If I Told You

by Jennifer Domenico

  “Does he know that?”

  I tilt my head. “Of course he does.” I decide to challenge him. “And if you thought he was my boyfriend, why did you invite me to dinner?”

  Rhys grins and his perfect, striking white smile makes him even more handsome. “Two reasons. First, I wouldn’t let a boyfriend stop me from getting what I want.” I raise an eyebrow as he continues. “And second, I only asked you to eat, not go to bed with me.” He bites a breadstick. “Yet.”

  Okay. Wow. He’s hot, but he’s arrogant as fuck. Normally I would tell him to go fuck himself, but there’s too much at stake, so I just look down at my water glass.

  “Tell me, Brooklyn,” he continues. “How is it that you’re single?”

  “Who said I am?”

  “Because you hang out with a man who isn’t your lover. Any man you were dating wouldn’t be okay with that.”

  “Any man I decide to date better get okay with it. Flynn is an important part of my life.”

  “Have you been lovers before?”

  I pull my head back. “How is that any of your business?”

  Rhys smiles. “Just trying to understand.”

  I glance at the other people at our table who seem to be ignoring us. “We are not now nor have we ever been lovers.”

  “I see. Do you have feelings for him or am I free to seduce you?”

  I have to force my mouth closed. I just shake my head in response.

  “What’s the matter? You’re not used to a man just telling you what he wants?”

  “No, actually. I’m used to a little more finesse.”

  “Finesse or games? Do you want me to flatter you and talk about the weather? Would that make you feel better when you give in?”

  Leaning close, I smile, tracing my finger over his expensive suit lapel. “I appreciate your interest in me, Rhys, but I’m not a whore. Would it pain you to at least act like you’re interested in me as a person and not just a vagina?” I notice how the face of the woman with the laptop flinches.

  Rhys smiles. “It wouldn’t pain me at all, Brooklyn. And to be clear, I am very interested in you as a person.” He leans closer. “It’s just that I’m also very, very interested in your vagina.”

  I shake my head. “Well, you’re gonna have to work for it, and if you’re not interested in a little work, that’s fine by me. I was doing just fine without you.”

  “I’m a very hard worker, gorgeous, as you’re going to find out.” He barely brushes his fingers over my cheek. “And you’ll never be the same now that you’ve met me.”

  “Excuse me.” Our server’s voice interrupts this interaction and Rhys sits back in his seat as two plates are set in front of us. Our server, Steve, explains what this first dish is. I can’t hear him as my mind is replaying this interaction.

  Glancing at the man beside me, I take a mental inventory of his features. Polished, sophisticated, sexy. His hair makes me want to run my fingers through it and mess it up. I bet he’s sexy as fuck in the morning. That’s when I realize he’s talking to me.

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  Rhys smiles. “I said I’d like you to take the first bite.”

  “Oh.” My eyes catch Flynn’s, as he stands nearby. He has a tense expression on his face as his jaw twitches. “Sure.” Lifting my fork, I slide it into the ravioli, pleased to find it’s his famous lobster and white truffle creation. It’s my absolute favorite. Taking my bite, I barely chew as it melts on my tongue. “Perfect.”

  “Describe it to me,” Rhys says. “In your words.”

  “Uh, silky, vibrant, decadent. I love how each ingredient highlights the others, not competing or overpowering. You can taste the lobster, the truffle, the cream. The hint of pepper cuts through the richness of the dish. I think it’s perfection.”

  Rhys takes his own bite, studying it before putting the fork in his mouth. He chews with his eyes closed as Flynn and I exchange glances. When he opens his eyes, he looks directly at me.

  “Yes,” Rhys says, softly. “I have to agree with you.”

  A moment later, Flynn appears. “I hope you’re enjoying your first course?”

  Rhys looks up at Flynn. “Bravo, Chef. It’s magnificent.”

  Flynn bows his head slightly. “Thank you. Your next dish will be out shortly.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Flynn disappears in the kitchen. When I look back, Rhys is still watching me.

  “Yes?”

  “You’re very good at describing the dish.”

