Sugar Pie (Sweet Beginnings Book 2)

  Sugar Pie

  Copyright © 2020 by Loni Ree

  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.

  Please respect the author and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials that would violate the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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  Edited By: Kendra's Editing and Book Services

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Loni Ree

  Prologue

  Devin

  Watching my brother coo over his dog is the highlight of my day. I can’t wait to get Megan’s friend to the airport so I can get back home and tell the rest of the family this delightful little story. Seeing Harden on the floor, sweet-talking the sweater-wearing Rottweiler is worth getting up early on my day off. “Holy hell. Wait until I tell the others.” Attempting to contain my laughter, I continue. “The big, tough Harden Mackenzie is sweet-talking his widdle bitty puppy dog.”

  “What the holy hell?” is dragged from me as my body slams against Harden’s wall while my world implodes from the impact of seeing her. What the fuck is happening? My chest is burning, and blinking doesn’t clear the haze in front of my eyes. Standing five feet away is the most beautiful, crazy sight I’ve ever seen. Who the hell has pink hair? Is that eye color even real?

  “What’s your problem?” After blinking several times, I’m able to focus on Harden, who’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. I’m almost positive the dog has a pitying look as well.

  I pull myself together as the two crazy women simultaneously screech, “I’m going to miss you,” while hugging and spinning around the room. I look over at my brother and come up with a bullshit excuse.

  It pisses me off royally when I stutter out my fucking excuse. “No-nothing. Just thought of something I forgot to do.”

  Luckily, Harden forgets my reaction to his wife’s pink-haired friend, caught up in all the tears and wailing. I’m not so fortunate.

  Chapter One

  Tricia

  I’m not sure what put a bee up Mr. Hot Sheriff’s ass, but I’m ready to kill him, and we’ve only been driving thirty minutes. The first time I saw Harden’s younger brother, drool pooled in my mouth. He is one hot specimen, a little taller than Harden and a lot more muscular, too. Man does he have some muscles. From the look of his arms, I think his muscles might have muscles. His well-worn jeans fit his monster thighs and ass like a glove, and I’d love to see the material give up the fight and rip. His windblown brown hair looks effortless, but I’d bet my favorite Louboutins he spent more time on his hair than I did on mine.

  Back at the house, I got a peek at some hot dimples, but since we’ve been driving, those little beauties have gone into hiding. I really thought there was a connection between us when our eyes met at Harden’s house, then he looked at me with sheer distaste in his eyes, and my budding feelings died a quick death. Shaking my head, I remind myself he’s another drop-dead gorgeous asshole who thinks us mere mortal women are beneath him. Every time I attempt to start a conversation, he grunts, ending our discussion. “So, do you have a speech impediment?” I finally ask.

  “Huh?” Devin’s head whips around briefly, and he blinks several times before he turns back to the road.

  I look down at my nails then shrug. “If you do, it’s really not something to be embarrassed about. It happens to a lot of people. They get nervous and start to stutter. I heard you back at Harden’s, and I wondered if that’s why you won’t talk to me.”

  He growls—I mean, really, truly growls—before turning and glaring at me. “I don’t have a fucking speech impediment. I just don’t have anything to say to you.”

  Well, the jerk didn’t have to be such an asshole. I’m used to dickheads. I was married to the king of all dickheads and swore I’d never let another man treat me badly. This one will learn. “Oh, I get it. You don’t know how to talk to girls.”

  Darn, he sucks his breath in so fast, he ends up turning purple and choking on his spit. As I pound on the big baby’s back to save his life, I wonder if I’ll go to prison for manslaughter when the delicate sheriff succumbs to my teasing. Devin manages to jerk the truck over to the side of the road and turns to glare at me. He’s not too intimidating with the tears running down his face.

  “Look. You are a pain in my ass that I’d prefer not to deal with today. I’m wasting my entire day off, taking your ass to the fucking airport. The least you could do is shut up and let me have peace and quiet for the ride.”

  Yep, another he-man asshole just like my ex-husband. Time to have a little fun. I shake my head and turn to look out the window. I’ll wait a little and let the big jerk breathe a sigh of relief before I really have my fun. We still have a long way to go before we get to the airport.

  After another forty minutes or so, I decide it’s time to mess with Devin a little. “So, is it your time of the month?”

  There’s the growling and sputtering I’ve come to love during our short period of time together. “What the fuck is wrong with you? A man doesn’t want to flirt and fawn all over you, so you have to insult him and act like a raving bitch?” He isn’t even turning his red face toward me, but the knuckles gripping the steering wheel are white.

  Oh. I’ll show you a bitch, Mr. Hot Asshole. “I really need to use the little girl’s room at the next service station, and I’m sure we can get you some manpons.” Oops. I may have pushed my new friend a little too far. I don’t think neck veins are supposed to bulge quite that far. He doesn’t even answer me.

