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ChapterThree
Liz
At first,I wasn’t sure if being here was a good idea. But after the first day, things seemed to go a little smoother. Even Cameron warmed up to me, which at first impression, I thought for certain we’d be butting heads until he threw my ass out at twelve-o-one on New Year’s Day. The rest of the staff has helped ease the tension, but only one kind. There’s a feeling brewing underneath, a desire for Cameron that is hard to deny.
But he probably sees me as a failure. He runs a successful restaurant, and his food is to die for. Why would he ever go for a loser like me who can’t keep a roof over her own business venture?
Again, I’m here earlier than the rest of the staff, so it’s just Cameron in the kitchen as I hang my coat and purse. The minute his steely eyes meet mine, a wave of wetness explodes in my panties. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t dream about him last night. It was embarrassingly innocent, though. I just kept touching his thick, muscular arms as he prepared food. Then…he fed me.
“Good morning, Liz.” His low voice sends shivers through me.
“Chef.” I can feel the redness tickling my cheeks. I’ve never had a dream like that before, but it was so sexy. “What are we starting with today?”
“Well, I thought maybe you could make the staff a little lunch?” His eyes flicker toward mine, but he doesn’t give me his full attention. I open my mouth to respond, but it hits me all at once. “You little bastard!”
“What?” He sets his clipboard down, a half smile playing on his gorgeous lips.
“I know what you’re up to.”
“I’m not up to anything. I’m just following your suggestion of you making Coq Au Vin—”
“Not on your life, sir.” I take a step toward him. He smells different today, like a fresh shower mixed with something earthy. I could eat him alive. “I’m not giving up the goods. My secretstaysa secret.”
He shrugs those massive shoulders of his. “Suit yourself.”
“I think I will.” I tie my apron around my waist and can’t help but notice his eyes roaming up and down my body. It sends shivers up and down my arms. I also can’t deny the fact that I wore a tighter t-shirt today. The neckline lies a little lower, showing off just enough of my cleavage to be considered a “sneak peek.”
The day flies by, especially since the staff comes in with some amazing stories about last year’s New Year’s extravaganza. But unlimited champagne will make people do crazy things. Their vivid stories about who kissed who and who ended up waking up in the hallway on the second floor with no recollection of how they got there keep my brain occupied as my hands work overtime prepping for this year’s event.
A part of me wishes I had someone to kiss on New Year’s, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll be working, anyway. In essence, I’m married to what I do, and I’ve been okay so far. Why should one tiny crush on a super hot fucking chef change that?
Whoa, so now we have a full-blown crush?
By the time five rolls around, everyone starts heading out. I pull off my apron and start for the door until I realize Cameron’s still in his office. I’ll just peek in and say goodbye really fast. My feet move before my brain can tell them to stop, which is something that’s always gotten me in trouble or at least out of my comfort zone. When I get to the door, his nose is so close to his computer screen I swear he’s gone cross-eyed.
“Cameron?” My voice startles him, and he turns toward the door. “I think you might need glasses.” I tease.
“I think I might need a bigger budget.” His response is so swift that I don’t wait for an invitation. I slide up next to him and lean down to see the screen. “I don’t know what happened, but we arewayover budget for this.”
“Let me see.” I move closer to him, sharing his space. The error appears instantly. “Right there.” I point to the right-hand column. “This order was put through twice.”
“Jesus, how did you find that so quickly?” He turns to me, his face mere inches from mine. My heart leaps into my throat.
“I don’t know. It just stuck out to me.” I have to fight every urge to press my lips against his.
“What the hell am I supposed to do? I still have two deliveries that need to be paid for.” I stand up, realizing the moment has passed. Not that I would do it anyway.
“We just have to work with what we have.”
“I don’t think it’s enough. Dammit!” I jump as he slams his fist against the table. “I’ve never done this before, but with the restaurant running at night and the pressure of this event.” He leans back in his chair and runs his hand through his thick, dark hair.
“Cam.” I gently rest my hand on his sculpted shoulder. “I understand the pressure of the situation and trust me, I have overlooked a thing or two because of it. But it’s not the end of the world. We can make this work.”
“We?” He turns to me, his eyes narrowing. I wish I could take it back. He’s made it abundantly clear that this is his kitchen, his domain. But his furrowed brow smoothes out, and he turns his chair in my direction. “You want to help me figure this out?”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Of course I do.” He almost smiles. “What kind of a second-in-command would I be if I knew you had an issue and I didn’t even offer to help?”
“The only kind of second-in-command I’ve ever had.”
