Sweeter Pleasures Read online

  Just as I coming out of the freezer with a few boxes of butter, I slammed into something quite hard, the butter going flying, and me landing right on my ass. I shrieked, mainly from shock, as I had not been expecting that. “What the fuck?” I yelled when I suddenly felt two big strong arms go around my waist and I was lifted to my feet.

  And there he was, rescuing me from the fall, his deliciously handsome face so close to mine, his hands wrapped around my waist sending tingles throughout my entire body. He smelled so good; I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent, musky and masculine with a hint of aftershave. When I opened my eyes, I was speechless as I stared up at him, completely mesmerized by his face.

  “Are you okay?” Drake whispered, his breath running over me, smelling sweet as always.

  My eyes fluttered closed then back open as I tried to break myself from this trance he had put me in. I nodded slowly, not being able to get any words out, and then his hands were gone, and I was left feeling empty and cold, the feelings leaving me baffled.

  I regained my composure and choked out, “Shit, who hit who?” I rubbed my ass where I had fallen and I noticed Drake tried to hide a smile.

  “It was my fault, I’m sorry. I need to watch where I’m going,” Drake said, his eyes so sincere and compassionate, I felt his apology.

  Get it together Bree. Stop swooning over this man.

  I waved my hand, dismissing what happened. “It’s okay, shit happens. Can you give me a hand with the butter though, please?”

  Drake nodded and began picking up the boxes of butter, “Are you sure you’re okay, Bree? You hit your ass pretty hard there.”

  I could feel a blush creeping into my cheeks. “Oh so you were looking at my ass then, Drake?” Shit, why did I just say that? I feel like crawling into a damn hole.

  Drake laughed, his eyes sparkling. “And so what if I was? It’s a nice ass.”

  Now my entire body was flushed. We were flirting and it needed to stop. But damn, it felt good.

  I quickly brought the boxes of butter into the refrigerator, taking the ones from Drake as well. I wasn’t sure how to respond so I didn’t say anything. As we headed back to the work area to finish cleaning, Lexi came back looking worried.

  “What’s wrong, Lex? Everything okay up front?”

  She shrugged her shoulders, her hands pulling together. “Not really, Hun. Try not to freak out but…um…Kyle is here.”

  My blood ran cold. What? Kyle is here? What the fuck was this guy playing at? Besides, I thought he had moved away? Living with his fucking Hawaii slut?

  “What? Well don’t…don’t let him in, we are closed now.” I glanced at the clock and it was now five and usually I wouldn’t mind waiting on another customer, but not him. He needed to leave.

  Lexi nodded, her sad eyes mirroring my own, “I’ll tell him to leave then.” She glanced at Drake and then headed back to the front.

  I leaned against the baker’s table, feeling defeated. Why did he have to come back here and torture me? I gripped the table hard, wanting to scream. He better leave when Lexi told him to or I will have to send Drake out there. My nerves got the better of me and my hands instinctively went to my neck, beginning to lightly scratch the tender skin.

  Drake stood next to me, his mere presence soothing to me. “Do you want me to help?” His question was full of concern and I really appreciated that in him.

  I didn’t want to be vulnerable and ask for help but I wouldn’t be able to fight Kyle off if something were to happen. Not that I really thought anything would happen-Kyle had never hurt me before.

  I looked up at his gorgeous face, my body melting at the pure sight of him. “Can you just stay until he leaves in case he tries something?” I asked nervously, “He makes me nervous.”

  Drake nodded, the smile slowly fading from his face as he grew serious instead. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.” With that he winked and then went to start on the big stack of dirty dishes in the sink.

  Just as I was going to head to my office, I heard Kyle giving Lexi shit in the front and refusing to leave. What was his fucking problem? He just thinks he can come back here and waltz in whenever he wants? I felt Drake’s hand grab mine and instantly, I was relieved, feeling safe almost. I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

  “Want me to go out there?”

