The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley) (22 page)

“Okay. Speaking of transparency, I wanted to tell you I’m driving up to Denver in the morning to have lunch with Natalie Hale about business. Since you and Jane are tight, and Natalie is going to be her sister-in-law, I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention the meeting until Natalie says something.”

“Well…Jane and I—”

“Don’t keep anything from each other,” he finished. “I know, but I wanted you to know I’m having lunch with Natalie, and that it’s professional, so there are no misunderstandings. It’s up to you if you want me to tell you what it’s about now or after I talk to her.”

“I won’t say anything.”

He nodded and told her about his conversation with Mac. She was quiet throughout, just sipping her wine now and again. “I told you so you wouldn’t think for a moment I was interested in her,” he finally said, reaching for her free hand. “I know we never talked about being exclusive before, but we were that summer. At least I was, and I think you were too since we were together almost every night.”

“I wasn’t with anyone else.”

“Good. I don’t want to be with anyone else now either. Okay?” He’d never really had this conversation before, and he felt both queasy and excited.

Commitment. His first.

“And I’d like to…shit…make love to you without a condom if you’re on the Pill. I can show you my latest tests. I’m clean.”

He fished out a hundred to cover the awkwardness. He’d never made love to a woman without protection before.

“I’m on the Pill, and I’m clean too. I…ah…would like there to be no barriers between us. I’ve…never done that with a man.”

He exhaled sharply. “Neither have I.” Then embarrassment made him hunch his shoulders. “I mean with a woman.”

“I knew what you meant.” Her eyes lowered to the table, and her pulse beat strong in her neck. “We’re getting pretty serious here.”

A heaviness anchored in his gut. Wasn’t commitment supposed to make you happy? “We were pretty serious before. Are you thinking about running again?”

“After I just told you what I did?” she whispered. “No. I just…sometimes it’s really intense between us.”

He reached for her arm and drew her to him again. Touching her always settled him, and he thought being close to him did the same thing for her. Lowering his head, he kissed her gently, caressing her bottom lip like he was tasting his first Chantilly cream.

“I know it’s intense. But it’s a good intense, right?”

She nodded and tucked her head into his neck, everything about her vulnerable now.

“I won’t hurt you.”

“You can’t promise that, and you know it.” She caressed his nape before returning to her seat.

“Hey,” he said in a soft voice as she started to serve herself some couscous.

Her chest rose with a deep breath as she looked up to meet his eyes. He hated seeing the wariness there.

“I’m not him.”

She jerked like he’d shot her, and he almost regretted it. But it had to be said.

“I know,” she whispered.

The victory was sweet, and a little mind-blowing to a man who’d never really believed he wanted commitment.

The first time around, he’d taken their relationship for granted. Hid his delight at their exclusivity, trying not to make a big deal out of it. With this second chance, he was going to be more intentional. Spell things out. Somehow he knew it was the key to getting her to trust him all the way. Like he wanted to do with her.

He took over, serving her the celery root chips. Simple fare, but neither one of them liked to eat heavy this late at night.

Now wasn’t the time to push for more information about the man who’d stalked her. The violence in Terrance scared her, and he would learn to control that. For both their sakes.

Her trust in him was enough for now, but as he poured them more wine, he knew the day would come when he’d ask for the man’s name. Then he’d decide what to do about him.

Violence wasn’t the only way to punish the bastard for what he’d done to her.

Chapter 24

Natalie had chosen Beast + Bottle for her lunch with Terrance not only because it was one of the best restaurants in Denver, but because the space had housed other great culinary giants like Aix, Olivéa, and Petit Louis. As far as Natalie was concerned, there was something magical about the location, and she knew Terrance would appreciate that.

Foodies believed in culinary magic—even supposedly cynical ones like The Tattooed Chef.

She loved the restaurant’s honey-colored hardwood floor, simple white walls, and white-tiled bar punctuated with white posts. There was time to savor it since she’d arrived first by design. She was already sitting at their table when Terrance breezed through the front door, causing the staff to jolt to attention. Heads turned throughout the restaurant. A few women licked their chops at the sight of him in dark designer jeans, a cream Irish sweater, a suede brown jacket, and tan Italian boots.

