I ignored her pointed comment and turned to my co-baker. “Thank you, Dixon, for providing the back-up plan.”
“My pleasure. While Jake and Wanda were staring at us, all I wanted to do was stomp them to the ground.”
“We will.” I frowned. “I do feel funny, as if we che—” When Judge Three rap-rap-rapped on the table top to get our attention, I didn't get to finish expressing my thought. Is it possible I’m making a big deal out of nothing?
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Judge One said. “We’re ready to announce our finalists.” He reached for the sheet which had been compiled with all the tabulations. “Third place is...”
When their names were announced, the girls from the second floor squealed wee-wee-wee like piglets and raced to the front. Taking their ribbons, they skipped and circled about as if they were school girls dancing to “Ring Around the Rosie.”
Once their gaiety had subsided, Judge One cleared his throat and said, “Second place.”
Upon hearing her name, the tall, serene brunette, who'd taken the number two spot in a previous year, strode to the table. Her pinked cheeks projected her happiness. She flourished the ribbon and went back to her place.
Bethany said, “Oh, I know her. Nice gal. She rides a Vespa to Super Saver. Good choice.”
Judge One let the tributes die, coughed in his fist, and said, “First place, but I'm sure you won't be surprised, goes to Samantha Greene and Dixon Roberts for Orange Slice Fruit Cake. Congratulations to our six-time winner.”
Again, Dixon pushed me in front of him, and we proceeded forward, savoring the acknowledgements as we went. Judge Two presented us with a double rosette ribbon in blue and red with first prize in gold lettering on the streamers. I kissed the center button and passed our award to a beaming Dixon who showed it to the crowd.
The deafening applause caused Bethany to clap her hands over her ears.
Dixon dropped as if to tie his shoe. In a flash, he stood up, and we returned to our place by Bethany where we gathered into another group huddle.
“I'm telling them you cheated.”
Breaking free, I spun about to see Jake, his dark eyes set to intense pinpoints. Wanda had placed herself behind him and peeked around his body. He clenched and unclenched his fists. At that moment, he totally scared the crap out of me.
“Really?” I asked.
“Really,” Wanda hissed.
Dixon moved to my side. “And what makes you think we cheated?”
Wanda stepped forward. “When we arrived first thing this morning, we saw your original entry. Crumbly cake balls. Too bad.”
“Rotten luck,” Jake said.
Dixon studied them a while before saying, “So you saw our cake before everyone else?”
“Yes, we had to get here early to find a good spot to watch from,” Wanda said, her face all wide-eyed and innocent. “I couldn't believe when I saw your and Sam's entry. Her cakes are usually so perfect. After all, she's our winner every year.” “Then I'm thinking you can explain this.” Dixon held up a small hammer. “This dropped from Jake's back pocket when he bent over the table to pass the judges the pieces of cake you cut.” Jake jammed his fists in his front pants' pockets. “That's not mine.”
“I saw something fall too, Jake.” Bethany moved to Dixon's other side. “When you leaned over, it fell out of your pants.”
Jake said, “Anybody could have--”
“Nope, it's yours,” Dixon said. “The very one you used on Sam's cake. See the orange slice bit?”
“Flimsy evidence.” Wanda tossed her dehydrated locks. “We need to call the authorities and do a fingerprint test.”
Dixon said calmly, “I can arrange that. My brother is a cop.” He removed his cellphone from his jacket pocket and started to punch a number.
At those words and action, fear rooted in their eyes. They adjusted slightly back. Jake flashed his palms. “I don’t want no trouble.”
I crossed my arms. “Here's what I'm thinking. We have a stalemate. You can tell the judges this wasn’t our original cake; however, in doing so, you’ll be admitting you ruined it. And if the judges hear what you've done, you'll be banned from entering The Great Fruitcake Bake-off or any other cooking contest arranged by the complex. Forever.”
“Fine. You win. Come on, Jake.” Wanda jerked her head and looped her arm with his, whispering, “Told you it wouldn't work.”
