Drop Beat (The Heartbeat Series Book 2)

by Ryleigh Sloan

  “Cupcake mix. I wanted to christen your store for you.”

  My eyes well with tears. “You made me cupcakes?”

  Keller runs his thumb along my chin; it’s still covered with cupcake mix, and I can feel some of the goo transfer to my face. “I buy you a store, and this is what you get emotional over, the cupcakes?”

  “What can I say, I’m complicated.”

  “You can say that twice,” Keller scoffs.

  “Careful now. This store can only be your get out of jail card for one round.”

  Keller’s lip curls in a crooked smile. “Is that so?”

  “It is.” I nod. “So let me see the cupcakes.”

  “Now? I thought we were going to get started on that down payment?” He looks like he just dropped his ice-cream cone on a hot pier.

  I trail a finger over the seam of his jeans where I can see the bulge from his hard cock fighting to free itself. “Don’t worry, we’ll get to that. You baked for me. That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. I want to try it out.”

  He huffs out a breath and suddenly looks really nervous. He walks over to the basin and washes his hands, then reaches under the counter for a tray with three really sad-looking cupcakes on it.

  I pull my lip into my mouth so I don’t laugh. These are the saddest-looking cupcakes I’ve ever seen. It’s clear Keller didn’t wait for the cupcakes to cool before icing them, and the orange butter icing has melted off the tops and is pooling down the sides.

  “Uh…where’s the rest?”

  “On the floor. I knocked the batter over, and there was only enough for three.”

  I lift a hand and kiss his fingers. “How is it these fingers are really skilled with drums and…other things, but you can’t get the mix into the cupcake holders?”

  “It’s not as easy as it looks.”

  “I’ll teach you the trick.” I wink. “Okay, let me try one of these.”

  Keller selects one from the tray and hands it to me. His fingers shake.

  “Mr. Cannon, you’re making me nervous with your shaking fingers and all.”

  He scrubs his hands on his jeans. “Yeah…sorry, I just want you to like it.”

  I place a hand on his cheek. “I’m going to love it. And I love this shop. Keller, I don’t know what to say except thank you. I probably don’t deserve all this.”

  “You deserve everything and more. Now put me out of my misery and taste it.”

  “Here goes.” I raise the cupcake and pretend I’m clinking it against his, but he isn’t holding one. I take a huge mouthful and bite into something hard.

  “Ouch! Shit! There’s something hard in here.”

  “Shit. Fuck!” Keller lifts me onto the counter and takes the cupcake away, laying it next to me. “Are you okay? Did I crack your tooth?” He runs a thumb over my teeth.

  “I’m fine. I’m good,” I say around a mouthful of not-quite-cooked cupcake dough. I chew and swallow. It’s not too bad; there’s a bit of a weird aftertaste, and aside from the fact that I think he baked rocks into the thing, it was an okayish first attempt. “What did I bite into?”

  Keller hands me back the cupcake. He jams his hands into his pockets and looks sheepish.

  I turn the cupcake and see something shiny in the partially cooked dough. Dropping the cupcake, which Keller deftly catches, my hand flies to my mouth.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  Keller drops to his knees. He presents the cupcake like it’s a velvet ring box. I feel the tears start welling in my eyes, and I blink furiously to clear the blur.

  “Maddie, I wasn’t prepared for you. I’m never prepared for you. You always surprise me. Case in point, by arriving fifteen minutes early. You constantly keep me on my toes and have me guessing. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and your side of the bed is empty, and for a moment I feel like you were all just a dream I’m waking up from. I start thinking what my world would be without you, and I can’t fucking contemplate it. Be with me, Maddie. Wake up in my bed every day. Be mine and let me be yours.”

  He digs out the soggy ring and slides it on my finger. It’s three sizes too big, and the princess-cut diamond drops upside down around my finger.

  “Yes! Yes, Keller, yes.” I jump off the counter into his arms.

  “Oofff!” He grunts and drops me to my feet.

  “Oh shit!” I cover my eyes. “Did I just nail you in the balls?

  He pales and bends over. “Yup.”

  I open my eyes and cover my mouth to try stop the giggle that’s erupting from my throat. “At least it wasn’t your nose again.”

  Keller sits down hard on his butt, cupping his family jewels with both hands. “I think I would’ve preferred the nose.”

  I stop laughing. Damn he doesn’t look good. Only I could injure my fiancé the night he proposes. I screw up my face. “Can I kiss it better?”

  He opens his arms wide. “I’m counting on it. But give me a minute first.”

  I nuzzle into Keller’s side. “You sure you wanna do this? Marry me, the biggest klutz in the world?”

  Keller squeezes me tighter to him. “Of fucking course. I might need to up my health insurance first though.”

  I swat him on the shoulder. “It’s not that bad, is it?”

  Keller rubs his crotch. “The jury is still out on that.”

  I straddle him. “Maybe some heat would help?”

  Keller smirks. “And some gentle rubbing.”

  I rock gently against him. “How’s that?”

  Keller throws his head back and groans. “Perfect!”

