Cupcakes and Kisses (Hot in Magnolia Book 1)

Melvina had never been a small woman and even though she boasted a healthy normal weight for her five-four frame, she wasn’t the kind of gal men just swung up into their arms to carry places. She tried to protest as Riley lifted her and walked to what she supposed was his bedroom.

The light gray walls, white trim and soft tan curtains reminded her of a five-star hotel room. The sleek modern bed and minimalist decor was exactly what she expected of Riley. What she didn’t expect was Humphrey and Lulu in the middle of his bed, snoring belly-up like a couple of old men who’d had too much beer and were sleeping one off. Their dog beds were at the foot of Riley’s bed with fresh towels folded over each. She began to apologize for the pups being on the furniture as he turned and left the master bedroom.

Riley chuckled. “I forgot I’d put them there. That’s okay, we can use the guest room for now. Let them sleep.”

There was a loud squeak and Riley stumbled, then chuckled as he braced himself against the wall, grasping her tighter in his arms.

“What was that?” Melvina clung to him.

“I think Humphrey brought luggage. Don’t worry, it’s just a toy. We’re almost there.”

They entered the guest room with a queen-size bed. It wasn’t the opulent king that Humphrey and Lulu were sleeping on, but it was perfect for what she had in mind. As Riley lay her on the blankets, she rolled to her side, shaking her head as he grabbed for her. “Not this time. It’s time for me to pleasure you.”

Riley didn’t try to dissuade her, but instead pulled the covers back so they both could feel the soft cotton sheets beneath them. Melvina looked at him beneath the gleaming light filtering in from the hallway. His tan skin and the crisp brown hair that covered his chest and legs had a hint of gold that highlighted his naked body. His hands were strong, and the cords in his neck flexed as she touched him.

First, she explored his torso, dipping her head to his chest, swirling her tongue around each nipple and delving lower to trail across the taut stomach she adored. His masculine need bobbed beneath the weight of her middle as she positioned herself between his thighs and let her hair cover the view of where she longed to kiss him. He sucked in air then let out a tight groan of pleasure as her hair tickled him. She grazed her lips over his hard tip, then allowed her mouth to encompass the top few inches. His moan of pleasure sent a thrill of confidence to her loins. She slid her tongue down his masculine flesh and then sucked his length in until she couldn’t hold any more of him.

His breathing came in short gasps as he tried to stop her. She was curious what he would taste like past the juices of his initial excitement. A hunger grew inside her to taste all of him, but Riley quickly lifted her and pulled her beneath him. She heard the rustling of foil and then he pushed himself inside her with a strong, satisfying thrust. He built a rhythm between them that sent her spilling her own juices over his hard flesh and she wondered if she might die from the endless pulses that raptured through her. She gripped his torso and sank her teeth into his shoulder to muffle the loud moan. He groaned with her, holding her in a tight embrace. Their release was simultaneous and they both lay spent in the aftermath.

Melvina awoke to sun shining in through the large bedroom windows and Humphrey curled into her middle. She felt a definite hardness from Riley’s nakedness at her back and a soft snoring of Lulu somewhere around her head. Turning slowly so as not to disturb Riley, she saw he was already awake petting Lulu with one hand as his other rested on Melvina’s waist.

“You’re awake,” she yawned.

Riley smiled as his member flexed against her leg. “I’ve just been enjoying the view.”

“Do you have to work today?” Melvina asked

Lord in Heaven, will I ever get used to this gorgeous man looking at me like that?

Riley’s eyebrows furrowed. “No, do you? I should have asked, but with all the excitement last night….” He wiggled his eyebrows, making her giggle.

“No, I’m off today, but I thought I might drop by the café later to pick up my baking pans.”

“I need to check on the foreman here at the ranch and make sure everything’s runnin’ smooth, but after that, I’m all yours.” He ran a foot up her calf.

“If you have a ranch, why do you need to grow your herbs at Lexi’s place?”

“Because I only bought this place two months back and the decorator has just finished the interior. I haven’t had time to hire a landscaper, and I like to use the garden as an excuse to keep an eye on my sister and the boys. I will branch out and do some organic farming next year for the restaurant if things progress. We’ll need more fresh produce anyway.”

Melvina nodded and Lulu wiggled, rolling over to get Riley to rub her belly. He looked like he was wearing a basset sombrero.

