Sugar Read online

  Sugar

  Sam Crescent

  Jenika Snow

  SUGAR

  By Sam Crescent and Jenika Snow

  * * *

  www.SamCrescent.com

  [email protected]

  www.JenikaSnow.com

  [email protected]

  * * *

  Copyright © August 2018 by Sam Crescent and Jenika Snow

  First E-book Publication: August 2018

  Editor: Kasi Alexander

  * * *

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction, transmission, or distribution of any part of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  This literary work is fiction. Any name, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Please respect the author and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials that would violate the author’s rights.

  It was annoyance at first sight.

  She had a smart mouth on her that had Colton’s blood racing. He put all of himself into his work. He didn’t have time for a relationship or for these feelings Sugar brought out in him.

  But Sugar wasn’t like anyone else. He shouldn’t want her but he did. He didn’t deserve her, but he knew he couldn’t stay away.

  It started with his dog knocking Sugar on her ass. It ended with her wanting so much more with Colton. He was arrogant and sometimes cold. But underneath that ice and rock he was gentle, sweet even.

  She wanted to chisel away at the wall he’d built around himself. She wanted to bury herself in his heart.

  They both wanted the same thing but denied it through and through. It wasn't until they were forced together that they had to face the reality.

  They were meant to be together.

  Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Excerpt: The Caveman’s Virgin

  Chapter 1

  Where to find Sam

  Where to find Jenika

  Join the CSP Reader Group

  Want to join Sam Crescent and Jenika Snow’s Reader Group?

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  1

  Sugar tried to keep up with her tiny Pomeranian as she hustled ass down the street. She tightened her hold on the white leather leash, Poppy’s little bell dangling from her collar, ringing with each step she made.

  The streets were packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic, the sidewalks filled with pedestrians. Although she loved the city for its culture and variety, she hated it for the fact there was no intimacy.

  She stopped at the crosswalk and waited for the sign to indicate she was safe to go. As soon as the little white stick man popped up she walked across the street, Poppy trailing behind her. She was at the park about five minutes after that, the enclosed dog area a place for Poppy to let off steam and interact with her furry friends. It also gave Sugar time to catch up on emails.

  Once Poppy was in the dog run and Sugar was seated on one of the benches, she watched for a moment as her spunky Pomeranian ran around in hyper circles. Sugar fished out her cell and started going through her emails, answering some, verifying appointments in others, and doing things she’d rather put off.

  Periodically she checked on Poppy, who was now busy chewing on a stick under the shade of a large tree. A second later Poppy ran over to Sugar, the stick in her mouth almost as long as her body. She lay down at her feet and started the process of chewing at the end. A breeze picked up, a reprieve from the hot July weather beating down on them.

  Sugar was vaguely aware of the sound of the dog run gate being opened and closed, and of the tinkle of tags dangling from a collar coming closer and closer. She looked down at Poppy, who perked her head up and made this combination of a low growl and whining noise.

  “What’s wrong?” she said to Poppy a second before a large furry body propelled itself onto her, successfully knocking her off the bench so she landed on her ass beside her yipping Pomeranian. Her phone was knocked out of her hand and lay a few feet from her sprawled body.

  The dog on top of her had shaggy hair and started frantically licking the side of Sugar’s face. She couldn’t help but chuckle as she gently pushed the beast off of her, hanging on to his collar in the process.

  “You’re just so excited, aren’t you, boy?” She patted his head.

  “Dammit,” a deep male voice hollered out and she looked up to see what she presumed was the owner hauling ass toward them. He was dressed in a pair of slacks and a crisp looking button-down shirt, the light blue coloring coordinating perfectly with the navy shade of his pants. His short, dark blond hair was immaculately styled, and the shine of his loafers was almost blinding.

  Although this was the city and it wasn’t like she wasn’t used to seeing people in business attire, usually when they came to the park, especially the dog run, they tended to go with more relaxed clothes.

  She righted herself and started scratching behind the dog’s ear. He immediately lay on his side and started kicking his legs, Sugar obviously having found his sweet spot.

  “You’re just encouraging him.” The deep, gruff voice came through like a crack from a whip.

  Sugar felt her body tense as she lifted her head and looked at the man, who now was only a few feet from her. The brown leash he held looked designer, with gold accents and little wear. She stood fully and brushed off her legs, pieces of dirt and grass falling from her thighs. “Excuse me?”

  “Come here, Boscoe,” the man said and patted his side. The dog jumped up a little uncoordinatedly and trotted over to his owner. He started licking his hand, and although the man was stiff and stern looking, he ran his palm over the dog’s head.

