The Perfect Dish

by Kristen Painter

  He glanced around the theater. All the eyes around them were focused on the screen. Content that no one watched them, he relaxed, kissed Mery’s temple and got lost in the movie.

  On their way out, he held her hand. “Hungry? Or did you fill up on popcorn?”

  “Is it even possible to fill up on popcorn?” She laughed. “I could eat something. What do you have in mind?”

  “Up for a little walk?”

  She squeezed his hand. “Sure.”

  “Great. I promise it’ll be worth it.” He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Serendipity.

  “Hey, Traci, it’s Kelly Spicer...fine, how are you?...great...can you save me a table for two in about fifteen minutes?...wonderful. I owe you...bye.” He smiled at Mery. “We’re good to go.”

  The lights of the city twinkled around them like Texas stars and Kelly understood Shelby’s need to see home again. He tugged Mery a little closer. “I’m sorry I got cross with you for telling Shelby to go home for a visit. It was a great idea.”

  Her shoulders scrunched up. “Going home can salve a lot of wounds. It’s a safe place to be, for most of us.”

  “Gram’s is definitely that.” If anyone could turn a person right side up again, it was Gram. The only person she hadn’t been able to fix was Dee. Nobody could fix her. That was the price for misusing the book.

  “I bet she’s a great woman,” Mery said.

  Thoughts of his mother dissolved into smoke. “Who?”

  “Your grandmother. Isn’t that who you were talking about?” She gave him a funny look.

  “Oh yeah. Lot on my mind I guess.”

  “Like what?”

  “Nothing important.” He didn’t want to tell her anymore about Dee. The woman wasn’t worth wasting breath over anyway. “You doing anything Saturday night? Say no.”

  “Okay, no,” she said laughing.

  “Good. We’re going to an art exhibit at a gallery that belongs to a friend of mine. He’s showing a new artist and he’s really excited about it. Some eighty-eight year old French woman named Claudette. She takes photographs of bread.”

  Mery’s brows bent. “Bread? As in Wonder?”

  “I don’t know. Mick said it’s pretty racy stuff.” He shrugged. “How bread can be racy beats me. Anyway, ask your friends if they could come, too. Mick always thinks nobody’s going to show up.”

  “If they aren’t busy I’m sure they’d love to come. I take it Mick is your friend?”

  Her look spoke volumes. “Yes, I have friends and yes, I was planning on introducing you very soon. Mick is...well, Mick is Mick.”

  “Your gift for description amazes and astounds.” She snickered.

  “You’ll see when you met him.” Kelly inclined his head. “Oh and I’m catering the whole shindig.”

  She turned to look at him. “You cater?”

  “No. But Mick’s a hard guy to say no to. As in you don’t.”

  Mery’s eyes twinkled. “I can’t wait for him to meet Viv.”

  * * *

  As they approached Serendipity, Mery grinned. She loved this place but hadn’t been here for ages. It was packed as usual. Kelly put his arm around her as they headed for the hostess stand.

  The girl she assumed was the Traci Kelly had spoken with on the phone waved them through the crowd.

  “Hi! How are you?” The cute brunette kissed him on both cheeks and he responded similarly. “Follow me.” She whispered behind her hand as she led them upstairs. “It’s not usually this crazy on a Thursday but Rowdy Martin is here.”

  “The comedian?” Mery asked.

  Traci nodded. “He’s filming a movie two blocks away. He’s been in here every day for the frozen hot chocolate.”

  “That explains his figure,” Mery said.

  Traci’s glanced over her shoulder, her eyes a little bigger. “He orders them two at a time.”

  At the top of the stairs, she led them through the packed house to a small table by the window. She set menus down and leaned in as they sat. “He’s at the second table to the right against the wall, in case you’re interested.” She winked. “Enjoy your meal.”

  Mery snuck a look at the rotund comedian. He wore his trademark newsboy cap over his fiery red hair and a pair of dark sunglasses. An entourage surrounded him. Jason would have loved the man’s autograph, but she wasn’t about to go interrupting anyone else’s private time.

