Baby Cakes: A Vegas Baby Novella Read online

  Baby Cakes

  Fiona Davenport

  Copyright © 2019 by Fiona Davenport

  Cover designed by Elle Christensen

  Edited by Manda Lee

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Baby Cakes

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Epilogue

  I’m Yours, Baby

  Prologue

  About the Author

  Baby Cakes

  Ariel Dawson didn't plan on getting a tattoo when she went to Ink Addiction with her sister. She was just there for moral support...definitely not to find an alpha caveman of her own.

  Maddox Holt had no qualms about putting his mark on Ariel right after he laid eyes on her. Because that's exactly what she was. His woman...even if they didn't have much in common.

  Chapter 1

  Ariel

  My younger sister, Belle, was an adorable mess of nerves as we drove to the tattoo parlor her husband went to for his ink. Her leg was jittery, and her fingers kept tapping on her thigh. I probably should’ve been more sympathetic since I was the one who’d come up with the idea of her getting a tattoo in the first place, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to razz her a little. “It’s a good thing I’m the one who’s driving. If you were behind the wheel, we’d end up crashing before we made it even halfway there.”

  Belle jerked her head in my direction and glared at me. “Don’t you dare! This is all your fault,” she grumbled. “I wouldn’t be so nervous if you weren’t forcing me to get a stupid tattoo in the first place.”

  “Hey! No fair,” I protested. “I’m not forcing you into anything. You agreed to this fair and square.”

  “Only because you double dog dared me!”

  My lips curved up in a wicked grin. “Okay, I’ll admit that you’ve got me there, but you still could’ve said no.”

  “As if,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and switching her glare so it was aimed out the windshield as I turned onto the street where the tattoo parlor was located. “You and I both know that I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t follow through on a double dog dare.”

  I thought back to how relentless our older sister, Aurora, had been the time I’d tried to dodge one when I was a freshman in high school. She’d double dog dared me to talk to a boy who was way out of my league. He was a starting player for the varsity basketball team, three years ahead of me, and had a tattoo on his shoulder that all the girls couldn’t stop talking about because nobody else in the school had one.

  Aurora caught me looking at him for about five seconds and decided I liked him but was too scared to go up to him. That’s where the double dog dare came into the picture. She’d thought I was just being shy and that she was doing me a favor by forcing me to talk to him. It hadn’t mattered how much I’d tried to convince her that I didn’t like the guy—which was kind of understandable since I was blushing and stammering through my argument—she refused to budge.

  We spent three days going back and forth over the whole thing—with her slipping in verbal jabs whenever she could and me getting all tongue-tied out of frustration each time—until I finally caved and walked up to the guy in the cafeteria. Lucky for me, she hadn’t specified what I had to say to him. So, I asked him if I could have the extra salt packet on his lunch tray and trotted back over to our table.

  Aurora hadn’t been happy about how I’d fulfilled the terms of the double dog dare, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it since I’d technically done as she’d asked. And so the double dog dare rules had been set back then...be careful how you word your dare and don’t try to get out of one. It also taught me to be quicker with my comebacks, so I didn’t find myself in another awkward situation just because I didn’t speak up quickly enough.

  “You’ve got me there,” I conceded as I pulled into a parking spot. I waited until I’d tugged her out of the car and into the tattoo parlor before adding, “But we both also know that once it’s done, you’ll be glad that I gave you the extra nudge you needed or else you’d never go through with this.”

  “Wrong.” Belle made a buzzing noise like I was a contestant in a trivia show who’d just given an incorrect answer. “I know no such thing, and you only think you do.”

  “Welcome to Ink Addiction. I’m Wendy. How can I help you today?” The girl manning the front desk looked up at us in the middle of her greeting. Her smile was quickly wiped from her face when she saw my sister’s scowl. Her gaze darted between the two of us before she asked, “Um...do you have an appointment?”

  Since Ink Addiction was a high-end parlor where you had to book your appointment months in advance—unless you were married to a rock star apparently—it was a fair question. She was probably hoping the answer was no so she could tell the crazy ladies who looked like they’d never stepped foot in a tattoo parlor to leave.

  “Yup.” I grinned at her and nudged Belle forward. “My sister does.”

  Belle trudged over to the counter and sighed. “Yeah, I called last week, and the guy who does my husband’s ink said he’d fit me in today at noon.”

  “Last week? That doesn’t sound right.” Wendy tapped at the keyboard in front of her. When she found Belle’s appointment, her eyes went wide. “Oh! I get it now. You’re Griffith Thorne’s wife. That must be why Maddox came in today. So he could do your tattoo. I was wondering since he didn’t have any other appointments scheduled.”

  I elbowed Belle in the side when she didn’t say anything. “Did you hear that? The guy came to work just for you.”

  “You probably bribed him to do that so I’d feel too guilty to chicken out at the last minute,” she muttered.

