The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas

by Carole Matthews

  ‘Not the day for hanging around,’ Miles noted as if reading her mind.

  ‘No. My toes have turned to ice.’

  ‘Let’s round up the kids before they freeze to death,’ he said. ‘If you’re not in a rush, we could walk down to the café by the lake.’ To close the deal, he added, ‘Hot chocolate. My treat.’

  Autumn smiled. ‘Just what the doctor ordered.’ Offering her hot chocolate on their first meeting. She liked that. He sounded like a man after her own heart.

  Chapter Eight

  ‘So,’ I say to the members of the Chocolate Lovers’ Club. ‘These are our not-very-long-out-of-the-oven, state-of-the-art mince pie and brownie combos. Let me know what you think.’

  I put down the plate with a flourish and they fall on them like vultures. Nice vultures, obvs. It looks like the festive experiments are a big hit.

  ‘Wow,’ Nadia says. ‘These are amazing. I need the recipe.’

  ‘Like you’re ever going to make them when you can buy them from me with your friends and family discount,’ I scoff.

  ‘True,’ she laughs. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking of.’

  ‘I’ll make you wash your mouth out with wine, if I ever catch you talking like that again.’

  ‘Oh, wine,’ Nadia breathes. ‘I can’t remember when I last had a drink. We need a night out. Or I do. I could do with cheering up. I didn’t get that job I went for and my second interview came to nothing. I’m beginning to think that I’m unemployable.’

  ‘Something will come along,’ Chantal assures her. ‘You’re fabulous. You’d be an asset to any business. I’ll put my feelers out. I’m a bit out of the loop since having Lana, but I can see if any of my old contacts have any openings.’

  ‘Thanks, Chantal. I’d appreciate it,’ she says. ‘It’s not all doom and gloom though. I did have some good news. Completely unexpectedly, I had a letter from my sister, Anita.’

  ‘Oh, Nadia. That’s lovely.’ The girls knew that when she married Toby, Nadia had become estranged from her family as he wasn’t their choice of husband. They thought that he was unsuitable marriage material and it turns out that they might have been right.

  ‘The letter didn’t say much,’ Nadia continues, ‘but she asked if we could meet up. So I rang her straight away and we’re arranging to get together.’

  I know that Nadia would dearly love to be back in the bosom of her family. We, the Chocolate Lovers’ Club, do all we can for her, but there are some roles that can’t be filled by anyone other than blood family and I know that she particularly misses her sister.

  ‘I thought I might bring her here. What do you think, Lucy?’

  ‘If you let me know when, I could put a reserved sign by the sofa over in the corner, so that you’d have a bit of privacy.’

  ‘Sounds great. I’ll see what she wants to do. I feel like I’m walking a bit of a tightrope. I can’t assume anything.’

  ‘It’s a start,’ I say encouragingly. ‘That can only be a good thing.’

  Chocolate Heaven is busy today. Extra busy. So busy that I haven’t even had a minute for my usual daydreams about Crush. The weather’s bright and crisp, so the sprinkling of snow hasn’t stopped play. As we’re nearly in December, I’ve risked putting a festive playlist on my iPod as background music in the café. No one’s complained yet, which has to be a good thing.

  ‘I’ve been thinking that I should have a night out with Ted,’ Chantal says. ‘Lana’s nearly six months old and we haven’t had a single date night yet. Could you babysit for us, Autumn?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘It’s his birthday later in the week. Would that suit you?’

  ‘I’ve got nothing planned. Addison is very busy with work at the moment, so I’m not seeing much of him.’ Autumn shrugs. ‘I’m all yours. Just let me know.’

  ‘Great,’ Chantal says. ‘Not sure what we’ll do yet. Probably go for a meal somewhere nearby. I don’t think we’ll be painting the town red. My days of that are definitely over, but I’ll ask Ted to clear the evening in his diary.’

  I flop down in the chair next to them for a second, eye still on the counter in case anyone comes in. ‘Is that what it comes down to? Clearing space in the diary for each other?’

  Chantal nods at me. ‘It’s hard to be spontaneous with a kid on your hip.’

  ‘It’s hard to be spontaneous without one,’ I admit. Then, when they all stare at me, expecting further information, I offer, ‘Crush and I rarely seem to have any time together now. I’m so busy here; all I want to do is fall into a heap when I get home.’

