Meat

by Opal Carew

  She’d been back to work three days and had been trying to catch up with the memos and other information Benjamin had been sharing with the department heads about the change in ownership, on top of the day-to-day operations she’d fallen behind on. Now she also had a report she had to read through and respond to as a result of the concern management had over the alleged kitchen thefts. Benjamin said the owners were concerned about problems in other departments, too, so she had to worry about that, also.

  Not that she believed any of her staff would steal.

  She sighed and pushed back the report, then rubbed her eyes. It was late and she’d really like to go home, but even the thought of stepping out into that blizzard was too much for her. She sat back and sipped her coffee, which was now only lukewarm.

  As she put the cup down, she noticed the picture on her desk. It was of Auntie Gail with Rebecca and her two sisters last spring. Rebecca had been visiting for a week and they’d all gone to a rock-climbing wall. Although Auntie was seventy-one, she’d been right there with them. Rebecca still had the picture of her climbing up the vertical surface. Auntie Gail had always been willing to tackle pretty well anything. Anytime.

  Tears swelled in Rebecca’s eyes. And now she was gone.

  Oh, God, she missed her. Even though Rebecca lived so far away, she used to talk to Auntie every week.

  She plucked a tissue from the box on her desk and wiped her eyes. Auntie had been the center of Rebecca’s family ever since her mother had died. Now it felt is if her family was falling apart.

  She sighed. And here at work, her other family, the people she worked so closely with and cared so much about, was being torn apart. She wiped her eyes again.

  The one thing that had helped her get through the previous week of grieving was the prospect of a magical new romance she’d anticipated with the wonderful man she’d met at the airport, who had been so caring and protective.

  She blew her nose and plucked out another tissue. That had certainly been a disaster. How could she have been so totally fooled by him?

  Her heart ached. But had she been?

  He hadn’t acted like a man who just wanted to get her into bed. He had been the perfect gentleman. She had had to make the first move. And even then, he’d given her every opportunity to back out.

  She knew deep inside it hadn’t been an act. That the caring man she’d experienced was the real Rex Keene. But so was the man she’d experienced today—T-Rex, they called him. And he had teeth.

  Rex tossed his apron in the laundry bin, then walked into his office and sat down. He was about to call it a day, but wanted to do a quick check of the live security camera feeds before he made himself some dinner and headed to his suite.

  Only he and Benjamin Miller, the hotel manager, knew about these feeds. He’d told Rebecca about the cameras in the kitchen, but not the other ones. Rex wanted more information before he brought the other managers into the know. If he ever did.

  Miller had handled the meeting as well as he could have this afternoon, given the secrecy he had to maintain. When Rebecca had attacked Rex, Miller had gone white as a sheet. Rex had felt sorry for the man, who had obviously been concerned that he might take offense, while at the same time having to maintain the illusion of authority over him.

  Rex shook his head as he opened the security camera app on his computer. He hated the discord between himself and Rebecca. Obviously, she hated him for causing strife in her usual harmonious workplace. But clearly it wasn’t the delightful fairy-tale palace she seemed to think it was. Beneath the friendly face the staff put on, there was a rotting core of deception. Rebecca clearly didn’t see it, because she was a sweet, genuine person and would only see the same in others.

  Which meant she would only grow to hate him more as he exposed the deception behind the people she so clearly cared about. And when she found out who he really was, and the sweeping changes he would be the cause of … He wondered if he’d ever be able to win back her heart.

  He walked through the camera feeds. First the kitchen, including the storerooms, then housekeeping, the rooftop restaurant, the café, both bars, and finally, The Lavender Rose.

  Most of the areas were deserted, except for a few hangers-on in Rage. It was late and with the storm, the other restaurants and bar had closed so they could send the staff home.

  Then the feed to the office in The Lavender Rose filled his screen.

  What the hell?

  Rebecca was in her office, obviously working late. But what punched him full in the gut was the sight of tears streaming down her face.

  Rebecca started as someone knocked on her office door. She couldn’t imagine who would be looking for her at this time of night. Wiping her eyes, she decided to ignore it.

  But a louder knock followed.

  “Rebecca, it’s Rex. I know you’re there.”

  Oh, God, she didn’t want to face him.

  Her hesitation did not deter him, and the door swung open. She took another swipe at her tears, then pushed the handful of tissues into the garbage, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

  “How did you know I was here?”

  He was so big and masculine standing in her doorway, his white shirt stretched over his broad chest and thick arms. His blue eyes were filled with concern.

  “I have my ways.”

  “Well, I was trying to get through this pile of reports”—she gestured at the stack of papers on her desk—“and I was hoping not to be disturbed.”

  “Of course, but surely you can take a break for something to eat. I bet you skipped dinner.”

  He set a bag on her table by the window and pulled a take-out container from it, along with a covered cup, which he set it in front of one of the chairs. Then he produced a second container and cup. Next, he placed metal cutlery by each container.

  He gestured to the chair. “Come and join me.”

  She sent him a defiant stare, but he smiled warmly.

  “I know you think of me as the enemy right now, but how about we call a truce.” At her frown, he said, “You have to eat.”

