Deep Autumn Heat (16 page)

“Weird?”

“Yeah. Low and gravelly. Like he’d been smoking.”

Lexie stiffened. She knew at least one person with a voice like that. Frank Doherty. She steeled her nerves before she spoke. She didn’t want to get everyone riled up, least of all herself. Still, she’d have to tell Cole about it—in the morning. “Let me know if he calls again, please.”

“Will do, boss.”

Buster, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow at her. Lexie brushed him off. “Not now,” she said in a low voice. “We have too much to do.” Then she turned to her small staff, all of whom were gathered in the kitchen. “Team, it’s Wednesday, and the wedding is on Saturday night. That gives us three and a half days to get these wedding cake tiers baked and assembled, and the mains and sides prepped. It’s going to be a lot of extra work for us in the short term, but I’ll pay all of you overtime. As things move forward with LMK Catering, I’ll negotiate pay with each of you for both your restaurant work and your catering work. We’ll talk more as our hard launch gets closer, okay?”

Everyone nodded.

“We have a long night ahead of us. Are we ready?”

There were murmurs of agreement.

Lexie nodded in approval. “Great. Let’s get moving on these cake tiers, then.” There was a bustle of activity as everyone got to work.

* * *

Three hours later, Lexie needed a break. When she stepped outside, her skin—warm and damp from working in the hot kitchen—quickly cooled in the night air. The door clicked shut and she sagged against the cool brick of her building, grateful for a moment to rest. The focus that was required to get everything just right was exhausting. Absently, she rubbed her eyes, causing the bright spots she was seeing to glow, then slowly disappear. She wiped her brow and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

She’d gotten some troubling news earlier in the week. Luke Bedwin had come out to take a look at the gas line again and he’d confirmed Buster’s suspicions—it had most definitely been tampered with. More specifically, it had been sliced. “Not the work of mice,” Luke had said, understating the seriousness of the situation. Unfortunately, there was nothing any of them could do about it beyond repairing it. Since the line fed in through the root cellar, anyone—at any time—could have snuck in there and snipped it.

Lexie had no idea how to even process that information. Just then, the door clicked open and Jenny Arthur stepped out, her blue eyes widening as they adjusted to the dim light. Lexie wasn’t really in the mood to chat, but it was clear that the young woman must have sought her out for a reason.

“Hi, Jenny,” Lexie said wearily. “What’s up?”

“Lexie, I’m really sorry to tell you this, and on such short notice, but I won’t be able to help on the wedding day.”

“Oh, Jenny,” Lexie sighed. “I was really counting on your help.”

“I know, but something’s come up.”

“Things have been coming up a lot lately. You’ve called in sick at least once a week for
the past three months,” she said. Despite her best efforts, a hint of frustration crept into her voice. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing. Just … it’s my family,” Jenny said quickly. “My sister isn’t doing well,” she swirled her hand in the general vicinity of her head in the universal sign for emotional issues, “and I really need to be there for everyone.”

“I understand that you have family obligations and I’m sorry that your sister is ill. But it’s starting to get in the way of your work.” Lexie cocked her head slightly. “You’d tell me if you weren’t happy at the LMK, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course I would, Lexie,” she said in a rush. “I’ve just been a bit overwhelmed lately, what with this family stuff and all.”

“All right. Well, I’m disappointed that you won’t be working our first official catering gig, but we’ll manage. I’ll call someone in to sub for you.”

“Thanks, Lexie. And I’m really sorry to leave you in the lurch.”

Lexie nodded. “I appreciate that. Just try to get things sorted out—I want to know that everyone on this staff is fully invested.”

“I will. Thanks again.” Then she opened the door and ducked back inside.

As soon as Jenny was gone, Lexie groaned loudly. This day was getting worse and worse. She’d been counting on her core staff to help out on the wedding day. Lexie sighed. She’d just have to make do. At least she’d have Jenny over the next few days. Much of the actual preparation would be done beforehand.

The added stress of worrying about staffing made the nagging ache behind her eyes bloom into a full-blown headache. Massaging her temples with her forefingers, she focused on pushing the pain away and on what else she needed to accomplish that night. But what she really wanted was to crawl into bed and forget it all.

