Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com Tue, 09 May 2023 20:51:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.ilovenovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com 32 32 Flirty Kumquat (Little Cakes #12) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/flirty-kumquat-little-cakes-12-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Tue, 09 May 2023 20:48:26 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/flirty-kumquat-little-cakes-12-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Taboo Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)

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Welcome to Little Cakes, the bakery that plays Daddy matchmaker!

When she provokes his Daddy side, their friendship changes forever.

After working together for years, Tatiana thought she knew everything there was to know about her co-owner, Maniac. His dominant side is often on display, so she's taken aback when she first learns about his much softer, and much more enticing, Daddy side.

Maniac looks like an outlaw with the rough edges of a biker, but his appearance hides a shrewd professional mind. And his head for business is the only reason he has kept his distance from his gorgeous partner all of this time. But when he finds Tatiana sobbing over the ending of another disastrous relationship, the business is no longer Maniac's priority. This Daddy can't stay away from the Little he's meant to cherish any longer.

Little Cakes is a sweet and satisfying series, but dare to taste only if you like delicious Daddies, luscious Littles, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Beautifully inked arms wrapped around his neck to pull his lips down to hers. Her fingers curled into his shoulders and clung to him as he explored the sweetness of her mouth. Their tongues twisted together erotically as he stroked one hand along her ribcage. When she wriggled against him, Maniac couldn’t prevent the grin that made him pull back slightly as the corners of his lips curled upward.

“You ticklish, Baby girl?”

“Yes, Daddy. But don’t tickle me, please. I hate it.”

Maniac noted that statement. Her expression told him more than her words. Someone had tortured her this way. Forcing his anger away, Maniac focused on the beautiful woman below him.

“Thank you for telling me, Little girl. Let’s see if I can find a different way to touch you that you’ll enjoy.”

Watching her face, he stroked across her flat tummy to cup her breast. The soft mound filled his large hand perfectly. He kneaded it gently, enjoying her soft inhale. His fingers traced over the intricate ink that swirled across her chest to pay attention to that side as well. He loved that she shifted slightly to press her breast into his palm fully.

Lowering his lips to capture one perky peak, Maniac tasted her flesh, swirling his tongue around her nipple. When she arched her back, seeking more, he opened his mouth over her generous mound, sucking gently until he reached the tip. Torturing the stiff crest with quick lashes of his tongue, Maniac waited until she squirmed underneath him.

“I like that better, Daddy,” she offered, making his cock jump against the thick denim of his jeans.

He forced himself to go slowly—to focus solely on her pleasure. Maniac had waited so long to find his Little girl. Now he planned to alternatively spoil her rotten and spank her bottom red.

“Why did you hide from Daddy so long?” he growled after releasing her nipple with a pop. He bent his head to lavish the same attention to her other breast. Maniac had just begun tasting her when she tugged his hair. Allowing her to pull his head away, Maniac met her gaze.

“I wasn’t ready for you to see me, Daddy. Now, I am.”

Her arms reached up to caress his shoulders before pulling him down to her body. “Make love to me, please?”

A cacophony of notes sounded close to him and Maniac attempted to fling himself into a seated position. “What in the fucking hell?” His hands fumbled with the tangled covers that wound around him until he was able to reach his phone and turn off the alarm screeching into the sunlit room. Tossing the phone onto the sheets, he dropped back against the covers.

“Dammit.” He wrapped his fingers around his erection and roughly pulled down the length of his shaft. Maniac failed completely at his attempts to keep Tatiana’s beautiful face and body out of his mind as he pleasured himself.

Chapter One

“You’re late,” Tatiana informed him as Maniac strolled into the main workspace from the back. “Your client is waiting.”

“Sorry. I overslept.”

Tatiana noticed that he didn’t meet her eyes. Was something wrong? “You okay, Maniac?”

“I’m good, Tatiana. I had things on my mind last night that kept me from sleeping until late,” he explained.

“Let me know if I can help,” she suggested.

“Will do.” He stopped to really look at her for the first time today.

Scanning her short plaid skirt and white shirt tied up to reveal her midriff, he growled, “Are you trying to kill me?”

Tatiana looked down her body in surprise. She’d worn this outfit a dozen times to work. The guys really liked it, and she thought her legs looked stellar in it. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Maniac thrust a hand through his shoulder-length brown hair, shot with strands of silver. He leaned close to growl, “It makes me want to flip that barely there skirt up and punish your bottom.”

The breath caught in her throat, and she stared at him as he straightened to fix her in place with a look that held so much heat Tatiana swore she must be on fire. Gathering her wits, she tried to act unruffled while inside her heart beat in triple time and her nipples hardened into tight peaks against the light padding of her bra.

“Isn’t that the point?” she asked with a pasted-on smile.

“You’re as tempting as Ellie made her new cupcake sound—Flirty Kumquat,” he answered and turned to greet his customer with his normal gruff friendliness.

“Hi, Barb. You ready to keep inking in that tattoo? I was thinking about starting the roses today if that’s okay with you.”

His voice faded as he walked away with Tatiana staring after him. The door jingled and a middle-aged man walked in and looked around as if he were lost. Pushing Maniac’s words from her mind, she called, “Hello! Welcome to Maniac Tats. What can we do for you today?”

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Santa’s Kiss (Little Cakes #9) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/santas-kiss-little-cakes-9-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Fri, 09 Dec 2022 21:32:48 +0000 http://www.teennovels.net/santas-kiss-little-cakes-9-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

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Stuffie love is wonderful, but it’s no substitute for a Daddy’s affection.
After investing in the store franchise of her dreams, Rose Stewart creates cuddly friends for stuffie fans of all ages. A true Little at heart, the only thing missing from her life now is the Daddy of her dreams.
Adam Connell needs a gift for his niece’s birthday, and with some holiday magic he finds so much more than just the perfect teddy bear at Stuff-It. The enchanting woman wearing a Santa cap and singing Christmas carols off-tune is the Little he’s long been searching for.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Rose was giddy as she skipped around her shop, Stuff-It, double-checking to make sure all the empty stuffie bodies were in their correct bins, the floor was cleared of fluff, and there were plenty of cute outfits arranged on hangers in perfect little rows.

