by T. C. Clark
Liam Campbell was a charming specimen of a man, and she wasn’t surprised that he had such a large fan base.
Liam probably wasn’t used to women not falling for him immediately. Once he got to know her, he would see they really had nothing in common.
Liam was serious about pursuing her, and she couldn’t afford for this to end badly. If Mel and Cole had kids, she was first in line to be godmother, which meant she’d be seeing a whole lot more of the Campbells.
Liam said he was willing to forget this night if they didn’t work out, and she believed him. He wanted them to get to know each other, so they would. But after tonight, whatever was brewing between them would be put to rest, and Irene would go back to her old life.
Surprisingly, that conclusion did not comfort her as much as she’d hoped.
* * *
“So, what do you think?” Liam asked after Irene bit into her chalupa. He’d ordered a bunch of appetizers for her to sample. Tonight, he’d already learned a lot about Irene.
First, she was a vegetarian. She would eat anything except meat. That little fact had narrowed the number of restaurants he felt comfortable taking her to. She was also a woman who loved spice—the hotter, the better.
That fact had led him to change their restaurant from Chef Vanar’s to Sabraso. He also knew the chef here, and while the guy was a dick, he had the best vegetarian Mexican food in town.
Irene shook her head in wonder. “This is delicious. I had no idea refried beans could taste like this. Who is the chef here? Also, did you taste the corn chowder? Man, this guy can cook.”
While Liam was definitely enjoying Irene’s excitement, he hated that it was over someone else’s food. “They are alright.”
“Someone sounds a little jealous,” Irene said with a smile. He had a feeling that she was laughing at him.
Liam sighed; he knew he was competitive when it came to food. He’d mastered his specialty of Scottish cuisine and created a franchise to allow the world to experience it. He was proud of his hard work, and for the most part, he always wanted to be in the kitchen.
“I’m sorry it is delicious. I just know the dude that runs this place, and we’ve always had a bit of a rivalry…” Liam explained.
“Really, Liam, is it a rivalry when I always win?” A handsome, dark-haired man said from behind him. Irene looked up and smiled.
Rafael Nuñez was a handsome man. He was popular in the celebrity chef world for his exotic charm and savory food. The silver dusting at the temples of his thick black hair only added to his air of mystery.
“My name is Rafael. This is my restaurant, and that is my food you’re praising.”
“Well, your food is amazing. I have no idea how you got the flavors to pop like that.”
“You hear that, Liam? She has no idea how it’s so good. What have you been feeding this sweet lady?”
Irene chuckled, and Liam frowned. He needed to get Rafael out of here. He wanted to be the one making Irene laugh. This wasn’t the first time Rafael had intruded on one of his dates.
The older Spanish man disliked him because Liam had beaten him in a few Iron Chef Competitions. If he wasn’t careful, this could get real nasty.
“She hasn’t tried my food yet,” Liam said through gritted teeth.
In turn, he’d never liked Rafael either; the man was too smooth and was used to getting what he wanted, and by the looks he was giving Irene, it was clear he wanted her.
Liam laid down his fork and sat back. He needed to make himself completely clear.
“I understand that; Liam probably didn’t want to lead with disappointment,” Rafael said knowingly.
“No, I wanted to save the best for last. Don’t you have a restaurant to run or a relationship to ruin? Don’t let us distract you from what you consider work.”
“I have no desire to return to the kitchen, and anyway, as you know, a beautiful woman is always a happy distraction for me.”
Liam’s face tightened, and Irene reached out to pat his hand. The unexpected gesture immediately got his attention.
“Thank you, Rafael, but we wanted to spend the night alone. I’m sure you understand,” Irene said sweetly.
Rafael sighed dramatically as a server walked up with their second course. Rafael took it from him and placed it on the table. “I know how to take a hint. Although, you have to know you are breaking my heart.”
Irene laughed at his forlorn expression. “I’m sure you will recover.”
Rafael searched Irene’s expression for even a hint of interest; when he discovered a newly erected wall of ice, he finally gave up.
“Goodbye, Rafael,” Liam said firmly as the chef reluctantly turned away.
“So, I take it from your tone that you two aren’t friends,” Irene said as Rafael walked away.
Liam sighed. “I’ve never liked that guy, not since he slept with my girlfriend to get the recipe for one of my restaurant’s signature sauces.”
“I’m so sorry,” Irene’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.
“Thank you, Irene. It really was a hell of a recipe.”
Irene sighed, “I’m sorry about your girlfriend.”
“Don’t be. Rafael saved me from her. For a moment, I thought she was special. Now I imagine what my life could have been if I’d stayed with her…” Liam shuddered. “Let’s just say the saddest part about the whole situation was Rafael getting my recipe. Now let’s forget about him. I want to know more about you.”
Irene sat back, and the openness he witnessed just moments ago vanished. “What do you want to know?”
“Whatever you feel like telling me. My life is an open book. I went to culinary school, graduated top of my class, traveled the world, got too many tattoos, and opened a restaurant line.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Irene said with a smile.
