Recipe For Seduction (A Madewood Brothers Novel) (Entangled Brazen) (16 page)

He toured the kitchen, peeking over the shoulder of his sous chef. The shrimp and sausage gumbo smelled divine. The line chefs had already prepped the main ingredients for the evening’s menu. Vegetables were chopped and peeled. He could tell by the consistency of the rice that the lobster risotto had been cooked to perfection.

A loud
bang
filled the kitchen, and he turned to Cal, who rattled a large stainless steel pot across the counter. Instead of placing it down nicely, he dropped it from five inches above. The dishwasher door closed with a slam, the sound of cutlery and glass rattling inside. The kid was angry. Understandable. The kid was jealous. Understandable. The kid was purposely causing a scene in his restaurant. Unacceptable.

Finn stalked across the space between them, stopping only a few feet away. It took Cal a minute to notice him hovering behind. He turned slightly, but didn’t acknowledge his presence. Instead he headed to the sink and turned on the faucet. The heavy pressure of the spray pinged off the stainless steel, rivulets of water spurted over the sink, droplets catching him in the face.

He narrowed his eyes. “Cal?”

The boy didn’t answer. He continued to rinse off a few dishes, the water pressure so heavy they moved around in the sink.

“Cal?” he said, a little louder this time.

When he still didn’t respond, Finn glanced at the rest of his employees. None of them were watching, at least not directly, but he knew they were monitoring the situation, waiting to see how he would handle the kid.

Finn stepped up and grabbed the faucet out of Cal’s hand. The kitchen went dead silent except for the gentle hum of the dishwasher.

“I think you’re done for the day.”

“What?” he said, his voice cracking. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m washing, putting away. I even helped Scott with the marinara sauce.”

He glanced over his shoulder to Scott, one of Finn’s most seasoned line cooks. He was slouching against the wall, making himself small, as if Finn wouldn’t be able to see him. It wasn’t up to Scott to teach Cal. He knew the rules. But Finn nevertheless admired his initiative to help the kid progress, to fit in. But he wouldn’t say that in front of anyone. Finn had to maintain authority.

Cal cursed under his breath, realizing his mistake. “I know I’m technically not supposed to be cooking anything, but I wanted to learn. It’s not Scott’s fault. I made him show me how to do it. I—”

“You should go home. You’re still on the schedule for tomorrow. But go home and…regroup. Come back with a better attitude.”

“But I—”

Finn held up his hand to stop him from talking. “Go on.”

On his way out, Cal pushed a pot against the white-tiled backsplash. He was lucky it didn’t crack.

Finn followed him out. The boy needed to get his rage under control and lose the chip on his shoulder. He was never going to make it in this world if he couldn’t handle authority.

“Cal.”

The kid stopped with only one call, but didn’t turn.

“Do you understand why I’m sending you home?”

Cal crossed his arms over his chest and stuck one leg out for balance. “’Cause you’re an asshole who likes the power trip.”

Finn recoiled at his words. Luckily, Cal hadn’t turned to face him. The hurt reaction would have totally ruined his bad cop routine.

“Is that what you really think?”

For a second, Cal’s gaze lowered to the floor. It had to be exhausting trying to keep up the tough-guy act. Finn knew from experience. Still, being an asshole was easier than admitting you were scared.

Finn sighed. “Look, what your sister and I do is none of your business.”

Cal twirled around. “It is
so
my business. She’s way too good to be with you. She has too many important things to do than spend all her time with you.”

Too many important things. Such as spend time with Cal.

Finn was a master at reading between the lines.

He sighed. “Your sister loves you like crazy, and would do anything in the world for you, but she needs to have a life, too. You need to give her that courtesy.”

“You don’t know what she needs.” Cal’s voice cracked again, and the high octave would make a teenage girl jealous. “She needs to stay with me.” He sucked in a ragged breath. “She needs to be with her family, not you.”

