by Kay, Sharon
Aden strode into the room, glared at the demon with the apple, and smacked the back of his head. “Are you always fucking eating?” He turned to Garnet. “These are my cousins. The ones I told you about, who work at Old Ben’s. Leif and Luke.”
“Oh. Hi,” she said, easing down from her flare of panic at the unfamiliar men. She felt conspicuously small. Was his whole family built like giants?
“Sorry about them barging in. You two. Out. You can order a meal along with everyone else.” Aden jerked his head toward the door and his cousins filed out. He looked at Garnet, then at Dash, who still hadn’t unpeeled himself from her legs. “You doing okay, buddy? I’m sorry about those guys. They’re really funny and friendly. But they should have knocked first.”
“It’s okay, Dash.” She ran a hand along one of his arms. “They’re part of Mr. Aden’s family and they’re our friends. Next time they’ll let us know they’re coming. It’s just that they’re used to walking in here without asking.”
Dash let out a huge breath and loosened his grip on her. “Okay.”
“I’ve got some hungry guests out there. Are you ready to take orders, or do you need a few minutes?” His gaze dipped to Dash and back to her, and she got the feeling he’d tell the whole town to wait if she asked.
“We’re good, right, Dash?”
“Yeah, Mom.”
Bending, she kissed his head and smoothed his blond hair. “Thank you, sweetie. You’re my best helper.” She was ready. She really did love the process of growing, harvesting, preserving, cooking—anything to do with preparing good food. And this gorgeous, bright kitchen was a million miles from the dank atmosphere of Stroehm.
“Okay, then. Get ready.” Aden winked and walked through the double doors into the dining room.
The open-and-shut of the kitchen doors allowed some of the noise of the dining room to drift in. Garnet blinked at the variety of voices. Wow. It sounds crowded.
Five minutes later, Aden returned with a handful of meal tickets. He stuck them on a board. “We have a full house. I’ll send my two maintenance guys in here in a bit to do dishes for you, help you keep up. Feel free to order them around. You’re in charge back here.”
A full house? Had the whole town come? Garnet squared her shoulders. “Sounds good, thank you.” She peered at the first order and retrieved some of her basil-and-wine marinated chicken from the fridge.
An hour later, Garnet was in the throes of the dinner rush. Dishes piled in the farmhouse sink. She pulled two twenty-five pound roasts from the wall ovens and placed them under warming lamps. She had just set the timer for her next entrée when the doors from the hall swung open and two male pixies walked in. Cautiously, she noted. Aden must’ve warned them not to barge in like his cousins. Of course, being pixies, these two were a foot shorter than Leif and Luke, and less intimidating.
“Hi, ma’am. Sorry we’re late.” One took a step closer. “I’m Ty and this is Cole. We do maintenance for Aden. He said you could use a hand.”
“Hi, I’m Garnet, and that’s Dash.” She nodded at Dash, who regarded the men with curiosity but not fear as he scrubbed red potatoes at one of the island sinks. Maybe some would question her putting her child to work, but Dash only wanted to hang out with her. Helping her in the kitchen—any kitchen—was a familiar role he could cling to as they adjusted to their new life. “Can you start on the dishes in the big sink?”
“Sure thing, ma’am, you just let us know.” The second one tied on the white apron. “I’ll wash. Ty can dry. And this kitchen hasn’t smelled this good in years!”
“Thank you.” Garnet smiled. “Nice to meet you both. And please, call me Garnet.”
“So you’re our new cook. Gosh, we’re lucky!” Cole rocked on his heels and adjusted his ball cap.
“Well, maybe. This is a trial run.”
They both shot her looks of such chagrin that she bit back a smile. “Well, we sure hope you stay. Even if we ain’t tried your food yet.”
“Speak for yourself.” Ty picked up the last bite of chicken that a customer had left on a plate. “Delicious! You have to take the job. We’ll put in a good word for you.”
Did he just eat off some stranger’s plate? Garnet’s eyes widened but she pushed the grossed-out feeling away. It was his stomach, not hers. And she had more onions to sauté.
