Note: Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F if using a dark nonstick springform pan.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 480 calories, 31g total fat, 15g saturated fat, 110mg cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 37g sugars, 7g protein.

NOW FOR A TASTY TEASER OF ETERNITY

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Stella’s eyes betrayed her. No matter how much she ordered them not to look at Roman, they continued to willfully stray. Damp hair curled around his ears and dangled into his eyes. A two-day shadow covered his cheeks and jaw, like stubbly grass on a recently plowed field.

Her fingers ached to thread his hair and pull him closer just as her palms itched for the abrasive feel of his growing beard. Too busy devouring two porterhouse steaks, a heaping pile of potatoes, and corn, he didn’t see her longing. When he drained his beer, she got up and brought him another one. Raised eyebrows questioned her, she glanced away.

“Thank you for dinner and the beer.”

Cheeks hot, she started cleaning the kitchen and made room when he joined her. They worked well together. Within minutes the kitchen was clean and orderly. Roman grabbed another beer and went to the porch. She hesitated, but gave in to the need to be near him. Leaning against a pole, he stared at the quarter moon hanging over the lake.

“Do you come up here often?” she asked studying his profile.

“No . . . I need too, though. Solitude gives me clarity.”

“So, you like being alone. I must have turned your safe, predictable life upside down.” Her voice broke with a shaky laugh. “Sorry for intruding. As soon as this is over, I’ll be out of your way.”

The half empty beer in his hand shattered. Before she could react, he picked up the large pieces, kicked the rest off the porch and stalked back into the house.

She followed, but he wouldn’t look at her while he checked the windows and locked the door. When he walked up the stairs to the bedroom and that decadence bed, he didn’t look back.