Cal’s inner turmoil was heartbreaking. Finn knew exactly how it felt to walk on eggshells your whole life, wondering when the bottom would drop out from under you—or be pulled. But that was no excuse to act like a jerk. Especially to those who loved you.

“Maybe this isn’t the right job for me.” Cal shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at the carpet with his foot. “I obviously don’t fit in here.”

“Hold on. You fit just fine.” Finn came closer but kept a safe distance. He didn’t want to scare him away. “Do you think Scott would have asked for your help today if you didn’t fit in?”

The kid shrugged.

“We’re a team, and the team is only as good as its weakest member. Don’t be that member. I know you’re pissed about Veronica and me being together, but you know me, kid. Do you think I would ever in a million years do anything to hurt her?” He reached out through the space between them and rested his hand on Cal’s shoulder. “Or you, for that matter?”

He didn’t respond, but Cal knew the truth.

“You don’t have a say in what we do, but I will try my best not to rub it in your face. Deal?”

Cal reluctantly nodded. “Can I go back to work?”

Finn was happy Cal had taken such an interest in his job. The fact that he wanted to get back to the kitchen meant he enjoyed what he was doing, what he was learning. But he needed some time to think about things. And he wouldn’t be a benefit to anyone if he wasn’t 100 percent focused on his duties.

“No. Go home. Come back tomorrow. I think the pots and pans have had enough manhandling for the day.”

Cal straightened and took three steps toward him. “Finn, I’m—”

“I know, buddy.” He held out his hand and gestured to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Finn hated having to turn him away, but he needed to straddle the line between friendship and employment. Cal’s job at Carmel was the real world, and his actions needed to be treated as such. But that didn’t mean Finn would ever forget the look of devastation on the kid’s face when he realized he wasn’t going back to the kitchen.

…

Despite being one man short, the evening dinner service went off without a hitch. When the last customer had been served and the last staff member had left for the evening, Finn sat in his favorite booth with a glass of his favorite whiskey and reviewed the evening’s receipts.

This was his favorite time of the night. The quiet after the storm. There was no better validation than the final tally for the evening. But for Finn, it wasn’t about the money. It was all about the meaning behind the number. The more money people spent, the more they enjoyed themselves at his restaurant. The atmosphere, the food and drink, the service. And that’s what this business was all about. Offering a place where women could enjoy an evening out with the girls. Providing a romantic atmosphere where a man could take a woman on a first date. Welcoming families as his own. Offering a place to celebrate those special occasions. And he satisfied all those needs with a welcoming ambiance and amazing food.

His head snapped up when a shadowy figure at the front window caught his attention. The person peered inside, placing a hand on the glass to reduce the glare.

Was that…Veronica?

He jumped out of the booth with an excitement only she could elicit, and raced to the front door. It wasn’t their usual night to spend together, but he would take any time he could get. He pulled out his keys and unlocked it, swinging open the door. The unusually warm autumn air washed over him.

“Finn.” Her whispered voice sent a shiver down his spine. “Where’s my brother?”

Wait. What?

Not the question he had expected her to ask.

How about another round of hot sex? Why don’t you find another kitchen utensil to use on my ass?
Those were the questions he’d wanted to hear. Not to talk about her damn brother.

“Your brother went home hours ago. I sent him home early, actually.”

Panic washed over her face. “You sent him home? But he didn’t come home. I was supposed to pick him up after his shift and I’ve been waiting in the car for twenty minutes. He’s not returning my texts or picking up his phone. I saw your car was still here, so I thought you were just busy.”

She’d seen his car but didn’t come inside? She had known she was always welcome. Which begged the question, again, why was she distancing herself?

“He must have forgotten to call and let you know he didn’t need a ride.”

“What if he didn’t forget? What if he—” She peered up into Finn’s eyes and his breath caught. He’d never seen her so worried, so scared.

He pulled her close, her body shaking in his arms. “I’m sure he’s fine. Come on, have a seat with me.”

“No, I should go out and search for him.” She tried to pull away, but he held her close.

