Sweet Preferences

By Kelda Mystern

Kristina Deering was a loyal lover and passionate pastry chef. Carrying dreams and saddled with her own burdens bottled inside, she had to leave her old life behind after a relationship that weathered over a decade was blown away by a dark revelation. In a new neighborhood, with new people, she found love in a young man who lived next door.

Robert Hunt was his name, stalwart and independent at the age of nineteen. He was an enigma that caught her eye, forbidden fruit that tempted Kristina. She only tried to be a good neighbor while dealing with the heartbreak she suffered.

Then came Christmas Eve and nothing would be the same. Falling in love was the easy part, even if it was random and may have been a mistake. What came after was the hard part.

Sweet Preferences is a Contemporary Romance Novella of over [34,000+ words] that explores the aftermath of heartbreak and the spontaneous emergence of love between a woman whose world was turned upside down and the young man who she found herself a bastion in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelda Mystern
• Release date: Sep 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301340309

Kelda Mystern

A blossoming author who hopes to weave tales that explore the complexities of friendships and romances between people of different classes, ages, and social statuses, Kelda Mystern focuses on quality within all of her stories and hopes to leave her readers satisfied.

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Sweet Preferences

(A Tale of Romance That Spans Age and Heartbreak)

By: Kelda Mystern

Published by Kelda Mystern Romances at Smashwords

Visit our website at http://www.kmysternromances.com/

Copyright © 2013 Kelda Mystern

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. The characters and events portrayed in the book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons—living or dead—is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy.

THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING THE HARD WORK OF THIS AUTHOR

About the Author

A blossoming author who hopes to weave tales that explore the complexities of friendships and romances between people of different classes, ages, and social statuses, Kelda Mystern focuses on quality within all of her stories and hopes to leave her readers satisfied.

Moving In

I swore silently as I glared at the back of the moving truck.

I thought I was saving money by not hiring movers to do the unloading for me. After all, when I had two burly men do the loading it seemed I had brought fewer things to start a new life with. But seeing just how many things I had to move alone left me biting down on my lower lip in annoyance…and I recalled that it was pretty much my own damn fault for being so hasty in moving.

I could’ve waited. I could’ve cooled my head before I acted, maybe even found a moving service that didn’t charge separately for loading and unloading. But I wanted to get things done before David came back from his business trip and tried to talk his way out of it, or justified his actions.

I didn’t want to talk at all. Not with David. Not with the other housewives in the old neighborhood. I couldn’t stand to spend another second with any of them.

The only stroke of luck at the moment was that, thankfully, the sun was past its peak. That meant the temperature was dropping to bearable levels for the tail end of summer. By myself I would be done by…midnight, maybe.

However, before I rolled up the burgundy sleeves of my blouse and got started, the sound of a door knob being fiddled with was followed by the creaking of hinges and drew my attention. I witnessed a young man coming out of the door of the apartment next to mine, college-age at least. He looked sturdy enough…and a fair bit attractive, what with his black hair was short and cut low, giving it a neat appearance.

If only he weren’t so damn young…

I shook my head to rid it of the amorous thoughts after a pause. Honestly, what was I thinking? I wasn’t here to get a rebound. I was here to start fresh after my last long-term relationship made me leave my home in the first place. There was no point in jumping back into things so soon, not even to try and purge the feelings and emotions that pained me by burying them under another man.

He could probably handle some of the workload though. I could only hope he was generous enough and had enough time to lend a hand to a complete stranger. There was only one way to find out. Sweetie, could you come here for a minute?

He looked this way in confusion, revealing he had hazel-colored eyes. Once sure that I was calling for him he kept himself tense as he walked towards me. Not surprising considering I was new here so he probably didn’t know how to react to me. Yes?

Putting on as gentle a smile as I could to make a non-threatening first impression, I extended a hand for him to shake. I’m your new neighbor, Kristina Deering. You are?

Robert, he said, in a tone that was controlled. His handshake was no different than if he were handling glass, overly cautious and weak. Robert Hunt.

Well, Robert, as you can probably see I have a lot to move into my new place. I gestured to the boxes stacked on boxes, hiding the other boxes and furniture in the truck. I’m sorry to ask this after we’ve just met, but could give me a hand?

