Truly Scrumptious

by R. G. Alexander

  Nate was shaking his head when his sister walked into the room, looking spectacular in a little black dress. “Am I on time for the intervention?” she quipped saucily.

  Nate groaned. “Not you too.”

  “’Fraid so. It’s your own damn fault for being stubborn.” Her expression turned serious. “We are not our parents, Nathaniel. We can love without hurting each other. We can love with open hearts that have room enough to love the rest of our family, children, our friends. Look at Grams. She loves everybody.”

  Nate’s throat was closed up, trying to fight back the swell of emotion that had come with her words. Wasn’t that what he’d always been afraid of? To love that obsessively, and in the end, that violently? To love so much that your own children didn’t have a place in your heart?

  He felt so much for Truly that sometimes it was hard to think, hard to breathe. And that scared the holy hell out of him.

  “Grams is senile, sis. She doesn’t count.”

  Jane rolled her eyes. “Whatever, jackass. The point is still valid.”

  Louis chimed in. “We are officially stepping aside, my brother. Apart from the aforementioned inviting us over occasionally part of this conversation.”

  “And unless you hurt her. Then all bets are off.” Clay turned to go into the kitchen, and Nate felt real regret. His friend hadn’t left him. He was hurting though, and Nate would’ve given anything to take that back.

  Anything but Truly, he suddenly realized. Truly was his.

  He just had to let her know it.

  “We did it, boss.”

  “Hello, Robert. Didn’t I fire you?”

  Robert grinned charmingly. “Only every day since you came out of hiding. But I’m trying not to take it too personally. Besides,—” he swept out an arm to show her the sea of people lining up outside the restaurant, “—look at the wonders we have wrought.”

  Truly smirked, pulling her lace shawl closer around her. “Well, it ain’t the parting of the Red Sea, but it’ll do.”

  Robert lowered his voice. “I think Emeril is here.”

  Truly chuckled. “He’s everywhere. I wouldn’t take it too personally. More importantly, diners are here. The video and the foodie blogger, as well as that irritating radio host, did wonders for advertising. I may have to put Jane’s son on my payroll.”

  “Just as long as you keep me. I hear we have a few new clients in the works.”

  She nodded, feeling pleased with herself. Inside her heart was shattered, but she’d managed to pull herself together enough to keep going. Her mother would be proud. Maybe. “I think I should go. You stay and make sure to keep the wheels greased. I’ll tell you all about our new job tomorrow.”

  Robert grabbed her arm. “You can’t go yet, Truly. Not after all the work you put in here. We deserve to celebrate.”

  She tugged her arm out of his grasp, her smile wobbly. “Not really in a celebrating mood, Bob. I’ve fulfilled my obligations. Now I just want to go home.”

  Didn’t he understand? It was over. She had no more excuses to see them. To see Clay or Louis banter in the kitchen. To catch a glimpse of Nate. Nate. Oh God. “I have to go.”

  “TS Larkin, is that you? You look marvelous. Have you lost weight?”

  And now her night was complete. “Clive Garret, as I live and breathe. You don’t look so bad yourself. Is that hair growing back at last?”

  She watched his hand reach automatically up to his bald spot and struggled not to chortle. Made you look.

  Clive laughed awkwardly and pulled his wife closer, as though needing protection. “We’ve missed you at the station, TS. I actually came tonight to offer you your old position back.” His wife elbowed him, and he coughed. “I mean a better position. Better pay. More creative control. Of course, the condition would be getting Nathaniel Grange to agree to do a morning show. Brunch with Laura is starting to tank in the ratings, the studio thinks the demographic would really appreciate someone with Mr. Grange’s talents.”

  Clive winked at her, and she felt bile rise in her throat. “I thought you’d been speaking with him already. That you already had a deal in the works.”

