Lovely Neighbor Read online

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever eat again.” I still can't believe we had three entrees and three desserts.

  “Right,” Jenna laughs.

  I laugh with her because I know it’s a bunch of crap and I’ll be hungry in a few hours. Devin might even want to order lunch when I get up to his office. It would be rude not to eat with my husband. It’s the wifely thing to do.

  “I’ll see you later.” I carry all my bags toward Devin’s office building, but MJ beats me to the door and opens it for me.

  “Thanks.” I don’t know how she’s so fast. Sometimes I don’t even see her.

  “You sure I can’t help you with those?”

  “I’ve got it.” She follows me into the building. “You didn't tell him I was coming, did you? I wanted to surprise him.”

  “Nope.” She hits the button on the elevator for me and I step on. After that she walks back to the front desk to hang out with the security guards like she usually does when I come to see Devin.

  Devin’s a little edgy after everything that happened. He said a bodyguard would make him feel better, at least for a while. I didn't really mind either way and then MJ grew on me. It’s nice having her around and it makes my husband feel better when I’m running around the city.

  When the elevator opens, Nicole pops up from the receptionist desk. “Mrs. Meade, let me help you with that.”

  “I promise, I’ve got it.” No one thinks a pregnant woman can carry anything.

  “Okay, he’s in his office.”

  “In a meeting?”

  “Yeah, but it should have wrapped up ten minutes ago so I’m sure they'll be done any second.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Oh, by the way, there’s cupcakes in the breakroom. You can grab some while you wait.”

  I let out a long sigh. I can never say no to a cupcake. It doesn't matter how full I already am.

  “Did you make them?”

  “Yep. The purple ones are buttercream.”

  “God, I love you.” She laughs as she sits back down at her desk.

  I walk into Devin’s office, which happens to be the same way the breakroom is. When I walk into the small kitchen, it’s empty, which means no one will have to witness this cupcake murder. I put my bags down on the floor next to me then pick one up and take a huge bite.

  “Hi there.” I turn to look towards the door and there’s a man in a suit standing there. His hair is slicked back, and I know he doesn't work here, unless he’s new. “You work here?” he asks me, and I shake my head no as I swallow the food in my mouth.

  “No, I don’t work here.” I’m in overalls, a small tee, and sneakers. There’s no mistaking that I don’t work here. I shove the rest of the cupcake into my mouth and the man laughs as he comes into the break room.

  “You ate that in two bites. I’m impressed.”

  “You can have one if you want. The pink ones up front are the best.” It’s a lie, but I’m pregnant and we’re talking about cupcakes here.

  “That’s sweet of you, but I think there’s something else I’d like to eat.”

  I glance over at the table but don’t see any other food. It’s not like me to miss something like that. I wonder if Devin got takeout from that Indian restaurant next door and my stomach rumbles.

  “You’ve got some icing here.” He reaches up to touch my face, but before he can make contact a hand snatches his wrist.

  “Did you just say you wanted to eat my pregnant wife?” Devin growls.

  “Me?” I point to myself and look around. Oh, that’s what he meant.

  “I didn't know she was yours.” He tries to free his hand from Devin’s grip, but I see the white in my husband's knuckles.

  “It doesn't fucking matter whose wife she is with the way you were leering at her breasts.”

  I look down and realize if you’re taller than me you have a pretty good view down my shirt. They really have already gotten bigger and can be a fight to control.

  “I’m sorry,” the man rushes to say as his eyes widen. I should probably step in here.

  “Don't apologize to me, apologize to my wife.” He starts to look my way, but Devin snaps. “Don’t look at her, you keep your eyes on me.”

  I bite my lip so I don’t laugh.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he says to Devin, and after a moment he lets him go.

  Devin flings the man’s arm so hard he almost falls over. “Get out, and don’t bother coming back,” he adds as the guy rushes from the room.

  “Fucking asshole was here to try and sell us insurance. I thought he went to the bathroom.”

  “I love you.” I smile up at him as he bends down and grabs my bags. His other arm wraps around me, but I duck under it and grab another cupcake. “Okay. Do the caveman thing now.” I let out a scream when he picks me up into his arms and stomps toward his office. “I didn’t see that one coming.”

  “Hi Ree!” I wave to his sister as we pass her in the hallway.

  “Hey,” she laughs, but doesn't say anything else.

  I take a bite of my cupcake as Devin walks into his office and kicks the door shut behind him. He deposits me on the sofa and I lick the icing off my lips.

  “You didn't say ‘I love you’ back,” I scold as I take another bite.

  “You know I love you.” He drops to his knees in front of me.

  “I’m not sharing my cupcake, but you can eat me if you want,” I tease him, although it’s not really a tease because he's going to do it.

  “Finish your cupcake.” I shove the rest into my mouth as Devin takes my overalls off me. “This outfit is too fucking cute.” He pulls them down my legs and takes my shoes with them. His hands rub over my small baby bump before he gives it a kiss.

  I wiggle because I’m already turned on. I don’t know why that stompy-caveman thing does it for me, but I can’t help it.

