She gave him her left arm.
He lifted it up and said, “I warn you, if I see you peeking, I’ll get a blindfold.”
“I bet you have one too.” She sucked in her breath not meaning to have said that out loud.
With her eyes still closed, she felt him closer to her. Then his warm breath was by her ear as he said, “I’ll be happy to show you when we’re alone.”
Her cheeks burned hot, but she refused to open her eyes. Not for fear of him, but she didn’t want Vincent to see the effect he was having on her just with words. God help me if he touches me.
She felt him rub something on her bare arm, a powder of some kind. Then there was something wet and once again another spot of something dry. This continued all the way down her forearm. She had no idea what he was doing but wasn’t going to question him.
“Hold your arm there for one minute. Don’t move.”
Don’t worry. I’m afraid to right now. I think my legs will be shaking if I try walking.
“Without opening your eyes, I want you to smell each spot where I put something.”
She lifted her arm and the first thing made her nose tingle, and she almost sneezed. It was spicy and nutty.
“Do you know what that is?”
“No.”
“Then taste it. Remember you need to use other senses when cooking.”
Her tongue darted out and couldn’t identify it.
“Nutmeg. Now do the next one.”
“Vanilla.”
“Yes, very good. And the next?”
This one smelled sweet but she couldn’t get it so she once again licked her arm. “Honey.” She actually was surprised how much she was enjoying this game.
“Very good. Now you know what they smell and taste like on you. Now I want you to tell me what they are on my arm.”
She stiffened up as there was no way she’d heard him correctly. It was one thing to lick her own arm, but there was no way she was going to do that to him. It was weird, and personal. And sexy and erotic and a lot of other things I don’t want to think of. “You can’t mean that you want me to lick you.”
“Yes, I do.”
She knew she should resist. Tell him how inappropriate this behavior was, but somehow she was unable to resist. My body is controlling my brain. Not good, but yet so good. Before she could move away, Renita felt his arm come up, and instinctively, she reached out and held it. She started by his wrist. Once again it smelled sweet, but she wasn’t sure. “I don’t know.”
“Then use your other sense.”
You want me to lick your arm here in the kitchen? You’re freaking crazy. No, I’m crazy for even considering doing it.
“Vincent. I can’t do th—”
She waited a minute to gather her courage to do as he said. This is not the cooking lesson I thought I’d get. But damn, he knows how to make me pay attention.
When she was ready, she brought his wrist up to her mouth, and the tip of her tongue slowly licked it. “Honey? But it smelled different from mine.”
“Continue to the next one.”
His voice was so serious, as though this actually was a lesson instead of some form of foreplay.
As she did, she found they were all the same ingredients she’d had on her arm. “I don’t know why you’re having me taste and smell them again.”
“Because you needed to learn that even spices smell and taste differently on each person. Now I’m going to lick them all together.”
If she thought he meant he was going to lick his own arm she was wrong. Her legs trembled as she felt his tongue start at her wrist and lick up her forearm. She was glad he’d kicked out the staff because right now her heart was beating so fast and she was positive he just made her panties wet. You make me forget where I am. Who I am. God, you’re dangerous.
“Now I want you to know what they taste like all together.”
Before she could ask how that was possible, she felt his lips claim hers. So gently that she melted against him. Her hands reached up and clung to his shoulders for support as his tongue urged her to open to him.
Renita wanted to resist, knew that she should, but instead she eagerly opened and welcomed his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues explored each other, then he sucked hers into his mouth. She ached for more. This is so wrong but feels so right.
As she ignored the battle within, calling her to stop, she felt him begin to pull away.
“You can open your eyes now.”
I’m not sure I want to, because I’m having the most amazing dream. Taking a deep breath, she blinked them open. He was standing so close and her hands were on his shoulders as though holding him to her. She brought them down by her sides.
“So tell me, what did you taste?” Vincent asked softly.
“What?”
“Think of what you tasted on my tongue.”
“Is this still part of the cooking lesson?” She had long forgotten about the spices as her mind was clouded with desire.
“Unconventional, but yes.”
I’d definitely say that was unconventional. “I don’t know.” I wasn’t thinking about that. Maybe we should try again and this time I’ll pay attention. Or not.
“Do you want to taste again?” He was grinning as he said it.
Had she voiced her request out loud? He seemed to know exactly what she was thinking, wanting. But it didn’t matter. I know what my answer has to be. “No. I think I’ve got it.”
“And?”
“Cake batter.” Even after all his efforts, her answer remained the same.
He smiled at her and shook his head. You probably expected something much more technical.
“Not the answer I expected.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” she said smugly.
Vincent reached out and brushed the back of his hand on her cheek
. “I’m far from disappointed, Renita. But I think this is enough of a lesson for now, otherwise I’m going to need a cold shower before I can finish cooking.”
Oh my God. How could I forget that there’s going to be hungry people looking for food? And here I am, thinking of what it would be like to be anywhere else with him instead of the resort. She was shaken up, and whether she wanted to face it or not, she was on the clock and had a job to do. This was no vacation or romantic getaway, and she had to remind herself of that. “I think it’d be prudent to have the staff come back in so the guests will have something to eat.”
He watched her and finally agreed. “Lunch might be a few minutes late, but it will be served. You can tell them they may enter again. Why don’t you make sure the dining room is set up better than yesterday? I think your staff needs your special attention to details because it lacked something this morning.”
She was proud that he’d noticed how seriously she took her job. Without another word, she exited the kitchen, rejoicing in the coolness of the dining room. It was way too hot in the kitchen. But I have a feeling that the North Pole would be hot with him near me. She feared she couldn’t keep her emotions in check and was going to get burned.
Chapter Four
“I’m telling you, Renita, I don’t ski,” Vincent said as he walked down the hall toward his suite.
“I recall telling you I don’t cook, and you wouldn’t take no for an answer. So if I had to try cooking, you owe me one time on the slopes at least,” Renita said with her hands on her hips, challenging him to argue.
“There is nothing I find appealing about being out in subfreezing temperatures.”
“Beats the heck out of being in a hot kitchen with no view. The only thing better than skiing at night under the moonlight and stars is skiing at pre-dawn to catch the sunrise. So which do you prefer?”
He stopped and looked at her. Even her bottom lip pouted as though teasing him to say yes. “And doing this gets me what exactly?”
Vincent caved once she batted her long lashes at him and said, “You and me alone on the ski lift all the way up the mountain.”
