by Peggy Jaeger
He didn’t think it was imagination or wishful thinking when her eyes softened behind her glasses. Gone was the wary, guarded glare she typically gave him, replaced by something sweet and accepting.
“Everything’s all set,” she told them when the others scurried away. “Service is about to start.” She looked around at the line of people waiting to be seated. “It’s a full crowd and Jimmy Rodgers’s maître d’ just told me they’re fully booked for three complete table turns. It’s gonna be a late night,” she said to Melora. “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to stay to help me with the votes.”
“It’s okay. I like helping you.”
When Stacy’s nose crinkled with her smile, Nikko had to clamp down hard as the desire to toss her over his shoulder and bring her back to his room, overwhelmed him.
“You’re a big help too,” she told the teen. Turning her attention to him, she said, “Todd’s got the hand cameras all ready and Dan and Jade both said they’d be willing to walk among the diners and ask opinions of the food for you to use as B-roll.”
Nodding, he said, “I don’t want Rodgers involved, though, until Jade and Dan sit down after we’re done with service. Does he know that?”
“Yes.” Her lips twisted and she shook her head. “He’s got the typical chef master-of-his-domain ego. When I told him you wanted him to stay away from the kitchen until after service was done, he got a little…testy. Said since we were using his restaurant, his food, and his menu, he had a right to be present during prep.”
“No, he doesn’t. I’ll go find him and set him to rights.”
She snaked out a hand and grabbed his forearm. He didn’t know who was more surprised she’d touched him: Stacy, him, or Melora, whose eyes practically bugged from her head when she spotted the move.
“No need,” she said, tugging her hand back, her face flushing in a wildfire of red from neck to temple. “I explained why you didn’t want him around the chefs, about how intimidated and distracted they’d be to see him while they were preparing, and after thinking about it, he agreed. With a huge, self-satisfied and egotistical smirk, I’ll add.”
She could have told him the man had stormed away and cut off his nose for all Nikko cared. The feel of her hand circling his arm had sent a shower of warmth sluicing down his spine. When she removed it, he’d felt cold and abandoned.
He wanted that warmth touching his entire body, wanted to give it back to her in turn. The simple thought of pulling her away from everything and everyone galloped through his mind again. Without a notion of what he was doing, where he was, or who was around them, he took a step closer, one hand poised to grab hers back. He watched her eyes widen behind her glasses, and then dart a meaningful glimpse at his daughter.
That one small move shipped him off Fantasy Island and back to reality.
With a silent oath, he stepped back.
“This guy sounds like a major-league bonehead,” Melora said, adding a careless hand flip.
“Melora.” Disapproval settled deep in his tone.
The teen rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Sorry. Dad.”
When Stacy dropped her chin, he swore she was trying to hide a grin.
Before he could say anything else, Todd called out from across the dining room, pointed a finger at his watch, and then cocked his head.
“I guess it’s time to start. I’ve got to get situated. Come find me if you need me,” he told Stacy.
“I’ve got my phone, so text me if you need me to do anything too,” she said.
With a nod, he bussed Melora’s temple, then pointed a finger at her and said, “Be good.”
She threw him a speaking glance and chucked her hands on her trim hips.
With one last glance at Stacy, he moved into position.
Service did, indeed, go long.
It was well after eleven by the time Jade, Dan, and Jimmy Rodgers sat down in the now-empty restaurant to discuss the chefs’ offerings. When Melora’s head had begun to bob, Nikko sent her back to the suite after giving her his cell phone and requesting she text Stacy when she got there.
The teen gave him a tired kiss on the cheek and was then accompanied by Stacy to the elevator bank.
She retuned a few moments later and slipped into her chair behind him.
Nikko slipped his headset to one side and over his shoulder said, “Let me know when she texts.”
Not ten seconds later she tapped his shoulder and leaned forward to show him her phone.
Home safe and sound. Copping z’s now.
