by Kaylee, Katy
“Kade, thank you so much man,” Ash said slapping me on the shoulder. “The food is incredible, as always.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s new.”
“Using us as guinea pigs?” Ash asked, but he didn’t seem bothered by the idea.
“Yes.” I admitted. “But I knew you’d like it.”
Ash looked over the room, his gaze stopping on Alex and Morgan. “Good lord. I wonder what Alex is filling Morgan’s head with.”
“Nothing good I imagine,” I said. “But I suspect you’re in the clear. You make her friend Beth happy.” I watched as Morgan excused herself and made her way past us toward the ladies’ room. Her fine ass swayed under her fitted dress, making my dick twitch.
Ash grinned like a loon at Beth, thankfully not noticing my leering at his fiancée’s friend. “And she makes me so fucking happy.”
I laughed. “You’re a sap.”
“That I am, little bro, that I am.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Why are you hiding from the party over here?”
“I’m not hiding. Just making sure everything is going well.”
“I know you, man, you’re hiding. What’s up?”
I shrugged. “You guys are all hitched. I’m still playing the field.”.
“You say that like you want to get out of the game,” Ash said, his eyes studying me.
I acted nonchalant. “I’m not a one-woman man.”
“Sure, you are. Someday you’ll meet a woman — ”
“God, you sound like mom.”
He smiled. “She was a wise woman. And the only one who really knew and understood you.”
I turned my head, making it seem like I was checking the restaurant instead of hiding from the emotional depth my brother was trying to infuse into our conversation.
“The point is, you’ll meet someone who changes how you feel about love.”
I shook my head. “You guys all got lucky. Every woman I meet sees a giant cash register when she looks at me.” Even so, I wondered about Morgan. I’d caught her looking at me a few times, but it wasn’t greed I saw in her pretty dark eyes. At times, I thought I saw lust.
“I get it. I really do. Part of the problem is where you’re playing the game. But also, you need to take a chance. Love requires being vulnerable and trusting. It’s scary as shit. But if you don’t do it, you’ll miss out on someone as perfect as Beth.”
“You’re a hopeless romantic.” I rolled my eyes at him.
“Hopeful,” Ash responded.
“Even so, I think I’ll stick with casual pickups, and avoid the pitfalls of relationships. With my luck I’d end up with a gold digger.”
“That’s what condoms are for,” Ash said with a laugh.
I agreed with that assessment. I’d never not used a condom. It was one of several rules I had for myself when choosing a woman to date. If I got a woman pregnant, I didn’t know what I’d do. Well, I did. I’d do the right thing and take care of her and the child. But I couldn’t imagine marrying her, especially if I knew she’d gotten pregnant to secure Raven money.
“Come on and join us,” Ash said with another pat on my back. “Don’t hide out. Us married men and their wives won’t bite, and you won’t catch what Chase, Hunter, and I got.”
I laughed. “Are you sure love bugs aren’t contagious?”
“Positive.”
Not wanting to mess up Ash’s fun, I let him cajole me to the table.
“What’s in the frou-frou food that is so fucking good?” Hunter asked me.
“Hunter, there’s a child,” Grace admonished him. “Someday we’ll have kids. You need to learn how to control your swearing.”
He frowned. “Sorry. What’s in the frou-frou food that makes it so tasty?”
“I’d tell you, but I’m not sure a jarhead like you will understand,” I said, poking my usual fun at my brother.
“I fought for this country for your right to make this frou-frou shi--stuff. The least you could do is tell me about it.”
There was an “Oooh” around the table at Hunter’s comment, knowing he was using his service as a diss back at me. And what could I do? There wasn’t any comeback against a man who served his country.
“Truffles,” I answered.
“Chocolate?” His expression was a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
I worked to keep a straight face. “Fungus.”
Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “You’re feeding me fungus?”
“Mushrooms are a fungus,” Morgan said, seemingly to appear out of nowhere.
“Why not just say mushroom, then?” Hunter asked.
I didn’t respond as Ash directed Morgan to take a seat next to me. My skin seemed to light up as I inhaled her sweet lavender vanilla scent.
“Do you like truffles?” I asked.
“The chocolate ones, yes. The fungus, I’m not sure. They’re a bit out of my price range.”
A part of me felt bad for accentuating the socio-economic differences between us. Another part of me wanted to take her to the kitchen and teach her all there was to know about food. At the same time, some other part of me sounded a warning bell to be careful about pursuing her, because hell yeah, food and seduction were a perfect mix.
Since I couldn’t indulge my libido and take her to the kitchen, I reached over toward the small dish with baked brie and black truffles. I pulled the appetizer and bread toward her, taking the bread and spreading the brie on it. “Try this.”
She took the bread and wrapped those fantastic lips around it. Her eyes closed and she made an “mmm” sound that made my dick twitch again.
“That’s lovely.” Her eyes turned a little watery. Was she going to cry?
“Are you all right?” It was awesome to meet someone who’d have an emotional response to food.
She turned away, and wiped her lips with her napkin. “Yes. I just … well, I’ve never been exposed to food this wonderful.”
I suspect she meant expensive, not wonderful. “You didn’t get food like this at the McAdamses’?”
