Recipe For Seduction (A Madewood Brothers Novel) (Entangled Brazen) (24 page)

“
What?”
Since when had the tables turned?
She
was the one who couldn’t handle the baby. “No. Things were
so
much easier after he showed up. I actually started to believe maybe raising babies wouldn’t be so tough.” That raising babies with Finn was something she could do after all. Something she wanted to do.

“Well, he’s now convinced he sucks at it. Frankly, I’ve never seen him so low.”

“That’s just…insanely wrong.”

Oh, Finn
. He’d already been having a tough time dealing with all the attention his brothers were getting, and asserting his own wishes and needs. He just didn’t know how and where he fit in. And now this. Of all the people to doubt his own ability as a parent…!

But she didn’t doubt it for a second. And she knew exactly where he fit in. Exactly what he had been put on this earth to do. He was a born mentor, a natural teacher. He had worked wonders with Cal, and every single kid he’d taught in the program. It was time someone recognized that. It was time for Finn O’Reilly to be recognized for the amazing man he was.

And she knew exactly what she had to do.

Chapter Fifteen

The back door to Carmel was wide open when Finn pulled into the lot. He was instantly alarmed. It was early in the morning and none of his staff usually showed up before noon. He got out of his car and grabbed his cell phone, his finger hovering over the nine.

He approached the back door and stepped over the threshold. The restaurant was quiet. Dark. Exactly the atmosphere for a burglar to make his living.

Before Finn moved farther inside, the crackle of gravel caught his attention. Another vehicle was pulling into the lot.

The sedan was nondescript. The getaway car?

It parked in a spot farthest from the door. But when the driver got out, Finn’s tension lightened. Emerging from the black four-door was Martin Rice, one of his former students.

Martin checked his tie in the car’s side mirror before turning toward the restaurant door. He looked so sophisticated in his suit and tie. Quite a leap from the ratty T-shirts and frayed jeans he used to wear. Getting a full scholarship to a business school and being recruited by one of the largest trading companies in the city definitely helped with one’s fashion choices.

Martin stopped short when he noticed Finn in the doorway. He glanced back, then to his left and right, as if trying to figure out the best way to approach the restaurant.

What the hell was going on?

Finally, Martin continued walking. When he was close enough, Finn called out to him, “Martin. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Hi, Chef.” Martin stepped up the two stairs onto the small wooden deck outside the back door. “Do I need an excuse to pay a visit to my mentor?”

Finn’s chest tightened in appreciation. “Not at all. I’m glad you’re here.” He motioned for him to step inside. “Although I don’t have anything to offer for breakfast since I just showed up myself.”

Martin held up his hands. “You’ve given me plenty over the years. I should be the one making you breakfast.”

Finn grinned. “I wouldn’t say no to that.” He led them through the hall, past the kitchen and into the bar lounge. “So how are things? I know—”

“
Surprise!”

Finn jumped at least a foot in the air at the loud chorus of unfamiliar voices yelling out from the darkened room. “Holy hell!”

The lights suddenly blazed on to reveal the entire lounge filled with people. But not just any people. People he knew. Dozens of them.

His grinning brothers and their significant others hovered behind the bar. Mark and Cal stood off to the right, farthest away from the rest of the crowd made up of Cooking for the Future graduates. And then he saw Veronica. She stood in the middle of the room, a notebook in her hand and a smile beaming from her face.

A hand clamped on his shoulder from behind. “Are you surprised, Chef?”

“Um. More like stunned.”
Bewildered. Nervous
. Why the hell were all these people here? It was definitely not his birthday…

That’s when he saw a banner hanging across one side of the room, taped to the wooden shelving separating the dining room from the lounge. The banner shouted four simple words.

Thank You Finn O’Reilly!

Veronica broke free from the crowd and walked over, giving him a hug.

He whispered in her ear, “What’s this all about?”

“It’s for you.”

What had he done that all these people were gathered around just for him? Sweat broke out across his brow and he wiped his suddenly moist palms on his pants. She motioned for him to sit down in a chair that had been decorated with ribbon and had balloons tied to the seat back.

