Page 4 of Allured (Love and Burlesque #1)
CHAPTER FOUR
EZEKIEL
What in God’s name does ‘sus’ mean?
Y et again, I’ve almost fallen face—first into this pretentious pond. The landscape designer might as well have called it a death trap due to its ridiculous location.
The flowers I’m currently trying to keep intact are wrapped in my arms and blocking half of my vision. I never knew that flowers could be so expensive and smell like the inside of a nursing home.
I’m not quite sure what my aunt was thinking when she made the last minute switch of floral arrangements, but apparently, she wanted me to “see them through.” Which meant I had to drop grading my student’s exams in order to get to my cousin’s house early for the gala this afternoon.
While I do love my family, I’ve never been one for formal events such as these. I would much rather have a night at home, reading by the fire and ignoring the world around me.
It’s kind of hard to ignore the world right now, though. Including this oaf. Knight strides by me, nearly knocking me into the pond.
“Unless you would like these to be a floating centerpiece, I would watch where you’re hurrying off to.” My tone is annoyed and I’m not sorry for it. It was he and his mom who roped me into this, afterall.
“Oh, get over it.” He turns around while dismissing me with a flick of his hand. “I’ve got to direct all these unwanted strangers in my home so I would hope I wouldn’t have to babysit you as well, cousin.” His hand stills on his phone before grins wryly and glances up at me.
Things between myself and Knight have always been like this. We’re both grumpy, no—nonsense men, but we tend to get along most of the time. He’s one of the only people I would drop my plans for. Hence, why I’m here playing florist at his estate.
“Why is the gala happening at your place, anyway?” I walk over to an empty table and set down the large vase filled with those putrid flowers.
“While Mother is ill she would still like some control over the situation and didn’t want to ‘leave it in some stranger’s hands’ as she said.” Knight reaches his hand over the table and begins to minutely move around the vase I just set down. I roll my eyes and smack his hand away. “It was fine where I put it. Don’t you have other things on your to—do list besides shoving me into your pool?”
There’s a familiar glint in his eyes as he stares at me. A glint I know very well. It’s the one he would usually get before we did something that got us in trouble when we were children. “Well yes, actually. I do need some help with the dining options. Would you be willing to see the chef about the special dietary needs list?”
That doesn’t sound as terrible as handling the spiny flowers. And it would be a good opportunity to get a quick snack since I had to skip breakfast to obtain said spiny flowers.
“I can do that. Is there someone else who can get the rest of the flowers?”
Knight is already walking away as he responds over his shoulder. “Oh, I’ll find someone. Good luck!” I definitely don’t like the cheeky quality in his last two words.
What am I in for?
If I hadn’t already been familiar with my cousin’s house, I swear I could have found my way floating through the air like I was in some old cartoon, dragged by the delicious smells coming from the massive kitchen.
Whoever Knight was able to wrangle at the last minute to cater the gala is making a name for themselves solely based on the aromas invading my senses.
Turning the corner into the large kitchen area, I look toward the granite island and go still. While I am not usually one for exaggerations or overtly colorful language, a little quip slips through.
“Be still, my fucking heart.”
Before me is the most attractive man I have ever seen.
Which is a thought that leaves me confused. I’ve seen attractive men before. Objectively, I am able to see one’s level of attractiveness regardless of gender, but I have never been attracted to men. At least, not so suddenly and outright.
At first glance I wouldn’t have guessed this man was a professional chef. Light brown waves that look almost blond in the sunlight frame the strong contours of his face. There’s something soft in his delicate but still masculine features, despite the way his nose is scrunched and his brow is furrowed in concentration. But it’s his lips that have me enthralled. Plump and naturally colorful, the bottom one is caught between his teeth as he carefully tops a small dish with an herb. What I wouldn’t give to be the one biting down on his lips…
My eyes continue to trace down in my observation. He’s wearing a black band t—shirt that looks like it’s about as old as I am, with some rather tight fitting faded blue jeans, and a Hello Kitty apron tied around his waist. His body moves so fluidly as he shimmies from counter to counter.
I can’t look away. What is it about him?
Is it the way the man is singing at a level I’m sure he thinks is quiet, and dancing around like this is a normal Saturday morning to him? What do his Saturday mornings usually look like? And why do I suddenly want to know?
Is it the way he skillfully and purposefully mixes, cuts, and plates his ingredients while he makes what smells to be the best lunch I will ever have in my life?
No, no. It’s the way that, while he’s doing all those things, there’s a certain life and brightness he brings to the room. He radiates confidence. Like he’s never afraid of being truly and wholly himself. This is a man who everyone wants to be, or be around.
This is a man I have to get to know. A voice in the back of my head nags.
There’s the sound of a whistle from somewhere. With it, I’m pulled out of my trance and find myself taken aback by my borderline obsessive thoughts. I have to brush a hand down my face to ground myself. Suddenly, I also remember I’m at the kitchen entrance where the person I’m gawking at can probably see me staring like a stalker.
“That’s a little sus, man.” A deep, rich voice playfully chastises me with a tsk. Through my hands, I catch a glimpse of the man staring at me as he takes out his earbuds.
What I wouldn’t do to implant that voice directly into my brain, so my inner thoughts all sound like this man. I wish I understood what on Earth he said to me though.
“What in God’s name does sus mean?” I certainly know that is not the biggest question that needs answering but it seems to be the right question to ask. I’ve earned a full—bodied, genuine laugh from him. I gasp at the lovely sound and I feel something spark within my chest.