Love for Dessert (Contemporary Romance) (3 page)

“What are you going to do now?!” Erica Emmott was relentless as she scolded Anastasia. “How could you have been so silly, quitting your job like that!” Erica sighed heavily as she glared at her daughter, who shriveled under her piercing gaze. “Are you crazy? Is this because of Aaron? Really, Anastasia, I raised you better than this!”

“Mom, they were going to demote me!” Anastasia tried to argue back. “And it’s only been a week since Aaron left… Why can’t you support me? I no longer want to be a stuffy accountant, it’s tedious! I need change in my life.”

“Other women get a new haircut or a pet or something, but quitting your career job? Really! I can hardly believe it.” Erica frowned in disappointment.

“Well, believe it, Mom. Because it’s happened.” Anastasia rolled her eyes.

Erica sighed. “So what are you going to do now? Become a fairy tale princess?”

Anastasia picked up the newspaper that was lying on the kitchen table. She pointed at a leasing advertisement for an empty space in the city. “Open a bakery.”

**

It took a while to calm Erica down, but nearly an hour later, Anastasia managed to succeed. “Honey, I know you’ve always wanted to be a baker, but it’s not a practical idea!”

“No, Mom, it’s all going to work out! Don’t worry. I’m going to go check out the open place in half an hour. It would mean a lot to me if you supported me. Please, Mom?” Anastasia shot her mother a pleading look.

“Fine… Honey, if this is really what you want to do, then I support you to the best of my ability.” Erica sighed. “I’ll even come with you today, how about that?”

“Thanks, Mom.” Anastasia grinned. “It’s nice of you to offer, but Ariana and I are going together. She’ll be here any minute now.”

Erica nodded understandingly. “Alright, alright. I’ll get out of your hair then.” She picked up her bags and after a nice hug, headed out the door.

Ariana arrived a couple minutes later, in a clean summer dress and an adorable pink bag. “Hey, girl!” Anastasia greeted her. “Ready to go?”

“Yep, let’s go!”

**

Anastasia spun around happily, her arms out in the air. “This is perfect!” The place had originally been a café, and it was absolutely amazing. It was a quaint little space, and all it needed was a new paint job and some furniture. She could see it now, her bakery would be cute yet elegant. “Ariana, isn’t this just fabulous?”

Ariana laughed hesitantly. “Yeah, Ana, it’s real nice and all, but the thing is… There’s another bakery right over there.” She pointed across the street, a couple shops away. “There’s going to be a lot of squabbling over business…”

“Hmm…” Anastasia thought about it. “Maybe we should go over to check them out. See how their business is.”

“Are you still any
good at baking?” Ariana said as she swatted Anastasia on the arm playfully. “I’ve never eaten anything you’ve made in ages.”

Anastasia didn’t miss a beat. “Yes you have. Remember your birthday cake, when I wouldn’t tell you where I got the cake from? The one you ate almost half of?” She pointed at herself proudly.

“What! Really?!” Ariana laughed happily. “Then, damn, you got skill. I’m convinced. Now let’s head over there.”

Ariana and Anastasia headed over to the other bakery. It looked a little old-fashioned, and they weren’t too surprised to see an older man standing behind the counter. “Hello,” he said, and smiled kindly.

“Hello!” They greeted him warmly as they browsed the selection. The bakery had croissants, and some other assorted old-fashioned pastries.

“There’s only one other person in here…” Ariana whispered in a quiet voice, not wanting to offend the man.

Anastasia shrugged. “Maybe it’s a slow day.”

“Ah, Darren!” The old man exclaimed suddenly. The two girls watched as a younger man walked in through the back. “Welcome back.”

“Thanks.” His voice was deep, and masculine, and sent shivers down Anastasia’s spine. She couldn’t see his face, but she could see that he was tall, incredibly so, and he was well built, like he worked out regularly. He didn’t look like the typical man who worked at a bakery.

Before Anastasia could get a glimpse of him, her phone rang. It was the real estate agent. “Hello?” she answered as she motioned to Ariana that they should go back across the street. “Uh-huh… I see… Yes, I’ll be right there…”

“What was that all about?” Ariana asked as Anastasia hung up.

“Someone else is also interested in the place. Damn it. Should I take it?” she said as they walked back towards the empty place.

