“And it was that bad?”
“No. It was amazing. And I hate it. I can’t do it again. I can’t do this job that requires the possibility of fucking someone I cook for just because they’re paying for it. I mean, I made more in the last two nights than I did in three months working for that stupid pita place, but I don’t have benefits, and it might not be steady work. What if I don’t have any other interested clients, or what if they all want sex? I just can’t do it.”
Ginnifer nodded, squeezing her hand. “It’ll be all right. You can go back to your old job, maybe. Or get a new one that doesn’t have that asshole Derek as your boss. Maybe it’ll be better this time.”
Ella sighed. “Maybe. I just feel so stupid, Ginny. Like, this guy basically tells me that my meal is less mediocre than the last one I made, and then he kisses me, so I fucked him? What the hell is wrong with me?”
“Do you like him?”
She considered for a moment, looking down at her hands and nodding slowly. “Yeah. Oddly. I really like him. I really, really like him.”
“So you’re going to stay away from him?”
“Yep.” Ella knew there was nothing else she could do. Even if he was going to ask her to cook for him again, which she doubted, she couldn’t do it. There was no way she would be able to stop herself from sleeping with him again if he was interested, and she did not want that kind of relationship. Not with someone who was so cold.
“So back to the pita place?”
“Bingo,” she said miserably.
Chapter Seven
Ella sighed as she punched in for her shift at the pita place. She had only missed one shift, so Derek had given her a write up for a no-call, no-show, and while she was surprised he had given her the job back so easily, Ella had a feeling he had only done it so he could continue to make her life a living hell. She pulled a hairnet over her head and made her way to the back kitchen. They were closing an hour for lunch that day, because there was some meeting upstairs and they were catering it. Ella looked at the order, moving to the back of the kitchen to make sure she had enough pitas in the heated cabinet. Sure enough, there were eight packages of five in there.
With another sigh, she looked down at the prepping table. She needed to get enough lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes prepped to make all the pitas. Derek was going to help her put the wraps together, because they had to be brought up to the twentieth floor by noon, but she would rather do it alone. She hated him. He was even less tolerable now than he had been before. His smug face showed up through the pass-through.
“How’s it going, Ella?”
“Just about to prep the toppings,” she answered, her tone dripping with annoyance.
“Good girl. I’ll be back there in a couple of minutes to help put them all together. “
Ella nearly snarled at him. Good girl. Where did he get off calling her that? She could probably report him for sexual harassment, but she really needed the job, and she doubted a new manager would look at her recent record with attendance and be okay with it. It was frowned upon to walk out in the middle of a lunch rush, following it with a no-call, no-show the next day. So she would suck it up and deal with it.
Just as he had promised (or threatened, if you asked her), he came back only a couple minutes later. Derek pulled all the pitas out of the cabinet and grabbed one of the catering trays they used for the big orders. Ella finished putting the lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes into their metal containers, while she tried to ignore his existence.
After a few minutes, they both started working on putting the pitas together. There were no extravagant ones, just simple chicken with lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes. There were forty bags of chips already in a box on the catering cart to go as a side for the main course.
Once they were done, Derek told her she had to take the order upstairs. Ella knew it was another form of punishment, so she nodded despite her frustration. She wrapped the tray in plastic wrap and slid it onto the top tray of the cart. Heading upstairs in the elevator, Ella leaned back against the back wall. The elevator ride was not nearly long enough to push off the embarrassment of being the person who delivered the order. She really hated this part.
Ella pushed the cart to the conference room door, then knocked lightly. A secretary opened the door, letting her in. She moved around behind the row of chairs on one side of the table. She was about to stop at an empty space between two men when she looked up and saw him. Him. Michael. The man who had crushed her heart and fucked her so well afterward. One man shook his head as Michael spoke.
“Mr. Lorde, that isn’t going to work,” the man said. Ella’s eyes went wide. Michael was Michael Lorde? As in the man who owned the entire building and ran the entire company? She could not believe it. His gaze flitted over to her as he responded to whatever the other man had been talking about, and Ella felt her face flush. She pulled her hairnet off as quickly as she could manage, suddenly embarrassed even more about the job she held. But his gaze moved away from her and he continued fielding arguments from the other men in the room.
Ella could hardly believe it. He had ignored her. Truly ignored her. She wanted to punch something, or cry. She had no clue which of the two she wanted more. Instead, she held onto whatever professionalism she could muster. Ella slid the tray of pitas onto the conference table, laying down a stack of napkins and paper plates to go with it. The last thing she did was put the box of chips onto the table, and then she turned around and pushed the cart right back out of the room.
As soon as she was out of the conference room, she sighed. Today was a disastrous first day back at her job. Michael had acted like she didn’t even exist on his radar, and Derek was being a world-class douche. She was so done with today.
Chapter Eight
Almost as soon as she got home, Ella opened her computer to look up Michael. She had had no clue he was Michael Lorde, and it was too much for her to take no interest in finding out more about him. She knew the basics, knew he was loaded, one of the youngest self-made CEOs in the country, and that he had made his business entirely on his own. Everyone knew that about him, though, it was word of mouth if you worked in the building. It was also well known that he was single and seemed to prefer staying that way. Nobody ever saw him with the same woman twice. Ella sighed, frowning at her computer. That seriously sucked to read. Not that she expected to see him again anyway, not after the way he had practically ignored her existence in the conference room.
