Soft Serve Sweetie (Plus Size Romance 2) Read Online Free Page B

have served the purpose just fine had her plan not been thwarted by an untimely fender-bender. 
    Gabriela was full of refried beans.  There was no such thing as destiny.  Unfortunately, everyone’s life is made up of a series of random events.  Some good.  Some bad. Some devastating.  And for whatever reason, losing her virginity didn’t seem to be destined at all.  In fact, it appeared Zane had changed his mind about wanting her. 
    The second she asked about moving things to his bedroom, he had pulled away.  The thought of having her in his bed probably made things too real for him.  She suspected he wanted out of their deal.  She couldn’t blame him.  A hot hunk like Zane could have any woman he wanted.  God, what had she been thinking, strutting around his house in her lingerie? He probably thought she looked like a pink Hostess Snowball Cake in this outfit. 
    Cherry had really messed up.  To make matters worse, she had absolutely no place to go.  She was stuck for the night.  But, come morning, she would leave.  Pete had most likely cooled off by now, and—her nonexistent sex life aside—she still had student loans to pay and needed a job.  With the crappy economy, the ice cream parlor was the only work she could find.  She needed to make nice with Pete before he gave her position to some other poor sap.
     
    ZANE HADN’T SLEPT A wink.  After his shower, he went downstairs to an empty kitchen.  Cherry left him a plate of food on the counter and had put the rest in the refrigerator.  The delectable meal was teasing his taste buds, but he was too upset to eat.  He made his way back upstairs and knocked on the guestroom door.  But she didn’t answer, and her light was off.  Not wanting to wake her, he trudged across the hallway to his own lonely room. 
    He tossed and turned all night, cursing himself for hurting her.  His walking away wasn’t a rejection; he just wanted to slow things down.  To get to know her on a deeper level before they made love.  Perhaps he should have just acted on his desire.  He took a gamble on being noble and lost.
    He got up around six and made some coffee.  There was a light on in the guest room, and he heard Cherry stirring.  Again, he knocked on the door, but she didn’t respond.  She was definitely pissed, and he didn’t blame her.  Figuring it best to give her some time and space, he decided to go into work a little early.  He’d grab a bite later with Knox.  He had texted late last night, saying he was feeling much better and would be back on the job today.
    Hopefully, Cherry would be in better spirits when he got home.  He really needed to tell her what was on his mind and in his heart.
     
    ZANE WATCHED IN AMAZEMENT as Knox put away seven strips of bacon, five sausage links, three scrambled eggs, hash browns and two pecan waffles covered in maple syrup.
    “I wish your appetite was better,” Zane said.
    Knox leaned back in the Waffle House booth and patted his stomach.  “You try losin’ it at both ends for two days straight and see if your tank don’t register empty.  Speakin’ of appetites, yours don’t seem too good.  Tell me what’s goin’ on, man.”
    Zane filled Knox in on all the happenings of the last twenty-four hours.
    Leaning forward conspiratorially, Knox asked in a whisper, “Are you tellin’ me you’ve agreed to pop Cherry’s cherry ?”
    “I wouldn’t put it that crudely, but, yes.”
    Knox shook his head, gave his mouth one last wipe, balled up his napkin and tossed it onto his empty plate.  “After seventeen years on the beat, I didn’t think I could be surprised.  But partner, you’ve just shocked the shit out of me.  Does this deflowerin’ plan of yours include a strategy for the aftermath? You’re not exactly the hit-and-run type.”
    “No, but maybe I should be in this instance.  Cherry’s young, and youth is always in a hurry.  I think she just wants to do the deed without any long-term