  Clive’s wife leaned forward, her voice the loud low of someone trying, not very hard, to keep a secret. “Clive tried everything, but that is one stubborn chef. He even got his sister’s private number, but Mr. Grange refused him every time. He’s very loyal to you. Said he wouldn’t work for anyone who’d been stupid enough to fire Ms. TS Larkin.”

  “He said that?”

  Clive tugged on his bow tie. “His words weren’t that civilized. But yes, that was the general gist. So? What do you say?”

  Before she could formulate a response, a scattering of applause drew her attention. There they were. Clay, Louis, Jane and the boys. Nate. Her breath caught. He looked so handsome. Brand new chef whites, buttoned no less. He looked good. Too good.

  She needed to leave.

  She took a step back, and his gaze found her in the crowd. Found her and wouldn’t let her go.

  He lifted his voice to be heard over the crowd and night noise of downtown. “The owners of The Iron Horse wish to welcome you. We have a special menu, a brand new décor and a lot of surprises in store for all of you.”

  He waited for the applause to die down, his attention still focused solely on Truly. “We couldn’t have done any of this if it wasn’t for the vision and stubbornness of TS Larkin.” He smiled at the spattering of laughter. “She had to be stubborn, because I don’t take very readily to change. I was so afraid that she would turn my restaurant, myself, into something I didn’t want. It took me a while to realize that she knew what I wanted better than I did. So I thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.”

  The crowd clapped in approval while Truly quickly wiped away her tears. He’d said thank you. Not I love you. But thank you. She wished that could be enough. It would have been, before she’d fallen for him. But it wasn’t anymore.

  She turned her back, freezing in her tracks when he raised his voice again. “Don’t go.”

  She knew he was talking to her. That everyone had looked in her direction, but she couldn’t turn around. She couldn’t look at him. Not right now. It hurt too much.

  Then he was there, taking her by the shoulders and turning her to face him. “Don’t go. Please.”

  She shook her head, tasting the salt of her tears as they wet her lips. “No, it’s okay. This night belongs to your family. To Clay and Louis and Jane. Enjoy it.”

  This close she could see lines on his face that hadn’t been there a month ago. He looked tired. Sad. “How can I enjoy it when my family isn’t complete? When the most important part of it is missing?”

  What was he saying? “Nate, its okay. I know you refused Clive, and I’m grateful. I don’t need your charity.”

  His chuckle was anything except joyous. “Oh, my love, but I need yours. Could you take a little pity on me? I’m trying to tell you that I can’t live without you in front of a hundred people. Show a little mercy.”

  The pieces of her heart came together with a single gasping breath. He loved her? She hadn’t believed it. Hadn’t let herself believe he might feel the same way she did. But what about Clay? And Louis?

  She looked over at them, and Nate leaned closer. “They understand. You’re mine, Truly. I don’t want to share. Except on special occasions.”

  He grinned, and she felt happiness bloom, warm and bright inside her. “Wait, that’s what you were trying to tell me? That you loved me?” He nodded, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, ignoring the catcalls and loud roars from the waiting diners. “Well, you aren’t very good at it are you?”

  He shrugged. “Haven’t needed to be. Until now.”

  One year later…

  “So when are you going to tell him?”

  Truly smiled up at Clay. “Tonight. I just want everything to be perfect.”

  Clay winked. “I never make anything that isn’t.”

  She looked arou
nd. “I didn’t mean you, of course. You’ve really got something special here, Clay. I love this place.” She turned and raised one eyebrow. “In spite of the name.”

  He shrugged, but couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. “What? It’s named after you. Truly Scrumptious. I make desserts and candy for the kiddies. But everyone loves my cherry peach parfait the best.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully. “Besides, it wouldn’t be so successful if my talented PR lady hadn’t taken time out of her busy schedule to help me get started. It fits.”

  It did. Though it had broken Nate’s heart when Clay had decided to sell back his share of The Iron Horse to buy his own little place. He said the pace was too fast, that he wanted to focus on his creations, but she knew things had changed after she and Nate had gotten together. Between Clay and Louis as well. It tore her apart to think she was responsible. Especially when she cared so much about Clay. She loved him.