  “What exactly did you mean by that?” Sugar asked again and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’m sorry he knocked you over but I’m trying to train him. So rewarding him by giving him positive reinforcement after he just put you on your ass is not the message I want to send to him.”

  Is he for real?

  Sugar lifted her brow. He was reprimanding her? She could’ve laughed. “Well, I could suggest keeping your dog on a leash, but given the fact we’re in a dog run, isn’t the point for him running around to let off some steam?” She saw the way his jaw tightened under his clean-shaven cheek. Sugar could tell what kind of man this was.

  He was used to getting his way, maybe not having someone challenge him or talk back to him. But then again, he’d obviously never met a woman like her, strong and independent, not about to let him talk down to her.

  Poppy decided to drop the stick and run over to the dog, yipping and jumping, clearly wanting to play with him. Before the man could rein in his canine companion, Poppy and the big, brown shaggy beast started running around together. Sugar couldn’t help but smile, but a look at the stranger just a few feet from her told her he still had a stick up his ass.

  “You can relax, you know,” she said with a lighter tone. She didn’t know what was going on in his life. Maybe he’d had a bad day, or w
as dealing with personal things that made him a cranky asshole. Either way, she didn’t have to have a nasty attitude toward him like he was with her.

  Sitting back on the bench and working on her emails again, she could see him out of the corner of her eye. He still stood there stiff as hell, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his back arrow straight. She lifted her head and looked over at him, hoping he didn’t see her checking him out.

  For being so rude he was extremely attractive. And for some eye candy she could look past his sour personality.

  With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, Sugar had no doubt that he was sporting a defined abdomen under that too-starched shirt. The slacks fit his muscular thighs and ass to perfection.

  He glanced over at her and this time he was the one who lifted a brow. She felt her face heat and glanced away.

  Busted.

  “Maybe I should hire you to train him since it’s clear you’ve got a way with animals.” Although she could’ve taken that as a compliment, his brisk tone made her feel like he was almost talking down to her again.

  She looked over at him and smiled as sweetly as she could. “Honey, although I’d love to help you with your animal, I’m not a dog trainer. Animals just know when someone is an asshole.” Sugar smiled, flashing her teeth but holding in her chuckle as she saw his lips purse and his eyes narrow. Nope, he definitely was not used to being talked to this way. Well, good, served him right.

  She held her hand out. “The name is Sugar, by the way.” His lips twitched and she knew what he was about to say before he spoke.

  “Sugar, as in the condiment?” It was her turn to feel her body stiffen as if she had a stick jammed up her butt.

  “That’s right, but don’t let the name fool you.” She grinned wider. “I’m not always as sweet.” She said the last part with a bite in her voice.

  “Colton McGuire.” They promptly looked back at the dogs. “My name’s not nearly as interesting as yours,” he said and she saw the way the corner of his mouth lifted up. He looked over at her and all-out grinned this time and she couldn’t help but reciprocate the act. He acted like he had this hard exterior, but she could tell that shell could be broken. Too bad she didn’t have time to chisel away at it.

  A relationship was certainly not on her agenda.

  2

  Colton didn’t know the first thing about dogs and he actually didn’t care for them. He was a busy man and that didn’t give him time to deal with pets of any kind. After his sister’s passing a few months ago, he would’ve been tempted just to let the dog go to a new home. But he knew how much she’d loved the damn thing and he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

  He and his sister hadn’t gotten along all the time but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to remember her.

  “Yeah, you’re so funny,” Sugar said.

  She glanced back down at her cell phone and he saw her roll her eyes.

  It had been a long time since he’d dealt with a woman. Work always come first and that still hadn’t changed even though his business was one of the best modeling firms in the country. Still, they were hoping to get a deal with an advertising firm and so far, the company wasn’t budging to even suggest a meet, let alone negotiating terms for advertising.

  “That fluffy thing is your dog?” he asked.

  “Wow, you’re really not a dog person.”

  He wasn’t much of a people person if this was how his first time at the dog run was going to go.

  “I’m not used to this,” he said. He held his cell phone up. “My work has been my whole life.”

  “Why get a dog then?” She didn’t pay him any attention and he found himself drawn to the dark-skinned woman. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a ponytail and she wore a pair of worn jeans, a shirt, and some sneakers. She looked ready for anything or at least anything that came from walking dogs. He wondered how much dog walking paid. The phone she was using was pretty expensive.

  “It’s not actually my dog.”

  This made her look up and he hoped she hadn’t caught him checking her out. Even though she was sitting down, he saw she had a smoking hot body. Her tits were nice and big, and she had a small waist with full hips. And his cock hadn’t seen any action in weeks.

