Sweet for You: A BBW Billionaire Romance Read Free Page B

those looks could be deceiving.
    When Mary put the cheesecake in front of her, she scooped up a bite and brought it tentatively toward her mouth.
    ~~~
    B ehind the mirrored wall, the Blake Foods product team waited anxiously for Abby Branson to taste the cheesecake. She swallowed the first bite of their dessert this time, but not without a grimace.
    “Hey Harvey, it looks like she just swallowed your cum!” Tom Parker, the team lead, said. Laughter erupted at the raunchy joke.
    “Silence!” Stephen commanded. “This is not the time for jokes. This young woman represents the demographic for a new product line that we have spent months and millions of dollars developing. A product line that, in its current form, is causing someone from our target market to grimace like she ate something that went bad.”
    He began pacing in the confined space, something he did when an idea was forming in his mind, which put everyone in the room on edge. “Clearly, this team isn’t prepared to bring the product line to market. We need to bring in an expert,” he finally announced to the nervous group.
    Turning to Tom Parker, he said, “You stay. Everyone else out. And someone send in Martha and Smythe.”
    ~~~
    A bby tasted the desserts, one by one, never bothering to take more than one bite. Why waste the calories on something so...uninspired?
    “I wish I had something more positive to say,” she confessed to Mary on multiple occasions. “While these desserts are better than the last ones, they’re nothing special.”
    “That’s quite alright, Abby. Remember, honesty matters here. Looks like that’s it for today. Let me get your payment envelope and you can be on your way.”
    Just then, a knock sounded from behind the mirrored wall. I knew there were people back there! Abby thought to herself.
    “Oh dear,” Mary said, clearly flustered by the unexpected intrusion. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll be right back.”
    “No problem,” Abby said, getting up and pacing around the small room. She walked over to the large mirror and pretended to peer inside. How does it feel to know that someone is watching you, huh?
    She jumped when the door opened sooner than she expected and in walked the Stephen Blake, followed by Mary, an older woman, and two other men. The small room suddenly felt extremely hot and far too crowded.
    Mary smiled reassuringly. “Abby Branson, I’d like you to meet Mr. Stephen Blake.”
    Trembling, Abby took Stephen’s outstretched hand. As his firm grip closed around her fingers, liquid heat traveled up her arm and into her belly. Up close and personal, Stephen Blake was every bit as handsome as he was on the magazine cover. He was taller than Abby pictured – over six feet – with broad shoulders, a trim waist, and a thick head of dark hair that most men would kill for.
    The older woman jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. He cleared his throat. “Miss Branson, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, his firm grip on her hand and deep voice sending shivers up Abby’s spine.
    “Uh, it’s a pleasure to meet you, too, sir,” Abby responded, silently begging her voice not to crack. “I’m a big fan of your gourmet foods. Well, except for the diet desserts. But I’m sure you already know that.”
    The older woman laughed out loud and pushed forward with her hand extended. “Hello, Abby. I’m Martha Rodgers, Stephen’s executive assistant. I’m delighted to meet you.” Abby reluctantly let go of Stephen’s warm, strong hand and took Martha’s cool, delicate fingers.
    “This is Tom Parker, the product team lead,” Martha continued, taking control of the introductions, “and this is Lawrence Smythe, corporate counsel for Blake Foods. Mary, do you think you could find a few more chairs so we can all sit down?”
    “Of course,” Mary responded, leaving the room and quickly returning with several folding chairs.
    “Thank you,” Martha said. “Please cancel the rest of the