Lovely Baker Read online

  Chapter Three

  Jenna

  Lucas can barely sit still, he's so excited about his first trip on a plane. His excitement makes me happy and I wish I could afford to do more things like this for us. One day maybe I will, but for now I’m happy that he’s mine and not with my mother.

  “I get the window?” Lucas asks me for the tenth time, making me laugh.

  “Yes, you get the window.” I stand when they call our boarding group and Lucas holds my hand.

  “You ready?” I say, and he nods as they scan our passes.

  “Born ready.” He takes off, almost dragging me behind him, but he has to slow down when we catch up to the people in front of us. When we finally get to the entrance, Lucas stops to touch the outside of the plane door as we step on.

  “Of course Erin did this,” I mumble to myself when I look down at our seat numbers and the overhead assignment. “This is us.” I usher Lucas into the first class seat that could easily fit two of him.

  “This is awesome.” He starts opening everything and I lean back in the chair, watching him.

  I should have known Erin would get something pricey after I told her not to. I’m not going to dwell on it, though, because this trip is about having fun and relaxing. It’s also about not thinking about Reed. Which is all I have been able to do these past few days.

  The man is driving me crazy. Who kisses someone like that and then disappears? Did I suck at it? It was explosive and I have no idea where all that passion and hunger came from. When he lifted me off my feet I was lost in him. The world stood still for a moment and it was only the two of us. Did he not feel it too? I guess not if he so easily walked away.

  The next day I saw he put the days off I wanted back on the calendar. At least he was listening to me. Now I’m going to have to deal with this dumb crush. Before, I thought Reed was sexy, but now I know he has a mouth that’s made for sinning. That shouldn’t be shocking from looking at him.

  What I don’t understand is why he kissed me. He’s loaded and I don’t miss all the women who do double-takes when he’s in the coffee shop. He doesn't seem to notice, but I do, and it annoys me when it shouldn't. If anything it’s good for business, but not so great for sanity. He would break my heart and that’s not something I can deal with right now. I have my hands full working and taking care of Lucas. I don’t need another complication.

  Lucas takes off his backpack and pulls out the plane he got at the small gift shop.

  “Cool plane, little man.” My stomach drops at the sound of that voice. “Is that a Boeing 747?”

  “Yes! How did you know?” Lucas holds the plane up in the air and I slowly turn my head to see Reed standing there. Oh god, today he’s in jeans and a black shirt with a leather jacket. What the hell is going on?

  “I have a thing for planes,” he tells Lucas as he takes the seat right next to me. “And brunettes that smell like sunshine too,” he whispers.

  “What are you doing here?” I try and keep my cool since Lucas is staring right at us.

  “Reed,” he introduces himself to Lucas and holds his hand out for him to shake it. Lucas looks at him with wide eyes and smiles as he puts his little hand in Reed’s big one. Great, he’s smitten too.

  “My name is Lucas.”

  “I think I’ve got something you might like.” Reed reaches into his bag and takes out an iPad and headphones. “I’ve got a bunch of cool games on here. One with planes too.” Reed gives him a smile.

  What is he doing?

  “Can I?” Lucas looks at me as he asks for permission.

  “Sure.” Because how can I say no? Reed hands it over and Lucas puts on the headphones. Two seconds later he’s going to town on an airplane game.

  “What are you doing here?” I hiss, keeping my voice low.

  “Can I get you anything to drink?” I glance up to see the flight attendant standing there. She’s got a giant smile on her face as her eyes eat up Reed.

  I look away as I pretend to be very interested in what Lucas is doing on the iPad.

  “Can I get a juice for my little man, and champagne for my woman? I’ll take a water.”

  I jerk my head back to look at him. Did he really say that? My stomach flutters and I don’t know how he keeps doing that to me. Reed leans back in his chair as he stretches his legs out. He’s making himself nice and comfortable while I want to smack him.

  “What are you doing here?” I try again for the third time.

