Janelle Denison - Sinfully Sweet

“You’re the best!” Celeste wrapped her arms around Rebecca in a warm, exuberant hug. “The shop is right down the street and close enough to walk to, or you can take a cab instead, if you like.”

“I think I’ll walk.” Rebecca wasn’t about to miss the chance to enjoy such a gorgeous, sunny day by taking a cab ride. “What’s the place called?”

“Sinfully Sweet. And I can personally guarantee that the shop lives up to its name.”

Rebecca was definitely intrigued by her sister’s comment. While chocolate wasn’t one of her basic food groups as it was for Celeste, she did enjoy the occasional sweet treat.

Together, they took the elevator back down to the lobby, then Rebecca waved good-bye to her sister, heading out of the hotel and down the resort’s entry road that led to the main streets. In no particular hurry to reach the candy shop, she strolled along casually, taking in the sights while enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin and the slight breeze tousling her hair.

When she reached Larchmont Street she made a right as her sister had instructed, and sauntered past specialty boutiques, a quaint outdoor café, and other unique stores. She window shopped along the way, admiring clothes and jewelry and other one-of-a-kind novelties and antiques until a designer handbag boutique gave way to an adjoining shop displaying in their window the most delectable-looking candies and chocolates. The glossy black and gilt name on the window, Sinfully Sweet, confirmed that she’d reached her destination.

She entered the store and was instantly enveloped by the rich, sweet scent of expensive chocolate. All around her she was surrounded by an array of tempting, tantalizing candies, including different-sized heart-shaped boxes for Valentine’s Day and dozens of colorful foil-wrapped chocolates displayed on a table in the center of the shop.

Everything in the place definitely looked sinfully sweet and smelled just as wickedly delicious.

Other than a quick “I’ll be right there” from the back room, Rebecca was completely alone, and she took advantage of that fact. Closing her eyes, she breathed in slow and deep, inhaling the drugging scent of the chocolate. The fragrance alone was like an aphrodisiac to every one of her senses.

Amazing.

She inhaled again, mainly because she just couldn’t help it. There was something about this place that made her feel sensually charged, and she found herself wondering if it was possible for a woman to have an orgasm just from the rich, decadent smell of chocolate.

If so, she was a prime candidate.

“Welcome to Sinfully Sweet.”

A woman’s voice from behind Rebecca snapped her back to the present. She opened her eyes and turned around, her composure back in place-on the outside, at least. Inside, however, she was still feeling a little bit unbalanced by her reaction to all the chocolate around her.

“Thank you.” Smiling, Rebecca stepped up to the counter and peered into the glass case displaying more chocolate treats, from caramel squares, to macaroons, to almond clusters. “Your shop is lovely, and it smells absolutely wonderful in here.”

The pretty older woman beamed as she smoothed a hand down the white apron she was wearing. “Well, I can personally guarantee that the candies taste even more fabulous than they smell. We use the finest ingredients available, and it’s taken us years to perfect each type of candy that we offer.”

And there were dozens to choose from, Rebecca noted. “So, are these candies made from secret recipes?” she asked curiously.

“Well…”

“Yes, they are,” an older man replied before the woman could finish her sentence. He appeared from a door leading to the back room, carrying a tray of freshly dipped, chocolate-covered strawberries, which he placed on the counter in front of Rebecca. “All our recipes are top secret. Classified and for our eyes only. Isn’t that right, Ellie?”

The woman named Ellie smiled at the other man. “That’s right, Marcus.”

Marcus kissed her affectionately on the cheek, then glanced at Rebecca. “My wife loves to brag about our exclusive chocolates, but once you try them I’m sure you’ll agree that they are the best you’ve ever tasted. The hard part is deciding which ones to try.”

Rebecca was beginning to think that those dipped strawberries were looking pretty good at the moment. They were all plump and juicy looking, with a thick layer of chocolate coating each piece of fruit. The thought of eating one made her stomach flutter with anticipation.

“So, are you here to find something for your special Valentine this weekend?” Ellie asked.

“No,” Rebecca said, shaking her head. “There’s no one special.”

“Ahhh, too bad,” the other woman replied before Rebecca could state her reasons for being in the candy shop. “But being single and unattached does make you eligible for the Valentine’s Day contest we’re having. See that table over there with all those foil-wrapped chocolates?”

Remembering the display she’d seen when first entering the store, Rebecca nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, each foil-wrapped candy is one half of a chocolate heart, and each one has a message inside,” Ellie explained, her face reflecting excitement over such a clever contest. “The pink half is given to a single woman, such as yourself, and the blue half is for some lucky man. If the two of you manage to find the other person with the matching message before Valentine’s Day, you’ll receive a romantic prize package from Sinfully Sweet, which includes dinner for two at The Winery and one hundred chocolate hearts.”

The concept of meeting someone new via a “match game” was definitely intriguing, but the timing was all wrong. And, it wasn’t as though she lived in the area, but rather ninety miles away in San Francisco. If she met someone here, the distance between them wouldn’t be conducive to building a lasting relationship. Why start something she couldn’t finish?

“That sounds like fun, but I’m only in town for a few days for a wedding at The Delaford. I’d really hate to disappoint someone who might be diligently searching for their matching heart, when I don’t have the time to do the same.”

“Don’t you believe in fate, my dear?” Marcus asked. “If it’s meant to be, you’ll find the man who has the matching half to your heart.”

In the past, fate hadn’t always been so kind to Rebecca and she just couldn’t imagine that such a bold tactic as searching for her so-called “match” would work in her favor. But she didn’t want to be rude, either.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, knowing that she’d most likely walk out of the store without ever touching one of those foil-wrapped chocolates. “In the meantime, I’m here to pick up an order for my sister, Celeste Moore.”

“Ahh, the petits fours,” Ellie said with a nod. “They’re ready, but need to be boxed up, which will take about ten minutes.”

“That’s fine.”

Ellie disappeared into the back room, but Marcus remained behind. “Can I get you anything while we’re packaging your order?” He motioned to the glass display of assorted candies and confections.

Biting her lower lip, Rebecca eyed those lovely chocolate-covered strawberries again. They were practically calling her name, and she found she couldn’t resist their allure. Maybe she did have a weakness for chocolate after all. “I’ll take one of those strawberries.”

“Excellent choice.” With a flourish, Marcus picked out the biggest piece of fruit on the tray, then handed it to her in a paper doilie cup before ringing up the purchase. “Feel free to browse around the shop while you’re waiting for your order.”