by Candace Shaw
“What, Syd?” Tiffani inquired, perusing The Cheesecake Factory menu even though she already knew what she was going to order. She was famished because she hadn’t eaten much lately; even though it was only lunchtime, she wanted the dinner version of fish and chips with a salad.
Syd shrugged and glanced at her own menu before placing her eyes on Tiffani again. “Nothing, except that your body language is screaming at me.”
Tiffani chuckled and played with the ring on her right hand. “Girl, my body is screaming at me. My muscles are sore, and I haven’t slept in days. I’m grateful for the business, but because Thanksgiving’s coming up, I’ve had extra orders for cupcakes for schools in the area. I’m also baking pies and assembling dessert platters for businesses having office parties leading up to the holiday. Luckily, Mindy is assisting me. She’s a really good protégé.”
Tiffani was reminded of the brief conversation she’d had with Broderick’s secretary, Leslie, that morning confirming the pickup time for the ten pies for their company party. Tiffani had caught a snippet of Broderick’s deep, powerful voice in the background asking Leslie for something. He’d sent roses to the bakery the day before, but he hadn’t contacted her since he’d visited his father other than a short text message to say they were taking it one day at a time. She was honestly happy for them.
Syd nodded her head and swished her lips to the side with smack. “Yeah, well I was referring to the lack of sleep caused by your breakup with Broderick.”
“It wasn’t a breakup. You have to be in a relationship in order to have an actual breakup. We just aren’t seeing each other anymore because he’s a lying dog.”
Megan leaned over and placed her hand on Tiffani’s. “But what if he’s not lying? I’ve known and worked with Broderick for many years and while he’s in the know of his company, he’s not a micromanager. He has a trusted team of advisors.”
“It doesn’t matter. I needed to get out before I got too attached. For a moment, I’d gotten caught up and I actually was having fantasies of spending the rest of my life with him. I could actually see us frolicking on the beach, playing with KJ and being a family. I think it’s best I stopped seeing him when I did.” She heard herself saying it and her heart cracked a little.
“Sweetie, are you just trying to find a way out of the relationship because you’ve fallen for him harder than you wanted to?” Megan quizzed. Even though her twin was the profiler, she knew Tiffani very well because of their similar personalities.
“No... I don’t know. Maybe. I just keep thinking about my marriage with Keith and how unhappy I was. Now I feel like me again. I don’t have to worry about being belittled or called out my name by a man who didn’t appreciate his wife. I just don’t want to take that risk, which is why I created the ‘be in the moment’ relationship. But I ended up falling for the man anyway.”
Megan gave her a half smile. “I understand. I really do. I was hesitant about dating Steven because of my ex cheating on me. Steven was labeled as the playboy politician, but I had to look beyond that and grasp that he loved me and was nothing like my ex. It took me a minute, but I was glad it wasn’t too late when I realized it. You’ll have your aha moment if it’s meant to be.”
Sighing, Tiffani closed her menu and sipped her water, hoping it would cool down the warmth that arose whenever she thought about Broderick. She was thankful when the waiter stopped by to take their orders. As they waited for their meals, she was able to change the subject by asking Sasha about her upcoming nuptials. Even though it was about a subject she really didn’t want to discuss, it was all her cousin-in-law spoke about lately. Tiffani didn’t mind as long as it kept her mind off of Broderick.
Sasha’s warm brown face beamed with delight as she ran her fingers through her pixie cut. “Well, everything is pretty much set for June. Devin and I are excited. Since I’m the VP of marketing for Pinnacle Hotels, I’ve received a great discount on the ballroom and a honeymoon suite. I’m delighted that you’re going to make our wedding cakes, Tiffani. I loved the cakes at Syd’s wedding. Devin told me to tell you he wants his groom’s cake shaped like a Ferris wheel for sentimental reasons.” Sasha released another radiant smile as she always did when she mentioned Devin’s name.