  But her heart belonged to Nate.

  Now that Jane and the kids had enough to move into their own place, Louis and Clay had come over a few wonderful times. Truly still couldn’t believe she’d turned into such a brazen, sexual hussy. The truth was, she usually initiated their get togethers. But the men never complained.

  Nate told her to give Clay time. But she was selfish. They were her family too. She wanted everyone to know it.

  Clay handed her the dessert, the same dessert they’d spread over her body that first night, and she smiled at him. “I want tonight to be perfect,” she repeated. “And it won’t be unless you’re there too.”

  Clay’s expression closed a little, and he tsked at her. “Don’t you think that telling a man he’s about to be a father is a pretty personal thing? Maybe tonight is not the night for that kind of celebration.”

  “We’re welcoming a new life into our family. It’s the perfect night.”

  He brushed a stray curl from her face. Her hair was longer, softer. She’d finally grown into herself. Accepted herself for who she was. Love and happiness could do that to a person.

  She took his hand in hers and cradled it to her face. “Say you’ll come. You have to be there to see the look on his face.”

  “I can’t say no to you, angel. If you want perfect, then that’s what you’ll get.”

  And it was. She was loved within an inch of her life, and when, after hours of impossible positions and decadent food tasting, she told her husband of six months that they were expecting, she got just the reaction she’d been hoping for.

  He fainted.

  Life didn’t get any better.

  About the Author

  R.G. Alexander writes erotic romance for Berkley Heat, Samhain Publishing and Ellora's Cave. She has lived all over the United States, studied archaeology and mythology, been a nurse and a vocalist, and now, a writer. She is happily married to a talented chef who is her best friend, her research assistant, and the love of her life. To learn more about R. G. Alexander please visit www.rgalexander.com. Send an email to R. G. Alexander at r.g.alexander@hotmail.com.

  Look for these titles by R.G. Alexander

  Available Now:

  Children of the Goddess

  Regina in the Sun

  Lux in Shadow

  Twilight Guardian

  Midnight Falls

  Not in Kansas

  Surrender Dorothy

  Wicked3 Series

  Wicked Sexy

  My Shifter Showmance

  Coming Soon:

  Wicked Bad

  My Demon Saint

  Something magic this way comes…

  Wicked Sexy

  © 2010 R.G. Alexander

  Wicked ³, Book 1

  Callie has always known the Abbotts were different. Witches, though they call themselves “Magians”. They are her second family. Harrison Abbott has been her best friend since they were children. Tucker Abbott, her life-long crush. And their brother, Tyghe? A magical pain in her backside.

  When the Abbotts need her human perspective to solve a mystery, she doesn’t hesitate. Especially since it means getting everything she ever wanted. A chance to be one of them, to have magic, even if it’s only temporary.

  Someone is attacking young women at Triune, a ritual that helps Magians find their perfect threesome—the match that will complete their magic and their hearts. Callie expected to be dazzled by her first glimpse into the Magian world, but the bone-melting desire between her and the Abbott brothers isn’t part of the plan.

  Nor is the decades-old secret that makes her the target of a killer…

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Wicked Sexy:

  Tucker lifted her chin, turning her face up to his. He looked lighter than she’d seen him in a long time. Younger. “Tyghe told me about the energy you were giving off at the salon. I saw for myself what one of us can do to you.” His jaw tightened, almost imperceptibly, but Callie saw it. “We are compatible, Callie. There is no doubt in my mind. Now as beautiful as that dress is, I think its time to take it off.”

  Tyghe surprised them both by ducking his knees and lifting Callie over his shoulder, carrying her, she soon realized, to the wall with the handcuffs. “Oh, hell.”

  He spanked her bottom playfully. “Don’t play coy with us, wicked girl. It wouldn’t be in here if you weren’t at least curious. And I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.” He set her down, lifting her hand to place a kiss inside her palm, his tongue tracing her life line. Callie shivered, and he smiled, slipping one faux-fur lined cuff around her wrist. “In the spirit of honesty, you should know this is not the first time Tucker and I have shared a woman.”

