The Cupcake Conundrum, page 1
part #2 of Williamsville Inn Series
The Cupcake Conundrum
A Williamsville Inn Story
Brigham Vaughn
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events 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.
The Cupcake Conundrum ©2020 Brigham Vaughn
ISBN: 9798645372026
Cover design by Brigham Vaughn
Book design and production by Brigham Vaughn/Hank Edwards
Editing by Sally Hopkinson
Cover Images:
© Krakenimages.com/AdobeStock
© vectorkif/AdobeStock
© rh2010/AdobeStock
© JJAVA/AdobeStock
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2020
Contents
Prologue
1. February 2019 - Brooklyn, New York
2. February 2019 - Brooklyn, New York
3. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. February 2019 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11. February 2019 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
12. February 2019 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
13. May 2019 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Epilogue
About the Author
Pride Publishing
Two Peninsulas Press
Off Topic Press
Prologue
January 2018 - Manhattan, New York
Adrian Cobb glanced around the bar. It was typical for a nice hotel, with a wooden counter, leather stools, and skilled bartenders. But the liquor selection was better than average and so was the appearance of the bartenders. Adrian had been looking. Not creepily, he hoped. But it had been a very long time since he’d been on the market, and it was nice just to enjoy the view and wonder what it would feel like to have that man’s long, lean torso stretched out over his as they kissed or feel the brush of that woman’s breasts as she slithered down his body.
It was a relief to be away from the bakery and the kids and all the pressures and responsibilities in his life. He was thirty years old and most days he felt a decade older than that. Seeing a woman curve her lips up in a smile at him as he ordered a drink or watch the muscles in a guy’s forearms bunch as he shook liquor and ice together felt like an escape from Adrian’s day-to-day life. A very, very welcome escape.
“Is this seat taken?”
Adrian glanced over to see a handsome guy smiling at him. He had warm brown skin, jet black hair, and looked to be of Southeast Asian heritage, maybe. His smile almost knocked Adrian off his bar stool. Wow.
“Uh, no. Have a seat,” Adrian said, feeling a bit flustered and a lot dazzled. “Please.”
The man had on a crisp blue shirt and a lanyard around his neck that indicated he was attending the same baking expo Adrian was. Not really a surprise since their group had taken over the entire hotel and conference center.
“I’m Adrian.” He held out a hand. “Certified Master Baker.”
The stranger coughed. “I’m sorry, did you say certified masturbater?”
“Master. Baker,” Adrian enunciated. That joke was getting seriously old. He’d heard it at least a dozen times already today.
“Sorry, you’re probably sick of that,” the guy said with a little grin that did nice things to Adrian’s stomach. “That’s honestly what I heard at first, though. Or maybe that’s just what I wanted to hear.” He winked.
“Uhh.” Adrian blinked at him, unsure how to respond.
“Wow. I’m really making an ass of myself, aren’t I?” He smiled widely at Adrian as he shook his hand. “Let’s start over. It’s nice to meet you, Adrian. I’m Jay. Pastry chef.”
“Nice to meet you, Jay the pastry chef.”
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Adrian looked down at his nearly empty glass. “Uh, sure. Another whiskey sour would be nice.”
Adrian studied Jay as he ordered drinks for both of them. He appeared to be a few inches shorter than Adrian, with broad shoulders and a lean body. His sleeves were rolled up to show off toned forearms, and he looked relaxed and at ease as he pulled out his wallet and smiled at the bartender. His thick black hair was swept off his forehead, and heavy stubble covered his jaw and framed his full lips. Wow. Jay was one of the best-looking guys Adrian had seen in a long time. And he’d sought Adrian out. The thought sent a little flutter of excitement through Adrian’s stomach. Hell, yes.
Jay turned to him with a little smirk, and Adrian jerked in surprise, realizing he’d been caught staring. But Jay’s gaze was bold, and that little smirk turned into something bigger.
“So, what’s a handsome guy like yourself doing sitting all alone at the bar?”
Adrian shrugged. “Just killing some time. Debating if I’ll go to one of the events tonight or not.” Truthfully, he didn’t know anyone else here, and while he wasn’t afraid to chat up strangers, he always felt a little uncomfortable intruding on established groups. He’d turned down an invitation to go out to dinner with one of them. He figured he could always order room service if he got hungry later. “What about you?” Adrian countered.
“Same.” Jay shrugged.
“Here you go, gentlemen.” The bartender set their drinks in front of them.
“So, where are you based out of?” Jay asked after he turned back to face Adrian.
“Pittsburgh. You?”
“I’m here in New York. I’m head pastry chef at The Kensington. It’s a 5-star boutique hotel in Brooklyn.” The expression on Jay’s face was a mixture of pride and embarrassment. “Ignore that. I sound like I’m bragging, don’t I?”
“Hey, I led with my title, hoping to wow you. And head pastry chef at a place like that is impressive as hell.” Especially since Jay was clearly not much older than Adrian. Mid-thirties at most.
