Free The Chef's Choice by Kristin Hardy Page A

scent of him, felt the brush of the stubble on his chin.
    And she wanted more.
    He’d kissed her because he’d been curious, because he was tired and more than a bit annoyed at having her on his mind. It stung his pride to be preoccupied with a woman who claimed to be indifferent to him. But when he heard that soft gasp of pleasure, felt her finally surrender and slide her arms around him, it wasn’t about annoyance or curiosity.
    It was about desire, pure and simple.
    He’d expected a quick, matter-of-fact kiss that would satisfy his curiosity. He hadn’t expected her to be soft and yielding against him. He hadn’t expected that apple-cinnamon scent of hers to wind into his senses and make him dizzy. He hadn’t expected her to give.
    He hadn’t expected her to drive every other thought out of his head.
    When he raised his head, it was for the sake of his own sanity.
    Stunned, Cady stared back at him. Her eyes were huge and dark. Her mouth was swollen from his.
    Abruptly, he felt annoyed with himself even as he wanted more. This wasn’t what he was supposed to be doing here. He’d come to Maine to change.
    Suddenly, change didn’t seem all that appealing.
    She shifted away from him, eyes clearing. Perversely, it gave him the urge to hold her tighter. Instead, he made himself release her.
    She paced a few steps from him as though seeking safety. “Happy? Satisfied your curiosity?”
    â€œNot by half.” His irritation rose a notch because he realized it was true.
    â€œToo bad, because that’s it.” But her lips still felt hot and bruised from his. He’d kissed her as no one had ever kissed her. He’d woken up every sleeping desire she’d ever had. He’d made her yearn, and that scared the hell out of her.
    Because she knew it wasn’t real.
    â€œThat’s it?” he repeated and started back toward her. “I don’t think so. I don’t know what’s going on here but you don’t start up something like this and just shut it down.”
    â€œI wasn’t the one who started it,” she retorted.
    â€œBut you were part of it. And you kissed me back, you can’t pretend you didn’t.”
    Cady could feel her cheeks heat. “So you’re a good kisser, big deal. You ought to be, after all the practice you’ve had.”
    Her jab didn’t make him angry, as she’d hoped. His slow smile was far more dangerous. “Practice has made me good at a lot of things. Want me to show you?”
    â€œNo.” It was too quick and a little too nervous sounding. It took all she had not to move away as he stopped before her and leaned in by her ear.
    â€œIt happened,” he murmured. “You can’t make it go away. Maybe it’s not smart but you and I both know we’re going to be thinking about it until the next time.”
    And turning, he left her there, shaking.

Chapter Six
    I t was difficult, Cady discovered, to avoid thinking about someone when the person you were trying to avoid thinking about was always around. It was even worse when they popped up in your dreams. She could try all she wanted to forget; she could tell herself she wanted no part of him.
    She couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss.
    She’d always told herself she was different, worn it like a badge of honor, but when she remembered the feel of his mouth on hers, her legs got weak. And that was no way to be feeling with the leg weakener nearby.
    She knelt at one of the flower beds on the back side of the inn, setting out marigolds as quickly as she could. Behind her, closer than she liked, lay the restaurant. And Damon. She’d put off planting this particular bed as long as she could. Now, she flipped a pony pack over in her hand, hurrying to finish. The last thing she wanted to do was to run into him, with that low, persuasive voice and that killer smile.
    The worst part of it was that she couldn’t