by J. A. Coffey
"Liar, liar," he crooned. And pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her cheek, near the corner of her mouth. She shuddered against him, and closed her eyes. "Do you want me, querida?"
"Oh, yes, Matt." She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. "Right or wrong, I do."
It was like the sun breaking from behind the clouds.
He kissed her, willing his lips to impart everything his heart felt. Her lips parted and he delved inside her mouth tasting her. When it was over, both of them were breathless.
"Then it's all settled. We start over. From the beginning." He leaned back to see her reaction.
She tilted her head, as if listening for something, then smiled and shook her head. "I'm not sure if we need to back up quite that far." She laughed and gave him a hot glance from his head to his boots. "But no more keeping secrets, no more hiding."
"Agreed." He tightened his hold around her.
"From now on," she ordered. "The only thing that's going to be under cover is our naked bodies."
Under the covers or on top of...he didn't care as long as she was with him.
"Just what I wanted." Matteo grinned and planted a kiss on top of her head. "Hey, it's almost lunch time. Are you hungry? Your hotel has some excellent room service. What do you think? Hot fudge sundae or a soufflé?"
"Both?" Jess suggested, reaching up and threading her fingers through his collar. "This might take a while." She smiled as she pulled his head down for another kiss.
What else could he do? There was just so much you could do with a beautiful woman and chocolate.
The End
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About The Author
J. A. Coffey's books are lush, sensual and romantic. Her novel HETAERA hit the Amazon top five paid bestseller lists in Historical Fiction-Ancient Greek and Egyptian and she's recently launched a fun, sexy contemporary romance series to cater to a broader audience.
She writes both sizzling and heartwarming contemporary romance and lush, gritty historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.
A complete cupcake addict, when she isn't writing or reading, she can be found in trying to convert her front lawn to an edible landscape, test baking desserts, or "feathering her nest" with spruced up flea market finds. A 2014 Indie Book Awards Finalist and former RWA Golden Heart finalist in the "Best Manuscript with Romantic Elements" category, J.A. is currently working on her latest novel and trying not to get cupcake batter on her keyboard. Visit her on Facebook at JA Coffey.
On the next page, you can find a deliciously decadent feature recipe inspired by Jess and Matteo's story. Find more recipes for this and other books at www.JACoffey.com. Be sure to sign up for COFFEY TALK, J.A. Coffey's newsletter, for more chances to get more recipes and free books and promotional giveaways.
Look for these other books by the author:
Romance
Liar, Liar (Southern Seductions #1)
Pants on Fire (Southern Seductions #2)
Hell on Heels (Southern Seductions #3) – Summer 2015
Historical Fiction
Hetaera: Daughter of the Gods
Mexican Chocolate Soufflé
Matteo knows there's so much you can do with a beautiful woman and chocolate. Here's the decadent soufflé that went untouched at the Horseshoe Lodge in Montana. Based on the recipe at Eating Well, 2008.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons white granulated sugar, divided
2 1/2 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 large egg, separated, plus 2 large egg whites
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)
Preparation
Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 375°F. Lightly coat two 10-ounce ramekins with cooking spray; coat the insides of each with 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar.
Using a microwave melt chopped chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl on medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. Note: You may also use a double boiler, if you prefer.
Whisk egg yolk and cream in a medium bowl until combined. Temper by adding a small amount of melted chocolate and whisking, to bring to temperature. Then whisk in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Be careful not to dump it all, or you will have chocolate scrambled eggs!
Whisk flour and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to cream/egg/chocolate mixture until incorporated.
Using an electric mixer or hand held mixer (separate bowl), beat egg whites and salt on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in four additions, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Egg whites should stand up when touched and not meld back into the bowl.
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold (a "bottom to top" motion—don't stir!) half the beaten whites into the chocolate mixture until fairly smooth; then gently fold this combined mixture back into the remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain. Divide between the prepared ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Bake until puffed and firm to the touch, 18 to 22 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Serve immediately.
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DANGEROUS FLAMES
Mafia Hearts, Book 1
By
Wendy Ely
Chapter One
Energy buzzed through the crowded coffee house and swirled around the vast quantity of people, some of them decked out in designer labels while others, content in touristy wear, sipped their drinks. Gabrielle had chosen to meet her father here because they wouldn't need to worry about mixing in with the crowd. She didn't care, but her father did.
The coffee shop served as the ideal place for her. She'd be able to have the chat with her father and then get into her shop a few doors down to have it open to customers in a half hour. Ordering their mochas ahead of time saved her a few precious minutes. She handed him his drink before taking a seat across the small wooden table from him.
