Takes the Cake Read online

  Liz couldn’t have been more pleased. Wine was flowing, conversation was buzzing, and the occasional slurp indicated the food was delicious. She was placing several small containers on silver trays when the first ripple of unease tiptoed down her spine. Conversation was tapering off.

  “Janie, check the diners so we can begin serving the next course.” The young woman nodded and hurried from the kitchen. Liz readied a half-ounce ice cream scoop, grabbed a small, white cylindrical container from the freezer, and dished out the lemon sorbet. It would make a nice palate cleanser after the savory soup.

  At hearing pounding footsteps, Liz glanced up to find a flushed and wide-eyed Janie. “What’s wrong?”

  “They’re asleep.”

  Liz wiped her hands on a damp towel. “What?”

  “They’re nodding off in their chairs.”

  That couldn’t be possible. She hastened to the dining area, pushed through the door, and gasped. Indeed, several of the guests’ heads bobbed down and then jerked back as if startled by the change of position. Some were already asleep. A couple of people—including the bride—were facedown in their soup bowls, and Liz rushed to free their faces before they could drown.

  “Oh my goodness.” She ran from person to person checking pulses, relieved when she found them. “Call 911.”

  There were still a few untouched bowls, so not everyone had eaten yet. Keegan, the groom, and the maid of honor were missing from the table, as well as one or two of the parents, but she couldn’t be sure which ones.

  “Who else ate the soup?”

  Janie hesitated. “I…uh…some of the servers, one or two of the cooks.”

  “Stay here.” Liz hurried back to the kitchen. In the far corner, some of her staff were sprawled around the scarred wooden table, heads lolling from side to side or resting on their forearms. She grabbed a sous-chef named George as he struggled to keep his eyes open. “Hey. Stay with me.”

  “I’m having such a hard time staying awake,” he said, stifling a wide yawn.

  “Well, I need you not to sleep.” She grabbed the lapels of his coat and jerked him to his feet. “Walk around if you have to, but don’t fall asleep.”

  “Coffee,” he murmured.

  They had plenty of that on hand. She rushed past the counter holding the tureen of soup. A white plastic medicine bottle sat next to the dish. She skidded to a halt and picked up the bottle. Sleeping pills? She shook the container and it rattled. She opened it and looked inside. Only a couple of tablets remained. A quick glance at the soup showed a few half-dissolved capsules.

  Relief rushed through her and then anger. On one hand, the guests would get a good night’s sleep, but someone had gone through a lot of trouble to make the dinner look bad. For a moment, Keegan crossed her mind, but it didn’t seem like something he would do. This would upset Caroline, and Liz didn’t believe he’d do that. Then who wanted to sabotage the wedding?

  Keegan sat in the wide porch swing nursing a cold beer. A chuckle rolled from his lips as he recalled his fellow groomsman’s chagrin at his prank backfiring and having to explain to emergency personnel and police why thirty-odd people were sleeping at the dinner table. The situation, though serious, was quite entertaining. His sister would not be pleased when she realized what had happened, but at least he was out of the hot seat.

  Liz hadn’t seemed too pleased with the events that had transpired, and well, he couldn’t blame her. She had worked hard to execute the requested menu change, and she deserved to have her moment. He selected a bacon-wrapped chicken liver from the food piled on the plate at his elbow. He’d grabbed several leftovers before those catering staff members not affected by the soup could start cleaning.

  If he listened really hard, he could hear movement and water running in the kitchen. Since this was partly his fault, he could at least offer a helping hand. He picked up his plate and bottle and padded into the house. When he arrived in the kitchen, he was surprised to find Liz completely alone.

  She’d discarded the chef’s jacket and wore a pink tank top that bared her midriff along with her curve-hugging slacks. Lust beat a hasty rhythm to his groin, lengthening and thickening his rod. Such a beautiful body. Petite and lean. Tight, sculpted muscles in her arms flexed each time she reached for something. He’d love to run his hands over her body and feel those same muscles wrapped around him as he entered her.