  When the next exit sign appears, Devin pulls into the huge truck stop and turns off the truck. He looks over at me and holds up his hand. “Before you run your mouth, let me talk. I’m about two seconds from leaving your crazy ass on the side of the road. Don’t push your luck. Go inside and use the bathroom.”

  I glare at the asshole for a second and decide I’ll have to come up with new forms of torture. Megan will kill me if she has to drive here to pick me up on the side of the road.

  After using the restroom and grabbing a bottle of water, I walk back out to the truck. Devin glares at me for a second, then mumbles, “I’ll be right back.” I’m tempted to ask if he needs a manpon, but I don’t want to press my luck. I’m still plenty salty.

  “It’s cold. Could you leave the truck running so I can have some heat?” I’ll make sure to leave it parked in covered parking at the airport, runs through my mind as I smile my most innocent smile. You want to see a crazy bitch? She just came out. After he walks into the service station, I scoot into the driver’s seat and pray he takes longer than two minutes to pee. God, I hope he’s too embarrassed to have me arrested. Oh well, what’s one more crime on my record?

  Chapter Two

  Devin

  I hate the guilt eating at my insides. I earned every single ounce of it. Since the second I laid eyes on Tricia’s bright
pink hair and vivid blue-green eyes, something happened in my heart that scared the holy shit out of me. I’ve fought to keep my eyes off her luscious legs as she fidgets on my leather seat. Every time she takes a breath, the outline of her beautiful breasts in a lacy bra shows through her cream-colored sweater. The tight, light pink leggings barely hide her curvy hips and ass, causing my fucking cock to stay rock-hard the entire drive. Fighting these unfamiliar feelings has turned me into the biggest asshole on the planet, but I don’t know how to control myself. I open my mouth, and the poisonous shit spews out. The little spitfire has a mouth on her that tempts me to no end. I don’t know whether I want to spank her ass or leave her on the side of the road. Instead, I’ve been a total asshole and probably ruined any chance of ever getting to know her. Smooth move, dick.

  As I’m walking through the service station, I give myself a talk. I’m going to be civil the rest of the ride, then go home and attempt to forget about the woman. Even though a little voice in the back of my mind is telling me I’m crazy to think it will ever happen, I ignore it and grab a bottle of water before preparing myself for the rest of the ride. I walk out, and there’s a small, blue compact car parked in front of pump number three. I close my eyes and count to ten, sure I’ll open them and see my black truck when I open them.

  My heart drops while rage flows through my body. It only takes me a few seconds to see her sweet smile in my mind as she asks me to leave the truck running. The crazy little shit stole my truck. After I throw the bottle of water to the ground and swear for a few minutes, I get myself under control. There’s no way I’ll call any of my brothers and explain this fucking situation. My only choice is to call Logan, my deputy. He’ll come to get me. He won’t ever let me live it down, but he’s still a better choice than any Mackenzie.

  “So, Megan’s friend got pissed and stole your truck and left you. Damn, Devin. What the fuck did you do to the girl?” Logan laughs a couple of hours later as I lay my head back on his headrest.

  I groan and try to ignore the fucker, then sigh when he clears his throat. “Tricia and I are like oil and water. We fought the whole way. Let’s leave it at that.”

  “You going to press charges?” I spin around and face him after he asks. Not once have I considered having Tricia arrested. As Sheriff, my first thoughts should have been calling the police in the town where the incident happened, but I’d never get Tricia in trouble. She really has fucked with my mind.

  “And let Harden kill me? No, thank you.” I use the only excuse I can think of at the time.

  A few seconds later, a text comes through on my phone from an unknown number.

  Your badass truck is parked in Long Term Parking Lot A. Thanks for letting me use it.

  The urge to spank her gorgeous ass runs through me, and I realize I’m growling when Logan laughs. “Man, are you sure that’s the whole story? I feel like you’re leaving a lot out.”

  After driving all the way to the airport to get my fucking truck, it’s late by the time I get back to Sweetbriar. For some reason, I head straight to Harden’s house. I’m unable to stop myself from banging on the front door like a madman. While I wait, the tension flowing through my veins causes me to pace the front porch like a madman.

  When I hear the front door open, I spin around and unload. “How could you stick me with that fruitcake?”

  “Hey, watch what you call my best friend, Jerkwad.” Megan comes barreling at me as Harden grabs her around the waist.

  “Woah there, tiger.” He holds her around the waist and looks over her head. The confusion on his face is evident. “Maybe we should talk about this later, when you aren’t upset. You shouldn’t call Tricia names in front of Megan.”

  I’m ready to argue, but the fight suddenly leaves me. How do I explain that my life is suddenly upside down? Nothing makes sense anymore. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning at your office.” I snarl before stomping off the porch and jumping into my truck, slamming the door. Her scent still fills the inside of the fucker, and my dick notices. I tear off down the road, admitting she stole more than my truck today. I doubt my heart will be as easy to get back.

