Page 148 of Dirty Husband

This isn't where they make the chocolate itself. No, they melt big blocks from a factory in Belgium. They take pure blocks of cocoa, add sugar, press them into bars with candy, nuts, essence of orange.

Sometimes, they make shapes. Hearts, roses, tiny little Coliseums.

"We're going to make bars," he exclaims, like a teacher trying to convince students their homework is fun. "I had my assistant refresh me last night. I'm ready to give the lesson myself."

Diablo nods his approval. "My wife adores your chocolate." He practically drops to his knees to kiss Marcus's ass.

"Oh, I hate to say I'm not familiar with your brand." Jasmine holds a perfect poker face. Despite the logo plastered in every conceivable location, she sells her lack of knowledge of their company. "I have to admit. I have a soft spot for a local brand." She names a craft chocolate brand in San Francisco. "Do you know them? Well… local to the Bay. I haven't been there in some time."

"I do." Marcus frowns. "They make an excellent bar. A lot of unique flavors. Do you have a favorite?"

"Oh, I'm not sophisticated. I like everything." She smiles. "As long as it's dark."

"As dark as my soul." I try to lighten the mood.

She follows my lead. "Do you sell one hundred percent cocoa?"

"Yes." Marcus forces a smile. He's not all that amused. But he is looking at us differently. Like he believes us. "But only for baking."

"Is there something different about it? That prevents people from eating it?"

"Only the bitterness," he says.

"I'm used to that." She laughs and squeezes my hand.

I squeeze it back. "You can't even drink coffee. How will you have pure cocoa?"

She turns to Marcus. "We can have a taste test. What do you think? Which is more bitter: espresso or chocolate?"

"I'll have my assistant bring espresso when we make bars," he says. "Though, in my opinion, it is the espresso. I can tolerate pure chocolate more easily."

"Will they kick you out of Rome for that?" She looks to Diablo. "Do you like your coffee sweet?"

"Like I like my women." He smiles. "As sweet as pie."

She turns to me. "I like my men… tall, dark, and strong… But I can't stand coffee. With cream and sugar, it's tolerable. But I have to add so much it barely tastes like coffee."

"Strong?" I ask.

"You aren't?" Her fingers curl around my wrist. She motions to my arm. Telling me to put on some display of strength.

I nod. Shift my arm, so it's around her mid-back. Then the other under her knees.

There.

She shrieks as I lift her into my arms.

"Save something for the honeymoon." Marcus smiles. Is he actually charmed? Or is it something else?

He and Diablo exchange a look.

I hold Jasmine against my chest. "I like having you here."

She stares up at me with a smile. But is it for me or them?

"At my mercy." I lean down enough to kiss her. Then I set her down. Wrap my arms around her. Hold her close as I kiss her hard.

She groans against my mouth. Pulls back with a shy expression. "I suppose we should save something for the honeymoon."