Meat (6 page)

“With a very loud voice?” she asked, raising her eyebrow. She couldn’t help noticing Gretchen grinning behind her coffee cup.

“I don’t need a loud voice.” Though he didn’t speak louder at all, his words cut through the room with undeniable power. “Often people mistake words spoken with authority as yelling.”

She took in a deep breath, wilting under his potent gaze, wishing she hadn’t started this.

He had been so caring and sweet when she’d met him. She wanted that loving, wonderful man again—the man who made her feel protected and cared for. Not this cold stranger with the dark expression.

But his eyes softened as he watched her, warmth glittering in those depths. The change was such a sudden reversal that she almost gasped.

“And I assure you that I only lecture when it’s called for.”

At her silence, Benjamin cleared his throat and took control of the meeting again.

“I’d like to remind the restaurant managers that you should each make yourselves available to Chef Rex at his convenience to coordinate between your two departments, especially to discuss new menu items, and whatever else he needs. He has a big task ahead of him, so we should give him our full cooperation. Thank you.”

People stood up and started filing from the meeting room. Rebecca and her companions were among the last ones out.

“So, Gretchen, do you still think you can handle Chef Rex?” Rebecca asked.

“The question is,” Gretchen said, “do you think you can, because he’s headed this way.”

Rebecca watched Chef Rex walk straight toward them. Despite the uncomfortable exchange at the meeting, when he got close, she felt sparks of awareness dancing along her spine and couldn’t help imagining his naked body and how it had felt pressed tight to hers.

“Hello, ladies,” he said politely.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to lecture
me
now?”

Oh, God, why was she goading him? He’d already proven that, with him, she was outside her depth.

But she couldn’t help it. She was hurt and saddened by the fact he was not the man she longed for. And she was angry at him for that.

“No, I came to ask if you’d join me for coffee.”

“Is this about ‘coordinating between our two departments, especially discussing new menu items’?”

“No,” he said. “I just thought we should talk.”

“Then I’ll pass. As you can imagine, I have a lot of work to catch up on.”

Then she turned and stalked off.

Rebecca stared out her office window at the snow falling in huge flakes. It was incredibly dark out, with no moonlight penetrating the dense cloud cover, and the streetlights were a dim glow barely visible through the thick white veil.

It was already a record-high snowfall today, and she’d known the drive home would be abysmal. That’s why she’d decided to stay late and avoid the worst of the traffic as the bulk of the city started their homeward commute. At least this way, she’d avoid the frustration of fender benders and the inevitable slowdowns with everyone being extra cautious, while making a dent in the pile of paperwork she had on her desk. Most of the downtown core had let out early and she’d heard the buses were running hours late. She’d much rather be spending those hours here in her office getting work done than in her car freezing her butt off in traffic.

She’d been back to work three days and had been trying to catch up with the memos and other information Benjamin had been sharing with the department heads about the change in ownership, on top of the day-to-day operations she’d fallen behind on. Now she also had a report she had to read through and respond to as a result of the concern management had over the alleged kitchen thefts. Benjamin said the owners were concerned about problems in other departments, too, so she had to worry about
that,
also.

Not that she believed any of her staff would steal.

She sighed and pushed back the report, then rubbed her eyes. It was late and she’d really like to go home, but even the thought of stepping out into that blizzard was too much for her. She sat back and sipped her coffee, which was now only lukewarm.

As she put the cup down, she noticed the picture on her desk. It was of Auntie Gail with Rebecca and her two sisters last spring. Rebecca had been visiting for a week and they’d all gone to a rock-climbing wall. Although Auntie was seventy-one, she’d been right there with them. Rebecca still had the picture of her climbing up the vertical surface. Auntie Gail had always been willing to tackle pretty well anything. Anytime.

Tears swelled in Rebecca’s eyes. And now she was gone.

Oh, God, she missed her. Even though Rebecca lived so far away, she used to talk to Auntie every week.

She plucked a tissue from the box on her desk and wiped her eyes. Auntie had been the center of Rebecca’s family ever since her mother had died. Now it felt is if her family was falling apart.

She sighed. And here at work, her other family, the people she worked so closely with and cared so much about, was being torn apart. She wiped her eyes again.

The one thing that had helped her get through the previous week of grieving was the prospect of a magical new romance she’d anticipated with the wonderful man she’d met at the airport, who had been so caring and protective.