“That’s a great idea. I’ll start practicing,” Tiffani replied. “Were you able to secure an appointment with Elle Lauren?”
“Mother and I are flying to New York to meet with her this weekend. I can’t believe you all are friends with Elle Lauren and she’s designing the dresses for the bridal party and me. I’m overjoyed she’s squeezing me in because of you guys.” Sasha paused for a moment as if she wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue. “Do you think Braxton would mind if I invited her to the wedding?”
Tiffani cringed on Elle’s behalf at the thought. “Mmm...you can invite her but she probably won’t come. We all invited her to our weddings and she politely declined. Not sure how Braxton would feel. They were together ages ago but he was a no-show to their wedding and it broke her heart. She was very much in love with him while he was very much in love with his music.”
Sydney chimed in. “When I went to my last gown fitting, Braxton called to verify a song for my wedding. Elle’s face cracked in a thousand pieces when I pressed the speaker by mistake while slipping my T-shirt on. It took her a minute to regroup, so I could only imagine what would happen if she saw him in person. He doesn’t discuss her much, but when he saw my dress, he said, ‘It’s beautiful but everything she does is beautiful.’ So feel free to invite her, but she’ll decline.”
Sasha sipped her wine and nodded her head. “You never know. After Devin and I broke up the day after graduation, I never wanted to see or hear from him ever again. However, when he walked through my door last Christmas, every single emotion I had for him rushed back and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with that man. I never stopped loving him. It was fate and faith that brought us back together. We’re soul mates, just like Bryce and Sydney. Who knew that two people who always argued back and forth would end up together?”
Sydney nodded with a wide smile. “I have to agree, Sasha. We still argue but only because it leads to the bedroom.” She winked and all of the ladies laughed.
“Are you and Devin coming for Thanksgiving dinner?” Megan asked Sasha.
“No, we’re going to Savannah to visit my parents.”
“Why do I keep forgetting Thanksgiving is next week?” Sydney asked.
“Because you’re a newlywed,” Megan answered. “You’re too busy riding motorcycles with Bryce.”
“So true. I sure do love that man,” Syd said with a saucy grin.
Once their food arrived, Tiffani tuned out the conversation as it continued with Thanksgiving, wedding talk and marriage in general. With her recent hectic schedule, she’d forgotten about the Thanksgiving dinner at her home next week. Luckily, everyone was bringing a dish to go with the turkey and ham she was baking. Normally she didn’t bake a ham, but Broderick had asked for one because it was his favorite. She’d wanted him to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner with her family because he hadn’t had one in years. Her heart ached a little now that he wouldn’t be coming, but she brushed it off, remembering he was trying to steal her livelihood and independence away from her. She still couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen right through him. She chastised herself for not realizing he could be one of the potential buyers of the plaza because, after all, he was a freaking real estate developer and investor. The only reason she didn’t consider him was because, according to an article she’d read, his focus was on properties such as hotels, casinos and high-end condos and lofts.
Tiffani knew the emotions she had for Broderick were real. Deep down a part of her sensed he’d been telling the truth about not knowing the name of the plaza his investment group was considering. She thought about what Megan and Sasha had said about finding their way to love.
Tiffani wasn’t sure what the future held for her, but warding off falling in love again was the only way she could see to protect her heart. However, her heart was hurting worse than it ever had and she missed Broderick more than she cared to admit.
* * *
Tiffani checked the Roman numeral clock on the wall next to the menu board as she and Kendall brought out the ten sweet potato pies for Leslie to pick up. She’d said between three and four and it was a few minutes to three. Setting the last one in a box on the back counter, she tended to a customer who had a question about her vegan cupcakes. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a black Bentley pull up and park on the curb next to the bakery. Her heart skipped, but she brushed off her fear. He wouldn’t possibly come pick up the pies. That wasn’t in his job description, but then again neither had been ordering cupcakes for his event way back when. His driver emerged, and she figured he was coming inside the bakery. Instead, he went to the back door and Tiffani’s breath became wedged in her throat.
