Spicy Sweets: A Taste of Love Series, #4

By A.M. Willard

In this romantic comedy, things are about to get a little spicy when love goes sideways. 

I said 'I do' to the first guy to sweep me off my feet after my heart shattered all those years ago. I didn't just vow to love him; nope, I signed on that line for both him and his daughter.

Over the years, my job and friends were the most important thing to me. Don't get me wrong; the girls are still my family. It's just this tattooed mechanic changed my outlook on love. Let's not forget that the cute blonde-haired princess has me wrapped around her fingers, and I'd do anything to protect her. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.M. Willard
• Release date: Dec 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386887522

Book preview

Chapter One

Have you ever thought you've already met your soul-mate? I'm talking about the one you've already been with and said goodbye to long ago? You know, the one who you thought you'd spend the rest of eternity with? Then when it's over, you've accepted the fact that you’re destined to be alone. That all you would have in life is your career and friends? Well, that's where I was in life when I walked into Diesel's mechanic shop months ago. I was content with where my life was going. I knew what tomorrow would bring. The same as it was the day before and the day before that. The only things that ever changed was my friends lives. I, on the other hand, lived through my cases, my friends, and occasionally a co-worker's story. Love was off the table, no longer in the deck of cards that I was holding. Then it all changed… Diesel Michael Kraft and his daughter, Cassidy, have changed my outlook on life and love. The only problem is, now I'm afraid that I have more to lose in the end. They both have the power to destroy what soul that I have left.

The saying opposites attract is definitely the case here. Here I am wearing pencil skirts, suits, and carrying a briefcase while my now husband can be found in a Henley shirt, jeans, and work boots on a good day. Other days you might see him in a grease-stained work shirt and pants while he works on the different style of cars that come and go from his garage. Don't get me wrong, he will button up a dress shirt and slide on a pair of nice pants when I ask. It's just not his thing, which I've had to adjust to.

Oh, are you wondering what my now husband means? In case you missed it, I asked Diesel to marry me two weeks ago. No, I'm not talking about let's have the whole big wedding thing. I'm talking about, I drove us to the courthouse as soon as he said yes, filled out the paperwork, and before I knew what I was doing I'd already said ‘I do.’

Two weeks, two days, and some odd amount of hours later, I'm laying here in our bed staring up at the ceiling. Sunday mornings are my favorite. It's when we have no place to dash off to first thing when our feet hit the floor. There's no daycare, no work, no hustle from the morning rush. It's the day where the three of us snuggle in the bed after Cassidy wakes and comes crashing into our room. Never before did I think I'd be the type of person to enjoy a lazy start to a day. Nor be the person who looks forward to holding my stepdaughter and now husband in my arms while we decide on our daily plans. This is my, or should I say our, new life… The one that might have been a distant dream in the back of my head. Diesel Kraft crashed himself into my life with a fierce force stronger than a hurricane. He's nowhere near the other guys I've dated or thought I loved in the past. Nope, he's the polar opposite of everything my life has been defined by for the last ten years. He's not into law, the constitution, legal pleas, fancy dining, nor suits and ties. He makes his own life and lives by a whole different set of rules than I did. I say did because slowly he's changing me, showing me a new way to live. When I stress, he calms me down. When I sink into myself, he drags me out. When I fear that Cassidy won't love me like I do her, he reassures me that I'm her hero.

Over the years, I've seen broken families and how it can affect the children the most. Diesel and Cassidy were cut in a way that I can't imagine, and the closer I get to them, the more I realize we were meant to find each other. The thought of soul-mates, true love, and all that snazzy stuff, Morgan, one of my best friends, believes it was once a myth. It's now that I understand what she was holding out for. It's the moment you wake up, turn to your side, and come face to face with the person you want to wake up with for the rest of your life. The one who makes your heart beat faster than a hummingbird's wings can flap. It's the little girl who curls up to you when she's scared from a thunderstorm. The one who wants to have tea parties and be a princess. That's what our house is like now. No longer the boring apartment in the middle of downtown Atlanta. Nope, I traded in the china for plastic teacups, dolls, and random car parts that Diesel has delivered.

That day a few weeks ago when I turned my notice in at the law firm, it was one of the best things I could've done. Yes, I'll still have some long nights and cases that cause me stress, but it's no longer about how many cases I win; it's about how many lives I can change and help along the way. It's something I can be proud of, and know that one day when Cassidy is bigger, she'll understand that in life you have to change with the growing tide. You can choose to sink or swim.

