Yes, Chef (Sizzle & Burn Book 1)

by Linda Verji

  “Hmm?”

  “I’m hungry.”

  He had to laugh.

  CHAPTER 22

  “Are you sure you don’t need me to help you out?” Snow asked several minutes later as they entered the kitchen. “I can make the salad or something.”

  “No, you’re my guest.” His palm on the small of her back, Greyson led her to the marble-top island. Once she was seated on one of the high-stools, he lowered his head for an all too brief kiss before smiling. “Just relax there and look beautiful for me.”

  Before he could pull back, she curved her palm over his nape and dragged him closer for a deeper yet unhurried kiss. Her lips moved slowly against his, lingering, savoring. When she was finally satisfied, she ended the kiss with a grin. “Yes, Chef.”

  The desire in his eyes was obvious as he shook his head. “You’re a tease.”

  “No worse than you.” She laughed as she watched him stride towards the stove.

  To say she was pleased with how today had turned out would’ve been an understatement. Of course, she’d hoped that her coming to his house would lead to a reconciliation, but this was far beyond her imagination. Now they were officially a couple.

  Officially a couple! The thought alone was enough to send giddy warmth racing through her. She knew she was grinning like an idiot but she couldn’t help herself. She was just so happy… and satisfied. Making love with Greyson had been… well, amazing. Definitely well worth the wait and she couldn’t wait to do it again. Even now, as she watched him cooking for her, desire spiraled through her.

  Like her, he was wearing very little. While she had on one of his shirts, he’d chosen to go with only a pair of gray sweats. And boy, did he look good in them. The amber light from the ceiling lovingly lingered over his tan skin and muscles, following every ripple of his muscles as he moved around the kitchen. The sight was enough to send fresh heat kindling inside her.

  She didn’t realize how hard she was staring at him until he chuckled. “Keep staring at me so hard and you might burn a hole into my back.”

  “Sorry.” She wrinkled her nose. “But it’s not my fault.”

  He turned to stare her. “And it’s mine?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “If you weren’t so sexy, I wouldn’t be staring at you.”

  Greyson narrowed his eyes at her. “I’m not sure whether I should kiss you or sue you for sexual harassment.”

  She grinned cheekily. “Kiss me?”

  He stared at her for a long moment before putting down the skillet then striding towards her. He swooped down for a long kiss that left her breathless and clinging to his shoulders. His lips hovering over hers, he threatened, “Keep talking and I might end up doing more than just kiss you.”

  She was about to suggest that he make good on his threat when her stomach growled so loudly the neighbors must’ve heard it. Mortification racing through, she covered her errant tummy with her hands while her wide eyes flew to meet Greyson’s. She found his eyes glittering with mirth and his mouth curved in a smile.

  “That’s your stomach telling you to stop distracting me.” Chuckling, he strode back to the stove.

  Snow was too embarrassed to say anything more than, “Yes, Chef.”

  Her embarrassment didn’t last long. While he grilled the steak, Greyson kept her occupied with a rousing game of twenty questions. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know her man better.

  “How old were you when you lost your virginity?” she asked at around question fifteen.

  “Thirteen,” he answered honestly as he brought two plates of food to the island and set one of the plates in front of her.

  “You dog!” Snow’s jaw dropped. “Did you even know where to put it at that age?”

  “I knew all the places to put it,” he retorted cheekily as he settled in the seat beside her.

  She turned in her seat to stare at him. “Whose daughter did you ruin?”

  “Our pastor’s.” Greyson’s eyes glazed over in reminiscence. “Blair Kennedy. She was sixteen and she had the biggest…”

  Snow cut him off, “Thanks but I think I’ll pass on the details.”

  “What?” He gave her a look of mock-outrage. “I was going to say feet. She had the biggest feet.”

  “Yeah, right.” Smiling despite herself, she bumped her shoulder against his. “You dog.”

  Greyson only laughed before asking, “What about you?”

  Yeah! Like she was going to set herself up for him so easily. Turning her attention to the plate in front of her, she said, “The steak looks really good. What did you marinate it in?”

