Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters Collection (Eight Fun, Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors)

by Violet Duke

  By the time Naomi showed up a little after ten, Maddie’s resolve was set like fast-drying concrete, which was a good thing considering the first words out of her sister’s mouth threatened to send all her carefully erected defenses tumbling down.

  “Why didn’t you tell me Jamison was going on the retreat, too?” Naomi asked, yawning as she shuffled behind the counter of the momentarily customer-free bakery to snag her apron off its hook.

  “What?” Maddie blinked and laughed a little too brightly.

  “Jake said Jamison went on a singles camping trip to Myrtle Beach last weekend. I figured it had to be the same one.” Naomi pulled her caramel-streaked hair into a high ponytail before turning to wash her hands in the sink across from the display counter. In a pair of faded jeans and a tight red tee shirt Naomi looked adorable, but less put together than usual, a side effect, no-doubt, of having an infant in the house. “Did you see him while you were there?”

  “Oh, yeah, I did,” Maddie said, focusing on rearranging the bread behind the counter, combining the loaves into fewer baskets now that the morning rush had passed. “But I didn’t know he was going to be there, and he didn’t know I was going, either. We were both surprised.”

  Boy were we surprised. Surprised by how many times we managed to get busy in a mere forty-eight hours…

  “So, did you have a good time? Meet anyone nice?” Naomi yawned again. “Jamison didn’t cramp your style did he?”

  “No, he was fine, and I had fun with the girls.” Maddie hurried to change the subject before she freaked and confessed everything to Naomi right then and there. “Did you have another rough night with the baby? You seem pretty beat.”

  Although Naomi’s adopted daughter, Noelle, had come home from the NICU six weeks ago, the preemie was still struggling to put on weight and woke up several times a night to take a bottle.

  Naomi smiled. “She woke up to eat four times last night. If she keeps this up, she’s going to catch up to the non-preemies in no time.”

  “That’s great,” Maddie said. “I can’t wait until she has fat rolls on her thighs. Baby fat rolls are the cutest.”

  Naomi laughed. “Too bad my fat rolls aren’t. I’ve been seriously neglecting my daily walk since Noelle came home. I’m going to have to watch the cookies for the next three weeks or I’ll have to let out my wedding dress before the wedding.”

  “Does that mean I’m not allowed to make salted caramel bars?” Maddie teased. “Because I had those on the agenda for this afternoon.”

  “You shouldn’t have told me!” Naomi groaned. “You know I can’t resist salted caramel bars. Make them, but only let me have one and don’t cook anything else yummy until after the wedding.”

  “That should be good for business,” Maddie said dryly.

  “Whatever.” Naomi waved her hand dismissively. “We were in the black less than five months after opening. Do you know how rare that is? Seriously, we’re going to be fine. I’m predicting a banner summer and a fall to follow.”

  Moments later the bell above the door tinkled and the early lunch crowd began to trickle in. Five hours later, by the time the afterschool rush began to peter out, Maddie was feeling pretty beat herself. Still, she knew Naomi was even more exhausted. Not only had she been up and down with Noelle all night, she was also doing more work than normal since their counter girl, Lucy, was out with a twisted ankle and Aria, their third business partner, was on maternity leave

  “You want to head home and grab a nap before Greta leaves for the day?” Maddie asked. “I can make it until closing time alone.”

  Greta was Naomi’s nanny, but she only watched Noelle when Jake and Naomi were both at work. Naomi was rich enough to afford a legion of nannies, but she didn’t want to give up a moment with her new daughter, not even the moments that left her exhausted.

  “That would probably be a good idea,” Naomi said, sighing as she stretched her neck to one side and then the other. “Jake’s at the station for the next two nights, so I’ll be doing the night feedings solo. I need to grab my rest where I can get it.”

  Maddie frowned. “That sounds pretty brutal. Do you want me to come stay with you and help out? We could take turns getting up with Noelle.”

