by Amelia Star
“Well, Hailey, I am always ready to go,” he answers coolly.
Looking away from him a moment, I announce, “Okay, everyone–let’s get cleaned up for the late-nighters’ wave.”
Ted turns to clean up his temporary prep-work station.
“Not you.” I turn and start walking. Talking to him over my shoulder, I say, “Follow me, this way.” On our way to the office, I congratulate everyone on the great job they did tonight.
We get to the office, and I close the door behind us in the small space.
When I turn to face him, he’s closer than I expected. Strong, masculine, with his shirtsleeves rolled up showing his biceps that startled me even more than the scar he showed me earlier. The scar startled me not so much because it looked like it had been a painful injury, but because it matches almost exactly the scar on my right arm.
“Go out with me,” he states.
It isn’t a question, and I find myself intrigued enough to say yes
◆◆◆
“It feels so weird being in a restaurant other than mine on a Friday night.” I lean back and look around Luigi’s dining room. The red velvet curtains are a bit much, even for a cheesy Italian place.
“Hey, Hailey.” Ted reaches across the table and takes my hand. “You’ve got to relax. Turn off that part of your brain that’s still thinking about the restaurant business.”
“How did you know I was assessing this place?” I laugh softly and lean forward.
“Your big, beautiful brown eyes say it all–you just had a very calculating look, the way you were eyeing the décor. How about if you try–just try–relaxing for once.”
Ted smiles, and there’s a twinkle in his dark eyes, eyes almost as dark as his skin, that tells me he’s going to be after me about this all night. So I might as well surrender now. “Okay, okay. I’m relaxing already.”
I lean back and just take him in–in a crisp, blue button-down shirt and tie, he looks like another man than the one I’m getting used to seeing in t-shirt and apron. He’s only been working at Delicious for You about a week, and I’m so happy to have him there. He livens the whole place up with his smile–and his biceps, with his sleeves rolled up.
“You know what we need? We need that bottle of wine.” Ted calls the waitress over and indicates his favorite, another cabernet sauvignon. We go ahead and order dinner also since we’ve decided what we want.
A few moments later, the sommelier approaches the table. We go through the uncorking ritual, and then we’re alone again. Well, as alone as a couple can be in a crowded, candle-lit restaurant.
“So what do you think?” I ask Ted. “It’s sweet and full-bodied, right?”
“Just the way I like it.” He pauses. “Or rather, just the way I like you.”
He looks me over in my red dress, and I feel warm everywhere. I let my black lace shawl slide down from my shoulders, and then I decide it’s time to ask him the question that’s been on my mind ever since we met, and I could tell he was hot for me.
“Okay, Ted. Time to ‘fess up. What’s a young buck like you doing with a ripe peach like me?”
Ted raises an eyebrow. “Are you kidding?” He takes a slow sip of his wine. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately, Hailey?”
Flattered yet not entirely satisfied, I go on. “You like the way I look, you’re saying. And that’s all?”
“Of course, that’s not all–you’ve got more than curves going for you. You are a hard-working woman who knows how to take care of herself, and a whole crew of employees–and you know how to do it with style. And I think there’s a lot more to you going on beneath the surface. But that’s why I asked you out, so I could get to know you better.”
I tilt my head to one side, considering what he said. I take a deep drink of the wine. “Well, not to change the subject or anything. But the minute I saw you, I knew….”
“Yes, you knew what?” he laughs.
“I knew you were the sexiest man who’d ever walked through the doors of Delicious for You and I was thrilled when you invited me to have a seat with you and your friends for a drink.” I blush with the confession.
“It was meant to be, Hailey.” Ted raises his wine glass and we toast.
“Tell me more about what you do at Rosewood,” I ask Ted then.
As he talks about the kids at the center, and how much he enjoys helping out there, he becomes more serious than I usually see him at Delicious for You. “These kids really need people who can be there for them.”
He impresses me so much, I decide maybe I’ll come over sometime and see if I can also help in the kitchen.