  “Oh no, Miss. You’re not getting away that easily.” Greyson chuckled as he lifted his hand to her chin then turned her head to face him. “Fair’s fair. Come on, confess.”

  She paused to take a bite of the steak. Immediately a burst of flavor exploded in her mouth. She smacked her lips. “Delicious.”

  “Uh uh!” He shook his head. Amusement dancing in his eyes, he said, “I’m still waiting.”

  She would’ve preferred to keep her secrets locked tight in their invisible safe, but the look in Greyson’s eyes said he didn’t plan to give up. So she surrendered, “Fifteen.”

  “Fifteen? That’s only two years older than me.” He stabbed at his steak with his fork. “How am I a dog and you’re not?”

  “Because-” Snow took a healthy bite of the delicious tomato bruschetta before continuing, “-I was in a loving, committed relationship-”

  “At fifteen?”

  “Okay, fine. I thought I was in a loving, committed relationship.” At his skeptical look, she protested, “Hey, I was fifteen and addicted to soap operas.”

  “Ah! The soap opera excuse.” He teased, “The jury needs time to debate whether that defense will cut it.”

  “The jury can take all the time it needs. Meanwhile-” She picked up a strand of green beans and slowly chewed before asking, “- I’d love to know why you have so many action figures. I even noticed a few in the bedroom.”

  “That’s a little complicated.” He paused as if debating whether he should tell her or not but finally confessed, “When my dad was alive, he used to give me one every year on my birthday. Whatever present he got me, it always came with an action figure. One time it would be Superman, the next Robin Hood, the next The Hulk… until it just became a tradition. After he died, I kept collecting them.”

  Though he didn’t say the words, she could see the sadness in his eyes and in the crooked smile he gave her. He missed his father and the action figures were his way of remembering him.

  She leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheeks. “Well, I think they’re beautiful.”

  “They’re not beautiful.” His smile widened. “They’re handsome. Like me.”

  She reared backwards and clucked disapprovingly. “Well, well, well. Look who’s getting a big head.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying I’m not handsome?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why were you checking me out earlier? You’re the one who said I was sexy.”

  She gave him a look of mock-outrage. “I said no such thing.”

  “Oh, so now you’re just going to backtrack on me like that?”

  “I’m not backt-” The ringing of his phone cut into her sentence, and their gazes flew to the gadget. Snow was closest to it, so she saw the caller first. Aunt Patty.

  When Greyson gabbed the phone and saw who was calling, he frowned but answered the call anyway. “Hi, Aunt Patty.” He paused to listen to her then said, “Actually, I’m eating dinner right now.”

  There was another long pause on his end as he listened to his aunt. She must’ve said something irritating because his face turned stony. “I had some things to do. Maybe next week.” This time the pause as he listened to his aunt was longer. Judging by the stiffness in his jaw and the way he kept staring at his plate, it seemed like his aunt was giving him an earful. However, when he finally spoke all he said was, “I’m sor
ry.”

  After a few more minutes of chatting, the pair ended the call. With a long sigh, Greyson tossed his phone back on the island.

  “Is everything okay?” Snow asked.

  “Hmm.” He nodded curtly but a moment later, he turned to her. “Why do they keep trying to force me to see my mother when they know that I won’t?”

  “She’s still around?” When he nodded, surprise and shame shot through Snow in equal measure. Talk about being a bad girlfriend. She’d been so consumed with her own Charlie-problems that she hadn’t bothered to find out how Greyson and his mother were doing. Worrying her lower lip, she said, “It’s because they care about you.”

  “They sure have a funny way of showing it.” Greyson picked their now empty plates and carried them to the sink. His voice filled with unrestrained bitterness, he added, “If they cared about me, they’d be trying to keep her away from me. Instead, they act like Lana and I just have to meet and life will go back to the way it was before she ditched me. Well, it won’t.”

  Snow didn’t respond to that because she could see why his family was trying to get him to reconcile with his mother. From what she could see the grudge he was holding was just festering and hurting him more. She followed him to the sink where he’d already started running water to clean the dishes.

