Sinfully Sweet: Wickedly DeliciousConstant CravingSimply Scrumptious

by Janelle Denison; Jacquie D'Alessandro; Kate Hoffmann

  “That’s fine,” Rebecca said, and swallowed the tight knot of emotion gathering in her throat. “I understand.”

  “Thank you.” Celeste appeared relieved. “While I’m gone, I need you to do me a favor, if you can.”

  Rebecca squeezed her sister’s hand. “Anything, you know that.” And she meant every word. There wasn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for her sister.

  “There’s a brand new candy shop a few blocks from here on Larchmont Street that makes the most incredible chocolates and confections,” Celeste said, her expression turning to one of heavenly bliss, since chocolate was one of her greatest weaknesses. “When I was here last week I placed a special order for some petits fours for tonight’s cocktail get-together with the bridal party and family. I was hoping you could pick them up for me so that would be one less thing I have to worry about today.”

  Rebecca figured running the errand for her sister was better than sitting alone in her hotel room for the next few hours thumbing through a magazine. “Consider it done.”

  “You’re the best!” Celeste wrapped her arms around Rebecca in a warm, exuberant hug. “The shop is right down the street and close enough to walk to, or you can take a cab instead, if you like.”

  “I think I’ll walk.” Rebecca wasn’t about to miss the chance to enjoy such a gorgeous, sunny day by taking a cab ride. “What’s the place called?”

  “Sinfully Sweet. And I can personally guarantee that the shop lives up to its name.”

  Rebecca was definitely intrigued by her sister’s comment. While chocolate wasn’t one of her basic food groups as it was for Celeste, she did enjoy the occasional sweet treat.

  Together, they took the elevator back down to the lobby, then Rebecca waved good-bye to her sister, heading out of the hotel and down the resort’s entry road that led to the main streets. In no particular hurry to reach the candy shop, she strolled along casually, taking in the sights while enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin and the slight breeze tousling her hair.

  When she reached Larchmont Street she made a right as her sister had instructed, and sauntered past specialty boutiques, a quaint outdoor café, and other unique stores. She window shopped along the way, admiring clothes and jewelry and other one-of-a-kind novelties and antiques until a designer handbag boutique gave way to an adjoining shop displaying in their window the most delectable-looking candies and chocolates. The glossy black and gilt name on the window, Sinfully Sweet, confirmed that she’d reached her destination.

  She entered the store and was instantly enveloped by the rich, sweet scent of expensive chocolate. All around her she was surrounded by an array of tempting, tantalizing candies, including different-sized heart-shaped boxes for Valentine’s Day and dozens of colorful foil-wrapped chocolates displayed on a table in the center of the shop.

  Everything in the place definitely looked sinfully sweet and smelled just as wickedly delicious.

  Other than a quick “I’ll be right there” from the back room, Rebecca was completely alone, and she took advantage of that fact. Closing her eyes, she breathed in slow and deep, inhaling the drugging scent of the chocolate. The fragrance alone was like an aphrodisiac to every one of her senses.

  Amazing.

  She inhaled again, mainly because she just couldn’t help it. There was something about this place that made her feel sensually charged, and she found herself wondering if it was possible for a woman to have an orgasm just from the rich, decadent smell of chocolate.

  If so, she was a prime candidate.

  “Welcome to Sinfully Sweet.”

  A woman’s voice from behind Rebecca snapped her back to the present. She opened her eyes and turned around, her composure back in place—on the outside, at least. Inside, however, she was still feeling a little bit unbalanced by her reaction to all the chocolate around her.

  “Thank you.” Smiling, Rebecca stepped up to the counter and peered into the glass case displaying more chocolate treats, from caramel squares, to macaroons, to almond clusters. “Your shop is lovely, and it smells absolutely wonderful in here.”

  The pretty older woman beamed as she smoothed a hand down the white apron she was wearing. “Well, I can personally guarantee that the candies taste even more fabulous than they smell. We use the finest ingredients available, and it’s taken us years to perfect each type of candy that we offer.”

