The Sweetest Kiss

Retreating to the wet bar, Broderick poured a scotch while his computer started. Once settled in his black leather swivel chair, he typed in the website on the pink card and sipped his drink as the Sweet Treats website loaded. Like Tiffani’s personality, it was whimsical and girly with bright colors. A smooth jazz tune played in the background and a variety of cupcakes scrolled on the banner. He glanced at the tabs on the search bar, but the one titled “About the Baker” caught his eye. Considering he already knew what he was going to order, he figured he could look at desserts later. Right now, he wanted to know more about the sexy baker he’d found utterly intriguing. Clicking on the tab, he was elated to see an adorable picture of Tiffani wearing a pink chef’s jacket with a matching chef’s hat while holding a tray of cupcakes. He skimmed over her biography. It discussed her baking experience and expertise but didn’t mention anything personal about her. At the end of the short paragraph, a link titled “My New Life” grabbed his attention and he hoped it would lead to more information about Tiffani.

“Bingo,” he said, sipping his scotch as he scrolled through the posts that had begun more than two years ago.

She seemed to post about once or twice a month. Most of them were centered on her son, gardening, recipes and her transition from teaching to opening her bakery five months ago.

Broderick was impressed with her passion for her business but always making sure to put her son first. On one of the blog posts, she’d discussed her daily routine of dropping KJ off to school at seven, heading to the bakery by eight, then baking and preparing nonstop until the shop opened at ten. Her assistant would arrive at nine and stayed until they closed at five. Tiffani or one of her parents, who were retired, would pick up KJ from school and bring him to the bakery, where he would do homework. They would leave around six and head home unless he had karate or swim lessons. Any time after work was spent with him until his bedtime, after which she’d stay up to bake special orders for the next day.

Broderick’s thoughts blasted him back to his childhood. Although his mother had loved him, she’d loved drugs and men as well. After she died of an overdose at a crack house when he was eight years old, he found himself bouncing around between different relatives or foster homes until he was eighteen. Glancing at a picture on his desk of his mother and himself during one of her good days, he sighed and shook his head to brush away the hurtful memories. He clicked back to the first page of Tiffani’s blog and was pleasantly surprised to see a new post had uploaded moments before. It was a short write-up about the wedding and a couple of selfies of her and KJ making goofy faces in a mirror. Clicking on the picture, Broderick zoomed in until he only saw Tiffani. Even making fish lips and crossing her eyes, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

He perused over her website quickly, taking note of the different desserts Sweet Treats offered. Even though the only sweet treat he desired wasn’t on the menu, he was determined to savor it.

* * *

The ringing of Tiffani’s cell phone in her apron pocket disrupted her concentration in icing the tops of the German chocolate cupcakes for an order later on that day. Placing the icing bag on the prep station counter, she hurriedly answered the phone before it went to voice mail.

“Hello, Sweet Treats. This is Tiffani. How may I assist you?” she asked in a fake chipper voice. It was eight o’clock on a Monday morning and she really needed coffee. A pot was brewing and she’d been waiting impatiently for the beep to signify it was ready.

“Good morning, Tiffani. This is Broderick Hollingsworth. How are you?”

The sexy, baritone voice in her ear rippled a warm shiver through her veins. Breath escaped her windpipes and floated out into the kitchen of her bakery. He was the last person she was expecting a call from.

She cleared her throat and hoped when she opened her mouth, her words didn’t sound like gibberish.

“Hi, Mr. Hollingsworth. I’m well. What can I do for you?” she asked calmly even though butterflies swirled in her stomach.

“I wanted to place an order for a few dozen cupcakes. Is this a good time?”

Didn’t Megan say that isn’t his type of thing to do?

“Of course. Just give me a moment to grab my laptop.” And to grab some ice water. No matter what he said, his deep seductive tone was present. She knew it wasn’t on purpose. That was just how he spoke. Nonetheless, a scorching current rushed through every cell of her body every time he uttered a word. She didn’t know how she was going to concentrate on placing his order with his voice so close, as if he were really present in her shop.

“Is it okay if I stop by instead?”