One side of his mouth twitched as he glanced from the phone to Stacy. She was so close, leaning forward as she held the phone for him; all he needed to do was shift a mere inch or so and he could kiss her like he’d wanted to do for hours.
He still had the taste of her swirling in his senses from the last time.
As if she somehow knew his intent, Stacy wet her bottom lip with her tongue as her gaze dropped to his mouth.
Anticipation whispered through him. Just a slight bend of his shoulders and that expectation would be fulfilled.
“Finally.” Todd’s exasperated, tired voice flooded around them.
Stacy blinked, shook her head a few times as if she’d just woken from a dream, and then fell back into her chair.
“They’ve decided on a winner,” Todd said, tugging his headset off.
Nikko whistled out a breath, leaned forward while readjusting his headset over his ears, and listened to the conversation between the three judges.
From the flirtatious grin sliding across Jade’s mouth to the intimate way she rubbed a well-manicured hand along Jimmy Rodgers’s arm, Nikko confirmed what he’d suspected that morning during Jade’s tired and nasty outburst. She’d been out drinking into the night, and since Jimmy was a legendary drinker and ladies’ man it was obvious who she’d been with. He caught Dan Roth’s quick and annoyed side-glance away from the two as their conversation turned from the competition results to a planned late-night drink.
“That’s it,” Nikko said, rising from the chair. “We’re done.”
He flicked on his communicator and announced the same to the crew.
“Call is nine a.m.,” Todd added before removing his own headset. With a deep yawn, he tossed it on his chair. “I’m beat,” he said to Nikko. “Do you need me for anything else right now? ’Cause if you don’t, I’ve got a hot date with my pillow.”
“No, we’re good. Get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“My crew will be doing the last of the location shots tomorrow, then heading back to the ranch. You joining us?”
“No. I trust you to get great fill-in footage.”
Before leaving the production area, Todd turned to Stacy. “I hear you lead a kick-ass yoga class. Any chance you’re doing another one in the morning before we head out?”
Nikko’s attention went on hyperalert while he waited for her response.
“That kind of just happened,” she said. He could hear the smile in her voice. “I was there to practice and a few of the chefs were there at the same time with a similar idea, so I got volunteered into leading. But, yeah, in answer to your question, I plan on being in the gym by six. I try not to miss a day if I can help it and I thought I could get in a good, long workout before heading to the airport.”
Todd nodded. “My wife got me hooked about a year ago when I had a little blip on a routine cardiogram. Said it would help me relax when the cardiologist said I needed to get rid of some of the stress in my life. Guy obviously didn’t know what I do for a living. Stress is the major component of the job description. Anyway, my wife wasn’t wrong. I started taking some instructional classes at a local studio and my repeat scan was way better. Lost some weight as a side bonus.”
“All good things,” Stacy replied.
“The wife’s certainly
happy. Okay, then. It’ll be good to get in a workout with other people. I’ll set my alarm and see you in the morning. ’K?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“’Night, Nikko,” he said over his shoulder.
Nikko nodded.
Happy they were now alone, he turned his attention to her.
“Do you need me for anything else?” Stacy asked, stifling a yawn behind her hand.
It was on the tip of his tongue to say Yeah, I need you in my bed, underneath me, easing away my own stress, but knew saying it out loud would send her running.
“No,” he said, instead. “But I do want to thank you, again, for what you’ve been doing for Melora. Letting her assist you, eating meals with her, even teaching her yoga, something I didn’t know you were doing until this morning.”
“I’m sorry she didn’t tell you. Like the class this morning, it just kind of…happened.” She flipped her hand in the air. “She was out walking one morning while I was just beginning a routine, and started asking me about it. One thing led to another and she asked if I’d teach her some moves. She’s a very quick study, by the way. Show her something once and it takes root in here”—she tapped her temple—“for good.”
Nikko shook his head, a ghost of grin popping on his lips. “Kid’s always been inquisitive, even when she was little. And despite speaking like she’s got the IQ of a Valley Girl lost in vague-land, she does great in school. She’s very smart.”