  And there were dozens to choose from, Rebecca noted. “So, are these candies made from secret recipes?” she asked curiously.

  “Well…”

  “Yes, they are,” an older man replied before the woman could finish her sentence. He appeared from a door leading to the back room, carrying a tray of freshly dipped, chocolate-covered strawberries, which he placed on the counter in front of Rebecca. “All our recipes are top secret. Classified and for our eyes only. Isn’t that right, Ellie?”

  The woman named Ellie smiled at the other man. “That’s right, Marcus.”

  Marcus kissed her affectionately on the cheek, then glanced at Rebecca. “My wife loves to brag about our exclusive chocolates, but once you try them I’m sure you’ll agree that they are the best you’ve ever tasted. The hard part is deciding which ones to try.”

  Rebecca was beginning to think that those dipped strawberries were looking pretty good at the moment. They were all plump and juicy looking, with a thick layer of chocolate coating each piece of fruit. The thought of eating one made her stomach flutter with anticipation.

  “So, are you here to find something for your special Valentine this weekend?” Ellie asked.

  “No,” Rebecca said, shaking her head. “There’s no one special.”

  “Ahhh, too bad,” the other woman replied before Rebecca could state her reasons for being in the candy shop. “But being single and unattached does make you eligible for the Valentine’s Day contest we’re having. See that table over there with all those foil-wrapped chocolates?”

  Remembering the display she’d seen when first entering the store, Rebecca nodded. “Yes.”

  “Well, each foil-wrapped candy is one half of a chocolate heart, and each one has a message inside,” Ellie explained, her face reflecting excitement over such a clever contest. “The pink half is given to a single woman, such as yourself, and the blue half is for some lucky man. If the two of you manage to find the other person with the matching message before Valentine’s Day, you’ll receive a romantic prize package from Sinfully Sweet, which includes dinner for two at The Winery and one hundred chocolate hearts.”

  The concept of meeting someone new via a “match game” was definitely intriguing, but the timing was all wrong. And, it wasn’t as though she lived in the area, but rather ninety miles away in San Francisco. If she met someone here, the distance between them wouldn’t be conducive to building a lasting relationship. Why start something she couldn’t finish?

  “That sounds like fun, but I’m only in town for a few days for a wedding at The Delaford. I’d really hate to disappoint someone who might be diligently searching for their matching heart, when I don’t have the time to do the same.”

  “Don’t you believe in fate, my dear?” Marcus asked. “If it’s meant to be, you’ll find the man who has the matching half to your heart.”

  In the past, fate hadn’t always been so kind to Rebecca and she just couldn’t imagine that such a bold tactic as searching for her so-called “match” would work in her favor. But she didn’t want to be rude, either.

  “I’ll think about it,” she said, knowing that she’d most likely walk out of the store without ever touching one of those foil-wrapped chocolates. “In the meantime, I’m here to pick up an order for my sister, Celeste Moore.”

  “Ahh, the petits fours,” Ellie said with a nod. “They’re ready, but need to be boxed up, which will take about ten minutes.”

  “That’s fine.”

  Ellie disappeared into the back room, but Marcus remained behind. “Can I get you anything while we’re packaging your order?” He motion
ed to the glass display of assorted candies and confections.

  Biting her lower lip, Rebecca eyed those lovely chocolate-covered strawberries again. They were practically calling her name, and she found she couldn’t resist their allure. Maybe she did have a weakness for chocolate after all. “I’ll take one of those strawberries.”

  “Excellent choice.” With a flourish, Marcus picked out the biggest piece of fruit on the tray, then handed it to her in a paper doilie cup before ringing up the purchase. “Feel free to browse around the shop while you’re waiting for your order.”

  “I will.” But first, she was going to enjoy the heck out of her strawberry.

  She waited until Marcus had joined Ellie in the back room and she was alone before she focused her full attention on the treat she’d just purchased.

  Lifting the decadent strawberry to her mouth, she nibbled on the tip. Rich, smooth chocolate immediately melted on her tongue, and a shimmering warmth suffused her body. The taste was intoxicating. Arousing. Drugging. She felt light-headed and sensual, as if the chocolate had started a hunger in her that had little to do with the confection she was eating and everything to do with unquenched desire.