Stop by? Her face flushed with heat at the notion of him striding in wearing a custom-made suit similar to the one he’d worn to the wedding—one that enhanced his manly physique. Her heart hammered rapidly against her chest and her skin crawled with anticipation. She wasn’t sure if she could handle being graced with his overbearing presence in her cozy bakery. Alone.

“Um...sure you can stop by.” She picked up the icing bag once more to finish the last cupcake from that batch. There were two dozen more cooling on an adjacent prep station that needed to be done by noon.

“I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay...” She stopped abruptly as the chime of the doorbell sounded and her pulse raced. “Um...oh you meant really soon.”

“I just rang the bell,” he stated matter-of-factly in a low, deep tone that was becoming nerve-racking in her ear.

“I’ll be out front in a moment.” She pressed the end button on her phone just as the coffeemaker beeped. However, she no longer needed it. The fact that Broderick was there had awakened her and also flustered her more than she cared to admit to herself.

Untying the apron from around her waist, she glanced down at her black velour jogging suit that had flour on the front of the jacket. She wiped it off with her hand but ended up making more of a mess. She took it off and flung it over a bar stool at the prep counter. Then she pushed the kitchen door open and stared straight into the eyes of Broderick, who stood on the other side of the glass door on the sidewalk about a hundred feet away. She’d been correct in her assumption that he would be strikingly dashing in a suit that did nothing to hide his fine, muscular body. The waves of his low cut, jet-black hair and freshly shaven beard gave him a ready-for-the-camera edge.

As Tiffani neared the front door, she noticed her reflection in the glass and panicked. In her haste to let him in from the October morning chill, she’d forgotten she was wearing a hairnet over a messy ponytail. A scrumptious man stood outside her shop and she looked a hot mess. Dang, she could have at least appeared somewhat presentable. Not only that, she wasn’t wearing a bra under her pink tank top.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and hoped the cool air wouldn’t place her nipples on display.

“Good morning,” he said, passing through as she stood to the side and out of the way of the wind that rushed in along with his enticing scent.

I was right, Tiffani thought as she closed and locked the door. His presence in her little bakery was indeed overpowering and commanding. This man belonged in a boardroom on the top floor of a skyscraper conducting meetings on how to make more millions, not ordering cupcakes from a place probably smaller than his bathroom.

His eyes perused the shop for a moment before settling back on her. “Beautiful. Very beautiful, indeed. Reminds me of you.” He gazed around again, this time nodding his head as if he were an inspector.

Tiffani barely stammered out a meek “thank you” while glancing around as well, as if for the first time. Hot pink walls that displayed blown-up pictures of desserts she’d made and turquoise drapes flanked either side of the glass wall at the front of the shop. On one side of the door was a booth decorated with an array of pastel toss pillows and on the other side, a window seat. A bookshelf on the adjoining wall housed classic children’s books and some of her favorite Harlequin romance novels. On the same wall was a long counter with a glass display that was empty at the moment, but it usually contained cupcakes, pastries and other treats. On the opposite side, eight wrought-iron bistro tables with three chairs each lined the wall. She’d wanted the atmosphere classy and inviting and thanks to Megan it was.

“Did I catch you at a bad time?” he asked, glimpsing at her hairnet.

Geez. He looked at the hairnet. “No. Just baking as usual. You can have a seat, and I’ll grab my laptop.”

She hurried into the kitchen and straight back to her office as her heart raced. Men never made her nervous, so she didn’t know why Broderick’s presence was driving her insane. Who was she kidding? She knew why. He was gorgeous, intriguing and downright sexy. Plus, she’d daydreamed about him so much yesterday that she’d burned a batch of chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies that KJ had requested for his teacher’s birthday.

Tossing the hairnet on her desk, she removed the hairband and shook her curls loose around her shoulders. Exhaling, she grabbed her laptop and headed out to rejoin Broderick. When she returned, his eyes caught hers and an amused smile crossed his face as she sat in the chair in front of him.

“So how many people are going to be at your party and when is it?” she asked in her most professional tone while opening her laptop to begin filling out the form.

“About twenty to thirty and it’s Thursday at 7:00 in the evening at my home.”

