Chapter 12
“What?” He looked up to see her staring at him.
“There is something incredibly sexy about a man wearing an apron.” She smiled teasingly as she took in the starched white apron with the single tulip stitched in the middle. “Where did you find it?”
“In the linen drawer.” He raised a brow at her as he chopped parsley. “You do know you have one, don’t you?”
“Nope.” She responded cheerfully, propping her chin on her palm. “I stay far away from the kitchen.”
“It’s a lovely room.” He glanced around the blue and white décor and the matching curtains at the window. A table and four chairs were tucked cozily beneath the windows, offering a stunning view of the palm trees currently waving in the stiff breeze.
“I take my coffee right there by the window.” She nodded towards it. “In the summer, there is a bird feeder out on the ledge.”
He glanced over and nodded, before dumping the chopped parsley into the sauce. “It’s certainly a pleasant scene.”
“Your mother taught you to cook?”
“Not exactly, no,” he stirred the sauce and lifted the spoon to taste, nodding in satisfaction. “She cooked when she could, which was not very often, but when she did, she made a production of it.” A smile ghosted his lips. “She insisted on me helping her out. I did, albeit reluctantly. The last thing I wanted was to be standing around a stove.
But whenever she had to work late, I would get creative.” He glanced at her. “There wasn’t a hell of a lot, so we had to make do.” Turning back to the stove, he continued to stir the sauce and was about to turn back around to say something else to her when he felt her behind him.
He went rigid when her arms came around his waist.
“Sonya?”
“I told you how sexy you look wearing that apron.” Her voice was husky and very suggestive.
“I am cooking here.” He tried for calm but failed completely.
“Turn around.”
He stood there for a few pulsing seconds before removing the sauce from the fire and turning the knob to off.
He faced her slowly, eyes glittering with desire. Her breasts, with the rigid nipples had left imprints on his back. The rose pink shift she had donned after their shower, had one shoulder slipping down. And in her eyes the invitation was clear.
“I thought you were hungry.” His voice sounded like sandpaper.
“I am.” Taking his hand, she led him willingly towards the counter and away from the hot range. It was a good thing she had the presence of mind to do so, because cooking and everything else had fled his mind.
Sliding her hands under his shirt, she splayed her fingers over the warmth of his skin and could feel when his muscles quivered.
“What are you doing?” He rasped.
“Seducing you.” Pulling her hands out, she untied the apron and took it off. “I need you.” His mind went blank, and his body filled to overflowing.
“Is that so?” Heat settled in his lower body and stayed there.
“Hmm.” She had worked the shirt over his head, with his help.
“Now what?”
“This.” He jolted as her mouth started exploring the wide expanse of his chest, starting at his throat where a pulse was working overtime. So was his heart, so was his cock, that part of him seemed to have gone on overdrive.
“We should…”
“No talking.” She ordered. “And no touching.”
“That’s not going to be…, ‘ he hissed out a breath when she started tonguing his nipple. His knees were going weak.
“I need to touch you.” He said between his teeth.
“Not yet.” He reared up in shock when she reached in to wrap her fingers around his hot flesh.
“Baby…!” Words failed him completely. Her thumb was glancing over the tip of his shaft where the moisture was already pooling. The double onslaught was getting to be too much for him. His hands lifted to touch her around the neck and shoulders, before dragging her shift up and over her head.
A shaky groan escaped him as he lifted her up and turned her around so that her back was pressed up against the wall. Then he simply pierced her. There was no other word for it. Holding her slender body easily with one hand, he tugged down his sweats and drove into her, pinning her against the wall.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck as he started moving. With his eyes on hers, he increased the pace and watched as her lips parted and she started panting.
“I want you calling my name when you come.” He whispered against her lips. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and back, racing down to cup his taut buttocks.
Sensations flowed through her body, until she was trembling. She had sat there, looking at him around the stove and felt the powerful desire taking over.
Her body arched and before long, he was following her headlong into oblivion that seemed to go on forever.
