Page 91 of Recipe for Temptation

She stuck her tongue out at him. When he took a threatening step toward her, she scampered off with a squeal.

They went to a gourmet market that specialized in imported meats, cheeses and wines. Holding hands and smiling at each other, they meandered through the aisles adding various items to their basket. A loaf of crusty bread, a thick wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, some prosciutto ham and salami.

It felt so natural, so right to be shopping with Michael that Reese couldn’t help fantasizing that they were already a couple. She imagined them taking weekend trips to the market, then returning home and cooking together, taste-testing each other’s food between slow, lazy kisses. When the meal was ready they’d uncork a bottle of wine and dine by candlelight, then spend the rest of the night making love.

The images were so vivid that an ache of longing flooded Reese’s heart. It shook her to realize how hard she’d fallen for Michael, and how much she wanted a future with him.

God help her if he didn’t feel the same.

When they left the market, he surprised her by heading to his father’s house in Stone Mountain.

“I thought we were eating at your place,” Reese said, puzzled.

“I changed my mind.” He slanted her a glance. “With everyone gone for the next week, we’ll have the place all to ourselves.”

Reese decided not to point out that they would’ve had privacy at his penthouse as well. As long as they were together, it didn’t matter where they ate.

When they arrived at Sterling’s house, she was so engrossed in their conversation about the next taping of Howlin’ Good that she didn’t even notice where they were going until they’d passed under a wooden arbor draped with vines and perennials.

And then they were in the garden, and just as with her first visit, Reese felt as if she were stepping into paradise. The eruption of colorful flowers was breathtaking, while tall oaks, Japanese maple and tulip poplar trees arched overhead in a lush canopy of foliage. As impressive as last night’s decorations had been, nothing compared to the spectacular beauty of the garden in its natural state.

Guided by torchlights, Michael led Reese farther down the winding path until they came upon an arched wooden bridge overlooking a small pond. There, in a nearby patch of green lawn, was a wicker picnic basket resting on a red-and-white checkered blanket.

Reese gasped, her startled gaze swinging around to Michael’s face. “You did this?”

He smiled. “Surprise.”

“Oh my God,” she breathed. A picnic in an enchanted, moonlit garden. Talk about romantic!

“When did you…?” She trailed off, speechless.

Michael chuckled. “I came right over after I dropped you off this afternoon,” he answered, drawing her down onto the blanket.

Reese gaped at him. “That’s why you told me you had things to do.”

He nodded. “Believe me, sweetheart, I wouldn’t have left you if I didn’t have every intention of seeing you again.”

His words sent a melting warmth rushing through her. She smiled, gazing into his dark eyes and falling harder. “This is...Words can’t even describe how wonderful this is, Michael.”

His expression softened. He brushed his fingers across her face, then began removing items from the basket. An assortment of luscious fruit, cheeses and pasta salads to complement the foods they’d bought at the market.

Reese smiled as he produced an expensive bottle of Chianti, filled two wineglasses and passed one to her.

“To romantic moonlight picnics,” she toasted him.

“And many more,” Michael murmured, holding her gaze as they clinked glasses and sipped.

She told herself not to read too much into his words, but it was hard not to when his eyes were filled with such tender promise.

They sat close together on the blanket and fed each other, sharing kisses between bites, sometimes drinking from the same glass of wine.

It was the most romantic meal Reese had ever had.

And the most stimulating, she added as she fed Michael a big, juicy grape and watched his sexy lips close around her fingertips. Her nipples tightened, and heat pooled between her legs.

There was a sensual gleam in his eyes as he asked silkily, “Are you ready for dessert?”

“Yes.” Her mouth was watering—and that was before she saw the dessert he removed from the basket. A three-layer confection frosted with creamy chocolate ganache and drizzled with fudge and white chocolate.

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