All's Fair in Love and Chocolate (Marietta Chocolate Wars #1) - Amy Andrews Page 0,26

ear. “This is cozy.”

Yes. It was. And that was the last thing Viv thought as she slid into the folds of sleep.

*

Viv wasn’t sure how long she’d drifted off for but the next thing she knew was the feel of Reuben’s fingers trekking from the hollow of her throat straight down her body to her belly button and back. Her nipples were erect and there was a delicious pull down deep and low in her belly.

She turned her head and nuzzled into his throat. “Sorry, I must have fallen asleep.”

“It’s fine,” he dismissed, his voice rich and deep. “We both did.” His fingers continued their sensuous journey, igniting little sparks wherever they trekked. “I like how the fire light plays on your body.”

Viv turned her head from his throat to the other side, looking back at the fire just behind them on the opposite wall. It was mostly just coals now, glowing hot and bright with the occasional low flicker of a flame.

“Did you mean what you said before? About me reminding you one day.”

She turned back, her gaze meeting his, the glow from the fire turning his gray-green eyes to flinty jade. “To apply chocolate to certain parts of your anatomy?” She grinned at the pure wicked thought of it and even salivated a little. “I never lie about anything to do with chocolate, particularly not the places I’d like to put it on you.”

He was smiling also but it faded after a beat or two and his hand returned to its position in the middle of her chest again. “So that means this is…more than just another one-night stand?”

Ah. Okay. That’s where this was heading. “Yeah…if you want.”

His smile returned warm and sexy. “Oh I want.” But the eagerness in his voice set off alarm bells.

“Sorry,” she said quickly holding up her hand to indicate he should cool his jets. “I should clarify. I would like to keep doing this—” She pointed back and forth between the two of them, figuring he knew full well what the action meant. “For the duration of time I’m in Marietta. But I’m going to be gone in six months. Like gone gone. To Missouri gone. Not coming back gone. That’s what I do. I stay for six months then I move on to the next store. That’s my job. And I love my job.”

He nodded, his smile getting bigger. “Yeah, I know.”

Did he? Did he really? She needed to make sure he did. “So, just to be crystal clear, what I’m offering here is a short-term fling. Light and fun and no pressure. Very, very temporary. If you don’t think you can do that and happily wave me goodbye when the time comes then best just let me know now because I’ve been down this road before with someone and it was messy and distracting and I’m not doing it again.”

He raised himself up on his elbow, a smile still tugging at his mouth despite the more serious set to his features. “Yes, Vivian.” He bugged his eyes. “I hear you. I get it. I’m only in Marietta for three months myself before I return to Bozeman.”

That’s right, Viv had forgotten he was only here temporarily, too. He’d be out of here even before she was. Which made them perfect for each other.

“And I’ve just come out of a long-term relationship. It’d be dumb with a capital D to get emotionally involved with another woman so soon. For me and her.”

“Right. Who wants to be the woman to get over the woman?”

“Exactly. That’s not fair to anyone. So, I’m not looking for anything permanent or serious either. Light and fun and temporary works for me. Really.”

“Good. So, no falling in love.” Viv knew she was harping on but this was important. “Promise me you won’t fall in love with me.”

“Oh God, okay, hang on.” He leaned over her, the weight of his torso pressing her into the couch as he groped on the floor for a moment and grabbed his shirt. Easing off her again he removed his badge, curling his fingers around it as he gripped it in his palm. “I do solemnly swear on my deputy badge that I, Reuben Connor Price, will not fall in love with you, Vivian—”

“Catherine,” she supplied.

He grinned. “Vivian Catherine Dawson.” Tossing the badge and the shirt back on the floor, he added, “Will that do?”

“Thank you.” She stroked his scruffy cheek.

He smiled and kissed her nose, settling down beside her again and for