  Pink was a good color for her. It brought a rosy glow to her flesh. Her movements were quick and efficient as if she were used to cleaning up by herself. He leaned against the wall, admiring her. She’d abandoned the scarf too. Tousled curls spilled around her face and over her shoulders. The softness was tempting.

  He moved quietly, placing his dish on the counter with equal care. Ever since she’d walked into this house with her confidence and simple cake design, he’d wanted to get her alone. The kiss in the pantry had been beyond expectation, and he longed to repeat it. Well, he yearned to do a lot more, and kissing was only one part of it.

  Keegan stepped behind Liz and skimmed a finger down the curve of her spine. She tensed, but didn’t turn around. “You have such beautiful skin.”

  Silverware clinked as she dropped it in a square plastic tray. “What you’re doing could be considered harassment.”

  Her skin was so soft and satiny. He swept her hair from the nape of her neck and pressed his lips to the exposed skin. A tremor ran through her body, and her movements weren’t as precise as before. He trailed minute kisses to the top of her tank, then circled her waist with his arms.

  “Would an apology help?”

  She stiffened.

  Maybe some remorse on his part would go a long way to rebuilding the bridge he’d let fall. They still had some amazing chemistry, but would it be enough to win her heart?

  “Mr. Murphy—”

  “We’ve gone beyond such formalities,” he whispered in her ear. He skimmed her rib cage, teasing the underside of her breasts before cupping them. He was pleased to find that she didn’t wear a bra while working. A quick flick of his thumbs proved she was already aroused. If he shoved a hand down her pants, would he find her wet as well? “We have attraction, Liz. What’s wrong with enjoying the chemistry we still share?”

  “We shouldn’t.” Even as she protested, she pushed her behind into him.

  He drifted one hand down her flat abdomen while he continued to tease her breast with his other hand. He pressed his throbbing erection to her buttocks as he plunged a hand down the waistband of her slacks. The elastic gave easily. Then his fingers found her heat.

  “Do you want me to stop?” He swept his lips along her jaw as he rubbed the crotch of her panties, not surprised to find them damp.

  She turned her head into his kiss. “No, but I need to know something.”

  He angled far enough from her to maintain eye contact. “Ask me anything.”

  “Did you sabotage the dinner?”

  He cupped her cheek. “I would never do that to you. My cousin and a friend of his decided it would be funny to put everybody to sleep. I wouldn’t steal your moment from you, Liz.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, she closed the distance between them. That was all the encouragement he needed. He consumed her mouth, feasting on the ripe nectar of her lips, imbibing her intoxicating flavor until she became his drug of choice. She widened her stance, and he pressed his advantage, pushing the crotch of her panties aside to stroke the silken heat of her pussy. He slipped a finger into her channel, and she sighed into his mouth.

  So tight and wet. Now he just wanted to watch her fall apart. She moved against his hand as he stroked in and out. He found her clit and circled the hard nub while teasing her with light strokes. She tensed.

  He lifted his head. “Am I hurting you?”

  She stared at him beneath heavy lids. “Feels very good.”

  He removed his hand and turned her in his arms. She had a body on her, and what was this? His gaze fastened on the bit of sparkle at her navel. She had
a belly ring. A little sexy to go with all that sass. Keegan grasped her around the waist, lifted, and settled her on the counter away from the sink. At some point, he wanted to see her all wet, but for now he’d settle for a sturdy surface to seduce her luscious body.

  “Right here?” A thread of uncertainty entered her voice.

  He flashed a wicked grin. “I’ve always wanted to cook in the kitchen.”

  She shook her head, a blush stealing into her cheeks. “Someone could see.”

  “That’s part of the appeal.” He hooked his thumbs in the hem of her shirt and tugged upward, fluttering his lips over each creamy expanse of flesh exposed. He pulled her top free, dropped it on the floor, and did the same with her pants and underwear.

  Only when she was completely naked did he step back and marvel at the beauty before him. Her body was decadent and curvy but also firm and toned. A man could get lost exploring the secrets of her flesh, and he intended to do just that. He glanced around and spied a covered bowl. He peeked beneath the towel and smiled at the smooth, thick chocolate revealed.