“So you need about three dozen cupcakes or was there another dessert you wanted?”

A cocky grin inched up his right jawline, and he met her eyes in a heated gaze. She gulped as her breath caught in her throat. His hazy, seductive expression admitted he’d heard her words in a completely different way. She froze, waiting for an answer.

He leaned in toward her. “As a matter fact there is something else I want,” he paused as his stare turned serious.

“What?” she asked barely above a whisper. She held her body as still as possible to suppress possible shudders that resulted from the fear of him replying “you” as a response to what he wanted.

“Your sweet potato pie.”

Surely she’d misheard him.

“Huh?”

“I read over the list of other desserts you make, and I’d love to taste your sweet potato pie.”

“Oh...sure...of course. How many?” she asked, attempting to keep her voice steady.

“Just one. It’s for me.”

Relieved that he wasn’t referring to her, Tiffani’s heartbeat slowed to a normal pace—or as normal as possible with him sitting there eyeing her like a hungry animal. “Okay, I’ll add that to your order.” She kept her eyes downcast on the computer screen. She could no longer meet his penetrating gaze. However, she had kind of hoped he was going to say “you.” “You want a variety like at the wedding?”

“Yes, that’s fine. I saw on your website that you also deliver for an extra fee.”

“Yes, one of my employees can deliver and set up around six o’clock. Does that time work for you?”

“Um...sure,” he shrugged.

They spent the next few minutes finishing up his order. She suddenly felt disappointed because she figured he’d soon be leaving. Closing her laptop, she folded her hands on the table. He seemed to be a really nice guy, and he wasn’t standoffish at all. Perhaps Megan had been wrong.

“Thank you so much for ordering cupcakes for your get-together.”

“You’re welcome. I like to help out small business owners...especially ones as beautiful as you.”

“Mr. Hollingsworth...” Her face flushed with heat.

“No, call me Broderick. And I meant what I said. You’re a beautiful woman. Can I share something with you?”

“Sure.”

“I don’t usually order food and whatnot for my events. My secretary or my housekeeper takes care of such things, but I wanted to see you and your sweet smile again.”

She couldn’t help but smile wide followed by a giggle.

“Yep, that’s the one.”

Oh my goodness. I’m acting like a silly teenager with her first crush.

She cleared her throat. “Thank you. You’re very sweet.”

Broderick snickered. “Sweet? I’ve been called a lot of things, my dear, but sweet isn’t one of them.”

Tiffani managed to stifle a gulp as his piercing stare raked over her bare neck and shoulders and down to the top of her cleavage. Heat rose in her cheeks at his perusal of her, and she felt her nipples hardening and pushing on her shirt. She realized she needed to change the subject and quick, especially when he bit his lower lip before resting his mesmerizing eyes back on her face.

Running her fingers through her hair, they landed on both sides of her shoulders and down her shirt in an attempt to cover her breasts. She caught him raise a wicked eyebrow at her gesture. She sensed he was about to speak but she cut him off.

“So why did you decide on sweet potato pie? Is that something your mother or grandmother makes?”

The seductive expression he’d worn changed into a sullen frown. He looked away from her for a moment, and when he rested his eyes on her again she noticed sadness.

“No, nothing like that. Just wanted to try it since it’s listed as being a seasonal item because of the upcoming holidays,” he stated as upbeat as possible. He stood and swiped his cell phone off of the table. “I have a meeting at my office soon.”

She stood as well, feeling guilty that he’d shut down when she’d asked about his family. Maybe his mother or grandmother or even both had died. Maybe it was recent.

“Before you go, I have something for you.” She rushed back into the kitchen and placed half a dozen pecan apple bear claws she’d made for the next day into a box for him. Tiffani felt awful and wanted to make it up to him somehow. She closed the yellow-and-white striped box that matched the awning on the bakery and headed to the front. He was standing next to the door scrolling through his cell phone with a strained expression.

Handing him the box, she smiled warmly, hoping it would take him out of whatever mood he was now in. The mood she’d caused. “I hope you like bear claws. Freshly made this morning.”

