The Perfect Dish (14 page)

He turned to face her. “I’m just saying you deserve some happiness in your life and if that happiness is...um, quality time with this guy, then I say have at it.” He dipped his head so she couldn’t see his expression as clearly. “You’re too young and too pretty to be alone.”

Despite the fact that her son was encouraging her to have sexual relations with a man she hardly knew, she grinned. It was an uncontrollable parental pride kind of thing. Her son thought she was young and pretty. She kissed his temple. “Thanks, honey. That’s a really sweet thing to say.”

“Well, you know, since you’re putting me through college and all that.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Then that’s the most expensive compliment I’ve ever received. I’m going to finish up some work in my office but I’ll come back out when the pizza gets here and we’ll watch a movie. Pick something you want from Pay-Per-View and we’ll order it.”

“Cool,” he mumbled, lost in some sports commentary show.

She walked to her office. As if pressure from the girls wasn’t enough, now Jason thought she should have a fling with Kelly. Maybe she should take the chance, let things happen with Kelly, see where they went. If her career got a boost along the way, so be it.

A slow smile curved her lips as the idea bloomed like a fat, butter-colored rose. There were worse things in life than dating a hot, young chef with eyes so blue you could disappear into them for days.

And probably few better.

* * *

Kelly checked his watch. Nearly midnight. He had to hurry. The week was almost up. He slipped out of the VIP dining room and back to his office. After making sure the door was locked, he dialed the combination for the safe under his desk and opened it.

He took out Gram’s cookbook, nudged the safe door shut with his foot then sat. Paging through to the recipe for the chocolate fireballs, he stopped and considered what he was about to do. If he didn’t bind the recipe to the book, the spell’s power would be lost. Without the spell, Mery might change her mind about helping Shelby.

And seeing me.

That couldn’t factor in. Using the book for personal gain was not only wrong, it was dangerous. He knew that. His mother’s life was proof enough. Still, Shelby needed the help.

Blowing out a breath, he rubbed the back of his neck. He knew what needed to be done.

He pricked his finger with his pocket knife and began to trace the words in blood, forever binding them to the page.

* * *

Saturday came and went in a blur of activity. Meredith took Jason shopping for some new clothes then out to lunch. They stopped by his favorite museum, the Cooper-Hewitt, to see an exhibition on engineering high performance textiles. By the time, they got home it was a little after five o’clock.

Jason called up a buddy of his at NYU and made plans for the rest of the night just as he thought she would. Spending the evening on the couch with a good book sounded just fine to her.

“Hey mom, I’m gonna grab a shower and then meet Ben for dinner, is that cool? I’ll probably hang out with him so I don’t know when I’ll be home. Probably late.”

She nodded. “Take your cell phone and be careful. You need some money?”

He grinned. “Do I ever say no to cash?”

Her laugh matched his. She dug in her wallet. “Here’s a fifty. Don’t go nuts.”

“Please.” Reaching for the bill, he shook his head. “Fifty bucks hardly buys you a lap dance in this town any more.”

“Jason!”

“Kidding, mom. Kidding.” He disappeared down the hall. She heard the shower a few minutes later.

She kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the sofa. Maybe a quick nap, then she’d tackle that autobiography on Mamie Eisenhower she’d been meaning to read. She closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting from Mrs. Ike to Kelly and Sunday afternoon.

When she awoke, the silence told her she was alone. She sat up. A piece of paper fluttered to the floor. She caught it as it fell. A note from Jason. What a good kid.

She checked her watch, surprised to find she’d slept nearly an hour. Almost seven. Her stomach growled as she stretched. The nap had done her good. She felt re-energized but reading had lost its appeal.

Flipping on the light, she wandered into the kitchen to see what looked edible. Nothing jumped out at her, which wasn’t surprising because what she really craved was tex-mex.

Forty-five minutes later, she walked into Sedona hoping Kelly was there and ready to curse her impulsiveness if he wasn’t. She prayed her outfit looked sophisticatedly sexy and not like she was trying too hard. Black trousers paired with a deep coral top edged in seed beads seemed like a great choice at home but now she wondered if the top wasn’t too snug. Or low cut. Like she was trying too hard. Feeling unsure of yourself really sucked, to use a word Jason was fond of.

