“What the hell are you implying?”
“Not what you’re thinking, that’s for damn sure.”
Not that she’d tell him, but her reaction wasn’t typical. He evoked her heated response, and it scared her. “From your conversation earlier, I’m assuming this is the normal route for you. Wasn’t it you who said women are only good for two things? Your poor housekeeper—”
“Gretchen?”
“I haven’t met her yet, but she probably has to fight you off with her broom and dustpan.”
Chet laughed. Not a soft chuckle, but a sound that came straight from his gut. “I don’t think Gretchen will appreciate that. As for what you overheard? Strictly boys talk. Brother to brother.”
“And that’s an excuse?”
“There’s nothing serious about it, that’s how we let off steam. He’s ribbing me about our mother trying to marry me off now that he’s engaged. When he found out about our business arrangement and you living here, he couldn’t resist a few jabs.”
“Oh.” What more could she say? It sounded logical enough. With all the banter she’d witnessed between Mel’s brothers, it seemed to fit. They’d both teased each other about heading toward the altar to get their mother’s hackles up.
“As for your misguided notion of how I treat women in the workplace, you’re way off base.”
No way could she have gotten this whole thing wrong. She had a better grasp at reading people than that. Well, her senses might have been thrown off by this man’s intense sexual energy that propelled her to him like a magnet.
“By the expression crossing your face, I’m assuming you don’t believe me.”
“Oh, now you’re some kind of psychic?”
“Sure, I do readings on my lunch hour at work.” He rolled his eyes. “Think about it. In this day and age, there are plenty of talented women in the workforce, and several work for me. I’ve passed on promoting men in my organization for more qualified women.”
“I just bet you did.” Sarcasm filled each of her words.
“Not because they looked a certain way, but because they deserved it, worked for it, earned it.”
Although tempted to ask for pictures of the women he’d promoted, she bit her lip instead. Her inner voice, the one she relied on to steer her in the right direction, told her he wasn’t lying.
“What about your two uses for women?”
At least he had the sense to color slightly.
“You’re going to hate this, but remember, guy talk.” He closed his eyes as if unable to meet her glare.
“And?”
“Use number one is a woman making the bed, and the second one is what she can do in it.” He spoke the words through stiff lips, then peeked at her with one eye.
She bit the inside of her cheek. Okay, she could see the humor in it. Mel and she’d had several similar conversations, only referencing men. No law against that.
“Listen, I’m sorry. It’s just a tender subject with me.” Jill understood him now. She’d have to come up with another argument in making him unappealing besides her new mantra of him being her boss and that he had a bad opinion of women. Maybe he’d wear a bag over his head. Hell, more like a suit of armor.
“How so?”
She couldn’t meet his eyes, so she focused on the grain of the wood floor, tracing the pattern with the tip of her sandal. His question required an answer related to their first meeting and all the trouble that had followed. Only her mom and Mel were privy to her rants on the subject.
“Hey, if you don’t want to talk about it, I’m not pushing. But I’m a great listener.”
And that’s all it took. The silky compassion in his voice turned her insides to gelatin. Her inner voice pushed her to trust him.
She regarded him steadily. “Care to guess why I’ve lost so many jobs over the last year?”
…
From the direction of their conversation, Chet had a pretty good idea but didn’t want to assume. “Tell me.”
“I can’t think where to start.”
“The beginning’s good.” He wanted to offer her a comforting gesture, take her hand, give her a hug, but held back. Though he hadn’t known her long, he sensed that wouldn’t be her style. Her proud, independent streak blazed across her like a neon sign.
“Yeah, the beginning’s always a good start.” She smiled, her lower lip trembling.
Hell, he hoped she wouldn’t cry. He’d never known how to handle a crying woman. He’d more than proved that a year ago when he’d grabbed her in the kitchen and kissed her in order to stop her tears—or was it something more? Best to keep quiet and let her get her emotions controlled.
“I’m thinking you might not like what you’re about to hear.”
“Try me.”
“After what happened between you and me at Creations, I was let go.”
“Fired?”
She nodded. The pink in her cheeks faded and her eyes brightened with unshed tears. “Please, Chet. Don’t interrupt or I’ll never get this out.”
“Sorry.” But everything inside of him bucked to take her in his arms when a solitary tear rolled down her cheek. He didn’t like how difficult this had become for her.
She wiped her tear away, swallowing repeatedly, drying her fingertips as she twisted the edge of her apron.
“After you left the kitchen that night, Chef Arnaud went ballistic. I couldn’t understand most of what he ranted, but I made out a few choice words. Words like standards, professionalism, unbecoming. He was right. My actions weren’t professional at all, at least not for the profession I’m in.” She chuckled half-heartedly, keeping her focus on the floor.
“I’m sorry, Jill. I didn’t know.” Anger at her previous boss chewed through him. “When I went into the kitchen my only intention was for you to meet my grandmother. She was so impressed with the meal. I never intended…”
“I know.”
“When I saw you there, I don’t know what happened. You looked so delicate, concentrating on making that damn birthday cake perfect. Your face filled with happiness and confidence surrounded you. And then when the cake fell and you looked so lost…and the tears…I can’t explain it, but I just had to kiss you. I had no idea you’d been let go because of my actions.”
