long sigh and looks at my arms. “It’s for a wedding. My best friend is getting married and it’s out of town.”
So many thoughts roll through my mind, but the one I hate the most is, what if she meets someone there? I can’t take that chance.
“No.” Now it’s my turn to cross my arms over my chest.
“No? You can’t be serious.” Color rises in her cheeks as she takes a step closer to me. She looks like she’s been holding in her anger for a long time, and I’ve just opened the door for her to let it loose. “No? Do you have any idea what I do for this place? I wake up at four in the morning every day to get here for the early coffee crowd. I’m on my feet for hours, busting my ass for an owner who only comes in at closing to criticize my way of doing things. I’ve worked my fingers to the bone trying to get this place to where I know it can be, and instead of praising me for the profit I’ve managed to turn on this shop, you scowl at me and tell me I can’t have time off.” She huffs like she’s out of breath.
I drop my arms and she presses her body against mine as she points her finger in my face.
“You might own this place, but it would be nothing without me.”
“You’re right.” My voice is low and rumbles between us as I reach down. I let one finger trace the edge of her hip as I lean closer to her. “I’m nothing without you.”
Before I can stop myself I grab her by the hips and lift her up as I swing around. I pin her against the wall and growl just before my mouth covers her. The kiss is searing hot, and when she cries out I let my tongue sweep inside. Her hands fist my hair to pull me away but only for a second. She whimpers and then I feel myself being tugged close as I grind my body against her.