Blaze (Heat #3)(13)

He holds the bowl in his palms. "You're going to be on every week? I don’t understand."

When he came over to my place last night, I thought I'd tell him about my new job then. We fell asleep before I had a chance.

I wasn't about to say anything this morning as he was kissing a path down my naked body. Coming with his head between my legs, and his fingers inside me, is definitely the way to start my day. That beats any alarm clock I've ever had.

"Barbara, one of the producers from the show, offered me a job." I sit on the edge of the bed next to him. He's still naked, his semi-erect cock on full, and welcome, display. I'd put on a short robe when I went into the kitchen to get Tyler some nourishment. I suddenly feel overdressed. "Being on the show each week is part of it. I'm going to have my own app that people can download so they can get my recipes. I'll have a website too and a blog."

He places the bowl of cereal on my nightstand before he turns to look at me. "Tell me more."

I explain every detail that Barbara shared with me. I mention the bistro idea and the potential for a line of cookware. I tell him about the plan that the producers have to send me to different markets in an effort to help young New Yorkers organize their meals so they can not only eat more affordably, but they can find enjoyment in the simple act of cooking.

"This is f*cking amazing, Cadence." He meets my gaze. "You're going to kill it with this. You're perfect for this job."

I smile. I was expecting at least some minor push back from him. I know how passionate he is about being in the kitchen. That's been obvious to me since before I even met him. "You don't think it's a mistake, do you?"

"Hell, no," he says with a laugh. "You're going to show the world why you're such an incredible chef."

"It wasn't an easy decision for me." I scramble to get the words out, wanting him to know that I didn't make the choice lightly. "I'm going to miss being in a kitchen, but I have lots of time to get back to that when I'm older. Right now, I think this is an opportunity that can make a real difference in my career."

He reaches for my hands, pulling them both into his. "If someone would have handed me a chance like this four or five years ago, I would have taken it too."

"You would have?"

"Absolutely." He grins. "Notoriety can take you places in this industry. You'll have that and you have a place in Nova's kitchen whenever you want it."

"Do you mean that?" My mouth curves.

He lifts my left hand to his lips before he kisses my palm. "If you decide on some random Wednesday night that you want to cook, you come to Nova and I'll hand you an apron. My kitchen is open to you all the time."

I hesitate before responding. "I might take you up on that offer, Chef."

"I want you to, Chef," he counters with a smile. "The more time I have with you, the better. I need you in my life."

***

"I'm still not taking that back, Cadence." He tosses his tablet onto my bed. "I told you to keep it."

I give him a curt nod, suddenly realizing that it means more to him than just an electronic device that contains all his recipes. He wants me to have it because it's a symbol of his trust. He trusts me to keep it. He wants me to guard it, the same way he wants me to guard his heart.

"I'll keep it for as long as you want me to." I scoop it back into my hand, resting it against my chest.

His eyes rake over me. "Knowing you're naked under that robe doesn't make it easy for me to leave. You know that, right?"

I do know that. His erection is evidence of that. He was hard as soon as I kissed him after he told me he needed me in his life. He wanted me then, but he said he had to go. That's when I reached for the tablet to try and give it back to him.

"Are you going to Nova?"

He buttons the fly of his jeans. "I'm meeting a chef this morning. It's someone I might bring on board to help with Nova's opening."

"A senior chef?" I ask. I don't want to feel the lingering frustration that I still do over the fact that he chose to promote Maribel and Rolly over me. I can't help it though. It stings.

He catches the edge of his T-shirt in his hand before he tugs it over his head. "It's an old friend. I'm looking for a consultant. Hunter and I both feel it would be worthwhile to have extra hands on deck the first few weeks after we open. Our menu is bigger and service is more expansive. I don't want there to be any glitches."

It makes perfect sense. He's a perfectionist when it comes to Nova and the interest in the new space is intense. I have a Google alert set to notify me when there's anything new posted about the restaurant. My phone is flooded with a constant stream of new articles every single day.

"I can help too if you need it, Chef."

He smiles and touches my cheek. "You're going to focus on your new job. I'll get Nova's doors open and then we'll work together to help each other. How does that sound?"

It sounds like he wants me to worry about my career, while he looks to other, more experienced chefs, to help him with his restaurant.

It's a sticking point between us that isn't going to disappear anytime soon. Only time will change how he views me. That and all the success I plan on having as the young face of food in New York City.