She blew her nose and plucked out another tissue.
That
had certainly been a disaster. How could she have been so totally fooled by him?

Her heart ached. But had she been?

He hadn’t acted like a man who just wanted to get her into bed. He had been the perfect gentleman. She had had to make the first move. And even then, he’d given her every opportunity to back out.

She knew deep inside it hadn’t been an act. That the caring man she’d experienced was the real Rex Keene. But so was the man she’d experienced today—T-Rex, they called him. And he had teeth.

Rex tossed his apron in the laundry bin, then walked into his office and sat down. He was about to call it a day, but wanted to do a quick check of the live security camera feeds before he made himself some dinner and headed to his suite.

Only he and Benjamin Miller, the hotel manager, knew about these feeds. He’d told Rebecca about the cameras in the kitchen, but not the other ones. Rex wanted more information before he brought the other managers into the know. If he ever did.

Miller had handled the meeting as well as he could have this afternoon, given the secrecy he had to maintain. When Rebecca had attacked Rex, Miller had gone white as a sheet. Rex had felt sorry for the man, who had obviously been concerned that he might take offense, while at the same time having to maintain the illusion of authority over him.

Rex shook his head as he opened the security camera app on his computer. He hated the discord between himself and Rebecca. Obviously, she hated him for causing strife in her usual harmonious workplace. But clearly it wasn’t the delightful fairy-tale palace she seemed to think it was. Beneath the friendly face the staff put on, there was a rotting core of deception. Rebecca clearly didn’t see it, because she was a sweet, genuine person and would only see the same in others.

Which meant she would only grow to hate him more as he exposed the deception behind the people she so clearly cared about. And when she found out who he really was, and the sweeping changes he would be the cause of … He wondered if he’d ever be able to win back her heart.

He walked through the camera feeds. First the kitchen, including the storerooms, then housekeeping, the rooftop restaurant, the café, both bars, and finally, The Lavender Rose.

Most of the areas were deserted, except for a few hangers-on in Rage. It was late and with the storm, the other restaurants and bar had closed so they could send the staff home.

Then the feed to the office in The Lavender Rose filled his screen.

What the hell?

Rebecca was in her office, obviously working late. But what punched him full in the gut was the sight of tears streaming down her face.

Rebecca started as someone knocked on her office door. She couldn’t imagine who would be looking for her at this time of night. Wiping her eyes, she decided to ignore it.

But a louder knock followed.

“Rebecca, it’s Rex. I know you’re there.”

Oh, God, she didn’t want to face
him.

Her hesitation did not deter him, and the door swung open. She took another swipe at her tears, then pushed the handful of tissues into the garbage, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“How did you know I was here?”

He was so big and masculine standing in her doorway, his white shirt stretched over his broad chest and thick arms. His blue eyes were filled with concern.

“I have my ways.”

“Well, I was trying to get through this pile of reports”—she gestured at the stack of papers on her desk—“and I was hoping not to be disturbed.”

“Of course, but surely you can take a break for something to eat. I bet you skipped dinner.”

He set a bag on her table by the window and pulled a take-out container from it, along with a covered cup, which he set it in front of one of the chairs. Then he produced a second container and cup. Next, he placed metal cutlery by each container.

He gestured to the chair. “Come and join me.”

She sent him a defiant stare, but he smiled warmly.

“I know you think of me as the enemy right now, but how about we call a truce.” At her frown, he said, “You have to eat.”

Her stomach rumbled. He was right. She hadn’t eaten and she was hungry.

She stood up and …

God damn, but grieving and the resulting emotional chaos was a bitch. Despite her wanting nothing to do with him, the fact that he was showing such caring kindness toward her had tears swelling in her eyes again.

Horrified, she tried to hide them, but he noticed, and in two quick strides he was in front of her. Then he pulled her into his arms.

She wanted to pull away. She tried with everything she had. But instead, she felt herself melting against his strong chest, drawing comfort in his warm embrace.

And the tears flowed. Damp spots grew on his shirt as she tried to subdue her sobs.

“I’m sorry I keep doing this,” she uttered between breaths.

“It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot. Just let it go.”

With that, she curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt, clutching tightly, and sobbed.

She’d barely cried while she’d been with her family going through the ordeal of her aunt’s dying, nor the following week she’d been off grieving it.

