by Riley Shane
DECADENCE
(An Emerald Valley Spring Fling)
Riley Shane
www.loose-id.com
Decadence (An Emerald Valley Spring Fling)
Copyright © May 2013 by Riley Shane
All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
eISBN 9781623003623
Editor: Ann M. Curtis
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
Published in the United States of America
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This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning
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* * * *
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Dedication
For my readers—I wish I could thank each and every one of you personally for your support. It means the world to me. Enjoy this glimpse into the next chapter of Anaya’s and Devlin’s lives.
And as always, many thanks to The Fuzzy Critic for behaving himself and acting as a toe-warmer while I wrote this story.
Decadence
I moaned, my eyelids fluttering shut of their own volition as I savored the dark, velvety-rich textures coating my tongue. Warmth trickled down my throat, bringing with it an unexpected shot of arousal. This…this was pure decadence. I licked my lips, wanting another taste.
“Anaya.” The laughter in the man’s husky voice broke my reverie. “Come back to me, Naya.”
Opening my eyes, I stared into the sparkling hazel-green gaze of the man across the kitchen island from me.
“You cut me off midfoodgasm,” I accused.
Devereaux Cavanaugh leaned back in his chair, stretched out, and laced his fingers behind his head. Only a dead woman wouldn’t have stopped to admire the way his muscled arms strained the fabric of his black T-shirt, or the flat stomach that made one want to check and see if he actually had a six-pack. He was alarmingly beautiful, in a bad-boy kind of way.
“Apologies, chère.” The faintest hint of New Orleans flavored his words. “I didn’t want you to forget you had an audience. Although that was the reaction I was hoping for.”
I looked down at the plate in front of me and sighed. Warm, melted hazelnut fudge filling trickled out from the small dark chocolate cake, tempting me to take another bite. Raw sex appeal aside, the man had a way with desserts that could make anyone with a sweet tooth swoon. How someone hadn’t dragged him off caveman-style yet was beyond me.
Were I not happily married to my soul mate, I might have bemoaned the fact that Devereaux often treated me like a little sister. Before Devlin had come back to me and Emerald Valley, he and Devereaux had been roommates—two young chefs who’d struggled to make it big in Los Angeles and had been incredibly successful. Their good looks and complementing skills—not to mention the extreme catchiness of their paired names—had made them an excellent bet for the cooking shows. Devlin turning his back on the celebrity-chef lifestyle to open a restaurant in his hometown was only a surprise to those who hadn’t known him or seen him burning out. That he’d managed to coax Devereaux into becoming the pastry chef for his restaurant, Decadence, had shocked everyone; even Devlin hadn’t thought his friend would do it.
I took another bite of cake, tried to control my response, and failed. “Dev, this is too good to be true. If my husband doesn’t add this to Decadence’s menu, I’m dumping him.”
That earned me a faint smile. “Devlin hasn’t tasted it, but if his reaction is half as visceral as yours, I think this one’s a go.”
“Please tell me it’s not going to be a seasonal option.”
“No. With rhubarb now in season, I’m switching out the truffle tarts for a chocolate-rhubarb pot de crème. The cake is something I wanted to add to the regular menu. I’ve been playing around with it for a while, going back and forth on what I’m mixing into the fudge. The hazelnut was my favorite option, but you’re my first taste tester. Are you sure you don’t want to try it with the wine I brought? They make a good pairing.”
I forced myself to push the plate away; it was already late afternoon, and I had a lot to get done before my husband came home. Not to mention there was another minicake ready to be baked later tonight. As it was, I was already going to have to put in a considerable amount of time on the running trails to make up for this calorie explosion.
“I’m always happy to be of service, but I’ll pass on the wine for now. Thanks again for making this and the extra minicake. I know how long a day you’ve had already. I wanted something special for tonight, and well, you know how I am in the kitchen.”
“Just be careful when you put the cake in the oven, chère. You don’t want to burn your house down before you fully move in.”
Given that even I had to admit bad things happened when I tried to cook, I didn’t take offense. My cell phone rang, and I glanced down at the readout. “It’s Devlin. Mind if I take this real quick?”
“Not at all. I’ll write down baking instructions for you.”
“Thanks.” I stepped out of the kitchen as I answered the phone. “This is unexpected,” I said by way of greeting.
“I was thinking of you.” The sound of my husband’s voice drifted over the line, shooting sensation through me much like the chocolate had earlier. “You’ve been teasing me all week with your plans for tonight. I’ve been looking at my watch constantly today.”
“Really?” I grinned, secretly pleased I was able to distract my normally undistractable husband. When Devlin got to work, he tended to block out everything and everyone.
