Baby Cakes - A Vegas, Baby Novella

Knox shut the door quietly behind him, and I grudgingly mumbled my thanks. Sudden, loud noises could startle one of the artists and cause them to make a mistake.

I rounded my desk but didn’t sit, choosing to stand so he didn’t have a perceived advantage. “Why the hell should I explain myself to you, Dawson?” I barked.

Knox took a threatening step forward, then narrowed his eyes when I showed no outward reaction. “Because she’s my sister, and it’s my job to protect her. So, I’ll ask again, what the fuck is going on between you and Ariel?” He was yelling by the time he finished, steam practically spewing from his ears.

I debated fucking with him just because it was really none of his business. However, I was glad Ariel had so many people protecting her back and if I’d had a sister, I imagined I would probably act like an overbearing jackass, too.

Deciding to put an end to this shit, I walked over to a safe sitting on a table that was pushed up against the wall to the left of my desk. I punched in the combination, and the door swung open. There were several folders of important paperwork, the bank deposit envelope, and a small, black box. I took the last item out and shut the door, locking it once more before turning to face Knox.

I tossed the box in his direction without a word, and he easily caught it. He lifted the lid and stared at the three-carat, pink diamond on a rose gold band. After staring at it for a couple of beats, he snapped it shut and met my eyes. “This is what I think it is?” he asked with an arched brow.

“I’ve known Ariel was it for me from the moment I met her. I called in a favor and ordered the ring after she left my shop yesterday. They dropped it off this morning.”

Knox studied me for a long minute, his face unreadable. Then he tossed the box back and lifted one corner of his mouth, which I assumed was his version of a smile. “You’re lucky I’ve known you for years and Griffith stepped in to convince me that you weren’t having a fling with Ariel,” he informed me in a gruff tone. “I’ll give you a chance to make her happy, but”—he stepped closer, and this time I actually felt a fucking shiver run through me at the deadly warning in his eyes—“if you hurt my sister, I will take one of these tattoo guns to your balls before I cut them the fuck off. Is that clear?”

I held up my hands in a gesture of surrender. “Understood.”

Knox grunted before pivoting and walking to the door. His hand was on the knob when he glanced back at me over his shoulder. “I better see that ring on her finger before I hear about her being pregnant.”

“You’re pushing it with your demands, Dawson,” I sneered. “Just take the win, knowing that I love her and am going to marry her.”

He grumbled something unintelligible before storming, albeit quietly, from my office and out of the shop.

I stuffed the ring box in my pocket and sat at my desk to attempt to do some paperwork before my next client arrived. It was somewhat of a relief to have that confrontation done and over with. I would never have guessed that facing Knox would be a piece of cake compared to a protective older sister.

Chapter 9

Ariel

I was still riding high from the orgasm Maddox had given me hours later when I delivered the second wedding cake to the chapel. It was one of my best creations yet—each of the four tiers were different flavors; chocolate with toasted marshmallow filling on the bottom, lemon and lavender buttermilk filled with lemon on the second, mocha paired with rum custard on the third, and vanilla with a sweet rose cream on top. Each layer was frosted with white buttercream, and I’d decorated it with buttercream hydrangeas flowing over the top tier and circling the bottom two that were a perfect match for the flowers in the bride’s bouquet. The beauty of what I’d created only added to my happiness.

It’d turned out to be an excellent day for me. I’d gotten further along in my reception prep for tomorrow than I’d expected. And since I didn’t need to worry about moving my stuff into Maddox’s place like I’d thought I’d need to do, I was looking forward to being able to spend my evening relaxing with him instead of packing up a bunch of boxes. Especially with everything he’d said he had planned for us.

More orgasms for me, a blowjob for him, and another round of sex, but in a bed this time, sounded like the perfect night to me. I might not have had any experience before him, but I had a feeling that I’d be able to drive Maddox past the edge of his control when I got my mouth on him. Just the thought of it had my lips curving up in feminine satisfaction.