  The sensation rushing through her was extremely pleasant, prompting her to take a big bite of the strawberry. She closed her eyes and moaned as the most luscious flavors filled her mouth. Craving more of that exquisite taste, she let her lips slide further over the chocolate coating and sucked the sweet juices from the fruit.

  “Man, you make me wish I was that strawberry,” a male voice said, shattering her euphoric moment.

  Rebecca nearly choked on the nectar that was trickling down her throat and managed, just barely, to swallow it down. The hairs on the back of her neck tingled in acute awareness. Oh, God, she recognized that low, sexy voice and knew exactly who was standing behind her.

  It was none other than Connor Basset.

  She’d been so enthralled with her treat that she hadn’t heard him enter the shop. And as mortified as she was to be caught intimately enjoying her chocolate-covered strawberry, she knew there was no avoiding the man behind her.

  Despite the flush on her face, and the way her nipples had drawn tight at the sound of his seductive voice, she turned around and faced Connor, who looked drop-dead gorgeous in a T-shirt, faded jeans, and a black leather jacket. His dark blond hair was tousled haphazardly around his head in a way that told her it had been wind-blown during his ride to the shop. He must have driven one of his convertible sports cars to the resort for the weekend. His eyes, which were the exact color of the rich, decadent chocolate she’d just eaten, were dark and hot and filled with lust—as if he’d truly envisioned being her strawberry, and her lips had been wrapped around him.

  Another burst of heat settled low in her belly as she wondered just how long he’d been watching her lick and suck at the plump, luscious fruit while imagining such a provocative scenario.

  He shifted closer as his gaze slowly lowered to her mouth. “Mmm. Looks juicy. And very sweet.”

  Was he referring to the strawberry, or her lips? The man was a master at innuendo, and she self-consciously licked her sticky bottom lip. “It’s very juicy and sweet.” When had her voice turned so husky?

  A rakish smile tipped up the corner of his mouth, causing a charming dimple to appear in his left cheek. “Maybe I ought to try it for myself.”

  Her pulse quickened, and between the chocolate she’d just consumed and Connor’s flirtatious comments, she struggled to maintain her poise. “Help yourself,” she said, and waved toward the tray Marcus had left on the counter. “There’s plenty to choose from.”

  He lifted his hand, surprising her with the warm, bold caress of his thumb along her lower lip. “I wasn’t talking about the strawberries, sweetheart.”

  Her stomach tightened with desire and need. He wanted to taste—no, devour—her lips, which felt electrified from his touch. She was oh-so-tempted to finally give in to the attraction simmering between them and let him kiss her as she’d secretly fantasized about for the past few years. So much so that she let her lips part and leaned toward him ever-so-slightly.

  “Welcome to Sinfully Sweet,” Ellie greeted Connor cheerfully. “Can I help you find something?”

  Shocked by her brazen behavior, Rebecca immediately jumped back from Connor to put a respectable amount of distance between them. She was grateful that the shop’s owner had appeared when she had, or else Rebecca was certain she would have let Connor have his way with her right then and there.

  Good Lord, what in the world was wrong with her? It had to be the shop and the chocolate wreaking havoc on her libido because she never acted this recklessly.

  Connor’s gaze shifted from hers to Ellie, and he graced the older woman with a boyish grin that was the complete opposite of the smoldering look he’d just given Rebecca. “I’m just looking around right now to see what you have.”

  Ellie tipped her head curiously as she studied them with too much speculation. “Do the two of you know one another?”

  Connor nodded. “My best friend is marrying her sister.”

  “Ahh, the wedding,” the older woman said in understanding. “And the two of you are…?”

  “We’re just friends,” Rebecca replied quickly, wanting to set the record straight on that right up front.

  Ellie looked to Connor for confirmation, as if she didn’t quite believe Rebecca’s hasty response. The woman seemed beyond intuitive.

  Connor shrugged those broad shoulders of his, that adorable dimple deepening along with his smile. “Whatever she says.”