“Welcome, everyone,” she said. The room quieted. “I’d like to thank you all for coming this morning, and on such short notice, but it’s for a special occasion and a very special man.”

Jack hooted and clapped. “Yo, brother.”

“We’re here to celebrate the many accomplishments of Finnigan O’Reilly.”

He shot her a narrowed look. She knew how he hated when people used his full name. But maybe he’d f
orgive her, just this once.

“Finn has touched the lives of each one of us. That’s why we’re all here.”

He tried to stand up. “I don’t understand why—?”

Cal appeared on his left and shoved him back down. “Just go with it, dude.” He sat down in the seat next to Finn. “When she gets like this, it’s just best to let her talk, even if you aren’t listening.”

Finn laughed.

“Thank you, Cal,” she drawled. She waited, staring at her little brother, then cleared her throat. “Cal?”

As if he suddenly remembered something, Cal jumped up. “Right. I’m not part of the Cooking for the Future program, but I work for Chef Finn.” He fidgeted, just like his sister. They were similar in so many ways, but Finn was only noticing it now.

“He took me in when I needed to find my way. And he helped me find myself. I’m going to attend university next September. Although I’ve only worked here for a few weeks, I can’t thank Chef Finn enough for helping me when I thought no one was willing to lend a hand.”

Another of his former students stepped forward and addressed the crowd. “Five years ago I was forced into signing up for the Cooking for the Future program. I hated that damn guidance counselor at the time, but it was either join or my parents would take my car away. If I could, I would kiss that woman. But I’d rather kiss you, Chef, because your béchamel sauce is what convinced my girlfriend to go out with me.”

Finn laughed and turned to Cal, giving him a wink. He’d told him chicks love a man who can cook.

The guy continued, “I didn’t become a chef. Instead, I got a full ride to university and graduated with honors. And I know without a doubt I wouldn’t have ended up where I am if I hadn’t have met Chef Finn.”

“Me, too.” One of his line chefs stepped forward. Finn hadn’t even noticed him in the crowd. “But I did become a chef. I thought cooking was for chicks. Not the case.” He pointed to Cal. “Stick with it, little man. You think rock stars get a lot of ass…so do chefs.” He winked and merged back into the crowd.

Ten more former students spoke, each with their own success story, and each one of them paid tribute to him as the mentor of their success. But Finn could never take the credit. A teacher could talk until he’s blue in the face, but if the student doesn’t listen and learn, it doesn’t matter what he says.

Finally, Veronica addressed the crowd. “Despite what Finn may think—and I think you’ve all proved him wrong—Finn O’Reilly has touched us all in one way or another. Whether through friendship, through the program, or as a family member, he lives every day not for himself, but for others. And because of that we all have richer lives.”

She fidgeted. It was the cutest fidget he’d ever seen. But he had no idea why she would be so nervous.
He
was the one who should be nervous, with all this damn attention on him. Something he didn’t think he’d ever get used to.

“I met Finn when I was ten years old,” she said. “He had the same shaggy haircut, the same goofy smile, and most important, the same big heart.” She paused, and he knew without looking that her bottom lip was being chewed between her teeth and her fingers were picking at the edges of the paper in her hands. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with him from that very first day.”

His head shot up and zeroed in on the face of his one true love.

“I don’t have a childhood memory without Finn in it. There isn’t a life decision I’ve made that didn’t have Finn’s input. He’s been there for me every time, in every way possible.”

Giving him an adoring look, she waited while the crowd
awwww
ed. His face heated, a crimson flush creeping up from his neck to his cheeks. “
V
,” he mumbled under his breath.

“A few weeks ago I told him I was going to seduce him,” she said, and the crowd hooted. “His eyes nearly bugged out of his head.” She chuckled at his stunned expression. “Kind of like they’re doing now.”

“Veronica!” He darted a sideways glance at Mark to see if he was about to get the beat-down he’d been expecting. But his best friend watched his sister with a huge smile. Relief settled in his shoulders but it did nothing to ease his discomfort at her public disclosure of their very personal, very intimate, relationship.

She stepped closer to his chair and gazed into his eyes, pushing aside a stray hair. “But he met the challenge. Heck, even took over the challenge.”

