Chef's Like it Hot! (7 page)

We did a
Marvel
marathon, and when I looked at the clock, it was 12:30am.

“I guess I should head out.” he said stretching, and I smiled nodding.

He seized me, and I recognized what he was about too late.

He drew my lips to his, and I reeled in the kiss as my fingers ran themselves through his hair of their own accord. He turned on the sofa, so that now I was directly in his lap, and I could feel that yes, he was indeed attracted to me.

He grabbed the back of my neck and drew me further into the kiss, then his hands left my hair and traveled up my back.

I gasped as his lips left mine, and drew the skin in the curve of my neck into his mouth. I almost cried out as he bit me, sucking on my skin. As his lips traveled to the tips of my breast, I did cry out, because I felt my entire body tremble.

It sent a command straight to my nether regions, and I gasped, then got up bringing my hand to my lips.

“Sorry.” He moaned, then ran his fingers through his hair rising.

I grinned slightly, nodding, as I wrapped my arms around my waist, and just looked at him.

That kiss had done something to me, and it scared me.

What I felt in that kiss, what I felt from myself; wasn’t just lust.

“Did I just make you completely uncomfortable?” he asked as he placed a wayward strand of hair behind my ear.

“Of course not, I’ve waited…” I stopped myself biting my lip, and he gave me a strange look.

“Walk me to the door.” he said grinning, as he tugged me after him.

“I guess I’ll see you later.” I said as I looked at my hands.

“Yep, this isn’t over.” He grinned, and I had to smile.

He kissed my forehead, then walked to his car.

“And you still owe me dinner, that didn’t count.” He called from his car; I laughed, then waved as he pulled off.

As I closed and locked the door, I sighed, then threw myself on the sofa.

What would I do?

I so wanted to go there, but he made me feel so…I couldn’t even describe how he made me feel.

But that was a good thing right?

I told myself sighing again.

I turned off the TV, then headed for my bedroom.

I slid into bed, turned the light out, then commanded my brain to cease, so that I could sleep.

***

Chapter Five…

I pretty much did nothing all day but piddle around, and try not to dwell on that last kiss.

The awesome thing about my job was that I could do one wedding, and it would pretty much take care of me for the next six months. And if I did more than one, anywhere from 3 to 4 then I was set for the entire year and then some.

If anything, I did miss that perk.

For the last five years, I’d been on a budget.

Well not like most people.

I placed myself on one, because I was my mother’s child. I would spend way too much, so my banker convinced me to invest in an
IRa
, and I continually thanked her for it.

“Hey bitch!” Kerry said into the phone, and I laughed.

“Hey, what up?”

“So, we meeting at the
Palms
?” He questioned.

“I’m taking you mean the
Beverly
,
Palms
right?” I laughed, and he did too then.

“I guess.” He sighed, then laughed again.

In
LA
there was a huge difference between the
Palms
and the
Beverly Palms
.

The
Palms
was a hot lesbian club in the
Fairfax
district, and the
Beverly Palms
was a spot in
Beverly Hills
at the
Beverly Palms Hotel
itself.

“Tonight is
Salsa
night you know right?” I asked, and he sighed again.

“Fine, I guess I could force Ricardo and JaVon to go.” He whined and I laughed again.

“Well I’m sure you can manage.”

“Bitch.” he chuckled, and I laughed again.

“Alright, so what time. You know Kenny and Missa will more than likely tag along.”

“Oooh good, I haven’t seen them bitches in ages. So like 8 den.” He returned, and I sighed.

Now I would have to find something to wear.

“Okay, we’ll meet out front, or did you want me to pick you up?”

“Naw, I’m good, a bitch just got a new Mercedes; so I will be driving.” He chirped and I couldn’t help laughing.

I loved me some Ms. Kerry.

“Alright, I need to go either find something to wear, or go buy something.”

“K, call me when you’re on your way.”

“K later.” I said and hung up.

I plopped on the sofa, then sighed for what seemed like the 10
th
time. I looked at the clock, then dialed Kendra’s number.

“Waz up?”

