CHAPTER SIXTEEN
W ade stopped himself from pulling Riley into his arms. He doubted she’d appreciate the gesture after she’d gone to so much trouble trying to remain professional.
He and his brothers sat around the fold out table they’d set up in the barn. The exterior upgrades were now complete, but they still had to sort the interior. The first thing he wanted to do was get a kitchen installed for Riley.
“Okay.” Her shaky smile made his chest tighten.
“So, these are the main dishes I’ve come up with.
” Her hand waved over the contents of the table.
Piping hot plates filled to the brim, with an aroma that was already making his stomach growl.
“On the left are the staples. These will be what the staff are going to want to eat. Then here on the right are more guest focused dishes. Classics with a twist.”
“This looks amazing, Riley,” Zach exclaimed.
She thanked him shyly.
“Do we get to eat now?” Jonah asked before he got a thump in the chest from Wade. “Ow!”
“She’s not finished yet, man,” Matt informed Jonah on his behalf.
Riley jumped in, before his brother starved to death. “You can go ahead and eat. Next to each dish you’ll find an ingredients list. I’ve also made a note of local suppliers and some rough pricing.”
Damn she was good.
His brothers looked just as impressed as he was. Jonah in particular who was in charge of the books.
None of them wasted any time digging into the food. Satisfied noises echoing around the empty barn.
Matt didn’t bother to swallow before asking, “What’s this sauce?”
“It’s a red pepper coulis,” Riley replied. “I wanted something smoky but sweet that would complement the tangy goats cheese. Do you like it?”
“Do I like it?” Matt guffawed. “Sweetheart, I’m two bites away from getting down on one knee and asking you to marry me.”
“Hey!” Wade shot his brother a dirty look. “You just try it...see what happens.”
“Jesus.” Matt laughed. “Your face! Calm down loverboy. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
His panties were in a twist. Irrational jealousy had never been his thing, not until he met Riley. Now, he could easily beat his chest in anger if an unsuspecting male goes anywhere near her.
That’s normal.
He was well aware it wasn’t. But all he could do was at least try to not act like a caveman when the urge to beat his chest arose.
Ignoring his brother, he simply grunted and went back to his short-rib ravioli. Fucking heaven.
Contented hums continued for the next half an hour. There were only a few questions for Riley as she watched on patiently. Apprehension keeping her brows pulled together for far too long.
Wade looked to each of his brothers once they were done, his silent question acknowledged by a nod from all three men.
Jonah was the one to speak up first. “We love it, Riley. All of it. I’ll need to talk to the suppliers and run the numbers...but if they work, then we’d like to move forward with this menu.”
“Really?” Her elated squeal made his heart squeeze.
“Really, petal.” He couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “We also have a chef position open, if you’re interested?”
Rounded eyes went to him, before traveling to each of his brothers. “Me? But I...” He already knew what she was going to say, and Wade and his brothers had already discussed it. The job was hers if she wanted it. “I didn’t go to culinary school or anything. I’ve got no qualifications.”
“Darlin’, this feast here is all the qualifications we need.
” Zach’s tone was gentle. “You won’t be the only chef, we’ll get a sous chef in too, someone who’ll be able to cover days you’re not working.
And of course, there will be some kitchen staff to help out.
But it’ll be your kitchen. Your menu. You’ll run it. ”
As soon as Wade noticed her eyes swell, he was up off his seat. Two strides later and he was pulling her into his arms as she spoke into his chest.
“I just can’t believe you would take a chance on me like that.” She pulled back then, peering up at him, not hiding her disbelief. “It’s not because you’re having sex with me, is it?”
He smiled while his brothers sniggered like schoolboys. “No, baby, I’m not offering you the job because we’re having sex. Besides, it’s a family business, this is a joint decision. And the last time I checked; you weren’t sleeping with my brothers.”
Matt cleared his throat and started to say something, but Wade beat him to it. Twisting to face him he warned, “Don’t you fucking dare.”
More sniggers from his brothers rang out as he turned back.
Fucking children.
“You’re talented, Riley. This is what you should be doing. Seeing you in the kitchen...you shine. So fucking bright.”
Riley was on her toes, her hands wrapping around Wade’s neck as she tugged his head down. He was treated with a kiss so raw with emotion it stole his breath.
“Guys!” Matt sighed. “Can we at least pretend to be professional here?” Jonah and Zach were back to laughing. “We really need her to sign some sort of contract.”
Wade ignored his brothers and carried on kissing his woman. There was plenty of time to be professional. Right now, though, they were celebrating.
***
“Y es, Mom, a chef.”
That was the third time Wade had heard Riley say that to her mother. He was trying really hard not to get pissed off. The phone conversation he’d heard may have been one sided, but it didn’t take a genius to work out her parents weren’t reacting with the joy and pride Riley deserved.
Luckily, by the time Riley hung up, all it took was one look at how happy she was for his temper to wane.
Crawling onto his couch, she shuffled into him, even going as far as to lift his arm so she could shimmy under it.
“I still can’t believe I’m going to be getting paid to cook.” Her head dipped until she was snuggled into his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered, warming his insides.
Dropping a kiss to her head, he told her for the fourteenth time today, “You don’t need to thank me, petal. You got that job all on your own. At one point I thought Matt was going to cry tears of joy when he got a taste of your whipped blue cheese.”
Adorable giggles vibrated against his chest.
“Now that you’re officially our new chef, how do you feel about coming kitchen shopping with me and Zach next week?”
Riley jolted up, big eyes meeting his. “Really? I get to help choose?”
“It’s gonna be your kitchen .”
He must have said something right because the next thing he knew she was climbing onto his lap.
Giving him a kiss so sweet, he could swear he was getting high on sugar.
When she drew back, his throat clogged. It was too soon to feel what he was feeling.
It had only been a month. But he felt it nonetheless.
Maybe just don’t say it yet?
The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off. And with all the change coming her way over the next few months, it would be unfair for her to be distracted. He wanted her to enjoy every moment.
Besides, they were in a good place. There was no rush. He already got to see her most nights as he’d practically moved her into his house. And he wanted to enjoy every day too.
With that in mind, his fingers went around the back of her neck as he tugged her back into him. Then he went about kissing the hell out of her. Greedily lapping up every whimper as his other hand went under the thin material of her dress and straight to her ass.
It only took a few minutes of cupping supple flesh before his patience ran out. Easing back, his voice was deep as he ordered, “Clothes off.”
Here’s to living in the now.