A Sweet Mess

by Jayci Lee

  “I’m so sorry,” she mumbled through the hands covering her startled mouth before she dropped them to her sides. “But you weren’t standing there when I threw it, so you technically got in the towel’s way.”

  “Okay. My mistake.” Landon chuckled and swaggered to the island, where she’d set up her working station. “Now tell me what’s going on.”

  “Oh, nothing,” she said breezily. “I just can’t seem to get anything right.”

  He snatched a cookie off the cooling rack and bit into it. “You’re insane. What could possibly be wrong with these?”

  “They’re not the problem.” Aubrey’s cheeks warmed at his compliment, but there was no time to preen. “The sorbet won’t behave.”

  “Could I help?” he asked, taking stock of the island.

  Aubrey shooed him away, mumbling to herself. “Maybe I can create a simple syrup with the Moscato. That way the flavor can be intensified.”

  She didn’t come up for air until a new batch was spinning in the ice cream maker—kind of like a puppy chasing its tail. Why are desserts so cute?

  “Be a good little blob.” She wagged her index finger at the ice cream machine, her expression stern to match her words. Wait a minute. Being bossy wouldn’t get her anywhere. She was, after all, at the mercy of the tail-chasing blob. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be bossy. I’ll say please. Pretty please.”

  A hoot of laughter made her jump and scream long and loud. Landon nearly toppled from the stool, startled by her horror queen performance. Was he watching me the entire time? Aubrey patted her hair to make sure it wasn’t a spiky mess. Because having tidy hair will make Landon forget I was talking to the sorbet like an insane person.

  “Sorry. I didn’t realize you were here,” she said.

  “It’s not the first time. Being completely ignored by a beautiful woman helps build character.” Landon recovered from his near fall and winked at her. “Besides, I wasn’t here the entire time. Come on. Follow me.”

  “Where are we going?” She narrowed her eyes at him but didn’t pull away from his gentle hold on her arm.

  “Nowhere. Just upstairs,” he said with a smile in his voice.

  Only when he led her to her room and took a step inside did she dig her heels in. “Wait a minute. This is my room.”

  “Yes, it is.” He gave her a little tug, and she followed him inside, curiosity getting the best of her.

  Her hands rose to her chest as she gasped at the sight of her giant bathtub, filled to the rim with snow-white bubbles and surrounded by lavender-scented candles. The smell was enough to make her swoon, but the fact that Landon had drawn a bath for her jellified her bones.

  “Oh, Landon,” she whispered. “You did this for me?”

  “I thought you might want a break from your sorbet. I could tell how much getting it right was stressing you out. And I only thought it fair to do something in return for the honor of watching a master pastry chef at work.”

  “I’m not a chef, much less a master.” But she couldn’t quell the flush of pride warming her cheeks.

  “You’re wrong about that.” His voice was soft, but it carried a ring of conviction that made her heart pound against her ribs. “I’ll leave you to your much-deserved bath, then.”

  “Landon, wait. You wanna … Could you keep me company?” When his eyebrows burrowed into his hairline, she blushed furiously and waved her hands in the air. “No, no. Not like that. Once I’m in the bath and hidden under all that bubble, you want to stay and chat? It would help take my mind off the disaster waiting for me downstairs.”

  What the hell am I doing? It still totally sounded “like that.”

  He nodded mutely, licking his lips as though they had gone suddenly dry. She stared at him for a few seconds before he startled. “Uh. Right. I’ll be right outside. Let me know when it’s safe to come in.”

  Looking over her shoulder as though Landon was about to burst through the door without warning, Aubrey quickly stripped out of her clothes and stuffed them into the laundry bin. Then she rushed back to the tub and lowered herself into it. Mmm. She couldn’t hold back her moan of bliss.

  “What was that?” said Landon’s muffled voice.

  Her eyes widened, recalling the situation she’d put herself in. “Umm. I’m ready.”

  The door swung open the second the words left her mouth, and Landon hefted in an ottoman from her sitting area like it weighed nothing. So. Hot. Her body warmed in ways not related to the heat of the bath, but she snapped herself back to attention. It wasn’t about their attraction. It was about their friendship. Friends talked, and she’d been enjoying her conversation with him too much for it to end. That was all.