His brothers laughed. They knew despite his usual neutral opinions, he was very competitive, always on a mission to win.

When the laughter died down, she said, “But unlike the Finn O’Reilly you all know and love, when I told him a long-term relationship between us would never work, he gave up on us. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “But I’m here to tell you, Finn, I won’t
let
you give up on us. Just as you encouraged everyone else in this room to achieve their dreams, to keep going no matter what life threw at them. I want you to achieve yours, Finn.”

A collective sigh traveled all around the bar. He saw Sterling dab at her eyes with a Kleenex, along with every other woman in the place.

For the first time, hope filled his heart, but it stuttered in his chest.

He shook his head. No. This wasn’t right. It wasn’t what she really wanted. She was giving in to
his
wishes.

As if reading his mind, she said, “You were right all along, Finn. I do have the same dreams as you. I just lost mine along the way. You helped me find them again.”

Could it really be true? He searched her face for a sign, anything to prove he was reading too much into her words. But what stared back at him wasn’t a lie. His insides churned with hopefulness.

“You were my dream all along, I was just too stubborn to sit up and grab it.”

She reached out for his hand and after a brief hesitation, he took it firmly in his. He stood, and she pulled him into an embrace. Wrapping her arms around him, she rested her chin on his chest and gazed up into his eyes. “Just as you’d do with your students, I’m going ride your ass until you understand I
want
to marry you.” She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed his chin. “And have your babies.” Then she kissed his nose. “And spend the rest of my life with you.”

“So the mentor becomes the mentee?” He didn’t think it was possible for a smile to be as wide as the one that broke out over his face then.

Despite the room full of cheering people, he indulged the rush of desire that never failed to take over whenever her hands were on him. “My ass is really looking forward to you riding it,” he said. When the crowd roared, he grimaced. “Wait, that
so
came out wrong.”

Her head fell back with a hearty, sincere laugh. “I think it came out exactly how you intended.” She smiled. “And I’m looking forward to fulfilling that promise.”

They shared a secret smile knowing there were many, many sizzling adventures in their future, then he hugged her tighter and gazed into the brown depths of her eyes. Those eyes that never failed to tell him everything he needed to know. And when he saw all the love, devotion, sincerity, and truth staring back at him, he knew that in this amazing woman’s heart he’d finally found the one thing he’d spent a lifetime searching for.

Home.

Epilogue

Veronica stared at the double lines that spanned the length of the tiny window on the plastic stick.

Double lines.

Pregnant.

Excitement danced in her stomach. Legitimate excitement at the thought of having a baby. Finn’s baby. Their baby.

She had denied her dream for so long, thinking that a family of her own was taking on too much. But she could finally admit, the idea of life growing inside of her was something she had always wanted. A journey she couldn’t wait to experience.

But would Finn feel the same way?

He had always been adamant about his life’s path. He had a well-ordered plan.

Fall in love.

Get married.

Have children.

In that order. And this miraculous accident was messing with that order.

She walked out of the powder room on the first floor of Finn’s home and made her way to the kitchen, sidestepping boxes and garbage bags full of clothing. They had only been a legitimate couple for a few weeks, but in that time Veronica had packed up her house and moved into Finn’s—with Cal in tow.

He’d been just as excited. Probably because Finn’s house was bigger, had a better kitchen, and was closer to Carmel. Cal and Finn had become thick as thieves over the last few weeks.

Finn’s kitchen was nothing short of spectacular—not surprising considering his occupation. One wall was lined with dark wood pantry shelving, and a granite-topped island sat in the middle of the room—one side equipped with a gas stovetop and on the opposite side an under-mount stainless steel sink. The rest of the island was reserved for prep space or seating for six. Which was perfect for when both kids would be home over the summer—and there’d still be room for a high chair. A long mahogany table sat to the right, under a bay window overlooking the front lawn, and more counter and cupboard space lined the wall closest to the entrance.

Veronica approached the window and gazed outside. Five inches of snow had fallen over the last couple of days and now completely covered the grass. Moonlight sparkled against the untouched white powder, so beautiful and full of promise. Just like the two lines on the pregnancy stick.

