They walked out of the restaurant into bright afternoon sunshine. The day was warm for early February with just a slight chill in the brisk breeze. Darcy and Amanda strolled down the charming main street of Austell, lingering at the window of a floral shop before heading down Larchmont Street to Sinfully Sweet. Freshly painted gilt letters adorned the front window of the shop and a bell rang as they went through the door.
The interior of the shop was quiet and softly lit. Gleaming glass cases displayed a seductive array of chocolates, from buttery toffees to rich pecan turtles to decadent flavored truffles. Ellie was waiting on a gentleman customer but she waved at Darcy, promising that she’d be with her momentarily.
Amanda perused the chocolates while Darcy passed the time studying the broad shoulders and narrow waist of the customer ahead of her. She couldn’t tell his age, but he was dressed fashionably in dark trousers and a fitted sweater, clothes that enhanced his tall, lean form and long limbs.
Her gaze rose to his neck where sun-streaked hair curled around his collar in a tantalizing way. Darcy’s fingers twitched as she imagined them slipping through the thick strands. She bit back a soft moan. Now she was lusting after a total stranger! What was wrong with her?
“And are you looking for love?” Ellie asked.
At first Darcy thought the question had been directed at her, but then she realized that Ellie was talking to the man. Darcy peered cautiously around his shoulder and saw Ellie place a huge basket of chocolates on the counter in front of him.
“The candy is for my sister,” he explained, his voice deep and rich. “She’s addicted to chocolate. She has twin boys and I think she self-medicates with the stuff.”
Ellie slipped the chocolates into a pretty shopping bag. “Well, here’s a special little treat for you.” She pointed to the basket of chocolate heart halves wrapped in blue foil. “There’s a message tucked inside. If you find its match before Valentine’s Day, then both you and the lady with the matching half will win a romantic prize.”
Darcy drew a deep breath, the citrusy scent of the man’s cologne teasing at her nose. The guy had to be single. Married men just didn’t smell this good. She fought the ridiculous urge to stand on her tiptoes and press her nose into the curve of his neck.
“Well, Ellie,” the man said, “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not looking for romance.”
“Who knows? Romance might be looking for you,” Ellie replied. She sent Darcy a sly smile, then picked out a chocolate heart and tucked it into his bag.
He chuckled softly as he gathered his purchases. But Darcy hadn’t realized how close she’d been standing. When he turned, she stood squarely in his path. She quickly stepped to the left at the very same moment he stepped to his right. Their little dance continued for a few silent measures, back and forth, before Darcy risked a glance up at him.
The breath froze in her throat as their eyes met—eyes she’d seen in a fantasy no more than ten minutes ago. Not much had changed in ten minutes—or in five years. Kel Martin was still the kind of handsome that left a woman weak in the knees. His hair, usually cropped short for the baseball season, now fell carelessly across his forehead. And his blue eyes were even bluer, if that was possible.
“Now that we’ve mastered the two-step, would you like to try a tango?” he teased with a boyish grin. The smile sent a shiver skittering down her spine.
“Wh-what?” The word came out as a nervous croak. “Oh, right. Dance. No. I mean, I’m sorry.” Darcy quickly stepped aside, but for a long moment, he didn’t move. His gaze was still fixed on her face and a tiny frown wrinkled his suntanned brow. For an instant, she saw a flash of recognition in his eyes, but then it was gone.
Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. Did he remember her? Was he even now scrolling back in his mind, through all the girls he’d slept with, winding back to that wild night they’d spent together in his hotel room?
He’d been a handsome stranger, nursing a beer in the bar of the Penrose, her father’s San Francisco hotel. She’d just flown in from San Diego for a board meeting, and after a tense day, was looking for a way to unwind. One glass of champagne had led to another and before she knew it, they were riding the elevator up to his room, unable to keep their hands off each other.
They hadn’t bothered with last names or even discussed why they were both alone in a hotel bar. It didn’t seem to matter at the time. All that mattered was getting out of their clothes and into each other’s arms as quickly as possible.
