Page 82 of Obsession

I glanced toward the back of the gallery and shook my head. Jax. He was on his own tonight, which was odd. He was one of a trio of owners of a bakery from the nearby Salem area.

Kiss Kakes.

I’d always liked their modern take on displays. Jax, their chocolatier, was too attractive for his own good, but he was exceptionally talented. More than enough to get away with making the new girl, Linda, flutter like Phil.

He turned to me, wiping his hands on a crimson towel tucked into his dark chocolate-colored apron. That was Jax—justa little left of traditional. “Well, hello there. Long time, no see, beautiful.”

“Behave, Jax.”

He grinned and clasped my fingers, brushing a kiss on my cheek just a touch too close to my mouth. “I always behave.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Since when?”

He shrugged and gave me a ridiculous, perfectly white, toothy smile. Icy blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “When I’m on the clock.” His coffee-colored hair was scraped back into a messy high bun with a few silky strands framing his equally ridiculous face.

Did I mention he was too good-looking for his own good?

Or for any females in his midst?

The first time I’d met him, I’d had the same slack-jawed reaction as Linda. Some men just had that air to them. Jax believed his own press a little too much for my taste.

I nodded to Philomena’s assistant. “Nice to see you again, Linda.”

The fair-haired woman hugged her iPad to her chest. “Oh, I’m so glad you came in to help.”

I looked from her to Jax. “I’m sure you have everything in hand.”

“Oh, I was just helping him out.”

I tipped my head and met Jax’s gaze. “Just where is Stella or Eryn?”

“Wedding expo in Boston.”

I winced. “On Black Friday?”

“No, thanks. I made them three dozen salted dark chocolate caramels and washed my hands of them.” He wrapped an arm around Linda’s shoulders. “Besides, I have this lovely woman as my assistant.”

Linda tipped up her head to stare at him, her eyes locked and dreamy.

Jax was a menace. I didn’t blame Linda for being all fluttery. The man could melt chocolate at fifty paces.

“She’s got a gallery to worry about, Romeo.”

He let Linda go. “C’mon, you know I need someone to taste the masterpieces.” He lifted a truffle off one of the tiers and held it out to me. “Try this one. I’m told it’s exceptional.”

I squinted at him, but I took the chocolate. “Menace.” I took a bite and swallowed the urge to moan out loud.

Just barely, though.

The incorrigible man didn’t need that kind of help with his preening ego. Quickly, I licked my lips, hoping he didn’t notice. “Very good.”

“Very good? Come on, you can do better than that.”

“You know it’s a masterpiece. You don’t need me to tell you.”

It was his turn to spike a brow at me.

“Oh, right.” I shook my head. I glanced at Linda with an easy smile. “Let me know if you need an insulin shot after helping Jax.”

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