Page 28 of Cowboy Devil's Embrace

How many times had he put me down, making me feel worthless and unattractive? As if fat was the worst thing a human being could be.

“I know that look. Do not give Dirtbag even one more second of your time tonight, Pen. He is not worth it,” Avery said, narrowing her eyes.

“I know. You’re right. Okay, I’m going to the front to find outwhoour mystery cupcake fanatic is,” I replied with a tight smile.

Shaking off those bad memories of my ex, I removed my rubber gloves, then pushed open the swinging door that led to the storefront.

“The cupcake fanatic would be me,Sugarplum.”

I startled hard as the sexiest voice I had ever heard replied to the comment I’d just made to Avery.

But how did he hear me all the way out here? And, oh my, is Mr. Tall Dark and Doable wearing a cowboy hat?

CHAPTER SEVEN-PENELOPE

Iwas frozen in place. My long neglected libido flared to life.

Holy. Fuck.

Did real men have voices like that? Voices that sounded like they were dipped in chocolate sauce or honey.

“That would be me, Sugarplum.”

Oh. My. Ovaries.

Now, in northwestern New Jersey, we were no strangers to cowboys.

In fact, Barren County hosted rodeos every couple of months at the fairgrounds. But inside of town, I hardly ever ran into a man who looked like him.

And Devil’s Food Bakery was smack dab in the center of Dry Creek. Right on the corner of 3rdAvenue and Main Street.

I had a fairly decent sized storefront. The walls were painted brilliant white, semi-gloss for easy cleaning. But the accents were all black-stained wood and dark red.

The colors complemented my bakery’s custom logo, which featured my cutesy little she-Devil that I’d had designed by a local artist.

People told me black and red were not the right colors for a bakery, but even my haters had to admit my place looked good.

The store was welcoming, warm, and inviting. I even had six designated parking spots for customers in the lot in the back, and Sundays were, of course, my busiest day.

People loved to have sweets after family lunches or dinners, and I was happy to provide them.

Slowly, but surely, I had been building up my business, even offering my services to catering companies for parties and events.

The point I was making to myself was that Dry Creek—hell, make thatallof Barren County—was super small population-wise.

I knew all of my regular customers.

But I didn’t knowhim.

“Cat got your tongue, Sugarplum? I think I can fix that,” the stranger said.

He licked his kissable lips. That intense, dark gaze roamed over me from head to toe, as if he could see through the counter and the display case in front of me.

Okay, well, technically he could. The case was made out of glass, but there was stuff in the way, so I wasn’t totally wrong in feeling so utterly shook by his apparent appreciation. His gaze zeroed in where my,well, where my suddenly needy little pussywas now soaking my underwear, and oh my God, I felt warm all over.

Could he see past my clothes, to the not sexy granny panties I had on?

“C-can I help you?”

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