Sleep with Lexie and be done with it. Get her out of your system. Get your focus back on your work
.

Sebastian couldn’t believe he was actually thinking of taking Ivana’s advice, and those words still rankled. Like he’d told her, his personal life was his own business. He didn’t need anyone telling him how to handle it, and he especially didn’t need advice on how he should be dealing with Lexie.

It wasn’t the crudeness of Ivana’s proposition that bothered him. After all, he’d done exactly that many times before. But those other women hadn’t been Lexie Meyers. They hadn’t challenged him, pushed him to his limits. Besides, he’d damn sure have to sleep with Lexie more than once to get her out of his system. Even a hundred times might not be enough—she’d crept her way so insidiously into his heart. What was it about her that made him so crazy? That made him want her so much?

“Ahem.” Jimmy Bishop cleared his throat. When Sebastian turned to look at him, he saw his friend standing in front of a large mirror, decked out in his wedding day finery.

“You look good, man. Real good,” Sebastian told him approvingly, taking in Jimmy’s well-cut tuxedo, his gray-hued vest, and the happiness evident on his face.

“Good enough to marry the love of my life?”

“She’s lucky to have you, man.”

Jimmy broke into a huge grin. “I’m the lucky one and believe me, I know it.”

Sebastian gestured around the room in the Star Harbor Inn that had been designated for the groom’s party. “We should get Val and Cole up here to give you the once-over.”

“They’ll be up soon. I wanted your opinion first. You’re more worldly than the rest of us.”

Sebastian stepped forward to embrace the huge man. He hugged him long and hard
before releasing him. “You look good, Jimmy. You’d put any other groom to shame,” Seb said, looking him dead in the eye. “I mean it.”

“I’m glad you stuck around town. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re here for the wedding. It’s good to have all of my old buddies around.” Jimmy’s eyes grew misty. Before he got any further down that path, he went to grab a tissue from the desk.

Seb smiled, just as Cole walked in. “You look good, bro,” he said, taking in Cole’s tuxedo.

“Thanks,” Cole said, stopping in front of a mirror and fractionally adjusting the knot of his tie. Even in fancy dress clothes, his brother’s military bearing was evident. Just then, a delicious scent wafted in through the open door. “Smells good,” Cole said, sharp blue eyes gleaming.

“Hadn’t noticed,” Seb lied, shutting the door and trying to ignore the unbelievable aroma of delicately spiced roasted vegetables.
She
was downstairs with her staff, squaring away the catering, and he was sure that his brother was deliberately baiting him.

“So you’re off Lexie then?” Cole asked casually as he turned back to the mirror to pin a white rose onto his lapel. “Good.”

“What makes you say that?” Seb asked, trying not to let any annoyance creep into his voice.

“Oh, she’s been having a lot of trouble lately. She doesn’t need any extra aggravation. And believe me, bro, you are an aggravation.” Cole smoothed down his lapel, then gestured to Jimmy. When the big man approached, Cole pinned a red rose on him.

Seb barely registered the slight smile on Cole’s face. “What kind of trouble?”

“I’m certain that Frank Doherty is in town. She’s been getting weird calls at the restaurant, too. And I had Barnstable run the notes. It’s clear that they’ve all been written by the same person and I’m convinced they constitute stalking.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Cole patted down Jimmy’s lapel and the groom went to grab yet another tissue. He turned
back to Seb. “I have an APB out on her ex, and I’ve given Lexie strict instructions not to go anyplace alone. And as for the notes? Well, let’s just say Buster and I have that covered.”

“Lexie doesn’t listen. She does whatever the hell she wants. I know she runs around town without an escort,” Seb said in exasperation. “She needs more protection.”

“You sound like you care.”

Just then, one of Jimmy’s other friends, a guy named Arnie, came through the door with a bang—literally. He was carrying a bottle of champagne, which he popped as soon as he closed the door behind him. The distraction saved Sebastian from having to respond to Cole—a very good thing, because Cole’s comment had really brought him up short. And he knew exactly why.

He cared.

Great. Just great
. Now Seb wanted to make love to her
and
protect her, and he wasn’t even a cop. He was a chef, for God’s sake. A chef who needed to figure out how to expand his empire, not get caught up on some woman who obviously didn’t want to want him.

