If I Told You (12 page)

The next morning, after I finish teaching a kickboxing class, I walk back to my office when my phone rings. I smile when I see Rhys’s number pop up.

“This is Brooklyn.”

“Hey.”

“Hi, Rhys.”

“How are you?”

“Good. You?”

“Not bad. Thinking about you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep. I’d love to see you again. You available Wednesday night?”

“Sure. Dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“Great. Did Flynn see my article?”

“Absolutely. We read it together last night. It was awesome.”

“He deserved it. Has he been by the restaurant today?”

“I’m not sure. He’s closed on Mondays.”

“Well I drove by a little while ago and there was a crowd peeking through the windows.”

“Really?”

“Yep. It’s about to explode. Trust me on this. They call it the Rhys Effect.”

“What’s it like having so much power?”

Rhys chuckles. “Pretty fucking amazing.”

“I bet.” I sit down at my desk. “You’re right though. Flynn deserves it. He’s worked hard for years to make a name for himself, and overnight, as they say, here it is.”

“Glad I could be a part of it. Mostly because I met you.”

“That’s kind of sweet.”

“I can be.”

“When you want something.”

“Someone. Saturday night was amazing, Brooklyn. You left me wanting more.”

“That was my plan.”

“I bet. Did Flynn see us?”

“He did.”

“And?”

“What?”

“Did he say anything about it?”

“Nope,” I reply deciding to keep the details private. “He’s seen it before.”

“You getting fingered on your couch? I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

I laugh. “I meant me hanging out with someone in our apartment. I’ve walked in on him before. It happens.”

“Hmm, I don’t know why I find this so intriguing, but I do. I guess because I’ve never been friends with a woman, especially one that looks like you. Flynn’s strength is admirable.”

More than he even knows. “So, Wednesday?”

“Yeah. I’ll pick you up at eight again.”

“Sounds good. See you then.”

I hang up then sit back in my chair. I’m looking forward to seeing him again, and this time, I don’t think anyone’s leaving wanting more.

Sitting next to Rhys, I look out the window as the car pulls up in front of a familiar building. I shoot Rhys a look.

“Really?”

“I wanted to eat here again when I wasn’t reviewing. Is that so wrong?”

“Is that your only motivation?”

He offers a falsely innocent smile. “What else?”

“Fine. I’ll play along. Let’s go.”

We walk inside Flynn’s and Melissa greets us, giving me knowing looks behind Rhys’s back as he checks us in.

“It looks busy,” I say, once he joins me again.

“I have a reservation under an alias.”

“Clever.”

We wait for a moment while Melissa goes into the kitchen to get Flynn. A moment later, he comes out to speak with us.

“Hello,” he says, shaking Rhys’s hand. “Pleasure to see you again.”

Rhys looks around the crowded dining room. “I see things have changed since last week.”

“Very much so. Thank you for the gracious review.”

“You earned my praise.” He puts his arm around my waist. “I thought it would be nice to eat here again with no ulterior motive.”

“No pressure,” Flynn says, with a chuckle.

“None, actually. I never review a place twice, no matter how many times I eat there and what experiences I have. It’s the only way I can truly enjoy myself.”

“Smart.”

“You’ll be just as impressed,” I say. “Flynn is consistent.”

“I have no doubt,” Rhys says.

“Would you care to sit at the chef’s table?” Flynn asks.

“If you have room, that would be great,” Rhys answers.

“There’s always room. Come on over.”

Rhys walks to the table, and I fall behind with Flynn.

“I didn’t know we were coming here,” I whisper.

“I figured,” he says back. “It’s okay. I can handle it.”

“I know you can.” Rhys turns back glancing at my hand on Flynn’s back. I quickly drop it and take my seat next to him.

Once seated, Rhys lifts my hand to his lips and plants a sweet kiss on it, keeping his eyes locked on Flynn’s. “Bring us whatever you like, Chef. I look forward to it.”

“Certainly,” Flynn says with a smile, but I know he’s agitated. I’ve seen that tense grin too many times. “Be right out.”

Tonight should be interesting.

Dammit! He’s fucking flaunting her in my face. He knows I want her. He fucking knows. I swing around when I feel a hand on my shoulder and see Melissa.

“You okay?” she asks.

“Yeah. I’m good.” I look over to my sous chef. “Tim, start preparing the salmon special. Rhys Camden is here again.”

“Got it, Chef.”

I look back at Melissa who lingers in front of me. “What?”

“Can I do anything to help?”

“You can watch the fucking front like you’re supposed to.”

“You just seem upset.”

“I’m not. I wasn’t expecting him again. I’m just tense.”

Her eyes soften as a smile spreads across her lips. “Maybe I can help with that.”

“How?”

She runs her hand down my arm. “However you want, Chef.”

I realize what she’s offering. She’s a pretty girl, and I’ve definitely noticed how she lingers and stares at me.

“That’s nice of you, Mel, but I don’t eat where I shit.” I look past her. “Don’t you need to be up front?”

“Candy’s up there, and it’ll only take a few minutes. You don’t have to do a thing.”

I step closer, towering over her. “What are you saying? You want to give me a blow job in the middle of dinner service?”

“Yep.” She smiles running her fingers over my name on my jacket. “It’ll relax you and make my dreams come true.”

“And then?”

“And then we’ll go back to normal like nothing ever happened. I know you won’t date me, and I’m okay with that. I just want to make you happy even if it’s just for a few minutes.”

I gaze into her big, brown eyes, thinking about her offer. If she didn’t work for me, I wouldn’t hesitate, but she does. If I take her up on her offer, I’ll need to find a way to get rid of her and she’s good at her job. Looking away, my mind shifts to Rhys and Brooklyn and how he’ll have his hands on her later. I look back at Melissa as she waits expectantly for a reply.

“I won’t tell anyone,” she says, softly. “Especially Brooklyn.”

“Let’s do it.”

Sipping my wine, my eyes roam the restaurant. This is awkward, but I’m not sure why. I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe because I’ve never come here on a date.

“What’s on your mind, Brooklyn?”

I glance back at Rhys. “Nothing important. Just wondering what’s for dinner.”

“Hmm, I was wondering what’s for dessert.”

“I’m sure you could have the panna cotta again.”

“That’s not what I want.” He leans closer to me, softly kissing my lips. “I want you.”

“I know you do.”

“And?”

“We’ll see how it goes.”

“Fair enough.” He sits back in his seat and takes a sip of wine. “Tell me, how’d you get started in fitness?”

I set my wine glass down. “I was chubby in college, and I dated a guy that was into fitness. We started working out together, and I saw how my body transformed and how good I felt. That was it. I was addicted and wanted to help people feel as good as I did.”

“Nice. When did you open your studio?”

“About the same time Flynn opened this.”

He nods. “How did you get so popular? My associate says classes are always full and people clamor for an opening. Especially the classes you teach.”

“Word of mouth, a few celebrities here and there.” I grin. “And about a year ago, I did a photo shoot.”

“Photo shoot?”

“Yeah, nude.” His eyes open wide. “Well, nude but artfully so. Nothing actually showing, but it was a celebration of feminine strength. The guy I was dating was a photographer and asked me to be in it. It was a huge spread in a prominent magazine. He listed my name and studio and boom, success.”