  Her stomach rumbled. He was right. She hadn’t eaten and she was hungry.

  She stood up and …

  God damn, but grieving and the resulting emotional chaos was a bitch. Despite her wanting nothing to do with him, the fact that he was showing such caring kindness toward her had tears swelling in her eyes again.

  Horrified, she tried to hide them, but he noticed, and in two quick strides he was in front of her. Then he pulled her into his arms.

  She wanted to pull away. She tried with everything she had. But instead, she felt herself melting against his strong chest, drawing comfort in his warm embrace.

  And the tears flowed. Damp spots grew on his shirt as she tried to subdue her sobs.

  “I’m sorry I keep doing this,” she uttered between breaths.

  “It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot. Just let it go.”

  With that, she curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt, clutching tightly, and sobbed.

  She’d barely cried while she’d been with her family going through the ordeal of her aunt’s dying, nor the following week she’d been off grieving it.

  But now, in the tenderness of this man’s arms, she found what she needed to let go. Fully and completely.

  He stroked her hair and murmured comforting words. Kind and encouraging.

  Gentle.

  She didn’t know how long he held her like that, but finally the sobs faded, and the tears stopped flowing, and she simply stood there, cradled against his warm, protective body.

  She never wanted to move.

  Finally, she drew in a deep sigh and eased back. She hesitated looking up at him, knowing her eyes would be puffy and red. But he tucked his hand under her chin and lifted until she was gazing into his concerned blue eyes.

  “I want you to know I’m here for you. Whatever you need. Whenever you need it.”

  Tears swelled again, but she blinked them
back as she nodded, unable to speak.

  Then his lips found hers.

  She leaned into the kiss, so tender and poignant. Filling a need inside her that she couldn’t—wouldn’t—examine. She just knew she needed this right now.

  She needed him.

  Their lips parted, and he smiled.

  “Come and have something to eat.”

  His arm glided around her waist and he guided her to the table. She sat down, staring at the container in front of her in a daze. He opened it, and the most delightful aroma greeted her. Her mouth began to water instantly.

  “It’s a simple fettuccine Alfredo with scallops and shrimp, but I thought it would be a good comfort food on such a cold night.”

  He removed the lid from the paper cup.

  “This is a nice white wine to complement the meal.” He handed her the cup, then sat down. “This is not how I’d prefer to present this meal, but even without the fine china and crystal, I hope you’ll enjoy it.”

  She sipped the wine. A warm heat started in her throat and expanded through her.

  “I shouldn’t really be drinking wine in my office.”

  He shrugged. “You’ve worked a long, hard day and you’re finished now. There’s nothing wrong with bending the rules sometimes.”

  She put down the cup. “You’re right. I’m finished for the day. That means I shouldn’t be drinking, because I need to drive home.”

  “Rebecca, you’re not thinking of braving that snowstorm?”

  “I don’t have much choice. I don’t want to sleep here in the office.”

  “We’re in a hotel.”

  “A hotel that’s full because flights have been canceled. And anyway, if I stayed in a room every time we had a snowstorm, even with the employee discount, I’d be broke.”

  “You don’t have to pay for a room tonight.”

  She crossed her arms. “Let me guess. You’re inviting me to share your room?”

  He laughed, a deep low rumble that sent heat cascading through her.

  “Well, I was going to say that I talked to Benjamin and he kept a few rooms available for staff to use. No charge.” He grinned. “Of course, if you’d like to join me, you’re more than welcome.” He cocked an eyebrow.

  “That’s quite all right.”

  “If you change your mind—”

  “I won’t.”

  She spiked her fork through a fat shrimp and a fettuccine noodle, trying to push aside any thoughts about the last time they were stranded together, and took a bite. The delicate flavors filled her with delight.

  “This is incredibly delicious.”

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  She ate a few more bites, then gazed across the table at him.

  “So I take it you’re not used to snowy weather,” she said.

  “Well, not like this.”

  “Where are you from?”

  “I’ve lived in a lot of different places. Mostly I grew up in California, but I spent a few years in Europe.”

  “Anywhere in particular?”

  “I spent time in different resorts in different countries across the continent.”

  “As a chef?”

  He nodded as he watched his fork spike through a scallop. “That’s right.”

  But something about his demeanor seemed odd. As if he were telling her what she expected to hear. Maybe he wasn’t as successful back then. Maybe he was lower on the food chain, like a dishwasher, or busboy.

  Or maybe he was hiding something.

  She sipped her wine, surprised at herself. Was she just looking for reasons to dislike him? If that was the case, she had a hard job in front of her, because despite everything, she was having trouble convincing herself he wasn’t a wonderful, caring man whom she’d truly like to have a shot with.

  “What made you interested in being a chef?” she asked.

  “My parents traveled a lot for their work, and one year we spent the summer at a resort they were involved in launching. I was left on my own to amuse myself a lot, so the waitress in the restaurant where I always ate alone felt sorry for me. Her husband was the chef, and she wound up inviting me into the kitchen one day to meet the kitchen staff. Some of them were taking a break in the afternoon to play some ball and they invited me to join them.”

