She chuckled, but he raised an interesting point about other women. Heath, if people think you and I are a couple, wont it hinder your love life?
Sacrifice Im willing to make. He grinned. Temporarily. Ive actually been swamped with work stuff recently and had to reschedule my last two attempted dates. So contrary to my suave reputation, I can go a couple of weeks without a woman on my arm.
Still, it seems pretty one-sided, me using you to make Cam jealous.
Im at your disposal. Use me any way you want.
It was the kind of outrageously flirtatious comment he routinely made. She knew better than to read anything serious into it. Hes a buddy, she reminded herself. Hes not genuinely propositioning you.
Yeah, she knew that. Intellectually. But the reminder would have been a lot more convincing without the memory of that scalding kiss still buzzing through her system.
* * *
WHAT DO YOU mean Heath kissed you last night? Gwen went from lazily lounging on the sofa to bolt upright and hyperalertor as alert as one could look with bed head and flying toaster pajamas. She sounded scandalized, which was ironic considering the details of her own personal life.
Grinning at her friends reaction, Phoebe put her empty coffee cup in the sink. Then she made a beeline for her favorite armchair, the first piece of nongarage sale furniture shed purchased after starting her side business of wedding cakes. Their apartment was modest, but the kitchen met her picky specifications.
Which part of kissing dont you understand? she joked. His lips, my lips. After the sordid tales of you and the hot stunt guy, I know youre familiar with the concept.
Gwen scowled, clearly not amused.
Wow, she really doesnt approve of Heath. Not for the first time, Phoebe wished that two of her favorite people could get along better. Shed attempted to fix them up last year, thinking they had a lot in common, but the double date with her and Cam had been a massive failure. Even before Gwens blasphemous declaration that baseball was boring, Heath hadnt been his usual charming self. Hed seemed oddly distracted. Look, it wasnt a real kiss. Heath wanted to help me make Cam jealous and offered to let me use him.
A flutter of guilty pleasure went through her. What might a woman do with Heath Jensen entirely under her control?
Gwen shook her head firmly. You dont want any part of that. Making sure your ex sees you looking hot is one thing, but mind games are beneath you.
Maybe. She recalled Cams stricken expression after hed seen Heath kiss her and her vindictive delight. Maybe not. But its not like you to judge. Youre the one always encouraging me to be reckless, have an adventure.
Yeah, but I figured youd start small and work your way up. When a person goes skiing for the first time, she doesnt head straight for the black diamond trails. She starts with the bunny slopes! Heath is no bunny.
I know the two of you didnt exactly hit it off, but Heath would never hurt me.
Not intentionally, Gwen agreed. But you would be in way over your head trying to fake a red-hot fling with him. Next to that borderline man-whore, youre a nun.
I went out last night in a dress cut down to my navel. I am not a nun.
Okay, wrong choice of word. But you have to admit youre not... Gwen peered at her with a combination of affection and sympathy. Like when you talked about your love life with Cam? It sounded comfortable, maybe even a little routine.
Maybe Ive never had a quickie with a ripped stuntman in a makeup trailer, but our sex life was plenty satisfactory! Oh, there was a ringing endorsement. Hey, baby, wanna get satisfactory? Was that why Cam had left herbecause the sex had been boring?
After growing up with a mother whod done everything she could to impress on her that sex was evil, Phoebe had congratulated herself more than once on not turning out to be phobic. Still, her love life was pretty conventional. Thered been the boyfriend her freshman year in college whod been as inexperienced as she was. Hed treated her like a princess, but the sex had not been earth-shaking. Then thered been the bartender shed dated during her year of working at a bakery. On the nights he worked, he didnt get home until almost 3:00 a.m., and her predawn shift had started at four. Their sex life had been great...when they were both awake at the same time. Cam was by far the best lover shed ever had, but now she realized she didnt have much basis for comparison.
If shed been more inventive in bed, would she have held his interest longer?
That was a depressing thought.
Phoebe sighed. I guess instead of making fun of those Weird Ways to Bring Him to His Knees articles in your fashion magazines, I should be studying them for advice. Then again, why read generic tips written by another woman? Why not get a guys opinion? She snapped her fingers. Or Heath could help me.
What? Lets not do anything hasty.
