The Flavor Of Love by Shiree McCarver, E. Gail Flowers Read Free Book Online

more than handsome. He was adorable. His dark lashes, girlishly long, cast shadows over high cheekbones. His lips were firm and sensual while the set of his chin hinted at stubbornness she’d already had a taste of.
    She wondered how old was he exactly? She surmised he couldn’t be no more then thirty-five, or he could be, because she was never good at guessing anyone’s age. However, she could predict what a person ate for breakfast. For instance, the Judge here had poached eggs, cantaloupe and dry toast with hot tea instead of coffee. Boring. Which led her to wondering about the double chili hot dog she could see him indulging in her mind’s eye for lunch? No reason his stomach was acting up.
    Etta continued to study his face. Why would a man have such a bland healthy breakfast and ruin it with a heavy spicy fat driven lunch? Her mouth twisted wryly. It could mean someone else was ensuring he ate healthy at home. A wife? Girlfriend? Housekeeper? If so, why would he agree to her offer to cook for him? Wouldn't she be stepping on some other woman’s toes?
    Well, in fairness to the feminist movement, it didn't have to have been a woman. It could be a male housekeeper or a male lover. Etta blanched at the thought. It suited her needs to think the person that cooked for him in the mornings was his sweet aging mother that he took care of.
    Whoever it was, she wondered if they knew he ate junk food on the sly or that he had a wicked sweet tooth? She covered her mouth with her fingers to prevent the laugh from spilling forth and disturbing him.
    She wondered if she should go back out and knock. If he catches her watching him while he slept, he’d probably tack on another day to her sentence. Instead of walking away, she moved closer and her eyes fell on his full bottom lips.
    He had lips that made a woman think about long hours of just kissing alone. Etta leaned closer. She could feel the steady warm breath from his regal nose against her face. She was near enough that her eyes crossed and fluttered close. “ Damn , why you have to be so freaking adorable?” she complained in hushed tones.
    “ Miss Jones, please tell me you’re not about to do what I think you’re about to do?”
    Keigo voice pulled her from her stupor. Her long lashes swept open in surprise. Once again her eyes crossed before clashing and settling eye to eye with him. “Err…ohm; you ordered me to come here, didn’t ya?”
    “ Yes, I did.” His deep voice rumbled in the tingling pit of her stomach. “What I want to know is, why are you leaning over me, like--”
    “ Like what?” Her voice grew louder.
    “ Like you were about to kiss me.”
    “ Huh?” Etta gawked and stood straight, looking down at his upturned face. She took an unsteady step back. “Why on earth would I want to kiss you?” She giggled nervously. The warmth blossoming in her cheeks, she figured gave her away, but she was keeping mum.
    What would she say if she confirmed his suspicion? “Yes, I was about to kiss you, but I have no idea why.” Yeah, right !
    A thoughtful smile played at the corners of his mouth. “If not to kiss me, tell me why were you leaning over me?”
    “ I was just looking to make sure you were still breathing.” She shrugged her shoulders looking over his head so as not to lie to his face.
    “ Hmm, I see,” he grunted and sat up in his chair and adjusted the collar on his white shirt. “Wishing me dead are you? Well, no such luck Miss Jones I’m afraid. I’m still here to make sure you serve your time for disturbing my courtroom today.”
    Etta’s arms crossed over her breasts in a haughty stance. “I’m sure you spent your time planning something dreadful. I should have known I couldn’t depend on you to keep your word.”
    “ Excuse me?” His glaring stare was incredulous. “You have the audacity to call my honor into question? You were the one who struck the bargain and proceeded to disrupt my proceedings. What will you have me do,