She loved this time of year, and she couldn’t keep herself from singing Christmas carols as she spun in circles. Her current earworm was “Toyland.” She didn’t know all the words, so she just made them up, giggling. She was off-key and probably sounded like a warped vinyl, but she didn’t care.

Her last customer had finished filling his new fluffy friend fifteen minutes ago. The mall would be closing soon.

As she belted out yet another line about boys and girls and toys that probably made no sense at all, she spun toward the heavy gate, intent on dragging it across the front of her shop and locking up for the night.

Suddenly, a hand popped out of nowhere and landed on the heavy metal frame just as she was about to pull it free from its pocket in the wall. Rose gasped and nearly jumped out of her skin. The silly lyrics she’d been singing stopped short.

Heart racing, she leaped back, eyes wide as she stared at the large man looming close. Since her shop was located in the mall, she rarely felt threatened or unsafe. After all, even though most of the shops were closing for the night, there were still dozens of people milling around in the wide hallway.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” The guy took a step back and held up both hands. He was breathing heavily as if he’d run through the mall to get to her.

He didn’t look dangerous. He looked…kind, actually. And sincerely sorry. He was big though. Broad and tall. Fit. He was also alone. He didn’t have a child with him, or even an adult.

Rose quickly estimated him to be about forty with a thick head of hair that was graying prematurely around the edges. He had a short trimmed beard that was grayer than the rest of his hair.

If she’d seen him anywhere else at any other time, she would have found him drool-worthy. Heck, part of her did now, but the hairs on the back of her neck were still standing up from his shocking arrival.

He swallowed and took another small step back. “I really scared you. I’m terribly sorry,” he repeated. “I got stuck in a meeting at work and couldn’t get to the mall any sooner. I really, really need a gift for my niece.”

The man drew in a deep ragged breath and continued, talking so fast it was hard to keep up. “It’s her birthday tomorrow, and she asked me for a Stuff-It. She’s only four, so I still dote on her for every birthday and holiday. I’ve never even heard of Stuff-It until this morning when she told me all about it while I was supposed to be working.”

When the man smiled, Rose finally regained some of her composure. He meant her no harm. He just needed a gift.

“Forgive me?” He lifted a brow and held out a hand. “Adam Connell.”

Rose glanced down at his large hand and took a deep breath before squaring her shoulders and standing as tall as she could. At five-five, there wasn’t a whole lot she could do to seem or feel larger next to Adam Connell. “Rose Stewart.” She hoped her voice didn’t shake.

“Nice to meet you, Rose. I can see you were about to lock up for the night. I don’t suppose I can talk you into staying open for a few more minutes to sell me a stuffed animal?”

She glanced around, noticing there were several shoppers talking near her shop. In addition, there were still about six customers in the lotion and candle store across from hers.

There was no reason to feel threatened. I’m fine. She finally smiled. “Of course. I don’t like to disappoint four-year-old nieces on their birthdays.”

Adam smiled broader. “Thank you so much. I owe you.”

As she turned toward the row of empty stuffie bodies, she bit her bottom lip. Adam was delicious. There was no denying the effect he had on her now that she was calm and had found her wits. Tall, dark, and handsome. He looked like the sort of man who would feature as the model on the front of one of her favorite Daddy books.

Stop thinking like that, Rose. Focus. Sell the man a Stuff-It without drooling over him. “Do you know what sort of Stuff-It your niece might like? Bear? Dog? Bunny? Another animal?”

When she tipped her head back to meet Adam’s gaze, she found him concentrating as he scanned the row of choices. “Hmm. I’m not sure, but I know the only color she’s interested in these days is pink.” He pointed at the bin of pink fluff a few feet away. “What’s that one?”

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Pumpkin Spice (Little Cakes #8) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/pumpkin-spice-little-cakes-8-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Thu, 10 Nov 2022 23:02:59 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/pumpkin-spice-little-cakes-8-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: Insta-Love, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

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A lonely Little can’t live on caffeine alone. She needs the piping hot TLC of her Daddy, too.

After losing her protective police officer husband, CC Callaway throws herself into creating CC’s Purrfect Coffee. Combining her love of the brew and her affection for cats keeps her mind busy and her broken heart full, even if something is still missing.
Dr. Hunter Warren can’t ignore the adorable woman who first catches his eye at Blaze, and when they meet for the second time in his ER, all of his Daddy instincts are awakened. Unable to resist his attraction to CC, or his desire to protect her, this Doctor Daddy drops by the cat cafe to make sure she’s feeling better. Will his cupcake offering be the beginning of something even sweeter for them?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Way before time for the sun to rise, CC stifled a yawn as she let herself in the backdoor of her Purrfect Coffee shop. That was the only bad thing about coffee—people wanted it so darn early in the morning. Locking the door to make sure no one decided to sneak in that way, she shook her head. For some, the caffeine addiction was strong.

Her subsequent laugh had an immediate effect on the silence filling the closed shop. Meows filled the air. Tangerine yowled a response in his carrier. The fat, older cat traveled back and forth with CC each day to work. He enjoyed being the king of the adoptable kittens and cats, but Tangerine was too spoiled to miss sleeping on his owner’s feet at night.

“Hold on, Tangerine. Let me get everyone fed before you get out. You’d just have second and third breakfasts,” CC predicted, causing Tangerine to protest loudly as if he had not eaten for days.

“No one believes that,” CC admonished the disgruntled cat as she set the carrier on the floor.

In a jiffy, she released the menagerie the shelter had brought to her shop in hopes they would find their forever homes. Each night, they slept tucked in a portable kennel in the center of the dining room to keep them safe and protected from any mischief. Usually, they were so exhausted at the end of the day because of the amount of attention and interaction they had with patrons that CC knew they crashed as hard as Tangerine did.

