Cold as Ice (13 page)

Jake laughed. “You know, I didn’t even look.” He picked up his phone. “Yeah. She wants us to call her when we know how he is.” He tapped out another message. “That should satisfy her curiosity for now.”

* * * *

Eva felt like she’d been run ragged, and it was still before noon. It was surprising how much energy it took to do massages. Only the knowledge she’d be seeing her guys later made the day bearable. They’d been away for a road game in Nashville Saturday night, and she hadn’t seen them in what seemed like forever. They’d said they had a surprise for her, and she couldn’t decide if she was excited or nervous. Who knew what the three of them would come up with?

She crunched on an apple as she waited for her next client. For some reason she kept scheduling clients too close to each other on Mondays, so her meals ended up being spaced out through the day—an apple here, a sandwich later. By the time she got out of work she was usually starving, and she hoped whatever the guys had in mind included dinner. She thought about the delicious meal they’d prepared for her a week ago at Luc’s condo, and her mouth watered. That night seemed so far away now, and she could swear she’d seen about a hundred clients since then.

Her cell phone buzzed with a text, and she smiled, hoping it was one of the guys. She wasn’t disappointed. Jake’s number popped up and she clicked on the message.

Can’t wait to see you tonight. Wear something pretty and be hungry.

She laughed and texted him back.

I can’t wait either. So what does pretty mean? Are you making more sauce?

He returned the text promptly.

Pretty means naked, but since we’ll be in public, how about a dress? I love your legs. And no, I’m not making sauce. We’re taking you out.

Eva’s brows rose. They were going out in public? All together? Sure, they’d gone bowling, but this sounded more like a date. How would that go?

You’ve intrigued me. See you soon.

Her client knocked on the office door, and she put her phone away. It was time to get back to work.

Several hours later, she rushed into her house to take a shower and change. After drying her hair, leaving it down the way the guys seemed to like it, she put on a little makeup and then went to her closet, where she stopped dead. A dress? She had precious few dresses that fit her, and even less she could wear at this time of year. Most were sundresses, and it was definitely not sundress weather in Buffalo right now. She wore tanks to work, but she kept her room quite warm because the clients liked it that way, so heavier clothing wasn’t needed, but the temperatures outside were still chilly at best.

Eva bit her lip. Jake had asked her to wear a dress. She didn’t have time to go shopping, so she’d have to do the best she could. Reaching into the closet, she pulled out a wrap dress. It had short sleeves, but she could wear a cardigan and tights and be warm enough. Of course, the guys would probably keep her plenty warm, but she knew they’d have to behave if they were in public, as Jake had said they would be.

She finished her ensemble with black, knee-length boots. Not bad. The wrap dress made it look like she had more curves than she actually did, which wasn’t a bad thing. And the style actually suggested cleavage, which was even better. As she turned to inspect herself in the bathroom mirror, the skirt wrapped around her thighs. Perfect.

The doorbell rang, and she hurried to answer it. Just before she opened the door, she reminded herself to play it cool even though she felt anything but. Any sense of calm she’d achieved left her when she saw her guys all standing on the porch, looking far more delectable than they had the right to.

“Hey,” she said, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

“Hey, chica,” Carter answered, stepping inside. The other two followed and she closed the door to keep out the wind and chill. Carter swept her into his arms. “You look incredible. I might eat you instead of dinner.” Eva shivered at the image. He pulled her closer and kissed her, sinking his tongue into her mouth. She moaned and his grip tightened again.

“Leave some sugar for the rest of us,” Luc demanded, pulling her out of Carter’s arms. She went willingly, and he wrapped his large hands around the back of her neck, pulling her gently forward. “I’ve been dreaming about your mouth doing the most wicked things to me. No time for that now, but I’ll take a kiss.” She felt her face go hot, and he chuckled. “I fuckin’ love the way you blush. You’re not embarrassed, though, are you, baby?”

She shrugged. “Not really. It’s just kind of a natural reaction when someone talks like that.”

“Like what, dirty?”

“Yeah,” Eva replied then grinned. “I kinda like it.”

“I bet you do, baby.” His thumbs massaged along the line of her jaw just before he pressed his lips to hers. His kiss was brief but hard, and then he passed her to Jake, who promptly took possession of her mouth, sweeping inside to explore her depths.

When he finally released her, she was breathless. “What a way to be greeted.”

The guys laughed, and Carter glanced at his watch. “We need to leave soon if want to be on time.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

They ushered her into Jake’s SUV, and he drove them downtown. When they pulled into the small parking lot for Kelly’s, she turned to look at him. “Isn’t this Leo and Scott’s girl’s place?”

“It is.”

“I’ve never been here, but I’ve heard the food is really good.”

“She’s making us a special meal. She called it a ‘Chef’s Table,’ whatever that means.”