Her legs slid off his waist and she would have melted to the floor, if he had not kept his arms around her waist.
“I cannot feel the lower part of my body…” she murmured into his chest.
“My knees are still weak. I have no idea how they are holding us up.” He said with a chuckle. His heart was still thudding, and his body was flushed.
Wrapping a hand under her buttocks, he carried her to the dining table and sat with her still wrapped around him.
The scent of the meal had permeated the kitchen, reminding them they were still hungry, but neither of them had the energy to move. She was curled into him, her face pressed against his throat.
Tenderness filled his entire being and he was contented to stay this way with her forever. If she was not in love with him- surely, she was more than halfway there. He longed to tell her how he felt and was impatient with the wait.
“I’m hungry.”
His chuckle vibrated against her skin and had her smiling.
“For food this time?”
“Yes. I am actually starving.”
“Let’s get you fed.”
They got dressed and ate around the dining table. Dusk had fallen by then and the silvery moon was bathing the trees with its lovely light giving everything an ethereal look.
“It’s delicious.” She murmured, biting into the pasta and the ground beef in delight. “Is there a secret ingredient involved?”
His eyes twinkled as he picked up his glass of white wine. “Something like that and I’m not sharing.”
“That’s fine with me.” She scooped up some more and savored the taste inside her mouth, eyes closing in enjoyment. “You could do this for a living. This is by far the best pasta I have ever tasted, and I have been to several Italian restaurants, in Italy and New York.”
“Which ones?”
When she named the ones, she had dined at, he laughed softly. “Rossi’s is one of ours.”
She stared at him with rounded eyes. “It’s one of the most popular restaurants in Manhattan.”
“As well as in Rome, Venice and Milan.” He said mildly, laughing at the look on her face.
“How did you get involved in the restaurant business?”
He scooped up pasta and chewed before responding. “The owner – well part owner is a friend of mine.” Putting his fork down, he leaned back and picked up his wine. Antonio was an alcoholic, a man broken after losing his wife and child to a vehicular accident. I met him while I was in Milan ten years ago.
I was there to broker a deal with a textile company. The deal was not going well, and I was getting frustrated. I decided to take a walk and that is when I happened to walk into this dingy diner.
The place was empty with only a guy sitting at one of the tables nursing a drink.” He smiled reflectively. “I asked him if he was open for business, and he told no at first and then said he could whip me up something.”
He shook his head. “There was something about him that had me staying and when he brought me the meal, I think it was primavera, it was so good that I ate everything. Then he started talking and I listened. I heard a man who had reached the end of his rope.
The restaurant was failing, and he was honest enough to admit that after the tragedy, he had not put in much effort.”
His eyes twinkled as he noticed her intense interest.
“Want to hear the rest?”
“What do you think?”
He chuckled and reached over to dab red sauce from the side of her lips. “I asked him if he wanted to make another go at it and he did not understand what I was asking him at first.
I had just started making money and I was looking for lucrative investment ideas. The meal was excellent, the best I have ever tasted, and something told me Antonio would do very well, if given the chance.”
She shook her head. “The restaurant business is dubious at best. What prompted you to take the risk?”
He smiled at that. “I wanted to be daring in business, go with my instinct and so far, it had not failed me. Besides, I told myself if this was the point that it was going to, then so be it. I had to do it.”
She stared at him in wonder. There were so many facets of this man she had accidentally married that she did not understand. On the surface, he was tough and seemingly unapproachable. The papers dubbed him as being ruthless, a force to be reckoned with and she was certain he was.
But underneath, he was caring, compassionate and kind. She experienced his passion every single day and night. And was bowled over by his intellect. “I am still trying to get accustomed to you calling him Antonio.
This guy is a celebrity chef. Yes, I read about his story in the magazine and when he was interviewed by Oprah and CBS, I watched the entire thing.” Her eyes rounded. “He spoke of a very close and personal friend who saved him and gave him a much needed second chance – it was you! Why didn’t he mention your name?”
“That was part of the agreement. I remain a silent partner only.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I wanted him to get his due. The restaurants are his. All I did was put up the capital. He did most of the work.”