  She cleared her throat and talked all friendly, like. “I’m perfectly content with being a small-town baker, you know.”

  “Content? That’s a loaded word.” His gaze shot to her face. “Some people search for a lifetime never finding it. Twenty-seven is hardly a lifetime.”

  His eyes darted to her shoulders above the bubbles and then down the length of her body to the toes peeping out at the other end of the tub. Until then, he’d been staring at his hands, which were clasped between his knees. Aubrey bit the inside of her cheek to keep a satisfied smile from touching her lips. Friendship? What friendship? Her mind was doing so many flip-flops, her eyes swam.

  Landon coughed, swallowed, and cleared his throat, and did it all over again before he continued. “How could you be certain you don’t want more?”

  Aubrey hesitated. His question touched a nerve, resonating deep within her. Am I content with my life as Weldon’s favorite baker? She had been, but now she wasn’t at all certain. With a suddenness that stole her breath, a gaggle of dark-haired, brown-eyed munchkins skipped across her heart. A life with Landon. No. She shook her head so hard the beautiful children ping-ponged around in her head and disappeared.

  “It’d be nice to travel the world again. I would love to explore Asia and experience the different flavors, smells, textures, and colors of each country. It would help me continue to grow as a baker.” She forced her mind to focus on work so she could ignore the aching loneliness and the longing for more he’d ignited in her.

  “You should. Why box yourself in when you have limitless potential?” Landon cocked his head and regarded her thoughtfully. “Wanting more isn’t a bad thing. Not always. You should want more. Have more.”

  “Maybe.”

  She’d been working for hours, thanks to the sorbet crisis, and exhaustion engulfed her. Closing her eyes, Aubrey rolled her bunched-up shoulders and massaged her neck with one hand.

  “Turn around.” Landon stood and approached her.

  She should’ve said “No, thank you,” but Aubrey was too sore and tired to argue. She turned in the tub and offered him her back, gathering more bubbles to ensure her girls weren’t visible. His hands were strong and warm against her, and she moaned deep in her throat as he worked out a stubborn knot. It hurts so good.

  Landon stilled behind her at the sound and then blew out a slow breath. When he resumed his gentle ministrations, the tenor of his touch had changed. Her body’s response was instantaneous. Aubrey pressed back into him and shivered when his hands slid up and down her wet, slick arms.

  With her heart slamming against her rib cage, Aubrey turned to face him and held his hot gaze. She couldn’t think straight, but she wanted this. She wanted this so much. Landon lowered his head and she leaned toward him, her hands lifting to his hair and her lips parting in anticipation.

  The chime of the doorbell jarred Aubrey out of her trance, and she hid back under the bubbles with a sharp gasp. Landon didn’t budge and continued to hold her gaze. She shut her eyes and stopped breathing.

  Saved by the bell.

  She didn’t dare look at him. If he chose that moment to flash the Smile at her, she would drag him into the tub fully clothed and have her way with him.

  * * *

  “I’ll get that,” Landon said after
a moment’s hesitation.

  Aubrey nodded, lowering her lashes to hide her eyes from him. If it weren’t for the rapid rise and fall of her magnificent breasts—or the bubbles covering them—and the rosy blush on her cheeks, he might’ve believed he’d imagined the moment.

  He stalked to the front door, grumbling under his breath as he pushed up his wet sleeves. Aria and Lucien stood outside with their arms loaded with brown paper bags. Landon itched to slam the door on their clueless, grinning faces.

  “Great timing,” he said dryly.

  Aria rolled her eyes and pushed past him, but Lucien cringed, scratching the back of his head.

  “Did we interrupt something? I insisted we call first, but Aria … Well, you know Aria. I think her exact words were, ‘Oh, poof.’”

  “I know her all too well,” Landon said, stepping outside. He needed a moment to collect himself after seeing Aubrey nearly naked. “Come on. Let’s take a walk before dinner.”

  Lucien gave him a sideways glance as he easily matched Landon’s long strides. “You okay? You looked crazed when you opened the door for us. Something wrong with the production?”

  “No. Nothing’s wrong. I’m perfectly fine.”

  “Hmm. If you insist,” his friend said while his expression called bullshit.

