Rachel Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Other Books By Harmony Raines

  Curves In The Family

  - Rachel -

  ***

  All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

  This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

  © 2013 Harmony Raines

  Silver Moon Erotica

  Kindle Edition

  Chapter One

  “Here comes your secret admirer.”

  Rachel blushed, but refused to turn around and stare at the handsome workman walking into her cake shop. She did not have to; the image of him was so firmly etched in her mind he even filled her dreams at night. Oh, what dreams they were too, mostly centred on them making love in so many different positions and exotic places, she would wake up exhausted.

  However, they were only dreams; she knew that nothing would ever come of it in real life. She might be fanciful in her cake designs, but her romantic life was fixed securely in the real world. The world where a man such as this never dated a plump homely woman like her.

  “Hi, there. Beautiful morning.”

  She tried to resist him and let Rosemary serve him, but Rosemary had disappeared, leaving her no choice. It was not that she wanted to avoid him; she longed to bask in the warmth of his smile forever and ever. Instead she worried she would say something wrong or in some way give away, by her actions, how she felt about him.

  “Hello.” She paused, feeling like an idiot, before switching to shop mode. In this way, she could normally make small talk for hours, it was her security blanket. “It is nice out there. I hear from the forecast it will be like this for a few days.” So far so good. “What can I get for you?”

  Then she fell apart inside. He looked at her with big brown eyes, so soft and warm, and her insides went to liquid fire. She clutched the side of the counter to stop the room from spinning, feeling ridiculous. He was only being friendly, there really was nothing more to read into it. Yet it felt so real, as though this was his special smile, for the woman he loved.

  “Are you OK?” he asked.

  There, she had given the game away. Her face flushed bright red, and she managed to babble something about feeling hot.

  “You certainly look hot,” he said, smiling that devastating smile again.

  She put her hands to her cheeks, feeling the heat and groaned inwardly. “I am sorry,” she said trying to regain her composure.

  “I’m not. You look very sweet when you blush like that.”

  Sweet. Like her cakes, not like a grown woman in need of a man. With one last valiant attempt, she pulled herself together and asked him again what he wanted.

  This time he behaved himself, perhaps because he became aware of the other people in the little shop, a queue had started to form. “I’d like a chocolate brownie please, and one of those pink cup cakes with the pretty flowers on.”

  Rachel started to prepare his order, her head filled with the sudden realisation that the cup cake must be for a girl. Therefore, her train of thought took her to the logical conclusion that all her dreams were in vain for another reason. He had a girlfriend.

  The only positive thing about this news was that it instantly dampened her spirits and so her colour returned to normal. She put on her professional hat more securely and served him just as though he was any other customer.

  “Thank you,” he said when she handed him the perfectly wrapped cakes and his change.

  “No problem. Have a lovely day.” Then she turned to the next customer. “How can I help you?”

  The hunk of a man stood looking at her for a second, he seemed to be about to ask her something, and then thought better of it. He turned to leave the shop with a, “See you again tomorrow,” cast over his shoulder as he went out of the door.

  Rachel let out a long sigh, put her brightest smile on her face and worked her way methodically through the rest of the people who filled her little shop. She tried to comfort herself with the idea that she was successful and content with her life.

  However, the creeping voice in her head told her she was kidding herself. She wanted a man, even if she did not actually need one, and her wanting grew stronger each day now her business had become so successful. She wanted to fulfil other dreams.

  ***

  It was after the lunchtime rush, and Rosemary had made them both a cup of tea when the door opened and in spilled two of Rachel’s sisters.

  “Hello, Rachel. We have been indulging in some retail therapy and now we are in need of a sugar rush to get us home.”

  “Retail therapy, that sounds bad.” She looked at her elder sister's face. “Oh, honey, is it finally over?”

  “Yes. Mark is a thing of the past. Bring on the future.” She tried to sound upbeat, but one look at her face showed how hard she was trying not to crumble into little pieces.

  “Mark is a jerk. You can do so much better, Susie. Look at you, you’re gorgeous.”

  It was true, out of all the Connelly sisters, and there were seven of them, Susie had been blessed with the good looks, even if she still had the fuller figure they had all inherited from their mother.

  “Thanks, Rach,” Susie said, eyeing up the cakes. “Now, what are we going to spoil ourselves with?”

  Rachel came around the counter and gave Susie a hug. “Whatever you want. My treat.”

  “No, I insist on paying, you’ve worked so hard to make your dream a reality.” She squeezed Rachel’s hand. “We are so proud of you, Rach.”

  “You know there's someone better out there for you,” Rachel said quietly.

  “Yes. But you know how it is.”

  “Of course she doesn’t,” Anna said, catching their conversation. “Rachel is going to die an old maid if she doesn’t put herself out there. Or is there a secret someone you haven't told us about?”