  Acknowledgments

  Every time I sit down to do the acknowledgments I get a little emotional at all the love and support I had during this journey. I also feel like I’m repeating myself and I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m simply saying thing to say them, because for real, I am so grateful to each and every one of you that I don’t have words.

  First and foremost, Brian: I couldn’t even contemplate this journey without you. You keep us all going and are always there for support when I need you the most. Thank you endlessly. I love you!

  To my girls: What incredible cheerleaders you are. Thank you for sharing me with the people who live in my head and for being my writing-cave buddies when things get lonely. I love you both so much.

  To Carrie: Your morning voice notes mean the world to me and help me get my day off to the perfect start. Love you, Kiddo.

  Les: That flag in your lapa is responsible for this journey. Thank you being there from the beginning and for every single milestone in our wonderful friendship. Here’s to many more, bestie.

  Ant: Your strength and resilience is inspiring. Don’t stop doing you.

  Robyn: you get me sometimes when I don’t get myself. That’s a rare gift my friend. Thank you for always being real with me.

  Jenn: Holy cannoli what would I have done without you? Thank you for proofing Drop Beat on such short notice and for all your insights. Also, thanks for motivating me to get my butt moving. In the literal sense! ;-)

  Owen: Another one bites the dust! Thank you for always being an ear to bend and for pulling all the long hours with me on this one to help make it as perfect as it can be. Your patience is astounding.

  Krys and Ru: I said this last time but it applies still. I look forward to our daily chats and giggles. Thank you for always cheering me on, for your fierce support of me in all things book related and so much more. Thank you for ALWAYS being in my corner without question. You mean the world to me. I can’t wait to meet you both in person one day!

  Monique: Goodness where would I have been during this lockdown if it weren’t for you? You’re the best, and the worst sponsor ever ;-)

  Lana: Thank you for cheering me on and making me smile.

  To my alpha and beta readers: Elle, Jenn, Krystal, Laura, Lindsay, Owen, Tiffany. Maddie and Keller’s story is so incredible and I have you to thank for your countless hours and dedication. Tha
nk you for always being available to brainstorm with or ask random questions. Mostly—well, not mostly because truly everything is equally important—thank you for putting up with my crazy. I love you guys.

  To Sandra: I struck gold with you. Thank you for pushing me to make this book the best it could be. Your feedback is invaluable. And this ending is PERFECT now!

  To the Rascals: Oh my word, I love you guys. I hope you all love this book because when I wrote it, I kept smiling imagining your faces when you get to meet Maddie and all her ridiculousness.

  To my street team for pimping out my books and being as enthusiastic as I am. You guys are so freaking awesome! You work tirelessly to get my book in front of as many eyes as you can and do it all with love! I love you all endlessly. A special thank you to Elle and Laura for being our unofficial team leaders—there aren’t words to thank you for all you do for me.

  To Elle for the countless stunning graphics and for showing your love for my words through your teasers. Thank you so much!

  To my author friends and colleagues: your support and friendship mean the world to me. Thank you.

  Thank you to Cat from TRC Designs for this incredibly hot cover and amazing graphics. I mean, am I right everyone? I appreciate all you do for me. Also, this title was all you baby!

  And last but not least, to the bloggers and readers: I wish for a miniscule second you could see just how appreciated you are. You give my book babies life and there isn’t a single day I don’t appreciate the hell out of you guys. I hope my stories give you a little escape from this crazy world we’re living in and that I never disappoint. You guys rock!

  Thank you all.

  About The Author

  Ryleigh Sloan is a romance author with a master’s degree in being an indecisive control freak. Her favorite pastime is driving her friends crazy by writing multiple books at once.

  Following the advice of established authors to read, read, read in order to hone one’s craft she does just that and engrosses herself in as many romance novels as she can get her hands on. Her bad habit of writing more than one book at a time carries over to her reading and she can be found reading, and listening to multiple titles at once and enjoying every moment.

  More Work by Me

  Cliché — A standalone contemporary romance with a sizzling HEA! Now an audiobook narrated by Erin Mallon!

  Go to my website to read the first chapter of Cliché! ryleighsloanauthor.com/cliche-chapter-one/

  Back Beat — Find out if Blair can stay true to herself in this rock-star romance with a twist! First book of the Heartbeat Series! Now an audiobook narrated by Erin Mallon and Zachary Webber!

  If you’re not yet an Audible member, you can get either Cliché or Back Beat for FREE with a free 30-day trial by visiting my website—just click the links above!

  Also, if you already own the Kindle editions, you can add the audiobook at a discount through Whispersync on Amazon.

  The Dark Side of Chemistry — A romantic suspense story with plenty of twists and turns before the HEA!

  Connect with Me

  Facebook: web.facebook.com/ryleighsloanauthor/

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/18006954.Ryleigh_Sloan

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  Website: www.ryleighsloanauthor.com

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  Email: ryleighsloanauthor@gmail.com

  Cover design by TRC Designs.

  For all your editing needs contact Sandra at One Love Editing.

  edits@oneloveediting.com

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