Master of the Inn(3)

Elyse made her way down the grand staircase leading to the front desk. She stopped and watched as Logan peeled off a last piece of wallpaper. He took in her casual appearance. She wore a pair of gray yoga pants and a black long sleeved t-shirt.

“Morning.” He stepped off the ladder. “Did you sleep well?”

“A little too well.” She tucked her long, dark locks behind her ear. Logan itched to twist his fingers through her hair. “I haven’t slept this late in years.”

“As I said last night, I’m not equipped for guests yet, so I went to the market and got some fresh fruit, bagels and muffins… I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” She took a couple of steps into the center of the foyer, closer to where he worked.

The fresh vanilla scent of her body wash was intoxicating and he took another deep breath before he answered, “Of course I did. You’re a guest at my inn. How else can I entice you to stay?”

“If you have real coffee, I’ll stay another night.”

“Well, then I’m in luck.” He motioned toward the kitchen. “Coffee I can do.”

He walked with her down the hallway and flipped on a light. “Do you take cream and sugar?”

She stopped in the doorway, gaping at the large industrial kitchen.

“Is something wrong?”

“I didn’t expect such an elaborate workspace.”

“My aunt liked to cook. She baked fresh pies and desserts for the guests. This was her dream kitchen.”

“It’s fantastic.” Elyse walked over to the oven and crouched down to study the control panel. “A brick oven too?” she asked as she pointed to the other side of the room. “The flatbread pizzas that come out of there must be to die for.”

“Everything is pretty state of the art. Do you cook?” Her enthusiasm piqued his interest. He’d never seen anyone get so excited over appliances. The women he catered to usually had staff to cook for them.

“I’m an executive chef, or at least I was.” She laughed. “Before I fled the city.”

He poured two mugs of coffee and motioned for her to have a seat at the table. “Why did you leave?”

“Things didn’t work out between me and the owner.”

“You were sleeping with him?” He sipped his coffee before sitting across from her. “That always complicates matters.” Visions of the councilman walking into his bedroom and finding Logan with his wife flashed before his eyes. That affair had definitely complicated things for Logan.

“Phillip was my boyfriend, but he had a hard time with the commitment part. I got tired, so I left.”

“You needed a fresh start.” We could all use one of those.

“I’m not sure what I’m doing yet, but I don’t have any immediate plans to head back to New York.”

“If I supply the coffee, will you stay here a few more days?” He needed more time to figure out why he was so taken by her.

“Why?” Her eyes snapped up to his.

“Because I want you here.”

“Again, why?” He heard the uncertainty in her voice. “You don’t know anything about me.” She splashed a small amount of cream into her coffee before blowing into her cup.

“I believe in the here and now. I don’t like to miss opportunities. You’re here now, so let’s see if we can figure out why.”

The skin above her brow creased and her adorable little nose crinkled. “You’re awfully forward, aren’t you Mr. Cole?”

“I go after what I want.”

“Oh.”

He watched her swallow hard, so Logan turned down the intensity. His Dominant personality didn’t always work with everyone he encountered, but he hoped it would work with her. “I’d like for you to stay here for a few days. Maybe cook in this lavish kitchen that no one uses. I’ve been eating takeout for six months. I could use a home cooked meal.”

“You want me to cook for you?”

“If you want.” He looked around the kitchen reconsidering his earlier notions that the kitchen had been a wasted investment now that he’d stumbled upon a chef. “I saw your face when you came in here. You’re impressed.”

“It’s an amazing kitchen. It has every amenity a five star restaurant would have. The restaurant I ran didn’t have some of the equipment this one does. When you get this inn up and running, your guests will be lucky to have food prepared in here. Your chef is very fortunate.”

“I’m the only one here and I can’t cook. Do I have to feed my guests?”

“Tell me you’re joking.” She laughed. “Would you stay at a hotel that didn’t serve food?”