by Kaylee, Katy
“She actually wants to have a food cart.”
“What?” I cringed. “She can’t expect to make any decent money from a food cart. The money is in upscale.”
“That’s not what she said she wanted,” Ash said.
“She was probably thinking small because she didn’t have funding. With Raven support, she can have the resources she needs.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask her about it. But Morgan would have the final say. This is her business.”
“I can help her with this,” I insisted.
“Kade’s right. If she’s to have the best chance of success, maybe he needs to be involved,” Chase said.
“I don’t have any problem with that,” Ash said. “But it is her decision.”
When I left the meeting, my mood was significantly lifted. That is, until Ash entered my office with the look that said I was about to get a lecture.
“Here is the information I have so far on Beth’s program ideas as well as Morgan’s food service business.” Ash handed me two files.
“I’ll look them over now.”
Ash took a seat in the chair in front of my desk. “What’s the deal with you and Morgan?”
“There is no deal.” That was true. We’d agreed on one night, and while it didn’t go quite as planned, it ended exactly as we’d agreed. If only I could forget it and move on, my life would be so much easier.
“I meant what I said before, Kade. She’s not someone you can fuck and then leave.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. “Why are you here?” I had to wonder if Morgan said something to Beth who then blabbed to Ash.
“You just seem a little more eager than I’d have thought to take on this project. Morgan is Beth’s best friend, and I don’t want you hurting her.”
“I don’t have to fuck her to help her start a restaurant.”
“I don’t want you fucking her at all. She deserves more.”
It was stupid how much that comment hurt. “I get it. You think I’m an asshole that doesn’t deserve what the rest of you have.”
He jerked back. “No.”
“Ah yes, that’s just want you said.”
“You deserve happiness with a woman if want it. But you’ve been pretty clear in your words and actions that you like the playboy lifestyle. All I’m saying is that Morgan doesn’t become one of your notches.”
Too late. I glared at him.
“Unless…are you giving up the playboy lifestyle? Do you like Morgan?”
Yes. “No. I know how to control my dick, Ash. I’m not the one who knocked up a girl.”
“Hey. That’s my wife and daughter you’re dissing.”
“I’m not dissing them. I'm just saying I’m not irresponsible. I don’t knock up women, fuck interns, or therapists that end up getting their licenses suspended. That’s the rest of you.”
Ash sat back and studied me. “Maybe you should. It’s turned out okay for the rest of us.”
I leaned forward. “If I’m going to find happiness by messing up like you guys did, then shouldn’t I be fucking my sister-in-law’s friend? The recipient of Raven money? That breaks all sorts of rules and ethics.”
Ash’s jaw tensed. “Keep your dick away from Morgan. I mean it, Kade.”
I sat back. “I’ve got work to do.”
He stood, and I was glad he was accepting my dismissal of him. “Let me know what you think of these proposals.”
Jesus. I let out a breath. What the fuck was I going to do? I didn’t want to heed Ash’s advice. The truth was, I was seriously regretting agreeing to a one-night stand. One time with Morgan wasn’t enough. She wasn’t a virgin anymore. And to think of the things I could teach her… My dick sprang to life just thinking about it.
At the same time, Ash was probably right that I shouldn’t risk Beth’s project or her friend’s heart. That meant I’d need to behave. Keep everything professional with Morgan as we built her restaurant, because there was no way I was doing a food cart.
It wouldn’t be easy to keep my dick in line, but I could do it. At this point, I was just glad to have an excuse to see Morgan again.
I skimmed through the small business loan program Ash and Beth had put together. On the surface, it looked good. Instead of looking at Morgan’s idea, I went to my computer and researched spots that would make a good place for a new restaurant. Then I remembered a place we’d bought recently on Fifth Avenue, not far from the reservoir. It was the right size for a starter restaurant, especially for that area. The former owner hadn’t known the first thing about running a restaurant, and was drowning in debt when we bought it. Right now, it was sitting empty, which wasn’t smart business on our end. I was lucky my dad or brothers weren’t hassling me about it.
I drew up a plan with a few ideas around the best food options for that area. I emailed my ideas to Ash, and then I grabbed my coat and headed out to check the space to get more ideas, hire cleaners, and see about what needed to be fixed or replaced.
As I walked around the space, I felt life creep back into me. I could see Morgan and I testing food and wine. I closed my eyes, remembering how she savored food when she ate. Food was as sensual of an experience for her as it was for me. I cursed that I hadn’t paid attention to whether or not she made that same face when she orgasmed.
I only hoped she didn’t hate my guts, or wouldn’t let what had happened get in the way of the success she could have. In an ideal world, she’d still want me. Or at least, want what I could give her. She’d wanted me to be the one to take her virginity. Maybe she’d want me to be the one to show her all ways a man and woman could pleasure each other. Just the thought of it had my dick responding again.
“You’re a fucking nuisance sometimes,” I said. But that night, as I lay in bed imagining a finished restaurant with Morgan manning the front of the house as it filled with customers, and then fantasized about her sucking me off in that same restaurant after people left, I didn’t mind my erection. It would have been better if Morgan was there in the flesh, but I had a pretty good memory and imagination. I came hard all over my belly. After cleaning up, I fell asleep feeling excited about this new project and the possibilities with Morgan.
