Susan hurried through the double doors and into the crowded kitchen teeming with sous chefs in their bright kitchen whites. Snaking past the sinks, she found Jaden at the back of the kitchen. “Excuse me, Chef Thorne.”
Jaden looked up from the pot of cream sauce she’d been stirring. “Yes?”
“There’s a group of people in the dining room that have specifically requested you cook their meal.” Retrieving the order slip from her apron, Susan handed it over.
“Like I don’t already have enough to do,” Jaden sighed. Taking the slip of paper from the waitress, she read their orders: two ahi tuna, two beef tenderloin medallions, and a grilled shrimp skewer. She stuffed the piece of paper into her jacket pocket and nodded. “At least they didn’t order the soufflé.”
“There’s something else, Chef,” Susan added hesitantly. “I recognize one of the men at the table from the restaurant I worked at before. He’s a food critic for the Herald.”
“What?” Jaden gasped. “What’s he doing here? Critics never review a new chef during the first month. God, which order was his?”
“One of the tunas.”
“Thanks, Sue,” Jaden replied.
Susan watched as she took a deep, steadying breath and went to work.
Half an hour later, Ivan saw the waitress returning to their table, this time bearing a huge tray with their meals. They smiled appreciatively as she placed the delectable dishes in front of them. Their friendly banter, laced with business, continued throughout lunch and grew more animated with each bottle of wine consumed. Looking around the table, Ivan noticed everyone had cleaned their plates. He smiled as he polished off the last of his wine and motioned for the waitress.
“Pardon me,” Ivan said, feeling more confident thanks to the generous liquid portion of his lunch. “Would it be possible to speak with the chef? We’d like to offer our personal kudos on such a spectacular meal.”
A rumble of agreement passed among the others. “Yes, please do ask her to join us,” Stacey added.
Ivan smiled broadly, pleased that they’d enjoyed the meal as much as he had. Jaden’s take on the Winemaker’s Dinner dish had just gained her the attention of some very important people.
“Of course, I’ll go get her,” Susan replied.
Moments later, Ivan felt his breath catch as Jaden emerged from the kitchen’s double doors. He wasn’t surprised at the glances she received from curious customers as she made her way to their table.
“Good Lord, I am eating here more often,” Jay murmured as she approached.
Ivan chuckled. You should see her naked, he added silently. Even at work in a hot kitchen she was stunning. Her red dress was now replaced by a crisp white chef’s coat and slim black pants, her Manolos exchanged for the typical chef’s clogs. Her flowing hair was tucked neatly under the traditional white hat, all of which made her even sexier in Ivan’s eyes. Her pace slowed as she drew near the table, appearing to take in each face seated there but not yet meeting Ivan’s eyes.
Stephen wasted no time and jumped up to compliment her. “Ah, my dear!” he bellowed. “Cheers to a job well done. That was the finest grilled tuna I’ve had…well, to be frank, ever!”
“Thank you.” Jaden took his outstretched hand. “I’m glad you enjoyed your meal.”
“Absolutely great meal from a beautiful woman,” Jay added, nearly running to shake her hand.
“Ah, you are too kind,” Jaden replied gracefully.
Preserving his usual aura of cool, Dirk spoke from his seat. “It was fantastic, dear. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.”
“Darling, it was delish,” Stacey said as she stood. Ivan could tell his blond companion had her wheels turning about this new chef.
“Thank you all so very much.” Jaden beamed and blushed. “It was my pleasure to cook for you today, and I’m honored by your compliments. I hope you’ll join…” Her voice faded as her eyes finally found Ivan’s and locked. An odd mix of lust and hurt rushed through him in that moment, and he suspected the fire in his eyes whispered, I want to fuck you, while his demeanor demanded, Why did you fuck me? Whatever message he sent, it looked to be a bit overwhelming for Jaden. After a moment she reached for the back of a chair, seeming to need the support.
“Ah, please join us again soon,” she stuttered, finally seeming to come to her senses. “Now if you’ll excuse, me, I’m needed in the kitchen.”
Jaden turned on her heel and dashed off, but Ivan locked eyes with her again as she peered back over her shoulder. He tossed his linen napkin on the table and stood. “Would you pardon me for a moment?”
