Seducing the Chef (At First Sight #1) (2 page)

He turned. A long sigh escaped.
Definitely easy on the eyes.
Too bad she couldn’t see his hands to search for a ring. If he’d been hers she would have banded him with a broad one.

If you lean over the railing one more inch you’ll end up in flight.
Though falling into his arms seemed a novel way to meet there was no guarantee he would catch her without one of them breaking bones.

At that moment he looked up. Their gazes met. She felt the impact to her toes.
Yes, yes.
Those words formed a mantra in her head. Her breath caught in her throat.

“Hello. Though my neighbor was off on a trip.”

She grasped the metal railing. “He’s off to Alaska. He offered me a place to stay while I’m in town doing research.” Surely the man’s eyes were as dark as the midnight sky.

“Are you a writer?”

“You could say that.” After all, she wrote all the feature stories.

“Need help with your research?”

She released her grip on the railing. His voice sizzled along her skin. She’d better move away before she propositioned him.
A foolish move.
“At the moment no but I’ll let you know if I do. Right now I’m off to explore the town.”

“See you around.”

“I’m sure you will.” Allie backed into the sliding doors. She rubbed her rear.
Boy was she rattled.
She laughed at the foolish ideas circling in her thoughts. She ducked inside. From his approach, chances were he was single. Did she want a short-term involvement with a stranger? The way her body pulsed and the direction of her thoughts all pointed to yes.

Slow down.

She slid her small bag over her shoulder, tucked the apartment key inside and left. On the ground floor she glanced at the number of the hot guy’s apartment. Maybe she could learn his name from the mailboxes. As she reached the lobby she made a face. The boxes were in a locked room. She didn’t have the key.

Just my luck.

She waved to the doorman and strode up the hill to Main Street. As she strolled toward town the aroma of coffee drew her to a storefront where several tables stood on the wide sidewalk. She read the name on the door and chuckled. The Coffee Mug.

When she entered the scent of freshly baked bread blended with the rich aroma of coffee drew her to the counter. Trays of rolls, a variety of breads and assorted cookies lined the showcase shelves. She ordered a coffee to go and promised herself she would stop on the way back to the apartment for a loaf of rye bread, some rolls and a small bag of ground coffee.

As she continued her exploration she sipped the amazing brew. The variety of small shops selling books, antiques, chocolates, dollhouses and jewelry. Restaurants were interspersed with the stores. At each eatery she paused to read the menus. Some tempted. Lunches became a matter of choice. Maybe Five Cuisines wasn’t the only game in town.

A window display made her gasp with joy. The Peekaboo Boutique. She dropped the coffee cup in a trash container at the edge of the sidewalk and pressed her nose against the window. Mentally she flipped a two-headed coin and won. Lingerie was her downfall and many of the items on display were unique and sexy. The bras and bikini bottoms seemed to have been painted by hand with flowers and butterflies. As she opened the door a bell tingled.

A middle-aged woman pushed through a beaded curtain with clacking and bell tones. “Hello, Welcome to Peekaboo. I’m Peggy Lou. New in town?”

“Just visiting but I’m fascinated with everything I see.”

“What would you like a closer view of?”

Allie laughed. “Everything. Let’s start with those lace up thigh high stockings and a matching teddy.”

Peggy Lou arched a brow. “You have great taste and the perfect body to wear them.”

“And I have the right dress.”

Before long a half dozen sets of unique lingerie sets sat beside the stockings and teddy. Allie chuckled. “I’d better stop before I max my card. Don’t worry. I’ll be back.”

“And I look forward to seeing you again.”

Chapter Two

Warm water cascaded over Greg. He quickly washed his body and hair. He turned the spray to cold. The impact of the chance meeting with a blazing hot woman remained evident. Hard and aching and he didn’t know her name. The more than six months of celibacy hadn’t bothered him until he looked up and saw her peering over the railing of the second floor balcony. Her smile had triggered an instant arousal. With luck before too many days had passed he would have her in his arms, his bed and a few other places he could envision.

With a wry chuckle he turned off the water, dried and dressed in shorts and a tee shirt. Who was she? How close were she and Steve? He knew the man upstairs in a casual was. Steve worked for a travel magazine and was always off on an adventure. He had never allowed anyone the use of his apartment before. Though Steve and the woman were blondes she certainly wasn’t Steve’s sister. Greg had encountered her several times.

What was the connection? Hopefully not romantic. He wasn’t a man to intrude on someone else’s relationship. This time he feared he might.

Damn, she was attractive. Her thick golden hair had brought an urge to thread his fingers through the silky mass. Her long legs had tantalized with images of beds and sex. Were her eyes blue? Was she as tall as she appeared?

He pulled his hair into a club at his nape. After slipping keys, wallet and cell phone in his pockets he headed for town. As he passed The Coffee Mug the entwined aromas made his stomach growl.

“Greg,” his senior sous chef called. “Join me.”

“Another time. I’m hunting.”

Mike laughed. “Could your quarry be a tall blonde with incredible legs? Saw her enter Peekaboo. Looks like your type.”

Greg slapped Mike’s hand. “I owe you one.”

“I’ll think of something. My anniversary’s next month.”

“You and Lisa want an evening off.”

“Something like that.”

“Done.”

As Greg sauntered down the street a plan unfolded. He recalled Peggy Lou’s habit of calling to a customer just as they exited the shop. Nine out of ten women turned but kept walking. With a bit of luck the intriguing blonde would do the same and end in his arms.

At the boutique he peered inside. His body vibrated with excitement. She was there and his timing was perfect. She held a pen and leaned over the counter. He admired the way her blue shorts molded her tight rear. He stationed himself near the door.

Moments later she lifted a huge ping canvas bag with the shop’s logo on the front. As she opened the door on cue, Peggy Lou spoke. The blonde turned her head and continued her escape. “I’ll definitely return,” she called.