When everyone had been fed the proper food, she cleaned the litter boxes disguised in a few areas and checked the hard food and water left out at all times. Having the cats there took some additional work, but they were a great way to draw people in and match homes with feline companions.

With everything set, she freed Tangerine, who immediately swooped in to eat the small tidbits remaining of the rich kitten food. “Thank goodness I have you to clean the dishes, Tangerine,” she said with a laugh.

“Talking to the cats again? You know that’s the first step to becoming a crazy cat lady,” a young woman’s voice announced behind her.

“Hi, Sunshine. I’m glad to see you. I’ve got the cats set. Want to fire up the machines and we’ll get ready for the morning rush?”

“On it, boss.”

CC reached down to wipe up the mess the kittens always made when they ate. Swiping the disposable towel over the flooring, she thanked her foresight for choosing planks with a pattern that didn’t show all the dribbles of coffee and pet hair. A movement to the side caught her attention as she made the last pass a second too late.

“Ouch! You got me, Little Miss!”

Raising her hand to check the damage, CC saw two deep teeth marks in the top of her hand. She shook her finger reprovingly at the orange tabby before relenting. “I know. It wasn’t your fault. I probably slapped you with that yucky rag, didn’t I? I’m sorry,” she apologized to the offended cat, who was usually very sweet-tempered.

“I’ve got to clean up a bite,” she called to Sunshine as she grabbed the first aid kit. In the restroom, CC carefully washed and disinfected the bite before wrapping a bandage around it. Stopping in her office, she grabbed a couple of painkillers before heading back to work.

“Just in time, boss. They’re lined up at the drive-thru,” Sunshine warned.

“Let’s make some coffee,” CC answered enthusiastically as she turned on the signs to signal they were open.

The morning crunch of customers was fierce. Neither she nor Sunshine had a moment to relax as people flooded the interior and the drive-thru window outside. CC caught herself shaking her injured hand from time to time, but she was so focused on taking care of her customers that she ignored the ache deliberately. However, the bite kept reminding her of its existence. It swelled.

In the lull between the breakfast and lunch rushes, CC stopped to make herself an iced coffee. “Want one?” she asked, holding up the chilled concoction to Sunshine.

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Rainbow Sprinkles (Little Cakes #1) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/rainbow-sprinkles-little-cakes-1-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:14:00 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/rainbow-sprinkles-little-cakes-1-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)

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Welcome to Little Cakes, the bakery that plays Daddy matchmaker!

Ellie Wilmoth has dreamed of owning her own cupcake bakery. Now that Little Cakes is about to open, nothing can distract her. Okay, maybe one thing. While crafting her first featured cupcake, she’s interrupted by her handsome new landlord, and his commanding presence is impossible to ignore.
Garrett Erickson is enchanted by the sprinkle-covered, sugar-fueled woman renting his property. When he discovers her alone behind an unlocked door in the predawn darkness, his protective instincts won’t be ignored. Is it possible she’s the Little he’s been looking for?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

“I can’t believe it’s finally happening,” Ellie exclaimed as she spun around in a circle, taking in the space she’d just rented.

“We did it,” Lark responded as she tucked the lease papers back into her briefcase. “It’s official. Knowing how passionate and hardworking you are, Little Cakes will be open for business in no time.”

Ellie couldn’t stop grinning as she faced the front windows. “I’m going to put the most amazing cupcake display in front of the windows.” She turned to the right. “And this wall can have cute gifts.” She spun a one eighty. “And little tables and chairs over there…”

Lark laughed. “You have it all figured out. I know it’s going to be fabulous. I can’t wait to try all your cupcakes.” She patted her stomach. “I’m gaining weight just thinking about it.”

Ellie giggled and clapped her hands together before rushing over to give her friend a hug. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me find the space.”

“Well, I am a realtor, and you are one of my best friends, so…”

Ellie leaned back, still holding her friend’s shoulders. “You’re still the best, and I appreciate everything you did to make this possible.”

Lark smiled, her voice dipping. “I’m still sorry about your grandmother’s passing, but I know she would be tickled to find out you’re making your dreams come true with your inheritance.”

Ellie nodded. She hated that her grandmother was gone. The woman had raised her from the time she was five, when her mother took off and never returned. For twenty-five years, it had been Ellie and her grandmother against the world. Now, Ellie had no living relatives, but she knew her grandmother would be so proud of her.

It was all coming together. Ellie had quit her job working as a pastry chef in one of the local exclusive hotels and taken the plunge.

In a few short days, Little Cakes would be open for business.

Chapter One

“Little Cakes, Little Cakes, we should all eat Little Cakes,” Ellie sang at the top of her lungs to the music playing in the background as she twirled around the giant kitchen. “Pink and blue, red and green, it’s all about delicious frosting…”

Suddenly, a large presence caught her attention, looming in the doorway to the back section of her store. She screamed, flinching so hard at the same time the cup of flour in her hands went flying into the air all around her.

The man rushed forward. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Eyes wide, she backed up so fast she almost fell from slipping on the flour-covered floor. “Who are you?”

“Garrett Erickson. I own the building. I’m terribly sorry. I assume you’re Ellie Willmoth.” He stopped advancing and pointed over his broad shoulder. “I knocked several times, but you couldn’t hear me over the music.”

Ellie was breathing heavily as she flattened her hand over her chest. “You scared me to death.” She reached over to turn off the music coming from her cell phone.

“My apologies.” His expression was sincere. She had to give him that. And she recognized his name. She hadn’t met Garrett Erickson yet, but she knew he owned the strip mall where she was renting her space. He was tall with dark hair that was graying at the edges. So handsome. Piercing green eyes she could get lost in.

He glanced around. “I saw the lights coming from the back of the shop and was worried. What are you doing here at two in the morning?”