There he was, as suave and handsome as always. His brown suit hung on his masculine body as if he’d just stepped off the runway. Broderick flashed a pleasant smile to someone on the sidewalk before entering her store and resting his gaze on her. He glanced at the bistro tables and raised a cocky eyebrow as he apparently realized that she’d made flower arrangements for each table with the yellow and pink roses he’d sent.
He waited in line behind the customer Tiffani was speaking with, and her heart fluttered uncontrollably. He was the last person she expected to see stroll in and he had the audacity to exude his debonair and refined persona. For some odd reason he appeared extra sexy and mouthwatering, and she had to remind herself that she was supposed to be upset with him. Even though all she wanted to do was fling herself over the counter like a martial artist and kiss him. Once the customer left, he stepped up to the counter and handed Tiffani the order receipt.
“I have an order for ten sweet potato pies, beautiful.” He cracked a sexy smile. “Are they ready?”
“Yes, they’re all packed and ready to go in the box behind me.” She grabbed the box and set them in front of him. “You’re free to go. Leslie paid for them already.”
A sly smirk crossed his features. “They sure do smell great. One of my favorite desserts. I love sweet things to eat.” Pausing, he leaned in closer to her and whispered, “But of course you know that first hand.” He lifted the box off of the counter. “Have a great day, sweetheart.”
Once he left, she exhaled and glanced over to see Kendall staring with a wide grin. “You have two men after you. Here comes Nixon Brown now.” She nodded toward the door as Nixon walked in with a bright smile and beelined straight to Tiffani.
Tiffani groaned in her head while wearing the loveliest expression she could muster. It was bad enough Broderick had just left her with a visual of his head between her thighs, but now entered Nixon, a regular customer who always flirted with her. He was harmless, though, and she usually didn’t mind. But today she wasn’t in the mood.
“Hey, Tiffani. You have any of my favorite coffee crumb cakes left?” Nixon asked, perusing the display case.
“We sure do. I was wondering where you were this morning. It’s nearly three o’clock.”
“Doctor’s appointment.” He pointed his finger on the glass. “And two of those macaroons.”
As she placed his items in a small box, the ringing of the bell tore her eyes to the door to see Broderick enter once again. “Excuse me, Mr. Brown,” she said before directing her attention toward Broderick. “Is there something wrong with your order, Mr. Hollingsworth?” she asked, concerned. She’d made sure to count the pies while placing them in the box.
His expression hinted he hated her calling him Mr. Hollingsworth. “No, the order is fine. I have a meeting on this side of town soon and since you offer free Wi-Fi with a purchase, I’ve decided to stay and get some work done on my laptop.”
He patted the computer bag she hadn’t realized he was carrying and goose bumps prickled her skin. Of course, she couldn’t kick him out, but she could ignore or rather annoy him to the point where he’d want to leave.
“Certainly, Mr. Hollingsworth. That table over there has a plug. If you need anything, ask Kendall.”
Broderick nodded as a thank you and retreated to the table. He took off his suit coat and flung it on the back of the chair. His dress shirt did nothing to hide his strong muscles, and for a moment she lost her train of thought as she recalled all the ways his biceps and chest had flexed when they’d made love.
She snapped back to her customer. “I’m sorry about that, Nixon. Was there anything else you wanted?” Tiffani made sure to ask in the sweetest voice ever.
He chuckled and scanned the display case again. “Nope, not unless the pretty baker will finally go out with me.”
She giggled. “You always flatter me.”
She watched Broderick as his eyebrow raised. His eyes were on the laptop screen, but she knew his ears were on her conversation with Nixon.
“Just speaking the truth, but it doesn’t hurt to ask, Ms. Lady.” He handed her his debit card. “I’m sure you get asked out all the time by customers.”