Once they’d accomplished that, the rest of the night had passed in a haze of desperate commands and electrifying sensations. He’d explored her body so thoroughly at first that she’d felt certain she’d go mad the moment he finally entered her. And when at last he did, Darcy had shattered with an intensity that she’d never felt before—or since.
Even now, after all this time, she could recall every single moment, the weight of his body against her hips, the warmth of his mouth, the sound of his voice, low and ragged as he exploded inside her.
She felt his fingers on her arm and Darcy blinked. “Are you all right?” he asked, bending closer to catch her gaze.
“Yes,” she murmured. “Of course.” She took another step to the side and a moment later, he was gone, just as he had been that morning when she’d found herself alone in his hotel room.
Darcy waited until she heard the bell on the shop door tinkle, then released a tightly-held breath, the lack of oxygen making her a bit dizzy. Amanda rushed to her side and grabbed her elbow. “Do you know who that was?”
“Yeah, I know,” Darcy said numbly. “Kel Martin.”
Amanda seemed taken aback. “I didn’t think you followed the Giants.”
“Everyone knows who Kel Martin is,” Darcy replied. He was always in the news, if not for his league-leading ERA, then for his colorful love life. According to the gossips, Kel favored leggy models, rising starlets and the occasional jet-setting heiress. Though Darcy was reluctant to admit it, whenever he appeared in a newspaper or magazine, she made sure to search the article for details and study the photo until she had catalogued every one of his handsome features all over again. He was a stranger to her and yet she felt as if they were still lovers, the memory of their night so vivid in her mind.
“He touched you,” Amanda said.
Darcy glanced down at her forearm, then rubbed her palm over the spot. The tingle seemed to have spread down to her fingers and toes. “Did he?”
“He’s very handsome,” Ellie Fairbanks commented. “Have you two met before?”
Darcy shook her head. “Why would you say that?”
The shopkeeper shrugged. “It seemed as though there was a…connection between you.” She smoothed her palms over her apron. “Well, I have your samples all ready. But you must try some of our other chocolates. Whatever tempts you will be my treat.”
“I’ll take some of that romance you were offering,” Amanda said. “What about you, Darcy? Are you in the mood for love?”
“I think I’ll stick with the truffles,” Darcy insisted.
Ellie wandered over to one of the display cases and Amanda trailed after her. As they discussed the merits of the various flavors, Darcy tried to calm her nerves. What was Kel Martin doing in Austell? Was he vacationing here or just passing through? Oh, God, could he be planning a stay at The Delaford?
Amanda hurried back to her side, a pair of truffles resting on her palm. She offered one to Darcy and, without thinking, Darcy popped it into her mouth. The creamy chocolate melted instantly, a hint of raspberry in the ganache center. A tiny groan slipped from her lips. If anything could make her forget her brush with the past, the truffles were definitely it. But it would take more than just one.
“Get me a half-pound of the raspberry and a half-pound of the mocha,” Darcy murmured. “And add five of those dark chocolate turtles and some of the coconut clusters. Then get whatever you want and we’ll start an account.”
Good chocolate was definitely be
tter than bad sex. But how much chocolate would it take to forget her night with Kel Martin? Two or three tons?
Darcy had always known there was a chance she’d run into him again and she’d even fantasized about how it might go. But now that it had happened, Darcy cursed the decision to forgo dessert at the restaurant. Her life could have gone on normally had she never seen him again. But even as she thought it, Darcy knew it was a lie. No matter how much time passed, she’d never forget her night with Kel.
Ellie chatted with Darcy as she put their chocolates into a pretty red bag. Her husband, Marcus, appeared from the back room with another box filled with the pillow chocolates, embossed with the “D” of the Delaford logo.
“Before you leave, I have to give you one more thing.” Ellie smiled slyly then held out another basket, this one filled with pink hearts. “Choose one,” she said. Darcy plucked a heart out of the basket and Amanda took one for herself.