  Landon raked his fingers through his damp hair as they veered onto the small path that led into the wooded hills. He nearly groaned when his body hardened again, remembering how it had gotten wet. Her naked arms had felt like warm silk under his hands, and the bubbles had clung to her breasts like seashells on a mermaid. A strategic breath from him would’ve dislodged the tenacious foam. He had to walk off his hard-on if he wanted to return to the villa. He didn’t want to leave Aubrey alone with Aria for too long.

  “How are things with you and Aria?” Landon said. “Are you still being a stubborn ass?”

  “There’s nothing going on between us, and I’ve been a stubborn ass for forty-seven years. I have no incentive to change at my ripe old age.”

  “You’re exhausting, do you know that? If you shut Aria out, you’ll regret it for the next forty-seven years. The tragedy is she’ll hurt right along with you. If it comes to that, I’ll beat you to a pulp. She’s my best friend, man.”

  Lucien replied with something between a groan and a scoff. A cop-out. He knew Landon was right.

  By the time they walked into the kitchen, the women were in deep conversation. Based on her crinkled nose and wildly gesticulating hands, Aubrey was probably relaying her frustrating attempts to make Moscato sorbet.

  “Well, one thing’s obvious,” Aria said, “you’ve been at it too long. Let’s have loads of delicious food and fabulous wine and not spend a single minute thinking about work.”

  “How’s that even possible?” Aubrey laughed. “Food is your work.”

  “Oh, poof.”

  Aria covered the dining table with a board of savory charcuterie—a slice of jamón ibérico was calling Landon’s name—and several excellent cheeses, a harmonious mix of soft and creamy, sharp and pungent, and hard and nutty varieties. Ripe, late-summer berries and juicy, deep orange cantaloupes added splashes of color to the white tablecloth. Aria set down fresh, colorful salads, one after the other—curried Israeli couscous; balsamic-glazed arugula and strawberry salad; and pear, goat cheese, and walnut salad. It was Aria’s signature feast.

  “Did you and Lucien clean out the delicatessen?” Landon reached for a spear of truffle gouda, but Aria slapped his hand away and made a fist in his face. “Fine. I’ll wait.”

  Aubrey giggled at his side, and he raised an eyebrow at her. “Amused, are we?”

  Ridiculously aware he was showing off, he swiped a fig from the table and held it up as his trophy. He tossed the ripe bundle into the air, intending to catch it deftly in his mouth, but Aubrey’s hand shot out and intercepted it. With a smug grin, she bit into the fruit and then licked the sticky juice from her lips. Landon’s breath caught in his throat, and blood rushed south.

  Does she have any idea of the effect she has on me?

  By the playful twinkle in her eyes, she had no clue how sexy she looked eating that fig. Only when he grabbed her wrist and brought the other half to his mouth did her eyes widen with awareness. He was careful not to let his lips touch her fingers because that would’ve sent him over the edge. But Aubrey’s lashes fluttered as a shiver ran through her, and he reached out to throw her on the table.

  “Should we start with one bottle, or should I just open all three?” Lucien’s musings pulled Landon out of his lust haze. Barely.

  “All of them.” He badly needed a drink. He turned on his heels and strode to the kitchen. “I’ll get the glasses.”

  Aria shot him a narrow-eyed glance. His voice probably sounded as strangled as he felt. He’d nearly ravished Aubrey on the dining table. In front of his friends. He would be shocked if he sounded normal.

  Even his complete loss of control didn’t douse his desire, and the effort it took to not ogle at Aubrey nearly gave him an aneurysm. It wasn’t until they were well into their second bottle of wine that Landon trusted himself to look her way.

  Her head was thrown back in full-throttle laughter at something Aria was saying. Her eyes were scrunched shut, and little ridges formed at the bridge of her nose. She was radiant. Landon chugged another glass of wine.

  Everyone was coaxed into a languid mood, and happiness laced through the idyllic evening. Landon finally allowed himself to relax. His wine-addled brain reasoned that he’d had it all wrong from the beginning.

  Of course we could make love to each other. It wouldn’t ruin their careers because no one would know. He would have her—their attraction couldn’t be fought—but he would protect her by keeping their affair a secret. Simple.

