A Tablespoon of Temptation (A Recipe for Love Novel Book 1)

by Kelly Collins

  “I’m scared.”

  “Who isn’t? It’s okay to be scared, just don’t be a coward. It’s better to love and lose then not love at all or some shit like that.”

  “Here you are, giving me advice, but what about you? Anyone special in your life?”

  Allie choked on her coffee. “No, I haven’t found a guy worth getting scared over. People like James and Julian and I have to be more careful with dating and relationships. Imagine having to wonder if someone is interested in you for the right reasons.”

  She’d heard that a lot lately. “There’s a thing called a prenup.”

  “Yep, I had one drawn up once.”

  “You were engaged?”

  She nodded. “The second I said that word was the second he left. I guess I could thank the stars that it ended before it really began. Prenup is the stage right before marriage, divorce, and alimony.” She laughed. “It’s a vicious cycle.”

  Allie downed her coffee and stood. “Ready to get back to work? I believe you have to recruit some hunky outdoorsman for the position being vacated this week.”

  “Maybe a cute outdoorswoman would be better.”

  Allie shook her head. “Can’t drink the hater aide. Not all men are bad. Find the best person for the job. Man or woman is great, and if it’s a goat, I’m fine with that too.”

  Chapter 24

  James

  The week had been a long one. He waited in the conference room for Chris to show up. He was late. He didn’t want to burden Dani with another position to fill, but she was right. He was siphoning money at a three to one ratio with the lion’s share going into his pocket.

  It only took their investigator a day to find the site where the idiot sold his stolen goods. It took three more days for James to lay it all out in a report basic enough for Chris to understand.

  The idiot walked into the conference room in board shorts and Vans and raised his hands like a rock star. “I’m here.”

  James wasn’t in the mood for games. He despised this man for many reasons. The biggest being how he’d treated Dani.

  He clenched and unclenched his fists. It would have been so easy to bolt from his seat and destroy the asshole, but this was business.

  He pointed to the empty chair to his left. “Have a seat.”

  “Is this about a job?” He looked between the lawyer and James. “Didn’t expect you to be here.”

  James ignored the question for now. He introduced the man on his right. “Chris Putnam, this is Michael Stratton, our legal representative from Stratton, Walton, and Winslow.” He loved that they were big enough clients to get the man whose name was listed first in the firm.

  Chris eyed the man suspiciously. “I take it I’m not here for a promotion.”

  James sat there for a few minutes. “You’re perceptive this afternoon. You must have eaten your Wheaties and had your multivitamin. Flintstones, right?”

  Michael cleared his throat. It was a warning for James to keep it professional. He passed a folder to Chris and asked him to turn to page one.

  “What’s this?”

  This was the part James would enjoy immensely. “This is where I tell you, you’re fired.”

  “You can’t fire me. You’re just a construction guy.”

  James smiled. “Forgive me. I should have introduced myself.” He offered him a handshake. “I’m Alistair James Parks, and I own Luxe with my partners Allie and Julian. You can call me James.”

  It took Chris a minute to process what he heard. “You’re my boss?”

  “Since you’re obviously low on the evolutionary chain, I’ll explain. Your boss is Danielle. Technically, I fall above that position.”

  “Does Danielle know you’re firing me?” He looked down at the paper where a highlighted mid-five figure number glowed like the sun.

  “She’s aware of the issue, but since you have a history, the management thought it best to deal with the problem.” He turned to Michael. “I think this is a good time for you to take over.”

  Michael leaned forward and pointed to the highlighted total. “This is the amount you’ve stolen this year alone.”

  “Is that what she’s saying?” His eyes grew big, and his face grew red. “You know she’s my ex-wife and bitter about the divorce.”

  James pulled his hands from the table and pushed them under his thighs for restraint. “We’re aware of the past relationship. Danielle was forthcoming with the information when she pointed out the discrepancies.”

  “I want a recount.”

  James and Michael laughed.

  “This isn’t an election or a hanging chad issue,” Michael said. “The numbers don’t lie. The amount circled is for this year alone.”

  “She’s lying,” Chris yelled. “That bitch is punishing me because she’s lacking.”

  James was about to fly out of his seat when Michael set his hand on his shoulder. It was a reminder to keep this professional.

  “We have done an in-depth investigation.” He pulled a piece of paper that included a picture of Chris’s shop and the inventory he had listed. Items identical to the missing inventory. “As we see it, you have one option. You can leave quietly, and there won’t be a problem.”

  “Or,” he said with sly smile. “I can sue the hell out of you for wrongful termination. Don’t forget, Dani is a spurned woman.”

  James’ insides were at the boiling point. He couldn’t say a word for fear he’d jump across the table and choke the bastard to death.

  Michael piped in. “You can fight this.” He circled the amount over and over again. “I’d be happy to go back and audit all the years you’ve worked here.”

  They waited and watched for his reaction. When there wasn’t one, Michael continued. “Your current theft is already past the grand larceny limit.” He brushed off the left lapel of his jacket. “Right now, it’s a class four felony and up to six years in prison, but I’m certain after further investigation we could get that to a class three and twelve years.”