The waitress appears again at that moment, and we turn to our food. Ted reminds me only a few more times over dinner to take off my restaurant owner hat and relax like the sexy vixen he finds me to be.
I am actually feeling slightly more relaxed by the time we leave Luigi’s. It’s warm outside, and the streets are a bustle of activity. We walk along the sidewalk for a while, following the sound of the crickets singing in the evening.
I take off my shawl, and Ted turns to face me. “You look amazing in that red dress. You are amazing, Hailey. Come out with me again–on a picnic next weekend.”
“Two Fridays in a row off–” I start to protest. But Ted puts a finger to my lips.
“You deserve it–yes, time to relax and enjoy.” The night is fading around us, and the streetlights are shining down, spotlighting the hopeful look on Ted’s face.
Once again, I can’t resist. “Yes, I’d love to spend next Friday with you.”
Ted leans in and softly kisses me on the lips to seal the deal. People keep flowing around us on the crowded sidewalk while I’m lost in the kiss, lost in the taste of cabernet sauvignon on Ted’s full lips.
I’ve lost track of time when he stops and says, “Until then.”
“Mmmm-hmmm,” I agree, and we take hands and walk down the sidewalk enjoying the summer evening.
THREE–TED
It’s Friday afternoon–the day for our picnic. That’s all I can think about while Hailey and I are making spaghetti at Rosewood. Hailey started coming to the center Monday, and we’ve been enjoying the more relaxed mood here. Things get so busy at the restaurant, we don’t always have time to talk like we do here.
We’re in the kitchen at Rosewood, getting the late-afternoon meal for the kids ready. Everyone else is in the recreation hall, where Sarah’s leading the kids in a yoga and meditation class.
“Wait till the little munchkins get a sight of this,” I say, lifting the lid on the simmering spaghetti sauce.
Hailey steps close beside me and leans over the big pot. The powerful aroma of tomatoes, basil, and oregano–with the five pounds of real ground chuck that Hailey brought with her today–waft out into the kitchen.
Hailey smiles and then tilts her head. “I can tell by the aroma, it’s going to need more oregano. Hand me that spoon.”
I pick up the spoon on the counter. Instead of handing it to Hailey, I dip it into the sauce and hold out a steaming half-spoonful for her to taste.
“Careful, it’s hot,” I say, then sneakily, in a conspiratorial whisper I add, “But not as hot as I am for you.”
Hailey laughs and takes the spoon, but doesn’t move away from me. She delicately blows across the sauce and sniffs it carefully. Her eyelashes flutter, and she looks up at me almost coyly as she puts the spoon in her mouth. “Oh, yes. This is just right. No more oregano necessary. I’m loving it.”
I’m salivating by now, and it’s not for any spaghetti sauce. “And I’m loving you.” I can’t restrain myself. I take her in my arms and pull her strong yet soft curves close to my body. We fit together perfectly, and I press my lips to hers. She tastes heavenly–like more than spaghetti sauce. She tastes like my dream come true.
But someone could come into the kitchen at any moment. Still, I can’t stop. Something about Hailey makes me feel like I’m losing control.
The kiss goes on
, getting deeper and more passionate, until we hear clapping in the recreation room, bringing us back to reality.
“Well, you hot-blooded man,” Hailey moans. “I always knew you were a fast talker. But you know me. I have to see you in action before I–”
I smile, still pressing my whole body to hers, certain she can feel the swelling of my cock against her hip. “Before you what?”
“Before I show you this—I was going to wait until we went on our picnic after we leave here.” She pushes up the left sleeve of my t-shirt. “Ever since you showed me your scar, I have to admit, I was a little bit astonished.”
“Oh? Why’s that? It happened a long time ago–it’s not that big of a deal.”
Hailey pauses. “Well, take a look at this.” She rolls up the right sleeve of her light summer blouse.
My eyes go wide. “That’s incredible.” I can’t believe I’m looking at a mirror-image scar like mine. How could this be?
