Cupcakes & Macaroons: A Cupcakes Series Short Read online

  Cupcakes & Macaroons

  A Honeymoon Short

  Bethany Lopez

  Cupcakes & Macaroons

  Copyright 2020 Bethany Lopez

  Published Apr 2020

  Cover Design by Bethany Lopez

  Editing by Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli

  Ebook Formatting by Bethany Lopez

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please don’t participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Keep Reading for a look at Lei’d in Paradise featuring Carmen and Bran!

  Lei’d in Paradise - Chapter 1

  About the Author

  Also by Bethany Lopez

  Chapter 1

  “I love you both so much,” I told my twins as Cade waited patiently by the door. “Be good for your dad and I’ll bring you lots of souvenirs.”

  “Bye, Mom, have fun,” Elin said, allowing me to kiss him briefly on the cheek.

  “Okay, Mom, you’d better go or you’ll miss your flight. We’ll be fine,” Elena insisted as she tried to push me off her. “Bye, Cade, love you.”

  “Yeah, love you, Cade,” Elin repeated.

  “Love you guys, too,” Cade said as he picked up his leather duffel, indicating he was ready to leave.

  “Thanks, Eric, see you in a few weeks,” I said to my ex.

  “No problem, you two have a good time. And, Lila, try and stay out of trouble,” he said wryly.

  “Yeah, right,” Cade joked, before prodding, “Darlin’?”

  “I’m coming,” I said, giving my kids each one more kiss on the cheek before rolling my bags to the door.

  Once we were outside, Cade loaded our bags into the back of his truck and we were on our way to the airport.

  Day before yesterday we’d had a beautiful wedding with our friends and family in attendance, and now we were headed to Europe for our honeymoon. I’d planned the wedding, and Cade, the honeymoon, so although I knew we were going to Paris, Venice, and Barcelona, I didn’t know the particulars.

  And, I was totally okay with that.

  Three weeks in Europe with my gorgeous hunk of a man was the stuff of fantasies.

  Hell, I’d be happy in a straw hut in the middle of nowhere … as long as Cade was with me.

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this,” I said excitedly. “I hope Carmen will be okay holding down the fort.”

  I was a private investigator. I kind of fell into the business after the PI I worked for was murdered and he left his business to me. Carmen, one of my best friends and new business associate, was watching over things while we were away.

  Carmen had done it before, and I knew she’d be fine, but still, the business was like my baby, and I couldn’t help but worry something would go wrong while I was away. Or worse, she’d catch a case that put her in danger, and I wouldn’t be around to help her out of it.

  Not that she was alone. Not only was she dating Branson Braswell, a lawyer and friend who’d gotten us out of some tough spots. But, our friend Bea was a local cop, and Amy May was always up for a little trouble, although, now that she was pregnant she probably needed to stop getting involved.

  “She’ll be fine,” Cade replied. “Carmen’s a tough and smart woman.”

  I nodded in agreement, since he’d simply confirmed my own thoughts.

  We got to the airport and made it through TSA in record time. Since we were a little early, we decided to stop at the bar for a drink while we waited to board.

  Cade pulled his hair back into a messy man bun, pulling off a look I couldn’t in a million years, the jerk, and I couldn’t stop my grin as I took him in.

  Tall and built like a brick shithouse, with long dark hair, tanned skin, and a face meant to be an artist’s muse. Cade was all man. Virile, sexy, and sometimes scary. As a man who got things done for his MC, and looked like he was tailor made to ride a motorcycle, my new husband got my vote for the sexiest man alive.

  “You good?” he asked with a grin when he caught me staring.

  I could tell by the look on his face, Cade knew what I was thinking, but I still picked the olive out of my dirty martini and made a little show of putting it in my mouth and sucking on my fingers.

  “So good,” I purred, leaning in close so only he could hear me. “You are so incredibly sexy.”

  Cade brought his hand to my throat and caressed my skin before running his thumb along my jawline.

  “Careful,” he warned, his tone rough. “Unless your goal is to get fucked right here.”

  Damn, I thought as my vision blurred and my blood heated. It sounds good to me.

  Unfortunately, they chose that moment to announce our flight was boarding. So, I tossed back my drink and mentally calculated how many hours it would be until we arrived at our first destination and first available bed.

  Our first stop was Paris, and we were staying in the vacation home of one of his old football buddies. Cade had sustained an injury in college, but a few of his friends had gone pro, and they’d generously offered up their homes for us.

  I’d never been to Europe, but had always wanted to go.

  As we moved down the gateway to the plane, I grabbed Cade’s hand in mine and held on tightly.

  I’d been burned in my first marriage when I caught Eric cheating, and I’d never imagined myself falling in love and giving ‘til death do us part another shot. But, Cade had busted through all of my walls by being a man I could count on. Someone who would love and protect me and my children, while letting us be who we were, and supporting us one-hundred percent.