  “I didn’t want you going to the wedding alone. Don’t people fall in love at weddings or some shit?”

  I’m not sure if that’s a question or not. “I don’t know. I’ve never been to one.” I guess that does happen in movies. “Wait. You thought I would come to this wedding and fall in love with some random man?” He shrugs. “You’re crazy.”

  “I’m not risking it.”

  Not risking it? What the hell does that mean? The flight attendant is back and hands us our drinks. This time she doesn't linger over Reed and I look at the champagne in my hand.

  “You can drink it.” He smirks at me.

  I’ve never had champagne before; my only experience with alcohol is a few glasses of boxed wine. I bring it to my lips and take a small sip. The bubbles hit my tongue and I decide it’s way better than the box stuff.

  I feel myself relax as I finish off the drink and they come back around to collect the glass before takeoff.

  Reed puts his hand on my thigh and although I know I should push it away, I don’t. It feels good and it’s nice to have someone with me. Even if I don’t know what it means. I turn my head to look at Reed, who’s staring at me.

  “I wasn’t going to fall in love with someone at the wedding,” I say, because the idea is beyond crazy.

  He only gives me that sexy half-smile as he leans in close. “Now you are.”

  Chapter Four

  Reed

  “I can get him.” Jenna holds out her hands to take Lucas from me, and I shake my head.

  He’d only lasted about ten seconds on the airplane with the headphones on before he was taking them off and telling me about every single thing he was doing. After the flight I had a car waiting to take us to the hotel, and much to Jenna’s quiet annoyance, I had already taken care of everything. I would have paid for her flight too, but I was afraid to cancel and rebook it. So I did the next best thing, which was offer someone two grand to switch seats. Money well spent.

  Lucas passed out in the car and instead of letting him slump over in the seat, I’d scooped him up. Now as I carry him into the hotel, she walks beside me, glancing at us every few seconds.

  It had taken me a few days to get my plans in place, but I wanted everything perfect. And I knew being around Jenna was only going to test my restraint when I knew I needed to have it now more than ever.

  “Hey Reed!” Cyrus calls and then puts his hand over his mouth and apologizes. “Sorry, I didn’t realize the little man was sleeping.” He’s the manager of the hotel and is an old friend of mine. I called in a couple of favors since this is the place the whole wedding party is staying. “We’ve got you all set, here’s your keys and I’ll have your bags sent up.”

  I take the card from him and mouth my thanks as I walk towards the elevator.

  “Reed, I need to check into my room.” Jenna tries to walk in the direction of the check-in counter, but I grab her hand.

  “I got you covered, babe.”

  She looks at me in confusion, but I don’t answer as I tug her onto the elevator. I slide in the key so it unlocks our floor and then pass it to her. Her eyebrows pull together but she doesn’t say anything as the doors open.

  When we get to the door at the end of the hallway she swipes the card and it unlocks. She holds the door as I carry Lucas in and then look around until I see the entrance into the master.

  I feel Jenna following me as I carry him over to the bed and lay him down in the middle. His cheeks are red like he’s been sleeping hard but he doesn’t move
from where I lay him.

  “Does he usually sleep so sound?” I ask as I brush the light brown hair away from his forehead.

  When Jenna doesn’t answer me I turn around and see she’s just watching me. She’s got the oddest expression as she stands there and I straighten.

  “Will he sleep like this for much longer?”

  She blinks a few times and nods, backing out of the room. I follow her and she closes the door.

  “Um, yeah, he’ll nap for probably another hour. He’s always been a good sleeper.” She looks around the room and then back at me as if she doesn’t know what to do next.

  “That’s your side.” I nod to the closed door. “There’s a master with an attached bath. I’m on the other side and there’s a kitchen and dining room between us.”

  “We’re sharing a room?” She glances around the living space that’s bigger than the coffee shop like there’s not enough distance between us.

  “I thought you might need the help.” I shrug as I take a step toward her. “And I didn’t want to be too far away.”

