A VALENTINE ENCOUNTER by Ruth D. Kerce (Copyright © 2001, all rights reserved)       Chocolate, fruit, and caramel teased Julianna's nostrils. She wasn't sure if the delicious scents came only from the vats and conveyor belts surrounding her, or if the sweet fragrance also clung to the man standing in front of her.       Brandon Caldwell was not what she had expected. Most candy manufacturers were pudgy, to say the least. Brandon looked like a quarterback - tall, muscular, and firm all over. But then, he was still young, probably younger than she was. Twenty more years in the business could very well change his appearance. She'd seen it time after time over the years she'd worked as a taster - which also made it hard to keep her own weight down, but so far, with aggressive aerobics four times a week, she'd managed.       She cleared her throat, hoping to clear her thoughts at the same time. "I really should get to the tasting, Mr. Caldwell. The company is expecting my report on your Valentine's line of chocolates."       "Very well." He nodded, a devilish smile on his face. "I like a woman who knows what she wants. And, please, call me Brandon. So ... what's your pleasure?" He stepped closer and lowered his voice to a husky whisper. "A creamy center or something hard with nuts?"       Julianna choked on a swallow. He certainly hadn't meant that as it sounded. She craned her neck to look up at him. The twinkle in his green eyes caused her pulse to race, and the palms of her hands suddenly felt moist. "Um, hard with nuts," she answered, forcing her voice to remain steady. What else could she say?       Brandon stepped back. "Good. That's my specialty." He winked and chose a chocolate off a nearby table. When he turned back to her, he leaned close and lowered his voice again. "Personally, taste-wise, I prefer a creamy center, but most women seem to prefer the taste of my nuts."       Julianna felt her face flush. It was just her interpretation. It had been a long time since she'd been in a relationship, and Brandon was an extremely attractive man. He had her reading too much into his statements. That's all. She stepped back, needing space. "We are talking about chocolate, right?"       He cocked an eyebrow. "Of course." He raised the oblong piece of candy to her mouth. "Open up for me."       She reached for the chocolate. "I can do it myself."       "But that's not nearly as fun." He crowded her again, holding the candy out of her reach. "Let me put it in your mouth, Julianna."       His words washed over her in a sensual wave, but she wasn't fooled any longer. She now knew he’d been covering his true feelings because there for just a moment he’d let the mask drop, and she’d seen the truth in his eyes.       Brandon was doing this on purpose - not as a come-on, but to see how far he could push her. She knew it as well as she knew her own name. She'd heard rumors about how he'd gone against company policy more than once and been reprimanded for it. He had a well-known reputation as a maverick.       She should give him a piece of her mind and take him down a peg or two. Or she could beat him at his own game. A thrill of excitement tingled down her spine. It might be fun to spar words with him. "Fine, Brandon. Put it in. I can't wait to slide my tongue around it."       At his look of shock, Juliana almost lost her composure and started to laugh, but she held it together. What would his response be? she wondered. Certainly he wouldn't just let that pass.       Brandon quickly covered his surprise and placed the chocolate gently in her mouth. "I think you'll like it." A smile crossed his face. "Suck on it until it explodes in your mouth. It's a real taste sensation." He leaned close. "I assume you swallow. I do love a woman who swallows."       Julianna coughed and choked, then spit the chocolate out in a napkin she'd picked up earlier. "All right. All right. You win." It had been a bad idea to play around with him. She should have known better.       An innocent look crossed Brandon's face. "Excuse me?"       "Don't play dumb. It's beneath both of us."       He turned serious. "Very well. Then let's have some truth. I don't like the suits sending a skirt to check up on me - no offense."       "Too bad," she answered icily. "Offense taken. If your product is good, what's the problem?"       "The problem is you're all out to get me, whether my chocolate is heaven-sent or not. Ever since I showed up the Directors at that conference a couple of years ago by pointing out company errors to the Advisory Board, I've been on the company's hit list."       Julianna's spine stiffened. She didn't like being included as part of them. She had no hidden agenda. Brandon, on the other hand, had more secrets than an international spy. "I've heard through the grapevine that you have some new hush-hush chocolate design."       His eyes narrowed. "And ...?"       "Can I see it?"       "The company wouldn't approve. They'd have to sell it as a novelty item, or ship it overseas. It would do well there, but the suits are too stuffy to go for it."       "Really? I'm intrigued. Our European branch is scheduled to open next year. And since I assume you've been using company time and resources ..."       Brandon rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I have." He studied her for a long moment. "If you would put in a good word for the design, we could make big sales. I know it."       "We?"       "The company."       "Oh, yes." The way he'd said we, she had thought he'd meant the two of them. "Show me, Brandon. Maybe together we can shake up the suits, as you call them."       His rich laughter rumbled through her. She liked the sound and the way it made her feel.       "I like you, Julianna. But can I trust you?" He studied her for a long moment, then extended his arm. "Yes, I think I can. I see it in your eyes. This way."       His trust pleased her more than it should, and she didn't even know why. He led her to what looked like a storage room. When he opened the door, and she stepped inside, she saw that he'd converted the room into a lab of sorts.       "So I can keep things under wraps," he explained. "This wasn't company sanctioned." He opened a refrigerator and took out a covered tray. "They taste better at room temperature, but they stay fresh longer when cool."       He pulled back the covering, and Julianna simply stared at the creations. Certainly she wasn't seeing what she thought she was seeing.       "Well?" he prompted.       She tentatively reached out and picked up a piece, then examined it from all sides. "It looks like a ... a ..."       "The word is penis to be delicate about it. Personally, I call them Chocolate Co-"       "Yes, I can imagine what you call them. Interesting ... I guess."       "The best part is the eating."       Julianna cocked an eyebrow at him.       He laughed and raised his hands as if in surrender. "I swear, I didn't mean anything by that. Put it in your mouth, tip first, and suck on it, but don't bite down yet."       Brandon said it so seriously that she knew he wasn't playing with words this time. She placed the chocolate in her mouth. "It's hard," she said in a muffled voice.       "Good. It's supposed to be. Brush your tongue back and forth against the tip."       She did as instructed and felt something give way, like it had been capped. A semi-sweet liquid flowed out into her mouth. Her expression must have been priceless because Brandon started to laugh.       Julianna bit down on the chocolate and it crunched to pieces.       With a comically wounded look, Brandon clutched at his heart. "Ouch, that's gotta hurt."       She swallowed the last bits, then couldn't help but laugh. "Very unique."       "But did you like it?" His hopeful expression was like that of a little boy.       She hesitated a moment, then smiled. "Works for me. Great taste and it's certainly something that would catch a buyer's eye."       Brandon clapped his hands together. "Great!" He draped his arm across her shoulders and escorted her back toward the door. "Maybe we could get together after company hours and discuss a female version of the product."       She raised an eyebrow at him, not answering. But only a moment passed. Her silence didn't seem to deter him in the slightest.       "Of course you should know ... I take my research very seriously."       Julianna's heart leapt in her chest. More word games or the truth? "Meaning ... you'll want to-"       "Try out the real thing," he finished for her. "I like to keep my experiments in-house though. Work only with my assistants."       "Oh, really?" She was surprised he'd been so careless with his words. She couldn't resist goading him. "So who was your assistant with your latest design?"       He grew fire red, and she laughed until her stomach hurt. She'd finally bested him with his own words.       "I think I need to rephrase that."       "I think so."       He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "But, seriously, you will help me, won't you?"       "Yes, I'd like to help, Brandon. I think it's a profitable idea."       His face lit up, then in an instant his lips covered hers in a searing kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth, stealing her breath.       She froze in surprise, clinging to his biceps. She felt she'd melt to the floor if she didn't hold on. The right thing to do would have been to push him away, but her body wasn't listening. Besides, what was the harm of one delicious kiss? It had been so long since she'd been in a man's arms, she wanted to enjoy this.       Brandon's hand slid down the front of her skirt until he found her feminine softness. When she leaned into his hand, he pressed his fingers against her as best he could through the material.       With a sigh, she broke their kiss and laved her tongue down the side of his neck.       He shuddered in response and firmed his touch between her legs, massaging her core. Frustrated with the barrier of her skirt, he reached to tug it up and burrow his hand beneath her panty hose -- no easy feat!       Julianna turned in his arms, until her back was against his chest.       Brandon lost his grip, and Julianna's skirt slid back down her thighs. He growled as his frustration grew. He slid an arm around her waist, and with his free hand, attempted to raise her skirt again.       She guided his hand back between her legs, but over the material, instead of under, where he really wanted to be. Fine. If the lady was a little gun-shy, he'd work with it.       His fingers pressed into her. With her back to him, he was able to control the pressure better. Soon, she was rubbing against him, breathing his name. "Let go, Julianna," he whispered in her ear. "Come for me."       Her body began to tremble, and he had to increase his hold around her waist to keep her on her feet. His name broke from her lips in a high squeal.       "Oh, yes," he breathed heavily in her ear, then gently nibbled at the lobe with his teeth.       Finally, Julianna sagged against him.       Nuzzling her neck, he whispered, "Just think what I could do to you without your clothes on."       His words brought her back to reality. With a deep breath, she turned to look at him. Nervously, she smoothed her hair and straightened her skirt. She'd never done anything like that before.       Brandon was very confident in himself. Normally she would think him too arrogant, but the look in his eyes was sincere, not like he'd just scored a victory of some kind. And he did have a nice quality about him, not to mention certain ... skills.       "So ...," he smiled. "Partners? In maybe more ways than one?"       She stepped back a couple of feet, wanting space to think. His proposition was tempting, but she needed to maintain some control over this situation. "I'll let you know." She flashed him a sexy smile and headed out the door.       "Call me!"       The urgency in his voice pleased her. She did intend to call him ... on Valentine's Day. It would turn into a very interesting evening, she was sure. THE END