Inn Love

“Nonsense,” I say. “A beautiful young woman like you can’t just be left to roam the streets alone. It’s not safe. You can stay here for as long as you need to. I’ll cover the costs.”

She shakes her head fervently. “No, I can’t ask that of you…I’ll leave tomorrow. You’ve already been far too generous.”

“Trust me. Money isn’t an issue here,” I counter. I don’t elaborate further. I don’t want to break the spell yet by telling her who I am. It’s nice to finally meet someone who doesn’t know me as the rich, hot Hollywood star. Just for now, I want to be Elijah and no one else. I want her to know me for the man I am, not the man everyone thinks I am.

“I still feel guilty,” she says gently. “Is there nothing I can do in return for staying here? Perhaps I can help out? I noticed you’re doing some, um, renovation work.”

“Absolutely not,” I snarl. “I won’t have you lifting a finger while you’re here. You’re a guest. There’s no need for you to work to earn your keep.”

“What about cooking?” Olivia presses keenly. “I may not be much use in renovating, but I know my way around a kitchen. I trained for several years as a chef…I’ve been hoping to find work. Maybe I could cook for your guests as a way to thank you.”

“I’ve told you already, that won’t be necessary. But since you seem so keen on using the kitchen, please feel free to make use of it as much as you like…you seem very passionate about cooking.”

Olivia blushes. “It’s the one thing that I truly love in the world. There’s nothing better than cooking a meal and watching someone enjoy it.” She pauses, looking up at me with a sweetness in her eyes. “Will you allow me to cook dinner for you? It would honestly be my pleasure…and it’s no trouble at all.”

I waver. On the one hand, I don’t want this beautiful young woman to have to lift a finger. But on the other hand, she seems so keen for me to say yes. I don’t want to say no to her when this is clearly something she is interested in. Plus, the idea of her cooking for me seems so intimate. It’s like she’s offering me a window into her life, allowing me to get to know her through her cooking.

“Well, I’m not sure I can refuse an offer that good,” I remark, my eyes roaming over her sexy curves before I can stop myself. Everything about her draws my eye in. She’s like a piece of art, made to be appreciated by me. All I want is to look at her, but she’s already stepping out of her bedroom, keen to get started on the dinner she’s promised me.

“Could you show me to the kitchens? I’ll make sure to cook something good with what you have in the refrigerator.”

“Can I watch?” I ask. The idea of watching her work in her most comfortable environment seems somehow sexy to me. I want to see her in her element. Olivia blushes, clearly shocked at the idea of being on display, but she nods.

“Of course. Whatever you’d like.”

“Then come with me,” I say, taking her arm. “Let me show you around.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Olivia

My heart is racing as Elijah shows me around the Inn’s kitchen. Most of the place is pretty run down, but the kitchen seems to be in perfect working order. Whoever is the chef here seems to keep it spic and span, with beautiful marble worktops and plenty of space to work. I’ve dreamed of working in this kind of kitchen for so long.

And now, Elijah is allowing me to run loose in here. I run my hand over the worktops, opening cupboards gently to examine their contents. I pick up some ingredients here and there, gathering everything I need for a simple but delicious tomato pasta dish. Many people think it’s a bland dish, but not the way that I make it. I’m certain that if I make this for Elijah, it will be enough to impress him.

And God, do I want to impress him.

It’s all I want in the world.

I love how he watches me as I prep the tomatoes. His hungry eyes are desperate for something other than a pasta dish. I see the desire in his gaze, something that has never once been reserved for me until now. This handsome, enigmatic stranger is looking at me and seeing something that no one else has before…maybe he’s crazy, but I don’t care. It feels so good to have a man like him lusting after me.

At least, I hope that’s what is happening here. I’ll be so disappointed if I’m misjudging the situation. He leans against one of the counters, and even when I turn my head away from him, I can still feel him looking at me. The only explanation to me is that this is sexual attraction.