Misters of Love: A Small Town Romance Boxset

by Piper Sullivan

“Need a moment?”

  “Nope. I’ve already committed it all to memory for later. What’s for dinner?”

  Here goes nothing. “Chicken and mushroom alfredo. With homemade fettucine.”

  “Seriously? You can make pasta? From scratch?”

  I nodded at her clear surprise. “I can. It’s pretty soothing, the whole process. Then again, I’m sure you know all about that.”

  Her gaze looked nervous all of a sudden. “I know the basics but I’m not a great pasta-maker and, luckily, not many people expect fresh pasta for a catered event.”

  “I have an extra apron, if you want a refresher course before dinner.” My gaze was steady on her, never wavering and never pressuring. The decision would be hers and hers alone, no matter how much my hands itched to touch her again.

  “Okay. I’m in.”

  “Come here, Maxine.” Her eyes flashed heat when I called to her and she came without argument, gasping when I slid the apron over her head and tied it behind her. “Now you won’t get any flour on that absolutely perfect dress.”

  “Hang on.” She held up a hand and went to the table, toeing off her shoes before returning to her spot in front of me. “All right, teach, let’s get some good learnin’ in.”

  I stood behind Maxine and inhaled her sweet, potent scent, barely able to resist the urge to slide my tongue across the back of her neck. Down the length of her spine, until she shivered from my touch and leaned into me. “You know the basics, right.”

  “Yes,” she retorted defiantly, then gathered some flour and made a well in the center before adding eggs and starting to knead. “This is the easy part. The hard part is kneading it the perfect amount of time without making it tough or gummy.”

  I slid in closer, letting the warmth of my chest press against her back as I covered her hands with mine. “You have to feel it,” I told her, using her hands to transform the ingredients from a sticky mess to a proper pasta dough. “Touch it and tell me what you feel.”

  Maxine gripped the dough and closed her eyes, leaning her head back against my shoulder. “It’s still a little tacky.”

  “Right. It just needs a few. More. Minutes.” I pressed in closer and we kneaded the dough together for another minute or two. Or maybe it was an hour, I had no idea—I was so lost in her scent and the feel of her.

  “Okay, I think we’re good,” she said, a smile in her voice.

  She stopped it at the perfect time because I was rock hard and about to devour her, ruining her dress with my sticky doughy hands. “Yeah, I think so.”

  “Who knew making pasta could be so… overheating?”

  I choked out a laugh, appreciating the fact that Maxine could make light of just about anything. It was nothing to be embarrassed about: two adults who were clearly attracted to one another, flirting. Talking suggestively. “Doesn’t get that hot when you do it solo.”

  “It rarely does,” she added quickly, tossing in a disappointed shake of her head for good measure, and I burst out laughing.

  “Now the dough has to rest, which means we have about thirty minutes before we can eat.” I wondered if I could convince her to spend it all making out on the couch like horny teenagers.

  She nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving mine as a seductive grin spread across her face. “Maybe now’s the time you want to offer me something to drink?”

  “Right. Sorry. That dress is damn distracting,” I told her honestly before reaching inside the fridge to pull out the bottle of white I’d chilled all day.

  Maxine laughed. “Good to know.” She accepted the wine and sipped it slowly, not in a rush to get home and not getting tipsy to endure the night. So far, so good. “Did you ever get the silent auction item?” At the look in my eyes, her own widened. “What did I say?”

  I took a deep breath and then two big gulps of wine until the glass was empty before I turned to Maxine’s worried gaze. “Turns out the old man had the damn thing delivered the day before they sent us both out there. Penny signed for the delivery at City Hall.”

  “No. Way.” She shook her head and took a fortifying sip. “Those old ladies are out of control,” she announced firmly, and then a giggle escaped her lips. “Though it is kind of funny.”

  “That’s the problem, isn’t it? I want to be pissed that they screwed up a whole day of work and that their meddling is inconveniencing me, but then, there’s you. The night at Reese’s and the night at the motel—I can’t be mad about those, can I?”

