He kissed her fingertips. “Of course. I’d expect nothing less. And I told you; I’m only interested in you. Mary and Damien.”
She let out a long breath. “All right then.”
“Does this mean you’ll be our personal chef while we work on the new album? Have you given it any thought?”
“This is serious. This is my business.”
“I know it is! I’m serious. I swear.”
She got out and he followed her into the house, steering her toward the couch. She kicked her shoes off and allowed him to get close. “It’s a real offer. Ezra is the person who suggested it, actually. So it’s not all about me having you near, though I can’t lie and say that’s not attractive.”
She gave him a look before snorting and reaching for a nearby pad and pen.
“Here’s what I’m willing to do. I’ll come down four days a week. I need to be up here on the weekends for supper club anyway. I’ve decided to hold off on all but weekend catering gigs for a bit of time. But I’m looking into the food-delivery personal chef thing I told you about. I’ve got two clients already. Anyway, it means I can take off four days a week to be in Hood River.”
He tucked the hair back away from her face. “Are you going to be all right? That sounds like an awful lot of work.”
She softened, leaning into his touch. “I’m good. Thank you for worrying about me. I’m still trying to figure out what to do with my business. I’m experimenting, and having the income from the personal chef stuff and your job enables me to do it.”
“You are going to allow us to pay real rates, right? Because we normally eat junk food and takeout and whatever my mom feels sorry enough to make for us. We’re sort of wretched when we’re recording so she stays away a lot.”
“You will pay my standard rates. I’ll get free room and board anyway and you’ll pay for the food. Fair enough?”
“Good. Yes.”
“Particulars? What are your hours? I mean do you work on a set schedule? Or what?”
“We work from about eleven to about, say midnight. Some days it goes much later and starts later the next day. But Ezra and Paddy are super-anal about staying on task. Our last record took three weeks to make. The one before that was six weeks.”
She nodded, scratching out notes. “There’s a kitchen in the barn right?”
He nodded and she kept writing.
“All right. For my fee, I’ll make you guys three meals and two snacks. I’ll talk with the others to see what they like and then give you a menu in advance. You have three days to submit changes. After that, if you don’t like grapes or whatever, pick them out.”
He grinned, leaning in to steal a kiss and then another. “I love it when you’re stern.”
“Hm. I’m working here, so back off.”
He did, but he kept grinning.
“When I come back up here on the weekends, I’ll leave you all enough food to last the weekend. If you’d prefer, I can set up a buffet a few times a day and you can graze as you please.”
“I’ll let you decide after you talk with the rest. What else do you need? Will you be a lady of leisure while you’re not making us awesome food? You’re welcome to sit in while we work. You may not want to. It gets . . . intense sometimes. You’re welcome to ride horses or whatever too.”
“I’m going to spend the time when I’m not with you all working on recipes for my book.”
“Awesome. In my kitchen? Even better.”
“We’ll see. I don’t know if it’ll sell. But it seems to me a great opportunity to work on it while I’m getting paid.”
She was practical. It was an attractive quality.
“I’ll drive down Sunday night after the supper club and come home Thursday night.”
“No, you won’t. I’ll fly you up and back. No, don’t argue. I will worry about you the whole time if you drive. You can leave your car here and use mine when you’re at the ranch. Consider it part of your pay.”
It would be nice not to have to face a long-ass drive after supper club or on Thursday night up to Bainbridge.
“Okay. If you’re sure it won’t interrupt your work schedule.”
“So we have a deal?”
“Yes.”
He took the pad and pen, setting them aside, and then shook her hand. Then he sat back and gave her the look. Oh, that look of his. She was in trouble, but it was the good kind.
“So, I was thinking about how the traditional handshake really seemed boring.”
“That so?”
“Yeah. I think sealing the deal in a whole ’nother way would be much more fun.”
“Why do I get the feeling your idea involves nakedness?”
“Because you know me really well. I’d like to know you even better. In a carnal sense.” He crawled over her as she lay back on her couch.
“I’m perfectly all right with that.”
He kissed her lazily because they had time.
He kept from lying totally against her, holding himself away because the lure of her body would have rushed him and he wanted to cruise around the kiss. Wanted it to be a lazy Sunday-afternoon drive instead of a race.
She sighed into his mouth, her palms sliding up his arms, up over his shoulders. It made him hot that she dug his body the way she did. Made him feel invincible to be desired by a woman like her. Not just for his talent and his personality or whatever, but that sort of raw greed for his body.
She opened to him easily, nipping his bottom lip, laving the sting enough to chip away at his resolve.
He managed to hold on until she pushed on his shoulders. When he pulled back, breaking the kiss, she scrambled up, pulling her shirt up and off, bending and tossing her underpants off to the side, leaving her in a skirt and her bra.
Struck dumb, he kept motionless until she tossed the bra over her shoulder. Then he moved to sit and she straddled his lap.
“Are you going to ravish me?”
She nibbled on his earlobe and then down his neck. “Yes, I think so.” Then she grabbed his belt and made quick work of getting his jeans open and his cock out.