She waved his words away. “I certainly didn’t try to stop you. You caught me by surprise, for sure, but it wasn’t like I didn’t return your kiss.” She chuckled, her embarrassment evident by the red coloring her cheeks. “I’ve never done something so forward.”
“That makes two of us. To know what happened explains a lot.”
“How’s that?”
“Well, after our kiss, I couldn’t get you out of my mind. I went back to the restaurant to apologize and you weren’t there.”
“You did?” Her face softened with a tremor of a smile.
“Nobody would tell me where you’d gone. I just assumed you’d moved up and out.”
“I moved out, for sure.” She forced a laugh, then grew serious. “All of that doesn’t matter now. I pounded the pavement for work, not realizing the restaurant community has no secrets. I thought I’d found the leprechaun at the end of the rainbow when I won out against all the other applicants for sous-chef at Ricardo’s. Chef Manuel, the chef de cuisine, was set to retire, which meant the executive chef would take his spot, and I’d have a chance at his position.”
“That’s right up there?”
“Second in command.” Her eyes sparked with pride.
“So what happened?” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the row of cupboards to concentrate on her words instead of reliving their kisses that clouded his mind.
“Word preceded me about my escapade in the kitchen, and I guess some of the other chefs assumed that my past actions were now part of my job description.” She smiled, but her chin shook. “When that didn’t turn out to be the case, my work was sabotaged and I was fired.”
Chet cringed. He’d become the lowest p
ossible form of life in his own book. He never would have guessed his actions had gotten her fired, and worse yet, marred her reputation to the point she couldn’t find work.
“While at Ricardo’s, I’d received an excellent write-up in Food Fanatics magazine, and I foolishly thought that would help me land another job. It did, but I relived the same treatment over again.”
“What if I talk to your boss at Creations and set him straight?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s too late. Word followed me wherever I went and my actions, along with my big mouth, landed me back on the street. I couldn’t even find work as a line cook.”
He furrowed his brow. “Sorry, I guess I’m not getting the soap-opera restaurant world. I thought they’d be more in competition with each other and want an up-and-coming chef. Especially one who’d appeared in Food Fanatics.”
“In our town, in the establishments I wanted to work with, they have a friendly competition, but they are all tight. A lot of the chefs are related in some obscure way.” She swiped at the moisture on her cheek.
Damn it. Tears. Should he pretend he didn’t notice, offer her a tissue, or give her a hug? Their kiss came to mind and he pushed it away. He hated these situations. He’d ignore it for now. If she turned into a mass of whimpers and tears, he’d take action.
“But what about the owner, isn’t he the one who has control over hiring and firing?”
“Not in the kitchen, not for chef positions.”
He’d never been so angry. Not that he’d known Jill long, but he could tell she was a good person with integrity, and she shouldn’t have been treated so poorly. Jealousy of her talents probably played a hand in what happened, as well.
Her eyes were rimmed with red. “At the last restaurant I worked, I was informed that a woman getting ahead in a man’s world would need to pay her dues, or go nowhere fast.”
He fisted his hands at his sides. What he wouldn’t give to have one of those so-called men in front of him now. “You could’ve gone to the owner or the authorities. That’s sexual harassment.”
She cleared her throat, then opened her mouth, but nothing came out. With a quick nod she looked down.
Hell, maybe he was more of a pig than he’d thought. He’d been thinking of her in the same light. And his reasons were worse. He studied the top of Jill’s head as she worked her shoe on the floor, and guilt consumed him. Not a feeling he had much experience with. Yes, she was attractive and he’d like nothing more than to feel her sweat-soaked skin rubbing against his, but he wasn’t a snake. Their deal wasn’t finished, but his hidden motives were.
His plan of bedding the beauty stopped now.
“If I had gone to anyone, my career would’ve been more than over; it’d be nonexistent. I love cooking, the art and style of it, the flavor, passion, and—well, everything. I can’t give it up, and I won’t. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. If I can’t find a job at a reputable restaurant, then I’ll go it alone.”
Her passion lit a fire inside of him. “Well, I’m going to help make it happen. Especially since it’s more than partially my fault. If only I’d known—”
“Thanks, Chet. You talking to my boss wouldn’t have changed anything. But I’m glad to know you would have.” She smiled, her lovely lavender eyes shining through the tears wetting her lashes.
Chet understood her will to succeed and be independent. The fervor in her voice when she spoke of cooking, owning her own business, they reminded him of his own dreams. Of how he felt when Castle Engineering, on the verge of bankruptcy, had been handed to him by his father.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m glad we met.” Her voice trembled.
“True.”
His insides seized. Not with lust, though his attraction still simmered, but now with the added ingredients of respect and admiration. He’d better watch himself because he didn’t want to let the heat between them burn out of control. No way did he want to be compared to those other men who had tried to take advantage of her.
Chapter Six
Chet entered the kitchen to the smell of freshly popped and buttered popcorn. He put his keys in the cupboard. Spending the afternoon with his family was always something he enjoyed, except for today. He’d heard all he needed to hear about Jared and Mel’s upcoming wedding. “What’s going on?”