  “Holy shit, run and hide. The asshole Sheriff is on his way in,” Delia calls as I walk into the station. I stop and glare at my long-time dispatcher, and she raises a red eyebrow and glares back.

  “Yes, did you want something?” She smiles sweetly, and I wish Delia hadn’t been my babysitter years ago. I’d fire her ass right on the spot.

  “Respect,” I growl, and she rolls her eyes.

  “Then stop acting like a big bear with a thorn in its paw, you big baby.” Delia turns back to her computer, and I stomp past. This has been the longest fucking month of my life. I don’t even remember what a full night of sleep feels like, and I’m running on empty. Every night, I close my eyes to visions of pink hair flowing around the perfect heart-shaped face while I fuck her. Even when I’m wide awake, memories of her sweet, delicate scent and candy-pink hair torment me non-stop. I’m such a fucking sap. Since her bright pink hair reminds me of spun sugar, my subconscious mind has started calling her Sugar Pie, and the name is now stuck in my head. I’m so desperate for sleep, I bought melatonin and sleep-aids. Turns out, they help me sleep right through my intense orgasms, so I wake up with an iron-hard dick and soggy ass boxers. Yay me.

  If Karma has a name, I’d call her cunt-face right about now. All the years I bragged that no woman would ever reel me in are catching up with me. The irony of the situation is the best part. Tricia doesn’t even live in the same state as me, and she definitely hates my guts after the way I acted. Two huge strikes against us having a relationship.

  Chapter Three

  Tricia

  I’m so happy for Megan. Really, I am. I miss my bestie like crazy, but knowing she found someone like Harden makes all the loneliness worth it. I only wish I could get over these unwanted feelings for the asshole Sheriff. Speaking of assholes, my ex-husband strolls into Sweet Treats. The day just went to hell.

  “What the hell do you want, Tom?” I’m not in the mood to deal with jerks today.

  I’m not sure what I ever saw in the weasel. He actually looks like a weasel. Maybe more like a ferret—you know, the little animals they have in the pet stores—tall and skinny with a little too much grease in his hair. He looks like his mother dressed him in clothes from thirty years ago. God, I had pitiful taste in my twenties.

  Before he can open his slimy mouth, I blast him. “Look, I’m not in the mood today. The last asshole I had to deal with was the Sheriff of Sweetbriar, Colorado. I left his ass in the bathroom of the Fill-n-Go and stole his truck. Now, I have no problem graduating from grand theft auto to murder. Do you really want to open your mouth?” I’m not sure his beady eyes can stretch any larger.

  “What the hell happened to you?” he stutters. I seem to have that effect on men lately.

  “You did, asshole. Now, get the hell out and don’t come back unless you want to be my next victim.” As my ex-husband slams out of Sweet Treats, I hear snickering behind me.

  Turning, I find Mrs. Leeson wiping tears with her handkerchief. “You are something else, Tricia. I do love you.” She smiles and pats my arm while walking to the door. “Don’t let the assholes bring you down. Keep that spirit, and you’ll find your way.”

  I sink into a pink vinyl-covered booth and lay my head on the table. It’s time for me to find my way. I’m scared to figure out what that means right now.

  Six Months Later…

  It’s taken a while, but I hardly ever think about Devin anymore. Megan and Harden figured out something was happening between Devin and me after the airport incident. I’m not sure what he told them, but Megan drops hints that Devin is suffering, too. Yeah, from assholitis.

  Running the bakery without Megan is kicking my ass. I’m so close to throwing in the towel and running off to a tropical island. If only I could find one that would let me have room and board in exchange for my awesome baking skills.


  Megan and Harden are tying the knot next week, and I have to manage my maid-of-honor duties without murdering the best man. It should be a fabulous time.

  Thank God, Hardin’s sister-in-law, Libby, picks me up at the airport. I’m so happy I don’t have to spend hours trapped in a small space with Devin, the huge asshole.

  “I love your hair. I’m so happy you decided to keep it pink for the wedding.” The first time I colored my hair pink, it was by mistake. I grew to love the color and the self-confidence boost it gave me, so I went and had it professionally touched up after it started to fade.

  For the entire ride, Libby fills me in on news from Sweetbriar. She must know a little about my history with Devin because she thankfully avoids mentioning him. I’ve convinced myself that I’ve gotten over my pesky infatuation with the surly Sheriff in the months since I’ve seen him. I’m hoping this trip proves me right.

  At first, I was able to avoid Devin. Tonight, my luck is going to end at the rehearsal dinner. Since I can’t look like I’ve been pining away for the big jerk, I have plans to make sure I look so hot I burn the corneas right off his eyeballs. I’m going to knock his socks off, along with the socks of every other male who happens to cross my path tonight. After I finish applying light makeup and straightening my hair, it’s time to pour myself into the tight ass, silver dress I bought to make Devin drool. If my spleen survives the squeezing, I’ll make sure to put a little extra bounce in my step to add to his torture.