AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. There’s coffee in the pot if you want it.”
“Oh, go on. There are some tea bags here somewhere.”
She sighs before getting up from her seat and heading in the direction of the kitchen. Then she starts rummaging in the cabinets for some leftover tea bags.
“What have we got?” Dad asks, peering over the selection of cake. There’s two of everything. A couple of slices have got squished, but they all look incredible. And it’s clear someone with a lot of skill and knowledge has made these, the finishing touches, whether that be berries, cream, or squiggles of icing decorating the top, look finessed and hand-crafted. But that’s the whole reason behind Winter’s love of Gate’s Cakes. It’s a family-run business. And when they pass on their recipes and know-how, it’ll be our pastry chefs replicating each creation.
Each rectangular slice is about two inches by six and sits on a thin, paper wrapper. Carefully, Winter slides a cake slicer underneath the bottom while steadying a finger against the side. Once it’s out of the box, she cuts each slice into three, placing each piece on a new plate. This way we all get a taste.
Sienna returns with Reuben’s tea. He gives her a brief smile in thanks, too busy shoveling in his portion of cake that Winter has passed around the table. It’s a deliciously moist, layered cake, several layers of sponge and cream and chocolate ganache, topped with a raspberry on one end. Only Dad and Brecken get one of those.
“Excellent,” Dad says, looking impressed. “I can’t believe I’ve never tried them before.”
“You’ve been missing out,” Winter states, licking her lips clean. Her adorable enthusiasm makes my chest tight.
“How did you know about the company?”
“I would stop off just about every weekend, after a day’s skiing, and treat myself.”
“It’s just as well you didn’t know about them, Daddy,” my sister says cheerily. “Think how fat you’d be if you ate there every week like Winter.”
I roll my eyes.
Winter, just says, “Who’s ready to try the hazelnut and vanilla? This might be my favorite. I’d buy it every week,” she adds, lifting her eyes to Sienna in challenge. “Plus the chocolate and walnut, and the lemon drizzle.”
Watching Winter in a battle of wits with my sister gets my dick hard. I love this side of her, this spunky, strong-willed, relentless businesswoman. And she’s like it in bed too, uncompromising and invested. Already, she means more to me than I thought possible. And I know I’m not alone in thinking that.
“I’ll try it,” Reuben insists. “There’s always some way to work it off, right?” He winks, Dad hiding a smile.
We work our way through at least six more gateaux, and I decide the red velvet is my personal favorite.
Reuben asks, “Does this mean I need to start looking at incorporating a patisserie in our upcoming Vail project?”
“Yes,” Dad confirms. “We should develop both options until we know more. And I want to discuss how we could make room here, at Chateau Balthazar.”
His suggestion doesn’t surprise me. It occurred to me after reviewing Winter’s proposal.
“What? Here?” Sienna demands. “There’s no room. And you can’t change it out with any of the other restaurants; they’re always at capacity. They’ll be missed.”
“Since when have you been interested in the family business?” Reuben admonishes. “Leave it to those of us with the qualifications and necessary abilities to make sound business decisions please.”
“I’m allowed to be interested, asshole. Maybe getting involved more is what I need to do?”
Like fuck it is.Roo and I lock eyes, both of us on the same page. Winter casts a look towards my father and so I follow, noticing his brows lift in surprise and interest. I mean, this is what he’s been hoping for, ever since his retirement was first floated years ago.
Shit.
“Really? Why the change of heart?” Dad asks.
Sienna shrugs, flicking her blonde hair. “No reason, but maybe I could be more involved?” she asks sweetly. “The hotel’s important to you, and I want to be closer to my brothers.”
“I’d be very happy to involve you,” Dad says. “Luca and I will talk. Soon, we’ll all need to talk. My retirement approaches at speed.”
“You should go to school and get a relevant degree,” Brecken suggests. “Like we did.”
Thank fuck he’s thinking this through logically, and not with his rose-tinted glasses where she’s normally concerned. He’s always had a soft spot for her, and I think it’s down to her losing her mom. Like Winter, she has no other family, and that’s catnip for a man with protective tendencies. I was hoping that his priorities would be duly switched in the right direction now, but the man’s too perfect for his own fucking good.
Why can’t he be more selfish like me and Roo?