  “No, Anna. I am happy as I am for now.”

  “Unless she gets asked on a date by Mr Handsome Hunk working across the road.”

  The three sisters all turned to look at Rosemary, who quickly grabbed her tea and disappeared out into the kitchen.

  “So you have been holding out on us,” Anna said. “All the juicy details please.”

  “There are none. Rosemary's got it wrong. He’s just a customer.”

  “You're blushing, Rach. You never were a good liar.”

  “Really, there is nothing to tell.” Then seeing her sister's faces she added, “Yes, he’s cute, but he has a girlfriend.”

  “So.”

  Susie gave Anna a dig in the ribs. “Give it a rest, Anna. We aren't all man eaters like you.”

  “Man eater. I like the sound of that.”

  “I thought you might. You have one or two for breakfast every morning.”

  “That’s what it takes to be top of your game in corporate. All the men quake in their boxers every morning if they have a meeting with me.”

  “Don’t you ever get tired of being so in control?” asked Susie.

  “Tired of it. Why should I? Just because I am a woman.”

  “Can I have one of those?” Susie asked, pointing to a deliciously naughty chocolate cake. Then she turned to Anna and said, “But sometimes it’s nic
e to be treated like you’re special. You know spoiled by a man.”

  “I don’t have to be a doormat to have a man think I’m special.”

  “Are you implying I’m a doormat?” Susie looked close to tears again.

  “No. I was talking about me. I spent enough years in high school being the one whose feelings always got trodden on. Is it so bad to want to get away from that?”

  “Here we go, Susie. What can I get for you Anna? And then let’s drop the subject of men.”

  “Let me see, goodness they all look so delicious Rach, it’s hard to choose.”

  Rachel smiled to herself, proud of what she had accomplished in the six months since she had taken the plunge and started her own business. It really was a dream come true, she was better at being her own boss than an employee.

  After her sisters had chosen their cakes, they said goodbye and promised to meet up as soon as they could all manage it in their busy schedules.

  Rachel loved having so many sisters, but was glad they all lived separately these days. It made the times they got together more special. It also cut down on the amount of arguments that went on. They might be similar in looks and figures, but their personalities were all so completely different.

  After they had gone, Rosemary reappeared with the diary. At this time of day, when things slacked off a little, they went through and organised the orders they had.

  “Sorry if I embarrassed you,” Rosemary said, setting the book down between them. “It’s only because I worry. You put so much into this place, you forget that you’re young and need to get out and let your hair down sometimes.”

  “No harm done. I know you worry about me. But I’m fine, and he has a girlfriend you know.” Rachel did not have to name him; Rosemary would know whom she meant.

  “Are you sure, because the way he looks at you is filled with more hunger than the one he has for your chocolate brownies.”

  Rachel blushed and turned her face away. “I wish. But, like I said, he has a girlfriend. Now what do we have in for the next couple of days?”

  “Nothing much tomorrow, the day after will be busy though. There’s that birthday tea for twenty young ladies on Friday, and I have to go at four so I can’t help you with the delivery.”

  “Oh yes. No problem, I can shut up here at five thirty and then go straight over to the party. I’ll easily be there for six.”

  “OK. We can bake throughout the day and get it all packaged up before I go. All you have to do is load the van.”

  “Do you remember when we used to have tea parties?” Rachel said wistfully.

  “Of course. Even then, you made the best cakes in town. I never thought you would have the courage to open your own shop though. You were always so shy.”

  Rachel sighed. “Things haven't changed that much. I still have to force myself to talk to people. It’s easier with the counter in front of me though, it’s like a barricade. And I enjoy it so much; I never thought I would have a job doing what I enjoy doing the most.”

  “Making people happy.”

  “No. Baking.”

  “It’s your baking that makes people happy. They go out with a precious little package of scrumptiousness, and it makes them happy.”

  “Rosemary, I think you have been in the kitchen too long.”

  “I mean it Rachel. Be proud of yourself, and have more confidence in yourself. That guy might have a girlfriend, but he still likes you, and he isn't the only one. Open your heart to what could be.”

  “Definitely too long in the kitchen.” Rachel gave her friend a playful shove, and they collapsed into giggles, only pulling themselves together when a customer walked in.

  ***

  At five thirty, they had everything cleaned and ready for the morning. Rachel always got in early and began baking; Rosemary would arrive later and help with the decorating and icing of the cakes. They were a good team, but it was getting to the point that they were so busy Rachel was thinking of taking on someone else, but that could wait for another month or so.

  She went around and checked everything was secure before letting herself out. One last check of the door before she walked down the road to the grocery store. She wanted some fresh fruit and although the store was small, they had the best local produce. Looking at her watch, she knew she had to hurry because they shut at six.

