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“Are you kidding me? I’ve had dreams about mixing my chocolate with this powder. No one’s done it before. It could revolutionize my business.”

Avel took a sip of whiskey before standing and walking to a cabinet.

“How come you have Dackin powder?”

He shrugged. “A customer gave it to me.”

“Are you an importer?”

“More of a collector.” Avel returned and sat on the couch before handing Holly a small glass bottle filled with crimson powder.

She studied it reverently. “I can’t believe I’m seeing Dackin powder.”

“Try it.”

“I can’t. It would be like spreading a thousand dollars on my finger and eating it.”

Avel chuckled. “You won’t regret it.” He lifted a chocolate from the box and held it out for her. “Sprinkle it on here.”

Holly carefully pulled out the glass stopper and dipped her little finger into the powder. She spread it over the top of the dark chocolate Avel offered her.

He lifted it to her lips, and she stared at him. He was so gorgeous and held something she desired more than that body of his. Holly opened her mouth, and Avel slid the chocolate between her lips.

He slowly licked the melted chocolate off his fingers, his gaze not leaving hers. He only had to look at her like that and she melted.

Holly gasped as the cocoa intensity filled her mouth, mingled with sugar sweetness and the Dackin powder. “Oh, my stars!”

Avel smiled. “It’s something else, isn’t it?”

“It’s so intense. All the flavors mingling, yet you can pick them out individually. I always wondered if the rumors were true. Now I know.” She ran her tongue across her teeth and allowed the chocolate to linger in her mouth before swallowing. Her eyes closed as a warm sensation traveled down her throat.

When she opened her eyes, she gasped. Avel was inches from her face, his gaze on her mouth. Without saying a word, he pulled her in for a lip bruising kiss.

Their tongues met, and she groaned with pleasure as the sweetness of her chocolate mingled with his tongue.

Avel’s hand ran down her side, brushing her breast and squeezing her waist.

Holly tensed, and her eyes flew open. She didn’t feel comfortable having a guy touch her. Any second, Avel would realize she was no model. She was plump and plain and nothing special.

He pulled back from their kiss, and his head tilted. “Is something wrong?”

Holly shifted back in her seat. “It’s nothing. This is moving too fast for me. We don’t know each other.”

“I know you. I’ve eaten your meals for months. And now I’m getting to experience the sweet side of you. I love what I’m discovering.”

She shook her head. Avel must have had too much to drink. He didn’t know what he was saying. If she did anything with him tonight, he’d be the one to regret it in the morning. He’d wonder how he ended up with some overweight, fuzzy-headed blonde in his bed. He’d kick her out faster than a stray dog.

Avel tugged gently on a strand of her hair. “Holly Lipinski, what’s going on behind those beautiful brown eyes? You’re holding back, but I can taste your desire in those kisses. What gives?”

She sucked in a breath. Being so close to Avel made her dizzy. “I never do this sort of thing.”

“Eat chocolate out of the fingers of a stranger, make out with him in his room, and eat his expensive Dackin powder?”

“Yes, all of that.”

“What do you normally do at night? Please don’t break my heart and tell me you’ve got some gorgeous guy waiting for you in your room.”

Holly’s eyes narrowed. He was making fun of her. “Hardly. And if I did, I wouldn’t be here with you. I don’t cheat.”