  Naomi shook her head as she hung up her apron. “No way. You’re already here at four in the morning almost every day. You need your rest. I’ll be fine. I’m getting better at going back to sleep. I can usually get in a solid two hours between feedings. And I don’t want to leave Noelle with anyone else until the honeymoon. I feel bad enough taking four nights away from her then.”

  “It’s only four nights,” Maddie said, rolling her eyes. “You and Jake deserve a honeymoon, and Noelle won’t even know you’re gone. Mom and Dad will be holding her constantly. She’ll be so spoiled by the time you get back, you won’t be able to put her down for a second.”

  Naomi smiled, obviously not too upset by the possibility. So far, Naomi seemed to find parenthood utterly delightful, and Jake was equally blissed out. He was crazy in love with both his girls, and so excited to add to their family he’d suggested he and Naomi stay on the waiting list at the adoption agency and hope for baby number two within the year.

  Seeing their newly formed family together was enough to make Maddie’s chest tight with gratitude. They were so happy and in love. It showed in every glance, every touch, every tired smile. Although Maddie had been dying to start a family of her own for ages, she hadn’t felt even one scrap of jealousy toward her sister. She was too happy for Naomi, and thrilled to be a godmother to Noelle.

  And now, of course, she was too distracted by her own Hansen brother to be envious of her sister’s.

  Mere minutes after Naomi hugged her goodbye and stepped out the door, Maddie spotted Jamison emerging from the firehouse, looking so good in jeans and a Summerville Fire Department tee shirt it ought to be a crime. No one should look that good in a tee shirt. Or out of one for that matter.

  Not that she was complaining.

  By the time Jamison crossed the street and pushed through the bakery door, Maddie was so hot from watching him that she dashed across the empty bakery and jumped into his arms.

  “Happy to see me?” he asked with a laugh as he caught her.

  “Deliriously,” Maddie said, claiming his mouth for a long, slow, sultry kiss.

  As their lips met, Jamison’s laugh became a moan. He angled his head, deepening the kiss as he hugged her tight, drawing her up his body until her feet left the floor, but Maddie hardly noticed. She was already floating, her head spinning as Jamison’s tongue sparred with hers and the minty, earthy, Jamison taste of him whetted her appetite for more.

  Within minutes, all she could think about was dragging him to the upstairs apartment she’d inherited when her brother, Mick, moved in with his girlfriend, Faith.

  “If I knew no one would come through that door in the next ten minutes, I’d take you upstairs for a quickie,” she said, as she trailed kisses down Jamison’s throat and he squeezed her bottom through her stretchy black skirt.

  “I’m on duty.” Jamison set her feet back on the floor, but made no move to pull away. “You’d be interfering with my ability to be fit to fight.”

  “You’ve got your beeper.” Maddie took his hand in both of hers and tugged him toward the stairs that led to her apartment, her body clearly having a mind of its own. “You could be back across the street in a minute or less.”

  Jamison’s eyes darkened. “It would have to be thirty seconds or less.”

  “I’d help you tie your shoes,” she said, pulse racing.

  Jamison made a hungry sound that made Maddie’s nipples draw t
ight inside her bra. “If you’re serious, we should put the closed sign on the door, don’t you think?”

  Maddie’s blood quickened with a rush as she realized she was serious.

  “Get upstairs and get naked,” she said, her voice trembling with desire and the thrill of doing something she knew she shouldn’t. “I’ll flip the closed sign, and be up in a minute.”

  “Hurry,” Jamison said, pulling her in for another swift, bruising kiss. “I said I’d be back in ten, but it’s better if I’m back in less. Don’t want anyone to get suspicious.”

  “Got it,” Maddie said, spinning back toward the door as Jamison bolted for the stairs.

  She flipped the open sign to closed, untied her apron and tossed it on the counter as she dashed for the stairs, taking them two at a time. By the time she reached the door to the apartment her heart was pounding, and seeing what awaited her on the bed only made it pound harder.

