A Taste of Chocolate Read Online Free PDF Page A

not. “Ah…”
    His teeth grazed lightly down the column of her throat, his facial hair adding its own brand of torture. “Do you enjoy boating?” Warm lips pressed the base of her neck. “We could go out on the gulf for the day. Bring your swimsuit and something to wear in the evening. We’ll dock in New Orleans and take a buggy ride through the French Quarter to a nice restaurant I know. My cousin’s the chef there.”
    “Sounds…sounds lovely.” She tilted her neck to give him better access. “Do…do you own a boat?”
    “Yeah. A two-forty Sundancer.”
    “Does…does…” His lips were seriously driving her to distraction. “Ah…does your boat have a name?”
    “My Solitude.” He pulled back a few inches. She missed the heat of him and the magic of his lips. “Tomorrow, I’m kissing you, Hope. Just so you know. I’m taking you on Solitude and kissing you senseless.”
    Merciful heavens, what had he been doing to her all this time? Granted he hadn’t kissed her on the mouth, but he’d kissed his way into her soul. She’d never been so beguiled, so seduced, and yet so untouched. He eased her to him again, and her heart pounded a sensual salsa beat against her chest as his lips forged a fiery trail of longing up her neck to her jaw line. And then he bit the edge of her jaw. Gently. Sensually. Possessively. Oh, sweet heaven. She clamped her thighs together to ease the pooling of desire.
    He straightened and reached around her to open the car door. “I’ll see you home.”
    Home? Where do I live? God help her, she couldn’t think. She stood there as her mind and thinking processes slowly kicked into gear. Declan exuded too much power. If he followed her home, she’d be defenseless in keeping him from coming inside. “There’s no need.”
    “Oh, but there is. I need to know you’re safely home and where you live so I can pick you up tomorrow morning. Can you be ready by eight?”
    She was beginning to get excited about Declan’s plans. “Yes.” She tossed her bags into her car and handed him his.
    He trailed fingertips down her cheek. “Bring your sunscreen, my beautiful Hope. Now, get in, and I’ll see you safely home.”
    She slid into her compact and laid her flowers on the dash. To her surprise, Declan leaned over her and fastened her seatbelt.
    “I’m not helpless. I can do that, you know.”
    Even in the dark, illuminated by the mall’s security lighting, his cobalt eyes shone. “I think you could do anything you set your mind to. You strike me as a very intelligent and strong woman. Good qualities, in my opinion. But quite often a man isn’t the best at words, so he shows he cares by protecting and doing things for those who are dear to him. Okay?”
    He was an imposing yet gentle man. “Okay. It’s just…”
    Declan dropped to his hunkers, with one knee bent and an elbow braced on his other thigh as if whatever she had to say was worth the wait. “Just what?”
    “I’m not used to a man taking care of me in any situation. Men are more inclined to leave me than stick with me.” Geez, don’t I sound pathetic?
    “I wasn’t raised to walk away from the people I care about or from responsibility.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I know it seems as if I’m rushing things with you. If I make you nervous, I’ll slow down. You’re worth the wait. Worth the wooing.”
    She smiled. Who used the word wooing anymore? She cupped his face. “You’re a strange man, Declan Fleming.”
    “Am I scaring you? Coming on too strong?”
    Was he? In some ways, yes. In other ways, being with him felt right, almost as if he were the other half of her soul. Or was he merely salving her wounded ego after being dumped by Barclay? She needed time to think this through.
    “I’d sooner go slowly.” Her hormonal system, on the other hand, was screaming, Are you freaking nuts? Did you forget all the delicious things he did to your neck?
    “Then slower is what you’ll get.