She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart rate. “Baking, of course. I’m planning to open next week. I’m still experimenting.”

“In the middle of the night?”

She shrugged. “I lost track of time. I do that when I get in the groove.”

He glanced around her space again before facing her. His expression was curious, a combination of a smirk and a frown. His brows were furrowed as if he were about to lecture her, but his lips were lifted as if he might chuckle instead.

And what was she thinking? Lecture her? He didn’t know her well enough to comment on the hours she worked. It wasn’t as if she was not permitted to work in her store any hour of the day or night she pleased.

He continued forward until he stood across from her on the other side of the island where she’d been mixing her next batch of cupcakes. “Are you always this…messy?”

Her back stiffened, and she straightened her spine so that she stood at her full height of five-three, while he had to be six foot. She brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, realizing not much of her thick, shoulder-length, brown hair was still secured in the ponytail she had gathered high on her head. “I prefer to call myself creative,” she stated defensively.

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Lemon Chiffon (Little Cakes #2) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/lemon-chiffon-little-cakes-2-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:13:59 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/lemon-chiffon-little-cakes-2-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)

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Daisy Galante adores hanging out with the Littles at Blaze, until she meets creepy member Leo. While escaping the pretend Daddy’s unwarranted punishment, she is rescued by her friend and dungeon master, Tarson. Between Leo and the thugs terrorizing her shop, she’s in desperate need of some tender loving care.
Stern, ex-military cupcake baker, Tarson Kirkwood, is enchanted by the delicate floral-shop owner. When she calls him in the middle of the night in need of help, he’s beyond pleased to learn he was the first person to pop into her mind. His newly claimed Little is in danger, though, and she’s about to learn that his nickname Teddy disguises a fiercely protective grizzly side.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

“I love how it smells in here!” Erica announced as she walked into the floral shop.

“Hi, Erica! I’m glad you’re here. I just got a big order for a wedding. Their first choice of florist has an out-of-business sign on their door,” Daisy shared, rolling her eyes. “I know everyone is looking for a bargain, but really! Choose someone reliable.”

“Was that The Perfect Petal? I thought I had breaking news to share.”

“Yep! They went belly up. I hate to see people lose their shop, even if they are my competition. Start making boutonnieres. I made one as a model. It’s on the bench there,” Daisy waved a hand toward the floral design table.

“How many do we need?”

“Twenty-eight. And that’s just the boutonnieres. I haven’t even started on the bouquets.” Daisy tried to prevent her eyes from rolling again. She ended up looking cross-eyed, provoking a laugh from her assistant.

“There are that many men in the ceremony?”

“Yes. It’s a massive wedding.” Daisy read from her list on the wall in front of her. “There are eleven groomsmen, the groom, four fathers—the bride and groom both have a father and a stepfather—three grandfathers, four ushers, a flower boy, a ring bearer, and one male reader. We’ll make two extras because someone is bound to destroy theirs before the wedding.”

“Why do I want to sing ‘And a partridge in a pear tree’ at the end of that?” Erica joked.

“Because you have a quirky sense of humor that compliments your floral skills,” Daisy complimented as she pressed roses into the massive wedding bouquet. The order would make her monthly numbers look a lot better, but she’d be living in the store until everything was complete.

“When’s the wedding?” Erica asked, studying the simple design Daisy had crafted.

“Tomorrow.”

“Holy crap! Let’s get working.” Erica immediately walked into the floral storage area for supplies.

Daisy looked after her assistant and smiled. She’d worked with her mother since Daisy had been old enough not to bruise the flowers as she sniffed them. When her parents decided to move to Florida, the store had been lonely. Erica’s brass personality livened it up—a lot.

“Don’t work all night, Daisy. Go home,” Erica directed as she hung up her apron. “I’m sorry I can’t stay later. I’ll come back early in the morning to finish up the order.”

Daisy waved her off. “Don’t worry. I’m just glad we close at five on Sundays. At least I won’t have customers coming in after you leave. You can’t miss your dad’s birthday party! I’ll just get a couple more bouquets done and then I’m out of here,” Daisy promised. Sometimes, Erica was more of a mom than her mother had been.

Erica pulled out her phone and took a picture of Daisy. “If you’re in the same clothes tomorrow when I get here…”

“You!” Daisy made shooing motions to hurry along her assistant.

When the door closed behind Erica, she turned back to the bouquet. She had no intention of leaving until the last of the bouquets were done. It might take her half the night, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep if this job wasn’t finished.

A while later, she glanced at the clock. Six o’clock. She was making good time. There were still a lot of bouquets to arrange, but she was determined.

“How many more of these do I still need?” Daisy asked herself, propping a hip against the table for support. Each rose felt like it weighed five pounds.

She jumped as the back door abruptly opened and smacked the wall. Daisy tried to control her facial expression to not show panic as four men invaded her store.

“We’re closed, gentlemen.”

“Really? I think you’ll open to let us smell the roses,” one man said with an evil laugh. The others echoed him.

“We’re here to provide protection for you. You know—keep the bad guys away.”

“Thank you, but I’m sure I’m fine here without your help,” she answered, moving a hand toward the pruning shears she used to cut the stems.

“No need to arm yourself, lady,” the ringleader commented as he snatched the would-be weapon. “You and I are going to stand here real safe as the guys find our fee.”

When Daisy opened her mouth to protest, the man waved the shears. “I bet this would take off a finger. Would that make it tough to arrange flowers?”

Cringing at the thought, Daisy dropped her hands down to the workbench and watched helplessly as the men ransacked her store looking for money. “I already went to the bank. I don’t have anything here.”

He just glared at her with a deadly stare. One by one, the men returned to stand at his flanks. Each shook their heads as they joined the group.

“Nothing but flowers,” one remarked.

“I think we’ll each take one of these,” the spokesman announced, reaching a hand for a completed bridesmaid bouquet.

