Chapter 6
RYDER
Now is not the time to explain the details of Venom and the restaurant I plan to open on the rooftop.
“There’s just a lot of details to figure out. For now, I’ll have you shadow Leonard in the kitchen, and he’ll get you involved wherever possible. Then, when you’ve proven yourself during a dinner service, we’ll talk about my newest venture.”
“Is it still in Manhattan?”
“Yes.” Her shoulders sag in relief. I wonder if she’ll still feel that way when I ask her to work in a kink club. I plan to get it started myself as head chef, so I know it would be an invaluable learning experience for her.
“First things first… let’s get you up and running at Dulip. You start tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Aspen. Your food is incredible, and I want to see how you do under pressure in the kitchen. No time like the present. Even the smallest task in a bustling kitchen carries stress when we’re at capacity.
” I’m not lying, but it will also give me time to figure out what needs to be included in an NDA, and what information will be given to employees who’ll work at Venom’s rooftop restaurant.
How do I say, ‘Come work for me at a sex club. You’ll probably see some fucked-up shit that will blow your vanilla mind, but the food will be great?’ At some point, a member of my staff will ask questions about how and why I acquired these new premises.
Aspen launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing me to within an inch of my life before pulling back and planting a kiss on my cheek. The atmosphere in the room changes, and my pulse starts racing.
The scent of her perfume is intoxicating, like a soft summer breeze with a hint of something darker. Delicious. Dirty.
I pull back just enough to meet her gaze as the rapid rise and fall of her chest betray her cool exterior.
But there’s no hiding the tension between us.
It’s electric, and all I want to do is kiss her.
I couldn’t even tell you the last time I would’ve been happy with nothing more than a kiss, but Aspen brings something out in me.
We barely know each other, and yet when I tasted her food today, it felt intimate.
We hover, our lips half an inch from one another until Aspen snaps out of it, putting some distance between us.
“Thank you for this chance, Chef Stevens.”
“You’re welcome, Aspen.” My breaths are shallow, adrenaline coursing through my veins at her proximity and our almost kiss only moments ago. “I have some paperwork to do, but I’ll see you back here at four.”
“I’ll be here. Thank you again.”
I head for my office, needing to put some much-needed distance between us. I’m in murky waters right now, and there could be any number of things hiding beneath the surface, waiting to drag me under.
After I guide Aspen to the exit and make sure she gets a cab, I head back inside and pull up a number on my phone—someone who will know exactly how to approach this.
“Hey, Ryder. What can I do for you?”
“Hey, Nad. I need some legal advice and help putting together a contract for employees who might be working in the rooftop restaurant at Venom.”
“I heard about that. So exciting. I can’t wait. You know Dalton and I are regulars at Dulip, but having that caliber of food at Venom will add so much to the club.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the support.”
“Do you want to meet later this week? That will give me time to flesh out a possible contract and any problems we could run into. Are we talking hypothetically, or is there staff you already have in mind?”
“Hypothetical for the most part. I have a possible sous chef to work alongside me, but I’m not sure she has the disposition to work at Venom.
” That’s an understatement. Even just having her work as my second poses a massive problem right now, because I’ve already imagined taking her right there in the kitchen and making her scream for Sir.
“Disposition? You mean you don’t exclusively hire Dominants and submissives?” She giggles. I’m glad all of my friends find my life choices amusing.
“I wish. This would be so much easier. How do I go about asking a prospective hire if they mind being around wall-to-wall kink?”
“Would they, though? I’d assume the restaurant would be similar to the bar on level one. No nudity or sexual acts on the floor.”
“That’s what Flex suggested, but considering food is a kink, I would like to cater to those that enjoy it.
“Okay, so you have to decide what is and isn’t acceptable. Not for the members but for your staff.”
“Right. I’ll have to think about it.”
“We can work on it together. Maybe we can meet with Dalton and Flex to discuss it in more detail.”
“Thanks, Nad. I feel like such a novice right now.”
“Would this have anything to do with the sous chef?”
“No.” It comes out curter than I intend. “Sorry. There’s a weird dynamic going on. She’s not part of our world, but her food is incredible. I want to give her a shot. She’s young and passionate, and I’d like to pay it forward.”
