Just Add Spice

“Maybe.”

Macy appeared again, popping the cork on a hearty Merlot and pouring two glasses before rushing off to seat a new round of customers.

Rafe and Jenna clinked rims. “Salute.”

Jenna picked up the conversation again. “Of course, I’m infinitely relieved your grandmother got her way. I simply can’t fathom a world without you in it.”

He smiled sexily at her, making Jenna’s stomach—and her heart—flutter. “There’s that soft underbelly again.”

She laughed. “I’ve never denied that I think you make the world a better place. And many satisfied appetites will agree with me. People rave about your food on review sites, Rafe. I get a little tingle of excitement every time I read a new one and I think, yes indeed, he is a ‘culinary genius whose lasagna bolognese could make you swear you’d sold your soul to the devil for the taste of something so sinfully delicious. And didn’t regret it one tiny bit.’ ”

Rafe eyed her over the rim of his glass. “Someone actually wrote that?”

“One of my favorites. You really should check out Chowhound and Yelp. Trip Advisor has astounding reviews of your restaurant too. And following the reopening… Holy cow. You will be five-star all the way around.”

“I can’t thank you and Tad enough for everything you’re doing, Jen.”

“You know it means a lot to me, Rafe. The only thing I can’t achieve on your reopening night is a visit from your parents. I would love for them to be there. I would have loved meeting them.”

He nodded. “They would have enjoyed meeting you too, Jen.” His eyes softened to yet another beautiful blue hue. Then his gaze shifted and he said, “Vinny’s bringing our food.”

Rafe’s older cousin snapped open a tray jack and set the large, oval tray on it.

Jenna eyed the plates and her stomach grumbled. “Lobster Newburg and filet mignon with crab Béarnaise sauce. Beautiful, Vinny.” Baked potatoes and grilled asparagus accompanied the entrees. “I have got to come to town more often.”

One of Rafe’s dark brows lifted. “The food’s the draw?”

She snickered. “You didn’t hear me complaining last evening, either. Did you?”

Vinny left them to their meal and Jenna noticed a sudden run on the very dishes Vinny had delivered to them. The lofty menu items ought to give him a nice boost in revenue, she thought. Jenna took a few photos to add to a blog post she’d generate about the restaurant.

Following dinner, she refused to share her cheesecake with Rafe, so he had to order his own. She signed autographs and answered questions in between bites. Her fans had been gracious enough not to disturb her and Rafe during their main course.

Later, they walked from his car to the loft. She’d left the keys to the rental car with Tad.

She said, “I am stuffed to the gills. My God, I ate so much food it’s a wonder my zipper doesn’t burst wide open.”

“We walked enough today to counter the mass quantities of calories we consumed.”

“I relished every single one. The things Vinny does to a lobster… Mm, mm.”

Rafe chuckled. “I do love how passionate you are about food.”

“Guess it makes sense I married a chef.”

With a nod and a grin, he said, “We do make a good professional pairing.”

Feeling particularly flirty, what with all the aphrodisiacs she’d consumed, she wrapped her arms around his neck when they reached his front door. She told him, “We’re damn good in bed too. Why don’t you take me straight to that California king of yours.”

“I’ll even carry you.”

“Spare my poor feet? You are a saint.”

“Oh, you’d reconsider that statement if you knew all the devilish thoughts running through my head.”

“Do tell,” she muttered against his lips. “Better yet, show me precisely what you have in mind.”

He groaned. “Christ, you make me hard.”