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Blue Raspberry (Little Cakes #3) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/blue-raspberry-little-cakes-3-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:13:58 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/blue-raspberry-little-cakes-3-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >48

Welcome to Little Cakes, the bakery that plays Daddy matchmaker!
Lark Adams is a successful real estate agent who’s ready to outsell everyone. While preparing a property for an open house late one night, she realizes how dangerous her job can be.
Police officer Wyatt Hazelton is dedicated to equipping women with self-defense skills. When the tantalizing woman he suspects is his Little gets in a spot of trouble, he’s hell bent on showing her how to protect herself. He has a vigilant Daddy eye on her.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Lark Adams was holding a stack of business cards in her hand, seconds from setting them in the little stand on the kitchen island, when a loud crash made her jump. The business cards leaped out of her hand to rain down all over the kitchen floor.

Lark screamed and then spun around in a slow circle, heart racing, trying to find the source of the noise. She couldn’t see anything or anyone.

She was supposed to be alone in the house. Not only that but the house was empty. Completely empty.

The owners had moved out a week ago. Lark was their realtor, and now that the place was ready to show, she was preparing for an open house tomorrow. She’d already walked through every room to double check that the house was in prime condition to make the best impression. Each room had been completely cleared of possessions—even the closets and cabinets.

What could have made that noise? Lark considered making another round, but something made her reconsider. A bad premonition settled over her. Shaking as she held her breath, Lark listened for another sound. Was someone else in here with her?

Another bang echoed through the silence. Leaving her business cards scattered all over the floor, Lark snagged her purse off the island and rushed out the front door without looking back. She raced to her car, fumbling the keys before finally managing to disengage the locks and yank the door open.

She was breathing heavily as she slid inside, locked her car door, and reached for her phone. Should she call 911?

With each passing moment, her fear seemed less warranted. It felt foolish to call the police. There was no way someone was inside the house. If anyone had wanted to harm her, they wouldn’t have needed to scare her. They could have simply grabbed her right out of the kitchen.

There is someone you could call, she remembered.

Wyatt Hazelton. Just thinking of the sexy cop with his dark good looks and knowing eyes made her tremble. She’d met him a few times when her friend Ellie was dealing with a group of thugs who harassed her in her bakery, Little Cakes. He always seemed to watch her.

Every time she thought of him, her heart skipped a beat. She tried not to think of him often. After all, he surely didn’t think of her. He was a buff police officer. He probably had women crawling all over him. Even though her friends thought he’d flirted with her the last time she’d seen him, she refused to believe that.

She did have his card though. Didn’t she? She’d tucked it into her purse after he’d handed it to her. She doubted he actually intended for her to contact him. He’d simply been polite. After all, she wasn’t the only one he’d given his card to. He’d invited Ellie and her employees at Little Cakes to take a self-defense class with him. Lark had been there helping Ellie with her opening that day.

No. It was foolish to think he had any particular interest in her even if she did have trouble getting him out of her head. There was no denying he was taking up a lot of real estate in her brain.

After glancing back at the house, she opened her purse to look for his card. When she found it and flipped it over, she discovered he’d hand-written his personal cell on the back.

Did that mean anything? Maybe he’d written his cell on the backs of all his cards. Should she call him?

She thought about her options. What if someone was in the house? A squatter could be hiding upstairs or something. Old scary movies popped into her mind. Maybe they’d been following her from room to room, staying just out of sight? That sent a shiver down her spine.

Lark needed to return tomorrow morning at nine to prepare for the open house. She’d be scared out of her mind to enter the house alone in the morning. Did that curtain just move?

She could call 911 like a normal person, but again, she felt ridiculous.

After flipping the card around in her palm a few times, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed Wyatt’s number.

It rang only once before his deep voice filled her ear. “Hazelton.”

“Uh, Wyatt. This is Lark Adams. You probably don’t remember me, but—”

“Of course, I remember you, Lark,” he interrupted, his voice lower than how he’d answered the phone. “How are you?”

She swallowed and glanced around. Her predicament seemed even more absurd now. “Well, I uh… It’s silly, really. I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

“Lark? What’s going on? You sound nervous.”

She licked her lips. She already had him on the phone. Might as well tell him. “I’m at this vacant house, and—”

“Why are you at a vacant house in the dark? It’s almost eight o’clock.”

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Red Velvet (Little Cakes #4) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/red-velvet-little-cakes-4-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:13:57 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/red-velvet-little-cakes-4-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)

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Shibari expert Milo Dante crafts masterful silken rigging. Unfortunately, the eager volunteers trapped in the elaborate knots he creates have never captured his heart. Will the submissive hidden inside Riley be the one he’ll never be able to set free?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

“More sprinkles on the way,” Riley announced cheerfully before pushing the swinging door open to enter the Little Cakes’ kitchen. The display cabinet was down to its last rainbow sprinkles cupcake and a toddler and his mother each wanted one of the colorful treats.

As she came back through the door with a heavy tray of more colorful decorations than Riley ever wanted to count, she heard the bakery’s owner, Ellie, chirp, “Hi, Milo!”

Riley had been avoiding the handsome man at Blaze, the local BDSM club. Forcing herself to continue with her task, she quickly slid the fresh batch into the display cabinet.

“Hi, Riley,” Milo greeted her warmly as Ellie finished helping the mother and child.

Unable to stop herself, Riley checked out his powerful form in the paramedic’s uniform of a T-shirt and pants. That soft cotton clung to his broad chest. Yum! Instant heat she always felt when she saw him at Blaze flared low in her abdomen.

“Hi, Milo. I didn’t know you were an EMT,” Riley said quickly, trying to cover the impact of his appearance.

“Yep. I thought I might see you here today. We’re here to pick up cupcakes for my partner’s wife. This is Tom,” Milo introduced the man with him.

Riley blushed as she realized she hadn’t even noticed Milo was wearing the same uniform as the next man in line. She’d concentrated completely on the man who sent shivers of arousal through her.