“Ms. Kerry just called; he wants to meet at the
Beverly Palms
for drinks tonight.”

“Oooh I am so down. Isn’t it
Salsa
night?”

“Yea, I’m not sure if I’m feeling that yet. That means I have to go buy something to wear, because I haven’t brought anything new like that in the last five years.”

“So, it’s not like you can’t afford it. Did you know that Barry and Sandy’s wedding is costing over 70k.”

“Shut the fuck up!” I cried.

“Yup, Sandy showed me the bill gurl. Remember I’m doing the advertising for it since Barry is a
20
th
Century Executive
now.”

“Shite, I had no clue! No wonder Colin is ecstatic. I had no idea he made
Ex
.”

“Yeah, like 3 months ago. I’m surprised he didn’t mention it. But I would be too if I was Colin, thas gravy right there.”

“When I see Barry, Ima kick his ass! Why is he leaving me out of the loop?” I wailed, and she sighed.

“Probably, because he’s doing promos for Kellen’s restaurant.” She stated quietly, and I gasped.

“When the fuck did he acquire a restaurant? And does everyone know this shit but me?” I cried, and she sighed again.

“Don’t be upset Sarie, your friends love you, they were pretty much just trying to shield you from it. Plus, none of us can stand Kellen’s ass, so we would never congratulate him; it’s pretty much why Missa said Colin kicked his ass.”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh shit, you didn’t know they got into it? Missa told me the other night. She never said what it was about, but yea, they had it out seriously. Remember when Kellen said he got into that bar fight?”

“Yea, he had a black eye, and I had to take him to emergency because his jaw was broken.” I cried, as I suddenly got an image of a drunk Kellen staggering into the apartment bleeding, then rushing him to emergency.

“Well, I asked Mondo, and he just shook his head. Becca winked at me, so I figured that she would tell us at some point. Anyway, Missa said Colin broke his jaw in the fight!”

“WTF! Why did no one ever tell me any of this? Wow, I had no clue about this. And no one knows what it was about?”

“Not to my knowledge, well maybe except for Missa. So, anyway, that’s probably the only reason they aren’t telling you.”

“Well you guys suck still! Anyway, so, it looked like Missa was feeling his business partner?” I laughed, and she did too.

“Yes, but I’m almost afraid for him if she does decide to go there!” She cried laughing.

“Omg, that’s the same thing Colin, said.”

“How are you two?”

“We’re good; he’s scaring the shit out of me though.” I sighed as I got up, then ventured into my bedroom to go through my closet.

Yeah, I was heading to the mall after this call.

I thought frowning.

“Why?”

“Because he kissed me, said the argument he had with his
ex
didn’t matter, and that it was not over by a long shot between me and him.”

“Okay, but why is that a bad thing Sar?”

“I guess it isn’t, I’m just afraid Kenny?”

“Well don’t be, Col is nothing like any of the guys you’ve ever dated. I seriously think there’s more there than you know.”

“Okay, but why do you think that?”

“It’s just the way he looks at you sometimes, just trust me on this. Now, tell me what the hell last night and Ollie were?”

“I have no earthly clue! I mean I saw him on Monday, we talked for a few minutes, then I headed out to get my knives sharpened. Last night, I rushed by him, but he just stood there with this weird look on his face. I have no clue I swear, but he said he was in love with me Kenny, how do I even take that?”

“Idk, but I say let sleeping dogs lie. If he says nothing about it, you do the same. I know you have some kind of feelings for him, it would be next to impossible not to, especially after nearly four months of hanging and sleeping together; but you’re in love with Colin, the one thing you’ve wanted for the last ten years, is it even really worth taking a closer look at what Ollie said last night?”

“No, and fine, if you say so. Alright, I need to head out to the mall; I have shite in the clothing realm.”

“Okay, we’ll meet up at
tu casa
.”

“Okay, later.” I said and hung up.

I left my bedroom, snatched up my purse, keys, then walked out the door.

Hamburger

Hamlet…

“So, what happened last night?”

“Fucken Titianna.” Colin said frowning, and Missanna frowned too.

