The Sweetest Seduction, Breakaway Hearts

by Crista McHugh

  “She’s not Amadeus Schlittler.”

  The elevator dinged, and the doors parted to let them enter. As the elevator zoomed to the top, Bates continued, “Perhaps it would wiser to invest in local talent rather than bring in a big name.”

  “A big name will generate more interest, and therefore more money, than a relative unknown.” He tightened his hand into a fist. “This is business, Bates. Don’t let it get personal. I’ve made my mind up, and nothing is going to change it.”

  “Of course, sir. I was just merely making a suggestion.”

  The elevator stopped, and the doors opened into an entryway that reminded him of a Tuscan villa, right down to the cracked plaster. Not something Amadeus would like if the décor of his current restaurants was any indication. Adam’s mind immediately started calculating the cost to have it removed.

  As he scanned the walls, he spotted a framed cover of last month’s Food and Wine talking about the hottest new chefs in America. And right in the center of the photo was a breaded chicken breast with an arugula salad on top. His stomach dropped. “What was the name of this restaurant again?”

  “La Arietta,” Bates replied.

  His mouth went dry, and his palms grew damp. Shit!

  “Come along, Mr. Kelly.” Bates opened the front door to the dining room. “I expect Ms. Mantovani would like to hear your news before the lunch rush.”

  The waitstaff inside froze as he and Bates entered the room. A thin man with overly-gelled black hair and a gray suit approached them. “Ah, Mr. Bates, so good to see you again.”

  If the slightly feminine tone to the man’s words didn’t clue Adam into the man’s sexuality, the black eyeliner sealed the deal.

  “Good to see you, too, Dax. I hope we’re catching Ms. Mantovani at a good time.”

  “Please,” Dax said with a huff and jutted his hip out. “The girl never leaves this place. I’ll get her for you.”

  Once Dax disappeared into the kitchen, Bates cleared his throat. “Dax is the maître d’,” he said as though that explained everything.

  Adam offered a silent prayer to whatever deity might be listening that this was all just a bad dream, that this was not Lia’s restaurant.

  The gods weren’t on his side.

  The chef who emerged from the kitchen had the same golden brown curls, the same bright green eyes, the same luscious lips as the woman he’d almost slept with last night. Her smile faded when she saw him. “Adam, what are you doing here?”

  Shit, shit, shit, shit!

  Bates’s gaze travelled between them. “You two know each other?”

  “We met yesterday at his mother’s lake house.”

  Adam tried to form coherent words, but his mind was still populating four-letter words. How the hell did someone like Lia land one of the hottest real estate venues in Chicago?

  When he continued to remain speechless, Bates stepped in. “Mr. Kelly wanted to speak to you about your lease.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched higher into a nervous smile. “I’m ready to sign the renewal whenever you are. As you may have heard, business is booming here.”

  It was time to end this agony as quickly as possible. “I’m not renewing your lease.”

  There. He said it. Now he was ready to be damned to hell and suffer whatever punishment awaited him.

  The color drained from Lia’s face. “Not renewing my lease?” Her bottom lip trembled. “Why?”

  In took every ounce of strength not to take her into his arms and comfort her, but he needed to stay in control if he wanted his plan to go smoothly. “Amadeus Schlittler wants to open his restaurant here.”

  Her disbelief faded into barely contained rage. The tremulous tone in her voice revealed how hard she fought not to scream at him. “You’re evicting me for him?”

  “You said it yourself last night—I’d be a fool to let this opportunity slip through my fingers.” The stark emotion of his words rattled him. He sounded like a complete dick.

  Her nostrils flared and the bottom lid of her right eye twitched, but she remained rigidly still otherwise. Her mouth opened and snapped shut several times. Finally she said, “Well, I have two months left on my sublease, and I’m not leaving until then.”

  Lia spun around on her heel and marched into the kitchen, her back and arms still ramrod straight. Her flamboyant maître d’ backpedaled several feet before following her. The rest of the wait staff all glared at him as though he’d just kicked the crutch out from under Tiny Tim.