“She’s seven months pregnant and I do what I can to make her happy,” Tom reported.

“Smart man. You’ll have to get a cupcake for yourself, too,” Riley encouraged.

“We’d already planned on that,” Tom admitted. “Let me get a dozen to go.” Quickly, he picked out eleven cupcakes to fill a Little Cakes’ dozen treat box almost full. “It’s up to you, Milo, to choose yours.”

“What’s your favorite, Riley?”

“That’s insider information that could provide a security risk,” she answered with a laugh. “Next, you’ll want to know my mother’s maiden name.”

“Very funny,” he commented before lifting one eyebrow quizzically. “You won’t tell me your favorite?”

His brown eyes danced, and she swallowed around the thought of what it might feel like to run her hands through his thick brown hair.

When she shook her head, he probed, “If I choose it, will you tell me?”

“Sure,” she agreed. There was a very slim chance that he’d select the one she loved most.

“Cookies and Cream,” he decided after studying all the choices.

“Yummy, but not my favorite.” Riley added it quickly to the box.

“Maybe I should change my choice,” Milo suggested.

“Sorry, no take-backs,” she said quickly as she secured the top.

“Challenge accepted,” he answered softly for her ears only.

Riley laughed, despite her attempts to keep her distance from the mesmerizing man. “There are a lot of cupcakes to choose from.” She waved a hand at the display counter.

“It’s not a hardship when I get a reward for my visit,” he answered, holding her gaze.

Riley couldn’t think of a snappy comeback to his obvious meaning that he would come to see her.

Coming to her rescue, Ellie chimed in helpfully, “Riley’s here three days a week, but come anytime. We have some regular flavors offered every day. Others rotate. Here’s a list. You can mark them off as you guess.” She handed him a flyer with all the flavor choices.

“Perfect.” As Milo turned to Riley, the polite smile changed to a searing look that kindled in her stomach. “See you next time.” He winked as he turned to leave the shop.

“Those guys were hot,” Sue commented as she wiped off the front of the glass display case. It was an endless job to keep fingerprints from blurring the customers’ choices. The toddler had pressed his sticky hands everywhere as he admired the beautiful cupcakes.

Ellie and Riley looked at the oldest of the female employees working at Little Cakes in astonishment. Sue was usually cheerfully reserved. Of all the employees at Little Cakes, Riley didn’t feel like she had figured Sue out completely. She definitely hadn’t anticipated Sue would ogle male customers.

“What? I have eyes!” Sue protested, provoking delighted giggles from the other women.

“Riley? Can you come chop some chocolate for me?” Ellie asked when their laughter subsided.

“Of course.”

Following her boss into the kitchen, Riley washed her hands and put on gloves before grabbing a cutting board and a large knife. She unwrapped the premium chocolate bars, inhaling the bittersweet smell in delight.

“How big do you want the pieces?” Riley asked as Ellie gathered the ingredients for the next cupcake batch.

“Tiny pieces, please. Like slivers. I want the chocolate to blend easily into the frosting as a surprise treat,” Ellie explained.

“On it!”

Riley attacked a stack of three bars. The knife skittered across the board, coming dangerously close to cutting her fingers. “Yikes!” popped out of her mouth as she yanked her hand away to double check that she was okay.

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Pink Lemonade (Little Cakes #5) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/pink-lemonade-little-cakes-5-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:13:55 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/pink-lemonade-little-cakes-5-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >48

Could she dare to live her fantasies?

After meeting a handsome man in the park, Tori Reinhart flees back to the safety of Little Cakes. He couldn’t possibly be interested in anyone as shy and inexperienced as her, and she’s sure she’ll never see him again.
Evan Parker lives two lives. His public persona as a world-famous photographer keeps him busy, as does his private life as the back-up dungeon master of Blaze. When an adorable artist in the local park captures his full attention, her tender Little heart puts his Daddy side on full alert.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

“Oh, no!” Tori jumped to her feet as the wind grabbed her sketch and yanked it up into the air. She set everything in her lap on the park bench and rushed forward, trying to snag the loose piece of paper out of the sky, but it kept floating higher.

Tori leaped up several times, unable to catch the page. Every time it fluttered back down, the wind whisked it away again. With her head tipped back to track the piece of paper and the sun blinding her, she didn’t see the man standing in her path until she slammed right into him.

“Whoa there, Curls,” a deep voice rumbled as the owner of the voice easily snagged her artwork out of the sky. He held her steady with one hand on her shoulder as he carefully lowered the paper, pinching the corner as if he knew it wasn’t something she would want wrinkled.

She sucked in a breath, too unsteady to take a step back yet. “Oh.” He was so tall that she had to keep her head tipped back to make eye contact with him. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going. The wind…” She was rambling, and she slapped her lips together to stop herself.

Her next inhale drew in the nice man’s scent. The outdoors. Whatever soap he’d used to shower this morning. Spearmint.

She met his gaze. He was smiling, and his smile made her heart pitter patter. His lips were full and perfect. His teeth were white and straight. He had a dimple on both cheeks. She jerked her gaze to his brown eyes and then higher. He had a stylish haircut, his thick brown hair longer on top, the waves lying perfectly back.

“You okay?” He took a slight step back, keeping his hand on her shoulder.

She wanted to say no, afraid he would release her if she nodded. But that was silly. Since when did she swoon over a man?

Tori swallowed. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’m fine.” She lowered her gaze, feeling unnerved, trying not to fidget.

The man slid his hand from her shoulder to her chin and tipped her head back again. He was still smiling, but his brows were furrowed. “You sure? I think you knocked the wind out of your lungs when you slammed into me.”

Her cheeks heated. “I’m so sorry.”

His brow furrowed deeper. “Not a problem at all. I’m certainly not complaining that a pretty lady fell into my arms.” He chuckled and then shifted his gaze to her drawing. “Wow. This is amazing. You drew this?”