Stacy smiled and when she crinkled her nose, he forgot to breathe.
“I’ve witnessed that for myself.”
He swallowed and blew out a quick burst of air between his lips. “I’m not surprised. Thanks, again, for taking the time with her. It’s been a huge help to her. And me.”
Her eyes softened, the skin at the corners creasing when she smiled. “You don’t need to thank me for any of that. She’s a great girl and it’s been my pleasure. Truly.” When her lips lifted and the smile went from sweet to wistful, he wondered at the cause. He was just about to ask when she offered: “I remember what it’s like to be that age.” With a shake of her head, she closed her tablet and rose from her chair. “Stuck between wanting to be treated like an adult, and a kid with none of the responsibilities of a grown-up and all the perks of childhood. It can be tough. She’s been through a lot lately. A lot for a kid, no matter what her age.”
Didn’t he know it.
“She has,” he agreed. “It’s been…hard on her.”
“On both of you, I think.”
He slanted her a look and through lowered lashes said, “You’re perceptive, that’s for sure. I bet you were one of those kids that always walked the straight and narrow.” He grinned, picturing her at Melora’s age. “The kind the other kids turned to for advice. Never in trouble. Never grounded for doing something stupid and thoughtless.”
“You’d be way wrong,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. The next second, she lowered her gaze from his and bit down on her bottom lip.
His eyebrows crept up his forehead. So, his utterly dependable and consistent executive producer had a bit of a wayward past. That tiny tidbit, that little glimpse into her character, sent a decided thrill spiraling through him like a building tornado.
Before he could think not to, his hand shot out and wound around her forearm.
“Stacy.”
The moment he said her name her body stilled. Her eyes grew huge behind her lenses as she regarded him. Huge and filled with a quiet expectation that had his hopes rising and his desire bounding.
He should let her go. Really. It was better all around if he just shut down this uncontrollable need to touch her, be with her, talk to her.
But he couldn’t. Didn’t want to, and in truth, wasn’t sure he could if compelled to.
As if possessing a mind of its own, his hand slid up to her elbow, gently drawing her closer. She didn’t resist. If she had, he might have reconsidered what he was about to do.
Her blouse prevented him from directly touching her skin, but when he pressed his fingers against the material, he could feel the tight muscles it covered.
“You always wear long sleeves,” he said in a soft voice. “I noticed it at the ranch when we did that hellish location shoot. The temp was sweltering and yet you were covered up. Even this morning during your workout. You shield yourself, Stacy.”
Her eyes opened a little wider, her pupils grew a little larger, obliterating some of the deep green.
“Makes me wonder why. What are you hiding? Why are you hiding?”
Inclining his body forward as he brought her in closer, he watched her lips part on the tiniest of sighs and her shoulders lift with the exertion. The subtle fragrance of peaches came to him, ripe and sweet; juicy and with enough candied sugar to make his taste buds swell in anticipation. Just when he knew she’d kiss him back if he pressed his lips to hers, he saw her eyes suddenly flick away from his and heard her breath catch. With a quick, awkward jerk, she wrenched back and out of his hold just as Jade’s theatrically throaty and phony laugh shot from close behind.
Nikko whipped around and found her practically wearing Rodgers as the duo sauntered across the kitchen area toward them. One of Jade’s arms was woven through the chef’s, the fingers of her other hand trailing up and down his sleeve in a gesture that bespoke intimacy, possession, and expectation.
Jimmy’s gaze slid from him, then beyond, to land on Stacy. When it settled back on him, Nikko had the strongest urge to punch the keen, arrogant smirk from the chef’s face.
“Well, we’re finally done,” Jade said, her gaze hopscotching from Nikko to Stacy. “Jimmy and I were just heading out for a late…supper up to his private dining room.” The hand that had been trailing up and down his arm squeezed his bicep, the little hesitation, Nikko knew, meant to imply food was the last thing on her mind.