Jay smiled. “Sometimes. What about you?”
“Oh, I own a small bakery. It’s called King of Tarts.”
Jay’s dark brown eyes lit up. “Great name.”
“Thanks. I was pretty pleased when I came up with it,” he admitted with a small smile.
“How long have you been open?”
“Six years,” Adrian said proudly. “The first few years were tough, but we’re doing okay now.” Not as well as he’d like, but he was getting there. When he got discouraged, he remembered that steady upward progress every year was something to celebrate. About fifty percent of small businesses failed within the first five years, so he was ahead of the curve.
“Do you like running your own business?”
Adrian sighed. “Sometimes. Sometimes, it’s exhausting managing it all on my own. It’s killed my social life. Not to mention my marriage. But I am proud of what I do.”
Jay’s gaze raked over him. “You’re divorced then?”
“Yeah. Well, not officially. We’re legally separated, not living together anymore. The papers have been filed, and we’re just waiting for a court date.”
“Amicable or no?”
Adrian’s laugh was a little bitter. “No. I would have liked to keep it as civil as possible, but my ex was ...” He swirled his drink in his glass. “Not on board with that.” He swallowed another sip of the cocktail, enjoying the pleasant burn as it went down.
“Sorry. Sore subject?”
“It’s fine. We were both miserable, but I was the one who officially ended it, so I’m the bad guy.” He glanced over at Jay. “What about you? Is being a pastry chef at a fancy hotel any easier on your romantic life? I’m guessing probably not based on what I know of the business.”
“It can be tough,” Jay said with a sigh. “I’m going through a dry patch at the moment, that’s for sure. And in general, the hours I work ensure I’m single more than in relationships.”
“No one is waiting for you to come home tonight then?”
“A couple of roommates but we’re not involved. They’re great guys but not my type.”
“Not into men?” Jesus, Adrian was flirting. It had been so long he’d thought he’d forgotten how, but maybe he wasn’t quite as rusty as he’d thought.
“I didn’t say that.” Jay’s lips curled up in a little smile.
“Oh, yeah?” Adrian shifted a little to look at Jay more closely, and their knees brushed. Jay didn’t pull away so neither did Adrian.
“Yeah. Out and proud gay man here.”
“Out and proud but very, very rusty with men bi guy here.” Adrian had to look away. His ears were hot and his heart was thumping so hard in his chest he was sure Jay could probably hear it.
“Rusty, huh?”
“It’s been a long time.” Adrian glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “Like a decade and some change. Wait, no, my ex-wife and I tried a threesome with another guy a while back. I guess that was the last time.”
“Didn’t go well?”
&
“What a shame.”
“It was unpleasant, but I don’t know, I don’t think group stuff is really my thing, anyway. Not that I’m putting down people who are ... it’s just ...” Adrian shook his head. “Never mind. I’ll stop before I dig myself even further into this hole.”
Jay smirked at him. “You’re fine. I’ve done it occasionally. I can take it or leave it.”
“Good to know.” And that was even dumber sounding. Why was he so damn bad at this? Ugh. Rusty didn’t begin to cover it.
Jay rested a hand on his thigh; it felt burning hot even through the denim. “What is your thing?”
Adrian had to consider the question for a moment. “I ... don’t know. I guess I haven’t thought about it in a while.”
“Is that something you’d like to think about?” Jay leaned in a little but not enough to crowd him. “Because I’m thinking if you’re interested, this might be the perfect opportunity. You’re staying here in New York for the weekend ... I have nowhere I have to be either ...”
“I’m interested,” Adrian said hoarsely. “I take it the feeling is, uh, mutual?”
“Yes.” Jay rubbed a thumb across Adrian’s thigh, sending little sparks through Adrian’s body.
His skin was hot, and his head felt a little dizzy with desire as he tossed back the rest of his drink. “I have a room upstairs,” Adrian offered.
Jay’s smile widened. “Lead the way.”
“Put your hands up against the wall,” Jay said in his ear, his voice husky.
“Like this?” Adrian’s heart beat a little faster as he pressed his palms to the tiles.
Jay covered his hands with his own and slid them into position, then coaxed Adrian into a wider stance. He gulped as Jay sunk to the floor of the bathtub. Oh. Oh, hell.
“I love how muscular your thighs are,” Jay said, running wet hands across them.
“Yeah?” Adrian let out a shaky breath.
“Oh, yeah.” Jay dragged his tongue across Adrian’s left hamstring, then bit down. “So fucking sexy. And your ass ...” He made a noise of appreciation that went straight to Adrian’s cock.
“But this is what I’ve been dying to see.” He spread Adrian’s cheeks wide. “Mmm, yes. Perfect.”
Adrian’s cock pulsed. “Oh, shit,” he whispered.
“And taste.” Adrian could feel Jay’s breath on his sensitive skin before he felt the swipe of a warm tongue.
