The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley) (23 page)

“When did you stop smoking?” she asked.

“When I started cooking food seriously in high school. It screwed with my taste buds, so it had to go.”

“There’s not much you won’t sacrifice for your career, is there?”

“No, and I don’t apologize for that. So tell me what you’re thinking.”

This time her smile could have outshone Mae West’s. “I’m thinking I want to negotiate with Mac. But I have one condition for you. I want my key staff to come with me.”

He nodded. “I understand that. You want to work with people you trust.”

Whew. What a relief he understood that. But whether her staff would be willing to move to Dare Valley was another question altogether.

“I’d like to see you and your staff in action at the Raiders’ dinner.”

And just like that, she was thinking about Blake’s voicemail again. She was going to see him—and soon. Was she prepared for that? Having Terrance there might be too complicated.

She crossed her arms. “You’ll make my peeps nervous, and it’s a big night for me. For us.”

“All the more reason to see you all in action. I promise I’ll be nice. Besides, I’m not cursing out anyone in the kitchen anymore. I’m Mr. Nice Guy now.”

“Sure you are.” Though it did seem to be true. From what she had seen, the Tattooed Chef was reforming.

“So, you’ll talk to Mac?” he asked, slicing a piece of the sweetbread and studying it.

“I’ll talk to Mac,” she agreed, thinking about what she wanted from this deal.

“He’ll give you want you want,” Terrance said like he’d read her mind. “Just don’t beat around the bush. While the man likes poker, he prefers his business dealings to be more straightforward.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

They sampled the entrees the server brought out. At one point, Chef appeared and took a few pictures like Terrance had predicted. While the guys were busy talking shop, Natalie texted her sisters about the offer. She would wait until she was finished with lunch to call her mom and text her brothers. That would need a different approach. Danny would be overjoyed to hear she was moving to Dare Valley, but until the deal was sealed to her satisfaction, she didn’t want to raise her nephew’s hopes.

“Are you ready for dessert?” the chef asked. It took her a moment to realize he was speaking to her.

“I’d love some,” she responded. When the Beast + Bottle’s chef was out of earshot, she picked up her conversation about Mac. “How about I call Mac from my office after we finish up here? You can come with me to meet my staff. Maybe it will ensure no one barfs or swoons when you come to the Raiders’ dinner.”

His brows knitted. “I’ve had women swoon but never barf.”

“I was talking about the men. They might gag over how fashion-forward you are.” She gestured to his clothes.

“You’re a pain, but I like you. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call Mac so he’ll be ready for you. It wouldn’t be fair to spring you on someone unsuspecting.”

As he wandered off, a few women’s gazes slid to his butt. Natalie was glad she was immune. No man had captured her attention since Blake.

Maybe moving to Dare Valley would give her the fresh start she needed.

But it couldn’t touch the numbness that had taken root inside her two years ago.

Nothing but Blake could, and now she was moving even farther away from him.

Chapter 25

Elizabeth stood on her front porch basking in the sunshine beaming down on Dare Valley, clearing her mind from her poker research for Rhett’s next tournament. May had finally produced spring weather, and with the temperature edging close to seventy today, she planned on soaking up every bit of the warmth.

When Terrance cruised down her driveway, her insides started to tingle. He’d rearranged his schedule to have lunch with her at Brasserie Dare, explaining that he wanted them to see each other in daylight hours too. For the past few nights, he’d come over after his shift at The Grand, making them a light meal before taking her to bed and reminding her no one had ever pleasured her like he could.

“Hey,” he called as he emerged from the car and slammed the door behind him. “Nice day we dialed in.”

Decked out casually in jeans, a white T-shirt with the words
Give Me Food or Give Me Death,
he looked good enough to eat.

“I know! The sun feels marvelous.”

He jogged up the stairs, planted his hands on her waist, and kissed her until she was breathless. She trailed her hands through his hair, her nails lightly digging into his skull.

“Did you get everything done this morning?” she asked when he turned his attention to her neck.

“Yes. You have me for at least two hours. Then I have to get back to start dinner prep.”