“I think you should be nice and ready first.”
The smile she gave him sent shivers through his system.
“That so?”
She traced his lips and then he sucked her fingers into his mouth. She leaned in close. “Get them wet.”
He groaned and she caught her lip between her teeth. Which was hot enough to watch until she flicked her fingertips over her nipples, which hardened under her touch.
One hand slid down her belly and up under her skirt. He couldn’t see what she was doing there, but he knew. In his head, he knew her fingers played against her pussy, dipping inside and then back up to her clit.
Imagining it may have been as hot as watching it. And he liked to watch plenty well. The peekaboo nature of her hand, out of sight, and the fingers on her nipple made him so hard he ached.
“Are you wet?”
“Mmm hmm.” She hummed, her head falling back, spilling that mass of dark curls all down her shoulders.
He surrounded her fingers on her nipple with his own, and then moved to the other nipple. He tugged the way he knew she liked. Knew she got hotter and wetter.
One of his hands followed the path she’d taken earlier, first suiting up because when she came he planned to get in her cunt as soon as possible. And then he slid up under that skirt and to her pussy. He traced circles around her gate as she worked her clit, slowly easing in and back out. Over and over until she came in a hot rush against his palm, her head dropping on his shoulder as he embraced her.
“Now then.”
All her post-climax lethargy wisped away when he pressed into her in one quick, hard thrust, filling her in a way that was familiar and yet exciting. She knew his shape and size and her body adjusted as it welcomed him.
But he wasn’t content to let her set the pace. Instead, he kept controlling hands at her waist, holding tight, guiding her up and down at
his speed.
Not that she had any complaints. There was something so incredibly hot about the way he did it, about the way he moved her exactly how he wanted. All that laid-back sexuality sort of exploded into something else. Something harder and more raw. And that worked too.
It really, really worked.
What worked even better was the way he walked his fingers over to her pussy and made her come twice more until she was nearly boneless, totally wet and sensitized. Then he began to thrust up as he pulled her down. Harder and harder, sending her breasts to bouncing and a flush working over her skin.
And then he came, her name a snarl, his teeth finding her shoulder, sinking in until she gasped. Not from pain.
“That’s what I call sealing the deal.” He kissed her chin, then her lips.
21
So starting November fourth I’m going to be in Hood River four days a week. I’ll be back for supper club first thing Friday or late Thursday and I’ll leave again Sunday night.”
Daisy looked over from where she’d been hanging a new piece of art to replace the one she sold the day before. “Wow.”
“I told you he asked me to be their personal chef while they worked on their new album.”
“You did. And you said you were trying to figure out the catering gig thing too. What about that?”
Daisy didn’t word it in an accusatory way at all.
“Local jobs are good. I earn plenty at them. But when I have to go to Seattle it costs me more in time and gas, travel, all that stuff. I’ve been looking over my numbers and for most of my jobs, like dinner parties and that sort of thing, I’m only barely making more than even. And with traffic and the ferry and all that, it eats up a lot of time. Plus, you know, I’m sort of sick of people like Kathy Bonebright.”
“I can’t even with that woman. Such a bitch.”
“Yes, but your life now means you have to deal with people like her more often. And you soldier on. Because you love Levi.”
Daisy blushed. “Honestly, with the exception of a few, mostly people have been nice. It’s probably because they’re afraid of Levi’s mom and Jonah. Levi told me Jonah cut this woman who he overheard talking about me to her knees. Not literally of course, he’s way too smooth to need to resort to that. He’s got such a way about him. If you think Levi is an alpha male, you just need to spend a few minutes with Jonah Warner to know the true meaning of alpha male.”
Jonah Warner was indeed one hunky alpha male. That Levi’s older brother had Daisy’s back made Mary happy.
“Anyway, so I spoke with those two folks who had approached me about being their personal chef. I’m going to be doing prepared meals for them. They’ll come pick them up here on Saturdays. I’ll make a week’s worth in advance. I’m holding off on non-Bainbridge catering gigs for now. And trying to stick to weekends only.”
“So do you foresee this personal chef thing as a long-term goal?”
“I don’t know. I love making food. I love the supper club but I don’t know if I’d want to do it every day like with a restaurant, you know? And I like catering, but there’s not a huge margin of profit for me once I deal with staff and all that stuff. Being a personal chef would be interesting, but I don’t know if I’d want it in the long term. But I’m trying it both ways. Down in Hood River with Damien and then up here with the pre-prepared meals. I have the time and the opportunity to try things out. I’m going to take that gift.”
Daisy nodded. “All right, that totally makes sense.”
“And while I’m not working for Damien, I’ll be working on the cookbook.”
Daisy’s eyes lit. “So exciting!”
“We’ll see. I want to do it either way. If my agent can’t sell it, I may do some small print runs and sell it here at Tart and via mail order. I have no idea if it’ll fly. People may not care a bit about my recipes. But I have the time so I’m going for it. When it’s a little more defined I’m going to talk with Gillian about some marketing and logos and stuff.”