“You’re not driving in this condition. Come on, you need something to calm you down.”

He sat her in his booth and headed to the bar. He picked up the bottle of Jameson and a second glass, then pulled out his cell phone. He texted Cal.

Message your sister back you little shit. She’s scared to death.

He returned to find her slumped over, her forehead resting against the table.

At the sound of the glass and bottle clinking, she sat up and mumbled, “I really don’t know what to do anymore. That kid makes me so angry. He has no consideration for anything I do. For everything I’ve done for him.” She jumped up from the booth and paced the restaurant, her arms gesturing with her words. “Why should I bother worrying? He wants to be on his own, take care of himself, then I should let him. Just call his bluff.” She looked up at Finn with tortured eyes. “What do you think?”

No way. He wasn’t going to get involved. He definitely wasn’t going to tell her how to raise her brother. Their relationship—their fragile new relationship—was tricky enough already. She couldn’t see what was right in front of her—a scared boy who feared losing the one rock-steady person he had left in his life. It was as plain as day to Finn. The more Cal acted out, the more she paid attention to him and the more she needed to watch over him. The more he proved he couldn’t take care of himself, the longer he ensured she would keep him close.

“I think you should relax and have a drink with me.”

She gave him a fake laugh. “You’re really trying your best not to get involved in this, aren’t you?”

He poured her a drink and held it out. She took the glass and downed it in one gulp. He filled it up again.

“It’s not my place, V. You know I will do whatever I can to help, but I won’t ruin our relationship by saying the wrong thing when it comes to raising your brother. You’re doing just fine on your own. You’ll figure it out.”

He hoped so. And soon. Because if she ever wanted a life of her own, she was going to have to cut the apron strings.

She gave him a half smile, slumped back into the booth, and raised her glass to down the liquid.

A vibrating sound came from the pocket of her hoodie. She quickly set the glass on the table and pulled out her cell phone. Her entire body relaxed when she read the message.

“He’s fine. He’s with a friend.” She breathed easier, the tension in her face disappearing. His entire body softened, as well.

But he jumped in his seat when a moment later she let out a frustrated curse at the phone in her hand. “I can’t do this anymore.” Then she started laughing. Which swiftly turned to something else, more choked and sad. When she looked up, tears trickled down both her cheeks.

“He’s been doing well here at the restaurant, V,” Finn said. “Don’t give up on him yet.”

She picked up the bottle and poured herself another shot of whiskey. Without hesitation, she drank it and wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her hoodie.

She stood up and began pacing again. “The other day he did the dishes at home.”

Finn laughed. “At least I’m teaching him something. Give it another few weeks and he’ll be cooking for you.”

She turned and glared. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

She moved around the lounge. She was bundled up in a white hoodie and pink track pants that hugged tight across her bottom. The street lights shone through the front window of the restaurant and in the dim light, she looked like an angel.
His
angel.

An angel ready and willing to do anything he asked.

Why had be never thought to pull her into this kind of game years ago? It was a safe and secure way to indulge his kinky side. And hers, too. All this time they’d been perfect for each other. Who knew?

Come to think of it, he had another fantasy. To feel the rush of having sex up against that front window. The rush that came with the possibility of being seen.

When he broke away from his arousing thoughts, she was watching him, a sexy smile curving at the side of her lip. “What are you thinking about over there?”

He leaned back in the booth and observed her perfect form. “I’m thinking about how much I’d like to fuck you up against the window. And about how inappropriate that would be right now.”

Her jaw dropped. “But—” She turned to the window then back at him, her lip quivering. She had been through a lot this evening. Worry. Fear. Doubt. Insecurity. The remnants of all of those things still shadowed her beautiful face. But there was no mistaking the desire darkening her eyes at the mere mention of sex. With him.

“Why inappropriate? I would like that very much.” They were silent for a long moment, neither of them making a move. Not until he bolted out of the booth, grabbed her, and locked his lips against hers. The kiss was hard and rough, and he felt it all the way down to his toes.