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DARK CHOCOLATE MURDER

Belinda’s Chocolate Boutique

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Belinda was in her shop inspecting a tray of freshly made Raspberry Cloud truffles.  Filled with raspberry jam and a dollop of vanilla cream, the truffles looked irresistible.

“I have to taste these,” Belinda reasoned, “I can’t sell any candy that I haven’t personally tasted myself.” She popped the truffle into her mouth and giggled as jelly dribbled down her chin and cream clung to her lips.

“Looks delicious.  How do I get some of those?” A deep male voice laced with a French accent inquired.

Belinda looked up and locked eyes with a swarthy, casually dressed powerhouse of a man.  With the body and apparel of a lumberjack, he was exquisitely masculine and extremely unnerving as he smirked at Belinda with raspberry goo trickling down her face.  Searching in vain for a napkin, Belinda hastily licked the cream off her lips and indelicately wiped her chin on her sleeve.  The stranger’s amusement deepened, and he cocked his head to one side while wearing a disarming grin.  Mortified, Belinda struggled to speak to the French-accented Adonis who stood before her making a mockery of her embarrassing predicament.  She was more astonished when the man walked forward and boldly lifted a chocolate off the tray.

“May I?” He asked a beat too late.

You already have
, she thought but remained mute, not trusting her own voice at the moment.  She watched in amazement as he slowly placed the truffle on his tongue and bit right into the center, deliberately making the jelly and cream leak onto his chin.

“Now I see why you want to wear these as well as eat them,” the man said flirtatiously.  “They’re delicious.”

“Thank you,” Belinda managed, blushing furiously, but grateful that he had lightened the moment.

“I’m Pierre Cédaire.  Yes, you heard my name right. 
Cédaire
sounds just like
SayDare
,” he chuckled and extended his hand.

When Belinda offered him her hand, he clasped it lingeringly in his and gently kissed the top.  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he smirked. “It appears I got more of the sweet on you.”

“That’s okay,” Belinda mumbled.  “I’m Belinda Rockland.”

“Yes.  I heard that an American woman was opening up shop here, and I wanted to check it out.  I’m in the culinary business myself, you see,” Pierre explained, his eyes glued to Belinda’s raspberry-red lips.

“Oh, did you see the ad I placed in the local paper?” Belinda asked, trying to remain composed under the man’s intense perusal.

“No, no. Word gets around.  The shopkeepers in the area are pleased that you’re opening this store.  They think it will complement their businesses, and I agree.  You do make a lovely addition to this community,” he drawled the last part in a low tone.

“You said you’re in the culinary industry?” Belinda asked, evading his flirtation.

“Yes, I recently opened a French restaurant in Monte Carlo.  We have a highly skilled pastry chef, but we could use some gourmet chocolates.  Perhaps you and I could form a partnership,” Pierre alluded.  “I could commission you to create some chocolate after-dinner mints exclusively for my restaurant.”

Eager for any business opportunity that would gain exposure and prestige for her shop, Belinda instantly brightened, forgetting about the jam that still coated her skin.  “I would love to discuss that possibility further.  You speak English very well, by the way.  Have you ever lived abroad?”

Pierre laughed loudly as though she had just told a hilarious joke.  “I lived in New York City for ten years.  That’s where I studied to be a chef.”

“Oh! Well, that explains it,” Belinda said, feeling self-conscious as the man regarded her with an odd combination of humor and desire.

“Are you in Monaco all alone?” Pierre ventured.

“My sister and her husband live here.  But I don’t have any other family in Monaco,” Belinda replied, immediately perceiving a rising interest in the handsome man.

“A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be alone in a foreign country,” Pierre said intimately.

Belinda resisted the impulse to roll her eyes at the practiced line he had tossed her.  How many women had this man tried to seduce with a cliché like that?

Stubbornly, she replied, “Actually, I’ve been very busy focusing on opening this shop.”

“Well I can certainly understand that.  My restaurant was a nightmare to open, and it’s still having some growing pains.  But, what’s that American expression, ‘all work and no play?’  I don’t recommend it.  I recommend lots of play.”

I’m sure you do, playboy
, Belinda thought, shooting him an expression that told him she had no tolerance for playing games.

“Would you be my guest at dinner?” Pierre invited, sobering as the smirk faded from his lips.

Suspicious of Pierre’s suddenly gallant approach, Belinda pursed her lips thoughtfully.  In Boston, she had been accustomed to a casual first date of drinks or coffee---and an even more casual invitation through text.  Pierre’s suave yet direct way of requesting that she be his dinner guest was unnerving, and she wasn’t sure how to respond.  Ruefully, she thought,
this is romance right in front of my eyes, and I don’t even believe it
.

Staring her down impudently, Pierre twisted his lips into an expectant smile. “Well? What do you say, Belinda?”…

Amazon.com: Dark Chocolate Murder eBook: Anisa Claire West: Books

Dear Reader:

Thank you for reading
Deep Dish Lies. 
I hope you enjoyed reading about Becca’s adventures with Marcus!  I welcome your feedback and make an effort to
personally respond
to every email I receive.  Write to me at
[email protected]
.

Happy Reading!

Cordially,

Anisa Claire West

Titles Available by Anisa Claire West

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Champagne Deception

Dark Chocolate Murder

Deep Dish Lies

Flow With Me

Hot Fudge Fraud

Northern Moonlight

Wild Autumn

FANTASY

Silver Goddess Series:

Island Tango
, Book 1

Orca Dance
, Book 2

Leopard Rhythm
, Book 3

Mermaid Gold,
Book 4

Silver Goddess
, Books 1-4

Incan Power
, Book 5, The Finale (To Be Released 2014)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Eternal Melody

ANTHOLOGIES                                                                                                               
Chocolate Covered Crimes

Exotic Daydream

Passion’s Raindrops

About the Author

Anisa Claire West graduated with honors from Yale University and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Literature and Teaching.  Learning about cultures is Anisa’s passion, and she has studied more than half a dozen languages including French, Arabic, and Italian.  A certified yoga instructor, Anisa embraces mind-body fitness, animal advocacy, and a compassionate lifestyle.  She also enjoys sweet treats and has sampled more than a few of the pie recipes included in this book!