A La Mode

by A. D. Herrick

  We were inches apart when Athena came toward our table loudly proclaiming our meals were ready. I shot back into my seat and looked away shyly. I couldn’t believe I had almost leaned in and kissed Patton Blake. My heart was pounding in my chest.

  Athena set down plates loaded with Moussaka, a Greek salad and a plate of baklava. My mouth watered at the rich aromas that filled the space.

  “It looks amazing, thank you, Athena.” Patton smiled up at her fondly.

  Athena shot him a wink and patted me on the shoulder before turning away to leave.

  “So how about a wager before we dig in?” Patton asked.

  The excitement in his voice and the prospect of a wager had me excited.

  “Go on,”

  “You proclaimed this the best Moussaka ever. Now, you know what I do for a living.” I nodded. “I have eaten all over the world and had this dish prepared for me countless times. If you are wrong, you have to spend the day with me doing whatever I want.” He wagged his brows suggestively.

  “And if I’m right?” I asked.

  “If you are correct, then we get to spend the day doing whatever you want to do.” He flashed me a panty-melting smile.

  Either way, it sounded like a win-win for me.

  “You’re on,” I gave him a bright smile.

  He lifted his fork and I did a drum roll on the table. I knew I was going to be right. I watched as he placed his fork in his mouth. My mind went completely to the gutter as I imagined all of the things I wanted him to do with those sinful lips. When he moaned my panties got wet. I was definitely out of my league with this man but I didn’t care. I was ready for anything as long as he was involved.

  The shock of Tasha’s relationship and engagement were long forgotten as my mind and body sprang back to life. My eyes were transfixed on Patton’s thick full lips and he savored the bite of Moussaka in his mouth.

  I could imagine the flavors of the lamb and eggplant exploded in his mouth mixed with the fresh herbs and spices. My mouth salivated at the thought of tasting his mouth. I squirmed in my seat to help relieve the tension building between my legs. The more I moved the more it built. I bit my bottom lip to avoid moaning.

  “That is delicious.” Patton hummed.

  His voice pulling me out of my lust filled trance. He gave me a curious look. I dropped my eyes to my plate and picked up my fork. Hopefully, with a mouth full of food, I wouldn’t embarrass myself any further.

  “Told you it was the best,” I said softly.

  “You win, what do we get to do all day?” He asked.

  “Well after we finish this amazing lunch, I get to put you to work in my shop.” I wagged my brows at him suggestively causing him to laugh.

  His laughter was deep and throaty. It caressed my skin like a warm blanket.

  “And what will we be doing?” his voice dropped low and I felt it in my panties.

  I licked my lips seductively. His eyes followed my tongue. I bit my bottom lip and watched as his eyes grew wide with anticipation.

  “I’m going to get you sticky,” I purred.

  I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat.

  “Sticky,” He said parroting me.

  I ran my finger across my collar bone and watched his eyes as it followed my hand.

  “Very sticky,” I purred.

  “Can we go now?” he asked eagerly.

  I waved away his words.

  “Eat up; you will need your strength.”

  I watched as he began to eat with vigor. Men were so easy.

  Chapter Six

  Patton

  When Candy said we would be getting sticky together my mind was already made up that the Moussaka we were served was going to be the best I had ever tasted. To my surprise, she hadn’t been kidding. It really was the best Moussaka I had ever had.

  I couldn’t wait to see what she had in mind for her win. My imagination had gone wild. I imagined her spread out in her bed with chocolate sauce drizzled across her taut stomach down to her sweet mound. I licked my lips at the thought.

  The woman had a gravitational pull on me. My eyes kept drifting down to her sweet lush lips. I debated kissing her. I wasn’t sure how she would react. A large part of me didn’t care. I needed to see if her lips tasted just as sweet as the delicate skin on her neck. My cock swelled at the thought.

  I was here for two months. Candy was just the distraction I needed before I got back on the road. A little two-month fling was longer than I normally had but Candy wasn’t like every other woman I have had in my bed. She was the first woman who knew who I was but didn’t fawn all over me. I liked that about her.

  Candy wasn’t kidding when she said we would be getting sticky. Though, to be honest, I was hoping for something a little more X-rated. After we had lunch she drove me out to her shop. The building had a nice clean brick front with wide glass windows. The interior had a clean modern look, white walls and pops of color. I took in the art that was posted along the walls. Pictures of Brightly colored Rock candy, cookies, and cupcakes were mixed in with photos of artfully done chocolate mousse wrapped in a ribbon of chocolate with a berry glaze, bright fruit tarts, and a wine poached pear. The plating was that of fine dining and pure artistry.

  “Where did you get the prints?” I asked genuinely interested.

  “Tasha’s sister had them mounted. Tasha took the photos after I finished making them.” She replied unaffected.

  “You made these?” I asked bewildered.

  “Yeah, are they bad?” Her voice tinged with doubt and uncertainty.

  I spun around to face her.

  “Hell no, these are beautiful. IS this what you will be doing her?” I asked my curiosity piqued.

  I watched as her cheeks flushed. She was fucking beautiful.

  “Yes, that is what we will be working on.” She bit her bottom lip.