  “I just say what I think. Always.”

  “We have that in common then.”

  I nod, then take a sip of water. I can’t believe I’m talking to Rhys Camden. Steve appears moments later carrying two plates of the entrée selection for tonight. I look down when mine is set in front of me and smile. It’s picture worthy. It’s that beautiful. I look up at Flynn, lingering in the open kitchen, and grin. He winks at me as Rhys studies the dish, lifting his plate, angling it different directions, then inhales the aroma.

  Using his fork, Rhys pokes his fish, and as it flakes away, he smiles. “Perfect,” he murmurs. Then starts to describe it in detail and the woman with the laptop goes nuts transcribing his words. The woman with the camera takes more pictures and the man with the menu continues to stare blankly, but scrawls on a notepad. So odd.

  Rhys takes a bite, chewing slowly, and describing his experience. As I eat my fish, I make a mental note of his thoughts so I can tell Flynn later. So far so good.

  “How often do you eat here?” he asks.

  “Weekly at least.”

  “Lucky girl. So far I’m quite impressed.”

  I smile. “I’m glad. Flynn works hard.”

  “His food is a reflection of that. Is he cooking for me or is someone else back there doing it?”

  “Oh, Flynn is definitely cooking for you. He still does a lot of the cooking.”

  “Hmm, that’s good to know.”

  “Is that normal or not?”

  “At this stage it’s fairly normal. I like to see the chef still involved in his kitchen.”

  “Flynn is very hands on.”

  “Is he?”

  I tilt my head, noticing his change in tone. “What does that mean?”

  “How long have you been friends?”

  “Years.”

  “Interesting.”

  “It’s not really. Men and women are capable of having platonic relationships. Maybe not in your world, but it’s normal.”

  Rhys nods then takes a sip of his wine. “Did the chef do this pairing or does he have a Sommelier?”

  I shake my head, realizing the change of subject. “He did it.”

  “Excellent choice.” The woman with the computer types rapidly. “In my world, Brooklyn, men and women can have platonic relationships, that is, while they wait for the opportunity to change it.”

  “Is that so?”

  “I could never be just friends with you. My intentions are definitely not platonic.”

  “Well, you’re not Flynn.”

  “Indeed, I’m not.”

  After we finish our main course, Flynn appears with dessert, and I’m near giddy with delight.

  “Panna cotta,” Flynn says, “with salted caramel drizzle and fresh raspberries.”

  Rhys eyes the dish. “Hmm. I fancy myself a panna cotta aficionado.”

  “Then I hope you’ll appreciate our version,” Flynn says. “My pastry chef is from Italy. She trained in numerous restaurants and took her grandmother’s recipe to new heights here in New York. It’s our best selling dessert.”

  Rhys lifts his spoon and slices through the creamy custard, wiggling it back and forth. “Firm texture.” He gazes up at Flynn. “As it should be.”

  Flynn nods. “Thank you,” he says, before excusing himself.

  Rhys, instead of eating the bite, lifts it to my mouth. “You first.”

  Feeling self conscious, I lean forward to eat the spoonful of goodness, clos
ing my eyes as it slides down my throat. It’s perfect as always.

  “Well?” Rhys asks.

  “It’s my favorite dessert here. I love it.”

  “What about it?”

  “The texture is nice. It’s creamy and sweet, but not too much. The salted caramel is divine. I’d like to eat it on many things.”

  Rhys drags his finger through the caramel on the plate then licks it off his finger. Oh hell.

  “Mmm, I have to agree with you again, Brooklyn. I would also like to eat this on many things.” He grins. “I wonder if I could get some to go.”

  I shake my head softly, grinning. Rhys Camden is definitely a flirt.

  After the final dish is cleared, Rhys folds his napkin and sets it on the table. I watch as servers take the remaining plates to the kitchen.

  “I’m glad I came,” Rhys announces. “The meal was spectacular as was the company.”

  “Thank you, Rhys. I enjoyed the evening. It’s interesting to see food from your point of view.”

  “I think you already did before you met me.”

  “Flynn taught me a lot about food.”

