A Taste of Chocolate Read Online Free Page A

pocket and slipped off his silver money clip that held a military emblem.
    When she leaned closer she saw the word SEAL. An ex-SEAL, if the length of his hair was any indication. Interesting.
    “I’m not one of your students you can push around. You’ll get further with me using kindness than being bitchy.”
    She narrowed her eyes. The nerve! What did Freya tell her? That she’d have to show strength. “I won’t be put down.” By golly, she’d had enough of trying to measure up to male expectations.
    He snatched his bag from the cashier. “Neither will I. We get that straight from the get-go and we ought to get along just fine. Honesty, respect, and consideration. Three important building blocks for any relationship.”
    Her temper was in full bloom now. They’d only met a few minutes ago. “It’s a tad soon to be talking about a relationship, don’t you think? I’m not even sure I like you.”
    Evidently he chose to ignore her remark, even though a muscle in his jaw bunched. “How long have you been teaching?”
    “Three years. What do you do for a living?”
    “I handcraft wood furniture. In the fall, I also coach football at a private high school.”
    “Were you once a SEAL? I saw your money clip.”
    “Yes, in another life.” He didn’t elaborate.
    She stopped at a shoe store window to look at sandals. “Could you tell me the deal with Freya? She claims to be a matchmaker, of all things.” Her attention was drawn to a pair of red sandals before she tore her gaze from the strappy heels to Declan’s blue eyes, waiting for his reply.
    His black eyebrows dipped. “Don’t you know? You were with her when she contacted me.”
    “I was lost and stopped at her coffee shop to ask for directions. Somehow she knew I was upset over a recent breakup. The next thing I knew she was handing me cookies that weren’t there a minute before and giving me advice. She seemed to know things about me.” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Was downright creepy.”
    He moved behind her and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Do you think I’m creepy?”
    “I do with the way you keep touching me. You have a way of invading my space.” She turned and glared at him.
    “We are the way we are, Hope. I like to touch. You like to boss.” The corners of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to laugh at her. If he flashed those dimples again, she’d be lost.
    “I do not boss. I…I…”
    A calloused fingertip trailed down the side of her face. “Yes?”
    She batted his hand aside and squared her shoulders. “I do not boss. I encourage. Now, tell me about Freya.” The tone of her voice was merely insisting. She did a mental eye roll. Okay, so it was bossy.
    Declan shook his head twice before aiming those cobalt eyes at her. “Freya helps men who are too busy or too hurt by past relationships to do the dating scene. We tell her what we want in a woman, and she keeps her eyes open for a possible match.”
    His fingertips tucked under her chin and pushed it up so her mouth closed. Goodness, had she been gaping? Most men she knew were running from commitment, not actively seeking a mate. Especially not enough to engage the help of a matchmaker.
    He flashed his dimples again. “Her success rate is phenomenal. Freya helped my brother, Matt, to find his wife. He and Misty bonded quickly, filling the cracks and holes in each other’s soul. To this day, they get along great. They’re expecting their third child.”
    This was beyond her comprehension. “Which are you? Too busy or too hurt?”
    “Both.” They walked on, his hand back at the small of her back and his head inclined as they talked. “I’m usually pretty busy with the shop. Twice as busy during the football season.” He waved at a couple teenage boys.
    Both hollered “Coach Deck” in return.
    “No jokers,” he fired back. When he saw her questioning look over the exchange, he laughed. “Those are two kids from my football team. They all call me