Page 5 of Good Taste (Mountain Men Crave Curves #6)

Chapter Five

Taylor

I can’t breathe. I’m almost certain the shaking has stopped but my body hasn’t gotten the message. Tremors roll through me, fingertips grasping at my scalp.

“Taylor.” Nick’s voice echoes. “Taylor.” His hand finds mine; their warmth giving me the strength to open my eyes. “Hey.”

My breath comes in ragged bursts. “Is it over?”

“Yeah. I think so. Are you okay?” We’re still under the metal table, a godsend in a situation like this.

“I’m not hurt.” Is all I can say, because I’m not sure yet if I’m okay. In all the years I lived here I’ve never experienced anything like this. “You?” I finally find the strength to turn and face Nick.

“I’m good.” He holds my gaze for a beat, then turns his attention outward. “But the kitchen’s a fucking wreck.”

It’s as if my surroundings move from a fuzzy picture to pristine definition. Glass and ceramic litters the floor. A light fixture hangs askew. The swinging door is still in motion. “Whoa.”

“Stay here.” Nick wiggles out from under the table, which is no easy feat considering his size. “Watch your hands.” I instinctively reach out to him. “Glass.”

He glances over his shoulder and nods. The soles of his boots scratch against broken debris as he surveys the area in front of the table. “This is bad.” He groans. “This is very bad.”

Oh my God, the opening. It hits me like a ton of bricks.

There’s no way this place will be ready by tomorrow night’s dinner service.

My heart sinks for him. It’s been expressed how important it is that tomorrow go off without a hitch.

I pictured all sorts of things that could go wrong, but never in a million years did I picture this.

“Nick.” I whisper his name, not knowing what else to say. “I’m coming out.”

“I think it’s safe.” He bends down and offers me his hand.

I take it, feeling the warmth and comfort of this big, strong chef.

The man who made sure I made it to safety during a natural fucking disaster.

Tingles shoot up my arm as he helps me to my feet.

The look on his face is heartbreaking, pure and unadulterated defeat.

I want to say something to make it all better, but there’s nothing. “I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, me too.” Nick hulks his way around the kitchen, taking in each horrible scene. The onions splayed all over the prep station. Fridge doors standing wide open, cartons fallen from the shelf and leaking onto the floor. It looks like the place has been ransacked.

“I guess I’d better call someone.” He reaches into his pocket for his cell phone, and my heart sinks.

We’ve never talked about it, but that someone he’s referring to might be his someone.

A girlfriend, a lover, a friend with benefits.

He scrolls on his phone and I brush the stray strands of hair away from my face.

Then think better of it and take my hair down, letting it spill around my shoulders.

What does it matter at this point. There’ll be no more work here today.

“Shit.” He taps his cell phone a little harder.

“What?”

“The tower must be down.” His brow furrows. “I’m getting nothing.” I pull my own phone out of my pocket and realize he’s right. It’s just a series a beeps when I try and make an outgoing call.

“Me either.”

Nick’s face turns beet red. He sets his phone down on the steel table and runs his hands through his hair. His boots land heavy as he paces back and forth across the kitchen, a ticking time bomb. He turns on his heel and faces the wall, then doubles over and shouts at the top of his lungs. “Fuck!”

I flinch at the sudden outburst, even though I figured it was coming. A half-sob escapes his full lips. He’s a wild animal I want to take in my arms, pet him until he’s calm, and keep repeating that everything will be okay. Even though I’m not sure that it will.

Instead, I let him get it all out. He shouts and stomps and I stand out of the way. It’s clear this is a major setback for him. I just wish I could help take the pain away.

“I’ve got to get out of here.” He shrugs his massive shoulders. “Figure out insurance before everyone and their brother starts filing claims.”

“Sure,” I say, untying my apron. I grab my purse and follow him toward the front door. He pushes on it, but nothing happens. He tries again, pressing all of his weight into it, but the door won’t budge.

“What’s wrong with the door?” I ask, trying to stay calm.

“There must be something blocking it. I can’t get it to budge.”

“Shit.” I whisper. Nick continues to beat at the door, using brute force to change the situation.

I press my hand against his strong back.

He steps away, and I take the opportunity to peel away the brown craft paper lining the door.

I immediately regret it. A giant tree lies wedged against the front.

“Holy shit.” Nick whispers

“At least it didn’t hit the building.” My voice is nearly breathless. This could’ve been a lot worse. “Let’s try the back.”

“Yeah,” he says, breathing heavily. “Good idea.”

I step out of the way and let him lead us back toward the alleyway door, following closely behind. We’re barely through the swinging door when everything goes black.

A small scream escapes my mouth. I freeze in place. The sudden power outage nearly throws me off balance.

“Great!” Nick yells. Then he reaches back and finds my hand in the dark. “I’ve got you.”

Even in this moment of pure panic, my panties drench at his touch, at this whole situation. Slowly, we keep moving on our path. When we get to the door, Nick lets out a long sigh, followed by an outburst of laughter.

“Nick?” I’m not necessarily scared, but I know this sudden reaction can’t be good.

“Well, good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“Good.” I say.

“I just put new batteries in the flashlights.”

“Awesome. What’s the bad news?”

“This door is key card operated.”

“Okay?”

“And that requires electricity.”

“So you’re saying we’re?—“

“Yep.” His voice regains its steely coolness. He’s back in control. “We’re officially stuck here.”