Heath offered to help. Use me any way you want. Why not take him up on it? The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Best-case scenario, I win back the man I was planning to spend my life with, after an appropriate period of groveling. Worst case, Cam and I stay split up, but I salvage my pride by making sure he knows Im not wasting away and I pick up tips on being more seductive. Wheres the bad?
In Heath Jensens arms, Gwen said darkly.
There, her roommate was wrong. Because being kissed by Heath had been very, very good. And that had only been a brief preview of his expertise. Her pulse quickened.
How much more of Heaths sensual skill would she experience firsthand? She glanced across the room to where her phone was charging.
Only one way to find out.
3
ARMS AND BACK muscles straining, a bead of sweat trickling down his chest, Heath raised himself into his last set of pull-ups. It was tempting to use the buzzing cell phone on the nightstand as an excuse to quit the workout, but after starting high school as the shortest, chunkiest guy in the freshman class, he took his athletic regimen seriously. Staying in shape required effort, especially for someone who worked withand enjoyed the hell out offood. He glanced down at the phone. Unless it was someone from the restaurant, and therefore a potential emergency, hed call whoever it was back.
But then he saw Phoebes name on the screen, and he almost lost his grip on the bar.
Dropping to his feet, he snatched up the phone. Hello? So Ill do an extra set of reps tomorrow. No big deal.
Hey. Her voice was soft, tentative. Did I catch you at a bad time?
That depended. Was she calling to tell him she didnt appreciate his meddling last night and that hed better keep his hands to himself? Just finishing up a workout. He reached for his bottle of water. What can I do for you?
Teach me to be sexy.
Thank God he hadnt opened the water yet. An announcement like that would have had him spluttering. His obituary in the AJC would read Restaurateur Drowns in Bedroom.
Phoebe. Not to state the obvious, but you are sexy.
The word people use is cute.
Stupid people, maybe. Not even a chefs jacket and apron could hide those curves. And anyone who paid close enough attention to her mischievous smile would discover an alluring potential to misbehave. How did people miss it? Hell, hed been trying to unsee it for months.
Phoebe. Not to state the obvious, but you are sexy.
The word people use is cute.
Stupid people, maybe. Not even a chefs jacket and apron could hide those curves. And anyone who paid close enough attention to her mischievous smile would discover an alluring potential to misbehave. How did people miss it? Hell, hed been trying to unsee it for months.
Maybe now he didnt have to. For the moment, she was unattached. And he was no longer her employer.
Its not like I suffer from low self-esteem, she said matter-of-factly. Im attractive, and Im talented in the kitchen. But Im not...you know. Va va voom.
Did you not look in a mirror before you left the house last night? For that matter, was she oblivious to how aroused hed been when she kissed him back? He got hard every time he remembered the taste of her mouth beneath his, the feel of her fingers in his hair as she tugged him closer.
Eye makeup and a low-cut dress are superficial window dressing. I want a more meaningful makeover. I want to be exciting. She lowered her voice. Seductive.
A more seductive Phoebe. God help him.
If I take Cam back, she continued, I dont want to worry that Im not enough to hold his interest.
Cam. Right.
Heath had been so busy picturing Phoebe as a confident seductress that hed momentarily forgotten this was all to prove a point to her ex. Which was your idea, genius. He could hardly fault her for taking him at his word. Hadnt he offered to help in whatever way she needed? She was, after all, one of his best friends.
You suggested we pretend to be dating, she said, and I thought that while were spending some extra time together, maybe you could give me pointers.
It was like the lamb asking the wolf to help make her more delicious. The noble part of him truly wanted to help her; the other 99 percent of him was preoccupied by the possibilities. For months, working alongside her, hed been a gentlemanor, at least, his version of one. Thered been some playfully naughty banter, but hed kept his hands to himself. And now she wanted to put herself in his hands and have him teach her about sex?
If he was a better person, hed warn her away. Are you free for dinner?
T-tonight? The way she stumbled over the word made him wonder if she was already rethinking her request, or if she was just surprised hed agreed.
Yeah. I Reality caught up to him. He couldnt miss work tonight. They were hosting some celebs in town to shoot a movie. He wanted to personally ensure that everything went smoothly and that service was stellar. As hard as hed worked to make Piri successful, he had no intentions of slacking off now. They needed the extra profits to help bankroll a sister restaurant. Wait, tonights no good.
