Candlelight Conspiracy by Dana Volney Read Free Book Online

write is the slow, tugging-at-your-heartstrings kind. Putting words to music that speaks to people at a different time in their life, tells a unique story, and evokes emotions is hard but one of the most powerful things a person can do, I think.”
    He fully agreed—he was feeling his own emotions summoned by Sophie, and they were powerful indeed. The glimmer of her wide, brown stare as she looked straight into his eyes slowed his breath.
    “What kind of music do you like?” she asked.
    “I go in for a mix of types.”
    “You mean you don’t just listen to Bach, Mozart, and Geminiani?”
    “Oh, I go in for Baroque now and then.”
    She laughed. “Someone is knowledgeable on classical styles of music.”
    “I’m going to ignore how surprised you are.” He grinned.
Never thought orchestra would help me impress a girl.
He’d save the fact that he was decent at playing a violin for a later date. “I favor classical, yes, but also R&B, rock, and the occasional nineties jam. No country, though.”
    “Then we have a problem, because some of my up-tempo songs have a definite country twang.”
    “Then maybe I’ll change my mind.” He was going to have to be careful. Sophie might have the ability to change his mind about a lot of things.
    “I’m trying to write a full set of music, actually. I’m a couple songs in anyway.”
    “All of what you sang should be on there.”
    “You’re too kind. I don’t think they’ll all make it.”
    Man, he could kiss her right now. She practically glowed talking about her music, and her entire face was a smile. There was something extremely sexy about a woman who knew what she wanted.
    “I should check on the crème brûlée,” he said and carried his wine glass with him into the kitchen. The servings were ready for the vanilla sugar and torch thingy, as Sophie had referred to it. She followed him and stood so close he had to focus on why he was in the kitchen in the first place as he fumbled in a drawer, finally finding the torch.
    It sparked, and she jumped. He held in a laugh. She was so damn cute.
    “Want to try?” he asked.
    “Of course.”
    Marc layered the vanilla sugar in one white ramekin dish and set it on the counter.
    “You’re going to want to hold the torch about three inches from the top and move it back and forth. Don’t stay too long on one spot or it’ll burn. I’ll tell you when to stop.”
    She did as he instructed, and he watched her eyes focus and the smile leave her face. He lined up another dessert on the counter.
What would she do if I kissed her neck right now?
    “Great work,” he said when she’d heated the crème perfectly.
    He turned off the torch, set it on the counter, and his hand slid around her waist. He pulled her into a side hug. He intended to let her go, but she twisted toward him. Her brown eyes sparkled in the candlelight.
    His lips met hers, and it piqued urges deep down in his belly. Every touch of her finger tips excited his skin, every breath drugged him with her sweet scent, and every moan put him on the verge of losing control. Her deep kisses stirred emotions he didn’t think he was capable of having again.
    But he could let himself have one night.
    • • •
    Marc kissed Sophie’s jawline all the way to her ear. When she reached for the waistband of his jeans she heard him groan into her neck. His hot breath on her ear combined with the want in his tone made her sizzle.
    “I can’t promise you anything,” he whispered into her mouth, then kissed her top lip.
    I don’t care. I’m going to enjoy you for the moment, Marc.
“Good. I don’t want anything.” Those weren’t the sexiest words to say, albeit, but they were as true as she could make them. She kissed him lightly on the ear and whispered, “Well, after tonight.”
    In an instant she was off her feet, in his arms—taking the opportunity to nuzzle his neck all the way through the small apartment. He fumbled with the bedroom door handle, finally