Between her cooking and directing the two men, and Aden occasionally popping in, the night passed quickly. Now, five hours after she’d started, the kitchen was closed. She’d sent Dash upstairs to their room long ago. Ty and Cole had dried the last of the copper pots and put away every dish. They’d made sure she didn’t need anything else before they left.
Garnet sat at one of the islands, tired but content in a way she’d never experienced. Though her muscles ached from standing, they somehow still buzzed with an energetic high that came from work well done. And from being recognized for it. And being treated with kindness and respect.
Every time Aden walked into the kitchen, he relayed a compliment from a patron. One table of Deseratis, who were passing through town and staying at the inn, had ordered seconds on everything.
Garnet had completely run out of her marinated chicken and pulled pork sandwiches. She surveyed the small amount of food remaining to be wrapped up and stored for tomorrow. Not much, considering what I started with.
The dining room doors opened and Aden strode in, eyes twinkling. “Our last customer is upstairs in his room, sleeping off his food hangover.”
“More like his beer hangover.” She grinned and grabbed some plastic containers from a cabinet.
Aden crossed to stand next to her, leaning a hip on the granite counter. “You’re a great cook. Everyone raved about your food.”
“Thank you.” Not used to compliments and unsure what to say, she busied herself by forking slabs of beef into a wide container.
Aden’s hand covered hers and she froze. “Stop,” he murmured. “I can put this away.”
Her cheeks heated at his touch and she looked up into his eyes. They smoldered with steely intensity. “Okay,” she managed to whisper. He was still touching her hand. His skin was warm, sending fiery tingles racing through her body.
“In fact,” he leaned closer, “we were so busy, I never got to taste anything.” His eyes dropped to her lips.
“Um…” She couldn’t breathe. Her heart slammed against her ribs. He was so close. So warm and kind. And there’s a lot you don’t know about him, remember?
She ignored the warning in her mind and tore off a bite-size piece of beef. “Try this.” She slowly raised the meat to his mouth. All her senses screamed, don’t stop. Or was it stop? She couldn’t tell anymore. Her whole body buzzed like it was short-circuiting. Everything that had to do with Aden was sliding far, far from her control.
He opened his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers. She placed the food on his tongue and instinctively started to back away, but he caught her wrist and held her close as he chewed and swallowed. “Hell, this is amazing. No wonder everyone loved it.”
She could only stare, held by his gaze and his hand.
He laced his fingers with hers. “Stay.”
She sucked in a shaking breath. Why can’t I get a full breath of air? “S-stay?”
He nodded, bringing her hand to his lips. He kissed each knuckle. Each brush of his lips was a feathery soft torture. Her insides warmed with an unfamiliar need. Confusion tugged at her, threatening to be swept away by his kisses, unprepared for the force of emotion created by the soft pressure of his mouth. His touch was warm, tender, and sensuous, sending sparks from her hand to her heart. She hadn’t been touched by a man in years. Not since Dash’s father never returned from a patrol.
And before that, the times she had been touched were cruel or part of a bargain. But Aden’s sincere gaze evoked a shot of pleasure that pushed her to trust him. She wanted to—but he didn’t know her. He didn’t know how she’d been used, made to perform depraved acts at Drant’s whim, and th
en cast aside, having to beg for her life.
Better that they didn’t get to know each other too well.
“Stay, to work?” She couldn’t believe she was about to ask this, but she had to know. “Or…with you?”
“What if I want a yes answer to both?” His voice rumbled over her skin.
Both? Her mind stumbled over the thought. She knew he needed a cook, but…
Misreading her silent stare, he took a step back but held on to her hand for a few extra seconds before letting go. “That may’ve been inappropriate. I apologize.”
“No, no, it’s fine. It’s…” It’s me, not you. Totally lame, but the absolute truth. You’re no good for him. Used, abused, ruined.
