Just One Taste (Kimani Romance) (16 page)

Chapter 19

A
cross town Daniel Buchanan stood on the balcony, looking out at the expanding city below. Key West was breathtakingly beautiful, but he didn’t see any of it. All he saw was trouble. As far as he was concerned it was just another town. Like every other place, it wasn’t Alaska. His only concern now was getting Chase back into the Titan fold.

Of course, he’d never admit pushing too far to get the property. It was a necessary endeavor at the time. But at this point he wasn’t sure if he could stop the process from going forward. He turned and went back into the penthouse suite. His assistant waved and handed him the phone.

Before he could say a word, Jacob barked, “Daniel, I’m coming in now. I’ll be there shortly.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll take care of this. Chase isn’t going anywhere.”

“It didn’t sound like that to me. This should never have gotten this far, Daniel. Chase leaving Titan is unacceptable.”

“I agree,” Daniel said.

“Good, at least we’re on the same page there. My plane is landing now. I want to see Chase and get this cleared up when I get there. Also, I want to meet Nikita Coles.”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I do, too. I’ll see you shortly.” Daniel ended the call and looked at his assistant. “Find Chase now. I want to see him in one hour.”

“I’ve already called Kelvin twenty times,” his assistant replied. “According to him Chase hasn’t checked in and he has no idea where to locate him.”

“Damn. This is unacceptable. He can’t just go off the radar like this. He’s here someplace. Find Nikita Coles. It’s certain that wherever she is, he is.” Daniel dismissed her, then went back to the balcony.

A few minutes later she returned. “Daniel, Chase is here.”

Chase stepped outside onto the balcony just as Daniel turned toward him.

Daniel glared at him. “Well,” he said.

“Well, what?” Chase said solemnly, looking out but seeing only the stunning panoramic view around him.

Daniel sighed heavily. “Acting like an impertinent child not getting his way won’t work with me, Chase. I think we both know you didn’t mean that resignation remark. And even if you did, there’s no way Titan is accepting it. You know it and I know it. You’re a Buchanan and that means family honor above all. Your first and only loyalty is to Titan. I guess you forgot that.”

Chase glared at him then smiled. “I just came from the mayor’s office. I deposed eminent domain. The land isn’t needed for the Titan facility.”

“You did what?” Daniel stormed.

“It’s done.”

“Excuse me, Daniel,” his assistant interrupted.

Daniel turned and glared. “Yes?”

“Andre’s here. Jacob’s with him.”

Chase was stunned. Jacob Buchanan seldom left Alaska anymore. So for him to come to Key West was major. “Granddad’s here?”

“Yes,” Jacob said, stepping out onto the balcony. Andre followed, smiling at Chase.

Chase shook hands with them and hugged them both.

“Well?” Jacob began, “What’s going on?” No one spoke up. Daniel huffed. Chase turned away and Andre shook his head. “Somebody tell me what the hell’s going on.”

Chase looked at Daniel. “Let it go,” he warned.

“Fine, forget the land,” Daniel barked. “Family is above Titan.”

“She gave me the deed this morning,” Chase said.

Daniel smiled. “How much did it cost us?”

“Nothing,” Chase said.

“Nothing?” Daniel questioned. “That’s impossible.”

“No, it’s not,” Andre said, shooting Chase a smile.

“She loves you?” Jacob questioned. Chase nodded. “And what about you? Have you figured out what you needed to figure out?” Chase nodded again. “You love her.”

Chase smiled. “Yes, I love her.”

“Good,” Jacob said.

“No, not good,” Chase said, looking down. “She found out about me buying her building. She thinks I conned her.”

“Tell her you didn’t,” Daniel said.

“She doesn’t trust easily. She’s been hurt and betrayed before, and it appears that I betrayed her again.”

“Oh, this is absurd. Where is she?” Daniel said gruffly. “I’ll tell her.”

“No, there’s nothing you can do.”

“Like hell,” Daniel said with his usual stern bravado. “Buchanan men do not get turned down.”

“Actually, they do,” Andre said, and Chase knew he was speaking about his first few encounters with his now wife. “Repeatedly.” He chuckled.

Jacob chuckled also. “Yes. Now I remember my dear Olivia took some convincing, as well.” He laughed out loud this time. “Actually, quite a bit of convincing. And if I’m not mistaken, Chase’s mother wasn’t exactly enthralled by you, either, Daniel. Neither was Andre’s mother.”

“They came around,” he said.

“Perhaps it’s the women who resist us the most that are the ones we love the hardest. Compliance is easy. It takes a real woman to say no to a Buchanan man,” Jacob said. “Go get your woman.”

Chase nodded. His grandfather was right. This wasn’t over. “She’s cooking at the house this evening.”

“Really?” Andre said hopefully.

“Is that right?” Jacob added.

“I am a little hungry,” Daniel added.

Chase smiled. “I’ll let her know I’m having guests.”

Chapter 20

T
he concept of running late was not in Nikita’s mindset. If anything, she was always early. But today was a whole other story. Her mind was scattered just as it had been all morning and afternoon. By early evening she did what she had to do to get through the day without thinking about it. She was going to see Chase tonight—that was unavoidable. One night, one last time, she could do this. She shook her head, not believing her mistake. How could she have let this happen again? He used her and she let him.

At five o’clock she’d gotten word that Chase was having three guests for dinner. She agreed, knowing she was going to prepare a feast. He’d taken everything from her, but she refused to give him her talent. She unlocked the back door and walked into her brother’s house. It was the last day of the cooking contract. She looked around the kitchen, knowing instantly that she was alone in the house.