  She picked up her menu. “What are you getting? Food or dessert?”

  Kelly peeked over the edge of his. “Dessert. If you order food, you won’t have room for anything else.”

  That was true. Serendipity was known for its enormous desserts, especially the chocolate ones. She glanced out the window at the waiting crowd below. “Don’t you feel guilty that we just waltzed in here and got a table?”

  He put his menu down. “I did call ahead.”

  “But you know someone got bumped so we could have this table in...” she checked her watch, “twenty minutes from the time you called.”

  “Would you rather go wait outside for an hour?”

  “No.”

  “Good. ‘Cause I’d miss you while you were gone.” He laughed.

  She smacked his arm with the menu. “Brat.”

  He smiled. “You should be sitting beside me.”

  “What are you talking about? This table only has two chairs.”

  “Yeah, but they don’t have to be on opposite sides.” He got up, slid his chair around one spot so it was directly beside her and sat back down. He reached under the table and squeezed her thigh. “See? Isn’t that better?”

  “You just want to touch me.”

  “You’re right. I do.”

  She kissed him, because she could. If only he was a few years older, the relationship might have had real potential. But he was the perfect age for a fling. And that’s all this would ever be.

  “So dessert then?” He kissed her knuckles.

  “Mmm hmm. Dessert.” Like you covered with whipped cream and a cherry.

  “You’re giving me that look again.”

  “What look?” she asked.

  He swallowed. “Like you’re imagining me naked and tied to your bed.”

  She laughed wickedly. “You weren’t tied to anything.”

  His eyes rounded. “So you don’t deny the naked part?”

  She laughed again, feeling herself blush a little. “I think we should decide what we’re getting.”

  He raised one brow. “I already know what I want.”

  “That’s not on the menu.” She grinned, tickled with his blatant desire for her. The allure of taking him to bed grew stronger every time they were together. Except that she loathed the idea of being compared to all the tight little bodies he’d had before her.

  His hand returned to her thigh, this time a little higher. His touch scattered sparks across her skin. “Are you torturing me as part of some lesson in anticipation or do you just get a kick out of it?”

  A young man in a Serendipity t-shirt put a glass of ice water in front of each of them. He pulled a pad from his back pocket. “You two ready?”

  Oh yes, she thought. I’m so ready I could set this building on fire. She sat up a little straighter and tried to ignore the heat radiating off Kelly’s hand and into her thigh. “I’ll have the Forbidden Broadway Sundae.” Sublimating with ice cream and hot fudge, are we?

  Kelly handed both menus to the server. “And I’ll have the Coward’s Portion banana split.”

  “Comin’ up.” The kid took the menus and disappeared.

  Kelly leaned in to kiss the spot below her ear that made her want to squeal. “Sure you don’t want to just pick up some whipped cream and head back to your place?”

  Now he was a mind reader. She nudged his hand off her thigh and bit her cheek to keep from giggling as his lips brushed her skin. “Behave yourself. We’re out in public.”

  He kissed her once more before settling back in his chair. His hand stayed put. “Fine but only unt
il we’re done with dessert.”

  “Hah. You won’t be able to move after what you ordered.”

  “Hey, I ordered the Coward’s Portion. Not that I’m a coward or anything.” He grinned. “I might be a little afraid of you, though.”

  “Stop teasing.”

  “I’m not teasing. I’m serious. You scare me.” He took his hand from her thigh and held his fingers up so they were a quarter inch apart. “A little.”

  “You’re serious?” She couldn’t believe he was telling the truth. “How do I scare you?”

  The bravado seemed to flush right out of him. He stared at the table and straightened his silverware. “Do I really have to explain this?”

  She leaned her elbows on the table, interlaced her fingers beneath her chin and fluttered her lashes. “Pretty please? For little ole me?”

  He gave her a crooked smile. “A Southern belle you’re not.” He sighed. “Your past intimidates me.”