“Mmm...sometimes. I’d say Kendall more than me. She’s young and in college.”
“Well, her boss has it going on. But as lovely as you are, I’m sure you have a man.”
“Nope. Just me, myself and I. I’m very single. Just not ready to date at this moment. I thought I was, but some men just can’t be trusted.” She glanced over and noticed Broderick twist his lips to the side.
“Well, you know I’m interested if you ever want to go out.” Grabbing her hand when she returned the card, he kissed her knuckle. “Ciao, bella.” He winked and strode out with his desserts.
“Corny bastard,” Broderick mumbled under his breath as he rapidly typed. “Ciao, bella? Really?”
“He’s not so bad. Maybe I should go out with him.” She shrugged and walked into the kitchen so she could exhale. Broderick’s presence and cologne was wreaking havoc on her. When the kitchen door opened, she expected to see Kendall or Mindy, not Broderick standing there like a bull ready to knock over the matador.
“What are you doing back here?”
“We need to talk.”
His voice had deepened, and she thought she saw steam rising from his head. She couldn’t believe he was actually jealous over a harmless conversation with Nixon.
“We don’t have anything to talk about,” she said, trying to walk past him. But Broderick dragged her by the waist to him and crashed his lips hard on her quivering ones, muffling the protests she tried to make. He stumbled them into her office and then closed the door with his shoe.
Backing Tiffani against the door, he showed no mercy as his hands roamed under the hem of her sweater. The warmth of his palms on her skin was pure torture as tingles tore through her. She hated that her lips and body were responding to him this way. Her thoughts screamed to push him away, but her heart loved the way he kissed her in an untamed, invigorating rhythm that her tongue eagerly responded to in the same fashion. She glided her hands to his beard and pulled him deeper into her as their pace increased.
She wanted to stop him, but she couldn’t. Her heart and body were under a spell that he’d cast and she couldn’t break. The sound of his zipper broke a gasp from her and he trailed his tongue to her neck while he wrestled with the button on her pants. He tugged them down along with her panties as she kicked off her shoes. Kneeling down to the floor, he raised her right leg over his shoulder and dove straight into her center. Thanks to the mere touch of his hot tongue, a moan flew out of her mouth as she held on to his head to balance herself. Shudders ripped through her body as he continued to stimulate her more and more with his wicked tongue dance that circled between her folds. Tiffani didn’t know how much more she could handle as she felt
an orgasm on the rise.
Broderick worked his way back up to her neck as he reached around to his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. She licked her tongue over her lips as she saw him retrieve a condom. She shook with anticipation as he put it on.
“You actually had a condom in your wallet?”
“I have to be prepared around you,” he said, lifting her up by the bottom, She circled her legs around his waist as he plunged into her all at once. “I want you all the time.”
“Oh... Broderick. Mmm...” Clutching his shoulders, she gave up trying to talk because she knew the words would sound like nonsense. Instead, she buried her head in his chest to muffle her incoherent moans. After all, she was in her office and not on a secluded island.
He carried her to the small couch as he continued thrusting in and out of her quickly. His intense stare as he laid her down was the onset of the first shudder that was lit like a bomb and ready to explode. He buried himself even deeper and she let out a pent-up moan. She couldn’t help it. The man knew how to stroke her to evoke whatever it was he wanted her to do.
“That’s how you want it, beautiful?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes.”
“I bet that corny dude couldn’t make you feel like this, could he?” He pumped harder and she wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on from the force.
“No,” she answered breathlessly.
“Who’s making you feel like this?”
“You.”
“Who? I need you to look at me and say my name.” He placed his forehead on hers and spread her legs wider.
“Broderick... Jerold Hollingsworth...” she panted out as they fell off the couch and onto the floor, but he never let her go as he continued to stroke in and out of her. The hot kisses he placed on her neck and the intensity of their lovemaking shattered her orgasm through her. She buried her head in his chest to deaden the sounds she so desperately needed to make.