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O pal moaned as she ate the steak sandwich.

Sure, it was just a sandwich, but it also wasn’t. It was made with a thick piece of juicy steak, caramelised onions, some sort of relish that was divine, pickles, cheese and on toasted sourdough bread.

It. Was. Divine.

It was late afternoon. A bit late for lunch and early for dinner. But she hadn’t eaten much today.

“Good, baby?” he murmured.

“Good? This is fucking divine. How are women not beating down your door, trying to get into your pants, so you’ll make them this?” she asked.

He snorted. “Some people would say it’s due to my personality.”

She scowled. “Who says that? I like your personality.”

He grinned and crouched down next to her.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Reaching up, he wiped at the corner of her mouth. Great. She was a mess.

“I’ve got to get going, Gem. Still rather you came with me, though.”

“No. Not happening.”

He glared at her.

She glared back. “I’ll be much more comfortable here. I won’t be able to rest there.”

“Fine,” he snapped.

Was he really upset? Sometimes it was hard to tell.

“But I want you to eat all of that and rest.”

“Yes, Chef!” she cried, giving him a salute.

“That’s Sir. Or Renard, to you,” he told her in a husky voice.

She swallowed heavily, feeling her body heat. The way he stared at her was so intense.

Hungry.

Hot.

He walked over and kneeled between her legs, pushing them apart.

God, he was gorgeous.

Then he cupped the side of her face. “You know why I want you to come with me to the restaurant?”

“Because you like me where you can see me?”

His lips twitched. “There’s that. I definitely like having you where I can see you. You tend to get into trouble if I’m not riding your ass.”

“I do not! I very rarely get into trouble.”

He raised his eyebrows.

Yeah, even she wasn’t buying that.

“Fine. Occasionally, I get myself into trouble. But it’s not always my fault. Mostly, but not always.”

He pressed his thumb over her lips. She guessed he wanted her to shut up now.

“Want you with me, Gem, because I like having you near me. Partially because I want to keep an eye on you, but I also like being with you. And I definitely want to make sure you’re taken care of. You’re hurting and I really don’t like that. I don’t like that I’m going to be away from you when you’re hurt, not knowing if you’ll take good care of yourself. And I’m betting that you won’t.”

Hmm.

He was likely right, but she didn’t think it was a good idea to agree with him.

“I’ll take care of myself. You can message me to check.”

“Don’t think I won’t do that,” he warned her.

Opal leaned closer, ignoring the pull in her back. “I want you to. Check on me. I dare you.”

A low moan escaped him. “You realize you’re flirting with me right now.”

She grinned. Might be a bit of a weird way to flirt, but it worked.

Cupping her cheek, he leaned in and kissed her.

And, oh boy, this was the kiss she’d been needing, wanting. This kiss was everything that had been promised to her from his brief kiss last night. It was forceful without being overwhelming. Hot without taking things too far.

All she wanted was more.

When he pulled back, she moved forward, then groaned as her back complained.

“Damn it.”

“Careful,” he warned. “See? This is why you need to come with me.”

“It’s your fault,” she grumbled. “If you weren’t such an amazing kisser, then I wouldn’t have wanted more.”

“My apologies,” he told her solemnly.

“You don’t seem all that apologetic.”

He just grinned.

Well. It was worth any pain to see him looking like that. She followed him to the door and he opened it before turning back to her.

“Rest,” he ordered.

“Yes, Sir!”

“Brat.” Once again, he cupped her face between his hands and kissed her.

Her head was swimming. She wanted more. Wanted him to strip her right here and take her.

Only problem was her back. Oh, and that the front door was open and anyone could see them.

When he drew back, she glanced up at him dazedly. “You know the front door is open and that people can see us?”

“Let them see,” he told her. “Then they’ll know you’re mine.”

“So possessive,” she told him. “You better get going before you no longer have a job.”

“Yeah, or before the others ruin all the prep work.” He scowled. “They’ve probably over-seasoned everything.”

“Then go, darlin’.”

Don’t go.

Stay.

“Maybe I should come back after work.”

Yes, do that.

“I will be fine. You fixed the latch on the window. You’re working late and I’m getting up early.” And she didn’t want to get too used to him being around.

“If your medication wears off, you call me.”

“I will, but Jenna said I should be right until morning. And I think I’ll be all good by tomorrow.”

“We’ll see. When I message you, I want you to answer straight away.”

“Chef, yes, Chef!”

“I mean it, Gem. Or you’re going to be in big trouble.”

Hmm. She wasn’t sure that was the threat he thought it was. She might like to be in big trouble. “Damn, darlin’, you’re speaking my language here. What big trouble?”

“Hmm, well, I can’t spank you at the moment. Or tease you with orgasm deprivation. So I guess you’ll have to do some lines.”

Well. That was a bucket of cold water on her fantasy.

“What? That doesn’t sound like any fun. I thought we had a naughty assistant-strict chef situation going on and you threaten me with lines?” She pouted.

He ran his finger over her lower lip. “We can play out that fantasy anytime you want. Or any other fantasy you have. In fact, you need to write me a list. That’s your homework for tonight.”

“Hey, I haven’t done anything to earn lines.”

Yet.

“This isn’t a punishment. It’s an order. I want to know all of your fantasies. So I can make them come true.” He kissed her again. This time he kept it light and gentle.

Well. It seemed she was writing a list of her fantasies tonight.

“You’re sure you’re going to be all right?” he asked.

“I will be.”

“Call me if you need me.” He walked out and she stood there, watching him leave. Movement across the street caught her attention as she went to close the door.

Barney was standing by his car, staring at her. She waved at him. It seemed to take him a moment to see her before he waved back.

He must have been staring at something else.

She pushed him from her mind as she headed inside.

Time to start making a list.

Every fantasy?

This could take a while . . .