But then there was that look in her eye. The blush on her cheeks. The heave of her breasts when she grew flustered. And when they’d kissed that night after the throw-down, she’d essentially admitted that she wanted to move forward. Still, he knew it would be an uphill battle.

And there was nothing more Sebastian loved than a challenge.

It was novel to be the one wanting. When he should be dreaming up recipes, he was thinking about her luscious lips. When he should be focusing on the location of his new restaurant, he was thinking about how her hair curled around her face just so. When he should, at the very least, be in the kitchen at Helena, he was imagining everything he’d like to do to her—and with her—once he got her undressed.

The distraction was also novel. He was usually so single-minded about his business that his lovers were typically an afterthought.

Inwardly, he groaned. Hell, he didn’t know
what
to do, but he had a sneaking suspicion that whatever had worked in the past wasn’t going to work this time. Not with Lexie.

Val and another guy came in, both dressed in identical tuxedos.

“I scouted out the Inn. Looks like everything’s set to go except the food.” Val spoke quietly.

Cole grunted his approval. “Good. Want to check with Lexie to see if they’re on track?”

“Sure,” said Val. “I’ll head back down.”

“No. I’ll go,” said Seb, ignoring the look that passed between his brothers. “You all need to finish getting ready and anyway, I know what I’m doing.” He did, of course. But he couldn’t deny that what he really wanted was to watch Lexie. Before anyone could say anything to him, he slipped out the door.

It was easy to find the kitchen. He simply followed the sounds and aromas of cooking. When he reached the open doorway, he stopped in his tracks. Lexie was facing away from him. He flattened his back against the wall so that he had a good vantage point on her. She wouldn’t be able to see him, but from his position, he could watch her work. Expertly, she chopped, sliced, tasted, and organized, all the while issuing crisp, polite instructions to her staff.

The food looked and smelled fabulous. Some kind of roasted vegetable dish was in the oven. The redolent spicing perfectly evoked early autumn in New England. So did the pumpkin soup that was bubbling on the back burner. The appetizer platters were being arranged, and appeared to be in good shape. But the real showstopper was the cake. Four tiers of perfectly rolled fondant, gorgeously decorated with fresh flowers, and considering how delectable all of Lexie’s cakes were, he bet it tasted as good as it looked.

Not only was she on her game, but she looked amazing, dressed in some short, shimmery concoction that showed off her curvy legs and narrow waist. From the side, with her apron on, she looked all chef—utterly professional. But when he got a glimpse of her lovely backside? All he wanted to do was whisk her from the room and carry her upstairs where they could be alone. Growing instantly hard, he groaned, clenching his jaw. Was that all it took for him now? Just a glimpse of her? He was both amused and annoyed.

Lexie turned toward the door, but before she could see him, he snuck down the hallway and out the front door. As he walked down the gently sloping lawn situated just off the
downtown area, he realized how much he really wanted to talk to Lexie, how much he’d like to work with her side by side, doing something they both loved. He reached the edge that overlooked the water and stopped. This view had been decidedly off-limits when he was a boy, so he might as well enjoy it now. It was still light out and he could see the town clearly, tiny ships bobbing up and down in the harbor, the downtown area teeming with small cars and people. Gulls circled the water’s edge, searching for food. At night, the town would be nearly invisible, illuminated only by tiny lamps, the harbor an inky black hole in the darkness.

God, he loved Star Harbor in the fall. Quiet, still nights. That crisp, salty edge to the autumn air. The cries of the birds flying overhead as they migrated south for the winter. Raking up huge leaf piles and destroying them with one single, well-placed leap. The memories he had of growing up here, on the water, surrounded by his brothers, were so vivid that he could insert himself into any one of them without difficulty.

But he’d never leave New York. Not now. Not with everything he’d worked for on the line. Boston was a consideration, but only a temporary one. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—come back to Star Harbor.

Still, there were serious temptations to be found here. Like Lexie. He hadn’t even taken her to bed, and he was as infatuated with her as a schoolboy with his first crush. The sight of her in that kitchen calmly, carefully, artfully conducting her craft was intoxicating. But she was working. As much as he would have liked to take her upstairs—to take the time to strip her of her fears and her inhibitions—this was neither the time nor the place. He’d have to wait.