The Sweet Shoppe: Tempting Prudence Read Free

skipped lunch, eating half of a half of a sandwich on the way to a meeting, and she’d only had oatmeal for breakfast.
    He gestured for her to follow him through the living room to the kitchen. Although she tried not to be obvious, she couldn’t help noticing the fine leather furniture, the many shades of brown he’d decorated with, and knew he was a man who lived alone. There was a definite masculine feel to his house.
    When she arrived in the kitchen, she noticed a small dining area with a table set for two, candlelight, and a bottle of wine chilling. Then it smacked her upside the head. She must be intruding. A man like Jonas didn’t spend his Friday nights entertaining nerdy accountants and talking over work. He probably wanted to go over the reports and then shoo her out the door before his date arrived. Prudence swallowed the disappointment, and a little pain with it. But soon, practical girl that she was, she remembered that she’d never stood a chance with him to begin with.
    Jonas had moved to what looked to be a professional stovetop. Six gas burners and a wealth of stainless steel pots. He slid chicken strips into a skillet, then took the pan by the handle and flipped the food with the expertise of a professional chef.
    “I won’t take up much of your time. I think we can be done and I can be on my way before your company arrives.”
    He looked up and smiled. “But you’re the company I’m expecting, Prudence.”
    For a second, his comment didn’t register. When it did, a rush of heat spiraled through her.
    “Oh, Mr. Smith— ”
    “I think since we’re off the clock, you can call me Jonas. As long as you let me call you Prudence.” His lopsided smile did funny things to her insides. Like making them do the hokey-pokey. “And I feel guilty about taking up your time on a Friday night.”
    Prudence returned his smile; she couldn’t help it. Every time he smiled, she wanted to sigh. “Thank you. I’ll get the reports out and we can go over them with dinner.”
    “No, we’ll do them after dinner. Unless you have other plans.”
    Yeah, with her DVR. “Hmm, no.”
    “Then sit and pour yourself some wine.”
    She set her briefcase on the floor, feeling somewhat at a loss about how to behave.
    Jonas was acting like this was a date. Prudence knew better, but she couldn’t fight the little flame that warmed her stomach. Inching her way to the table, and away from him, she thought about what a date with Jonas would be like. A man like Jonas would really know all the angles, just how to treat his dates. The last guy she dated had talked business so he could write the dinner off on his taxes.
    “I hope you like Chardonnay.”
    She jumped when his face brushed against her hair. How could a man so huge sneak up on her all the time? Drawing in a deep breath, she tried to calm her hormones. It wasn’t working—mainly because the musky scent of his aftershave made her mind go blank. Damn the man for looking and smelling so good. She turned her head and realized that he’d bent over enough so that their lips were even. Prudence licked hers.
    The temptation to lean closer and press her mouth to his almost overpowered her better judgment. She stepped aside, trying to put some distance between them.
    “Yes. I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I do enjoy a glass every now and then.”
    He frowned, looking like a little boy denied a treat. She almost laughed out loud at the image, because no one would mistake Jonas Smith for anything but a full-grown man. Casually, she walked around the table to the wine, filling both glasses.
    “Make yourself comfortable. I think the pasta’s about ready.”
    As soon as he wandered back to the stove, Prudence took a huge gulp of wine. What the hell was wrong with her? From the moment he’d come to work at Triple T, she’d been attracted to him. She studied him as he worked. Happy satisfaction with what he was doing brightened his face. And that was what drew Prudence to