Ellie smiled winsomely. “Me?” she asked in mock innocence. “Perhaps. But anyone could see they were perfect for each other. And both so fond of chocolate. I just couldn’t help myself.”
“I saw them yesterday walking their puppies in the park. Cute dogs, but Daniel and Carlie had their hands full keeping them from tearing up the landscape. You should have seen the area around those trees by the fountain. Those puppies have dug so many holes they’re giving the gophers a run for their money.”
“Well, you can’t discount my research methods when it comes to Rebecca Moore and Connor Bassett,” Ellie said. “Not only did we prove that chocolate is a powerful aphrodisiac, but we also established that, in their case, opposites do attract.”
Marcus chuckled. “And who would have guessed that chocolate-covered strawberries could have such a potent effect on a woman’s sensuality?”
“Oh, I think Rebecca always had a sensual side,” Ellie explained. “It just took the right man, and a bit of chocolate, to bring it out.”
“Hmm,” Marcus said. “As I recall we had our own little adventure with chocolate shortly after we met. Remember the hot fudge? I was still tasting chocolate on your body days later.”
Even after twenty-seven years, the memory of that night still made Ellie blush. It was the first time she’d felt completely and passionately uninhibited. It was also the moment that she knew Marcus was the only man for her.
“And then there’s Darcy Scott and Kel Martin,” Ellie continued.
“Kel Martin? I remember when he stopped by the shop a few months ago. I didn’t realize you’d given him a chocolate heart half.”
“I couldn’t resist,” Ellie said. “But I certainly didn’t expect it to work. When Darcy came in last week to place an order for The Delaford’s signature chocolates, she informed me they were engaged. I couldn’t believe it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Marcus asked.
“I’m not sure we can count this one. It turns out they’d shared a one-night stand years ago, so they may have been preconditioned to sexual attraction.”
“Did they eat our chocolate?” Marcus asked.
Ellie nodded. “They did indeed.”
“Then I say we add them to our inventory of success stories.”
Ellie slipped out of his embrace and picked up a basket from beneath the counter, the basket that had held the heart halves. “It was a good promotion. We should consider doing it again.”
Marcus took the basket from her hand, ready to pack it in an open box, then stopped. “Look at this. There are two heart halves left.”
Frowning, Ellie peered into the basket. She could have sworn the basket was empty when she’d tucked it beneath the counter. With a devilish smile, she withdrew the heart half wrapped in blue foil and held it out in the palm of her hand. “Would you care to see if we’re a match, Mr. Fairbanks?”
Marcus took the heart and dropped it back in the basket. “I think I already know the answer to that,” he said. “I knew it from the moment I first saw you.”
Ellie slipped her arms around his waist again and drew him close, losing herself in the quiet strength of his embrace. “There will never be another Sinfully Sweet. But as long as you’re with me, I think I’d be happy selling chocolate on the moon.”
“The moon,” Marcus said as if the idea were intriguing. “Now that would be a challenge. I wonder how the effect of an aphrodisiac would be altered by the reduced gravity on the moon.”
Ellie tipped her head back and laughed. There was no end to her husband’s curiosity. But then, she’d always considered that one of his sexiest qualities. Life with Marcus Fairbanks certainly wasn’t boring. Loving him had always been an adventure-an adventure that would begin all over again in a new town, inside a new shop.
“Take me home, Marcus,” Ellie said, slipping her hand into his and pulling him along to the front door, the basket looped over her arm.
“We don’t have a home anymore,” he said. “By now the movers have probably cleaned out the house.”
“Then take me to a seedy no-tell motel,” she said. “I have some needs that require your attention.”
Marcus groaned as she pulled him toward the door. “Oh, Ellie, have you been eating our chocolates again?”
Janelle Denison
USA TODAY bestselling author Janelle Denison is known for her sinfully sexy heroes and provocative stories packed with sexual tension and emotional conflicts that keep readers turning the pages. She is the recipient of the prestigious National Reader’s Choice Award, has been a RITA® Award finalist and has garnered many other awards and accolades in the romance-writing industry. For information on upcoming releases, visit Janelle’s Web site at www.janelledenison.com.
Jacquie D’Alessandro
USA TODAY bestselling author Jacquie D’Alessandro has written sixteen contemporary and historical romances. She grew up on Long Island, New York, where she fell in love with romance at an early age and dreamed of being swept away by a dashing rogue riding a spirited stallion. When her hero showed up, he was dressed in jeans and drove a Volkswagen, but she recognized him anyway. They now live out their happily-ever-afters in Atlanta, Georgia, along with their very bright and active son, who is a dashing rogue in the making. Jacquie loves to hear from readers! You can contact her through her Web site at www.JacquieD.com.
Kate Hoffmann
Kate Hoffmann began reading romance in 1979 and was immediately hooked. Years later, after a history of interesting jobs in teaching, retail, nonprofit work and advertising, Kate decided to write a romance of her own. Her first book was published in 1993 by Harlequin Temptation. Since then, Kate has written more than thirty books for Harlequin, including Temptation, Duets, continuity series and anthologies. Kate lives in a picturesque village in southeastern Wisconsin in a cozy little house with three cats and a computer.