  “You’re always close.” She says it like she’s talking to herself and not me.

  “If you don’t want me to stay I can get another room, but it will be the one next door because I already booked that too.”

  A smile pulls at the corner of her lips as she drops her purse on the couch. “Why am I not shocked?” She walks over to the coffee table that’s got a big spread Cyrus must have laid out for us. “How long have you known about him?”

  She’s got her back to me as she plucks a grape from the fruit tray and doesn’t turn around.

  “For a while.” From the beginning is what I want to say, but I’m trying not to make her run.

  She nods but still doesn’t look at me as she takes a chocolate-covered strawberry.

  I move closer to her because I’m pulled to her like the earth around the sun. I can’t not go to her when she’s right here, and I can already tell sleeping in my room alone is going to be almost impossible. But she has her son and I’ll respect that, as long as when it’s like this I can be near.

  “Are you angry with me?” I reach out and touch the back of her arm with the tip of my finger and let it trail down. I can see goosebumps rise on her skin and I smile to myself knowing at least she’s as affected as I am.

  “Yes.” Her voice is soft and we both know it’s a lie.

  My other hand moves her waist and I rub my thumb against the bare skin where her tank top has ridden up. “Do you wish I wasn’t here?”

  “Yes.” Another lie.

  She leans into me so that her back is pressed to my front. I keep one hand on her hip and the other I wrap around her chest above her breasts as I pull her close. I bury my face in the crook of her neck and inhale the scent I’ve missed for days.

  “I won’t let you go.” I kiss the soft skin on the top of her shoulder and then up her neck to her ear. “Don’t ask me to.”

  “Reed.” She closes her eyes and leans her head back so my mouth can move lower.

  My hand dips into the top of her shirt and I cup her heavy breast in the palm of my hand. Her ass pushes against my hard cock and we both groan when my fingers find her hard nipple.

  “Is this for me?” I pinch the tight bud and she moans as my hand on her waist slides into her jean shorts. When I dip into her panties I feel her heat, and I hiss when I part her wet folds. “What about this, Jenna?”

  When she doesn’t answer me, I pinch her nipple harder and she moans again, rocking into my hand. My fingers find her opening drenched and I play with her there, feeling her needy pussy.

  “I think it is,” I whisper in her ear, kissing just underneath it. “I think your pussy knows Daddy’s home.”

  “Oh god.” The words rush out of her fast like she isn’t able to hold them back.

  I slip a finger inside of her and brush gently over her clit. She cries out and I smile against her neck. “How about I bend you over right here and give her what she wants?” In answer her pussy clenches around me and I nipple on her neck in approval. “Good girl.”

  Her hips rock in time with my thrusts and my other hand plays with her nipples. Her hands come back to grab my sides as if I’m going to walk away.

  “I’m right here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.” I nuzzle the lobe of her ear as I work another finger inside of her. “I’m gonna take care of you and Lucas.” I feel her squeeze my fingers again. “I’m gonna give you money.” Another squeeze. “I’m gonna spoil you with gifts.” Squeeze. “Take you all over the world.”

  “Reed,” she cries, her body coiled tight.

  “The only thing I want you to worry about is how you’re going to walk after I finally fuck you.”

  Her pussy clamps down on my fingers one last time and she cries out. I feel her release coat my fingers as I pump in and out of her. I smile, biting her neck, and she arches her back against me. Her hands cling to me as she closes her eyes and lets the orgasm wash over her. It’s so fucking beautiful seeing her reflection in the window as she comes apart in my arms.

  A chime sounds and there’s a knock on the door.

  “That will be the luggage,” I say, kissing her neck one last time and pulling my fingers out of her.

  She turns around and watches me in shock as I slide the fingers into my mouth and wink at her.

  She stands like that completely stunned as I walk to the door and let the bellhops in.

  Chapter Five

  Jenna

  “You’re smitten.” Erin sits down next to me and hands me a glass of wine.

