The Sweet Shoppe: Tempting Prudence by Melissa Schroeder

 
     
    Dear Reader,
    Tempting Prudence was written my first year in publishing and is still one of my favorite books. It’s short, but definitely sweet. It definitely is a bit different than my work today in a lot of ways, but similar just the same. Understand that this was originally published in early 2005 less than a year after my first release.
    Even though it is under 10,000 words, Jonas is still one of my favorite heroes.
    I hope you enjoy Jonas and Pru.
    Mel
From the time of Arthur and Camelot, she has traveled the world, dispensing her magical sweets. Her spells allow anyone who eats the confections to fulfill their hidden fantasies with the one they love. But if the recipient doesn't believe their love is returned, then they are condemned to a life of knowing their lack of faith caused them to lose the one person they were destined to love.
     
    Chapter One
     
    Prudence Merriweather eyed the glorious pyramid of chocolate-covered cherries in the window and sighed. Why was it as soon as she made a resolution to lose weight, The Sweet Shoppe opened in her office building? It was cruel and unusual punishment, that’s what it was. Prudence licked her lips. There was no way she would be able to eat just one, if she bought a box. It seemed a little silly to buy just one.
    “Find anything to your liking, Ms. Merriweather?” Jonas Smith’s warm breath tickled her ear.
    Her gaze shot up and she saw that her coworker had snuck up on her. His chiseled face split into a boyish grin the moment they made eye contact in the window. Her face heated. So did her body. Jonas was a big man, over six-five, and had to weigh over two hundred and fifty pounds. None of it fat.
    Prudence sighed again. Just her stupid Merriweather luck that the one man in her office that made her knees go to jelly every time she saw him caught her drooling over food. Chocolate, at that. Why couldn’t she drool over low-fat cookies?
    ’Cause they sucked, that’s why.
    “Too many things to my liking, Mr. Smith.” Turning to face him, Prudence took a step back when she realized how close he was standing. She bumped into the window with a thud. His grin deepened, bringing a
    mischievous glint to his tawny eyes. Oh, and those dimples became more pronounced. The dark blue suit emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, while the ivory shirt complemented his tanned skin. She fought the urge to brush back the familiar lock of dark blond hair that fell onto his forehead.
    He leaned closer, placing his hand on the window behind her. The sandalwood scent of his aftershave sent another little tingle along her nerve endings. She glanced at his hand and noticed his jacket and shirt had risen to where she could see his thick wrist. It would look so good in leather. Why did she have such a thing for big, hunky men?
    “But I have a feeling there’s something in particular you like.” His voice was full of masculine teasing.
    Prudence glanced back up at his face. Heat gathered in her tummy and slid between her legs. Her heart did a little jump when his chest brushed against her breasts.
    “Ahhh ...” Great, Pru, kill him with your conversation skills. “Chocolate-covered cherries.”
    His gaze slid passed her to the shop window and t hen back again. “Dark or milk?”
    W as it her imagination, or did he lean in closer?
    “Dark or milk what?” Her question came out in a breathy sort of voice. She didn’t speak in that kind of voice. Accountants had to be businesslike and abrupt. But how could she help it when she felt the heat of him through her wool suit? She shivered.
    “Chocolate.”
    “Chocolate? Oh, on my ... cherries.” She licked her lips and swallowed. “Milk.”
    For a second or two, there was something akin to lust in his eyes. Her body throbbed just from the thought. She found herself leaning closer, wanting to capture the feeling of being in his arms. Someone opened the door to the shop, and the little bell jingled, breaking the spell. She