  I grab his tie and pull him towards me. “Kiss me.”

  He does as I demand and kisses me with a possessive need he can’t ever control. I don’t think my husband could be any more perfect, and he’s all mine.

  Epilogue

  Devin

  Three years later…

  “What do you think is going to happen next?” Betty asks our daughter as she points to the kitten in the book.

  “He’s gonna eat his food,” she says, and Betty lights up.

  “That’s right! He’s going to have a great big fat belly.” She tickles Elizabeth’s belly and pretends to eat it. “Look how scrumptious yours is.”

  Elizabeth giggles so hard she snorts as she tries to catch her breath, and the sound makes me laugh.

  We named our baby girl after Betty but kept it a surprise until the delivery room. Betty was there holding on to Erin’s hand as I worried over the doctors and nurses. When our little Elizabeth came out, she changed all three of our lives forever. When Erin looked up at her grandmother and told her the name, they both burst into tears while Elizabeth slept exhausted between them.

  One of the amazing nurses happened to take a picture of the moment and I had it put in a frame above our fireplace.

  Renee was outside the delivery room with Danielle, and although Dani was excited, Renee looked as white as a sheet. I think they figured out at that moment which one was going to give birth when they decided to have kids.

  “Eat Daddy’s belly,” Elizabeth giggles and Betty laughs.

  “I don't know. I think Daddy might be hungry too.” She looks up and I walk in Elizabeth’s room and sit on the other side of the bed.

  I pretend to eat her belly too and she falls into another fit of giggles and squeals.

  “She’s never going to go to sleep,” Erin says from the doorway as she smiles at us.

  “You don’t worry about bedtime. I’ll handle this and you go have fun,” Betty says as she pulls Elizabeth into her side. “You won’t have the chance much longer.”

  I kiss Elizabeth goodnight and walk over to Erin. I put my hands on her belly and then around to her
back to massage it.

  “God, I’m so pregnant,” she groans as she leans into my rubbing.

  “And you’ve never looked more beautiful,” I tell her as I kiss her neck.

  She opens one eye to glare at me. “You have to say that.”

  “He’s right,” Betty agrees. “And I’m not required to say that either.”

  “Yes you are,” Erin chides, but I see a smile tug at the corner of her lips.

  “Mommy has a big fat belly too,” Elizabeth chimes in and I open my mouth to tell her not to tell Mommy that, but Erin begins to laugh.

  “At least someone is honest with me.” She shakes her head as she walks over to Elizabeth and kisses her goodnight. “Sleep well, little angel.”

  When we get to the car, Erin sighs as I help her in the seat. “I know I’m supposed to be enjoying these last few days before our baby boy gets here, but I swear I just want to lie around in a bathrobe eating ribs like Chrissy Teigen.”

  I laugh as I scoot in beside her and kiss her forehead. “We can do that if you want. But I’d like to remind you that this date night was your idea.”

  “That’s before I got sleepy.” She cuddles next to me and I love the feeling of her warm body on mine.

  “Well then you’ll love what I have planned.” She looks up at me and waits for me to explain, but I only smile at her.

  The drive takes a little while, but when we go through the drive-thru she gasps. “Donuts?”

  “Order whatever you want.”

  She leans across my lap and shouts into the speaker all kinds of donuts and I laugh. This is her favorite place, but it’s a county over and we haven’t made this trip in a while.

  After the donut shop, we hit four more drive-thrus at her favorite places until we have a feast fit for a pregnant queen.

  “Where are we going now?” Her eyes are wide with excitement as she looks at all the food.

  “Home.” I take her hand and kiss the back of it.

  When we get to the house, she sees that I had the back yard set up with an outdoor bed and a movie screen. Nee and Dani came over earlier and helped by stringing up lights overhead.

  “Oh god, this is so beautiful and exactly what I wanted.” Erin begins to cry and I hold her close. She’s not sad, it’s just the hormones.

  “And your robe is right inside if you want to take your pants off.”

  “I swear if I wasn’t so pregnant I would do some nasty sex stuff to you right now.”

  I laugh and pull her to me. “I think that’s how we got in this situation.”

  “I would even get pregnant on purpose so I could tie you down. That’s how much I love this.”

  “I’m pretty sure I was the one that got you pregnant on purpose so you wouldn't leave me.”

  “Six one way, half a dozen the other and all that.” She shrugs as she pulls me down for a kiss. “I love you, Devin. So damn much.”

  “I love you too.”

  It was the most perfect date night ever. Until her water broke.

  * * *

  THE END!

  Bonus… Lovely Proposal

  Find out what happens when Renee finally pops the question to Danielle…

  * * *

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  Lovely Baker

  by Alexa Riley

  Jenna has been running the bakery for a while now and she doesn’t need her grouchy boss telling her what to do. No matter how big his muscles are or how dark those eyes can be when he’s staring into her soul. Wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, she’s busy taking care of her little brother whom she’s raised since he was a baby and she doesn’t have time for men. No matter how sexy they are.

  Reed has been playing the long game with Jenna because he knows she has a responsibility to her son. But from the first time he saw her, he’s been counting down the seconds until he can make her his. Her time of playing games is over, and a weekend away at a friend's wedding is just the opportunity he needs.