Natalie knew the owners, and out of courtesy to them, she’d mentioned Terrance was dining with her when she made the reservation. It seemed only fair.

Terrance would have spotted her immediately given the restaurant’s size, but the hostess brought him over with aplomb—like the distance between the front of the restaurant and their booth in the corner of the restaurant was akin to a trek across the Kalahari Desert.

When he sat down, Terrance planted his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “You gave them a heads-up, didn’t you?”

She cocked a brow. “If you were the chef here, wouldn’t you want to know?”

His smile reminded her of a silent movie actor preparing to swing from one pirate ship to another for treasure. “This is going to be fun. I like that kind of thinking. Only confirms why I drove up here today to meet with you.”

“Yes, it
is
a bit of a drive, and I’d bet you aren’t getting a lot of sleep these days.” She batted her eyelashes playfully. “Now, are you going to tell me straight out why we’re meeting or are you going to make me poison you?”

He chuckled. “Like any chef, I have a phobia of poison, so I guess I’d better tell you.”

A server appeared at their table, all bright eyed and bushy tailed. “Chef T. It’s an honor to have you eating with us today. Chef wanted me to tell you he has something special prepared for you both if you’re willing. Of course, you can choose anything from the menu, but we wanted to make your visit to Beast + Bottle memorable.”

Natalie had to bite her lip to keep herself from telling the server to buzz off. Her insides were jumping up and down like cheerleaders on the sidelines, eager to hear Terrance’s news.

“I’m happy to enjoy what Chef has prepared. Please send him my thanks. Natalie?” His mouth quirked like he knew this interruption was driving her nuts.

“That would be lovely. Thank you.”

She suffered through ordering drinks, but the instant their zealous server left them, she leaned forward. “Okay. Spill it. You’re killing me.”

He settled against the back of the booth, acting like he had all day. “At my request, Mac Maven would like to offer you the position of the onsite catering director of The Grand Mountain Hotel. You would also oversee the catering menus for all of the other Four Aces hotels, working closely with me to ensure the guests enjoy the type of culinary experience I have in mind.”

This was…wow. Her mouth dropped open. “Shut the front door.”

“No thanks. An elderly couple is walking in. I try to treat my elders with respect.”

“Are you kidding me?” Matt might have put him up to this as a cruel escalation in their ongoing bumper sticker war.

“Nope. The job is yours if you want it. I can promise you that working with me is going to raise your profile nationally.”

No kidding.

“How many hotels are we talking about?” she asked, slumping against the booth now.

“Four others besides The Grand right now, but a new one is being constructed in Vegas.”

Vegas. She felt a swoon coming on. “That’s six hotels,” she breathed out.

“Good. You can count. I wasn’t sure. It didn’t say so on your resume on LinkedIn.”

The banter snapped her out of la-la land. “Smart ass.”

“Usually I would say you can’t call me that if we’re going to work together, but one of the first things I liked about you was your directness. Most people can’t kiss my ass fast enough, and the women...”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, so you’re irresistible. Tell me more.”

“You’re not attracted to me,” he continued. “That makes this work.”

“It’s not you,” she said.

His hand went up, stopping her explanation. “I know. Our server is coming, beaming even more sunshine. Hold that thought about how attractive I am.”

Six hotels
was all Natalie could think as the server set down Terrance’s sparkling water topped with a lime. And all of them catered to big-name clientele like Rye Crenshaw and his buddies…

“I’ll have a glass of your finest champagne,” she declared.

“Of course,” Happy Server Girl immediately said. “Chef, would you care for a cocktail?”

“No, I have to drive back to Dare Valley.” Left alone again, Terrance raised a brow. “Does that mean you’ve accepted?”

She could be coy with the best of them. “I’m celebrating the offer, which is undoubtedly an honor, but it’s not a yes—yet. Tell me more.”

“I knew you wouldn’t be a pushover. Let me tell you what I’m thinking.”