  ‘Ask Clive and Tristan to provide some help for you,’ is Chantal’s solution.

  ‘I don’t like to bother them.’

  ‘It’s their business. They should know that you’re run ragged.’

  ‘It’s probably just the build up to Christmas. I’m expecting it to be quieter in January.’

  ‘You should do something nice for Crush,’ Autumn suggests. ‘It doesn’t have to be an expensive gesture. Cook him a romantic dinner.’

  ‘I might poison him.’

  ‘Go and get a ready meal from Marks and Sparks,’ she suggests. ‘Even you couldn’t make a mess of that, Lucy.’

  I chew my lip. ‘Do you think? He’s always cooking for me.’

  ‘Then, surely, it would be a nice surprise.’

  ‘It’s a plan,’ I say. ‘To be honest, I’ll do whatever it takes. Having found someone as lovely as Crush, I don’t want him to fall out of love with me.’

  ‘He worships you, Lucy,’ Chantal tuts. ‘You know he does.’

  ‘I don’t want to take it for granted.’

  ‘He’s not Marcus,’ she reiterates.

  ‘I know, but I still want to look after him.’

  ‘Why don’t you take a dessert home from here?’ Nadia adds. ‘You know the way to a man’s heart is with chocolate cake.’

  It’s certainly the way to Crush’s heart. I high-five Nadia.

  ‘What?’ she says.

  ‘You, my dear and inspired friend, have just given me the most excellent idea.’

  ‘I did?’

  I can feel myself beaming widely.

  ‘Don’t over-reach yourself, Lucy.’ Autumn looks worried. ‘You know what happens when you do.’

  ‘This will be a breeze,’ I say. ‘Trust me. I have to do nothing but be fabulous.’

  Now they all look worried.

  ‘Trust me. I will so rock this.’

  Then the door opens and I’ll swear it’s a coach party. A dozen people crowd round the counter. Perhaps word is spreading about Alexandra’s fabulous chocolate cakes as business is booming. I box up half a dozen for customers to take home with them and, when I’ve taken their orders, the rest settle themselves at tables or on the available sofas. Chantal’s right. I should speak to Clive and Tristan. I’m exhausted. This place is getting very popular and I can’t run it single-handed even though I am a Superman-type woman, if you know what I mean.

  Still, I throw back my shoulders, pin on my smile and, while I set to making the orders, I turn up the Christmas songs a little and think about the night to come.

  Chapter Nine

  As Autumn suggested, I pushed my way through the crowds of cranky Christmas shoppers to good old Marks and Sparks on the way home and bought multiple boxes of delicious and, more importantly, ready-made food. All I have to do is ping them or throw them in the oven when Crush arrives. Miraculous! What did we ever do without mobile phones, microwaves and ready meals?

  For dessert, I’ve brought home two individual chocolate mousse cakes. Heart-shaped. Romantic, eh?

  But, enough of food. That is all going to be the After-Show Party. I have something much more exciting planned for the Main Event for Crush beforehand. I’ve texted him and asked him not to be late. I didn’t like to tell him that I was cooking dinner as he’d then dread coming home, thus defeating the objective of my cunning plan.

  I’m so tired that, as soon as
I’ve piled up all my goodies in the kitchen and have put the mousse cakes in the fridge, I go and have a lovely soak in the bath.

  While I’m reclining in the bubbles, I look at the jar that I’ve placed on the side of the bath. There was one other shop I called at on my way home and the fruit of my labours is now staring back at me. Chocolate body paint. A great big tub of it. I grin to myself. Oh, what fun Crush and I are going to have with that!

  Here’s my plan. When I’m lovely and clean, I’m going to prostrate myself on the rug in the living room, smother myself in chocolate body paint and wait for my loved one to come home. Upon which, he’ll be so overcome with lust for me that he’ll fall on my chocolate-coated body, lick me all over until we’re both in a frenzy of lust and then we’ll make mad passionate love. It will be a night to remember all round. Even though we might well have to throw the rug out.

  Once he’s satisfied by my body, I will then ping him M&S delights and sate his other appetites. Job done, walk away! What could possibly go wrong?