“Ah, it wasn’t, but there is no need to focus on the negative now that we made it. To be honest, there was a lot of failing in between all the good stuff, but as my Nan always said, “Failing means yer playing,” Liam said. He enhanced his accent for effect, and Irene’s smile widened. He could live off of those smiles.
“I agree with your grandma. As for me, I went to school and made it all the way to a Ph.D. in biochemistry. I did not travel the world—much to my regret. Instead, I took a job at a biotech firm in Europe and started teaching part-time at a local university. I had some problems there, returned home, and opened my own business. That decision was the best one I could have ever made. I love my job now. What about your family? Growing up with three brothers had to be crazy.”
Liam nodded. “It’s exactly as you imagine. We fought constantly, broke everything, and got into tons of trouble. We were lucky our ma was the kind sort. Our dad passed away early, and then we lost her a few years back. If Brodrick hadn’t had Ansley, we probably would have drifted apart, but because of her, we always make our way back to Scotland a few times a month.”
“Mel told me about that. That is amazing, Liam, and I’ve met Ansley, and so I understand why she would keep all of you close. She is the sweetest little girl in the world.”
“What about you? Any siblings?” Liam tasted his chicken soup and frowned. It was definitely missing something—maybe cilantro? He would have to remake some later to figure it out.
Irene nodded. “I was a military brat. My dad and my mom were both in the military. They passed a few years back. Dad had a heart attack and my mom… well, my mom couldn’t live without him. I have one sister, and she works in the church. She has a son, Deshaun. You’ve met him already.”
“Oh, yeah, Deshaun is the one who is very protective of you. He cornered me twice to see what my intentions were. That kid wasn’t playing around.”
Irene’s light brown skin darkened. “I don’t know why he keeps doing that.”
“It’s because he loves you. Trust me; Ansley is going to catch hell when she starts dating. Whoever takes her out better have nerves of steel, because I promise it�
�s going to be a rough night.”
Irene chuckled, “It is going to be a mess! What are your plans after all of this? Gabrielle and Mel are safe now, and Cole said you just finished your last restaurant.”
“Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do now. I’ve always stayed the course. I knew I wanted to be a chef from the time I was a boy. I used to love being in the kitchen with our grandparents. While the other guys were out in the yard playing rugby with Brodrick, I learned how to cook.”
“I bet that went over well with the other boys in town,” Irene said knowingly.
Liam grinned as he sipped his mojito. “Actually, it went over fine. We Campbell boys had one rule: You mess with one of us, you mess with us all—and no one wanted problems with Brodrick.”
Irene nodded and bit into her fajita. She closed her eyes and groaned. “I can understand that. Your brothers are a bit intimidating; you are the only one who really smiles.”
“Everyone says that. I think it’s because I’m the youngest. My brothers had it harder than me growing up, especially after dad died. But don’t let their scowls fool you. Underneath it all, they’re a bunch of softies.”
“And are you a softie?” Irene asked softly.
“With you around… I’m a hardee,” Liam joked.
Irene shook her head as she smothered her laugh. “You need help.”
Liam was happy that he finally made her laugh. Irene was difficult to pin down; her expression was nearly always serene. With every bite she took, she relaxed. That’s precisely what he wanted to see. He wasn’t lying; he really did want to learn more about the quiet beauty.
They finished their meal quickly as the restaurant began to fill with drunken tourists. Liam needed to find a way to keep this night going. He wasn’t a fool; he didn’t expect anything to happen at this rate.
Although Irene had relaxed, she still had a veil of caution surrounding her. It was as if she was waiting for him to say or do something wrong. He needed more than tonight to show her he was a decent guy.
To be fair, he didn’t really know what he wanted from Irene. Well, he definitely wanted to sleep with her. He woke up every morning with her image in his mind and his cock harder than steel. But he also knew whatever he felt for her was more complicated than sex alone.
They walked down the strip huddled together until they found a small 24-hour bakery. Liam knew this owner as well, and she liked to keep everything inside the small building tranquil and calm—there would be no drunken tourists here.
He pointed to the shop and looked at Irene inquiringly. She nodded with approval. “I’ve read about this place on Reddit. It has the best vegan desserts. I tried looking for it when I first got here, but me and directions have never been friends.”
Liam laughed as he opened the door. He had plans for Irene James, plans that required time and patience.
Somehow he would control the hunger drumming through his veins and give her the time she needed to trust him. Somehow he knew she was worth the wait.
Two
We had a lovely night...
* * *
Irene looked at the devilishly handsome man sitting across from her. Liam Campbell was almost too much to take in. She scrutinized his features. He was a handsome man. Dark, thick eyebrows framed soulful brown eyes. He wore his hair a little too long, and his intricate tattoos called attention to the strong muscles beneath.
But it wasn’t just his physical appeal. He was charming as well—a dangerous combination for a dinner partner.
“Do you mind if I order for you? I know this place well, and they have this caramel vegan cheesecake that is insane,” Liam asked as they settled into the booth. They were seated in the back of the bakery. Their position gave them an excellent view of the rest of the place.
The owner had created a sixties-style kitchen inside the café. Every appliance and booth were designed with that decade in mind.
From the expressions on the other patrons’ faces, the food must be excellent as well. “That’s fine. You said you knew the owner? How many other chefs do you know?”
