by J. H. Croix
Flynn sighed. “I hope Harry didn’t hire her. They do a much faster business at the restaurant than we do. Tonya didn’t know how to hurry to save her life.”
“I’ll do it.” Those words just flew out of my mouth without my permission.
Flynn spun around, giving me an intent, searching look. “Aren’t you due to fly out at the end of this week?”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t have to go back.”
I was suddenly flustered under Flynn’s gaze, which felt like an X-ray into my soul. Maybe I hadn’t planned on blurting that out, and maybe it was crazy. But maybe it was also exactly what I needed.
“Okay, princess, you’re hired,” he said flatly.
Chapter Twelve
Flynn
Daphne stared at me, pink tingeing her cheeks before she looked down at the pan in front of her and turned off the burner flame underneath it. When her auburn lashes swept up again, she lifted her chin slightly, and a jolt of electricity sizzled down my spine. I’d just lost my mind.
Cat squealed, abruptly reminding me I wasn’t alone with Daphne. She had the strangest effect on me, causing me to instantly forget other people were nearby. I hadn’t laid a finger on her—hell, I hadn’t even gotten within a foot of her—since my temporary break from reality that night. It didn’t matter; nothing seemed to cool my ardor for her.
I stuffed another piece of cheese in my mouth and walked out of the kitchen with Grant trailing me.
“Good choice. Daphne’s the best cook we’ve ever had, and you don’t even yell at her.” I looked his way only to collide with the sly glint in his eyes and a teasing grin. “All you gotta do is keep your hands off her.”
Chapter Thirteen
Daphne
“Oh, come on,” Nora implored. “I need the company. Plus, you haven’t even been to the lodge restaurant. You need to investigate the competition.”
“Competition?” I looked out the windows where I saw nothing but mountains, trees, and the ocean in the distance. “I don’t really think a restaurant at a ski lodge twenty miles away is competition.”
Nora glared at me. “What do I have to do to guilt you into going with me? I don’t want to go on my own because I have a ton of errands to do, and errands are boring.”
“All you had to do was say that. I don’t need to be guilted. What time?”
“Will this afternoon work?”
At my nod, Nora’s brown eyes twinkled with her smile. “Awesome. I’ll come find you.” She paused, her gaze flicking down to my shirt. “You might want to change that.”
I looked down at said shirt. Flour was dusted across the front because I’d started kneading dough without remembering to put on my apron. That wasn’t the problem, though. There was a giant splash of coffee as an accent over one of my breasts.
I glared at it. “I didn’t even notice. Thanks for the heads-up.”
I hurried off and wasn’t paying attention as I began jogging up the spiral staircase. Apparently, Flynn wasn’t looking either as he began to descend. We’d done an admirable job of avoiding each other for the past few weeks. Ever since “that night” as I’d come to think of it, I’d studiously tried to keep my distance. I’d also tried not to think too much about it.
While I had succeeded in keeping my distance, I’d utterly and completely failed at not thinking about it. Flynn filled my thoughts, crowding out everything else when I had a spare minute.
And here we were, about to collide on the spiral staircase. My only options were to back down and look like a coward or shimmy sideways to get past him.
“Excuse me.” Dear God, my voice came out raspy
As I turned sideways to go by, my foot caught on a tread, and I stumbled. Flynn, being the steady, strong man he was, caught me with one hand on my hip and the other on my shoulder when I stumbled into him.
“Easy there,” he murmured.
Now, I was literally plastered against him, and my nipples stood at attention. There was nowhere for me to jump back, and I knew my cheeks were bright red when I looked up at him.
“Sorry,” I said breathlessly.
My feet seemed genuinely stuck in place. My only solace was that Flynn didn’t seem to be moving either. Considering he’d been avoiding me just as thoroughly as I’d been avoiding him, I didn’t think he was doing that on purpose.
For a flicker, I thought he was going to kiss me. My body was practically leaning into it as my eyes tore free from his tractor beam of a gaze and landed on his lips.