"I could've ordered for myself," he said with a twist of his mouth. "Black coffee is what I like." He sipped the chocolate-flavored liquid from the white and green colored cup while scanning the people seated around him. His face formed into a grimace. "Gabi, I hate this poor excuse for coffee and the establishment you've picked."
"I'm sorry, Dad. It's been a while since we've had coffee together and I automatically ordered this. I'll remember next time, though." Her hands started to shake while the realization of her screw-up sank in. If she couldn't get his stupid order correct, how could she work for him?
For Gabrielle Medini, the goal seemed simple. She wanted excitement and glamour, but her life had changed from country hopping as a teen to boring at age twenty-five and she longed to recapture that sizzle. Everything had become clear, leading her to believe that her father held the answers. She needed this discussion to be perfect, but their conversation had quickly slid in the opposite direction.
"Don't pretend this is a casual f
ather-daughter bonding moment. Why did you request this meeting?"
She tapped the toe of her Dior pump against the tiled floor as she glanced at the red lipstick print on her straw. Uncertainty swirled through her as she twisted the straw around in the dark creamy liquid. Just ask him. But his answer would certainly be no. She slowly inhaled and then let the breath exhale out to calm her nerves. The trembling in her hands stopped. Yes, she could do this.
"Okay, Dad, since we both have a full work day, I'll cut to the chase so we can get out of here." She made contact with her father's steel glare.
"Is something wrong, Gabi? Are you in trouble?" His voice softened a bit which was rare.
"Nothing is wrong, Dad." Trying to capture another ounce of courage, she took a long drink of her coffee. She replaced the cup on the table, and with a faked confident smile, she said, "I think it's time you tell me about your organization."
Her father's jaw dropped in concert with his cup, spewing hot liquid all over. "Damn it!" He jumped up from the table, then grabbed paper napkins from the counter to dab the splotches from his navy, silk suit.
After a quick glance at the long line of customers waiting for service, she decided to wipe the mess from the table herself instead of waiting for an employee's help. She sighed. With so many interruptions, she'd be lucky if the discussion ever took place, let alone come to an agreement.
"They provide lids for those cups for a reason, you know," she snapped as she wiped the table. She stalked over to the trash can and threw away the soggy napkins.
"I don't like lids."
"They prevent liquid from spilling, and now I don't have time to buy you another one."
She pulled her chair closer to the table as she sat and eyed her father's posture. His crossed arms and the deepened frown told her he wasn't happy, but she couldn't let this go. "I've noticed some things about our family and it's time for you to be honest with me."
"Why are you wasting my time?" he shot back and glanced at the people nearby. Why did he have to be so paranoid? It wasn't like anyone would recognize him. Her father looked like an ordinary man with his glasses, sun-induced wrinkly skin, and thinning hair.
"Thanks, Dad. So having coffee with your daughter is a waste of time?" She tapped her foot again, and glanced at her watch, her impatience growing with each second. Even though she'd only been back in town for a year, knowing her father didn't trust her created pinpricks of hurt in her heart. Sending her away for several years never erased the fact that she was his daughter.
"You're wasting my time by talking about stuff you shouldn't be. You need to be folding sweaters in your boutique instead of asking these types of questions." He took his ringing cell phone out of his jacket pocket, and instead of answering, set it on the table.
She did her best to push the waves of pain caused from his declared expectations of her from her heart. "You can answer the call." She didn't have the time to wait while he had a conversation over the phone but curiosity voided that fact.
"I can handle the matter later. Let's finish, so I can get on with my day." He folded his arms over his broad chest.
"Please stop hiding things from me, Dad."
The frown on his face deepened. "I don't have any idea what you're referring to."
"I'm not the princess you think I am. I've grown up and can face the truth now." She took a sip.
He shook his head again. "There's nothing for you to know."
"Do you think I'm stupid? Tell me how your rental warehouse brings in enough money to finance a million dollar home? Or the expense of sending me overseas to a swanky boarding school." She took a long drink, savoring the taste of her caramel-chocolate coffee mixed with the satisfaction of being right.
She'd overheard him talking to her mother about keeping her far from the mess. At the time she hadn't understood what he had been referring to, but she had grown up. Even having dinner each Friday with the members of the business rang warning bells for her, but the men kept it all hush-hush while in her company. Up until now, she hadn't asked questions. The passive part of Gabrielle had left and she would be demanding answers until she got them.
"This isn't the place to discuss anything of importance." His heavy hand hit the table with a thunk. Shaking his head as if she'd failed a test, he said, "Besides, Gabrielle Felice Medini, you need to learn the meaning of trust instead of worrying about my private affairs."