The hostess greeted her. Meredith pointed toward the back. “I’m going to the bar.”

The girl nodded. Meredith wondered if a lot of women came in here by themselves.
Please don’t let me look desperate.

Groups of beautiful people crowded the bar area, laughing and chatting. Expensive perfume mingled with the spicy aroma of food. She wove her way between the people, looking for a spot to slip in and order a glass of wine. She didn’t need the courage so much as she wanted to warm her cold feet.
Chicken.

Unable to reach the bar, she inched past a tall man blocking her way and tried to get the attention of one of the cocktail servers who’d just disappeared from sight. She looked around. Where had that server gone?

Her gaze slammed to a halt on a cozy couple at the far end of the bar. Chagrin numbed the air in her lungs. What she saw confirmed what she’d been thinking.

Coming to Sedona had been a very bad decision.

Chapter Thirteen

“Clarissa, please try to understand. You and I are on two different paths. It just isn’t meant to be.” Kelly shoved a hand through his hair and wished he’d used the book to conjure up a recipe for “go away and leave me alone” cookies. The woman clung tighter than stink to a skunk.

“But Kelly,” she simpered, her big blue eyes threatening tears, “I thought we had something special.” She wrung her hands together, squeezing her already exposed cleavage into a deeper vee. “Something real.”

Damn it. He hated that line. “It was...really special, but now it’s over. I think it’s time we both move on.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “You’re a beautiful girl, Clarissa. You’ll have a new guy faster than you know it.”

“But I don’t want a new guy,” she sniffed, taking a step closer so they were almost embracing. “I want you.” She gave him a naughty little smile. “Why don’t we go up to your office and I’ll show you just how much?”

He glanced up to see if they were drawing a crowd but no one seemed to be paying them much mind except for—

Mery. His heart skipped hard, then settled down. He didn’t know what she was doing here but it didn’t matter. She was here and she looked hotter than a two-dollar pistol. He grinned. “Excuse me, Clarissa. My date is here.”

“Your date?” Sudden anger filled her voice.

He ignored her question and pushed through the crowd toward the one woman he did want to see. Ahead of him, Mery turned and started for the exit. He caught up with her just as she made it into the hall. “Hey, gorgeous, what are you doing here?”

“Leaving. This was stupid idea.” She kept walking toward the door and didn’t meet his eyes.

“I think it was a great idea.” He snagged her hand and tugged her back around the corner by the elevator. “I didn’t know you were going to drop in.”

“Obviously,” she said, ice coating her voice.

“Hey now, what’s that about?” He tried to tip her chin up with his knuckle but she pulled away.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. You look
busy
.” She caught his gaze then and he saw the chill extended beyond her voice.

She’d seen Clarissa and she was jealous. He tried not to smile but failed. He grabbed her other hand and pulled her against him. “You didn’t interrupt anything.”

Her eyes flashed. “I’m not blind. I saw that little blonde you were talking to.” She put her hands on his chest and pushed away. “I need to go before I make a bigger fool of myself than I already have.”

The woman was as headstrong as a mule. He scooped her up in his arms so he could carry her back to the elevator. Her whole body went tense. “What the hell are you—”

“You need to stay right here.”

“Put me down.
Now
.”

He grinned. Fire melted the ice in her voice. “Sorry. Can’t.”

“Why not?” She ground the words out like she was chewing nails.

“Because if I put you down, you’re going to leave and I don’t want you to.” One handed, he slid his card through the scanner and called the elevator.

She relaxed a little bit. “Put me down. I won’t leave. Yet.”

“And if I don’t put you down?” He liked holding her. She was soft in all the right places and smelled like peaches.

“I’ll—”

“Her?” Clarissa screech echoed through the hall. “You’re dumping me for her?” With her face screwed up in a mask of anger, she pointed at Mery.

The elevator opened. Kelly eased Mery to her feet, reached in to hit the hold button then stepped between her and Clarissa. Who ever said blondes were more fun had never dated this woman. “Go home, Clarissa. It’s over. It’s been over.”

“Are you serious?” Clarissa’s tone went from shrill to haughty. “She’s got to be twice my age. Or is that what you’re into now?”

