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Holly nodded, her expression serious. “We both seem good at getting things muddled when we talk. Although, I don’t seem to remember asking you to take your clothes off and cover yourself in chocolate.”

Avel shrugged. “It’s a grand gesture. I hear they’re popular. Women love them.”

“Do they?” Her gaze flickered over him again, and desire slid through Avel. “Some people like grand gestures. Some like to talk about things and figure them out without any... distractions.”

“We tried talking, or rather, you tried talking, and I forgot how to listen.” He shoved some of the melting candies back on his chest, leaving a trail of gooey chocolate on his skin. “Holly, I’m into you. I love everything about you. I just never knew how to tell you.”

Holly bit her lip and smiled. “I’m not sure I can take you seriously.”

“I’m deadly serious.”

She laughed. “I mean, looking like that. Covered in candy and with everything on show.”

“You don’t like what you see?”

Holly blushed again. “It looks delicious, but it’s very distracting. My head’s full of lots of inappropriate thoughts.”

He grinned. “I’d love to hear some of those thoughts.”

She pressed her lips together and shook her head.

Avel sat and covered his lower half with a sheet. “How’s that?”

Holly licked her lips, her gaze on his chest. “I can cope with that.”

Avel took a deep breath. “Holly, you’re out of this star system great. I wasn’t looking for anyone, but you exploded into my life with that chocolate, those cute dimples, and those curves.”

“You only want me for those things?” She cocked a hip and rested a hand on it.

“Hell, no! That’s a bonus. A big, once in a lifetime bonus that I never thought I’d get.” Avel struggled to form his thoughts into words. “I can’t imagine what you see in a guy like me.”

“There are one or two things that interest me.” Holly reached over and plucked a melting chocolate off his chest. She popped it into her mouth before licking her fingers clean.

Avel growled with desire, remaining still as she circled the bed and stopped on the other side.

“I’m not always an easy person to be around,” Avel said.

“Especially not when you throw punches in my cooking classes.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I make mistakes. But I’ll never let you down. I can be a stubborn jerk. I get things wrong. I always think the worst of people. I—”

Holly pressed a finger to his lips. “You’ve never let me down, even when I thought I didn’t need you. You were there for me that first night when I wanted to celebrate. You were there when I had to get to the food fair. You literally saved my life after the crash, making sure we had oxygen and keeping me warm and secure until we were rescued. And you were looking out for me again, offering me a chance to start my business without any debt. What did I do?”

Avel kissed her finger. “The right thing. You told me to get lost. You were right to do that. I shouldn’t have offered you that deal or any deal. You’re a free agent. You can see who you like.” Although the thought of Holly being close to anyone else made him twitch with jealousy.

“Exactly. I see who I like. And I see you. No one else.” Holly’s eyes gleamed as she closed the gap between them. She took another chocolate and placed it between her teeth.

Avel grabbed the chocolate, biting it in half, his hand reaching for her.

Holly kissed him lightly before stepping back. “I also see you’ve been baking again.”

For a second, Avel couldn’t think straight. She’d been within his grasp and had backed away. “Oh, sure. It’s not great.”

“But you tried again. That’s amazing.” Holly held out her hand. “Come show me.”

“Now!” Avel looked at his chocolate smeared body and bulging erection. “You want to talk baking now?”

Holly laughed. “I absolutely do. And more.”