  The room temperature seemed to have jumped twenty degrees too high for his comfort. “Let’s go, Bates.”

  “Yes, Mr. Kelly.” He waited until they were safely in the elevator before saying, “I take it you were unaware she was your tenant.”

  “Completely unaware. I don’t remember her name on the lease.” If he’d known that, he would have stayed the hell away from her last night. Rule number one was never to mix business with pleasure, and he’d already more than overstepped that boundary.

  “It was a sublease, sir. And are still certain you want to evict her in favor of Mr. Schlittler?”

  Doubt wormed through him, making him pause a second. “What’s done is done, Bates. The Schlittler deal is contingent on him getting this space. He’s the chef my investors want and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

  Bates cleared his throat again. “That’s a pity, sir. Ms. Mantovani has proven to be an ideal tenant.”

  And one helluva kisser, but that didn’t change things. “Please inform Mr. Schlittler that the space will be his on the first of next month.”

  ****

  Lia barged straight through the kitchen and into her office. Her lungs burned for air, and her chest heaved at an unnatural rate. A sob choked her throat. What the hell just happened?

  Julie, her sous chef, peeked in. Worry replaced her normally cheerful smile. “Dax, honey, get Lia a shot of grappa.”

  Lia opened her mouth to tell Julie that wasn’t necessary but instead what came out was, “That fucking asshole!”

  “Uh-oh, better make that two shots of grappa.” Julie came in and closed the door behind her. “Calm down, sweetie, and tell me what’s going on.”

  Lia sank down onto her desk chair and pressed her palms against her eyes. “I can’t believe I almost slept with him.”

  “Ooh, sounds like I’m just in time for the juicy details.” Dax set two glasses on her desk. “Are you talking about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?”

  Julie popped him with the back of her hand. “This is serious. Now, start from the beginning, Lia.”

  “You know how my mom auctioned off a meal cooked by me last month at the charity thing? Well, the winner was Adam’s mom.”

  “And Adam is that fine-looking specimen in a suit?” Dax practically drooled. “So did dessert take on a whole different meaning? Not that I blame you.”

  “After dinner, he took me out on the boat, and....” As angry as she was at him, her sex still clenched when she remembered last night. “Well, one thing led to another.”

  Julie sat down on the desk and handed her the first shot. “You said you almost slept with him—what kept you from going all the way?”

  “A police officer with a very bright spotlight.” Lia took the glass and downed the bitter liquor in a single gulp. It matched her mood. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he was trying to seduce me so I wouldn’t be so upset when he dropped this bomb on me.”

  “Speaking from a guy’s perspective, you’ve got it all backward. You drop the bomb first, then offer the condolence sex.” Dax nudged the second glass of grappa toward her. “But let’s look on the bright side—you still have an ace up your sleeve.”

  Lia took a sip, letting the fiery grappa burn its way down into her stomach and calm her anger. “What do you mean? You heard him—he’s kicking me out for Amadeus Schlittler.”

  “Yes, but you have the one thing Amadeus Schlittler doesn’t have.” Dax wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. “
Well, three things, if you count your tits.”

  Julie puckered her mouth like she’d just bit into a lemon. “You did not just go there.”

  “Oh, yes, I did.” Dax snapped his fingers in front of Julie’s face. “If Lia wants to keep this place, then she needs to go to Mr. Suit and work it.”

  Lia slammed her glass on the desk. “I’m not going to stoop to that level. If Adam wants to shut down La Arietta and kick me out, then fine. But I’m not going to sleep with him to keep this location.”

  “I’ll sleep with him,” Dax volunteered. “I don’t pretend to have any morals as far as hot men are concerned.”

  “You are such a slut.” Julie gave Dax a playful shove. “But seriously though, have you thought about using your feminine wiles to your advantage? I mean he seemed to be into you last night, right?”

  Lia nodded, the irony of last night’s events mocking her. “He even asked for my phone number.”