“How about this?” He raked a hand through his dark hair. “Cook for the rest of the week. At the end, if you don’t want the job, you can walk away and I’ll pay you for these five days. You won’t owe anything for your room since the Hunter paid in advance. Or, you can stay on after that and we’ll work out a payment arrangement, but you’ll still have your earnings from this week.”
My earnings, my decision. “Okay,” she managed. Why had she suddenly lost her ability to speak a full sentence? “That…That’s a good idea. And, um…” She swallowed, looking at his hands, still able to feel their warmth. “I’m sorr—”
“No.” He reached out to sift a wavy lock of her hair between his fingers. “No apologies from you. You were a rock star tonight.”
“Thank you.” Her head spun from all the choices he offered, all the kindness she’d been shown by him and others. Options and generosity hadn’t existed for her before. Now, each nice gesture, each decision she made simply because she could, shone like bright stars in the night velvet of the sky. She already felt like she belonged here, again, in Ivydale.
And with Aden? Her heart did a double flip. His dark, tempting masculinity was something she hadn’t planned on, and something she wasn’t sure she deserved.
“Now go get some rest. Don’t know if gossip traveled fast when you lived here before, but it sure as hell does now. Word gets out I’ve got a good cook, this place will be packed tomorrow.” He nodded toward the door to the hallway. “Scoot.”
Glancing up into his twinkling eyes, she couldn’t suppress a smile. “Okay. Night.” She walked up the stairs to the room she shared with Dash, her heart lighter than it had been in years.
Aden paced the lower floor of his inn, hearing the snores of sleeping guests and catching Garnet’s lavender scent everywhere. She’d been a-fucking-mazing tonight, handling all the food orders, directing Ty, Cole, and even little Dash with specific instructions delivered in a calm, cheerful voice. And on top of it all, she’d created a menu that had patrons ordering more and calling their friends about it.
She was a natural, no doubt about it. But could he convince her to do the same type of work she’d been forced to do? Would that even be fair of him? Of course it would, he reasoned, since this time, it would be her choice.
All night he’d been on his best behavior, though that hadn’t stopped him from looking at her perfect ass every time she bent to down to open an oven or a lower cabinet. He’d completely forgotten about grabbing a bite for himself, until they were alone.
Then she’d surprisingly fed him, and the brush of her skin against his lips had sent a bolt of heat to his cock. His inner demon roared for a deeper taste of her, but he’d wrenched the need back through sheer force of will. He’d never forget the fearful stare in her eyes, locked on Leif and Luke, when they unwittingly waltzed in. Nor the terror on Dash’s face as he beheld two huge and unfamiliar males.
No, though it prickled at his skin, he wouldn’t rush Garnet. She paused every time he asked a question that involved a decision about her future—and he guessed she simply wasn’t used to deciding things for herself. Goddamn Drant and Draven and their fucked-up compound.
Reaching the front door, he spoke the words to the warding spell that would guard against intruders during the night. All his guests were in their rooms, and he wasn’t expecting more. If anyone did try to open any doors, or even a window, the spell would alert Aden in a heartbeat.
He stalked to his office. Garnet hadn’t been in here, so her scent wasn’t as strong. Only a trace of it lingered from the tour he’d given her and Dash two days ago. Now he had to call Keegan. The Vipers’ planned raid on Cotton Creek should’ve been thwarted by now.
Standing by the window, he dialed his brother’s number. Keegan picked up on the fourth ring. “Yo, A.”
“How’d it go tonight?”
“You now have a dozen dead and three seriously pissed off snakeheads.”
“Three got away?” Aden couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice.
“They had a larger number tonight than all the pervious raids.”
Aden rubbed the back of his neck. “Why tonight? Think they’re starting to wise up?”
“It’s a strong possibility. I’ll double my men on the next outing. Hold on.” A scratching sound and muffled voices reached Aden’s ear. “…and you’re staying home next time.”
“Who’s staying home?” Aden asked.
“Leo. He got a nasty stab wound tonight. Broadsword to the gut.”