  “I’ll do that,” she offered as she took the rubber gloves from him. He stepped aside to let her wash the dishes but didn’t move away from the sink. Instead he stood beside her, leaning against the counter and brooding in silence.

  Finally, she said, “Go see her, Greyson.”

  His eyes hardened. “I don’t want to.”

  “I know.” Snow turned to face him. Taking off her gloves, she added, “But you should – for yourself. Go see her.”

  “No.” He shook his head but a moment later let out a frustrated sigh. “What am I even supposed to tell her?”

  “I don’t know.” Edging closer to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Just go there and you’ll figure what you need to tell her.”

  “I could end up getting angry at her.”

  “Then get angry and let her know why you’re angry,” Snow said. But on second thought, she quickly added, “But don’t hit her or anything like that.”

  That brought a reluctant smile to his eyes and he wrapped his own arms around her upper body. “Don’t worry, I won’t hit her or anything like that.”

  “Does that mean you’ll go and see her?”

  Greyson didn’t answer her question. Instead, his eyes lowered to her chest and he popped open the top button of her shirt. “Now that I’ve fed you, can I…” He let the sentence hang but the hungry look in his eyes was clear about exactly what he wanted to do to her.

  “We’re not done talking.” She tried to take a step back but Greyson held her fast against his hard body.

  “Aren’t we?” With a sly grin, he lifted her up.

  “Greyson!” she protested as her legs automatically wrapped around his flanks.

  “What?” he asked as he carried her to the island then set her on its marble top and stepped between her spread thighs.

  “We’re not d-” He cut off her words with a hard kiss. She knew he was trying to avoid the subject, trying to distract her from pursuing it further. And she wanted to call him on it. But his lips were a dangerous weapon, and he wielded them like an expert. She soon found herself unable to express any coherent thoughts as she melted before the spell he cast with his mouth and body.

  * * * * *

  HE WAS A coward, Greyson reflected early the next morning. When Snow had pressed him on the subject of going to see his mother, he’d pretended that the reason he still hadn’t seen his mother was because he didn’t want to. The truth was that – he couldn’t. He was too scared.

  He turned in the bed to stare broodingly at the still sleeping Snow. She was lying on her stomach with the covers pulled up to her bare back and her face to him. Though her facial features were soft in her sleep, there was still a strength to them. Yesterday, he’d realized that that strength went far beneath her skin.

  Snow was far braver than he’d ever given her credit for. She was bold enough to quit medical school despite all the pressure she’d received from her father. She was woman enough to quite a twelve-year relationship and stick to her guns despite Charlie’s unrelenting pursuit. And if it wasn’t for her being courageous, they wouldn’t even be sleeping in the same bed right now.

  After seeing how brave she was, how was he supposed to reveal how cowardly he was in comparison? He frowned at the thought. How could he tell her that he wasn’t brave enough to even get past the gates to his uncle’s home? Compared to all the things he’d ever done in his life – putting himself through culinary training, starting his own business – talking to his mother should’ve been easy. So why couldn’t he do it? Why did it feel so difficult?

  Greyson had never thought of himself as a man who held grudges, yet this was proof that he was a pro at it. However, he didn’t want to be that kind of person. He wanted to be a man who could let go of the past and move on to the future. Now, if only it were easier!

  Sighing, he pushed the covers off himself. Careful not to wake Snow, he rose from the bed then padded to the en-suite. A quick shower later, he reemerged to find her still asleep. Apparently, Snow was a deep sleeper because she didn’t stir as he dressed for the day or even when he opened the door to leave the bedroom.

  Knowing that she didn’t have anything to wear, he headed down to the boutique to buy her a few clothes. It was only when he came back to the bedroom with her new clothes that she finally woke. Her eyes still hooded with sleep, she gave him a tired smile. “Morning.”