  “Then maybe when he calls, you let him know how much this restaurant means to you. Win him over to your side. Flirt, if you need to.”

  “Suck his dick, if you need to,” Dax said with a grin, earning another smack from Julie.

  Lia massaged her temples. “I love La Arietta, but I’m not going to stoop to prostitution to keep her. Besides, Adam is a businessman. The only way I’m going to change his mind is to show him that I’d do a better job of increasing his bottom line than Amadeus Schlittler.”

  “And if you need help grabbing his bottom line, I’ll be more than happy to assist.” Dax hugged her again, growing serious. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this. What can I do to help?”

  Lia stood up and adjusted her chef’s jacket. “Make sure that we’re booked to maximum capacity every night. If he sees a line out the door, then he’ll know we’re making a profit.”

  Julie hopped off the desk. “And what can I do?”

  “Help me create some new dishes that will have people talking.” She opened the office door and saw her kitchen staff already prepping for the day’s meals. “Maybe we can even contact one of the local news programs and do a cooking demonstration.”

  “Or maybe you can go on the news and get the people upset by telling them we’re being forced to close,” Julie suggested.

  She stared at her kitchen, her gaze panning from one end to the other. This was her home, her dream, her true love. How far would she be willing to go to keep it? A lump rose into her throat. “If I have to do that, I will. But for now, let’s try to be civil.”

  Chapter Four

  Lia sprinkled thin ribbons of basil into the sauté pan while she flipped the linguine in the white wine and olive oil sauce. The Thursday night dinner rush was in full swing, and she wanted to make sure that every tiny detail was perfect. “Is that halibut ready?” she asked Julie.

  “Coming off the grill now.”

  Lia shimmied the pasta onto a clean plate, waited for Julie to top it with the fish, and then drizzled some of the remaining sauce on top. A few more shreds of basil for garnish, a quick wipe of the plate’s brim, and it was ready to go. “I need a runner.”

  A member of her wait staff snatched the plate and disappeared into the dining room.

  Dax appeared as the door swung back in. “You’ll never believe who just showed up and asked for a table without a reservation.”

  Lia tossed the dirty pan in the sink and grabbed a clean one. “I don’t have time for guessing games.”

  “Oh, but I think you’ll enjoy this.” He dragged her over to the window looking out into the dining room and pointed to a couple sitting at a corner table.

  Lia didn’t recognize the woman, but there was no mistaking Adam Kelly. They were sitting next to each other, their heads bent in deep conversation. “He brought a date here?”

  “That’s some nerve,” Julie said from over her shoulder while she whisked a fresh batch of vinaigrette. “Why did you seat them, Dax?”

  “Because we had a last minute cancellation.” He pushed them away from the door as a waiter approached. “Don’t you two see? This is Lia’s chance to wow him with her cooking and make him look like a total shit in front of his date when she learns he’s closing this place down. It’s brilliant!”

  Or I can just walk out there and whack him in the back of the head with this frying pan. The idea tempted her more than she cared to admit. She spun the pan around in her hand and weighed the consequences of her actions.

  Unfortunately, Dax had the better plan. “Okay, fine, let him eat. In fact, I’m going to prepare a special treat for him and his date. Luis, take over on the pasta station.”

  Dax dashed back into the dining room while Julie followed Lia over to a small workstation. “What do you have in mind?”

  Lia held up two large prawns. “I have it on good authority that Mr. Kelly isn’t fond of shrimp. Maybe it’s time I changed his mind.”

  ****

  “So what do you think of this place so far, Vanessa?” Adam asked as the waiter cleared the plates from their prima course.

  She wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin before replying in her posh British accent, “I would describe it as bold and inventive.”

  “Tell me what you really think.”

  All pretense dropped, and the food critic next him relaxed into the girl from Ipswich he’d befriended years ago at Oxford. “It’s bloody good, that’s what it is. I almost need a cigarette after that orgasmic risotto. Where did you find this place? It should be a must eat for anyone visiting Chicago.”

