He leans in, and my heart starts to race in an entirely pleasant way as I realise what's going to happen.His lips brush against mine, soft and full of emotion.He tastes vaguely of chocolate, but I don't know if that's just from the piece I ate myself.
And even if I wish he wasn't going to make himself tired in order to do it, I am looking forward to an extra hour to spend with him, especially when I didn't think I'd get any time tonight.And because waiting an hour in order to make the truffles means that there's a lot of time for potential kisses.
Chapter9
The table in front of us is laden with baking sheets for us to lay the truffles on once we've made them, and a bowl of crushed peanuts sits between us.I have no idea how Nate managed to get them as fine as this, because I tried many times while he was away, and I never managed to get my nuts to crush like that.
"Are you ready to get your hands messy?"Nate asks.
"Definitely not, but I know it's necessary."
He laughs."All right, well there's a cloth here for when it gets too much," he says, setting one down next to me."Have you got the scoop?"
I nod."Don't we normally use this for measuring out batter?"
"It works just as well for truffles, and for the same reason," he points out."Want to go first?"
"No, show me it's done," I respond.
He takes the scoop from me and dips it into the bowl of ganache.He removes the ball from the scoop and rolls it in his hands until it's a smooth ball, then drops it into the crushed nuts.He reaches out to roll it, but then pauses.
"What is it?"I ask.
"Maybe you should do that part.I'll make the initial balls, and you can roll them in the nuts?"
"If you think that's best?"
"I think it'll work," he responds.
"All right."I lean in and roll the ball until it's fully coated in the nuts.I put it on one of the trays and turn my attention to the next truffle that's already on the tray of nuts.
It's easy to fall into a rhythm when making them, and we're soon doing it without thinking as a row of peanut truffles appears on the baking sheets.
I let out a sigh and look over them.
"Still thinking about what the Queen wants you to do?"Nate asks.
"No.I was thinking about the truffles and how I'm going to have to wait for them to set."
He laughs."You can try one as soon as we're done, but it won't be as good as when it's set."
"Hmmm."
"I can tell you're tempted," he teases.
"I am.But I also want to prove my patience."
"Trust me?"he asks as he heads over to the sink and washes his hands.
I frown and give him a curious look."Of course?"
He grins and picks up one of the truffles before putting it in his mouth.I watch him curiously, wondering what he's about to do until he steps closer and leans in, making me realise exactly what he's up to.
I close my eyes just as his lips brush against mine, bringing with them the taste of peanuts and chocolate all mixed together.But that isn't why I keep kissing him.There's something about kissing Nate that makes the world feel quiet and like nothing around me matters other than this moment.
I put my hand on his cheek, completely forgetting that it's still covered in chocolate from rolling the truffles, until I pull back and burst out laughing.
"I know I haven't had much practice, but I didn't think I was that bad of a kisser," he jokes.
