Recipe for Romance

by Susan Perkins

  "No, I hadn't. I was in the shower. I heard the phone ring, but I had a head full of shampoo and thought the caller would ring back. Why didn't you?"

  "What? Oh, why didn't I ring back?" Gina turned away to hand someone their room key before she continued. "Look around you. There's a block booking of salesmen in the hotel. I've been rushed off my feet this evening, so I didn't have time to ring again. Sorry."

  "Oh, well, I suppose it's back to the telly again tonight. Maybe we can arrange it for another time." Kirsty turned sadly away, but a broad male chest stopped her in her tracks.

  REEVE HAD CROSSED THE reception area on his way home, and noticed Kirsty talking to Gina. He heard their final words to one another. He hadn't realized how close he'd been standing behind Kirsty until she turned and bumped into him. A slight frown marred his forehead when she jumped away from him.

  "We can't have the hotel spoiling your plans, Miss Lawrence." He smiled warmly at her, and, without thinking added, "Perhaps you'd do me the honor of joining me for dinner."

  "I... I," Kirsty stuttered, and Reeve smiled as she glanced nervously toward the dining room doors leading off reception. He realized she thought he expected her to eat in the hotel dining room with Chef Antoine only a door's width away!

  "Oh, not here, Miss Lawrence. Maybe one of the city restaurants?" He looked questioningly at her. "Have I mentioned I'm a stranger in town? I'm sure you won't mind keeping a lonely man company?"

  He waited patiently for her reply, but asked himself why he had invited Kirsty out to dinner? In some way he hoped it would make amends for the offhand and dictatorial way he had treated her since he'd arrived at the hotel. This didn't explain the stirring of excitement deep within him, or the eager anticipation he felt when he thought of the evening ahead.

  "When you put it in such a pleading way, how can I resist?" Kirsty laughed. It looked like she'd thrown caution to the winds, but her wary expression returned when he tried to take her arm and escort her to the door. She moved quickly forward forcing him to follow her.

  AT THE DOOR KIRSTY glanced back to the reception desk. Gina's eyes were wide with astonishment as she watched her friend and the boss leave for an evening together. Gina's expression told Kirsty her friend would expect a detailed account of everything that happened tonight.

  Reeve strode across the car park toward the powerful blue car Kirsty had seen at the beach. He opened the door for her, and she settled into the comfortable passenger seat. After walking around the car, he climbed into the driver's seat, then turned the key in the ignition. With an expensive purr the car moved forward, but at the car park exit he stopped and turned to face Kirsty.

  "Sorry, I wasn't thinking." He smiled at her. "I'll have to go home and get changed. You don't mind a small detour, do you?"

  "No."

  Kirsty looked straight ahead as Reeve drove down the road. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Could this be a ploy to get her in a compromising situation? Outwardly he was such a gentleman. He'd made it obvious he hadn't liked her during his first days at the hotel. His attitude had changed since she'd confronted him in his office. Her overactive imagination warned her he might be trying to lull her into a false sense of security. It might be a trick to get rid of her. He only had to say she'd come on to him to give him reason enough to sack her. Her imagination ran riot, but she couldn't help herself. He probably wouldn't go to such lengths to dismiss her. If he wanted to sack her, he'd find an easier way. They left the highway and taken one of the side roads. She was horrified when Reeve stopped the car in front of a villa which stood alone, the nearest house barely visible in the distance. Her heart sank. This far out of town there wouldn't be any cellphone coverage so calling for help would be impossible.

  "Would you like to come in?" Reeve asked with a smile. "I won't be long."

  "No, it's all right. I'll sit here and enjoy the view." Kirsty smiled nervously at him.

  Reeve briefly nodded as he got out of the car, then walked up the short path, and entered the house.

  Kirsty looked at her surroundings. The outside of the yellow weatherboard of the villa and the iron roof looked freshly painted. A covered veranda stretched along the front of the house with old sofas providing a comfortable sitting area, but the garden in front of the house showed signs of neglect. Not surprising when she considered the hours Reeve spent at the hotel. Real estate agents would call it a lifestyle property or small farm because several of the paddocks rising behind the villa were accessed through the drive next to the house. A horse cropped the grass in the nearest field, and farther away Kirsty could see the white dots of several sheep.

