Page 51 of Winner Takes All

The lights dim and the tables are now empty and clean with a lingering scent of rosemary and garlic hanging in the air. This place is our comfort. We spend more time here than at home, so it needs to be. Our open kitchen where we’ve spent countless hours cooking, laughing, and even arguing over the perfect recipe is at rest for the night. It’s pristine counter and the gleaming copper hood still looks as beautiful as the day they were installed.

I swear I can still hear the faint echo of all of the laughter and conversation that fills this space on a daily basis. Victor turns and sees my dreamy look. He moves toward me.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

“I’m in awe that we just celebrated our one-year anniversary,” I tell him. “It seems like it’s been but the blink of an eye. Wasn’t it yesterday that we had our grand opening?”

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in for a hug. “I have to agree, but it’s been one hell of a beautiful year,” he says.

I settle into his arms, briefly closing my eyes, the steady rise and fall of his chest against mine. How could I have ever thought the two of us wouldn’t work? It boggles my brain now, because we are that sickeningly perfect couple others strive to imitate.

“I can’t believe there was a time I refused to go on a date with you,” I say with a chuckle.

“You enjoyed torturing me back then. Hell, I think you still like to. The difference is while I still love riling you up, I far more enjoy making you burn.”

“You do make me burn,” I tell him. There’s a crash in the bathroom, which makes us both turn.

“It’s all okay, just dropped the mop bucket,” Missy calls out. “Almost done.”

“We have the best people working for us,” I say with a laugh.

“We’ve been blessed in many, many ways,” he agrees.

I then laugh. “There have been some trying times, though.”

He laughs with me, his chest rumbling against mine, rubbing against my nipples, and making me ache for him. There have been a few times we’ve enjoyed some outdoor lovemaking on our patio in the middle of the night. Tonight won’t be one of those nights because we aren’t into voyeurism.

“Those challenges have made us stronger, like the stove breaking down twice, three health inspections in two weeks, andDale somehow managing to flood the bathroom with his latest and greatest cleaning methods.”

I laugh with him. “Well, at least the health inspections were happening because the man liked our food so much he was finding excuses to keep coming back,” I say with a shake of my head.

“He could’ve told us that instead of panicking us,” he says.

“He’s now a regular so I don’t worry too much.”

“I love the people who drive for hours to enjoy a meal with us. We’re doing something right,” he says.

“We’re cooking with love and dedication. Our travels around the world have been a huge success. We’ve both learned so much.”

“And have made love in all of the best places,” he says before leaning down and nuzzling my neck. My blood instantly burns before I push him back.

“Don’t you dare start something you can’t finish,” I tell him. I love how my body still aches for this man. I’ve heard this part of a relationship dims after a while. It’s still going strong for us.

“The bathrooms are clean,” he says with a waggle of his brows. The funny thing is I’m considering it.

“There are still people here,” Jesse says as he walks past us with a laugh. My cheeks flush. Just when I think we’re alone, I’m proven wrong.

“You’re a bad influence,” I tell him with a laugh.

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I’ll never stop trying to get you naked,” he tells me.

A groan comes out of the back room. This place doesn’t allow for private conversations. Victor and I laugh and decide to quit torturing our hard-working staff.

“We’ve truly thrived with this place and with your vlog, Nik. I’m more grateful than ever that you chose me to be your partner for this and for life.”

“Me too, Victor, more than words can say,” I tell him as my heart swells with love and security.

“I want to build even more with you. I want to always learn and always grow. There will never be a time I want to sit back and watch the world go by. I want to hold it in my hands and see what else we can do together.”

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