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.
Throughout the week, the bar offered something for everyonefrom open-mic nights to the engaging dueling pianists, including Jamess longtime boyfriend, to last nights wine tasting, which paired vintages with bite-size appetizers designed to highlight the notes. A newly engaged couple had come in to celebrate with friends and toast their happiness. Phoebe had rolled out a special cake for them and, after witnessing how in love they were, it had been a struggle not to cry in the crepe batter when shed returned to the kitchen.
Dont beat yourself up for having an off night, James advised. Gwen and I shouldnt have bullied you into seeing Cam at that birthday party. It must have been awful. If Steve and I ever He broke off, wincing. I cant even think about that.
Me, neither. You guys are perfect together. Then again, what did she know? Thered been a time when shed believed that about her and Cameron, too. The pain of getting dumped was two-tiered, like the coconut wedding cake she was baking this week. First, there was the obvious pain of rejection and loss. But beneath that was a nagging feeling of stupidity, the questioning why she hadnt seen it coming. She was starting to second-guess her own judgment.
Any more pastry catastrophes tonight and she might start to second-guess her culinary skills, too.
She sighed. You know what? I will leave a little bit early. I have plans later anyway. At the thought of what those plans entailed, her face heated. Part of her still couldnt believe shed followed through on her impulse to ask Heath for his help. But the request had been over the phone, from a safe distance. What would it be like to actually face him tonight? Nothing embarrassed the man, so there was no telling how explicit his pointers might be.
No problem, youve had years of experience with Gwens outrageous bluntness. True, but Gwen didnt have Heaths green eyes, or a deep voice that was as addictive as hazelnut truffles. And Phoebe wasnt even going to think about his mouth or the way he kissed, like he knew all a womans secrets.
James gave a low whistle under his breath. Wow, these must be some very rowdy after-hours plans for you to look that guilty. I take it Gwen has schemed something to cheer you up?
She bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to dwell on her roommates dire warnings. Nothing like that. Im just grabbing a late dinner with Heath.
Heath Jensen? Nice. He bumped her shoulder with his own. But Im a little miffed you havent mentioned until now that somethings going on.
An automatic protest sprang to her lips, but she stopped herself from assuring him that she and Heath were platonic buddies. After all, the plan was for people to think there was something between the two of them, right? I ran into him at the party Saturday, she said. And our encounter took a...surprising turn. I didnt say anything because Im not sure what will happen yet.
Jamess pale blue eyes twinkled. Well, go find out.
* * *
AS THE ELEVATOR slowly made the climb to what Heath jokingly called his seventh-floor penthouse, Phoebe tried to ignore the mirrored doors. Even though shed changed out of her kitchen uniform of double-breasted jacket, elastic-waisted dark pants and pin-striped bakers cap, no one was going to mistake her for a femme fatale. Her face, devoid of makeup, was still flushed from hours in a hot kitchen, and her loose bun was trying to escape its confines via frizz. The black skirt with dark metallic polka dots was cute, although a conservative length that stopped just above her knees; the loose blouse she wore over a copper-colored tank top was mostly shapeless. And her flat scandals screamed sensible.
As the doors parted, panic flitted through her. A plan that had seemed almost reasonable yesterday morning suddenly seemed insane. How could anyone make her a seductress? Gwen was right. This is a huge mistake.
Embarrassment churning in her stomach, she almost turned to go. She could call Heath from her car and tell him something had come upwork, or a headache, or alien abduction. But arent you sick of always trying so hard to avoid mistakes?
Shed spent the better part of her adolescence feeling like she was a mistake. Her mother certainly hadnt planned to get pregnant as a teenager. The womans constant dire warnings, intended to keep her daughter from repeating her bad choices, had left Phoebe terrified of doing anything wrong. Phoebe had wanted to be the perfect daughter, to atone for her existence. And hadnt she tried to be the perfect girlfriend to Cam? That sure as hell hadnt gotten her anywhere. Anger heated her skin, and she ripped the blouse that suddenly felt claustrophobic over her head, shoving it into her shoulder bag.