What he outlined was her dream job—a job she’d never thought possible. Running her own company and having clients like the Denver Raiders was one thing, but working with a chef like Terrance on catering menus for six hotels and a series of elite events…

She was in a whole new ballpark, like coming up from the farm team to the big leagues.

When he mentioned Mac was willing to talk about a joint venture, she took a healthy sip of her newly arrived champagne. “You’re serious? I would have thought—”

“There’s a reason he’s open to it. One, because I asked. Two, because I want you to bring your bigger clients to the table.”

Now she saw where this was going.

“You want the Raiders.”

He shrugged. “Among other things. I told Mac that I want to cater special events in Denver and select other locations when the profile is high enough. It’s good business for his hotels and for me. I plan to be my own Wolfgang Puck.”

Aha. The big picture was emerging now. “Chef to the celebrities, catering big events like the Governors Ball at the Academy Awards. With his own kitchen line and food products, not to mention his own show.” His willingness to come to Dare Valley finally made sense. Mac’s high-class hotels broadened his reach, especially the one being built in Vegas. Tons of big-time chefs worked in Sin City.

“The kitchen line and
gourmet
products—”

“Pardon me for calling them ‘food,’” she interrupted dryly.

“Those products are in play, and they’re starting to be rolled out now that the financing is in place with one of the biggest investment banks in New York. Mac and I are planning an exclusive line of Four Aces products right now as well. Unlike some chefs on TV, I actually want to stay in the kitchen. Mac understands that and has given me carte blanche to hire anyone I want who can support my schedule.”

“Because you being on primetime TV is also a good advertisement for Mac’s hotels.” Notwithstanding an exclusive line of gourmet products co-branded with the hotel chain. What would it be like to have your face on a food label? She wondered if he’d choose a drawing of himself like Paul Newman or a real photo like Emeril Lagasse?

“Bingo.”

“Carte blanche, huh? That makes me feel like I need a crown.”

“And who knows? If you’re a good girl, I might have you on my TV show.”

Now that made her sputter. “Seriously?”

“I can’t make promises, but why not? You love food, and I bet you’d be a natural in front of the camera.”

She signaled to the server for another glass of champagne. “Since lunch is most definitely on you.”

“If you think Chef is going to charge us for anything, you’re crazy. Having me here is good PR for his house. Trust me. There might be pictures later. I’ll even tweet about our lunch here if the food’s good enough. Their reservation list will go through the ceiling.”

Yes, it would. “While we’re talking about what we both like, I like that you know you’re famous and have influence but aren’t a jerk about it.”

A reluctant laugh crested across his lips before he shook his head. “See. That’s what I’m talking about. You’re not afraid to call a spade a spade, and I sense I can delegate things to you and have you run with them. You’re going to make my life a lot easier by bringing me catering menus in keeping with my brand for the hotels once we talk about what that is. Of course, you’ll have to work with the onsite catering directors, but I expect you can play nice with others.”

Being from a big family, she’d learned that lesson quick. “You’re right. I’m very good at what I do, and I expect we’ll work well together.” Her sisters were going to scream when she told them this news.

And then she realized she would have to leave Denver.

“I’d have to move home.” God, she would miss her sisters. Their weekly girls’ nights were the most important part of her social life now that she was divorced.

“Don’t you like Dare Valley?” he asked as the server headed their way with a tray of appetizers.

“Yes.” Growing up there had been a dream, but she’d needed to move to the city and experience…more than Dare Valley had to offer.

Chef had gone all out with the apps, from lamb sweetbreads dotted with crème fraiche and chives with a venison reduction laced with bourbon to pork belly roasted with figs on piping hot flatbread. When Natalie tried the guinea hen terrine, one of her favorite dishes on the menu, she groaned.

“Damn! Chef knows his shit.” Terrance drew out two hundred dollar bills with a grimace and stuffed them into his pocket.

“Better put that money away or people will think you’re buying my
services.”

“You’d go for more than two Ben Franklins, and anyone who says otherwise, doesn’t know his sh—. There I go again. Giving up cursing is harder than quitting smoking.”