The Delaford Spa and Resort was small and very exclusive. Set on a stunning piece of property just ninety miles from downtown San Francisco, it was a popular destination for West Coast celebrities. It boasted a luxurious hotel, a championship golf course, tennis courts, stables and a full-service spa and health club. Located on the shores of Crystal Lake, the hotel had 180 guestrooms that averaged 95% occupancy year-round. For the past three years, the gourmet restaurant had earned a five-star rating and regularly drew evening dinner guests from the city.

“I can get the sheets for five hundred a bed as long as we sell them in our gift shop,” Amanda said. “That’s well below wholesale. And they’ll hold up much better than the sheets we use now. The more you wash them, the better they feel.” Amanda reached for her water and took a sip. “I’ve had housekeeping put a set on your bed. Sleep with them for a few nights and you’ll think they’re a bargain at twice the price.”

Oh, that was just what she needed, Darcy mused. Another reminder that the only thing she’d been sleeping with for exactly 435 days was her bed linen. “Thanks,” she murmured. “I’ll give them a try.”

Amanda motioned for the waitress, then asked for the dessert tray. “Since we aren’t eating lunch at The Delaford, I want to see what kinds of goodies they serve here. Would you like to join me?”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Darcy said. “We’re doing a Valentine’s Day promo with the new chocolate shop in town. We’re giving away a dinner at The Winery to the winners. In exchange, they’re doing a new monogram chocolate for our pillows.”

“Nice trade,” Amanda said.

Darcy nodded. “Ellie Fairbanks should have some samples ready for us.” She dropped cash on top of the bill, then pushed back from the table. “While we’re there, I’ll buy us both a half-pound of truffles and we’ll indulge together.”

They walked out of the restaurant into bright afternoon sunshine. The day was warm for early February with just a slight chill in the brisk breeze. Darcy and Amanda strolled down the charming main street of Austell, lingering at the window of a floral shop before heading down Larchmont Street to Sinfully Sweet. Freshly painted gilt letters adorned the front window of the shop and a bell rang as they went through the door.

The interior of the shop was quiet and softly lit. Gleaming glass cases displayed a seductive array of chocolates, from buttery toffees to rich pecan turtles to decadent flavored truffles. Ellie was waiting on a gentleman customer but she waved at Darcy, promising that she’d be with her momentarily.

Amanda perused the chocolates while Darcy passed the time studying the broad shoulders and narrow waist of the customer ahead of her. She couldn’t tell his age, but he was dressed fashionably in dark trousers and a fitted sweater, clothes that enhanced his tall, lean form and long limbs.

Her gaze rose to his neck where sun-streaked hair curled around his collar in a tantalizing way. Darcy’s fingers twitched as she imagined them slipping through the thick strands. She bit back a soft moan. Now she was lusting after a total stranger! What was wrong with her?

“And are you looking for love?” Ellie asked.

At first Darcy thought the question had been directed at her, but then she realized that Ellie was talking to the man. Darcy peered cautiously around his shoulder and saw Ellie place a huge basket of chocolates on the counter in front of him.

“The candy is for my sister,” he explained, his voice deep and rich. “She’s addicted to chocolate. She has twin boys and I think she self-medicates with the stuff.”

Ellie slipped the chocolates into a pretty shopping bag. “Well, here’s a special little treat for you.” She pointed to the basket of chocolate heart halves wrapped in blue foil. “There’s a message tucked inside. If you find its match before Valentine’s Day, then both you and the lady with the matching half will win a romantic prize.”

Darcy drew a deep breath, the citrusy scent of the man’s cologne teasing at her nose. The guy had to be single. Married men just didn’t smell this good. She fought the ridiculous urge to stand on her tiptoes and press her nose into the curve of his neck.

“Well, Ellie,” the man said, “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not looking for romance.”

“Who knows? Romance might be looking for you,” Ellie replied. She sent Darcy a sly smile, then picked out a chocolate heart and tucked it into his bag.

He chuckled softly as he gathered his purchases. But Darcy hadn’t realized how close she’d been standing. When he turned, she stood squarely in his path. She quickly stepped to the left at the very same moment he stepped to his right. Their little dance continued for a few silent measures, back and forth, before Darcy risked a glance up at him.