“I get it. Like I said, leave it with me for a few days. I’ll write up a basic framework, and we can set up a meeting at Venom this weekend. Does that work?” I can see why Dalton fell head over heels for Nadia. She’s amazingly smart.
“That would be great. Thanks, Nad. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. Any questions, just give me a call.”
“Will do. Have a great day.”
“You too.”
When I end the call, I start to wonder if giving Aspen an ‘opportunity’ at Venom would be a selfish endeavor.
Telling Nad that I want to pay it forward isn’t wrong, but it’s also not my only driving force.
Aspen is a beautiful woman with curves in all the right places.
But what turns me on even more is her passion for food.
I’m not a feeder, but I’m happy to feed myself using a woman’s body as my plate.
I won’t go there with Aspen. Her face is angelic—sweet and innocent. Perfect in every way. I’m well aware that she doesn’t belong in a place like Venom, but if I impose the right restrictions on Rooftop, then maybe I can make it work.
I lose myself in prepping for dinner service for the next few hours, pushing the image of Aspen cooking in my kitchen earlier today to the back of my mind. There’s a lot to do, and I have plenty to keep me busy.
As the staff start to appear, we fall into sync, my concentration fixed on the menu.
I almost convince myself that I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill until Aspen walks into the kitchen, dressed in her new whites.
Fuck me, she looks sexy. What I wouldn’t give to have her in my playroom wearing only her whites.
“I’m ready to be put to work, Chef. Where do you want me?”
Splayed out naked on this countertop so I can bury my face between your legs.
“Chef Stevens? Where do you want me?” Fuck. Get it together, Ryder.
“You’re with Leonard tonight. Watch, learn, and do whatever he needs assistance with. Don’t get in his way.”
“Yes, sir.” Jesus, this was a bad idea.
I pull Leonard to the side, making myself clear. “I do not want her under my feet. You keep her busy. Understand?”
“Isn’t she a server? Why is she here? Are you banging her?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not. She’s here because she cooked for me today, and it was better than anything you’ve ever made me. So, I suggest you keep your fucking opinions to yourself in the future. Got it?”
“Yes, Chef. It won’t happen again.”
“If it does, you’ll be looking for a new job.”
“Sorry, Chef.”
I send him on his way, my hackles up as I avoid Aspen like the plague.
This kitchen is my happy place, where I can let loose and create anything I want.
There is no expectation—at least not one I find intimidating.
The only other place in the world that makes me feel like me is Venom.
It’s why I need this new restaurant to be perfect.
If my worlds are going to collide, I have to make it work.
Leonard does as I ask, keeping his new shadow busy all night, and as far as she’s concerned, I’ve left her to it. In actuality, I’ve been keeping a close eye, seeing if she can handle the pressure.
By the end of the night, the kitchen staff has embraced Aspen—not an easy feat—praising her attitude under pressure. I watch entranced as she gladly accepts it. She thrives on praise. I wonder if the same would apply in the bedroom.
“Chef Stevens…” She appears at my side.
“What?”
“I’m sorry, sir. Have I done something to upset you?”
“As long as you do your job, we won’t have a problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I drop what I’m doing—like a total dick—and leave her to finish cleaning up with the rest of the staff. I need a fucking drink.
Before I head to the club, I instruct my driver to take Aspen home when she’s done. She can be pissy with me about it tomorrow, but he’s under strict instructions not to take no for an answer. If she wants to keep working in my kitchen, she’ll need to get used to it.
Walking to Venom gives me a chance to cool down. This is so unlike me, and who better to focus my attention on than a woman I know I can’t have? Someone who would never be in the lifestyle. It’s a pathetic cliché.
When I arrive at the club, I’m met with a sly nod from Eli toward the corner of the bar to where my ex sits cozied up with her new Dom. It’s just the kick in the teeth I didn’t need tonight. Choosing to ignore them seems like the best way to go.
“My usual, Eli, and keep them coming.”
“Sure thing, Ry. How’s business?”
“Good. I’m looking into opening a restaurant here at Venom.”
“Wow.”
“Can I pick your brain as someone who has come into this place without a lick of interest in the lifestyle?”
“Sure.”
“Did you consider rejecting Carter’s offer when you found out what kind of club Venom is?”
“Yeah. I think anyone would. It’s a lot to take in at first.”
“Why did you accept?”