A.C. Arthur - Decadent Dreams

Resist temptation…

It seems as though Belinda Drayson-Jones has it all together. Smart and attractive, she is one of the most talented bakers at Lillian’s, her family’s famed Chicago patisserie. Belinda is one of those women who never shows up late, never makes a faux pas, never does anything that would raise someone’s eyebrows. Yet perfection has its price, and the beautiful Ms. Drayson-Jones feels that something is missing from her life. And no one would ever guess the secret she’s keeping.

…or give in to love?

Malik Anthony knows plenty about keeping secrets. He has worked with Belinda for years and has been fighting his feelings just as long. Malik always considered her to be unattainable, until one night when their simmering desire suddenly reaches the boiling point. And if he isn’t mistaken, Belinda is now coming on to him.

What could be more irresistible than being seduced by the boss’s granddaughter? What could be more perfect than giving in?

In the middle of her thoughts, his lips touched hers. She hadn’t seen it coming, because she’d been too deep in her own misery.

But the splash of heat that hit her instantly as his lips brushed lightly over hers a second time was unmistakable.

“Relax,” he whispered, his hand cupping her cheek, tilting her head upward to meet his next assault.

And it was exactly that, a slow brutal assault of each of her senses. His touch was soft, as if she was fragile and he didn’t want to break her. When she inhaled—because otherwise she was sure to faint from the breath she wasn’t aware she’d been holding—the scent of his cologne wafted through her like the fresh scent of a summer’s rainfall. His voice had been a rough whisper that made her nipples go hard. Then his tongue stroked her bottom lip. She hurriedly traced her tongue along that same spot, loving the taste that slightly resembled the pizza they’d just eaten and the beer he’d consumed. That shouldn’t have been sexy in the least bit, but it was. Oh damn, damn, damn, it was.

A.C. ARTHUR

was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where she currently resides with her husband and three children. An active imagination and a love for reading encouraged her to begin writing in high school and she hasn’t stopped since.

Working in the legal field for almost thirteen years, she’s seen lots of horrific things and longs for the safe haven reading a romance novel brings. Her debut novel, Object of His Desire, was written when a picture of an Italian villa sparked the idea of an African-American/Italian hero. Determined to bring a new edge to romance, she continues to develop intriguing plots, sensual love scenes, racy characters and fresh dialogue—thus keeping the readers on their toes!

For all the latest news on A.C. Arthur books, giveaways, appearances and discussions join A.C.’s Book Lounge on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/AC-Arthurs-Book-Lounge/140199625996114.

Decadent Dreams

A.C. Arthur

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To the members of A.C. Arthur’s Book Lounge.

Thanks for all your encouragement and support.

Dear Reader,

Sex and chocolate, two all-time favorites! That’s the first thought that entered my mind when I heard the title Decadent Dreams. The joining of a profitable bakery and a hot and steamy romance was such a great idea I couldn’t wait to begin writing!

The elder Draysons have certainly been sprinkled with love. Now, it’s time for the grandchildren to find their place within the family bakery business and within a loving and stable relationship. Belinda Drayson-Jones is the epitome of an independent woman, she’s gorgeous and wicked-smart and ready to take whatever is thrown her way. Until the man that’s been working right beside her turns her whole world upside down. Malik has his work cut out for him in pursuing Belinda, but he’s never been known as a quitter.

I hope you enjoy Decadent Dreams as much as I enjoyed writing about the delicious products served at Lillian’s Bakery and the delicious nights shared by Malik and Belinda.

Happy reading,

AC

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Prologue

Five hundred cupcakes in fifty minutes.

“No problem,” had been Belinda Drayson-Jones’s immediate response. What else was she going to say? This was her job and she was expected to be perfect at her job as well as everywhere else.

And just to make it interesting, the request was for five different flavors: chocolate-vanilla, classic vanilla, red velvet, triple chocolate and her absolute favorite, dark chocolate vanilla. One hundred of each. Again, no problem.

She’d premixed all her batter so that now it was just a matter of the baking and icing and finishing with crystalized sugar that sparkled with cheerfulness and always went on each cupcake she prepared. It was her signature, one she was more than proud of.

Her kitchen was meticulous, she thought, looking around at the work space on the twelve-foot stainless steel counter. There were three counters lining the baking room of the renowned Lillian’s Bakery. Twelve-foot-long shelves—fully stocked with every ingredient they needed for all the recipes prepared at Lillian’s—obediently against one wall. Professional ovens on another.

The aroma sifted through the room and her stomach growled but there was no time for food. She only had time to work. “Twenty more minutes,” she whispered to herself. The cupcakes were ready to come out. Ten minutes to cool and another ten minutes for icing—and that all boiled down to five hundred cupcakes in fifty minutes.

“No problem,” she repeated, slipping on her oven mitts and heading to the ovens.

She took out the first tray so fast she didn’t even look at the cupcakes. It was when she pulled out the second tray and turned to place it on the table that she saw the jiggle. One triple chocolate wasn’t completely done. Not a problem, she could put back in this tray. She still had time. Except when she reached for the next tray, the vanilla batter wasn’t all the way cooked either, because there were big bubbles erupting from each cupcake.

A frown, then a silent curse, and Belinda pulled out another tray to have a closer look. The oven was blazing hot so she knew that wasn’t the problem. And before she could give the problem closer scrutiny, there was a popping sound like an explosion, and red velvet batter splattered all over Belinda’s face, running down her cheeks and dripping on the black-and-white Betty Boop apron.

A scream bubbled in her throat and died there because Belinda would not succumb to useless reaction. It wasn’t her style.

There was a sound behind her and for a quick second Belinda was afraid to turn around. When she did, disregarding that particular emotion she despised almost as much as creamed spinach, it was to see cake batter dripping from every surface in the kitchen. The once pristine countertop she’d been working at was now full of gushing vanilla cake batter. From the supply shelves dark chocolate batter dripped slowly, hitting the floor with a sickening splat.