by Alison Bliss
“We didn’t go home together, if that’s what you’re ask—” A noise sounded from the front room. Valerie stepped over to the swinging door and peeked out the window. “Shit. Incoming.”
Leah tossed her cleaning rag onto the counter. “Great. Just what I need right now. Don’t worry, I’ll go head her off at the pass.”
“I’ll just stay back here out of the way.”
“Yeah, right. Coward,” Leah called out as she shoved open the door and stepped into the front room.
A slender woman with a flawless ivory complexion, mauve-painted lips, and wavy brown locks—at least a shade lighter than Leah’s—rounded the display counter.
“Hi, Mom. What’s happening?”
Her mother swept a glance over her. “Definitely not that outfit. And you didn’t even fix your hair today. How are you going to attract a good man looking like that?”
Here we go again. Leah rolled her eyes. “Dad says I’m perfect just the way I am.”
“Your father’s a liar. Besides, mothers are always right.” She stood in front of the swinging door just as Leah turned toward her and propped a hip against the counter. “Don’t slouch, honey. Good posture makes you look thinner.”
Leah sighed but didn’t say anything. Not like it would do any good anyway.
Just then, Valerie’s head appeared in the window of the swinging door behind Leah’s mother. She put a gun-shaped finger to her own head and pulled the trigger, pretending to blow her brains out.
Leah cleared her throat to keep from laughing. “So why’d you stop by, Mom?”
“I wanted to check on the cake for tonight’s wedding. I ran into Mrs. Newman at the supermarket and…frankly, she seemed worried. I think she’s afraid you might sabotage Gavin’s reception by doing something to ruin their cake.”
Valerie’s head appeared again in the window as she mimed hanging herself with an invisible noose. Leah bit her cheek to keep from smiling. “Well, then maybe Mrs. Newman should’ve thought about that before ordering her son’s cake from his ex-girlfriend’s bakery.”
“Honey, please don’t do anything to embarrass me. I have to sit on the City Council with that dreadful woman, and it would make for some very awkward town hall meetings.” Mom shifted slightly and almost caught Valerie sticking her finger down her throat, but Val ducked just in time.
“Believe it or not, Mom, my reputation is important to me. I wouldn’t do anything to mess up Gavin’s wedding. Especially since this business arrangement is going to bring lots of new clients who happen to be friends with the Newmans. That’s the only reason I agreed to make Gavin’s wedding cake in the first place.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. No mishaps tonight.” Her mother maneuvered around the counter, mission apparently accomplished. “Oh, and don’t forget to dress nice. Something black and slimming. There’ll be some available, well-endowed men at tonight’s party,” she said, swishing out the door without looking back.
The moment her mom left, Valerie poked her head out of the back room. “Well-endowed, huh?” she said, waggling her eyebrows.
“Yeah, I think my mom wants me to find a guy with a good income so he can pay for my Lap-Band surgery.”
“God, that sucks. Why is she always so critical of you?”
“I don’t know. I think it’s in the genes or something. Dad says her own mother was overbearing in much the same way. My mom spent her whole life trying to gain her mother’s approval. I don’t think she’s trying to be mean, but I guess she gets it honestly. Her mother wanted her to marry someone well endowed too.”
“Wonder what she would say if I told her you spent last night with a guy who has a pencil for a dick.”
Leah smirked. “Don’t make me fire you.”
Chapter Four
He must be a glutton for punishment.
What other reason would Sam have for going back to the bakery to talk to a woman he couldn’t look at without getting a hard-on and couldn’t speak to without unintentionally insulting?
And why had he run home to shower and put on something decent before stopping by, rather than just heading straight over after work all sweaty and covered in sawdust? Christ. What the fuck am I doing here?
He was apologizing, that’s what. No matter what her reaction would be, he couldn’t stand by and let Leah think he wasn’t interested because of her weight. Especially since that wasn’t the case. Just a quick apology, then I’ll be on my way.