“Not that it’s any of your business but she’s not twice your age.” He smiled and glanced over his shoulder. Mery looked ready to spit. “She is, however, twice the woman you’ll ever be. Now if you’ll excuse us.”

A livid blush washed Clarissa’s face. “You’re a fool. You’ll never do better than me.”

“I already have.” He wrapped his arm around Mery’s waist, escorted her into the elevator and pushed the button for the second floor.

“This isn’t over...” Clarissa’s voice died away as the doors closed.

“Sorry ‘bout all that,” Kelly said.

Mery moved to the opposite wall, leaned against it and crossed her arms. “This is a bad idea.”

He groaned. From the shrieking banshee to the broken record. “From now on, whenever you say that, I’m going to kiss you.”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t think so.”

“I do.” Maybe she tasted like peaches too. The elevator stopped and he held the doors for her. “In fact, I think you owe me a kiss right now.”

“For what?” she asked as she scooted past.

As he exited behind her, Kelly smiled and waved to the group of businessmen who had reserved the VIP dining room for the entire evening. He kept his voice down as he ushered her to his office. “I did just save you from the evil Clarissa.”

“If it weren’t for you, she’d probably be a very sweet girl.” Mery’s mouth twisted and laughed. “Sorry, even I couldn’t keep a straight face for that one.”

“So you’re not mad at me?” He shut the door and turned the two chairs in front of his desk to face each other. He waited for Mery to sit before he did the same.

She shot him an amused look. “Is that what you thought, that I was mad at you? No.” She shook her head and clasped her hands together. “I was mad at myself for coming down here.”

“I’m surprised you did. Not that I’m not glad to see you, but I thought your son was visiting.” He wanted to pull her onto his lap but stifled the urge. That would probably be too much too soon.

“He’s out with a friend for the night.” The double diamond ring on her left hand glittered as she twisted it. “And I was...hungry.”

He scooted forward so their knees touched and he rested his elbows across his thighs. The move brought them eye to eye. “I’d be more than happy to take care of your appetite.”

From beneath dark lashes, she looked up. “You’re wicked.”

“You have no idea.” He hooked his hands behind her knees and pulled her closer so her legs were between his. “But stick around and I’ll show you.”

Just as she started to respond, he slanted his mouth across hers. She tipped her face up to meet him, her kiss eager and willing, nothing like the woman he’d kissed before. The sudden knowledge that she wanted him fired him to new heights. He broke the seal of her lips with his tongue.

She moaned softly and her fingers found their way into his hair.

Heat from her gentle exploration coursed through him. He kissed her deeper, sliding his hands from behind her knees onto her thighs. Beneath his touch, her muscles trembled.

She caught his bottom lip between her teeth and tugged it gently, taking command of his mouth.

Spikes of pleasure pierced his control. He’d never wanted Clarissa this way. Or any other woman he could think of. Not that he could think of anyone else at the moment but the wild woman sucking the breath out of him. She tangled her tongue with his, her fingers tightening in his hair. A low, quiet sound vibrated out of her. Not quite a moan. More of a purr. The vibration lit up every nerve in his body.

For the second time, he wondered if he was out of his league. He pulled back, breathing hard. “I’m in big trouble, aren’t I?”

She laughed, then gave him a naughty grin he wouldn’t have thought her capable of. “Don’t worry, I’m willing to teach you what you don’t know.”

Heat flushed his face and shot through his groin as a soft groan escaped his lips. Gram had warned him about women like this. He never thought he’d be lucky enough to find one. “Yes ma’am.”

She brushed a chaste kiss across his lips and pushed back in her chair. “I was serious about being hungry. Can I sit out there at the bar and get something to eat?”

He stood up, not surprised his knees felt like jam. “Can you wait a little longer? I was headed to Gauchos when Clarissa showed up. Come with me.” He smiled. “I promise you won’t leave hungry.”

* * *

“I can wait.” The buzz of female power coursed through Meredith with so much strength it almost overwhelmed the tingling on her lips. He was a great kisser, no, a phenomenal kisser. She looked forward to more of that. Giving herself over to the idea of dating him had been a smart move. She hadn’t felt this young or this alive in ages. “Does that mean another ride on that wretched machine?”