  Cade was the person I never knew I needed.

  We were made for each other … As corny as it sounds, I believe it with my whole heart.

  As we were about to get on the plane, I stopped and looked up at him.

  “Hey … thanks for picking me up that day on your bike, for loving me even when I drive you crazy, and for not giving up on me … on us.”

  Cade tugged on my hand, bringing me closer so he could claim my mouth with his. After a few heated seconds, I heard a man clear his voice behind us and broke away to see we were holding up the line.

  “We’re on our honeymoon,” I stated, loud enough for the first twenty people to hear.

  A few people smiled, and one lady shouted, “Congratulations,” as we turned and continued on to the plane.

  Chapter 2

  Everything they say about Paris is true…

  It’s a beautiful city, with incredible architecture and history. The sidewalk cafés were to die for and I’d never eaten so much bread, cheese, and chocolate.

  The only thing missing … cupcakes.

  Sure, they have them, but they aren’t the same as Amy May’s and every time I bite into one, I feel a little homesick.

  The Macarons on the other hand… well, let’s j
ust say if anything could get me to curb my addiction to cupcakes, it would be these little bites of heaven.

  “Are you ready to go to the apartment?” Cade asked, his eyes darkening as I licked the sugar from my lips.

  We hadn’t spent too much time at his friend’s place, even though it was a gorgeous little flat within walking distance of museums – we’d gotten a museum pass – restaurants, and the Seine River.

  “Yes, I could use a nap before we have to get ready,” I replied.

  This was going to be our fancy night in Paris, where we got all dressed up and went all out. We had reservations at one of the restaurants in the Eiffel Tower tonight. We were also planning to stop at the Champagne Bar and the Macaroon Bar for dessert.

  “A nap wasn’t really what I had in mind,” he growled as we made our way to the Metro.

  We used our Metro passes and checked the map to make sure we found the correct line back to the house.

  Once we boarded, I wrapped my arms around Cade’s waist and held on.

  “What time are we leaving tomorrow?” I asked him, my cheek pressed against his muscled chest.

  I loved listening to the strength of his heart.

  “The train leaves around eight twenty, so I was thinking we should be ready to go by seven.”

  We were taking the high-speed train, which would get us to Venice in about seven hours. I’d never been on a train that traveled across countries before, so I was excited about the trip, and thrilled about the destination.

  Italy was number one on my bucket list, although, it was hard to think of any place being as wonderful as Paris.

  “Don’t let me forget to drop the postcards in the mail today. I want to make sure they are post marked from France.”

  I’d bought souvenirs for everyone, just little trinkets I’d picked up here and there, and I’d also decided to send everyone a postcard from each country. I thought it would be a fun little memento.

  I’d even bought one to send to our dogs, Rufus and CB, so I’d have postcards from each stop to pin on the corkboard in my office.

  When we got to the street, I tapped Cade on the shoulder and said, “Give me a lift.”

  Cade chuckled, but bent his knees so I could jump on his back.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, and off we went.

  Heads turned as we walked, but with my flaming red curls and Cade’s massive Cadeness, we were used to standing out in the crowd in Paris.

  As we rounded the corner, I saw a young man pickpocket a much older man, and sneak off down an alleyway.

  “Cade,” I said, slapping him on the shoulder and wiggling to get down. “That guy just had his wallet stolen. The kid ran down that way…”

  Cade let me down, but when I would have taken off running after the kid, he stopped me by placing his hand on my shoulder and saying, “I’ve got it. You stay here.”

  Normally, when anyone told me what to do, my back went up and I immediately did the opposite. But, since we were in a foreign country, and I’d promised Cade I’d try and stay out of trouble on our honeymoon, I stood there, tapping my foot, my eyes rapt on the entry to the ally where they’d both disappeared.

  About ten seconds later, I muttered, “Fuck it.”

  I was ready to beg for forgiveness rather than wait behind, but, before I could follow, Cade came strolling back out, holding up the wallet.

  With a grin I took it from him and ran after the elderly couple, who hadn’t gotten that far down the street. I told them what happened, accepted their thanks, and jogged back to Cade.

  “Did he put up a fight?” I asked when I reached him.

  “Nah, I pretty much told him to stop and give me the wallet, and he did.”

  I’m sure there was more to it than that, although Cade was known for scaring the bejeezus out of bad guys.

  “My hero!” I cried, throwing my arms around him.

  Cade chuckled, his arms going around my waist, and said, “Darlin’, I’ll be anything you want me to be.”

  Le sigh.

  Was it any wonder we’d been going at it like rabbits all over the city of lights?

