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“Just getting to know your chef.” Zander smirked.
Heather elbowed him in the stomach.
Zander doubled over in pain and surprise. Heather’s muffled snort of laughter took some of the sting from his aching stomach. He held up his hands in surrender. “I’ll just go clean up elsewhere.” He hobbled, hunched over, toward the small bathroom off the kitchen. “I apologize, Heather. It won’t happen again.”
“It better not. Leave my staff alone, or I’ll use your castration bander on you.” Derrick barked.
It was an idle threat, but it made Derrick’s point. He’d crossed a line he shouldn’t have. But dang, Heather was a sweet temptation that was hard to resist. As he closed the bathroom door, Zander heard his brother apologizing. “Sorry for that, Heather. My brothers are all animals. Every single one of them. If he bothers you again, let me know. I won’t tolerate abuse of my staff, from anyone.”
“He didn’t mean any harm.”
She was one tough woman. Strong too. He rubbed his aching belly and ignored the tingling in his lips. That two second kiss was going to linger in his mind for a while.
Chapter 5
Heather’s gaze flipped back and forth between her boss and the closed bathroom door. What had Zander been thinking? He’d kissed her. At work. She didn’t even know him. Her lips still tingled from the brief caress. She’d reacted without meaning too, both to the kiss and in slapping him. Zander Bellamie made her feel off-kilter and his kiss left her legs feeling like overcooked noodles.
“I’m sorry,” she said to Derrick. He’d probably fire her now. He wasn’t known for his patience. He was known for his tattoos and wicked big motorbike. She had her doubts about him at first, but he was a good manager.
“It’s not your fault. That’s just my brother messing with my life. I’ll talk to him. It won’t happen again. Are you hurt?” His shoulders were tense, and his voice tight. His arms flexed making his tattoos ripple dangerously. For the life of her, she couldn’t decide if he was upset with her or his brother.
If that kiss gets me fired…. It was a great kiss but not worth losing her job for.
Water ran in the bathroom as Zander cleaned up. The sauce would probably stain his jeans. She should offer to replace them. She’d been foolish to spill on him to get back at him for revealing her fear. Her emotions spiraled out of control with astonishing speed.
Something about him made her act irrationally. First with her embarrassment, then with that flood of sweet sensation sweeping over her when they kissed. She’d struck out in shock, not pique or anger. She enjoyed those few intimate seconds.
No!She didn’t want to be attracted to a man. She wasn’t foolish enough to be taken in by a handsome face again. She’d taken that ride. Never again. Her gullibility had nearly ruined her career, and this was her chance to build fresh. There was no way on earth she’d put that at risk, not even for someone as handsome as Zander Bellamie. Because for all that he laughed and teased her, there was something indefinable about him that tugged at her heart.
Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong man.
“It’s fine, Derrick. I think he was mad that I spilled on him because I was embarrassed that he told everyone I’m afraid of cats.”
Her boss shook his head. “What normal person kisses someone they’re angry with? Idiot brothers.” He took a cross-armed stance between her and the bathroom door. “I’ll just wait here until he goes back to the table. Go ahead and do what you need to do.” His voice was serious, but kind.
“Your appetizer will get cold. You should go and enjoy it. I’m fine. Really.” She grabbed him by the arm and led him toward the dining room. “I promise I’ll let you know if he gets out of hand again.”
He gave her an obstinate look but allowed himself to be pushed from the room. She picked up a knife to slice the crispy coated chicken breasts before plating dinner but kept one eye on the bathroom door. She wasn’t afraid of Zander; she just didn’t want to allow him the chance to startle her again. He was much too attractive, and his kiss was too potent.
“No men,” she whispered under her breath just as the door opened.
“Pardon me?” he asked politely from across the kitchen.
“Nothing. Just talking to the chicken.” Heat flooded her face. What an airhead response! She was losing her mind. Zander Bellamie had a way of throwing her off her game without even trying.
“O-kay,” he drew the word into two questioning syllables. “Again, I apologize.”
“Apology accepted. Please, go eat.”Would he just go away already?
“It’s just that …” He looked chagrined. “I’ve been thinking about you since yesterday.”
She set down the knife, intending to ask him why that made it okay to kiss her. Something else entirely flew from her mouth. “I thought about you too.”
“You did?” His expression morphed to glee before her eyes.
“Sorry, Dr.Bellamie, I’m not interested in you. Or your delicious kisses.” She snapped her mouth shut, then opened it long enough to say, “Go eat. This discussion is over. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else about my phobia.”
“Delicious? Okay, I’ll give you that, and again, please call me Zander.” He stared at her for several interminable moments. His head tipped left, then right. Finally, he nodded.
