Chapter 8 #2
“That would be against every health and safety protocol that exists. I assure you, it will be the same as working in my kitchen here at Dulip. The same level of skill, standards, and professionalism will be expected of every employee. The restaurant can be accessed without entering the club itself.”
“Oh.” I’m not sure if she’s relieved or disappointed.
“I know this is a lot to consider, so take a few days and think about it before giving me an answer.”
“Can I see the premises? I want to know where I’d be working.”
“Yes, but it will require another NDA issued by the club to gain entry.”
“I’ve signed one. Why not throw caution to the wind and sign a second?” she says with a sweet smile.
I’m going to hell.
“Okay. When you’re done tonight, I can take you over there if you’d like.”
“I don’t finish until midnight.”
“The club is just livening up at that time. If it’s past your bedtime, we can do it on your night off.”
“I’m a night owl. I am perfectly fine going tonight.” The tremble in her voice gives her away. She’s putting on a brave face, but she’s nervous.
I settle back in my chair, considering her for a moment. “Come back to my office after closing, and we’ll go.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be ready.”
“Good girl.” Fuck. “I mean, very well. Now, get to work. The onions aren’t going to sauté themselves.”
I busy myself with the papers on my desk until she takes her leave.
This is a terrible idea. I don’t know what it is about her, but I’m almost tongue-tied.
And yet, I find myself saying all the wrong things.
I can’t slip up like that again, calling her a good girl.
I’ve never been so unprofessional in my life, and I don’t understand why.
I’ve bedded and dominated plenty of beautiful women, and I’m always self-assured and in complete control.
Maybe it’s because I know she’s an innocent little thing, or it’s as simple as the fact that her body was made for sin.
Her lips are sumptuous, her curves voluptuous, and her tits—they would look so fucking good if I came all over them.
Jesus Christ.
I pull my phone out and type a quick message.
Me: Hey, man. I’m coming over after Dulip closes tonight to take a look at the restaurant space. Are you available?
Flex: You’re welcome to go up there alone. There are no workmen around.
Me: I need a buffer. I’m bringing a prospective chef to take a look at the space.
Flex: Is this the hot piece of ass you were talking about last week? You finally told her about the club?
Me: She just left my office. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, bro. I called her a good girl.
Flex: Holy fuck! That’s hot.
Me: It’s unprofessional. I just skimmed right past it and hoped that she didn’t pick up on it. So, will you help me keep my foot out of my mouth tonight?
Flex: Sure.
Me: Thanks. We’ll be there just after twelve. A tour of the club won’t be necessary, so we’ll just meet you up there.
Flex: Where’s the fun in that?
Maybe I should’ve asked Dalton or Pierce to accompany us. Flex will definitely try to embarrass me.
Me: I’m serious. I need to keep this professional.
Flex: Why? Because you really want to fuck her?
Me: Because I’m a businessman with a reputation for excellence. I won’t sully it in the name of corrupting an innocent young woman.
Flex: They’re the best ones to corrupt.
Me: Forget it. I’ll just go it alone.
Flex: I’m just kidding. I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.
Me: Yeah, right. There’s no way you were a scout.
Flex: I was for a week. Then, they kicked me out for trying to bed the troop leader’s daughter.
Me: Sounds about right. I’ll see you tonight. And please don’t say anything inappropriate.
Flex: Fine. You’re no fun when it comes to business.
Me: That’s why I’m so successful.
Flex: Are you sure your ego will fit in the elevator?
Me: It might be difficult considering yours will be there, taking up all the room.
Flex: You know it. Later, bro.
Me: Later.
It’s going to be fine. In and out. I’ll walk her around the space to give her a feel for it. She’ll see that it’s just a restaurant like any other, and it won’t be an issue. As long as I keep it in my pants, we’ll be fine. She’s too good a cook for me to mess this up.
I can’t sit in this office all night, and I sure as shit don’t want to schmooze my wealthy patrons, so I don my chef’s whites and head for the kitchen. Although I can’t escape Aspen in the kitchen, I can shut out everything else and focus my mind on why I do all of this in the first place. Cooking.
As I stride into the kitchen, everyone’s eyes are on me, but the only person my presence will affect is Leonard.
“Leonard, you’re taking the night off.”
He quickly pulls me aside, his lips in a stiff line. “What’s going on?”
“You’re getting a free night off. I need to be in here, so go and enjoy your evening. It’s not often that I offer time off with pay. I just really need to cook tonight.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It is. So, get out of my kitchen,” I say with a jovial smirk.
“Yes, Chef.”
Without another word, I go to work, taking control of my kitchen. “Aspen, you’re going to be my right hand. Get over here and watch my every move, do as you’re told and learn what it takes to run this ship.”
She doesn’t question me as a heartfelt smile spreads across her impossibly pretty features. “Yes, Chef.”
My staff is a well-oiled machine, everything flowing with practiced ease as we work through dinner service. There’s only one thing better than this, and the keycard is in my back pocket.