  I shook my head. Drake didn’t need to be dragged into my messes. I needed to deal with my own shit. “Thank you, but I need to deal with this on my own. I can’t keep running from it, or him, I should say because he’s not going to go away.” I sighed, my eyes drifting to Drake’s, both of us sharing a sad look. He was so sweet and compassionate that when he turned and hugged me, pulling me into a tight embrace against him, I couldn’t help but hug him back, wrapping my arms around his tight body. God, he felt amazing. I wanted to run my hands all over him, feeling his smooth muscles beneath my fingers. His hands rested lightly on my back, being the gentleman he was.

  Lexi stormed into the back and we both jumped apart, as if being caught doing something bad. She stopped short and her eyes darted back and forth between us but she didn’t say anything, she just crossed her arms and looked upset. I hoped not at me.

  “He will not leave, Bree. I tried everything and now he’s being a complete dick. I’m sorry Hun, I tried. Do you want to call the police? Because if you don’t want to see him, you don’t have to.” She smiled sadly at me and walked over to where I was standing, pulling me into an embrace. Her scent of strawberries filled my noise and tears sprung to my eyes. I was so thankful for all of these amazingly supportive women in my life.

  I pulled away, swiping at my face quickly. I took a deep breath and decided it was time to tell Kyle where to go. “I can do it, I’ve got to face him sometime and there’s no time like the present.”

  Lexi nodded, rubbing my back gently. “I’ll be back here if you need me, I’m not going anywhere until that fucker is gone.”

  Drake nodded his head in agreement, “I will stay too, just in case.”

  I smiled at both of them and then headed to the front. Anxiety swirled in my stomach and I thought I was going to sick. I inhaled gulps of air, swallowing them down quickly, trying to keep the bile from rising in my throat. Fuck, I could already feel my half mended heart slowly ripping apart again.

  Drake

  As I watched her go, my eyes resting on her ass once again, I felt anger brewing inside me. Who was this fucking man giving her so much shit? She was a gorgeous person inside and out, and I already know that only from having met her a couple days ago. So what was this fucking prick playing at? He was obviously upsetting her and that was pissing me off. Panic instantly flooded me as my thoughts began racing. What if he was here for me? What if this was all a set-up, to get to me? I closed my eyes and try to steady my breathing, pushing these thoughts of my head. I can’t think that way…I can’t…. She was trying to find me; I know she was. Any day now it could happen. Hell, they could be here already. She needs to keep her mouth shut or shit is going to get real ugly, real fast.

  As soon as I saw him, my heart felt like it dropped into my stomach and flashes of him in bed with that slut pierced my mind. I tried to push them away but they were still there, taunting me with their sharp jolts of reality. Kyle quickly rushed over to me and pulled me into a hug and I felt sick, not wanting him to touch me but having missed his touch so much. My stomach churned with conflicting thoughts and hot tears spilled from the corners of my eyes. I hated him. I hated him so much. For doing this to me, for making me feel like this.

  I pushed him away, the anger shooting through me hot and fierce. “What the fuck are you doing here Kyle?”

  He grabbed my hands, pulling them to his chest tightly, so tight I couldn’t get them away. His eyes pleaded down at me and my stomach rolled. I wanted to punch him and kiss him all at the same time. Shut up, you fucking dumb heart of mine. How could you even think you would want to kiss this man again?

  “I’m s
o sorry, Bree, I’m so so sorry. Please forgive me. I made a stupid mistake, such a stupid mistake. I love you and I should have never done what I did. Please, please believe me.”

  I closed my eyes, the pain and anger lancing through me. I couldn’t handle all of these emotions, it was fucking pure torture, and to be quite honest, it was exhausting. He sounded pathetic honestly. I tried to focus on my anger and how I just wanted to punch him so that I could push any feelings of love, or whisper of love, whatever the fuck they were, away.

  “Kyle, you need to leave. Please just leave,” I breathed out, hoping he would listen.

  “No Bree, please, let’s just go somewhere to talk. I know we can work this out. You just need to hear me out.”

