Mr. Spice Cake (Man Card Book 16) Read online

  Mr. Spice Cake

  Man Card Book Sixteen

  Terra Kelly

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Epilogue

  A note from the author

  Join TK’s Newsletter!

  About the Author

  Also by Terra Kelly

  Books by T.M. Kelly

  Acknowledgments

  Synopsis

  My name is Noel Winters.

  I was born on Christmas Day.

  AND I just met a stunning woman named Holly Frost.

  Is this for real?

  There’s only one minor problem...

  …she’s not a fan of the holiday season, hates decorations, and avoids listening to Christmas music.

  Maybe a baking competition, one homemade yule log cake, and an extra dash of spice will change her mind.

  The man card series is a collection of short stories that are full of steamy romance. You're guaranteed that perfect happy ending and a cupboard full of sweets from all the cravings.

  One

  Noel

  “How many Christmas trees did you put up this year?” My sister, Peyton asked and sat down two boxes on the coffee table. “You know once you decorate more than two, people start talking.”

  “Talking about what?” I grabbed a bright blue ornament from a small box. “What are you talking about?”

  “You know.” She walked over and grabbed another bright blue ornament. “You’d be the crazy guy on the block with all the Christmas decorations.”

  “I’ve been called worse.” I laughed and opened another small box full of ornaments.

  “You’re weird, you know that, right?” Peyton balled up some tissue paper and threw it at me. “Noel Winters loves the holiday season way too much.”

  “Or maybe the perfect amount.” I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Plus, this Christmas is going to be quiet, so the more decorations the better.”

  “Wait, why?” She sat down on the edge of the couch. “Where’s Kris and his new girlfriend, Millie?”

  “They took a last minute vacation.”

  “What about Beckett?”

  “He got the job in New York.”

  Her eyes went wide. “He did? I thought he’d stay in Charlotte forever.” My sister and Beckett had this odd relationship. They loved to flirt with each other but they never took the relationship any further.

  “Yeah, I guess it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

  “Well, we could go to Wilmington for the holiday season.”

  Most of my family lived in Wilmington, North Carolina. Peyton and I decided to move to Charlotte several years ago. I mentioned moving and she insisted on following me.

  “I can’t.” I sounded a little too excited so I tried to dial it down. She looked over at me and scowled. “Because–” I sang the one word and sat down beside her– “I joined the last holiday baking competition of the season.”

  She squealed and slapped her hand on my leg. “Shut the hell up. You did not.”

  “I did.” I laughed and shoved at her shoulder, forcing her to fall to the side. “And no, it’s not on live TV like Kris’ competition.”

  “This is the local one, right?” She hopped up. “I think it’s been around for about twenty-five years from what I read.”

  “It’s been around for a while is all I know.” I stood and made my way into the kitchen.

  “What made you join?” She followed behind me.

  “More like who, Kris and Beckett.”

  “And now they’re gone.”

  I grabbed a jug of water from the refrigerator and filled a glass. “Yeah, that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  “Do you need someone to help you?” She held her hands up above her head and backed out of the kitchen. “I’m busy.”

  “Plus, you burn rice.” I tried to hold in my amusement but failed and burst out laughing.

  “You suck.” She grabbed an ornament sitting on the end table by the front door and threw at me. “You know who you could ask.” She pointed her index finger at me.

  “Um…no clue.” I caught the ornament right before it hit the center of my chest.

  “Our cousin, the chef.”

  “Alex?” I leaned my body against the counter and thought about that for a moment. “You know what, that’s actually not a bad idea.”

  “I know, that’s why I suggested it.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed her jacket. “Let me know what he says.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure he’s too busy with running a cafe and two little kids running around.” I pushed off the counter and walked into the living room to grab my phone. “On the other hand, he may want to escape the madness.”

  “He’d be pissed if you didn’t call him.” She walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you later. I have a date with my chair and a new book I just downloaded.”

  “See you later.” I waved and walked back over to the couch to sit down. I did need help. My cousin, Alex Winters was a pro and had competed in several baking competitions. Would he want to stay in Charlotte for a long weekend though?

  “Wow, long time no talk,” Alex said the moment the phone connected.

  “It hasn’t been that long.” I sat down on the chair at the kitchen table.

  “It’s been awhile.” He laughed. “What’s up?”

  “What are you doing the week before Christmas?” I leaned back in the chair and looked out the kitchen window. The baking competition was local and only six people were picked to compete. I still couldn’t believe I was a part of the event. Maybe competing with Kris all these years had its benefits.

  “Is that a trick question?”

  “Right. Maybe I should say, would you like to plan a get-away the week before Christmas?”