Sam pushed open the bakery door and stepped inside. The sweet scent of warm chocolate overpowered his senses, and he breathed deeply, letting the delicious aroma permeate every pore in his body. Damn, that smells good. Yet he was alone in the bakery. The lights were on, but there were no customers. Hell, there weren’t even any employees. Nothing.
Figuring someone forgot to lock up for the night, Sam turned to leave, but a strange gurgling noise drifted from the back room and stopped him in his tracks. Worried that someone, possibly Leah, might be hurt, he moved quickly around the counter toward a swinging door. “Hello?”
A weak, strangled voice came from the back. “I’m c-closed.”
Sam recognized it as Leah’s and pushed the swinging door open anyway.
He found her standing in front of a long, stainless steel table wearing a shimmery black cocktail dress that easily rivaled the tight, sexy one she wore the night before.
Surprised, Leah looked up with tears streaming down her cheeks before blushing and quickly turning away. “I…I said I’m closed.”
“You okay?”
She sniffled a little and swiped at the tears in an effort to hide them. “I’m f-fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” It slipped out before he realized how she might take it. Damn, I have a knack for saying the wrong things to this woman.
Leah cleared her throat, lifted her head, and turned to face him. “What do you need, Sam?” Her tone wasn’t particularly friendly.
If she wants to pretend everything is okay, then who am I to argue? “I stopped by to apologize for this morning and…well, for last night. I think you misunderstood some things I’d said, and I wanted to clear the air between us.”
“Fine,” she said, her voice still cool. “Apology accepted.”
He stepped farther inside the room and hooked his thumbs into his front belt loops. “Strange, since I haven’t given you one yet.”
“Look, I appreciate you coming by, but I really don’t have time for this right now,” she snapped.
Damn, this woman has the temperament of a stray dog—one minute she’s eating out of my hand and the next she’s biting at me. “What’s your problem?”
She sighed heavily with defeat. “My air conditioner just went out in my car, and I have to figure out how to deliver a wedding cake without the heat melting the icing all over the place.”
I didn’t mean the actual problem. I meant…Christ. Never mind. “That’s what has you this upset?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t seem like much of a problem. It’s just a cake.”
“Just a cake?” She gawked at him. “I’ll have you know, I use only the best ingredients in each of my creations and make everything from scratch. It’s my ex-boyfriend’s wedding, and I spent weeks planning out every detail of this cake, down to the last edible flower.”
“Your ex, huh?” His lips curled involuntarily. “And someone’s eating flowers? Real ones?”
She sniffled. “Yes, real ones. Some flowers petals are edible, you know. And they’ll complement the cake’s Bavarian cream filling.”
Sam chuckled softly. “So let me get this straight. You need to deliver your ex-boyfriend’s wedding cake, topped with plants, and filled with something that sounds like a venereal disease…and people are actually going to eat it?”
“Well, I suppose, if that’s the way you want to look at it, but—”
He stood up straight and clapped his hands together. “Okay, let’s go then.”
“Huh?”
�
��You need a ride, don’t you?”
“Yes, but—”
“Well, then what are we waiting for? I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
* * *
Everyone was watching.
But that wasn’t why Leah’s hands were shaking. No, her hands were shaking because he was watching. Sam’s laser-beam gaze pinpointed her every move as she added the finishing touches to the now-assembled wedding cake. As if I’m not nervous enough already?
Shortly after they’d arrived at the reception hall, a steady stream of people had begun trickling in, awaiting the bride and groom’s grand entrance. Most were still gathered around her, ooohing and ahhhing over her intricately designed creation.
When the applause started, Leah knew it wasn’t for her. She was out of time, and the happily wedded couple were now in the building. Thank goodness she’d just scattered the last of the rose petals. If it hadn’t been for Sam giving her a ride and helping unload all the cake boxes, she’d never have finished on time.
Leah took a step back and admired her work, her chest swelling with pride. The white, six-tiered round cake looked magnificent with all the carefully applied edible pearls and black curlicue piping. Organic red rose petals lined the perimeter of the base cake, as well as each tier. As far as she was concerned, not only had she outdone herself, but she’d created an artful masterpiece.
