“I’m sorry to hear that,” Peppa replied before I could gloat.
“The kitchen at Castagna is a mess,” Armand admitted, scrubbing his hands down his face. “William lost the respect of the chefs who didn’t follow you here, and replacing you and the others who left has been nearly impossible. People should be lining up for the opportunity to work for one of the few restaurants with three Michelin stars in the United States, but too much damage has been done to William’s reputation. It’s made the truly talented chefs cautious about working beneath him for fear that he’ll clip their wings instead of helping them grow.”
I was happy to hear that Peppa’s reputation as a chef hadn’t taken a hit after the stunt that William had pulled, but she just sounded sad as she said, “Their concerns are valid, Armand. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but my skills in the kitchen were a big part of why Castagna earned that third star. I don’t know if William was too proud to admit it or resentful of what I’ve accomplished at my age, but looking back now, I finally realize that he never truly treated me as his second in charge. He never asked for my opinion on the menu or suppliers. He only ever trusted me to execute the dishes he created.”
“And I only now realized that his request to bring Martin in was due to the fact that he was threatened by your talent, Peppa. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Maybe if I had, you’d still be at Castagna.” Armand heaved another deep sigh.
“I probably would, but I’d still be working for William.” Peppa gave my hand a squeeze. “And I never would have met Cason.”
“If you come back to Chicago, William doesn’t have to stay at Castagna. You could take over as head chef in his place.”
I wasn’t surprised by Armand’s offer, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. From everything Peppa had told me about the restaurant world, most chefs would kill for the position. But if my mate accepted, then we’d have to leave my family behind. I’d follow Peppa anywhere, but I would miss out on seeing Greenlee and Nyx grow up.
“I would have given anything for this kind of an opportunity four months ago, but it’s too late now.” Peppa stood, tugging me to my feet along with her. “I’ve found where I belong.”
She led me into the kitchen, explained to her team why Armand had come, and asked Bexley to take over in the kitchen for her. Larken gave her a hug before practically shoving us out the door. Peppa was quiet during the short drive back to our home. Once I had my mate there, all to myself, I was struck by the magnitude of what she’d just given up. Peppa had become everything to me, and I hated the possibility that she was sacrificing her professional success in order to stay here with me.
8
As soon as the door shut behind us, Cason turned to me. His brows drew together, and his eyes were full of concern. “Are you sure you’ll be happy if we stay here?”
“Of course, I am.” I reached up and tried to smooth out the wrinkle in his brow. “I want to be wherever you are, and your life is here in Timber Ridge.”
My answer didn’t help the way I thought it would. Cason’s hands gripped my hips, and he yanked me against his chest. “The same is true for me. If you want to go back to Chicago, then that’s what we should do. You shouldn’t have to give up shit that’s important to you because fate paired you with me.”
“It’s not just that I accepted you as my mate because you were my destiny.” I pressed my forehead against his. “I would have chosen you if it had been possible, and I’ll always choose you over everything else each day for the rest of our lives.”
His palms drifted up my back to cup my shoulders. “It’s the same for me, baby. I can live anywhere as long as you’re with me. You don’t have to choose to stay here for me. Take the job at Castagna if that’s what you want. I’ll support you every step of the way.”
Sincerity shone from his dark orbs, and I knew he’d do anything if it made me happy. “I love that you’d move to Chicago for me, but that’s not where I’ll be the happiest. Timber Ridge is my home now, and Timber Treasures is where I want to cook. Not Castagna. I love what we’re creating here.”
“And I love you.” He palmed my cheeks and tilted my head back to brush his lips against mine. “So very much.”
My heart melted even more. It was the first time either of us had said the four-letter word to each other. “I love you, too.”
His dark eyes flared with male satisfaction before he bent his head to claim my mouth in a passionate kiss. “I’m so fucking lucky those assholes sent you running straight into my arms.”
“Who knew that the worst thing that happened to me would end up leading me to the best thing ever?” I grinned up at my mate as I twined my arms around his neck.
“I know you turned down the job offer, but I still think we should celebrate it anyway.” He lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. With his hands cupping my butt, he ground his hips into mine. I felt the heat of his hard length as it pressed against my core.
“That sounds like a fantastic idea to me.” The friction of my drenched panties against my clit drove me crazy as he carried me upstairs to our bedroom. I was frantic to get him naked before we even reached the bed. Slipping my hand between us, I slid my palm down his chest and six-pack abs to flick the button of his jeans open. I’d just worked my hand into his boxers and wrapped it around his hard length when he tossed me on the mattress. “Hey, I wasn’t done with that.”
He lowered his zipper and fisted his dick after shoving his jeans and boxers down his legs. “Don’t worry, my hard-on isn’t going anywhere until your tight pussy is wrapped around it, milking my come from me while your screams fill the air.”
My ovaries just about exploded at the sensual promise I knew he’d fulfill. Crawling toward him, I flicked my tongue over the drop of pre-come on the tip of his dick before whispering, “Yes, please.”
He wrapped my hair around his other hand as he stroked the crown of his cock over my bottom lip. “Open your mouth for me, baby.”
My lips parted, and he gently pushed a few inches inside. I savored the salty taste of his pre-come as I hollowed my cheeks to suck him deeper. A deep groan rumbled up his chest, and I loved knowing I was giving my mate pleasure. He worked his cock in and out of my mouth for a few minutes before he pulled away and pressed me onto the mattress. “Your mouth feels like heaven, but I need the taste of you in my mouth before I shove my cock deep inside your pussy.”
I would have liked to suck him until I made him explode, but giving him a blow job turned me on so much that I was already teetering on the edge of orgasm. Frantic with need, I ripped my shirt over my head while Cason got naked. Then he helped me with the rest of my clothes before he wedged his shoulders between my thighs and lowered his head to devour me with his mouth. I felt each tug of his lips deep in my core, quickly pushing me closer to my release.
“I love how fucking wet you get. Drenching my face before you come.” His strong hands gripped my butt cheeks to lift me closer to his mouth. “And it’s all for me. I’m the only one who will ever have your taste in their mouth. Who’ll hear you cry their name in that husky tone that drives me fucking wild.”
My breath caught in my throat when he licked me from top to bottom before stiffening his tongue and shoving it deep inside my channel. Then he slid his hand between us and pinched my clit, sending me flying. Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. “Yes! Cason, yes!”
“That’s it, baby. Come for me,” he urged against my damp flesh. His tongue continued to sweep through my wetness, never slowing down while he drew out my pleasure. I didn't have any leverage with my shoulders pressed against the mattress and my hips lifted in his hold. He was in complete control of my body as he continued to devour me, sending me straight into a second orgasm as soon as I came down from the first.