No Funny Business (The Lennox Brothers Romantic Comedy) Page 3
Of course he could walk in here after everything that happened between us and make me think about sex.
Kade hadn’t changed. At all.
And that was why I’d ended our relationship.
It had been wonderful from the start. The most fun I’d ever had. And Kade had been so irresistibly charming, I used to agree with everything he suggested, letting him decide where we went and what we did, and just enjoying the ride.
Until the day Mom had taken me aside and told me not to make the same mistakes she had.
She’d made me afraid I was trying too hard to please him, and when I tried talking to Kade about it, he’d shut me down. Though he could happily describe all the ways he wanted to make love to me, he’d refused to talk about anything deeper.
Technically, I was the one who’d broken up with him. But it was my heart that had shattered.
“One thing for sure, I won’t be making the same dishes your previous chef cooked.” Kade nodded at the menu board. “Did he deep fry everything?”
I grimaced. “Lee had to keep it simple, but you’re an expert. Cook whatever you like.”
Carlotta pulled out her phone. “I’ll post something online. It’ll be great advertising for the café.”
“But don’t you have a million followers?” I asked, alarmed. “Will they all turn up demanding to be fed?”
“Don’t worry, they won’t all come at once.” Carlotta turned to Kade. “Would you please wipe that dirty mark off Nat’s cheek?”
He stepped forward and swiped his thumb over the curve beneath my glasses. I went completely still, my heart fluttering. Just as he touched me, Carlotta’s phone made a camera shutter noise, but I was so busy staring up at him, I barely registered the sound.
Instead I was drinking in the lines of Kade’s face, wondering how he could look better than ever after nine long years. His gray eyes still held an almost-permanent sparkle, like he was always secretly thinking about something dirty.
He made my pulse race and my legs shake. And every time I looked at him, my brain filled with memories of incredible, life-altering, mind-blowing sex.
Carlotta cleared her throat. “It’s a nice photo. You two look cute.”
I was too busy remembering how magnificent Kade’s naked body was to focus on what Carlotta was saying. But Kade jerked his gaze away from mine.
“Don’t post the picture online. It won’t look good if the café's overrun and we can’t handle the rush.”
“Too late, I’ve posted it.” Carlotta turned to me. “You have an employee who helps with waiting tables when you’re busy, don’t you, Nat?”
I nodded. “I’ve already asked Janice to work tomorrow.”
“I can help out on the front counter as well, if you need me,” she offered.
I took my glasses off to wipe them on my overalls again, feeling overwhelmed. So much had happened all at once, it was difficult to take it all in. Especially the bit about Kade being back in the kitchen of my father’s café. That was the hardest part to process.
Not that I was surprised he’d offer his help. Kade had a big heart, and he’d always been the kind of guy to help people in need. In fact, he’d do anything for anyone, so long as it didn’t involve being vulnerable.
But that was totally okay. Selling the café was the only thing that mattered. And I was incredibly grateful Kade would be in the kitchen tomorrow instead of me.
Sliding my glasses back on, I reached out and put my fingers on his bare forearm. His face jerked down, seemingly surprised that we were suddenly touching.
“Thank you, Kade.” A lump had formed in my throat, making my voice husky.
I’d never understood why he’d wanted to date me. Compared to him, I was awkward, bookish, and scared of everything. I wanted to write, but was too afraid to let anyone read my stories. I was studying journalism, but worried I’d never get a job at any of the papers I wanted to work for. I was too insecure for a guy like him.
“Hey, it’s no big deal, Nat. I’ll head out to get the ingredients I’ll need. When I come back, I’ll start filling your cabinet.”
The suggestive way he said it made my face heat again. And Kade gave me a little smile, like he knew exactly what effect he had on my libido.
Actually, I was pretty sure he did.
One thing I’d realized about Kade, his flirting was his armor. If he charmed everyone around him, they wouldn’t look deeper to discover what might really be underneath.
Problem was, even knowing his tricks didn’t take away their effectiveness. My body still responded to him in exactly the way he intended. And as he sauntered out of the café, I had to sink into a chair and fan my flaming cheeks.
Chapter Four
Natalie
After Kade left to get supplies, Carlotta waited precisely two-point-four nanoseconds before asking, “How long did you and Kade date?”
Her tone was casual but I recognized the gleam in her eyes. Was that why she’d dragged Kade here and convinced him to help?
“Are you matchmaking?” I was already pulling my rubber gloves back on to make sure the cabinet was thoroughly clean.
“Why? Because I’d love it if you hooked up with Mason’s brother and we were sisters-in-law?” She lowered her long eyelashes innocently. “Of course not. I’m just curious. What happened between you two? Why did you break up?”
“Because I was trying not to fall in love with him.” Picking up my bucket, I went to the kitchen to refill it with soapy water.
“But why?” Carlotta asked when I came back. She’d grabbed a clean rag and was wiping down tables.
I put down the bucket. “Because he’s Kade. He’s charming, and funny, and legends have been written about his flirting skills. Whenever he smiles, an angel is born, and every person he meets falls at his feet to worship him.”
She shrugged. “So?”
