Baby Cakes - A Vegas, Baby Novella

Tears had welled in her eyes and they spilled over, streaking down her cheeks. However, the joy brimming in them and the beautiful smile on her lips assured me that they were happy tears.

“I love you too,” she breathed.

“I know, baby,” I sighed as I released her face and stepped—only a few inches—away. “I was trying to come up with a perfect, romantic way to do this. You deserve all the cheesy shit, but I’m an inpatient motherfucker and I need to see you wearing this.” I dug into the right pocket of my jeans and pulled out the little box I’d shown Knox earlier in the day. I held it between us and flipped up the lid to show her the ring nestled inside.

Ariel stared at it as though it were the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. “Maddox, it’s—wow, it’s perfect.” She looked at me through her lashes and smiled sweetly. “It’s fast but…Yes!” she shrieked as she threw herself into my arms. I stumbled backwards with a laugh, holding her tightly to me.

“I don’t recall asking, baby,” I teased before swooping down and covering her mouth with my own. Our tongues tangled, and she moaned as she leaned into me, deepening the kiss. I tore my lips away to grab her hand and slip the ring onto her finger. Then I palmed her ass, yanking her body into mine, taking her lips in another passionate kiss. Ariel’s arms wound around my neck, and I boosted her up so that she could wrap her legs around my middle.

Suddenly, we jerked apart as a high-pitched beeping filled the air. “Shit!” Keeping my hold on Ariel, I dashed into the kitchen. I set her on a counter on the opposite side of the smoking stove and commanded, “Stay,” before grabbing oven mitts and shutting off the oven. I lowered the door and waved away some of the thick grey cloud. After donning oven mitts, I carefully removed the baking dish that was now covered in charred, shell-shaped briquettes.

“Fucking hell,” I mumbled in annoyance and tossed the sheet of ruined cakes onto the stovetop. Ariel was giggling uncontrollably as she twisted on the counter and opened the window behind her. I waved a couple of pot holders in front of the smoke alarm and tried not to be disappointed that my gesture was ruined.

“Are—are those supposed to”—she asked as she laughed even harder—”supposed to be Madeleines?”

The alarm had finally stopped blaring, but I nodded silently as I turned away. To my absolute fucking mortification, my cheeks had grown hot. I threw the pot holders onto the counter near the sink and put my hands on my hips, glaring at the mess.

Slender arms wrapped around me and I felt Ariel press her cheek into my back. “Maddox?”

“Yeah, baby?” I grunted.

She tugged on my hips, encouraging me to pivot and face her. The warmth had cleared from my face, so I did as she’d asked. Ariel was looking up at me with a knowing smile, her blue eyes twinkling merrily. “Have you ever baked anything before?”

I sighed and shook my head. “Not a damn thing.”

Ariel’s smile widened, and she glanced at the baking dish. “And you thought you’d start out by attempting to make delicate French cakes?”

Son of a bitch. I felt the blush return to my cheeks, and I lifted my eyes to the ceiling. “Like you,” I muttered.

“Pardon?” I could tell from her tone that she was fighting laughter again.

“They reminded me of you. Sweet and delicate. I wanted to make something special for you.”

Ariel placed her small hands on my cheeks, and she nudged my head down so our eyes met. Her face was soft and radiated with love, sending a different kind of warmth flooding through my body. “You’re amazing, Maddox. I’ll admit, the image of a big, tattooed badass like you baking Madeleines is pretty funny.” I frowned but she gave me a quick kiss, obviously meant to soothe. “It’s also incredibly sweet, and I love you even more for it. I hope you’ll let me teach you how to master them. Then one day, you can bake them with our daughter.”

Then she peered up at me through her lashes again, this time with a coy smile. “It’s also a huge turn on.”

My hands fisted in the fabric of her shirt at her lower back, and I brought our bodies into contact again. “Is that so?”

Ariel nodded quickly, and her cheeks flamed adorably. “Since I don’t have any Madeleines to eat…maybe you should give me something equally as mouthwatering to devour.”

“Fucking hell,” I groaned. “Yup. Sexy as fuck,” I muttered as I swept her up into my arms, then threw her over my shoulder, fireman style. I felt a sharp slap on my ass, and I growled in warning. “Keep that up, baby, and you won’t have a chance to suck me off before I shove my cock in your hot little pussy and fill you with my come.” I didn’t intend to come anywhere but inside her until I knew she was knocked the fuck up.