  “Sorry about my plus one.” I didn't really give her a heads-up about Reed, I just showed up with him. Thankfully she was so excited that he made a move, she didn’t seem to mind.

  “Don’t be sorry about that.” She nudges my shoulder and I take a sip of my wine.

  “Don’t get any ideas.” I give her a look that has her smiling even bigger.

  “That ship has sailed. I’ve already got so many ideas.”

  It’s really hard not to when I see Reed with Lucas. Last night I used Lucas as an excuse so I could sneak off to bed without having to get close to Reed. Then today I’ve been all over the place helping Erin with the rehearsal and wedding stuff for tomorrow while my bridesmaid dress was getting last-minute alterations. Reed’s been keeping Lucas entertained all day and now the two of them are thick as thieves.

  “He’s good with him,” she adds as we watch Lucas hang on to Reed. He catches him and then Lucas gives him a tight hug.

  Reed’s eyes meet mine and I have to look away. Too many emotions overwhelm me all at once.

  “He is, but what happens when he gets tired of us and figures out it’s not all rainbows and sunshine? Sometimes it's two a.m. nightmares and vomit everywhere.” He wouldn’t only break my heart, he’d break Lucas’s too. That’s something I can’t let happen. He already had one set of parents walk out of his life and now it’s my job to make sure he never feels that pain again. The one thing I want him to feel is that he’s loved unconditionally.

  “I think he knows what he’s getting into.” Erin squeezes my hand and I wish I could agree with her.

  I think about all the things he said to me when he had his fingers deep inside of me. Maybe I didn’t hear him right because his promises seem too good to be true. I can’t let myself depend on something said in the heat of the moment.

  “I think you’ve got rose-colored glasses on.” I’m pretty sure I saw hearts dancing over her head earlier.

  I’d be a liar if I didn't admit I was jealous of the way she and Devin look at each other. They might not have known one another long, but you can see they're madly in love.

  “No, I’m just not skeptical of everything, Chicken Little. The sky isn't always falling.” She gives me a kiss on the cheek. “I have to mingle, but I'll be back.”

  I take another big drink of my wine and look around for Lucas and Reed. When I don’t see them anymore, I go searching and find them acro
ss the room at the kids’ table.

  Reed smiles at the other kids as he pulls out a chair for Lucas. Lucas sits down and Reed puts a big bowl of ice cream in front of him. Lucas looks up at Reed when he asks him something and Lucas gives him a thumbs-up.

  After a second I see Reed walk away and out a side door. I wonder what he’s doing.

  Erin snags my attention across the room and nods for me to follow him. I point to Lucas and she mouths I got it.

  Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m following Reed.

  I exit the ballroom where we’re all having dinner and look down the hallway. I don’t see anyone, so I go left, knowing the bathrooms are this way. I let out a small scream when a hand wraps around mine and pulls me into a dark room. Strong hands hold me close and I relax against Reed. There’s no way I’d ever forget his scent or the feel of his hands on my body.

  “What are you doing?” I hear the door snick closed behind us and we’re plunged into darkness.

  “This dress has been driving me crazy.”

  He lets out a low growl that goes straight between my legs and my response is almost animalistic. I’m all over him, or maybe he’s all over me. None of that matters when he lifts me off my feet and I kiss him anywhere I can find skin. I hear a loud crash as he sets me down onto something, but it doesn’t stop us.

  “Reed.” I grab onto his shirt and pull him closer. “Mouth, I need your mouth.”

  “I’m right here.”

  When he kisses me, I part my lips so he can take whatever he wants. As his tongue slides against mine, I feel his hand snake up my dress. He steps between my legs, making me spread them wider to fit his broad frame.

  I whimper when he pulls his mouth from mine and I try to yank him back. I’m needy for more of him, but he’s stronger. I gasp when I hear the sound of my panties being ripped. He grabs me by the hips and yanks me to the edge of whatever I’m sitting on before putting my legs over his shoulders.