Country Heat (King Creek Cowboys Book 1) (4 page)

K
it dried
her hands on her apron before she slipped it over her head. She tossed the apron into the expansive laundry room, which was just off of the kitchen.

She was pleased with how dinner turned out. It was thanks to the trip to the grocery marketplace that she was able to pull together something special for Carter’s birthday. At least she hoped he would enjoy it, and hoped his family would, as well. She’d find out soon enough.

“Smells wonderful.” A pretty young woman entered the kitchen, her blonde hair swinging at her waist in soft ringlets. She held out her hand to Kit. “Sorry I arrived late. I’m Haylee McLeod, Carter’s youngest sister.”

“You have the same eyes.” Kit gripped Haylee’s hand before releasing it. Carter’s sister’s eyes were more of a chocolate brown, but the shape was the same. “You’re much prettier though.”

“And you are much prettier than Lester.” Haylee laughed. “He was the last cook, and he never made anything that smelled even close to as good as this does.”

Kit smiled as she walked to the counter where everything for the main course sat, ready to be taken to the dining room after the appetizers were finished. “Thank you.”

“I came to help you take it all out to the table.” Haylee joined Kit where she stood in front of the serving dishes and pan of corn bread. “Everyone enjoyed the snap pea, radish, and basil side salad.” She brushed hair over her shoulder as she spoke. “Those sundried tomato and goat cheese skewers appetizers were also a hit. The pistachios were a nice touch.”

“I’m glad you liked them.”
So far so good.
Kit couldn’t be completely relieved until the McLeod family ate the entire meal. She picked up the domed platter of pork chops. “Now for the main course.”

Haylee grasped one of two covered side dishes and they headed into a dining room that was nothing short of grand.

The moment Kit walked into the room, her gaze met Carter’s. A warm flush stole over her body as their eyes met and lingered just a moment too long. She tore her gaze away and leaned in to the table to set the platter down.

“Just the smell of everything is to die for.” Julie, Carter’s mom, adjusted the napkin on her lap. “When Carter told us we were eating in, all I could imagine was a cowboy meal of barbequed pork, pinto beans, and corn bread.”

As Kit set the domed platter on the table, Carter chuckled. “No doubt that would have been the menu if Kit hadn’t replaced Lester.”

“Thank God for big favors.” Joe, Carter’s dad, grinned at Kit. “Welcome to Arizona, young lady.”

“Thank you, Joe.” As others joined in, Kit nodded and smiled to each of Carter’s family members, all of whom she’d been introduced to when she brought in the appetizers. “Thank you all for the warm welcome.”

Bear, who at thirty was the youngest brother, stared at the large dome. “What’s for dinner?”

Kit removed the lid. “Grilled pork chops with balsamic caramelized pears.”

“Good lord.” Grandma Francis shook her head before looking at Carter. “You let this one go and you’re liable to have mutiny on your hands.”

“You haven’t tasted it yet.” Kit laughed as she took the large covered serving dish from Haylee, who left the room, probably to get the other side dish and cornbread. Kit removed the cover of the dish Haylee had just left. “Aïoli mashed potatoes with chives.”

“Yep.” Justin nodded. He had a smile almost as sexy as Carter’s. “We’re already spoiled as hell, and you just got here today.”

The McLeod family’s appreciation of Kit’s cooking was somehow more special than any compliment she had received in her career as a professional chef.

Haylee returned and set the cornbread and last side dish on the table.

“Even though Lester isn’t here, you do get corn bread after all.” Kit smiled. “This is a basic green chili and tomatillo version.” Kit then presented the last dish. “This is one of my favorites. Olive-oil-braised broccoli rabe with pine-nut crumble.”

“Can’t begin to remember what you just told us.” Colt reached for the mashed potatoes and held it beside Julie so that she could take a helping. “But I’m sure we’re going to like it.”

“Join us, Kit.” Julie put the serving spoon back into the mashed potatoes. “Since my niece, Elsa, couldn’t make it, we have an extra seat.”

“That’s kind of you.” Kit smiled at Carter’s mom. “However, this is a family night and I don’t want to intrude. I’ll bring out the cake when you’re all finished with dinner.”