His pleasant demeanor from earlier returned as his face softened. “Thank you,” he said in a sincere tone. “I love sweet things, but you already know that, don’t you?” He winked and reached for the door. “I’ll eat one on the way to work.”

“I’d prefer you drive safely instead.”

“I’m not driving,” he answered, pushing the door open and nodding his head toward a black Bentley and a man dressed in a black suit, who opened the back door as Broderick approached. Glancing over his shoulder, his eyes briefly traveled over her. “Have a great day, beautiful.”

“You, too.”

Once Tiffani settled back in the kitchen, she finally exhaled.

Chapter 3

Tiffani drove up to the wrought-iron gate of a vast mansion in the West Paces Ferry area suburb of Atlanta. She spotted an intercom panel, rolled down her window and pressed the button. While she waited for a response, she focused on the massive brown brick and stone house in front of her—well, a half of a mile away it seemed down the long driveway that matched the brick on the house. Today’s plans hadn’t included dropping the cupcakes off at Broderick’s home, but her assistant, Kendall, had a study group that evening for a midterm exam. Luckily, it was grandparents’ day at KJ’s school, so he could go home with them. Still waiting for an answer, she pushed the button again. She was starting to get antsy because she was already fifteen minutes late thanks to traffic and making a wrong turn. She knew it wouldn’t take her more than twenty minutes to set the cupcakes on the serving platters that Matilda, Broderick’s housekeeper, promised would already be placed on the dessert table. She’d called that morning to verify the set-up time and to inform Tiffani that there was no need to bring any serving platters because she would be providing crystal ones.

The gate opened and a lady’s voice from the intercom stated to drive around to the side door by the garage. Once at the side entrance, Tiffani gathered the container with the cupcakes and the pie from the backseat. She was greeted with a warm smile from a middle-aged woman dressed in the standard black-and-white maid’s uniform.

“Hello, I’m Matilda. Do you need help bringing anything in?”

“Nice to meet you and no I don’t. Thank you.” She followed Matilda through the mudroom and into a huge gourmet kitchen where a chef and his crew were busy preparing food. Delicious aromas filled the atmosphere and it reminded Tiffani that she hadn’t eaten since lunch.

As they continued to the dining room, Tiffani noticed Megan’s expertise everywhere, from the heavy amethyst drapes that flowed from the top of the ceiling down to the walnut hardwood floors. The exquisite, long dining room table that sat at least twenty was surrounded by gold upholstered chairs. Bouquets of calla lilies were spread out on the table that was laden with serving trays and bowls.

“You can set up the cupcakes here, Ms. Lake.” Matilda waved her hands toward a buffet table on the wall that had two square crystal platters.

“These are gorgeous...almost too gorgeous for my cupcakes.”

“I’m sure they will look splendid. Do you need another platter for the pie?”

“Oh...no. The pie isn’t a part of the order. It’s for Br... Mr. Hollingsworth.”

“Very well. I’ll place it in his refrigerator. If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Matilda slid the pie off of the container Tiffani held, and for a moment she thought about not giving it to her. She’d made it especially for Broderick, making sure each ingredient was measured perfectly, and for some reason she didn’t want anyone else to touch it.

“Okay. Thank you,” she said, trying to muster an upbeat tone.

Tiffani spent the next few minutes arranging the cupcakes on the crystal platters, then she topped each one with a fondant rose. She felt weird being in Broderick’s home considering she didn’t even know if he was there or not. She’d wanted to ask Matilda but decided against it when she had almost said his first name. She’d noted a twinkle in the housekeeper’s eye and Tiffani figured Matilda probably had assumed she had a crush on her handsome, rich employer. Which wasn’t far from the truth, but seeming desperate wasn’t her personality. Besides, she was there to do a job, not chat with Broderick.

“Hi there.”

Tiffani’s heart skipped as soon as she heard the sexy, deep voice behind her that belonged to the man she couldn’t stop fantasizing about. It washed a load of goose bumps over her body and her eyes closed for a second. She almost put her finger in the last cupcake as she placed it on the platter. Exhaling, she reminded herself Broderick was a customer, not her next boyfriend. Pivoting, she was grateful she was dressed appropriately in a pair of gray dress slacks and a black sweater as opposed to the tank top that had her breasts on display.

