“Thanks.” My voice got here out breathy, so I cleared my throat and tried to sound extra assured. “I do know I don’t have any fantastic eating expertise, however I feel I’d be an important match for Saphyre. I’m actually good with folks, I’ve an important reminiscence, and my clients at all times appear to be pleased with my service. My suggestions are just about at all times greater than any of the servers at Parisi’s.”

His forehead wrinkled, however I couldn’t determine what I’d stated to warrant the response. “Most likely as a result of most of your clients are guys,” he mumbled.

My head jerked again in shock, and I shook it figuring I had heard him unsuitable. “Pardon me?”

“Our menu is way more complicated than what you’re accustomed to.”

I knew that wasn’t something near what he’d stated, however there wasn’t a technique to politely name him out on it. Plus, I used to be greater than just a little irritated on the inference that I couldn’t deal with this job just because I’d spent the final yr serving pasta and tiramisu. “Sure, however I’ve already frolicked memorizing it. From the roasted lamb loin with sautéed sweetbread and artichokes to the macaroons; I’m acquainted with all of it.” He appeared uncertain, however I used to be assured that I’d ready sufficient for this interview that I may reply nearly any query he requested about Saphyre’s menu. Contemplating all of the hours I’d spent watching his present, I’d seen him put together lots of the dishes typically sufficient that I’d already recognized what was in them. Heck, I may most likely describe numerous them utilizing the very same phrases he did.

He tilted his head to the facet, and his lips tilted up once more. Solely this smile held a touch of problem as an alternative of the masculine approval from earlier than. I mentally braced myself, and he began quizzing me. Dish after dish, he ran down the entire menu. As quickly as I answered one query, he fired off one other.

“Excellent.” He leaned again in his chair and rubbed his palms collectively. The panty melting grin was again once more.

My coronary heart raced with pleasure. “Does that imply I’ve acquired the job?”

“No, I don’t need you to waitress for me. I don’t like the thought of you in your ft all evening, carrying heavy trays.”

“Umm, what do you assume I’ve been doing for the final yr?”

“True,” he conceded. “However you didn’t work for me then.”

Say what?

“And I don’t be just right for you now in case you’re not hiring me.” This time it was my forehead that wrinkled. “Apart from which, don’t you will have meals runners right here? I believed your wait workers doesn’t even carry trays.”

“Generally they do.”

“Properly then, I may do it typically, too. I’m stronger than I look.”

“It wouldn’t be secure so that you can elevate something heavy once you’re pregnant.”

Was that why he’d checked out my boobs? Not as a result of he was checking me out, however as a result of he thought I used to be pregnant? How embarrassing. “However I’m not. I don’t actually have a man in my life,” I blurted out, as if he wanted that extra data.

“That’s what you assume.”

My head reared again in shock—once more. I felt like I’d been dropped into some alternate universe. One the place it was regular for a well-known chef to interview a lowly waitress and for him to make loopy feedback all through the assembly.

Wait. Perhaps that was it. I lifted my gaze and swiveled my head, scanning the room and on the lookout for cameras. “Are you performing some new form of present? Is that why you’re interviewing me as an alternative of James.” He scowled at me, and I hurried to clarify. “Like a combination between Punk’d and Undercover Boss?”

He set my resume down, rose from his chair, and prowled round his desk till he was standing in entrance of me. There wasn’t a ton of room for him there due to the place my chair was positioned, so he was shut sufficient that I swore I may really feel the physique warmth coming off of him. I caught a whiff of his scrumptious scent, sandalwood and leather-based with a spicy undertone, and felt light-headed. He leaned down and put a hand on every armrest, caging me in.

“No, Sienna. You aren’t a part of a brand new tv present. Nor will you be part of an previous one since I’m completed with my cooking present. The explanation I’m interviewing you rather than James is as a result of I’ve one other place in thoughts for you.”

Every kind of soiled ideas slammed into my head, and I struggled to cease myself from squirming in my seat. His inexperienced eyes full of warmth, and his nostrils flared. A deep blush crammed my cheeks as I puzzled if he may odor the dampness from my panties, and I pressed my legs collectively. He gave me a understanding grin, and his voice was raspy as he continued, “I’m making some massive adjustments in my life, and I feel you’re the right particular person to be at my facet throughout them.”

3

Owen

“Um…” Sienna’s forehead furrowed adorably. “Are we nonetheless speaking a couple of job?”

