Page 101 of The Fake Dating Plan

Rhea started her lesson. There were matching equipment and utensils laid out for all three of us I noticed. She went through each step clearly and made making chocolate as easy as boiling water. She even taught us how to engrave letters on truffles and chocolate bars. The first batch we made was dark chocolate bars mixed with cranberries. My first effort was clumsier than Ax’s. His was neat and looked ready to be sold in any first-rate shop.

“Is this how you spend your time? Making chocolate?” I said as I looked enviously at his chocolate bar.

“Nah. For some of us, certain things come naturally.”

I stomped his foot. Expecting a cry or at the very least a wince, he merely shrugged.

“It’s not so bad,” Rhea said but I knew she was being charitable. She broke a piece and threw it in her mouth. “Tastes good. Better than it looks.”

“I bet mine tastes better,” Ax said. She took up his challenge and broke a piece of his and shook her head. “Hers tastes better.”

“What! No way!”

“It’s the truth. Now, I’m going to leave you two to make another batch. Hopefully better than your first try.” She was making her way out of the kitchen as she said so and left us alone.

“This is anti-male discrimination,” Ax said.

“Do you bring all your girlfriends here as a way to woo them? You seem a little too experienced in this chocolate-making business.”

“Nope. Never. This was Caiden’s idea. The man is way into cooking. I know I shouldn’t have asked him for dating advice. You hate it don’t you. We can leave if you want.”

“No!” I dropped my voice from the screaming register it adopted. “I like it. I’m enjoying it. How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That I would like it?”

“I didn’t know you would enjoy it as much, but you like making things. I thought it would only be natural to like this too.” He was right. How did he understand me so much? He was the only person I’ve ever been with who cared to learn about me and I can’t believe I’ve never realized this until now. It made me feel… seen.

“I hope you’re enjoying it as well, and not doing it because I like it.”

“I enjoy seeing you happy.”

“Okay, now you’re just saying things to make me feel good.” I grabbed my bowl. “We’ve got chocolate to make.” He was making my stomach tumble and I wanted something to turn my mind off his sweet words. This rush to distract myself resulted in me mixing the cocoa and milk a little too fast and a large dollop slashed out of my bowl and landed on my face and apron. “Ugh.” Before I could rub it off, I felt a thumb softly wipe my cheek. When I opened my eyes, he was even closer than before. He swiped my cheek again and ate the mix. The stomach tumbles returned with more fervor. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I didn’t want just his finger touching me. I wanted more.

“So sweet.” His eyes were heavy-lidded with a desire that matched mine.

That was enough. I drew his head down and brought my lips to his. The earthy sweetness of the chocolate was fuel to fire. It made the kiss that much sweeter. I pulled him closer, needing to feel all of him. He yielded. I heard a groan. Then suddenly he pushed me off but kept holding me at arms’ length.

“As much as I would love to lay you on this table and eat you up, Rhea be damned, I thought we were taking things slow.”

“If we go any slower I’ll combust.”

His gaze flared. His grasp turned into a caress. “That’s… the best news I’ve heard all week, but,” he dropped his hands, “I want to go through with this date.”

“Ugh, can’t we just,” I looked past him to the door Rhea had disappeared through, “leave before she comes back.”

“No,” he stepped back creating more space between us. As he didn’t trust himself to be closer to me, “Not until I finish making my truffles.”

“Boo.”

“Would it change your attitude, if I tell you they're yours?”

My heart warmed up. “Now, we have to stay. You can’t make some for me without me making some for you.”

We both went back to work and acted like diligent students, not the sexual tension disappeared. If anything it intensified. Each accidental touch, a brush of the fingers, a rub of an arm against another, was electrifying.

I made some hazelnut truffles and, using the method Rhea taught us, I drew the same symbol I put on his cufflinks. We presented our work to Rhea who seemed impressed, although I thought she was being nice. She helped us package them and bade us farewell. When we both got into the car, Ax turned to me and said, “my gift please,” as he extended his box.” We exchanged our chocolates. He had engraved his truffles with the letters E.H. I thought it was cute. When Ax opened his box, he audibly awed.

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