  Work this out? Was he fucking crazy? He cheats on me on our HONEYMOON and then comes back two years later? Fuck him and whatever fucking horse he rode in on.

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now Kyle? It’s been two years since I’ve heard from you, never mind see you. And where is your little island princess slut? Did it not work out with her and now you are going to try to come crawling back to me?” I huffed, my breath blowing out in a puff. “Nice try, bucko, but your chances are long gone. They ended the moment I walked in on you and her fucking in our honeymoon suite!” I used all my force, my anger driving me, to rip my hands out from his grasp. “I said fucking leave!” I crossed my arms and waited. I didn’t think he would physically hurt me, as he never had in the past, but something dark flickered in his eyes for a second and panic flooded my entire body. He grabbed my chin with such force, I knew there was going to be a bruise. I let out a little wail, only a small sound being able to escape, as his grip was so tight.

  “We are not done, Bree. Do you fucking hear me? Not done. I will be back.” He let go of my chin with such force, I was thrown back, slamming my back into the counter behind me. I cried out in pain, Lexi and Drake tearing through the double doors. But Kyle was already out the front door, nothing but a trail of dust behind him.

  “Bree!” Lexi cried, running to me, “Are you okay? What happened?” She lifted the back of my shirt, noting the red mark that was going to turn into an ugly bruise. “Fucking asshole! If I ever see him touch you again, so help me God…”

  Drake wasn’t say anything, but when my eyes met his, I could tell he was furious. He looked downright fucking scary. He stood so ridged, his hands grasping the counter.

  “It’s okay. I’m okay. I just hope he doesn’t come around again. He actually wants to talk and work shit out. I mean really? After everything that happened?” I sighed and shook my head. “I’m ready to call it a night. Thanks guys for being here.”

  They both nodded at me. Drake didn’t say much, just a mumbled goodbye and he was out the door. He seemed to be uncomfortable or pissed off. I don’t know but I had too much on my mind to be thinking about why he was feeling the way he was.

  Lexi walked me to my car and when we parted ways, I felt lonely and miserable. My life had been smooth sailing for some time now. As soon as men entered it again, it was a fucking disaster.

  Chapter Eight

  The next week at work passed by quickly. I wasn’t as busy in the kitchen with all of Drake’s help so I spent a lot of time in the office playing catch up. I had been behind from that one week of having no baker plus I had been a little behind even before that week. Drake was amazingly efficient that I wasn’t needed nearly as much as I had been, even with a good baker on the team like we’ve had in the past. Drake had surpassed any expectations I had had for him and he did so much better than the other bakers we had had before. So I took advantage of all the new free time I was acquiring and got caught up on many of the business items that needed my attention. It felt so good to finally cross things off my to do list.

  Drake was acting completely professional with me, which I didn’t know how to take. I had felt so confused because I wanted him to be strictly professional but I knew we had that connection and I wanted to explore that since I felt it so strongly. When he didn’t show that he liked me anymore, I felt disconnected and sad. But it was what I had wanted so I had to accept it and remind myself why I had made that decision. As the week passed, I felt myself growing stronger feelings towards him. I tried to push them away as Drake didn’t seem interested in me anymore but it was so hard to. Every time we brushed past each other, every small smile, or conversation, or glance, they all added up to me in a big way. Maybe Drake still was interested but he was just doing as I asked. God I wished I could just figure my head out. Ever since Drake walked in the bakery last Friday night and then Kyle showed up, I have been a fucking hot mess. And sending Drake mixed signals wasn’t going to help anything so I tried to keep my distance as best I could.

  I still felt confused about Kyle. My anger mostly stamped out my love for him which I was thankful for. Focusing on the business and expanding and hitting new goals-that was where all of my attention needed to be.

  The girls had been great and very supportive of me. Julie didn’t say anything more about Drake as I told her I just wasn’t ready. They couldn’t believe what happened with Kyle showing up here again as Lexi and I told them.