  Weeks of frustration released its death grip from his lungs. Leaning back against his chair, Landon watched Aria for a few seconds as she sipped her third glass of wine. Then, he brought his lips to Aubrey’s ear.

  “I think she’s ready.”

  “Ready for what?” Aubrey whispered.

  “Just watch and enjoy.” He grinned and turned to the other side of the table and did his best impression of a medieval king. “The night is young, and we must have music.”

  “Absolument. We must have the greatest of all music.” Lucien joined in without hesitation, winking at Aubrey. “Opera.”

  “Idiots, both of you.” Aria rolled her eyes and leaned toward Aubrey. “They think they can make me perform like a parrot whenever I get tipsy. But I’m far from tipsy tonight.”

  “Will flattery work, then?” Landon said. “Signorina Santini, your sublime voice will make us mortals weep and the heavenly angels sigh.”

  “Your voice is as beautiful as you are, ma chérie. It’s indeed a gift from God,” Lucien said, grasping Aria’s hand to shower it with adoring kisses. She laughed and slapped at the Frenchman’s shoulder.

  “I’d love to hear you sing.” Aubrey’s soft request was shy but sincere.

  “Fine. It’s a democracy, no? Three to one means I must sing.” Aria smiled at Aubrey but narrowed her eyes at Landon and Lucien. “Pick a song for me.”

  “How about ‘Un bel dì vedremo’ from Madame Butterfly?” Lucien suggested.

  “Well, I guess you can never go wrong with Puccini.” Aria shrugged, giving in with a grin. “It’s one of my favorite pieces. It pushes at a mezzo’s range, but I love to sing it.”

  Landon caught Aubrey’s hand in his and smiled. “Now let’s enjoy the fruit of our efforts.”

  12

  The fruit of their efforts was breathtaking.

  At first, Aubrey was too distracted by the warmth of Landon’s hand holding her own, but soon, the performance sucked her in whole. The vivacious woman disappeared, and sorrow bled into Aria’s rich, velvety voice, and the soulful music pulsed in Aubrey’s heart and seeped into her veins. When the last note faded, the air vibrated with energy and then stilled into a silence so clear and pure t
hat Aubrey was afraid to break it. She was awed and humbled by the beauty of the music, and helpless tears streamed down her face.

  “You’re beautiful, Aubrey Choi,” Landon whispered, smoothing his thumb across her wet cheek.

  With her heart brimming with joy and vulnerability, Aubrey’s feelings for him broke through the surface and shone on her face. She should look away. Hide. But his dark, heated gaze drew her in deeper and deeper until everything else fell away, leaving the two of them in their own world.

  She jolted out of the trance when she heard Aria shuffling about, haphazardly piling her purse and cardigan into her arms. Tears trailed her cheeks as well. Maybe she was overwhelmed from putting so much of herself into the song. The longing in her voice had felt so real. As though she truly waited for the day when her lover would return to her.

  “Are you leaving?” Aubrey placed her hand on Aria’s arm. Aria nodded without meeting Aubrey’s eyes as she stirred the contents of her purse. “Thank you so much. It was beautiful. I’ll never forget it.”

  Aria managed a wan smile, but it disappeared in an instant when she saw Lucien approaching her with his hand outstretched. Her graceful features contorted with pain and fury.

  “Aria,” Lucien said, dropping his hand to his side. “Please don’t.”

  “Please don’t what?” She glared at his distraught expression and laughed bitterly. “You can take your sorry excuses and take a flying leap into hell.”

  With angry steps, Aria sped out the door. With distracted nods to Aubrey and Landon, Lucien ran after her shivering figure as it faded into darkness.

  Aria and Lucien? Aubrey didn’t want to speculate, especially since Aria was so unhappy. She just hoped they could work things out. They were both such amazing people. Landon heaved a sigh beside her as he watched his friends leave. Then he closed the door with a soft click and faced her.

  Aubrey’s throat worked to swallow the sudden lump in her throat. Okay. So where were we? They’d been burning off the oxygen in the room with sexual tension. Right. Something seemed to have shifted in him this evening. All through dinner, Landon had found ways to touch her—their shoulders brushed, their elbows rested side by side, and their knees pressed together under the table. Even now, his expression was hungry and unapologetic. Operation Friendship was in trouble. Big fucking trouble.