“I would think you’d be full,” he said, not bothering to hide his sarcasm, “after sampling all tonight’s dishes.”
The lines at the edges of her eyes deepened as she narrowed them at Nikko. “That was hours ago. And besides, we only had to taste them, not clean our plates.”
Jimmy’s lips twitched while he zeroed in on Stacy. “How’s that beautiful cousin of yours doing, Stace?”
“She’s good. Enjoying motherhood and throwing herself into the new restaurants.”
“I hear Teddy Davis just signed her to three more spots for next year. I thought she was done with TV.”
With a nod, she answered, “She is with prime-time programming. But she’s still up for a few specials. Everyone loves a holiday cooking show, so she agreed to do an Easter-dinner special, Fourth of July beach barbeque, and a Christmas-cookie baking show.”
“Gonna be like old times?” he asked. “You working with her on those like you used to do on her weekly show?”
“Not this time,” she answered.
When she didn’t elaborate as to why, Jimmy asked the question that had popped into his own mind.
“Is your schedule free, then, for the spring? ’Cuz I’ve got a programming meeting with Davis next week about a new show I’ve got coming up. I could use a top-notch EP like you on my team.”
Nikko waited, holding his breath, for her response. He’d think later about why the request was as sharp and painful as a hard kick to his balls would have been.
“Oh, well, thanks,” Stacy said, a swirl of red spinning up her neck and landing on her cheeks. “I’ve kind of…committed…to something for the spring. Sorry.”
The chef’s smile dropped a notch, but his good humor remained. “Well, listen, if whatever it is falls through, keep me in mind, will ya?”
“Thanks, I will.”
She looked at each of them as she said, “It’s been a long day. I’m heading up. Enjoy the rest of your night,” she said, addressing Jimmy and Jade. “See you in the morni
ng,” she said to Nikko.
Nikko caught Jade’s squinty-eyed glare as it followed Stacy from the area.
“You’re lucky to have her on your team,” Jimmy told him. “Gal’s a workhorse and nothing fazes her. Anybody who can put up with Dolly Cardson’s shit and turn a loser show like hers into a success is an asset you’d want to have on your side. Plus, she’s pretty easy on the eyes,” he added with a cocky grin that had Nikko’s fingers curling into a fist.
“If you like the bland ingénue look,” Jade said. With a pout, she squeezed Jimmy’s arm again and turned his attention back on her.
Nikko watched the chef’s grin broaden, his head cocked to one side. He laid a hand over the one still clinging to his arm and rubbed it suggestively. “Bland is boring. In cooking and in women. I happen to go for more exotic tastes, myself,” he said.
Sickened by the both of them, Nikko pushed up from his chair. “I’ll let you two get to dinner.”
“We actually came over to see if you’d come for a drink with us,” Jade said, easily. “I have a proposition for you. A directing one.”
Nothing she could suggest would make him join them right now. Not when his mind was still occupied with Stacy.
“It’s late,” he said. “And it’s been a long, tedious day,” he added, pointedly looking at Jade. Her feeble attempt to blank her face fell flat.
“Why don’t we grab a few minutes before you have to head back to the ranch tomorrow morning, then?” Jimmy asked. He glanced at Jade. “Say, breakfast in my office? About ten-ish?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to refuse, use any excuse he could. But Nikko was business-savvy enough to know when to listen to a proposal and when not to. Once Beef Battles wrapped and editing was completed, he didn’t have anything lined up.
Deciding on the spot, he nodded. “See you in the morning.” He turned back once before leaving to see the two of them, heads together, Jimmy cupping Jade’s cheek as he said something into her ear that had her giggling like a girl Melora’s age.
Chapter Eighteen
After a quick shower, Stacy washed and moisturized her face and body, and then shrugged into her makeshift pajamas of an oversized, long-sleeved EBS T-shirt that came down almost to her knees. Just when she started brushing out her hair, a knock on the door sounded.