For so many years Morgan, Zara, and Frankie have been my family. People don't understand the connection that the four of us have, nor should I have to explain, but I usually do if I'm put in that predicament. Not many people know that my parents died in an awful four-car collision years ago as they were traveling to watch me graduate from law school. After I buried them three days after receiving my diploma, I dumped myself into work. It was the best way to conceal not only the past but the feelings. Years later, I realized that I never grieved for them. It might've taken the break up with Marcus and me to make me see that. The girls were the ones who picked me up and taught me how to dust myself off. I'm still not great with showing my emotions; I’d rather protect my heart.

The reason I say this is because I still feel that I have to shield myself from Diesel. He's opened up to me with the loss of his wife, and how he wasn't sure if he'd be able to raise Cassidy on his own. I know the love that we have isn't staked around her needing a mother figure, but I'm scared that I won't be the mother she needs me to be.

In my experience, when life is going great something happens. It's the reason I always stay one step ahead, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Nothing I do can shake the feeling I have. The protectiveness that I hold over them. There are days where I might text Diesel more than usual, and I've even been known to message Cassidy's daycare just to check in on her. This is also why this afternoon I have an emergency session with the girls. I need an intervention… Passing off my cupcake coma to Diesel that Morgan needs help deciding on something for the wedding has brought me a few hours alone today. He understands that when I meet the girls, it’s time for sweets and a whole lot of girl talk.

You still meeting us at my mom's this afternoon, Diesel asks as he snakes his arms over Cassidy and stares at me.

That's the plan, I respond with a smile as I take them both in.

Cassidy, why don't you go turn on the TV, and we'll be in there soon, he instructs her, and I watch as she bounces all the way down to the end of the bed, and before she bolts down the hall she turns to us and smiles. That child is more than I can handle at times. With no words, she’s able to melt my heart even more right then.

Diesel slides closer to me, reaching his arm over my side before speaking. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?

Nothing, I promise.

Do I need to do the thing again to get an answer from you?

No, we aren't doing ‘the thing' this early, and your daughter is awake.

Correction, our daughter, and it's never too early for me to show you how much I love you.

I swat him on the shoulder as I cover my face from the slight redness that I can feel creeping up my cheeks. We'll get to ‘the thing' later as it's still early in the morning to explain what he does. I'm also choosing to ignore the ‘our daughter’ statement. I know he looks at us as a family, and I love her like I gave birth to her, but in reality, she's not mine. I hold no parental rights to Cassidy. Hell, I can't even sign a piece of paper from her school, nor give medical permission.

Why don't you go hang out with Cassidy while I shower and get ready to meet the girls for breakfast.

Yeah, okay… You sure you're okay?

I'm fine, Diesel, just a little tired, I say as I slide out from his arms and head to our master bathroom. No matter what, I've got to figure out how to turn this off. I need to stop worrying so much and focus on today rather than months or years in the future. No longer do I want to keep my eyes closed. I want to watch life unfold before me while I'm in the middle enjoying it.

Turning the water on, I let a low sounding laugh out as I find it crazy that here I am having a crisis. The last one was years ago when I found out Marcus was cheating on me and the whole firm knew it. The time before that was my parents’ death. Over the years, I've been the reasonable one guiding my friends through our ups and downs. Now, the table has shifted, and it's my turn to second guess everything I'm doing.

Walking into the original bakery, I spot the girls right away. It's pretty easy to find them since only a few other tables are being occupied.

Where's Madison, I ask Zara as I slide in next to Morgan.

With Hatcher. She shrugs.

You could've brought her, you know. I mean, it's not fair that Frankie gets to see her all the time, while we never get to spoil her.

Then where's Cassidy, she fires back.

Fair enough, and for the record, since this is about her and her father, I thought it was best to leave them both behind. My voice is laced with a little snarkier flair than usual.

Before we get started, I need food and tea, Frankie states as she leans back in the booth, appearing to be starving half to death. Her simple comment causes us to laugh at her expense. It also reminds me how Zara was with all her cravings. But Frankie isn't having cravings, she just wants to eat the world then be miserable before she eats again.

How ya feeling, I ask Frankie.

Good, the morning sickness seems to have gone away for the time being. Evan and Neil are spoiling me to the point where I don't think I ever want to have this baby.

HA… You say that now, but wait until you can't see your feet nor your V. Then say that. Zara says it like it's the most normal thing on the planet. Before any of us can respond, plates of muffins, sweets, and bagels land before us. Not to mention the coffee and one hot tea for prego.

We going to get down to business, or you going to make us wait, Morgan pipes up, which causes us all to laugh. Ever since this wedding planning and Jayden has happened, she has turned into a firecracker. There have been days where she's beaten Zara at it.

