Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Well, we don’t want that.”
“But the real answer? In some kind of chef position, working my way up to executive chef or something. And maybe one day own my own restaurant. I know that’s a pipe dream and not something that happens overnight or even in a lifetime for some. But I want to be somewhere I can use my talents. Cooking is my happy place. I’m not good at most things, but I’m good at that. You can crunch numbers and take on scary business tycoons. I just want to cook a mean truffle risotto.”
“Then why aren’t you?”
“I told you. Because I tried to kill people with mushroom oil, cost a restaurant a Michelin star, and got myself blacklisted from the restaurant world.”
“So, fight back.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m pretty sure my picture is in all kitchens with a ‘do not hire’ warning.”
“I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit. You have this fight in you that not many people have. It’s one of the things I admire about you. And I’ve dealt with ruthless businessmen over the years. Some would cut off the legs of their own flesh and blood to get ahead.”
“Geez, that’s not morbid or anything.”
“I’m just saying that they fight dirty. You should, too. Don’t let anyone stop you from what you want. No one is holding you back but yourself.”
“So, what you’re saying is quit working for you and—”
“Okay, forget anything I said. You’re never quitting.” He leans in, taking my mouth. His lips are magical, and I hate when I need air and have to pull away. I gaze into his eyes, and my heart does this little flip that it’s been doing a lot lately.
“I love you.” The words fall off my tongue. We said them the other night at the bar, but that’s all. The feelings that race through me are unfamiliar. Beautiful. Scary as hell. Theo has woken a part of me I never knew existed. To love someone like this. . . it almost hurts. And not knowing what we are to each other is unsettling.
I won’t be his little secret forever. I refuse to be. But he makes me believe that somewhere at the end of all this, there is an us. He asked me to trust him, and I’m trying. I just worry. I’m offering him my heart on a silver platter, and he has the power to destroy it.
His silence creates a pit in my stomach. I’m falling too fast. What if this is all a dream?
“Let’s get out. I have something for you.”
He doesn’t say the words back, creating a bigger hole of doubt. We climb out of the tub, and he wraps me in one of his soft towels. I follow him into his bedroom and sit on the bed while he disappears into his closet. My heart is racing. I wish I didn’t push it. Telling him that ruined the moment. When he returns, my right leg is bouncing with nervous energy. “Hey, I didn’t mean to spoil the moment by saying that. I just felt—”
He places his finger over my lips. “Shh. . .” He kneels in front of me and places a box on my lap.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and find out.”
I look at him, then work off the bow. Opening the box, my breath catches, and I inhale sharply. In the box is a necklace, a large flawless diamond hanging from the clasp. “Theo. . .”
He takes the necklace from the box, unclasps it, and reaches forward to place it around my neck. “Do you like it?”
My fingers brush over the jewelry. “I. . . I love it. But isn’t it your birthday party?”
He chuckles. “It is. And trust me, I’m not done with my present.” He admires the necklace on me. “It doesn’t compare to your beauty. But I wanted to give you something because I don’t show you enough how much I love you.” His words catch me off guard. Never did I expect him to affect me the way he does. “You’ve changed my life. In more ways than you know. I know I’m a bastard, but fuck, I want to be around to watch you make your dreams happen.”
“Theo.”
“I don’t deserve you. And there’s a good chance I’m going to fuck this up.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Just don’t give up on me, okay?”
I wrap my arms around him. “Why would I do that?”
He looks at me, and I can almost see the fear in his eyes. “Hey.” I cup his cheeks. “I’m not going anywhere. Well, unless your pizza oven breaks, then probably—ouch! Okay. I can live without it.” He holds my gaze, and I swear there’s more worry in his eyes. “Mr. Monroe, you’re not getting sappy on me, are you?”
“I wouldn’t dare, Miss Evans.” I squeal when he grabs me, tosses me onto the bed, and rips off my towel. “Now, do I need to remind you that it’s still my birthday celebration? Spread nice and wide for me. It’s time for my birthday dessert.”