Then she heard a shriek behind her and turned to look.
The bride—a thin, little waif of a woman—came running from across the room, dragging her reluctant groom behind her. “Our cake, Gavin! Oh, isn’t it gorgeous?”
Leah smirked. Well, at least she has good taste in some things.
“Yes, dear. It’s great.” Clearly uncomfortable, Gavin adjusted his collar with one finger. “Now why don’t we go say hi to—”
“Are you the cake designer?” the bride asked in a syrupy-sweet voice, looking straight at Leah.
“Y-yes, I am,” Leah replied, catching a glimpse of Gavin as he stood next to his bride holding his breath. “I’m a…friend of the family.”
Gavin let out the breath and relaxed his posture. “Sweetheart, this is Leah Martin. She owns the Sweets n’ Treats bakery over on Market, where my mother ordered the cake.”
Still getting Mommy’s approval on everything, I see. “I’m so glad you like the way it turned out,” Leah told the bride, offering her hand. “By the way, your dress is stunning.”
The bride cocked her head, allowing light to glint off her tiara, and smiled. “Oh, thanks. It cost almost as much as the wedding did.”
Leah grinned but didn’t take the comment negatively. There was no mean-spiritedness in the bride’s tone, just a shallow, gum-popping, valley girl vibe. As Leah started to open her mouth to respond, something caught the bride’s attention. She released another girly squeal and ran off to join a group of girls all wearing the same short red dress. Apparently the bridesmaids were more entertaining than Leah. Thinner too.
Gavin stepped closer and smiled at Leah. “Thanks for not telling her that we used to date. It would’ve upset her.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the bride twirling in circles amid her friends. “Nah. Your bride has the personality of a cocker spaniel and the attention span of a goldfish. She would’ve gotten over it in seconds.” Then she gave him a quick wink to show she was teasing.
Gavin smiled. “Still, I appreciate it. Especially since I know we didn’t leave things on the best of terms.”
She shrugged. “I’m over it.” And you.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that. So how do you like owning your own bakery? You always said you wanted to open one.”
“It’s great, although it’s impossible to work a single shift without wanting to eat my way through the menu. It’s no wonder I’m overweight.” Oh God. Why’d I say that? And to him of all people.
An awkward silence followed so Leah let her gaze wander, searching for Sam, in hopes of using him as an excuse and a way out of this conversation. But he was standing off to the side about ten feet away, staring at her with a scowl on his face. Hmm. Maybe not.
“Well, be careful,” Gavin said, chuckling a little. “Or you won’t retain your girlish figure.”
Leah gave a nonchalant wave of her hand. “Oh, you know me. The only thing I retain is water.” Jesus. What the hell is wrong with me? Do yourself a favor, Leah, and stop talking!
It was like seeing Gavin again caused all her insecurities to unleash at once, triggering all the conflict and stress behind her low self-esteem. He obviously hadn’t liked her body when they were dating since he’d repeatedly tried to coerce her to lose weight. And when she hadn’t lost the excess pounds, he’d dumped her, only to turn around and marry Miss Anorexia.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Leah had also gained ten pounds since she’d last seen him eight months ago, which only added to the embarrassment. She lowered her head, not wanting to meet his gaze.
“Leah, you look really great,” Gavin said.
“I agree,” Sam said out of nowhere. “You look fantastic, honey.”
Honey? Leah’s head jerked up just as he stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Gavin. Without warning, Sam threaded his warm fingers into her hair at the nape of her neck and lowered his mouth to hers.
Leah stiffened, immobilized by the sudden invasion of her senses. What the hell is he doing? Why is he…kissing me? But a man like Sam didn’t need a reason to do anything. The moment his tongue parted her lips, she stopped caring about why and worried more about how.
He manipulated her mouth with his, diving into her depths enthusiastically, as shivery delight rippled through her. The mellow flavor of his lips was irresistible. Slightly tangy, yet heady, like a perfectly aged muscadine wine.
