Episode 105
EPISODE 105
A GOOD FLOGGING
Emily
Ariel and Sebastian’s shrimp and coleslaw is divine. It tickles my tastebuds with umami and spice and just the right mixture of textures. Already I know it will beat our callaloo…and I’m okay with that.
Because it will also keep Misty’s claws off River for another day.
But who’s to say that whoever does win won’t choose River? I may have been initially attracted to Sebastian and his celebrity good looks, but it’s River who’s occupying my mind. Probably because we’ve humped like we were the last two people on earth, and he’s a god in bed. Plus, Misty is obsessed with him, which keeps him at the top of my thoughts as well.
I take a sip of the dry rosé that perfectly accentuates everything about the appetizer. Ariel and Sebastian may just win this thing despite my unwitting interference. Who’s to say the others won’t be feeling sorry for Ariel? They may cast their votes her way.
Misty is at the other end of the table, across from Ariel. Alex sits between Misty and me, and he’s a lovely companion. I’m not usually drawn to the strong and silent type—unless his name is River Barrett—but I’m finding Alex to be not so silent. His conversation never falters, and though I don’t read a lot of fiction, I make a mental note to check out his bestsellers.
“Your dish is up next,” he says to me. “How do you think it will compare to this one?”
“It won’t. It’s greens, for goodness’ sake.”
He takes a sip of his wine and smiles. “I love greens. You don’t live in Louisiana without learning to appreciate greens of all kinds.”
“The callaloo is delicious,” I say, “but this appetizer was sublime.”
“It was,” he agrees. “But don’t sell yourself short.”
“I’m not.” I wipe my lips with my cloth napkin. “I’m selling the dish short. Even though it’s Katie’s favorite, and I’ll admit she taught us how to make it shine.”
He nods and then leans toward me. “You worked with Misty.”
She’s right next to him, but she’s not paying us a lick of attention. She’s actually talking quite a bit to Ariel rather than staring at River all night.
“Guilty,” I say. “Though it certainly wasn’t my idea. Not that any of us had a choice who we were paired with.”
He cocks his head, rakes his gaze over me. “I haven’t spent much time with Misty…or you. Would you like to take a walk later?”
I stop myself from widening my eyes. He’s right. He and I haven’t gotten to know each other at all. “That would be brilliant,” I say, polishing off the rest of my wine. “It seems you and Heather hit it off quite well during the cooking.”
He glances across the table to Heather and June, who sit across from us. They’re giggling and drinking and having what appears to be a splendid time.
“We did,” he says, sliding his finger around the rim of his wine goblet. “I’ve spent some…quality time with Heather.”
My neck heats. I’d forgotten about the Catamaran and the “no touch orgasm” game yesterday. Heather and Alex were paired together.
Seems like a lifetime ago.
“And did she enjoy that quality time?” I ask coyly.
He slides his tongue over his lower lip. “I didn’t hear any complaints.”
I open my mouth to accept Alex’s invitation when Chef Pierre clinks on a wine glass to get our attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you all enjoyed your appetizer. I want to thank Ariel and Sebastian, and of course Marc, one of my talented sous chefs, for preparing it.” He claps his hands.
We all join in.
“Bravo!” Heather hoots across from me.
Bravo? It should be brav i . Plural. Because there are two people being celebrated. But why would she know that? And why do I care? It’s not like Heather has any designs on River.
And again, even if she does, why do I care? Alex is the one who asked me on a moonlight walk. Well, a walk . He said nothing about moonlight.
When the clapping dies down, Chef Pierre lifts his glass. “I’m going to turn it over to Katie, my other talented sous chef, and let her introduce one of her favorite dishes.”
Katie, all smiles, begins touting the joys of greens. I’ve heard it all before, so I listen with only half an ear. Once she’s done, the staff serves our veggies. They’re plated on white porcelain, a mound of forest green with a drizzle of coconut milk and a sprinkle of toasted coconut. On the side is a lime wedge.
“Looks great,” Alex says.
“It does, actually,” I admit. “Though I had nothing to do with the presentation. That’s all Katie.”
“It smells pretty good too.”
He’s not wrong. The earthy and slightly tropical aroma wafts over me.
Once everyone is served, Chef again gives his spiel about judging each dish on its own merits before we dig in.
I doubt we have a chance even on the merits, but when I bring a forkful of the dish to my lips, even I’m surprised at how delicious it is.
Another staffer fills our second wine glass with a crisp sauvignon blanc, which is the perfect accompaniment.
Alex turns to me after swallowing his first bite. “Wow. You didn’t do this justice.”
“Maybe I didn’t,” I admit. “I tasted it while we were cooking, and it was good, but not this good.” I squeeze the lime over part of it and take another bite.
“The spices had a chance to soften and blend,” Alex says. “Dishes are always better after they’ve sat a bit.”
He’s right, of course. I take a sip of wine and then steal a diagonal glance at River, who’s taking his first bite.
Like it , I think to myself. Please like it.
Then, of course, I want to flog myself for caring.
I suppress a jolt when Alex firmly grips my knee under the table. I like his touch, but it was wholly unexpected. Especially when I’m pining for River to enjoy what I prepared.
My God, what has taken over me?
River hasn’t given me a look all day. My only consolation is that he hasn’t looked Misty’s way either.
He seems preoccupied.
And not with me.
So why should I spend time thinking about him? My God, I need a good flogging to get that cowboy out of my head. I take another look at the handsome author next to me. Might he have a flogger? I’m not one to submit, but I need something to get my mind off that cowboy.
I take another bite of the greens, and this time I let it float on my tongue. It doesn’t have the different textures of the appetizer, but it’s savory and spicy with a touch of creaminess that brings everything together in a near perfect balance of flavor. The zest of the lime only accentuates everything about the dish.
Perhaps Misty and I have a chance to win this thing after all—and without cheating.
I glance at Alex’s marble jawline, at the satisfied look of a man who’s enjoying what he’s eating.
Then I let my gaze wander to River, who’s not smiling, not looking satisfied, rather looking like his truck broke down and his dog died.
Fuck him and his broodiness. He may be an expert in bed, but out of bed counts for something too.
If Misty and I win? Perhaps we won’t choose the same date after all.