We watched them stalk toward the exit. Bethany faced Dixon and me, and asked, “Did you hear what she said?”
I looked at the retreating couple. “I did. Further confirmation of their deceit. Some people.”
“She really is crazy, and he really is slimy.” Bethany dropped her camera in her shoulder bag and ran her thumb down the length of the strap. “Time to go home. My Mr. Wonderful said he wanted to do some Christmas shopping at the mall.”
Bethany's hubby did not like shopping, but then, what man did? I choked out, “Mr. Wonderful—-go to the mall?”
She dipped her chin in a “so not Bethany” nod.
“For Christmas presents?” I squeaked. “But you said the only shopping he liked to do was for food and workout clothes.”
She raised one shoulder. “He made an off-handed remark about buying me a bracelet. And since I'm not one to not take advantage of the opportunity...et cetera, et cetera.”
I reciprocated with a cheerful grin and flapped my hand in a shoo-shoo motion. “Scramoose.”
“Have fun,” Dixon said.
After she left, I turned to Dixon, letting my chin fall to my chest. “I have a confession.”
Dixon’s eyes held a warm inviting glow. “Pretend I'm Bethany and tell all.”
“I'm still having regrets.”
“About the substitution?”
I nodded.
He eased his hand down my arm to my fingers. “I thought you would.”
I took a step back and bravely said, “If you don't mind, I'd like to tell the judges what happened and turn in our ribbon.”
“You don't have to.”
Doubts about Dixon filled me. Perhaps, he isn't the guy for me after all. I had to have honor and values I admired in my man, not lying and cheating. I’d been through that once with The Creep. Never again. I pressed my lips together before saying, “I know, I don't have to. I want to. I was so caught up in beating Wanda and Jake for the Bake-off, I lost...perspective.”
I didn't wait to hear what he might say. I pushed through the crowd, and once on the stage, faced the audience. “Ladies and Gentlemen, could I have your attention. I have an announcement to make.”
The residents and their guests went quiet. I held up my ribbon. “I was given first prize, but I didn't deserve it. My-—” Dixon squeezed next to my side. “Our.”
Ecstasy poured into my heart, for at that moment, I knew with certainty his honor and integrity were aligned with mine. Not a liar. Not a creep.
“Our entry was, shall we say, demolished,” I said. “We substituted another version at the last minute. A store-bought cake.”
One of the third-place winners asked, “You cheated?”
Dixon said, “Sorta. We replaced ours with an Aunt Nellie's. We had used her exact recipe.”
The residents said a collective, “Oh.”
The second-place winner said, “Then you have to give back first prize.”
“That's what I'm doing.” I extended the ribbon to her. “Will you come forward and take your rightful spot as the winner of The Great Fruitcake Bake-off?”
The girl took the award from me. Everyone clapped as she waved it around.
Judge Two shook each of our hands. “Thank you, Samantha and Dixon, for being so honest.”
I said, “My pleasure. Merry Christmas.”
Dixon and I stepped off the platform. By the punch bowl, he said, “I like your style.”
“I'm pretty sure my old boyfriend wouldn't have been this honest.”
“Probably why he's your old boyfriend.”
My body
dropped and drooped with my sigh. The event was over. The truth had been told. Time to go forward. I offered him my hand. “Thanks for all your help, partner. Valentine's Day is around the corner, and I have a killer sugar cookie recipe. We could team up for that.”
“I might have other plans for Valentine's Day.”
Guess this means he isn't interested in me after all. “Oh?” With a step forward, he shifted into my personal space. He was so close, I could sense his body move into mine, enveloping all sensibility and sanity my brain possessed. His lemon soapy scent teased my nose. I swayed. God save me.
His hands cupped my shoulders. Our foreheads nearly met. “I haven't properly congratulated you.”
I looked up into his grass-green depths. “Uh, yes, you did.” Kiss me-kiss me-kiss me.