“Hi.” She held back a wow as her eyes scanned his handsome features. Every time she saw him he was impeccably dressed in a suit and freshly shaven as if he’d literally just left the barber’s chair.

He strode over to her and glanced at the cupcakes. “I didn’t know you were coming. I would’ve been down here earlier to greet you.”

“It was last minute. My assistant had an emergency.”

“Too bad, but at least I get to see you again. You should stay. A lot of investors are going to be here. They’re always looking for new businesses to back if you ever decide to expand.”

“Thank you for inviting me, but I have to be at my son’s karate tournament at 7:30.”

He nodded as if he understood, and she appreciated that. A couple of men she’d gone out with didn’t seem to comprehend that her son came first.

“Okay, definitely leave some business cards next to the cupcakes.”

“I will. Matilda placed your sweet potato pie in the refrigerator.” She grabbed her purse from a chair at the dining room table and pulled a stack of business cards from the inside pocket.

“Thank you. I was wondering if you’d remember. When you emailed the invoice, I didn’t see it.”

“On the house.”

“I appreciate that and the delicious bear claws, but if you keep giving your desserts away you won’t make a profit.”

“Not true at all. Didn’t you take Marketing 101? You give away free products and they keeping coming back for more but as loyal paying customers. You ordered cupcakes after tasting just one at the reception.”

Stepping directly into her personal space, a sinful grin emerged across his ruggedly handsome face. “I only ordered them to see you again. I could give a damn about cupcakes, even though yours are delicious. And you’re right. I’m definitely coming back for more and more just to lay eyes on the breathtaking baker I can’t stop thinking about.” He traveled a gentle finger down her cheek and paused it on her lips, which parted on demand. “You are too tempting to resist.”

Tiffani cursed inwardly at her mouth betraying her. Sucking in her breath, she stepped back, but when she did, all she felt was the wall next to the dessert table. His dark eyes held hers in a deep trance that could only be broken by a magical spell in a fairy-tale world far, far away. He hadn’t moved and neither had she. Even when the chef came in the room with a dish that smelled like roast beef and exited as quickly as he’d came in.

Before she could speak, Broderick yanked her body to his. As a surprised gasp escaped her, he pushed them out a side door she hadn’t noticed. Tiffani glanced around briefly to see where they were but could only make out a leather couch before he lowered his lips to hers in a subtle, sweet kiss. A part of her wanted to protest, but his mouth on hers caused fervent moaning, which only caused him to sink deeper into her as she willingly responded. Running her hands up his beard, a muffled groan resonated from his throat and he clasped her bottom tight, bringing her body even closer to his hard one. Tiffani loved the sounds they made and the intensity of their connection as he continued twirling his tongue with hers. She’d imagined him kissing her passionately but now, in reality, he was even more powerful and ardent than she’d deemed possible. He was all man. No denying that, especially when he lifted her up like she weighed nothing and carried her to the couch as their lips never left each other’s. Sitting down with her straddling his lap, he broke their kiss and stared at her with a heated yet adoring gaze. But before she knew it she had lowered her lips furiously to his once again.

Tiffani knew she needed to stop this charade, but his tantalizing manly scent was fogging her common sense and all she desired at that moment was more of him. She ran her hands across his chest and down his solid abs until she settled at his belt. She had the urge to yank it off and throw it somewhere in the room. Instead, she grasped it tightly as their kissing manifested more with each passing second. She let out a loud, disappointed gasp as his lips left hers and his tongue explored her neck while clutching her hips and pushing her body even farther on his. She didn’t even think that was possible until she felt a slight bulge through his pants, causing electric bolts to shoot through her and end at her center, which was exactly where she wanted him. Broderick had awakened a desire in her that had been suppressed for many years.

Gripping his belt tighter, Tiffani tried to restrain herself from unbuckling it. She couldn’t believe her thought process. True, it had been a long time since she’d been intimate with a man, but this wasn’t the time or place. Removing her hand from his belt, she wrapped fingers around his neck and he smiled lazily at her.