The Exception (The Exception #1)

“You’re insane,” I sighed. “Okay. We will need flour, sugar, chocolate chips and eggs. Probably vanilla and some salt. And baking soda so they’ll be fluffy.”


“Baking soda? Who has baking soda lying around their kitchen?”

“People who want to make cookies,” I deadpanned.

“I’m going to pretend like you didn’t just say that,” he growled as he pulled out the flour and sugar and sat them beside the vanilla and salt. “Are you going to help or you going to watch? The chocolate chips are in the freezer.”

“Um, this was your idea, so I’m totally okay with watching. And why are the chocolate chips in the freezer?” I rolled my eyes as I made my way across the room.

“Have you ever had a frozen chocolate chip?”

I shook my head no.

“Then don’t knock it until you try it, woman.”

I grabbed the chocolate chips out of the freezer and tossed them next to the other items. “Grab a bowl. I’m going to need a big one,” I instructed him.

He burst out laughing. “Oh, I have a big one, all right. But let’s make the cookies first, okay?”

“You are incorrigible. Since we are refusing to use a recipe, I have no idea what measurements to use. So we are going to have to guess.”

Cane grabbed the bag of flour and dumped some into the bowl. “That looks like a good start.”

“This is going to be a long night. Give me some sugar.”

I felt his breath hot against my neck as he pressed his body up behind mine. “I have your sugar right here,” he whispered, kissing up and down my neck.

“Cane,” I whispered breathlessly. “Can we just forget the damn cookies?”

He smacked me on my behind and I yelped.

“Sugar,” he said, handing me the bag. “Now what?”

“Baking soda,” I demanded as I dumped some sugar into the bowl, my annoyance obvious.

He smirked as he silently handed me the canister and I plopped some of it into the bowl. I added a bag of chocolate chips.

“Ah, is someone frustrated?” he asked teasingly.

“Me? No.” I grabbed some butter out of the refrigerator. “I’m going to melt some of this. Put an egg or two in there.”

I threw a stick of butter into a bowl and popped it into the microwave, glancing at the clock. This is ridiculous, I thought, as I stopped in my tracks. “Cane!” I yelled. “What are you doing?”

“Putting a couple of eggs in here.” He tipped a carton of egg whites into the bowl.

“I don’t think you can use that!”

“This is my recipe, so I can use whatever I want.”

“Whatever. I’m not eating any of these.” I removed the butter from the microwave and added it to the bowl. “Stir.”

He grabbed a spoon and roughly stirred everything together. I watched his muscles ripple with every motion and my thoughts quickly turned away from the cookies. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle, letting my fingers slide lazily down his abs.

“Don’t try to distract me with your wicked ways. This is serious business.” He laid the spoon on the countertop and stuck his finger in the bowl. Turning to face me, he held his finger in the air.

“It looks good,” he smiled. “Now let’s see what it tastes like, shall we?” He brought his finger up and popped it into his mouth, sucking the dough off.

“Mmmmm,” he said, letting his eyes roll to the back of his head. “This is really good. Do you want some?”

I shook my head and he jutted out his bottom lip, giving me puppy dog eyes. “Come on, Jada. You’re hurting my feelings.” He dipped his finger back in the bowl, holding it in front of my face. “Just a little taste?” he asked, wagging it in front of me.

“Just one.” I was going to use that little opening to get what I wanted. I grabbed his hand with both of mine and slowly inserted his finger into my mouth. I wrapped my lips around his finger and let my tongue lazily caress it. His eyes widened as he caught on to my game. I pulled his finger out through my lips and licked it clean. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he watched.

“That is good,” I said, smiling at his reaction to me as I dropped his hand. “Can I have more?”

He grabbed my hips and lifted me up, sitting me on the counter.

“What, exactly, do you want more of, Ms. Stanley?”

“Cookie dough, of course.”

“Sure.” He scooped out a small bit and licked it off of his own finger. Smiling, he grabbed the back of my head and leaned in to kiss me. I tried to pull away, laughing, but he pressed his lips to mine. His tongue passed my lips and I could taste the sweetness in his mouth.

He scooted me closer to the edge of the counter and I wrapped my legs around his waist, cinching our bodies even tighter. His body was hard against mine and I pressed myself against him, wanting every possible inch of my skin to be touching his. He was a walking aphrodisiac.