  Jamison was naked, stretched out on his back on her white comforter with his hands behind his head and his erection stretching up his stomach, leaving no doubt he was up for this in every way. The contrast of the frilly comforter and his masculine skin made him look even more manly, and more mouthwateringly delicious.

  So delicious that for a moment Maddie could do nothing but stop and stare, unable to believe this stunning man was hers for the taking.

  “Get over here,” Jamison said in a ragged voice. “I want you on top of me.”

  “Yes, sir,” Maddie said, stripping off her white tee and bra as she crossed the room, dropping her skirt and panties at the foot of the bed before crawling up Jamison’s body like a cat after a bowl of cream.

  Moments later, Jamison’s mouth was hot on her own, his hands busy at her breasts, and his arousal nudging through her damp curls, seeking her entrance and driving inside.

  Maddie moaned, head falling back as she began to ride him, blood racing when Jamison’s mouth found her nipple and began to lick and suck, ratcheting up the tension swiftly building inside of her. A slow buildup had always been her preferred method of lovemaking, but there was something breathlessly exciting about getting right down to business, too. Without foreplay, Jamison felt even thicker and longer inside of her. He stretched her to the point where it was nearly painful, but wasn’t because every circle of her hips sent fresh heat rushing between her legs, and every thrust in and out brought her closer to the edge.

  “God, Maddie,” Jamison said, increasing the pace of his thrusts as Maddie’s movements grew more urgent, his fingers digging into her hips. “I love watching you ride me. You’re so beautiful.”

  Maddie met his gaze and knew he meant every word. For a moment she saw herself reflected in his eyes, saw herself as a breathtaking woman who drove Jamison wild and then she came with a cry, bliss spreading from where she and Jamison were joined to every inch of her body.

  The orgasm wasn’t a wave this time, it was hot and fast, rocketing through her with an intensity that made her squeeze her eyes shut and dig her nails into Jamison’s chest, wondering how one body could contain this kind of pleasure. Even long moments later, after Jamison had found release—bucking into her with enough force to lift her off the bed—Maddie still hadn’t completely recovered.

  She was trembling when he hugged her to his chest, rolling over so that she rested beneath him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, kissing her forehead.

  “I think you broke my nervous system,” she said, curling into him, pressing her face to his bare chest, loving the way he smelled after he made love to her.

  He chuckled as he smoothed her hair away from her face. “In the good way I hope.”

  Maddie hummed her agreement before letting her tongue slip out to tease the slightly damp skin at the center of Jamison’s chest, relishing the salty, sexy taste of him. The lick turned into a kiss, then another lick, and before she knew what was happening her teeth were raking over his taut nipple and her body beginning to heat up all over again, obviously ready for round two.

  “I have to go,” Jamison said, groaning as Maddie nipped him again. “How come no one else realizes what a bad influence you are?”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t help myself,” Maddie said. “I’m insatiable when it comes to—”

  “Maddie? Are you okay?” called a familiar voice from downstairs, making Maddie’s eyes fly wide open.

  “It’s Naomi! Get dressed!” Maddie hissed, pulling away from Jamison so quickly she fell off the side of the bed with a loud thunk.

  “Shit,” Jamison cursed softly. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine!” Maddie called out, answering both Naomi and Jamison as she scrambled to her feet and dove for her skirt and panties at the end of the bed. “Just had a spill and came up to grab a fresh shirt. I’ll be down in a second,” she continued, heart pounding as she struggled into her underwear and skirt and scurried over to grab her bra.

  “You want me to take the dirty one home to wash?” Naomi’s question was followed by footsteps on the stairs.

  “No!” Maddie shouted, panic making her voice louder than she’d intended. Jamison was still only half dressed and she was in her bra. If Naomi saw them now there would be no doubt what they’d been up to.

