Page 103 of The Sweetest Thing

“I’ll never tell.” She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “But this is comfortable.”

He leaned forward, pressing a string of kisses along her neck.

Tansy’s phone pinged. “It’s Aunt Camellia. Aunt Mags wants to know if you like caramel or chocolate better.”

“Tell them I’m on a new diet.” Dane sighed, pushing aside the collar of her shirt to nibble her shoulder. “Tell them I’m allergic to sugar.”

Tansy’s breath hitched and she arched back so he could continue what he was doing. “They’re going to continue to bake off their guilt so you might as well tell her what you prefer.” She held her phone, ready to text.

“Will you tell her, again, that I accept their apology? I didn’t even know they’d accused me of taking the recipe. I had no idea. Baking is no longer required.” Dane knew it was pointless. The aunts would do what the aunts wanted to. Kind of like Tansy.

“It’s just that they felt so bad it just sort of came out.”

“I know, I was there.” He shook his head, smiling at her. “It was awkward as hell.” He took her phone and tossed it aside. Which earned him another eye roll.

“It was the first time I’d ever seen Aunt Camellia side with Aunt Mags. When they found the recipe and his other treasure in the top of Aunt Mags’s closet, well, for a minute there, I thought Lord Byron was off to the taxidermist. Silly bird. I wonder if there’s a term for a bird kleptomaniac?” But Tansy was laughing.

“Did I ever tell you how much I like your laugh?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

“No,” she whispered, cradling his face in her hands. “You realize, there’s nothing I can do if you don’t like it.”

“I do like it.” He traced her cheek with his fingertips. “I love the sound of it almost as much as I love you.”

She smiled. “You do?”

“I do.” He kissed her again, letting his lips cling just enough. “To me, Tansy Hill, you are the sweetest thing.”