Page 22 of A Vegas Crush Collection #3

sexy salmon sensation

Devon

What started as a small group, maybe five or six, has now tripled in size. My small cooking class has grown immensely, thanks mostly to word of mouth from my initial guinea pigs.

I do have a private client now, too, a couple who compete in triathlons together. They’re both attorneys here in Vegas, and when they’re not working (which is most of the time), they’re training, which means they have little time to manage their nutrition.

Evan and his wife, Holly, are here. They’ve taken the workspace right up front. Holly says, “We got a babysitter. This is date night for us.”

Her husband, team captain for the Crush, gives me a lopsided grin. “Holly is back on strict nutrition now that we’re done having babies. No more donut holes and Funyuns.”

“Ew. Evan, when have you ever seen me eat a Funyun?” Holly asks with a laugh.

“Only the three times I got you pregnant, babe. Of which I am fully to blame.” He kisses her on the cheek and winks at me.

“You landed yourself a real winner there, Holly.”

“Don’t I know it,” she says with a look of pure love at her handsome husband.

“Are you still running a lot?”

She nods. “I have a double running stroller, which makes for a much more challenging run, but since we have three now, I have to have someone to watch the other one while I go.”

“I tried to convince her to wear him in a backpack but that was a no-go,” Evan jokes. “But seriously, look at these guns. Running with two is like a full-body workout.”

He pushes Holly’s arm up and has her make a muscle, even though she rolls her eyes and laughs about it.

Holly’s always been in great shape. She doesn’t look like she’s lost a single day between those babies.

It’s amazing how she manages being a parent and owning her own business. She and Evan make it look easy.

Looking around the room, my heart swells to see so many of my coworkers here to support my new business. Not just them but others who have heard about this through the grapevine and made it a priority to come check things out. I’m really starting to think I can make this thing a reality.

Everyone’s talking, bantering, and getting to know each other, so I bang a wooden spoon on the counter in front of me to get their attention.

It’s a bigger group, so I don’t want to waste time.

Just as I’m about to open my mouth and welcome everyone, the door opens at the back, and a tall guy with his head down steps through.

But when he looks up, I freeze mid-step.

Grant Gerard just walked in through the door to my cooking class.

Wait just a little minute here. Grant Gerard just walked in through the door to my cooking class?

The fact he’s in attendance aside, the man really is something to look at. He’s not wearing a suit, which he rocks like nobody’s business, but in dark jeans and a Crush quarter-zip. He looks just as delicious in casual clothes as he does…well, any other way.

I think I like him naked the best.

I give my head a little shake to clear away the naughty thoughts.

Necessary so I can even remotely hope to teach this class coherently.

But still, my toes curl as he strides confidently to an empty seat near the front and plops down.

A cheeky lopsided grin from him and I’m nearly set on fire.

I clearly feel the heat rising in my cheeks as our eyes meet.

Trying to nod casually in introduction, I probably look more like I’m having a seizure.

Pull it together, Pearson.

I’m supposed to be a professional, yet here I am, blushing like a schoolgirl in front of a roomful of people because Grant Gerard just came in and smiled at me.

“Thanks for coming, everyone.” Somehow, I manage to speak, forcing my focus back onto the rest of the class.

“I’m overwhelmed to see so many of you here tonight.

Because of the size of the class, it’ll be hard to do something totally individualized.

However, I’ll come around to each station while we work and show you how some basic substitutions and additions can help you maximize your nutritional goals. ”

“What are we making tonight, chef?” Gia yells from the back, where she shares a station with her new boy-toy Mikhail.

His dark hair is wild on top of his head tonight.

He looks like he might have just rolled out of bed, and the way his dark eyes glint when he looks at Gia, I bet I can guess just whose bed he visited prior to class.

“Since we have a few couples here tonight on date night, I thought we’d make what I’m calling Sexy Salmon Sensation.

” I feel my cheeks go even hotter as the weight of Grant’s stare falls on me.

I take a deep breath to steady myself before adding, “Healthy food can taste great and also be sexy. Even the making of a great meal can be sexy. So this will be fun.”

I manage to keep it together while walking everyone through the ingredients and the cooking plan.