“Mmm. Is there any hope for a repeat of Valentine’s Day?”
The mention of Valentine’s Day made my heart leap into my throat. We’d just gotten the keys to our home a few days before, and Devlin had surprised me by taking a rare night off from the restaurant and talking Leah into covering for me at the Emerald.
Wine, chocolate, and sex with a warm fire crackling beside us… God, I could feel my panties dampening at the memory of what we’d done. It had been an utterly decadent night with an unexpected result. My hand drifted to my stomach, a mixture of joy and fear threatening to overwhelm me when I thought of the life growing inside.
“Naya?” The concern in Devlin’s voice registered, and I realized I’d been quiet for too long.
I tried to sound casual. “I’m not telling you what’s in store for you. You’ll have to wait and see.”
Devlin started to reply, but I could hear someone calling for him in the b
ackground. That had been the story of our lives lately.
“Listen, I have to go. I love you, and I’ll be home as soon as possible.”
“See you tonight. Love you too.”
The hurried good-byes were also the norm; had been since not long after our wedding. Devlin spent almost all his time at Decadence, either cooking, charming patrons, or using his and Devereaux’s celebrity to generate more business. As wrapped up as I was in expanding the Emerald and my photography business, I hadn’t minded, though I often yearned for a time when we could step back and just enjoy being married. It was why we’d decided to put off having kids for at least another year. We wanted to get our businesses in order so our schedules would be somewhat more regulated and we’d be financially stable. It was a logical plan.
At least, it had been until Mother Nature had overpowered my birth control. I’d been to the doctor and confirmed what I’d thought was true: I was pregnant.
Part of me was elated. The other part was in pure, utter panic mode. My life was changing at a speed I hadn’t expected. We wanted kids, but if Devlin wasn’t on board with our family expanding in the near future…
I was suddenly nauseated and knew it was nerves rather than morning sickness.
“Anaya?” Devereaux called my name from the kitchen. I forced myself to pull it together. I had a plan for tonight, and it had to go well. I needed this to be a special night, needed to connect with my husband in a way our hectic lives just hadn’t allowed for recently. And if my conscience told me it was slightly underhanded of me to use that connection to soften up Devlin before telling him my news, well, my conscience could shove it for once.
I walked back into the kitchen, a smile plastered on my face. “Sorry about that.” I took the piece of paper Devereaux handed me. “I’ll follow your instructions to the letter, I promise.” I looked at the clock and winced. “I hate to rush you out the door, but I’ve got to clean up and then get back to the Emerald. I’ve been so busy packing to move into this place that I’ve dumped almost all the paperwork on Leah. If I know her, she’s thisclose to turning it into origami.”
“Having as much affection for paperwork as she does, I can’t say I blame her. I’ll leave you to your day. Congratulations on…whatever it is you’re surprising Devlin with tonight.”
Devereaux wasn’t the kind of guy to pry, and at the moment, I was grateful for his unobtrusive nature. Lord knew I wouldn’t get the same consideration at my next stop.
* * * *
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“Tell meeeee.”
Leah Montgomery-Levi was many things—wife, mother, best friend, and business partner, to name a few. She and I co-owned and ran Emerald Valley Bed & Breakfast and had done an amazing job, if I did say so myself. Yet despite the levels of maturity, responsibility, and business acumen it took to not only run the Emerald but a side business as a graphic artist as well, Leah could and often did act like a three-year-old when someone she loved was keeping a secret from her. Which was why, rather than doing paperwork in the Emerald’s kitchen like she normally did, Leah had planted herself in my office and was currently taking over half my desk so she could harangue me while we worked.
I tried not to laugh, but whenever Lei tried to pout, she looked ridiculous. “Don’t you have a daughter who should be doing the whole ‘acting like a toddler’ thing? Where is Miri, anyway? You didn’t bring her in this morning.”
“Oh, I sold her to pirates.”
“Pirates?”
“Would you prefer traveling circus?”
“Lei…”
“Traded her for magic beans?”
“Sometimes I find it unfair that no one outside family ever sees what a lunatic you are.”
“That’s your lot in life. Miri’s to be spoiled by Jon’s parents for the day. Part of me thinks that’s the last thing she needs right now. She had an all-out tantrum when I told her we weren’t bringing the cat with us to the Emerald. I’m not even exaggerating—my beautiful baby girl transformed into a shrieking demon hell spawn in five seconds flat. But whether or not she deserves a day of fun after that, I desperately wanted a break from the terrible twos. Given how much paperwork I knew I’d be dealing with today, I didn’t want to deal with any monster-child tantrums. Jon’s working late, but after work he’ll pick her up and come on over.”