  Warning: He’s pressing his luck and she likes the way it feels against her. Hot and dirty at the speed of happily ever after. What more could you want? Epilogues? Good thing the ebook has plenty!

  Chapter 1

  Jenna

  “I can’t believe this.” I stare at the beautiful ornate box. When I lift the lid I see the invitation inside and I shake my head. “This is so extra, girl.” I laugh and she joins me. “I love it!”

  “I thought it was a little much, but Devin’s sister Ree talked me into it.”

  I move the phone to my other ear and I can’t help but think Erin sounds so freaking happy. I was a bit worried when she fell so fast for this Devin guy and I haven’t gotten a chance to meet him yet. It’s not like I can pop over to her place anymore, and she’s not showing up to the coffee shop to eat all my sweets. We live hundreds of miles apart now, but she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.

  “I’m really happy for you. You deserve this.” She really does after that crazy stalker came at her. Anytime I think about it, I start to get choked up that I could have lost her.

  “You’ll come, right?”

  “This isn’t a lot of notice.”

  I’m not shocked she and Devin are rushing down the aisle. I think a brush with death will make everyone open their eyes and grab whatever it is they want most. For them it was each other.

  “I know. That’s why I’m handling everything. I already got your dress and the seamstress will come by and do alterations right there. I also am handling your flights and hotels.” Gah, she’s so sweet.

  “I can’t ask you to do all that.” Even if I really want to go, that’s too much. Neither Lucas nor I have been on a plane. He’ll be so excited because he’s obsessed with them. He keeps saying he’s going to grow up and be a pilot. Then he can take us anywhere in the world.

  “Well, my soon-to-be husband is loaded.” I hear Devin laugh in the background. “And I want you there. You, Lucas and Grams are my family. I want you to come and have a great time and not worry about all the odds and ends. Relax for a few days.”

  God, that sounds really nice. When was the last time I relaxed?

  “You’re making it hard to say no.”

  “That’s the point,” she laughs.

  “Okay, I’ll come,” I blurt out before I have a chance to talk myself out of it.

  “Yes!” she shouts, almost killing my eardrum. “Okay. I’m going to text you some stuff so we can pick dates and everything.” I hear the back door to the shop open and I know it can only be one person. One I don't want to deal with tonight.

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll be out of work in a little while,” I tell her, so she knows it will be a few minutes before I can respond.

  “Awesome. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” I say before hanging up. When I turn around I run right into a wall of muscle. “Reed.”

  I lean my head back to look up at him and he’s glaring at me. I think most are scared of his glare, but I’m used to it. He’s the boy who cried wolf; he glares and nothing happens. I inwardly laugh at calling him a boy because I bet he hasn't been called one since he was twelve.

  “Where is Mandy?” He looks over my head to the tables in the shop.

  “She got sick about an hour ago so I sent her home.”

  I duck past him, needing to put distance between us. He always smells a little too good. Men aren't supposed to smell good, are they? I pull off my apron and grab the hand towel.

  “You know the rules. No one works alone at night,” he says to my retreating back.

  A moment later I hear his steps behind me and I toss the towel and apron into the laundry bag outside the small office.

  “She was throwing up. What do you want me to do?” I sit down in my chair and put in the totals from my drawer.

  “You call me and I show up.”

  “It was only an hour. I don’t need help, I’ve got it.” He grabs my chair and spins it around
to face him. I try so hard to keep eye contact but fail miserably.

  Along with smelling too good, he is one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen. It doesn't matter if he’s in an expensive suit or wearing boots, jeans and a shirt that lets me see all those glorious tattoos. He always looks good, but he’s in a suit tonight and it’s bittersweet that I can’t see his ink.

  “That’s your problem. You don’t let anyone help.”

  He’s not wrong. It’s a hard habit to break when I’ve spent my whole life taking care of myself. It’s not as if I had a choice. I took care of my mom and then Lucas came along so I had to take care of him too. Not that I would change that for anything in the world. He might be my little brother, but it’s been me that’s raised him since the day he was born. He’s mine.

  “I’ll call next time. I thought I was doing you a solid. It’s Saturday night, go have a life,” I throw out as I power off the computer.

  Since Reed bought the shop a few months ago from Bob and Martha he’s been all over my ass. I’ve been here for three years now and I know what I’m doing. He’s the one who knows nothing about coffee shops.

  I don’t actually know what he does, to be honest, because I don’t ask. That said, he shows up here with a variety of cars that cost more than some homes. That’s not coming from owning this place. His clothes scream money too, even if he doesn’t say a word.

  I reach down under the desk to grab my purse then get my keys.

  “Who do you love?” he asks, and I blink up at him in confusion.

  He heard me on the phone with Erin? I try not to fidget with my hair as he stares at me, waiting for an answer. It’s been a long day and I know I’m a hot mess. I’m guessing my makeup isn’t far behind. I wouldn't bother putting it on but it can hide the dark circles under my eyes when I don’t get enough sleep. Last night was one of those nights.