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I moved through the motions, chopping the vegetables in front of me on automatic pilot. My heart wasn’t in it. I realized that I needed to get a hold of myself and focus, when the class, or should I say culinary school, pet, and overall pain in my ass, Calla Winston walked up behind me and asked snarkily, “Hot for teacher, Brendan?”
I shot her a dirty look and went back to what I was doing, deciding to be the bigger person and ignore her parting shot.
“Looks like having the pretty new instructor will work in my favor. You just keep mooning over her, and I’ll continue to kick your ass and get that job we’re both gunning for.”
Calla had been my rival since day one. An overachiever and suck-up, she worked hard to be the best and hated that I was naturally gifted in the culinary arts. We were always competing for the top of the class, and were both applying for the coveted spot with Chef Agard. She was hot, in a bitchy sort of way, but I’d never been there. I was afraid if I got too close to that viper, my dick would shrivel up and fall off.
Needless to say, there was no love lost between us, and I had every intention of leaving her crying in my dust when I won that spot.
When a break was called, I walked out like I was going to the bathroom, then veered off toward Gordon’s old office, assuming that Bronagh would be in there.
I walked inside and shut the door, leaning against it and watching her closely as she turned.
“Brendan,” she said breathlessly, reminding me of our night together and causing my already taut body to harden even more painfully. “What are you doing here?”
I knew she was talking about more than just her office.
“I go here,” I said, stating the obvious. “I’m on my last semester.”
“I thought you were a musician,” she stated, confusion and shock apparent on her face.
“I am, but I’m also a chef … or at least, I’m going to be. Music and food are my two passions.”
She nodded, as if that made sense. For the first time I wondered if I’d found someone who would get me. Brendan the musician and cook, not just the lead singer of Whiskey Heat. Someone who would help fuel my passions and understand my need for both creative outlets.
I took a few steps toward her, holding my hand out as if I were approaching a frightened animal. I brought my palm to her cheek, and smiled when she instinctively leaned into it and closed her eyes.
“I was hoping I’d see you again,” I said softly, my lips a breath away from hers. But before I could touch her sweetness, her eyes flew open and she used both hands to push me back.
“We can’t do this,” she said hurriedly, her voice low so no one would overhear. “I didn’t know … I had no idea that you were one of my students … How could I?” I wasn’t sure if she was really talking to me, or thinking out loud, so I remained silent. “You were just supposed to be a fling,” Ouch. “A younger, very hot guy, who would release the tension that’s been building for the last two years, three months, and twenty-one days … We weren’t supposed to see each other again, and you sure as hell weren’t supposed to show up in my class.”
I tried to process everything she’d said, but, being a guy, one thing stayed at the forefront of my mind.
“You hadn’t had sex in over two years?”
The look she shot me told me I was missing the point, so I focused on the other things she said. She never wanted to see me again. My chest hurt.
I was the king of love ‘em and leave ‘em, so why did her statement cause me pain?
I moved in closer, crowding her, and when she looked at up at me warily I said, “I hope I relieved that tension. I’d be happy to do it again anytime, Freckles. All you have to do is call.”
I picked up her phone from the desk and programed my number.
“Brendan,” she called when I turned to leave. “It’s against school policy. No one can know what we did, even if it was by accident … and it can never happen again.”
Her flash of regret was so quick, I’m not sure if she even realized it happened. I did. I shot her my most confident grin and a wink.
“No one has to know, Bronagh … I’m good at keeping secrets.” I nodded to the phone she now held in her hand. “Call me.”
Chapter Four ~ Bronagh
After the day I’d had, I couldn’t wait for the weekend and Bellini’s, I needed my girls and some gin … stat!
“Okay, Bronagh, what’s the big emergency?” my friend Ming asked when we were all settled in the corner booth of mine and my da’s pub. “Not that I’m not always up for drinks, but you made it sound like you’d just found out that Henry Cavill is gay, and all hope for your future together was lost.”
I smiled half-heartedly at her joke, but my mind was too boggled to fully appreciate her quick wit.
I figured it was best to just rip the Band-Aide off quickly and get straight to the part where they agreed that I was right, and needed to forget that I’d ever seen Brendan naked.
