CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE – DELICACIES

As the bread continued to rise and the pasta dried, they moved on to preparing a simple tomato sauce. Luca showed Rebecca how to blanch and peel the tomatoes, a trick he'd learned from the estate's chef. They worked side by side at the stove, stirring the sauce and adding herbs, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. Finally, it was time for dessert. They decided on a traditional tiramisu, layering coffee-soaked ladyfingers with a creamy mascarpone mixture. As Rebecca dipped the ladyfingers in coffee, Luca couldn't resist dipping his finger in the mascarpone cream and dabbing it on her nose. Rebecca retaliated by swiping a bit of cream across his cheek. Their eyes met, a moment of heated tension building between them. Luca leaned in slowly, his tongue darting out to lick the cream from Rebecca's nose. She shivered at the contact, her eyes darkening. The moment was broken by the timer going off, signaling that it was time to check on the bread. They sprang apart, both a little flushed,