But now, in the tenderness of this man’s arms, she found what she needed to let go. Fully and completely.

He stroked her hair and murmured comforting words. Kind and encouraging.

Gentle.

She didn’t know how long he held her like that, but finally the sobs faded, and the tears stopped flowing, and she simply stood there, cradled against his warm, protective body.

She never wanted to move.

Finally, she drew in a deep sigh and eased back. She hesitated looking up at him, knowing her eyes would be puffy and red. But he tucked his hand under her chin and lifted until she was gazing into his concerned blue eyes.

“I want you to know I’m here for you. Whatever you need. Whenever you need it.”

Tears swelled again, but she blinked them back as she nodded, unable to speak.

Then his lips found hers.

She leaned into the kiss, so tender and poignant. Filling a need inside her that she couldn’t—wouldn’t—examine. She just knew she needed this right now.

She needed him.

Their lips parted, and he smiled.

“Come and have something to eat.”

His arm glided around her waist and he guided her to the table. She sat down, staring at the container in front of her in a daze. He opened it, and the most delightful aroma greeted her. Her mouth began to water instantly.

“It’s a simple fettuccine Alfredo with scallops and shrimp, but I thought it would be a good comfort food on such a cold night.”

He removed the lid from the paper cup.

“This is a nice white wine to complement the meal.” He handed her the cup, then sat down. “This is not how I’d prefer to present this meal, but even without the fine china and crystal, I hope you’ll enjoy it.”

She sipped the wine. A warm heat started in her throat and expanded through her.

“I shouldn’t really be drinking wine in my office.”

He shrugged. “You’ve worked a long, hard day and you’re finished now. There’s nothing wrong with bending the rules sometimes.”

She put down the cup. “You’re right. I’m finished for the day. That means I shouldn’t be drinking, because I need to drive home.”

“Rebecca, you’re not thinking of braving that snowstorm?”

“I don’t have much choice. I don’t want to sleep here in the office.”

“We’re in a hotel.”

“A hotel that’s full because flights have been canceled. And anyway, if I stayed in a room every time we had a snowstorm, even with the employee discount, I’d be broke.”

“You don’t have to pay for a room tonight.”

She crossed her arms. “Let me guess. You’re inviting me to share your room?”

He laughed, a deep low rumble that sent heat cascading through her.

“Well, I was going to say that I talked to Benjamin and he kept a few rooms available for staff to use. No charge.” He grinned. “Of course, if you’d like to join me, you’re more than welcome.” He cocked an eyebrow.

“That’s quite all right.”

“If you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

She spiked her fork through a fat shrimp and a fettuccine noodle, trying to push aside any thoughts about the last time they were stranded together, and took a bite. The delicate flavors filled her with delight.

“This is incredibly delicious.”

He smiled. “Thank you.”

She ate a few more bites, then gazed across the table at him.

“So I take it you’re not used to snowy weather,” she said.

“Well, not like this.”

“Where are you from?”

“I’ve lived in a lot of different places. Mostly I grew up in California, but I spent a few years in Europe.”

“Anywhere in particular?”

“I spent time in different resorts in different countries across the continent.”

“As a chef?”

He nodded as he watched his fork spike through a scallop. “That’s right.”

But something about his demeanor seemed odd. As if he were telling her what she expected to hear. Maybe he wasn’t as successful back then. Maybe he was lower on the food chain, like a dishwasher, or busboy.

Or maybe he was hiding something.

She sipped her wine, surprised at herself. Was she just looking for reasons to dislike him? If that was the case, she had a hard job in front of her, because despite everything, she was having trouble convincing herself he wasn’t a wonderful, caring man whom she’d truly like to have a shot with.

“What made you interested in being a chef?” she asked.

“My parents traveled a lot for their work, and one year we spent the summer at a resort they were involved in launching. I was left on my own to amuse myself a lot, so the waitress in the restaurant where I always ate alone felt sorry for me. Her husband was the chef, and she wound up inviting me into the kitchen one day to meet the kitchen staff. Some of them were taking a break in the afternoon to play some ball and they invited me to join them.”

He smiled, a wistful look in his eyes.

“The ball games became a regular thing,” he continued. “And the chef was this big friendly guy who loved kids, so I wound up hanging around the kitchen a lot, watching him prepare meals. Eventually, I asked to help.” He shrugged. “That’s how it all got started.”