  "He probably leases the land to someone else," Kirsty told herself, then her eyes swung back to the front door of the villa as Reeve emerged.

  Dark blue cords fitted snugly around his muscular thighs and a pale blue shirt stretched over his chest, with a knitted dark blue tie providing a touch of smartness. His clothes were clean and well-pressed, and Kirsty wondered irrelevantly if he did his own laundry.

  "Sorry to keep you waiting," he apologized as he settled in the driver's seat and started the engine. "Is there any particular restaurant you'd recommend? I bow to your knowledge of the area over my own ignorance."

  Kirsty mentioned the name of an Auckland restaurant with a good reputation, gave him directions on how to get there, then settled back to enjoy the ride. Reeve's hands on the steering wheel caught her attention. Strong, tanned fingers held the wheel firmly and she saw he drove with complete control over the car no matter what the road conditions. He drove down the motorway at exactly the right speed, adroitly avoiding some of the less experienced or incautious drivers who threatened to get in his way.

  Within twenty minutes they were parked in the city and only a few spaces away from the place Kirsty had suggested. The door to the restaurant swung open at Reeve's touch, and to Kirsty's relief it only looked half full. On the way to Auckland she had wondered if such a popular place might be busy, but Tuesday night evidently wasn't one of the favorite times for the trendy set to be out and about.

  The head waiter showed them to a table for two in the corner of the large room, and Reeve waited until Kirsty sat down before lowering himself into his own chair. A waiter appeared at Reeve's side and handed him the wine list.

  "Would you like a drink before we order?" he asked Kirsty.

  "Yes, please," she answered. "I'd like a dry white wine. Thank you."

  Reeve ordered the same for himself, and the waiter gave them ornate menus to peruse. Kirsty read through the items, then frowned as she realized there were no prices on hers. She looked up and saw Reeve watching her and smiled.

  "Have you decided what you'd like?"

  "I think I'll have chicken kiev with salad," Kirsty decided.

  "No appetizer?" She shook her head, and he continued, "Perhaps I should follow your example. I always find if I have a starter, then I have no room for dessert. I'll have the porterhouse steak instead of chicken. I think a bottle of Mansion Chardonnay is the only choice for wine with your family connections, don't you?"

  "Sounds lovely." Kirsty smiled shyly at Reeve.

  The waiter placed their pre-dinner drinks in front of them and took their orders for the main course.

  "This is a very nice restaurant." Reeve looked around the room. "I'm surprised it's not busier than this. "

  "I think you'll find more people here later in the week," Kirsty told him. "It's one of the 'in' places for the trendy. Tuesday must be one of the few days they don't do the night scene. "

  "You seem to know a bit about the 'night scene' as you put it. I wouldn't have thought you'd have the time to indulge in such activities."

  "I don't." Kirsty laughed softly. "By the time I leave the hotel at night I'm too tired to go out gallivanting, even if I wanted to. I heard about it through the catering grapevine. We get to hear about the new restaurants and how popular they become. I believe this place tried to head hunt one of Chef Antoine's rivals when it first o
pened."

  "Has anybody ever tried to poach you?" Reeve asked.

  "No." Kirsty grinned. "I'm not well-known enough. I'm surprised Chef Antoine hasn't been approached, though."

  "Maybe he has, but hasn't mentioned it." Reeve looked thoughtful for a moment, then his face cleared, and he flashed Kirsty another smile. "Enough of work. I believe our meal is here."

  A smiling waiter placed plates in front of them. Kirsty's professional eye noted the attractively laid out food with portions neither meager nor overabundant and the fragrant aroma stirred her appetite. She also liked the cutlery arriving with the food, wrapped in a napkin, rather than have it on the table when patrons sat down.

  "Does the meal meet with your approval?"