I rinsed a rag in the soapy water so I could clean the cabinet’s shelves. “It’s all on the surface. I don’t know what’s underneath, because he never let me see anything real. In fact, I’m not sure he lets anyone in.”
Carlotta straightened and swiped her hair off her forehead with the back of her hand. Her expression was thoughtful. “How old were you when you dated Kade?”
“I was twenty-one when we split up. He was twenty.”
“It’s been a long time. Maybe he’s changed?”
I leaned right into the cabinet to clean the furthest corner, not bothering to answer. I was certain he hadn’t.
“You and Kade still have chemistry,” she said.
I snorted. “Have you seen the women he dates now? There’s no way he’s still attracted to me.”
“Are you kidding? He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
My heart sped up at the suggestion, but I gave my head a firm shake, for my own benefit as much as hers. “That’s just how he is. He’s good at making people feel special. Especially women.”
“That’s not what I saw. When he looked at you, there were definitely sparks.” She cocked her head, her eyes curious. “What would you do if he wanted to give your relationship another go?”
“He wouldn’t.” Though I made my voice flat and certain, the thought made me feel fluttery inside. “Even if something actually happened between us, I wouldn’t read anything into it.”
But could Carlotta be right? Was Kade still interested in me? If I went into it knowing his limitations, could I enjoy what he did have to offer?
Giving my head another shake, I told myself not to be foolish. That ship had sailed.
Besides, she had to be wrong. Kade had his pick of women. After everything that had happened between us, why would he want to fool around with me?
“Don’t you think you’re giving up on him too easily?” Carlotta asked.
“Kade’s too much like Dad.” I laughed a little and wrinkled my nose, because that sounded all kinds of wrong. “I mean, because Dad’s larger than life as well. He was so passionate about the café, Mom got stuck working here because she wanted to please him.”
I once asked Mom why she’d stayed working at Mack’s Place for such a long time when she disliked it so much, and the regret I saw in her eyes had made me feel terribly sad for her.
But all she’d said was, “I made my choices. Now it’s up to you to make different ones.” Then she’d smiled and hugged me. “I’m so glad I’ll get to see you grab hold of your dreams, honey,” she’d whispered in my ear. “Remember to be brave. Be yourself. Don’t let anything hold you back.”
The memory hurt my heart.
Mom hadn’t gotten to see me grab hold of my dreams, because I’d had to give up my amazing job at the Chicago Tribune and come back to San Dante to help in the café just before Dad lost his foot. And Mom had died suddenly, in her sleep, not long after that.
Two years later, I was still working in the café. Trapped like Mom had been, while I tried my best to sell the café Dad loved so much.
And just to add to my angst, another great job had recently opened up at the Tribune. It would be the ideal opportunity to get my neglected career back on track. But being stuck here meant I’d miss out on it.
Dipping the rag back into the bucket, I slopped it roughly on the counter, splattering drops of soapy water everywhere. Then I lifted my chin and firmed my voice.
“As soon as I sell the café, I’m going back to Chicago. Nothing’s going to stop me.”
“Good for you!” Carlotta grinned. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t sleep with Kade in the meantime, right?”
I groaned. She was relentless. Luckily, I knew of a sure way to distract her.
“How’s Mason?” I asked.
Her face lit up, as I knew it would. “So great. I have a backless hospital gown and the other night we were playing doctor and patient, and he—”
“Wait. Stop. Is this a dirty story?”
“No!” She tilted her head to consider it, a smile playing over her lips. “Okay, yeah. It’s a little dirty.”
“Got any stories that aren’t?”
“Well, a few days ago we were at the theater and I… No, wait. That one gets filthy too.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t you have any clean stories?” Carlotta had no filter, and if I didn’t draw the line she’d happily fill me in on every embarrassing detail.
One thing I didn’t need was to spend any more time thinking about sex. Since the moment Kade had walked in, it seemed like I’d hardly thought about anything else.
Carlotta tapped her chin, seemingly needing to think hard. “Well, Mason did do something sweet the other night.”
“That sounds safer. Keep going.”
She told me about the nice things Mason had done for her while we both kept cleaning. I was pretty sure she’d be able to gush about Mason a while, giving me a break from talking about Kade, and she didn’t disappoint.
Finally, we ran out of things to clean and Carlotta put away her rag and said goodbye.
“I’ll come back tomorrow morning to help out,” she promised.
I hugged her, thanked her, and locked the door behind her. Then I called my old boss at the Tribune.
“I really want the job that’s on offer,” I told him. “And there’s a buyer interested in the café, so maybe I can get out of here soon.”
“That’s great, Natalie, but you know I can’t hold the job open for you. We’re already interviewing.”
My boss was a nice guy, gruff on the outside, but sweet underneath. I was incredibly grateful to him for hiring me in the first place, and when I’d had to leave to take care of the café, I’d promised to only be away a few months. He’d been understanding, and said he’d do what he could when I was ready to come back. After two years, I couldn’t blame him for losing his patience.
And those dreams Mom had told me to follow? I could hear the door slamming shut on them.
“I’d be there tomorrow if I could,” I told him. “It’s just hard.”
