Mike stopped to look at the chocolate display. The shelves were filled with an assortment of candies, as well as nuts, dried fruit, and pretzels, all covered in chocolate. Resisting the twirling aroma from the display case was a challenge few people could handle.

“Go ahead, try a chocolate,” she suggested.

“I wouldn’t know which one to take. They all look so tempting.”

“What’s your preference? Do you like your chocolate sweet or bittersweet?”

“I’m usually a Milky Way, Snickers kind of guy, but those truffles you brought to the firehouse were something else.” He looked up from the chocolate selection and studied her. “What do you like?”

Oh, she thought and made a quick appraisal of his features. Dark hair, eyes the color of blue jeans, and tanned chiseled features. Yes, that was exactly what she liked.

“You’ll like the dark chocolate.” She reached into the case and picked up one of Chloe’s artistic chocolates. “Try this.”

“Smells delicious. It’s too pretty to eat.” Mike dipped his chin in the direction of the cauldron he held in his hands. His muscles tensed from the weight of the pot but there was no place to rest it.

“Chloe, Max’s chocolate chef likes her creations to appeal to all the senses. You might want to consider that with your cake.”

“It is a little lopsided. Isn’t it?”

Alex has insulted him once and she didn’t want to do it again. She shrugged and placed the chocolate in Mike’s mouth. The brief touch of his lips on her fingertips created an unexpected ripple of heat. She saw something ignite in his eyes. It was obvious there was a physical pull between them. If her fingers lingered a moment longer a simple spark might kindle an error in her judgment that could prove to be dangerous. She pulled away.

“You’ll get a better taste of the chocolate if you don’t squish the center with your first bite,” she said.

“Hmm.” His expression stilled and grew serious as he concentrated on chewing.

She watched him savor the blend of flavors. His sensuous expression told her that she had chosen the right combination. She imagined the chocolate melting lusciously in his mouth. A small smudge of chocolate had stained her finger. She couldn’t resist putting it to her lips. An unexpected jolt cascaded through her body. Shocked by her response, she turned her attention back to the display case. Her shaking hands would not allow her to rearrange the remaining candies.