  “I see.” A shiver of realization chilled her and she sat back. He didn’t want to be the third man she buried. “Can’t say that I blame you.”

  He sat back, too. “I’m glad you understand.”

  “What’s the point of pursuing this then?” If she sounded angry, so be it. She hadn’t deliberately set out to marry men who were going to die before their time. No one chose to be a widow once, let alone twice. And they certainly hadn’t died because they’d married her. Keep telling yourself that.

  His brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

  “This.” She pointed between the two of them. “Us. Why even bother with any sort of relationship if you’re afraid you’re going to end up like my late husbands?”

  His mouth quirked up on one side. “That’s about as clear as mud.”

  She leaned forward, her voice a heated whisper. “I’m not cursed, you know. My husbands both died of natural causes.”

  He sat blankly for a moment and then started to laugh. “You’re the nuttiest woman I’ve ever met. I’m not worried about that.” He lowered his voice. “I’m worried I’m not going to satisfy you in bed.”

  “What?” Just when she’d cooled down, a new heat wave swept through her like she’d been stuck under a broiler.

  “I’ve had my share of women and, right now I’m not very proud of that, but they’ve all been younger—”

  “Thanks for pointing that out.”

  “Let me finish.” He grabbed her hand and held it tight. With a deep inhale, he went on. “I can tell just by the way you kiss me that being with you is going to be a whole new ballgame. It’s the difference between driving a Saturn and a Ferrari.”

  Slightly flattered, she still rolled her eyes. Thank heavens Viv hadn’t heard that. “So I’m a high performance automobile?”

  He nipped her palm with his teeth. “Listen to me, will you? This is hard enough for me to get out. You’re not making it any easier.”

  “Sorry. Go on.”

  “I’m just saying I’ve never been with a woman as experienced as you. I don’t want you to get...” his voice lowered further, “bored with me.”

  “You think I would get bored with you?” He was built like a sexual amusement park and he was worried she was going to be bored with him? The boy had definite approval issues.

  “Quit smiling like that. I’m being serious.”

  “I can’t help it. The idea that you of all people would think that...” She shook her head. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I promise. Okay?”

  He shrugged. The gesture didn’t convince her he’d bought it.

  “Maybe this will help.” She cupped his cheek to better hold his gaze. “You intimidate me.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

  “No, I’m not.” Time for a little soul baring in the name of ego salving. The things women did for men. “I’m not twenty anymore. My body isn’t what it used to be despite the torture my Pilates instructor puts me through.” She watched his face for a reaction as she revealed the worst of it. “I have...stretch marks.” She couldn’t believe she’d just volunteered that. Might as well have outlined them in red lipstick.

  “You have a son. I’d think it was odd if you didn’t have them.” He turned into her hand and kissed her palm. “They’re proof you bought life into the world.” He shook his head. “Nothing to be ashamed of.”

  When did thirty-two get to be such an enlightened age?

  The server returned with two enormous bowls of ice cream and toppings. He set the sundaes down and added extra napkins. “Anything else I can get for you?”

  Mery smiled at Kelly with new appreciation. “No,” she said without looking at their server. “I think we’re good.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  They left Serendipity the same way they’d entered, hand in hand. The only difference was this time, they were both full of ice cream.

  “Those sundaes are too big for one person. We should have split one,” Mery said.

  “Next time.” Kelly winked. “Or maybe we’ll just make our own sundaes.”

  A string of flashes momentarily blinded her. She looked over her shoulder to see if Rowdy Martin was behind them. He wasn’t. She turned back just as Kelly stepped in front of her.

  “You got your shot. Leave us alone.”

  The low growl of his voice surprised her. She wouldn’t have thought he could sound so menacing. She peeked around him. Two men with cameras stood a few feet away. The dark-haired man, a camera in his hand and another hanging around his neck, nodded toward Kelly. “C’mon, Chef. How about a nice one with you kissing the doctor.”

  The doctor? They knew who she was.