Jill tossed a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in her mouth, a large smile parting her lips in triumph. “Sunday night is movie night. Care to join me?”
He looked around at the covered pot on the stove and a ceramic dish on the counter with the remnants of melted butter. “I have microwave popcorn, you know. You didn’t need to go to the extra work.”
“Not a fan. I like the real thing. So, are you in, feel like watching an action flick?”
Chet shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it on the back of a chair. “What are you watching?”
“I’m in a Bruce Willis kind of mood. How does Die Hard sound?” She grabbed another piece of popcorn, and instead of tossing it into the air, popped it between her lips.
She stood before him in her well-worn, fuzzy pink slippers, pink pajama pants featuring a yellow bunny covering his mouth, and a matching shirt that read Happy Bunny hates mornings. She looked damn adorable. But he could do the friendship thing, and this was the perfect time to prove it to himself. “Sounds good.”
“How was your Sunday lunch with the family?” Jill poured a second glass of soda with ice and handed it to him before they made their way to the theater.
“Nothing new, except for my mom and Jared arguing about the wedding. Mom wants a huge affair, and at this point Jared is threatening to elope.” Chet laughed.
“And Mel?”
“Isn’t saying a word.”
“But Mel thrives on words.” Jill plopped into an oversized reclining theater chair and kicked up the foot rest.
“She is wisely letting Jared handle Mom.” Chet couldn’t help but smile. Their talk the other night had really helped. Jill seemed so relaxed now, and he liked that she could be at ease in his home, and especially around him.
She handed him the remote. “Here, I know guys like the power.”
“Only if we’re flicking through the stations.” He grinned, placing his cup in the holder and settling into his seat.
When Chet started the movie, the lights grew dim. Jill placed the popcorn bowl on her thigh so that it was propped against the arm rest and easily reached by both of them. From the corner of his eye, he watched as she repeatedly tossed pieces into the air, then caught each one in her mouth, never taking her eyes from the screen.
“You never miss.”
“Huh?” Jill managed around a mouthful of popcorn as she turned toward him.
“The popcorn. How the hell do you do that? You’re not even paying attention, yet you can throw it into the air and catch it every time.”
“Years of practice. Don’t tell me you can’t do it?” She jabbed him in the bicep with her elbow.
“I’ve never really tried.”
She turned in her seat, forgetting the movie. “What type of childhood did you have?”
Chet laughed, deep and from the gut. Something he found he did quite often with Jill. “I guess it wasn’t a good one if I haven’t mastered the art of popcorn catching.”
“Almost abusive.” She chuckled, throwing another kernel in the air and crunching it between her teeth.
“Show off.”
“Whiner.”
“Let’s put that to the test.” He grabbed a fistful of popcorn.
“Are you challenging me?” Her smile lit up the dim room.
“You betcha. Loser has to cook the winner a steak dinner on the grill.”
“With all the fixings. Corn, salad, garlic bread, and baked ’tato.” Even in the near darkness he witnessed the sassy rise of one fine eyebrow.
“Done.” He held out his free hand and they shook on it.
He nailed the first shot—barely—catching the popcorn
in the corner of his mouth.
“Lucky.” Jill tossed her piece high, closed her eyes, and caught it between her teeth.
“Show off.”
She shrugged. “More like experience.”
After several minutes and no misses, Jill laughed outright. “Okay, I think you’re a liar.”
“No way.” He tossed up two pieces and caught them both, almost choking at the wide-eyed expression she shot him.
“Okay, you want to play?” Jill tossed up three pieces. The first and second piece landed dead center in her mouth, but the third ricocheted off the tip of her nose and bounced back in the bowl. She glanced from the bowl to meet his grin. “Uh, do we get a freebie?”
“Although I’d like to say yes, that wasn’t an agreed-upon term before we started.”
“I think you’re counting your lucky stars right now, and you’re too chicken to add a new rule. Come on, Chet, we each get a freebie.” Her good humor echoed in each word as she tilted her head, giving him puppy eyes.
“My mother didn’t raise a fool. I’m not risking my win. Looks like you cook steak with all the trimmings.”
“Beginner’s luck. If this was actually the beginning for you.” Skepticism crossed her face in mock seriousness before she broke out in a smile.
Chet hadn’t enjoyed himself with a woman like this before. The last female friend he’d had who he could laugh and joke with was way back in middle school. And even then their conversation hadn’t flowed this easily. In some respects he could be himself more around Jill than with one of his buddies.
“How about we cook together?”
“Are you taking pity on me?” Jill settled back in her seat, her focus on the screen, but her humor still showing by the twitch of her lip.
“Never. I’m trying to put things in my favor yet again by finagling a cooking lesson at the same time I’m getting a steak dinner.”
Jill laughed, and the sound bounced off the walls of the small theater. Her laughter was contagious and soothing at the same time. He couldn’t help but join in.
“Chet Castle, I like how you think.”
“And I like how you cook. So I’m glad you lost.” He nudged her shoulder with his, then sank down into his seat, smiling as they returned their attention to the movie.
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