Read an Excerpt
Unwrapped
By Carrie Alexander Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
Copyright © 2004 Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
All right reserved. ISBN: 0-373-79167-4
Chapter One
"WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DIP?" Debby Caruso asked, her brown curls bobbing as she bounded from the kitchen of Sutter Chocolat carrying a tray of triple-dipped strawberries. Each plump berry had been enrobed in layers of white and milk chocolate, then finished off with a sinfully rich coating of the shop's signature brand of dark Swiss chocolate. "I can't quite decide between strawberries and cherries, though I used to favor apricots, for some ungodly reason."
As Karina Sutter opened the display case, she smiled at the telltale juice that had trickled down Debby's round chin. The head confectioner was prone to sampling. "What about banana?"
"Too mushy. I like the squirt of juice in my mouth." Debby slid the tray inside, then set her hands on her ample hips. Her tongue swiped up the trickle. "You'd think I'd have more dates, huh?"
"Especially since you swallow," Karina teased, then reached into the glass-fronted case to straighten the dec-orative paper lace edging at the front of the tray. She rearranged the back row to cover the gap made by the missing strawberry.
A bemused Debby watched her fuss before closing the door on the display of decadent fruits in their pleated gold paper cups. "Not even tempted to try one? I'll never understand you."
"I may haveone for dessert after lunch."
"Me, too, if there are any left by then," said Debby. The triple-dipped strawberries were a fast seller. "That's the difference between us. I'm a double helpings girl and you - you're disciplined." Debby screwed up her face in disgust, betrayed by the generous grin she couldn't contain for long. "You realize that your perfection is very aggravating to the rest of us."
Karina was only half listening, toying with the heavy gold chain at her neck as her gaze shifted outside. "I'll try to do better at being bad."
Debby watched her employer gaze at the upper stories of the apartment building across the street. "Oh, really? He's home? Is today the day?"
Karina backed off. "Maybe not today ..."
She turned to smile at a customer ogling the marbled chocolate scallop shells, offering the woman a sample. The store handed out a lot of samples. One bite of any of the array of fine chocolates and assorted sweets and most people were hooked. Karina had been accused of being personally responsible for a mass neighborhood weight gain, although the accompanying improvement in her customers' sex lives more than made up for the calories.
"Why not today?" Debby asked. "It's been three weeks."
"I don't want to rush into creating a situation I'll regret."
"What's to regret?" Debby put a hand on Karina's arm and nudged her toward the window, away from the twin cash registers and the workers busily filling orders from the walk-in traffic. The December cold snap hadn't slowed business at all. Nothing went so well with a frosty winter day as sex and chocolate.
"You feed him the chocolates," Debby continued, "you show up at his door naked beneath a trench coat, you have a weekend of fabulous sex."
"Shh." Karina darted a look at the customers, even though it was likely that none of them would be shocked at the titillating talk. In fact, sex was probably foremost on their minds, second only to their chocolate cravings.
Debby lowered her voice. "We're not talking relationship here. You want him only for a fling, right? One torrid fling to give you memories that'll keep your bones warm when you're a little old lady married to a little old man who can't get it up without a crane."
Yes, that was what she'd convinced herself that she wanted after her first glimpse of the mystery man, though she'd never put it as colorfully as Debby.
Karina had followed the rules all of her life, aside from one major exception when she'd tossed out her degree and the offer to teach at a prestigious small college to open a chocolate shop instead. Her parents had been dubious, especially as she was taking advantage of the family recipe handed down through the generations. But the shop had become a rousing success as word of mouth spread about the amazing amorous side effect of the chocolate. Before long her supplies and staff could barely keep up with demand.
She was devoted to the shop, as well as making a home from the bi-level apartment above it, newly renovated now that she owned the building. But she was also careful to make time for a proper social life. She took advantage of New York's cultural and sporting amenities. Connections to family and friends were duly maintained. And she'd dated a selection of fine, up-standing young men. Eventually she'd choose one to marry, now that she was approaching thirty, the ideal age to get serious about a husband and children.
However ...
Karina pinched the tip of her nose, but there was no distracting her from the plan.
Often, especially during the past several weeks, she'd wished she could be as natural and spontaneous as Debby - and many of her customers, thanks to the cocoa beans that stimulated sexual arousal. But she doubted that it was possible to change her true nature.
Even with the help of the chocolate, even when she was halfway gone with lust for the man who'd recently moved into the building across the street....
Debby, Karina's closest confidante, had been pushing the idea that for once she should take advantage of the secret Sutter family recipe for personal gain. A very personal gain.
She was reluctant. Manufacturing an interest from her intended partner seemed cheap. Almost like cheating. Then again ... how many opportunities presented themselves so perfectly? She couldn't use the chocolate on any of her male acquaintances, the prospective groom pool. That might lead to a false romance it would be awkward to remove herself from. She didn't want complications. She only wanted ...
Hot sex.
Just this one time. Sure, she was naturally a controlled person, but she could be spontaneous. After some thought and planning, granted.
Karina's eyes strayed to the city street outside her shop's window. The mystery stud should be walking by any minute now. He didn't keep to a schedule, but after watching him for three weeks she'd picked up on his tendencies. At some point during the day he went for a walk, frequently returning with a newspaper, a coffee or take-out food, but rarely staying away for more than an hour.
He always returned alone.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Unwrapped by Carrie Alexander Copyright © 2004 by Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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