Her chest tightened, but she did her best to force the sensation away. She must accomplish what she'd set out to do. Looking around the coffee shop, she forced out a laugh. "Do you actually think these people care what we're talking about? Everyone has their noses pressed to their laptop screens, listening to IPODs, or chatting with friends about last night's date. Nobody is listening to us, Enrico Medini."
He kept his eyes on her as if he contemplated telling her the truth. "Stop pressing the issue."
Anger welled up in her and she did nothing to hold it back. She knew how far she could push her father to get her way and intended on doing it now. "I want to know." She pointed at her father. "You talk about trust? Try trusting your daughter for a minute. I have never given you a reason to not have faith in me. I never questioned a single decision you've made for me which includes shipping me to Italy for years."
"That's enough." He leaned back in his chair. His eyes narrowed into slits focused on her face, but he didn't scare her.
Refusing to turn from her father's burning glare, she asked, "And you say there's nothing to know? Do you really think I wouldn't read the papers? Or see your face under the headlines? Don't underestimate my intelligence, Father."
He looked around as if checking to see if she'd been right about the people not caring. Leaning forward, he whispered, "Fine."
Her heart stopped in her chest as she waited for him to say the words. She'd finally convinced him to tell her. Things would now change in her life. The spark of excitement flickered, ready to ignite once he exposed the truth.
Just as her dad opened his mouth to speak, Gabrielle heard someone at a nearby table whispered to his friend, "See that guy behind me? I swear it's Enrico Medini."
"Yeah? So?" the guy's companion asked, not even trying to keep his voice lowered. "I don't know him."
"The Mafia boss? My dad follows all that shit." The guy had to be only a few years younger than Gabrielle and wore a University of Nevada t-shirt. "When we get up, take his picture with your phone. I gotta show my dad."
"See what I mean?" Dad hissed. "Stay out of this, Gabi. I don't want to see your picture in the papers next to mine." He swung his gaze to the wall while placing his hand up to avoid having his picture taken as the guys passed.
"Did you get it?" the guy's friend asked.
"Good enough for him to tell who I had seen," the college guy answered as he pushed the door open.
She had enough sense to wait until the guys left before whispering, "I want to be involved. Please give me a job."
He snapped his attention back to her. "This discussion is over."
Gabrielle glanced at her watch. Almost time for the boutique to open. "How about we continue this conversation over dinner?"
"No."
"Why not?" She tapped her foot again. His stubborn refusal annoyed her and she couldn't help the nervous gesture. Unfortunately her father managed to get her nerves coiled up tighter than a ball of yarn and he didn't seem to care one bit. "Dad, why won't you let me work for you? Don't I seem competent enough in running my own business to do a job for you?"
"You have a good life with the best boutique in town, plus a fancy house. Be satisfied with those things."
Why couldn't he see her as more than his little princess? She could do so much beyond selling designer clothes and looking pretty. Now that she had returned home, she wanted to be part of it all. The Mafia lifestyle ran in her blood and the desire to be part of her father's empire pumped through her so strong she could almost taste it.
"Why won't you let me do something small? Mayb
e collect money or something?" Excitement bubbled inside of her.
"I will not talk to you about this again." He picked up his cell and dialed a number, but before sending the call through he took another look at Gabrielle. "You'll be at dinner, correct?"
"Yes, Father," Gabrielle said even though avoiding the weekly event might help prove her point. Pushing her chair back, and standing, she mumbled, "See you at dinner."
She spun on her heel and walked out of the coffee shop knowing she had go to the dinner instead of miss out on a moment to speak with her father. He'd almost told her today so there had to be a way to get her father to share some of the limelight with her. If she found an opportunity to get him alone later, she might be granted the time to pressure him a bit and then he'd tell her the truth.
As she rushed down the sidewalk in the direction of the shop, she tried to ignore the cold swirling around in the Las Vegas air. She'd left her coat at home since it usually warmed up by early spring. But today the cold outside matched the chilly conversation she'd just had with her father.
She sighed. Someday she'd get him to change his mind, but how long would her father take to come around to Gabrielle's way of thinking? She'd wait him out. After all, she'd inherited his stubborn streak.
She could always ask one of the guys. Of course, they kept her in the dark about the business, but she could try to get one of them to open up. She might not know a lot about the Mafia Family her father controlled, but she had figured out where everyone ranked in the Family. She shook her head in defeat. Even if she got them to agree at first, her father would quickly put an end to her job once he found out.
What would Mikolas say if she approached him about it? He had to be in on the workings of the Family since he'd been around her entire life. After all, their fathers were best friends. If she had an opportunity to talk to Mik, she would bring up the subject. With any luck, if Mik sided with her, they might be able to convince her father to trust her with a small task.
