The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley)

by Ava Miles

  When Terrance returned with a glass of wine, she gripped the stem as he sipped what smelled like bourbon.

  “Talk to me,” he simply said and held out his hand.

  She held it while she told him, sparing nothing this time. Every painful detail came out into that quiet firelight and was burned away, sealing the old wounds that needed healing.

  A few tears rolled down her cheeks, and he set their drinks aside and squeezed her hand, never taking his gaze from hers.

  From the hard line of his jaw, she knew he was becoming more and more upset as the words continued to tumble out of her raw throat. But he said nothing.

  For that she was glad.

  When she finished, she rubbed that delicate line of flesh under her jaw, the one Vince had wrapped his hands around once, squeezing so hard she’d thought he was going to kill her.

  “Oh, God,” she said, overcome.

  “Come here,” Terrance whispered and pulled her onto his lap, rocking her back and forth as his touch finally forced the chill from her bones, something the fire hadn’t been able to do alone.

  “Have I ever told you how amazing you are?” he asked moments later. “To go through all that and survive? And not just survive, but triumph? I’m…overwhelmed by you. God, Elizabeth.”

  Her eyes squeezed shut. More tears spilled down her cheeks. “But I’m still so scared sometimes. I don’t feel like I’ve…overcome it.” Hadn’t she run again today?

  “You’re being too hard on yourself. Things like that stay with you.” His exhale had a jagged edge to it. “I still get sick to my stomach if I hear a baseball connect with a bat. Do you know why? Because a kid in my neighborhood took one to my friend’s head one day when we were fourteen. He didn’t die, but he was never the same again. Everyone has something they have a hard time getting over, Elizabeth.”

  Even Terrance. The thought soothed her. He seemed so much stronger than she was.

  “Ryan has been bothering me,” she said, returning to today’s events. “We went out once, and I tried to be nice, but he’s just one of those guys who keeps asking for another chance. I don’t think he’s violent, but he scares me. I’ve been afraid of what he might do if I’m too assertive.”

  His rocking motion turned more jerky, and she could feel the powerful emotion he was restraining. “You don’t need to worry about him anymore. I promise.”

  She knew he was trying to be encouraging, but his vow to protect her scared her too. He was capable of hurting others if it meant protecting her. The thought turned her stomach.

  “I know it’s not fair to ask you this, but I don’t want you to hurt anyone for me. Ever.”

  He leaned back to gaze at her. The fire lit his tense features. “I know you don’t, and I understand that. Today was really hard for me, but I reined in my temper. The best I can promise you is to keep trying.”

  “Thank you.”

  His arms drew her closer, and he nestled his face into her neck. “Oh, Elizabeth. I’m dying here.”

  Now it was she who needed to soothe him, soothe all of the violent places that had been triggered for him today. She cupped his jaw and kissed him gently on the lips.

  “Be with me.”

  His mouth was soft on hers as he lowered her to the couch, the fire warming them both. As they touched each other with a new reverence, the firelight flickered over them, pressing away the darkness. Her blood beat strong in her body with wanting of him. Her heart pounded with love for him.

  When she took him into her core, the strong, muscular lines of him cresting over her like the powerful waves of the ocean, she surrendered. Laid herself bare.

  And let him take her home.

  Chapter 29

  Terrance woke to the insidious chirping of a bird outside. Elizabeth was pressed against him, her backside nestled against his hips, her blond hair cascading across his chest.

  The vulnerable line of her shoulder drew his gaze. All of that velvet white skin. He pressed a gentle kiss there, not wanting to wake her. Last night had been so emotional for both of them. Even now, hours later, Terrance wanted to take Vince apart with his hands. Hurt him like he’d hurt the woman he loved.

  It was probably a good thing he didn’t know the guy’s last name yet. She hadn’t shared it. All she’d said was that he was from a powerful family, and because her voice sounded hoarse and tear-clogged, he hadn’t asked questions. Just listened. That’s what she needed from him.

  And if he were being honest, he’d needed to keep a lid on the raging emotions inside him. It had been a long time since he’d wanted to call up his old street pals and beat the shit out of someone. He’d wanted to punch Ryan.

  Now Vince. Well, he deserved a beating.

  Terrance knew the difference. He’d given and received both.

  He was amazed Rhett had refrained from doling out his own brand of justice after finding out the truth. They would have to talk about that.

  She stirred and stroked the arms he had around her, as attuned to him as he was to her. Something had happened last night. Saying I love you to another person changed everything. He wanted to fight her battles. He wanted to cheer her on. He wanted to talk with her and laugh with her every day. He wanted to lose himself in her arms.

  “You’re awake,” she said, shifting in his arms so she could turn onto her side and face him.

  “Hey,” he said, cupping her nape and kissing her gently on the lips.

  Sleep hadn’t cleared from her eyes, and he could feel the hollowed out fatigue in her. They’d come together twice more after going to bed, each seeking the other as an anchor. Every touch had been filled with reassurance and acceptance, something words were too inadequate to convey.

  As he leaned back and met her gaze, peace suffused him, almost like there was no beginning or end to the moment.