“Thanks for covering for me tonight.” Despite having a perfectly good home, Devlin and I were still living at my apartment at the B and B. The downside of the Emerald being a two-woman show was that either Leah or I had to be there at night. Since Leah had married Jon, that person had been me, which hadn’t been a problem until recently. The two of us had been searching for an innkeeper so Devlin and I could actually move into our new home, but so far we hadn’t had any luck finding someone qualified for the job. And now with a baby on the way, I didn’t know how I’d be able to budget for a new hire, even though we’d need an innkeeper more urgently than before. “I’ll make sure my apartment here is toddler-proof. It should be, but between Devlin working all hours at the restaurant and me working here and having every weekend booked with spring-wedding photography clients, I haven’t been paying much attention. I do know I’ve got half-packed boxes everywhere, and I apologize in advance for the mess.”
“Don’t worry about it. Barring any walk-ins, we don’t have guests on the first floor tonight, just the two couples on the second. I figured we’d take the family-sized guest room on one and leave your apartment alone. Miri’s monster-under-the-bed nightmares have pretty much stopped, but I’d rather not be on the same floor as guests just in case.
“Now stop trying to change the subject, and tell me what you’re up to. Aside from playing hooky to sex it up in your new house, of course.”
“Who says I’m up to anything?”
She snorted. “Naya, we’ve been best friends for nearly three decades. Three decades. I know when you’re hiding something. Spill. Now.”
That was actually true. She and I had been best friends for practically forever. The only thing that had changed since my marriage to Devlin was that now we were sisters legally rather than figuratively; Lei was married to Devlin’s twin.
“It’s something I have to talk about with Devlin first, okay? I promise I’ll tell you after I tell him.”
The childish act dropped in a flash. She reached across the desk to grab my hand. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Leah relaxed, letting go of my hand, and for a moment I felt bad for worrying her. I might accuse her of being a nag, but she was a loving nag who wouldn’t hesitate to throw herself in front of a bus for me if the situation called for it.
“Does it have to do with your photography business?” she asked.
“Nope.” Though my stomach churned when I thought about all the adjustments I’d have to make there as well.
Lei leaned forward, crossed her arms, and studied me with a critical eye; I could practically see her putting the pieces together.
“Oh my God. You’re pregnant!” she squealed.
I sighed and shook my head. I’d never had any luck keeping a secret once Leah latched on to it.
“This is so exciting! When are you due?”
“November, I think.”
“Right at the start of our busiest season. Figures.” She made a face. “Not that I’m one to talk, but whatever. We’ll make it work. I’ve got Miri’s old crib and a bunch of other stuff I packed away in case you ever needed…” Her voice trailed off as she seemed to notice that I wasn’t jumping up and down. “Why aren’t you excited? I know this is something you’ve wanted.”
It was. Desperately. Except… “I am happy. Only, it wasn’t in our plan for this to happen just yet.”
“Plans change.”
“No kidding.” I rested my head in my hands for a minute. Ho
w to explain? This was one of the best things to ever happen to me, but it was also daunting.
“Look,” I said, straightening up and gesturing at the paperwork on my desk. “We’ve expanded our side businesses as well as the Emerald to the point where we have to hire outside help if I’m having a baby. Someone has to be here at night, and the soundproofing on this place isn’t so good that Devlin and I can pace around at night with a crying baby without disturbing guests.”
She regarded me for a minute, then nodded. “You’re worried about the cost.”
“That’s part of it. Kids aren’t cheap, Lei. I won’t lie; it’s a big reason why Devlin and I intended to put off having one. The Emerald and Decadence are doing well, and I’ve got plenty of photography clients, so even with the new house, we’re doing okay. But that was with the expectation that you and I would hire an innkeeper for the Emerald, and I would be able to move into my house and take a year to regroup financially before I got pregnant.”
Leah stood and walked around the table to kneel beside my chair. “Naya, it’s going to be okay. You and Devlin are not alone. Not ever. You and I have always had each other’s backs, and it’s the same for Jon and Devlin.
“We’ll figure out something for the Emerald. Miri will be almost three by the time you’re due. If I have to spend the nights here for a while, then Jon and I will manage that.”
“That’s impractical. We’re potentially talking months, depending on how our books look.”
“It’s not ideal, but it’s doable. When I was pregnant with Miri and stuck on bed rest, did you sit on your ass or pick it up double-time during our busiest season to make this place a success?”
“It’s not the same.”
“Bullshit,” she snapped. “We’re partners. More importantly, we’re family, so don’t ever think I’d do any less for you than you would for me. After you and Devlin figure out what you want to do, we’ll get together, contact our accountant, look at the books for our businesses, and come up with a plan.”