Five more were expected to fall the next day, which made her rethink their trip to visit Ali at school. Or at least rethink their travel itinerary. But she couldn’t wait to see her sister. Even though she’d seen her just two weeks ago, it felt like a lifetime.

A car door slammed and she tensed. Finn was back from picking up the last of her things. She wasn’t ready to tell him the news. Not like this. Not on any random night of the week. She wanted it to be special. Something to remember.

She froze, then turned from side to side, finally choosing to shove the stick into the junk drawer at the end of the counter. She slammed it shut and raced to the kitchen table and sat down, pretending to read through a contract.

The front door banged open and she heard the rustle of cardboard.

“I’m back with the final load,” Finn yelled from the foyer.

She tidied up the table and shoved a few papers into an accordion folder, nervous as a cat. Though, she had no idea why. Surely, he’d be thrilled with the news.

Wouldn’t he?

“That’s the last of the boxes.” His voice was closer this time. His cold body dropped the temperature of the room as he strode closer and planted a kiss on her head. “You guys are going to be really happy here.”

She had no doubt they’d be happy here.

“Do you think we should get going tonight? I’m worried about the storm tomorrow.” She jumped out of her seat and out of his embrace, retreating to the island. “I can always call Ali and tell her we’ll be leaving tonight.”

“The snow will be fine.” He shrugged. “I was hoping to spend some time with you tonight.” He came closer to where she was leaning against the island counter.

If they spent the evening alone, she’d end up blurting out the news. She needed to get them out of the house. Needed to lose herself in the silence of a road trip to figure out how she was going to tell him.

He sidled up to her and grasped her by the hips. “I think you’re just excited to see Ali. This has nothing to do with the weather.”

“I’m busted.” She smiled the best fake smile she could muster. She hated lying. Hated keeping things from him. But this news was too big.

He sighed. “Well, if you’re that adamant. All right.” He looked disappointed. “I’m just going to have to stop by Jack and Sterling’s on the way.” He threaded his hand through his hair.

Why was he fidgeting?
She
was the one sitting on the biggest secret of their lives.

“He asked me to drop something off. I just need to get the key.”

He turned and headed out of the kitchen. She let out a huge breath, but tensed in alarm when he didn’t go for the door but halted at the junk drawer.

He pulled it open and reached inside. The he stopped short.
Oops
.

So much for keeping a secret.

“Please tell me this doesn’t belong to one of Cal’s girlfriends,” he said without looking up from the drawer, his voice strangled.

“Nope.” She bit her lip, then cleared her throat. “It, um, belongs to
your
girlfriend.”

He still hadn’t turned to face her. Instead, he picked up the stick and examined it. He stared at it for a few seconds, then he finally turned, his eyes focusing on her. His gaze traveled toward her belly, then back to her eyes. His face was blank. She couldn’t tell what was going on in his head. And it made her even more nervous.

“Finn, I know this isn’t part of the plan. And I know you’d rather get married…eventually. And yes, I’m going to be presumptuous and assume you’ll be marrying me, but— I’m sorry.” She was rambling. But she couldn’t stop the verbal diarrhea from spewing out. “I’m not really sure when it happened, but I assume it was the night of Jack and Sterling’s wedding. It was the only time we had unprotected sex and—”

He raised his hand and she halted her speech. His expression was still blank.

She waited for him to give her a clue. Something, anything, to let her know he was all right with this turn of events.

And after a moment of silence a small smile curved at the side of his lip and he laughed. “You really know how to steal a man’s thunder.”

“Wha…what?” Why the hell was he laughing? “What thunder?”

“Mine.” He strode forward and didn’t stop until she was flush against him, his strong arms wrapped around her body. “This is the greatest news I’ve ever heard.”

The excitement she had been battling not ten minutes earlier returned at his declaration. “Really? You’re not mad that we didn’t get married first?”

He pulled away and thrust his hips into her. “Are you kidding? I don’t care how things happen, just that they do. With you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. You, and a family of our own.”

She rplanted a big, wet kiss on his lips. “I’m so happy, too. I can’t believe this is happening but it’s all so perfect.”

“And it’s about to get even more perfect.” He kissed her nose then walked away.