“What can I get you two?” A young Filipino man asked as he handed them menus.
“We will have two vegan caramel cheesecakes and two cups of coffee. Is Eve working tonight?”
Their server’s face lit up. “Not tonight. Eve is having her baby! She went into labor late last night.”
“That’s right, Eve told me she was pregnant the last time I was here,” Liam said with a smile.
“Well, I’ll let her know you stopped by, and if it’s not too much trouble, do you mind if I get a picture with you?”
Liam looked at Irene apologetically, and she laughed. “Deshaun says you always have to do it for the Gram.”
Liam chuckled, and the young man quickly took his picture. When they were alone again, Liam returned to her question, “You asked how many other chefs do I know, and the honest answer is—only a few. I kept my circle small during culinary school. It was easier that way.”
“Did you always want to be a chef?” Irene asked. She had to believe the answer was yes. He’d accomplished so much in the last few years—that took a lot of passion and determination.
“Yes, since I was a boy. Initially, I liked cooking because it was something I could do better than my brothers. My Nan says that it was because I had patience, and I have to agree. What about you? I’ve never met a biochemist, let alone one who started her own business in herbal medicines after leading a department at one of the top biotech firms in Europe.”
“Oh, you looked me up,” she said quietly. Irene observed his face. But his expression remained friendly, so he must not have found the bad bits.
“Of course, if I want to seduce a woman, then I have to do it right,” he whispered. His words sent a shiver of desire down her spine.
She ignored the unwanted feelings with some difficulty and focused instead on what she knew about him. Better to keep the conversation light and ignore those butterflies fluttering away in her belly.
“So, you said your parents passed away early?”
Liam’s eyes darkened. Damn, she shouldn’t have brought that up.
“I’m sorry, Liam. I know better than most how difficult death is to talk about; please forget I asked.”
“No, it’s fine. My parents died a long time ago. I can talk about them now. My dad died first, and my mom followed him a few years later. You know, before that, I liked cooking, but after everything happened with our parents, I grew to love it. It was one way to give back to the family. Cole and Brodrick worked, Tatum managed the finances and helped with everyones school work, and I cooked the meals. I learned a lot during those lean years—most of all, that I could survive nearly anything. You still haven’t told me about you,” Liam said as the server walked up with their plates.
They both took a moment of silence to appreciate the sheer beauty on their plates. The large slices of cheesecake had drizzles of caramel and chocolate across the top with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Irene took a bite and shook her head. This cheesecake was one of the best she’d ever tasted. “Damn, that is good. Are you sure it’s vegan?”
Liam nodded as he dug into his. “Eve spent a lot of time in school focused on creating vegan alternatives to her recipes that matched her normal ones. I have to say she succeeded in that area. Now about you…”
Irene sighed; this was the second time Liam had steered the question back to her. She couldn’t keep ignoring him. “Well, I didn’t know that I wanted to be a biochemist when I was young, but I did know I wanted to go into science. I started university with a simple idea, to do some sort of research at the CDC, and I ended up leaving with a Ph.D. that took me to Europe.”
“Why did you leave your job there? From what I read, you were in one of the highest-ranking positions at one of the top firms in Europe.”
Irene looked down at the marble tabletop as she thought about her answer. “Honestly, my personal life got in the way.
Something happened, and boom—everything had exploded in my life by the time I was on the other side of it. I wanted to go home and lick my wounds. I came back to New Orleans, and I saw the need for a business that offered alternatives to prescriptions. At that point, I’d worked in the industry for years, and I saw what the long-term effects of bad living had on the human body. That’s why I keep my prices low and offer plans designed to boost the immune system and treat a disease holistically. I am proud of what I’ve accomplished there, but the main thing I love is being my own boss.”
Liam nodded. “I can understand that. After I left school, I worked under someone who the world named a culinary genius, but who I referred to as The German Ass. He taught me the value of being your own boss. As soon as I had enough money saved, I opened my restaurant, and I’ve never looked back. Does working in biochemistry have anything to do with why you don’t eat meat?”
“Yes. You should have seen some of the stuff I found in meat products. The hormones and medications they inject into these animals end up in their meat, and we consume heaps of it. I’ve seen too much to keep eating it.”
Liam finished his plate and added a generous helping of sugar to his coffee.
“You like sugar, do you?” Irene joked.
Liam smiled. “Yeah, a little too much. I’ll tell you a secret: When I was a kid, I used to sneak into the pantry to get spoonfuls. It was ridiculous. Have you ever tried to eat sugar fast? It’s almost impossible! I nearly choked to death in my room too many times to count.”
Irene laughed. “Since we are telling secrets, I used to do that with pickles. I would have a pickle with my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I don’t know why I loved them so much, but once my mom tried to stop my habit, and I had a breakdown in Publix. She never got between me and my pickles again,” Irene said proudly.
“So, what you are saying is, is that we are a couple of weirdos.”
“The scientist in me says that most likely you needed sugar to level out your glucose levels, and I craved pickles because I was deficient in sodium. But the normal in me agrees that we were a couple of weirdos just trying to live our lives.”
