*Update: Cooking Up Love is now available as an eBook through All Romance eBooks,  Amazon. and Barnes and Noble.

On Wednesday I received my first round of edits from the editor. Receiving that e-mail made my dream seem even more like the reality which it has become. With the release date around the corner, I’ll be busy during the upcoming weeks promoting and marketing. I’ve scheduled a blog tour with interviews, guest blogging and some blog hopping this summer.  I’m also ecstatic to finally be able to share an excerpt from Cooking Up Love.  I’ll continue to share more excerpts leading up to the release date on May 24, 2012. Happy Reading!

CS

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“Are you ready for dessert?” Justin asked.

He took their empty dishes back to the kitchen while Shelbi lounged on one of the leather couches in the living room. Miles Davis soothed her with his sexy rendition of “In a Sentimental Mood.” She took her shoes off and stretched her feet out on the couch while sipping on a glass of wine. She was quite proud of the simple yet delicious meal she and Justin had made, and she hoped the students tomorrow would enjoy preparing it as well.

Justin returned with the chocolate swirl cake sitting under his homemade vanilla ice cream, dripping with chocolate sauce.

“Now you know that’s going straight to my hips,” she teased, taking the plate from him as he sat down on the floor in front of her. “Where’s your cake?”

“I’m full. Besides, I ate a slice of your pie with my dinner, remember?”

“No, you had two slices of pie.”

“It was good, baby. You’re right, you can cook. So why are you a food critic and not in a restaurant or a bakery?”

“I enjoy cooking, but I like eating and trying new things as well. If I worked in a restaurant, I wouldn’t be able to experience a different culture or cuisine as I can when I go to a variety of places.” She paused to take another bite of the cake. “This cake is delicious.”

Chocolate sauce dropped from the spoon and rested between her cleavage. Justin’s eyes were drawn there, and he bit his bottom lip.

Her heart began to beat faster as his hot gaze lingered on her pointed nipples as they peeked through the halter.

“Umm…can you get me a napkin so I can wipe this off?”

“What? Oh, sorry. I was distracted.” His voice had become heavy and serious.

“I asked for a napkin.”

“I had hoped you would say my tongue, but if you really just want the napkin…”

Heat moistened between her legs, and she swallowed hard to catch her breath. Her breathing turned into little spurts at the thought of his tongue between her breasts, on her lips, neck, and any other place he wanted it to go as long as it was on her body putting out the fire he provoked.

Justin took the plate from her trembling hands when she didn’t answer. Joining her on the couch, he ran his hand up her arm to the back of her neck with a soft caress, causing her eyes to flutter shut at the gentleness of his touch. A light moan escaped her throat as his lips moved slowly over hers, savoring every bit of her with his tongue. Hot. Tender. Stimulating. Nearly gentle, except for the sensual flame of heat traveling through her body. Her nipples hardened even more and her legs went weak. She clutched his shoulders for support, her head falling back as his tongue dance changed from tender and gentle to hard and feral.

Shelbi gasped. She’d never been kissed like this—so ravenous and powerful, she couldn’t keep up. She gave up trying and released herself to his commanding lips.

Copyrighted April 2012 by Candace Shaw

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