Oh, God. He was right. This was all too perfect. Everything was happening just as she had always imagined. Minus the prenuptial pregnancy and the two half siblings who ended up on her doorstep, but still pretty damn close. And they only added to the perfection.

He returned from the foyer with a cardboard box, and when he placed it at her feet, the box meowed.

“Finn?” The hormones must be messing with her.

He dropped to his knees. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“Did that box just meow?”

He knelt down to open it, and a tiny black kitten peered up at her with round little blue eyes. It had a Tiffany-blue ribbon tied around its neck.

Finn picked up the kitten and held it close.

Veronica was utterly charmed. “Oh, Finn. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

The kitten nuzzled against his firm chest. Babies—and apparently even kittens—knew that Finn’s best asset was his broad chest…and its ability to make one feel so safe and loved.

Finn looked up at her and smiled that goofy grin she loved so much. “I don’t think there’s been a day in the last twenty years that I haven’t loved you.”

She reached out and caressed the kitten’s head to cover the moisture that welled in her eyes. It purred against her hand. “I love you, too, Finn.”

“In the beginning, it might have been friend love, or brotherly love, but it was definitely love. All too rare in our lives back then.”

She smiled back at him. “Yeah. It’s always been special between us.”

“Lately, though, that love turned into something more, something all-consuming. I thought it was wrong. Things got…too complicated.” He reached out to touch her cheek. “But how could love ever be wrong? I can’t even imagine not loving you in all those many ways, for the rest of my life.”

Tears stung her eyes and her brain spun with so many thoughts. “Me, neither,” she whispered.

“I thought Lucky Two, here, would keep you company on the nights I’m working.”

She brought her hand to her chest. “Finn, you’ve already given me so much.”

“Veronica.” He shook his head. “It’s
you
who’ve given
me
so much.” He placed his palm on her belly. Then he shifted his position on the floor and went up onto one knee.

“You’re the only woman who has the ability to bring me to my knees—literally—with your wit, your brains, your body. I only have one question for you.”

He lifted his hand and adjusted the ribbon on the kitten’s neck. As he turned it around, something sparkled. Something much too sparkly for a name tag. Was that…? It couldn’t be. It looked like…a diamond ring.

Now she was seeing things. She had to be hallucinating. From the pregnancy hormones. Lord, this was going to be a long nine months. Or—

“Finn…?”

“I don’t give a damn about the order of things. It was never about copying the stereotype. It was about finding a family of my own. And you gave me that. A bigger, better family than I could have imagined.”

He put the cat back in the box and pulled at the ribbon. She’d been right. A diamond ring fell into his palm and he held it out to her. It was the most spectacular engagement ring she’d ever seen. A large princess-cut diamond was outlined with a row of smaller diamonds on a white gold band.

Her breath caught. And even before he asked, she knew her answer.

“Veronica Whitfield, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She jumped up and tackled him to the floor. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She kissed his cheeks, his forehead, his lips. She kissed everywhere there was bare skin.

But in the middle of her kisses, the front door slammed and Cal’s annoyed voice declared, “I think it’s time for me to move out. I can’t wait to leave for school. This whole walking in on you two smooching thing has gotten really old.”

They both burst out laughing and she hid her face against Finn’s chest. Cal shuffled past the kitchen and his feet stomped up the stairs.

Finn grabbed her sides and squeezed, pulling her off his body and into sitting position next to him. “So, you’ll let me slip this diamond on your finger?”

“Hell, yes.” She held out her hand, and the ring fit perfectly.

She admired the gorgeous jewel with new tears in her eyes. She had secretly envied every single bride she’d ever contracted. The way their rings sparkled in the sunlight. The way their faces had lit up whenever they looked at it. As if they were remembering the exact moment they had screamed out the word “Yes!” And now she knew exactly why. Because if she could, she’d bottle this amazing feeling to remember forever.

They sealed it with a long, lingering kiss.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “A family of our own. Together forever.” She placed one hand on her belly and her other arm around the man she loved with all her heart.

He smiled and picked up the cat, and placed it in her arms. “Everything we’ve always wanted. Right here in this house.”

And it truly was. Finn had given her everything she’d always wanted. But it had turned out to be so much more.

But most of all, love.