Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
As I roll my cart through the aisles, I’m wondering if there’s anything else the house needs. My mother will be baking up a storm and she’s always short on her supplies, so I figure I’ll get some things to pad her supply.
When I enter the baking aisle, I’m greeted with the sound of sobbing. The aisle is empty, aside from a single girl holding a giant bag of sugar, the source of the despair I’ve been hearing.
She’s on her knees, holding the bag close. But I’m struck with something else besides curiosity of this sight. She’s gorgeous, with plenty of curves, a full chest, and beautiful blonde curls flowing around her shoulders. I’m a bit smitten when I lay eyes on her.
Of course, she’s still crying. And I know to be a gentleman before I let my desires take over for me. My parents raised me right.
I walk over to her and drop to a knee next to her. “Miss, are you alright?”
She shakes her head. “No, nothing’s alright.”
I grit my teeth. “Talk to me. What’s the matter?”
She turns to face me, and I go from smitten to out-and-out in love with her.
God, it feels so ridiculous to say that, but how else can I describe what I feel when looking at those big blue eyes of hers?
2
SUGAR
This man...
He’s wide, strong, and incredibly handsome. He reminds me of the Brawny paper towel guy but with a beard instead of a mustache.
I realize how strange I must look. Having a meltdown in the supermarket.
I’m on my knees. Holding a giant bag of sugar like it’s a teddy bear. I just got some awful news and I couldn’t help breaking down and crying as I tried to resume my shopping.
The man offers me his hand. “I’m Rainier Crumble. Let me help you to your feet.”
I nod, accepting his hand, and then dropping the bag of sugar into my cart. I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. “I’m... uh... Sugar Staple.”
He grins. They always do at my silly name. Thanks, Mom. For the name, on top of all the other stuff you’ve done to me. “And here I am, coming across you holding sugar, a staple in any pantry.”
I try not to hold it against people for saying stuff like that. Especially not when they are an especially hot-looking guy like him.
He eyeballs my cart. It’s filled with other staples too. Flour, eggs, brown sugar, some food coloring, and some pure vanilla extract, as well as some chocolate and peanut butter chips.
I wipe the tears out of my eyes, trying to regain a little bit of composure and not feel like such a wreck. Part of me expects him to abandon me and move on, but he stays with me, a smile on his face. “Baking cookies, I presume? The Christmas classic?”
I nod. “Surprised a burly man like you can tell cookies from the raw ingredients alone. You know how to make them?”
He shakes his head. “Sort of? I helped my mother when I was a kid and I remember a bit. I know how to cook a little, but mostly for me it’s enough to not resort entirely to ramen.”
Rainier’s grin grows.
“But I am willing to help you out if you want a hand.”
A blush fills my cheeks as I chuckle. “You can’t be serious.”
“What if I am?”
He’s looking at me earnestly, and I’m standing here a bit amazed and excited. I’m looking him up and down, and firmly committing him to memory. Even if nothing comes of this, I’m going to remember him, and maybe a strong enough fantasy of him will be enough to get my vibrator to work worth a damn. “You want to help me make cookies? Really?”
“I don’t have anything else planned for the rest of the day. You can look at my cart if you doubt me.” He gestures, and there’s two cases of beer. “I was just going to go home and take it easy with a few brews, but whatever you’re doing, Sugar, it seems far more exciting.”
Today has been a whirlwind. Finding out my dreams have been destroyed and then being met with Rainier like this has been such a low followed by such a high.
Still, he is a stranger. I should think this through, right?
Just then, an older woman comes by with a shopping cart. She pats Rainier on the arm. “Tell your mama that her gingerbread recipe turned out perfect, will you?”
Rainier smiles. “Of course, Mrs. Parsons.”
“And I hear this year’s eggnog is even better than last. Is that true?”
Rainier grins. “Crumble Dairy Farm only delivers the best.”
The woman pats his arm again. “I have to finish my shopping, but I will be sure to add that nog to next week’s order.”
The woman pushes her cart away. I smile. “Crumble Dairy Farm?”