  She was his.

  And everything was well.

  Then a new knowledge rolled through him, one he’d been waiting so many years for, one he’d searched the globe for.

  Elizabeth was his perfect ingredient.

  As she snuggled close to him, running her hand down his forearm, the awareness tore through his system. For a man whom cooking had saved, he’d figured it would be some exotic spice, some rare, hand-picked delicacy. Something like Manny and his grandmother had discovered.

  Not a woman. Never a woman.

  And yet it was this woman.

  “Elizabeth.”

  As if sensing his mood, she pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw and used her palms to push him onto his back.

  “Let me love you,” she breathed against his lips.

  His eyes closed as he gave her his surrender. Let her trail her fingers in all of the spots she knew he loved. When she traced his tattoos, he could see them in his mind’s eyes. The griffins that had given him the courage and wisdom to survive the streets and make something of himself. The Chinese letters that defined his credo.

  Her mouth was warm and soft as she kissed his skin, not rushing. No, she was taking care with him, cementing all of these new emotions into his skin.

  He groaned when she went lower, and his hips started to rise in anticipation. But he didn’t want to come that way. Not without her.

  “I want to be inside you,” he said on a groan.

  Edging away, she sat on his thighs to take him into her. As he slid deep, so deep, she took his hands in her own and brought them to her breasts. Even with his eyes still closed, he knew their shape and weight, how to touch and caress them so her head would fall back in pleasure. Everything in him was sensation mixed with love, and it was more potent than the best meal of his life, the one that had changed everything.

  He’d been eighteen at the time. Coquilles St-Jacques, a traditional French recipe for poached scallops, was the most daring thing he’d ever made, and it had amazed him that he, a kid from nothing and nowhere, could make a gourmet dish like that. It was the first time he remembered feeling proud of himself. And it had filled him with h
ope that his life could be more, that he could be more.

  Being with Elizabeth gave him a peace he’d never before experienced, one that filled up the hollowness that had always been a part of him.

  And something even more powerful—the hope for a future together.

  He opened his eyes, needing to see her. The lush curves of her body fired his blood, but it was seeing the way that familiar blond hair trailed down her breasts, strands sticking to her full mouth, that filled his heart like an overstuffed pastry bag.

  “I love you,” he whispered, the words still so shockingly new and mind-blowing.

  Her slender throat moved as she swallowed. Yes, the words were new to her too, both the giving and receiving of them.

  She undulated in a motion that ripped his control to shreds, taking him deeper. “I love you too.”

  Their hands joined as she started to move in the exact way he needed, and he met her in a way designed to heighten her passion. After they came again together, he drew her onto his chest, keeping them joined, feeling the combined force of their heartbeats, an echo of the passion and love they’d shared.

  Like they had the night before, they held each other, not needing words. Soon she rose onto her elbow. “You need to get to work.”

  That was the last thing he wanted to do right now, after everything that had passed between them. Still, he turned his head to glance at her clock on the nightstand like a responsible adult. “How about I make us breakfast before I leave?” It was only ten thirty.

  “Sounds like a plan. Do you want to shower first?”

  He raised a brow. “Any reason we can’t shower together?”

  That swollen mouth curved. “You can’t seem to keep your hands off me.”

  His hand stroked the smooth round of her behind. “You’re the same way with me, but I see your point. Let me grab a quick shower. You can start the coffee.” There was reluctance in his voice, prompting an enticing smile from her.

  “Deal.” She pressed a kiss to his lips, and he had to admit he really liked the softness of the gesture.

  Even kissing her had changed.

  He slid out of bed and headed to the shower. When he reached the bathroom door, he turned to watch her snuggle against his pillow.

  Should he tell her she was his perfect ingredient?

  A part of him winced from embarrassment. He’d been pursuing his Holy Grail for nearly two decades. His chef friends all knew about his tireless pursuit. What would they say when they heard it was a woman? Manny wouldn’t laugh at him, he knew. His friend and mentor would be elated to hear Terrance had finally found his own perfect ingredient.

  The knowledge was still too new, so he decided to keep it to himself a little longer. Last night had been intense enough. There would be another occasion to share that with her, one filled with romance and light-heartedness. He didn’t want to run off to work after making such a declaration.

  “What?” she finally asked, those blue eyes aglow with the knowledge that he didn’t want to leave, not even for a minute.

  “Just thinking how beautiful you are,” he replied and turned toward the bathroom.

  He would wait for a special moment to say the words. For him, they were more important than I love you.

  Chapter 30

  Elizabeth slid out of bed finally and donned a gray silk robe, marveling at how so much had changed in such a short time.

  He loved her. He’d actually said the words.

  And the way they’d made love last night? It had felt as if their souls were speaking to each other.

  They’d moved to a whole new level of sharing and intimacy, and for the first time, she understood what Jane had said about her relationship with Matt. Two people who’d admitted their love for each other could move the mountains. The way Terrance had listened and loved away the hurt had healed her somehow. Every cell felt lighter today, and for that she was grateful and more than a little humbled.

