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‘Nope. Still willing to risk it?’

‘I think I can handle a few spices.’ Her eyes didn’t leave his as she reached for a biscuit, then took a small bite. He saw the moment the flavours hit, and her eyes widened before drifting shut as a slight moan escaped her lips. A few seconds passed before she opened her eyes and flushed slightly when she realised he was watching her. ‘Oh wow. That is…’

‘Good?’

‘Better than good. They’re fantastic.’

‘Almost food-gasmic, right?’

‘Pretty close.’ She snapped what was left in half and studied it. ‘Shortbread?’

‘Close. Traditional biscuits were too thin to carry the flavours well, but I didn’t want it to be as crumbly as a scone.’

‘Well, it works. I can taste ginger and cinnamon clearly. And the honey. What are these pink bits?’

‘Rose. For enchantment, passion and flirtation.’

‘There’s something else there as well, isn’t there?’

‘Dried, powdered lavender and a touch of lemon.’ He leaned forward. ‘The Egyptians used lavender to captivate the attention of lovers – allegedly Cleopatra used it to seduce Julius Caesar.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Everything in this recipe has some level of aphrodisiac properties. Cinnamon and ginger for spice, heat and lust, and lemon for a fresh, easy-going joyfulness.’

‘Is that it?’

‘Some nutmeg for slow-burn intensity that turns hot into scorching. And maybe a few other bits…’

‘Which you’re not going to tell me about, are you?’

‘Wouldn’t be a secret recipe if I did, would it?’

‘I guess not.’ She laughed. ‘So you’re basically feeding me a sex cookie?’

‘More of a shortbread. And I did warn you.’

‘They’re fantastic. But I think you might have fibbed to me.’

‘How?’

‘You told me you were only learning this, but these are amazing. And you definitely know your stuff. I guess you worked somewhere similar before?’

‘No.’ He laughed. ‘I was in accounts.’

‘You’re kidding?’

‘Seriously,’ he promised. ‘Accounts receivable. Baking, and blending herbs, it’s new to me. But also old, in some ways. I baked a lot, with my gran, when I was young… but not in years. It’s been like remembering something I hadn’t even realised I’d forgotten.’ He rolled his eyes at his own silliness.

‘No, I sort of get it.’ Mia shifted, mirroring his position and making him smile.

‘So, what do you think these biscuits need, to go from almost orgasmic to actually sinful?’

‘Hmm.’ She took another bite and chewed thoughtfully for a few seconds before her eyes locked back on his. ‘Chocolate.’

‘You don’t think that might be too sweet?’ He had to force himself to focus on the conversation. He should have known better than to try this recipe with an attractive woman who was off limits… and any friend of Ophelia’s was a definite no-go.

‘Dark chocolate then. Rich, deep, dark, smooth chocolate that melts in your mouth, dissolving into pure delicious decadence.’