She pursed her lips, wishing she could snatch it out of his fingers so he would stop looking at it, but that would be rude.

He glanced at her again. “You’re a fantastic artist. I’ve never seen you here before. Do you sketch here often?”

She shook her head. The English language fled from her brain.

Moving his hand to her biceps, he led her toward her bench and helped her sit. He carefully smoothed her drawing out on top of her sketchpad and sat on the other end of the bench next to her.

This was when she noticed he had an enormous camera hanging to his side. It was strapped over one shoulder. If it had been dangling over his chest, she would have broken it… or perhaps broken her clavicle. The lens was thick and long.

The man lifted his camera as she stared at it. “I was taking advantage of the afternoon light to catch some leaves this afternoon.”

“Leaves?” That seemed like an odd thing to take pictures of. Just leaves?

He chuckled. “I guess that sounds ridiculous.” He shrugged. “I often photograph foliage.”

“Oh.”

He turned the screen of his camera so she could see it and flipped through his latest pictures to show her.

Her eyes widened. “Oh,” she exclaimed yet again. “Those are amazing.” They were. Somehow this man could turn a leaf picture into a masterpiece.

He pointed at her sketch. “So are those. You sketch ’em. I take pictures of ’em.”

She managed to smile. “I guess we’re even then.” But they weren’t even. Not close. His photography was much better than her drawing.

“Indeed. Can I see some of your other work?” He pointed at her sketchpad.

She flushed deeper. Crap. She rarely let anyone see her work. She didn’t have the confidence to withstand the possible criticism. “It’s really just a hobby.”

His eyes widened this time. “A hobby? Curls, you should be making money off your art. You’re very talented.” He picked up her sketchpad and slowly flipped through several pages. “Holy cow. These are fantastic.” He took his time, staring at each sketch for a while before turning to the next.

Tori wanted the earth to swallow her whole. She didn’t like this kind of attention.

“Did you go to an art institute?” he asked, glancing at her.

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Black Forest (Little Cakes #6) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/black-forest-little-cakes-6-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:13:52 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/black-forest-little-cakes-6-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >49

Welcome to Little Cakes, the bakery that plays Daddy matchmaker!
Cardio is good for the heart, but it isn’t the answer to finding love.
Rebounding from her husband’s affair and their subsequent divorce, Sue Taylor is on a mission to make herself irresistible to men. Convinced that exercise will fix whatever made her ex look elsewhere, she joins the gym near Little Cakes and commits to putting in the work.
When fate leads Davis Irving to coach Sue through her first workout at his gym, the silver fox is captivated by the cheerful woman in his charge. He knows his search for someone special to care for has ended. Sue doesn’t need crunches, just the special training of an experienced and devoted Daddy.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Wiping a smear of fingerprints off the glass door imprinted with the Little Cakes logo, Sue smiled at the image of Evan helping her coworker, Tori, into the car. Sue wanted everyone to have a happily ever after and had held her breath as the shy, talented woman had created a captivating love story with the handsome photographer.

She had to admit she was a bit jealous. Evan Parker was incredibly talented. Sue had followed his spectacular career. It only took a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror to squelch any thoughts that someone like that could be interested in her.

She let her gaze roam down her reflection from her thick, wavy, brown hair to her feet and back up. She held her own gaze for a moment, her brown eyes staring back at her. Plenty of people expressed envy over her hair, and with her button nose, full lips, and rosy cheeks, she figured she was pretty. As long as she didn’t glance down where she kept a few extra pounds.

Shaking negative thoughts from her mind, Sue finished cleaning the fingerprints off the door and moved on to wipe the tables of the sticky frosting that always got smeared around.

“Thanks, Sue. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you seeing what needs to be done and taking care of it,” Ellie called as she snuck a cup of coffee from the dispenser.

“Your Daddy’s not going to like you drinking that,” Sue pointed out with a smile.

“I know. Shhh! Don’t tell,” the sweet cupcake baker begged.

“Not me. I won’t say a peep,” Sue promised. “It’s not like I have a Daddy who’ll spank me for keeping secrets.”

“Why don’t you come with us to Blaze? Maybe your Daddy is looking for you,” Ellie invited.

“I may take you up on that,” Sue answered with a smile before patting her curvy hips. “I’ll just lose a few pounds first.”

“You’re perfect just as you are. Everything about you sparkles,” Ellie assured her.

“You’re good for my ego.” Sue brushed off the compliment with a laugh before pointing across the parking lot toward the gym on the other side of the strip mall housing Little Cakes.

“I’m headed over there after my shift. Fitness Haven sounds like it shouldn’t be too torturous, right?” Sue asked.

“You’re going to love the owner. He has this presence that makes everyone feel good about themselves.”

“What’s his name?”

“Davis Irving. Think tall, handsome, and silver fox,” Ellie answered with a grin.

“Drinking coffee and ogling other men? You are in so much trouble,” Garrett’s deep voice boomed.

With a gasp, both women turned to see that Ellie’s Daddy had dropped in to see her and had obviously entered through the back door. He stepped into the front section of the cupcake shop and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Daddy! I didn’t see your car. I mean, I’m just having a drop of coffee. It’s mostly milk!” Ellie rushed to assure him.

“I dropped in to tell you I found a repair person to fix the broken oven this afternoon,” he informed her as he walked forward to peer into her cup. “I don’t want you here working extra hours to rotate cupcakes through one oven.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” Ellie said, slumping against the counter. She took another sip of the caffeinated beverage in her hand.

“How long before the next batch of cupcakes comes out?” he asked quietly.

“Fifteen minutes. Then a new batch goes in,” Ellie answered.

“I can take care of it,” Sue offered.

“You can’t do everything,” Ellie refused. “Customers are coming in all the time.”

The bells on the door announced a new flurry of eager shoppers. Ellie waved a hand at the visitors and greeted them with, “Welcome to Little Cakes.”

“You’re going to take a nap, Little one. I’ll take care of the cupcakes. Come on.” Garrett wrapped an arm around Ellie’s waist and guided her into the back.