Oh, sweet hell. I knew exactly how good of a kisser Flynn was. I also knew he could work magic with his mouth just about anywhere on my body. I had a vivid and piercing memory of the feel of his mouth closing over one of my aching nipples as his fingers teased into my slick core in the darkness of that rainy night. Heat rushed through me, and my heart started pounding so hard and so fast, I was certain he could hear it.
“Flynn!” someone called.
My breath came out in a startled huff. I instinctively tried to jump back, only to lose my balance again on the stairs. Flynn, being the rescue-y kind of guy he was, steadied me again.
The two points where his hands were on me—my left hip and my right shoulder—felt branded, the heat of his touch so intense it sent sparks scattering through my entire body.
“Flynn!” the voice called again.
“I think someone needs you,” I whispered.
“Yeah. That’s Grant.”
He eased his hands off me. We didn’t speak again as I finally shimmied past him with my heart rioting in my chest, and my panties wet.
Hurrying into my room, I caught myself before I actually slammed the door shut. I wasn’t slamming it out of anger. The momentum of my frazzled nerves and the driving beat of my pulse had my body so revved up, everything was happening too fast and too hard.
I stopped in the center of my room and closed my eyes, willing my out of control pulse and the heat racing through my body to slow down. I was practicing deep breathing techniques I’d learned in therapy just to get a hold of myself after a close encounter with Flynn. That was how bad I had it.
I’d dived off the deep end when it came to him. That night, which I hadn’t been able to resist, had been a bout of pure insanity. I kept telling myself it never would’ve happened if I hadn’t been so out of my element.
Opening my eyes, I squeezed my hands into tight little fists and released them before swinging my arms like windmills. That was another trick I’d learned when I was deep in grief, under a crushing weight I didn’t think I could ever shake off my chest. My therapist had told me to use my body as a tool of distraction to nudge my thoughts out of the ruts in my brain. It actually worked, even when I didn’t believe it could.
After a few jumping jacks, I hurried across my room to the small closet and pulled out a clean shirt. I didn’t worry all that much about how I looked when I was working, but I tried not to sport too many spills. As I tugged it over my head, I realized I was impatient for the day to pass. I was looking forward to dinner with Nora. In all honesty, I was quite curious about the social life of Diamond Creek.
Although I’d driven into town a few times on my own and once or twice to do errands with Cat, who was always a good volunteer and ever helpful at carrying things and keeping track of what we needed for the kitchen, I hadn’t spent much time there just for fun. When I hurried down the spiral staircase, Flynn wasn’t blocking my way this time, so I made it downstairs with no trouble.
One thing Alaska was teaching me was that I could survive on my own. Although my choice to come here was serendipitous, and frankly random, it was turning out to be good for me. With the exception of my confused and endless desire for Flynn.
Chapter Fourteen
Flynn
Angling my plane in the air, I looked ahead at the glacier tucked between two mountain peaks, glowing and otherworldly blue under the sunshine. I heard a few oohs and aahs from the back of the plane and angled to the side to offer a better view. I
was flying along the mountains encircling Kachemak Bay before returning to Diamond Creek.
Most of this area was undeveloped, especially on the far side of the bay. There were a few Alaska Native villages scattered on the shores, along with Seldovia, which was one of the oldest towns in the area.
I’d flown this group to Seldovia for the morning to tour the picturesque little town. Inside of a half hour, I had landed and taxied the plane into the hangar after everyone disembarked. It was late afternoon, and I went through my usual routine of checking everything on the plane before leaving for the day. I was putting a few things away in our storage room there when I heard someone call my name.
Leaning my head out, I saw Elias approaching. “In here,” I called.
His head swiveled in my direction, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space as he crossed to me. Stopping inside the doorway and resting his shoulder on the frame, he asked, “How many trips do we have tomorrow?”
“Four. I have you slated to take two. That gonna work?”
Elias nodded. “Yeah. Just sorting my schedule mentally. My mom’s flying in tomorrow evening.”