  He wanted her and yet he’d been such a huge fucking dick to her.

  “You stole a dog?”

  “I didn’t steal a dog.”

  “Then why do you have a dog if it’s not actually yours?” She looked a little nervous now.

  “I’m sorry. I mean… He’s mine.” He wasn’t sure anyone would steal a dog but that was his opinion. “He was my sister’s.”

  “Was?”

  “She, erm, she passed a few months ago. I couldn’t bring myself to let him be put down you know or get rehoused. She loved the damn thing.”

  “Oh wow, I’m so sorry for your loss. Does he miss her?” she asked.

  “Who?”

  “The dog?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. It’s a dog.”

  “And they can be known to miss their owners when they’re not there. The poor thing must be completely upset.”

  He watched as she reached into her bag to pull out a treat.

  “Why are you giving him a treat?” he asked.

  “I’m showing him some affection, the poor thing.” Boscoe came running back toward them and completely lapped up the attention. He rolled over, showing her his stomach. She petted him and her little ball of fluff ran over and started to play along. Sugar’s laughter filled the air and he found it a sweet, comforting sound.

  “You’re such a good boy. Who’s such a good and clever boy?” She laughed and stood back up, her cell phone once again in her hand. “I love dogs so much. They are amazing creatures. So loving and loyal.”

  “Did you train your dog?”

  “Yes.”

  She was a natural with her dog as her ball of fluff brought her a stick, which she threw but not too far. Of course Boscoe had to interfere and go chasing after it.

  “I’m sorry.” He lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck.

  “Don’t worry about it. He’s a dog.”

  She threw it again, only this time her dog brought it back.

  “I really would love to have your help. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing half the time. Would it be too much of an inconvenience to put me in your schedule or your route?” He didn’t have the first clue of how dog walkers or trainers worked. Were they even called that?

  This was all new territory for him.

  He wouldn’t ask but he was tired of cleaning up dog shit in his apartment. Not only did Boscoe like to go in every single room, the damn dog liked to rub it into the furniture. The sofa was completely trashed. No cleaning service would touch it. He’d tried to lock the dog out and of course his neighbors complained about the noise. The dog made a mess everywhere he went.

  “I know it’s not what you want to do but you may have to consider a home for him. He’s clearly not happy.”

  “Thanks for the unsolicited advice,” he grumbled out. “I said that out loud?”

  “Yep. If he’s that much of a problem, he’s not happy.”

  “Does your dog mess in the house?”

  “No. Not since she was a puppy. Happy dogs don’t do that. There’s been a change in his routine. He’s sad and he’s trying to tell you what’s wrong.”

  Looking out at the dog, he saw a lot of people standing around chatting. This all seemed totally natural to them. The only reason he’d brought the dog out in the first place was so the cleaners could gut his home and clean up the stench.

  He’d walked in and it just stunk. He couldn’t handle this dog stuff. It was getting too tedious and he had this deal at work that he really needed to get off the ground. Without it, his company was screwed. Not completely screwed, but it would be ideal for the models to have work rather than contracting them out.

  “I’m willing to double your usual fee.”

  “You thi
nk I’m a dog walker?”

  He wasn’t really listening to her. “Please, I will pay you three times your usual fee. Anything, please. I’ll even throw in health benefits.”

  “Wow, I cannot believe this. Fine. I’ll come and walk your dog. What’s the address?”

  Without even hesitating, he handed her his card. “Here you go.”

  “Wait? What?” she asked.

  Along with the card, he dumped the leash in her hand. “I’ve got a lot of stuff to do and seeing as you’re here already with nothing else to do, you can drop him off when you’re done. Oh, he really needs a bath as well. Thanks.”

  Without another word, he turned on his heel. Pulling out his cell phone, he hummed to himself as he made his way toward the car. He’d left the windows partially down to air it out.

  Dog stink was not attractive.

  How could his day get any worse?

  “Hello,” Helen, his most trusted PA, said.

  “Helen, hi. I want you to put me through to the Carver Advertising Agency.” The sooner he got to speak with Miss Albright the sooner he could fix this deal.

  Having models on his books wasn’t a problem. His company was all about trade from food to models, to beauty, to the movie industry. In most cases, their clients were contracted out, and they would only get a portion of the fee. Not only did they have a beauty line coming up along with the models, the only thing they needed was the marketing and advertising. That’s where the Carver Advertising Agency came in. Getting a deal with them that combined their two companies would be life changing for both of them. Now he didn’t have to worry about that stupid dog, he could focus on the real business at hand.