A Royal Mess and Her Knight To Remember by Jill Shalvis Page B

biggie.” She slammed down a button and sent the blender whirling. “Please go away,” she said over the whir of the machine. “I’m busy working here and don’t need any distractions.”
    â€œNatalia—”
    She put the earphones back on. “Sorry. Can’t hear you.”
    â€œLook, let’s talk about it. You came from…Grunberg, right? Near the Alps?”
    â€œI’m trying to concentrate.”
    He lifted the right earphone and spoke in her ear. “You like to ski. What else do you do for fun, Natalia?”
    â€œCook.” She pulled away. “Believe it or not, some people think I’m quite good at it.” She took her hand off the top of the blender to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, purposely not looking at him. Then she hit another button sending the blender into high gear. “Now go away.”
    â€œBut I just wanted to—”
    Which was all he got out before the top of the blender blew off, sending chocolate spraying across the room, over the counters and floors.
    And all over them.

9
    T HE BLENDER sprayed its contents across the room and over the two flabbergasted occupants, whirling with a high-pitched hum.
    Then Tim moved, pressing in front of a shocked Natalia, going in blind to switch the machine off as the dark goo hit everything, including, it seemed like, the inside of his eyelids.
    The sudden, complete silence was deafening.
    Well, not quite complete silence, as there was the occasional drip from the ceiling, the table, the chairs, the counters…them.
    Tim swiped at his eyes and looked over at the chocolate-covered Natalia.
    She made a sound of bafflement and spread her arms wide, staring down at herself.
    Tim stuck his tongue out and caught a drop off the edge of his nose. “Mmm.”
    â€œOh my God. It’s everywhere.” It was dripping off her own nose, her chin, and was plastered across the front of her shirt and down her jeans.
    She looked very edible, and immediately he started salivating.
    As if she could read his mind, she pointed a finger and glared at him. “This,” she said in a very royal voice, “is all your fault.”
    â€œMine!” He put his hand to his chest—his chocolate-splattered chest—and had to laugh. “How do you figure that?”
    â€œYou distracted me! I was trying to work and you wouldn’t stop…you just…”
    He liked where this was going. “Yes?”
    â€œOh, never mind. It’s just all your fault.”
    Oh, no. Not good enough. He wanted to hear it. “Because I distract you.”
    â€œI just said so, didn’t I?”
    â€œBecause you’re attracted to me.”
    â€œ That I never said.”
    â€œI’m attracted to you back, Natalia.”
    She lifted her face and studied his. “Really?”
    â€œYou know I am.”
    Her eyes closed. “Yes, but you hate to take advantage of a crazy woman.” She reached for a towel, wet it and started wiping her face. Her expression was a war of things, with annoyance topping the list, and for some unknown reason, it made him want to hold her.
    Kiss her.
    Because now it was in his head; the taste of her, the feel of her, the little murmur she made deep in her throat when he used his tongue. Taking her wrist, he pulled the towel out of her fingers. “Let me.”
    â€œDon’t.”
    â€œI want to help.” But he dropped the towel as he moved his mouth down just a little, to beneath her lobe. Then with his tongue lapped at the spot, taking in chocolate and the sweet taste of woman.
    Natalia’s eyes fell closed. “Wait.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m still mad at you. I can’t stay mad at you with your mouth on me.”
    â€œOh, well, then.” He kissed his way down her throat to the pulse beating wildly at the base of her neck. “Good dessert.”
    â€œTim.” Her voice sounded satisfyingly