  “This is bullshit.”

  “This is your reality. Either you accept the agreement, or you go to prison. It’s not that difficult of a choice to make.”

  Chris stood. “What about a severance package?”

  “What about no jail time. That’s the deal.” Michael pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Take it or leave it. If you decide to leave it, I’ll call the police, and you can negotiate with them.”

  Chris raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fine. I’m out.”

  “Not yet,” Michael said. “You need to sign this form stating that you agree to the terms of this mediation and are leaving after considering your options.”

  “This is coercion.”

  “No, this is kindness,” James said. “If it were up to me, you’d already be in prison.”

  Chris eyed them both. “So, if I sign that paper, you won’t press charges, and I won’t go to jail?”

  “Only the prison you put yourself in because of your stupidity,” James added.

  Michael gave him a look that said to shut up, but he needed something to make him feel better. This man had stolen from the company, from Dani, and, in a way, from him. If he hadn’t betrayed her trust, she might have some left to give.

  Chris signed the paper, and James called Paul to escort him from the property.

  When Michael left, James returned to his office. The one right across the hall from Dani’s.

  Allie walked in. “Did it go well?”

  “Yes, he’s not our problem anymore.” He ran his hands through his hair. “How could someone so intelligent and lovely end up with a loser like that?” Despite his frustration he smiled. “I enjoyed firing him. It was the one thing I could do for her.” He glanced across the hall to her office. The cup of coffee he put on her desk at lunch still sat there. “Have you seen her?”

  “She’s training her replacement—a woman named Harper Stevenson. She should be back in a few minutes.” She looked at her watch. “I’
m surprised you’re still here. It’s quitting time.”

  “I’m not a quitter. I’m staging a sit-in until she returns.”

  “Should I order you dinner? Breakfast for tomorrow? You need a pillow and one of my crocheted blankets?”

  He crumpled a blank piece of paper from his desk and threw it at her. “Go home and leave me to my misery.”

  He sat there, staring straight ahead, waiting for Dani to return. He’d been like a cat leaving his owner a mouse as a gift each morning. Only his gift came in a twelve-ounce cup.

  Every day that week, he’d put a cup of coffee on her desk. The first day, he left one packet of sugar, hoping she’d find him to tell him he got it wrong. Each day since, he’d been upping his game. Five packets. Ten. A box of sugar cubes. He stared across the hallway, looking at the untouched coffee and the five-pound bag of sugar he’d left today.

  Heels tip-tapped on the tile floor. They weren’t Allie because she walked so firmly and fast that her heels sound like rapid fire from a weapon. Danielle’s walk was slow and purposeful.

  She entered her office and laughed. He hadn’t heard that sound in weeks, and it made his heart race. Made him feel better than the time they opened their first resort.

  She pivoted and crossed the hallway in short quick strides. “What are you trying to do, give me diabetes?”

  He stood and walked to her. “No, I was hoping to sweeten your disposition toward me.” He reached for her but stopped because he didn’t want to send her running. “I miss you so much. I miss us. Please, Dani, give me a chance.”

  She closed the distance between them and rested her head on his chest. “I miss us too.”

  With his arms folded around her, they stood there for a long moment.

  “I’m sorry, James.”

  He stepped back so he could see her eyes. “You’re sorry? I’m the one who ruined everything. I told you trust was the most important thing, and I broke your trust in me.”

  “I should have known you didn’t do it to hurt me.” Her hand settled over his heart. “It’s not in you to hurt. All we can do is our best and hope we get it right. If we don’t the first time, we try again.”

  “I hid the biggest part of who I am. I hid my wealth, my power, and my position.”

  She laughed. “Sweetheart, that’s not the biggest part of you. Do you need a refresher?” She ran her hand down his chest, below his belt to cup his growing length.

  “Does this mean we get to start over again?”

  She stepped away and pointed to his desk. “Yes, but I want to renegotiate my employment contract. I’m not dating my boss.”

  He adjusted himself and took a seat.

  He took a sheet of paper from the drawer and picked up the pen from the desk.

  “Name your terms.”

  She pulled out the chair in front of his desk and sat like she was the interviewer and he the interviewee. There was no negotiating. He’d do anything she wanted, including leaving his position as CEO if it meant getting her back.

  “I’ll fall under Julian for performance reviews because neither you nor Allie can be objective. It’s important I get judged for my work performance and not by my familiarity with the owners.”

  “Done.” He jotted it down. “Next.”

  “I’d like you to include me in all executive meetings, so I’m not caught unaware. I think Avis knew what was going on, but she didn’t have the information or the desire to stop it.”

  His pen moved across the paper. “Done. Anything else?”

  “The rest is personal.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “Everything will be different. I’m figuring out who I am and what I am.” She leaned forward. “I’m a work in progress, but I’ve finally figured out what you are.”

  His brows lifted. “What am I?”

  Her mouth tipped into a lazy, sexy smile. “Everything.”

  Chapter 25

  Danielle

  “Why am I so nervous?”

  Trish tugged Danielle’s shirt down to show more cleavage. “Because Mr. Sexy’s hammer might nail you tonight.”

