Page 21 of Recipe for Temptation

Everyone laughed. Everyone but Michael.

Leaning back in his chair, he blew out a deep, frustrated breath.

“Well?” Drew prompted, eyeing him expectantly. “What’s the verdict? Is the doctor in?”

Michael’s jaw tightened. “Yeah,” he muttered darkly, “but if we end up getting hate mail from scandalized stay-at-home moms, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Chapter Eight

Reese was in a daze.

She’d just gotten off the phone with Drew Corbett, who’d called to tell her that she’d won the apprentice competition. He’d praised her audition performance as “captivating” and “brilliant,” confidently predicting that viewers would love her.

Reese had been floored, and undeniably flattered. Perhaps that would explain why, when she opened her mouth to politely decline the offer—as she’d planned—what came out instead was, “Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to working with you!”

After the call ended, she’d stared incredulously at the phone in her hand. She couldn’t believe how easily she’d abandoned her plan to get even with Michael. What on earth had gotten into her?

Who are you kidding? her conscience mocked. You never had any intention of turning down the opportunity to work with Michael Wolf. Who in their right mind would?

Despite everything Reese had told herself, and despite the fact that she’d spent the past three days calling him everything but a child of God, she still wanted Michael. He’d awakened something deep inside her. Something wanton, delicious, intoxicating.

Something dangerously irresistible.

She couldn’t have stayed away from him if her life depended on it.

Suddenly her phone trilled, jerking her out of her trance. When she saw Victor’s name, her face heated with guilt, as if he’d intercepted her traitorous thoughts from hundreds of miles away. She considered ignoring the call, but she knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.

Blowing out a deep breath that ruffled her long bangs, she answered the phone. “Hey.”

“Reese? Thank God you picked up.” Victor sounded both relieved and exasperated. “I was just about to call your sister to see if we needed to file a missing persons report.”

“Don’t be so melodramatic,” Reese said dryly. “Besides, Raina wouldn’t have appreciated being woken up so early.”

“What do you mean?”

“She and Warrick are attending that conference in Italy, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot.”

Reese had nearly forgotten herself. She’d been dying to call her sister and tell her everything that had happened in the past four days. In fact, on the night she met Michael, she’d excused herself after dinner and made a beeline for the restroom just to FaceTime Raina. And then she remembered that her sister was out of the country with her husband. Since returning from their honeymoon three months ago, the newlyweds had been inseparable, and while this recent trip was for business, Reese had no doubt they’d spend as much time in bed as out of it.

“We should’ve gone with them,” Victor said wistfully. “I could’ve shown you guys around Venice and taken you to some of the best places in the world to eat. We could’ve had a wonderful time together.” He sighed. “If only you and I weren’t such workaholics.”

Reese refrained from reminding him that he was the one who’d cited their busy schedules when Raina invited them to join her and Warrick on their business trip. Reese had been more than willing to take time off for a romantic excursion to Italy, but Victor had refused.

His remark was just another example of his selective memory. Apparently he’d also chosen to forget that he’d promised to give her space. Calling her every day wasn’t what she’d had in mind when she’d asked for a breather.

“I’ve left you several messages,” he told her. “Did you get them?”

“Yes. I haven’t had a chance to call you back.” You haven’t given me a chance. “Victor?—”

“So what’ve you been doing with yourself?” he swiftly changed the subject. “Done any sightseeing?”

“A little.” Inside the kitchen, Reese crossed to the refrigerator and removed a plate of thawed veal cutlets she’d seasoned earlier to make veal parmigiana for dinner. She’d made a pact with herself not to eat out more than twice a week, although it was tempting with so many great restaurants to choose from.

“Why are you being so vague?” Victor complained. “I’m not interrogating you. I just want to know what you’ve been up to.”

Leaning back against the center island, Reese gave him a quick rundown of her week. Other than to mention having dinner at Wolf’s Soul, she didn’t elaborate on her encounters with Michael Wolf, or the apprenticeship. She didn’t feel like dealing with Victor’s jealousy, which was only a recent development.

---