The final little teaser od 2024 is from my very last DICKENS HOLIDAY ROMANCE, A CHEF’S KISS CHRISTMAS, to get your holiday celebration underway…
Amy overheard what she said, though, and commanded, “Come here, girl, and let me give you something to warm you up.” She tugged on Portia’s arm and guided her to the booth.
“Our hot chocolate is a town favorite at this event. Made with real milk and shaved chocolate, not that powder junk they sell at the supermarket.”
Tony had just turned from handing the customers waiting for their burgers their order when his gaze connected with hers across the booth.
Portia’s breath caught when he lifted an eyebrow and bobbed his head, once, toward her.
She tried for a smile but her teeth were clattering so much she worried it looked more like a grimace than a greeting. And not all of that clattering could be attributed to the frigid air. Most of it, if she was being honest, was because of the man standing in the center of the booth.
“Here, Portia.” Amy handed her a Styrofoam cup of steaming dark liquid. “This’ll get you warm on the inside for sure.”
She had no real memory of taking the cup because her attention was zeroed in on Anton – Tony -and watching him prepare another order. No wasted movements, every flip of his hands precise and intended for the sole purpose of preparing the food.
Why the heck was that so…so… arousing?
Good grief! I’m getting hot and bothered from watching a man flip cheese onto a slab of meat. What. The. Heck??
Without thinking about what she was doing, she lifted the cup to her lips, took a sip of the piping hot liquid, and let it roll over her tastebuds. When the eruption of heat and sweet, rich chocolate exploded in her mouth, she moaned.
Loud.
Loud enough that everyone in the vicinity heard her, including the man her eyes were trained on.
While Amy and Abra laughed, the rest of her family chiming in with their own chuckles, Tony’s head lifted, brows tugging together, hands motionless as he stared over at her, worry slicing across the downturn of his mouth.
Portia stopped breathing. She couldn’t look away from him, as if hypnotized not to. She didn’t think she’d want to if compelled by forces unseen to do so.
“You okay, over there?” he asked, the rasp in his voice deep and filled with concern.
Her head bobbed, spastically, up and down. “F-Fine. This is just,” she held the cup up, “really good. And really hot.”
Amy grinned from ear to ear. “Best in the whole state. Who wants a cup?” she asked her family.
While she poured several cups and handed them out, Portia tried to get a hold of herself, all the while Tony sneaking surreptitious glances her way while he cooked.
With the rest of the group now armed with their own drinks, Colton began leading the march up to the Common again, after first kissing his mother-in-law on the cheek and thanking her.
“What’s going on with you?” Abra said, sidling next to her on the walk.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re jumpy, something I’ve never seen you be before. You’re usually the calm in any storm, the one who keeps her head when all around her are nervous or angsty. But today you’re acting like something is bothering you. Or someone,” she added, her brows lifting with the meaning.
“I told you, Abracadabra. I’m cold. I’m not used to these temps and my nerves are flayed because of it”
“Most people don’t usually get nervous because they’re cold,” her friend shot back.
“Yeah, well I’m not most people, as you well know.” She tried to instill some haughtiness into her tone.
A quick side eye toward her friend and she could tell Abra was in hyperalert mode. She suspected something was up with her agent. That determined eye glare and squint Abra was known for was full-on across her face.
Luckily, Amelia began fussing, diverting Abra’s attention.
Portia took a jagged breath in.
Saved.
For the moment, at least. If there was one thing she knew without a doubt, Abra would get back to the questions she had.
Portia needed a distraction for when that happened.
Peggy Jaeger, Author 