Even though they’d made love that morning, she pressed her hips to his. “Do you think we can eat fast?”

Edging back, he ran a finger down the center of the silver-threaded blouse she was wearing. “Why? Do you have something in mind?”

She let her hand trail down to his marvelous backside. “How about a nooner?”

His mouth flashed a wicked smile. “Before we eat? How uncivilized.”

Then he picked her up Prince Charming style—something he’d never done—and carried her across the threshold. She had to tell herself not to get carried away, but it was dashing and romantic and made her heart feel like it had been filled up with a warm bubble bath.

As soon as he deposited her on the dining room table, she grabbed his shoulders, and he spread her legs. When his fingers found her bare under her denim skirt, she moaned.

“You planned this,” he breathed out as he sent a forest fire raging across her skin.

“Oh, yes. You said you wanted us to do ‘daylight’ things. I figured this was one of them. We’re not vampires, you know. We can make love when the sun is out.”

“In that case,” he said, picking her up again and heading out to the back. “Sunshine you shall have.”

He opened the door to her deck and carried her to the Adirondack chairs, sitting down with her straddling him. Throwing her hair over her shoulders, she enjoyed the sensation of it trailing down her back, the sun’s warm rays on her face.

“You look so beautiful,” he whispered.

Coming out of her sunshine trance, she opened her eyes. He was staring at her like he was still getting used to seeing the real her. Like he was in awe.

Tracing his cheekbone, loving the feel of his stubble on the pads of her fingertips, she said, “So are you.”

Those bottle-green eyes darkened, and all she could think was that this wasn’t going to be a quickie after all. There was way too much connection here. Like always.

He took her mouth as his hands opened the buttons of her blouse, moving so slowly she thought about taking over. But she let him take his time and simply rocked her pelvis into him.

“You’re driving me wild,” he said in a hoarse voice.

“That’s the idea.”

Her hands slid under his T-shirt, and she stroked the hard muscles of his chest as he pushed her breasts up above her bra, playing with her nipples.

They kissed again, and the energy between them was like the promise of summer all around them. Taking their time, they loved each other slowly, him kissing her breasts while she stroked the long length of him.

When he pressed inside, she let her head fall back as she started to move. “Oh, Terrance.”

Sometimes the feelings he evoked were so powerful, she simply didn’t know what to do with them. But her body seemed to know. It went with the flow of them, making her moan as they increased the pace.

Their mouths fused again, and his hands cupped her hips, inviting her to take more of him. She did. She always could.

Soon she unraveled, crying out to the blue sky and the sun, which served as witnesses to all they were becoming. When he found his release moments later, he tucked his head into her neck, breathing hard, still gripping her tight against him.

“I could stay with you like this forever.”

Now that he could stay inside her after they’d found their release, he often did. Her heart had made a funny jolt the other day when she’d awoken from sleep to realize they were still joined. It was like he wanted to remain a part of her for as long as possible.

She thought it unbearably sweet.

Kissing her neck, he finally laid his head back against the Adirondack, leaving her with no choice but to edge back a little to give them both more room.

His smile was a mere tilt of his mouth and so darn sexy it was criminal. “It just keeps getting better, doesn’t it? I love being inside you.”

This wasn’t the first time he’d said it, and she cleared her voice over the emotion clogging it. “Me too. We should go if we’re going to have lunch.”

“In a bit. I can take as much time as I need. My staff will do fine without me.”

“I thought you said you only had two hours.”

His hand traced the ridges of her spine. “I can be flexible. Moments like these aren’t meant to be rushed. Look! Isn’t that a bald eagle?”

She tilted her head back, squinting in the sunlight. Sure enough, there was a white head and a yellow beak visible. “Yes. Aren’t they majestic? I love it when they come around here. They seem so still when they rest in the branches of one of my trees.”

His hand continued its hypnotic stroking of her back. “You’ll have to call me when that happens. I’d love to see it. Being a city boy, I never saw much wildlife growing up except for an occasional hawk in Central Park.”

“Have you seen a moose yet?” she asked.

“No. Are they common around here?”

