McDonald_TWT_GENVers_Feb2014 by Donna McDonald

too.”
    “Sabine, stop talking and open your mouth for me,” Koka said more firmly, envying the spoon he held for getting to go where he wanted to.
    She stared for long moments trying to decide. When she finally did open her mouth, a spoon full of heaven slipped inside. Flavors of the rum, the banana, and spices she didn’t recognize slid along her tongue. She swallowed and sighed. “Okay. That’s pretty amazing. My high standards are more than met.”
    “I know. And I made it for kissing,” Koka declared, staring at spot on her lip that she unconsciously licked clean. “The flavors lubricate the palette and it has spices that neutralize dinner smells and tastes.”
    Sabine felt her eyebrows rise, but smiled at his innocent look. “I swear to God—that is the best line to ask for a kiss that I have ever heard.”
    Swearing under his breath at her relentless teasing, Koka scooped up another bite for her and fed her again. Then he scooped one for himself using the same spoon. He dared her to say a word about it.
    She pondered the decadence of having Koka feed her and the intimacy of sharing the dish with him. Even if it was just some practiced seduction or clever intention to charm her, his serious frown would have kept her from believing it completely. On the next scoop, she placed her hand over his.
    “That’s enough of that for me. I think I’m ready for my real dessert now,” she said, holding his quizzical gaze. “Let’s test your kissing theory.”
    Fearing the offer might be retracted if he didn’t accept it quickly, he leaned forward and pressed his lips gently, but firmly to hers. Banana, coconut, and Sabine hit his taste buds. It was a heady combination. He pulled away reluctantly. “I cannot trust myself for more than one kiss. You are completely delicious.”
    “So are you,” Sabine whispered, her mouth still amazed at the lingering tingle.
    Koka sighed, frustrated to have to let her go home. Pekala’s prayers for a woman had been answered in a way that surprised even him. “The limousine that brought you is no doubt waiting impatiently. I was supposed to send you home thirty minutes ago. Pekala delayed the schedule.”
    Sabine nodded and slid from her chair. “Pekala was a wonderful delay and I’m very glad I got to meet her.”
    She walked on shaky legs to the small table where her purse had landed earlier. That simple little kiss had rocked her harder than she realized. On her way back, Sabine paused by the seat where Koka still sat unmoving. Evidently, he wasn’t going to walk her to the door.
    Maybe he couldn’t do so yet.
    The thought of causing him more masculine discomfort after their kiss went to her head faster than his pineapple cocktail. She looked at Koka and wanted to test that theory more than she wanted to take her next breath. Thanks to him she now believed there would be sexual life for her after Martin.
    “Thank you for one of the best evenings of my entire life. I truly will never forget the pleasure of it—all of it,” Sabine said softly.
    “On the islands, we say Mahalo to give thanks,” Koka said, his gaze asking her to act on what was in hers.
    Sabine nodded and smiled, the effort forced. “ Mahalo then. Good night, Koka Whitman. Thank you for a wonderful dinner.”
    “Happy Valentine’s Day,” Koka said.
    “Seriously the best one I can ever remember having,” Sabine replied.
    Then she walked to the door as quickly as she could to make her escape.

Chapter 6
    Joe held up the special edition Sunday afternoon paper and looked at Sabine over the edge of it as he grunted.
    “Your very expensive Todd Lake told all of Seattle that you were the most enchanting woman he’d met in years. All you said about him was that he was a great chef. Sabine, you’re in public relations for pity’s sake. Couldn’t you have thought of something more eloquent to say about a date with one of Seattle’s premier bachelors?”
    “Todd Lake is a great chef,” Sabine said,