12
Morgan — Wednesday
I was both excited and nervous as I made my way to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Fifth Avenue, right across from the park, wasn’t what I’d envisioned when first dreamed up my food cart idea, but I couldn’t very well fuss about it. What Ash and Beth were doing for me was amazing, and I didn’t want to come off as ungrateful by complaining that I wanted a cart, not a restaurant. Besides, Ash was probably right. If I was going to make a living at this that would support me and mother, and pay for her growing medical bills, I’d need to think bigger. The only problem was, thinking bigger also meant a bigger loan, and that scared me.
I reached the location and opened the door. Ash and Beth stood in the middle of the space talking to Kade. My heart stopped at the sight of him. He was in a suit, but his coat was off and his shirt sleeves were rolled up. He was leaning over a fold up table pointing to something on the papers he had there.
“Oh hey, you’re here,” Beth said. “Come see the plans.”
Kade turned, his gaze meeting mine, and a yearning so strong rolled through me. One night had been my idea, but it had been a dumb one, because looking at him, all I wanted to do was rip his shirt off and run my hands over every inch of him. Even the memory of him being repulsed by my virginity couldn’t stop the wave of need coursing through my veins.
I mustered a smile. “This place looks great.”
Beth stepped aside and made space for me to see the plans. It was just a blueprint, but I could tell it was fancier than I’d envisioned. I listened as Kade went over the plans, occasionally pointing somewhere in the room to tell me where something would be located.
“What do you think, Morgan?” Ash asked. “Does this meet your vision?”
I swallowed as I took a moment
to decide whether I’d just go with it or be honest. “Well, this is more than I envisioned. I was thinking of a food cart that offered flavor fusions. You know, Korean tacos or Peruvian fried chicken. Something casual where regular people can eat. Something good, but affordable.”
“You need to think bigger, Morgan,” Kade said. “Flavor fusion is a good idea, but it’ll do better with the upscale crowd. They’re more willing to pay for a food experience.”
Sweat beaded between my breasts as the fear about what I was agreeing to intensified. “I’m not a chef, nor affluent. I don’t know how to pull this off. I like food and feel confident about my own dishes, but this…” I scanned the room. It was a good size, but at the same time, I felt like it was closing in on me.
“That’s what you’ve got me for.” He smiled, and for a moment I wished he was saying I had him in other ways. “I have the experience and knowledge that you don’t. You have the ideas. I can offer guidance and help in execution.”
“How do you have time for this? You have your own restaurants, plus the Raven ones.”
“I’m an expert at delegating and multitasking. I’ve got a chef who’s looking for a change, and I think this will excite him. We’ll hire a general manager to help with the overall management, which will give you time to develop your recipes and wow your customers, as well as have some personal time.”
There was a glint in his eyes at the mention of personal time. I wanted to believe he was thinking of us together during that personal time, but that was stupid. If he wanted to see me, all he had to do was pick up the phone, not help me start a restaurant. He was only here because this was his expertise.
“This is… it’s so much.”
Beth wrapped her arm around me. “I know you’re overwhelmed. This is bigger than you’d planned, including the money and risk, but honey, we all believe in you and your idea.”
That wasn’t completely true. This wasn’t my idea. My idea was smaller. But I couldn’t help but feel excited about the potential of this place. And I had to believe that Kade wouldn’t be a part of it if he didn’t think it could work.
“I’ll be here every step, Morgan,” Kade said. My heart flipped in my chest. The idea of working so closely with him both excited and terrified me. I wanted to see him work. I wanted to share a passion for food with someone who loved it like I did. I wanted to touch him, and have him show me what it could be like between a man and a woman. The part that scared me was that I’d fall for him. Fall more than I already had.
“Yes, okay,” I said, hoping the quiver of fear in my voice didn’t make them second guess my ability to take on this daunting task. “But I can manage it. We don’t need to waste money on a manager. I need to learn the ropes anyway.”
“You’ll learn it, but you don’t have to do it,” Kade said. “The key to success in anything is focusing on what you’re best at and delegating necessary tasks to those who are better at than you.”
I could see the wisdom of that, but paying for expertise was expensive.
“You’ll save money in the long run,” Ash said, “if money is your concern.”
“I feel like if I delegate everything, there is nothing for me to do.”
“There’s plenty to do.” Kade said. “Creating food and designing a menu never stops. In essence, you’re the food expert.”
“That isn’t the chef?”
“Chefs are food experts, and it doesn’t hurt to let them be involved in the menu planning. But in the end, their job is to create your food ideas. To fulfill your vision.”
That made sense.
“The other part of this program is that you’ll be getting mentorship in business management,” Beth said.
“Who will be my mentor?”
“Me.” Kade held his hands out.
“Unless you have a problem with that,” Ash said.
Kade frowned at him.
“No. I don’t have a problem with that,” I said.
Kade glared at Ash as he put his arm around me. “Morgan and I are going to make beautiful food and tons of money together.”
