Saint Kate of the Cupcake: The Dangers of Lust and Baking by L.C. Fenton

have to say no and go with the book.”
    “Very clever deduction! It is the book. I like my dog, but not that much. To be frank, Boris is kind of smelly.” I wrinkled my nose at the thought of our beloved but very large and hairy dog.
    “My dog keeps turning me down. I think she’s hoping someone better comes along.” He pretended to look sad and rejected.
    “Ah, that’s tough! Have you tried buying her the premium dog food?”
    “No, but I’ll give it a go. So, what is your book called?”
    “I have a couple: Saint Kate of the Cupcake and The Gospel According to Saint Kate . You probably don’t know it. I’m not sure it would be your thing,” I said, aiming for modesty.
    “I have seen it!” he exclaimed. “I have to say, though, you’re not at all how I imagined the author would look.” He looked me directly in the eyes, his arctic blue eyes intent and seemingly genuinely interested. “I pictured some grandmotherly type—white-haired, bun, that sort of thing.”
    “Well, give it enough time, and you’ll probably be right.” I shrugged and smiled.
    “Are you married?” he asked.
    “Why do you ask?” I said, surprised. Looking around, I noticed that everyone else had moved further away, leaving us alone.
    “You’re a beautiful woman, so I’d try to sleep with you.”
    Well, I almost choked on my mouthful of wine, burning my throat at the same time as my body became a flaming pyre of lust. My, was I tempted to deny it! Captain Milton just propositioned me! I had a new understanding of why some people cheated. But could I do it? I truly did waver for a moment, just one moment.
    “Wow, that was direct,” I mumbled. “Ah, unfortunately for both of us, then, I have to admit to being married. My husband is not feeling well and is back in our room.”
    “Damn!” he swore softly, our gaze holding. I could imagine him closing the distance between us and could almost feel his lips on mine, overcoming my scruples like his womanizing character did on the show. Those thoughts must have shown on my face, as I saw an acknowledgment of it in his expression. He knew I was thinking about the possibilities.
    “Are you happily married?” he said quietly. His fingers brushed my wrist, almost as if by accident, but my breath caught. I could feel the prickly tingles of excitement under the skin where his fingers had touched me. I felt like a puppy who had seen a ball that was just out of reach. Nooo! The possibility was there, but that was it. Everything about him screamed “player.” That should have turned me off, but for whatever reason, my psyche and body had decided to go in the opposite direction. If anything, it made him more attractive.
    “Most of the time…” My voice squeaked unbecomingly. This was definitely not his first attempt at seduction, and I was out of practice. I had only met him five minutes ago, and I was already thinking of abandoning my marriage vows. He was very, very good, and I obviously wasn’t, so I would have to be very, very careful.
    “Come back to my room, and we can talk in private.” His voice was gravelly and seductive, his gaze hot and intense, promising sexual delights I could only dream of.
    Fortunately, dinner was announced then with a loud clang which made me jump and brought me out of the trance I seemed to have fallen into and back to my senses.
    “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. It was—” I struggled to think of a word to describe our conversation “—interesting meeting you.” I said a quick goodbye and re-joined my friends as they were sitting down at the table we had claimed as ours when we arrived the night before. I was just starting to relax and breathe again when a polite voice asked to join us as we had a spare seat. I looked back over my right shoulder to see Anders standing there smiling innocently.
    “May I join your table?” he asked.
    To choruses of “yes” and hearty entreaties of “of course,” they bade him to feel welcome.