  “What are you doing?”

  He brought the bowl back to the counter. “Improvising.”

  “That’s Belgian chocolate.”

  He dipped his finger in the creamy confection and was surprised to find it still warm. “Oh, I just love chocolate-covered caramel. Don’t you?”

  Her brow furrowed. When he traced her lips with his finger, her eyes widened. He licked her lips, allowing the rich sweetness of milk chocolate and her delectable flavor to roll over his tongue.

  With his other hand, he threaded his fingers through her hair, sighing at the silken texture. He gripped a handful. Her lips parted on a gasp, and he deepened the kiss, sharing the remnants of chocolate with her.

  While he plundered her mouth, he dipped his finger in the bowl again. This time, he painted a line from the smooth column of her throat to each pebbled nipple. Then he followed the line, taking his time as she squirmed on the counter. A smile creased his lips as he wrapped an arm around her waist, drew her closer to the edge of the counter, and stood between her thighs.

  Her heat and arousal beckoned, hardening his already rigid cock to painful proportions. One more dip and then he drew a line from her pink “fuck me” belly ring to the top of her neatly trimmed mound.

  “Keegan?”

  He dropped to one knee and pushed her legs a little wider. Such prettiness; her pussy was a delectable ripe pink while her honey glistened on the lips, giving it the appearance of a fresh, juicy berry. He glanced up, gauging her reaction. Her eyes were closed, and she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. A soft moan filled the air each time he leaned forward to lick the trail of chocolate from her body.

  LIZ RESTED HER hands on his shoulders, not sure if she wanted to push Keegan away or pull him closer. Each swipe of his tongue intensified the ache of longing throbbing in her clit, and he was teasing her, eating the chocolate he’d drizzled on her abdomen. Rough but gentle hands pushed her knees wider, and his shoulders held her open for his scrutiny. Never had she felt so exposed in her life. Anyone could walk in on them, and she was sitting on a counter, breasts thrust toward the ceiling and pussy open, while tiny smears of chocolate dotted her body. Yet the thought of being discovered turned her on.

  This was the craziest, the most unpredictable, and… The saliva dried in her mouth when he dragged a digit over her core. All other thoughts fled as the warm rasp of his tongue flicked her clit. She tightened her fingers in his lush hair as he licked her up and down with deliberate precision.

  “Oh, Keegan,” she whispered on a breathless moan. “I’ve missed you so much.” No man had ever done anything so divine. At least not in a long while.

  He pulled her closer, gripping her buttocks in his hands as he feasted at her womanly banquet. She tossed her head back, her hair tickling her shoulders as she thrust her hips to his mouth. He obliged by sucking her clit between his teeth and gently biting down. Liquid desire spurted through her veins as she focused on the pleasure his mouth and tongue provided.

  Over and over he teased her. Anticipation tightened in her belly, and her soft cries echoed off the ceiling. She dragged his head closer, luxuriating in the quick flicks of his tongue. He thrust two fingers into her, found her G-spot, and her world exploded.

  Before she could recover, he was guiding the head of his cock to her entrance. She pressed forward, savoring his slow penetration. He stretched and filled her, establishing a connection she never wanted to sever. When he withdrew, she felt empty and unfulfilled. When he surged forward again, all was right with her world.

  Each exchange left her craving more until they developed a rhythm of mutual satisfaction. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he gripped her hips. The slap of flesh on flesh mingled with her soft whimpers and his more guttural grunts. Never had anyone made her feel so good. She didn’t want it to end, but she was sliding down the tunnel toward her second release. She held her breath as the wave of ecstasy crashed over her and sucked her under.

  Her muscles gripped and massaged the hard cock moving within her depths. A moment later, Keegan shouted his release. His climax pulsed inside her and she screamed her pleasure before he collapsed against her.

  His breath cooled the heated flesh of her neck as she drifted her fingers up and down his spine. He fluttered kisses over her collarbone and to the hollow of her throat before he captured her lips in a slow, languid caress.