  “Keep talking,” he chuckled. “I need more details.”

  “You know the holiday competition that’s held in Charlotte every year?”

  “Of course, everyone does. Wait, you got in?” He sounded shocked. “How did you score that opportunity?”

  “Luck,” I laughed. “And that sounds ridiculous.”

  “Just a little. Where are your partners in crime?”

  “One is sightseeing with his new girlfriend. The other one moved.”

  “So I’m kinda sorta sloppy seconds?” he groaned

  “Something like that…or you could say I saved the best for last.”

  Alex let out a heavy sigh. “Nice save there, cousin.”

  “Plus, we’re family. You have to say yes.” I decided guilting my cousin into accepting seemed like the last best option. “It would be good to see you.”

  “Fine, but if Alyssa gets pissed I’m sending her your way.”

  “That’s fine. She loves me so I’ll use my Noel Winters charm on her.”

  We spent a few more minutes talking before hanging up.

  Now I had to figure out how to make my spice cake recipe extra special this year.

  Two

  Holly

  “Did you see this?” My friend, Nova hugged me before sitting down and then handed me a flyer. “You should enter.”

  “I’m a food blogger and I just moved here.” I grabbed the flyer and sat it down at the little two-top table. “Isn’t it the baking competition you told me about before? The one that’s been around for years?”

  “The very one.” She hopped up and walked behind the counter. “Need a ref
ill?”

  “Bless you.” I stepped closer to the counter and held out my mug.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” She stopped pouring my coffee and reached out to squeeze my hand.

  “Yeah, you and me both.”

  I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the last few years I lived in the great state of Michigan, where it feels like winter all year long.

  There was still an inner battle going on inside my mind about moving back home. One part of me loved Michigan. The other part of me wanted to spend more time with my family. We weren’t getting any younger.

  “Do you need a place to stay?” Nova rested her hands on the counter.

  “Well, that part I have covered. Mom and dad are away for a few months, so I’m crashing at their place. I was wondering if you needed any help here at the coffee shop?” I placed both my hands under my chin and gave her the best puppy dog expression. “I just need help for a short time. My goal is to find a couple freelance writing gigs.”

  “Um…” Nova looked over at her fiancé, Zander.

  “What she’s not saying, yes of course you can.” He stepped up beside Nova and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “The catch is, we need someone to help in the evenings.”

  “That’s fine.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Beggars can’t be choosers, right?”

  “Good morning,” a woman with an overly chipper voice said from behind me.

  “Peyton.” Nova’s face lit up and she ran around the counter to give the woman a hug. “How are you?”

  “Good.” I finally turned around to see the woman. She had on a bright red sweater and was wearing fuzzy white boots. The woman looked like she was enjoying the holiday season a little too much.

  “Peyton, this is my dear friend, Holly Frost. She just recently moved back home.” I reached my hand out. “She was in Michigan for way too long.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Peyton shook my hand. “I have to ask the obvious. Did your parents give you that name on purpose?”

  I closed my eyes and smiled at the question. That was a loaded question. “Well, yes and no.”

  Nova burst out laughing. “What Holly means is, her mom won a bet.”

  I proceeded to share the story I had told a thousand times.

  “My parents were not planning to have a Christmas baby but I arrived a month early. During my mom’s pregnancy her and dad had this ongoing joke. Since our last name was Frost, they created a list of possible names if I was born close to Christmas. Dad made it clear he didn’t like any of the names, it was just a silly list. Mom on the other hand felt differently. She’s damn smart and could win all the rounds of poker in Las Vegas if the opportunity presented itself, so she used her poker skills and made a bet with dad. The thing was, he didn’t realize it was a real bet because she worded it perfectly.” I shook my head. This story was still so weird even the millionth time sharing it.Dad still shares the story about when mom went into labor the day before Christmas.”

  “You need to meet my brother.” Peyton grabbed her coffee cup and leaned her hip against the counter.

  Nova gasped. “Oh my shit. Why didn’t I think of that?”

  “Why am I meeting your brother?” I glanced between both women.

  “His–” Peyton covered Nova’s mouth.

  “I think you would both get along.” She shrugged and dropped her hand.

  “Um, yeah, what she said.” Nova scowled at her friend.

  It was obvious they were not telling me something. “Right. Well, I need to go.” I started to gather up my stuff. The flyer was still sitting on the table. Without thinking I threw it in my bag. “Nova, let me know if you can fit me into the schedule next week.”

  It was weird being back home. A lot had changed.

  As I slid down into the driver seat of my Jeep Wrangler, I thought about the conversation regarding my name. There had been several times in my life where I was tempted to change it. Then my mom would give me this sob story and beg me to leave it alone.

