Page 30 of Recipe for Temptation

They clinked glasses and sipped their drinks, staring at each other like they were the only two people in the world. They might as well have been.

Though the restaurant was filled to capacity, they were the only occupants of the small balcony. Reese didn’t know whether this was by accident or design. She didn’t care. She liked having Michael to herself, though she’d certainly enjoyed watching his interactions with customers when they’d first arrived. He’d gone out of his way to greet as many people as he could, shaking hands, answering questions, hugging elderly grandmothers and coaxing smiles out of babies. Watching him in action, Reese realized that money and fame hadn’t changed him. He’d never forgotten where he came from, and his customers loved him for it.

“Coming here for breakfast was a brilliant idea,” Reese murmured.

“I’m glad you feel that way.” Michael smiled ruefully. “After the way I behaved the other night, I was afraid you’d never want to come near this place again.”

“I wasn’t planning to, believe me.” She chuckled. “I was so mad at you, I even thought about burning your cookbook.”

He shouted with laughter. “Damn, baby, that’s cold!”

Reese grinned wickedly. “Hot, you mean. As in, torched to ashes.”

Michael shook his head at her, his eyes glimmering with amusement and respect. “You are one formidable woman, Reese St. James. Remind me never to cross you again.”

She laughed, sipping her mimosa. As she crossed her legs under the table, Michael shifted at the same time. Without warning her foot collided with his firm, muscled calf, sending jolts of sensation shooting up her leg to her core.

Their gazes locked, a current of pure sexual awareness passing between them.

“So this is where you’re hiding!” boomed a deep male voice threaded with laughter.

Michael swore under his breath, staring past Reese with an expression of annoyance mingled with dread.

Curious, she glanced around and saw a man coming toward them with a cocky swagger that could only be rivaled by Michael’s. The stranger was dressed in a bespoke charcoal suit, his debonair appearance offset by the toothpick dangling from the corner of his mouth.

As he reached their table, his speculative gaze took inventory of Reese’s flushed cheeks and Michael’s scowl before a knowing grin spread across his gorgeous face.

“What’s up, Wolfman?” he greeted Michael, clapping him on the back. “No wonder your waiters were being so tight-lipped about where you are. You’re up here having a hot date. And speaking of hot…” He eyed Reese with frank male interest, his full lips curving in a smile that had undoubtedly seduced more than a few women into parting with their panties. “Hello, beautiful.”

Reese couldn’t help smiling back. “Hello.”

Grudgingly Michael performed the introductions. “Reese, I’d like you to meet Quentin Reddick. Q, this is Reese St. James.”

“It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Reese.” Quentin held her hand a little longer than was necessary, earning a scowl from Michael.

While both men were tall, wide-shouldered and incredibly good-looking, the similarities ended there. Where Michael was dark and smoldering, Quentin had a golden complexion and piercing hazel eyes that sparkled with irrepressible mischief.

“So tell me something, Reese,” he drawled. “Where’s Mike been hiding you?”

She grinned. “Actually, he hasn’t. I’m visiting from Houston.”

“Visiting Mike?”

“Not exactly.” She paused. “I’m going to be his new apprentice on Howlin’ Good.”

“Is that right?” Quentin slanted a knowing grin at Michael. “You sly, sly dog.”

Michael glared at him. “Don’t you have someplace else to be?”

His grin widened. “Not at the moment. I just came from church and decided to swing by my favorite restaurant to get my eat on.” He winked at Reese. “Best places to meet beautiful single women—the Lord’s house and Wolf’s Soul.”

Reese chuckled. “Good to know you’ve got your priorities straight.”

“Always.” His gaze roamed across her face. “So what do you do down there in H-Town?”

Michael rolled his eyes in exasperation. “What’s up with the interrogation, Q?”

“It’s all right.” Reese smiled at Quentin. “I’m a doctor.”

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