Her laptop pinged, letting her know she had an email. Ella opened it up, finding that it was just a notification from Crave that she had a message. Sighing, she typed in the web address. She should have just shut down her account after her disastrous cook/disappoint/fuck night with Michael. Bringing the site up, she logged in, eyebrows rising when she saw that the message was from him. The message was straightforward, stating that he wanted her to meet him at one of the most popular Italian restaurants in town. She recognized the name, had been there before and knew for a fact the food was amazing. The message directed her to be there at eight.
Ella rolled her eyes. It was presumptuous of him to assume she would just come. Of course, she knew she would, too, but that did not mean that it didn’t annoy her that he assumed as much. She checked the clock, deciding she had enough time to take a shower and get the smell of work off her before heading out.
She was nervous as she made her way through town in a cab. It was too busy on a Friday night in the downtown area to drive and worry about parking, so she had skipped over that option. The driver pulled up to the curb in front of the restaurant and Ella frowned.
“You sure this is the place? It looks closed,” the cab driver asked.
“Yeah… this is it. Thanks.” She was confused, too, but she handed him a couple of bills and got out of the cab. There was no reason that this restaurant would ever be so deserted on a Friday night; usually it would have over an hour waitlist. Ella walked slowly to the door and saw that there was a man just inside the vestibule, w
ho stepped forward and unlocked the door, pushing it open to allow her in. Hesitating, she walked through the second door and looked around.
Michael was standing beside the bar, leaning just slightly against it. “Hello, Ella.”
“Hello,” she answered slowly, beyond confused.
He walked around behind the bar, pulling out two wine glasses and uncorking a bottle. Michael poured them each a glass. “I brought you here so you can cook for me again. This is my restaurant, and I thought it wouldn’t hurt anything to close it for a night so that you can cook in a more natural environment to your trade.” He moved back around the bar, holding out a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for her.
Ella took it hesitantly and nodded. She was still confused. He had shown no love for either meal she had made him, so why would he shut down one of his businesses on one of the most profitable nights of the week? “Okay. So what am I cooking for you?”
Michael motioned for her to follow him, and he led her to the kitchen. “Your choice. You have free roaming rights to the entire kitchen and all of its ingredients and tools.”
“No offense, but you’re crazy if you think I’m just going to think of something on a whim and make it for you. I thought out my last two dishes very carefully and you hated them.”
He sighed. “I didn’t hate them. I know you can do better, and I have faith that being in a restaurant kitchen will help you. You deserve better than to work in a cafeteria restaurant. But you have to believe in yourself, too. And stop being so nervous about your cooking. I can practically taste it when I’m trying your food.”
Ella blushed. “You make me nervous. I can’t relax and cook around you. How do you think I’m supposed to relax now that I know who you are, too? You’re always so serious and stiff and your reputation precedes you.”
He motioned to the fire grill that the restaurant had. “How do you work this thing?” he asked, his tone just slightly more relaxed than usual.
Ella looked over at him and rolled her eyes, laughing softly. At least he remembered the few words she had spoken to him on the first night she cooked for him. She shook her head in amusement, going to the cooler to gather ingredients. When she returned to the prepping table, she looked at him and smiled faintly. He was so handsome, and she was in too deep.
Michael leaned into her, pressing his lips to hers softly and cupping her cheek in his hand. It was surprising to her, him making such a move that was so tender and relaxed, but she was in no way complaining.
Ella pulled back after a moment, looking down at the ingredients she had on the table. “I should probably get started.”
He nodded, following her lead and washing his hands. Michael stood beside her at the stove, asking her how he could help. Ella smiled, setting him to start a pot of boiling water. While he did that, she put a pot of water on a different burner, dumping some mussels in and putting a lid on. Michael worked at her side for the entire meal, until she was serving up two plates of pasta with beans and mussels cooked in white wine, with red pepper flakes and parsley. It was easy, and while not one of her favorite meals, it was one that she enjoyed from this exact restaurant, though she modified it just enough to make it different for him.
They carried their plates to the bar, their glasses of wine already empty and ready for refills. He filled both, then sat down beside her so they could enjoy their meal together. Ella was nervous for his reaction, but she took a bite of her own and decided that regardless of what he thought, it was a delicious meal.
Michael took a bit of everything onto his fork, tasting it. He hummed, taking another bite. “It is better than the last two you made me. You’re getting there.” Ella decided not to take offense. He was apparently just that particular, and difficult to please. She was about to speak, but he cut her off by speaking again first. “Would you be willing to make the hors d’oeuvres for the holiday party at the office next weekend?”
Ella smiled and nodded eagerly. “Of course I will.” Apparently he thought she was good enough for everyone else, even if she was still not quite good enough for him.