“You’re not intruding.” Carter’s deep voice dragged Kit’s attention from Julie.

God, she could barely breathe around him.

Carter gestured to the chair beside him. “We’d all like to get to know you better.”

Brady spoke up in a deadpan tone. “Then we know who to go after if we all get food poisoning.”

Kit winced. Everyone else laughed, Grandpa Daniel the loudest of all.

The next thing Kit knew, she was being ushered to sit beside Carter, with his other sister, Leeann, on her opposite side.

Sitting next to Carter made her feel as if her body was on fire. She prayed her bra was padded enough that her nipples weren’t showing through her T-shirt. All she needed was to let everyone in his family see how physically attracted she was to Carter.

She didn’t know him well at all, but from what she’d seen, he was a nice guy and loved by his employees. That was impression she’d had so far—time would tell if she was right about him.

In the meantime, she had to get her hormones and her desire under control. After all, the man was her boss, and she had no business fantasizing about his big body pressed against hers…

She nearly groaned and planted her face in the mashed potatoes Carter had spooned onto her plate while she was busy fantasizing about him.

He also gave her a helping of broccoli rabe as the dishes were passed around, then served her one of the pork chops.

It all happened so quickly that Kit felt surprised at suddenly being in the middle of what appeared to be an ordinary yet extraordinary family.

She held her fork in her hand as her gaze drifted around the table, from one person to the next.

Her thoughts slipped away, to another time and place. Her family had been much smaller, but she could still picture her own grandparents, parents, and sister around the table. In the memory it was Christmas, colored lights blazing on the tree, and the whole family was enjoying a well-cooked meal and family time.

No doubt she had idealized that singular memory that came to her.

After what Kit, her mother, and sister had gone through after her grandparents and father had passed away, memories like that one had all but crumbled to dust. Kit was surprised she had any to draw upon at all.

“Are you all right?” Carter’s voice was a low murmur next to her ear, sending goose bumps down her arms.

She straightened in her seat as reality returned. “Great.” She smiled, even though the memory had made her feel wistful and a little melancholy. “I hope your birthday dinner is up to your liking.”

“Yes.” His voice was low and smoky with heat, the kind warmth that traveled through her from head to toe. “Beyond expectations.”

C
arter studied Kit
, capturing her gaze with his. He wanted to reach out and slide his fingers through her butterscotch-colored hair that reached her shoulders in a thick wave. If a person’s eyes were truly a window to the soul, then Kit’s moss-green eyes were shuttered to avoid letting anyone see the depths of her being.

She had curves and more curves that he had the intense desire to explore. He could imagine his fingertips drifting over her soft bare flesh, and his thumbs circling her hard nipples before he tasted them. God, he bet she tasted good—every inch of her.

When they’d been at the grocery store, he’d spent a good deal of the time enjoying her movements. Watching her as she bent over to grab an item off a shelf, or when she opened the doors in the freezer section and the cold air made her nipples tighten into hard, obvious points against her shirt.

He watched a pretty pink stain Kit’s cheeks. It was as if she had guessed every thought in his head and he wondered if he was that transparent.

Her breast rose and fell with the quickening of her breaths. The sexual undercurrent that sizzled between them was something completely unexpected. It was crystal clear she felt it as much as he did.

When he had first met her in the kitchen, he had been attracted to her. That attraction had intensified to something that had taken him completely off guard.

Down boy. Kit is your employee, and you don’t date employees.

If he fired her and then asked her out…

He mentally shook his head. His thoughts were crazy as hell.

“Where are you from, Kit?” Jill’s voice broke the connection between Carter and Kit.

Kit looked vaguely confused for a moment, but recovered as she turned her attention to one of Carter’s three younger sisters. “Originally San Francisco, but I’ve been in L.A. for the past several years.”

“I love L.A.” Haylee lowered her fork, mashed potato still on the tines. “It’s so fast-paced. Nothing like this place.”

“But there’s something about San Francisco that’s just awesome,” Leeann said. “It is so cool that you can walk everywhere you want to go.”

“San Francisco is okay.” Jill picked up her knife and fork. “I just don’t understand why so many homeless people live there. It’s so cold.”

