And she’d never felt so safe. Or... so on fire.
When he finally pulled back—one arm braced above her head, the other snug around her waist—he looked down at her with a grin so soft, so reverent, she forgot how to inhale.
Safe... and loved?
“You know,” he rasped, “the mousse has coffee in it.”
She pulled her brain from the intoxicating post-kiss mental fog and blinked up at him. “What?”
“Do you feel like a traitor?”
Her hand slid from the back of his neck to press lightly against his chest, her thoughts clearing just enough for her to muster a teasing brow lift. At least she hoped her look conveyed more sass than dazed wonder. But with a kiss like that...
“I guess it’s not so bad if you add just the right amount of chocolate and sugar.”
He leaned forward, his nose skimming over her cheek before he placed a gentle kiss there. “With that kind of answer, I may reward you by drinking some of your strongest tea. Fair?”
“Mm-hmm.” Her lips curled as he brushed another kiss to the corner of her mouth. And then—an idea. Almond lace cookies. One stuck into the mousse glass like a fancy garnish. Perfection. “You know what would goreallywell with that mousse?”
He raised his head from placing another kiss to the other side of her smile, gaze locked with hers and the tiniest tip to his grin. “Seconds?”
And he kissed her all over again. Much more than seconds.
So she decided the cookie suggestion could wait.
Chapter 20
@TGDpub:[Photo: a swirl of hazelnut coffee mousse in a glass dish, topped with a delicate almond lace cookie. In the background, a smudge of chocolate on Daphne’s cheek... and Finn definitely looking at her instead of the mousse.] Test kitchen got a little out of hand today. But the mousse? Worth it. #HazelnutHeaven #DefinitelyDidntLickTheSpoon #WorthItInMoreWaysThanOne
Comments:
@JackAustenPhotography:Oh no! They’re posting photos together now. What’s next? A puppy? A couples’ cooking class? Matching aprons?? #HelpABrotherOut #Gross
@PastorNateNHC:Temptation comes in many forms. Apparently, one of them is hazelnut. #LeadUsNot #ButDeliverUsDessert
@SecondHandTreasures:@PastorNateNHC I don’t think the hazelnut is what’s leading Finn into temptation #ChocolateSmudge #DirectEyeContact
@TeaThymeNC:Do none of you follow the romance code of minding your own business?!
@JackAustenPhotography:Those codes are more like guidelines really. #SmallTownProblems #BlurredButBelievable
@WisteriaToyBox:Siri, how do I explain “smolder” to my toddler? Asking for a friend. And by “friend,” I mean myself.
@OldManRutherforton:My wife and I got together over a dropped piecrust and a broken measuring cup. Don’t fight fate. #ThePowerOfChocolate #OldManWisdom
@ClemAtTheGym:My man Finn out here using ganache as a love language. Respect. #WhatRutherfortonSaid
@MayorWilsonOfficial:This town is one cheesecake away from live-streaming a proposal. Pace yourselves, people.
@TGDPub:Did Daphne just type “romance” in reference to a certain dashing Brit? #GrinningLikeAFool #TeamRomance #WhoIsWithMe
@RosemaryatThyme:You know, @TGDpub @TeaThymeNC... I really think you two should start a YouTube channel or something. People would devour the content. Sugar and spice, baby.
@TeaThymeNC:@TGDPub Did I mention romance? I thought we were discussing chocolate. #DrawYourOwnConclusions #IHaveAJobToDo
@WisteriaGeneralStore:New apron drop: “Sugar. Spice. And One Very Distracted Brit.” Design includes a teacup and coffee mug in close proximity followed by a trail of chocolate kisses. #Unashamed #Here4TheTension
@WisteriaBookClub:We’re officially taking bets.