  Adam shifted in his seat. If he could survive this conversation without admitting that he was in the process of shutting La Arietta down, he’d have to go out and by a lottery ticket. “I own this building, remember?”

  “Well, it was a brilliant idea to open this place.” She fished around in her handbag for a tube of lipstick and a mirror. “Do anything you can to keep the owner because she’s going to be a star by the time I write this place up.”

  He folded his hands together and cursed under his breath. “Actually, Amadeus Schlittler will be opening up a restaurant here soon.”

  Vanessa froze, her lipstick hovering over her lips. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  Before he had a chance to answer, two waiters came with the meat course. Vanessa, being the foodie she was, had demanded they order five different entrees so they could sample them all. Adam made sure Lia’s Chicken Milano was one of them.

  Vanessa put away her lipstick and placed her napkin back in her lap, but her glare was still firmly in place. “Adam?”

  He stabbed the filet mignon with his fork and cut into it, his knife sliding through the tender meat like it was butter. “You should try the chicken.”

  “Adam?” Her voice took on a feral growl, the one she reserved whenever someone got between her and her food. How she managed to keep such a trim figure amazed him.

  “Can I pour you another glass of wine?”

  She pried the bottle out of his hand. “What the fuck are you thinking?”

  He laid his utensils on his plate and leaned back. The battle was lost. “He’s a bigger draw that the current owner. If I can get him here, then I can increase the rent on the other spaces in this building.”

  “Amadeus Schlittler is a complete wanker who lost any culinary creativity decades ago. I wouldn’t be caught dead in one his restaurants, even if it was last place on Earth serving hot food.” She emptied the bottle into her glass and took a long drink. “You’re a fucking idiot if you think you’re better off closing this place down for him.”

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Vanessa just confirmed the doubt that had been eating away at him all week. “Then what do you suggest I do?”

  “Tell Schlittler to piss off and marry this goddess.” She took a bite of the Chicken Milano and gave a moan of pure ecstasy that none of her lovers had probably ever extracted from her. “I’m serious.”

  If she only knew how close she came to striking a nerve. He
’d lost count how many times he’d pulled his phone out and stared at the number Lia had entered on Sunday. The problem was he didn’t know what he’d say to her if she answered his call. And none of it had anything to do with business. “I think it’s a little late for that. She hates me.”

  “Now whatever gave you that idea?” a familiar voice said behind him. He turned around and found Lia standing there, holding a small plate in her hands.

  His tongue stumbled in his mouth like a drunken frat boy. Thankfully, Vanessa came to his rescue. She extended her hand to Lia, her posh accent back in place. “You must be the genius behind every delectable dish we’ve been served this evening.”

  “I am. Thank you.” Lia shook Vanessa’s hand, but remained cool and aloof. Her eyes slid to Adam as she added, “I’m very glad to hear you’ve been enjoying your meal.”

  He didn’t miss the thinly veiled message behind her words. If she wanted him to know her cooking was top notch, her point had been made this weekend. The crowded dining room just confirmed her skill.

  “And what do we have here?” Vanessa asked, pointing to the plate in Lia’s hands.

  “It’s a new dish I’ve been working on. I thought I’d let you two try it first and tell me what you think.” She placed the plate with two small golden brown pinwheels and front of him and waited.

  Vanessa wasted no time sampling it, praising it with another one of her sex kitten moans. “Oh my God, Adam, you have to try this.”

  Lia crossed her arms and lifted her chin, daring him to take a bite.

  He picked up his fork, his eyes never leaving her, and pressed it into the other pinwheel. The outside crunched, letting him know it had been fried, but the inside was soft and warm. He took a bite. The rich, gooey filling was a mixture of creamy ricotta, roasted garlic, and a hint of something sweet that he couldn’t name. Now he knew why Vanessa had rewarded it with one her trademarked moans. It was fabulous. He devoured the rest in three quick bites.