Melvina laughed. “Shameless hussy.”

Riley nodded. “I think I’m gonna have my hands full with you gals.”

Melvina blushed, remembering her own shameless behavior the evening before. “At least I know now it wasn’t all due to the Viagra.”

Riley threw his head back and whooped with laughter. Melvina had been embarrassed when she confided in Riley about the Mona-Viagra mishap, but he’d found it funny and sexy. She felt his hard shaft flex again at the reminder.

“What do you say we go check out that shower again?”

Melvina still smelled the faint aroma of skunk beneath the soap they used in the shower, so she’d slathered herself in lotion afterward to cover the lingering odor. She hadn’t smelled it when they’d visited the cows in the pasture or petted the horses and goats in the barn, but now in the tight space of the sporty coupe, she felt self-conscious of the odor.

As they drove down the winding backroads that eventually led them to Pop’s, Melvina wondered if he could smell her too. He’d been quiet most of the drive and she was wondering what he was thinking about.

Riley turned into an open lot with a rundown house sitting in the center. It had been vacant for years and the overflow from the café often parked there. “Oh, it’s the next turn in,” Melvina corrected.

Riley pulled up in front of the building and put the car in park. “Oh, I think it’s the right one.”

Melvina was confused. She pointed next door to Pop’s, but Riley shook his head. “You said you’ve been wanting to open your own bakery ever since I met you. I want you to come work for me, but somehow, I haven’t been able to twist your arm. I heard you tell your dad last night that the money you invested hadn’t done as well as you’d hoped, so I have a proposition.”

Riley paused as his words sank in. Melvina’s thoughts churned from no to yes and back to no again. “You turkey. You pretended you hadn’t heard.”

He stared out at the lot with weeds growing through the cracks. “It would have been rude to have said otherwise.”

“Riley, I can’t afford it. Pop tried to buy this place years ago, but the owner wouldn’t sell. And even if the owner did sell, I don’t have the money for the renovations.” Her heart clenched with doubt, uncertainty, and then crashed to disappointment.

Riley put a finger to her lips, then slid closer to cover them with his. “One thing I got plenty of is money.” Melvina started to protest, but he kissed her again. When she settled from the onslaught of his lips, he pulled away and continued.

“It’s not a gift. It’s an investment. You’re the best baker in town, and you want a shop to call your own. I want to buy into your talent. Pop will need you to continue baking all of the items you do now for the café, or believe me, things won’t continue to go so well for Pop’s. If we buy the place next door, Pop can buy your baked goods, of course at a discounted family rate, and I can buy the bread I need for Braised. Throw in some of the local hotels, restaurants, and other coffee shops, and you will be booming in no time. Hell, the way I see it, you’ll be able to buy me out in a year if you want to.”

He paused, running a finger down her forehead to her cheek.

Melvina sniffed back tears as his kind words poured over her.

“Melvina, what’s wrong? I’ll help you get the place running. I’ve got the experience to help you.”

Her lips trembled as the tears spilled over and she turned away from him.

“Melvina, look at me.” He touched her chin and turned her back to face him. He gently wiped her tears with his fingers, his hands moving down to massage her shoulders. “I believe in your talent. I believe in you.”

He believes in me….

She let out a deep, shuddery breath as his whiskey colored eyes stared into hers. Melvina studied the amber flecks that made the color so unique. He wanted to help her and he liked her just the way she was, even if she smelled a little skunky. Everything he said held promise, but as she looked at the whole picture, she realized he would be holding all of her dreams in his hands.

It was overwhelming to put so much of her heart into one place. What if he broke it? “I don’t know, Riley. I’m scared,” she admitted.

“What’s there to be scared of? We’ll sign papers, make it legal, and for the most part, it will all be yours. You can do what you want. I’ll just be around if you need help.”

Melvina looked ahead. She watched as Pop came out, looking in their direction. She waved, but he squinted from the glare on the windshield. He was looking older these days. If she opened her own place and then his health should take a turn, who would run the café?

As if reading her thoughts, Riley spoke gently, “Melvina, you can’t live your life wondering what if. You have a chance here to do what you want, something for yourself, and you need to think hard before you pass up this opportunity.”

She nodded, still staring at the café. “I’ll think about it.”