  Kirsty started as she saw he had been watching her surveying, then tasting the food. "Yes, as a matter of fact it does. One day, when I'm older and wiser—"she laughed at her own joke, then her face took on a serious expression "—I'd like to own a restaurant like this. Small and exclusive, so I can run it the way I think a high class restaurant should be operated."

  "I must admit I approve of the way our meal was presented. I've been in places where the plates were dumped on the table with no thought for appeal, or in some cases hygiene." Reeve tasted his food. "This steak is excellent. How's your chicken?"

  "Moist, cooked so the filling is right. The sauce is superb. In fact, the whole thing is very good."

  "You sound like a food critic." Reeve laughed. "You also sound surprised the meal is up to your standards."

  "Sorry, force of habit." Kirsty blushed and took another sip of her wine. She placed the glass back on the table, and Reeve reached across to fill it. Their hands brushed but Kirsty was relieved to find his touch did not start the embarrassing blush. It did send a tingle up her arm, but triggered no warm flushes, and for this she felt extremely grateful.

  "It's funny you should mention you want to own a restaurant." Reeve returned to the earlier topic of conversation. "When I left school, I had an ambition to own a small hotel. I wanted to make it exclusive so I could pick and choose the clientele, and it would have a good chef to offer a top class restaurant service."

  "I thought you owned the Garden Group. You should be able to make your dream come true any time you wanted." Kirsty surprised herself as she wistfully imagined herself as the top class chef. More at ease with Reeve now, the idea of working in such a place with him sounded very attractive to her.

  "You'd think so, wouldn't you? I'd rather others didn't know I own the Garden Group. It's easier if everyone thinks I'm just an employee." Reeve smiled briefly, then changed the topic. The conversation during the remainder of their meal concerned mundane matters such as the weather and land yachting.

  Kirsty found Reeve very easy to talk to. His determination to be pleasant, along with the surroundings, the company and the wine made her relax and enjoy herself. The waiter cleared away the dessert dishes and asked if they would like coffee. Kirsty nodded.

  "Would you like a liqueur with your coffee?" Reeve asked. "I'm afraid I'm driving so I won't be able to join you, but please go ahead and order one if you wish."

  "Actually, I like a French coffee at the end of a good meal," Kirsty replied. "It's like Irish coffee only made with brandy instead of whisky."

  Reeve nodded and gave the order. A few minutes later the waiter reappeared at their table with the liqueur coffee for Kerry, and a short black for Reeve. A discreet folder contained the bill. This last item he placed before Reeve.

  "If you'll let me know the sum of my portion of the bill, I'll settle up with you when we get outside." Kirsty kept her voice quiet, trying to save them both any embarrassment.

  "I'm sorry, Kirsty, but I thought you understood the meal was my treat." Reeve looked across the table. "I could do no less after the hotel situation messed up your evening. I also thought we could get to know one another better. Once we feel more relaxed in each other's company, we'll be able to work together better."

  Kirsty didn't know what to say. There was plenty she could have said, but telling him her thoughts on being made an item on his expense account couldn't be brought up in the restaurant. Meekly submitting to him paying the whole bill, she allowed him to escort her from the restaurant and back to the car.

  During the drive home, Kirsty went over in her mind what she should have said to him, but the moment had passed and it was now too late to tell him her objections to his high-handed attitude.

  Reeve broke the silence by commenting on the antics of some of the other drivers on the road, and by the time they arrived in Orewa they were chatting naturally again and Kirsty had almost forgotten her annoyance.

  "If you'll give me directions, I'll drop you at your house." He followed Kirsty's instructions to her address.

  Reeve stopped the car in her driveway, then reached across and took her hand. A blush flooded her through her, her heart twitched and the familiar warmth raced up her arm, but once again she was saved from the embarrassment of a red faced reaction to his touch.

  "Thank you for a really lovely evening, Kirsty." His grey eyes poured warmth into her green ones. "The food and the restaurant were excellent, and the company wonderful. I'd like to do this again. Do you think it would be possible?"

  Kirsty opened her mouth to say no, she'd rather not be taken out on a "business" date, thank you, but her voice betrayed her. "I'd like to, but I insist I pay my own way next time. Otherwise, I don't think I can accept your offer."

