A Pinch of Sugar (Lights Camera Insta-love 1)
Determined to keep her happy and smiling, I pick Alice up in my arms and carry her to the kitchen to assemble her cake. With her eyes looking up at me with such trust…and dare I say affection? I am suddenly desperate to know every single thing about her. Alice. This woman I have already fallen in love with.
* * *
Alice
I’m wrapped a hotel robe that feels like a cloud, huddled in the middle of a king-sized bed and Sebastian is forking Black Forest cake into my mouth. This has to be heaven because God himself wouldn’t be able to top it. My body is still buzzing from the orgasm he gave me with his mouth and oh my God I can’t even think about it without squealing internally, my toes curling like a pig’s tail.
“Where do you live, Alice?”
“I have a one-bedroom in Morningside Heights.” I squint out the picture window overlooking the city, trying to get my bearings and finally point north. “Way up that way.”
“Mmm. Do you like it there?”
“It’s nothing special, but it’s mine.” I lick a crumb off my finger and watch his blue eyes darken. Oh man, look at him sitting there. Shirtless and ruthlessly fit and sprinkled in black and gray hair. I could snap a picture of him just like this and it could pass for the cover of People magazine’s sexiest man alive edition. “My parents are civil servants. They worked really hard for what I had growing up and I like to do the same.” I lift my chin with mock pride. “I’m kind of cheap, actually. I love a bargain.”
His expression is intense. “You deserve spoiling.”
“I’m being spoiled right now.” I accept another forkful of cake from Sebastian and just like the last bite, it’s the most delectable thing I’ve ever tasted. “How did I have anything to do with this wonderful cake?”
“You let yourself enjoy making it. That’s how.” He takes his own bite. “You’re someone who likes being good at things. I could tell when I saw you at Landmark. You take pride in running a tight ship.”
“You’re right.” Pleasure flushes me at the proof he’s been paying close attention. “The first time I tried baking, I failed. Hard. It was a birthday cake for my mother and it looked more like a mud pie than anything.”
“And every time you tried after that, you were too afraid of messing up to enjoy the process?”
“Something like that.” I flop sideways on the bed, my body sated and my belly full of cake, folding my hands under my cheek and looking up at the man of my dreams. Literally. “Maybe you’ve cured me.”
He sets down the fork on the plate in favor of stroking my hair. “Maybe.” A thoughtful light enters his eyes. “We’ve established you like being good at things, so explain your choice in men.”
A flush climbs my neck. “You are my choice in men,” I whisper.
“Yes. And I’m grateful as hell for that. But I’m talking about the tosser who nominated you to be ambushed.”
“Oh. I’d forgotten about him,” I say honestly, my forehead in a pucker. “I’ve dated. A lot. I didn’t think I’d ever meet someone who made me feel like…you. Or meet someone who could fulfill those fantasies. But I had to try and capture the feeling of being…precious. Belonging to a man who was in charge.” My laughter is quiet. “It usually only takes me a couple of weeks to realize a guy doesn’t have what you have. And I break up with them. But I’ve never…I didn’t have to be physical with them to find out. It was just a feeling. I knew.” I drop my voice to a murmur. “I wasn’t lying when I said I was a virgin. I’ve barely even kissed anyone. I think part of me was waiting. Just in case…”
Sebastian eases me onto my back and climbs on top of me in nothing but his boxer briefs—and I almost pass out from the heat that swamps me. “Just in case the man you’ve been having fantasies about since you were a young girl…ends up as a judge on a reality show and you a contestant?”
I giggle. “Kind of a long shot, huh?”
“Yes.” A frown mars his brow. “But thank God it happened.”
“Yes,” I whisper. “Thank God.” Feeling absolutely decadent, I wrap my legs around his hips. “What about you, Mr. Cove? What have you been doing all your life, besides taking the world by storm with your desserts and making people cry on television?”
He chuckles and a hot tingle passes through me, head to toe. Wow. I thought he was beautiful when he glared, but when he’s amused, he’s a five alarm fire.
“I’ve been…” He stops short, his stare turning a little distant. “Going through the motions. Only I don’t think I realized it until now. I’ve always thought, I have fame and money and respect, so if I’m still unhappy, that’s my own bloody fault.” His gaze is drawn back to mine, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. “I thought there was something missing inside of me. Something I needed to be happy. But I don’t think that’s true anymore. I was missing you.”