  “Aw, there’s nothing to be scared about.” Wendy stretched out her right arm so we could see the butterfly tattoo on her inner wrist. “It really isn’t that bad, and Maddox is the best at what he does.”

  The butterfly had a 3D feel to it, almost as though it was perched on her wrist, ready to take flight at any moment. “I can see why you’d say he’s the best. This is some fantastic artwork. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “It is, but Maddox didn’t do mine. I wish he had been the one to do it,” Wendy sighed. “Not that I don’t love my tattoo. All of the artists here are amazing, but Maddox is kind of picky about the work he does. He owns the place, and people come from all around the world to get inked by him. Getting an appointment with him is sort of like winning the tattoo lottery.”

  “If you really want a tattoo from him, you should take my spot,” Belle was quick to offer.

  Wendy’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “Why do I have the feeling this is the last place you want to be?”

  Belle shrugged her shoulders. “Because it kind of is?”

  “Then why are you here?” Wendy asked.

  My sister pointed her thumb in my direction. “This one double dog dared me to get one. But that can wait. You really should—” I slapped my hand over Belle’s mouth before Wendy decided to cancel her appointment and take it for herself.

  “Don’t mind her,” I interjected. “She’s a tiny bit afraid of needles, but it’ll all be worth it when her hubby catches sight of his name on her skin.”

  Belle’s lips stopped moving, and after a moment I felt most of the tension melt from her body. When I pulled my hand away from her mouth, she offered me an apologetic smile. “Okay, fine. You might actually have a point.”

  “Does that mean you’re finally willing to admit that it’s a good thing I double dog dared you into getting a tattoo?”

  Belle rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’m still not sure about this.”

  “You don’t have to get one today if you don’t want to. I’d rather do her anyway.” A shiver raced up my spine at the sound of the deep voice, and it intensified when I spotted the man whose fierce gaze was locked on me. He was about four or five inches taller than my five foot eight inches, with a muscular body. His eyes were a piercing blue and his dark hair looked silky to the touch, making my fingers itch to run through it. His snug-fitting black shirt with the name of the tattoo parlor stamped on the front in a super cool font stretched over his broad chest, and it showed off the dark ink of the full sleeves of tattoos on his arms.

  As quick-witted as I usually was, my brain could only come up with one word. “Pardon?”

  His full lips tilted up at the edges as he prowled closer. “I get that Belle’s the one who has the appointment with me, but I’d rather tattoo you instead.”

  Chapter 2

  Maddox

  There was a design I’d had in my mind for years; one I’d sketched out right after I opened Ink Addiction. I wasn’t sure if I would ever ink it on someone’s skin. Then this red-headed goddess strolled into my shop, and I knew I’d found the perfect canvas.

  “I think that’s a fantastic idea!” Belle effused, giving the red-head a slightly evil grin.

  “Uh, no. We’re here for you, siste r dear,” she protested with a shake of her head.

  I was a little shocked to realize these two were sisters since they looked nothing alike. Belle was average height with almost black hair, whereas my woman was tall, with long dark-red hair, crystal blue eyes, and fucking awesome curves.

  “You’re here to get a tattoo for your man,” she continued. I listened carefully to her next words because if some motherfucker out there was touching what’s mine, I was going to bury his ass under six feet of concrete. “I don’t have a man”—Life saved; jail sentence averted—"so I don’t have a reason to be branded.” Wrong.

  I was about to jump in when Belle spoke again. “I double dog dare you, Ariel.” I almost burst out laughing until I saw the look on my girl’s face. She looked livid but resigned, and my eyes bounced back and forth between them. Was that really going to work on her?

  She sighed, then grumbled, “This doesn’t get you out of yours, Belle.”

  “I don’t know if Maddox can fit us both in,” Belle hedged. That was my cue.

  “Actually, Belle. I asked Candice to come in early to do your piece. She’s the one who did Wendy’s”—I gestured towards the front desk—“and she’s the next best thing to me. She’ll do a fantastic job. I know you asked for me, but you and I both know that Griffith would kill me when he found out I touched his woman.”

  Ariel snorted adorably and drew my full attention back to her. “I have to agree; you’d be a dead man”—her blue eyes swept over my body, and I grinned at the hunger growing there—“and that would be a devastating loss to womankind.” Pink tinged her cheeks, but she didn’t break eye contact and her smile was playful.

  She was so damn beautiful and sweet, I didn’t know whether I wanted to ink her skin before I tasted it, or vice versa. Okay, that was a stupid thought. I definitely wanted to brand her first. Just the thought of my mark on her body had me ready to come. It was going to take every ounce of my control to stay focused.

  “Let’s go, little mermaid,” I teased as I held out my hand. Ariel rolled her eyes but put her palm in my mine. When she stepped close, my hunger intensified, and I was suddenly starving. I glanced at Belle and murmured, “Follow me.” I led them to Candice’s station first and got Belle settled with her, then took Ariel to the rear of the store where my private studio was. I didn’t want to use my regular station. Depending on where I decided to put the tattoo on her body, I didn’t want anyone seeing things that were for my eyes only.