  "I had a feeling you weren't happy when I said it was my treat. Please believe me, Kirsty, I really enjoyed your company this evening. It's very lonely not knowing anybody socially when you're new in town." Reeve's eyes had a puppy dog look again, and Kirsty almost felt sorry for him.

  Almost, but his act wasn't quite good enough to fool her. His words sounded genuine, but something lurked behind them. Something he hadn't told her. Well, two could play the same game. She'd go on another evening out with him, but keep alert and try to find out what he was being secretive about.

  "As long as you understand I pay my own way." Kirsty looked sternly at him. "Then I'd be happy to go out with you again."

  Her firm manner shattered as Reeve released her hand and moving quickly, placed his arm around her shoulders, drawing her to him and pressing his lips against hers. The breath whooshed out of her lungs and her eyes widened with surprise, but instead of pushing him away, her body snuggled closer into his embrace. The warmth of his kiss strengthened, her eyelids fluttered shut and her lips softened and responded with equal passion. He pulled gently away from her and his free hand cupped her chin as he smiled at her.

  "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You looked so adorable, but I think I'd better go, don't you? Before we both do something we might regret."

  His arm slid from her shoulders, and with a final kiss on the tip of her nose, he drew back and got out of the car. In seconds he had opened the passenger door and helped her to alight.

  With a gentle push he moved Kirsty toward the house, then waited until she put the key in the lock and opened the door. Kirsty turned, intending to thank him for the evening, but Reeve raised his hand in farewell before he walked back to his car and started the engine.

  Kirsty shut the door and leaned against it as he reversed out of the drive and drove off. Why did she feel so disappointed and worked-up at the same time? When he kissed her a great comforting warmth enveloped her, instead of the tingling and embarrassment she usually felt when he touched her. Could this be a case of when you couldn't have something the more you wanted it? Why had she reacted with such a welcoming response if this was the case? My God! What if he thought she'd been trying to entice him into her bed? Had she given him enough encouragement to think this? How on earth would she face him on Thursday morning?

  REEVE TRIED TO CURB his annoyance with himself as he drove away.

  "Fool," he muttered. "You're a complete and utter fool, Stuart. A real lunatic, that's what you are. You've probably frightened he
r off now, pushing yourself on her in such an aggressive way."

  During the evening he'd discovered his attraction for Kirsty. In fact, enchanted would be more truthful. One good thing had happened, though. He had, at last seen her as Kirsty with no resemblance to Samantha. Kirsty Lawrence was a straightforward and honest person he would like to know better. For now he'd best back off until he'd sorted out the mysterious loss of earnings at the hotel. Time enough for a love life when the business returned to profit. If his friendship with Kirsty developed into anything deeper it might influence the final outcome of his investigations.

  Chapter Six

  Hopefully I won't see Reeve Stuart today, Kirsty thought as she entered the kitchen on Thursday morning. Although the way my luck's been running recently, he'll be the first person I bump into.

  Reeve wasn't the first person she met, but circumstances forced her to call him within minutes of entering the kitchen.

  Kirsty went into the kitchen from the staff room when the phone on Chef's desk rang. Antoine hadn't arrived yet so she picked up the receiver. The voice on the other end sounded terrible and difficult to understand. At first Kirsty didn't recognize Chef Antoine.

  "Lawrence, is that you?" Antoine's croaky voice asked, and when Kirsty confirmed her identity, he continued, "I'm afraid you'll have to manage on your own for a few days. It seems flu bugs are not particular about who they attack. Would you please let Mr. Stuart know I won't be in. I don't feel I can manage another phone call at this moment."

  "Of course, Chef. Don't you worry about a thing. Just concentrate on getting well again." Kirsty frowned. Chef Antoine sounded really terrible. "Have you got someone to look after you, Chef? Someone who'll take care of you while you're recovering?"

  "Thank you for your concern, Lawrence." Antoine's voice sounded worse with each word he spoke. "My mother is with me. I'll call you again when I can let you know the date of my return."