The breath froze in her throat as their eyes met-eyes she’d seen in a fantasy no more than ten minutes ago. Not much had changed in ten minutes-or in five years. Kel Martin was still the kind of handsome that left a woman weak in the knees. His hair, usually cropped short for the baseball season, now fell carelessly across his forehead. And his blue eyes were even bluer, if that was possible.

“Now that we’ve mastered the two-step, would you like to try a tango?” he teased with a boyish grin. The smile sent a shiver skittering down her spine.

“Wh-what?” The word came out as a nervous croak. “Oh, right. Dance. No. I mean, I’m sorry.” Darcy quickly stepped aside, but for a long moment, he didn’t move. His gaze was still fixed on her face and a tiny frown wrinkled his suntanned brow. For an instant, she saw a flash of recognition in his eyes, but then it was gone.

Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. Did he remember her? Was he even now scrolling back in his mind, through all the girls he’d slept with, winding back to that wild night they’d spent together in his hotel room?

He’d been a handsome stranger, nursing a beer in the bar of the Penrose, her father’s San Francisco hotel. She’d just flown in from San Diego for a board meeting, and after a tense day, was looking for a way to unwind. One glass of champagne had led to another and before she knew it, they were riding the elevator up to his room, unable to keep their hands off each other.

They hadn’t bothered with last names or even discussed why they were both alone in a hotel bar. It didn’t seem to matter at the time. All that mattered was getting out of their clothes and into each other’s arms as quickly as possible.

Once they’d accomplished that, the rest of the night had passed in a haze of desperate commands and electrifying sensations. He’d explored her body so thoroughly at first that she’d felt certain she’d go mad the moment he finally entered her. And when at last he did, Darcy had shattered with an intensity that she’d never felt before-or since.

Even now, after all this time, she could recall every single moment, the weight of his body against her hips, the warmth of his mouth, the sound of his voice, low and ragged as he exploded inside her.

She felt his fingers on her arm and Darcy blinked. “Are you all right?” he asked, bending closer to catch her gaze.

“Yes,” she murmured. “Of course.” She took another step to the side and a moment later, he was gone, just as he had been that morning when she’d found herself alone in his hotel room.

Darcy waited until she heard the bell on the shop door tinkle, then released a tightly-held breath, the lack of oxygen making her a bit dizzy. Amanda rushed to her side and grabbed her elbow. “Do you know who that was?”

“Yeah, I know,” Darcy said numbly. “Kel Martin.”

Amanda seemed taken aback. “I didn’t think you followed the Giants.”

“Everyone knows who Kel Martin is,” Darcy replied. He was always in the news, if not for his league-leading ERA, then for his colorful love life. According to the gossips, Kel favored leggy models, rising starlets and the occasional jet-setting heiress. Though Darcy was reluctant to admit it, whenever he appeared in a newspaper or magazine, she made sure to search the article for details and study the photo until she had catalogued every one of his handsome features all over again. He was a stranger to her and yet she felt as if they were still lovers, the memory of their night so vivid in her mind.

“He touched you,” Amanda said.

Darcy glanced down at her forearm, then rubbed her palm over the spot. The tingle seemed to have spread down to her fingers and toes. “Did he?”

“He’s very handsome,” Ellie Fairbanks commented. “Have you two met before?”

Darcy shook her head. “Why would you say that?”

The shopkeeper shrugged. “It seemed as though there was a…connection between you.” She smoothed her palms over her apron. “Well, I have your samples all ready. But you must try some of our other chocolates. Whatever tempts you will be my treat.”

“I’ll take some of that romance you were offering,” Amanda said. “What about you, Darcy? Are you in the mood for love?”

“I think I’ll stick with the truffles,” Darcy insisted.

Ellie wandered over to one of the display cases and Amanda trailed after her. As they discussed the merits of the various flavors, Darcy tried to calm her nerves. What was Kel Martin doing in Austell? Was he vacationing here or just passing through? Oh, God, could he be planning a stay at The Delaford?

Amanda hurried back to her side, a pair of truffles resting on her palm. She offered one to Darcy and, without thinking, Darcy popped it into her mouth. The creamy chocolate melted instantly, a hint of raspberry in the ganache center. A tiny groan slipped from her lips. If anything could make her forget her brush with the past, the truffles were definitely it. But it would take more than just one.