Do Me Baby (The Beaumont Series) (14 page)

Chapter 14

“Thank you so much for bringing my favorite cupcakes.”

“No problem. Bianca said they were her birthday gift to you.”

Danica nodded. “They are. Ever since I had them at her Christmas party last year, I’ve been talking about them.”

“You know you can always come to the bakery. The lemon is my special on Wednesdays.”

“I know, but I’ve been trying to stay away from them. My hips are wide enough after having those Beaumont babies,” she added with a scowl.

Debra gave the former runway model a once-over. Her curves were still in all the right places. Debra remembered when the redheaded beauty had graced the cover of
Essence
magazine. For the last five years she had been happily married to Bianca’s brother Jaden, who once had been the black sheep of the family. While the other three siblings had taken their places at the Beaumont Corporation, Jaden had joined the army and later returned to Sheraton Beach and opened his own chain of auto body shops, Auto Beau. With his good looks and Danica’s beauty, they were clearly a gorgeous couple, and were now the proud parents of two.

“Where’s Bianca?”

Danica bit into a cupcake and moaned before answering. “She’s on her way. There was a small fire at the Wilmington restaurant and she and London drove up to check it out.”

Debra nodded. Bianca had called her this morning to tell her there had been a grease fire in the kitchen that had taken longer than normal to contain. There appeared to have been minimal damage, but London had been freaking out about it all morning. “I’m hoping everything is okay.”

“So am I. Mmmm, this is so good. Too good. That’s why I try to stay away from these,” Danica managed between chews.

Debra was beyond pleased at the fruits of her labor. “That’s the idea. I want everyone addicted to my cupcakes.”

“Girl, if you were on Main Street, you wouldn’t be able to bake these fast enough.”

“I know, which is why I desperately want Kona Donuts.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, that would be wonderful! Did you know it was up for sale?”

Debra gave a weary sigh. “Yep, and it’s way outta my price range.”

Danica pondered her response before saying. “You ever thought about having a few silent partners to go into business with?”

Debra held up her hand and shook her head. “No, Bianca already offered, and I told her no. If I can’t do it myself then I figure God’s tryna tell me something.”

Danica gave her another long penetrating stare before she finally nodded. “Okay, I’ll respect your decision, just as long as you don’t stop baking
these
. I guess I’m going to start having to drive out to your bakery on Wednesdays.” She slowly licked cream cheese from her fingers.

Debra smiled. “Me and my pocketbook would definitely appreciate that.”

Danica laughed and the two chatted some more before she finally excused herself to greet her guests.

After she was gone Debra blew out a long breath, then allowed her eyes to travel around the beautiful stainless steel kitchen with black marble countertops and more cherry cabinets than she could have ever filled at home. The kitchen had a huge center island where Debra reached for one of the decorative platters and layered it with cupcakes.

She was almost tempted to accept Danica and Bianca’s offer of a partnership so that she could buy the property. Bianca had even offered to simply loan her the money, but she had flat out refused. She didn’t want to get in the habit of owing anyone anything. And the number one issue to end a friendship was money. Her relationship with Bianca was much too important to risk that.

As she filled the platters she allowed her mind to fantasize about being down on Main Street with customers lined up around the corner, eager to sample her latest creations. The location had always been her dream, and if her bid wasn’t big enough and someone else got the shop she knew she was going to be devastated, but at least she’d know she had lost it on her own.

She had learned years ago how to be a survivor. Her mother had barely been around, and when Rita Anderson had been around her mind had been on everything but her girls. She’d rather give Debra and Harmony money and usher them back out the front door so she wouldn’t be disturbed as she entertained her many male visitors.

Debra couldn’t remember her mother ever having had a job. Rita figured, why work when you could let your body work for you? It was humiliating to see how her mother made her money, draining men’s wallets. Debra had been determined never to depend on anyone for anything, even if their intentions were good. If she couldn’t afford it, she went without. As a result, she felt a sense of deep pride with everything she accomplished on her own.

The doorbell rang, breaking her from her thoughts. She moved over to the sink to rinse off her spatula so she could layer another tray. Jaden and Danica were expecting over one hundred guests. Tables and chairs lined the lawn out back beneath a large white canopy where lanterns hung for nightfall. Soft piano music could be heard a few yards away. Bianca had mentioned that Jaden had hired a local band. The Beaumonts were adamant about supporting local talent.

Debra was reaching for a dish towel when her body stilled.

She knew Rance was behind her the second he stepped inside the room. She didn’t need to see him. She felt his presence like a stirring in the air just before a rainstorm.

“Hello, Deb.”

Excitement jolted through her. It was unbelievable that just his voice could still do that to her.

She turned away from the counter and looked up at him. It was all she could do to brace the counter so she wouldn’t wobble to her knees. Inhaling deeply, she finally found the breath to say, “Hi. I thought you weren’t getting in until late.”

She watched as he took a drink from a bottle of beer in his hand. Apparently, he had already raided the cooler out on the patio. “I was able to catch an early flight.”

She swallowed. Her plan had been to drop off the cupcakes and get back home before he arrived.