She shook her head. “We ate there sometimes, but not like this. And I don’t get out much. Your restaurant is wonderful.”
There was that word again.
“Do you like food?”
She smirked. “Isn’t it obvious?”
I jerked, not sure what she meant.
“Clearly I like food,” she said making a motion with her hand down her body.
I took it as an invitation to take every inch of her body in. It wasn’t an invite I was going to pass up. My eyes raked over her, from her plump fuckable tits, down to the curve of her hips that were meant for a man to hold while he pumped in and out of her.
I finally made my way back up to her face. “I don’t get it.”
Her face showed a mixture of hurt and anger. “I’m not blind. I know what I look like. Are you trying to make fun of me?”
I felt like I’d been slapped, but wasn’t quite sure why. “No. I’m telling you I don’t understand what you’re telling me. I don’t have the ability to speak female like my brothers, so.” Okay, so that was a little more snark that was necessary, but I didn't like being made to feel like an asshole when I hadn’t been trying to act like one.
“I’m overweight. Clearly, I like to eat.”
“You say that like it’s bad.” I was still lost somewhere.
She rolled her eyes. “Says the man who dates rabbit-food eating supermodels.”
That was often true. “I hate that.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“I’m a man who loves food. It’s maddening to make something like this and not have a woman eat it. I like that you did. I like that you like food.” I glanced around the table to make sure we weren’t being watched. I leaned a little closer. “I like that you have curves.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. I felt triumphant that she had no comeback.
“Now. I’m hoping you’ll indulge me by trying some of these other items that I very painstakingly cre
ated.” I reached to the other items on the table and pulled them toward us. I served her several, explaining what they were and why I’d created them.
At first, she seemed resistant, but then she relaxed and tried each item. Every time she put my food through those delectable lips, she closed her eyes and sighed. And every time I wanted to find out if that was the same expression and noise she’d make during sex.
When our dinner came, I explained about the meal; the special way it was prepared or unique items that were in it. She was attentive and eager to learn. She asked questions, and never once told me she had to watch her figure. She was a dream come true for a man who liked food and women. If I played it cool, when the wedding festivities were over, perhaps Morgan would let me show her all there was to know about food. If I was really lucky, I could show also show her other pleasures.
4
Morgan — Thursday
I felt like I was on a ship in the middle of a storm. My emotions and hormones were battling the elements of Kade Raven. I couldn’t believe the attention he was giving me. While I knew food could be sensual, I’d never experienced it like that before. Kade’s food was just that — Orgasmic. The way his green eyes watched me as I tasted his food made me feel like I was the center of the world.
But all this contradicted what I’d overheard him telling Ash when I went to the bathroom. He wasn’t interested in finding love like his brothers had. Not that I’d be the one he’d love if he was interested. I did a mental facepalm at my stupid thought.
Still, it was hard not to get taken in by the sexy man whose passion for food equaled my own. Not only that, but because of his wealth, he’d been able to fully embrace and experience food that I couldn’t. Oh, what I’d do to have him teach me about food.
Growing up, quality specialty food was in the McAdams household, but my mom was right in that there was a line between the family and the help, despite my friendship with Beth. I’d never been to one of their fancy dinners or soirées. I might have nicked a bruschetta or stuffed mushroom once or twice, but I’d never had food like Kade was offering me now.
Kade had the reputation of being immature and lacking a serious nature, but there was no mistaking how serious he was about food. I wanted to think his attention to me was because he found me interesting too, but the truth was, it was probably because I was willing to listen raptly, as he spoke about his passion for food. We were kindred spirits to that end. But that’s all it was. The flash of heat in his green eyes when I took a bite of whatever delicacy he handed me was just interest in my reaction. The problem was, it was making me wet with desire, and I didn’t mean mouth watering, I meant wet at that other part of my body. I felt like my skin was on fire, and I didn’t want to do anything crazy like throw myself at him.
“Morgan?” I looked up toward the wedding planner. “You can give your maid of honor speech now.”
I nodded, glad for the respite from Kade’s tantalizing eyes.
“Excuse me,” I said to him.
“Of course.”
I stood, using my hands to smooth out my dress, hoping my full belly wasn’t poking out too far. I held up my glass of champagne.
Kade gently clanged his glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.
“I’m supposed to give a toast to my friend Beth. I first met Beth when I was five, and had to go to work with my mother when school was out on a snow day. I was told I needed to stay in the back and not bother the family. Apparently, no one told Beth that she wasn’t supposed to come in back and bother the help.”
There was a small chuckle from the group.
“She saw me and, bored out of her skull, she ordered me to play with her.”
Beth’s cheeks flushed. “I was bossy back then.”
“Just back then?” Ash teased.
“She and I have been friends ever since. To me, she’s been like a sister.”
A tear fell on Beth’s cheek and she mouthed, “Me too.”
“I’m so glad that she and Ash found each other again. What a beautiful family you make with my favorite munchkin, Hannah Banana.”
“That’s me!” Hannah burst out bouncing in her chair.
“I would like to take some credit in all this wonderful happiness. I was rooting for you to win her over, Ash.”
“Thank you,” he said with a nod. “It wasn’t easy.”