  “Um, no, don’t worry about it,” Maddie continued, hands shaking as she wrenched open her drawer, snatched the first Tee shirt she laid hands on, and pulled it over her head.

  “It’s no trouble,” Naomi said, still plodding up the stairs like a horror movie monster pursuing its prey. “I know you don’t have a washing machine, and I do at least two loads a day since Noelle came home.”

  She continued on, saying something about how amazing it was that someone so small could make so much laundry, but Maddie wasn’t listening, she was too busy spinning back to Jamison and racking her brain for a place for him to hide. She was motioning for him to run to the corner when Jamison took matters in his own hands, dropping to the ground and rolling under the bed and out of sight mere seconds before Naomi appeared at the door.

  “So hand it over, no arguments,” Naomi finished, propping her hands on her hips.

  “Hand what over?” Maddie asked, heart still pounding so fast she felt light headed.

  Naomi gave her a strange look. “The shirt,” she said, frowning. Her sister’s eyes drifted down to Maddie’s chest and back up again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Maddie glanced down at her chest, trying not to wince as she realized she’d put on her ancient Lynyrd Skynyrd concert shirt from high school. “I’m fine.” She forced a smile as she put an arm around Naomi, gently, but forcefully turning her back toward the stairs. “But I refuse to let you do laundry for me. I’ll come over on Monday and do a few loads if I need to. No big deal. Now I should get the sign flipped back to open before we lose customers.”

  Naomi continued, frowning, but thankfully allowing Maddie to lead her down the stairs. “Okay,” she said reluctantly. “But I really don’t mind.”

  “So what happened? Did you forget something?” Maddie asked, praying that Naomi hadn’t decided to come back to work.

  If so, there was no way Maddie would be able to smuggle Jamison out of her apartment without Naomi spotting him. The only exits were through the bakery, and even if he made a break for it down the fire escape, the ladder dropped down right in front of Icing’s main front window.

  Naomi sighed as they stepped off the bottom step. “Yeah. I promised Greta I’d bring her chocolate croissants. It totally slipped my mind until I was at the end of Main Street.”

  “You should have called me,” Maddie scolded her as she hustled across the tile to flip the sign. “I could have dropp
ed some by your house and they would have been waiting for her tomorrow morning.”

  “I know.” Naomi made her way behind the counter, snagging one of the pink, to-go boxes and loading it with croissants. “But I’ve forgotten twice already. She asked me two days ago. I didn’t want to forget them again.”

  Maddie nodded as she swept imaginary crumbs from a table near the door, resisting the urge to cast a glance at the stairs, praying Naomi would hit the road before Jamison was forced to come down the stairs. Surely his ten-minutes were nearly up?

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Naomi asked, lingering beside Maddie on her way to the door, the crease reappearing between her brows.

  Maddie nodded a little too enthusiastically. “I’m great. Why?”

  “Nothing, I guess.” Naomi shrugged and reached for the door. “See you tomorrow. Call me if you decide you want to come by for supper.”

  “Will do. Bye.” Maddie hovered near the window, waiting until she was certain Naomi was in her car and pulling out onto Main Street before she turned to call up the stairs. “The coast is clear!”

  Seconds later, Jamison pounded down the stairs, a wicked grin on his face.

  “It isn’t funny!” Maddie said, slapping his chest as he paused to steal a quick kiss. “That was way too close. We can’t ever meet here, or anywhere else we might be caught, ever again.”

  Jamison laughed, earning himself another slap before he pulled away and started for the door.

  “I’m serious,” Maddie called after him. “We have to be more careful.”

  Jamison turned back to her, eyes sparkling mischievously. “Or more sneaky.”

  Maddie bit her lip. “I’m not good at being sneaky. Maybe we should just cool it until after the wedding, or—”

  “No way am I doing without you for that long,” Jamison said, sending a thrill through Maddie despite their recent brush with discovery. “I’ll figure something out. Just relax and keep your eyes open for top secret communications.”