“It seems we really are meant to be together,” Hailey observes.
“But tell me–how did you get your scar?” I ask.
Then the clapping starts again in the recreation hall, and we pull apart when Serena comes in. “Oh –” she pauses and looks us over with her deep brown eyes seeing everything. “Was I interrupting something?” She smiles a tiny smile.
“You’re fine,” Hailey answers, blushing just a little. She looks irresistible when she blushes, but I will control myself.
“You two might as well get heading out. That picnic isn’t going to wait forever,” Serena says. Hailey and I let her in on our plans a few days ago.
So I go over the instructions to finish making the spaghetti noodles with Serena while I crank open the metal curtain over the serving area between the kitchen and recreation hall.
A few kids clamor up to the counter. “What smells so good?” Franklin asks. “Are we having something special tonight?”
“You’re having something very special tonight,” Sean answers, coming into the kitchen to help Serena with the final preparations.
“Well, Hailey and I are on our way now,” I announce, taking off my apron and hanging it near the door.
Serena nods and waves.
“Thanks again, Hailey, for all the supplies!” Sean comes over and talks with Hailey a few minutes about the donation program they’re working on with restaurants in the St. Louis Loop area.
“With this meals program getting started, we’re even going to be able to work on a remodeling project next, I’m hoping.” Sean is getting excited, telling us about his ideas of having Sarah’s friend paint the rec room soon.
Serena interrupts him before he gets going too much more, though. “Hey, Sean, could you give me a hand with buttering this bread?”
“Oh, right—of course.” And he goes to help her as Serena winks at Hailey and me, making a nod to the door for us to get going now while we have the chance.
When we enter the recreation hall, the kids stop putting away their yoga mats and all together give Hailey a big cheer of “Thank You.” They applaud, and we realize that’s what they were rehearsing for a few moments ago.
“I think they like you,” I turn to Hailey and say.
“Well, I kind of have a soft spot in my heart for them, too, as a matter of fact,” she answers. And she smiles that smile that goes straight to my heart every time.
FOUR–HAILEY
After following Ted to what he called his little hide-away in the middle of St. Louis, I get out of my car and follow a trail past a wide stream. Ted carries the cooler the whole way under the late afternoon sky. It’s hot out—but not as hot as it was earlier this week.
So far I’m just enjoying watching the muscles bulge on Ted’s arms as he hauls the cooler to this special location he says he’s picked out for us. All I need to carry is a bag with a few things for setting up our cozy picnic.
We turn a bend in the path between high grasses of this restored savannah, and Ted announces, “Here it is.”
“How charming!” It’s a very small stone amphitheater set in the hillside further downstream from the wide waters we passed earlier. We follow the stepping stone path to the stage alongside the edge of the water.
Ted sets the cooler on the uneven stones and takes the bag from my shoulder. “Now, Hailey, you just relax and let me set up everything.”
Feeling a bit lost without some way to occupy my hands, I try to insist, “But there’s got to be something I can do….”
Ted takes my hands and walks me to the stone seat. “You’re always arranging things, in charge at work, and having to make sure everything is under control. Well, now it’s time for you to let go of all that and let someone pamper you.”
I give in. “If you insist—”
“I insist.” Ted smiles and bends down, tilts my chin up, then kisses me softly on the lips. Oh, his full lips—they have the power to rouse a deep desire in my heart, and the spicy aroma of his skin takes over my senses, making my heart beat faster.
“Now, you just enjoy,” Ted says. He opens the cooler and gets busy setting up our little feast, spreading a cloth on the grassy area behind the first tier of seating for the little amphitheater.
Before I know it, before me are containers of scrumptious-looking foods and even a glass of wine.
“To the lady who deserves a night off.” Ted raises his glass and we toast.
Then he’s serving me, starting with a watermelon, tomato, and feta salad.
“This looks beautiful!” I exclaim.
Ted holds out a forkful of the flavorful combination, and I take the bite he offers.
“What do you think?” he looks anxious—even more than he did the first time he made the Glazed Salmon for me at Delicious for You.
