Always Room for Cupcakes (Cupcakes 1)

“Oh, yeah,” I said, looking down to where my hand was clutching my stomach. “Just cramps.”

I found that if you talked about cramping or periods in any given situation, that almost always caused the other person to redirect and change the subject, or sometimes even walk away.

I was hoping for the latter in this case, instead he rolled his eyes and said, “I’m so tired of you women using that shit as an excuse. Any time you don’t want to do anything you blame it on cramps and periods. Well, I call bullshit.”

After what I’d just witnessed back in that room, the last thing I wanted was this man judging me, or any women for that matter, so what he said really pissed me off.

With my hands on my hips I yelled, “Oh, really? Bullshit? I’d like to see you bleed out of your dick for one week every month and see how you fucking deal!”

I didn’t wait for him to reply, I just stomped off to my car, got in, and drove off, leaving him staring after me with a scowl.

I’d managed to make it through the rest of my week without any other embarrassing assumptions. What I didn’t do, however, was find hide or hair of any of the Coke Club or Hector. Suffice it to say, Moose was not happy with me, but if I didn’t see anything, it was impossible for me to get a picture of it.

Now I was riding on the back of Cade’s bike, snuggled happily against his back as we cruised out to his place. I was really excited to see where he lived. Curious about how he lived, and totally planning to snoop as much as I could to learn more about him.

I’d taken the time to straighten my hair, which because of its thickness and curl took almost an entire hour to accomplish. Unsure of what the plan for the night was, I hadn’t felt comfortable packing an overnight bag … I didn’t want to look presumptuous. But I did bring my big purse, which concealed my toothbrush, fresh underwear, and a rolled-up maxi dress, because who was I kidding, I totally hoped I was having a sleepover at Cade’s!

The roar of the machine between my legs did nothing to ease the ache I felt after what seemed like weeks of foreplay with this unbelievably virile man. If he didn’t initiate something that night, I was afraid I’d totally embarrass myself by humping his leg.

That’s how badly I needed to get off.

We drove out past The Heights, then down a long road with houses scattered a few acres apart. When we started to slow, I looked around Cade’s massive body to see a beautiful log cabin home in the distance.

I immediately fell in love.

Beautiful stone pillars accented the front porch, which held a couple Adirondack chairs.

That was all I saw before he pulled the bike up next to his truck and turned it off. I retrieved my purse from the side satchel thingy, then followed him around the truck to the front of the house, my eyes taking in every inch of the beautiful wood features.

Cade opened the door, and I had a second to wonder why it wasn’t locked, when a large black beast darted out and headed straight for me.

Before I had a chance to register what was what, the large black lab’s snout beelined right for my crotch. I tried, unsuccessfully, to push the dog’s head back, and when that didn’t work, I maneuvered my body by turning my hips to the side.

Finally, Cade saved me by saying sternly, “Rufus,” and the dog immediately left me to go sit next to his master.

I knew I’d turned red, it was always embarrassing when a dog sniffed your crotch, but it was even more so when you were with a scary hot guy who was grinning down at you.

I lowered my head, trying to compose myself, when Cade’s heat hit me and his breath caressed my ear as he murmured, “If it were socially acceptable, I’d greet you in the same way.”

Okay, that just embarrassed me more, even as it made the lust curl deep in my belly.

I reached up and slapped Cade on the arm, without lifting my head, and heard him chuckle as he walked away. I took a few deep breaths, told myself to move on and cover myself anytime Rufus came near, then followed Cade inside.

I shut the door behind me, swiveling my head back and forth, taking everything in as I entered his living space.

With an open floor plan, it looked like one large room, with a living room, kitchen, dining area, and a staircase in the back corner. The furnishings were manly and rustic, fitting the house beautifully. There were even some beautiful wood carvings that Cade had made into a coffee table, and the dining room table.

“It’s gorgeous,” I breathed as I walked around, circling his space.

Cade was leaning against his kitchen counter, absently petting Rufus as he watched me with a small smile.

“Thanks. I knew what I wanted, planned it out for years. When I was finally ready, I worked with a builder to create exactly what I’d envisioned. I’m happy with the way it turned out.”

“I bet,” I replied, then wandered over to look at the framed picture on his mantel. “Is this your family?”

The photograph showed Cade with who I assumed were his parents and sister. They all had the same glossy dark hair, tanned skin, and intense eyes. Cade was in the picture too, and they were all standing on a hilltop or mountain, overlooking the ocean, and they were laughing.

They were a striking group.