Sue chuckled when he tugged the thick paper cup out of his Little girl’s hand and dropped it in the trash. She’d take care of everything out here. Smiling at the people oohing and aahing over the treats in the display, she hurried behind the counter to wait on the first person.

Hesitating in front of the door emblazoned with an image resembling DaVinci’s Vitruvian man sketch, Sue almost chickened out. She’d changed into a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt at Little Cakes after her shift, but now her resolve to get started was evaporating.

You’ve really let yourself go, Sue. I definitely wouldn’t have asked you out on a date ten years ago if I’d known who I’d be waking up next to now.

Her ex-husband’s voice echoed in her head.

With a determined shove, Sue pushed open the door with enough force to bang it noisily against the wall. The sound ricocheted through the open space and everyone turned to look.

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Witch’s Brew (Little Cakes #7) Read Online Pepper North, Paige Michaels http://www.ilovenovels.com/witchs-brew-little-cakes-7-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:13:51 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/witchs-brew-little-cakes-7-read-online-pepper-north-paige-michaels Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic, Funny, Romance Authors: Paige Michaels, Pepper North Series: Little Cakes Series by Paige Michaels
Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >48

First impressions don’t have to be everything, right?

Officer Avery Reynolds knows she’s blown it when the driver she pulls over for a broken tail light turns out to be the police captain. Forced to work with her new boss during the craziness of Halloween night, she tries to fight her attraction to the charismatic man who seems to see right through her professional persona.
Trace Barnes knows cops so well he can spot both the good and bad ones instantly. Avery, however, intrigues him. She’s an incredible asset to his police force, but there’s something special about her. Behind her professional mask Trace knows she’s hiding a secret that rivals his own, if only he can dig deep enough to confirm it.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

“That one. It totally fits my mood.”

Ellie laughed as she reached into the display case to pull out this week’s feature cupcake for Officer Avery Reynolds. “Witch’s brew? Are you planning to cast a spell on anyone today?” she joked.

“I wish I could. It’s total chaos out there. Halloween’s in three days but all the school costume parties were today. The kids in town are hyped up on sugar. Their parents are frustrated. And the moon is full,” Avery informed her with a sigh.

“Yikes. I should warn you,” Ellie said as she put the cupcake in the box, “this frosting will turn your tongue and lips purple and black.”

Avery laughed, feeling lighter than she had when she entered the enchanting cupcake shop. Talk about spells. Little Cakes had a way of sprinkling magic on everyone who entered.

In fact, Ellie, the owner, and her coworkers joked that all you had to do was frequent the place and you were bound to find your forever Daddy soon. Lately that seemed to be true.

“What’s so funny?” Ellie asked, grinning as she took Avery’s money.

“Kids have been asking me all day if my uniform is a costume or if I’m really a cop. If I add purple and black lips, they’ll probably run from me thinking I’m a zombie police officer.”

Both women laughed.

Since there was a slight lull in the shop at the moment and no one was waiting behind Avery at the counter, she plucked the cupcake out of the box, peeled the wrapper back, and took a huge bite. She had missed lunch, and she was starving.

She moaned as she chewed, her eyes wide as she looked at Ellie. “What flavor is this? It’s delicious. I can’t identify it.”

Ellie giggled. “Witch’s brew, of course.”

Avery laughed too. “Fine. Don’t tell me. Keep your secrets. Maybe I’ll eat one of these every day this weekend and let people continue to think I’m a zombie cop.”

Ellie laughed harder. “I bet you’ll put the fear of God in anyone you pull over. Are you coming to Blaze tonight? The littles are having a costume contest.”

Avery nodded as she swallowed her second bite. It really was delicious. Maybe it had a secret potion and would give her superpowers that would attract the perfect Daddy to her.

Then again, what was she thinking? The last relationship she’d been in had gone terribly wrong and left her jilted and leery of all men. It had been two years, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to put herself back out there.

On the other hand, she was lonely. That’s why she’d finally started going to Blaze again after a long hiatus. “I’ll be there. If my shift ends up running late, I might be the Little dressed as a zombie cop,” she joked.

“Good. You can protect the princesses from the vampires and werewolves!” Ellie exclaimed with delight.

Avery felt much better as she finished off her cupcake and tossed the wrapper in the trash. “Maybe I should get another one of those for later so I can refresh my lipstick when it wears off.”

“Great idea.” Ellie boxed up the second treat and handed it to Avery. “This one’s on the house.”

“Thanks, Ellie. Have a great day. Watch out for witches and goblins and scarecrows and ninjas. They’re all over the place out there.” Avery waved over her shoulder as she left the shop to return to her shift.

Her partner, Wyatt, was waiting for her in the patrol car. She’d gone into Little Cakes to give him a few minutes of privacy on the phone with his Little, Lark.

“How’s Lark?” Avery asked as she slid into the driver’s seat.

“She’s good. She’s showing a house this afternoon. I like her to let me know when she’s with a client.”

“I can understand that.” Avery started the engine. “Safety first.”

“Is that a witch?” Wyatt asked as he spotted her cupcake through the window on the top of the box.

“Yep.”

He glanced at her and back down. “If you haven’t eaten it yet, why are your lips purple and black?”

Avery flipped down the visor to look in the small mirror and groaned. She’d hoped Ellie had been exaggerating, but her mouth was totally black. Even the purple looked black. Great.

As she backed the patrol car out of the spot, she explained, “Don’t judge. I ate the first one. It was good. I got another one.” She shot him a glare. “And don’t even think of touching it. It’s mine. You said you didn’t want one.”

He laughed and held both hands up. “Never. I’m taking Lark to get a half dozen of them later today.”

As Avery drove out of the main section of town, she kept her eyes peeled on her surroundings. The kids had gotten out of school early. They were high on sugar from class parties, and she didn’t trust one of them not to dart out in front of a car.

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