Icing Isn't Only for Cookies E-Book

Melody Heck Gatto

• Herausgeber: Melody Heck Gatto
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

This novella was previously published in the Hockey Holidays Anthology in November 2018.

Avery James was finally getting her life together after an ugly break-up. It had taken almost an entire year, but she could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Pink Ribbon Cupcakery was busy with orders for Christmas cookies, holiday cupcakes, and preparing for the local orphanage’s annual Christmas Eve party. She was enjoying the busy holiday season. When she came face to face with her one-night stand from last New Year’s Eve, her jolly mood came to a crashing halt. Literally.
In his brash, self-important, smug way, Kyler Wilson flirted his way into her life, her bakery, and her heart. Her brain wanted her to square off her shoulders and tell him that this was her bakery, and her rules, and that he could save the smooth-talking for some other girl, because she wasn’t ready to be hurt by love again. However, her heart seemed to be in charge. Her legs felt like they were going to crumble each time hockey-boy flashed a grin.
It wasn’t that she didn’t find him deliciously handsome and irresistible, but after being so vulnerable at the hands of her former fiancé, she never wanted to be in that position again. She’d be damned if she was going to swoon like a groupie. Even though tall, dark and handsome Kyler made her weak in the knees with every smoldering look. The deep rumble of his voice sent her heart a flutter. His kisses were pure heaven, and his rock-hard body had her craving more.
Kyler could see right through the sugary sweet baker. She wanted him. But then again, what girl didn’t? But unlike the usual bunnies that fell at his feet, she was one tough-cookie. And the challenge of breaking through that defensive outer shell was riveting. A year ago, a bottle of tequila helped him get a glimpse of the fun, and free-spirited Avery, and he was on a mission to find that girl again.

Leseprobe

Icing Isn’t Only for Cookies

A Renegades Holiday Tale

The Renegades Series

By Melody Heck Gatto

Icing Isn’t Only for Cookies – A Renegades Holiday Tale – Renegades 9.5

By Melody Heck Gatto

Copyright © 2018 by Melody Heck Gatto

License Notes

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The Pittsburgh Renegades™ is a fictional sports team. Their name and logo are created for the sole use of the owner and covered under protection of trademark.

Editing by Shore 2 Please

Cover Art by Kat McCarthy - Aeternum Designs

Contents

Author’s Note

5

Chapter One

Avery

Chapter Two

Kyler

Chapter Three

Avery

Chapter Four

Kyler

Chapter Five

Avery

Chapter Six

Kyler

Chapter Seven

Avery

Chapter Eight

Kyler

Chapter Nine

Avery

The End

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Where to Find Melody

Other Books by Melody Heck Gatto

Author’s Note

This holiday novella was previously published in the Hockey Holidays Anthology in November 2018, for charity. It was only available until 11/30/18, and we raised over $4000 for USA Warriors Ice Hockey.

Chapter One

Avery

Avery James looked over the sea of people that were partying like it was New Year’s Eve, because it was. The room was hot and loud, and the bass from the music pounded in her chest as she downed another glass of wine. She had lost count of how many she had, and since she had already handed over her keys in favor of taking an Uber home, the bartender kept them coming.

The night was still young, it was only eight o’clock in the evening. Her wine intake already had her relaxed and calm, just the feeling she was looking for.

The music changed to a hard ballad, and the words reminded her of her ex-boyfriend, Jack. She was supposed to spend tonight with him. Avery thought for sure he was going to propose to her tonight. She couldn’t think of a better way to start off the New Year. Happy, and in love, and as a newly engaged couple.

But, things don’t always work out the way you think. The day after Christmas, Jack asked her to dinner, and what had the potential for a romantic night out turned out to be the complete opposite.

Jack was smart to break her heart in a public place. He knew she wouldn’t make a scene, and she didn’t. She didn’t yell, and she didn’t cry. Instead, Avery just sat in silence, and watched him walk out the door. After two years together, and what she thought was leading to a walk down the aisle, ended abruptly. Jack cited them growing apart, and it was as cliché as it sounded. He had done the growing – closer to his secretary.

Avery had no idea why she was at this party, other than Becca dragged her here. She should call it a night and get her Uber home. Against her own better judgement, Avery waved her hand to the bartender for another glass of White Zinfandel. One more, then I’ll leave. A tall, muscular man sat down beside her and loudly called for the bartender’s attention.

“Keep your shirt on, buddy. He’s waiting on me next.” Avery said, annoyed at the self-important yuppy who claimed the seat next to her. Why did he think he should be waited on before anyone else?

“I try to keep my shirt on, at least in public.” He mused. “But, seriously, you should see me without it. I’ve been told it’s quite transcendent.” He flattened his large hand along his stomach.

Avery rolled her eyes, not finding his humor funny, or maybe it was just the company. Or, maybe it was the alcohol feeding her already miserable mood. “Well, no one wants to see your transcendent abs tonight, sir. Just wait your turn.”

“You sure?” The tall, dark stranger grabbed the back of his shirt at the collar and prepared to pull it over his head.

Avery shook her head but couldn’t help that her glance lingered at the waist of his pants. As if she was waiting for a sneak peek.

“Okay.” He shrugged and fixed his shirt. “You look like you could use another drink. What’s got your panties in a bunch anyway?” he still thought he was humorous.

Avery spun the bar stool to look this annoying man in the eye, but what she found stopped her dead in her tracks. “You seem to think you’re pretty–” The man that stood before her had the most mesmerizing hazel eyes. His smile was as cocky as his attitude, but those eyes. She couldn’t look away.

“Uh,” he carefully shook his head, that cocky smirk still on his lips. His eyes squinted as the smirk reached them, and he jutted out his muscular chest. “I don’t typically call myself pretty. I tend to use handsome, attractive, and some girls say sexy. But if you want to call me pretty, then I’m okay with that. I can be a pretty boy too.” He ran his hand through his short dark hair.

The stranger exuded cockiness. The scary thing was, she liked his flirtatious spirit. And his five o’clock shadow gave him a rugged look.

Avery was tongue-tied and couldn’t come up with a smart comeback. She just stared at his strong arms. Her head was already fuzzy from the wine and her wittiness had suffered because of it. The bartender appeared in front of her and refilled her wine glass. She went to pay for her drink, but the stranger pushed her hand out of the way with his large fistful of cash, paying for her drink and his own order.

“I’ll take a beer, thanks.” The man handed the bartender his cash. Then he directed his attention back to Avery. “Wine, huh?”

Confused as to what just happened, she nodded. “As much wine as it takes to make me feel better.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. What is it you’re trying to forget about? And before you ask how I know, let me just tell you that no girl as pretty as you sits at a bar all alone and downs wine the way you are unless they are trying to forget something or someone.” When she didn’t answer him, he called back to the bartender, and waved some cash in the air. “Can we get a few shots of tequila over here?”

Avery shook her head, “No. I don’t drink tequila.”

“Oh c’mon. You’re all relaxed now from your pretentious wine, now have a little fun with some tequila. The drink of champions.”

“Pretentious? Who are you calling pretentious?”

“Um, you?” The man innocently shrugged.

Avery had no idea who this guy was, but she’d be damned if she was going to let him sit there and call her pretentious. As soon as the bartender set the shot in front of her, she downed it before the stranger could say anything else. She wasn’t a tequila drinker, and it burned going down her throat. She wanted to puke. Heat rushed to her head, then her whole body warmed. The loud music became nothing but background noise, and the nausea disappeared.

He shrugged, “Okay, so maybe I’m wrong.” He stuck his hand out to shake hers. “I’m Kyler.”