Every time she put a dessert in the oven, she hoped it would turn out perfectly. But sometimes soufflés fell and crème brûlée torches led to fire extinguishers. Was that a reason to stop cooking?
The door swung open, startling her from her thoughts. Heath stood barefoot in a pair of dark slacks, his royal blue shirt untucked and rolled up at the sleeves. I thought I heard the elevator. He raised an eyebrow at her. Are you planning to come inside?
She lifted her chin. To hell with being afraidmaybe it was time to start making some mistakes. You bet your ass I am.
4
HEATH STEPPED ASIDE to let in Phoebe, assessing her mood. Hed heard the elevator in the hall ding almost five minutes ago, but no knock had followed. Hed assumed that meant Phoebe was having second thoughts, yet there wasnt a trace of hesitation in her body language as she marched into the loft, her posture regal and her shapely arms displayed to full advantage by a silky tank top.
His apartment often impressed his dates. This would be when the oohs and aahs took place. Phoebe, however, had been here a dozen times. She didnt gush over the skyline view through the floor-to-ceiling window or the gleaming hardwood floors or the blown-glass sculptures that added splashes of vibrant color against the white leather furniture. Instead, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeplyHeath couldnt help noticing the rise and fall of her breasts beneath her top.
Mmm. I love the smell of fresh basil.
Hope you like the way it tastes, too. He led her to the kitchen, which was separated from the living room only by a marble-topped counter. My plan is to sear scallops and serve them alla caprese.
Taking a seat atop one of the bar stools, she sighed happily. Its so decadent having someone cook for me. When youre a chef, youre used to doing the food preparation, not just at work but for family and friends.
Cams an executive chef. Didnt he cook for you? The question was an automatic response to her words, but he regretted asking. The last thing hed intended was to bring up the guy whod jilted her, not when she was looking so relaxed and happy.
Frequently. But it was... She paused, considering. When he had me try new dishes, it was a matter of wanting my professional opinion on how to make his creation better. He called me his muse. It sounded romantic, she said in a small voice. But maybe it was just a glorified term for taste tester.
For a second, Heath hated his business partner almost as much as he hated the self-doubt on Phoebes face. Well, I dont have any creations I need to perfect. All I have is a limited culinary repertoire I use in a feeble attempt to impress women who turn me on. He reached across the counter, tipping her chin up with his finger. Gorgeous redheads, for instance, who kiss like pagan goddesses.
She blinked at that, but then shook her head. Laying it on a little thick, arent you?
Have you met me? I have no shame. I do, however, have excellent taste in wine. Can I pour you some of the pinot gris I have chilled?
Yes, please. In a really large glass.
Thirsty? Or nervous?
Trying to drown out my roommates voice in my head. Gwen thinks this is a terrible idea, my asking for your help.
Just because you asked doesnt mean youre committed to accepting it. You can leave anytime. The words scraped against his throathe wanted her herebut he made himself voice the disclaimer. He was willing to take advantage of the situation that had presented itself, but he didnt want to take advantage of her.
I know. Her eyes locked with his.
Did she feel the same blast of heat that surged through him? The cold bottle of wine was a welcome respite. He poured two glasses, obligingly filling hers almost to the rim.
Thank you, she said softly. Not just for the wine or dinner, but for all of this. Its not like I can make Cam jealous by myself, right?
So youve decided you definitely want to win him back? He reached for one of the skillets hanging over the kitchen island and smacked it down on the burner.
I dont know. My emotions are all jumbled up. But there was a married couple who came into the bar last week to celebrate their tenth anniversarythe man had the pianists serenade his wife with a song from their wedding. When I see people like that, part of me still imagines me and Cam ten or fifteen years from now. I thought he was my future. She sipped her wine. I suppose you never think about the future.
Sure I do. All the time. He turned on the gas burner, then poured olive oil into the skillet. Most of my waking hours lately have been spent thinking about scouting restaurant locations in Miami. Hed made some excellent contacts over the past few years attending the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, and hed identified several flourishing neighborhoods that might be a good fit for his and Cams second venture.
I meant a romantic future, Phoebe said. Do you think youll ever want more than hot one-night stands?
