C.A.K.E

Arden arrives home with a little over an hour's time to get ready for dinner with the Callaghans. She would have left the bakery earlier. But one of her employees had a family emergency. So Arden had to close the cafe alone, which means she had to handle a wedding cake delivery on her own as well.

The bride and groom loved her three-tier, cherry blossom masterpiece of fondant so much, they invited her to stay for the reception. By the time she convinced them she couldn't stay, they had promised to name their first child after her. The newlyweds were taking full advantage of their open bar.

Arden smiles at the thought of being that young—and drunk—and in love. Just then, she receives a text from Elliott. He's running late. No real surprise there.

Remains were found in the Pelham City landfill two days ago, and his services were needed. Her husband is good at what he does, which means she falls somewhere around third on his priority list. Ardi sighs and leaves the phone on the kitchen counter to walk farther into their home.

She leans against the back of the turquoise leather sofa and runs her fingers across its grommet details. Arden stares out of the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows along the far wall of the living area at the impending sunset. The rays strike her brown eyes, making them glow a honeyed amber. She stands stock-still, letting herself become one with the silence in the empty apartment.

Her approachable and somewhat offbeat style is evident throughout the space. The starkness of the exposed brick and ductwork of the high ceilings is softened by the plush chairs and settees in shades of coral, chartreuse, turquoise, and fuchsia.

An entire wall has been dedicated to family photos in frames of various shapes and sizes. Eclectic chotskies live in every nook and cranny. Nothing matches, but everything coordinates. Their place has character and warmth, just like her childhood home.

The Stones own the top two floors of the Fifth Avenue Lofts on Birmingham's Southside. They were the first to move into the renovated building, and the owners had no problem with them turning the two floors into a penthouse. The Stones' million dollar check, along with her father's name, might have greased the wheels in that respect.

When they moved in four years ago, she had been concerned that a condo wouldn't be big enough for them. Now she wants to eat her words. Their home is plenty big. Especially, since she spends a great deal of time in its expanse alone. It's May, and summers have always left her with more than enough time to herself. But soon the days will be just as long, no matter what the season.

Arden sweeps that thought under the rug and forces herself to get ready. She's reminded of the ache in her neck and back with every step she takes to the bedroom. The end of a long day and all she needs is a hot bath. It'll have to be a short one.

As she waits for the tub to fill, she collapses on the bed and stares at the dove-gray walls. She focuses on the silver, crystal chandelier above the bed to keep her tired eyes from shutting her off from the waking world. The rushing of water ceases in the next room, stalled by the automatic valve designed to prevent an overflow. Ardi heaves herself from the comfort of their white and periwinkle bedding and into the closet.

She undoes her emerald, a-line dress, and steps out of her floral flats. Her jewelry is returned to the felt drawers of the built-in armoire in the center of the walk-in. Once she's disrobed and tied a scarf around her hair, she closes the frosted glass doors that separate the closet from the bathroom. Arden adds rosewater to the near scalding bath and slips her body into the water. A tiny wave is displaced as the water envelopes her, spilling over the sides and onto the bank of smooth pebbles surrounding the bathtub.

She washes the day off her skin, letting the torrid water permeate her pores. Arden turns on the jets, and sinks lower into the basin. She rests her head on the lip of the tub, while a dozen tiny sprays pulse against her aching muscles. As the tension in her back lessens, a jet near her feet creates a new tension in her lower body.

Ardi adjusts to find just the right—“Ooh, shit. Right there.”

Having found the perfect position, she closes her eyes and allows the purifying surge to relieve the frustration that's plaguing her. Arden expects her mind to manifest her husband's ruddy complexion, but Casper's form materializes.

His hands draw near her in the haze of the humid bathroom. She succumbs to the phantasm's touch, moaning her consent. Casper's ghost melds into her senses, leading her to the edge. The fogged mirrors bear witness to her cerebral tryst, reflecting a distorted image of the pleasure and pain riddling her sweet features. Arden grips the sides of the tub, as she's driven to the brink of insanity.

“Arden, honey, you home?” . . .

Casper's lips are making their way down Arden's neck on a direct path to her chest.

“Ardi?” . . .

His fingertips trace a trail of fire across her stomach. She bites down on her knuckle. Arden is too far gone to hear the voice calling her name from the other side of the bathroom door.

“Where are you?” . . .

Casper's girth is between her legs, playing a sensual concerto. All her focus finds its way to her spot, leaving her other senses out to dry. Where she's headed, she doesn't need them anyway. She moans softly as delicate convulsions ravage her.

“Arden?”

Her head still raised to the ceiling, she mutters, “Fuck . . .”

The rush of cool air from the adjoining walk-in added to the side effects of her orgasm, have her shuddering. For a moment she's forgotten her own name and the name of the man who is standing in the doorway gawking at her.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Arden becomes aware of Elliott's presence and shuts off her aquatic lover. She blinks several times, trying to will her body's return to its normal state.

“Elliott . . .” Her speech falters. She takes a deep breath. “When did you get in?”

He kneels beside the tub and holds her chin in his hand. “About the time you were sliding into home plate.”

“Oh my, God.” Ardi sinks lower into the warm water.