Feeling his body pressed against mine fired up every cell in my body. If Beth and Ash weren’t there, I might have thrown myself at him.
“This is your business,” Ash continued on. “Beth is right, we believe in you, but when all is said and done, this is your deal. Win or lose, success or failure, it’s yours.”
“Ash.” Beth glared at him. “Don’t be so doomsday.”
“If she isn’t sold on this plan, then she shouldn’t do it. Business is hard enough to succeed in. If it’s not your passion or vision, it’s nearly impossible.”
It wasn’t my vision, but I couldn’t turn this down. My best friend arranged the opportunity of a lifetime for me. And while it wasn’t what I’d planned, it wasn’t so far off either. The food was still what I’d wanted. It was just on a bigger scale. With Kade’s mentorship, how could I lose? I had too much to gain not to say yes.
“Thank you all so much. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“Listen, I’ve to got run, but let’s plan to meet Tuesday, Morgan. Does that work for you?” Kade asked.
“Yes.”
“How about here?” he suggested.
“Yes, I can do that.”
“Excellent.” He flashed me a smile that nearly had me swooning. “See you at the office, Ash. Give my niece a hug when you see her, Beth.”
Kade exited, and I let out a breath. He was a powerful and potent man.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” Ash asked.
“Why wouldn’t she be?” Beth asked, her eyes narrowing at him.
“Kade can be… a bulldozer.”
“He’s enthusiastic and passionate.” Beth turned to me. “Do you have a problem with Kade?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“The only thing you need to watch out for with Kade his libido,” Beth said.
I laughed. “No worries there. I’m not his type.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Ash quipped.
His comment had Beth grabbing his lapels. “What do you know, Ash Raven?”
He held his hands up in surrender. I held my breath as I wondered what he’d say.
“I don’t know anything. He just seems to have an interest in Morgan.”
“Well why wouldn’t he? She’s beautiful and smart. And she’s passionate about food, like he is.”
“That’s all true,” he agreed.
“It’s the food,” I said. “We share an interest in cooking.”
“See,” Beth said to Ash. “You worry too much.”
He wrapped his arm around her, and tugged her against him. “You make me crazy.”
She smiled. “Good.”
I loved to watch them together, but often, I felt like a third wheel. “Should I leave you two alone?”
Beth disentangled herself from him. “No. Sorry about that.”
“How about we stop by the house before I go back to the office?” Ash said, a gleam in his eyes.
I knew what that meant. “You two are adorable. Saccharinely annoying, but adorable. I’ve got to get home and check on my mom. You’re welcome to stay — actually, no. No sex in my restaurant.”
Ash blushed. Beth looked intrigued. “Maybe we can go to Jet.”
“Oh, god. TMI.” I made my way to the door. “Hey, thank you. Really. I’m going to make you proud.” At least, I was going to try my damndest.
13
Kade — Tuesday
I arrived at the restaurant location early. It was embarrassing, how eager I was to see Morgan. For some reason, having met with her last week ramped up all the thoughts I was already having. She wasn’t just haunting me now; she was a part of me. It was annoying ,and yet, thrilling. I’d spent the first weeks after that night with her trying to forget her. That turned out to be impossible. So, I’d indulged my urges, using her image to get me off when the need arose. Like during this morning�
��s jack off session, where in my mind, I was back in that hotel bed, remembering the scent of her body and taste of her sweet pussy. I remembered how tight and how fucking good it had felt to be inside her. I cursed myself for fucking it up because had I played it right, I would have had her all night, and perhaps even more nights after that.
I had to rein in my racing thoughts of her. I’d scare her off if I gave away all the dirty images I had in my head. I needed to be professional, because this endeavor required her attention and care. The good news was that this project would allow me to explore this pull she had on me, and whatever that was about. Would it burn away eventually, or would it simmer on?
The door opened and she walked in, smiling as she saw me. Jesus! I put my hand over my chest as her smile did me in. She scanned the room, and I used the time to try and remember what it was I needed to tell her.
“Are these swatches and paint chips for here?” she asked as she walked over the work table.
Oh yeah, we were here to talk about the design of our restaurant. “Yes.” I stood next to her, inhaling her sweet scent, and wondering what she’d think that I was thinking in terms of “ours” as opposed to hers.
“I’m thinking dark woods, earthy colors like gold. Since your fusion is about foreign foods, these colors will be easy for fusing various cultures.”
She studied the colors and nodded, although I wasn’t sure she really liked them. I couldn’t be sure, because I was distracted by the heat of her. My fingers itched to touch her again.
“You don’t think that will make it too dark? I want something that feels light and friendly.” When I didn’t answer right away, she turned her head, and those sweet lips were right there for the taking.
“Ah… this is rich, but approachable,” I stuttered.
She had to know that I was captivated by her.
Her cheeks flushed as she bit her lower lip, and that was it. I was a goner.
“Ah, fuck, Morgan,” I said, pulling her to me. “I’ll die if I don’t taste you.” When she didn’t push me away, I took that as a sign. My mouth covered hers in an all-consuming kiss that had fireworks blasting in my brain. When she parted her lips and invited me, I wondered if the top of my head was even still there, because she completely blew my mind.