“Okay, but I thought you said the other night that you guys were over?” She asked, then smiled as Kevin placed the coke beside her plate, then sat down next to her.

She decided to ignore his sexy ass, because right now she was concerned about her homies.

Although she did wink at him, and he grinned.

Colin noticed the exchange, and shook his head chuckling.

He would let him find out on his own.

Missanna was one of those women; you didn’t have a one night stand with. From what he knew, DaVon was still stuck on stupid where she was concerned because of it.

But neither was Sariekiko, which was why he never tried.

Plus he felt like he’d be fucked for life if he did, especially if it was even a small fraction of what he’d imagined these last ten years.

Sarie was wifie material, and he realized that years ago; and if he had his way, she would be just that.

“We are, and were. I have no clue why she showed up yesterday, of all days. I haven’t seen or heard from her in a year. Last I heard she was doing
Sports Illustrated
in Hawaii.” Colin howled, and Missanna nodded sipping her coke.

“Fine, but you need to come correct Colin, and stop
pussy-footing
around.” He laughed then.

“I’m not; I’m trying to take it slow.”

“
Wtf
do you mean take it slow. It’s been ten fucken years; you don’t have time to take it slow!”

“Fine, but you know how I feel about her Missa, it hasn’t changed in ten years; if anything, it’s worse now, that I’ve actually tasted her.” he whispered, and Kevin laughed.

“You nasty.”Missanna cried.

“I didn’t mean it like that ass!” Colin cried back, and Missanna laughed.

“Fine, but get cho ass in gear. Now, Kenny texted to tell me that we’re going to the
Beverly Palms
tonight, so I suggest you show yo ass up. Can you still
Salsa
?”

“Yeah, I guess, why?” Colon frowned.

“Because Ms. Kerry’s ass would have to pick
Salsa
night.”

“Oh shit, Ms. Kerry is going?” Kevin asked, and they laughed.

“Yes, why?”

“Please say you’re my gurl. I can’t take him tonight!” Kevin groaned, and Colin and Missanna laughed.

“Fine, I’ll rescue you from Ms. Kerry.” Missanna said as she leaned over and kissed his cheek; and he grinned from ear to ear.

“What time?” Colin asked as he signaled the waiter for the check.

He nodded, then walked their way.

“8, if I’m not mistaken. I’ll call Sar, make sure, then text you. And I suggest you go hard tonight. It won’t be a one night stand and you know it.” Missanna said, winked at Kevin again, then sauntered off leaving the men to pay the bill.

“Fuck, I want seriously.” Kevin cried as he watched her plentiful ass.

“I’m telling you now; Missa is too much woman for you Kev.” Colin declared laughing.

“We’ll just see about that.” Kevin returned with a wolfish grin.

Colin shook his head laughing as they paid the bill, then exited the restaurant.

Glendale

Galleria…

I sighed as I looked through the rack at
Charlotte Ruse
, then frowned.

It seemed like every dress I liked, was either too big, or too small.

I frowned and walked out.

I so wasn’t feeling
Forever 21.
That was just too young for me.

And I was so over
hochie
gear.

Those days were gone
.

I wanted something good for
Salsa
, but sexy as well.

Oh well, I guess I was heading to Macy’s even if I didn’t want to.

I spotted the dress I wanted immediately, and grinned from ear to ear.

I took the dress to the sales clerk so I could try it on.

Ventura…

Colin looked in the mirror grinning.

It was on tonight!

He popped his collar, then fixed the red hankie, straightened his red tie, then walked from his bedroom.

Ten years, and she would be his…and his alone.

He looked up surprised as the doorbell rang.

He glanced at his watch, then frowned.

He’d sworn that Kevin said he would meet him there, something about not wanting to drive all the way out to his house.

As he walked to the door, his frown deepened.

“Seriously dude, what?” he said as he snatched the door open.

“Just thought I’d stop by to say hey, it’s been years; and well I figured you still couldn’t be pissed at me over one woman.” Kellen said as he stood in the doorway grinning.

“Dude, I don’t have time for your shit tonight.” Colin said as he grabbed his phone, keys, then wallet.