“No need to be embarrassed.” Eli smiles and leans over to taste her lips. “Next time I'll be here to take care of that for you.”

“I'll hold you to that,” she says with a smirk.

Elliott strips down and steps into the shower, while Arden scolds herself. Nice, Arden. Getting off to another man just as your husband walks in the door. Very classy.

She collects her thoughts and pulls her body from the tub. Ardi wraps a towel around herself and slips out of the wet air of the bathroom into the closet to get dry. She applies shea butter to her skin, and a citrus vanilla musk to her pulse points, making herself smell good enough to eat.

While still in her undies, she paints her face. She creates a subdued shimmer on her lids with a bronze shadow. Forgoing the falsies, she defines her lashes with black eyeliner and a couple of coats of mascara. Arden chooses a deep red with hints of orange for her lips. A dusting of bronzer along her cheeks and her makeup is done. Her hair is given a deep side part, before being swept into a low chignon.

Arden hears the hairdryer on the other side of the double doors to the bath. Good. We might be on time tonight.

All Eli has to do is run a little mousse through his hair, slap on some deodorant and cologne, then throw on his clothes. She has yet to convince him to make lotion a regular part of his routine. Ardi is buttoning up her tuxedo shirtdress when Elliott emerges with a towel draped around his waist.

“Have you selected my ensemble for the evening, darling?”

“I figure you can dress yourself tonight.”

“In that case . . .” He rips away his towel. “I'm ready to go.”

Arden laughs. “Unless you're looking to make a couple of dollars, I suggest you put that away.”

He hooks his hands behind his head and begins thrusting his hips like a Chippendale. “Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.”

do I put up

becomes a version of Elvis

quick slap on

reserve the VIP

of the walk-in to get dressed. Arden accents her petal-pink dress with a coral matte belt, statement earrings, and a ring to match. She grabs a pair of cream two-tone

dressed in a burgundy velvet blazer, a white button-down, medium-wash jeans, and brown oxfords. With his hair

bad, Elliott Stone. Not bad at all.”

does a spin for her.

picks up her other shoe and slides it on her foot. After he secures the strap around her

face. She tilts her head to kiss him, then pauses and raises

we don't do quickies.” She launches from

Getting to his feet, he steps in front of her. “I must say, you do look incredible tonight.” His eyes run the height of her frame. “But you missed

glances

undoes three pearl buttons on her dress, exposing the lace trim of her

and looks down at her shoes, then back up

though. Who could ignore these? ...” He kisses her lips. “These ...” He trails a

all there is to me.” She laughs.

not that interesting. Thank

his

There's that shining personality.”

stops at the door and gives him a smoldering look over her shoulder. “Come on.

and Arden arrive at the Callaghan's home about fifteen minutes early. They approach the door hand in hand and ring the doorbell. Seconds later

polite,” Karma observes with a

draped in a navy, quarter-length sleeve dress with a high-low hem. She's wearing a pair of black, studded booties and her eyes have been shrouded in a haze of metallic-gray shadow. Arden wonders if Karma owns any clothes in less

you.” Elliott hands a bottle of

the door of her home to the Stones.

down the hallway into

who sold the Callaghans' house labeled this rather large space as the bonus room. A room with no predetermined use which lends itself well to

stand-up has found its forever-home here. This is

his attention from the game coverage

shakes Eli's hand. “Nice

for having

having . .

hands in his, and places a kiss on her cheek. “Arden, it's a

indeed .

his cologne makes her close her eyes to enjoy it. As images of her encounter with Casper the Friendly Ghost

“As are you, Casper.”

silence hangs in the air, while Casper's gaze lingers

husband and Ardi. She raises her

make our guests a drink, while I go check on dinner?” She pats her palm against his chest, before leaving the

Arden and Elliott. Casper opens a temperature-controlled cabinet and

you a scotch

one up

enough to drink itself.” He pours the whiskey into a tumbler for

alcohol. He gets

fan of hard liquor?”

her glass. A cloud passes over her dark eyes. “Not a fan of what

takes her hand and touches it to his lips. His way of apologizing for his unintentional insensitivity. Though Arden has never made an issue of it, he tries not to drink anything stronger than wine around her. Casper

her crepe dress fluttering

dissolves into a weak smile. “Casper, have

the perfect host,” Arden assures her. “It's

something wrong?” Casper takes a step

Really.” Arden smiles, this one much more convincing

all seated, the Callaghans' personal chef serves the first course.

two have any other family

second to refresh her drink. “My parents retired to Florida. But most

between my parents, and my younger

interruptions, though.”

that he's an only child as well, and his parents live

of as a child. Her older brother, Adam, is like his

at one.” Eli shares

“Hey, why mess with perfection.

and the two

with a brown sugar glaze. Casper opens the bottle

Elliott asks, gesturing to Karma and

eyes. “He was a

impossible. How could he be any more attractive? Arden leers at Casper, watching

was more of a

over

takes a sip of his wine

how

grad student.” He glances at Arden and smirks. “She wouldn't give me her

pages out of it, highlighted words from the text to spell out nerdy love notes, and left them in my notebook. It was very

Karma scoffs, shaking her head at Elliott. “You could have caught a case,

get a little worried,