  Humming, definitely another new action for her, she headed into the kitchen. Since he’d shown her how to operate his high-tech Italian coffee maker, she breezed through the process. Soon the smell of his pricy, special-made blend suffused the kitchen with its dark, exotic roast.

  She detoured to the den to find her cell phone. Jane had called and then texted her, so she texted her back to say she was with Terrance and would call her later. Part of her didn’t want to go on Twitter, but she did anyway. No more hiding. Problems could only be solved if they were faced head on.

  There were still tweets pouring in, but nothing dire, thank God. Terrance’s statement had done its job.

  Her phone rang then, and although she didn’t recognize the number, she decided to answer it. It might be the media, but she felt prepared to respond to their questions now. In the late part of the night, she and Terrance had agreed to tweet today that they were romantically involved. Since any stories about her impacted Rhett, she needed to start tackling the situation. She was his publicist, after all.

  “Hello. This is Elizabeth Saunders.”

  “Hello, Liz.”

  A chill ran down her spine. No one called her Liz except Jane and Rhett, and there was something familiar about this man’s voice.

  Her solar plexus grew tight, like she’d been sucker punched. “Who is this?” she asked.

  “I like your new name. It’s so much more elegant than your old one. But it doesn’t really fit with the slutty Vixen, does it? Didn’t I tell you that I always knew what you were?”

  Dear God, no. Recognition clicked. She broke out in a cold sweat, and her heart thundered in her chest.

  “Hello, Vince,” she managed to say in a raspy voice.

  “So you remember me, do you, babe? I wasn’t sure when I saw all of those pictures of Vixen with other men. I’ve missed you, Liz. You shouldn’t have run away from me. We were so good together.”

  Her fingernails dug into her hand. Stay calm. Don’t let him get to you. “Vince, I’m hanging up now, and I swear to you that I will call the police and report you if you ever call me back. Liz Parenti might not have been able to fight you, but Elizabeth Saunders can.”

  “But why would you want to fight me when we have a friend in common?”

  Fear stole over her like ice water, and she clutched her robe tighter. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Why, Terrance, of course. I saw you two on Twitter, and wasn’t that a surprise? Your hair is different, but I recognized you right away. Terrance likes the bad girls, doesn’t he? Did you tell him about me?”

  Nausea choked her throat, and she had to sit down when her knees threatened to give out. No, Vince couldn’t be his friend. He would never befriend such a monster. “What about him?”

  “Answer me! Does he know about me, Liz?”

  His old threats played in her mind. I’ll kill any man you’re with. Do you hear me, Liz? Would he try and hurt Terrance?

  “He doesn’t know who you are. He has nothing to do with this.”

  “Oh, but he does, Liz. You probably don’t know who’s financing his food empire. You know, his new venture into household goods and gourmet products.”

  Bile rose to the back of her throat. “No. It’s impossible.”

  “He’s with the best investment bank in New York, Liz. We started financing celebrity product lines ten years ago as a special niche. It’s great advertising for the bank, and Terrance does like the best. But you know that. Except that he doesn’t know you like I do.”

  Her skin was crawling now, like there was a swarm of flies covering her skin. Terrance’s future was tied up with the man who had destroyed her life.

  “I could cancel his new venture with one call, Liz, baby. Do you want me to do that?”

  “No,” she whispered, all her forced bravado gone. “Leave him out of this. Please, Vince.”

  “I like hearing you beg me. I’ve missed that. You’d better keep quiet about us, baby. I have a lot to lose now, and I don’t need Terrance getting all upset. He’s known fo
r his temper. I’m afraid he might make a big mistake and come at me if you tell him who I am. You’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen, aren’t you?”

  How would Terrance react, knowing his banker was the same man who’d stalked and terrified her? Ryan was nothing compared to Vince, and Terrance had barely been able to restrain himself from punching him.

  And if he did attack Vince, he’d lose everything. Not just the financial backing of his new venture, but his primetime TV show.

  It would be all her fault.

  “I won’t tell him if you stay away from me and don’t mess with his deal.”

  “I don’t trust you. Just in case you’re thinking about finding Terrance a new banker, let me assure you that I won’t let him go. I know how you think, Liz. I’ll ensure the production and distribution of his product line is halted. Permanently.”

  The thought of finding a new financier would have come to her at some point, but he’d already boxed her in…just like in the old days. “He’ll sue you.”

  He laughed. “To what end? Our bank is one of the most reputable in the country. I’ll say Terrance welshed on his contract with us. I might even say he…exhibited that volatile behavior he’s so famous for, and we thought he was too great a capital risk. You know what that label does in business circles, Liz.”

  She did. If Harwick & Taylor thought Terrance was a business risk, everyone else would too. Their word was golden. “I don’t understand why you won’t let him go, Vince.”

  “Don’t you? Before I wanted Terrance because of his fame, but that pales in comparison to having a renewed connection with you. Keep your mouth shut this time, Liz. What I did to you and Jane’s lawyers last time will be a cake-walk compared to what I’ll do to you and Terrance if you don’t play ball.”