  “Well, in that case, I’d like you to be inside me … in about two point five seconds,” I murmured, placing my lips on the base of his neck and sucking lightly.

  “Down this alley, or back at the flat?” he asked, not even joking.

  I’d never thought of myself as a voyeur … no, wait, a voyeur likes to watch … What do you call it if you like to be watched? Hmmm.

  Anyhow, we’d been having sex all over the city … in semi-public places, as well as in the flat, and the possibility of being caught was a huge turn-on for me.

  But, rather than a quickie against a city wall, I found I wanted to spend a little more time enjoying the big hunk of man before me, so I said, “The flat,” then let out a deep belly laugh when he swung me up into his arms and took off down the sidewalk.

  Chapter 3

  Our last night in Paris had been spectacular, everything I’d ever dreamed of. And, our day on the train was perfectly decadent.

  We had a sleeper car, so we’d spent the day lazily making love, playing sudoku, and reading. There’d also been trips to the dining car for lunch and drinks at the bar. It was the perfect way to travel and I didn’t know how I’d ever go back to being stuck in a cramped airplane seat again.

  We’d arrived in Venice refreshed and eager to explore the city.

  First, we needed to take our things to Cade’s friend’s loft in San Marco, and then we were going to find the perfect place to sit outside and have dinner while enjoying the gorgeous architecture of the floating city.

  Once at the building, we took the lift to the second floor, and when Cade opened the door to the loft, my mouth dropped open and I let go of my bags to walk inside.

  It was glorious. Tall ceilings, with large windows and doors leading out to a terrace, which caused the space to look huge and open due to the brightness.

  “When you said your buddy’s loft was two hundred and sixty-five square meters, I thought it was going to be tiny. But, either my conversions were off, or Italian builders are magicians, because this place is perfect,” I told Cade as I moved around the space, taking in everything at once.

  I didn’t know where I wanted to go first … out onto the terrace, up the stairs to the split loft, or to the pool table in the center alcove to the right.

  I went out onto the terrace, which had big, lush loungers and pretty potted plants, then whirled around and hurried up the stairs to see the two bedrooms and sitting area.

  “Lena would die if she saw this place,” I said, imagining my preteen daughter lying on the daybed and reading in the natural light.

  Cade came up behind me, putting one arm around my chest so I could lean back against him.

  “I guess you like it then?” he joked.

  “I could totally live here,” I sighed. “It’s gorgeous. We’re going to have to send your friends something better than a fruit basket to say thank you … like a custom motorcycle or something.”

  Cade’s chest rumbled with laughter against my back.

  “Want to go see the master?”

  “You bet I do,” I replied, taking Cade’s hand in mine and leading him down the stairs.

  “Cade, there’s a hot tub in the bathroom!” I cried, unnecessarily, since he was standing right there next to me. “Oh my gosh, if I didn’t want to see Venice so badly, we could totally just spend the whole week in this loft and I’d be perfectly happy.”

  “We can do whatever you want to do, darlin’, just say the word.”

  See, it was him saying romantic shit like that, that made me want to jump his bones. I think maybe he was catching on…

  “I think we should wash each other’s backs in that tub, before we get ready and go to dinner.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” he said, his grin wolfish. “I’ll grab our things.”

  “Oh, can you get the Macarons out of
my bag so they don’t get smashed?”

  Yes, I’d brought an emergency stash just in case they weren’t readily available in Venice.

  “You got it.”

  Cade went to go get our bags, while I started filling up the bath, which I noticed had a Buddha head decorating the corner.

  Would I be able to have sex in the tub with a deity watching? And, is Buddha considered a deity?

  “I haven’t seen this before…”

  I broke out of my internal musings and looked at Cade, who was holding a vibrator.

  “Uh, that’s not mine,” I said, never having seen the teal mechanism before.

  “It was in your bag.”

  “No it wasn’t … no way. I would have noticed,” I argued.

  “It’s not as if you’ve unpacked the thing, Lila,” Cade replied. Which was true. I wasn’t the type to unpack my bag when traveling, opting to just live out of the bag instead. I mean, what was the point? You’d just have to pack it all back up again.

  “No, but I think I would have noticed a strange vibrator amongst my things.”

  “It was in a zipper pocket on the inside,” he told me, handing it to me.

  I flipped it around in my hand, looking at it in puzzlement, and asked, “But where did it come from?”

  I looked up and caught Cade’s eyes, and we both smiled and said, “Amy May.”

  “What do you say we try it out?” Cade asked, taking a step closer.

  “I thought we were gonna take a bath,” I said, gesturing with the vibrator to the nearly full tub.

  “I’ll get you off with this, then we’ll get in,” Cade replied, and I had to admit… his idea had merit.

  I turned off the water and started chucking off my clothes as I said, “Okay, but Buddha can’t watch.”