I laughed. “But there was never any doubt that Beth loved you. Had always loved you. And I know she’ll always love you. Here’s to Beth and Ash, and finally having their happily ever after.”
“Here, here,” the members of the wedding party said as they held their glasses up in a toast and then drank.
With that out of the way, I needed air. I wasn’t sure my nerves could handle more Kade Raven, even as I desperately wanted more from him. I excused myself and headed toward the bar. Once I got there, I decided I needed fresh air more than a drink. Remembering a side door when I went to the bathroom, I decided to use that instead of risking being seen walking through the restaurant to the front door. I didn’t want anyone to think I was leaving.
I stepped into the warm night air, inhaling. We were in New York City, so the air wasn’t necessarily pleasant, although since I was near Kade’s kitchen it wasn’t bad.
My nerves were just settling down when the door opened and a man in chef’s coat stepped out with Kade behind him.
Kade noticed me, tilting his head as if he was surprised that I was there. But he kept his conversation with the chef.
“We had some trouble with the fish tonight, but I think that was because we had two new people on the crew,” the chef said.
“Two? Tonight?” Kade’s tone suggested he didn’t like that.
“Jer thought since it would be a smaller crowd, it was a good night to get them up to speed.”
“That crowd is my family.”
The chef winced. “I did mention that. Was it a problem?”
Kade put his hands on his hips. “Not that I heard. In the future, I’d rather not use my family as a testing ground for new crew.”
“Gotcha.”
Kade put his hand on the chef’s shoulder. “Thanks for all your work on this, Cap. I know you don’t like new stuff on the menu, but if we don’t change — ”
“We become obsolete,” said the chef, who was apparently named or nicknamed Cap.
Kade grinned, and it was stunning. “Glad we’re on the same page. You have a good night.”
Cap nodded and headed back into the kitchen. I’d expected Kade to follow him, but instead he turned to me, grinning again. This time though, there was something mischievous about it, making my spine shiver with sweet anticipation.
He walked slowly, but with purpose toward me, pressing his palm against the wall next to me. “Are you hiding from me?”
“No.” Maybe.
He quirked a brow like he didn’t believe me. “You sure?”
“Pretty sure.”
He laughed and it was the first time I think I’d heard him laugh so freely. Like the real, authentic Kade was standing in front of me. Blocking me against the wall. Any other time, I might find this predicament a concern. Right now, I liked being held captive by Kade.
“Are you ready for dessert?” There was a gleam in his eyes, but I couldn’t be sure if it was because of whatever glorious confection he’d concocted for dessert, or innuendo. No, not innuendo, silly. I wasn’t his type.
“What is it?”
His eyes drifted to my mouth and he licked his lips. Yowza. His gaze returned to my eyes. “Well, you have a choice. There’s a tiramisu cheesecake, or bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Or a French apple tart.” He leaned in closer. “Or me.”
Oh my god, oh my god. You, you, you.
He cocked his head to the side. “Do you know what I want for dessert?”
I shook my head because words failed me.
“Something sweet and decadent.”
I nodded. That sounded yummy.
“Your l
ips have been taunting me with their sweet decadence since the moment I met you.”
I couldn’t believe it, and yet I wasn’t going to argue.
He smiled as if he knew he’d taken me off guard. “Can I taste you, Morgan?”
Absolutely. I nodded, watching him as he took his time to close the distance between us. His lips touched mine, and like wildfire, a flash of heat burst through my entire body. I’d have expected someone like Kade to be aggressive in his kiss, but he was slow, soft, and thorough as he consumed my lips.
Finally, he lifted his head. “Delicious.” He winked and then headed back into the restaurant.
Meanwhile, my legs turned into jelly, and I sank down the side of the wall. “Wow!”
5
Kade — Friday
I wondered who came up with the idea of the bachelor party. They didn’t really make sense to me. I guess it was supposed to be one last hurrah before being tied down in marriage, but having a party with nearly naked women shaking their tits and rubbing their bare asses on the groom’s crotch didn’t seem like the best way to spend the night before a marriage. So much could go wrong. Bachelor parties weren’t a hall pass to fuck another woman before settling down with the woman ‘til death did they part. So why would a man tempt himself by having a party with scantily-clad women involved? Celebrating an upcoming marriage made sense, but not in a bacchanalian orgy.
Chase was smart enough to know Ash wasn’t into strip clubs or naked women popping out of cakes. He wasn’t into that either, anymore. Neither was Hunter, the true king of the daily one-night stand. Truth was, the idea of a strip club didn’t hold much interest for me either. To be honest, they never really did. Not that I didn’t like naked woman dancing, but I’d much rather watch a woman strip in my bedroom where I could stroke my dick until she was ready to fuck me, than watch her on stage surrounded by a bunch of horny men. It reeked of desperation.
That’s how we ended up at a burlesque club. Granted, it wasn’t that much different. There were still lots of underdressed women. Women I barely noticed, because since last night, my mind had been annoyingly laser-focused on Morgan. I couldn’t remember ever thinking about a woman and eagerly anticipating seeing her again since my first crush on my twenty-two-year-old eighth grade English teacher.