She brought her supplies in, prepped and cooked an astounding meal. She set the table, readied drinks, and then prepared sumptuous hors d’oeuvres.

At six-thirty she heard men’s voices in the front of the house. She stopped what she was doing and took a deep breath. This was it. She could do this, she assured herself.

A few minutes later the kitchen door opened and Chase walked in. “Hello, Nikita.”

She turned. “Good evening. Would you like to hear this evening’s menu?”

“What I’d like is to talk to you, to explain.”

“Why? You warned me, I didn’t listen. You were right all along. I didn’t separate business from personal, and you did. But tell me, why go through all the pretense when you were gonna get the government to take the land anyway?”

“I’m a Buchanan. I need you to see me for what I am, a Buchanan.”

“Don’t you dare hide behind your name.”

“I
am
a Buchanan,” he repeated. “I do what I have to do to get the job done.”

“And I was the job all along.”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“And you got exactly what you wanted in the end.”

“No, I didn’t. I didn’t get you in the end. Nikita…”

“Please. What can you possible say to me?”

“I love you.”

“You don’t love me. Remember this was all just a job. You got what you came for. You got everything. What could you possibly want now?”

“No, I didn’t. What I want is to be with you for the rest of our lives. Marry me, Nikita. Be my wife.”

She looked at him stunned. Tears filled her eyes. “Why are you doing this? You won, you have it all—everything.”

He shook his head. “No. I don’t have you,” he said softly.

She shook her head and turned around. He came up behind her. “Nikita, you once asked me if I had a relationship disaster, if someone had broken my heart. I said no, remember? I was wrong. I did this to us and I swear I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”

“Chase.”

“There will be no eminent domain. The deeds are yours. The cottage, the café, the building next door. They were always for you. Say yes, marry me.”

For a few moments she didn’t say anything and Chase walked out. She turned around, seeing she was alone again. She looked down, seeing three envelopes on the counter. She picked them up. Inside were the deeds to the cottage, her café and the building next door. “What?” She hurried to the door and ran after him. “Chase, wait.” He turned to her. “What is this?” she asked.

“A wedding gift, I hope.”

Nikita noticed Andre and two other men standing in the dining room. “A what?”

“Nikita, this is my family. My grandfather, Jacob Buchanan. You already know Andre, my brother, and this is Daniel, my father.”

“She’s lovely,” Jacob said happily as he walked over to her. “Good evening, my dear. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.” Jacob hugged and kissed her cheek. “Welcome to the family. It’s going to be grand getting to know you.”

“Umm, I don’t… Wait. Welcome to the family?”

“Yes, welcome to the family,” Daniel said, coming over to kiss her cheek. “We have a lot to talk about. You might want to reconsider the Stock Island property. We might still need it at a later date, but if you—”

“Daniel,” Chase warned.

“Of course, we’ll talk later. Welcome to the family,” Daniel said again.

Andre smiled and chuckled. “Welcome to the Buchanans.”

“Now, I understand the last time you received land instead of an engagement ring, so that won’t do this time. You must have a ring, as well. It’s tradition and I won’t hear of anything else. Oh, and Alaska is the perfect location for a wedding. Think about it.”

“A wedding?”

“She hasn’t agreed to marry me yet,” Chase interjected.

Everyone stopped and looked at Nikita, awaiting her answer. She was speechless. “Chase, could we go into the kitchen a moment?”

He followed her into the other room. “I’m sorry. They assumed you agreed to marry me. I’ll talk to them.”

“This is moving too fast.”

“No, it’s not moving fast enough. I want to start my life with you right now, this minute, this second. Say yes. Marry me.”

Nikita took a deep breath. She knew this was her happily ever after. “Yes.”

Chase grabbed her up in his arms and held her tight. There was a loud, rambunctious cheer in the other room. Apparently, her new family had been listening in. They came into the kitchen, cheering and applauding.

After hugs, kisses, congratulations and best wishes had been exchanged, Jacob stopped and looked around. “Good Lord, what is that incredible aroma?”

“Gentlemen, I hope you have an appetite,” Nikita said.

“I most certainly do. Coast-to-coast travel always makes me hungry. I must say, something smells simply fantastic. What’s on the menu?” Daniel asked.

Nikita smiled. “This evening I’ll be serving you four courses, beginning with assorted appetizers, then a savory French onion soup, afterward surf and turf with crab-topped filet mignon medallions and grilled salmon, rustic mashed potatoes and baby asparagus. And for dessert, my delectable delights.”

“That sounds delicious,” Jacob said, licking his lips and slapping his large hands together.

“Nikita’s food is mouthwatering. I can certainly attest to that,” Andre said.

“I’ll have your meal on the table in ten minutes,” she said.

“Suddenly I think I have an appetite,” Chase said, smiling and staring at Nikita. She knew exactly what he meant. “If you will excuse us, I’m gonna take my fiancée out this evening.” He took Nikita’s hand and guided her to the back door.

“Wait. What about the food?”

They turned. All three Buchanan men had descended on the stove and oven. They pulled the food out of the warmers and started taking the dishes into the dining room. “I think they’ll be just fine.”

Nikita nodded and started walking. Chase, still holding her hand, didn’t. He pulled her back into his arms and looked around. “This is where it all started for me. Just one taste was all it took to know I’d never get enough. I love you, Nikita Coles, now and forever.”

Nikita smiled. “I love you, Chase Buchanan, now and forever.” She couldn’t remember being any happier than she was this moment. All of her dreams were coming true. Chase kissed her and she knew this was the beginning of her very own happily ever after—now and forever.

* * * * *

ISBN: 9781459233676

Copyright © 2012 by Celeste O. Norfleet

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