I’m introduced to everyone, and thankfully, most of them don’t look too skeptical of my age. The rest are won over when the food comes out and takes a bite, and I finally get to start relaxing. I answer a few questions, and then we all sit down and enjoy the food while Logan goes over his plans for what he wants Red Canyon Steakhouse to become. In addition to the various chefs, he’s invited quite a few other people, and I get introduced to them one by one once dinner is finished. People are enjoying themselves, and staying longer even though it’s a work meeting. It must be the free booze.
At one point, I end up beside the only other female chef in the group. She’s older than me, maybe my mom’s age, but she’s got an eyebrow piercing and dark red streaks in her hair.
“Hi,” she says. “I’m Sheila.”
“Mikayla,” I say. “It’s so nice to see another female chef.”
“Same here,” she says lifting up her glass. “I’m not half as mad for not getting the job anymore.”
“Logan did internal interviews?”
I don’t know why I’m surprised. It would make sense for him to promote from within when possible, and Logan seems like the kind who would value loyalty and merit.
“Yes he did,” she says. “Mr. Leary opened it up to all the chefs working for him. But I have to say, I didn’t envision this when he said he was going to do things differently from his father. This, this is very different. Not the direction I would take myself, but then again, I’m comfortable with how things were, you know? I don’t see any reason for changing things. But I have to say, your food is good. The flavors are spot on.”
“Thanks. It means a lot. I know I’ve got a lot to live up to but I’m confident that this is what the people want.”
“I hope so,” Sheila says. “I’ve got three kids who’re all heading to college soon and from what I hear, Mr. Leary’s pouring everything into this. It’s got to pay off.”
The weight lands heavily on my shoulders, but I try and muster as much confidence as possible. I have to talk things up, because if the chef isn’t on board, the food isn’t going to come out well. Another chef floats by, overhearing our conversation, and soon I’m in the middle of a whole group, all eagerly discussing the new menu. Suddenly I feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle, and I glance around the room, my eyes locking with Logan. He’s talking to someone too, though he’s not paying that man any attention. I dart my eyes away, but I can’t help but glance back every so often. I don’t know what’s come over me. I’ve barricaded my heart pretty well, but the man really is that good looking.
You’re a hot mess, I think to myself. Pull yourself together.
“Excuse me,” he says, his breath on my ear. “But I have some people I want to introduce you to.”
I can feel the way his hand rests lightly on my back as he guides me around the patio, and I miss most of the names and jobs these people have. I just hope that I won’t be seeing them again anytime soon. All I could think about is that one tiny spot where the heat of his fingers are searing through my blouse. My whole body heats up, causing my nipples to swell and my pussy to throb for attention. I know that this reaction just isn’t like me, but I honestly couldn’t stop it even if I wanted to. That tiny amount of touch has me so wet already. What would it be like if he could do anything to me?
And suddenly there he was, as if answering the question in my mind, his lips brushing up against mine. Thank God that everyone had left the patio and couldn’t see this. I should say something, anything, but the truth is I want to know how he tastes. Badly. So I don’t move, letting him kiss me underneath the stars. Logan gently takes my chin, tilting my head up more toward him. Somehow the heat of his lips spreads like fire through me, making my toes curl and my pussy ache. I press myself against his body, wanting to feel the firmness of his muscles against me. His fingers run through my hair, pulling on the nape of my neck just enough that I gasp and his tongue slips inside to taste me.
Desire filled up every bit of me from that kiss, until there was nothing but Logan in my brain. Everything else fades away but his hands on my body, making every cell in me come alive.
“Let’s go,” he says softly.
“Please,” I say, the first of many times tonight.
The ride back to Logan’s is quick, but I’m bubbling with nervousness. I’d never done this before. I know it sounds ridiculous for a twenty four year old woman to admit, but there it is. I always thought I would lose my V card in college, at some drunken party, so nobody would know, but then I met Jake. I got nervous and asked to take it slow, and he’d agreed, but well, it all fell apart before I could even do it. It was stupid too. I’d planned this big thing for his birthday, thinking he would really treasure it. I thought I was lucky, having found someone that loved me so much that my first time would actually be special, instead of something to get rid of quickly.