Sinful Chocolate (8 page)

“S
orry, Mr. Masters, but the Johannesburg contract has gone to McGraw-Hill Construction.”

Charlie's heart sank as he gripped the phone receiver. “How is that possible? There wasn't supposed to be a decision until next month,” he said, exasperated. “I've already booked my flight to South Africa.”

“I'm sorry, but they announced their decision this morning,” the nameless executive said emotionlessly.

Charlie plopped back in his chair, barely able to restrain his stream of curses. He didn't need this right now, but what else was there to say? No point in shooting the messenger.

After a couple of deep breaths, Charlie nodded against the phone. “Thank you for your time,” he said gruffly and then dropped the hand unit back onto the cradle.

For a while, all he could do was sit in his chair and stare at the phone. What was he going to do? Disgusted when he couldn't think of a plan of action, he swiveled his chair and stared out of the window.

Charlie remembered the first time he'd looked out on the concrete and glass landscape. He felt like he was sitting on top of the world and there was nothing he couldn't accomplish.

Now…he felt lost.

Everything, it seemed, was falling apart, crumbling at his feet.

“Mr. Masters, you have a call on line one,” Jackson announced over the speakerphone.

“Thank you.” He turned around to the console and picked up the call. “Charles Masters.”

“Charlie, I'm glad I've finally caught up with you.”

Rolling his eyes, Charlie dropped his head against the palm of his hand. “Dr. Weiner, I've been meaning to call you.”

The ensuing beat of silence hinted that the good doctor didn't exactly buy that line.

“I called to see if we can get you scheduled for that bone marrow test. It's important we get this done as soon as possible.”

“Of course, um…I'll need to check my schedule…”

There was another awkward silence before Dr. Weiner said, “Look, Charlie. I know that this must really be hard for you. It's not uncommon when patients get this kind of news that to go into self protection mode. Denial. They think the longer they don't know something the better.

This isn't going to go away. In this case, it could be a fatal mistake. What you don't know
can
hurt you.”

“I just…” Charlie stopped and drew a deep breath. “I just need some more time.”

“You don't have much of that, Charlie.”

But I feel fine!

“Look, I'm not going to lie to you. If your numbers are as severe as your blood work indicates, your chance for survival is extremely low. We have to get on top of this now.”

After the doctor listened to Charlie's breathing for a few seconds, he added, “I'm going to have the nurses schedule you for the test at two o'clock on Friday at North-side, all right?”

Charlie nodded and then remembered that the doctor couldn't see him. “I'll be there,” he lied.

“Good.”

 

“Robert, what are you doing here?” Gisella asked with a sense of awe and suspicion.

International fashion model Robert Beauvais slid on his multimillion-dollar smile. “I came to see you,” he said. He swept his arms open. “Now how about a kiss for your fiancé?”

From behind the sales counter, Krista and Pamela sighed.

Gisella crossed her arms. “You mean
ex
-fiancé,
n'estce pas
?”

“Semantics.” He shrugged.

“We broke up over a year ago.”

The reminder failed to erase his smile, and since she didn't rush dramatically into his arms, he took the initiative to close the gap between them in two strides. When his long muscled arms wrapped her into a smothering bear hug, Gisella thought she'd gag off his overpowering cologne.

“Ah, Gigi, you don't know how much I've missed you,” he murmured against her ear.

Despite his handsome looks and his perfectly proportioned body, Gisella wasn't the least bit turned on. Pushing him back, she wiggled out of his grasp. “This is not the time or place,” she warned.

He released her and then watched her to march back behind the counter.

“Gigi—”

“Stop calling me that!”

“But—”

Mercifully, Gisella was literally saved by the bell when two women entered the shop. “Hello, can I help you?” she asked, slapping on a bright smile.

A plus-size older woman with a sharp silver bob haircut smiled warmly. “Yes. I heard so much about your shop. I'd like to buy a dozen of your chocolate strawberry mousse truffles.”

“Excellent choice!” Gisella exclaimed, a tad animated.

“Oh, I'll get them,” Pamela volunteered.

“I'd like two dozen of the coconut clusters,” the other woman added.

“I'm on it,” Krista said.