My grin widened as I considered my reply. Honesty wasn’t at all times one of the best coverage, and I figured if I instructed her she was now mine and I might be getting her in my mattress and knocked up as quickly as attainable, it’d ship her working. Not that I wouldn’t benefit from the chase, however I wished to skip that half and go proper to the great things that got here after I caught her. Masking my intentions with a “job” appeared like my greatest guess.

“In fact. I’ve a gap that I feel could be a significantly better match than waitressing.” I stood up and stepped again, preventing each intuition I needed to kiss away the wrinkles on her brow. She was so fucking beautiful it made my head spin. Much more than that although, her eyes confirmed an intelligence and wit that I’d seen glimpses of in our brief time collectively.

“Properly, you don’t need me cooking, consider me,” she acknowledged with a smirk, and my head flew again in laughter.

“Famous,” I chuckled. “No, I’m in want of a private assistant. Somebody who might be with me and assist me with the daily. The pay is exponentially greater.” She leaned again within the chair, a contemplative expression on her face. When she crossed one slender leg over the opposite, inflicting her skirt to inch up, I blurted out, “It’s a full-time place and because you’ll must be always accessible, room and board is included. You’ll stay with me.”

“Oh.” Her excellent lips fashioned a cute little O and pink bloomed on her cheeks. “That’s not vital, I’ve a spot and—”

“It’s non-negotiable, Sienna.” My tone was onerous, and her eyes narrowed.

“I’m undecided that is the precise job for me, Mr. Walker. I waitress as a result of I’m at school all day and it really works with my schedule. So, in case you aren’t inquisitive about hiring me on to your wait workers—”

“I’ll work together with your faculty schedule, child,” I interrupted her, adopting a soothing tone. “However, the remainder of your time might be taken up by me. And, my title is Owen, not Mr. Walker.” I quoted an absurd wage too, and her chocolate eyes virtually bugged out earlier than turning suspicious. I may need gone just a little overboard with that quantity, however I used to be decided to ensure there was no means she would flip me down as a result of I wasn’t taking no for a solution.

She opened her mouth to say one thing else—to argue, probably—so I bent and took maintain of her palms, pulling her shortly to her ft. “Let me present you round and introduce you to everybody.” Unable to withstand, I ran my finger down her tender cheek and smirked when her eyes glazed for a second. I liked that she was clearly as affected by me as I used to be by her.

Sienna sputtered for second, however didn’t resist after I took her hand and guided her to the door of my workplace. I pulled it open and stepped out, retaining her hand firmly grasped in mine. “If I have been to conform to this ridiculous supply”—I raised an eyebrow at her description, and he or she mirrored my expression making me need to snort—“If I did, what would my obligations i

nclude, precisely?”

It took all of my will energy to not sweep my eyes over her delectable little physique earlier than answering. “You’ll be aiding me on the enterprise facet of issues.” I saved the reason obscure and altered the topic as we continued down the hallway. “What are you learning, child?”

“I’m engaged on twin majors in Biology and Chemistry.” She cocked her head and her eyes narrowed, learning me. “I at all times wished to be a mad scientist. Working for you may get me nearer to my aim.”

I laughed at her retort and the smile that slid over my face was stuffed with pleasure as I stepped into the kitchen with my girl in tow. I’d recognized she was sensible after just some seconds of being together with her. However, Sienna was greater than that, she was fucking excellent.

“Owen! Get this lunatic out of my kitchen!” Andy screeched, leaping out of James’ embrace the second we entered the room. Her face was vivid pink, matching the flaming braids hanging over her shoulders from underneath her chef’s hat. The blush accentuated her freckles much more and made her appear to be she was a youngster reasonably than a lady in her late twenties.

James grinned wickedly and reached for her once more however she tossed a spatula at him and he retreated, laughing heartily when it bounced off his brow.

I’d gotten extremely fortunate with these two. I’d met them at a chef’s convention in L.A. and we’d instantly hit it off. I’d been within the first levels of planning Saphyre and after in the future with them, studying their backgrounds and expertise, I supplied Andy the job as head chef. They have been each sad with their present jobs and sick of L.A. So, they jumped on the likelihood to maneuver, nonetheless, Andy wouldn’t settle for the place until I used to be prepared to rent James as effectively. I wasn’t as assured in him, however he shortly proved himself and now I wouldn’t belief my child in anybody else’s palms.

“Sienna, you’ve met James and that is my head chef, Andy.” I gave James a warning look earlier than talking once more. “Sienna goes to be my new private assistant.” His eyebrows shot as much as his hairline, however he properly saved quiet.

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