Alright... I say and pause to gather my thoughts for a moment. I'm scared to death that something is going to happen to them. Like OCD scared that I check on them all day long. Not to mention the other thing that we will get to once we figure out how to get rid of my bat-shit crazy notation that something is going to happen.

Frankie pipes up first, What do you think is going to happen?

That's the thing, I don't know… It could be a snagged toe from the corner of the sofa to a sinkhole; I just don't know, but I'm expecting it.

Natasha, you do know that you are allowed to be happy, right, Morgan says.

I know, but what if it's all a tease on life… You know a glimpse of what you could have, but it was all a joke kind of thing.

Life isn't that way. We know you got dealt a shitty card with your parents, but that doesn't define the rest of your life, Zara states, making a good agreement.

I agree with Zara. You need to let it go and accept that you can't control everything. Maybe you leaving that corporate law wasn't a good idea. You have way too much time on your hands now, Morgan explains. When I look at Frankie, she's nodding her head in agreement as her mouth is full of bagel.

That's not all… Did you know that even though I'm Diesel's wife, I have no rights to Cassidy? Example A: I went to pick her up at the center on Friday, and they handed me a slip to take home to her dad. I told them that I could sign it while I was standing there, and they kindly told me that since I wasn't her mother, he had to sign it. Do you know how embarrassed I was in front of the other mother's signing that stupid slip for their kids? I finish my outpouring confession, and when I look around the table, all eyes are wide staring back at me.

Don't look at me like that… All three of you would feel the same if in my shoes.

Frankie swallows her drink and dabs the corners of her mouth like Southern royalty. I understand completely, trust me—it happens, but you know you could adopt her.

I know, but we've only been married for what, two weeks? Diesel wouldn't go for that this soon. We're still figuring out this married life—well, I'm still figuring it out, he's had practice. See… This right here is what I do all day long. I compare myself to her… Am I the wife he wants? Am I doing what I need to do? The next time I have a spur of the moment impulses, I'm calling for back up.

Frankie reaches over to grab my hand before she speaks. Natasha, get the hell out of that smart head of yours. That man is not comparing you to anyone other than yourself… He loves you… Cassidy loves you… Talk to him, that's what marriage is all about.

I guess you’re right. When did you get so smart?

When Evan showed up a few houses away from me, she says, so matter of the fact that we all chuckle. It's true. Just a few months ago we were talking her off the roof, and now here I am ready to jump while they pull me back to earth for a little while longer. As we sit here and I listen to each of them talk about what's going on, all I can think about is what my family is doing without me. Are they snuggled on the sofa watching TV, are they cooking breakfast, or did they go to the park before heading to Diesel's parents' house?

That's another new thing in life for me. All of my family has passed away. Thanksgiving has been spent with friends, and that's been the way I like it. Now, now I have this whole big new family that offers hugs, kisses on not one, but both cheeks as soon as we walk through the door. It's a lot to take in, but it's time that I start embracing and push the deep, scary stuff down for as long as I can. I can't control the universe; however, I can try to control the now.

I just hope I have enough in me for the present to give and that this wasn't one of the biggest mistakes of my life. We continue with our friendly banter while poking at Morgan for more details on the wedding. Zara goes on and on about Madison and how much she's growing before her eyes. A smile displays across my face as I sit here and listen to Zara. It wasn't long ago that she was freaking out about becoming a new wife and mother at the same time. The only person at this table who's doing this whole relationship thing correctly is Morgan. Yes, this might be the second wedding she's planning, but it's the only one that matters. We like to refer to the first as a test run. She learned what she wanted, how she wanted it, and since then, Morgan hasn't looked back. Not to mention, Jayden allows her to run the show but likes to jump in and surprise her with ideas or a wedding venue. Simon controlled every aspect of their relationship right down to the color the napkins would be. It drove us all nuts, but since we were loyal to Morgan, we sat next to her ready to catch the pieces as they fell. Frankie shifts from side to side while our conversation flows. I study her and catch a glance of glimpse of uneasiness on her face.

Frankie, you okay?

I am, just a little uncomfortable but the doctor said this was normal. You know things stretching, and since I have so much scar tissue, I'll feel it more than someone without it.

Okay, I say with a nod and leave it at that. I want to dig more into this, but her eyes are telling me to drop it for now. She's been worried since the day she found out she was expecting, which also has us all worrying enough for her. I might not know what will happen in my life tomorrow, but I can sit here and tell you that Frankie will be okay. She has to be, for