After a tense moment he gave me a short nod. Where do I start?

I really appreciate it, I said, pointing to the largest box on the bed of the truck. It shouldn’t take us too long, and you’re free to leave anytime.

We finally finished four hours later, well after the sun had set and the street lamps scattered about flickered to life. How I fit everything into that truck I didn’t know, but having to unpack it all was going a nightmare in itself. Thankfully Robert had stayed the entire time and managed the heavier ones, so I didn’t strain anything.

I huffed as I set the microwave down in the kitchen and made my way back to him. That took longer than I expected, but that’s everything. Thank you so much.

Robert nodded once more in acknowledgement that his task was done before he walked out the door, shutting it gently to go about his business. He was eerily quiet during the entire move, only using short sentences to ask where to put something down or what to grab next. He never complained about how much work it was or how many hours it took, but he never made small talk either and I couldn’t think of anything to say that would be appropriate to break the ice with.

He must’ve been the strong and silent-type, hiding muscle behind those long sleeves and quiet demeanor.

Sighing as I took a breather on the couch, that we managed to inside the narrow door without breaking anything, I wondered if it would have been rude to ask him over tomorrow to help with unpacking. Well, either way I would have to remember to thank him one day. Maybe bake him something nice once I was settled in…

Sleep came abruptly after that and there was a blink before I realized it. The exhaustion from moving had me slip into a dreamless slumber. Considering the fact that my dreams hadn’t been pleasant for some time I considered that in itself another blessing. I felt refreshed and ready to start unpacking once I woke at roughly noon.

However, before I started moving anything, there was a knock on the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Maybe Robert decided to come by and help out again. Not likely, but a woman could dream couldn’t she? Give me a second.

I made sure I was presentable before I opened the door. That included having the waistline of the jeans I wore hidden by the hem of my blouse and my hair near. While it wasn’t Robert on the other end of the opened door, I was still greeted by three people—a woman with two little boys accompanying her, both barely past her knees.

She was of Asian-descent, with noticeable amethyst-colored eyes and silken-black hair in a ponytail. Adorning her slender physique was a pair of slim track pants and a matching track jacket. If I had to guess I would say she was just under my age, early thirties at best.

The children, twin boys I believed, were dressed in matching shirts and shorts. Both of them were staring at me cautiously, with one clinging to his mother’s pants and hiding behind her while the other had his fingers in his mouth. How adorable.

Hi, the woman said. I wanted to welcome you to the apartment complex and introduce myself. I’m Kaori Synclair, one of your neighbors.

Kristina Deering, I responded earnestly, extending my hand for her to shake. Her fingers were smooth and soft as fresh linen, wrapping around mine to form a soft but assuring grip. Then, with a soft smile, I crouched down so that I could come to eye-level with the little ones. And what are your names, cuties?

T-Timmy, said the one behind his mother.

The other one didn’t take his and out of his mouth, but he managed to get out a slurred Tommy.

I rose to my feet slowly. Those are nice names. I’d invite you all in for some snacks, but I’m not in any state to be receiving guests. Tell you two what though; if your mom says its okay, I’ll make you some muffins after I’ve settled in. Okay?

Kay, they both said at the same time. If I didn’t have an image to maintain I would have squee’d at that point. They were twins alright.

Kaori’s eyebrows arched at the declaration in curiosity. Are you sure? These two will hold you to it.

It’s fine, I told her. I work as a pastry chef so I know my way around the kitchen, plus I have plenty of time on my break so it’s no bother. What about you?

I’m a homemaker, she stated. Her hands lowered themselves to rest on her children’s heads. I used to work as a professional translator for my husband’s company, but then I got these two and someone needed to watch them. Anyhow, we won’t hold you any longer from moving in. Take care.

Thanks for the welcome. I watched as they went back to their apartment on the other side of the street. Once the door opened they were greeted by a golden-furred dog that was so big he came up to my waist. The boys ran past it and Kaori gave me a parting wave that I returned before she ushered the beast back inside.

I shut the door softly and sighed. They seemed friendly enough.

I had been planning