As I lead folks through the steps, I take a few breaks to check in with my clients who have specific nutritional needs.

Some need extra calories, and some want higher protein.

That’s what I love about nutrition instruction though.

It’s not hard to modify the most basic meal to ensure nutrition needs are met.

We talk about substitutes and add-ons, but I save my check-in with Grant until I’ve seen everyone else first.

“Welcome, Mr. Gerard,” I say as I make my way to his workstation. He’s the only one without a partner, which I feel badly about. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I’m sorry,” he says as he flips on the gas cooktop. “I signed up like ten minutes before class. After I’d hemmed and hawed about whether I should sign up at all for another ten minutes before that.”

“Well, no reason to fret about it. You’re always welcome here.”

“I just wanted to support your new business,” he says. “And maybe meet some people, I guess?”

“Well, this is a fun group.” I try to sound neutral and light even though he makes me want to do all manner of forbidden, naked things.

Making some lame gesture about how he needs a partner, I end up staying at Grant’s station and walking the group through each step of the recipe from there.

Grant’s intensity is at level-ten, and I’m pretty sure I’m the focus rather than the recipe I chose for tonight.

How is it possible for him to both rattle me and arouse me at the same time?

I have to step away occasionally to check on the other students, but each time I return to his station, I start breathing like I haven’t breathed in days. What is this physical thing he does to me?

I share thoughts on plating and presentation once we get through the preparation. “Gotta make sure it looks sexy,” I say, grinning and trying not to look over at Grant. “Once you have it plated, please enjoy the fruits of our labor and eat up.”

After making the rounds and taking photos of everyone with their plated meals, I grab a stool at Grant’s workspace and share the plate he’s prepared. From the back of the room, I hear Mikhail ask, “What did I do wrong?”

His face is twisted in distaste, his fork held midair, and his lips pursed. Gia is laughing so hard she’s crying, bent over, clutching her stomach.

At the next workstation over Aiden, accompanied by one of the showgirls, Anna, who has been at each and every one of my classes, is also laughing. Mikhail looks at him helplessly as Aiden says, “I may have put waaaayyy too much salt on that. And, like, five other spices the recipe didn’t call for.”

“Aw, dude,” Mikhail says. “Why did you sabotage my sexy salmon? That’s messed up.”

“Payback for the rookie prank you pulled on me earlier this week.”

Gia, still laughing, says, “Come on, Mikhail, you can share mine.”

“Oh, goodie,” Aiden says. “Going home alone again.” He starts to sing “All By Myself” loudly and very much off-key, much to everyone’s amusement.

“I didn’t know you two were roomies,” Evan says.

“Just while I look for a place of my own,” Aiden says. “I haven’t decided where I want to be.”

“Well, I’d be careful, then,” Evan says, grinning. “You might find a spider in your bed or some cheese whizz in your hand one night. Mikhail does not let a prank go unanswered.”

Mikhail just smiles innocently in response. Grant’s right about Crush team members. They are like a family. And despite the proverbial line I’ve kept between myself and my coworkers, I’ll miss this atmosphere when I’m working on my own.

After we all clean up, folks thank me and start to trickle out.

I use their exit as a chance to escape to the supply closet, arms laden with spice bottles.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to steady myself.

I’ve been hot and bothered all night, with Grant constantly watching me.

I have to stay professional around him. Especially in situations like these, where there are Crush players and staff around.

But damn, why does he have to be so friggin’ hot?

I mean, seriously? I haven’t been this attracted to a man since, well, ever.

Maybe my ex, but I was a different person then, just a young college student blinded by talent and hubris.

Still, the thought of my ex douses the heat a little, enough that I can stand up straight and take a calming breath. But as soon as I get myself under control, I turn, and there he is, looming in the doorway.

“I enjoyed the class,” he says, the sound of his deep voice rumbling straight to all the tingly places. “You’re really amazing at this. At being a coach and a teacher. And it’s clear you love it.”

Mouth hanging open, I suck in a breath and turn away. I can’t fall under this spell. “Thanks,” I manage, before letting the breath back out as I fuss with the arrangement of the spice rack.