  She nodded. “Just because we had a good time doesn’t mean what they did was right,” she said easily, like it was something she’d given some thought to as well, which was kind of comforting. “But arguing the point with them won’t help matters, so I say we let them meddle and keep them in the dark.”

  I frowned. “You want to keep us a secret?” I didn’t need to advertise to the whole world that Maxine and I were dating, but I didn’t like secrets.

  “From those matchmaking old biddies? Damn right, I do. Imagine how insufferable they’ll be with another feather in their cap.” She shook her head and shuddered. “No, we have to fight fire with fire.”

  “By keeping our relationship secret?” I was stuck on that part for some reason.

  “First of all, it’s not a relationship yet. And with their meddling, it might never get to be, Derek. I’m not a child and I don’t need people interfering in my love life, no matter how well-intentioned.”

  “So, what does that mean? Sneaking around?”

  She frowned. “No. It means we hang out, spend time together, and deny we’re anything but friends.”

  Okay, that sounded a bit better. “But you won’t be seeing anyone else?”

  “No, and neither will you,” she informed me.

  “Done,” I answered easily. “In fact, the perfect excuse will be that you’re helping me with the ball. It’s in ten days.”

  The look she gave me was filled with heat and irritation. I had a feeling that was about to become my favorite look.

  Maxine

  “Can I do the other cheese now, Mommy?” The sound of Callie’s voice pulled me from my daydreams, which mostly consisted of replaying key moments from my date with Derek.

  I still couldn’t believe it. Derek Cahill, emergency doctor and player extraordinaire, had cooked me dinner. And he’d made pasta. It was a damn good first date—incredible, actually. Probably the best first date I’d ever had. But I was on mommy duty now, which meant my daughter needed my full attention. I took a glance at the cheddar and nodded. “Go ahead and add the mozzarella now.”

  She flashed a happy smile, giggling when she dropped the cheese back into the water. “Oops.” On her second try, Callie kept a tight grip and got busy shredding cheese, her favorite way to help out in the kitchen—mostly because she snuck almost as much cheese as she shredded.

  “Don’t do it all,” I reminded her and turned to drop the broccoli into the water. We worked in silence for a few minutes and my mind drifted, once again, to Derek. Why couldn’t I get him out of my mind? I shouldn’t still be thinking about him, but I was. And it wasn’t just the man or the date, it was also the good night kiss that he’d given me that made my knees wobble. Even now, I had to squeeze my thighs together to stop the pulsing between them.

  “Mommy, why are you smiling?”

  Her words were just the dousing of ice water I needed to get my mind off Dr. Cahill and back on my kid. My life. “Was I smiling? Maybe I’m just happy we finally get a night alone together.” I flashed a genuine smile which she returned with a giggle.

  And a much-too-grown-up roll of her eyes. “Tell the truth.”

  I gave her my best shocked mother look and shook my head. “Mothers always tell the truth.”

  “Mommy,” she chided and handed me the big bowl of cheese, watching carefully as I mixed in the noodles, cream, and broccoli before shoving the whole thing into the oven just as the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!” Her excited voice echoed as she ran towards the front door,
my words stopping her feet dead in their tracks.

  “No, I’ll get it. You go wash the cheeses from your hands, little girl.” I let out a laugh at the annoyed groan she released before stomping towards the bathroom. “Fine,” she mumbled as she did so.

  I rinsed off my own hands, set the timer, and made my way to the door, wondering who would stop by unannounced during the dinner hour. Tulip was a small town with pretty lax rules about these things, but everyone else I knew was probably eating, too.

  “Dr. Cahill. What are you doing here?” I couldn’t deny that my heart sped up at the sight of his messy black curls and bright blue eyes.

  The grin that lit up his face did wonderful, fluttery things inside my belly. He leaned back and looked from side to side dramatically, his grin growing wider by the second. “I have some notes about the menu. Well, to be more specific, Sabrina Worthington has notes.”

  Of course, she did. The woman was a control freak of the highest degree. I’d never met her personally, only in passing at Preston and Nina’s wedding, but she cast a long shadow over everything. “You’re a bad liar,” I told him with a smile I couldn’t stop if I wanted to. And I didn’t, dammit.

