Chapter Three.
Jessina
Dare texted that they were on the way. I frantically checked, then triple-checked that I had everything I needed ready. The menu wasn’t anything crazy, but I still spent most of the late afternoon and early evening with Dare’s best friend to perfect it.
“Jess?” I spin to face Leo and smile when he sets down the ice bucket containing the wine that will pair with the main course.
“Remember to breathe just like the wine.” He winks at me as he grabs his coat and leaves me standing alone in a silk robe in the kitchen of Yearn.
My hair and makeup took longer than the food prep. I had to make sure my hair was up and out of the way since I will be the plate tonight.
I learned how to make sushi and sashimi tonight from the area’s best Japanese chef. Leo and Dare have been best friends since high school, and when Leo needed the capital to start his restaurant, Dare became his silent partner.
It was intimidating working alongside an Iron Chef, but he was so patient with me, which I appreciated because my nerves had my belly tight in knots all day.
We made a dozen rolls, not all visually appealing, but I slowly got the hang of placing the rice and stuffing just right before applying the right amount of pressure while rolling the contents in the wooden devices.
We kept most of the items cold so that I didn’t risk burning myself while preparing or serving later. Ten different types of rolls with various dipping sauces, steamed buns warm in their bamboo container sitting on the table, fruit with whipped cream, and mint sherbet as a palate cleanser.
I arranged the entire spread in a heart shape so it would be easy to see and reach as they walked around the table. In the center of the heart was a cake that I baked with a surprise center.
That’s the one item I had no help in making today.
It’s my grandma’s recipe, and I know the guys love it. I’m just praying that the new addition is loved just as much. I get lost in my head, staring at the cake for a few minutes before shaking off my growing anxiety.
They love me. I have nothing to worry about.
“Time to plate this up.” I glance at the massage table I have set up next to the dining room table.
It’s higher and will display the food and me nicely.
I take off the robe and sit on the massage table before picking up the plates I’ll be balancing on my body.
I’m wearing a clear vinyl teddy that covers all the essentials and is easy to wipe clean, while still keeping food off my skin for sanitary reasons.
The fact that it’s see-through is purely for fun.
I add honey to the latex wear I’m placing the plates so that it sticks, hopefully avoiding anything falling off. I’ve just placed the last plates on my breasts, covering my nipples from view, when my phone dings.
That’s the two-minute warning, meaning they’ve entered the parking lot.
My heart rate jumps as I look around. If I forgot something it’s too late now.
I lay back and take a few deep breaths before telling the smart system that runs Yearn to turn off the lights, plunging me into darkness, to wait for the guys to find me.
The back door opens, and the sliver of moonlight pierces the room, making me hold my breath.
“What the hell? Is the power out?” I hear War’s voice, and my heart rate jumps.
The door closes with a deafening thud, and then I count their footsteps.
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Here we go.