  “He was an excellent teacher.”

  Flynn walks over expectantly and Rhys stands, shaking his hand. “Well done, Chef. The meal was exquisite, the service outstanding, and the ambience charming.” He smiles. “Prepare yourself and your staff. The write up will be in Sunday’s column and a full feature article in next month’s Foodie magazine. You’ll never have a dull moment again after that.”

  “Thank you so much. I’m beyond happy you enjoyed it.”

  His companions stand and pack up their things, then walk to the front. I sit awkwardly not sure what to do next.

  “Would you walk me out, Brooklyn?” Rhys asks.

  “Oh, uh, sure.” I glance at Flynn offering a slight shrug.

  Rhys and I walk to the front and step outside. “It’s cold out here,” he says, pulling me closer. I’m surprised by the gesture, but can’t say I don’t like it. He smells like expensive cologne.

  “It is.”

  “I’ll let you get back inside. I’m sure you and Chef Flynn have much to discuss.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ll put in the work, Brooklyn. Whatever it takes to get you to spend time with me.”

  I shake my head, laughing softly. “You don’t even know me.”

  “I will.” My eyes search his and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was planning on kissing me, but that would be crazy.

  “I should go,” I say.

  Rhys nods. “You know that I want to kiss you, don’t you? You can feel it.”

  I avert my eyes, not answering.

  “I won’t though. Even though I’m used to just taking what I want, I’ll do it your way. I’ll let the tension between us build until you can’t resist me anymore. Until you let your ideas of how a woman acts around a man go. Until you release the tough girl image and just give in. I’ll wait for that.”

  “God, you’re arrogant,” I whisper.

  “Wouldn’t you be if you were me?”

  “Humility is sexy.”

  “Is it?”

  “I think so.”

  “Then why are you out here with me and not in the arms of your humble chef inside?”

  I roll my eyes. “First of all, he’s not that humble.” I pat his chest. “And I told you we’re just friends.”

  “But why? He’s young and handsome, you’re young and stunning. He’s obviously not gay. Why, Brooklyn?”

  “Not everyone is meant to be romantically involved.”

  “Perhaps that’s true.” He pulls me slightly closer. “We are though.”

  “Maybe.”

  He smiles. “If you weren’t attracted to me, you would’ve walked away by now. You wouldn’t let me hold you like this.”

  “Wouldn’t I? You’re very insistent. Besides, maybe I just did a favor for Flynn.”

  Rhys chuckles. “Yeah, okay.” He spins me around until I’m pressed against the waiting limo, causing me to gasp softly. “Give me your number.”

  “No.”

  He smiles, sweeping his thumb across my bottom lip. “Your resistance turns me on. I like this hard to get thing you’re doing.”

  “I am hard to get, Rhys. No matter who you are.”

  “I have a feeling you’ll be worth my effort.” He leans forward and kisses my cheek, causing my breath to catch in surprise. “Thank you for the pleasure of your company tonight. It added to a wonderful experience.”

  I smile. “Goodnight, Rhys.”

  He bows his head, slightly. “Brooklyn.”

  I watch as he disappears inside the waiting limo. Walking back inside, I head to the kitchen to find Flynn speaking with his kitchen staff. He’s congratulating them, and they’re all toasting to the successful night, passing a bottle of champagne around. Someone passes the bottle to me, and Flynn turns to face me, beaming with pride.

  “There’s my girl.” He grabs me and swings me around. “Thank you.”

  “For?”

  “Entertaining him.”

  “I’m sure it was a hardship,” Natalie, one of the servers calls out, laughing. “That guy is hot. How old is he?”

  “No idea,” I say, taking a swig of champagne.

  “Was he nice?” she asks.

  “Nice enough. He’s arrogant for sure, but it wasn’t the worst quasi-date I’ve ever had.” I pat Flynn’s back. “And the food was spectacular.”

  Flynn kisses my cheek. “Thanks, Brooks. Let me finish up here, and then we can go grab a drink?”

