Free Dark Chocolate Murder by Anisa Claire West

after what she had learned about how he was raising his little boy alone, Belinda didn’t fear his rakish behavior as much.  Pierre C édaire was simply a strong, self-assured man who enjoyed women.  Maybe she could be the only woman he enjoyed some day…
    What am I thinking? Why am I falling so fast? Belinda asked herself silently. I have to get in touch with Lenore and see what she says .  After the birthday poem, Belinda had corresponded a few times with Lenore by email, but her friend didn’t know anything about Pierre.  That would change soon, Belinda decided, because she desperately needed the counsel of a friend.
    By dawn, the shop was ready to open to the public.  Sweeping aside a wisp of chocolate-stained hair, Belinda exhaled heavily.  She was exhausted but knew that she wouldn’t be able to sleep before the grand opening.  The best she could do would be to go home, shower , and put on a fresh outfit and apron.  Then she would be ready to face the world.
    “Look at thi s place.  We make good partners.” Pierre slid his arm around Belinda’s waist and pulled her to his side.
    She looked up into those smoldering eyes and watched a vein pulsate in his jaw as he availed himself of the sloping lusciousness from her waist to hip.  The man clearly appreciated her curves, and she wondered how he had ever ended up with that skinny twit, Juliette Fontaine.
    “You have the body of Mari lyn Monroe.  Or Sophia Loren,” he said huskily, evoking the glamorous beauties of Hollywood’s golden years.  “Or Brigitte Bardot,” Pierre continued.  “But actually, you’re shaped the most like Marilyn.  A perfect hourglass.  And with a sharp business mind.  You’re almost irresistible.”
    “Almost irresistible?” Belinda demanded with mock effrontery.
    “Almost irresistible because I’m resisting you right now when all I want to do is put you back on that counter and finish what we started,” Pierre said boldly.  “Does that clarify your question?”
    “Yes,” Belinda whispered, wishing they could do the same thing.
    Impulsively, she reached up to twine her arms around his neck and hug him.  He held his breath as her breasts brushed across his solid chest.  Knowing she had power over him, Belinda leaned in closer and fanned his ear with her sweet breath.
    “I just wanted to thank you for staying overnight and helping me.  I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here.  Well, actually, I do know.  I would have had to call my sister and her husband to ask for their help! And I’m s o glad I didn’t have to do that.” Belinda shook her head comically as Pierre laughed.
    “ Mon plaisir ,” He breathed into her ear.
    His pleasure .  She would have a delightful time seeing to Pierre’s pleasure, but not today.  “I better get home to shower and dress.  But thank you again.” Belinda broke the contact between their bodies and instantly felt a loss.  Was it possible that she would already miss him when he got into his Peugeot and drove away?  She felt certain it was.
    “Are you sure you’re set for today’s opening? I’ll stay if you need anything at all,” Pierre offered, not wanting to leave either.
    “I’m sure.  You go ahead and and get on with your day.  I’m ready to take on a stadium full of customers!” Belinda assured him.
    “Tomorrow’s Sunday, right?” Pierre asked rhetorically.  “I’m losing track of time after last night’s dinner…and all the dessert.  Is your shop open on Sunday?”
    “No, that’s the one day each week my shop will be closed.  Why?” Belinda asked, her heart already thudding in anticipation that he would ask her out again.
    “Because I would love to see you.  I could pick you up, and we could cross the border into France.  I’d love to show you where I live and maybe take a drive around the countryside.”
    An image of her rustic dream home in the south of France drifted through her mind as she replied, “That