“Not how I really wanted to.” He dropped his head closer until his mouth met mine.
His kiss moved and tugged, sending funny, incomprehensible swirls from my tummy. My head said, “More.”
As the residents cheered, I looped my arms around his neck and pulled him tighter. My hand shifted to his hairline where my fingers teased there. His chest tightened and pressed against mine. The heat from his body warmed my blood. I wanted him in many ways, preferably skin to skin.
No one else mattered. Nothing else mattered.
Just Dixon. Just me.
Dixon broke a lip-lock away, and as his cheek grazed mine, he murmured, “I know who my first prize is.”
“Really?” I said against his jaw. I angled my mouth, taking in his clean close shave. What a man.
“Really.”
“Absolutely?”
“Positively.”
Grasping his shirt front, I smiled and stepped between his legs. “I'm all ears.”
“You, partner.”
Whee!
Nice Girl Naughty
Jan Springer
About the Story
Blind since nineteen, Summer has blossomed into a famous wood carver.
When she’s almost killed by a serial killer, she’s whisked away to a secluded wilderness cabin by the man she once secretly loved.
Summer can’t get enough of touching professional bodyguard Nick Cassidy’s thick, powerful muscles and all those other hard, yummy male body parts that she has always longed to explore.
For years Nick has stayed away from his best friend’s kid sister, nice girl Summer. Now he’s back, and sweeping his gorgeous redhead into the naughty cravings he’s always had for her. With passion blinding him, Nick doesn’t realize their hideout isn’t safe—until it’s too late.
Prologue
“Happy birthday, Summer.” Nick Cassidy’s sexy, low drawl melted over nineteen-year-old Summer Colby like the smooth chocolate frosting on the cake her family and friends had just polished off in the restaurant upstairs. She’d come out of the ladies’ room at the bottom of the steep flight of stairs to find twenty-nine-year-old Nick standing there, the edges of his warm brown eyes crinkling as he noticed her surprise at seeing him.
Why shouldn’t she be surprised? Nick and her brother Ryan had gone overseas to the Middle East several months ago to hire themselves out as bodyguards. They’d been doing very well for themselves over there and she hadn’t expected either of them to come home just to celebrate her birthday.
Yet here Nick was and that awesome sexual tension she’d been feeling since shortly before he’d left erupted like a volcano inside her.
He leaned against the wall, his heavily muscled arms crossed over his chest as he grinned at her. He wore a black t-shirt that hugged his upper torso and a pair of hip-hugging jeans that molded to his legs, and she sure didn’t miss that awesome bulge between his thighs either. His erection looked so huge she could feel the familiar awareness blaze deep inside her. A heat that sent moistness to her vagina and had her breasts feeling much larger than they were.
Summer swore she forgot to breathe every time she looked at him… down there. She knew she shouldn’t stare at him either, considering he thought of her as his best friend’s baby sister. But she just couldn’t help but gaze at all the parts of the most gorgeous guy she knew.
His brown hair was longer than when he’d left. Shoulder-length and swept straight back off his forehead and feathered back at the sides. He had a sweet slightly crooked nose she adored, a strong jaw, dark five o’clock shadow and his mouth looked full and well defined. He had lips meant for kissing, not that she’d ever kissed him, but boy oh boy she wanted to.
“I thought you were working,” she said, feeling her face start to heat, wondering why he would come down here to see her and not wait upstairs.
“I’m in between jobs. Thought I’d hop on a plane, come over, and wish you a happy birthday.”
“Phoning would have been cheaper, Nick.” Summer laughed, praying he didn’t notice how nervous she suddenly felt. He’d come all the way from the Middle East to see her? He had to be teasing.
She noticed how nice he smelled. He must have just had a shower because of the hint of soap and that pleasant spicy aftershave she’d always loved. He also possessed a raw dangerous scent that made her heart speed way too fast.
