the way, 'I just perfected your new recipe this morning, and I hope you're happy with the end results.'
She was nervous about that, he could tell, and he attempted to set her at ease. 'I'm sure you did a great job on the dessert.'
'There's always a certain flavor or taste that someone doesn't like, such as coconut, or a citrusy tang, or nuts. For me it's the taste of gingerbread,' she said, and wrinkled her nose. 'Of course I still make gingerbread for my customers and it sells very well. Anyway, I know you and I are in agreement over chocolate, but it's the other ingredients I might toss into the recipe that you, personally, might not care for.'
He was a realist, and didn't expect to love everything she made. 'Which means regardless of whether or not
She nodded in agreement. 'Very true.'
'That's why we're going for variety, and I'm coming into this taste test with a very open mind.'
Her smile chased away most of the concern etching her features. 'Good. That said, this is my first offering. A Chocolate Mint Truffle Cake.' She gestured to the elegant-looking cake on the stainless-steel prep table, edged in a pretty scalloped design and garnished with pale-green mint shavings. 'It's rich in texture, but not overly sweet. And the hint of spearmint will appeal to those who like a fresh, cool taste after eating dinner.'
He breathed deeply of the fragrant, chocolate-mint scent. 'It looks and smells fantastic.'
'Well, the real test is in the taste.' She moved away to retrieve a knife, plate and fork.
'So, who samples all your new recipes before you offer them to the buying public?' he asked curiously.
'Mostly, whoever is working during the day will taste whatever I'm making and offer their opinion. And then, of course, there is my sister, who is always happy to sample a new dessert.' She laughed softly. 'But for the most part I have to rely on my own judgment, since it's my name behind the dessert.' She set the utensils on the prep table and used the knife to cut a slice of the cake. 'Being surrounded by so many sweets and having to sample most of the recipes is what I've come to consider a hazard of the job.'
Uncertain exactly what she was getting at, or what she found so dangerous about her occupation, he asked, 'How's that?'
She cast him a quick, incredulous glance, as if she couldn't quite believe he'd missed the gist of her comment. 'Sampling all these sweets plays hell on a woman's figure. Or at least mine, as you can see.'
Her tone might have held a joking lilt, but the defensive light in the depth of her eyes told another story altogether. She obviously had issues with her shape, though for the life of him he couldn't imagine why. Then he remembered Gretta's well-aimed barbs that had undoubtedly made Kayla think he preferred reed-thin women.
He couldn't change what had happened at the Commerce dinner, but he could let her know right up front his opinion of her figure. 'What I see,' he said meaningfully as he let his gaze drift leisurely down the length of her body, visually touching her in intimate places, 'is a woman with real curves in all the right places.'
'Thank you,' she said, still skeptical, though considering the way her nipples were pressing against her T-shirt, she must have enjoyed his lazy perusal. 'You're kind to say so.'
She still didn't believe him. Or was it that she didn't believe in herself when it came to her own appeal to the opposite sex? It didn't matter, since Jack planned to prove how attracted he was to her, just as soon as the right moment presented itself.
Kayla glanced away from Jack's observant gaze, unsure what to make of what had just transpired between them, or why she'd allowed her insecurities about her weight to come into play. She was a successful businesswoman, but it was painfully obvious that some defense mechanisms were easier to subdue than others.
She hadn't been fishing for compliments, just stating the truth about how her desserts affected her figure, yet the way he'd looked at her, his gaze all hot and hungry… she shivered as she realized the prime opportunity that had presented itself.
She'd already decided that Jack was exactly what she was looking for in order to evaluate the effects of her aphrodisiac candies. And witnessing that glimmer of interest in his eyes gave her the boost of fortitude she needed to follow through on her plan to seduce him, in any way she could.
Even if that meant feeding Jack her enhanced confections in order to spur his lust for her.
Undoubtedly, this was the man she wanted to satisfy her sensual yearnings, to give her body the kind of pleasure it craved and to leave her with a whole lot of sexy memories to recall once they went their separate ways. She wanted Jack Tremaine, and she had no illusions that a physical relationship between them would be anything more than a very satisfying fling.
With that plan in mind, she refocused her attention on transferring a piece of the Chocolate Mint Truffle Cake to a plate for Jack. 'Here you go.' She placed a fork on the dish and pushed it toward him. 'Let me know what you think.'
He took a big bite, and she worried on her lower lip as he seemed to savor the taste, the texture, but gave her no outward clue if he liked the dessert, or hated it, other than an undefined, 'hm,' that could have meant either.
She shifted on her sandaled feet, her own anticipation making her restless. She observed his pensive expression and the way his dark brows furrowed in intense concentration, and took note of his calm, controlled body language.
He was completely absorbed in this moment of judgment, which was exactly what she would have expected from a professional like Jack. After all, he had his restaurant's reputation at stake with the desserts he approved.
There was nothing sexual about his response to sampling the cake. This gave her a starting point from which to judge any change in his composure once she coaxed him to eat one of her aphrodisiac candies. It was going to be interesting to see if, and how, her new creations might alter that serious demeanor of his.
He'd eaten half of the cake before finally breaking the silence between them. 'Got milk?' he asked, then grinned at her.
His playful reply was so outrageous and unexpected that she burst out laughing. 'Yes, I have milk.' She went to the refrigerator, poured him a tall glass, and returned.
He drank half the milk in one long gulp, set the glass on the table, then met her expectant gaze. 'I think this dessert is a winner.'
She clasped her hands in front of her, giddy with excitement and relief. 'So you liked it?'
'I thought it was outstanding.' His tongue darted out and cleaned off a smudge of chocolate on his bottom lip. 'It was smooth and delicious, and I really like the pleasant mint taste it left in my mouth. All in all, very nice.'
'I'm thrilled. Does that mean you're ready to approve this one?' He nodded, and she reached for a file folder, opened it, and withdrew an approval form for the dessert, per their agreement. 'Then if you'll just sign right here, the recipe is exclusively yours.'
Taking the pen she handed to him, he scrawled his signature on the form, and she gave him the carbon copy. He folded the piece of paper and tucked it into his back pocket. 'Looks like you're free to move on to the next recipe.'
True, but she wasn't ready for him to leave her shop just yet. 'Since you're here, could I get your honest opinion on something?'
He shrugged those broad shoulders of his, seemingly not in any rush to leave, either. 'Sure.'
After retrieving the container she'd put on a nearby shelf, she opened the lid to reveal the enhanced candies. Kayla couldn't believe she was actually going to go through with this, but how could she not? Jack Tremaine was the model candidate for her experiment, in so many ways. He was sexy, she wanted him, and she was determined to seduce him.
With a little help from her aphrodisiac sweets, of course.
'I'm creating a new line of candies at Pure Indulgence, and I'd like to know what you think of the taste. Here's the first one I've made.' She held the container out to him, and he took one of the chocolates.
He examined it for a moment, then popped the entire piece into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, taking his time to enjoy the flavor, just as he had the Chocolate Mint Truffle Cake.
She watched him over the course of the next minute or so, waiting for any kind of specific physical reaction. She had no idea how long it might take for the stimulant to take effect on Jack. She'd read on the Web site that everyone's reaction was different, depending on frame of mind, mood, and how one's body chemistry mixed with
