Consume Me (11 page)

“Do you need some medical assistance,” the conscientious flight attendant asked.

Errol shook his head.  “She’ll be all right as soon as I can get her home.  Thank you.”

As they waited for their luggage, he called to have his sports car brought around.

“I don’t have any luggage,” Tar droned as she stood at his side.  “I only had the carry-on.”

Startled to hear her speak after a prolonged and tortured silence, Errol looked at her.  “Tar, you feeling okay now?”

“I want to go home, Errol.”

“It won’t be long.  I’ll get my bags and I’ll bring you straight to Sam’s.”

He mentally set aside the plans he’d had for them.  After such a long and tense flight, he longed to curl up with her in bed.  He longed to hold her tight, to feel her skin against his, to kiss every inch of flesh, but his carnal need of her would have to wait.

As he waited for his luggage to make its way down the conveyor belt, Tar leaned heavily into him and he could feel her exhaustion.  The weekend had been difficult and she was now paying the price.  Hopefully being home would have her back to her cheerful self in no time.

With his luggage in hand, he led her out to his car.

“Do you think your mom will still be at Sam’s?” he asked, not so much because he needed to know, but just to keep her talking and awake.

“I’m sure she is.  Unless she really had a difficult weekend.  She said she was feeling better these days.”

He drove through the familiar streets of New York, directing his sleek sports car to safe and familiar ground for Tar.  The moment he turned into her neighborhood, she perked up, her eyes brightened and the darkness of her nightmares left her.

“It’s good to be home,” he offered.

She turned to him and smiled as she laid her hand over his on the stick shift.  “I’m sorry I’ve been so difficult.”

He shrugged.  “Easy is boring.  You’re a challenge, and I love it.”

Another few turns and he pulled up in front of the restaurant.  Errol couldn’t help but note the stark contrast between his high end design and state of the art restaurants and the older model brick and mortar restaurant that had seen little change over the years.  The sign baring Taryn’s mother’s name was at least fifteen years old and as he followed Tar inside, he guessed the furnishings weren’t much newer.

The numerous patrons, however, didn’t seem to mind at all.  They were completely enamored with the delicious food on their plates and the animated conversations emphasized the conviviality of the restaurant.  It was the type of place that attracted people who wanted to have good food with good friends and enjoy a good time.  The scents and sounds that filled the air made him wish he was seated at one of the tables.  He considered some of the haute cuisine restaurants he’d been to over the years; where food was artfully plated, the ingredients pricey and rare, and the patrons often times quiet and stiff.  Maybe he should consider a blend of great food with a warmer atmosphere for his next restaurant. 

Sam’s exuded a warmth and comfort he’d never experienced before; a sense of coming home, and as they made their way toward the back of the restaurant the sense of warmth filled him.  The moment he heard Sam’s voice coming from the kitchen, giving orders to his Benicoise crew, he knew where that warmth and comfort came from.  Even as she bossed the crew around, she did so with a calm, generous and respectful hand.  She made herself clear without being condescending, as many top chefs, including himself, were guilty of.  She had her needs met without belittling her employees.  She made them feel like part of the family as opposed to a paid worker.

“Mom,” Tar called out as she made a beeline for the kitchen.

Glancing at Tar, he realized he felt that same warmth and comfort with her, although there was something notably different. 

Bobby, donning a chef’s jacket and hat, was busy at a workstation whisking the contents of the bowl in his hand.  Impressed by the young man’s growth since first meeting him, Errol smiled.  Seemed the young Casanova really knew his way around the kitchen, something that hadn’t been evident when Errol had lectured Bobby’s class.

“Tar!” Sam shouted as she spotted her daughter.  Turning her back to her crew, she hurried to Tar and pulled her into her arms.  “What are you doing back so soon?  I thought you were going to spend the week in Paris.”

“I told you I wouldn’t leave you alone for that long.”  Tar pulled back enough to look into her mother’s eyes.  “Besides, I already missed you.”

Sam’s warm laughter filled the kitchen.  “Right… in Paris with your new boyfriend and you’re eager to come home to your old ma.  Care to tell me another story?”  She glanced beyond Tar and noticed Errol.  “Oh, I see.”