Not for me, either. Sundays arent as busy as Thursday through Saturday, when we have the dueling pianos, but the weekly wine tastings are growing in popularity. Ive got an entire dessert menu pairing chocolate and red wine.
What about tomorrow?
That could work. I go in on Mondays, but after I get the desserts prepped, I can probably leave. Its our quietest night. Or if you want to wait a little longer, I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.
No, he emphatically did not want to wait. Part of him was still tempted to talk her into calling in sick and coming over tonight. Before she came to her senses. Then, Ill cook you dinner tomorrow. It can be after eight if you need to help with the dinner rush. By nature, he was a night person, and working in the restaurant industry had amplified that.
Or you could come to my apartment and I can cook, she offered. I owe you. After all, youre doing me the favor.
Debatable. If I come over, can you guarantee my safety? That roommate of yours would probably stab me with a salad fork the first chance she got.
Good point. At your place, we wont be interrupted.
Private seduction lessons with Phoebe.
He couldnt have imagined a better fantasy if hed tried. And he had a very active imagination.
* * *
UM... AMY HUANG, the apprentice chef, darted a nervous glance at Phoebe and then looked back at the crystallized mess that was supposed to have been caramel sauce.
Dammit. Earlier, the top of a limoncello sponge cake had collapsed, now this. Embarrassment prickled along Phoebes skin, and her fingers clenched around the handle of the pan. She was supposed to be teaching Amy, not demonstrating a showcase of what-not-to-dos.
Guess everything they say about Mondays is true, Phoebe said lightly, trying to contain the annoyance she felt over her mistakes. Why dont you take a quick break and Ill clean up?
Amys expression was dubious. I dont think James hired you to do dishes.
If you want to get technical, he didnt hire me to ruin perfectly good caramel, either.
At that, the apprentice chef laughed. Well, I would appreciate a few minutes to call my boyfriend. Hes out of town celebrating his birthday with his brothers.
Go. Phoebe waved her away, trying not to succumb to a moment of cynicism. Was Amys boyfriend missing her, or eyeing other prospects? Were his brothers the type of guys who would respect a commitment, or the type who would try to convince the birthday boy that what Amy didnt know wouldnt hurt her?
Not all men were heartless liars, she reminded herself. Take Heath, for example. He might date dozens of women, but she couldnt imagine him deceiving one. He made no secret that he liked to have a good timebut there was more to him than that. He was an ambitious worker and a devoted friend. She was still a little surprised hed agreed to put his own love life on hiatus to help her.
Surprised and nervous.
She wasnt sure what to expect when she had dinner with him tonight, which probably explained the atypical mistakes she was making. Shed been distracted since she got here. Who are you kidding? Shed been distracted since shed hung up the phone with him yesterday. The way his low voice had rumbled you are sexy had wound its way through her, as irresistible as the aroma of apple-cinnamon cake in the oven.
Hey, there. James joined her at the industrial sink. Of Norwegian descent, the big blond man was a cross between a Viking and teddy bear. From the concerned look on his face, it was clear hed heard about her mishaps. She hated to fail him after hed campaigned so long to hire her.
Despite the many times theyd joked about him stealing her away from Piri, shed never once thought she would have to take him up on his offer of a job. Shed believed she and Cam were a lasting teampersonally and professionally. Wrong on both counts.
It would take a long time to establish the same kind of rhythm with this kitchen staff that shed enjoyed at Piri, but she loved Jamess upscale bar and his infectious enthusiasm. Besides, she needed this job. Her side business in wedding cake orders and other specialty items was growing steadily, but it was nowhere near a full-time income.
You want to head out a little early tonight? James offered.
Trying to get rid of me before I burn the place down?
Hell, yes. Youre only supposed to resort to arson for insurance when the business isnt turning a profit. Were actually succeeding.
No surprise there, she said fondly. Good concept, good location, great management. The tapas plates were wonderful, and now that Phoebe was on board, the dessert selection of tasty traditional choices, like cheesecake and peach cobbler, also featured more creative dishes inspired by sweet liqueurs and cocktails.