  We stopped by a padded table, and I reluctantly let go of her hand. “Take a seat, baby. I’m going to get everything prepped.”

  Her eyes were wide as she looked around the room, taking in the drawings and photos of my work all over the walls. “Wow,” she breathed. “You’re an amazing artist.”

  Warmth invaded my chest. “Thanks, baby,” I said with a smile. I knew my deep dimples were showing when her blue orbs came back to my face and she stared at my cheeks. Her little tongue popped out to wet her lips, and I had to stifle a groan. I could practically feel it licking my dick. Up and down; around the fat head, then I’d thrust to the back of her throat while she swallowed and sucked on it like a popsicle—fuck, fuck, fuck! I spun around and marched over to my tools, taking a deep breath. I’d just about exploded in my pants like a fucking teenager.

  Once I felt under control, I took everything I needed back to the little table by the bed. Then I threw a sheet over it and tossed a pillow at the head.

  “Take off your shirt and lay on your stomach, baby,” I told her as I walked over to help her up.

  Once she was on her feet, I stayed where I was, just inches from her and didn’t bother to look away. “Um, shouldn’t you go, and I’ll call you when I’m ready or something,” she asked, a pretty blush blooming on her face.

  “Nope,” I responded, letting the p pop. “Strip, little mermaid.”

  Ariel’s eyes narrowed and her lips pursed for a moment, but then she took a deep breath and grabbed the hem of her purple T-shirt. As she lifted it up and over her head, my heart pounded harder with every inch of exposed skin. It was like fresh cream, and I wanted to lap at it before smearing it with strawberry jam and licking it clean. I nearly rolled my eyes at myself for the image. For some reason, all the naughty fantasies she inspired involved food.

  Her bra was peach, and it cupped her big, round tits like a skin waiting to be peeled back, offering up the delicious fruit beneath it.

  I licked my lips as I closed the tiny gap between us and when I took my next breath, I realized why my every sexual thought suddenly seemed to be edible. She smelled like sugar and spice. It reminded me of cake. And cookies. And chocolate desserts—all of it making my mouth water.

  A small sound escaped Ariel’s lips, and my head whipped up from my shameless ogling. Her blue eyes were a little hazy, and her face was flushed. I swallowed hard at the amazing sight of my woman so obviously turned on.

  I needed to get this show on the road, or I was going to throw her on the table and fuck her. And that wasn’t going to happen until I’d marked her as mine. Then I would make her mine.

  “Lay down, baby,” I rasped as I grasped her waist and hoisted her up onto the table. It took a couple of seconds before the fog cleared, and she shifted to do as I’d instructed. “Pull your hair up.” While she did that, I walked around to the other side to take a seat on my stool. She grabbed the pillow I wouldn’t have provided for anyone else and hugged it to her chest for support as she laid down. I scooted close and cleaned the area behind her left shoulder with alcohol, then grabbed the gun.

  “Aren’t you supposed to trace it first?” Ariel piped up, looking at me over her shoulder with wide, nervous eyes.

  I grinned and shook my head. “Even if I did use tracing, which is rare for me these days, I wouldn’t with this design. It’s meant to be done freehand.”

  Her eyebrows shot up, and she lifted up to twist around a little more. “This design? Don’t I get to choose my tattoo?”

  “Nope.” My tone was matter of fact. It wasn’t up for negotiation. I stood and brushed the tip of my fingers down her cheek, then gently pushed between her shoulder blades until she returned to lying on her chest. “Trust me.” When she didn’t say anything else, I sat back down and got to work.

  Three hours later, I pulled the gun away one last time and wiped the tattoo clean of excess ink. It was exactly what I imagined with a few minor improvements that had come to me while I was working.

  “Come with me.” I flipped her over and scooped her up, then set her on her feet. I grabbed a hand mirror and led her over to a free-standing one a few feet away. I positioned her with her back to the glass and held up the smaller mirror so she could see the tattoo on her shoulder.

  She gasped, and her expression lit with wonder. “It’s incredible,” she breathed. After staring at it a little longer, she reached over with her right hand, but I caught it before she could touch the area. “It’ll be sore for a while, baby.”

  I grinned when she continued to just stand there and stare at it, but I only let her have a few more minutes because I wanted to get the Vaseline and plastic over it. Taking her hand, I brought her back to the table and set her on it. “Why do you keep picking me up?” she asked with a frown. “I’m perfectly capable of getting places on my own.”

  I went around the other side before answering. “I like having you in my arms,” I murmured against her ear and smirked when it made her shiver. “Also, I like putting you right where I want you.” She sputtered for a second, but it melted into a moan when I brushed a soft kiss over her bare neck.

  I quickly took care of the wound and gave her instructions on how to care for it. Though, I intended to do it myself since I knew she’d be back in my shop breathing fire before too long.