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All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Cover Design: Selena Kitt

The Chocolate Made Me Do It © 2008 Dakota Trace

eXcessica publishing

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The Chocolate

Made Me Do It

By Dakota Trace

Annabelle stared longingly at the chocolate truffle sitting in the display case. She knew she shouldn't have one, but like a drug addict she craved the sweet flavor. She knew it was madness to come by here every day on her way home from work, but still she stopped. She wasn't sure if it was the creamy chocolate delights, or the man who had created those morsels that forced her return. Zephyrus Raincloud was just as tempting as the creamy chocolate delights he made.
"Good morning, Annabelle." Jerking her head up, her face flushed alarmingly at the sight of the object of her thoughts. He must have come out of the kitchen while she had been devouring the chocolates with her eyes. As usual, he had his long dark hair pulled back and tied. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt that said, "I Melt For Chocolate."
"Hi," she said, trying not to show how she had been drooling over the delicious, hand-made chocolates arranged in front of her.
"So what can I tempt you with today?" he asked in his deep voice.
"A truffle," she said softly. "I’d really love to have one of those double chocolate truffles."
"A truffle, it is," Zephyrus agreed as he opened the display case and pulled the tray out. As he placed the variety of deliciously tempting morsels in front of her, his sister, Hestia, came out of the kitchen.
"Zephyr, you have a call from your supplier." She held the phone out to him and waited for him to disappear into the kitchen.
"Thanks, I'll take it. Can you get Annabelle her truffle?" he asked as he turned, heading towards the kitchen.
"Sure." Turning towards Annabelle, Hestia smiled. "Hello, Annabelle. How are you today?"
"Fine. Just craving your brother's chocolate." She laughed. "He has the best chocolates I've ever tasted."
"I know." Hestia placed Annabelle's truffle in a small chocolate box. "And just for being one of our most loyal customers, I'll throw in an extra for nothing." She winked. "And my little brother doesn't need to know."
"Little brother?" Annabelle asked. "Have you looked at your brother lately, Hestia? He's twice your size."

Hestia laughed. "I know. But he'll always be my little brother." She placed the tray back in the display case. "Let's get this rung up for you."

* * * *

Zephyr smiled as he heard his sister laugh. It wasn't uncommon to hear the sound, but she always seem to laugh more when Annabelle came into the shop. A thoughtful smile crossed his dark face. Lately he couldn't help but dwell on his loyal and reliable customer. Like clockwork, every day, she came in and had one chocolate. In fact, he was always thinking of new delights to tempt her with. Hanging the phone up, he moved into to his small cramped office.

He stared at the paperwork that had piled up on the desk in front of him as he sat down. He hated doing paperwork, but Hestia had told him if he didn't put a dent in it today, she was going to call someone in to do it for him. Being a pragmatic man, he couldn't see paying someone else to do what he could do himself. He just didn't like it. He'd rather be in his kitchen creating all kinds of new, delicious chocolates to tempt the very delightful Annabelle.

Somehow that tall, elegant, graceful woman had managed to catch his attention, which was a surprise, as he was usually drawn to delicate, petite women like his sister. The first time he met her, he’d been surprised at how nice it was to actually look directly into a woman's eyes. It had him wondering about other things that would be nice to do with her. His private thoughts were interrupted though when his sister entered his cluttered office.
"So when are you going to ask her out?" Hestia perched on the edge of his desk. He stared blankly at her for a moment.
"What?" He looked as if he had choked on his tongue.
"You heard me, Zephyrus Raincloud. You crave her like she craves your chocolates."
"Sis, there's nothing going on between us. First, she's a customer; and second, she’s white."
"A customer? Yeah, right, pull the other leg. It's shorter. And there is nothing wrong with her color." She stood up. "I do believe you protest too much, brother dear. Take my advice and ask her out. The worst thing she can say is ‘no’." She headed towards the door and back into the shop.