  “Maybe you’re right, but I’ve slept with the man, and I know it will be wonderful.” That part of their relationship needed no renegotiating or addendum. “I think it’s because it’s our first real date.”

  “Bullship, you went to lunch and dinner.” She loved the way Trish had created her own curse words. Bullship, son of a monkey, and shitake mushroom were regulars in her vernacular. Recently, fudge nuggets hit the list.

  “Okay,” Danielle blurted. “I don’t have an excuse, but I’m nervous because this feels like …”

  “Forever?”

  “Yes.” She checked herself in the mirror and made sure she didn’t have flour or frosting on her face. A fancy restaurant was the plan, but now that she had him back, she didn’t want to share him with anyone.

  The doorbell rang, and her heart jumped into her throat.

  Trish picked up her purse and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll go out the back door. Go get your man.”

  Danielle’s heart clanged like a church bell inside her chest. She raced to the door and flung it open to find James standing there with flowers.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  She stepped aside. “Change of plans. I ordered Chinese takeout, and I made dessert.”

  She led him into the kitchen, where they filled their plates with cashew chicken and shanghai beef before they stepped onto her backyard patio.

  “Beautiful,” he said when he took his seat next to her.

  She’d decked the table out with candles and heart confetti.

  “It’s probably silly, but this feels like a real date.”

  “Does that mean I get to kiss you before I leave?”

  Yesterday they made amends in his office and agreed to take things slowly. It had only been one day, but she was finished moving at a snail’s pace. She didn’t want bits and pieces of him. She wanted all of him. According to Adelaide Phelps, forever was the minute they had right now.

  “You’re leaving me?”

  “Not a chance, Dani. Yesterday you stated your demands. Last night I thought about a few of my own.”

  She lifted from her chair. “Should I write them down?”

  He took a bite of his food and chewed slowly. The man was as exasperating as he was exhilarating. “No, these are more about me than you. Promises I’ll make and keep.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I will always be honest, and I want that from you too. The truth shouldn’t separate us but bring us together.”

  “Agreed, anything else?”

  He chuckled. “I want to spend more time with you than without you.”

  “You want a lot, Mr. Parks.”

  “Oh Dani, I want it all, but if I have to settle for less just to be with you, then so be it.”

  “You know what I’ve learned?” She smiled. “Never settle for less when you can demand more.”

  “Agreed.” He poured them a glass of wine from the bottle airing on the table.

  He scanned the label and nearly dropped the bottle. “Wow, you bought the Pride Reserve. Can you afford this?” He looked around her backyard. “Are we going to dine and dash?” He lifted a foot covered with a leather loafer. “Not running shoes, but I’ll keep up.”

  She took the bottle from him and filled their glasses to the top.

  “You know James, I’m not rich, but I do okay. You don’t have to worry about my bank account.” She used the same wording he had on their first dinner together. Her raise afforded her many things. She wasn’t at risk of foreclosure, and occasionally, she could afford a nice bottle of wine.

  They enjoyed a leisurely dinner in the backyard, and when the sun set and the bottle was empty, they gathered their plates and went inside.

  “How about dessert?” She pointed to a chocolate cake on the counter.

  “Looks great. Where did you buy it?”

  “I made it.�
�� She took two small plates from the cupboard and set them next to the cake. The knife cut through the chocolate like a hot blade moved through butter.

  With two perfectly sliced pieces, she joined him at the stools by the island.

  He stared at the plate but didn’t pick up his fork.

  “Are you going to eat it?” she asked.

  He rubbed the scruff on his chin. “Are you sure you’re not pretending to let me back into your life, so there’s no suspicion when you poison me?”

  “I hadn’t considered killing you until this very second, now take a bite.”

  He stabbed a forkful and pulled it to his mouth, but before he could eat it, she leaned in and stole it.

  She sat back and moaned and groaned. She had to admit it was amazing. Almost as good as sex—almost. “So good.” She swallowed and sat up straight. “I took a bite, and I’m still here, so it must be okay.”

  “By the sounds you made, it has to be better than okay.” He stared at the plate like it would snap at him.

  “What are you waiting for?” She prodded.

  “Nothing. It’s just that cake isn’t your superpower.”

  She grabbed the kitchen towel from the counter and swatted him with it. “I figured something out. The things that are most important are the hardest to perfect. Like this cake … my previous attempts were failures, but I didn’t give up. I sacrificed a lot of eggs to get it to this level of edibility.” She scooped a forkful and lifted it to his mouth. “Open up, you’ll love it.”

  He opened his mouth and took the bite. His eyes grew wide. “It is perfect.” He shook his head. “But I don’t love it.”

  “You don’t?” She sounded crestfallen.

  He leaned and whispered against her mouth. “No, I love you.”

  His lips hovered over hers until she closed the millimeters of space between them and opened her mouth to let him in. With a single sweep, she tasted his love. Arms embracing. Bodies reaching. Tongues tangling. The kiss was both everything and not enough. When they separated for a breath, he pulled her onto his lap and thumbed her chin so she couldn’t look anywhere but in his eyes. Eyes that were no longer dulled by pain but brightened by passion.