“Shit.” The Vipers didn’t only dip their arrows in venom; they often applied it to all their weapons. If enough venom got into the body, it could kill. “He okay?”
“He will be. He’ll just have one nasty-ass scar.”
“Any other injuries?”
“A few minor ones. We still have the element of surprise. But we need to plan for more aggression from them.”
“I’ll keep discerning as many details as I can.”
“Yup. And hey,” Keegan drawled. “I heard you got a hottie of a new cook.”
“What?” Aden paced the room. “How’d you hea—” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Leif and Luke.”
“You know those two love to talk females.”
“Yeah, well, she’s deciding whether she’ll take the job. Tonight was a trial run.” He didn’t want his cousins talking about her.
“Can she cook?”
“Hell yes!” Aden returned to the window and looked out into the quiet night. “We had a packed house. Ran out of some of the dishes she created. Best food I’ve ever tasted.”
Keegan chuckled. “Anything would be better than your cooking.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“All right, bro. I gotta go and debrief the group here. Keep in touch.” Keegan ended the call.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE END OF GARNET’S “FREE week” arrived in a downpour. The rain had alternately slashed the inn in diagonal sheets, then tapered to a drizzle, only to beat down hard again. Ty and Cole had reported the inn’s front porch was scattered with colorful umbrellas that the pixies had dropped before entering the building.
Each night they seemed to draw a larger crowd than the last. And Garnet loved every minute. From the dream kitchen with everything she could possibly need, to the help from Ty, Cole, Aden, and Dash, to the simple joy of being in her birthplace…a sense of rightness, of being exactly where she was supposed to be, blanketed her soul.
Dash sat in the kitchen with her now, eating a second bowl of ice cream. The ice cream, and allowing him to stay up late, were special treats she decided to give him just because she could and because it was the weekend. He’d made friends at school and liked it there, though a part of her held her breath and hoped his classmates would continue to not give a hoot that he’d lived at Stroehm, if they even understood what it was.
“Chocolate is my favorite flavor.” Dash licked his spoon. “What’s yours, Mom?”
“Hmm.” She paused as she dried a casserole dish. “I like chocolate mint chip.”
“Did I hear your mom likes chocolate mint chip?” Aden walked in, carrying two empty plates. “That’s good to know.” He winked at her and turned to Dash. “You’re up late, aren’t you?”
“Special treat.” Dash gri
nned.
“Well, our last diners have left the building. They wanted to get home before the rain gets any worse.” Aden set the dishes in the big sink. “How ‘bout we leave the rest of the cleanup for later, and play a game?”
“What game?” Dash asked.
“A board game?” Garnet started scrubbing a copper pot. The metal was so gorgeous, she hated to leave them dirty any longer than necessary.
“Yeah. It’s too wet to go outside.”
“True.” She tilted her head. “You have kids’ games?”
“Sure. Sometimes I get families passing through. I have checkers.” He leaned a hip against one island. “And Battleship.”
“Checkers and Battleship! Cool. Can we play, Mom?”
“Sure.” She smiled. Games were new to Dash, and she barely remembered them. She rinsed the pot and then dried it. “Okay. I’m leaving the rest of the dishes, per boss’s orders.”
Aden’s eyes snapped to her. “Boss, huh?”
She nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“Where are the games?” Dash slid off his stool, excitement shining from his eyes.
“In the living room.” Aden leaned down when she passed him to head into the hall, breath tickling her ear. “You and I will finish this conversation later.”
His voice sent goose bumps down her arms. Later. Of course. They needed to discuss her pay. And anything else? He hadn’t kissed her hand again, but had brushed close to her many times in the kitchen. He’d held doors for her and gotten items down from high shelves. He’d been a perfect gentleman, though she hadn’t missed the heated glances she’d caught him leveling at her. Sensual, not lewd. There was a difference. Even if she’d had more experience with the latter, on a level she couldn’t explain, she knew Aden was different.
The three of them settled at a round table near the front window. Thunder boomed above the empty streets and the rain tapped a steady pattern on the glass.