The moment she began to kiss him back, his hands gravitated to her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies connected. Rough fingers clenched her sides. Noses bumped angrily as they changed the angle of their heads.
It was an impolite kiss. One filled with power and frustration. The kind of kiss two people share in the privacy of a bedroom while lying naked together between sweat-soaked sheets. This was not the way you kiss someone in front of a crowd of strangers.
But who gives a shit?
Leah didn’t. And apparently Sam didn’t either.
Chapter Five
Sam couldn’t take it any longer.
He’d watched Leah stand there in front of her ex-boyfriend, blushing and stammering uncomfortably as she cracked fat jokes about herself. He was sure it was some sort of defense mechanism, but he didn’t feel sorry for her. Nope, he was too pissed off to feel bad. He vaguely remembered thinking, Okay, that’s it! before he’d marched over and planted a kiss on her, hoping to give her a reality check.
But as his mouth moved over hers and he tasted the sugar-sweet vanilla flavor of her warm lips, Sam realized his plan had backfired. He’d expected her to pull away in surprise, not open her mouth and allow him further access. The moment her tongue tentatively touched his, a frantic mania tore through him, traveling the length of his spine before settling painfully in his groin.
Sam pulled her closer, delighting in the feel of his hands on her and the way her body fit perfectly against his as she thrust her hips forward. But it still wasn’t close enough. Somehow, he knew it would never be enough. God, I need to be inside this woman.
And with that revelation, his entire existence shattered. As if he’d just walked barefoot over hot coals and tripped, falling face-first into the raging fire that was currently consuming him. But there was no pain, only pleasure, in those rising flames, and apparently Leah was the accelerant.
He needed to stop this. Now.
Ending the embrace took more strength than Sam imagined, but he managed to pull back, though his mouth still lingered near hers. Leah steadied herself with one hand on his chest, looking every bit as flustered and disturbed as he felt. Her eyes glazed over, and her soft, full lips were swollen. Sam ran his thumb alo
ng the crease, noting the discoloration around her mouth. It was a warm recollection of the long, searing kiss they’d just shared.
Sam may not have heard the tinkling of small bells when he kissed Leah, like people sometimes do in movies, but the electric sparks zinging through him were demanding his full attention and definitely trying to tell him something.
Breathless, Sam tried to articulate his thoughts into words, but the only thing he managed to do was lick his lips and say, “Good stuff.” Then he cringed at how dumb he sounded. Good stuff? Who the hell says that?
When a voice cleared next to them, Sam remembered her ex-boyfriend’s presence. Leah must have too because she blushed beet red, probably realizing she now sported a just-bedded, tousled look. She quickly combed her fingers through her hair, taming the strands Sam had mussed, as though trying to reclaim a small shred of dignity.
“Gavin, this is Sam. He’s my—”
“Fiancé,” Sam said, cutting her off. Leah blinked, as if she hadn’t heard him right, but Sam just smiled and kept talking. “It’s nice to meet you. Heard a lot about you.”
They shook hands, but Gavin seemed a little lost for words. “Oh, I…uh…I hadn’t even heard Leah was with anyone new, much less engaged. Leah and I used to date, but split up last year.”
Sam gave him a megawatt smile that was anything but sincere and put his arm around Leah’s tense shoulders. “I’d say I’m sorry to hear that, but I’d be lying.” Well, at least that part was genuine.
Gavin glanced at Leah, then back to Sam. “Well, uh, congratulations. You’re a lucky man.”
Sure, buddy. We’ll see how lucky I am when you walk away and Leah rips my head off my shoulders and shoves it up my ass. “Thanks. We appreciate the sentiment,” Sam said while mentally rolling his eyes. He gave Leah’s shoulders a little squeeze. “Don’t we, sweetie?”
“Y-yes, of course. I…um…Gavin, I need a minute alone with my…fiancé.”
“Sure. I need to go find my new bride anyway. You two stick around for a while and enjoy the reception.”