A Moment of Bliss Read Free Page B

Rolls.”
    She cocked an eyebrow at him.
    â€œDon’t ask.”
    â€œNow I have to ask.”
    â€œWright named them that. Says it’s because they’ll make your eyes roll back in pleasure. His words, not mine. And he calls the frosted ones Frosty Fixations.”
    She rubbed at her mouth to hide her grin over the ridiculous names.
    â€œHe’s a fanatic, I’m telling you. But I can’t eat just one. Would you like to try a Pumpkin Pleasure Roll?”
    Would she like to try one?
    She barely managed not to laugh like a hyena. Hell yes, she would like to try a whole plate of them and then roll around in the crumbs, but she was not going to fall victim to the inn’s goodies yet. Not until she knew this deal wasn’t going to blow up in her face.
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œSeriously?”
    She couldn’t believe it either. The self-restraint she was practicing right now would impress a nun.
    Roark stepped aside. “Suit yourself then. Feel free to have a look around the kitchen. You’ll see the enormous vat of vanilla mixture over there. It’s been known to attack. Give it a wide berth.”
    Madison turned away so he couldn’t see her smile. She was here to work; to broker a deal that meant she was capable of succeeding on her own. That deal meant practically taking over his inn for a weekend and pulling off the impossible in about three weeks. She was not here to smile and laugh with the good-looking inn owner.
    The kitchen was clean but recently used and cluttered. Wright might be a messy chef, but he tidied up afterwards. The revamps Roark had mentioned showed in the new commercial oven and appliances.
    Luckily, she was capable of doing a thorough yet speedy overview of everything. The longer she spent in this kitchen, the more tempted she was to stuff a cookie in her mouth.
    A scenario ran through her mind. What was the likelihood she could scarf down one, possibly three, cookies without anyone noticing?
    She finished checking out the kitchen and wound back around to the front, right in time to find Roark polishing off a Pumpkin Pleasure Roll.
    His cheeks full, he dipped his chin, color rushing to his face. When he got done chewing, the strong line of his jaw was back in place, but his cheeks were still pink. Roark’s flush was a complete contradiction to his steady gaze and serious look. He wiped his fingers on a napkin and smoothed his shirt down, as though straightening a tie that wasn’t there.
    â€œBusted.” He smiled, showing the tiniest hint of a dimple in his right cheek.
    In that moment, Madison finally admitted the truth to herself. Between the cookies and the resort owner, Roark Bradley was the yummiest choice.

Chapter 2
    â€œI need to see the outside now.” Madison bolted past him like the kitchen had caught fire.
    Roark followed, tossing the napkin aside. “I thought you said—”
    â€œI know what I said. I changed my mind.” She beat a quick retreat through the restaurant, to the French doors.
    â€œThe view from outside is pretty amazing,” he called after her.
    â€œGood.” Madison stepped out onto the veranda and kept going.
    The sudden urgency shouldn’t surprise him. She’d done nothing but confuse him so far. Almost smiling, and then straight-lipped. Wowed by the cookies, then glaring at them and him.
    Earlier she’d made it very clear she wanted to tour in a particular order, jabbing her pen around like a weapon, defending her choice of itinerary as though Roark wasn’t going to let her have her way.
    He didn’t care how they toured, but she’d been so insistent, he couldn’t help picking at her, just a little.
    â€œYou’re sure you don’t want to go to a room?”
    Madison spun on him, her eyes so wide the green practically sparked. “What?”
    Roark skidded to a halt so he didn’t plow into her. “Whoa, what?”
    â€œWhat did you