Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Chase watched me. “At the party, I sat across from you.”
“I didn’t realize that.”
“I know. You ignored me the whole time and disregarded all of my attempts at conversation. You pretty much giggled, pointed at the food, and whispered with your friend.”
“The food was garbage.”
He rested his head in his hands and chuckled. “I also own Equinox, the company that catered the event.”
I shrugged. “The food sucked worse than Bag and Brew. The chicken was dry. Rice had no seasoning. Buns were as hard as bricks. The vegetables were cold and soggy—”
He laughed and shook his head.
“I was blown away that an expensive event like that would serve such bad food.”
“Jasmine, promise me you’ll help me revamp all of my food businesses next month.”
“If I’m still with you.” I stopped speaking when the waiter brought two small bowls.
“This is the soup course,” the waiter said. “Here we have ravioli filled with blood sausage and covered in a truffle butter sauce.”
“Thank you so much.” I yanked up the spoon the waiter placed next to the bowl.
Chase smiled. “Should I wait for you to taste that before hitting you with my offer?”
Probably. I’m sure I’ll lose my appetite.
“Yes.” I pierced the ravioli with the tip of my spoon. Red blood spilled from the pasta and merged with the butter sauce.
Just perfect.
I scooped up a small morsel and tasted it. So many sensual tasting experiences charged in my mouth at once—the truffles’ earthy flavor tickled my tongue, the succulent blood sausage nipped at my taste buds, and the thick texture of the pasta merged with the taunting cream.
“Lord have mercy, this is the best dish I’ve ever had in my life.” I groaned and noticed Chase hadn’t even lifted his spoon. “What do you think?”
“Blood sausage?” Chase studied his untouched bowl.
“Come on. You’re the wealthy one. Don’t tell me you’re closed-minded.”
“When it comes to food I stick with the normal meals.”
“What do you consider normal food?”
“Hamburgers, steak, pizza, chicken—”
“That’s unacceptable.” I stabbed another piece, put it on my spoon, and offered my portion to him. “Try it, please.”
“You’re serious?”
“Of course. Have I been wrong yet?”
“I doubt blood sausage will be a winner.”
I positioned my spoon half an inch from his mouth. “I’ve been dealing with your ridiculous come-on-too-strong flirting. Open your mouth and take it.”
“You’re definitely more than I’d expected,” he murmured and opened his mouth.
I fed him and couldn’t even deny the feeling that burst in my stomach. It was weird, as if I’d conquered someone, like I’d won a little battle or taken control.
Don’t be pathetic, Jasmine.
I shook the emotion away. “So? What do you think?”
He bobbed his head and continued to munch. “Damned good.”
“Gabe is an amazing chef. He never fails.” I returned to eating my own food.
“He’s cooked meals for you before?” Chase gripped his spoon so hard the skin on his knuckles turned a lighter shade.
What’s the big deal?
“Sometimes Gabe comes to my apartment and cooks for Vivian and me. He’s pretty busy here and works six days a week, but he still tries to visit us and cook at least twice a month.”
“Hmmm.” He tapped his finger against the spoon a few times. “Does he spend time with Vivian when he’s . . . visiting, or is he only around you?”
“I know what you’re insinuating. It’s not like that. It’s really a lot of fun when he drops by.”
“I bet,” he mumbled.
“He tells me to buy a secret ingredient. When he comes over I present it to him and he cooks me something fabulous, just like that food game show Iron Chef.”
Chase turned toward the kitchen and mumbled something under his breath.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing.” But his face said he was pissed.
Or maybe I’m simply imagining that.
We ate in peace for a while. The whole time I waited on the edge of impatience for him to tell me what he had to say.
Finally, when I couldn’t take anymore, I released a frustrated sigh. “So you saw me at the Garden Party when I was mocking your company’s horrible food. And?”
He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin.
I realized his bowl was now empty.
Then, he licked the spoon, and the way his tongue slid over the metal caused me to shiver.
Ignore that, Jasmine.
“I saw you across the table. Your laugh caught my attention. You sounded exciting.” He placed the napkin back on the table. “I asked you what college you went to. You said Harvard, and then twisted in your chair so you were facing your friend. You basically spent the rest of the party talking to her.”
“Were you with Dawn?”
“Yes.”
“That’s probably why. I tend to ignore men who are obviously taken.” I motioned to his engagement ring. “When a guy speaks to me at a party, I always check his ring finger first. If I see a ring, I don’t even waste my time looking at the guy’s face.”