A Taste of Chocolate Read Online Free Page B

Coach Deck, and I tell them there are no jokers in my deck of cards, only players who want to work hard.”
    She couldn’t fault him for that. Hard work was the key to so much. Her own career was very important to her. “So, you’re too busy to find women to date and use a matchmaker service?” This whole concept was so foreign to her.
    “I’m also disheartened with most modern women. Do you know, the last two dates I had, the women were more interested in texting than holding a conversation? All I saw of them was the top of their heads and their thumbs flying across buttons. Pitiful.”
    “You don’t text?”
    “Not every waking moment. Never on a date. A man likes attention.”
    “Women do, too.”
    “Oh, believe me, any woman I’m with will get plenty of attention.” The hand at the small of her back slid to the side of her waist and brought her tight to his side. “Probably more than she can handle.”
    Her nipples reacted to the passion in the tone of Declan’s voice. Just what kind of attention was he talking about?

Chapter Three
    Hope and Declan walked hand-in-hand across the parking lot in darkness, illuminated only by security lighting. They were both full of popcorn and amped by the thriller they’d seen. “God, all that blood.” Hope shivered.
    “Yeah, it was great, wasn’t it?”
    She laughed. “Men.”
    “Hey, we are the way we are, sweetheart. Men dig violence and action. Women dig chocolate and shoes. Uh-huh, I saw how you salivated over every pair you saw in that shop window.” His demeanor was one of gentle teasing. “I’m surprised you stopped at two pair.”
    She elbowed him in the ribs and he chuckled. Declan was easy to talk to, she’d give him that. She’d learned some important things about him as they slowly made their way through the mall and consumed a bucket of popcorn before the movie started. He’d been married to a woman who tried to pass off another man’s child as his. Because he’d taken his commitment to his wife and unborn son seriously, he resigned his commission with the SEALs. In a matter of days, he’d lost faith in his wife and lost, also, the little boy he still mourned. The look of pain in his eyes when he told her about Cole’s picture still on his nightstand nearly broke her heart. Family was important to him.
    Now that the movie was over, she was surprised he insisted on escorting her to her car.
    “Last week a woman was mugged here in the parking lot. A man should see to the safety of his lady. Indulge me.”
    Hope glanced at him. “I’ll give you that, but you’re not getting a kiss.”
    “Funny, I was about to say the same thing.” His palm slid up and down her spine. “I’m not fast and easy.” He winked and smiled. “Give me your keys. I’ll unlock your door for you.”
    “You really are old school, aren’t you?” She pressed the button on her key fob to unlock her door.
    He tossed his bag of shorts and her two bags of shoes onto the roof of her compact and backed her against her door, his hands at her waist. He inclined his head, his lips at her ear. “Hope Morningstar, you are about the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. I enjoyed today. I hope you did too.”
    She was trembling too much to talk. No man had ever praised her like this. Or had such a potent effect on her. “Y-…yes.”
    “That’s good. Will you see me again?” His lips tickled her ear and his warm breath feathered against her neck, doing delightful things to her insides.
    “O-…okay.” Her response sounded breathy, sexy.
    He groaned and trailed his lips across her face and lips to her other ear, barely making contact and yet branding her with the heat of his light touch. “Are you free tomorrow?” His teeth lightly closed on her earlobe. “I don’t open the shop on Sundays. We could spend all day together.”
    Her hands grasped his biceps to keep from sliding down her car as a puddle at his feet. Frankly she couldn’t recall if she had plans or