Adrian rested his forehead against the slick tiles as Jay licked his ass. Combined with the steam from the hot shower, it made Adrian’s head spin. And when Jay reached up and stroked his cock as he pushed his tongue deeper, Adrian almost lost it. He grabbed for Jay’s hand and stilled him.
“I’m going to come if you keep that up.”
“Okay.” Jay pressed a kiss to his right cheek before he stood. His wet skin slid across Adrian’s back as he pressed close, pushing Adrian up against the shower wall, his cock hard against Adrian’s ass.
“Have you ever been fucked?” Jay whispered in his ear.
“A few times,” Adrian managed. “It’s just been ... a really long time.”
Jay gripped his hips, dragging his cock along Adrian’s crack. “You good with it as long as I take it slow?”
“Oh, yeah.” He’d probably never wanted anything more in his life.
“Then let’s get out of here.”
Adrian’s head spun as he groped for the faucet and turned off the tap. He felt half out of his mind as he hurriedly dried off and stumbled out of the bathroom. The air in the room was cold on his damp skin as he stood beside the bed, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He was boiling on the inside.
“How do you want me?” he asked hoarsely.
Jay wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, then kissed him deeply. “Hands and knees,” he whispered after he drew back. Adrian scrambled onto the bed as quickly as he could manage and got into position. He felt very exposed this way but despite the fact that they barely knew each other, he trusted Jay.
Adrian shivered as Jay explored his cleft with lube-slicked fingers, then dipped one inside his hole.
Jay was careful and he didn’t rush, but he wasn’t tentative as he fucked Adrian open with one, then two fingers. And when he slid three in, Adrian put his head down on the mattress and thrust his hips back. God, he’d missed that. That feeling of pressure and fullness.
“Ready for my cock?” Jay asked.
“Yeah,” Adrian rasped.
He held his breath in anticipation as he heard the tear of foil from the small pile of condoms on the nightstand, and he felt almost dizzy when Jay finally pressed inside him, as deep as he could go. And once he urged Jay to move, Jay placed his hands around Adrian’s hips, and all Adrian could do was brace himself against the mattress and cry out.
This was exactly what had been missing from his life.
“You awake?” Jay nuzzled against Adrian’s back.
Adrian stretched. “I am now.”
“How’d you sleep?”
“Like a man who’s had half a dozen orgasms.”
“It wasn’t that many.” Jay sounded amused as he pressed a kiss to Adrian’s shoulder blade.
“I lost count.”
“That’s a good sign, right?”
“Very.” Adrian flipped onto his back, dislodging Jay’s grip, but once Adrian was still again, he wrapped him up tight. “I don’t think I’m rusty anymore.”
“You never seemed very rusty to me.”
“Good.”
“But we should probably keep going. Just to make sure.”
Adrian let out a sleepy little chuckle. “Well, we wouldn’t want to find out the hard way.”
“Speaking of hard ...” Jay reached under the covers and stroked Adrian’s cock. “You could hammer diamonds with that thing.”
Adrian smiled. “I don’t think that’s actually a phrase.”
“Maybe it should be.”
“Maybe we should do something about it.”
“I do have a few ideas.”
“Do you?” Adrian asked.
“Yes. Many.”
“Guess I should leave you to it then.”
“Guess you should.”
“We really should get down to the expo.”
“We should.”
“I guess we could be a little late.” Adrian kissed Jay’s chest. “I mean, there is this very, very sexy collarbone here that I need to pay attention to.” He dragged his tongue along the skin there, then gently bit down.
“A sexy collarbone, huh?”
“So sexy.” Adrian licked a stripe across it. Jay shuddered under him. “It’s making me want to fuck you.”
“Please do.” Never losing eye contact, Jay reached out and grabbed blindly for a condom and the bottle of lube. “I like the thought of walking around today, knowing you’ve been inside me.”
“Mmm.” Adrian let out a little groan. “If you don’t stop talking like that, I’m going to come before I can.”
“Then you better get me ready.”
It didn’t take a lot of prep before Adrian was balls deep inside Jay. He’d fucked him the night before, and he accommodated Adrian’s cock easily now. But Adrian’s head still swam as he drew back, gripping Jay’s thigh as he drove in.
In the dim bedroom, Adrian could think of nothing but Jay. Everything else in his life faded away. No bakery, no ex-wife, no kids. Nothing but Jay and the tight grip of his body and the sexy collarbone Adrian bit again, just because he could. There was only Jay’s hands in his hair and his soft, breathless moans against Adrian’s mouth.
Adrian’s whole body tingled as his strokes slowed, becoming almost languid.
“You trying to drive me crazy?” Jay asked breathlessly. He shifted his hips, already propped up on a pillow, allowing Adrian to drive in deeper.
“No,” Adrian said with a moan. “I’m trying to make it last. If I could, I’d fuck you like this all day.”