Gisella could've chewed nails when she was once again stuck with having to deal with her ex.

“I missed you,” Robert said, reaching for her hands.

She jerked them back across the counter and folded her arms across her chest.

“Paris is not the same without you,” he continued undaunted.

“Robert…”

“Now,” he said, holding up a hand. “I know I've made some mistakes, but I want you to know that I'm a changed man. I came here to apologize.”

“You flew all the way here
just
to apologize?”

He nodded, but then added, “I also have a fashion shoot over at—”

“Figures.”

“C'mon. Don't be like that.” He cocked his head and leveled his best puppy-dog expression on her.

The shop's bell rang again, and this time the store experienced an afternoon rush.

However, Robert surprised her when he just stood back, content to wait. Forty-five minutes later, he pulled her aside again. “I mean it. I miss you. Come back to me.”

Gisella stared, dumbstruck. Was he for real?

Confidence radiated in Robert's smile.
“J'ai t'aimé toujours.”

“If you loved me you wouldn't have cheated on me.” She rolled her eyes and tried to walk away.

Robert grabbed her by the hand but she twirled around and snatched it back. “No, Robert. It's over. I've moved on.” Too angry to notice the shop's sudden silence, Gisella moved forward and jabbed her finger into the center of his chest.

“You broke my heart,” she hissed. “While I was off foolishly planning to spend the rest of my life with you, you were off sleeping with half of Europe.”

Robert realized they were the center of attention and smiled awkwardly. “Could you lower your voice? Everyone is watching us,” he whispered.

Gisella shook her head. It was hard to believe that at one time she thought he hung the moon and stars. It wasn't until she left France and did some soul searching with the Lonely Hearts Club did she realize just how unhappy and unfulfilled she was in their relationship. She suffocated under Robert's ego and resented the fact that he never encouraged her to pursue her own dreams, even if it was just to run a small bakery.

Now, there she was standing before one of the handsomest men in the world and she felt…nothing. Absolutely nothing. “Go home, Robert,” she said in the kindest voice she could manage.

“Gigi.” He cocked his head. “It's me you're talking to. There's no need to play hard to get. I
know
you miss us being together.”

“Robert—”

“Do you know how many women that would
love
to take your place?”

“As far as I'm concerned they're more than welcome to have you.”

Disbelief rippled across Robert's face. A second later, it turned into suspicion. “Is there someone else?”

Mon Dieu!

“Is there?”

As if summoned by some magical power, the shop's door opened, and in walked Charlie.

Seizing the opportunity, Gisella practically flew to Charlie's side. “Ah, sweetheart, there you are!”

Frowning, Charlie glanced around. When he saw that there was no one behind him, he pressed a hand against his chest. “Who, me?”

Gisella laughed and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Stop being silly, darling. Of course I'm talking to you.” She leaned up on her toes and pressed a butterfly kiss against his lips. Her performance was undoubtedly worthy of a Razzie Award for Worst Performance by a Non-Actress, but she smiled up at Charlie, praying desperately that he would play along.

The woman must have a split personality
, Charlie thought. He looked from her to the tall brother that was glaring at them and put the pieces together. Easing on a wide smile, Charlie slid his arms around Gisella. “Well, I'm glad to see you're over that little lover's spat we had last night,” he covered and then swooped down for a real kiss.

A deeper kiss.

A longer kiss.

Krista and Pamela sighed.

Gisella's pretense easily melted beneath the heat of such overwhelming passion. Her hold tightened around his waist when his tongue wickedly mated with her own. In no time at all her body overheated and the delicious sensations coursing through her left her trembling like a leaf.

Robert cleared his throat.

Charlie and Gisella kept kissing.

Robert tried again, this time sounding like he was trying to hack up a lung.

Charlie finally pulled away, mainly because Gisella lacked the strength.

“I take it that this is your new boyfriend,” Robert droned sarcastically.

“What?” Gisella's eyes fluttered open. “Oh, yeah.” She started to step back, but Charlie's arms locked into place. It was just as well since she doubted her legs would hold up on their own. “Um, Robert this is Charlie. Charlie, honey, this is Robert…my
former
fiancé.”

“Former fiancé?” Charlie finally glanced at Robert.

