A Taste of Chocolate Read Online Free PDF Page B

have to abide by her choice whether he liked it or not. “Want me to walk you to your door?”
    “I’ll walk her to her door.” The twerp grabbed her arm, and she gasped in discomfort.
    In the dark shadows of Pelican Lakes, a dark green haze lowered over Declan’s vision field. His hands clenched and unclenched. Pain shot from his jaw where he had it clenched so hard it was a wonder he didn’t shatter a molar. “Get your hand off Hope before you hurt her.”
    Twerp’s eyes widened for a beat before his gaze slid from Declan to Hope. To his credit, he let go of her arm. “Look, about that text I sent you. I was drunk. I didn’t mean it. We had plans to go to the shore this weekend. Maybe we can still go.”
    “You broke up with me, Barclay. I’ve moved on.”
    “In twenty-four hours?” Twerp’s voice squeaked. “I thought we had something special going on. Baby, I didn’t mean what I wrote in that text. You know I could never stay away from you. I’m crazy about you.”
    “You are? Since when? You made it quite clear I wasn’t good enough for you. Now leave.”
    “Look, can we talk this out?” He pointedly glanced at Declan. “In private?”
    The possibility of Barclay’s wearing her down and schmoozing his way back into her good graces tore at Declan’s soul. Maybe she wasn’t over this guy yet. Didn’t she say she’d dated him for six months? “Hope, I’ll leave if you want to talk things over with him.” He couldn’t bring himself to say the guy’s name. Childish, he knew, but he might be losing Hope before he ever had a chance at earning her love.
    “Okay, that might be best.”
    Declan had taken a few steps before a small hand grabbed his wrist. “Declan?”
    “Yes?” He stilled, hoping, wanting, craving.
    “I enjoyed meeting you and I like you a lot. It’s just…” She glanced over her shoulder. “Barclay and I have some unresolved issues. We do need to talk things out.”
    “Does he make you feel special, Hope? Does he tell you how lucky he is to have you in his life?” He trailed his fingers down her cheek. “Make sure he’s worthy of you.”
    She exhaled an audible sigh. “I never said I was going to give him a second chance. You’re a very special man.”
    “Yes, I am. And special deserves special. That’s why I was thrilled to meet you. About tomorrow…” He glanced away for a beat, willing the constriction in his chest to ease up so he could breathe. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea. Not until you know who you want. I don’t share.”
    He couldn’t handle knowing she might return to Barclay’s arms. Sharing had never gone well with Declan. Without his knowledge, he’d shared Courtney while he served in the Navy. Getting over her betrayal had taken a long time. He had to know he was first in a woman’s life. Plus, it was important to know Hope wanted him as much as he did her. He had to be able to trust her.
    He walked back to his Jeep, coiled his hand around the roll bar, and jumped in. As he drove off, he saw Barclay put his arm around Hope and walk her to her door.
    Acid rolled in his stomach. The claws of jealousy ripped across his heart.
    Had he given up too easily?
    Or, like a fool, had he put too much stock in Freya’s matchmaking?

Chapter Four
    “You’ve been brooding for two weeks.” Gracie leaned over and smelled a huge bouquet of red roses and orange daisies from Hope’s ex-boyfriend. “Is Barclay still trying to get back in your good graces?”
    “Yes. The jerk.” Hope was kissing Olivia over and over, making her laugh. “In the six months we dated, he never once gave me flowers. Declan gives me one small bouquet and now Barclay’s sending these ostentatious arrangements. I feel like he goes into a florist and says, ‘Give me the biggest thing you’ve got.’”
    “Declan must have shaken him up.”
    Hope pulled a toy out of Olivia’s diaper bag and waved it in front of her niece. “Declan is a hard man to follow.” She