“Way I see it, it’s easy. Are you a journalist, or do you run a café?”
“I’d really like to be a journalist,” I said weakly. “But I’m also a daughter.”
“Natalie, you’re a good writer, and I’d like you to come back, but I can’t keep offering you jobs. This is it. Take it or leave it.”
“May I call you next week?” I asked desperately.
“Only if you’re going to be in Chicago, ready to start work on the first of the month.”
There was a knock on the café's door. Kade was outside with several bags of groceries. I promised to call my boss back if I managed to sell the café quickly, and hung up.
“Hey,” Kade said as I let him in. “Good job with the cleaning. It doesn’t smell bad in here anymore.”
When he brushed past me, my chest squeezed like it was trying to turn my heart into juice.
In the years since we’d broken up, I’d expected every other chef I met to smell as good as he did, and been woefully disappointed. But Kade’s skin was somehow infused with the most mouth-watering cooking scents. He made me think of butter sizzling in a frying pan, and maple syrup poured over fresh waffles.
And how could he get more good looking every single time I saw him? It was impossible, right? But I kept noticing things about him that made him seem sexier each time. Like how easily he carried four bags in each hand, the muscles in his forearms looking ultra defined as they flexed with all that weight.
I followed him into the kitchen and ogled the muscles in his arms while he set the bags on the counter.
“What are you going to make?” I asked, although my mouth was already watering.
“Dark chocolate and pomegranate cookies. A summer cake with fresh raspberries. Coconut butter cupcakes. And…” He shot me his irresistible smile. “Pickle cake.”
His playful look was so knee-weakeningly sexy, it was amazing he didn’t leave a trail of collapsed women behind him wherever he went. If we were going to cook together, I’d have to have to work on building up my immunity. Either that, or keep a chair handy.
“Pickle cake?” I repeated.
He reached into one of the grocery bags and pulled out an enormous jar of dill pickles. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”
“Okay, pickle cake it is. How can I help?
He lifted his eyebrows. “Have you brushed up on your baking skills since I left?”
“I’m afraid not. But I’m completely at your service tonight, ready to obey your commands.” My cheeks warmed. “I mean, your cooking commands.” I closed my eyes for a moment, shaking my head at my own awkwardness. “You know what I mean.”
He chuckled. “Either way sounds like fun.”
His flirtatious tone made my cheeks even warmer, so I picked up the pickle jar and pretended to study it.
Why did he have to be even more swoon-worthy now than when we were dating?
“What’s my first job?” I frowned at the label a moment longer before putting the pickle jar back down.
“We have six different recipes to bake, and it’s what, four o’clock already? If we don’t want to be working all night, we’ll need a system.”
He sounded enthusiastic about the idea, like he was enjoying himself.
“What kind of system?”
He flicked both ovens on to warm up. “You measure the ingredient quantities, I’ll sift, beat, fold, and mix.”
“Deal.” I pulled some freshly-cleaned mixing bowls and other baking equipment off the shelves. Thanks to my hard work, the entire kitchen gleamed even more than normal.
“Where are the recipes we’ll be following?” I asked.
“In here.” He tapped his head. “Let’s start with the cookies. First step is to melt the butter. Shall we say…” He tilted his head, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. “About five sticks of butter should be enough.”
“You don’t have an actual recipe to follow?”
“No recipes. These are new creations.” He grinned at my doubtful expression. “Don’t worry. They’re based on existing recipes I’ve made before, with small changes here and there, like swapping out an ingredient with something more unusual.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
He stepped toward me, his expression going serious, and put his hands on my forearms. “Nat, if selling the café is what you need to do, I won’t do anything to jeopardize that.”
I nodded, my heart thumping. With his face angled down to mine, and his body so close, my heart had decided it was the perfect time to perform some kind of interpretive dance with a sharp, erratic rhythm. It was hard to resist the urge to bring my nose closer to drink in his delicious scent. As a nuzzling location, the base of his neck looked particularly tempting.
I swallowed. Hard.
“I trust you.” The words came out as a hoarse whisper.
“Good.” His gaze softened, the light gray of his irises turning warm. “This is going to be good for both of us.” Then his dimples came back. “I know women hear that promise from men all the time, but I actually mean it.”
I snorted a laugh, and he let me go and turned back to sorting the groceries. As soon as his gaze was off me, I clutched at the counter for support. My knees would never survive an entire night of the legendary Kade charm. Especially because I couldn’t help but recall his outstanding talents in the sack. And though it was almost a decade since he’d last made love to me, I’d bet my entire four-hundred-page serial killer novel he was every bit as good as I remembered.
“Five sticks of butter,” he repeated. “Softened but not melted.”
“Definitely softened,” I agreed under my breath. “And melting fast.”
“What did you say?’
I reached for the butter and held it up. “I said, I have it right here, chef.”
“After we mix the dry ingredients, we’re going to fold in eight eggs. But we’ll need to be gentle with them. We’ll stroke them into the mix so softly, they’ll barely know it’s happening.”
“Stroke them softly,” I murmured to myself, wishing I was one of those eggs.