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standing next to .
    “Celia?” The responding smile that lit his face filled her with envy. Would a man ever smile like that when he thought about her? Something about Tristan and the way he smiled, she couldn’t help but wish one smile was for her.
    “Right, Celia,” she echoed. Her heart twinged a little at the mention of the other woman.
    “She’s my cousin, not my girlfriend.”
    Kat stared. This total stranger had abandoned his cousin to chase after her? Tiny flutters of excitement stirred in her stomach.
    “You seem surprised.” His sensual lips—lips she couldn’t get out of her mind—twitched, as though he was fighting off a smile.
    “Why ditch your cousin when you don’t even know me?” This entire evening was surreal. God-like men coming in from snowstorms to kiss her senseless…What next? Winning the lottery and moving to the Bahamas?
    Tristan’s gaze dropped to her mouth.
    “When a lovely woman kisses me and runs off into the snowy night…well, the temptation to go after her is irresistible. I don’t let lovely women escape, not until I’ve tasted them properly.” He licked his lips and everything south of her waist throbbed to life.
    What? Was he kidding?
    “So here I am, in a bakery with you. Is there a reason we’re staring at cakes?” He moved a step closer, even though he was facing the desserts again.
    His arm brushed her right shoulder. The man was tall, but not too tall. Just enough to make a girl feel small, in a good way, like he could protect her if she needed it. A masculine scent, warm and clean, filled her nose. His scent. It was an enticing one she could’ve inhaled forever.
    Focus, Kat. Try to be normal and have a normal conversation. Do not keep starting at Mr. Sexy.
    “It’s my birthday today. I’m nineteen.”
    At her reply, he looked at her again.
    “Well, we must get you a cake. Chocolate, I presume?” He leaned one elbow on the glass counter as he waited for her to answer.
    She nodded mutely.
    Tristan turned back to the woman behind the counter. “What’s the best chocolate cake you have? The richest, most decadent one.” His words were as decadent as his statement. She could practically feel the chocolate melting on her tongue.
    “The Devil’s Triple Layer Cake.” The woman pulled out a small cake for two people. Raspberry sauce was drizzled over the top of the simple yet elegant icing design.
    Tristan took out his wallet and slid a black credit card across the counter.
    “We’ll take it. And a small candle, if you have one.”

Chapter 3
    B ut—” Kat’s protest died when the woman took the Devil’s cake from the counter and started to box it up. She didn’t like feeling indebted to him, and he’d already made her feel off balance with his kisses.
    “Consider it a thank-you.” He laughed.
    “For what?” Her tone was a breathless as she watched his dark hair fall into his eyes. Her hands twitched to brush it back from his face, to touch him back the way he’d so boldly touched her earlier. Everything about this man drew her in—his face, his eyes, his rich voice speaking of kisses and passion.
    “You surprised me tonight. It’s been a long time since anyone has done that.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, and she saw the hint of stubble there and remembered the way it had tickled her when she’d kissed him.
    I surprised myself, kissing him like that.
    “Allow me to escort you home. Is it a long walk?” Tristan asked Kat, when the woman had returned with the boxed cake.
    “Only a block. I’m staying in a dorm at Magdalene College.” She shouldn’t be telling him something like that. What if he got the wrong idea?
    “A student at university? Excellent. So am I.” He smiled. “I’m not an undergraduate, though. I’m earning a Master’s degree in business.” He thanked the baker and collected the box with the cake. “I’ll walk you home.” It was a statement this time, not a question, and she didn’t want to argue with him,