“You look delicious.”

And so did he. Debra watched as his brown eyes traveled from her head to her toes, taking in everything she was wearing in a complete sweep. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a short-sleeved, light blue polo shirt. He stood there in his relaxed stance, waiting, with a bottle in his hand. Debra realized that the longer she stared, the better he looked, and she absorbed his confidence and strength.

Everything about Rance Beaumont screamed professional basketball player. Height, stance, and gear. He looked like a man with privilege whom women chased down for his autographed. She preferred a quiet life with a simple man, but even knowing that she still felt the tightening of her nipples at the sight of him. She’d wanted to be over him by now, but clearly she was not. She was tired of being taunted by the memories of the cruise and the time they’d had with each other.

And for that reason she was actually glad Rance was here, because she needed to get the man out of her system so she could move on.

He took another drink and set the bottle on the counter, moving closer to her.

As tall as he was, it didn’t take much. By the time Debra realized what he was about to do his lips were already pressed against hers. The kiss was spicy and explosive. He’d been eating hot wings, and she tasted the buffalo sauce on his tongue. It added to the heat of his confident strokes.

This is what she’d missed. This man’s touch. His kiss. The feel of his hard, strong body pushed up close against hers. Warmth not felt since the last time he’d touched her slid through her body.

His hands traveled up and down her back, holding her, pressing her as close as he could. His mouth took hers again and again, and she met every generous stroke of his tongue eagerly. God, she’d missed him! She had found nothing that could compare to what had happened when they’d come together. No other man she’d ever met could compare to Rance.

And that meant she was in way over her head.

She parted her lips and took his tongue inside her mouth. A groaned slipped from her throat, and he drew her even closer. Heat was shooting through every nerve in her body. There was so much electricity between them. So much heat.

Was it any wonder she was attracted to him? Their relationship had been instant, explosive, but now it was time for the spark to burn out.

Debra realized that allowing him to hold and kiss her this way was a huge mistake. Falling into Rance’s arms was not the way to get over him. He was a man accustomed to getting what he wanted, and people bowing down at his feet. The cruise was over. She told herself that his charm and charisma might have worked on the weekend voyage, but not here. Not anymore.

She pushed him away, took one step back, and swayed unsteadily while she gasped for air. His eyes were still locked on hers. “I’m here to deliver cupcakes, not be attacked by some two-fifty-pound basketball player.”

He laughed. “Oh, so you got jokes tonight.”

She forced a smile while her lips burned from the heated kiss.

“Enough. I have work to do.”

His eyes narrowed with confusion. “Is that how you talk to your fiancé?” She saw amusement flashing in his gaze.

Debra rolled her eyes upward. In no way had she expected the news media to track her down. She had even received a call from a writer for
People
Magazine. It was unbelievable. She’d never forget the face of Carren Clark, a reporter for Channel 8 News, when she’d dropped by the bakery expecting an exclusive story. That chick never knew when to quit. Even in high school Carren had been a pain in the ass. Debra still didn’t know what Jace had ever seen in her. He had dated her briefly before he’d fallen in love with Sheyna Simmons.

“I’m glad that rumor is dead,” she retorted, referring to the fashion model.

“I don’t wanna talk about that. I wanna talk about us.”

“Us?” His gaze drilled into hers. “What about
us
?”

He frowned down at her and seemed surprised that she hadn’t seemed fazed by the question. “Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”

She dropped her head and made a show of putting the cupcakes on a platter.

“Deb… I’m talking to you.”

“About what?” she asked without looking up.

“I asked you a question. Hey.” He cupped her chin and tipped it so she was forced to stop and look at him. “I’ve been texting and calling you all week. What gives?” He almost sounded hurt at being ignored. She figured it was more his pride than anything else.

“I saw you and your new model girlfriend, Chanelle.”

He wet his lips. “She’s not my girlfriend. Just a friend who invited me to be her escort to a fashion show. The only reason I agreed was because I was trying to get the paparazzi off your ass. Jace mentioned the television and news cameras were following you around town.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “Really. That’s all it was.”

And she believed him.

“Trust me, Deb. I got your back.”

His grin warmed her more than any gas fireplace. “It’s nice to know somebody does.”

“I definitely do.” Reaching up, he caressed her cheek. “You make me crazy, you know that?” He shook his head slowly.

His eyes blazed with desire. Debra tilted her head and Rance leaned forward for another kiss that was downright tasty. Nothing like polluting a sista’s judgment with those irresistible lips, sending her pulse into a tailspin. Debra sighed as he deepened the kiss, snatching her breath away. When he finally drew back and winked, she swayed unsteadily.

Nervously, she shifted her weight onto her other leg, refusing to give in to the desire to lean into him again, or beg him to carry her to the nearest closet and make love to her.

She tipped her head back and looked up at him. And in that instance, she felt that familiar connection zing between them.

“Did you miss me?” Rance asked. His eyes were dark and serious. Lips slightly parted. “Debra, c’mon, answer the question. Did you miss me?” he repeated.

He was standing too close, so how in the world did he expect her to think straight? Debra licked her parched lips and finally nodded.