Ivan didn’t wait for a response as he turned to chase Jaden through the crowded restaurant, bumping into waiters and knocking over dessert trays like an NFL linebacker. “Jaden,” he called after her, earning him a few disapproving stares. He pressed on, crashing through the double doors to the kitchen. “Jaden, please wait!”
Ivan screeched to a halt, almost colliding with her as Jaden came to an abrupt stop directly in front of him. He gently touched her shoulder and turned her to face him. His heart lurched at the sight of her tear-stained face, and she looked decidedly hostile, her arms crossed. Wordlessly, he wiped away her tears. Being this close to her, his pulse quickened. Her scent of jasmine and coconut overpowered even the kitchen’s succulent aromas of grilling meat and oregano.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, fighting back tears.
“I have to know.”
“Know what?” Jaden demanded.
“Well, for starters, I have to know why you left without even saying goodbye.” Without thinking, he caressed the soft curve of her cheek with his thumb, stroking it affectionately as he stared into her green eyes. “But more importantly, I need to know why a woman I barely know has left such a gaping hole in my chest, why when I open my eyes in the morning I’m disappointed that you aren’t there, and why every song on the radio sounds like Frank Sinatra. Why is it that one night with you felt more like a thousand?”
“Ivan, please don’t do this to me,” she begged. “I’m not the one for you, and I think we both know that. It was a night of fun. Let’s leave it at that, okay?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked. “Do you honestly think I’m a one-night-stand sort of guy?”
“Well, I’ve seen the articles written about you,” she shot back, but when he said nothing, she seemed to soften. “Look at me.” Jaden motioned toward her sauce-smeared uniform. “I’ve seen pictures of the women you’ve dated, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t come home smelling like grease.”
Ivan frowned, realizing his past had caught up with him yet again. “Is that what this is about?” he asked sharply. “Is that why you left without so much as a goodbye?”
“No,” she responded, looking at the floor. “Do you really want to know why I left?” Raising her hand, Jaden used the tips of her fingers to count off her points. “You’re a doctor, a model, a world traveler, and you date actresses and beauty queens like they’re going out of style. I’m nothing more than a chef from Colorado. I make my living cooking for people like you.” She paused for a moment, appearing to fight back tears again. “Let’s face facts. I’m me, you’re you, and forget about social circles—there’s a million miles between us on that front. I’m surprised you even remembered my name.”
Ivan stood, unmoving and completely befuddled. How could a woman with such amazing beauty view herself as so inferior? “Is that what you honestly think? That I’m some James Bond international playboy who makes a career out of serial-dating famous women?”
Tucking aside a loose strand of her hair, he cupped her face in his hands. “If that’s the type of guy I am, then why am I here right now, making a complete ass out of myself in front of a bunch of people I’ve never met?” He motioned to the crowd of waiters and kitchen staff that stood captivated by the spectacle unfolding before them. “You’re so unbelievably gorgeous, and you don’t even know it. You act like working as
a chef is simple or somehow degrading, but I think it’s amazing. You have a gift! Sure, I’ve traveled the world and done things some people only dream of doing. So what? That’s what I’ve done, not who I am. Right now I’m just a guy…desperate for you to give him a chance. Nothing more.”
His monologue finished, Ivan looked sheepishly around the kitchen and held his breath, waiting for Jaden’s response. Had he gotten through to her?
After staring ferociously at him for a few moments, she finally blushed again and studied the floor. When she looked up, her eyes glowed warm. “Ivan, I’m sorry for leaving the way I did. You deserve so much better—”
Ivan pressed a finger gently to her lips, silencing her. “That’s the past. What is, is, and what was, was. All I ask is that you let me take you on a proper date: flowers, chocolates, dinner. No sex, no expectations, just a real first date. Let me prove to you that assumptions never lead to anything good.”
Jaden tried to hold back a laugh, but she failed miserably. “Well…I do love chocolate.”
