Takes the Cake Read Online Free Page B

of the parents, but she couldn’t be sure which ones.
    “Who else ate the soup?”
    Janie hesitated. “I…uh…some of the servers, one or two of the cooks.”
    “Stay here.” Liz hurried back to the kitchen. In the far corner, some of her staff were sprawled around the scarred wooden table, heads lolling from side to side or resting on their forearms. She grabbed a sous-chef named George as he struggled to keep his eyes open. “Hey. Stay with me.”
    “I’m having such a hard time staying awake,” he said, stifling a wide yawn.
    “Well, I need you not to sleep.” She grabbed the lapels of his coat and jerked him to his feet. “Walk around if you have to, but don’t fall asleep.”
    “Coffee,” he murmured.
    They had plenty of that on hand. She rushed past the counter holding the tureen of soup. A white plastic medicine bottle sat next to the dish. She skidded to a halt and picked up the bottle. Sleeping pills? She shook the container and it rattled. She opened it and looked inside. Only a couple of tablets remained. A quick glance at the soup showed a few half-dissolved capsules.
    Relief rushed through her and then anger. On one hand, the guests would get a good night’s sleep, but someone had gone through a lot of trouble to make the dinner look bad. For a moment, Keegan crossed her mind, but it didn’t seem like something he would do. This would upset Caroline, and Liz didn’t believe he’d do that. Then who wanted to sabotage the wedding?
    * * * *
    Keegan sat in the wide porch swing nursing a cold beer. A chuckle rolled from his lips as he recalled his fellow groomsman’s chagrin at his prank backfiring and having to explain to emergency personnel and police why thirty-odd people were sleeping at the dinner table. The situation, though serious, was quite entertaining. His sister would not be pleased when she realized what had happened, but at least he was out of the hot seat.
    Liz hadn’t seemed too pleased with the events that had transpired, and well, he couldn’t blame her. She had worked hard to execute the requested menu change, and she deserved to have her moment. He selected a bacon-wrapped chicken liver from the food piled on the plate at his elbow. He’d grabbed several leftovers before those catering staff members not affected by the soup could start cleaning.
    If he listened really hard, he could hear movement and water running in the kitchen. Since this was partly his fault, he could at least offer a helping hand. He picked up his plate and bottle and padded into the house. When he arrived in the kitchen, he was surprised to find Liz completely alone.
    She’d discarded the chef’s jacket and wore a pink tank top that bared her midriff along with her curve-hugging slacks. Lust beat a hasty rhythm to his groin, lengthening and thickening his rod. Such a beautiful body. Petite and lean. Tight, sculpted muscles in her arms flexed each time she reached for something. He’d love to run his hands over her body and feel those same muscles wrapped around him as he entered her.
    Pink was a good color for her. It brought a rosy glow to her flesh. Her movements were quick and efficient as if she were used to cleaning up by herself. He leaned against the wall, admiring her. She’d abandoned the scarf too. Tousled curls spilled around her face and over her shoulders. The softness was tempting.
    He moved quietly, placing his dish on the counter with equal care. Ever since she’d walked into this house with her confidence and simple cake design, he’d wanted to get her alone. The kiss in the pantry had been beyond expectation, and he longed to repeat it. Well, he yearned to do a lot more, and kissing was only one part of it.
    Keegan stepped behind Liz and skimmed a finger down the curve of her spine. She tensed, but didn’t turn around. “You have such beautiful skin.”
    Silverware clinked as she dropped it in a square plastic tray. “What you’re doing could be considered harassment.”
    Her