“You gave him a chance.” She pointed out, still in awe that he was associated with that famous brand. She had been fortunate to get a reservation when she was in Venice one summer and the place had bene packed to capacity.
People waited months to get reservations which were as coveted as fine gold. “Does that mean you can walk in without calling?”
He chuckled at the animated look on her exquisite face.
“I have no idea. I never usually take advantage of my position. He was the one who taught me how to make the sauce.
When we worked out the details of the partnership and he decided to go for it, he insisted on giving me a crash course in cooking. Whenever I am in Milan, he will not hear of me staying anywhere else, but with him and his wife. He met someone while he was starting up the restaurant.”
“I read that too. He spoke about his tragedy and how much life had turned around for him. Oh Robert, that is such a beautiful story.”
He was about to respond when his phone pinged. Tugging it from his pocket, he looked at the LED with a frown. “It’s my sister.”
“I’ll put the things in the dishwasher.”
He nodded and answered the call.
“Hey.”
“Where are you?”
“Good evening to you too.”
“I am at your apartment and you’re not here.”
“Obviously. What’s the matter?” His frown deepened at the sound of her voice.
“I need to see you.”
“Cat, you are scaring me. What is going on?”
“Oh Robert! It is awful. A nurse on my rotation committed suicide. She was a friend.”
“I am on my way. Don’t leave.”
Hanging up from her, he turned to see Sonya coming towards him. “I’ll get dressed and come with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
Hauling her into his arms, he kissed her with a tenderness that had her senses spinning. “Thank you.”
*****
She must have been waiting for him at the door because as soon as they stepped from the elevator, she opened it and launched herself into his arms, completely ignoring Sonya.
“I’m here.” He told her soothingly as he lifted her in his arms and made his way into, the living room to sit on the sofa nearest to the fireplace. Someone had lit a fire and the warmth permeated the entire room, giving it a coziness that was comforting.
“I’ll make some tea,” Sonya offered, standing just inside the doorway.
“Thanks.” He mouthed, a grateful expression on his face. Easing his sister off his chest, he titled her chin up to study the tear splotched face and miserable expression.
“What happened?” He asked quietly.
“You were with her.”
“Yes. I came straight from the club and decided to spend the weekend with my wife.” His expression warned her against saying anything negative or critical and she swallowed the jealousy. Seeing him get off the elevator with her had given her pause.
“I know she was unhappy and had been for a long time now,” she sniffed. “Her boyfriend broke up with her and she was reprimanded by her superior for administering the wrong medication to a patient. I saw that she was a mess and begged her to seek help. God!”
She blew out a breath. “I was just getting off my shift when we got the news. She was sharing an apartment with another nurse, and she went home to find her in the bathtub with her wrists slit.”
He gathered her against him and rocked as she started crying again. “I wished I had done more to help her, Robert. I just suggested she reach out to someone…” She stopped when he placed a finger over her lips.
“You know better than to blame yourself for someone else’s decision. You’re a doctor, not a psychic and there is no way you could have known what she was planning. I am sorry as hell that she decided to take the easy way out…,” he nodded firmly as she started to shake her head.
“Yes, honey, it is taking the easy way out. There are other ways to handle problems.” He looked up when he sensed his wife’s presence and saw her hovering inside the doorway bearing a tray and nodded for her to come in.
“Sonya made some tea.”
“With honey.” She smiled at the distraught young woman. “I’m assuming you’re spending the night?”
“Of course, she is.”
“I’ll go and see about turning down the covers.”
Before they could say anything, she left the room.
“I think I like her,” Cat said grudgingly.
“Do you now?” Robert asked with a pleased smile.
Lifting her head, she stared at him. “You’re happy with her.”
“You have no idea.” He nudged her towards the tray. “Drink the tea and let’s get you into bed.”
As soon as she was settled - he sat on the edge of the bed and held her hand. “Okay?”