  You would think I was immune to the jokes. That’s where you would be wrong. I didn’t even decorate for Christmas because I didn’t want people saying shit about how I lived up to my name during the holiday season.

  I put the key in the ignition and glanced over to my bag. The flyer was sticking out slightly. I thought about entering. It was a holiday competition though. My name would be a factor.

  On the other hand, maybe it would be an easy way to get accepted.

  Three

  Noel

  “Why do I need to meet this mystery woman?” I hit send on an email and turned to face my sister. “I need to focus on the competition.”

  “You can take two hours out of your day.” Peyton let out a heavy sigh. “Be here with bells on.” She sent a message to my phone.

  “What if I had plans?”

  “You don’t. I already asked you two days ago.”

  “We’ll see.” I closed the text message and sat my phone down.

  For the last week I had been practicing baking techniques to prepare myself for the competition. Alex, my cousin would be arriving to help me in a few days. I knew this baking competition was not the same as the ones I had competed in the past. The bakers were less skilled but still had the passion.

  I didn’t know how to tone shit down. I wanted to win and I planned to make sure that happened.

  “Noel, it’s so good to see you.” Noah Peterson, chef and restaurant owner said and slapped his hand against my shoulder. “Are you dining alone tonight?”

  “No, my sister set me up on blind date and refused to tell me the woman’s name.” I knew it was rude rolling my eyes at the thought but I couldn’t help it.

  “Funny, my friend set me up on a blind date, too, and refused to say your name,” a woman said from behind me. I spun around to come face to face with a gorgeous woman. She had shoulder length hair, the cutest dimples, and the most stunning emerald eyes. “Now I know why.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed her keys out of her purse. “I need to cancel.”

  “Wait,” I stepped closer and placed my hand on her shoulder. “I’m missing something here. Can you fill me in?”

  She sighed and turned to face me. “Your name is Noel, right?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “What is your last name?”

  “Winters.”

  She burst out laughing and walked over to the bench to sit down. “This can’t be happening.”

  I sat down beside her. “What’s happening?”

  She held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Holly Frost.”

  I was stunned for a few seconds. It was hard to process my words. “Come again?”

  “Yeah, I know.” She started to stand up, but I stopped her.

  “Wait, I–” …had no idea what to say, but I knew I had to choose my words very carefully or I would sound like a raving lunatic who was addicted to Christmas. “We’re here. Are you hungry?”

  “Noel, this is a very bad idea.” She looked over at me and those eyes about did me in.

  “Come on, have you eaten here yet?” I nudged her side. “Their gingerbread cake has won awards.” She dropped her head and moaned. “Is that a yes?” I leaned in closer.

  “Yes. Fine.” She looked up and flashed a smile that made my cock stir.

  “Perfect.” I hopped up. “Noah, can you add us to the list.”

  “Even better,” he grabbed two menus. “I can seat you now.”

  I held out the chair and Holly sat down. “So tell me,” she said and placed the napkin on her lap. “Are you a Christmas baby?”

  “Almost missed the opportunity but mom had ten minutes to spare.” That was my joke when someone asked me that question. It was the truth though, mom had been in labor for twenty hours. It was almost midnight and the start of the day after Christmas. Ten minutes before the clock struck the top of the hour I decided to finally make an appearance.

  “So you were supposed to be a Christmas baby? You didn’t arrive
early?”

  “Well, I don’t think they planned it all out. It just happened.” I took a drink of water. “I arrived two days early actually.”

  “This is all too weird.” She shook her head and ran her hand around the edge of the dinner plate.

  When she told me her story I was floored. “You seem unhappy by everything?”

  “I’m just tired of explaining the story to everyone.” She took a sip of water. “I haven’t celebrated Christmas since I moved out of my parents’ house.”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  “Not even a little. I don’t even own a single decoration.”

  I leaned back in my chair and stared at Holly for several long moments. This was the oddest story. We were both Christmas babies and had the perfect names to celebrate the holiday. Yet, she hated everything about the holiday season. Whereas I loved every single thing. I knew my love for Christmas put my man card on the line, yet, I didn’t care.

  “Wait, you don’t have any decorations?”

  “No, well, unless you count the small Santa stuffed animal my dog loves to gnaw on daily?”

  I tried to hold in my shock but it was all just too much. “Do you even realize how great your name is?”

  “Um, not as much as you do.”

  I rested my hands on the table. “People are just jealous because they want your name.”

  She burst out laughing. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s true.”

  We continued the debate about her name all through dinner. When the waiter took my dinner plate away I suddenly had the urge to show her why I loved everything about the holiday season.