  The photographer caught Mery’s eye. “Dr. Black, give your boyfriend a kiss. Prove those papers wrong.”

  How did he know? Her stomach clenched with nerves.

  He lifted a camera and started snapping again. The second photographer moved around the other side of them.

  She ducked back behind Kelly. His hand shot out in front of the lens. “Enough.”

  The younger photographer laughed. “It’s never enough.”

  More flashes. A small crowd gathered. Mery heard whispers behind them. Questions about who they were and what was going on.

  Kelly turned and pulled Mery against him. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll see if I can get a cab.”

  A few tourists raised their phones and started taking pictures. Kelly kept his arm around her and together they pushed through the crowd. He lifted his hand to hail a cab just as someone latched on to her arm.

  She spun around. The younger photographer had a hold of her. She yanked her arm back. “Let go of me.”

  “Give Cheffy a kiss,” he cajoled, camera clicking away.

  Kelly grabbed the man’s camera and yanked it out of his hands. The strap tightened around the man’s neck and he coughed. “Get off me, you freakin’ jerk.”

  Jaw twitching, Kelly tugged the man closer. “Touch her again and you’ll regret it.”

  The man’s eyes bulged. “You threatening me?”

  A cab arrived. Kelly shoved the man away and opened the door. Mery jumped in. She shuddered. Kelly slid in behind her. He gave directions to the driver and the cab took off.

  He put his arm around her and drew her close. “You okay? You’re shaking.”

  She nodded. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there.”

  With a dismissive snort, he shook his head. “You wouldn’t have had that problem if I hadn’t been there.”

  That was probably true but beside the point. He’d stepped up and protected her. She slipped her arm around his waist and snuggled into his broad chest. “Thanks anyway. You’re a great guy to have around.”

  “That guy should not have touched you.” A low rumble reverberated through him. “I should have decked him.”

  She patted his chest. “Violence is never the answer.” Although the idea of Kelly fighting to defend her had certain aphrodisi
acal qualities. She smiled, closed her eyes and inhaled the reassuring male scent of him.

  “Yeah, but it makes me feel better.” His arms tightened like he was playing out a different version of the event.

  She looked up. Even in the low light of the cab, anger darkened his face. For once his angelic good looks seemed more hell-bent than heaven-sent. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, deepening the V at his neck.

  He glanced down. “What are you doing?”

  “Shhhh,” she hushed and slipped her hand beneath the fabric. Velvety skin covered a body as hard and hot as sun-baked pavement.

  He bent down and kissed her, his lips so soft and supple she lost herself for a moment in the pleasure of that single sensation.

  With one hand at her back and another beneath her knees, he scooped her onto his lap, putting them face to face. She unfastened one more button. Slipped her hand in further. Sparse hairs tickled her palm as her fingers brushed one taut nipple.

  His Adam’s apple jumped. The tension that had been in his face was now refocused in a much more physical way.

  “Mery,” he whispered, shaking his head slowly. “What about the cab driver?”

  “I don’t care,” she whispered back.

  Kelly’s hand eased up her ribcage, settling at the curve of her breast. His thumb grazed higher. She didn’t stop him.

  She kissed the line of his jaw to his ear. After nipping his ear lobe, she feathered more kisses down his neck. She spread his shirt so she could see his chest. Her mouth watered at the broad planes of muscle.

  He was too beautiful for words. She put both hands against his bare chest and splayed her fingers. He was hers for the taking.

  The thought was more powerful than a double shot of whiskey on an empty stomach. Drunk with pleasure, she leaned in and whispered in his ear. “Mine.”

  “Yes,” he hissed, then nodded and swallowed again. His eyes held a mix of healthy fear and heady lust.

  She grabbed his shirt and pulled, popping the last two buttons off and exposing his abs. She wanted to run her tongue over the ridges of muscle. To kiss down the line of fine hairs disappearing beneath his jeans.

  She wanted to taste all of him.

  The cab came to a stop outside her apartment building.