Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke Read Free Book Online Page A

down at the other man. Smiling as if he were about to laugh. “Hannah doesn’t drink coffee.” He shook his head and made a move to check his watch. Without looking at the time, he said, “It’s getting late. Hannah and I need to get to bed. She has to be at work early tomorrow. Nice meeting you.”
    Hannah graced Jeremy with a smile as she gladly took Mason’s hand and let him lead her away.
    Once they were out of earshot, Mason asked, “Did I blow that? I guessed from the peppermint tea the other day you don’t drink coffee, right?”
    “No, you were right. Talking about me as if I wasn’t standing next to you seemed strange, but I’m glad you were there.” As she squeezed his hand, he stopped walking and turned her to face him.
    “That guy gives me the creeps.”
    Hannah rolled her eyes. “Try working with him.”
    “I mean it, Hannah, I don’t like the way he looked at you.” He slid his thumb along the back of her hand as he spoke.
    Hannah forced a laugh to lighten the mood. “It’s a little early for you to be getting all possessive, don’t you think?”
    Pursing his lips into a thin line, Mason nodded. Not exactly the brevity she’d hoped for.
    “I’m still waiting,” she tried again.
    Mason arched an eyebrow quizzically. “Oh, right. Your surprise.” He took the silver bag and plucked out a tiny silver box. He opened it and two chocolate truffles shone in the light from the streetlamps. “Try it. This one first.” He pointed to the chocolate dome in front decorated with shimmering gold flecks.
    Hannah balanced the candy between her fingers and took a bite. She offered the other half to Mason. The candy fell into his mouth, but he caught her wrist, sending shivers up her spine as he sucked the melted chocolate from her fingertips.
    The truffle melted in her mouth. The rich, sweet sensation grew as her mouth heated. Somehow, it tasted hot without being spicy, sweet without being sugary. “Is there chili in that?” she asked, savoring the last effects of the treat on her tongue.
    Mason nodded and stepped closer. “I guessed from dinner you like things hot.”
    Did she ever. “What if I hadn’t offered to share?”
    Mason leaned in and licked her lips gently. Her stomach tightened in anticipation. As she parted her lips in invitation, he went farther, sucking her bottom lip between his before kissing her fully.
    She loved the flavor of the candy, but the feel of him melting with the taste of chocolate was exhilarating. Something about the clean way he smelled and the taste of him melding with the heat from the chili chocolate made her moan. He pulled away too quickly, leaving Hannah feeling she’d somehow been short-changed.
    As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she wasn’t done with him. This man made kissing an art form, and she wanted to learn every nuance of his technique. She reached for him, but he stepped back.
    “Try the other one.”
    She wanted him, not chocolate. But as she came to her senses and the world widened, she realized eating chocolate was a much more appropriate activity for a busy sidewalk. She reached into the box and removed the plain chocolate cube. She stared into Mason’s eyes and popped the whole thing in her mouth.
    As the truffle melted, she was overcome with the cool sensation. It wasn’t just mint. It was peppermint. Her favorite. She eyed him as she rolled the flavors over her tongue. He couldn’t possibly have planned it, but she’d give him credit for it anyway. Extra credit .
    “Are you going to share?” Mason whispered, gently brushing his lips across hers. A laugh hummed through her as the kiss began. She loved the firm feel of his lips demanding on hers. The taste of the chocolates and him mingled with his masculine scent and sent colors dancing across her closed eyelids.
    Somewhere far away, she heard the bag drop and felt his hands come up to cup her face. Her knees weakened as he introduced her to his tongue, and she brought her hands