The sound of her laughter was contagious, and Ivan smiled broadly. “So is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
Bringing his lips to hers, Ivan kissed her. He could taste the lingering saltiness of her tears but never had a kiss been so sweet. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her tightly against his chest. But the emotion soon gave way to passion, and Jaden returned his kiss urgently. Ivan’s heart thrilled at her touch, heat spreading through his body.
Riotous cat calls and applause from the kitchen staff soon reminded them of their onlookers, and Jaden pulled back, trying to compose herself. But Ivan wasn’t ready to let her go. Grasping her waist, he lifted Jaden off the ground, holding her even more tightly and kissing her again, despite her half-hearted attempts to struggle free. In the midst of their passion, her movement knocked them off balance, and Ivan set her down, only to stumble backward into the counter and knock over a pot of cream sauce. Despite his best dodge, the sauce spilled down the leg of his pants and pooled on the floor.
“We’ve got to stop doing this.” The smile that lit up Ivan’s face betrayed his harsh tone, and he burst out laughing. “You do realize this is the second thousand-dollar suit we’ve ruined in a week, don’t you?”
A blush colored her cheeks as another round of applause filled the kitchen. “Okay, guys, back to work,” Jaden ordered. “There’s nothing to see here.”
Ivan captured her in his arms and brought his lips to her neck, drawing a line of tender kisses as he whispered gently against her skin. “You can ruin every suit I own, as long as you promise to say yes every time.”
Chapter 7
“Gimme Shelter”
“WEAR THE BLACK ONE,” Tasha yelled from the adjoining bedroom. Then she burst back into Jaden’s room and tossed her a green scarf. “Try this with it.”
“Tasha,” Jaden moaned, “it’s still summer. You want me to wear a scarf? I’ll sweat my makeup off in two seconds flat before it cools off.”
“That’s the price you pay for beauty, my dear. This will be fantastic with your eyes.” She rummaged through the dresses in Jaden’s closet before emerging and passing one to Jaden. “Now this is a dress that will make any man weep, and it shows off those legs of yours.”
“Hey, Tash, have you seen the remote?” Michael asked as he rounded the corner. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of Jaden standing in nothing but her bra and panties. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry.”
“If you’re so sorry, why are you still standing there staring?” Tasha teased. She picked up the towel lying on the bed beside her and threw it at him. “You’re such a dork.”
“It’s okay, Michael,” Jaden assured him. “I’m sure it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”
His face turned a bright purplish red as he scuttled off down the hall.
“You and Michael seem to be getting pretty cozy,” Jaden observed. “It’s been less than two weeks, and he’s already taking his vacation days to come see you.”
“He is great, isn’t he?”
The dreamy look on Tasha’s face spoke volumes, and Jaden knew she was a goner. Only girls in love wore that silly grin—the one so many single women envied. Jaden slid the little black dress over her head, loving the way the silky fabric caressed her skin and hugged her body, coming to rest halfway up her thigh. Tasha was right. It accentuated all her best features and made her glad to be five-foot-ten. Retrieving the makeup case from the top of her dresser, she sat down on the bed. “Can you do the thing with my eyes that you did last weekend?”
“I wonder where he’s taking you,” Tasha mused as she set to work creating the smoky eyes she’d long ago perfected. “I bet it’s some fancy restaurant, or maybe an art gallery.”
“I don’t think it’ll be anything like that. He mentioned something about a private party.”
“Hmmm…” Tasha said. “Hold still. There. There you go.”
Jaden picked up the scarf and draped it around her neck. “Okay, how’s that?”
Tasha smiled, evidently pleased with her creation. “Just one more thing.” She disappeared from the room and returned a minute later to take Jaden’s hand in hers. As she did she placed a gold-and-diamond bangle around her wrist. “Perfect!”
“Tasha, I can’t wear this. It was your mom’s. What if I break it, or worse, lose it?”
“You won’t,” she said confidently.
Jaden hugged her. “Thank you.”
“Stop it now.” Tasha pushed her away. “You’re going to ruin your makeup, and I don’t have time to do it again.”
Just as Jaden looked down at her watch, the phone rang, and she rushed to pick it up. “Hello?”
“Good evening, Ms. Thorne. There’s a Dr. Rusilko here to see you.”
