Her Irresistible Troublemaker (A Town Named Eden Book 3) by Sonia Parin

eyes dancing around her face.
    It only took one sip to decide she wanted to marry his hot chocolate. Her taste buds sprung alive with a chorus line of approval and appreciation.
    Lexie smacked her lips together. “I’m not even going to ask what your secret is. Some things should remain a mystery and I’m hoping to enjoy many more hot chocolates made by you.” Lexie expected him to laugh or make some sort of celebratory gesture, but instead he stepped forward and leaned on the counter, looking at her as if lost in thought.
    “You can add three quarters to your score.” Taking another sip, she forgot about Jack watching her and lost herself in the heavenly taste of chocolate with a hint of chili.
    “Thank you.” He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “So will you come with me?”
    “I’m assuming it’ll be an extension of tonight.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to have to explain that to me.”
    “Well, there’s something no-nonsense straightforward about you. I’m not sure you’d be comfortable trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes, so you’ll more than likely stick as close as possible to the truth and introduce me as your friend.”
    “Interesting.”
    “Am I right?”
    “I hadn’t actually thought about it, but I like your thinking.”
    “That’s because it makes you look good.” She grinned over her cup. “Honest with a pinch of integrity.”
    “Only a pinch?”
    His wounded look made her shake with laughter. “No man is perfect.” Although, at the moment she thought he came close to it, then again, chocolate made her biased. She savored the last of her drink and sighing, set the mug down. “That has to be the very best I’ve ever had. It’s made me all warm and tingly inside.”
    “Would you like another one?”
    “No thanks. I never have seconds. Somehow, the first drink always tastes the best and I don’t want to spoil the anticipation of the next one.” She watched him wash the mug and wipe down the kitchen counter without making a big deal of the fact she enjoyed watching the play of sinewy muscles on his forearms. “I’m guessing there’s a reason why you can’t go alone.”
    He shook his head as if trying to dislodge a stray thought. “Spot on. If I go alone, chances are I’ll be partnered with my new stepsister and that could get complicated. I’m speaking from experience as I have five of them. Two are twins.”
    “I see. It all begins to make sense now. You need a buffer.” She could do that.
    “You won’t even have to pretend to be interested in me.”
    “But it would help.”
    He gave her a brisk smile. “I won’t argue with that. I haven’t met my new stepmother, but if she’s anything like the others, then she’ll try her best to set me up with her daughter.”
    “You want a territorial buffer.”
    His eyes brightened. “Do you think you can handle that?”
    “This is actually right up my alley.” She rolled up her sleeves. “I love pretending.”
    “We don’t need to go overboard.”
    “And you don’t need to worry. I won’t get carried away.”
    He rubbed his hands over his face.
    “Is something wrong?”
    “I’m feeling a little guilty now. As if I’m taking advantage of you and it doesn’t sit well with me.”
    Honest to the hilt. What was wrong with him? “If it’ll make you feel better, I can think of a way for you to pay me back.”
    He laughed. “You’re gaining quite a lot of high ground, what with holding the lost view over me and now this.”
    “I’ve never felt so empowered.” Lexie slid off the stool and stretched. “I think I’ll call it a night and go home before you come to your senses and change your mind about any of this. I like my high ground. It makes me feel almighty and superior.”
    “Should I be scared?”
    “Hmm. Quaking in your boots. I might ask you to return the favor one day.” And considering how much her mother had been pushing for some sort of development in her