A Taste of Chocolate Read Online Free

used that word anymore? She shook her head. “This is very kind of you, but I’m not scared.” One of his dark eyebrows arched as if he didn’t believe her. “Okay, yes, I’m nervous. Scared spitless, actually.”
    “Understandable.” He had black hair combed straight back and touching the collar of his blue shirt. A closely cropped mustache and beard lent a dangerous air to his narrow face. Oh, my.
    “Freya was right. Blue does bring out the color of your eyes.” Gracious, but the man was muscular. Round, firm shoulders and large biceps. His knit shirt stretched over well-defined pecs. What would it feel like to be held against him? Oh, girl, don’t even go there.
    “Would you feel more comfortable if we walked through the mall? Or are you so freaked out by all this you plan on making some lame excuse to dash out in ten minutes?”
    How did he know? She tilted her purse to show him its contents. “See this folded paper bag? I’m prone to hyperventilate when I get nervous. I was thirty seconds away from yanking this out and putting it over my face.”
    He blinked those blue eyes twice, three times, and then covered them with one broad hand. His shoulders shook with laughter.
    The heat of a blush spread across her cheeks. She would not be laughed at. “I’m out of here. How nice that I provided you with your daily dose of humor.” She slung her bag over her shoulder and stood. “You big jerk.”
    He stopped laughing and stood also. “I’m sorry, Hope.” He wiped his eyes. “It was just the image of my coming up to you, hoping I’d make a good impression, and finding your beautiful face inside a paper bag. Would have been a heck of an introduction, wouldn’t it?” A slow, bad-ass smile spread, turning his ordinary face into drop-dead gorgeous. His dimples blinked, softening her irritation. She’d always been a sucker for dimples.
    Still, she wanted to offer a pithy reply. Too bad her tongue wouldn’t work. Don’t look at his smile. His feet. Look at his feet. Somehow, huge sneakers didn’t lessen his appeal, especially when her gaze had to travel down jeans that hugged his muscular thighs in a tight embrace.
    A warm hand settled in the middle of her back, escorting her out of the eating area. “So, we’re going shopping, are we? Are you up for a movie later? I checked, and there’s a new chick flick playing.”
    Her gaze rose to his as she held his bouquet to her nose to enjoy their fragrance again. “Do you enjoy chick flicks, Declan Fleming?” Somehow, with just his hand splayed on her back, he had her tucked against his shoulder. Heat radiated off him. It was like being held in half an embrace while walking through the mall.
    “Not really. I prefer thrillers and action flicks.” He stopped at a display in the window of a men’s clothing store. “The more explosions, the better. Let’s go in here for a sec. I need a couple pairs of shorts.” He led her to a rack of solid color pants.
    “Plaids are in right now.” Or so Barclay claimed.
    “I prefer something more manly.” He snatched two pairs of khakis off the rack. “Let’s go. I’m done.”
    “Already? You’re getting two identical pairs of shorts?”
    “Yes, when a man sees something he likes, he sticks to it.”
    “At least get one pair in green or navy.” She held out a pair of Army green shorts.
    “Are you a bossy woman, Hope Morningstar?”
    That stung, considering her thoughts earlier. She crossed her arms under her breasts. “Comes with the territory. I’m a school teacher. Second grade.”
    He inclined his head, his lips against her ear, and the smell of masculine soap creating all manner of feminine sensations. “Don’t look now, teach, but I’m a grown man.” Just to prove his point, he yanked another identical pair of shorts off the rack and headed for the cashier.
    “And stubborn, I see.” Three pair of identical khaki shorts. Really?
    “Alpha males usually are.” He pulled folded bills from his