“Would you please send him up?” Jaden asked, her palms slick with sweat just knowing Ivan was in the lobby.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Jaden hung up and paced the living room, her black high heels clacking on the hardwood with every anxious step. Moving to the full-length mirror in the hall, she gave herself the once over.
“You look great,” Michael assured her from the sofa. “If he doesn’t think you’re smokin’, the guy has a serious problem.”
Jaden tried to think of a witty remark, but her mind refused to cooperate and she just smiled. Somehow, a knock at the door startled all three occupants of the condo.
“One second,” Jaden yelled and muttered a muffled, “Shit,” as she ran to the mirror for a final appraising glance. She looked over her shoulder to Tasha. “How do I look?”
“Just like Micky said, smokin’.” Tasha giggled as she sat down on the sofa beside him.
Jaden shook her head. They made quite the eager audience. “It’s show time,” she said as she approached the door. She twisted the knob, and the door slowly opened, revealing a man who looked like Ivan, but not quite. Instead of his usual tousle, Ivan’s hair had been pulled into a sleek ponytail at the back of his neck, and his expressive eyes seemed brighter and softer all at once. A fitted white button-down shirt tucked smoothly into a pair of black pants, and all traces of his boyish charm seemed to have vanished—replaced by pure masculine sexuality. Jaden leaned in to give him a hug, prepared to inhale his fantastic scent, and was surprised when Ivan took a hesitant step backward.
“Umm…now this is one of my favorite shirts. You aren’t going to rip it or spill sauce on it, are you?” he joked. Without giving her a chance to respond, he grabbed her by the hand and kissed her softly on the mouth.
The affectionate gesture left Jaden feeling weak in the knees. She clung to him for support, stunned that something so simple and innocent could make her feel this way.
“And this, my lady, is for you,” he whispered, extricating himself enough to reach into his pocket and place something in her hand.
Jaden looked at the small, familiar box of Amedei chocolates. “But this is—” she stammered. “How did you know these are my f
avorite?”
“I thought they were everyone’s favorite,” Ivan said and winked before sneaking another quick kiss. “And no first date is complete without flowers.”
Ivan hummed as he revealed a simple stem of pale pink orchids from behind his back.
“Thank you,” she said with a sigh. “They’re beautiful.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, Jaden stood on her toes and kissed him hard on the mouth, pressing her body against his as she tried to close the distance between them. He smelled just as delicious as ever.
“Jaden,” Ivan gasped as he broke the frenzied kiss. “This sort of kissing on a first date? Why, Ms. Thorne, I had no idea!”
“Are you always this big a smartass?” she asked with a smirk.
“Remember, I promised to be the perfect gentleman tonight, and if we don’t stop now…” He shook his head.
A sly smile lit up her face as she moved closer to whisper in his ear. “What will happen if we don’t stop now?”
“If we don’t stop now, I can’t be held responsible for my actions,” Ivan whispered back, adjusting his pants.
A cocky grin spread across Jaden’s face. Supermodels and actresses be damned—she’d succeeded in driving him wild in less than five minutes!
“That’s all we get, a kiss? Come on, you guys can do better than that,” Michael heckled from the couch.
Jaden turned to see Tasha elbow him in the ribs.
“Be back by ten,” Tasha added in a motherly tone. “And no funny business.”
Ivan smiled as he took Jaden’s hand and led her out the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll have her back by eleven,” he called, giving Jaden a wink.
“I hope that’s a.m.!” Tasha shouted as the door closed. “Have fun tonight!”
They descended in the elevator, crossed the lobby, and exited the building hand in hand. An unusually cool late summer breeze greeted them as they stepped outside, and Jaden felt invigorated and ready to face the night ahead.
She watched as Ivan handed his ticket to the valet, remembering each curve of his muscular form and the way he’d felt when pressed against her in the heat of the moment. But the vehicle creeping out of the parking garage diverted her attention. Rather than a Mercedes or some sort of exotic sports car, an old-school Jeep Wrangler with its top down rolled to a stop in front of them. Jaden slowly turned toward Ivan and watched as an ear-to-ear grin spread across his face. She began to laugh.
The Winemaker's Dinner: Appetizers Page 5