Chapter Nine
Ella was ecstatic that everything she had made for the party went over well with all the guests. She had made crab and avocado toasts, spicy tuna tartare, mini goat cheese and zucchini tarts, and caprese skewers. When everyone had devoured those, the servers had brought around trays of finger desserts she made, which had included cranberry nut tarts and mini pumpkin pies. She had received so many compliments on the food, and was so happy it had all gone over so well.
Everyone slowly trickled out of the building, leaving Ella and the rest of the hired servers to move around and collect the dishes. Derek was there, too, but she was mostly ignoring his presence. Once all the dishes were gathered and brought into the kitchen to clean, she told the hired wait staff that they were set to go home. She turned on the faucet, filling the sink with soapy water.
There was a clatter of dishes behind her, so Ella turned around, finding Derek standing beside a prep table. He was clearly wasted, though the drinks were supposed to have been only for those not working the party. He took a step toward her, mumbling incoherently, so Ella rolled her eyes and told him to go home. He shook his head, gripping her arms and pressing his lips to hers in a sloppy kiss. She tried to push him off, taking a step back, too, in an attempt to get away from him.
He pressed further, pushing her back and pinning her to the wall next to the sink. Ella turned her face away from him, whimpering for him to stop. She heard the door to the kitchen squeak, and guessed that Derek did, too, since he turned to look at who was entering. Before she could even see past him to see who it was, Ella saw a fist hit Derek across the jaw.
“You’re fired,” Michael spat, looking down at Derek on the floor, then up at Ella. For good measure, he bent down and gripped Derek’s arm, jerking him up and shoving him toward the door. “Get out.” Derek opened his mouth like he was going to protest, but finally stumbled out of the kitchen and through the cafeteria.
Ella looked at Michael and smiled in relief. “Thank you.”
He took a step toward her, cupping her cheek in his hand and kissing her softly. “Of course.” He smiled, and the action almost looked too unnatural on him. “You were amazing tonight. Come, let’s go back to my place.” Ella blushed, but she turned off the water and followed his lead.
Michael took her back to his apartment, his driver ignoring them as they kissed each other for the entire drive over. She was grateful the buildings were so close to each other; she had no idea how she would have lasted a longer drive without letting him fuck her right in his car. He led her upstairs when they arrived at his building, and by the time they entered his penthouse, his shirt was unbuttoned beneath his suit coat.
He pulled her close to him, gripping her hips as he led her into his bedroom. Michael reached around her, tugging down the zipper on her dress and backing away just enough to pull the fabric off her shoulders and down her body. He took in the sight of her curves, moving his hands over her hips and up her sides as he turned her toward his bed.
Ella stared at him lustfully as he shrugged his coat and shirt. She reached to undo his belt, unclasping his pants and pushing his zipper down as well. Michael led her to lie down on the bed, and then pushed his pants and underwear off. He climbed onto the mattress, his body hovering over hers. Leaning down, he kissed her hungrily, one hand holding him up as the other cupped her breast through her bra.
She wanted to be naked, wanted him inside of her so badly. Ella pushed up, tugging off her bra. Michael took note of her urgency and hooked his fingers in the waistband of her underwear, pulling it down and off her. He smoothed his hands over her thick thighs as he moved back up her body.
He pushed her legs apart, dipping his head and flicking his tongue against her clit for a quick moment, watching her squirm for him. Michael moved back up, positioning himself between her thighs and sliding his cock into her. Ella whimpered at the welcome intrusion, bringing her hands t
o her breasts as he gripped her calves and held her legs wide open for him.
Michael pounded into her, going faster and harder than she would have expected from him. It was incredible, and exactly what she wanted. Ella wanted to feel him, wanted him to show her just how much he wanted her in that moment. She pinched her own nipples between her thumbs and index fingers, tugging at them and watching his face as he watched her touch herself. His pupils were dilated with arousal and that turned her on even more, sending a rush of heat straight to where he was fucking her.
He let go of one leg, letting it fall to the bed as he moved his hand to her clit. Michael pressed his thumb there, stroking it up and down, then side to side, switching the motion every time she moaned for him. It was driving her absolutely crazy how close he was pushing her toward her orgasm already.
Ella fisted his sheets in one hand, squeezing her breast harder in the other. His hips moved faster against hers, pounding hard, and the only sounds that could be heard in the room were heavy moans, panting breaths, and slapping flesh. It was amazing.
She was going to come far too soon for him, but she could not bring herself to care. Ella rocked her hips against him as much as she could with only one foot to brace against the bed. She moved with him as her body started tightening around him, her orgasm hitting her hard. There was no smooth rise the way there was when she touched herself. With him it was one moment, she was just slightly close, and the next she was coming and screaming out his name as she did.
Michael stopped touching her clit once she finished coming down. He dropped her other leg, bringing both his hands to grip her breasts as he sped up his hips. He fucked her harder, squeezing her breasts and rubbing his thumbs back and forth over her nipples. He came then, too, thrusting just a few more times as his release pulsed into her heated core.
He dropped onto the bed beside her, laying on his side and looking at her. Ella turned to her side to look at him, too. The sex was really good, that much she would admit, but she was so confused by him otherwise.
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