As orders come in, I put Aspen to work, always aware of where she is and what she’s doing.
It’s like a tangible tether I don’t understand, but she’s efficient and skilled as she takes on every task thrown her way during a hectic service.
Saturday night is always mayhem, but that’s where I thrive. It’s always been a breath of fresh air.
A bustling restaurant kitchen is about pressure and perfection for me.
It’s a skill to command staff while executing my dishes to the standard I expect, and I love every minute of it.
It’s the difference between a good cook and a great chef.
There are so many moving parts, and as I orchestrate my staff, a rush of adrenaline courses through me.
I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this.
Throughout the night, a few patrons ask to speak with the chef, and I oblige, navigating the restaurant to say a quick hello and thank them for their compliments.
It used to piss me off when I got dragged from my happy place.
Don’t people realize that I have other customers to feed?
I was hotheaded in the beginning, but I’ve learned to take everything in stride.
My staff is capable and talented enough that I can take a few minutes to accept well-wishes and praise from diners.
When I walk back into the kitchen, Aspen seems to have slipped into my role, working the specials, talking with staff to ensure the timing is right so that tables receive their dishes at the same time.
This girl has balls. Or she’s arrogant as hell. But from what I know of her, I don’t see that being an issue.
What surprises me more than anything is the sight of my sous chef falling in line with her.
She’s been a shadow in this place for over a month, and yet he’s listening to her instead of stepping up in my short absence.
Tony is an amazing sous chef, but watching him now confirms why I didn’t consider him as a possible head chef for Venom.
Some people are leaders, and some are followers. Tony is a follower.
Aspen steps aside to give me back the reins with nothing more than a curt nod.
I resume the rest of the dinner service until closing and help with the kitchen’s deep clean before leaving for Venom.
I’ve never been above getting dirty when it comes to the cleanliness of my restaurant.
I’m just trying to earn a living like everyone else in this place.
For me, it’s a privilege that I can help every staff member in this place put food on their families’ tables.
From the janitor to the head chef, every role is crucial to what I’ve built here at Dulip, and now it’s time to do it all over again for Venom.
Regardless of my ties to Venom, I will ensure that every customer has the absolute best dining experience I can provide because that’s who I am.
I head for my office to freshen up and change out of my whites. Aspen appears in the doorway as I reach for my T-shirt, startling me with a sharp intake of breath at the sight of me.
Her eyes are fixed on my naked chest, her cheeks flushing when she realizes I’m well aware of her staring. The rapid rise and fall of her chest betray her attempt at propriety.
“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll wait out in the restaurant.”
“No need.” I pull on my T-shirt and revel in the small flash of disappointment on her face. Maybe she’s more of a vixen than I give her credit for. “You did well tonight.”
She keeps her eyes to the floor. A perfect submissive stance. “Thank you, Chef. It was an honor to work alongside you.”
I grab my wallet and keys. “Let’s talk and walk. It’s not far from here.” I look to her shoes. Heels that could make a man beg. “Or we can get a cab.”
“Walking is fine with me.”
“Okay.” I love walking through the restaurant at the end of the night, a stark contrast to the bustling dining room only an hour ago. It’s a thing of beauty, and I do some of my best thinking in this empty room.
When the place is locked up and we fall in step together on the sidewalk, the silence is deafening.
“You took charge tonight when I was in the dining room. That’s impressive.”
“I didn’t mean to step on Tony’s toes. Honestly, I didn’t even think about it. Will he be pissed at me?”
“For a start, don’t swear. Your mouth is far too pretty for cursing.” Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. “Anyway… if Tony didn’t step up, someone had to. It shows you’ve got a natural predilection for leadership.”
“Really?”
“Yes. There’s a reason he’s not on his way to see this new venture with me right now. He’s amazing at what he does, but he’s not a leader.”
“I did wonder why you weren’t lining him up for this role.”
“It’s not the only thing I took into consideration. I need to know that Dulip will continue to run the way it is. I can’t have the caliber drop. The current staff works well together. Rather than split them and have to worry about two restaurants, I will craft a new staff from scratch.”
“Starting with me?” The trill of her voice is filled with trepidation.
“If you say ‘yes.’ And I hope you will. You showed great promise tonight, and I would love to help you hone your skills.”
A shy smile creeps at her lips as we meander the remaining block to Venom.
“We’re here. Are you ready?” I turn to face her, entertained by her bemusement.
“It’s an office building.”
“What did you think it would look like? A den of iniquity with a neon, devil-red sign out from saying ‘kink?’ It’s not a brothel.”
“I just expected… I don’t know. Something. This just looks so… normal.”
“Oh, baby girl, how I would like to show you what lies beneath the surface of normal.” I rumble under my breath.
“What?” She turns to face me, the rapid rise and fall of her chest suggesting that she heard every word. Shit.
“Nothing. Let’s get this over with.”