“I say do it. Be a little spontaneous. You need the change and fresh start, especially after…” Ariana stopped and pulled Anastasia in for a hug, not wanting to mention Aaron’s name. “It’ll work itself out.”

“Thanks, Ari. You’re the best. Really.” Anastasia pushed open the door of the empty place. “Regina?”

Regina the real estate agent came out of the back almost immediately, holding a clipboard and a pen. “Will you take it?” She smiled brightly, hoping to make the sale.

Anastasia gave Ariana one last glance before turning back to Regina. “Yes.”

**

The next few weeks were filled with excitement, as Anastasia prepared for her bakery’s grand opening. There were things to buy, ingredients to order, flyers to be put up, advertisements to be designed, oh, there was just so much work to do. Anastasia was glad for all the work, because it helped her keep her mind off Aaron.

Ariana’s wedding plans were also coming along quite nicely, for she had hired an expert wedding planner who took care of her every need. She had picked out the perfect white dress, and even a beautiful outfit for the bridesmaids. Everything was going along smoothly, and Ariana and Peter seemed more in love than ever.

Anastasia was happy for her best friend, but she couldn’t help but feel something was missing from her own life. A man. She was beginning to get over Aaron, and it was easier because the last couple months with him had felt one-sided anyway. Anastasia stood outside of her bakery, thinking of a name. It had to be something creative, yet tasteful…

She thought about it as she closed up the bakery, glad that in a couple weeks’ time, it would finally be opening. Erica had finally come around, offering financial and emotional assistance, and without her mother, the bakery would have been hard to make a reality. And now it was really happening. Anastasia could hardly believe it, and she was incredibly excited.

Anastasia had a sudden desire to celebrate, but she knew that Ariana was meeting with her wedding planner and she definitely did not want to go drinking with her mother. So she headed to the nearest bar, ironically named Poison, for a drink before going home.

Poison was a rather popular bar with the older crowd, and Anastasia didn’t usually go there; she and Ariana more often frequented Lights
,
a bar that had pulsating neon lights and a top 100 playlist. But today, Anastasia was feeling something more low-key. She stepped through the wooden doors, feeling relaxed immediately by the calming piano music and dim lights. There weren’t too many people here, and that’s how she liked it.

Anastasia took a seat at the bar, and ordered. “A gin and tonic, please.”

“Coming right up.” The bartender was a pretty woman, and she made the drink quickly and expertly. It was obvious many of the men at the bar were only there to stare at her. The bartender had no problems with this, and her low-cut top earned her more tips than the other drink mixers.

“Thanks.” Anastasia shot her a smile as she took a sip of the drink. She surveyed the room, feeling the alcohol travel down her throat satisfyingly. It had been a while since she had had a reason to celebrate, and it felt good. She was finally realizing her childhood dream. Though she still had many hurdles to jump over, financially and emotionally, she had a feeling that everything was going to work itself out. There was a sense of calmness in the entire place, and she enjoyed it. There was a couple in the corner, touching each other intimately, thinking they couldn’t be seen underneath the dim lights. Anastasia chuckled.

There was a clunk next to her and Anastasia turned her head to see that a handsome man had moved to the stool next to her at the bar. He was drinking whiskey, straight, and was wearing a smart suit. Damn, he looked good. Anastasia licked her lips as she looked him up and down. He had long legs, and a chiseled body, like a Greek god. His suit hung off his body well, outlining all of his assets.

The mysterious stranger lifted his glass to his lips as he moved his stool closer to hers. “Have we met?” His voice was deep, and sent tremors down her spine.

She was taken aback, for it seemed like he was hitting on her and if he was, then it would be the first time in ages. “I don’t think we have…” She smiled coyly as she traced the rim of her cup with a finely manicured finger. It was obvious that he liked what he saw, and she felt the same. It had been a while since she had felt that tingling in her stomach for a man.

“Christopher Myers.”

He stretched out a hand and she took it. “Anastasia Emmott.”

“Beautiful name. And beautiful blue eyes.”

Oh, he was a smooth one and she liked it. Anastasia smiled sweetly as she flipped her blond hair behind her shoulder and leaned onto her left shoulder, locking her eyes onto his dark black ones. She wasn’t going to lie, he looked like trouble but trouble always came with a little fun. And fun was exactly what she needed.

“Thanks… You’re not so bad-looking yourself.” She winked before turning back to her drink.