  “Something I would think you might appreciate, as my secret girlfriend.” He winked at me and I stepped back, waving him inside.

  “Well, if it’s about work, then I suppose you can come on in.” Flirting with Derek was fun, and I didn’t want to stop.

  “Thanks,” he whispered and stepped into my personal space with a smile hot enough to scorch my skin, pressing his lips to my jaw for several long seconds. “Damn. I don’t know what smells better, you or the food.”

  “Since the food just went in the oven, it’s probably a combination of the two,” I told him and leaned into his hard chest just for a minute.

  “Nah, I think you smell as good as you look.”

  I looked down at my clothes, the yoga pants that were so old they hung loosely on my body and a t-shirt that should have been trashed at least a year ago. Maybe two. I stepped from his embrace and rolled my eyes. “Don’t start lying to me now, Dr. Cahill. I told you, you’re not very good at it.”

  His deep, rumbling laugh made my nipples harden beneath my shirt and the heat in his eyes said he was well aware. “That’s only because you can’t see what incredible things this shirt does to your chest.” With those heated words, he took a step back as Callie’s excited footsteps came barreling into the living room.

  “Dr. Derek! Hi! What are you doing here?” Her smile was almost as bright as my own, which gave me pause. Was it a good idea to expose Callie to too much of Derek when this thing between us was so new? Not to mention, it was still, mostly, a secret.

  His gaze slid to mine, and I had to table that thought for later tonight, when I was alone. Two pairs of eyes stared at me, wanting an answer. “I’m catering the Fall Ball for Hometown Heroes and Dr. Derek is planning it.” It wasn’t the full answer, but it was the truth.

  Callie’s big brown eyes widened in surprise. “A ball? Like a princess? Oh, Mommy, can I go since you’re cooking?”

  I sent a glare to Derek’s smiling face. Oh, he was so damn proud of himself, but, looking at their matching grins, I knew I was outnumbered. As the mama, though, I had to put my foot down. “We’ll see. It might be too late for you, and I’ll be working.” I put a hand up when Derek opened his mouth to stop whatever offer he’d been about to make.

  “It’s not,” Callie insisted. “Oh, we can find a dress to match my cast, Mommy! Can’t we, Dr. Derek?”

  When he turned worried eyes my way, it was my turn to smile as I enjoyed his discomfort. “Uh.”

  In the end, I jumped in to save the good doctor. “I don’t remember saying yes.” As a single mother, being the bad guy was kind of part of the job.

  Callie pouted, as I knew she would, but she was a good kid and eventually nodded—but not before sighing heavily so I knew just how disappointed she was. But her smile lit up again for Derek. “We’re having broccoli.” She made a grossed-out face that made him laugh. “But it’s in the mac and cheese, so it’s okay. Want some?”

  He looked at me again. “Why not?” I offered. “We have more than enough.”

  “Excellent! I love broccoli and I really love mac and cheese.” He smacked his hands together, wearing a wide, satisfied grin. “Can I help?”

  “Can I go read, Mommy?” When I nodded, Callie took off for the pile of books she kept under her blanket.

  Derek followed me into the kitchen and, as soon as Callie’s bedroom door clicked shut, pulled me into his strong arms. His hands slid down my back and wrapped around my waist as he stepped in with a dark promise sparkling in his blue eyes. “Hey,” he whispered.

  “Hey, back,” I said with a smile I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. And the truth was, I didn’t want to. Derek was irresistible as hell and more, I liked spending time with him. I liked him.

  “Hi.” Then his lips were on mine, kissing me with a frenzy I’d never experienced before, like maybe he couldn’t get enough of me, which was great because I couldn’t get enough of him. Or his kisses. It was hot, so hot it nearly bubbled over, but there was just enough space between us to keep it at a simmer.

  My knees, unreliable suckers that they were, wobbled and Derek gripped me tighter, pulling me flush against his body so I could feel just what the kiss was doing to him, too. I stepped back before things got out of control and fanned my overheated face with one hand and pushed at his chest with the other. “Did you really come to talk about the menu?”

