Crazy Love: Curvy & Decadent, #4

By Dee James

Read this forced proximity, age gap romance if you love a curvy, sassy heroine, a growly, possessive hero, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

 

Amelia
Sassy, mouthy, bold, I've been described as all these and more. At twenty-three, I co-owned a bookstore café with my sister. I thought I'd rebuilt my life successfully after my parents' separation until my house burned down and I was forced to live with a hot-as-sin billionaire who stole my first kiss. Sweet kisses, dreamy dinners, and scorching chemistry aside, I wondered if a relationship with this broody, complex man would work. Especially when he had the one thing that I loathed—money.

 

Ryan
After building my empire from scratch, I was tired and lonely on top. When the curvy and sassy Amelia entered my life like a whirlwind, I couldn't resist the change to snag her myself, forever. Too bad my little firecracker had her guards high up. I wondered what it would take to break down Amelia's defenses and make her mine. Just when I thought I'd cracked her armor, one dinner threatened to collapse all my efforts. Will I be able to convince Amelia she belonged to me?

 

Curvy & Decadent is a series of standalone, steamy contemporary romance where decadent billionaires fall for their generous, curvy women. If you love growly billionaires, sassy heroines who belong to a romance book club, swoony romance, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after, you're in the right place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dee James
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223575191

Dee James

Dee James is a contemporary romance author whose books have consistently featured in the Bestseller Lists on Amazon India. Dee writes quirky, innocent, and curvy heroines who find their happily ever after with sinful-looking, growly billionaires.  Sweet and steamy, her romance novellas are peppered with passionate, swoon-worthy moments along with a guaranteed fairy tale ending. If you're looking for a low-angst, feel-good romantic read with a guaranteed HEA, you're in the right place! Newsletter: https://authordeejames.substack.com/subscribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordeejames/ Facebook Readers' Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authordeejames

Book preview

#1

Amelia

Sipping the champagne slowly, I looked at the beautiful setting against the backdrop of a lake. The stunning floral arch against the scenic background, the mouth-watering Indian and continental delicacies, and the overall romantic atmosphere... oh! The whole thing was just dreamy. Even for a cynic like me, this intimate wedding reception seemed heavenly.

Well, cynic or not, I was certainly grateful for a lot of things in life. At twenty-three, I co-owned Curvy & Decadent, an exclusive romance bookstore that also served world- dessert, with my sister Sara. The said desserts were put together by yours truly, while the bookstore was managed by my older sister, Sara.

Glancing around, I noticed her talking to two of our best friends, Pari and Kiara. Pari was the daughter of a techie billionaire and was married to the famous architect Zain Malik of Malik Industries. An e-commerce genius, she was the cool illustrator behind the famous Pacia Loves, a brand that sold quirky planners, calendars, arts, and other quirky caricatures.

Standing next to the adorable Pari was Kiara, who was Pari’s childhood buddy. Thanks to Pari’s love for book boyfriends, the duo had come into our store all excited almost a year back. Although Kiara wasn’t too fond of romance, she now enjoyed romantic suspense. She gleefully asserted that her unplanned pregnancy was the direct consequence of pouncing on her hot Italian husband after reading all the smut.

I smiled, happy and grateful for this new phase of my life. Two years ago, after the death of my mother, I’d been lost. The only family I had left was my sister, Sara, who lived with our father. I hurriedly took another sip, not wanting to dwell on my sperm donor too much. To put it mildly, I didn’t have the greatest relationship with him after he divorced our mom. I went with my mother to Kolkata, while Sara stayed in Hyderabad with our father.

Despite my parents’ separation, Sara and I stayed in each other’s lives. She’d visit us now and then, adding to my joy. After my mom’s death, it was Sara who’d pleaded with me to come to Hyderabad. After much deliberation, I’d agreed. I only had one condition; I’d live independently, with no interference from my father or what was left of his family.

Hearing laughter, I snapped out of my reverie to see Sara, Pari, and Kiara giggling together. We were all here to attend the wedding reception of Maya Roy. Yes, the same Maya Roy who ran a very successful matchmaking company like a badass queen. Also, a part of my cherished girl gang, Maya had accidentally met and fallen in love with the world-renowned chef, Rishabh Khanna, a month ago. And now the two were married. Just like that!

Well, I played a teeny-tiny part in their fairy tale. They’d had a misunderstanding, and I burst their little tiff, nudging them together. I mean, why waste time? She was crazy about him, and he adored her; they had mind-blowing sex... time to fall in love! Or chase that happily ever after. If such a thing existed, that is.

I’m glad things worked out for you, I smiled at Maya, glad she’d found her person. Perhaps love did work out for some people. Who knew?

Before Maya could reply, I saw Rishabh join his wife. Not without some prodding at the right time, I must add, he grinned at me, making me feel sheepish and apologetic all at once.