  Ellie didn’t look convinced, but let the subject go. “Well, you two keep browsing. We’re just about done with your order, so I’ll be back out in a few minutes.”

  “Great.” The sooner, the better, Rebecca thought.

  Much to Rebecca’s relief, Connor strolled over to the table that held the foil-wrapped candies, putting much needed distance between them. He read the sign announcing the Valentine’s Day contest, then moved on to another section of the store displaying boxes of candies.

  Refusing to eat any more of her chocolate-covered strawberry in front of Connor, she put the half-eaten piece of fruit into the doilie cup for later. “So, what brings you in here?” she asked casually, trying not to stare at the way his soft denim jeans molded to his perfectly toned butt. “You don’t strike me as a chocolate kind of guy.”

  He glanced over his shoulder at her, his expression much too direct for her peace of mind. “Chocolate definitely has its time and its place. The moment I saw you eating that strawberry I developed a hankering for something sweet and delicious.”

  He was referring to more than just chocolate, and they both knew it, too. Even from across the room, Rebecca could see the shameless glint in his eyes that held both humor and heat.

  “But, seeing as I was denied that particular treat, I’ll have to stick to my original reason for coming in here.”

  “And that was?”

  He reached for one of the red velvet heart-shaped boxes on the shelf in front of him and read the content label. “I’m here to pick up a few Valentine’s gifts.”

  Not one, but a few. It figured. Even though he’d arrived for the weekend solo, he’d obviously left his female companions behind and wanted to make sure he took care of them for Valentine’s Day. “So, do each of these girlfriends know about the other?”

  He turned back around with three of the heart-shaped boxes in his hands. “Girlfriends?” he asked, momentarily puzzled by her comment. Then, as understanding dawned, amusement danced in his eyes. “Oh, these aren’t for girlfriends. They’re for my mother, sister and grandmother. I always send them chocolates on Valentine’s Day.”

  The gesture seemed incredibly sweet, and she didn’t know whether to believe him or not.

  He set his purchases on the counter. “It’s true,” he said, somehow reading her mind—or maybe her skepticism showed on her face. “And for the record, I don’t have a girlf
riend, so, if you’re interested—”

  “I can apply for the position?” she asked, brow raised.

  “No application necessary. The attraction between us is undeniable, and I already know you’d make the perfect girlfriend. In every way.” Reaching out, he brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her cheek and gently tucked it behind her ear, before letting his fingers trail lightly down the side of her neck. “So, what do you say, Becca? Wanna be my girlfriend?”

  His tone was teasing, but his eyes were very serious as they stared into hers. She felt mesmerized, the urge to say yes a powerful, overwhelming temptation. What a rush it would be to experience the full effect of all that dazzling, masculine sex appeal of his. Even if it was just a temporary fling.

  “Here are your petits fours,” Ellie said as she breezed back into the room. She came to an abrupt stop when she caught sight of the intimate way that Connor was still touching her. “Oh, excuse me! I didn’t mean to interrupt you two.”

  Rebecca stepped away from Connor and tried to shake off the sensual spell he’d so effortlessly spun around her. “You weren’t interrupting anything,” she reassured Ellie. In fact, you just saved me from making a colossal mistake.

  Rebecca had no doubt that Connor’s interest was a transitory thing. And once she succumbed to his charms he’d most likely quickly grow tired of her, as he seemed to do with every other woman he’d ever dated. The man wasn’t known for longevity in his relationships.

  Succumbing to a twenty-six-year-old millionaire playboy wasn’t an option, not for practical, responsible thirty-two-year-old Rebecca Moore. The situation had heartache written all over it.

  Since her sister had prepaid her order, there was no reason for Rebecca to hang around any longer. Her job here was done.

  “Thank you, Ellie.” Rebecca took the handled bag from the other woman. “I’m sure the petits fours will be a huge hit at the cocktail party tonight.”

  And then she headed for the door.

  “Wait!” Ellie exclaimed before she could make her clean escape. “You forgot your pink chocolate heart half!”