She nodded, a smile on her lips. “The first person I wanted to see was you.” She admitted. “Brian was at the hospital and offered to take me home and stay with me, but I told him I wanted to see you.” Her fingers tightened on his. “Remember when I was just starting med school and how I told you I couldn’t do it?”
“I told you to get your ass in gear, because you’re going to be a doctor.”
She laughed softly. “I wanted you to feel sorry for me and coddle me the way you usually did. I was pissed and thought you had no idea what I was feeling. But then I recalled all the obstacles you faced and how you got through all of them. Have I told you that you are my hero?”
“I am nobody’s hero.” He told her grimly. “I did what I had to in order to survive.”
She gave him a disapproving look. “You’re my hero.” She repeated. “And nothing you say will make me think otherwise.”
“I’m too tired to argue with you.” Bending, he kissed her on the cheek. “Get some sleep. What time is your shift tomorrow?”
“Late afternoon.”
“Good. I’ll cook you breakfast.”
“Robert?” Her sleepy voice stopped him at the door.
“Yes?”
“I am happy you found someone.”
“So am I.”
Turning out the light, he closed the door behind him.
He found her in bed, wearing a black lace negligee trimmed with red piping. Just seeing her there propped up on the mounds of pillows, waiting for him made him want to dance with glee. Love poured through him like molten lava and left him shaken. So much so that he could not move.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” Forcing his feet to move forward, he walked swiftly into the room and took off his clothes.
“How is she?”
“Sleeping.” Not bothering to put anything on, he climbed in next to her and pulled her into his arms. “Thanks for helping out.”
“Will she be all right?” She breathed in his masculine scent and felt her senses spinning. The way he handled his sister and her situation had left her shaken with confused feelings coursing through her.
“I think so.” He rubbed his hand up and down her arm absently. “She blames herself.”
“Which is ridiculous.”
“I told her that.” He shifted so that he could see her face. “You knew exactly what to do.”
“When I was in college, a friend of mine swallowed a bottle of pills.”
“I’m so sorry.”
She nodded. “her home situation was far from ideal. Her dad was a doctor, a plastic surgeon and very popular, because he was one of the best. Her mother was a neurosurgeon, one of the top ones in her field. Lisa was supposed to follow in their footsteps of course.
But no matter how hard she tried; she couldn’t measure up. She studied, started taking drugs so that she could stay up all night to get that desired grade and it was still not enough.’ She shook her head sadly. “We were sharing the same apartment and one night I came home from a stint at a nursing home to find her already dead.”
“Jesus!” His arms tightened around her as if trying to absorb her loss. “What did you do?”
“She was lying there so peaceful that at first, I thought she was sleeping. I even made a joke about her finally turning off that brain of hers. When she did not respond, because she was always a light sleeper, I went further into the room and that’s when I saw the empty bottle of pills.
I just stood there in shock and afterwards, I tried to administer CPR, but it was too late. I called nine-one-one and they said she had been dead for two hours. I kept asking myself what more I could have done.”
Gripping her chin, he tilted her face up.
“There was nothing you could have done. She had already made up her mind.”
She nodded, “her parents – they were so damn cool about the entire thing. They came to see me and questioned me about her state of mind. Wanting to know what they did to deserve such a weak child. I wanted to slap them hard. I was so mad that I told them off and said that they were to be blamed.
They had pushed her into ending her life and they should be damned ashamed of themselves.” She blew out a breath and felt the pain of that period shimmering through her body. She had never spoken to anyone about what she went through except the grief counsellor.
But to her surprise, she found that she could talk to Robert about anything.
“What happened to them?”
“They ended up getting a divorce shortly after. “She smiled at him. “You probably know the man. He has been in and out of rehab several times now. Dr. Gray Lyttle.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawned. “His wife would be Althea Lyttle. She’s on the Board of Hope General.”
“And you’ve contributed quite a bit to their pediatric wing.”
“Yes.” He traced the outline of her bottom lip and felt when she quivered. “Tired?”
“No.” She whispered, suddenly wanting to feel him deep inside her. “Not at all.”