Gillian was an amazing graphic designer. She’d done the branding for Tart and Mary loved it. She’d done some stuff for Luxe when Mary had run the truck so it was natural she’d go back for the cookbook.
“And this will give you an idea if this thing with Damien can work. I mean if you’re down there more. Living with Levi is a new challenge. I mean it’s good, don’t get me wrong, but seeing him every day is different now that we’re living in the same place.”
“I get the feeling being around a band while they record an album is stressful. So I’m trying to remember that part. It’s exciting, but I’m scared. What if I’m not enough?”
Daisy came over, taking Mary’s hands. “You’re everything. The more I’m around Damien, the more I like him. The more I can see he’s all about you. Give it a chance. I like how you’re using this as a way to explore lots of new avenues in your life. You’re smart. You’re talented. You’re strong. You’re beautiful, and of course he digs you. How could anyone look at you and not see what an incredible catch you are?”
“Because he’s got access to everything. He’s got money. He’s got women who literally throw themselves at him. I’m bitchy and peculiar and I’m not willing to give up my whole life to be with him, and so many would.”
“He could have had those women but he wants you. Don’t underestimate yourself. My god. Baby, you’re spectacular. Not just to look at, but everything about you. He doesn’t want any of that other stuff. He’s all about you. Accept that.”
That was it really. She needed to really accept it. She was deep in super-duper like with him. She thought about him all the time. He’d never done anything to her but be kind and giving. She had to believe it.
“I’m trying. It’s odd, thinking about being away half the week. I’m going to miss this.”
Daisy hugged her. “We’ve all spent time with our dudes, falling in love and all that jazz. It’s your turn. And that’s good too. I’ll still see you three days a week. And that’s pretty damned good.”
* * *
She arrived two days early and set about her work. Damien was busy enough preparing for recording that he didn’t have too much time to obsess over her being there in his kitchen. But it made him unbelievably fucking happy every time he came into the house and took a deep breath.
Her cooking smelled so ridiculously good. Garlic and onion, savory and sweet, whatever she made filled the air and made his stomach growl. He’d cruise through, she’d hand him something to taste and he’d oblige.
It was so damned good. Not just the food, but the way it made him feel to have this with her. To know he’d see her every single week. Days of every single week.
He usually went into recording with a lot of stress, but this time was different. That first day when he cruised in to the barn at eleven, he was relaxed from a nearly two-hour-long sex fest with his woman. He’d left her rumpled and sleepy in his bed. He knew her scent would be on his sheets like it was on his hands.
“Someone got some this morning.” Paddy looked up from his spot on the floor. He’d been placing his pedals in his own way. His guitar was on his lap as he tested the sound.
“I don’t kiss and tell.” He pulled his hair back and into a ponytail before wrapping several drumsticks.
Ezra was doing double duty in the booth and would also be doing backup guitar on the tracks. He had a phone to his ear even as he spoke to their producer and sound tech while they fiddled around with the board.
Vaughan strolled in, tipping his chin. “Where’s the food? I really only came for that.”
“She’ll be up in two hours but she wanted me to remind you all there are snacks in the kitchen. She even made juice and withheld her frown when she saw how many sodas I’ve already had today.” Damien grinned as he tested his sound through his headphones.
“You need to lock that shit in and marry her. Otherwise it’s back to Doritos and stuff.”
“Don’t say that around her. She’s nervous enough. You g
o talking marriage and you’ll scare her away.”
“Don’t fuck it up like I did.” Vaughan tuned his bass.
“Let’s get this show on the road, losers.” Paddy stood, ready to go.
“Let’s make a record.”
She came in quietly through the door to the kitchen. She didn’t want to interrupt their work. More than that, she was in her own head space from cooking.
She loved his kitchen so much. It was a total joy to work in that space. It was large and bright, there was more than enough counterspace, double ovens, convection oven, six-burner stove, separate grill.
It was like Disneyland in there.
Smiling, she set up their lunch. Today she was starting them off with a taco bar of sorts. Spiced and marinated tofu and veggies for Paddy; shrimp, whitefish and steak for the others with a variety of toppings.
For dessert she’d made a quick and easy strawberry kiwi granita. Not high in sugar, but would give them something sweet and full of energy for the afternoon.
Once she set up she left as quietly as she’d come in. She’d set up on a schedule and they’d smell it. If they wanted her to break in and tell them, Damien would let her know. She’d come back in an hour to clean up.
The freedom of this new schedule was pretty awesome, she had to admit. She had plans to work on a curry recipe that afternoon. She’d been fiddling with it for the last few days and was very close to being finished.
Sharon had asked her to come up to the main house anytime she wanted. And she would, but for the next few days it would be nice to just settle in to this new routine.
And she couldn’t deny how wonderful it had been to reunite with Damien. He’d been in New York on some publicity stuff. Originally it was supposed to be just Paddy but their manager had talked them all into going.
But he’d sent her texts and pictures and had called. It hadn’t been too different from when he was in Hood River and she’d been in Bainbridge, but he’d shown her a hearty welcome when he’d picked her up two days before.
She smiled at the sight of Violet trotting toward her.