  I’m feeling very relaxed when I get out of the bath. I yawn and blink my eyes awake. I think I might have even fallen asleep in there for a few seconds.

  I dry myself, wrap a fluffy towel around me and pad to the living room. It’s looking lovely and Christmassy in here. I’ve gone to town a bit this year after my miserable effort last December.

  There’s a mammoth tree in the corner which Crush did have to wrestle through the door. He was very kind about it all, though. It’s decorated with a heart theme as befitting our loved-up state and is covered with the little beggars in every shade that I could find them. While I’ve gone for tasteful restraint at Chocolate Heaven, the same can’t be said of my home. Pink and glitter both feature heavily.

  On the fireplace, there’s a large singing and dancing reindeer which belts out ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ with very little encouragement. I give his button a push and he serenades me, ending with a cheery ‘Ho-ho-ho’. That doesn’t stop me from stifling another yawn.

  I spread my towel on the rug and lie down. I’ve brought a pillow for our heads, too. No need to be uncomfortable while being passionate, I feel. Then I realise how chilly it is being in the living room in the nip, so I haul myself from the floor and crank up the central heating. The gas fire goes on too for good measure and I have a brief moment of regret that my flat doesn’t come with a roaring open fire, which would be perfect for this lovemaking scenario. The steady blue glow of a gas fire just isn’t the same, but it will have to suffice. I don’t forget the seductive music either. Crush should be home from work very soon, so I shouldn’t have to wait for too long for our chocolate-assisted shag fest to begin.

  Back on my strategically placed towel, I open my jar of chocolate body paint. The plan is to be covered in this and striking a seductive pose the minute he comes through the door. I have a quick glance at my watch. Yep. Better get slapping it on. I have a quick tester taste – yum, yum – and it smells wonderful too. What an excellent erotic aid for the modern relationship. How will Crush be able to resist me?

  Tentatively, I rub some on my arms. Feels a bit strange. And, potentially, a waste of good chocolate. I lick my fingers. Hmm. I’m quite tasty too. Carrying on, I smear it liberally over my chest, breasts, stomach and thighs. With my skin still pink from the bath I’m looking slightly like a chocolate-covered jelly baby. Not exactly what I was aiming for, but I’ll have to make the best of what I’ve got.

  The fire is making the room very warm now and, having coated myself in delicious chocolate, I lie down again. Because of the heat, I’m quite a bit more melty than I’d planned, but I drape myself in a seductive manner. Oh, my eyes are heavy. I think I’ll close them for five minutes while I’m waiting. That can’t do any harm. I haven’t been to my yoga class for ages, so I could try some rhythmic breathing. That way I will not only be delicious but also relaxed. So, trying not to get chocolate everywhere, I let myself sink into the pillow. And, of course, that’s the last thing I remember.

  Chapter Ten

  The next thing I know is that I hear the sound of a key in the lock and I start awake. For a moment I wonder what I’m doing naked on the rug covered in brown stuff and then it all comes back to me in a rush. Mission Make Love to Crush.

  Quickly, I shake myself awake and arrange myself in a more suitable pose, checking there’s no dribble on the towel. Never a good look. But when I glance properly at the chocolate, it’s dried to a crust now and no longer looks glossy and delicious. I look more like I’m having a dirty protest. Hmm. Perhaps Crush will be so overcome by my womanly sexiness that he won’t even notice.

  The door opens and I pop on my most seductive pout.

  ‘Hey, Lucy,’ he shouts. ‘Guess who I brought ho— whoa!’ He pulls up short in the doorway and spreads his arms wide. ‘Whoa! Whoa!’

  ‘Aarrgh!’ That’s from me.

  ‘Back up, back up!’ he cries. ‘Back up right now.’

  But it’s too late. The two salesmen he’s brought home from Targa are staring straight at me wide-eyed, mouths agape.

  ‘Out, out!’ Crush reiterates and turns to hustle them out of the door.

  ‘Bye, Lucy,’ one of them shouts. ‘Nice seeing you.’

  Crush closes the door while I scrabble for my towel. When I’m safely swaddled again, I risk looking at him.

  He stares at me, aghast. ‘What are you doing?’

  My lower lip trembles. ‘I thought we’d have some grown-up fun with chocolate body paint.’