  And the kicker was-Kyle was now calling and texting me every day. I was ready to change my number. I should’ve changed it a long time ago but I never did as I was always used to that being my number. I ignored every call, every text, but he was relentless, sending a few each day. He even reached out to my mother a few times which I shut right down and my father even gave Kyle a pieece of his mind. Neither of them wanted anything to do with Kyle after what he had done. I couldn’t believe he had the balls to be so persistent. I thought he was just licking his wounds. I heard around town that things didn’t pan out with his island slut in Hawaii, Alana or whatever the hell her name was. So now he was back and grasping at straws. Trying to make himself look good, redeeming himself for show. Kyle needed to find a new town and a new place to settle.

  The one thing hanging over me was that we were still married. I could never find him before in order to start the divorce proceedings and now that he was back, I just didn’t want to deal with him. I needed to have him served with papers soon so then this harassing can be stopped before I have to take out a restraining order. And what upset me the most now was that I felt afraid of him. He had never hurt me before, never even raised a hand at me, but the way he treated me when he grabbed my chin really scared me. That was one of the big reasons why I would not agree to meet him. Who knows what he could do. I just wanted him gone. I wanted my life to be simple. Drake complicated shit a bit because of our insane attraction but he wasn’t causing any type of drama. He was sweet and so sexy and one of the best damn bakers I have ever gotten to know. I always heard him laughing with the girls and he had so much respect, never getting in their way or making them feel uncomfortable. He was just a nice guy and a hard worker. I was lucky to have him working for me.

  It was finally Friday night again and the shop had been closed for about an hour. I had been locked in my office for the past few hours doing payroll and spreadsheets, and I was dying for some food and drinks. Julie had cut out early because she was having a date night with her hubby and Liz and Mack closed the shop, leaving shortly after. Liz had a hot date with her rock star man as he was still in town, playing gigs all around the area. Mack told me to call her since she didn’t have any plans as of yet, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. A long hot bath sounded nice.

  Drake

  I stood outside, breathing the cold air into my lungs. The sky was darkening and I was trying to work up the nerve to ask Bree to go get dinner with me. I had been avoiding her all week. Well, not avoiding her, but keeping things professional like she said. It was killing me inside. Something fierce ran inside me, something carnal and dark, making me crave her. If only I could touch her, taste her…. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts. I had to get this woman out of my head. I couldn’t involve her in my danger.

  I froze, hearing rustlin
g on the side of the building closest to me. Fuck. Someone is watching me. I quickly slipped inside, my heart hammering in my chest. She was right, they knew what I did. And they were going to come for me, no matter where I hid. Fuck it all.

  A soft knock sounded on my door and I called out to Drake to come in, his large profile exposing himself. He opened the door and stood in the doorway, not coming in all the way. His frame filled the entire doorway and he looked slightly anxious. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and his eyes kept darting around as if he was worried. Please don’t tell me you are leaving for another job.

  “Come in, Drake, you can sit down you know. I won’t bite. Not now at least.” I grinned, my cheeks turning slightly pink. I can’t believe I just said that. You fucking flirt. You had been doing good all week.

  Drake smiled back, but he still looked nervous. His hands moved from his pockets to his hair, and he ran them through, looking stressed almost. Coming to sit in front of me, he opened his mouth to say something then he shut it again. He opened it, and proceeded to shut it again. I couldn’t help but giggle. “Drake? Do you need to say something?”

  I’ve never seen him look so…so…tense, like he was going to be giving a huge presentation or something. He was always so cool, calm, and collected.

  Finally, he spoke, his words soft and hushed almost, “I was just wondering…if you maybe wanted to get some dinner and drinks with me?”

  I felt a swarm of butterflies invade my stomach, throwing a party I did not invite them to. Why was he so nervous to ask me that? Most men are so confident and he always seemed that way. Maybe he was afraid because of our professional situation? Because of what I had said to him last weekend? And I had no idea how to answer. I didn’t want this to turn into something I wasn’t ready for. Something I kept fighting.

  “Drake, um, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” His whole face fell and I instantly felt bad.