“Oh, that’s right. She’s staying out at the resort, right?”
“Of course. Be prepared for her to be as nosy as usual,” he offered with a chuckle.
“She flying in to Diamond Creek or Anchorage?”
“All the way to Diamond Creek. I arranged her flights.”
“She’ll be glad to see you.” I zipped up my day bag and slung it over my shoulder. “You drive or ride with Gabriel?”
“I hitched a ride with him this morning. I was hoping I could hitch a ride back with you.”
“You know you don’t even need to ask,” I replied as we turned and walked out together. “You mind if I stop and get some coffee?”
“Of course not.”
A few minutes later, we were in line at Red Truck Coffee. Cammi was noticeably absent today, and the guy she had covering for her looked a bit overwhelmed. When we got to the front of the line, Elias was short with him.
Catching the guy’s eyes, I quipped, “Don’t take it personally. He’s just out of sorts because Cammi isn’t here.”
I heard Elias almost choke on his coffee and turned to whack him on the back helpfully. “I’m sure she’ll be back tomorrow, right?”
The guy nodded. “Yeah, she’s moving, so she’s got me here while she rounds up people to help her with that. She’ll be back bright and early tomorrow. I hope the coffee is okay.”
I took a swallow. “Delicious, as always.” I slid the kid an extra tip.
Elias remained silent throughout this exchange. When we got back in my truck, he said, “Fuck you.”
I arched a brow and started my truck. “You don’t wanna fuck me; you wanna fuck Cammi.”
“Yeah, just like you wanna fuck Daphne.”
Elias never pulled any punches, and this was not the first time he’d given me shit about Daphne.
Little did he know I’d been insane enough to act on my totally inappropriate and ridiculous attraction to Daphne. A jolt sizzled through me at the mere mention of Daphne, and I instantly recalled her body shuddering in my arms. I didn’t know what I’d been thinking that night. I suppose I hadn’t been thinking. At all. Even worse, I was coming to regret that I hadn’t taken things all the way. Some stupid and misplaced sense of honor stopped me and held me in check.
Now, I didn’t know if I’d ever get that chance again. I did know the chemistry wouldn’t fucking quit between us. I focused on the road as I turned. “So what if I do? You’re not Cammi’s boss. You can have your way with her. Plus, I think she likes you too.”
Elias narrowed his eyes at me when I glanced his way. “For fuck’s sake, don’t you dare turn into a matchmaker.”
I chuckled. “I could say the same to you.”
I felt his shrug. “Whatever. Plus, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal that you’re Daphne’s boss. It’s not like there’s an HR department to chase you down.”
As I slowed to turn onto the road that would lead us to the highway, the sound of a honking horn drew my attention. Looking to my left, I saw my sister Nora waving madly in her truck with Daphne in the passenger seat.
I stared a beat too long, and Elias interjected, “See? One look at her and you’re stunned.”
Turning, I cuffed him lightly on the shoulder. “Fuck you.”
“You don’t wanna fuck me; you wanna fuck Daphne.” He laughed as he threw my own words back at me. With him laughing too hard, I lifted a hand to wave at Nora and Daphne, biting my cheeks to keep from wondering aloud where they were going.
Chapter Fifteen
Daphne
“Oh, my God,” I moaned, speaking just as I finished swallowing. “This food is divine. If I was trying to run a restaurant here in Diamond Creek, this would be serious competition. Actually, it would be serious competition anywhere.”
I took another bite of the balsamic glazed salmon, savoring every second it was in my mouth. “How’s yours?” I asked as I paused to take a sip of wine.
“Divine, just like you said.” Nora had gotten the halibut tacos. I’d already taken a few bites and offered her some of my salmon in return. Halibut tacos were a distinctly Alaskan dish and scrumptious. The creamy and subtle fish was perfect with cilantro and peach salsa.
Nora took another bite and leaned back in her chair. “I need to slow down. I can’t overdo it and ruin the amazing. I have to say, though, your food is just as good as this.”
