The Bet (The Bet #1)(59)

“A lot to take in, I know. I can be like that. So now, I’m going to feed you.”

“Ah, so that’s your evil plan. Make me emotional then feed me.”

“Of course” He kissed her nose. “I hear chocolate works wonders. It’s also an aphrodisiac, at least that’s what I hear.”

“Lucky you.” Kacey punched his arm.

“No, Kace.” He breathed into her ear and licked the side of her neck, loving the way her skin tasted salty and sweet at the same time. “Lucky you.”

“Arrogant bastard,” Kacey said, playfully pushing him away.

“Always. Now, sit. I’ll be right back.”

****

Kacey was suddenly thankful for the sweatshirt as the wind picked up. But she didn’t want to go inside for warmth. She wanted to stay planted exactly where she was, and never leave.

Ever.

Suddenly the thought of going back to Seattle seemed too depressing to dwell on, and her flight was early the next morning. She leaned back against the chair and played with a sugar packet from the table. Dread filled her stomach as she thought about leaving.

What if she stayed?

What if she stayed here?

Kacey laughed as she looked around her, at the place she’d run away from. The memories made her heart hurt, but they also gave her hope, and the more she looked, the easier it seemed to breathe. As if her stress-filled life was directly correlated with the lie she was living.

She’d actually been a business major with an emphasis in entrepreneurship until her parents died. She’d switched to kinesiology the next year and took extra classes to finish on time with her degree and trainer’s license.

Well, she had a lot to think about, and it was all because of Travis.

The silly little boy who stalked her by the tree house.

The same one who threw rocks at her and pulled her pigtails.

And she was desperately in love with him.

Apparently she was also good at conjuring up the man himself, because seconds later, he was approaching her table with a large tray.

His white apron was damn sexy too.

“Do you happen to have a chef’s hat?”

“My staff would kill me for pretending to be anything less than a waiter, believe me. I’m only allowed to wear the apron on holidays, and even then it’s a big deal. I won’t get into it. But there’s usually a lot of clapping and champagne.”

“Do you want me to clap now?” she asked cheekily.

“Well, does my current look give you reason to clap?”

“I don’t know.” Kacey tilted her head. “Turn around.”

He did a circle.

“Now stop!” She giggled when she had a nice view of his tight butt. “Yup, I’ll clap for that.” She also added in a whistle and a catcall.

“I’m not a piece of meat, Kacey. Geez, I have feelings too.”

“Pity.”

Travis rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’ve brought several selections for the lady, as well as a wine pairing for each selection. What is your desire?”

“All of it.”

“And what will you give me in return?”

She gulped and shakily met his gaze. “Everything.”

Travis stared at her lips, his eyes taking on a hungry glint as his mouth curled into a seductive grin. “I’m sure that can be arranged. But first, we eat.”

“You want to eat before you ravish me, is that it?”

“Kacey, I’ve been ravishing you in my mind all morning and afternoon. Believe me, you have no idea. But first, I feed you.”

“Thanks.” Kacey felt herself flush with pleasure as he poured her a glass of red wine and scooted over a plateful of different types of chocolate.





Chapter Twenty-nine




Travis displayed eight different types of chocolate from all around the world. “The trick is to take a small bite and then pair it with a glass of wine, or espresso if you prefer, but I think we both know what happened last time you had caffeine.”

“I ended up in your bed.”

“Espresso, it is.” Travis grinned.

Kacey laughed and reached for a piece of dark chocolate. “I like it here.”

Travis told his heart to stop clenching in his chest every time she hinted toward staying. “In Portland?”

“The restaurant.” She shrugged. “It’s as if I never left.”

“They would be proud of you, Kacey.” He reached across the table and grasped her hand. “I know I am.”

Kacey shook her head. “What would they be proud of? The girl who hasn’t finished college? Who lives on her own and has one sad goldfish as a pet?”

“No.” Travis went to kneel next to her. “They’d be proud of your spirit, proud of the woman you’ve become. You’re strong, you’re brilliant, not to mention beautiful.”

Kacey’s head snapped up. “Do you really think I’m beautiful?”

“No. I think you’re breathtaking.”

Kacey flushed.

“I think you’re life-altering.”

She tried to pull away.

“I think you’re uniquely, wonderfully… you.”

Her lips trembled.