  I was a goner. I strode up to her, my long legs eating up the distance. I hooked my index finger under her chin and brought her lips up to meet mine. Her beautiful amber colored eyes widened, revealing the flecks of gold hidden. I lightly brushed my lips against hers, just the barest of kisses.

  “Let’s get started,” I whispered against her lips.

  I had no idea what cause me to kiss her, to brush my lips against hers, but it was done now and I could only stand back and wait to see what she would do next. I hoped she would take the next step and kiss me back. I wanted to have her pressed against the glass display cases, her legs wrapped around my waist.

  I was shocked when she spun on her heels and crooked a finger at me, urging me to follow her to the back. I felt my cock twitch in my slacks. Images of spreading her across the prep table and kneeling between her legs flashed through my mind.

  To my surprise, once we entered the kitchen in the back she threw a bright white apron at me and shot me a wink.

  “Roll up your sleeves and put that on. We have a lot of work to do.” She playfully teased.

  I caught the apron mid-air. The words Those Buns Dough were embroidered across the front in bright colors. My cock went flaccid. She was serious about putting me to work. I couldn’t believe it. I had never been shot down before. I must be losing my touch. I set the apron aside and rolled up my sleeves like I was instructed.

  I watched as she removed her jewelry and donned her own apron. She pulled her hair into a tight high bun and scrubbed her hands. I saddled up beside her, my hip brushing against hers and shared the water with her. Her sweet smell invaded my nostrils and my cock twitched back to life.

  “So, were really doing this?” I asked.

  She smiled up at me brightly and tossed me a towel to dry my hands.

  “Yes, we are. You spend your days criticizing and now you get to walk a day in the life of a pastry chef.” She said.

  I saw the sparkle of amusement in her eyes. Spending a day in the kitchen with her was going to be difficult when all I could think about was bending her over and taking her against every piece of equipment in
the room and on every surface.

  She moved with fluid grace through the kitchen as she began to pull out mixing bowls and ingredients. She was definitely in her element. I bit back a groan watching her bend over to retrieve something from the lower shelf. Her perfect heart shaped ass begging for me to take it. I ran my hands through my hair in an effort to avoid putting them where I wanted them. I wanted to caress her sweet ass then pull her by her hips down onto my cock.

  “Okay, I have everything out and ready. “ She said proudly.

  I spotted the fresh coco, cream, nuts; mint, berries, and spices all lay out alongside bottles of flavored liquor. There were mixing bowls, spatulas, and lined trays spread across the prep table.

  I had no idea how they hand got there. My eyes had been trained on her ass since we entered the kitchen. I felt a small blush of embarrassment creep up my neck.

  “What would you like me to do?” I asked.

  She gave me a wicked smile.

  “I have everything laid out here for you. Just follow the recipe and you will be fine.” She smiled brightly.

  “You mean I’m making these myself?” I asked in shock.

  “Of course, unless you want to start the tarts? There are shells to make and filling to prep.” Her eyes widened with excitement as she spoke.

  “Oh no, I’m sure I will be good with this,” I said doubtfully.

  She walked up beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist, turning me to face her. Her hands rested on my hips and she looked up into my eyes. Her face was a mask of sweetness and concern. It took every ounce of self-control I owned to not take her right then and there.

  “Don’t be scared, I will be right here if you need me.” Her voice was laced with sincerity.

  Her face was a mask of innocence and I couldn’t help what I did next. It was beyond my control. God help me and save my soul.

  I wrapped my arms around her, gripping her ass I lifted her in my arms and backed her against the wall. My lips crashed against hers, my tongue ran across the seam of her lips begging for entrance. I felt her hands fisting my hair as she opened up for me.

  My tongue darted into her small mouth seeking out hers. Our tongues met in a tango of the sweetest dance. I thrust my hips against hers extracting a moan from her. I took advantage and deepened the kiss, my fingers digging into her tight firm ass. Her mouth tasted like honey and I craved more. I kissed her until I was out of breath and couldn’t continue any longer.

  My forehead rested against hers as we both struggled to catch our breath. This woman would be my undoing and I knew it. I had never been so affected my any one person. Not even Sarah, who I thought at one time I loved.

  Sarah had worked her way into my heart telling me all of the things I wanted to hear. I thought I loved her and couldn’t live without her. Her sister Tara was just as much in love With Milo as Sarah was with me. The twins convinced us to move down to Miami with them.

  Unable to say now we packed up everything and made the move. The whole thing was sudden. We had only known the twins a few months. That was all it took for them to hook us in their snares. Milo and I were just young punks that just graduated college.

  The twins came into our lives like a whirlwind and that was how they left us. Just after we got to Miami and got settled in we came home to an empty apartment and empty bank accounts. There was no note. Their phone numbers had been changed. We were duped. Milo was working at a club trying to make back the money that was lost and I began writing freelance. Over the year my articles on the local restaurants began to build momentum and I was offered a position with Taste This. Taste This was a magazine that specialized in unique cuisine and fine dining.

  I took the job and never looked back. Working for the magazine had me traveling all over the world and I had loved the freedom. I never wanted to be a food critic but somehow that was what I became. It was getting old and I knew I would have to find something to fall back on. When Milo said he wanted to open his own night club I didn’t think twice about jumping in on the deal.