  “Good morning?” Smiling, he crossed the room and bent to kiss her. Though the kiss was only meant as a greeting, the softness of her lips and their languorous movement was enough to make his loins stir. Only the knowledge that he needed to get too the restaurant kept him from exploring further and he pulled away from her with a smile.

  “Mm. You taste minty.” She licked her bottom lip. Suddenly, her hands flew to her mouth. “Sorry. I haven’t brushed my teeth.”

  “I don’t mind.” He settled on the edge of the bed next to her. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Mm. hmm.” She nodded as she sat up. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

  “You were tired.” Immediately, memories of what they’d done to make her so tired skated through his thoughts. It was enough to bring a smile to his face as he added, “Plus it’s your day off.”

  “I forgot about that.” Snow wiped a hand over her face then pushed aside the covers. “I should head out to my place and finish sleeping there.”

  “No. Finish it here.” He drew the covers back over her. “Get some sleep, shower and eat breakfast… you can leave later.”

  “But-” She paused to glance at the clock. “You’ll be late for work if I do all that.”

  “Nah, I’ll just give you my code and you can let yourself out and take a cab when you’re done,” he said. She looked like she wanted to argue more, so he pleaded, “Please stay.”

  His plea was enough to quell her protests and she went back to sleep while he headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He didn’t awaken her when he was ready to head out to work. Instead, he left her a note on the bedside table letting her know that breakfast was in the microwave, the details of where she could find fresh toiletries and giving her the code to his front door.

  He had every intention of heading straight to work but halfway there he changed his mind. What was the big deal about seeing and talking to his mother? He was an adult, grown enough to leash his anger. He could do this! Determination leading the way, he drove towards his uncle’s home. This time he drove past the black gates when they opened and even managed to stride to the front door. The moment he knocked on the door, it flew open to reveal his aunt.

  One glance at Aunt Patty and it was obvious where Roman got his good looks from. Though she was a tin
y woman, Patricia Teller had strong, almost masculine features, dark hair almost as black as midnight and dark eyes that looked like they could see straight through anyone. Despite the earliness of the hour, she was already dressed and ready for the day in a pink blouse and beige slacks combo.

  “Greyson.” Surprise glimmering in her dark eyes, she held the door open for him. “I didn’t expect you here so early.”

  “I was just passing by.” He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “Thought I’d drop in for breakfast.”

  “You’re right on time. I was just cooking it.” She grinned as she waved him into the house. “Come on in.”

  Now that he was here, Greyson was beginning to second-guess his decision. What in the world was he doing here? Did he really need to do this? His stomach knotted with tension, Greyson followed his aunt to the kitchen.

  “Your uncle is still taking his shower,” Aunt Patty chattered as they entered the kitchen. “But he should be out any minute.”

  Even though he’d already had breakfast, Greyson couldn’t help inhaling deeply when the smell of beans, oatmeal cookies, eggs and freshly brewed coffee hit his senses. “Smells good, Aunty Patty.”

  She grinned at him as she rushed to the stove where the beans were simmering. “Good thing I made lots.” She stirred the pot before scooping some onto the wooden spoon and bringing it to where he sat. “Taste.”

  He took a bite of the beans then smiled. “Nice.”

  “Nice enough for your menu?”

  “Definitely.” He nodded. His aunt grinned like she’d received the greatest compliment ever. He didn’t know why she bothered asking. She was one of the best home-cooks he knew; he’d even filched a few of her recipes for Tellers. There was just something about her cooking that made you feel warm inside.

  “Watch it for me for a minute,” Aunt Patty said moments later. “I’ll be back.”

  She hurried out of the kitchen. Greyson was half-sure of the reason she’d rushed out of the kitchen. Several minutes later, his suspicions were proven accurate when Patty walked back in with Lana on her heels. In his memories, Lana was a cold, imperious woman with a cruel set to her mouth. But the tall, slim, blonde woman who came to a stop at the entrance of the kitchen was anything but cold and imperious. If anything she looked scared. Her shoulders were hunched as she clasped her hands in front of her, and her blue eyes, so like his, glittered with anxiety as she stared at him. It almost made him feel pity for her. Almost!