“Sounds great.” Luc helped her out of the car and kept her hand clasped within his as they approached the restaurant. She started to tug hers away, and his grip tightened. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t wanna hide this. Neither do Jake and Carter. If people don’t like it, tough.” He looked at her. “Ready?”

“Okay,” she agreed. Eva wasn’t sure she was on board with being totally public, but this was a good baby step to take.

Chapter Nine

As they approached the door, she asked Luc, “Hey, how’s Leo?”

Luc’s brows drew down. “We’re not sure.”

“Did they figure out what happened?”

“Not yet. They know he fainted, but they don’t know why.”

He didn’t seem to want to discuss it, so she dropped the subject. They all walked into the restaurant and Kelly rushed out from behind the counter. “Hey! How are you guys?”

Luc grinned at her, but Eva could tell it was a little strained. Maybe because of Leo’s problems? “Great, Kelly, how are you?”

Kelly sighed. “I’m okay, I just wish they would figure out what happened to Leo. He’s a bear at home.”

“And at the rink,” Carter said before Jake elbowed him.

“I bet. Anyway, we’re all set up in the kitchen if you want to follow me.”

Eva’s brow rose. “The kitchen?”

“Yeah. It’s a new thing I’m doing, only for special guests.” She began to walk in the direction of the kitchen. “Go ahead and follow me and I’ll explain.” Kelly motioned them in ahead of her and said, directing her attention to Eva, “It’s called a Chef’s Table. Basically it’s a table that’s located in the middle of the kitchen where a few people can watch the goings-on and have a whole meal prepared just for them.”

“Wow. That sounds pretty cool.”

“I hope you like it. You guys are sort of my guinea pigs. I’ve only ever done it for Leo and Scott, and they wouldn’t criticize much of anything.” She slanted a look to Eva and then to the guys. “I want you to be honest. If it’s weird, if there’s something you don’t like, whatever, make sure you tell me. I’d rather have you tell me so I can fix it than to offer the Chef’s Table to a wider audience and get killed for something I could’ve prevented.” She stopped in front of a stainless steel table already set with four places. “Here we are. Have a seat, and Bonnie, my sous chef, will be right over.”

Soon after, a petite woman who looked to be in her forties came over and smiled. “I’m Bonnie. I’m the sous chef here, and I’m going to be bringing you all the wonderful food Kelly’s preparing for you tonight. Can I get some drinks? We don’t serve mixed drinks, but we have beer or wine if you’d like that. There’s a wine list in front of you.” She pointed it out. “You might want to start with a white and then order a red with your entrées. But that’s just a suggestion. If you guys are anything like Leo and Scott, you’ll do whatever you want to anyway.” Bonnie winked and Eva laughed, instantly liking the woman.

“We’re not as stubborn as they are,” Jake said. Eva snorted and Bonnie snickered. He sent Eva a mock glare before adding, “We’ll take a bottle of whatever you think will go best.”

Bonnie patted him on the shoulder. “Smart man.”

She left and Jake puffed his chest out. “The ladies, they love me.”

“Yeah, that must be it,” Carter replied with a smirk. He then turned to Eva. “So, chica, tell us about what you’ve been up to since we were away. Have you been behaving yourself?”

“I haven’t had time to misbehave. I had to do laundry, get groceries, clean the house, go the gym, all the stuff I don’t have time for during the week when my schedule is packed with clients. I haven’t gone out at all. At night I vegged on the couch with a frozen meal or popcorn.” She made a face, glancing around the kitchen, noting the various pots and pans bubbling away on the stove several feet away. “I’m really looking forward to this meal.”

Kelly came over, dropping off a steaming basket of breads and rolls. “Did I hear you say you’ve been eating frozen meals and popcorn for dinner?”

“I’m too tired to make anything when I get home. Besides, it’s just me.”

“That’s no excuse for eating poorly. I’ll send you home with plenty of leftovers. These guys can fend for themselves.”

Eva smiled. “I knew I was gonna like you.”

“Ditto. Your appetizer will be ready in a bit.”

Bonnie returned and opened the wine, pouring some for each of them. Eva picked up her glass, swirling the contents. As she’d been taught on one of her many trips to the wineries in the Finger Lakes, she stuck her nose right into the glass and sniffed.

“Nice, huh?” Bonnie asked.

“What is that I smell?”

Bonnie grinned. “You tell me.”

The men swirled their wine and then brought them up to their noses. “I smell grapes,” Carter said.

Both Eva and Bonnie shook their heads, laughing. Eva spoke. “I smell apples, I think.”

“Good,” Bonnie replied, nodding. “What else?”

“I’m not sure. It smells sort of, I’m not sure…flowery?”

“That’s right. It’s a sauvignon blanc, which is known for its flowery notes.”

“Interesting.”

“Take a sip.”