“Hello, Mrs…”

“Sam.”  She held out her hand for a handshake, then pulled Errol in for a hug.  “I didn’t know you were coming back with Tar.”

“Hey, what are you guys doing here?” Bobby called, still whisking away.

“Hey, Chef Bobby,” Tar said.

Beaming with pride, Bobby whisked even faster.

“See,” Sam said.  “There was no reason for you to rush back. Bobby’s trying out his new culinary talents on my patrons.  I’ve had more help this weekend than I know what to do with.”

“Well, I’m happy to be back all the same.”

With a flourish, Bobby put the finishing touches to his dish and popped it in the oven.  “Did you leave the most romantic city in the world to come home and watch your baby brother make it big in the culinary world?”

“Word of your
boeuf en croute
made it all the way to Paris and I had to rush back to taste it,” she teased.

Bobby jutted his chest out, but glared as he saw Errol.  “You brought your French toast back with you?”

“Bobby,” Sam quickly reprimanded.

“What?” he said defensively.  “Something must have happened to make her come back so quick and just look…”  He pointed at Errol’s face.  “Look at the guilt written all over his face.”

“Bobby!” Tar spat.

“Sorry.  No offence, but a guy’s gotta watch out for his women.”  He put a protective arm around his mother.

“Hey,” Errol said with a chuckle.  “I can understand you wanting to protect your sister.”

While the kitchen bustled with hectic activity, the foursome was suddenly cloaked in uncomfortable silence for what seemed an eternity.

Why did Bobby insist on being so mistrustful?  Did Taryn’s entire family have issues of trust?  They should know by now just how much he loved her.  She should know he would never do anything to hurt her.  Grinding his teeth, he tried to find the words that would convince them he was trustworthy. God, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Taryn. She had his heart.

It was hard to believe that only his old reputation was responsible and the more he thought about it, the more he suspected an outside influence.  And just as the name of that outside influence came to him, Matt walked in.

Of course, Errol thought.  Matt, the old friend, the friendly fireman, the ever present, reliable gentleman… and judging by the hungry look in his eyes, the man who wanted very much to win the heart of Taryn Cummings at all costs.

What had the nice looking and somewhat insipid fireman said to Taryn in his absence. More than anyone Errol knew the stories a man could spin when he wanted to woo a woman.  A few conquests of his past had been won by spreading an unfavorable word about a rival.

All’s fair in love…, he thought wryly as he set a possessive arm around Taryn’s shoulders and smiled as amiably as he could considering the dislike he harbored for the young man.

“Tar!” Matt exclaimed as he rushed to Tar, and despite Errol’s possessive hold, he picked her up and squeezed her in a bear hug as he twirled her around.  “When did you get back?  I thought you were gone for a week or so.”  He put her down and looked longingly into her eyes.

“You know I can’t stay away from Sam’s too long.” Taryn smiled up at handsome firefighter giving her lovelorn puppy dog eyes, which Errol nearly wanted to poke out.

Matt gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, but, chaste or not, Errol stepped in and pulled Tar to his side.  His lips parted with the intention of reminding the young man that Taryn was his fiancé, but he pressed them tightly together and remained silent.

“Or is it that things didn’t go as planned in Paris?”

“Matt!” Tar said.  “How can you say that when Errol is standing right in front of you?”

“Right,” Matt said, shoving his fingers through his hair.  “Nice of you to bring Tar all the way back home.”

Errol nodded and muttered, “Of course.”

“After all, it appears you have a rather busy schedule, being a world class chef with his own cooking show. It mustn’t be easy for you to get away and take proper care of the ones you love.”

While the words might have seemed innocent enough on another person’s lips, Errol understood the venom behind the calmly spoken words. Squeezing Tar against him, he grinned. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make my beautiful fiancé happy… happy and secure.”

Far from returning Errol’s forced grin, Matt’s hard glare remained steady as he crossed his arms and parted his powerful legs in a stance that spoke volumes about his feelings about Errol and his fiancé.