“You don’t need to shower me with compliments,” I said before taking another bite of my salmon.
“I know I don’t need to, but I just want you to know your food is freaking amazing. If I understand right, you once ran a bakery. Is that so?”
“True story. It was my big accomplishment. I love to cook. It worked out perfectly that your last cook quit. I get to do what I love without the pressure of running an actual restaurant.”
Nora took another bite of her halibut tacos and then eyed me speculatively. “Can I be nosy?” she asked with a grin teasing the corners of her mouth.
“I’m pretty sure you’re just going to be nosy anyway, but I’ll give you permission since you asked,” I returned dryly.
Nora laughed just as a woman approached our table. It wasn’t the man who seated us or the young woman who waited on us. Nora clearly knew her, though, because her face broke into a wide smile. “Hey, Delia.” She stood and pulled the woman into a quick hug. “This is my friend Daphne,” she said, gesturing to me. I didn’t know if I counted as Nora’s friend, but my heart warmed a little at having her describe me as one. “She’s our new chef.”
I started to stand, and Delia waved me back in my chair. “No need to get up. I’ve heard your food is amazing,” she said, her blue eyes twinkling. With her honey-blond hair and warm smile, Delia was simply lovely.
“You’ve heard about my food?” Anxiety spun in my chest. Although the kitchen was one area where I felt confident, it was always intimidating to wonder what other skilled chefs might think. Having come from a city where trying to start a new restaurant was a cutthroat business, I’d been enjoying my anonymity here.
Delia’s eyes twinkled. “Of course. I’m sure you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere out there, but you’re only twenty minutes away. All of the guests come to Diamond Creek for shopping and more food.”
“We love her, and I told Flynn not to be an asshole to her,” Nora piped up.
My laughter bubbled out. “He’s stayed out of my way so far.”
“He knows a good chef when he’s found one,” Nora said firmly. “By the way, did you hire the last chef we had who quit?” Her eyes swung to Delia.
Delia shook her head. “Marley told me that she actually complained about Flynn at the interview. Although I’m not here to defend Flynn, that’s never a good look.”
Nora nodded while I remained silent, thinking there wasn’t much for me to offer on that point.
Delia glanced back at me. “Welcome to the area. If you keep turning out food as good as the rumors say, I don’t think you’ll need to worry about Flynn being a jerk to you.”
Delia departed with a light squeeze on my shoulder, immediately stopping to check on another table as she moved away.
“She seems really nice,” I offered after taking a sip of my wine.
“Delia’s great. Although we both grew up around here, I didn’t really get to know her until the past few years. She was a few years ahead of me in school, and you know how that goes. Anyway, she manages the restaurant here. She was a single mom for years, but then she fell in love with Garrett Hamilton, whose family owns this ski lodge. He’s a hotshot attorney who moved up here from Seattle. His brother, Gage, runs this place with his wife. Garrett came up for a vacation and fell in love with Delia. It was all very romantic,” Nora explained. “It’s nice to see her doing so well. And if she’s heard about your food, that’s a good sign.”
I rolled my eyes. “I appreciate the compliments as much as anyone, but it’s not a business issue. The people are going to eat there no matter what. They might come to Diamond Creek for lunch or dinner occasionally but…” My words trailed off with a shrug.
“I know, but we like the food to be good. You do seem to be immune to Flynn’s attitude,” she offered with a cheeky smile.
“I don’t know about that. He gets cranky; he just doesn’t snap at me too much.”
Nora looked as if she was considering something, but she simply lifted her water and took a swallow. “Do you like that wine?” she asked, gesturing to my wine glass. She was sticking with water since she was driving, but she’d insisted I try this particular wine.
“It’s delicious. Did you say it’s local?”
“Yes. It’s from Diamond Creek Brewery. They make wine too. I keep telling Flynn we should buy from them occasionally, but he says it’s too expensive. He worries about money constantly.”