“I'm sure she's mentioned me,” Robert said confidently.

“No. Not really.”

Robert's smile dropped.

Gisella forced back a laugh.

The men's keen gazes slowly assessed one another and, judging by their faces, neither was too impressed with the other.

“Well, I see you two are quite an item,” Robert said and then clenched his jaw. “How long have you been dating?”

“Six months,” Gisella answered the same time as Charlie replied “Two months.” They glanced at each other and then switched positions.

“Two months.”

“Six months.”

Suspicion crept back into Robert's eyes. “I see.”

An awkward silence drifted over the shop.

“I have to tell you,” Charlie said. “I've never been happier since Gisella came into my life.”

“Thanks…sweetheart.” She laughed awkwardly. “I feel the same.”

“I mean, the sex is like…incredible.”

Gisella's eyes bulged.

A few women snickered and reminded Gisella that they had an audience. “Okay,
honey
. We don't need to talk about that.”

“At first I didn't think I'd be able to keep up,” Charlie added almost conspiratorially. “But my baby here was determined to coach me out of my shell. Ain't that right,
sweetie?
”

Instead of answering, she leaned forward and hissed, “I'm going to kill you.”

“I love you, too, baby.” He locked her chin between his fingers and silenced her with another kiss.

Forgotten once again, Robert coughed. “Well, that's that. I guess I should wish you two luck.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”

“Don't mention it.” Robert's gaze drifted to Gisella. “It was nice seeing you again, Gigi.
Bon chance
.”

“
Au revoir,
Robert.”

His smile gone, Robert turned and walked out.

Gisella sighed in relief.

“You know,” Charlie said. “You come up with the damnedest reasons to kiss me when all you have to do is ask.”

“Y
ou're incorrigible,” Gisella said. “I swear I would slap you if I wasn't so grateful for you helping me out of a sticky situation.”

Charlie's brows cocked in amusement. “You're welcome.”

The shop hummed with activity again. “The drama up here beats anything I've seen of
General Hospital
in the last ten years,” one woman said, laughing.

“The men are better-looking, too,” her friend added as they left the shop with their arms loaded down with cake boxes and store bags.

Charlie leaned forward and whispered in Gisella's ear. “Frankly, I thought the leading lady was pretty hot, too.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop a smile from carving onto her face. “What are you doing here anyway?”

Charlie decided to dance around the truth. “Well, I was out feeling sorry for myself and thought that maybe one of your delicious cakes would cheer me up. Had I known that you were giving out chocolate kisses all willy-nilly, I would've come by sooner…and more often.”

He watched as her cheeks darken and he had another urge to kiss her. This time when he leaned forward, she leaned back.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like, sweetie?”

Belatedly, Gisella realized that she was still locked in his embrace. She cocked her head up at him with a sneaky suspicion that he was more than content to hold her. “You can let go now. The show is over.”

“Are you sure, love muffin?” He pressed her closer. “Maybe we should keep the ruse up just in case he's outside watching us.”

Gisella's gaze darted to the storefront window. Her eyes scanned the outside perimeter. Just when she was about to sigh in relief, her eyes caught sight of Robert sitting behind the wheel of a black Escalade across the street.

“
Mon Dieu
. He is out there.”

“He is?” Charlie tried to turn to see for himself.

“Don't look.” She pulled his body around, but only succeeded in placing her back against the glass and giving Charlie the street view.

“Ah, there he is,” Charlie said, frowning. “What's the story with this guy? Is he a stalker or something?”

“No.” Gisella shrugged. “I don't think he is, anyway.”

“Maybe we should give him a good show.” Charlie lowered his head but only to brush their noses together.

“What are you doing now?”

“You want to make it look good, don't you?”

She hesitated, but then forced herself to relax. “Why won't he just go away?”

“Maybe he's whipped,” Charlie said, grinning. “You look like the kind woman that could whip a man without batting an eye. You probably do adorable things like dance around the house in sexy lingerie and then throw a killer pussy in a man's face.”

She gasped.

“A pussycat…I meant a pussycat.”

“Sure you did.” She tried again to wiggle out of his arms only to have him tighten his hold.

“Wait. Wait. Wait. He's looking again.”