  “I did.” He let out a disappointed sigh and reached for the folder he’d tossed on the kitchen table. “It was the perfect excuse to see you, but yes, we have actual work to do.”

  I frowned even as my lips twisted into a wry grin. “Food is never work, Dr. Cahill.”

  There was that boyish grin again. “Okay, noted. But we have almost no time and I have nothing.”

  “You have silent auction items,” I reminded him with a laugh.

  “Smart ass,” he grumbled, even though he couldn’t stop smiling.

  This was ridiculous. I felt like a giddy teenager when he leaned in and kissed me again. I knew I needed to push him away, especially now that the house filled with the scent of baked, bubbling cheese. Callie would make an appearance—

  “Mommy—oh. Is Dr. Derek your boyfriend?” She began to jump up and down. “Mommy’s got a boyfriend! Mommy’s got a boyfriend!” She sang the words over and over again as she skipped her way out of the kitchen.

  “Dinner in five minutes, Callie!” I groaned at her fading voice and my head fell to his shoulder. “See what you did?”

  “Me?” He put a hand to his chest, looking far too innocent even as a slow grin spread across his lips. “I can’t help it if you find me irresistible.” Derek shoved his hands in his jeans, shrugging in a sweet-southern-boy ‘aw, shucks’ gesture that was both annoying and endearing.

  I smacked his rock-hard midsection and he just laughed, grabbing my wrist and keeping my hand on him. “Irresistible? Hardly. I just like your kisses,” I told him honestly as my mind reeled. It spun, actually, thinking about how I would explain this to Callie without the meddling matchmakers getting wind of it.

  Derek

  I had Maxine on the brain, and it was starting to become a problem. A big damn problem, because I didn’t want to stop thinking about her—which was good; she hadn’t left my mind since she laid that good night kiss on my lips. Even now, as I made my way to her catering shop, my mouth tingled at the memory. The way her long tongue slid across my lips, silky smooth and slow, like she was trying to memorize every part.

  A full day had passed since I’d seen Maxine or touched her. Far too long.

  I had it bad.

  When I stepped into the shop, the smells hit me. Hard. Sweet and savory alike made my stomach growl and my mouth water. “I hope some of those smells are for me.”

  A young brunette I didn’t recognize smiled from behin
d the counter. “Dr. Cahill, I presume?”

  “That would be me. Is Maxine around?” She’d told me to meet her around noon, so I’d woken up early and had gone for a long run to clear my head before attending to a few more items related to the ball. I made a mental note to send Steven a lump of coal for the upcoming holidays to thank him for suckering me into this. But then Maxine pushed through the swinging door with a messy red bun that was just begging me to put my fingers in it.

  “Are you looking for me, Doctor?”

  Damn, it did things to my body when she called me doctor—specifically, it made me wonder if I could convince Maxine to play nurse to my doctor. Or better yet, patient to my doctor. She cleared her throat and arched her brows, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. “I am.”

  “Well, you found me.” She wiped her hands on her oversized white apron and stepped out in front of me. “Are you here for the tasting, or something else?”

  Was it me, or was there an extra heat in her voice and her gaze as it raked over me? “Um.” I tried to clear my throat and popped the top button my shirt. “What was the question again?”

  Maxine laughed and shook her head, and that laugh was the most beautiful sight in the world. “Food?”

  I nodded, making her laugh again. “Yes, please.” Sabrina Worthington wanted to make sure the meal was up to her standards, and she was confident Maxine would follow her instructions to the letter.

  “I took the notes you gave me, and this is what I came up with.” She guided me to one of the small tables reserved for tastings and set a sheet of paper in front of me. “What do you think?”

  My gaze scanned over the menu quickly and I smiled. “I think I might not regret this ball as much as I originally thought.” Which brought up another matter I wanted to discuss with her.

  “Good to know. Let’s start with the appetizers?” I nodded and let my gaze linger on her legs, her ass, as she walked back to the kitchen.

  When she returned, I promised myself that I would ask her to be my date for the ball. And it was my full intention, until she placed a delicious mushroom and asparagus dish in front of me. “That smells heavenly.”