“There’s a message inside,” Ellie explained. “If either of you finds its match before Valentine’s Day, then you and the gentleman will win a romantic dinner at The Winery at The Delaford and one hundred chocolate hearts.” She laughed softly. “You have heard of The Delaford, haven’t you?”
Darcy turned the heart over in her hand. “What if no one finds their match? What are the chances of finding a complete stranger with the same message?”
“All lovers are strangers in the beginning, aren’t they?” Ellie replied.
Darcy tucked the heart into her purse. “I wish I had time for romance,” she murmured, turning for the door.
“Hey, I’ll give it a shot,” Amanda said. She caught up to Darcy and pulled open the door. “I really don’t want to spend another Valentine’s Day sitting at home in front of the television, trying to convince myself that I’m happier without a man. Here’s my Valentine fantasy: flowers and candy and maybe a pricey piece of jewelry. Spending the night in bed, making wild, sweaty love with a man who’ll at least pretend he’s a romantic for a day.”
“But the fantasy is always better than the reality,” Darcy murmured. “And sometimes it’s a lot easier on the heart.”
KEL MARTIN sat in his car across the street from Sinfully Sweet and watched through the windows of the Mercedes convertible as the two women left the store. His gaze fixed on the slender brunette and he pulled his sunglasses down so he could see her more clearly. Once she’d disappeared around the corner, he absently reached for the box of chocolates beside him and popped one in his mouth.
When he’d first looked into Darcy’s eyes, he’d been sure it was her. And then, a heartbeat later, he’d thought perhaps his imagination had been playing tricks on him. But once she’d spoken, all doubts had disappeared. That voice, so soft and captivating, was impossible to forget.
His thoughts drifted back to that night, to all the new and exciting experiences they’d shared. He’d had his share of one-night stands, but this had been different. It was as if their anonymity had broken down every wall between them, robbing them of their inhibitions.
They’d both felt completely free to test the limits of their desire. He recalled her words as he moved inside her, murmuring things that no woman had ever said to him before, making him feel as if he were the only man in the world who could pleasure her.
“Darcy,” he said softly. He’d never asked her last name, nor had he bothered with a phone number or an address before he’d walked away. At the time, he’d stupidly believed there would be others like her, women who could reach into his soul and take control of his body as she had. It was only later that Kel realized what they’d shared: pure pleasure, an almost mystical connection between their bodies and their minds.
He’d spent the past five years trying to find it again and Kel had come to the conclusion that it had been a moment lost in time. He raked his hand through his hair, groaning softly. They’d barely even spoken that night and yet every minute they’d spent together had been burned indelibly on his brain.
Kel had heard a lot of stories in the locker room, one wilder than the next. And he’d contributed his share of experiences to the discussion. But he’d never once talked about Darcy, never tried to put what they had shared into words. With her, it had been more than just a one-night stand.
All those years ago…At first glance, she’d seemed unapproachable. The bar had been nearly empty and she hadn’t noticed him at first. And when he had caught her eye, there hadn’t been any recognition.
At that moment, all Kel had wanted was a normal conversation with a woman—no baseball talk, no plastic smiles or casual caresses, no silly giggling over every wry comment he made. He had wanted something simple and easy. He’d never imagined the pleasures he’d been about to experience.
Over the years, Kel had tried to convince himself that Darcy wasn’t any different from other women. He’d told himself if he got to know her, she’d turn desperate, grasping, anxious to claim him like some trophy she could show off to her girlfriends. But deep down, he suspected he’d made a mistake in walking way.
“The hell if I’ll make the same mistake twice,” Kel muttered. If he harbored any hope of putting that night out of his head, then he’d have to prove to himself that Darcy was just an ordinary woman and not the ultimate sex goddess.
Kel stepped out of the car and jogged across the street. Austell was a small town. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find her. Hell, she was probably married and raising two or three children. That would put a quick end to his fantasies.