Before she could verify, Charlie swooped low and kissed her. This one was even more intoxicating than the last. He didn't understand what was happening. He just couldn't get enough. When they broke apart, they were both out of breath and had to rest their foreheads together.

“Is he still watching?” Gisella asked, panting.

Charlie cast a quick sidelong glance. The Escalade was gone. “Yeah. He's still there.”

“Maybe I should go out there and talk to him again. I can't imagine what made him think we could get back together.”

“Maybe
I
should have a talk with him.”

She chuckled.

“What? Even with a bad ankle I can take him.”

“It's not that,” she laughed.

“Then what?”

“I don't know. You just struck me as being a lover, not a fighter.”

Charlie's cheeks dimpled as a sly smile hooked into place. “You picked up on that, did you?”

“Actually I think it was the warning about you being a low-down, lying, sex-crazed egomaniac that some vet needed to put out of his misery to save unsuspecting women from being nothing but notches on his bedpost.”

Charlie's hold loosened. “Damn, woman. That's one hell of memory you got there.”

“I only remember things worth remembering.”

Completely charmed and fascinated, Charlie took a chance and said, “Go out with me.”

“No,” she answered simply.

“No?” he repeated. “You don't want to at least think about it?”

“Hmm…no.”

“Damn. You really know how to hurt a man's feelings.”

She reached behind her back and pried open his arms. “You're a big boy. You can handle it.”

Even though her words were soft and her smile was kind, the rejection felt like a steel punch to the gut. “May I ask why?”

Gisella quirked up her brows. “Honestly?”

“Go for it.”

“To go out with you would be no different than going out with Robert. Both of you aren't looking for anything serious. You view women as playthings and give very little thought to their feelings as you cast them aside when you're done with them.”

Charlie's arm finally fell to his sides. “That's not true…entirely.”

“Sorry if I hurt your feelings.” She flashed him an apologetic smile. “I better get back to work.”

Charlie wasn't ready to give up. “What if I said that I was a changed man?”

“I wouldn't believe you.”

“You don't pull any punches, do you?”

“I believe in being honest.”

“Oh. Is that right?” Charlie's face lit up. “Then maybe I should go outside and share a little honesty with pretty boy Robert about our so-called relationship?” He took one step toward the door.

“No!” Gisella grabbed him by the waist again.

“Ooh. I love it when you play rough.” Charlie laughed at her panic-stricken face.

Pamela, Krista and a couple of new customers whipped their heads in Gisella's direction.

“Sorry,” she said to the small crowd and then narrowed her gaze at Charlie.

“Sounds to me that someone is a bit of a hypocrite,” he said.

“All right. You got me. Sometimes honesty is
not
the best policy.”

“Go out with me.”

“No.”

“Then I have to talk to Robert.” He faked another move toward the door.

Gisella's grip tightened. “That's blackmail.”

He shrugged with a crooked grin. “Sometimes a man has to take desperate measures to avoid eating alone. Trust me. I'm not exactly proud of myself right now.” He glanced out the window. “Oh. He's looking again.” Charlie's lips attacked. This time he made up his mind to take his fill of her. As a result, there was a lot of moaning and pressing together.

“Damn. Get a room already,” a male customer commented as he exited with his purchases.

At long last, Charlie pulled away while Gisella wobbled on her legs with her eyes still closed.

“Say you'll go out with me.”

“I…”

“Tomorrow night,” he pressed. “I promise I'll be on my best behavior. I'll take you to the best restaurant.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “I…can't.”

“You gotta eat. A woman can't live off chocolate alone.”

“I…shouldn't.”

Sensing victory, he smiled. “But you will.”

Their eyes locked. Gisella nibbled on her bottom lip, contemplating. “Just dinner?”

“Just dinner,” he promised.

After listening to both the devil and the angel on her shoulders, Gisella took a leap of faith. “All right. I'll go out with you.”

Charlie tried to celebrate by stealing another kiss, but Gisella whipped her head and peered out the window. “Heeey. He's not out there.” She whirled back toward Charlie. “How long has he been gone?”

“Ten, fifteen minutes.” At her gasp, he delivered a quick peck on her nose and winked. “Pick you up tomorrow at seven-thirty.”