  I was half owner of Ice. I regretted leaving all of the business dealings to Milo but I had been unable to bring myself back to Miami. It took Milo asking for me to come back. He never asked for anything and the one time he did I knew I couldn’t deny him. He was more than my best friend, he was my brother.

  Candy’s hand caressed my cheek, pulling me back to the now. Her wide eyes studied my face intently.

  “If you don’t want to make the truffles,” I silenced her with a kiss.

  “I honestly have never cooked before in my life,” I admitted.

  Candy laughed and shook her head.

  “I will help you with the first batch.” She promised.

  True to her word, she patiently showed me how to make the chocolate truffles. Instead of coating them with a layer of molten chocolate she showed me how to stuff some with fruit, roll them in cocoa powder and some with nuts.

  I ended up making dozens of trays with a variety of different flavor combinations. It was hard work but definitely fun.

  By midnight we had filled the walk-in refrigerator with rows of fruit tarts, chocolate mousse, truffles, a variety of fruit custards, chocolate covered fruit, pies, and so many other sweet confections.

  There were pans of dough in the humidifier ready to go into the oven in the morning for fresh bread, rolls, and pretzels.

  By morning the shop would be filled with the sweet baked concoctions. I was so proud of Candy and couldn’t believe that she was going to do this all on her own. I was a bit upset that no one had volunteered to help her.

  I found out that Tasha was supposed to come and help her in the morning but I wasn’t confident that Tasha would show up. When Candy stormed out of the restaurant Tasha was livid. I didn’t want Candy to have to do it alone so I volunteered my service.

  Candy had just finished with the last delivery and proclaimed us ready to go.

  “Stop by my hotel and I will grab a change of clothes for tomorrow,” I told her.

  “What?” She asked confused.

  “You have to be at the shop in six hours. It would be easier of we just stayed together so you can get some extra sleep. I will crash on your couch.” I offered.

  Candy seemed to take her time thinking about it before finally nodded her head in agreement.

  Chapter Seven

  Candy

  I cannot believe that Patton Blake is in my apartment. When he kissed me in the shop I thought my head and my heart were going to explode. I had never kissed a guy before and I couldn’t believe it was him. I wanted to scream and jump for joy but I knew that would have been childish so I saved it for when I got home. To my surprise, he was coming home with me.

  I couldn’t believe he asked to come home with me. This man could have any woman he wanted. Why was he chasing after me? I wanted so desperately to call Tasha and tell her about what had happened today but u was still upset with her.

  While I took a shower and washed away the day I did a little happy dance. My body felt like a volcano of excitement just ready to explode. All of those years of my parents training me to school my emotions had finally paid off. I had been able to avoid going all fan girl on Patton and even thought I acted pretty calm and controlled when he kissed me.

  I could see the hunger in his eyes when he watched me and it made my core boil. He took every chance and opportunity he could to touch me. His hands always seemed to find a way to touch my hip or my lower back. The way he cradled my face in the palm of his hand when he spoke to me made my heart practically beat out of my chest.

  I fought back a giggle as I remembered the way he stood so proudly beside me when the deliveries came in. his chest puffed out and his hand landed on my hip in a protective stance when Jeremy came in with the produce from his farm.

  It was as though he was claiming me as his every time someone came in. I knew I was thinking too far ahead and it was probably normal for men to act that way. I had never had a boyfriend so I wouldn’t kno
w. But I loved how he made me feel, even if most if the time I just felt like a giddy pile of goo.

  I quickly got out of the shower and changed into a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. I wrapped a towel around my hair in a turban and stepped out of the shower.

  Patton was bent over his laptop typing feverously on the keys. I cleared my throat to get his attention. His eyes widened as he took me in. I couldn’t help the feeling of triumph I felt as his eyes scanned my body from head to toe.

  “The bathroom is all yours. I saved you some hot water and left a fresh towel out for you.”

  His smile reminded me of a fox just before he slipped into a chicken coop.

  “Thank you,” His voice was like velvet and caressed my skin.

  I quickly spun on my heels and marched into my bedroom. I stood facing my bed and wondered what it would be like to share a bed with him. Would it be too presumptuous to invite him to sleep in my bed with me?

  I knew that he wouldn’t be comfortable on my couch. His legs would dangle over the side and his body would be cramped. I weighed the pros and cons.

  I heard the shower start and my imagination went to work. I imagined him in there, naked, the water beating down on his bulging muscles. Heat began to spread between my legs as I imagined running my hands across his chest, trailing them down his firm abs.

  My hands began to trail down my body. I imagined that they were his. I caressed my breast the way I imagined he would, the pads of my thumbs gently running across my nipples. I bit into my lower lip to stifle a moan. My right hand worked its way even lower, skimming across my tight flat stomach to the top of my shorts. My hand was just slipping into my waistband when I heard the bathroom door open.

  I quickly reared back and tried to act natural. My breathing was labored as though I had been sprinting and I willed myself to breath normal. It was a feat. I closed my eyes and kept my back to him. I inhaled through my nose and out through my mouth and composed myself.