  Tucker swore and Callie flinched, but Tyghe wouldn’t release her free hand, methodically closing the cuff with a loud click. “In fact,” he continued, grunting when he adjusted the chains to raise her arms above her head, avoiding her knee. “For a year or two there, we developed quite the reputation. I’d ‘Tyghe her up’, and he’d ‘Tucker her out’. Remember that, Tuck?”

  Callie glared at him, but it was herself she was angry with. Tied up, the two men staring intently at her, undressing her, she was still aroused. Tyghe unhooked the now flame red dress from behind her neck, letting it drop to the floor, leaving her exposed in nothing but her underwear and heels. She loved the fire that lit in their stormy eyes. She had no shame. They’d done this with other women, and she didn’t care. At least, not enough to ask them to stop.

  That didn’t mean she couldn’t torture them the same way they were torturing her. “Thanks for the history lesson.” She jerked her arms, jangling the chains. “This isn’t my first rodeo either.”

  Tyghe’s smile was tight. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t talking about what we did the other night? You mean your old boyfriend. How could we forget good old Mitchell? The rebel without applause.”

  “There was nothing wrong with Mitchell.” He just wasn’t Tucker…or Tyghe.

  “There was nothing right about him, either.” Tucker grumbled under his breath, surprising her. The few times he’d come out with Harrison when Callie was with Mitchell, he’d always been polite.

  “He’s the reason Tucker went a little wild for a while. Mitchell was the first guy you seemed serious about, the first one who hung around long enough to meet all of us. I think Tucker fucked his way through half the single females in Boston before he came up for air.”

  “Tyghe, you’re a bastard.” Tucker was unbuttoning his black shirt, his gaze snared by Callie’s hardening nipples.

  “Yeah, I’m the bastard. I just didn’t want her hero worship to blind her to the fact that I’m not the only sinner in this room.”

  Callie started, her gaze colliding with the vulnerability in Tyghe’s grey eyes. They’d been more intimate in the last few days than she’d ever allowed herself to be with another. Made love in positions and places that made her blush to think about. But they’d never spoken of her reaction to Tucker’s touch. Never spoken of Tyghe’s insecurities. Callie had believed he’d gotten over his concerns. Until
now. Now she could see that he was still worried, even after all they’d done, that he’d be pushed aside for his older brother. As much as she wanted Tucker to touch her, as much as the revelation that he’d been jealous of her last relationship thrilled her, she couldn’t let Tyghe think she didn’t want him just as much.

  She smiled at him, a little mischievously. “So, what do you do with a woman once you tie her up?”

  Love with a beautiful stranger isn’t so strange—if you believe in destiny.

  Winter Solstice

  © 2009 Eden Bradley

  Clinical psychologist Destiny Walker considers herself far too logical for any of that “soul mate” nonsense. Even if her beloved, dearly departed Nana insisted she was going to meet hers someday. When a sudden downpour sends her ducking into a psychic reader’s storefront—and the woman confirms everything her grandmother said—doubt begins to sneak into the corners of her mind.

  A chance meeting—more like a collision—with Superman look-alike Reece Kellan sets off a sexual chemistry reaction the likes of which she’s never felt. She isn’t prone to falling into bed with strangers, but he does things to her body that leave her breathless…and unsure where her pleasure ends and his begins.

  And that’s the part that scares the hell out of her…

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Winter Solstice:

  He leaned in, closer, until his mouth closed over hers. His lips were warm, so warm and sweet. And when he parted them and drove his tongue into her mouth, pleasure drove in with it, lancing deep into her body. A long shudder went through her, and her legs went weak. But he held her tight, crushed against him. She could feel every taut muscle in his body, his heart hammering in his chest, pounding against her breasts, making her nipples harden.