  “Oh, Keegan.” She moaned and arched against him. So much time had passed, and with a single act of passion, the months fell away. How could she ever go back to her bland existence?

  “I don’t want to let you up,” he admitted. “Spend the night with me.”

  “I can’t. I have to work.”

  He raised his torso and rested his weight on his hands. “There’s no rule that says you have to sleep in the guesthouse. Besides, there’s so much more I want to do to you tonight.”

  She stared into his eyes, the embers of passion burning bright in his irises. What would it hurt if she spent the night in his bed? It’s not as if any of her staff did bed checks. As long as she arrived for her shift, all would be well. “Okay. I’ll stay, but I’ll need to get a few things from my room first.”

  He grinned. “You won’t regret this. I promise.”

  Chapter Three

  What was she doing? Liz dragged fingers through her tousled curls and exhaled. Starlight twinkled on the black-velvet canopy of the sky. She paused on the flagstone walk, not far from the main house, near a blooming rosebush; the heady fragrance enveloped her senses. A gentle breeze blew past, bringing the scent of Keegan’s faint musk to her nose. She pursed her lips and blew out a wistful sigh. She just needed to get a clean uniform before she met with Keegan again.

  Her steps scraped on the walkway as she moved farther away from the estate house and closer to the guesthouse at the end of the paved trail. Crickets chirped while frogs tossed out an answering ribbit. Liz glanced around. The outline of several outbuildings rose against the dark horizon on her left while a buoy dinged in the distance. She had a great view of the private lake from her bedroom window. However, staring into the night and smelling the roses was not getting her any closer to solving her dilemma with Keegan. She continued down the path.

  Having sex on the kitchen counter wasn’t much of a mistake, but goodness, what had she been thinking? The bride’s brother? Her ex of all people. On the counter? Where anyone could walk in and see? She shook her head. This was supposed to be about work, not indulging her hormones. Oh, but what an indulgence it was.

  And somehow, he had talked her into meeting him again. She couldn’t do that, but the promise of amazing sex hastened her footsteps toward the guesthouse and a shower. Sleep should be her focus, not another orgasm. The way he made her body feel was just too scrumptious to pass up. And maybe something more.

  Liz didn’t want to delve too deep into her motivation for agreeing to see Keegan again or why it
was so easy for them to slide into old habits. She still wanted him, still held love for him in her heart where no one else could see, and would still be his if he asked the right question.

  Shaking off the remnants of the past, she twisted the knob, not surprised to find the door unlocked. Her room was the first door on the right, just past the kitchen that she’d glimpsed in passing. The rest of her staff was upstairs. After being in a hot, humid kitchen all day, she could appreciate being far away from them at night. How she got relegated to the first floor, she didn’t have a clue, but she enjoyed the solitude.

  As she entered her room, she kicked off her shoes and shoved them near the door with her foot. She didn’t want to have to search for them on her way out to Keegan’s room. She switched on a nearby lamp. Its dim glow cast enough light to illuminate the shadows. She peeled out of her clothes and let them drop as she crossed to the bathroom. She paused long enough to stab the play button on her MP3 player. A love song by Rome drifted through the speakers. Humming to herself, she glanced down her body. Little smears of chocolate clung to her skin, and she scratched at one with her fingernail.

  For a second, she debated turning on the bathroom light but then dismissed the idea. Soft music and the low light soothed her. There was enough light from the bedroom if she left the door open. A flick of her wrist and water cascaded from the oversize showerhead. She adjusted the temperature, gathered her thick, kinky hair into an untidy bun, and stepped into the stall. The slight metallic scrape of the rings grazing the rod rose above the thunder of the shower. She stepped beneath the spray, and a sigh eased past her lips as the warm water sluiced down her body. Liz turned so the water pounded on her shoulders and back.

  Feeling her overwrought, tired muscles loosen had her shoulders sagging. She reached for a washcloth and her vanilla-scented body wash. A generous squirt on the cotton filled the room with the relaxing aroma of vanilla and ginger. She rubbed the cloth together, creating a liberal froth, and then dragged it across her limbs.