He opened the door of the shop and stepped back inside. Ellie Fairbanks smiled at him as he approached, her hands braced on the counter. “I know why you came back,” she said.
“You do?”
“You dipped into those chocolates you bought for your sister and now you need a new box.”
“Yes, I do. But this time I’d like to have them delivered.”
“Where does your sister live?”
“I want to send them to that pretty brunette who was in here a few minutes ago. You have her name and address, don’t you?”
“I do,” Ellie said.
Kel nodded. “And what would that address be?”
She hitched her hands on her hips and regarded him suspiciously. “I got the distinct impression you knew her, but now I’m not so sure.”
“Darcy and I are old friends. Let’s just say, I’d like to renew our acquaintance,” Kel replied. “Give me a small box of your most decadent chocolates.”
Ellie gathered a selection of chocolates and then returned to the counter. She handed him a gift card, but he pushed it back at her, shaking his head. “On second thought, I should deliver these personally.” He cleared his throat. “And where would I do that?”
“Try The Delaford,” Ellie said with a soft chuckle. “It’s a resort and spa out on Route 18. Just follow the signs.”
He pulled his wallet from his pocket and paid for the chocolates, then sent Ellie a grateful smile.
As he exited the store, he let his gaze wander over the quaint street. He’d come to Austell to take a look for a lake home, a quiet place outside the craziness of San Francisco, a place where he could exist in relative anonymity, where he could walk down the street without people staring. He’d intended a quick stop in Austell to look at a few properties before he continued on up the coast to his sister’s place. But a chance meeting in a candy store had derailed his plans.
Kel’s step was a bit quicker as he walked back to his car. He would see Darcy again; he’d make certain of that. But when he did, he wasn’t sure what to say. What was the protocol? Were they supposed to pretend they didn’t know each other? How exactly should a gentleman bring up the subject of their previous one-night stand?
Kel got behind the wheel of the Benz and started it. But he left it idling at the curb as a trail of possibilities drifted through his mind. What if she didn’t remember him at all? He’d managed to turn that one night into the pinnacle of his sex life. What if she’d forgotten about him years ago?
He thought he’d seen recognition in her eyes, but was it real or was he just fooling himself? Right now, Darcy could be trying to place him, wondering just where she’d met him before. Kel tipped his head back and closed his eyes. Or maybe she had recognized him from the papers. Maybe to her, he wasn’t the man she’d spent one incredible night with, he was Kel Martin, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
“If I see her again, I’ll just pretend I don’t remember her,” he murmured. “Unless she remembers me, then I’ll remember her.” It was a plan, though Kel wasn’t sure it was the best he could devise. He just needed some time alone with her, just a few minutes to figure out where he stood.
He pulled the car out into traffic and headed west. Just as Ellie Fairbanks had said, the signs directed him to The Delaford. He’d been invited to play a celebrity golf tournament there a few years back. Had he accepted, he might have renewed their acquaintance sooner.
A long brick drive wound through beautifully landscaped grounds. The three-story hotel, a mix of new California and old Spanish architecture, was nestled in the center of the golf course, huge pillars flanking the entrance. Kel drove beneath the columned portico and a parking attendant jogged up to the car. As soon as Kel stepped out, the attendant grinned. “Hello, Mr. Martin. Welcome to The Delaford.”
Kel was so used to people recognizing him that it barely registered. He smiled at the attendant and tossed him the keys. “My bags are in the trunk,” he said.
The lobby was cool and serene, awash in soft colors and green plants, soothing music drifting through the air. The desk clerk greeted him with a warm smile. “Mr. Martin! We weren’t expecting you today. How nice that you chose to visit The Delaford.”
“I don’t have a reservation. I was just in the area and thought I’d see if you had a room. Anything will do.”
The desk clerk glanced over at her computer. “We have two suites and several deluxe rooms available. Which would you prefer?”
Sinfully Sweet: Wickedly DeliciousConstant CravingSimply Scrumptious Page 17