Page 423 of The Christmas Wife

"I think we’re past that, Belle."

She purses her lips. "I want to believe you. You brought me here, and I can tell this place is special."

"So are you."

She flushes, then picks up her fork and begins to eat.Thank fuck.The thought of her going hungry sends a physical ache through me. I plate out more food for her. She protests, but I insist she eat it. Then, when she’s done, I cut a large slice of chocolate cake.

"Did you bake that?" Her eyes widen.

I allow myself a small smile. "I could've if I’d had more time, but this is from the housekeeper."

"Housekeeper?" She looks around the place, then back at me. "You have a housekeeper?"

"A caretaker and his wife who live in the village. They take care of the place and make sure it is stocked when I’m going to visit. They shopped for fresh ingredients before we arrived."

"You sent them a list, I’m assuming?"

I shoot her a glance. "And you guessed this, how?"

"You’re so particular about everything. Of course, you’d make sure your favorite haunt has groceries, which you specified."

I continue to stare at her, and she raises her gaze to meet mine. "What?"

"You’re not eating the cake." She looks down at the untouched slice. "I… I’m full."

"You love chocolate cake."

"How do you know that?"

"Who doesn’t like chocolate?" I ask lightly.

"You don’t."

I tilt my head. "Thatistrue."

"You really don’t like chocolate?" She gapes.

I shake my head. "Not unless it’s 100% cocoa."

She makes a face. "That’s too bitter for me."

"Not a big fan of sugar."

She groans. "So you also don’t like cookies and apple pie, I suppose?"

"But you like them all. Which is why—" I scoop up a piece of the chocolate cake with my finger and hold it out. "Open."

"I shouldn’t," she murmurs.

"You absolutely should."

"It’ll go straight to my thighs."

"Just how I like it."

"It will?—"

"Open. Your. Mouth. Belle."

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