What? Maya looked at her husband, unaware of how I’d stormed into Rishabh’s restaurant to demand he set things right with Maya. I tried not to wince when I realized how impulsive my actions had been. Mercifully, it had ended on a good note. Sara was right. I had the tendency to act first and think later. One of these days, I should try developing some tact.

What your husband is saying is that this beautiful young lady walked into his restaurant like a tigress, defending your honor and your noble intentions, a deep voice answered by my side.

Startled, I turned to look into the face of the man who’d haunted my thoughts the past few days. Bold and beautiful, he murmured softly, his dark eyes capturing mine.

I blushed, trying not to stare at him. Ryan Malhotra, the reclusive billionaire who was rumored to be the mastermind behind many successful businesses, moved one step closer. Dressed in an expensive black shirt and black slacks, he almost looked fierce. His dark, serious eyes added to his rugged personality. Only his dark hair, which was now slightly ruffled, made him appear human.

I tried not to stare and failed, my mouth turning dry as I remembered how his eyes had eaten me alive when I’d gone to confront Rishabh. This same man had watched my outburst unblinkingly as if he’d been fascinated. Even as that thought flashed through my mind, I mentally scoffed at my fanciful notions. Maybe this romantic setting was getting to me.

Is that true? Amy!

Thankfully, my ogling was cut short by my sister’s horror-filled exclamation. Knowing what was coming, I mentally sighed. What can I say? She was the firstborn. The patient one, the responsible one, blah blah... and I loved her to the moon and back. But that didn’t stop me from being a brat. Not at all. If I gave her a few gray hairs in the process, it wasn’t intentional.

Well, yes. I figured Rishabh needed a dose of reality. I shrugged. Although, my apologies if I’ve offended you, hot chef, I sassed with a cheeky grin. I shouldn’t have said you have SDE, I added with a short laugh.

Yep, you guessed it right. I let my mouth run away and accused a world-renowned chef of having small dick energy, aka SDE.

Hearing a sexy growl from my side, I turned to watch my drink abruptly snatched away. I gawked at the tall, impossibly wide-shouldered Ryan, who was now dragging me away from the little party. Until a moment ago, I’d been nursing a glass of bubbly and enjoying my bestie’s wedding reception. Now, I was being pulled to God knows where. What the hell was happening?!

When I felt the strong hand tug me for the second time, I began to struggle. Ugh! Leave me alone, you annoying brute! I hissed in anger, belatedly noticing that Ryan had maneuvered me to the other side of the beautiful lawn.

You will speak about no other man. Especially not about his...

Don’t you dare complete that sentence. I pursed my lips, annoyed at both him bossing me and at my treacherous body that seemed to like it. Hearing the deep rumble of his voice and looking at his dark eyes that carried a fierce expression, heat uncoiled in my belly. I prayed my nervousness wasn’t visible. I didn’t let anyone boss me around. Least of all, a man.

How I wish I could silence that sassy mouth right now, he murmured softly, his eyes zooming-in on my lips.

My mouth turned dry at this look; thankfully, anger overtook the ill-timed lust. Yeah, he was good-looking. So what? Maybe his gaze looked into me at a level that shook me. Whatever! It didn’t mean I was going to succumb to any of these silly feelings. Pulling my hand away, I turned around completely, my back facing my friends, who were trying not to stare at us.

I dare you to try. My eyes flashed with annoyance. Without waiting for the brute to retort, I turned around and marched inside Rishabh’s lakehouse. Only to be picked up by Ryan as soon as I stepped into the kitchen through the back door.

Put me down! Are you insane? Oh my God, I can’t believe your ego. Can’t you deal with a woman challenging you? Are you not man enough to deal with it?

I stopped abruptly the minute my feet touched the floor of what looked like the guest room. I saw Ryan kick the door shut before looking at me with feral eyes.

What were you saying?

I gulped. Suddenly, I felt the tension leave Ryan’s body. His movements turned lazy and somehow more lethal. Smirking, he took one step forward, making me involuntarily take a step back. Our little dance continued until my back hit something solid. A wall! I swallowed and tried to hide my nervousness. Realizing the room was eerily quiet, and there was a huge bed next to us, I inhaled shakily.

Despite my heaving chest and my sudden inability to talk, I raised my eyes to his without blinking. I refused to cower, especially not to this man who threatened my equilibrium without effort.

Do you want to know if I’m man enough to handle you, my little firecracker? Ryan asked me in a deceptively soft voice, his eyes darkening with desire and something more dangerous.

I shivered at the low rumble of his voice. The heat pooling around my belly made me want to escape this strange pull. Before I could move away, he caged me in, his hands on either side of me. My breath caught. In this position, I could see him up close, and what a sight it was!

Ryan looked stunning with his smooth, olive skin, dark hair, and chiseled jaw. His straight nose sat above a full set of lips that were now too close to mine for comfort. The dark stubble that hugged his jawline only added to his mysterious charisma. My eyes unconsciously moved down, drinking in the movement of his lips and his insanely hot Adam's apple.

Surrounded by him on all sides, his woodsy scent invaded my senses, almost making me lightheaded with