  “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  After grabbing my coat, I find my way to a table in the dining room and hang out. My mind replays the conversation with Rhys. He’s right, I’m definitely attracted to him. Like crazy attracted. Like want to tear all my clothes off and go at it attracted. I sigh, rubbing my forehead, just as Flynn appears.

  “You okay?” he asks.

  Looking up, I smile. “Yeah, definitely. Ready to go?”

  “Let’s get out of here.” We walk to the front and Flynn opens the door for me, patting my back as I pass. “So, what was the dinner conversation like?”

  “He’s intense. He paid attention to every little nuance. The way the sauce was on the plate or the composition of the dish. He would take a bite and close his eyes, then recite his reaction and this woman would type it all out.”

  “Interesting.”

  “It was. Kind of awkward, too. He never spoke to any of them and they didn’t speak either. They all have a job, and they just do it. He spoke to me like we were the only two people there.”

  “Really?” We turn the corner to go into our favorite bar. “That’s weird.”

  “It was at first, and then I just got used to it. Even though I still can’t figure out what the guy with the menu was doing.”

  “Maybe his job is to note all the selections.”

  “Ah, maybe. I did make the woman with the computer flinch once though.”

  “Why?”

  “I said vagina.”

  Flynn laughs. “And why?”

  “I told Rhys he should act like he was interested in me as a person and not just a vagina.”

  “Wow. So he came at you hard?”

  “Yeah, I did my best to play it tough.”

  “But you like him?”

  I wait as Flynn opens the door to the bar. “Yeah, I like him. He’s sexy and charming and sophisticated. He’s different than anyone I’ve ever met before.”

  “I can see that.” We sit at a table. “So, what’d he say when he left?”

  “He asked for my number and basically told me he was willing to do whatever he had to to get me.”

  “So he’s blunt.”

  “Definitely, but I told him no.”

  “No shit?”

  “Nope. He’s smart enough to figure out how to contact me again if he wants to. He needs to work for this.”

  “My bff dating famous food critic Rhys Ca
mden.”

  I laugh. “I’m not dating him yet.”

  “Clearly you will be. He’ll find you. If some woman challenged me like that, I’d be all over it. Male pride demands it.”

  “We’ll see.” I take my coat off and put it on the back of the chair. “Basically I just have to figure out how to drag this out long enough to make it difficult for him, but we both know I’m just gonna sleep with him and then move on.”

  Flynn laughs. “Yep.”

  “Not to sound like a slut.”

  “You don’t. You sound like a woman who knows exactly what she wants.”

  “That I do.” I pause as Jimmy comes over to take our order. Flynn orders my favorite beer which makes me smile. “Let’s talk about you now. The meal was a hit. Not that I’m surprised.”

  “Thanks,” he nods. “I’m glad it went so well and that he was impressed. Although I’m sure your company helped.”

  “Nope, your food stood on its own. I didn’t sway him at all.”

  Flynn tilts his head. “Really?”

  “I swear, Flynn. He got super intense about it and made his own opinions. He even moaned out loud at one point.”

  “Nuh uh.”

  “He did. We were eating the dessert and he closed his eyes, moaned, then whispered ‘decadent’.”

  “That makes me feel really good.”

  “You should. You rocked it out tonight.” I grab his hand. “I’m so proud of you. Your entire life will change after that review gets published.” Jimmy drops off our drinks, and I lift mine for a toast. “To the best guy I know and the success of Flynn’s. This is just the beginning.”

  Flynn lifts his beer and clinks my glass. “Thank you for being a part of it.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for a million bucks.”

  Flynn leans close and kisses my cheek, then we each take a sip of our drinks.

  “Anything else exciting happen with Mr. Food Critic?” he asks.

  “He thought you were my boyfriend at first. I gave him shit for asking me to dinner if he thought we were dating.”

  “What did he say to that?”

  “That nothing, even boyfriends, gets in his way.”

  “Damn, he is arrogant.”

  “Yep.” I sip my beer. “It bothers him though. He asked again later why we weren’t. He said you’re young and handsome, I’m young and pretty, so why not. He asked if we were lovers in the past.”