  He smiled, a wistful look in his eyes.

  “The ball games became a regular thing,” he continued. “And the chef was this big friendly guy who loved kids, so I wound up hanging around the kitchen a lot, watching him prepare meals. Eventually, I asked to help.” He shrugged. “That’s how it all got started.”

  She smiled. “That’s a nice story.” But her heart ached at the thought that he’d had a lonely childhood. “So tell me about an adventure you had in your travels.”

  He smiled. “Well, my favorite is the time I was stuck in an airport because of a snowstorm, and I wound up sharing a room with a beautiful woman. But it wasn’t just a one-night stand. I knew the moment we were thrown together that we could build a lasting relationship.”

  “What happened?” she asked, entranced by the glow in his eyes.

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips. The soft brush of his mouth on her skin sent tremors through her.

  “We hit a rough patch, but I’m still convinced that there’s a future for us.”

  Then he stood up and drew her into his arms. His lips claimed hers and his tongue swept into her mouth. She suckled lightly, unable to resist, and he groaned.

  Then he swept her into his arms. “It’s time for bed.”

  Chapter 9

  Five minutes later, Rebecca was in Rex’s suite, still in his arms as he ravaged her mouth.

  “I shouldn’t be doing this,” she murmured against his lips.

  She had to put distance between them. Now.

  “Rex …” she put her hand on his chest, and he lowered her to her feet.

  “Is that what you really want? To sleep in a cold bedroom all alone?”

  She hesitated, knowing she should say it was. She should deny her body what it so craved—what it insisted she needed—because giving in would make life so much more complicated.

  But she couldn’t.

  “No,” she murmured softly, then wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him to her. Their mouths connected and she melted against him, her tongue tangling with his.

  He dipped down and swept her into his arms again, then carried her into the bedroom. When he set her on the bed, she couldn’t help staring at him. Taking in every delectable inch of him in his black dress pants and crisp white shirt stretched taut over his muscular frame.

  This was the man she’d dreamed of ever since she’d spent that incredible night with him. He had starred in her steamy dreams and crept into her daytime reveries.

  He was sexy and handsome and all man.

  And he made her feel all woman.

  He unbuttoned his shirt and she watched as his hard, sculpted muscles were revealed.

  She ran her fingers along the newly exposed skin. Oh, God, she’d forgotten how hard those muscled ridges were. She grasped his belt and released the buckle, then pulled the long leather strap from his belt loops and dropped it on the ground. He watched as she unfastened the button and glided the zipper down, his cerulean blue eyes glowing.

  She reached inside and …

  Oh, yes, it really was as big as she remembered. She pulled the elastic of his boxers and drew it down, revealing his amazing cock. She wrapped her hand around it as best she could and stroked.

  Then she licked from base to tip. A long journey.

  He sat down beside her and drew her suit jacket from her shoulders. Then he unfastened the buttons of her blouse. She clung to his cock, watching his eyes heat as he exposed her lacy pink bra. A moment later, he stripped away her blouse.

  She grasped his cock again, knowing she never wanted to let it go.

  He leaned forward and his lips brushed against the swell of her breast above her bra, then down over th
e lace. When he nibbled her nipple through the thin fabric, it peaked in his mouth, sending pleasure spiking through her.

  She squeezed his shaft, then began to stroke again, loving the feel of the hard column gliding through her fingers.

  He unzipped her skirt, then stood up, pulling her with him. He pressed the skirt down her hips until it fell to the floor.

  His gaze glided down her body, his eyes sparking with desire.

  “I’ve dreamed of seeing you like this again.”

  “Like this?” she asked.

  Then she released his cock and reached behind her. She unfastened the bra and slowly peeled it away, loving the flash of heat in his eyes as he gazed at her naked breasts. Then she stripped away her panties.

  “Or like this?”

  She stood before him completely naked.

  “Oh, definitely like this.” His low, velvety deep voice sent shivers through her.

  He dropped his pants to the floor and stepped out of them, then shed his boxers. The shirt was the last to go, revealing his bulging, muscular, tattooed arms.

  She stepped toward him and he wrapped those big arms around her, holding her close to him. The warmth and strength emanating from him almost made her weep with happiness. She felt soft and vulnerable in his arms. And so protected.

  She rested her head against his shoulder. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured.

  He tipped up her chin and gazed into her eyes.

  “I can’t tell you what it means to me to hear you say that.”

  Then he kissed her. Starting off sweet and tender, then passion building to a blazing inferno. She drove her tongue into his mouth, and pulsed it inside, wanting to become a part of him. Needing to join with him.

  His cock, swelling to an incredible girth, pulsed against her stomach, branding her as if it were on fire.

  She wrapped her hand around him again.

  “God, I want you,” she murmured against his ear.

  He laughed, then pressed her back to the bed. The world tilted around her as she tumbled onto it. He landed by her side, and his hand cupped her breast.

  A cold wind howled outside and she shivered, her exposed nipples swelling to a hard peak. He captured one in his mouth, the warmth soothing the aching flesh. Until he nudged it with his tongue, then suckled. She arched against him, moaning softly.