Page 19 of 40 and (Tired of) Faking It
“We’ll start with the traditional opera torte,” Claire said, carrying a dessert plate that held a small rectangular piece of the dessert. A smear of dark chocolate sauce, a sprig of something green, and a rosette of what looked like whipped cream gave the plate a modern look that made Lily want to Instagram it. “This is a classic almond sponge soaked in coffee syrup, coffee buttercream, chocolate ganache, and a chocolate glaze.”
The smell of coffee and chocolate nearly overtook JD’s scent, and the two together had Lily’s mouth watering. “Lord, Claire, that smells good.”
Her friend’s gaze dropped to the floor. “It’s one of my favorites. I hope you like it, JD.”
He was already picking up the single fork laid out on the plate. “Oh, I have no doubt about that whatsoever.”
He sank the fork into the cake, breaking through layer after layer of fluffy goodness, until the fork was loaded and he brought it to his mouth. The look on his face when the dessert touched his tongue was almost more than Lily could take—pleasure and greed and wonder all mixed into one.
Somehow she just knew he’d look like that during sex too.
And JD confirmed it when a low moan left his lips, as if he felt something he almost couldn’t bear. The image of herself on her knees, in front of him, her fingers drawing down his zipper, shocked Lily to her core, and she realized she wanted that vision to come true more than she’d wanted anything in a long time.
JD went for another bite.
She might not make it through this.
“This is phenomenal, Claire. So light, even with the dark chocolate.”
Claire’s tawny cheeks darkened with delight. “You enjoy it. I’ll be back with the next plate in just a moment.”
JD put the second bite in his mouth, savoring this one almost as much as the first. Only when he swallowed did he seem to realize Lily was missing out.
“You don’t have a plate.”
Lily shook her head. “No. Claire knows I’m always watching myself when it comes to desserts—one bite and I’ll gobble it all up.”
A frown creased JD’s brow. “Do you enjoy sweets?”
“Far, far too much,” she admitted, feeling herself blush as if she were admitting her deepest secret. Or maybe it was the fantasy still lingering in the back of her mind heating her cheeks.
Resolve firmed JD’s expression. “Then share with me and we’ll both half our temptation.”
Lily watched him fork up another bite, but she didn’t think temptation would be cut in half at all. No. The second he lifted the fork to her lips, temptation soared instead.
“Do you mind sharing?” he asked her. The bite waited at her lips, almost touching.
When she’d really like to share so much more than a fork, a dessert? “No,” she croaked. And opened her mouth.
JD slid the fork inside, his eyes electric as they zeroed in on her mouth. She closed her lips around the torte as he eased the fork back. That moan that JD had released was repeated in the back of her throat. And something feral came over his face.
“Good?” he asked, the word hoarse.
She swallowed. “So good.” Her words were no more than a whisper.
His eyes held her captive. “How about another bite?”
Talking was beyond her, so she simply nodded. JD repeated the process, and Lily thought she might go up in flames. Only Claire’s return kept her from begging JD to kiss her.
Claire glanced at the half-eaten torte, then at Lily licking her lips. Her brown eyes went a little wide. “Um, how about something a little different,” she asked, tearing her focus away from Lily and onto the man she was supposed to impress, but not before a tiny smirk touched her lips. Lily took the moment of distraction to compose herself. Or tried to, anyway.
“This is a lemon pound cake with vanilla bean chantilly cream and candied figs.”
“I love lemon,” JD said, reaching for the plate greedily. He brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply. Lily imagined him doing the same thing with his nose buried in her neck. “Beautiful,” he said.
Lily closed her eyes tight.Get yourself together, Lil!
JD combined a piece of fig, the cream, and a bite of pound cake onto the fork, holding it out for her. “Try it.”