Some of those are hot weekends. I can go longer than a single night.
For a change, she didnt blush at his teasing. Instead, she wagged her finger at him. You arent as shallow as you let people believe.
Wanna bet?
There was a stubborn glint in her eye, but rather than argue, she took another sip of her drink. Maybe I spend too much time trying to plan for the future. Gwen thinks I need to live in the moment and...have adventures.
He grinned. What kind of adventures? Knowing her roommate, Gwen wasnt suggesting scuba diving or hot-air-balloon rides. Sex on a hot-air balloon, maybe.
Now Phoebe did blush, a rosy stain spreading across her face. She glanced past him at the stove, where oil hissed and sizzled in the pan. You should turn down the heat.
He obligingly flicked the control knob before adding the scallops. I thought our purpose was to turn up the heat. You wanted to know if you could be more seductive, right? Exciting? Those had been her exact words. Heath had the sudden urge to offer her all the excitement she could handle. Whats the most exciting sexual thing youve done?
Lose my virginity? Although exciting isnt the first adjective Id pick to describe that encounter. Frustration pinched her expression. People like you and Gwen dont get itsome of us arent exciting. Thats why Im here.
If her love life hadnt been exhilarating enough, then her sexual partners were also to blame. But he didnt point that out, not wanting to reintroduce Cam in the conversation. All right, what adventurous things have you thought about doing? Fess up. If you didnt have a wicked streak, you wouldnt have sought my help.
I guess thats true. After a moments consideration, her lips curved in a small secret smile that left him hard. It was the naughtiest expression hed ever seen on her face, a glimpse at the mischievous Phoebe hed known was there but who was seldom allowed to come out and play. Damn, she was sexy. If Heaths shirt hadnt been untucked, the situation might be embarrassing.
Phoebe Mars. What dirty thing are you imagining? And are you in need of a volunteer?
When Gwen and I first moved into our apartment, back before I met Caback when I was single, she amended, we lived across from a guy who worked at a local gym. He was so toned. She paused for a moment, appreciating the memory. Anyway, my desk is pushed up against my bedroom windowalmost blocking it, but not completely. I was searching recipes on the computer and when I glanced up, I realized his blinds were partially open. He was undressing in his room, and he was, um, erect.
Yeah, there was a lot of that going around.
Before he disappeared from view, I saw him reach down and grip his erection. Her breathing was audible, her face flushed.
And you wanted to watch him get off?
Nowell, maybe, she reflected. But for a second, I thought he might have seen me through the window and my imagination ran wild. I imagined him catching me naked. Imagined what it would be like for him to watch me...touch myself.
Working in a kitchen required being good with ones hands. Heath had seen her knead and stir and frost countless times. Now his gaze flew to those talented hands, and he was assailed by the erotic image of her fingers cupped over the red-gold curls between her thighs, furiously working her sex. Or would she take her time with leisurely caresses, drawing out her pleasure? Hed thought he was hard before? His dick was like steel.
She bit her lip, and he tried not to imagine the scrape of her teeth across his skin. I shocked you, didnt I?
Hell, yes. In the best possible way. Of course not. This is me. Im unshockable.
Really?
Its not uncommon to have exhibitionist or voyeurism fantasies. He would be having several later tonight.
Her expression brightened with so much joy that one would think shed just been named the ACF Pastry Chef of the Year. Thank you.
Anytime. But Im not sure what I did to deserve gratitude.
She looked down, concentrating on her wineglass rather than meeting his gaze. My mom got pregnant as a teen, and she worked really hard to make sure that never happened to me. Most of my life, I was half convinced kissing was evil, never mind fantasies about...
Masturbating in front of a sexy stranger?
The blunt words heightened the color in her cheeks, but she nodded. Youre a relief to be around. I mean, youre cocky and frequently a pain in the ass
Guilty.
But you arent judgmental and I dont constantly worry that Im going to disappoint you. Youre a good friend, Heath.
A better friend would help her win back the man she loved without picturing her naked. No, Im a selfish hedonist. But the benefit of having no shame is that I dont let it bother me.