  The evening truly was lovely, the sun had lost some of its heat, leaving the air warm, filled with the scent of evening flowers. She breathed in the roses in one of the well tended gardens she passed. When she got home, she would go and sit on her small terrace and eat.

  One day she hoped to have a house with a big garden, filled with flowers, and children. That thought had popped in to her head all on its own; she tried not to think about the future too much.

  Her shyness was so great around men that she always ended up giving the impression she was offish, or just plain odd. However, you looked at it, the truth was men never asked her out, so the prospect of having a husband and children one day seemed impossible. Yet it remained her dream, although she never shared it with anyone.

  “Shut up for the day?”

  Rachel jumped out of her skin, it was him. She knew it was even before she dragged her eyes up to his face. “Y...Yes.”

  “Your cakes definitely make working around here one of the best jobs I’ve had.”

  “Really.” You need to say more than one word in a sentence, she chided herself. However, it did no good, she was completely tongue tied in his presence. It was bad enough in the shop, but out here, in the wide world of reality she felt naked in front of him. And no one saw her naked.

  “Yes. Do you make all the cakes yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  “They are the best I’ve tasted.”

  “Thank you.”

  He grinned, and her heart beat rapidly. She was under his spell, his well toned chest evident under his t-shirt that was worn from work and left little to the imagination. Her fingers itched to touch him, and make his body react to hers, to find out if they fit together perfectly as they always did in her dreams.

  “Do you make wedding cakes?”

  A cold bucket of water hit her squarely in the face. “Yes,” she managed to blurt out after a pause. Her dreams were truly shattered; all she wanted to do was get out of there. “Can we talk about this some other time? I really need to be somewhere.”

  “Of course. Tomorrow?”

  Rachel was already off down the street. “Tomorrow.” She called out as she walked quickly away from him.

  Through eyes that did not see properly, she bought what she needed, and some things she did not, that was the state she was in. Her dreams were shattered, and all she could do was chastise herself for being so stupid. He was never hers in the first place, so why was she beating herself up over him.

  One thing for sure she would have to make Rosemary take the order for his wedding cake. There was no way she wanted to meet the woman who was going to be lucky enough to be Mrs Handsome Hunk.

  In a daze she made it home, instead of the dinner she had planned, she pulled out her favourite ice cream and sat on the sofa watching a horror movie. To Rachel that resembled her life so much more than any romantic comedy ever would.

  Chapter Two

  “You can’t avoid him forever,” Rosemary hissed at Rachel. “That’s the second day running he’s come in and asked for you.”

  “I’ll speak to him on Monday. I want to get this order done today, it’s important.”

  “And he isn't? What if he wants to ask you out?”

  “He doesn’t. Believe me.”

  “How can you be so sure? He keeps asking for you.”

  Rachel knew it was time to be honest with her friend. “He wants to order a wedding cake.”

  “Oh.” Rosemary paused for a second and then wrapped her arms around Rachel. “I’m sorry. I guess you were right, he does have a girlfriend.”

  “Fiancée,” Rachel corrected. “Now, I need to get thos
e cupcakes in the oven, or else we won't have time to decorate.”

  “Right. Well I’ll leave you to it. I’ll get the boxes made up for them in between serving.”

  “Thanks, Rosemary. I really do appreciate all your hard work.”

  “No problem. Anyway, you are the best boss I’ve ever had.” With a big smile, she turned her full attention to the shop and Rachel went back to the kitchen.

  The day wore on and Rachel’s face got redder and redder, both from the heat of the ovens and the stress of the looming deadline. Normally she was so well organised, but today her heart was not in it. She gave herself a good talking to, promising herself a day of self pampering on Sunday if she could hold it together until then.

  One of the unfortunate side effects of her disappointment about Mr Handsome Hunk was that she had managed to talk herself in to believing that if a non-existent romance affected her this much, how would she ever be able to deal with real heartache. The culmination of these thoughts were that she was better off alone. Her life did not have room for a real romance.

  Sadly she had talked herself out of even bothering to look for the man of her dreams. Anyone else might have seen how ridiculous this was, but Rachel felt better now she had given herself a logical excuse to avoid romance.

  “Is this the last of them?” asked an equally frazzled Rosemary.

  “Yes, thank goodness. If I finish icing them, can you put them in the cake boxes? Then we can put them by the back door and I can quickly load them into the van as soon as I’ve shut up.”

  “Are you sure it wouldn't be better to put them in now?”

  “It’s too warm. The icing will begin to slide, it will be fine.”

  “If you’re sure. I feel so bad leaving you like this.”

  “I can manage. Now let’s get this finished and you can go.”

  “Like I said, best boss ever.”

  “So you said. But you are the best employee too.”

  “And agony aunt,” Rosemary said laughing.

  “And agony aunt. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You have six sisters. You would survive.”