“So. Are you glad to see me?” he asked. He pushed away from the wall and drew nearer to her. He was a big man. Six foot three to her five foot eight. Boy, oh boy she certainly did like the protective way she felt when she was near him. Not to mention all those mixed emotions that ran through her too. Awareness, excitement and other naughty things that felt very nice.
“Of course I am. I just wasn’t expecting you.” Here, and so sexy and so damn cute, she added silently. “Did Ryan come home with you?” Ryan was always a safe topic of conversation.
“No, he’s on a job.”
Oh. Not that she was disappointed. Ryan always managed to make her feel as if she were a little girl who didn’t know what she wanted in life. Maybe all big brothers did that.
“Are you staying with us? Do Mom and Dad know you’re here?”
“I’d rather they not know. I’m only in for one night. Took a hotel room. Have to head out tomorrow.”
A hotel room? Oh wouldn’t she love to spend the night with Nick. God, help her, she should just blurt it out and say she wanted him. But how could she? He had no idea that she thought of him as The One. He was the man she wanted in her bed. Forever. She’d never told him. Never showed him. Never had the nerve.
Stupid woman. Tell him! Show him!
No!
She felt all shaky when he moved in front of her and sat down on the stairs, preventing her from going back up to the restaurant. Preventing her from escaping. Not that she wanted to get away.
“Tell me how those art classes are going. Have your parents given you any more problems with your choice?”
Nick had been her ally in helping her deal with Ryan and her parents. They wanted Summer to take courses that would lead her to a “real” job. They didn’t think an artist would make a good stable income like a lawyer or dentist or accountant. Sure, she had the brains for those professions, but they didn’t interest her. What did catch her by the heart was art. For as long as she could remember, she had a passion for drawing and painting. She had to admit, she was good at it too.
“It’s going good. The teachers like my work. I really enjoy it. I’m glad you helped me see that doing what my parents wanted me to do wasn’t the right choice for me.”
“Glad I could help out.”
She felt self-conscious in the way he was looking at her. For a brief moment, his gaze dipped to below her neck and lingered on her breasts. Oh yeah, they sure did feel way too big, pushing up against the delicate white blouse she wore, eager for his hands to cup her there. Her panties beneath her short navy blue skirt felt damp and her pussy was needy for his cock to plunge inside her.
She exhaled, tried to keep the smile on her face. But it was hard. Too frigging hard when all she wanted to do was peel that black t-shirt off his body and run her hands over those hard, rugged muscles. Muscles
she’d only seen when she’d peek out her bedroom door and watch him walk down the hallway of her parents’ house after he came out of the shower with a towel wrapped low around lean hips. He wore nothing else. Just a towel she craved to yank off.
He was an early riser, so he probably figured no one else would be awake. But she got up just to watch the show when he stayed over those times her brother brought him home.
“And you’re doing okay?” she asked.
Like do you miss me?
He nodded.
Boy, why did she feel so awkward? She’d never felt so out of sorts before with him. Why didn’t she just reach out and grab his hand, make him stand and make him kiss her? Women on television or in the movies and even at the university she attended nearby were bold like that. Why couldn’t she be?
“You should come up and say hi to my folks. They would love to see you.”
That was a stupid thing to say. He’d just said he didn’t want anyone to know he was here. But she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t seen Nick for more than half a year and the old saying absence makes the heart grow fonder sure was true. The shock of seeing him was throwing her off balance and making her look as if she didn’t give two shits that he’d flown so far to come see her.
But why? Why just to see her? It didn’t make sense. He always treated her like a kid sister. Hmm, now that she thought about it, there had been some hot looks now and again before he’d left, but he’d always managed to hide them by distracting her with something else.
Now all he was doing was grinning and looking at her. It just seemed dumb to do only that.
“How about a birthday kiss?” he asked with a grin.
Had he just said that? Oh my God, why had he just said that?
His grin widened. He had said that, hadn’t he?
Oh lord, he was standing up. She couldn’t help but take a step backward. Man, he was tall. And so dangerously sexy.
Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances Page 44