Carter frowned as he watched Kit’s face. She looked as though she’d been slapped.

“I guess it’s a problem here, too, but we don’t see it on an everyday basis because we have to drive just about everywhere we go.” Jill continued speaking as she cut into her pork chop. “It must be hard.”

“It is.” Kit’s throat worked. “It’s very difficult for people who are homeless to live anywhere. Being on the street isn’t living.”

Jill had touched a tender nerve with Kit, and Carter wondered why.

Seemingly oblivious to Kit’s discomfort, and the slight heat beneath her words, Jill nodded. “I understand.”

You can’t possibly understand,
Kit’s eyes seemed to say. But her expression was now a study in neutrality.

“Where did you work in L.A.?” Haylee pointed to the food on her plate, and Carter was relieved she had changed the subject. “You must have been the chef at a really nice place because this is not your typical rancher’s fair.”

Their mom laughed. “Heaven’s no, it’s certainly not.”

“I was head chef at one of the larger boutique hotels.” Kit offered a reserved smile. “Ours catered to wealthier clientele and provided amenities that most boutique hotels do not.”

“What in the world are you doing here?” Sometimes Jill’s habit of saying what was on her mind and being blunt had Carter shaking his head.

“I love the country.” Kit shrugged one shoulder, but it was not a casual shrug. Her body was tense, as if she was prepared to run. “I spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm in Northern California when I was growing up.”

“What happened to your grandparents?” Jill barreled forward and Carter wanted to do a face-palm.

Kit sounded hoarse as she spoke. “They died in a car accident on their way to visit my father, when he was in the hospital.”

Before Jill could stomp all over Kit’s feelings any more than she already had, Carter cut in. “Where did you learn how to cook like this?”

An expression of relief passed over Kit’s features. “Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles.”

“I’m not surprised,” Julie said. “This is amazing.”

“I’m glad you are enjoying it.” Kit smiled, some of the tension seeming to roll off her shoulders. “I love to cook, so it’s a pleasure for me.”

“Believe me, the pleasure is definitely all ours.” Justin settled his fork on his already empty plate, amusement in his chocolate-colored eyes. “I’m going for thirds after I finish seconds.”

Everyone laughed, and a smile lit Kit’s eyes.

She was a beautiful woman. A woman with many layers…a woman who Carter would like to get to know better. Much better.

Throughout the birthday dinner, his family was hell bent on telling as many embarrassing stories as possible about Carter. He just shook his head and laughed with the rest of them.

They talked about the time he got drunk on his eighteenth birthday; his aversion to carrots and how he would spit them out when he was a baby—more like projectile vomiting; how nervous he’d been on his first prom date and that he’d had spinach stuck in his braces after prom dinner; and a few other stories.

He watched Kit during dinner without making it obvious that’s what he was doing. At least he hoped she and his family hadn’t noticed.

Carter found her almost mesmerizing. Something about her made it difficult to focus on anything else. When she laughed at some of the tales, her eyes sparkled and her grin was infectious. She was an entirely different woman now than she was when talking about herself.

When they finished dinner, Leeann and Haylee helped Kit clear the dishes, and then Kit brought out the cake. It was a four-layer white cake with custard and raspberry filling, and chocolate ganache icing.

After a huge bite, he turned to Kit. “This is the best damned cake I’ve ever had—even better than the one you served to the employees after lunch. That one was the best I’d had before now.”

Everyone else chimed in with enthusiastic compliments.

Kit looked embarrassed but pleased. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Love it.” He dug into the velvety white cake and chocolate ganache until only crumbs remained, and then helped himself to seconds.

When dinner wound down, and Kit and the McLeods had cleared the table, everyone insisted on pitching in to clean up in the kitchen, too.

Kit laughed and smiled with his family as they joked around and made record time with the dishes. Kit had cleaned the kitchen as she cooked, so it hadn’t been a mess.

Once Carter had seen his family out the front door, he returned to the kitchen where Kit was wiping down the mixer she had used.

She glanced up and he could swear he heard a small gasp escape her as their gazes locked. Not a gasp from being startled, but one from recognizing a truth—