“Ask Mac to tell you about his Porsche getting totaled by one. He was trying to protect Peggy from being chased by a moose that wanted her key lime pie.”

He laughed. “You’re kidding. I’ll have to get the recipe for that. If a moose wanted it…”

She joined in with his laughter, and a new peace settled inside her. Here they were, nestled together, sharing an appreciation for nature and telling funny stories. This ease between them had always been there, but they’d established the terms of their relationship now, and… Well, she found herself relaxing more. Almost like her heart had finally agreed to let the sentry guards defending it take a much-needed break.

“I like this,” Terrance said, taking one of her hands and kissing the palm. “We need to have more daylight time together. I’ll see what I can do.”

Usually she held back from responding to sweet statements like that, uncomfortable with the vulnerability it entailed. But like the eagle circling above, she felt bold today.

“I like it too,” she whispered and leaned in to kiss him.

His muscles jumped under her hands, like he was surprised by her response. Then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.

She let her eyes close and savored the feel of him. “I have something for you.”

“More than you’ve already given me? This must be my lucky day.”

Disengaging, she padded across the deck naked and retrieved the box she’d wrapped earlier. When she handed it to him moments later, he snatched her back onto his lap.

“A present?” he asked. “It’s not my birthday.”

Nerves pinged inside her as he tore the wrapping paper off and opened the box. His bark of laughter immediately soothed her.

“A crystal piggy bank for dollar bills,” he said.

“I thought your Cuss Fund deserved its own place of honor.”

“I adore it.” His finger stroked her cheek. “I adore you.”

When their mouths met, the kiss felt like it was a testimony to everything transforming between them.

“If Brian didn’t know we were coming, I’d stay right here,” he whispered against her lips.

“I know, but we need to go. Besides, I’m starving.”

They finally disengaged, and she felt a strange absence inside her. Okay, that was weird. And a little scary.

After they cleaned up, she told him she’d take a car so he could head straight back to The Grand. He agreed, and she followed him into town.

They’d told Brian they were coming, just as Natalie had done at the restaurant in Denver. Elizabeth had liked the idea, thought it was only fair. Checking her watch as she parked her car and left to join Terrance, she realized they were twenty minutes late for their reservation. Oh well. Nothing they could do about that now.

He was waiting for her outside the restaurant. “We’re late. Hopefully Brian won’t think I’m trying to mess with him.”

She took a long look at him. “If I look anything like you do, they’ll know exactly why we’re late.”

His brow quirked up. “You’re right. With the way you’re glowing, they’ll know. I need sunglasses in the best way possible. Let’s go.”

When he held out his hand like they were sweethearts, she didn’t hesitate. She took it and turned her face toward the sun.

Chapter 26

“Chef T,” the hostess said with a bright smile. “Elizabeth. Welcome to Brasserie Dare.”

Terrance hadn’t been inside the restaurant before, and he was charmed by the quiet elegance of the place. The café scenes from Paris on the walls transported him to that magical food city. And if the smell of freshly baked baguettes was any indication, the food was going to be incredible.

“Sorry we’re late,” Elizabeth said immediately, something Terrance wouldn’t have done. “We got held up.”

Having fabulous sex.
He wondered what the hostess would say if he added that out loud?

Terrance squeezed Elizabeth’s hand, but she kept her gaze on the hostess, like she was afraid to look at him. There was a blush creeping across her cheeks. Well, now…wasn’t that interesting? And really adorable. He wanted to kiss her right then and there, but he knew it would only make her more self-conscious.

“Let me show you to your table and get you something to drink. Chef Brian will be out shortly to greet you.”

Once they were settled, the server brought them sparkling water with lime at their request. Chef Brian McConnell strode out of the back of the house, and Terrance rose to shake his hand.

“Chef T,” Brian said. His handshake was strong and self-confident, attributes Terrance respected.

“Chef,” Terrance responded.

“I was wondering when you were going to come to my house,” Brian said, planting his hands on his hips. “Jill has been chewing my ear off with stories about teaching you her dance moves. If she asks you, tell her I said I was jealous of any man who sees her do those moves in private.”