  At that, he laughs out loud. ‘Well, I guess we have had a bit of fun, but not quite in the way you imagined.’

  ‘That was Greg and Steve, wasn’t it?’ I recognised them instantly.

  ‘Yes. It’s been a while since you were the talk of Targa, Gorgeous,’ Crush notes. ‘I’m thinking that will change by tomorrow.’

  ‘You have to swear them to secrecy.’

  ‘Not a hope,’ he says. ‘They’ve both probably sent texts already.’

  ‘I hated working there,’ I say as crossly as I can.

  ‘You didn’t,’ Crush says. ‘You used to love staring at me all day.’

  ‘Only a bit.’ Then I sigh. ‘Now I feel foolish and I wanted you to be blown away by my temptress ways and make mad passionate love to me in front of the fire like they do in movies.’

  ‘And I’ve spoiled it.’

  ‘You weren’t to know,’ I relent. That’s the snag with surprises, I suppose; they’re so often a surprise. I should have known no good could come of it.

  ‘I’d give you a cuddle, you crazy woman, but I’ll end up covered in chocolate and I only popped home to tell you that I’m taking Greg and Steve for a Chinese meal. We’ve got an important meeting tomorrow that we need to prepare for and we simply ran out of time at the office. I thought I’d stand them dinner while we talk about our strategy.’

  Strategy, schmategy.

  ‘I won’t be long,’ Crush promises. ‘An hour and a half at the most.’

  I feel my heart sink. Crush obviously reads my disappointment.

  ‘Come with us, if you like.’

  ‘I’ll never be able to look either of them in the eye again,’ I say sulkily. That’s the Targa Christmas party off limits for me as well.

  Making sure he doesn’t get too close in his smart business suit, Crush bends down and kisses me.

  ‘I love you,’ he says. ‘It was a really nice thought. I’ll be back as soon as I can and I’ll be sure to make it up to you.’ He wiggles his eyebrows in an encouraging manner. ‘Go and get into bed, you dirty girl, and wait for me there.’

  Despite my deep disappointment and humiliation, I manage a smile. Perhaps my plans for a night of passion are not yet thwarted.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jumping in the shower, I wash all the luscious chocolate body paint down the drain, regretting that my plan wasn’t better executed. Clearly, I am much more suited to masterminding criminal activities – as I have proved in the
past – than seduction scenarios.

  When I’m all clean again, I put on my snuggly pink pyjamas and burrow down under the duvet. I think I’ll read until Crush comes home. I’ve had a book on my bedside table for months now that I haven’t even glanced at. The night is still young. Maybe we could salvage some romance from the evening. Then my eyes close again and I know it’s futile to fight sleep. Perhaps if I just have a little doze, then I’ll wake up and be ready and raring to go.

  Moments later Crush is gently shaking me awake. ‘Hey, sleepy head.’

  When my eyes finally focus, I realise that he’s naked except for his boxer shorts, toned abs very much on show. I didn’t hear him come back. I look at the alarm clock, but can’t make my eyes focus on the numbers. How long has he been home?

  He picks up a plate of toast from the tray on the floor and places it on the bed next me. ‘Breakfast.’

  All night, it seems.

  Crush also puts a cup of coffee on the bedside table. ‘I made it strong,’ he says. ‘Looks like you might need it. You were out for the count when I came home.’

  ‘I didn’t even hear you.’

  ‘It would have been difficult above the snoring.’

  I whack him. ‘I do not snore.’

  ‘I’d better get a move on or I’m going to be late for work,’ Crush says. ‘We’ll have some time together tonight, Gorgeous.’

  Grabbing his hand, I say, ‘Stay. For just a few minutes.’

  ‘I know you’ve got evil on your mind, young woman,’ he counters. ‘Much as I’d love to, I have a meeting with the directors at nine o’clock. Can’t be late for that.’

  ‘And I’ve got a date with some chocolate,’ I sigh.

  ‘Another one? Hope you’re going to be wearing more clothes in Chocolate Heaven than you were last night.’

  ‘I’m so embarrassed.’

  He grins at me. ‘Greg and Steve couldn’t believe their eyes. Neither could I, for that matter. You were the talk of the Hong Kong restaurant last night, you hussy.’