“This is marvelous—there’s a touch of honey, isn’t there?”
“Yes,” Ted confirms. “And the juice of a lime.”
“Mmmm. Good.”
“I’m so glad you like it,” he says as he leans in for a kiss.
“Oh, my, that’s the most scrumptious.”
“Yes, you are, Hailey. But I have more for you.” He opens another container. “Try this. This potato salad has olive oil, white wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard instead of mayonnaise.”
“Perfect for a summer day,” I say as Ted offers me a bit of the second course, then tops it off with another kiss. This time, however, he’s kissing me on my neck while I finish chewing.
“Oh, Ted! This is crazy! Are you just going to devour me while I eat all the fabulous dishes you prepared?”
“Well, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” he replies.
“Come on, join me,” I insist. I hold up a biteful of the potato salad, and he takes it.
Then we get started at the same time on the Ham Sandwiches on his homemade biscuits with Dijon-Strawberry Mustard. Washing them down with the wine, I’m feeling about ready to stop when Ted reminds me to save room for dessert.
“And what I wonder is for dessert?” I ask. “Could it be your mother’s special recipe…?”
“You guessed it, it’s her world’s greatest Stove-Top Peach Cobbler Cake.”
“But now it’s your world’s greatest Stove-Top Peach Cobbler Cake,” I say.
Ted smiles and opens the lid to his grand finale. “Next time I make it for you, we’ll have it hot. Today, it’s going to be without ice cream, though, so you can savor its flavors on their own.”
Ted places a serving of the cobbler on each of our plates, and we indulge.
This whole experience is overwhelming my senses. The smells of all the foods, the tastes of the special ingredients that make each dish unique–and the smiles of Ted, his laughter, and each time he reaches out to touch me, moving me inside to want more of him.
“Okay,” he sighs, leaning back on the grassy area behind the stone seat. “Now it’s your turn.”
“My turn?” I ask, baffled. “I thought you said this is my night off.”
“Well, actually, I’m not going to
let you off completely. You see, I’m still waiting for you to finish your story.” He reaches out and touches my right shoulder, lifting the sleeve of my blouse.
“Oh, right.” I take the last bite of his truly fabulous cobbler and chew for a moment, thinking where to start. “Ted, you may not believe this. It’s really an amazing coincidence how I got my scar practically the same way you did, in a kitchen accident. I was twenty-one when I had my accident. I’d just learned to make Bananas Foster and the rum sauce was ready to be heated until bursting into flame—”
“Don’t even tell me you let it burn too long.” Ted’s eyes go wide.
“Oh, no, it wasn’t quite that bad,” I say shaking my head. “I just didn’t pull my hand away from the burner quickly enough and some sparks jumped up to my sleeve, which caught on fire–very briefly. Fortunately, my friend Lisa was standing by and doused me with the bottle of water she had. Still, we had to rush to the hospital for treatment.”
“Well, well.” Ted shakes his head. “That is just astounding–two mirror-image scars, caused by a similar kind of accident.” He stands up and walks around to face me. Kneeling down in front of me, he pushes up my shirt sleeve and kisses my scar.
“We were just meant to be,” Ted whispers.
“You really believe that, Ted? Despite the difference in our ages?”
“Hailey, I’d pick you any day over some ditzy twenty-year old who doesn’t know anything about real life. You know what you want, and I like to think that’s me. I mean, I could ask, are you sure you want to be with a guy who doesn’t drive a fancy car or live in a nice part of town?”
I shake my head. “That’s absolute nonsense,” I state definitively. “The last thing I’m thinking about when I’m with you is what kind of car you drive.”
“See? We could sit here and play this game all day, asking each other if we’re good enough to be with each other. But what a waste of time that would be. I can think of something better to do.” Ted kisses my lips. He nibbles on my ears, and kisses me down my neck.
We fall back on the grass between the amphitheater tiers and the kiss deepens. I want this to go on forever. I want Ted to take me here.