Greg stepped into her path. When the collision occurred he caught her in his arms. She fit perfectly. “Sorry,” he said.

“My fault.” She turned her head. “You’re the man from the apartment below Steve’s.”

He nodded. “Greg. Can I interest you in coffee and a cinnamon roll?”

Her smile lit eyes as blue as he’d imagined. “Allie. Coffee sounds wonderful.”

He drew a deep breath. She smelled of vanilla and woman. He wanted her.

Whoa. Not so fast. Slow and easy is your style.

He felt like a recently ignited flambé. “The Coffee Mug it is.”

He released the hold that kept her pinned against his chest. The temptation to dive in for a heated kiss rapidly ended his good sense. Acting on a fantasy with a stranger on Main Street wasn’t cool. He stepped away. “Looks like you’ve been shopping. Research?”

She walked beside him. “In a way. Bought lingerie like a woman faced with a feast. That place is this junkie’s downfall.”

He winked. “Can I see your purchases?”

She laughed. “Maybe someday.”

He reached for her hand. Their fingers laced. The fire of a hot curry shot to his groin and returned his erection to active status. Someday had to be soon before he burst. In the past he’d been turned on by beautiful women but never with this intense desire to possess.

They reached the bakery. “Choose a table. Cream and sugar?”

“Just cream.”

“Any preference about the pastry?”

“Didn’t you mention cinnamon rolls?”

“I did.” He saluted. “At your service. Be right back.”

“I should go in. I want to buy rye bread, some sweet rolls and a pound of ground coffee.”

“I can do that and you can pay me later.”

Ten minutes later he returned with the coffee, two flaky cinnamon rolls and a bag with her purchases. As they ate; their conversation covered the town, the shops and restaurants. He gave her a rundown on what to order where, steering her away from his restaurant. He turned the conversation to books, movies and music. Their shared tastes pleased him and brought hope and desire to a peak.

She finished her roll and the coffee. “I’ve heard about a restaurant that’s supposed to be superb. At least a dozen gourmet eaters I know have mentioned Five Cuisines.”

Greg stared at the table. Great to hear a stranger talk about his restaurant. If he told her who he was how would she react? He wanted more than a one night stand. He wanted a chance to focus on them. If they headed for more he would confess.

“It’s unique and upscale. I’ve also heard a comment or two about the food.”

“Maybe we could have dinner there.” Her tongue darted to the corner of her mouth and removed a bit of icing.

Greg’s hand tightened on his cup. He’d been tempted by the dot of sweetness but he’d been too slow. He leaned forward and touched her hand. “I wish we could but I’m scheduled to work from this evening through Sunday. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday.” Was that disappointment he saw in her eyes? “How long are you staying in town?”

“A week or so.” She finished the coffee. “I’d better go.”

He caught her hand. “I’ll walk back with you.”

“I would like that.”

He carried the Coffee Mug bag and she held the boutique bag. As he clasped her hand he felt the sizzle again. They entered the apartment building and paused at the stairwell leading upstairs. He had to kiss her. Instead of turning to his unit he walked upstairs at her side.

At the door of Steve’s apartment she put the key in the lock and turned to him. “We’ll have to do this again.”

“How about tomorrow morning? We’ll go to breakfast.”

She nodded. “Or we could eat in. Why don’t I do the honors since this morning was your treat?”

“Accepted.” He braced one hand on the wall beside her head. He brushed his lips over hers. One taste wasn’t enough so he dove in for another.

* * *

When his mouth touched hers Allie felt as though the heat of a jalapeno pepper followed by the bite of a chipotle flowed through her arteries and lodged in her core. She lost her hold on the package. She heard the thud of the bag he held. One of his hands cupped her head. She braced hers on his shoulders and opened to his questing tongue.

His aroma of citrus and spice intoxicated her. He tasted of coffee and cinnamon. His hand slid along her spine and crew her into a tight embrace. She rubbed her aching breasts against the wall of his chest. His erection pulsed against her belly. Her body responded with a rush of wetness.

He raised his head. “You’re lethal.”

She sucked in a breath. “Me? I would say you’re the intoxicating one and we’re about to plunge into a cauldron of boiling water.”

“I like heat.” He pressed her against the door and captured her hands with one of his. With them held above her head he stroked her throat with his tongue. She thrust her hips against him. She wanted, no needed, more.

He brought his lips to hers. He released her hands. His leg slid between hers. When he caressed her breasts she rode his thigh seeking completion. Her breath came in gasping pants. She fumbled behind her for the door. If they didn’t move within seconds they would consummate in the hall.

Wait.
The word hovered in her throat but the urgency was too strong.

An annoying buzzing sound continued with a strident demand. “Damn.” Greg straightened and pulled a cell from his pocket. He looked as dazed as Allie felt. “Yeah…I hear you…Not good…Give me half an hour.” He gazed into Allie’s eyes. “Got to go. Sorry.”

“I’m not. We’re moving too fast.”

“Agreed.” He touched her lips with a finger. “Is breakfast still on?”

“Definitely.”

“See you then. I’ll be on the terrace by eight AM. Just whistle and I’ll be there.” He pushed away. “We’ll take things slow.”

She laughed. “Slow. Right.” She snatched the packages from the floor and entered the apartment where she flopped on the couch. How could a kiss become so hit so fast? Never happened before. She ran her hands along her arms. She wasn’t sure where she and Greg headed but she intended to enjoy the journey.

* * *

Allie’s laughter followed Greg down the stairs. Could they take this slow? He’d never become so quickly obsessed with possessing a woman. His relationships usually started slow and ended the same way. What was there about Allie that made him want to tie her to his bed and never let her go? All this desire to possess after less than an hour in her company made no sense.