“So what’s a pretty lady like you doing all alone on a gorgeous night like this?” His smile was dazzling, showing all his pearly white teeth. She guessed that he was a businessman, or a lawyer. Whatever he was, it seemed to be a good profession.

Anastasia sipped her gin and tonic. “Just enjoying a drink before I head back to my apartment…” she murmured, tapping her nails on the bar.

“Well, I see you’re almost done with your drink, allow me to buy you another.”

Ah, yes, this Christopher Myers fellow was the perfect gentleman. Anastasia was quickly taken in by his bright smile and his charming words. Within the hour, they were both in his car, speeding back to his apartment. She knew it was a stupid move, and that she knew better than to go with a stranger but he was just so sexy and everything that came out of his mouth made her want to tear his shirt off and take him in her arms.

“We’re almost there…” He chuckled as he placed a hand on hers, which was resting on her leg. She turned her head and watched as he winked at her.

He pulled into a parking garage and wrapped an arm around her as they walked to the elevator. The doors slid open, and they stepped inside. The second the metal doors shut, Christopher pushed her against the wall and pressed his hot, eager lips to hers. He licked her lips with his tongue as her lips parted. Their tongues entwined as her eyes pressed firmly shut, feeling him move against her.

A moan escaped her lips as she felt something hard press against her body. “Someone’s excited.” She laughed throatily as he pulled away and sucked deeply on her neck, leaving a bright red mark. His free hand traveled up her leg and was reaching for the sensitive spot between her legs when…
Ding!

They had reached their floor.

“Wait just a minute longer…” he whispered as he pulled away from her and she ran her hands through her hair, straightening it. The doors opened, and they stepped out onto a nice lush carpet. He smiled at her once before directing her towards a door a couple steps away. He pulled out a key and unlocked the door to his apartment. As soon as she walked in, she was engulfed by a light flowery scent. It was a weird thing to smell in a man’s home, but as the lights flickered on, Anastasia found that there was an abundance of flowers. His apartment was otherwise tastefully decorated. Were the floral arrangements from admirers?

“I like flowers,” he said lightheartedly. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

“That sounds lovely.” She smiled.

He kissed her on her cheek as he motioned towards the comfy looking sofa. “Take a seat, I’ll bring it out.”

Minutes later, he came out carrying two wine glasses, filled halfway with a dark crimson liquid. “Here you go, Anastasia.”

“Thank you.” She smiled as she removed her shoes, and curled up onto the sofa. He sat down next to her, set his own glass down onto the coffee table and took his jacket off, revealing his crisp white shirt. He untied his tie, draping it delicately over the sofa arm.

The two sat and talked only for a couple minutes, as they both drained their glasses of the alcoholic liquid. By this time, Anastasia was somewhat intoxicated, and could only focus on the handsome man in front of her, talking softly in that low, sexy voice.

“Why don’t we… move this to the bedroom?” he murmured quietly. His eyes were absolutely dreamy and seemed to cast a magic spell over her.

Anastasia nodded and allowed him to take her into the darkened bedroom, where a large king-sized bed covered with plush pillows stood in the center. As soon as they were plunged into the darkness, he brushed his lips along her neck and pushed her onto the bed. She fell with a loud thump onto the padded covers as he clambered onto her.

“Mm, you smell delicious…” he whispered as he left a trail of kisses along her jawline, leaving her breathless. She knew this wasn’t a good idea, but a part of her desperately wanted this to happen; she needed more excitement in her life. Anastasia smiled as she felt his erection eagerly press against her leg. Her top slipped off easily, and fell to the floor. It was soon joined by her figure-hugging skirt, and her black lace-fringed underwear. Passion was all she felt as he sucked on her breast. She moaned as his hands set her on fire. It had been too long since she had been touched like this.

Oh, she felt like she had been dead for so many years, and was finally coming alive. As Christopher took her, she relished in the fact that this was a man who wanted her and was completely attracted to her. “You’re so amazing…” he moaned as he moved into her. She smiled as she took in his words. But a small nagging voice in her head told her that he was only saying these things because she was sleeping with him; she pushed it aside.

As he brought her to her climax over and over again that night, Anastasia floated into a state of pure ecstasy. This was where she was meant to be, she thought.

And for the first time in a long time, Anastasia truly felt like a woman again.