Errol’s gaze traveled quickly over Matt’s oversized biceps and strong stance.  Rarely given to moments of inferiority, he gritted his teeth as he considered the time a fire fighter had to work out and keep in shape whereas his profession had him standing at a counter and tasting rich and creamy dishes.

“Well, I certainly hope you’ll keep her wellbeing in mind regardless of the work schedule you have.”

“Taryn means the world to me and I’ll make sure she knows it every single day.”

Tar looked from one contemptuous man to the other.  “Okay, so now that my happiness has been taken care of for all time…” She nodded at Matt while tugging at Errol.  “I have a few suitcases to unpack and I want to relax and get settled in.”

“Rough flight?” Matt asked.

“Yeah, you look like hell,” Bobby injected. “I heard jetlag could be rough, but… maybe a nice long nap and hot shower will set you right.”

Tar shot him a playfully irritated glance.  “Actually, the flight was fine and I had plenty of sleep, but thanks for the suggestion all the same. Truth is, I just want to get home.”

“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.  I’m just trying to give you a heads-up.  I mean, you're a good looking girl, even if you are my sister, but even you need freshening up every now and then.  Take it from me, men want their woman to look and act like a lady… and smell like one, too.  Unshaved armpits might be the big thing on the other side of the pond, but here… you’ve got to keep your looks up.”

“Thanks, little brother.”

“As it turns out, Bobby, I happen to love Taryn’s womanly scents and all, just the way she is. There is nothing sexier than a woman who smells like a woman. When you love a woman, really love her, you love every scent that comes with her. That’s the real chemistry.  When you meet that right woman and fall in love, you’ll not only love all those special scents that are just hers, but you’ll crave them.”  He lovingly pinched Tar’s cheek.  “Besides, I think she looks radiant when her hair is disheveled and she has no make-up on fresh in the morning when she gets up.”

Matt swallowed uncomfortably and grimaced.

Grinning, as if happy to have learned a new life and love lesson, Bobby grinned.  “Whatever you say, Master Chef.  I’ll put the old schnozzle to work the next time I’m out with the ladies… anything to be as successful as a Master Chef like you.”

“Dream big, young man.  You never know how far you can go.”

“Yeah,” Matt muttered to himself.

Errol ignored him.  “Maybe I could even give you a hand, Bobby.”

“That’d be great.”

“We’ll get together some time and make a game plan.  Your future could be even brighter than you imagine.”

“And my love life?”

“Oh, Bobby,” Tar said with a chuckle.  “Bye, Mom.  I’ll see you later.”  She turned to Matt.  “Nice seeing you, Matt.”

“Sure,” Matt said.  “I’ll see you again soon.”

“Don’t wait up for us,” Errol called over his shoulder as he led the way out.

Once in his car, he turned the car toward his penthouse.

“I wanted to go home, Errol,” Tar argued.

“And that’s exactly where we’re going.”

Chapter 15

Taryn

S
he knew there was no point arguing with him.  Truth was, she was eager to be alone with him.  The events of the day had worn her out and she was in dire need of escape, and she knew Errol’s expert touch would erase everything she’d been through.

They entered the building with tense silence while the electricity passed from one to the other. They hadn’t even touched yet and her every nerve ending was on fire.  Though the flight had been endless and painful, one bright moment shined through it all. Of course Errol had been thoughtful and tender, but at that very moment, what struck her was the sensations she’d felt while she’d slumbered.  In the haze of her panic attack, she’d distinctly felt Errol’s roaming hand as he’d innocently consoled her.  Repeatedly his hand had slipped into her shirt to fondle a breast under cover of the darkness that had enveloped the plane.

At first the sensation entered her consciousness through vague waves of eroticism that invaded her dreams, but as his thumb had run circles around her nipple, a shock of excitement had coursed down to her thighs.

Now, as they entered the elevator, the sensations of his thumb over her nipple returned to her, reminding her that her erotic dream had been halted when the lights had turned back on and she’d stirred to full wakefulness.

The elevator doors slid shut and they stood side by side for a second, staring hungrily at each other. Just as she prepared to throw herself at him, he grabbed her and pressed her to the mirrored wall.  His lips clasped over her mouth, sucking her in and devouring her with a hunger he’d never displayed before.